Dissociation, culture and morphologic changes of interstitial cells of Cajal in vitro

AIM: To study the method of dissociation, culture and investigate its morphologic changes in vitro of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC).METHODS: Enzymatic digestion and Ficoll density centrifugation were used to dissociate ICC from the ileal segment of mice. Factors including contamination, Ca2+, Mg2+ and collagenase, and stem cell factor, etc., were investigated.ACK2, the antibody of c-kit, was used to identify the cultured ICC. Both light microscope and fluorescence microscope were used to observe the changes of ICC in vitro.RESULTS: The method for dissociation and culture of ICC in vitro was successfully established. After 24 h, cultured ICC exhibited a few axis-cylinders, and longer axis-cylinders were observed to form synapse of each other after 3 d. More widespread connections formed within 7 d in vitro. The changes of its morphologic character were obvious within 7 d; however, there were no obvious morphologic changes after 30 d.CONCLUSION: Many factors can influence the dissociation and culture of ICC.

Morphologic changes of simple star dunes during the growth process in Dunhuang,China

Star dune is one typical kind of aeolian geomorphology in global sand seas.It has attracted scholars in various research fields for years because of its unique morphologic features like Egyptian pyramid.The landform pattern of star dune is mainly dominated by factors such as regional wind regime,sand availability,and local topography.Star dunes grow vertically as they accumulate sand brought in from different directions;however,little is known regarding morphologic changes during this process.The stability of star dunes based on quantitative data is another unsolved question due to the limitation in measuring equipment or other factors.And whether the star dune can grow into star sand hills is another scientific problem which needs to be discussed.In this paper,the heightening development process and morphological changes of star dunes were monitored in Mingsha Mountain of Dunhuang with the 3D laser scanner.Results show that the star dunes in Mingsha Mountain were formed by a group of relatively steady winds,which were northwest,northeast and south winds.With the increase of the height of the star dunes,the morphological parameters of the dune,such as the volume and bottom area,did not show regular changes.The surface erosion of both Dune 1 and Dune 2 during the observation period was closely related to the regional wind conditions.During the growth of the star dunes,the overall trend of the dunes was relatively steady and the dune shape maintained its stability although the aspect and slope of the sand dunes changed,indicating that the stability of star dune was not complete and was dynamic.Moreover,the variation range of the dune slope was proportional to the volume change of the dune.

Morphological changes of silver and bighead carp in the Yangtze River over the past 50 years

Multivariate analysis was adopted to analyze 30 morphometrical characteristics of 121 one-year-old juvenile silver carp （Hypophthalmichthys molitrix） and bighead carp （Aristichthys nobilis） bred during the 1950s （＂the former population＂） and 2008 （＂the current population＂） and collected from the middle reach of the Yangtze River. The average discriminant accuracies of the former and current silver and bighead carp population were 94.2% and 98.0%, respectively. Discriminant analysis also revealed that significant differences in morphology occurred between the former and current populations of both carp in overall characteristics. One-way analysis of variance indicated that between former and current populations, silver carp showed highly significant differences （P0.01） in twelve of their characteristics and significant differences （P0.05） in eight of their characteristics, while bighead carp showed highly significant differences （P0.01） in eight of their characteristics and significant differences （P0.05） in eight of their characteristics. Six head morphology variables of the current silver and bighead carp were significantly or highly significantly larger than the former populations; fourteen characteristics of silver carp and ten characteristics of bighead carp of the current populations, mainly reflecting truck and tail morphology, were significantly or very significantly smaller than the former populations. Our results indicate that silver and bighead carp have developed a larger head and smaller truck and tail during the last 50 years. Due to such morphological changes, it seems apparent that the heads of these fish species need to be considered in regards to human diets, particularly in relation to economic and nutritious value.

Sedimentation and morphological changes at Yuantuojiao Point, estuary of the North Branch, Changjiang River

The North Branch, separated by the Chongming Island, was once the main channel in the estuary of the Changjiang River. Reclamation and a decrease in runoffto the North Branch had led to the narrowing and shallowing of the channel. The Yuantuojiao Point is located at the intersecting point connecting the North Branch of the Changjiang River and the Jiangsu coastline. Erosion cliffs are developed between the typical silty-muddy tidal flat and the salt marsh occupied by Spartina alterniflorea, and this has changed rapidly over the past few years. The sediment grain size analysis results of the surficial and two core samples indi- cate that the Yuantuoiiao Point tidal fiat experienced continuous accretional processes. Based upon 137Cs analysis results of the YT and YY Cores sampled from the tidal flat at the Yuantuojiao Point, the average sed- imentation rate of the YT Core was 2.30 cm/a from 1963 to 2007, and 2.38 cm/a from 1954 to 2007 for the YY Core. The sedimentation rates of both core locations have declined since the 1960s corresponding to the seaward reclamation at the Yuantuojiao Point. The average sedimentation rates at the Yuantnojiao Point were similar to that of the silty-muddy tidal flat at the northern ]iangsu coast, but lower than that of the south of the Changjiang River Estuary. According to field morphological investigations from 2006 to 2008 on the salt marsh at the Yuantuojiao Point, cliffs retreated markedly by storm surges and disappeared gradu- ally because of the rapid sedimentation on the silty-muddy tidal flat. The maximum annual retreat reached 10 m. The recent sedimentation and morphological changes of the Yuantuojiao Point tidal flat not only displayed the retreat of the salt marsh and the disappearance of cliffs, but also was accompanied by rapid sedimentation of the silty-muddy tidal flat and the salt marsh, indicating the responses to the tidal currents, storm surges, Spartina alterniflorea trapping sediments and large-scale reclamation. The sediment grain size and their trends, southward coastal flow, and sandspits of the longshore bars suggest that the main sediment source at the Yuantuoijao Point, estuary of the North Branch was possibly from the Changjiang River before 1958, since then, it has been from the south of the submarine radial sand ridges of the southern Huanghai Sea （Yellow Sea）.

Acquired Morphological Changes of Mammalian Hair Scales

The original and postnatal scale patterns of guard hairs were compared. The comparisons illustrate that acquired morphological changes take place in the scales on the coarse section of guard hairs. Scales on this part changes from regular smooth to irregular wave. The primary reason would be friction. Scales on the lower part of guard hairs are thick and strong to bear friction. Additionally, they are berried in the bottom layer of pelage where friction is avoided. Scales on the coarse section are thin, broad, dense and overlap, and exposed in the environment as a cover of pelage. So friction always happen on them. Factors which enhance coefficient of friction and weaken keratin bonds are combined to damage hair scales. The results suggest that regular smooth and irregular wave are actually the same type exhibiting the same origin morphological characters, so they should be counted together in the species identification.

Biochemical and Morphological Changes in the Lenses of Selenium and/or Vitamin E Deficient Rats

The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R),superoalde dismutase (SOD) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and free radicals were measured, and the morphological changes were observed in the lens of control rats, selenium-deficient (SeD) and/or vitamin E deficient (VED) rats. The activities of GSH-Px in the lens of SeD rats decreased significantly. The GSH-Px activities of lens were positively related to erythrocytes selenium level. There was a free radical at g = 2.0015 in the rat lens of all groupe, but the content of free radicals in the lens of SeD group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The free radical content of lens was negatively related to erythrocytes selenium level, as well as the GSH-Px activities in the lens. In vitro, ultraviolet radiation caused the generation of another kind of free radical (g = 2.0097) in the lens of all groups, but the amount of the free radical in the lens of the SeD group was also significantly higher than that of the control group. The activities of SoD and GSSG-R in VED rat lens were significantly decreased. The amount of MDA in the lens of SeD and/or VED rats were significantly increased. The results showed that the decrease of antioaldative capability in the lenses of SeD and/or VED rats accelerated the lipid peroxidation and generation of free radicals. Although only early morphological changes in SeD and/or VED rat lens were observed, it is considered that selenium and vitamin E deficiency may be involved in the occurrence of cataract

Morphological and functional changes in the blood-spinal cord barrier of rabbits in an experimental spinal cord presyrinx state

BACKGROUND: Presyrinx state of spinal cord can reflect the initial lesion of syringomyelia (SM). The early trials has proved that ischamia and edema are main pathological changes of presyrinx state. OBJECTIVE: To establish SM model of rabbits for investigating the relationship between changes of morphous and function of blood-spinal cord barrier and the edema degree, histological changes in presyrinx state of SM, and to explore the mechanism of the presyrinx state of SM. DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Fourth Hospital, Heibei Medical University. MATERIALS: Sixty Chinese healthy white rabbits, aged 3.5-4.5 months, weighing 1.5-2.0 kg, were provided by Experimental Animal Center of Hebei Medical University [certification: (SYXK(Ji)2003-0026)]. Evan's blue (EB) and dimethylformamide (DMF) were purchased from Jingmei Biotech Co., Ltd. RM2125 paraffin section cutter (Leica Company, Japan), H-7500 transmission electron microscope (Hitachi Company, Japan), PM-20 light microscope photograph system (Olympus Company, Japan). METHODS: The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Neurosurgery Department, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January to June 2006. ① All the rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: model group (n =40), control group (n =20). Rabbits in two groups were divided into five subgroups once again at five time points (1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st days, n =8 and n =4 at each time point in the model group and control group, respectively). Under ketamine anesthesia, 0.6 mL Kaolin solution (250 g/L, 37 ℃) was injected into the cisterna magna of rabbits in model group, while 0.6 mL physiological saline (37 ℃) was injected into the rabbits of control group. ② On the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st days after kaolin injection, cervical cord samples were harvested after sacrifice of animal. Quantitative analysis on the function of blood-spinal cord barrier was performed by Evan's blue technique. Water content of spinal cord was measured by dry-wet weighing technique. Samples were fixed in 40 g/L paraform for haematoxylin and eosin staining. Pathological and ultramicrostructural observation was carried out under a light microscope and H-7500 electron microscope, respectively. ③ The comparison of measurement data was performed with analysis of variance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The changes of water content, Evan's blue content and pathology in upper cervical cord of presyrinx state at different time points. RESULTS: All the 60 rabbits were involved in the result analysis. ① Ultramicrostructural observation: During the whole process of occurrence and development of presyrinx state of spinal cord, no obvious morphological changes of blood-spinal cord barrier were found. Microvascular endothelial cells were in integrity in morphology, basal membrane was continuous and smooth, and the structure of tight junction was not destructed remarkably. ②Water content of spinal cord: Compared with control group, the water content of spinal cord was increased on the 1st day [(68.35±0.7)% vs.(66.51±0.32)%, F =7.387, P =0.026] after kaolin injection, more prominent on the 3rd day [(72.70±0.88)%, F =123.48, P =0.000], reached its peak on the 7th-14th day [(72.92±0.86)%, F =135.94, P =0.000; (72.18±0.55)%, F =28.18, P =0.001], and was declined slowly after 21 days[(70.03±0.77)%,F =11.51, P =0.009], but it was still higher than that of control group [(65.98±0.56)%, F = 11.51, P =0.009].③ Evan's blue content in spinal cord tissue: It started to rise on the 3rd day after operation [(2.79±0.42) mg/L, F =61.35, P =0.000], reached its peak on the 7th day [(3.53±0.45) mg/L, F =528.35, P =0.000], and kept this high level till the 14th day [(3.45± 0.35) mg/L, F =326.57, P =0.000]. It decreased on the 21st day [(3.36±0.27) mg/L], but was still higher than normal level[(1.69±0.16)mg/L,F = 58.63,P =0.000]. ④ Neurologic function score: The neurologic function score of rabbits in the model group was close to that in the control group preoperatively and on the postoperative 1st and 3rd days (F =2.667, P =0.141);Abnormal nerve function appeared on the postoperative 7th day (F =32.667, P =0.00), and the neurologic function scores were gradually decreased with the elongation of time. The neurologic function scores in the model group were significantly lower than those in the control group on the postoperative 14th and 21st days (F =42.667, 34.571,P =0.00). CONCLUSION: Under the presyrinx state of spinal cord of experimental rabbits, the destruction of blood-spinal cord barrier of spinal cord and spinal edema co-exist with the same changing tendency. Although morphological integrity of blood-spinal cord barrier is kept, the function of blood-spinal cord barrier was destroyed in the early stage and permeability is increased. This functional disorder plays an important role in the occurrence and development of presyrinx state of SM.

Predicting coastal morphological changes with empirical orthogonal function method

In order to improve the accuracy of prediction when using the empirical orthogonal function （EOF） method, this paper describes a novel approach for two-dimensional （2D） EOF analysis based on extrapolating both the spatial and temporal EOF components for long-term prediction of coastal morphological changes. The approach was investigated with data obtained from a process-based numerical model, COAST2D, which was applied to an idealized study site with a group of shore-parallel breakwaters. The progressive behavior of the spatial and temporal EOF components, related to bathymetric changes over a training period, was demonstrated, and EOF components were extrapolated with combined linear and exponential functions for long-term prediction. The extrapolated EOF components were then used to reconstruct bathymetric changes. The comparison of the reconstructed bathymetric changes with the modeled results from the COAST2D model illustrates that the presented approach can be effective for long-term prediction of coastal morphological changes, and extrapolating both the spatial and temporal EOF components yields better results than extrapolating only the temporal EOF component.

The morphological changes in the internal organs of laboratory animals after prolonged oral administration of gold nanoparticles

Recently gold nanoparticles(GNPs)have been actively studied as photot hermal converters,drug carriers,and imaging agents in a wide range of applications in cancer diagnosis and ther apy.The prolonged peroral administration of GNPs in a range of sizes was performed to investigate the morphological changes and their reversibility in the internal organs of laboratory animals.In this study,GNP's with average diameters of 2 nm,15 nm and 50nm were administered during 30 days,and the reversibility of morphological changes was investigated 14 days after administration.After the prolonged administration of GNPs,the severity of morphological changes in the liver,kidney,spleen and lymph nodes depended on the nanoparticle size.Specifically,50 nm nano-particles caused the most pronounced dystrophic and necrobiotic effects,whereas the smallest 2 nm nanoparticles caused proliferative changes.Most importantly,the development of patho-logical processes was reversible,as evidenced by the gradual restoration of the organ structure at 14 days after the end of GNPs administration.

Morphological Changes Induced by Coastal Protection on the Coast of Maputo City, Mozambique

Coastal change has merited attention because of heated arguments in the literature on this subject at national,regional,southern African,and international levels.The city of Maputo,the capital of Mozambique,which had been undergoing intense coastal erosion actions,was the target of large-scale intervention aimed at halting the advance of the sea and the consequent destruction of infrastructure.Coastal protection consisted of soft forms,artificial feeding,and heavy,longitudinal and transversal structures.This study was carried out along the protected line,about 3 km long,and aims to understand the morphological transformations in the Maputo city shoreline that occurred after the coastal protection.For that,the following technical methods were used:observation,a topographic survey of the beach cross-sections,and the shoreline evolution before and after coastal protection using 2008 and 2010 Google Earth satellite imagery prior to protection 2015,project completion year and 2018 monitoring year.The findings of the study revealed that the causes of coastal erosion persist,like constant removal by deflation of the borrowed sediment.Besides,vertical structures(groynes)intensify erosion in the downdrift while adherent structures interrupt the return of sediment deposited on the sidewalk and the road.The beach that experienced a positive sedimentary balance with artificial feeding has been losing more sediment than it gets.The transversal profiles show the beach shore has depressions that are submerged in the presence of high tides,bringing the sea closer to the adherent structure.Despite the sped up erosion observed,embryonic dunes were detected in some parts of the beach,signs of the establishment of dynamic equilibrium,becoming sites of sand accumulation and sediment source to the beach,through the exchange between the dune and the beach.With these results,a pilot station for artificial dune construction is being designed for beach stability.

Morphological Changes in the Gills of Tilapia Fed Sterilized and Nonsterilized Sludge

The effects of digested sludge on the ultrastructure of gills of Sarotherodon mossambicus were investigated.Samples of digested sludge were collected from the Shatin Sewage Treatment Plant in Hong Kong and.they were (1)sun-dried(NS)or(2)sterilized in an autoclave(SS).They were then used as supplementary fish feed to cultivate the freshwater tilapia,S.mossambicus,for 50 days under laboratory conditions.The SS at low dosage(25%)had the lowest toxicity among different treatments.A swelling of lamellar epithelium,the enlargement of the subepitlaelial space,the collapse of capillaries,and the infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells in the lamellae offish gills were common to fish fed 50 to 100% NS and SS.The thickening of the basal lamina in the gill lamellae is a common feature found in the sludge-treated fish.1989 Academic Press.Inc.

Morphological comparison and molecular marker screening of three Skeletonema species found in Changjiang(Yangtze)River Basin

In our recent investigations of diatom diversity,we studied three species,namely,Skeletonema costatum,Skeletonema subsalsum,and Skeletonema potamos.Although they have been found frequently in Changjiang(Yangtze)River Basin,their morphological and molecular identification is difficult in taxonomy.Therefore,to integrate morphological and molecular biological approaches,we compared systematically their morphological characters and performed phylogenetic analysis.Twelve strains of Skeletonema were collected and isolated from Shanghai and Jiangsu,China,and their morphological characteristics were examined by light microscopy(LM)and the scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Based on morphological comparison,we determined that S.potamos is easy to distinguish from the other two species.The heavily silicified areolae,undulated or cleft distal ends of terminal fultoportula processes(TFPPs),absence of basal pores of fultoportula processes(FPPs),the rootlike protrusions of FPPs,and no interlocking connection are the stable characteristics that can be used to identify S.potamos.However,there are only two features that can distinguish S.costatum from S.subsalsum,namely the location of terminal rimoportulae(TRPs)and the distal shape of TFPPs.In addition,we amplified and sequenced nine common genetic markers from the strains,from which 101 sequences were obtained,constructed phylogenetic trees based on the nine genes and evaluated that seven genes can be used to identify S.potamos,and revealed that S.subsalsum is the closest known relative of S.costatum,and only ATP synthetase beta-subunit gene(atp B)is able to distinguish them from each other,which strongly support that it is an effective molecular marker for Skeletonema.This work provided a theoretical basis for the taxonomic study of Skeletonema.

Morphological Change of Starch Grain Based on Simulated Experiment and its Significance of Agricultural Archaeology——Taking Wheat as an Example

[Objective] The aim was to research and identify starch grain microfossil found in archaeological sites in China, and to find appropriate procedures for the starch grain analysis experiment.[Method] Wheat starch grain size distribution was analyzed, and some simulated experiments were carried out, like mortar grinding, ultrasonic treatment, hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide immersion, drying treatment, and so on. [Result] The mean size of wheat starch grains had increased in the growth process. Mortar grinding would make wheat starch grains larger than untreated sample. Long time of ultrasonic treatment can also make the starch grain size larger. 10% HCl and 6% H2O2 would have little effects on morphological feature of wheat starch grains. Low temperature heating did not cause starch grains to be gelatinized. [Conclusion] These experiment results can improve the accuracy of starch grain microfossil identification in the archaeological site. Starch grain analysis may be a utility and effective analytical tool in studying the origin of agriculture and the dispersal of crops in China.

Vascular morphological change due to endovascular stent placement for intracranial aneurysm

Objective The purpose of this study was to quantify the vascular angle change due to intracranial stent placement and its effect on hemodynamics. Methods Fifteen patients with a wide-necked anterior communicating artery aneurysm were treated with stent-assisted coiling. Centerlines of the parent vessels were calculated and determined the exact change in

An Explorative Research into the Factors Affecting Chinese Students＇ Retention and Application of English New Words

Vocabulary has a direct impact on people＇s communication competence. A good mastery of an English word covers its pronunciation, spelling, part of speech, meaning and application. This article will focus only on factors affecting the retention and application of a word from the perspective of semantic disparities, different defining angles in English and Chinese, emotional coloring and styles, morphological changes, and collocation. The author hopes that this article will be able to provide some insights into vocabulary teaching.

Seawater Acclimation of Spirulina

[Objective] This study aimed to seek the cultivation method for Spirulina with seawater. [Method] Spirulina was habituated culture progressively with prepared seawater acclimation solution. The morphological changes of Spirulina were observed and its biochemical indicators were measured. [Result] A new algae species was obtained, which had better stability and greater average length than Spirulina in fresh water. Compared with the Spirulina in fresh water, the new algae species showed no significant change in chlorophyll content, but a 62.8% increase in the concentration of phycocyanin. [Conclusion] The method could save resources and cost, which lays the foundation for large scale production and processing of Spirulina.

Electroacupuncture reduces apoptotic index and inhibits p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in the hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Electroacupuncture attenuates cerebral hypoxia and neuronal apoptosis induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.To further identify the involved mechanisms,we assumed that electroacupuncture used to treat cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was associated with the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） signaling pathway.We established rat models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury using the modified Zea-Longa＇s method.At 30 minutes before model establishment,p38 MAPK blocker SB20358 was injected into the left lateral ventricles.At 1.5 hours after model establishment,electroacupuncture was administered at acupoints of Chize（LU5）,Hegu（LI4）,Zusanli（ST36）,and Sanyinjiao（SP6） for 20 minutes in the affected side.Results showed that the combination of EA and SB20358 injection significantly decreased neurologic impairment scores,but no significant differences were determined among different interventional groups.Hematoxylin-eosin staining also showed reduced brain tissue injuries.Compared with the SB20358 group,the cells were regularly arranged,the structures were complete,and the number of viable neurons was higher in the SB20358 ＋ electroacupuncture group.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase（Td T）-mediated d UTP nick-end labeling assay showed a decreased apoptotic index in each group,with a significant decrease in the SB20358 ＋ electroacupuncture group.Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced phosphorylated p38 expression at 3 days in the electroacupuncture group and SB20358 ＋ electroacupuncture group compared with the ischemia/reperfusion group.There was no significant difference in phosphorylated p38 expression between the ischemia/reperfusion group and SB20358 group.These findings confirmed that the electroacupuncture effects on mitigating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury are possibly associated with the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.A time period of 3 days could promote the repair of ischemic cerebral nerves.

Is diabetic cardiomyopathy a specific entity?

Diabetes mellitus(DM) is characterised by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and metabolic dysregulation leading to diastolic and systolic dysfunction in diabetes. In this review, the pathogenetic and pathomorphological changes leading to diastolic and systolic dysfunction in diabetes are discussed. Changes in metabolic signalling pathways, mediators and effectors contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction in DM called diabetic cardiomyopathy(DC). Echocardiographic studies report on the association between DM and the presence of cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial stiffness that lead to diastolic dysfunction. More recently reported echocardiographic studies with more sensitive techniques, such as strain analysis, also observed systolic dysfunction as an early marker of DC. Depression of systolic and diastolic function is continuum and the line of separation is artificial. To conclude, according to current knowledge, DC is expected to be a common single phenotype that is caused by different pathogenetic and pathomorphological changes leading to diastolic and systolic dysfunction in diabetes.

Biological role of surface Toxoplasma gondii antigen in development of vaccine

AIM： To analyze the biological role of the surface antigen of Toxoplasma gondii（Tgondii） in development of vaccine. METHODS： The surface antigen of Tgondii （SAG1） was expressed in vitro. The immune response of the host to the antigen was investigated by detection of specific antibody reaction to SAG1 and production of cytokines. Mice were immunized with recombinant SAG1 and challenged with lethal strain of Tgondii RH. The monoclonal antibody to r-SAG1 was prepared and used to study the effects of SAG1 on Tgondii tachyzoites under electromicroscope. RESULTS： The mice immunized with recombinant SAG1 delayed death for 60 h compared to the control group. The recombinant SAG1 induced specific high titer of IgG and IgM antibodies as well as IFN-y, IL-2 and IL-4 cytokines in mice. In contrast, IL-12, IL-6 and TNF-α were undetectable. When T gondii tachyzoites were treated with the monoclonal antibody to r-SAG1, the parasites were gathered together, destroyed, deformed, swollen, and holes and gaps formed on the surface. CONCLUSION： SAG1 may be an excellent vaccine candidate against T gondii. The immune protection induced by SAG1 against Tgondii may be regulated by both hormone- and cell-mediated immune response.

Temporal Variations of Water Discharge and Sediment Load of Huanghe River,China

Based on the data from gauging stations, the changes in water discharge and sediment load of the Huanghe （Yellow） River were analyzed by using the empirical mode decomposition （EMD） method. The results show that the periodic oscillation of water discharge and sediment load of the Huanghe River occurs at the interannual, decadal, and multi-decadal scales, caused by the periodic oscillations of precipitation, and E1 Nifio/Southern Oscillation （ENSO） af- fects water discharge by influencing precipitation distribution and contributes to periodic varations in precipitation and water discharge at interannual timescale. The water discharge and sediment load of the Huanghe River have decreased since the 1960s under the influence of precipitation and huamn activities, and human activities attribute more than precipitation to the reduction in the water discharge and sediment load, furthermore, water abstraction and water-soil conservation practices are the main causes of the decrease in water discharge and sediment load, respectively. The reduction in sediment load has directly impacted on the lower reaches of the Huanghe River and the river delta, causing considerable erosion of the river channel in the lower reaches since the 1970s along with River Delta changing siltation into erosion around 2000.