Objective:To implant 80 mm-long artificial esophagi constructed of biomaterial in dogs, observe the perioperative survival rates and the incidence of postoperative complications, and study the mechanisms of postopera...Objective:To implant 80 mm-long artificial esophagi constructed of biomaterial in dogs, observe the perioperative survival rates and the incidence of postoperative complications, and study the mechanisms of postoperative healing. Methods: Specimens of the implanted esophagus, the "neo-esophagi", were taken for histopathologic study 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months after operation. Results: The incidence of anastomotic leakage after the artificial esophagus implantation was 3.33%. The perioperative survival rate was 96.67%. The incidence of postoperative stenosis in the "neo-esophagi" was 81.48%; the stenoses were treated by expanding with esophagoscopy and implanting a stent. Epithelization of the mucosa in the "neo-esophagi" was completed in 3 to 6 months after surgery Structures such as submucosal muscle layers, mucous glands, nerve fibers, capillaries, etc. were regenerated after 12 months, and then reconstruction of the fibrous connective tissue layer was completed. Conclusion: Implanting a biomaterial artificial esophagus accomplishes safe reconstruction of defects in the esophagus. Advanced cellular structure of "neo-esophagus" can be regenerated after 1 year. Postoperative stenosis, which is related to hyperplasia and retraction of scar tissue, is still the most common complications which limiting the clinical application of the artificial esophagus.展开更多
This study explores the Chinese public’s perceptions of, and attitudes to, agriculture and food applications of bio-technology; and investigates the effect of socio-demographic factors on attitudes. A questionnaire s...This study explores the Chinese public’s perceptions of, and attitudes to, agriculture and food applications of bio-technology; and investigates the effect of socio-demographic factors on attitudes. A questionnaire survey and interviews were used in an attempt to combine quantitative analysis with qualitative review. The main finding of this study is that the Chinese population has a superficial, optimistic attitude to agricultural biotechnology; and that, in accordance with public attitudes, a cautious policy, with obligatory labelling, should be adopted. The study reveals that education is the factor among socio-demographic variables with the strongest impact on public attitudes. Higher education leads to a more positive evaluation of GM (genetically modified) foods and applications of biotechnology with respect to usefulness, moral acceptability, and suitability for encouragement. In addition, public attitudinal differences depend significantly on area of residence. Compared with their more urban compatriots, members of the public in less developed areas of China have more optimistic attitudes, perceive more benefits, and are more risk tolerant in relation to GM foods and agricultural biotechnology. Finally we obtained a very high rate of “don’t know” answers to our survey questions. This suggests that many people do not have settled attitudes, and correspondingly, that the overall public attitude to agricultural biotechnology and GM foods in China is at present somewhat unstable.展开更多
Stable isotope values, δ13C and δ15N, were determined for four primary producers and 19 dominant consumers in a small artificial lagoon located in Hangzhou Bay. Based on these results the major pathways for energy f...Stable isotope values, δ13C and δ15N, were determined for four primary producers and 19 dominant consumers in a small artificial lagoon located in Hangzhou Bay. Based on these results the major pathways for energy flow and trophic structure of the artificial lagoon ecosystem were characterized. The mean δ13C values for the 19 consumers ranged from -22.99‰ to -14.24‰. Apart from so-iny mullet Liza haematocheila, the other 18 consumers had intermediate δ13C values between those of epibenthic microalgae and particulate organic matter (POM). The results of a multiple source linear mixing model (IsoSource model) indicated that 50% or more of the organic carbon in the tissues of most consumers was derived from epibenthic microalgae. This indicated that these primary producers were the main food source fueling the lagoon food web. The mean δ15N values for the 19 consumers varied between 4.93‰ and 12.97‰ and indicated four trophic levels in the lagoon. Four macroinvertebrates and zooplankton represented the primary consumers, whilst the other 14 consumers occupied the secondary and tertiary consumer levels. The 19 consumers were divided into three trophic guilds (detritivores/suspension feeders, omnivores and carnivores).展开更多
Black capuchin monkeys Sapajus nigritus are among several mammalian species that damage forest plantations, pri- marily plantations of pine trees (Pinus spp.) in South Brazil. Management practices to reduce these da...Black capuchin monkeys Sapajus nigritus are among several mammalian species that damage forest plantations, pri- marily plantations of pine trees (Pinus spp.) in South Brazil. Management practices to reduce these damages include supplemen- tary food offerings and plantation surveillance. To assess the efficiency of these techniques, four treatments were evaluated: feeding (F, with supplementary bananas and maize), surveillance (S, in situ, wherein men patrolled the plantations, deterring the monkeys), feeding + surveillance (FS) and control (no procedures) (C). The efficiency assessment of each treatment involved the number of recorded primate sightings in the treatments with the presence of guards (S and FS) and a damage inventory of the outskirts of the experimental points immediately before and after the experiment. These data were complemented by a simulta- neous study of the availability of fruit, the primary item in the diet of this primate species, in the remnant native forest in the study area. Most sightings of S. nigritus occurred early in the morning, and in general, sightings were inversely proportional to the availability of native fruits. This trend was most evident in treatment FS, most likely due to the presence of food. Treatments F and FS exhibited higher percentages of damage, indicating that these are inefficient management techniques. Treatment S exhi- bited the lowest damage rate, but at a high cost, making this technique difficult to apply over large expanses. The development of other management techniques, such as environmental enrichment and the use of deterrents, is recommended to minimize the damage caused by capuchins in forest plantations [Current Zoology 60 (5): 581-590, 2014].展开更多
基金Supported by the Science Foundation from Sci-Tech Office of Guangdong Province(A3020103)Science Foundation from Sci-Tech Bureau of Guangzhou City(2004Z3-E0551).
文摘Objective:To implant 80 mm-long artificial esophagi constructed of biomaterial in dogs, observe the perioperative survival rates and the incidence of postoperative complications, and study the mechanisms of postoperative healing. Methods: Specimens of the implanted esophagus, the "neo-esophagi", were taken for histopathologic study 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months after operation. Results: The incidence of anastomotic leakage after the artificial esophagus implantation was 3.33%. The perioperative survival rate was 96.67%. The incidence of postoperative stenosis in the "neo-esophagi" was 81.48%; the stenoses were treated by expanding with esophagoscopy and implanting a stent. Epithelization of the mucosa in the "neo-esophagi" was completed in 3 to 6 months after surgery Structures such as submucosal muscle layers, mucous glands, nerve fibers, capillaries, etc. were regenerated after 12 months, and then reconstruction of the fibrous connective tissue layer was completed. Conclusion: Implanting a biomaterial artificial esophagus accomplishes safe reconstruction of defects in the esophagus. Advanced cellular structure of "neo-esophagus" can be regenerated after 1 year. Postoperative stenosis, which is related to hyperplasia and retraction of scar tissue, is still the most common complications which limiting the clinical application of the artificial esophagus.
基金Project supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark (No.104.p.3.kina.236) and the Natural Science Foundation (No.KYZ110303077) of Zhejiang Province, China
文摘This study explores the Chinese public’s perceptions of, and attitudes to, agriculture and food applications of bio-technology; and investigates the effect of socio-demographic factors on attitudes. A questionnaire survey and interviews were used in an attempt to combine quantitative analysis with qualitative review. The main finding of this study is that the Chinese population has a superficial, optimistic attitude to agricultural biotechnology; and that, in accordance with public attitudes, a cautious policy, with obligatory labelling, should be adopted. The study reveals that education is the factor among socio-demographic variables with the strongest impact on public attitudes. Higher education leads to a more positive evaluation of GM (genetically modified) foods and applications of biotechnology with respect to usefulness, moral acceptability, and suitability for encouragement. In addition, public attitudinal differences depend significantly on area of residence. Compared with their more urban compatriots, members of the public in less developed areas of China have more optimistic attitudes, perceive more benefits, and are more risk tolerant in relation to GM foods and agricultural biotechnology. Finally we obtained a very high rate of “don’t know” answers to our survey questions. This suggests that many people do not have settled attitudes, and correspondingly, that the overall public attitude to agricultural biotechnology and GM foods in China is at present somewhat unstable.
基金Supported by the Special Research Fund for the National Non-profit Institutes (East China Sea Fishery Research Institute) (No. 2007M03)Shanghai Jingshan City Beach Management Co. Ltd, and the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No.2010CB429005)
文摘Stable isotope values, δ13C and δ15N, were determined for four primary producers and 19 dominant consumers in a small artificial lagoon located in Hangzhou Bay. Based on these results the major pathways for energy flow and trophic structure of the artificial lagoon ecosystem were characterized. The mean δ13C values for the 19 consumers ranged from -22.99‰ to -14.24‰. Apart from so-iny mullet Liza haematocheila, the other 18 consumers had intermediate δ13C values between those of epibenthic microalgae and particulate organic matter (POM). The results of a multiple source linear mixing model (IsoSource model) indicated that 50% or more of the organic carbon in the tissues of most consumers was derived from epibenthic microalgae. This indicated that these primary producers were the main food source fueling the lagoon food web. The mean δ15N values for the 19 consumers varied between 4.93‰ and 12.97‰ and indicated four trophic levels in the lagoon. Four macroinvertebrates and zooplankton represented the primary consumers, whilst the other 14 consumers occupied the secondary and tertiary consumer levels. The 19 consumers were divided into three trophic guilds (detritivores/suspension feeders, omnivores and carnivores).
文摘Black capuchin monkeys Sapajus nigritus are among several mammalian species that damage forest plantations, pri- marily plantations of pine trees (Pinus spp.) in South Brazil. Management practices to reduce these damages include supplemen- tary food offerings and plantation surveillance. To assess the efficiency of these techniques, four treatments were evaluated: feeding (F, with supplementary bananas and maize), surveillance (S, in situ, wherein men patrolled the plantations, deterring the monkeys), feeding + surveillance (FS) and control (no procedures) (C). The efficiency assessment of each treatment involved the number of recorded primate sightings in the treatments with the presence of guards (S and FS) and a damage inventory of the outskirts of the experimental points immediately before and after the experiment. These data were complemented by a simulta- neous study of the availability of fruit, the primary item in the diet of this primate species, in the remnant native forest in the study area. Most sightings of S. nigritus occurred early in the morning, and in general, sightings were inversely proportional to the availability of native fruits. This trend was most evident in treatment FS, most likely due to the presence of food. Treatments F and FS exhibited higher percentages of damage, indicating that these are inefficient management techniques. Treatment S exhi- bited the lowest damage rate, but at a high cost, making this technique difficult to apply over large expanses. The development of other management techniques, such as environmental enrichment and the use of deterrents, is recommended to minimize the damage caused by capuchins in forest plantations [Current Zoology 60 (5): 581-590, 2014].