Ecological risk assessment(ERA) is an indispensable method for systematic monitoring of World Heritage Sites(WHSs) exposed to various anthropogenic factors and natural disasters. Remote sensing(RS) and geographical in...Ecological risk assessment(ERA) is an indispensable method for systematic monitoring of World Heritage Sites(WHSs) exposed to various anthropogenic factors and natural disasters. Remote sensing(RS) and geographical information systems(GIS) can eliminate many limitations in traditional ERA methods. In this study, changes in ecological risk at Huangshan Mountain, the first mixed WHS in China, over the period of 1984–2019 were explored using remote sensing images and products by considering both natural disasters and human disturbance. Results show that of the four land cover types in Huangshan Mountain, namely water, forest, building and farmland, the main land cover type is forest. During the 35 yr, lands categorised at low or relatively low ecological risk levels are dominant in Huangshan Mountain, with the lowest and highest ERIs(ecological risk index) in 1990 and 2010, respectively. The areas at the five ecological risk levels have declined as follows: relatively low > low > medium > relatively high > high. Changes in ecological risks are closely related to changes in land cover and natural disasters. Even though major natural disasters may affect the ecological risk level in the whole region, changes in land cover caused by human activities will shift the ecological risk level in some areas. Our attempts can be modified and applied to other sites, and offer policy implications for protection and preservation of WHSs.展开更多
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are becoming a global problem. Previous research of cyanobacterial bloom development has examined how high nutrient concentrations promote cyanobacteria dominance, and how positive buoyancy...Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are becoming a global problem. Previous research of cyanobacterial bloom development has examined how high nutrient concentrations promote cyanobacteria dominance, and how positive buoyancy provides an ecological advantage over sinking phytoplankton. Tributaries responsible for loading nutrients into lakes often simultaneously contribute high concentrations of suspended sediments. High concentrations of suspended sediments may also influence blooms by affecting the ambient light climate, reducing photodamage, and increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis. We examined the effects of sediments and vertical mixing in potentially reducing photodamage to Microcystis by measuring photosynthetic parameters and pigment content of Microcystis in western Lake Erie during the 2008 bloom and in laboratory experiments. Photosynthetic efficiency increased with increasing sediment concentration in the lake and laboratory experiment. Content of photo-protective carotenoid pigments per dry weight decreased with increasing sediment concentrations, while the light-harvesting pigments, chl a and phycocyanin, increased with sediments. These results indicate that suspended sediments reduce photoinhibition for Microcystis. Further, photosynthetic damage was higher when Microcystis was concentrated on the surface compared to a mixed water column. Measurements of Microcystis abundance and light were also recorded, in addition to photosynthetic measurements. Greatest Microcystis abundances in Lake Erie were recorded during light-limiting conditions, which offer Microcystis both physiological and ecological benefits by reducing photoinhibition and increasing Microcystis’ advantage in light competition via buoyancy. Efforts to reduce cyanobacterial blooms may include reducing suspended sediments loads in combination with reducing nutrient loading.展开更多
This study examined spatial variations in the concentration,grain size and heavy mineral assemblages on Cedar Beach（Lake Erie,Canada）.Magnetic studies of heavy mineral-enriched,dark-reddish sands present on the beac...This study examined spatial variations in the concentration,grain size and heavy mineral assemblages on Cedar Beach（Lake Erie,Canada）.Magnetic studies of heavy mineral-enriched,dark-reddish sands present on the beach showed that magnetite（～150μm） is the dominant magnetic mineral.Surficial magnetic susceptibility values defined three zones：a lakeward region close to the water line（Zone 1）,the upper swash zone（Zone 2） and the region landwards of the upper swash zone （Zone 3）.Zone 2 showed the highest bulk and mass susceptibility（κ,χ） and the highest mass percentage of smaller grain-size（250μm） fractions in the bulk sand sample.Susceptibility（i.e.κandχ） values decreased and grain size coarsened from Zone 2 lakewards（into Zone 1） and landwards （into Zone 3）,and correlated with the distribution of the heavy mineral assemblage,most probably reflecting preferential separation of large,less dense particles by waves and currents both along and across the beach.The eroded western section of Cedar Beach showed much higher concentrations of heavy minerals including magnetite,and finer sand grain sizes than the accreting eastern section, suggesting that magnetic techniques could be used as a rapid,cost-effective way of examining erosion along sensitive coastline areas.展开更多
The ecological characteristics of four lizardfishes, Trachinocephalus myops, Saurida undosquamis, Saurida tumbil and Saurida elongata, were studied from specimens （910 T. myops, 454 S. un-dosquamis, 686 S. tumbil and...The ecological characteristics of four lizardfishes, Trachinocephalus myops, Saurida undosquamis, Saurida tumbil and Saurida elongata, were studied from specimens （910 T. myops, 454 S. un-dosquamis, 686 S. tumbil and 744 S. elongata） collected monthly in the southern Taiwan Straits from April 2005 to March 2006. The population dynamics of the four lizardfishes was also discussed by the comparison with the previous studies. All being composed of 7 a classes; the dominant group of T. myops and S. tumbil was 1–2 a, while S. undosquamis and S. elongate were 2–3 a. The total mortality coefficient Z and the fishing mortality F were at high as indicated by the exploitation ratio E（0.5）, and a large number of by-caught juvenile and young fishes showing that the stock of lizardfishes in this area was overexploited and the fishing gear was irrational. Compared with the previous studies, the maximum and mean fork length, body mass and age of the four lizard- fishes declined gradually, the lizardfishes populations were younger in age and smaller in size. The asymptotic fork length L ∞ decreased while increasing growth coefficient k, and age at the inflexion point of mass t r was younger compared with the previous studies. The declining of older ones has moderated the feeding competition and the younger ones grew faster. The larger mortality param-eters Z, M and F have revealed higher fishing pressure. The smaller change of the first mature fork length of female T . myops and the change from K selection pattern to r selection pattern of S. tumbil have indicated a more vulnerable fishery ecosystem in this area. The changes of ecological characteristics and population dynamics may be caused by over-exploitation of demersal fishes such as the lizardfishes, especially a large number of juvenile and young fishes by-catch by the current fishing gears and methods. Therefore, in addition to the traditional fishery management approach such as the minimum length-limit, ecosystem approach to fisheries management （EAF） should be taken to improve the practical marine ecosystem management, including increased fishing intensity of the non-economic species especially the feeding competitors of the lizardfishes and the conservation of the pelagic fishery population in the fisheries ecosystem, in order to restore the fishery population and achieve the sustainable use of the fishery stocks.展开更多
Objective To optimize the performance of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis （PFGE） for the comparison of inter-laboratory results and information exchange of Borrelia burgdorferi subtypingo Methods A panel of 34 strai...Objective To optimize the performance of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis （PFGE） for the comparison of inter-laboratory results and information exchange of Borrelia burgdorferi subtypingo Methods A panel of 34 strains of B. burgdorferi were used to optimize PFGE for subtyping. In order to optimize the electrophoretic parameters （EPs）, all 34 strains of B. burgdorferi were analyzed using four EPs, yielding different Simpson diversity index （D） values and the epidemiological concordance was also evaluated. Results The EP of a switch time of l s to 25 s for13 h and l s to10 s for 6 h produced the highest D value and was declared to be optimal for Mlul and 5mal PFGE of B. burgdorferi. Mlul and Smal were selected as the first and second restriction enzymes for PFGE subtyping of B. burgdorferi according to discrimination and consistency with epidemiological data. Conclusion PFGE can be used as a valuable test for routine genospecies identification of B burgdorferi.展开更多
Environmental magnetic research on beaches and shoreline processes is limited.Therefore,we carried out environmental magnetic studies on the heavy mineral-enriched,dark-reddish sands on Cedar Beach of western Lake Eri...Environmental magnetic research on beaches and shoreline processes is limited.Therefore,we carried out environmental magnetic studies on the heavy mineral-enriched,dark-reddish sands on Cedar Beach of western Lake Erie(41.68°N,82.40°W).Magnetite has been identified as the dominant magnetic mineral of these sands.This study reveals a spatial variation in concentration of magnetite particles,distribution of展开更多
TZ Eri and TU Her are both classic Algol-type systems(Algols). By observing and collecting times of minimum light, we constructed the O-C curves for the two systems. The long-time upward and downward parabolas shown i...TZ Eri and TU Her are both classic Algol-type systems(Algols). By observing and collecting times of minimum light, we constructed the O-C curves for the two systems. The long-time upward and downward parabolas shown in these diagrams are considered to be the result of the combination of mass transfer and angular momentum loss. The secular orbital period change rates are d P/dt = 4.74(±0.12) ×10-7 d yr-1 and d P/dt =-2.33(±0.01) × 10-6 d yr-1, respectively. There are also cyclic variations in their O-C curves which might be caused by the light-travel time effect(LTTE). A circumbinary star may exist in the TZ Eri system with a mass of at least 1.34 M⊙, while there are possibly two celestial bodies that almost follow a 2 : 1 resonance orbit around the TU Her binary pair. Their masses are at least 2.43 M⊙and 1.27 M⊙.展开更多
Orbital period changes of the W UMa-type binary YY Eri are analyzed by using all photoelectric and ccd times of light minimum. The results show that its orbital period is undergo- ing a secular increase superposed on ...Orbital period changes of the W UMa-type binary YY Eri are analyzed by using all photoelectric and ccd times of light minimum. The results show that its orbital period is undergo- ing a secular increase superposed on two cyclic oscillations. The continuous increase at the rate of dP/dt = 6.3806 × 10^-8 d yr^-1 may be accounted for by mass transfer from the less massive com- panion to the more massive one. Two periodic variations with periods of 38.6192 and 22.3573 yr may be attributed to the light-time effect of a faint third star and the cyclic magnetic activity of the system, respectively.展开更多
Non-Newtonian is a type of fluid that does not comply with the viscosity under the Law of Newton and is being widely used in industrial applications.These include those related to chemical industries,cosmetics manufac...Non-Newtonian is a type of fluid that does not comply with the viscosity under the Law of Newton and is being widely used in industrial applications.These include those related to chemical industries,cosmetics manufacturing,pharmaceutical field,food processing,as well as oil and gas activities.The inability of the conventional equations of Navier–Stokes to accurately depict rheological behavior for certain fluids led to an emergence study for non-Newtonian fluids’models.In line with this,a mathematical model of forced convective flow on non-Newtonian Eyring Powell fluid under temperature-dependent viscosity(TDV)circumstance is formulated.The fluid model is embedded with the Newtonian heating(NH)boundary condition as a heating circumstance and is assumed to move over a stretching sheet acting vertically.Using appropriate similarity variables,the respective model was converted into ordinary differential equations(ODE),which was later solved utilizing the Keller box approach.The present model is validated by comparing the existing output in literature at certain special limiting cases,where the validation results display a firm agreement.The current outputs for the proposed model are shown in tabular and graphical form for variation of skin friction plus Nusselt number,velocity and temperature distribution,respectively.展开更多
The objective of this research was to prepare Eri silk fibroin solution for preparing silk film loaded chlorhexidine drug as model for hydrophilic drug release. The Eri silk cocoons were boiled in 0.5%NaCO3 solution a...The objective of this research was to prepare Eri silk fibroin solution for preparing silk film loaded chlorhexidine drug as model for hydrophilic drug release. The Eri silk cocoons were boiled in 0.5%NaCO3 solution at 90℃, and then left in air dried at room temperature. The fibroin was dissolved in 9M (Ca(NO3)2) with ethanol (2 by mole) and heated at 70℃. The silk fibroin (SF) solution was then dialyzed to exclude salt in phosphate buffer. The SF and gelatin (G) solutions were mixed for preparation of films in both with and without chlorhexidine. The films were observed their morphology under scanning electron microscope. The results found that all of films were rough of their surfaces, homogeneous texture without phase separation. The native SF film composed of pores throughout the film area but did not observe in native G film. The results also showed that the SF and G can be good interacted to form hydrogen bonds. These were indicated from FTIR spectra and thermal analysis. The chlorhexidine drug has not affect on the changes of film properties. However, the releasing pattern of chlorhexidine from each film was varied. The highest rate of drug releasing was found in the native SF film while the native G film was the lowest. It might be suggested that the drug releasing rate was depended on polarity of each polymer components.展开更多
Introduction: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is shown to be a possible indicator of ovarian function. Severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients exposed to high-dose cyclophosphamide (CTX) have a much highe...Introduction: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is shown to be a possible indicator of ovarian function. Severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients exposed to high-dose cyclophosphamide (CTX) have a much higher risk of developing infertility and premature ovarian failure. Therefore, we performed a prospective case-control study to evaluate the impact of SLE on women’s ovarian reserve using AMH before CTX therapy. Methods: SLE patients before receiving CTX therapy were enrolled in our hospital. Age-matched healthy women were served as controls. Serum AMH level was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Basal hormone levels were measured including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol on the third day of their menstrual periods. All participants underwent transvaginal ultrasonographic examination for the determination of total antral follicle count on the third day. Results: AMH value in SLE patients was significantly lower compared to healthy control with normal ovarian reserve. No significant difference in AMH levels was found between SLE and healthy control with low ovarian reserve. Conclusions: SLE patients not receiving CTX therapy even with normal menstruation, still had an impaired ovarian reserve. Therefore, early monitoring of AMH levels could better reflect the ovarian function and reproductive outcomes of SLE patients and relative protective strategy needed to reserve fertility.展开更多
基金Under the auspices of the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2020YFC1521903)National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2018YFD1100104)。
文摘Ecological risk assessment(ERA) is an indispensable method for systematic monitoring of World Heritage Sites(WHSs) exposed to various anthropogenic factors and natural disasters. Remote sensing(RS) and geographical information systems(GIS) can eliminate many limitations in traditional ERA methods. In this study, changes in ecological risk at Huangshan Mountain, the first mixed WHS in China, over the period of 1984–2019 were explored using remote sensing images and products by considering both natural disasters and human disturbance. Results show that of the four land cover types in Huangshan Mountain, namely water, forest, building and farmland, the main land cover type is forest. During the 35 yr, lands categorised at low or relatively low ecological risk levels are dominant in Huangshan Mountain, with the lowest and highest ERIs(ecological risk index) in 1990 and 2010, respectively. The areas at the five ecological risk levels have declined as follows: relatively low > low > medium > relatively high > high. Changes in ecological risks are closely related to changes in land cover and natural disasters. Even though major natural disasters may affect the ecological risk level in the whole region, changes in land cover caused by human activities will shift the ecological risk level in some areas. Our attempts can be modified and applied to other sites, and offer policy implications for protection and preservation of WHSs.
文摘Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are becoming a global problem. Previous research of cyanobacterial bloom development has examined how high nutrient concentrations promote cyanobacteria dominance, and how positive buoyancy provides an ecological advantage over sinking phytoplankton. Tributaries responsible for loading nutrients into lakes often simultaneously contribute high concentrations of suspended sediments. High concentrations of suspended sediments may also influence blooms by affecting the ambient light climate, reducing photodamage, and increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis. We examined the effects of sediments and vertical mixing in potentially reducing photodamage to Microcystis by measuring photosynthetic parameters and pigment content of Microcystis in western Lake Erie during the 2008 bloom and in laboratory experiments. Photosynthetic efficiency increased with increasing sediment concentration in the lake and laboratory experiment. Content of photo-protective carotenoid pigments per dry weight decreased with increasing sediment concentrations, while the light-harvesting pigments, chl a and phycocyanin, increased with sediments. These results indicate that suspended sediments reduce photoinhibition for Microcystis. Further, photosynthetic damage was higher when Microcystis was concentrated on the surface compared to a mixed water column. Measurements of Microcystis abundance and light were also recorded, in addition to photosynthetic measurements. Greatest Microcystis abundances in Lake Erie were recorded during light-limiting conditions, which offer Microcystis both physiological and ecological benefits by reducing photoinhibition and increasing Microcystis’ advantage in light competition via buoyancy. Efforts to reduce cyanobacterial blooms may include reducing suspended sediments loads in combination with reducing nutrient loading.
基金supported by funding from the 111 Project B07011 of Ministry of Education of China,the China Scholarship Council(CSC) to SWZ (NCIS No.2007103928)an NSERC grant to MTC. D.Chevalier is thanked for her help in sampling. Laboratory assistance was provided bv K.Kawasaki and S.Joshi
文摘This study examined spatial variations in the concentration,grain size and heavy mineral assemblages on Cedar Beach（Lake Erie,Canada）.Magnetic studies of heavy mineral-enriched,dark-reddish sands present on the beach showed that magnetite（～150μm） is the dominant magnetic mineral.Surficial magnetic susceptibility values defined three zones：a lakeward region close to the water line（Zone 1）,the upper swash zone（Zone 2） and the region landwards of the upper swash zone （Zone 3）.Zone 2 showed the highest bulk and mass susceptibility（κ,χ） and the highest mass percentage of smaller grain-size（250μm） fractions in the bulk sand sample.Susceptibility（i.e.κandχ） values decreased and grain size coarsened from Zone 2 lakewards（into Zone 1） and landwards （into Zone 3）,and correlated with the distribution of the heavy mineral assemblage,most probably reflecting preferential separation of large,less dense particles by waves and currents both along and across the beach.The eroded western section of Cedar Beach showed much higher concentrations of heavy minerals including magnetite,and finer sand grain sizes than the accreting eastern section, suggesting that magnetic techniques could be used as a rapid,cost-effective way of examining erosion along sensitive coastline areas.
基金Marine Public Welfare Project of China under contract Nos 200805065,200905019-6,200705029 and 200805064Chinese Off shore Investigation and Assessment under contract No.908-02-04008+1 种基金the Scientific Research Foundation of the Third Institute of Oceanography,SOA under contract No.2011006Marine Science Foundation for Young Scientist under contract No.2011143
文摘The ecological characteristics of four lizardfishes, Trachinocephalus myops, Saurida undosquamis, Saurida tumbil and Saurida elongata, were studied from specimens （910 T. myops, 454 S. un-dosquamis, 686 S. tumbil and 744 S. elongata） collected monthly in the southern Taiwan Straits from April 2005 to March 2006. The population dynamics of the four lizardfishes was also discussed by the comparison with the previous studies. All being composed of 7 a classes; the dominant group of T. myops and S. tumbil was 1–2 a, while S. undosquamis and S. elongate were 2–3 a. The total mortality coefficient Z and the fishing mortality F were at high as indicated by the exploitation ratio E（0.5）, and a large number of by-caught juvenile and young fishes showing that the stock of lizardfishes in this area was overexploited and the fishing gear was irrational. Compared with the previous studies, the maximum and mean fork length, body mass and age of the four lizard- fishes declined gradually, the lizardfishes populations were younger in age and smaller in size. The asymptotic fork length L ∞ decreased while increasing growth coefficient k, and age at the inflexion point of mass t r was younger compared with the previous studies. The declining of older ones has moderated the feeding competition and the younger ones grew faster. The larger mortality param-eters Z, M and F have revealed higher fishing pressure. The smaller change of the first mature fork length of female T . myops and the change from K selection pattern to r selection pattern of S. tumbil have indicated a more vulnerable fishery ecosystem in this area. The changes of ecological characteristics and population dynamics may be caused by over-exploitation of demersal fishes such as the lizardfishes, especially a large number of juvenile and young fishes by-catch by the current fishing gears and methods. Therefore, in addition to the traditional fishery management approach such as the minimum length-limit, ecosystem approach to fisheries management （EAF） should be taken to improve the practical marine ecosystem management, including increased fishing intensity of the non-economic species especially the feeding competitors of the lizardfishes and the conservation of the pelagic fishery population in the fisheries ecosystem, in order to restore the fishery population and achieve the sustainable use of the fishery stocks.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)(31100105)the 12th Five-Year Major National Science and Technology Projects of China(No.2012ZX10004219-007)
文摘Objective To optimize the performance of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis （PFGE） for the comparison of inter-laboratory results and information exchange of Borrelia burgdorferi subtypingo Methods A panel of 34 strains of B. burgdorferi were used to optimize PFGE for subtyping. In order to optimize the electrophoretic parameters （EPs）, all 34 strains of B. burgdorferi were analyzed using four EPs, yielding different Simpson diversity index （D） values and the epidemiological concordance was also evaluated. Results The EP of a switch time of l s to 25 s for13 h and l s to10 s for 6 h produced the highest D value and was declared to be optimal for Mlul and 5mal PFGE of B. burgdorferi. Mlul and Smal were selected as the first and second restriction enzymes for PFGE subtyping of B. burgdorferi according to discrimination and consistency with epidemiological data. Conclusion PFGE can be used as a valuable test for routine genospecies identification of B burgdorferi.
文摘Environmental magnetic research on beaches and shoreline processes is limited.Therefore,we carried out environmental magnetic studies on the heavy mineral-enriched,dark-reddish sands on Cedar Beach of western Lake Erie(41.68°N,82.40°W).Magnetite has been identified as the dominant magnetic mineral of these sands.This study reveals a spatial variation in concentration of magnetite particles,distribution of
基金partly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 11573063 and 11611530685)the Key Science Foundation of Yunnan Province (No. 2017FA001)the CAS “Light of West China” Program and the CAS Interdisciplinary Innovation Team
文摘TZ Eri and TU Her are both classic Algol-type systems(Algols). By observing and collecting times of minimum light, we constructed the O-C curves for the two systems. The long-time upward and downward parabolas shown in these diagrams are considered to be the result of the combination of mass transfer and angular momentum loss. The secular orbital period change rates are d P/dt = 4.74(±0.12) ×10-7 d yr-1 and d P/dt =-2.33(±0.01) × 10-6 d yr-1, respectively. There are also cyclic variations in their O-C curves which might be caused by the light-travel time effect(LTTE). A circumbinary star may exist in the TZ Eri system with a mass of at least 1.34 M⊙, while there are possibly two celestial bodies that almost follow a 2 : 1 resonance orbit around the TU Her binary pair. Their masses are at least 2.43 M⊙and 1.27 M⊙.
基金supported by the Joint Research Funds in Astronomy (U1531108, U1731106 and U1731110)the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Chinese Academy of Sciencespartially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11703020)
文摘Orbital period changes of the W UMa-type binary YY Eri are analyzed by using all photoelectric and ccd times of light minimum. The results show that its orbital period is undergo- ing a secular increase superposed on two cyclic oscillations. The continuous increase at the rate of dP/dt = 6.3806 × 10^-8 d yr^-1 may be accounted for by mass transfer from the less massive com- panion to the more massive one. Two periodic variations with periods of 38.6192 and 22.3573 yr may be attributed to the light-time effect of a faint third star and the cyclic magnetic activity of the system, respectively.
基金Universiti Malaysia Pahang&Ministry of HigherEducation under The Fundamental Research Grant Scheme for Research Acculturation of Early CareerResearchers(FRGS-RACER)(Ref:RACER/1/2019/STG06/UMP//1)through RDU192602.
文摘Non-Newtonian is a type of fluid that does not comply with the viscosity under the Law of Newton and is being widely used in industrial applications.These include those related to chemical industries,cosmetics manufacturing,pharmaceutical field,food processing,as well as oil and gas activities.The inability of the conventional equations of Navier–Stokes to accurately depict rheological behavior for certain fluids led to an emergence study for non-Newtonian fluids’models.In line with this,a mathematical model of forced convective flow on non-Newtonian Eyring Powell fluid under temperature-dependent viscosity(TDV)circumstance is formulated.The fluid model is embedded with the Newtonian heating(NH)boundary condition as a heating circumstance and is assumed to move over a stretching sheet acting vertically.Using appropriate similarity variables,the respective model was converted into ordinary differential equations(ODE),which was later solved utilizing the Keller box approach.The present model is validated by comparing the existing output in literature at certain special limiting cases,where the validation results display a firm agreement.The current outputs for the proposed model are shown in tabular and graphical form for variation of skin friction plus Nusselt number,velocity and temperature distribution,respectively.
文摘The objective of this research was to prepare Eri silk fibroin solution for preparing silk film loaded chlorhexidine drug as model for hydrophilic drug release. The Eri silk cocoons were boiled in 0.5%NaCO3 solution at 90℃, and then left in air dried at room temperature. The fibroin was dissolved in 9M (Ca(NO3)2) with ethanol (2 by mole) and heated at 70℃. The silk fibroin (SF) solution was then dialyzed to exclude salt in phosphate buffer. The SF and gelatin (G) solutions were mixed for preparation of films in both with and without chlorhexidine. The films were observed their morphology under scanning electron microscope. The results found that all of films were rough of their surfaces, homogeneous texture without phase separation. The native SF film composed of pores throughout the film area but did not observe in native G film. The results also showed that the SF and G can be good interacted to form hydrogen bonds. These were indicated from FTIR spectra and thermal analysis. The chlorhexidine drug has not affect on the changes of film properties. However, the releasing pattern of chlorhexidine from each film was varied. The highest rate of drug releasing was found in the native SF film while the native G film was the lowest. It might be suggested that the drug releasing rate was depended on polarity of each polymer components.
文摘Introduction: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is shown to be a possible indicator of ovarian function. Severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients exposed to high-dose cyclophosphamide (CTX) have a much higher risk of developing infertility and premature ovarian failure. Therefore, we performed a prospective case-control study to evaluate the impact of SLE on women’s ovarian reserve using AMH before CTX therapy. Methods: SLE patients before receiving CTX therapy were enrolled in our hospital. Age-matched healthy women were served as controls. Serum AMH level was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Basal hormone levels were measured including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol on the third day of their menstrual periods. All participants underwent transvaginal ultrasonographic examination for the determination of total antral follicle count on the third day. Results: AMH value in SLE patients was significantly lower compared to healthy control with normal ovarian reserve. No significant difference in AMH levels was found between SLE and healthy control with low ovarian reserve. Conclusions: SLE patients not receiving CTX therapy even with normal menstruation, still had an impaired ovarian reserve. Therefore, early monitoring of AMH levels could better reflect the ovarian function and reproductive outcomes of SLE patients and relative protective strategy needed to reserve fertility.
