A Comparative Analysis on Communicative Culture Difference between Chinese and English

In this study,the similarities and differences between Chinese and English cultures in pragmatic principles are discussed theoretically based on Leach’s politeness principle and Gu Yueguo’s pragmatic principle.some related examples about the tact pragmatic differences between Chinese and English are cited and comparatively analyzed,and then the in-depth reasons for the emergence of this phenomenon are proposed based on different cultural backgrounds.In cross-cultural communication,a thorough understanding and reasonable use of pragmatic principles can help people avoid pragmatic failures and also create a friendly,harmonious communication atmosphere.

Weak cation exchange 2 protein chip for detecting differentially expressed brainstem proteins in a rat model of closed traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND： Studies have reported the combined use of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to detect differentially expressed proteins in the rat brainstem following brain injury. However, the detected differential proteins often exhibit low sensitivity and high relative molecular weight. Although protein chip technology is thought to compensate for these inadequacies, no related studies or results have been reported. OBJECTIVE： To propose the application of weak cation exchange protein chips in combination with mass spectrometry for determining protein expression profiles and characteristics in the brainstem following closed brain injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, animal experiments utilizing proteomics were performed from June 2007 to December 2008 in the Proteomics Laboratory, Medical College of Chinese People＇s Armed Police Force. MATERIALS： Weak cation exchange 2 protein chip, Ciphergen Proteinchip System （PBS-IIC）. METHODS： A total of 72 rats were randomly assigned to two groups： sham-surgery （n = 12） and injury （n = 60）. A closed traumatic brain injury model caused by falling object was replicated in the injury group, which was then subdivided into five subgroups according to different time points after injury： 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours, with 12 rats in each subgroup. In the sham-surgery group, only the skin was removed and the stainless steel pad was fixed to the skull. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The brain injury rats were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours after injury, respectively, and the control rats were sacrificed at 24 hours. Pathological changes in the brainstem were determined using hematoxylin-eosin staining, and differential protein expression in the brainstem was detected using a weak cation exchange 2 protein chip and protein chip reader. RESULTS： In the sham-surgery group, cells appeared normal. However, in the brain injury group, some brainstem neurons exhibited pyknosis, with reduced numbers of Nissl bodies in the cytoplasm swollen cell bodies and nuclei, irregular staining in the cytoplasm, and decreased numbers of neurons. Results from weak cation exchange 2 protein chip detection demonstrated that, compared with the sham-surgery group, the expression profiles of 2 proteins were altered in the brainstem of the injury group. At 12, 24, and 48 hours after injury, expression was increased （P 〈 0.01 ）. The mass charge ratio （M/Z） of 7 862 differentially expressed proteins was greater in the sham-surgery group compared with 12 and 24 hours after injury （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The combined method of weak cation exchange 2 protein chip and mass spectrometry detected differential protein expression in the brainstem following closed brain injury in the rats, which suggested that closed brain injury induced altered protein expression profiles in the brainstem.

Discussion about Improvement of Stability of the Scan Timing by Placing Small ROI in Cerebral 3D-CTA

In three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) in our facility, we usually scan the volume of the brain according to the bolus tracking method. Fluoroscopic slice is placed at the Willis’s ring and the timing of scan is determined subjectively by a radiological technologist after strong enhancement of the basal cerebral artery is confirmed. In these procedures, however, variation of scan timing is often problematic. Therefore, we design the surpassing method to place the small region-of-interest (ROI) at the basal cerebral arteries and to start CT scan automatically. In this protocol, the fluoroscopic slices of the distal internal carotid arteries are selected referring to the precontrast volume data, small ROIs are set in bilateral internal carotid arteries, and scan trigger of CT is started automatically at the threshold of 170 HU. The maximum 80 mL of iodine contrast agent 300 mgI/mL is injected intravenously at the rate of 4.0 mL/sec, and the volume of the arterial phase is scanned automatically. We measure ROIs at the internal carotid arteries based on the obtained volume data of arterial phase and estimate the optimal scan timings from the fluoroscopic CT images reformatted at the intervals of 0.1 sec. In 38 of 53 patients, placement of the small ROIs is succeeded and automatic or manual CT scan is performed. In the patients who succeed in placement of the small ROIs, optimal scan timing of the arterial phase is obtained, while in the patients who fail placement of the small ROIs, a large variation is observed in their scan timings. Their results suggest that more stable scanning of the arterial phase is available by means of small ROI placement and automatic scanning. The clinical significance is large because the stability and reproducibility of the examination provide a quantitative analysis and more accurate diagnosis.

Intestinal parasitic infections and risk factors among Myanmar migrant workers in northeast Thailand

Objective:To determine the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections in migrant workers in Nakhon Ratchasima Province,Northeast Thailand.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2017 to July 2018 in 600 Myanmar migrant workers.Questionnaires were employed for collecting the demographic data of participants.Stool samples were collected and examined using the formalinether concentration technique.Risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections were determined using multiple logistic regressions analyses.Results:The overall infection rate of intestinal parasitic infections was 27.67%(166/600).Among the intestinal helminthes observed,hookworm was most abundant(8.67%)followed by Trichuris trichiura(8.50%),Opisthorchis viverrini(4.17%),Ascaris lumbricoides(1.50%),Strogyloides stercoralis(1.17%)and Hymenolepis nana(0.5%).Meanwhile,Entamoeba coli was the most prevalent intestinal protozoa(4.33%,26/600)followed by Endolimax nana(1.33%),Entamoeba histolytica complex(1.17%),Blastocystis sp.(1.0%)and Giardia duodenalis(0.17%).The study found significant associations between gender and Strogyloides stercoralis infection(ORadj=5.61,95%CI=1.18–26.70,P=0.03),workers aged 30 years old were likely to have a lower risk of the T.trichiura infection(ORadj=0.45,95%CI=0.23–0.89).Moreover,the history of consuming raw or undercooked cyprinoid fish was a risk factor of Opisthorchis viverrini infection(ORadj=2.82,95%CI=1.22–6.49,P=0.015).Conclusions:There remains a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among Myanmar migrant workers in the study area and therefore health screenings for all migrant workers in Thailand are required.

Predicting and Suppressing Oversensing of a Pacemaker in Plain X-Ray Photography

We conducted experiments of oversensing generation of pacemaker (PM) and X-irradiation direction dependency of PM, and examined the oversensing suppression method, using 8 different types of PMs. It was found out from this experiment that oversensing would occur when some conditions (X-irradiation direction, X-irradiation intensity) are met. Oversensing occurred with the most low irradiation conditions (kV × mA) when PM was irradiated at 90° (vertically to C-MOS;Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The acuter the angle of irradiation is (α > 90° < α), the higher the irradiation conditions (kV × mA) at which oversensing start to occur. In plain X-ray photography, oversensing was confirmed under the irradiation conditions of (cervical spine, thoracic spine, lateral thoracic spine, rib, shoulder joint, collarbone, humerus, and chest).Once the irradiation angle and irradiation conditions (kV × mA) are available, oversensing is predictable to some extent. Our findings will help to predict oversensing generation of plain X-ray photography and suppress oversensing. Oversensing can be suppressed in most of the radiography by lowering tube current to 100 mA, but a 1.0 mm High-Density Tungsten Sheet must be put on PM in high tube voltage radiography.

Genetic Polymorphisms in ADH1B and ALDH2 Are Associated with Colorectal Tumors in Japan: A Case-Control Study

Background: Unlike with esophageal cancer, acetaldehyde levels and genetic polymorphisms in alcohol dehydrogenase have not yet been shown to be contributing factors for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to clarify the mechanism of CRC development related to alcohol consumption and to the presence of genetic polymorphisms in the alcohol dehydrogenase, ADH1B and aldehyde dehydrogenase, ALDH2. Methods: This was a case-control study (221 cases and 179 controls) in patients with adenomas and intramucosal tumors who underwent endoscopic removal of all tumors. The amount of alcohol consumption was determined using a self-recorded questionnaire, and the tumor information was obtained from colonoscopy results. Blood samples were taken to analyze the following polymorphisms: ALDH2 Glu504Lys and ADH1B His48Arg. Results: The polymorphisms in ADH1B and ALDH2 had little influence on the development of colorectal adenoma or intramucosal cancer. Patients with ALDH2 (Glu/Glu) were more tolerant of alcohol than those with ALDH2 (Glu/Lys and Lys/Lys). Next, we examined certain combinations of the ADH1B genotypes. In the ALDH2 (Glu/Glu) group, an increased risk (OR = 3.4;95% CI 1.4 - 8.4;P = 0.009) was observed among moderate/heavy drinkers with ADH1B (His/His). In the ALDH2 (Glu/Lys and Lys/Lys) group, an increased risk (OR = 4.2;95% CI 1.1 - 16.7;P = 0.041) was found among moderate/heavy drinkers with ADH1B (Arg/His and Arg/Arg). Conclusions: ADH1B and ALDH2 activity may be involved in the development of CRC.

Clinical efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for primary hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To summarize and analyze the effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on patients' condition and quality of life after treatment of large liver cancer.Methods: A total of 51 patients with primary liver cancer with a diameter of 4-7 cm were selected from our hospital. The related tumor markers and liver function indexes were analyzed before and after treatment, and the patients' progression-free survival was analyzed with long-term follow-up.Results: On the 3rd day after the treatment, the AFP level of the patients was not significantly different from that before the treatment (P>0.05), and on the 7th day after the treatment, the AFP level was significantly lower than that before the treatment (P<0.05). The levels of CA199 and ferritin were slightly higher on the 3rd day after treatment than before treatment (P<0.05), and the levels of CA199 and ferritin were significantly lower on the 7th day after treatment than before treatment (P<0.05). The index of liver function at 3 days after treatment was slightly higher than that before treatment (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in liver function at 7 d after treatment (P>0.05). Progression-free survival was observed at 1 month (90.2%), 38 at 3 months (74.5%), 33 at 6 months (64.7%), and 28 at 12 months (54.9%). After 1 month of treatment, the ECOG of 48 patients recovered to the pre-treatment level, with 3 cases of deterioration (including 2 deaths);After 3 months of treatment, there was no significant change in ECOG in 42 patients, and the ECOG score deteriorated in 9 patients (including 3 deaths). After 6 months of treatment, 36 cases of ECOG were unchanged, while 12 cases were deteriorated (including 5 deaths). After 12 months of treatment, 30 cases of ECOG were unchanged, with 21 cases of deterioration (including 9 deaths).Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation can better alleviate the disease and improve the quality of life of patients with primary liver cancer with diameter of 4-7 cm. Further studies are needed to compare the effects of other local treatments.

Inhibition of the Oversensing of Cardiac Pacemakers in Chest CT

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify how to manage oversensing of pacemakers in chest CT. Methods: Four different models of pacemakers were examined to select the pacemaker generating oversensing. To the pacemaker with oversensing, intermittent switching X-ray was exposed using ECG-gated CT helical scan system at prospective CTA mode. IVY Model was used to synchronize the ECG. Only during in the alert period that is non-refractory and sensing is available, intermittent switching X-ray (300 msec/sec) was exposed in chest CT. For comparison, the same intermittent switching X-ray (300 msec/sec) was exposed in the refractory period when sensing was not available. Results: Oversensing was detected only in one of the four pacemakers tested. In this pacemaker, oversensing was generated by exposure of the intermittent switching X-ray in the alert (non-refractory) period, but oversensing was not observed in the refractory period. Conclusion: A pacemaker has alert and refractory periods. Oversensing of a pacemaker was found to be inhibited by selective ECG-synchronized exposure in the refractory period. Since all pacemakers have the refractory period, the results of this study can be widely applied to the patients with pacemakers in chest CT, and their chest CT can be operated safely.

Concentration,sources and wet deposition of dissolved nitrogen and organic carbon in the Northern Indo-Gangetic Plain during monsoon

Precipitation represents an important phenomenon for carbon and nitrogen deposition.Here,the concentrations and fluxes of dissolved organic carbon(DOC)and total dissolved nitrogen(TDN)with their potential sources were analyzed in wet precipitation during summer monsoon from the Northern Indo-Gangetic Plain(IGP),important but neglected area.The volume-weighted mean(VWM)concentration of DOC and TDN were 687.04 and 1210.23μg/L,respectively.Similarly,the VWM concentration of major ions were in a sequence of NH_(4)^(+)>Ca^(2+)>SO_(4)^(2-)>Na^(+)>K^(+)>NO_(3)~->Cl~->Mg^(2+)>F~->NO_(2)~-,suggesting NH_(4)^(+)and Ca^(2+)from agricultural activities and crustal dust played a vital role in precipitation chemistry.Moreover,the wet deposition flux of DOC and TDN were 9.95 and 17.06 kg/(ha year),respectively.The wet deposition flux of inorganic nitrogen species such as NH_(4)^(+)-N and NO_(3)^(-)-N were 14.31 and 0.47 kg/(ha year),respectively,demonstrating the strong influence of emission sources and precipitation volume.Source attribution from different analysis suggested the influence of biomass burning on DOC and anthropogenic activities(agriculture,animal husbandry)on nitrogenous species.The air-mass back trajectory analysis indicated the influence of air masses originating from the Bay of Bengal,which possibly carried marine and anthropogenic pollutants along with the biomass burning emissions to the sampling site.This study bridges the data gap in the less studied part of the northern IGP region and provides new information for policy makers to deal with pollution control.

Nitrogenous and carbonaceous aerosols in PM_(2.5) and TSP during pre-monsoon:Characteristics and sources in the highly polluted mountain valley

This study reports for the first time a comprehensive analysis of nitrogenous and carbona-ceous aerosols in simultaneously collected PM_(2.5) and TSP during pre-monsoon(March-May 2018)from a highly polluted urban Kathmandu Valley(KV)of the Himalayan foothills.The mean mass concentration of PM_(2.5)(129.8 μg/m^(3))was only-25%of TSP mass(558.7 μg/m^(3))indicating the dominance of coarser mode aerosols.However,the mean concentration as well as fractional contributions of water-soluble total nitrogen(WSTN)and carbonaceous species reveal their predominance in find-mode aerosols.The mean mass concentration of WSTN was 17.43±4.70 μg/m^(3)(14%)in PM_(2.5) and 24.64±8.07 μg/m^(3)(5%)in TSP.Moreover,the fractional contribution of total carbonaceous aerosols(TCA)is much higher in PM_(2.5)(~34%)than that in TSP(~20%).The relatively low OC/EC ratio in PM_(2.5)(3.03±1.47)and TSP(4.64±1.73)suggests fossil fuel combustion as the major sources of carbonaceous aerosols with contributions from secondary organic aerosols.Five-day air mass back trajectories sim-ulated with the HYSPLIT model,together with MODIS fire counts indicate the influence of local emissions as well as transported pollutants from the Indo-Gangetic Plain region to the south of the Himalayan foothills.Principal component analysis(PCA)also suggests a mixed contribution from other local anthropogenic,biomass burning,and crustal sources.Our re-sults highlight that it is necessary to control local emissions as well as regional transport while designing mitigation measures to reduce the KV's air pollution.

Protective role of electrophile-reactive glutathione for DNA damage repair inhibitory effect of dibromoacetonitrile

Dibromoacetonitrile(DBAN) is a disinfection byproduct(DBP) and linked with cancer in rodents, but the mechanism of its carcinogenicity has not been fully elucidated. We recently reported that DBAN induced inhibition of nucleotide excision repair(NER). In this study, we investigated if glutathione(GSH) is involved in the DBAN-induced inhibition of NER. Human keratinocytes Ha Ca T were pretreated with L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine(BSO) to deplete intracellular GSH. BSO treatment markedly potentiated the DBAN-induced NER inhibition as well as intracellular oxidation. The recruitment of NER proteins(transcription factor IIH, and xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group G) to DNA damage sites was inhibited by DBAN, which was further exacerbated by BSO treatment. Our results suggest that intracellular GSH protects cells from DBAN-induced genotoxicity including inhibition of DNA damage repair.

Effects of introducing energy recovery processes to the municipal solid waste management system in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Currently, most developing countries have not set up municipal solid waste management systems with a view of recovering energy from waste or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this article, we have studied the possible effects of introducing three energy recovery processes either as a single or combination approach, refuse derived fuel production,incineration and waste power generation, and methane gas recovery from landfill and power generation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as a case study. We concluded that incineration process is the most suitable as first introduction of energy recovery. To operate it efficiently,3Rs strategies need to be promoted. And then, RDF production which is made of waste papers and plastics in high level of sorting may be considered as the second step of energy recovery.However, safety control and marketability of RDF will be required at that moment.

Effects of Paclitaxel-conjugated N-SuccinyI-Hydroxyethyl Chitosan Film for Proliferative Cholangitis in Rabbit Biliary Stricture Model

Background： Paclitaxel （PTX） could inhibit the growth of fibroblasts, which occurs in proliferative cholangitis and leads to biliary stricture. However, its use has been limited due to poor bioavailability and local administration for short time. This study designed and synthesized a new PTX-conjugated chitosan film （N-succinyl-hydroxyethyl chitosan containing PTX [PTX-SHEC]） and evaluated its safety and efficiency using in vivo and in vitro experiments. Methods： The SHEC conjugated with PTX was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR） measurements. Drug releases in vitro and in vivo were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Cell viability in vitro was measured using 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Rabbit biliary stricture model was constructed. All rabbits randomly divided into five groups （n = 8 in each group）： the sham-operated rabbits were used as control （Group A）, Groups B received laparotomies and suture, Group C received laparotomies and covered SHEC suture without the PTX coating, Group D received laparotomies and covered PTX-SHEC suture, and Group E received laparotomies and 1000 μmol/L PTX administration. Liver function tests and residual dosage of PTX from each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histological data and a-smooth muscle actin （SMA） immunohistochemical staining of common bile duct were examined. Results： NMR and FT-1R indicated that PTX was successfully introduced, based on the appearance of signals at 7.41-7.99 ppm, 1.50 ppm, and 1.03 ppm, due to the presence of aromatic protons, methylene protons, and methyl protons of PTX, respectively. No bile leak was observed. The PTX-conjugated film could slowly release PTX for 4 weeks （8.89 ± 0.03/ag at day 30）. The in vitro cell viability test revealed significantly different levels of toxicity between films with and without PTX （[ 11.7± 4.0% vs. 68. l±6.0%, P 〈 0.001 ）, whereas no statistically significant difference was observed among the three sets of PTX-contained films （67.7 ± 5.4%, 67.2±3.4%, and 59.1± 6.0%, P 〉 0.05）. Histological examinations revealed that after 28 days of implantment, Groups D and E （but not Group C） had less granulation tissue and glandular hyperplasia in the site ofbiliary duct injury than Group B. The pattern was more obvious in Group D than Group E. Less α-SMA-positive cells were found in tissue from Groups D and E. Comparing with Group E, the liver function was improved significantly in Group D, including total bilirubin （2.69± 1.03 μmol/L vs. 0.81 ± 0.54 μmol/L, P = 0.014）, alanine aminotransferase （87.13 ± 17.51 U/L vs. 42.12 ± 15.76 U/L, P = 0.012）, and alkaline phosphatase （60.61± 12.31 U/L vs. 40.59 ± 8.78 U/L, P 〈 0.001）. Conclusions： PTX-SHEC film effectively inhibites the myofibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix over-deposition during the healing process of biliary reconstruction. This original film might offer a new way for reducing the occurrence of the benign biliary stricture.

Pluripotent Stem Cells Models for Huntington's Disease:Prospects and Challenges

Pluripotent cellular models have shown great promise in the study of a number of neurological disorders. Several advantages of using a stem cell model include the potential for cells to derive disease relevant neuronal cell types, providing a system for researchers to monitor disease progression during neurogenesis, along with serving as a platform for drug discovery. A number of stem cell derived models have been employed to establish in ~,itro research models of Huntington＇s disease that can be used to investigate cellular pathology and screen lk^r drug and cell-based therapies. Although some progress has been made, there are a number of challenges and limitations that must be overcome before the true potential of this research strategy is achieved. In this article we review current stem cell models that have been reported, as well as discuss the issues that impair these studies. We also highlight the prospective application of Huntington＇s disease stem cell models in the development of novel therapeutic strategies and advancement of personalized medicine.

Flow and geochemical modeling of drainage from Tomitaka mine,Miyazaki,Japan

The chemistry and flow of water in the abandoned Tomitaka mine of Miyazaki, western Japan were investigated. This mine is located in a non-ferrous metal deposit and acid mine drainage issues from it. The study was undertaken to estimate the quantities of mine drainage that needs to be treated in order to avoid acidification of local rivers, taking into account seasonal variations in rainfall. Numerical models aimed to reproduce observed water levels and fluxes and chemical variations of groundwater and mine drainage. Rock–water interactions that may explain the observed variations in water chemistry are proposed. The results show that：（1） rain water infiltrates into the deeper bedrock through a highly permeable zone formed largely by stopes that are partially filled with spoil from excavations（ore minerals and host rocks）;（2） the water becomes acidic（p H from 3 to 4） as dissolved oxygen oxidizes pyrite;（3） along the flow path through the rocks, the redox potential of the water becomes reducing, such that pyrite becomes stable and p H of the mine drainage becomes neutral; and（4） upon leaving the mine, the drainage becomes acidic again due to oxidation of pyrite in the rocks. The present numerical model with considering of the geochemical characteristics can simulate the main variations in groundwater flow and water levels in and around the Tomitaka mine, and apply to the future treatment of the mine drainage.

AN ANALYTICAL FORMULA FOR CALCULATING WATER HAMMER IN CONDUIT OF HYDRAULIC TURBINE

When the phase number of the water hammer wave is greater than 4—6, we generally adopt the rigid water column theory. Based on this theory, Allievi has given a formula to solve the water hammer for uniform gate closure taking place at the end of a pipe. However, computed results thus obtained are frequently inconsistent