From Sea to Skin: Is There a Future for Natural Photoprotectants?

In the last few decades, the thinning of the ozone layer due to increased atmospheric pollution has exacerbated the negative effects of excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and skin cancer has become a major public health concern. In order to prevent skin damage, public health advice mainly focuses on the use of sunscreens, along with wearing protective clothing and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours. Sunscreens present on the market are topical formulations that contain a number of different synthetic, organic, and inorganic UVR filters with different absorbance profiles, which, when combined, provide broad UVR spectrum protection. However, increased evidence suggests that some of these compounds cause subtle damage to marine ecosystems. One alternative may be the use of natural products that are produced in a wide range of marine species and are mainly thought to act as a defense against UVR-mediated damage. However, their potential for human photoprotection is largely under-investigated. In this review, attention has been placed on the molecular strategies adopted by marine organisms to counteract UVR-induced negative effects and we provide a broad portrayal of the recent literature concerning marine-derived natural products having potential as natural sunscreens/photoprotectants for human skin. Their chemical structure, UVR absorption properties, and their pleiotropic role as bioactive molecules are discussed. Most studies strongly suggest that these natural products could be promising for use in biocompatible sunscreens and may represent an alternative eco-friendly approach to protect humans against UV-induced skin damage.     

利用3D模型模拟天空与叶面散射对玉米冠层截光率的影响

该文利用并行蒙特卡罗光线跟踪模型定量分析了天空散射与叶片散射对玉米冠层截光率的影响.模拟试验表明:相同辐射强度时,冠层截获的光强与受剑照射的叶片在天空散射时都比直接辐射时多;当太阳高度角小于60°时,冠层在阴大截获的总光强小于晴大,但至少60%的叶片在阴大截获的光强大于晴大时截获的光强;叶片散射对冠层光分布的影响与波长...     

Metastasis or delayed local extension of ocular squamous cell carcinoma in four horses

Four horses treated for ocular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that subsequently developed local tumour extension or local metastases without ocular recurrence are included in this study. Medical records were examined and long‐term follow‐up obtained through contact with owners and referring veterinarians. In 2 horses, SCC developed in the nasolacrimal duct and maxillary sinus one and 3.5 years, respectively, after treatment for SCC in the medial canthus of the eye. No recurrence of the SCC was noted in the ocular structures. Both were treated successfully with surgery and radiation therapy. Two additional horses had delayed metastasis of SCC to the parotid lymph node one and 2 years after excision of the ipsilateral third eyelid for SCC. No recurrence of the SCC was noted in the ocular structures. One was treated with surgery and radiation without success and one was not treated. Ocular SCC can spread to local tissues or lymph nodes without recurrence in the eye. The clinical manifestation of tumour recurrence may be delayed. Delayed local extension or local metastasis in horses after ocular SCC without recurrence in the eye itself has not been previously reported. Clinical signs of ocular squamous cell carcinoma should prompt immediate treatment and local recurrence despite successful treatment of the ocular disease is a possibility.     

REIRRADIATION OF RECURRENT CANINE NASAL TUMORS

Canine nasal tumors are typically treated with radiation therapy but most patients develop local recurrence. Our purpose was to evaluate tumor and normal tissue response to reirradiation in nine dogs. The median dose delivered with the first protocol was 50 Gy (range 44–55 Gy) and the median fraction number was 18 (range 15–20). For the second protocol, the median dose was lower intentionally, median of 36 Gy (range 23–44 Gy), without changing the median fraction number of 18 (range 14–20) to avoid late effects. The median time between protocols was 539 days (range 258–1652 days). Median survival was 927 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 423–1767 days). Median time to progression following the first and second courses was 513 days (95% CI 234–1180 days) and 282 days (95% CI 130–453 days), respectively. These were not significantly different (P=0.086). The qualitative response assessment was better for the first course compared with the second (P=0.018). Severity and timing of skin, mucous membrane, and ocular effects were similar for early side effects between the two courses (P>0.05 for all comparisons). All dogs experienced some late side effects, with two out of nine being classified as severe. These severe effects were blindness in each dog, possibly related to tumor recurrence. Reirradiation of canine nasal tumors resulted in a second clinical remission in eight of nine dogs, although the second response was less complete. Acute and late effects for seven of nine patients were not life threatening, indicating that reirradiation of canine nasal tumors may be a viable treatment option after recurrence.     

Development of a questionnaire assessing health-related quality-of-life in dogs and cats with cancer

Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) has been studied extensively in human medicine. There is currently no standard HRQoL evaluation for veterinary oncology patients. The aim of this study was to assess the practicality, usefulness and robustness, from a pet owner and clinician perspective, of a questionnaire for the assessment of HRQoL in canine and feline cancer patients. A HRQoL assessment entitled 'Cancer Treatment Form' and two questionnaires entitled 'Owner Minitest' and 'Clinician Minitest' were designed. The first and second were completed by owners of patients presenting to a veterinary oncology referral service and the third by attending clinicians. The 'Cancer Treatment Form' was well received by owners and clinicians and provided a valuable assessment of HRQoL with 98% (82/84) of owners reporting an accurate reflection of their pet's quality-of-life. Following this, minor improvements to the form could be suggested prior to regular use in evaluation of clinical oncology patients.     

恒河猴辐射后的临床症状及护理

经5-7Gy的钴-60多向辐射后,恒河猴表现出食欲废绝,精神不振,活动性降低,呕吐,腹泻,脱水,易感染,易出血,最后死亡.这主要是因为辐射损伤了动物的造血机能和消化系统.临床上应对症护理,减轻动物疼痛.     

Evapotranspiration components determined by sap flow and microlysimetry techniques of a vineyard in northwest China: Dynamics and influential factors

Large areas of vineyards have been established in recent years in arid region of northwest China, despite limited water resources. Water to support these vineyards is mainly supplied by irrigation. Accurate estimation of vineyard evapotranspiration (ET) can provide a scientific basis for developing irrigation management. Transpiration and soil evaporation, as two main components of ET, were measured separately in a vineyard in this region by heat balance sap flow system and micro-lysimeters during the growing season of 2009. Diurnal and seasonal dynamics of sap flow and its environmental controls were analyzed. Daily sap flow rate (SR_l) increased linearly with solar radiation (R_s), but showed an exponential increase to its maximum curve as a function of vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Residuals of the two regressions both depended on volumetric soil water content to a depth of 1.0 m (VWC). VWC also significantly influenced SR_l. The relationship of them could be expressed by a piecewise regression with the turnover point of VWC = 0.188 cm³ cm⁻³, which was ∼60% of the field capacity. Conversely, soil evaporation (E_s) increased exponentially with VWC. Thus, we recommended keeping VWC in such vineyards slightly above ∼60% of the field capacity to maintain transpiration while reducing soil evaporation. Vineyard transpiration (T_s) was scaled from sap flow by using leaf area (A_l) as it explained 60% of the spatial variability of sap flow. Vine transpiration was 202.0 mm during the period from April 28 to October 5; while that of E_s was 181.0 mm. The sum of these two components was very close to ET estimated by the Bowen ratio energy balance method (386.9 mm), demonstrating the applicability of sap flow for measuring grape water use in this region.     

毛白杨杂交育种战略的研究

本文从毛白杨的特性及较难育种的背景出发,对如何开展毛白杨杂交育种的战略,进行了探讨。作者改用毛白杨杂种作母本、应用双杂交和回交的育种方式,伴以花粉和种子辐射等技术措施,获得大量杂种苗木,从中选出不少有希望的速生无性系。     

高产、优质、多抗棉花品种鄂棉15的选育

高产、优质、多抗棉花鄂棉１５系用Ｃｏ６０－γ射线３．０万伦琴辐射河南７５选育而成，是国内第一个种植面积逾７万ｈｍ２的辐射育成的林花新品种。正确这择基础材料；采用高剂量辐射；利用生物统计方法重点选择微突变，兼顾大突变；依据理想株型，将自然选择与人工选择有机结合，提高选择强度；进行早代测定，越级参加品系比较试验。边试验，边选择，边繁殖，边采用“选株自交，分系比较，严格鉴定，常态选择”的方法生产育种家种子，加快了育种进程，提高了种植鄂棉１５的经济效益和社会效益。     

Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Skeleton Development of Broiler Chickens

Seven hundred and twenty one-day-old AA broiler chickens were randomly allocated into two groups （male and female for half）, and put into two identical closed houses with different lighting programs. The first house was illuminated by using common incandescence light, and the second one was added with ultraviolet radiation light from the second week onwards. The birds lived in a floor with litters and free access to feed and water. Temperature, humidity and immune programs in the two houses were similar. The results showed that under ultraviolet radiation, the growth speed of skeleton increased （the shank length was significantly increased in the third week, P〈0.05; the leg muscle weight was significantly improved by 3.87%, P〈 0.05）; the skeleton quality improved （the density of skeleton mineralization was significantly increased by 6.11%, P 〈 0.01; serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase activity were all improved）; and the growth performance was improved （feed conversion ratio was improved by 1.4% averagely; the uniformity of body weight, the shank length, the inclined body length and body height were significantly improved） in broiler chicken.