Semiparametric Regression in Size-Biased Sampling

Summary .  Size-biased sampling arises when a positive-valued outcome variable is sampled with selection probability proportional to its size. In this article, we propose a semiparametric linear regression model to analyze size-biased outcomes. In our proposed model, the regression parameters of covariates are of major interest, while the distribution of random errors is unspecified. Under the proposed model, we discover that regression parameters are invariant regardless of size-biased sampling. Following this invariance property, we develop a simple estimation procedure for inferences. Our proposed methods are evaluated in simulation studies and applied to two real data analyses.     

Significant longevity-extending effects of EGCG on Caenorhabditis elegans under stress

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a main active ingredient of green tea, is believed to be beneficial in association with anticarcinogenesis, antiobesity, and blood pressure reduction. Here we report that EGCG extended Caenorhabditis elegans longevity under stress. Under heat stress (35°C), EGCG improved the mean longevity by 13.1% at 0.1 μg/ml, 8.0% at 1.0 μg/ml, and 11.8% at 10.0 μg/ml. Under oxidative stress, EGCG could improve the mean longevity of C. elegans by 172.9% at 0.1 μg/ml, 177.7% at 1.0 μg/ml, and 88.5% at 10.0 μg/ml. However, EGCG could not extend the life span of C. elegans under normal culture conditions. Further studies demonstrated that the significant longevity-extending effects of EGCG on C. elegans could be attributed to its in vitro and in vivo free radical-scavenging effects and its up-regulating effects on stress-resistance-related proteins, including superoxide dismutase-3 (SOD-3) and heat shock protein-16.2 (HSP-16.2), in transgenic C. elegans with SOD-3∷green fluorescent protein (GFP) and HSP-16.2∷GFP expression. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the up-regulation of aging-associated genes such as daf-16, sod-3, and skn-1 could also contribute to the stress resistance attributed to EGCG. As the death rate of a population is closely related to the mortality caused by external stress, it could be concluded that the survival-enhancing effects of EGCG on C. elegans under stress are very important for antiaging research.     

Tooth Eruption Results from Bone Remodelling Driven by Bite Forces Sensed by Soft Tissue Dental Follicles: A Finite Element Analysis

Intermittent tongue, lip and cheek forces influence precise tooth position, so we here examine the possibility that tissue remodelling driven by functional bite-force-induced jaw-strain accounts for tooth eruption. Notably, although a separate true ‘eruptive force’ is widely assumed, there is little direct evidence for such a force. We constructed a three dimensional finite element model from axial computerized tomography of an 8 year old child mandible containing 12 erupted and 8 unerupted teeth. Tissues modelled included: cortical bone, cancellous bone, soft tissue dental follicle, periodontal ligament, enamel, dentine, pulp and articular cartilage. Strain and hydrostatic stress during incisive and unilateral molar bite force were modelled, with force applied via medial and lateral pterygoid, temporalis, masseter and digastric muscles. Strain was maximal in the soft tissue follicle as opposed to surrounding bone, consistent with follicle as an effective mechanosensor. Initial numerical analysis of dental follicle soft tissue overlying crowns and beneath the roots of unerupted teeth was of volume and hydrostatic stress. To numerically evaluate biological significance of differing hydrostatic stress levels normalized for variable finite element volume, ‘biological response units’ in Nmm were defined and calculated by multiplication of hydrostatic stress and volume for each finite element. Graphical representations revealed similar overall responses for individual teeth regardless if incisive or right molar bite force was studied. There was general compression in the soft tissues over crowns of most unerupted teeth, and general tension in the soft tissues beneath roots. Not conforming to this pattern were the unerupted second molars, which do not erupt at this developmental stage. Data support a new hypothesis for tooth eruption, in which the follicular soft tissues detect bite-force-induced bone-strain, and direct bone remodelling at the inner surface of the surrounding bony crypt, with the effect of enabling tooth eruption into the mouth.     

Effects of traces of rare earth elements on the protozoanBlepherisma and on mice

The growth of the protozoanBlepherisma is stimulated by Lanthanum (La) at concentrations as low as 0.32 ppm. In mice Yttrium (Y) and Ytterbium (Yb) are absorbed, accumulated, and metabolized. Both rare earth elements (RE) exhibit a high affinity for teeth and bones, accumulation occurs and metabolism is slow. In the livers of RE-exposed mice, concentrations are variable. The liver is apparently capable of absorbing and discharging RE in a manner depending on metabolic activity. The main route of discharge for ingested REs is the alimentary canal. Exposure of pregnant mice to RE leads to rapid placental transfer of RE; 14.1% of the total amount of RE administered was detected in newborn mice. Young, developing organisms appear to be especially susceptible to RE accumulation.     

用2DNMR鉴定倍半萜多元酯的结构

利用2DNMR结合其他波谱方法从苦皮藤种子油中鉴定了2个新倍半萜多元酯,它们分别是1α-苯甲酰氧-8β-烟酰氧-9α、11β-2乙酰氧-β-二氢沉香呋喃,1β-苯甲酰氧-2α、8β、9α、11β-4乙酰氧-β-二氢沉香呋喃,命名为苦皮藤酯2和3。     

毛枝南蛇藤根皮中南蛇藤素的分离鉴定及含量测定

从卫矛科南蛇藤属植物毛枝南蛇藤(Celastrus hookeri Prain)根皮中首次分离出一个红色立方体形结晶,经紫外、红外、高分辨质谱和~(13)C核磁共振谱分析,并与有关文献数据对照,确认是南蛇藤素。作者用薄层扫描和高效液相两种方法初步测定了毛枝南蛇藤根皮和根的木栓化表皮的南蛇藤素含量,结果表明南蛇藤素主要集中在根的木栓化表皮,含量在12%以上,而在整个根皮中的含量大约为1%。     

神农香菊干花净油成分的研究

神农香菊全草提取的香浸膏香气浓郁独特,可用于调配多种高档化妆用香精,也可直接用于饮料中,在香精香料工业中具有较大的实用价值。本文首次报告了我们用毛细管气相色谱仪和色谱/质谱/计算机联用分析仪,对神农香菊干花净油成分进行分析的初步结果。鉴定出的已知成分包括脂肪族类,含氧或非含氧的单萜及倍半萜类化合物32个。