New discoveries from the Sinokannemeyeria-Shansisuchus Assemblage Zone: 1. Kannemeyeriiformes from Shanxi, China

New discoveries from the Sinokannemeyeria-Shansisuchus Assemblage Zone: 2. A new species of Nothogomphodon (Therapsida: Therocephalia) from the Ermaying Formation of Shanxi, China

A new therocephalian specimen collected from the upper part of the Ermaying Formation of Liulin, Shanxi, China is named as Nothogomphodon sanjiaoensis sp. nov. This new species is differentiated from the type species Nothogomphodon danilovi by the following characters: dentary lower margin uneven; canine base is ovate rather than rounded; distinct diastema present between canine and first postc...

Downregulation of microRNA-125a is involved in intervertebral disc degeneration by targeting pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 antagonist killer 1

Objective(s): To investigate the role of the microRNA-125a (miR-125a) and BAK1 in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Materials and Methods: Degenerative lumbar nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues were obtained from 193 patients who underwent resection, and normal controls consisted of normal NP tissues from 32 patients with traumatic lumbar fracture in our hospital. All patients were graded acco...

The Immunological Basis in the Pathogenesis of Gout

Modification and Application of a Plant Gum as Eco-Friendly Drilling Fluid Additive

To enhance solubility and the performance of a plant gum (from south peach tree of China, SP gum) as a drilling fluid additive, we explored the potential of Modified SP (MSP) gum by modifying it with epichlorohydrin. The modification conditions, such as the mass ratio of  the crosslinking agent, pH and temperature, were optimized and the results show that 56.40 g/100g mass ratio of the cros...

New approach on biostratigraphy of Permian deposits of Jamal formation in Bagh Vang section, Shirgesht area (central Iran)

Bagh Vang Section is located at about 45 km to the Northwest of Tabas and South of Shirgesht areas. In Bagh Vang Section, the Permian deposits of the Jamal Formation with a thickness of 270 m are underlain by the Sardar Formation disconformably. The formation is also transitionally and conformably overlain by Lower Triassic deposits of Sorkh Shale Formation. A total of 124 rock samples have bee...