The processes of fermentation of corn powder by lactic acid bacteria was studied. The results indicated that, after 39 hours fermentation, the lactic acid content reached 2. 1g/100mL, and some nutrients as oligosc-chrides and amino acids were also produced. The result is of significance to the technological design of producing lactic acid beverage of corn.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model was made in SD rats by coronary ligation, the effects of naloxone (Nal) on the baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were evaluated by administrated Nal intravenously (iv) and in-tracisternally (ic) before and after 1 h of AMI.Results showed that both pre and post AMI can Nal potentiate the BRS whether iv or ic. These results indicate that Nal may reverse the blunted BRS after AMI.

Objective The incidence of complications after esophageal cancer surgery is relatively high.The purpose of this paper was to explore the feasibility of combined thoraco-laparoscopy surgical treatment for senile esophageal cancer(over 70 years old).Methods A total of 526 esophageal cancer cases were retrospectively analyzed in this study.The operative procedures was esophageal carcinoma resection surgery and thoracic and abdominal lymphadenectomy which were operated through video-assisted by thoracoscope and laparoscopic From January 2010 to June 2014 in the Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University,divided into aged groups(≥70 years old,n =132) and non-aged group(＜ 70 years old,n =394).Statistical analysis was carried on the rate of two groups of preoperative risk factors(hypertension,diabetes,cardiac insufficiency,pulmonary insufficiency,cerebral infarction),surgical trauma and the number of lymph node dissection (laryngeal recurrent nerve injury,operation time,intraoperative blood loss),postoperative complications(cardiac complications,chylothorax,pulmonary complications,anastomotic fistula,poor healing of the incision,intrathoracic stomach atony),postoperative recovery and early postoperative mortality.Results Preoperative risk factors:the prevalence of the aged group with hypertension,cerebral infarction,cardiac insufficiency,and pulmonary insufficiency was significantly higher than the non-aged group (P ＜ 0.05) but diabetes (P ＞ 0.05).Surgical trauma and the number of lymph node dissection:no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Postoperative complications:the aged group was higher in the incidence of pulmonary complications and cardiac complications than the other (P ＜ 0.05) ; but the chylothorax,anastomotic fistula and poor healing of incision,intrathoracic stomach atony in the two groups seemed no significant difference(P ＞ 0.05).Furthermore,pulmonary complications were highest in the all complications,significantly higher than the others in both groups.Postoperative recovery:significant difference existed in postoperative hospitalization days,the aged group was obviously longer than the non-age groups.Early postoperative mortality rates in the two groups had no significant difference.Conclusion The aged patiences had a higher prevalence in the preoperative risk factors and so was the cardiac complications as well as pulmonary complications among the postoperative complications.However the combined thoraco-laparoscopy in the surgical treatment of elderly patients with esophageal cancer is safe and feasible.

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on poststroke dysphagia.Methods A total of 90 patients with poststroke dysphagia were enrolled.They were randomly divided into either a NMES + rTMS group or a NMES + sham rTMS group (n =45 in each group).The Kuhota water drinking test and Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) were used to assess the swallowing function.Results The scores of Kuhota water drinking test (F=82.001,P＜0.001) and the SSA (F =33.743,P ＜0.001) before treatment,treatment of one course,treatment of two courses,and at 3 months after treatment in the NMES + rTMS group had significant differences.Compared with before treatment,they were improved significantly for treatment of one course (P ＜0.01 and P ＜0.05,respectively),two courses (all P＜0.01),and at 3 months (all P＜0.01) after treatment.The scores of Kuhota water drinking test (F =53.647,P＜0.001) and the SSA (F=19.178,P＜0.001) in the NMES + sham rTMS group also had significant difference.Compared with before treatment,they had significant improvement for treatment of one course (all P ＜0.05),two courses (P ＜0.05 and P ＜0.01,respectively) and at 3 months (all P＜0.01)after treatment.The scores of Kuhota water drinking test for treatment of one course,two courses,and at 3 months after treatment (treatment of one course:t=2.217,P=0.02;treatment of two courses:t =2.406,P =0.019;at 3 months after treatment:t =2.128,P =0.037) and the SSA (treatment of one course:t =2.196,P =0.030,treatment of two courses:t =2.425,P =0.016;at 3 months after treatment:t =2.512,P=0.013) in the NMES + rTMS group were significantly better than those in the NMES + sham rTMS group.Conclusions High-frequency rTMS combined with NMES may significantly improve the swallowing function in patients with stroke.Its efficacy is superior to NMES.

Sugarcane stem is an ideal organ for producing foreign pharmaceutical proteins and chemicals by genetic engineering.A perfect promoter driving foreign gene to express strongly and specifically in sugarcane stem is necessary for this purpose.In order to isolate a Sugarcane stem-specific promoter,a fragment of 1968bp nucleotide sequence(Ppst2a)upstream 5' of sugarcane pst2a gene,which was demonstrated to express specifically in sugarcane stem previously was isolated by using chromosomal walking.Bioinformatical analysis of this sequence shows that the sequence contains some typical elements of a promoter.To identify the stem-specific of this promoter,a construct was derived from pCAMBIA1301,which original CaMV 35S promoter was replaced by the 1968bp nucleotide sequence,and named as pCAMBIA1900.Transformations of pCAMBIA1900 and pCAMBIA1301 to leaves and stem pieces of sugarcane were carried out by using particle bombardment.The transient expression of gus showed that the gus expressed specifically in sugarcane with a little higher level compared with CaMV 35S.It is the first report that pst2a promoter is a potential stem-specific promoter which can further be used in transgenes into sugarcane.

Objective To study the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the evaluation of the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP).Methods 162 patients with CAP were selected as study group.Meanwhile,34 patients with carotid artery strong echo plaques were selected as control group.The color doppler ultrasound was used to observe the CAP.Results The proportions of lipid type,fiber type,calcification and ulcer plaque in the study group were 21.60%,33.33%,34.57% and 10.37%,which were higher than those of the control group (5.88%,2.94%,2.94% and 2.94%),the differences were statistically significant (χ2=4.537,12.859,13.629 and 3.855,all P<0.05).There were 75 patients of soft plaques,36 patients with mixed plaques,51 patients with hard plaque in 162 patients.The new blood vessels classification in soft plaque group (36.00%,45.33% and 10.33%) were higher than the mixed plaque (30.56%,41.67% and 8.33%) and hard plaque group (31.37%,13.72% and 7.84%).The peak intensity (-86.41±7.81) %,tmax (8.34±1.62)s,mean transit time (24.18±8.67)s in the soft plaque group were significantly lower than the mixed plaque [(-100.73±6.52)%,(9.79±2.14)s and (28.93±9.11)s] and hard plaque patients [(-104.14±6.15)%,(10.23±2.33)s and (30.07±9.48)s],the differences were statistically significant (t=9.518,6.966,2.658,13.592,5.374 and 3.064,all P<0.05),but there were no statistically significant differences between mixed plaque and hard plaque (all P>0.05).The plaque diameter (4.13±0.75)mm diagnosed by CEUS was significantly larger than that of conventional ultrasound [(3.62±1.14)mm],the difference was statistically significant (t=4.757,P=0.000).Conclusion The CEUS can qualitatively detect the atherosclerotic plaque angiogenesis,can quantitatively assess plaque,evaluate the stability of the plaques,and the sensitivity is high.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of patients with prostate adenocarcinoma under 50 years.Methods Between January 2008 and April 2014,we reviewed 21 cases with prostate cancer under 50 years old.The mean age in those patients was 48 years old (ranged 42-49 years old).Their tPSA level was elevated,including＞10 μg/L in 17 cases,4-10 μg/L in 4 cases.21 cases were all confirmed by pathology.The results Gleason score showed 6 scores in 3 cases,7 scores in 6 cases (3+4 scores in 5 cases and 4+3 scores in one case),8 scores in 7 cases and 9 scores in 5 cases.In the study,clinical stage was for T2N0M0 in 16 cases,T3N0M0 in 1 case,T4NxM0 in 1 case and T3-4N1M1 in 3 cases.The treatments were hormonal therapy was chosen in 5 cases and radical prostatectomy was performed in 16 cases,including 16 cases with T2N0M0 stage and one case with T3N0M0.Results In those patients who accepted the radical prostatectomy,the duration of follow-up ranged from 3 to 65 months (mean 23 months).During the follow-up,14 patients had a lower incidence of biochemical recurrence.1 patient (T2,PSA 82.8 μg/L,GS 9) had external beam radiotherapy one month after the radical prostatectomy because of tumor invasion into the prostatic capsule.Then his PSA level returned to the 0.2 μg/L.1 patient (T3,PSA 38.9 μg/L,GS 8) had external beam radiotherapy 18 months after the radical prostatectomy because of biochemical recurrence and the tPSA level returned to the 4.0 μg/L.All patients who underwent radical prostatectomy had favourable recovery of urinary continence.In 5 patients who had androgen deprivation therapy,2 patients died after 63 or 65 months and one patient was lost to follow-up.The PSA level in one patient decreased from 71.8 μg/L to 2 μg/L after four months treatment.One patient had castration resistant prostate cancer and the adjuvant external beam radiotherapy was considered,subsequently.Conclusions Men under the 50 years old,who are diagnosed with localised prostate cancer,usually demonstrated the early clinic stage and high Gleason scores.It should not be discouraged from RP.Young men with metastatic prostate cancer have a poor prognosis.

Background and purpose:The pro-oncogene Bmi-1 is a member of the polycomb-group family, can regulation of the proliferation and self-renewal of normal and tumor stem cells. In recent years, Bmi-1 has been found that it is overexpressed in varieties of human malignant tumors. The study aimed to observe the effects of Bmi-1-siRNA on the growth capacity of lung cancer cell line A549 in vivo and in vivo, and explore its mechanism. Methods:The most effective one as a target sequence was chosen from four Bmi-1 siRNA sequences which were designed by our lab, and one random sequence was chosen as a negative control. In short, the chemically synthesized siRNA and control sequences were connected to a retrovirus expressing vector, pSUPERretro-Neo plasmid, and then transfected into A549 cells. The stably transfected cells were cultured and passed. The level of mRNA and protein of Bmi-1 in A549 cells were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The proliferations of A549 cells in vivo was analyzed with MTT, trypan blue exclusion and plate colony forming methods. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle analysis. The potency of tumorigenesis was observed in nude mouse through hypodermic inoculation of A549 cells. The expressions of cyclin D, p21/27, p-AKT and PTEN were analyzed by Western blot. Results:Compared to A549-ctr and A549-wt cells, Bmi-1 mRNA and protein levels all signiifcantly reduced in A549-Bmi-1-siRNA cells. Bmi-1-siRNA inhibited the growth, colony formation in vitro and tumorigenesis in vitro of A549 cells, and the interference cells cell cycle arrested in G1 phase. In A549-Bmi-1-siRNA cells, p-AKT and cyclinD1 expression were down-regulated while p21/p27 and PTEN were up-regulated. Conclusion:Silencing Bmi-1 gene inhibits the proliferation of A549 cells through G1 phase arrest, which involves the downregulation of cyclin D/p-AKT and upregulation of p21/p27/PTEN.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of cystic renal cell carcinoma.Methods The clinical data of 67 cases of cystic renal cell carcinoma treated from January 2005 to April 2013 were analyzed retrospectively.Preoperative imaging procedures indicated masses of renal cysts in 67 cases,including malignant tumors in 59 cases.Intraoperative pathological examination was performed in 59 cases and the pathological results showed malignant tumors in 56 cases,renal cyst in 2 cases and multilocular cyst of kidney in 1 case.The surgical procedures included radical nephrectomy (n=19),partial nephrectomy (n =12),retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (n =9),retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (n =20),retroperitoneal laparoscopic cyst unroofed then transferred to radical nephrectomy (n =6),and retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy transferred to radical nephrectomy (n =1).Results The 67 cases were diagnosed as renal carcinoma,including clear renal cell carcinoma with cystic changes in 31 cases and multilocular renal cell carcinoma in 36 cases.Sixty-two cases were followed up for 10-110 months (median 56 months),and there was no recurrence or metastasis,among which 7 cases diagnosed as benign pre-operation or intra-operation but malignant by pathological examination after surgery were followed up for 61-103 months (median 82 months).Conclusions Imaging plays an important role in the early diagnosis of cystic renal cell carcinoma.Intraoperative pathological examination should be performed in suspected cases.Nephron-sparing surgery is preferred with good outcome.

Background and purpose:The human oncogene B-cell-speciifc moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (Bmi-1) is an important member of the polycomb group family, and it regulates cell proliferation and senescence via INK4a/ARF locus. This study investigated the effects of Bmi-1-siRNA on the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cell line SPC-A1 cells with INK4a/ARF locus and clarify the mechanism of Bmi-1-mediated effect on proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods:In this study, we chose the most efifcient siRNA chain the pGeneshl-2-Bmi-1 sense-1 and inserted into a pSUPER-retro-neo retroviral vector. The packaged si-Bmi-1 pSUPERret-ro-neo retroviral vector was stably transfected into lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A1 cell line. The stably transfected cells were cultured and passed. After transfection, the levels of Bmi-1 mRNA and protein expression of SPC-A1 cells were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. Trypan blue, MTT and plate colony forming assay were performed to observe the proliferation capibility of SPC-A1 cells and evaluate the cloning forming ability in vitro. The potency of tumorigenesis was observed in nude mouse through hypodermic inoculation of SPC-A1 cells. Cell cycle distribu-tion was analyzed by lfow cytometry (FCM) in SPC-A1 cells. The expression levels of proliferation proteins including p16INK4a, p53, Cyclin D1, PTEN, Akt and Ser473p-Akt were analyzed by Western blot. Results:The mRNA and protein expression levels of Bmi-1 were signiifcantly reduced in SPC-A1-Bmi-1-siRNA cells transfected with pSUPER-retro-neo retroviral vector. Knockdown of Bmi-1 could inhibit the growth, colony formation in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo of SPC-A1 cells (P<0.01). The transfected SPC-A1 cells were arrested in G1 phase [(64.6±1.2)%, P<0.05]. Compared with two control groups, p16INK4a, p53 and Akt were not affected (P>0.05), while Cyclin D1 and Ser473p-Akt were downregulated (P<0.01) and PTEN was up-regulated (P<0.01) in the SPC-A1-Bmi-1-siRNA cells. SPC-A1-Bmi-1-siRNA cells were treated with various concentrations of PTEN inhibitor to determine expression levels of PTEN, Bmi-1 and Ser473p-Akt protein. Ablation of PTEN rescued Bmi-1 and Ser473p-Akt expression in SPC-A1-Bmi-1-siRNA cells. Conclusion:Knockdown of Bmi-1 gene can arrest the proliferation of SPC-A1 cells through G0/G1 phase arrest by inhibiting Cyclin D1 expression indirectly, which may be not associated with p16INK4a signaling pathway.