Ergosterol is the important component of the fungal membrane, and having stable structure. This makes it a suitable indicator for growth of fungi. In the paper, isolation and determination techniques of ergosterol as the indicator of the fungal biomass were reviewed. The methods of extracting ergosterol include traditional saponification and refluxing, rapid physical disruption, rapid ultrasonication, supercritical fluid extraction and so on. The ergosterol determination methods are high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and thin-layer chromatography, et al. The application of these techniques was also introduced. Finally, the paper prospected the feasibility of applying the ergosterol as the indicator of fungal biomass in composting.

OBJECTIVEAfter performed symptom-limited maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) before and after acute alkalized blood, we repeated CPET with pure oxygen.

METHODSFive volunteers, 3hr after alkalizing blood room air CPET, re-performed CPET inhaling from Douglas bag connected with pure oxygen tank. We compared with those of room air CPETs before and after alkalized blood.

RESULTSAfter alkalized blood oxygen CPET had a similar response pattern as those of CPETs before and after blood alkalization. During the CPET, all breath frequency, minute ventilation and tidal volume at each stage were similar to those of CPETs before and after alkalized blood (P > 0.05),except there was a lower peak tidal volume than those of both CPETs and a slightly higher resting minute ventilation only than CPET after alkalized blood (P > 0.05). After alkalized blood, oxygen CPET, all PaO2 and SaO2 and most Hb were lower than those of both CPETs (P < 0.05). The pHa and [HCO3-]a were higher than those of CPET before alkalized blood (P < 0.05); but were not CPET after alkalized blood (P > 0.05). PaCO2 was similar to that of CPET before alkalized blood (P > 0.05), but was lower than that of CPET after alkalized blood at resting and warm-up (P < 0.05); then was similar to both CPETs at anaerobic threshold (P > 0.05); but was higher at peak exercise higher than those of both CPETs (P < 0.01). Oxygen increased 2,3 volunteers' workload and time at AT and peak exercises.

CONCLUSIONRespiratory response pattern to oxygen CPET after alkalized blood is similar to those of both CPETs before and after alkalized blood. The CPET response is dominantly depended upon metabolic rate, but not levels of pHa, PaCO2 and PaO2.

Blood Gas Analysis ; Exercise Test ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Physiological Phenomena

The effect of water temperature, stocking density and feeding cycle on the growth of Poecilobdella manillensis juvenile was conducted P. manillensis was conducted respectively under different conditions: water temperatures(18, 22, 26, 30,34, 38 degrees C and CT), stocking density (75, 125, 200, 275, 350 individual/L) and feeding cycle(2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 d). After 30 days, survival rate, weight gain rate, specific growth rate were measured. There was a significant correlation between water temperature and specific growth rate (γ = -0.066x2 + 3.543 1x -38.09, R2 = 0.837 9). Based on the regression equation, the specific growth rate of P. manillensis achieved the maximum (9.461 4) at 26.84 degrees C. And the most optimal water temperature was 26-30 degrees C. Meanwhile, the survival rates of P. manillensis was 0 at 38 degrees C in 3 d. There was significant negative correlation between density and specific growth rate (γ = -0.005 7x + 9.197 3, R2 = 0.998 3) and between feeding cycle and specific growth rate (γ = -0.468 2x + 10.574, R2 = 0.998 8).
Animals ; Annelida ; growth & development ; physiology ; Body Size ; Feeding Behavior ; Temperature ; Water ; chemistry

Objective To study the effect of pioglitazone on the differentiation and function of rat osteoclast-like cells (OLC), and to probe the relationship between activated PPARγ2 and osteoclasts. Methods On day 1 of OLC formation from nonadherent bone marrow ceils (BMC) obtained from rats induced by M-CSF and receptor activator of NF-кB ligand (RANKL), 1, 5 and 10μmol/L pioglitazone hydrochloride was added. RT- PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expressions of PPARγ2 and receptor activator of NF-кB (RANK) on day 3, 5 and 7 during incubation, the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells,the number of bone resorption pits and the ratio of its area on dentin slice were counted, the activity of TRAP and the mean fluorescence intensity of integrin β3 (CD61) of OLC were also measured. Results (1) The effect on the differentiation of OLC: The addition of pioglitazone at the start of the culture period induced a dose-dependent decrease in TRAP-positive OLC and the activity of TRAP (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) ; the mRNA expression of PPARγ2 was up-regulated by 5 and 10 μmol/L pioglitazone in the early stage of incubation and attenuated with thematuration of OLC on the contrary, however, the expression of RANK was down-regulated by 5 and 10 μmol/L piolitazone in every stage of incubation (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), combined with decrease in TRAP-positive OLC from day 3 by 10 μmol/L pioglitazone. (2) The effect on the function of OLC: the number of bone resorption pits and the ratio of its area on dentin slice were decreased in groups of 5 and 10 μmol/L pioglitazone (P < 0.01 orP < 0.05), no obvious change was noted in the group with 1 μmol/L pioglitazone compared with the control group; the mean fluorescence intensity of CD61 were down-regulated in groups of 5 and 10 μmol/L pioglitazone (P < 0.05 or P <0.01). Conclusion Activation of PPARγ2 pathway by pioglitazone could partially inhibit differentiation and function of OLC derived from rat BMC.

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of daily living activities with location and severity of trau- matic brain injury (TBI) and to provide a theoretical basis for improving the accuracy of expert opinion. METHODS: Five hundred and one cases of patients with TBI were selected. Detailed records included following: pre-injury situation, location and severity of injury, treatment and education. Daily living activi- ties scale (Barthel index) was applied to test the subjects' daily living activities. The relevance among location and severity of TBI and Barthel index was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In mild TBI group, there was no significant difference in Barthel index among each location (P>0.05). In moderate TBI group, there were significant differences in Barthel index between subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral lobe injury, also between parietal, occipital lobes injury and frontal lobe injury, parietal, occipital lobes injury and temporal lobe (P<0.05), respectively, whereas no significant difference in Barthel index between frontal lobe injury and temporal lobe injury (P>0.05). In severe TBI, there were significant differences in Barthel index between every two different locations (P<0.05). CONCLUSION There is some correlation between the location of TBI and Barthel index, which provides an important reference value for analyzing and determining daily living activities after TBI.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult ; Brain Injuries/rehabilitation* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Outcome Assessment, Health Care ; Trauma Severity Indices

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of sevoflurane on the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in children, and to evaluate its safety and effectiveness. METHODS: Forty child patients who conformed to the selection standard were operated under anaesthesia with intubation.Without premedicant, all the patients inhaled 100% oxygen(1L/min) and sevoflurane by mask, and escalated the concentration of sevoflurane (to the maximum concentration 7%) until the lash reflex disappeared, and the maintenance concentration was controlled under 4%. All the patients were intubated, together with vecuronium 0.1mg/kg. RESULTS: With little tract excretion, the achievement ratio of induction by sevoflurane was 100%, and the children tolerated well. With stable hemodynajmics,1% approximately 4.0% maintenance concentration of sevoflurane during the operation showed effective anaesthesia, no decreased heart rate or blood pressure appeared, and all the patients' body temperature was normal. CONCLUSION Sevoflurane for children induction can bring fewer stimuli in the respiratory tract,less cardiac vascular inhibition and palinesthesia time. Anaesthesia in children induced by sevoflurane is safe and effective.
Anesthesia ; methods ; Anesthesia, Inhalation ; Anesthetics, Inhalation ; administration & dosage ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methyl Ethers ; administration & dosage ; Sevoflurane ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the indications and surgical procedure of bronchial and pulmonary artery sleeve resection for patients with centrally located non-small cell lung cancer, and how to prevent complications.

METHODSFrom July 1989 to Aug 2000, 32 cases of central NSCLC were treated with bronchial and pulmonary arterial sleeve resection and reconstruction. The results were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe complication rate was 25.0% (8/32), the mortality rate in 30-day postoperation was 6.3% (2/32), the overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate was 82.8% (24/29), 50.0% (11/22) and 33.3% (4/12), respectively.

CONCLUSIONBronchial and pulmonary arterial sleeve resection and reconstruction in the treatment of patients with central NSCLC can not only maximize preservation of functional pulmonary parenchyma and improve patients, quality of life, but also provide an opportunity for those patients with poor pulmonary function to receive surgical resection of the tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Bronchi ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Pulmonary Artery ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience in one-stage urethroplasty with pedicled scrotal skin flap for hypospadias, and improve its therapeutic effect.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 310 cases of hypospadias (except coronal hypospadias) treated by one-stage urethroplasty with pedicled scrotal skin flap. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months.

RESULTSNo postoperative complications were observed except urinary fistula, which occurred in 12.6% of the patients. Postoperative fistula formation was associated with the type of hypospadias, the length of the urethral defect and postoperative comprehensive medication, but not with the stent indwelling time after surgery. Most of the fistulae were located at the base of the penis.

CONCLUSIONOne-stage urethroplasty with pedicled scrotal skin flap is a simple and effective option for all types of hypospadias except the coronal type, and postoperative treatment is very important.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Infant ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe exercise rehabilitation in patient with chronic heart failure (CHF) is standard clinical practice, but it is rare using CardioPulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) guide to prescribe exercise rehabilitation in China.

METHODSWe performed symptom limited maximal CPET in 10 patients with CHF, randomly divided into two groups: 5 patients as control without exercise and 5 exercise patients used Δ50%W intensity to exercise 30 min/d, 5 d/w, x12 w. Before and after 12 w rehabilitation, we evaluated functions.

RESULTSThere were no significant difference between two groups patients (P > 0.05). The exercise duration was increased from 8 min to 23 min after rehabilitation (P < 0.001); distance 6 minutes walking was increased from 394 m to 470 m (P < 0.05); score of Minnesota quality of life was decreased from 25 to 3 in exercise group (P < 0.01). However, there were nosignificant changes in control group (P>0.05) and their changes were smaller than those in exercise group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe CPET guiding exercise rehabilitation is safe and effective for patients with CHF.

China ; Chronic Disease ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Therapy ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Walking

OBJECTIVEBasis on the dynamic changes of the ventilation and arterial blood gas parameters to symptom-limited maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), we further investigate the effect of alkalized blood by drinking 5% NaHCO3 on ventilation during exercise.

METHODSAfter drinking 5% NaHCO3 75 ml (3.75 g) every 5 min, total dosage of 0.3 g/Kg, 5 volunteers repeated CPET. All CPET and ABG data changes were analyzed and calculated. At the same time, CPET and ABG parameters after alkalized blood were compared with those before alkalized blood (control) used paired t test.

RESULTSAfter alkalized blood, CPET response patterns of parameters of ventilation, gas exchange and arterial blood gas were very similar (P > 0.05). All minute ventilation, tidal volume, respiratory rate, oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide elimination were gradually increased from resting stage (P < 0.05-0.001), according to the increase of power loading. During CPET after alkalized blood, ABG parameters were compared with those of control: hemoglobin concentrations were lower, CaCO2 and pHa were increased at all stages (P < 0.05). The PaCO2 increased trend was clear, however only significantly at warm-up from 42 to 45 mmHg (P < 0.05). Compared with those of control, only the minute ventilation was decreased from 13 to 11 L/min at resting (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEven with higher mean CaCO2, PaCO2 and pHa, lower Hba and [H+]a, the CPET response patterns of ventilatory parameters after alkalized blood were similar.

Blood Gas Analysis ; Carbon Dioxide ; Exercise Test ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Oxygen Consumption ; Respiration ; Respiratory Physiological Phenomena ; Tidal Volume