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.

Population aging in our country has caused sustained impact on the economy development, social insurance and family structure, and it also bring serious challenge to medical and health service. In the complex health and health situation, how to make the development of gerontological nursing adapt to the over-all situation, grasp the era opportunity and challenge, find the opportunities brought about by population aging, and promote a healthy China strategy, are the issues we should consider about. The article will put forward some ideas about the future development of gerontological nursing, and provide references for nursing staff.

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

Cancerous fever is a non-infectious fever that occurs during the progression of malignant tumors,which is directly related to the tumor or is caused by tumor treatment.Based on the yin-fire theory,Professor WANG Xi-Xing believes that the qi deficiency of spleen and stomach and the upward flaming of yin-fire are the key pathogenesis of cancerous fever.The cancerous fever involves the three zang-organs of liver,spleen and kidney,and its treatment should be achieved mainly by replenishing qi with warm-sweet medicinals,invigorating spleen and elevating yang,and clearing and purging yin-fire.Moreover,the correlation between earth(spleen)and wood(liver)should be taken into account,and harmonizing spleen and stomach can be achieved by nourishing blood and relieving depression,and soothing liver to disperse fire;the transmission of yin-fire should be blocked through the method of nourishing yin and clearing heat,and inducing fire to return to the source.After years of clinical experience,Professor WANG Xi-Xing establised Buzhong Tiaogan Decoction(mainly composed of Astragali Radix,Codonopsis Radix,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Cimicifugae Rhizoma,Bupleuri Radix,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Ophiopogonis Radix,Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Scolopendra,Salviae Chinensis Herba,Fructus Akebiae,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle),which is derived from Buzhong Yiqi Decoction.Buzhong Tiaogan Decoction is effective on relieving the symptoms of cancerous fever in cancer patients by benefiting the middle energizer qi,nourishing liver blood,regulating liver qi,eliminating abdominal mass and dissipating mass,so as to correct the cold,heat,yin and yang of the human body.

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to determine the early growth patterns of preterm infants who required prolonged hospitalisation in terms of body weight Z-score, and to explore the influencing factors and predictors of their growth.

METHODSThe criteria of enrolment included preterm birth, singleton pregnancy, hospitalisation within the first 24 hours of life, hospital stay ≥ 28 days and clinical follow-up beyond 91 days of corrected age. Body weight Z-scores and the incidence of underweight infants were reviewed periodically, and the influencing factors and possible predictors of growth analysed.

RESULTSBody weight Z-scores of all infants of gestational age (GA) groups kept decreasing, with a trough seen at 36 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA). At corrected full-term, body weight Z-scores for all birth weight groups achieved birth level and were higher than that at 36 weeks CGA. Body weight Z-scores at 61 days corrected age was (-0.300 × GA [weeks] + 0.210 × birth weight [g] + 0.682 × body weight Z-score) at 40 weeks CGA. The cut-off values for body weight Z-score at birth (cut-off, -1.79; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 91.3%) and 61 days corrected age (cut-off, -1.95; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 97.1%) were selected to predict the risk of being underweight at 183 days corrected age.

CONCLUSIONEarly growth restriction is a practical problem in preterm infants with prolonged hospitalisation. Body weight Z-scores at 40 weeks CGA and 61 days corrected age can be used to predict body weight gain prior to 183 days corrected age in these infants.

Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Growth Disorders ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Length of Stay ; trends ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; epidemiology