As to a nitrite-oxidizing bacterium screened in our laborator y, the effect of pH, nitrogen sources, carbon sources and sodium chloride on its g rowth was studied in order to obtain high cell density. It showed that the cult ure conditions of nitrite- oxidizing bacterium were 4500mg/L sodium nitrite, 1 .5g/L sodium carbonate, 0~0.5% sodium chloride and 0~0.1% glucose at 28℃~30 ℃, 110 r/min and pH 8.0~8.5. After cultivation for 9 days, the bacteria conc entration reached 4.6?109 MPN/mL and all NO-_2-N in the medium w as converted to NO-_3-N. But the transformation of nitrogen sources was inhibited while the sodium chloride concentration exceeded 0.5% or glucose con centration exceeded 0.1%. According to the test of NO-_2-N conversion with nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in a freshwater aquaculture pond, NO-_2 -N began to decrease on the third day of the moculation of this bacterium and t he concentration dropped from 1.47mol/L to 0.49mol/L after 18 days at 25℃ and pH 8.6.

Objective To assess the effectiveness of extra-anatomic prosthesis bypass in the retroperitoneum as a treatment for infected abdominal aortic aneurysms (iAAAs).Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 10 consecutive patients diagnosed with iAAAs and treated by an extraanatomic prosthesis bypass in the retroperitoneum over the past 7 years.All 10 patients were regularly followed up by outpatient observation after their discharge.Results Ten patients with iAAAs underwent an extra-anatomic prosthesis bypass in the retroperitoneum and debridement of the infected aneurysm.An emergency operation was performed for one patient who underwent concomitant gastrointestinal procedures for aortoduodenal fistula,the other 9 cases underwent an elective operation after an intravenous antibiotic therapy for 2-4 weeks.All 10 patients were definitely diagnosed by one or more sequential CT scans combining with other methods.All patients had at least a positive preoperative blood culture or intraoperative tissue culture during the perioperative period,including Salmonella in 5 cases,Burkholderia pseudomallei in 3 cases,Escherichia coli in 1 case,Klebsiella pneumoniae in 1 case.All patients were discharged in 4-6 weeks after their operations.Except 1 case who died 16 months after surgery,all other patients were alive and were free from graft infection during the follow-up period.Conclusions The extra-anatomic prosthesis bypass in the retroperitoneum for treating iAAAs are safe and effective.

Objective To evaluate the effects of a health education and behavior intervention project,and to provide.a scientific basis for brucellosis control.Methods By stratified cluster sampling method,target population from 6 township in Meilisi District were randomly selected to carry out baseline survey.Of these 6 townships 4 were selected as intervention townships,and two as control townships.A health education and behavior intervention program was carried out in intervention townships,and after intervention target population from 6 township were participated in the questionnaire survey.Results Awareness rate of common sense knowledge of farmers in intervention townships was 84.33％ (5237/6210) after intervention which was significantly higher than 53.56％ (2003/3740),before the intervention (x2 =112.49,P ＜ 0.01),and also higher than 54.15 ％ (1787/3300) of the control after the intervention (x2 =101.53,P ＜ 0.01).Average awareness rate(82.13％,2550/3105) of common sense on prevention after intervention was significantly higher than 58.77％(1099/1870) before the intervention (x2 =57.19,P ＜ 0.01).After intervention,average awareness rate of common sense on prevention was significantly higher than that of the average of control townships (70.36％,1161/1650,x2 =25.49,P ＜ 0.01).The awareness rate of treatment before intervention was 36.80％ (116/299),which increased to 76.36％ (436/571)after intervention (x2 =119.38,P ＜ 0.01).After the intervention the awareness rate of intervention townships was significantly higher than that of the controls (33.72％,88/261,x2 =139.69,P ＜ 0.01).In survey of these high-risk behavior in intervention townships,in addition to cattle and sheep which were regularly immunized in the intervention townships(35.91％,121/337),and the control townships(32.01％,97/303,x2 =1.08,P ＞ 0.05) and their difference was not significant,other processing such asapoblema,killing cattle,sheep,cattle to deliver,cutting the wool,regular disinfection,and accuracy of high-risk behavior protection were significantly higher than those of controls[89.83％(106/l18),91.07％(51/56),84.75％(150/177),66.67％(32/48),73.78％(242/328),51.22％(42/82),75.56％(34/45),33.69％(63/187),27.78％(15/54),21.63％(61/282),x2 value were 38.00,5.82,103.84,15.84 and 173.67,all P ＜ 0.05].Conclusion After implementation of health education and behavioral intervention,farmers brucellosis prevention knowledge and awareness of risk behaviors have significantly improved,which have achieved the desired effect.

Objective To assess the effect of ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue on the dimensions and systolic function of left and right ventricle in pigs. Methods Sixteen pigs were randomly assigned to two groups. Intravenous injection of 1 ml of SonoVue were given in study group, and repeated 20 min later. The control group was given the same doses of saline. Before and after the administration of contrast agent, the end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD, RVEDD). end-systolic dimension ( LVESD, RVESD) and fractional shortening(LVFS,RVFS) of left and right ventricle were measured. The time to reach the extreme value of these parameters and the time to return to the baseline were recorded. Results There was no significant difference regarding the parameters at baseline between the two groups. After injection of SonoVue,RVEDD significantly increased from (25. 88 ± 1. 38) mm at baseline to its maximum of (33. 26 ± 0. 99)mm( P < 0. 05). Accordingly,RVFS significantly increased from (26. 90 ± 1. 92) % to (33. 92 ± 2. 53) % ( P <0. 05). Meanwhile,LVEDD remarkably decreased from (38.10 ± 1. 39)mm at baseline to its minimum of (26.25 ± 0. 65)mm( P <0. 05) and LVFS remarkably decreased from (36. 24 ± 1. 93) % to (29.13 ± 3.00) % ( P < 0. 05). There was no change in the control group after administration of the saline. When SonoVue was given repeatedly, the maximum RVEDD and RVFS was (29. 98 ± 1. 23) mm and (31. 09 + 1.90) % , respectively, which had less increase compared to the first time. Minimum LVEDD and LVFS was (31. 91 ± 1, 64)mm and (32. 17 ± 2. 31)%,respectively,with less decrease compared with which at first injection. It took (10. 15±0. 59) min for the right and left ventricle to reach the extreme value and (9.00± 0. 56) min to return to the baseline at the first injection. The time used for the right and left ventricle to reach its peak change and back to baseline after second injection of SonoVue were shorter [(8.73± 0.55) min and (6.89± 0.43) min, respectively,both P <0.05]. Conclusions Administration of SonoVue was associated with acute, transient dilation of right ventricle and compression of left ventricle. The influence of SonoVue on the right and left ventricle became less at it second injection.

In order to investigate the significance of apoptosis and proliferation rates in differential diagnosis, evaluating curative effect and leukemia transformation in myelodysplastic syndromes, apoptosis index (AI) and proliferating index (PI) were assayed in marrow smears from 60 cases of MDS, 30 AML, 21 chronic aplastic anemia (CAA), 16 hemolytic anemia, 15 megaloblastic anemia and 30 normal controls. The apoptotic cells were assayed with TUNEL technique and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by immunohistochemical method in situ. The results showed that average AI in marrow smears from 39 cases with MDS prior therapy was (11.2 +/- 8.8)% and PI was (17.3 +/- 8.7)%, significant differences were observed in MDS group and normal control group, as well as in AML, CAA, megaloblastic anemia and hemolytic anemia groups. Hypoplastic MDS can be distinguished from CAA by AI and PI. Clinical therapy induced significant alteration of AI and PI in MDS, AML and CAA. After therapy of MDS, the AI dropped from (11.2 +/- 8.8)% to (6.6 +/- 0.7)%. It was concluded that examination of AI and PI of marrow cells in situ may provide valuable prognostic information, also can contribute to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia, Aplastic ; diagnosis ; Apoptosis ; Cell Division ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; diagnosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the predictive factors and the best prognostic parameter of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS).

METHODS71 patients with cirrhosis who underwent HRS were included for multivariate Cox regression analysis. 35 possible predictive factors that included clinical and biochemical features contributing to the survival of these patients were analyzed.

RESULTSOnly Child-Pugh's score at the time of diagnosis was the only dependent risk factor of HRS, RR=1.333, 95% CI (1.026, 1.731).

CONCLUSIONChild-Pugh's score at the time of diagnosis of HRS is the best parameter for predicting the clinical outcome of HRS.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hepatorenal Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Survival Rate

Objective:To compare the effectiveness of fire needle versus Western medicine in the treatment of herpes zoster. Methods:Randomized controlled trials comparing fire needle with Western medicine in the treatment of herpes zoster were identified using 8 databases. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results:Eight trials involving 569 patients were included in this meta-analysis, and the results showed that fire needle was superior to Western medicine comparing the effective rate [risk ratio (RR)=1.13, 95％ confidence interval (CI): 1.06 to 1.20;P=0.0002], the visual analog scale (VAS) score [mean difference(MD)=–7.95, 95％ CI: –10.71 to –5.20;P<0.00001], time of pain disappearance (MD=–7.61, 95％CI: –9.38 to –5.84;P<0.00001), time of blister-stop (MD=–1.34, 95％CI: –1.51 to –1.18;P<0.00001), time of crusted scab (MD=–2.92, 95％CI: –3.62 to –2.23;P<0.00001), and time of scab off (MD=–4.64, 95％CI: –5.83 to –3.46;P<0.00001). In addition, a significantly lower incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was found in the fire needle group in 30 d (RR=0.23, 95％CI: 0.11 to 0.51;P=0.0002) and 60 d (RR=0.33, 95％CI: 0.12 to 0.91; P=0.03) after treatment. Conclusion:Fire needle has a favorable effect in increasing the effective rate, relieving pain, recovering skin lesions and decreasing incidence of postherpetic neuralgia in the treatment of herpes zoster. However, considering the limitations in this study, the findings should be interpreted cautiously.

The androgen receptor (AR) plays an important role in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Androgen deprivation therapy is initially effective in blocking tumor growth, but it eventually leads to the hormone-refractory state. The detailed mechanisms of the conversion from androgen dependence to androgen independence remain unclear. Several PCa cell lines were established to study the role of AR in PCa, but the results were often inconsistent or contrasting in different cell lines, or in the same cell line grown under different conditions. The cellular and molecular alteration of epithelial cells and their microenvironments are complicated, and it is difficult to use a single cell line to address this important issue and also to study the pathophysiological effects of AR. In this paper, we summarize the different effects of AR on multiple cell lines and show the disadvantages of using a single human PCa cell line to study AR effects on PCa. We also discuss the advantages of widely used epithelium-stroma co-culture systems, xenograft mouse models, and genetically engineered PCa mouse models. The combination of in vitro cell line studies and in vivo mouse models might lead to more credible results and better strategies for the study of AR roles in PCa.
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Receptors, Androgen ; physiology ; Stromal Cells ; pathology

Objective To evaluate interventional therapy for biliary stricture (BS) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods The efficacy of interventional therapy for BS after OLT from Oct 2003 to Jan 2006 was analyzed retrospectively. Fifty-three patients received 107 times of interventional therapy through endoscopic retrograde cholangiography ( ERC) which included 68 nasobiliary catheter placements,26 biliary balloon dilatations and stent placements and 13 ERC. Nine patients received 11 times of interventional therapy through percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography ( PTC) including 2 PTC, 7 percutaneous drainages,3 biliary balloon dilatations and 1 biliary stent replacement. One patient received bile drainage through T tube. Results The success rate of ERC was 88. 8% (95/107) , that of nasobiliary catheter placement 94% (64/68) , biliary stent placement 88. 5% (23/26). The success rate of PTC was 81. 8% (9/11) , that of percutaneous drainage was 100% (7/7) , biliary stent replacement 100% (1/1). The curative rate of interventional therapy for 53 patients with BS was 28. 3% (15/53) ,the improvement rate was 41. 5% (22/53). The curative rate of interventional therapy for anastomotic, extrahepatic, intrahepatic hilar and diffuse BS was respectively 66. 7% (4/6)、66. 7% (10/15)、50% (1/2)、0 (0/7) and 0 (0/22). Conclusions The efficacy of interventional therapy for BS after OLT was not satisfactory. The result relates to the type of BS, for anastomotic, extrahepatic and solitary intrahepatic BS this therapy was effective, while that for hilar and diffuse BS the prognosis was poor.

BACKGROUND: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes are a key regulator of pancreatic beta cells mass and function. DEP-domain containing mTOR-interacting protein (DEPTOR) is a common part of mTOR complexes and whether DEPTOR loss in islet β cells affects insulin-secreting function has never been identified. OBJECTIVE: To assess the alternation of insulin secretion by silencing DEPTOR gene in pancreatic β cells NIT-1 and to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Three siRNA sequences for silencing DEPTOR gene were designed and constructed, which were transfected with lipofectamine into NIT-1 cells. There were six groups: blank transfection group (NIT-1 cells plus Lipofectamin), negative control group (NC-FAM), positive control group (GAPDH), siRNA deptor 1 group (siRNA deptor385), siRNA deptor 2 group (siRNA deptor766), and siRNA deptor 3 group (siRNA deptor1275). The transfection efficiency was determined by fluorescence microscope. The relative expression level of DEPTOR mRNA was detected by quantitative-PCR. Insulin secretion in the cell conditioned medium was determined by insulin ELISA kit. The expression level of DEPTOR downstream key protein was detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Specific green fluorescence accumulated in a punctated pattern under fluorescence microscope, indicating that the effectiveness of transfection was eligible. Quantitative-PCR results showed two (siDEPTOR385 and siDEPTOR766) of the three siRNA sequences could significantly disrupt the expression of DEPTOR mRNA, which had significant difference with negative control group (P＜ 0.05). The ELISA results showed that the total amount of insulin secretion in the effective transfected groups was significantly increased (P＜ 0.05). Western blot assay results showed the grey levels of p-s6 and p-4EBP-1 proteins were significantly elevated, while p-AKT of those former was slightly decreased. These findings suggest that siRNA technology can effectively silence the DEPTOR gene in NIT-1 cells, which improves β-cell insulin secretion in a manner of mTORC1 activation.