The response and transport intervals of an ambulance dispatch are affected by various factors. The present ambulance system relies on the driver’s experience, knowledge of local road map and estimations of directions. These may contribute to delays, misdirection and inefficient utilization of resources. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of GPS navigation device on the response and transport time intervals of an ambulance service operating in urban setting. This was a three-month experimental study involving simulated ambulance dispatch based in a hospital. A total of 50 simulated cycles were constructed. Travel time, arrival time and distance were documented from each cycle. The median actual response time using map and GPS navigation device was 11.82 min and 10.47 min respectively. The median actual transport time using map and GPS navigation device was 11.00 min and 10.74 min respectively. The differences in response time and transport time between map and GPS navigation were not statistically significant (p= 0.215 and p=0.710). The application of GPS reduced the error value between estimated and actual response time by 8.73%. It also reduced the mean error value between estimated and actual transport time by 1.42%. The result shows that the GPS navigation device allowed for more accurate travel time estimation and its application in an urban setting such as Kuala Lumpur has the potential to reduce ambulance response time.
Emergency ; GPS navigation ; Prehospital care ; Response time ; Transport time

PURPOSE: To evaluate the differences of radiological outcomes of uniportal and biportal vertebroplasty in the point of bone cement distribution and leakage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study reviewing the period between May 2002 and January 2006 investigated 100 vertebrae which underwent vertebroplasty and followed for more than three months by uniportal approach (55 vertebrae, group 1) and biportal approach (45 vertebrae, group 2). The operative time, the amount of bone cement injected, anterior vertebral height restoration, kyphotic angle, bone cement distribution, and bone cement leakage were evaluated. RESULTS: The amount of injected bone cement of group 1 (3.9 cc) was statistically smaller than that of group 2 (5.1 cc) (p=0.016). There were no significant differences in the operative time, anterior vertebral height restoration, kyphotic angle in both groups. The rate of bone cement distribution over 8 zones was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p=0.014). However, the rate of bone cement distribution over 7 zones and the rate of bone cement distributed on whole anterior vertebral body were not significantly different in both groups. The cement leakage was not also significantly different in both groups. CONCLUSION: Although the amount of injected bone cement was smaller in uniportal vertebroplasty, the radiological results and cement leakage were similar to biportal vertebroplasty. These findings suggest that uniportal vertebroplasty can be the operative options in osteoporotic vertebral fracture.
Ion Transport* ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Vertebroplasty*

Time-dependent translocational changes of Synapsin I (SyI), a synaptic vesicle-associated phosphoprotein and its involvement in the axonal transport were investigated in the regenerating axonal sprouts. A weak SyI immunoreactivity (IR) was found in the axoplasm of normal axons. Rat sciatic nerves were crush-injured by ligating with 1-0 silk thread at the mid-thigh level and released from the ligation 24 h later. At various times after release, immunocytochemistry was performed. SyI was translocated from the proximal to the distal site of ligation and also involved in the sprouting of regenerating axons. The distribution patterns of SyI IR were changed in the crush-injured nerves. SyI immunoreactive thin processes were strongly appeared in the proximal region from 1 h after release. After 3 h, a very strong IR was expressed. The intense SyI immunoreactive thin processes were elongated distally and were changed the distribution pattern by time-lapse. After 12 h, strong immunoreactive processes were extended to the ligation crush site. At 1 day, a very intense IR was expressed. At 2 days, immunoreactive thin processes extended into the distal region over the ligation crush site and strong IR was observed after 3 days. SyI was accumulated in the proximal region at the early phases after release. These results suggest that SyI may be related to the translocation of vesicles to the elongated membranes by a fast axonal transport in the regenerating sprouts.
Animals ; Axonal Transport ; Axons/*physiology/ultrastructure ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Regeneration/*physiology ; Protein Transport ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sciatic Nerve/physiology ; Synapsins/*metabolism ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between injury time and the expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIc (COX6C) mRNA in skeletal muscle of rat after contusion. METHODS: A total of fifty-four SD rats were divided into the control group and the contusion groups (0.5, 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 h after contusion), randomly. The contusion model was established by free fall drop of gravity hammer. At corresponding time point after contusion, the regular histology was examined and expression level of COX6C mRNA was tested by real-time PCR after extraction of total RNA from the tissues. RESULTS: The main pathological features of 6 h after injury included edema and hemorrhage in myocytes with no inflammatory cells found. After 6 hours, the findings included myocyte degeneration and necrosis, inflammatory cells infiltration, and fibrous connective tissue proliferation in the contused zone. The expression level of COX6C mRNA was higher than that of the control group within 6 h after contusion. The expression level was lower than that of the control group from 6-36 h after contusion. CONCLUSION The level of COX6C mRNA expresses in a regular way after contusion. It may be useful for estimating wound age in combination with the results of pathological features.
Animals ; Contusions/metabolism* ; Electron Transport Complex IV/metabolism* ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors

High temperature and humidity stress during seed growth and development of spring soybean can result in seed deterioration in South China. We isolated two genes (GmSBP and GmSBPL) encoding putative SBP proteins from soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) to study their biological functions and response to abiotic stress,. The two SBP proteins are hydrophilic and incomplete membrane ones. Real-time quantitative (RT-PCR) analysis reveals that the expression of the two genes in the developing seeds of the seed deterioration resistant cultivar Xiangdou No. 3 and sensitive cultivar Ningzhen No. 1 was significantly affected by high temperature and humidity treatment. Meanwhile, the levels of sucrose and soluble sugar in the developing seeds of both cultivars were also affected under high temperature and humidity stress. During seed growth and development, the expression of the two genes as well as the levels of sucrose and soluble sugar reached the highest at 30 days after flower. GmSBP2 and GmSBPL were found to be differentially expressed in different soybean tissues. Sub-cellular localization indicated that two genes were located in cytoplasm and cell membrane. Our results indicate that GmSBP2 and GmSBPL might be involved in the response to abiotic stress, which will enrich our understanding of pre-harvest seed deterioration and resistance in soybean from one side.
China ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genes, Plant ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Plant Lectins ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Seeds ; Soybean Proteins ; genetics ; Soybeans ; genetics ; Stress, Physiological

This study was aimed to investigate the SLC25A38 expression in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and its clinical significance. A total of 23 newly diagnosed ALL pedictric patients were enrolled in test group, 10 pediatric patients with non-hematologic malignancies were selected as control group. The expression in protein and mRNA levels of SLC25A38 were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR respectively. The results showed that the SLC25A38 protein was positive in 8 of 23 pediatric ALL patients (34.78%), while no positive case was found in 10 controls. The relative expression level of SLC25A38 mRNA was 0.4673 ± 0.05344 in SLC25A38-protein positive group of ALL patients, while that was 1.296 ± 0.2517 in SLC25A38-protein negative group of ALL patients. The expression level of SLC25A38 mRNA in SLC25A38-protein positive group was significantly lower than that in negative group (P = 0.001) . No statistically significant difference was found in comparison of SLC25A38-protein negative group of ALL patients with the control group (P = 0.1097). The analysis of clinical data showed that there were significantly differences in sex, immunophenotype, initial peripheral white blood cell count and LDH between the SLC25A38-protein positive and SLC25A38-protein negative groups (P < 0.05). It is concluded that as a novel protein, SLC25A38 highly expressed in pediatric ALL patients, indicating that SLC25A38 may serve as a molecular marker and potential therapeutic target for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
Child ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Leukocyte Count ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins ; metabolism ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Compound Tufuling Granules ([characters: see text], CTG) on regulating glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) expression in the kidney to influence the uric acid excretion by the kidney and serum uric acid (SUA) level in hyperuricemia mice.

METHODSSixty Kunming male mice were randomly divided into the control group, model group, benzbromarone group, and CTG high-, middle- and low-dose groups. The yeast extract and uricase inhibition method were used to build hyperuricemia model, and the corresponding drugs were administrated on the 7th day. On the 21st day the 24-h urine was collected, on the 22nd day the blood was collected, the SUA level was detected by uricase colorimetry, and the mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT9 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the levels of SUA and the mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT9 were significantly decreased, and the fraction excretion of uric acid (FEUA) was significantly increased in the CTG groups and benzbromarone group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the CTG high-dose group and benzbromarone group (P>0.05). SUA is positively related to the GLUT9 mRNA and protein expressions in the kidney (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCTG can significantly reduce the SUA and increase the FEUA. In addition, CTG can effectively inhibit the mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT9 in the kidney of hyperuricemia mice to inhibit the uric acid re-absorption, promote uric acid excretion and reduce SUA.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; analysis ; Hyperuricemia ; blood ; Kidney ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uric Acid ; blood

BACKGROUND: Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has proven safe and effective for pulmonary wedge resection and lobectomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of uniportal VATS segmentectomy by comparing its outcomes with those of the multiportal approach at a single center. METHODS: The records of 84 patients who underwent VATS segmentectomy from August 2010 to August 2018, including 33 in the uniportal group and 51 in the multiportal group, were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Anesthesia and operative times were similar in the uniportal and multiportal groups (215 minutes vs. 220 minutes, respectively; p=0.276 and 180 minutes vs. 198 minutes, respectively; p=0.396). Blood loss was significantly lower in the uniportal group (50 mL vs. 100 mL, p=0.013) and chest tube duration and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the uniportal group (2 days vs. 3 days, p=0.003 and 4 days [range, 1–14 days] vs. 4 days [range, 1–62 days], p=0.011). The number of dissected lymph nodes tended to be lower in the uniportal group (5 vs. 8, p=0.056). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary experience indicates that uniportal VATS segmentectomy is safe and feasible in well-selected patients. A randomized, prospective study with a large group of patients and long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm these results.
Anesthesia ; Chest Tubes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ion Transport ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Nodes ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Operative Time ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted

Although the antioxidant and cardioprotective effects of NecroX-5 on various in vitro and in vivo models have been demonstrated, the action of this compound on the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system remains unclear. Here we verify the role of NecroX-5 in protecting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity during hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR). Necrox-5 treatment (10 microM) and non-treatment were employed on isolated rat hearts during hypoxia/reoxygenation treatment using an ex vivo Langendorff system. Proteomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and non-labeling peptide count protein quantification. Real-time PCR, western blot, citrate synthases and mitochondrial complex activity assays were then performed to assess heart function. Treatment with NecroX-5 during hypoxia significantly preserved electron transport chain proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and metabolic functions. NecroX-5 also improved mitochondrial complex I, II, and V function. Additionally, markedly higher peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC1alpha) expression levels were observed in NecroX-5-treated rat hearts. These novel results provide convincing evidence for the role of NecroX-5 in protecting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity and in preserving PGC1alpha during cardiac HR injuries.
Animals ; Anoxia ; Blotting, Western ; Citric Acid ; Electron Transport ; Heart ; Mitochondria ; Oxidative Phosphorylation* ; Peroxisomes ; Rats ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spectrum Analysis

Tissue engineering is a promising technique to repair or reconstruct the damaged cartilage in clinical use. However, chondrocyte growth is limited by the mass transport in scaffolds as diffusion is likely to be the primary mechanism. In this study, a mathematical model was developed based on oxygen diffusion and reaction to simulate chondrocyte growth. In order to accord with the fact, effective diffusion coefficients and space limitation were considered in this model and good agreement was found between experimental data and mathematical simulations. Furthermore, relationships established in the model system can be used to optimize the situation in real bioreactors and the design of three-dimensional scaffolds.
Algorithms ; Animals ; Biological Transport ; Cattle ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Diffusion ; Models, Biological ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry