Air Pollutants, Occupational ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Calcium Carbonate ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dust ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Pneumoconiosis ; epidemiology ; Sampling Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The medium of photo-synthetic bacteria synthesizing carotenoid was optimized with response surface methodology. The regression equation expressing the relationship between carotenoid yield and main components of culture medium was established by stepwise analysis. The R-squared in the model of regression equation was 0. 958, which meant the established equation could predict the carotenoid yield well at the range of factors in this design. It was indicated that the optimum medium components were: 0. 81% citric acid, 0. 35% NH4Cl and 0. 18% corn syrup. On those conditions, it was predicted that the highest production of carotenoid was 13. 34 mg/L, which was 2. 04 times higher than initial carotenoid yield before optimization.

BACKGROUND:Posterior cervical open-door expansive laminoplasty is one of the simple and effective methods to treat cervical spinal diseases, has satisfactory results but low complications. However, the imbalance of sagittal plan, loss of lordosis or axial pain is often reported recently. OBJECTVE:To analyze the correlation between cervical sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes after laminoplasty. METHODS:Between January 2011 and June 2015, 122 cases of cervical spinal disease, who were treated with open-door expansive laminoplasty with mini-titanium plate, were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Neck Disability Index and Visual Analogue Scale. Radiographic results were assessed by C2-7 Cobb angle, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis and C7 slope. The correlation between sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Al patients were fol owed up for 7-32 months. (2) Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Neck Disability Index and Visual Analogue Scale scores were improved in the final fol ow-up (al P<0.001). No significant difference in upper limb Visual Analogue Scale scores was determined (P=0.142). In the final fol ow-up, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis increased (P=0.036), but neither the C2-7 Cobb angle nor the C7 slope significantly changed (P=0.092, P=0.184). (3) There were no correlations between sagittal alignment parameters (C2-7 Cobb angle, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis and C7 slope) and clinical outcomes (Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Neck Disability Index and Visual Analogue Scale) (al P>0.05). (4) These findings indicated that posterior cervical open-door expansive laminoplasty with mini-titanium plate can significantly improve the neurological function of patients. However, there is no correlation between cervical sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes.

Objective To evaluate factors which maintain the stability of the ankle, and discuss indications for trans-syndesmotic fixation. Methods 12 freshly-frozen cadaver legs amputated below the knee were collected and divided into 2 groups. An ankle fracture model of unconstrained pronation-external rotation was then designed. Group A simulated the injury combined with medial malleolus fracture, and Group B the injury combined with deltoid tear. Ligaments were cut off sequentially to simulate the increasing severity of the injury. Fuji super low-pressure sensitive films and displacement transducers were used to measure the contact area of the tibiotalar articular surface and the width of the syndesmosis. The data were analyzed with SPSS to analyze the relationship of ligament injury and ankle stability. Results In Group A, the articular contact area and the syndesmotic width after section of the deltoid were significantly different from those before the section (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting YAP on the proliferation and apoptosis of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).

METHODSSynthesized sequences of siRNA were transfected into hPDLSCs by Lipofectamine™ 2000. The expression of YAP was identified by using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Proliferation activity was detected by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Changes in the cell cycle and apoptosis rate were detected by using flow cytometry. Results were analyzed by using SPSS 19.0, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSExpression of YAP mRNA and protein were significantly downregulated after 48 h of transfection (P < 0.001). No obvious difference was found in the expression levels of YAP protein between 48 and 72 h, thus indicating that siRNA could inhibit the expression of YAP persistently and effectively. Proliferation activity was inhibited, and apoptosis rate was increased. Cell cycle was changed as the proportion of G₁and S phases increased (P < 0.01) and G₂ phase decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONKnocking down YAP gene by siRNA could inhibit proliferation activity, induce apoptosis, and change the cell cycle of hPDLSCs. Thus, YAP could regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of hPDLSCs.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; drug effects ; Phosphoproteins ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Transfection

Objective To explore the glomerular change of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) expression in ATIaR gene knockout mice and its effects on extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling under diabetic condition. Methods ATlaR knockout mice were generated previously. Hyperglycemia was induced by peritoneal injection of streptozotocin in ATIaR knockout mice and wild type mice. Normal AT1aR knockout mice and wild type mice were used as control group. Twelve weeks later, kidneys were harvested and frozen quickly in dry ice-acetone. Glomendi were collected by laser capture microdissection and total RNA was extracted, mRNA expression of AT1aR, AT1bR, AT2R, angiotensinogen, ACE, renin, and CYP11B2 was assessed by real-time PCR. ECM accumulation was evaluated by PAS staining. Protein levels of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1), type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI-1), monocyte chemotactie protein 1(MCP-1) and renin were semi-quantitated by immunostaining. Results Compared to the wild type, mRNA expression of AT1bR, angiotensinogen, renin, CYP11B2 within glomeruli was upregulated significantly in ATlaR knockout mice (P<0.05), but no change of ACE expression was found in these two groups. AT2R protein was poorly detected in AT1aR knockout glomeruli and downregulated in wild type glomemli. ECM accumulation was significanfly increased associated with the parallel increase in TGF-β1, PAI-1, MCP-1 and renin within glomendi (P <0.05). Conclusions AT1aR gene knockout cannot improve ECM deposition in diabetic nephropathy. The compensate change of RAS components may be involved in this scenario: upregulation of AT1bR, downregulation of AT2R. CYP11B2 and renin may function in a novel pathway.

AIM: To explore if all trans retinoic acid (atRA) retards glomerulosclerosis of rats with 5/6 nephrectomy. METHODS: Wistar male rats were operated by subtotal nephrectomy and were randomly divided into A1 (5 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) atRA), A2 (10 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) atRA), A3 (20 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) atRA) and NX (vehicle) groups. Each group included 8 rats. 8 health rats were assigned as sham-operation group (sham group). Animals were sacrificed 10 weeks after treatment. The concentrations of plasma atRA were measured by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Glomerulosclerosis was evaluated by glomerulosclerosis index system. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF?1) was measured by renal immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS: The concentrations of atRA in atRA groups were much higher than that in NX and sham groups. Compared to NX, the remnant kidney sclerosis was ameliorated significantly in A1, A2 and A3 groups. The expressions of TGF?1 decreased parallelized to the levels of glomerulosclerosis. CONCLUSION: atRA has a beneficial effect on retarding the progression of renal fibrosis in the 5/6 nephrectomic rats, possibly through downregulating the glomerular TGF?1 expression.

?AIM: To discuss the effect of laser exposure on visual acuity and macula.?METHODS: Retrospective and consecutive case series. A retrospective analysis of 11 patients (11 eyes) with laser retinal injury was carried out from January 2014 to June 2015 in Ophthalmology Department of No. 474 Hospital of Chinese PLA. All individuals underwent visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography ( SD-OCT) for macular at first visit, and fundus fluorescein angiography ( FFA ) , visual field, and multifocal electroretinogram ( mf ERG ) were perform if necessary. Symptomatic therapies, supportive therapies and pars plana vitrectomy ( PPV ) were performed depended on the patient’s condition. The patients were followed-up at 1, 3 and 6mo after the first visit, and patients were undertaken visual acuity, BCVA, macular SD-OCT and so on.?RESULTS: Eight patients ( 73%) were under 18 years old and all patients were young males, who were injured by laser pointers when playing. Three patients ( 27%) over 18 years old were injured accidentally at work. Ten (91%) patients’ BCVA were ≤0. 3, while one ( 9%) patient’s BCVA was higher ≥0. 3. Full-thickness macular holes ( the diameter 224-519 μm ) were detected in 10 patients (91%), while sub-foveal RPE changes and IS/OS injury in 1 patient ( 9%) . Macular hole with traction or cystoid edema in 6 eyes (55%) were received PPV, while the other 5 eyes ( 4 eyes with stable macular hole and 1 eyes with RPE injury ) received conservative treatment. Macular hole closed successfully in 1 eye ( 17%) after PPV, while macular hole in the other 5 eyes ( 83%) were stable after PPV of which the cystoid edema faded. The 4 patients with macular hole and 1 patient with RPE injury were stable during follow-up period. However, the BCVA in all patients had no significant improvement at end.?CONCLUSION: Exposure to laser devices could lead to severe macula injury that could reduce central vision, which is permanent.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical results of early total care (ETC) treatment for elderly patients with intertrochanteric femur fractures.

METHODSClinical data of 106 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture treated from January 2012 and February 2015 were retrospectively studied. According to whether receiving the early total care mode, the patients were divided into 2 groups, 34 cases were diagnosed and treated with early total care pattern (ETC group), including 14 males and 20 females with an average age of (74.88 ± 4.38) years old ranging from 70 to 86. According to Evans types, 4 cases were type I, 5 cases were type II, 13 cases were type III, 11 cases were type IV, 1 case was type V. Seventy-two patients were treated with conventional trauma method (conventional group), including 35 males and 37 females with an average age of (74.46 ± 3.63) years old ranging from 70 to 85. According to Evans type, 8 cases were type I ,13 cases were type II, 25 cases were type III, 25 cases were type IV, and 1 case was type V. All fractures were treated with proximal femoral nails anti-rotation (PFNA). Operative time, hospital stays, leaving bed time, complications, cases of death at 1 year after operation, postoperative Harris score at 12 months were observed and compared.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up, the time of ETC group ranged from 9 to 18 months with an average of 13.29 ± 1.51, and the time in conventional group ranged from 12 to 16 months with an average 12.93 ± 1.15, while there was no significant difference between two groups in time of following-up (t = 1.368, P = 0.174). There was no significant meaning in cases of death between ETC group (2 cases) and conventional group (8 cases). Three cases occurred complications in ETC group, and 20 cases in conventional group,there was obvious meaning between two groups (χ² = 0.739, P = 0.318). Operative time,hospital stays,leaving bed time in ETC group respectively was (2.03 ± 0.67) d, (15.41 ± 2.87) d and (3.62 ± 0.74) d; while in conventional group respectively was (4.17 ± 1.59) d, (20.11 ± 4.24) d and (5.35 ± 1.22) d; there were significant differences between two groups in operative time, hospital stays, leaving bed time. Postoperative Harris scores at 12 months in ETC group was (82.32 ± 4.56), and (79.24 ± 5.52) in conventional group, there was obvious meaning between two groups (t = 2.833, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONETC pattern is a novel method for diagnosis and treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures in elderly, it could shorten operative time, hospital stays, leaving bed time, decrease complications and promote recovery of function.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Femur ; injuries ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Hip Fractures ; surgery ; Hip Joint ; surgery ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies

A novel method was developed for the rapid determination of multi-indicators in corni fructus by means of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) based least squares support vector machine was investigated to increase the levels of quality control. The calibration models of moisture, extractum, morroniside and loganin were established using the PSO-LS-SVM algorithm. The performance of PSO-LS-SVM models was compared with partial least squares regression (PLSR) and back propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN). The calibration and validation results of PSO-LS-SVM were superior to both PLS and BP-ANN. For PSO-LS-SVM models, the correlation coefficients (r) of calibrations were all above 0.942. The optimal prediction results were also achieved by PSO-LS-SVM models with the RMSEP (root mean square error of prediction) and RSEP (relative standard errors of prediction) less than 1.176 and 15.5% respectively. The results suggest that PSO-LS-SVM algorithm has a good model performance and high prediction accuracy. NIR has a potential value for rapid determination of multi-indicators in Corni Fructus.
Algorithms ; Calibration ; Cornus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Models, Theoretical ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Quality Control ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Support Vector Machine