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.

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

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in acute liver injury induced by crushing hind limbs of rats. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: control, crushing, H2S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) + crushing, H2S inhibitor propargylglycine (PAG) + crushing group. The acute liver injury model was established by 'crushing the hind limbs of rats with standard weight. Rats were sacrificed at 30 min and 120 min after the crush. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured by colorimetric method, and the content of H2S in plasma and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, glutathione (GSH) in the liver and the activity of H2S generating enzyme (cystathionine y-lyase, CSE) were determined by chemical method. The expression of CSE mRNA in liver was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: For crush injury group, the levels of AST and ALT in serum, MDA and protein carbonyl in liver increased. The levels of GSH, CSE, CSE mRNA in liver and H2S in serum decreased. The administration of NaHS before limbs crush could attenuate the changes of liver injury, but the pre-treatment with PAG could exacerbate the changes. CONCLUSION The decrease of H2S production could involve in mediating the acute liver injury induced by traumatic stress in rats.
Alanine Transaminase/blood* ; Alkynes/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood* ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase/metabolism* ; Glutathione/metabolism* ; Glycine/pharmacology* ; Hydrogen Sulfide/pharmacology* ; Liver/injuries* ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism* ; Protein Carbonylation ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfides/pharmacology*

BACKGROUNDLeft ventricular aneurysm (LVA) is one of the serious complications after acute myocardial infarction. We attempted to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of LVA repair combined with epicardial radiofrequency ablation for ventricular arrhythmia during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

METHODSFrom June 2009 to April 2011, 31 patients with LVA had angina symptoms and ventricular arrhythmia. In all patients, circular and cross-shaped radiofrequency epicardial ablations were performed using unipolar ablation pen along the border between the aneurysm wall and normal cardiac tissue and in the central zone of the aneurysms, followed by a linear placation of ventricular aneurysms on beating heart.

RESULTSAll the patients showed complete recovery. The average number of grafted vessels was 2.7 ± 1.3. Intraoperative examinations revealed that the ventricular arrhythmia was effectively controlled by radiofrequency ablation. All cases had been followed up for one year. Holter monitoring revealed a significant reduction in ventricular arrhythmias (P < 0.05). Echocardiography showed significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (P < 0.05) and decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor patients with ventricular aneurysm and preoperative malignant arrhythmia, aneurysm repair plus epicardial radiofrequency ablation in OPCAB was found to be an effective and feasible therapeutic technique. However, medium- to long-term therapeutic efficacy of this method remains to be determined by future studies and observations.

Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Female ; Heart Aneurysm ; complications ; Heart Ventricles ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pericardium ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the normal aerification of paranasal sinuses in Chinese children with magnetic resonance imaging.

METHODSTwo hundred and eighty Chinese children aged from 17 days to 14 years without any symptoms related to sinusitis were statistically analyzed in MRI features, including counting the number of paranasal sinus pneumatization and the maximum axial and sagittal area of the left maxillary.

RESULTSThe pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 85% in children aged from 0 to 1 years. Until 3 years the pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 95% and there was no significant difference in boys and girls (χ(2) = 0.741, P = 0.389). The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus reached 100% after 4 years old. The pneumatization rate of ethmoid sinus was 100% in this study. The pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus was 0 within 1 year old, 49% within 4 years old and 100% after 7 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus (χ(2) = 2.452, P = 0.117). The pneumatization rate of frontal sinus was 0 within 5 years old, 62% within 9 years old and 95% after 10 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of frontal sinus (χ(2) = 0.124, P = 0.724). The axial and sagittal maximum area of maxillary sinus was (689.28 ± 221.79) and (659.76 ± 263.31) mm(2) in girls and (668.13 ± 206.38) and (638.60 ± 207.67) mm(2) in boys. The differences were significant (t = -19.78, P < 0.001; t = -19.89, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe study of the development and normal aerification of paranasal sinuses of children can help radiologist make correct diagnosis of paranasal sinuses in children.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Paranasal Sinuses ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the stability and three-dimensional movements of the atlantoaxial joint after artificial atlanto-odontoid joint (AAOJ) arthroplasty by comparing with a conventional method.

METHODSAfter anterior decompression, 24 human cadaveric spinal specimens of C0-C3 were randomly divided into two groups: Group A receiving artificial AAOJ arthroplasty; Group B experiencing anterior transarticular screw (ATAS) fixation. Two groups underwent flexibility test in intact and instrumented states. Rotational angle of the C0-C3 segments was measured to study the immediate stability and function of anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty compared with the intact state and ATAS fixation.

RESULTSCompared with the intact state, anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty resulted in a significant decrease in the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) during flexion, extension and lateral bending (P less than 0.05); however, with regard to axial rotation, there was no significant difference in ROM and NZ (P larger than 0.05). Compared with anterior decompression with ATAS fixation, anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty during flexion, extension and lateral bending, significant difference was found in ROM and NZ (P larger than 0.05); however, as for axial rotation, there was a significant increase in ROM and NZ (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe self-designed AAOJ has an excellent biomechanical performance, which can restore excellent instant stability and preserve the movement of the atlantoaxial joint.

Adult ; Arthroplasty ; methods ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Cadaver ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the metabolic difference of body influenced by active stress and passive stress under special events.

METHODSTo detect serum multiple biochemistry index of 57 earthquake rescue medical team and 13 victims of a natural calamity in Wenchuan earthquake by using Hitachi 7600 automatic analyzer.

RESULTSStress affected biochemistry index deeply. To compared with rescue medical team, the serum ADA, ALP and TG of victims increased obviously and TP, ALB, MAO, Cr, UA, K, Na, Cl, Ca, ApoA1 and HDL decreased obviously.

CONCLUSIONMany biochemistry index have been changed under stress and it relate with stress extent. The human body function status was better in active stress than in passive stress.

Blood Chemical Analysis ; China ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Humans ; Metabolism ; physiology ; Rescue Work ; Stress, Physiological ; physiology

BACKGROUNDEstrogen deficiency causes atrophic changes within the urogenital tract, and is associated with urinary symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of estrogen and tibolone on bladder histology, and the changes of estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ERalpha and beta) protein expression in the detrusor muscle.

METHODSForty female rats were separated into four groups of ten each. They received a sham operation (Sham), ovariectomy (Ovx), ovariectomy plus estrogen replacement (Ovx + E), or ovariectomy plus tibolone treatment (Ovx + T). After 12 weeks each rat was anesthetized and the bladders were removed. The bladders' ultra structure, collagen fiber (CF) to smooth muscle (SM) ratio and ER subtypes were studied. Statistical analyses were performed using the one-way analysis of variance test.

RESULTSOvx resulted in significant degeneration in bladder ultra structure; however, estrogen and tibolone reversed those changes. Ovx increased the CF/SM ratio, estrogen and tibolone resulted in an increase. Two estrogen receptors (ERs) were expressed in the bladder detrusor, with ERbeta the main subtype. Ovx resulted in up-regulation of ERalpha and down-regulation of ERbeta. With estrogen and tibolone treatment, ERbeta showed a significant increase but ERalpha showed no significant difference compared with Ovx.

CONCLUSIONSEstrogen deficiency deteriorates bladder ultra structure and histology. Supplementary estrogen can improve bladder function which may be due to inhibition of collagen hyperplasia and increased SM density. ERbeta has an important role in mediating estrogen function in the bladder. Tibolone has a mild estrogenic action and has an effect on bladder function and structure to some degree.

Animals ; Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; pharmacology ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Norpregnenes ; pharmacology ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Urinary Bladder ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of oxidative stress in acute liver injury during crushing hindlimbs in rabbit. METHODS: The crushing injury model in rabbit was established by intermittent crushing the hind limbs of rabbit with standard weight. The ALT and AST activities were spectrophotometrically measured. The weight ratio (wet/dry,W/D) of livers was measured with scale, and the pathologic changes were observed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total anti-oxidant capacity (T-AOC) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) level were spectrophotometrically measured. RESULTS: As compared with control rabbits, crushing hindlimbs of rabbits induced acute liver injury with the increase in ALT and AST activities in serum,which were 4.31 (P < 0.01) and 10.54 times (P < 0.01) of control group respectively, there were cellular swellings and slight congestion of hepatic sinuses. In addition,crushing hind-limbs elicited significant decrease in SOD,CAT,GSH-Px activity and T-AOC to 17%, 29%, 24% and 21% (P < 0.01) compared with control group respectively, whereas MDA level markedly enhanced. CONCLUSION Crushing hindlimbs of rabbits induced acute liver injury and significant decrease in anti-oxidant capacity, the latter maybe play an important role in crushing hind-limbs of rabbits-elicited the acute liver injury.
Acute Disease ; Alanine Transaminase/blood* ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood* ; Catalase/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism* ; Hindlimb/injuries* ; Liver/pathology* ; Liver Diseases/pathology* ; Male ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo determine the changes in the levels of endogenous metabolites in rats with chronic immobilization stress (CIS) taking Xiaoyao Powder (XYP) and its modified prescription version, which lacks the volatile oils extracted from Herba Menthae.

METHODSTwenty-four experimental male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each: control, model, XYP-1 (containing volatile oils from Herba Menthae), and XYP-2 (lacking volatile oils). All rats except control group rats were subjected to CIS 3 h per day for 21 consecutive days. Groups XYP-1 and XYP-2 were given the extracted XYS with or without volatile oils (3.854 g/kg; suspended in distilled water) via gavage 1 h before CIS each day for 21 days. Rats were anesthetized using intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium (40 mg/kg) on the 22nd day. Observations were made using a Varian INOVA 600 MHz NMR spectrometer at 27 °C. Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) and longitudinal eddy-delay (LED) were applied, resulting in spectra showing only the signals from micro- and macro-metabolites.

RESULTSCompared to controls, rats subjected to CIS showed increased levels of plasma metabolites, such as acetic acid, choline, N-glycoprotein (NAC), saturated fatty acid, and blood sugars. Levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and unsaturated fatty acids were decreased. The biochemical effects of XYS were characterized by elevated levels of VLDL, LDL, threonine, methionine, and glutamic acid in plasma.

CONCLUSIONSome common and characteristic metabolites on the anti-CIS of XYP and its modified prescription were obtained. The metabolomics technology is a valuable tool and may be used to identify the specific metabolites and potential biomarkers of therapeutic effect of Chinese medicinal prescriptions.

Animals ; Blood Proteins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Metabolome ; drug effects ; Powders ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Restraint, Physical ; Stress, Psychological ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism