Xanthan gum is a microbial, natural high molecular weight polysaccharide produced by a the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. Due to its exceptional rheological properties, its numerous areas of application cover a broad range. This review focuses on various aspects of xanthan production, properties, degradation, and application.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leeches ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Materia Medica ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Phytotherapy

Objective To evaluate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.Methods Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =5 each) using a random number table: sham operation group (group S), hepatic I/R group (group I/R) , and group DHA.Hepatic I/R was induced by clamping the hepatic pedicle supplying the left and middle lobes of the liver for 60 min, followed by 24 h reperfusion in anesthetized rats.DHA 4 mg/kg was injected intravenously at 30 min before ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion in group DHA.The equal volume of solvent was given instead in S and I/R groups.Blood samples were taken from the inferior vena cava at 24 h of reperfusion for determination of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, and resolvin D1 concentrations.The rats were then sacrificed, and the livers were removed for determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (by spectrophotometry), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA expression (by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction).The livers were cut into sections which were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and examined under light microscope.Results Compared to group S, the serum ALT and AST activities, serum resolvin D1 concentrations, and MPO activity, and IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in liver tissues were significantly increased in I/R and DHA groups (P＜0.05).Compared to group Ⅰ/R, the serum resolvin 1D1 concentrations, and MPO activity and TNF-α mRNA expression in liver tissues were significantly decreased (P＜0.05) , and no significant difference was found in the serum ALT and AST activities in group DHA (P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in pathological changes of the liver between group DHA and group I/R.Conclusion DHA can attenuate inflammatory responses during hepatic I/R, but it is not sufficient to mitigate liver injury in rats.

Objective To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) synthases/H2S pathway in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.Methods Wistar rats were subdivided into 4 groups:(1) 2-kidney,1-clip (2K-1C group,n=7),(2) control (n=7),(3)sham (n=7),and (4) 2K-1C plus sodium hydrosulfide (NariS) (NariS-treated group,n=7).The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by a tail-cuff method using a pulse transducer once a week.Four weeks later,all rats were killed and the concentration of plasma hydrogen sulfide (H2S),the activity of the H2S syntha.ses in the kidneys on both sides,the plasma angiotensin Ⅱ concentration,and the left-to-whole heart weight ratio were measured.Results The SBP was significantly increased in the 2K-IC group (185.4± 14.0mmHg) comparing with those in the sham group (112.9±6.5mmHg,,or the NariS-treated group(134.8±9.5mmHg) (both P＜0.01).At 4 weeks,the angiotensin Ⅱ concentration in the plasma was increased in the 2K-1C and NariS-treated group,comparing with the control and the sham group (306.92±7.03 pg/ml and 240.73±13.22 pg/ml vs 122.6±25.49 pg/ml and 125.95±10.55 pg/ml,respectively,both P＜0.05).The plasma H2S concentration and the activity of H2S synthases in the left kidney were decreased in the 2K-1C group comparing with those in the sham and the control groups.There was no difference of the activity of the H2S synthases in the right kidneys among the 4 groups.The left-to-whole heart weight ratio was increased in the 2K-1C and the NariS-treated group camparing with that in the sham and natural control groups.Conclusions Dysfunction of the H2S synthases/H2S pathway was involved in the 2K-1C-induced renovascular hypertension in rat.Exogenous administration of H2S donor can attenuate the development of hypertension.These findings suggest that the H2S synthases/H2S pathway participates in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.

Objective:Bioinformatics was used to analyze the gene expression profile of renal chromophobe cell carcinoma (RCCC) to find out the key genes of RCCC.Methods:Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma gene chip data GSE15641 and GSE11151 were downloaded from the GEO database. Using R software packages such as " Affy" and " limma" in R software to screen differentially expressed genes, combining with David and STRING online bioinformatics tools to analyze the regulatory network of differentially expressed genes and construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, the Hub gene was screened through the Cytohubba plug-in of Cytoscape software.Results:A total of 261 differentially expressed genes were screened, including 194 down-regulated genes and 67 up-regulated genes. Gene enrichment (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed to explore their biological functions. In GO enrichment analysis, biological processes were mainly enriched in cell secretion, gluconeogenesis and cell proliferation regulation; in cell composition, they were mainly enriched in exosomes, plasma membranes and their components; in molecular function, they were mainly enriched in heparin binding; in KEGG pathway analysis, they were mainly enriched in metabolic pathway, antibody biosynthesis pathway and renin angiotensin system pathway. PPI network was constructed by using online bioinformatics tools. The top 10 Hub genes were screened by using cytohubba plug-in in Cytoscape software, which were pipecolic acid and sarcosine oxidase (PIPOX), hydroxyacid oxidase 2 (HAO2), kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), solute carrier family 2 member 2 (SLC2A2), formimidoyltransferase cyclodeaminase (FTCD), angiogenin (ANG), APOBEC1 complementation factor (A1CF), aldehyde dehydrogenase 8 family member A1 (ALDH8A1), vitamin D binding protein (GC), histidine rich glycoprotein (HRG).Conclusions:Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes in renal chromophobe cell carcinoma can effectively explore the interaction information of these differentially expressed genes, and provide new ideas for the treatment of renal chromophobe cell carcinoma.

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal arteriovenous anastamoses between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. These fistulas may be classified by cause (spontaneous or traumatic), flow velocity (high or low), or pathogenesis (direct or indirect). The most commonly adopted classification is that described by Barrow based on arterial supply. Traumatic CCFs are almost always direct shunts between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cavernous sinus. General features of CCFs, which may be apparent with any lesion, including bruit, headache, loss of vision, altered mental status and neurological deficits. Some fistulae may present primarily with hemorrhage before any evaluation can be performed. However, hemiparesis has been rarely observed. Only a literature review of Murata et al reported a case of hemiparesis caused by posttraumatic CCF, in which the fistula resulted in venous hypertension and subsequent brainstem congestion. While in our case, cerebral infarction was caused by total steal of the blood flow. The patient recovered after occlusion of the fistula with a detachable balloon.
Adult ; Balloon Occlusion ; methods ; Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Cerebral Angiography ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; complications ; diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Paresis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Recovery of Function ; Risk Assessment ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; complications

AIM: To investigate the ocular complication after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).METHODS: The authors performed a previous study on keratopathy in 213 NPC patients who received first stage radiation and had at least 10 months of follow-up. These patients were categorized into three groups depending on NPC clinic stages. Rates and proportions of keratopathy occurring in these groups were compared and analyzed with Chi-square Test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient.RESULTS: Radiation keratopathy developed in 19 patients, about 8.9% (19/213). The latency value was 3 to 30days. The effect of NPC clinic stages and radiation did on the development of keratopathy was not statistically significant (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION: The NPC clinic stages and radiation doses plays few effects on the development of keratopathy. It may play a key role that corneal nerves damage induced ocular surface diseases. It can not be excluded that individuals have different sensitivities to radiation.

OBJECTIVETo review the development, mechanism, necessity and limitation of antiviral therapy in decompensated hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis.

DATA SOURCESMost information was pulled from a literature search (Pubmed 2000 to 2011) using the keywords of antiviral and decompensated hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. Relevant book chapters were also reviewed.

STUDY SELECTIONWell-controlled, prospective landmark studies and review articles on antiviral therapy in decompesated hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis were selected.

RESULTSSpecific antiviral agents not only control viral replication, which permits liver transplantation, but also improve liver function so significantly that patients could be removed from the transplant waiting list. However, the emergence of drug-resistant mutants can result in treatment failure. Combination therapy is a save-strategy in drug-resistant.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough the treatment of end-stage liver disease is still a challenge worldwide, antiviral therapy has altered the natural history of hepatitis B patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The approval of the new generation of antivirals is opening new perspectives for finding the optimal antiviral treatment for patients with decompensated cirrhosis and preventing antiviral resistance. A combination of antivirals may be one of the future strategies for fulfilling these goals.

Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; virology

OBJECTIVENeuroblastoma is a highly malignant tumor. Stage IV neuroblastoma has a very poor long-term outcome by conventional chemotherapy and surgery and better therapies are essential. This study aimed to explore the long-term effect of high dose induction chemotherapy combined with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and 13-cis retinoid acid treatment on stage IV neuroblastoma in children.

METHODSTwenty-eight children with stage IV neuroblastoma, aged 2.1-11.5 years (mean 3.3 +/- 1.9 years), were employed for the study. Primary sites of the tumors included adrenal (n=23), chest (n=3), chest-abdomen (n=1) and sacrum (n=1). Before autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation the patients received 6 courses of intensive induction chemotherapy. During chemotherapy the autologous peripheral blood stem cells were harvested and the tumor excision was done. After transplantation the local radiation and 13-cis retinoid acid therapy were administered.

RESULTSAfter 6 courses of induction chemotherapy 13 patients got complete remission (CR), 11 got partial remission (PR), and 4 had no response. The 24 patients who received CR or PR completed the full therapy. A 3.5 +/- 0.7 years follow-up showed that the 4-year event-free survival of the CR and PR patients was 29.2%. The median no-relapse survival time in CR patients was 4.1 +/- 0.7 years but 2.8 +/- 0.5 years in PR patients (t= 3.9, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHigh dose chemotherapy combined with autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation and 13 cis-retinoid acid treatment can improve the long-term outcome of patients with stage IV neuroblastoma. The patients in CR before transplantation had better outcomes than those in PR.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neuroblastoma ; pathology ; therapy ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the staging criteria and surgical treatment strategy of traumatic intrathoracic esophageal perforations by foreign bone.

METHODSFifty-seven patients with intrathoracic esophageal perforations caused by foreign bone in our department from January 1980 to June 2006 were studied. Patients were divided into 4 grades: grade I was esophageal perforation without mediastinitis (n=17), grade II was esophageal perforation with severe mediastinitis (n=13), grade III was esophageal perforation with severe empyema (n=21), grade IV was esophageal perforation with tracheal or aorto-esophageal fistula (n=6). Based on the stage of esophageal perforation, operative procedures were selected including esophagotomy, esophageal repair, esophagectomy, mediastinal drainage, and esophagus reconstruction with colon.

RESULTSIn grade I, II and III, all but one patient experienced satisfactory healing of the esophagus. One patient died of multi-organ failure from septic complication. No leakage was observed. Normal swallowing function and improved weight gain was achieved in all the patients. There were 2 deaths in grade IV (2/6).

CONCLUSIONSGrading of esophageal perforation caused by foreign bone is helpful to the decision of surgical treatment strategy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Esophageal Perforation ; classification ; surgery ; Esophagus ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; classification ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult