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 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 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: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

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of capecitabine monotherapy or in combination with oxaliplatin concurrent chemoradio-therapy on patients with advanced colorectal cancer.Methods Fifty-two patients with advanced colorectal cancer were randomly divided into treatment group and control group , 26 cases in each group.Two groups were all taken 6 mV X -ray irradiation, 5 times a week, totally five weeks.On the same time , control group was given capecitabine , twice a day, with the total dose of 1500-1700 mg· m-2 .Treatment group was given oxaliplatin total dose of 50 -75 mg · m -2 , once a week , and capecitabine, twice a day, with the total dose of 1200-1550 mg· m-2.And 35 d a course , all patients were given three courses treatment.Clini-cal efficacy , improvement in quality of life and adverse drug reactions of the two groups were observed.Results After treatment, the objective response rate in treatment group (76.93%) was significantly higher than that in control group ( 42.31%, P<0.05 ); the quality of life in treat-ment group was significantly better than that in control group ( P<0.05 ).The incidence rate adverse reactions in treatment group were significantly lower than that in control group ( P<0.05 ).Conclusion Capecitabine combined with oxaliplatin for the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer had a good clinical efficacy , low incidence of adversereactions , which can improve the quality of life.

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.

PURPOSETo evaluate the clinical outcomes of locking calcaneal plate in treating calcaneal fracture (Sanders II-III) in elderly patients.

METHODSFrom October 2012 to December 2013, 23 elderly patients suffering from calcaneal fracture (Sanders II-III) were treated and followed up. There were 15 males and 8 females with the mean age of 68.5 years (range: 65-79 years). According to Sander's classification, 16 cases (16 feet) were type II fractures and 7 cases (7 feet) were type III fractures. Anteroposterior, lateral and axial views of X-ray were taken to detect the calcaneum. CT scan was done to assess the amount of comminution and articular depression. Radiological assessment was performed using Bohler's angle and Gissane's angle. Functional outcome was assessed using the Maryland foot score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up for 13.7 months on average (10-20 months). The mean time of bone union was 3.2 months (3-4 months). The mean time of complete weight bearing was 3.2 months (3.1-4.0 months). The soft tissue necrosis was found in 1 case. The mean Bohler's angle and Gissane's angle were 25.31° and 117.5°respectively. The overall excellent to good rate was 82.6%.

CONCLUSIONOpen reduction and internal fixation with locking calcaneal plate can obtain good functional outcome for Sanders II-III calcaneal fractures in elderly patients.

Aged ; Bone Plates ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Care ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Surgical Wound ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo establish transgenic mouse models of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) and identify the genotype of the first filial generation.

METHODSSix male B6SJL SOD1G93A/+ hemizygote mice were mated with 6 female B6SJLF1/J+/+ mice to produce the filial generation. The genomic DNA was extracted from the tail vein blood of the first filial generation mice and PCR was performed to amplify the hmSOD1 gene fragment. The genotype of the mice was determined by electrophoresis, and the PCR product was purified for further gene sequence analysis and detection of mutation loci.

RESULTSFifty-three progeny mice were born and the survival rate before ALS onset was 98% (52/53), and among the survived mice, the positivity rate for hmSOD1 gene was 44.2% (23/52). Electrophoresis result showed that the PCR product of 236 bp was consistent with the hmSOD1 gene fragment, and the sequence of the PCR product was identical with hmSOD1 gene sequence of G93A mutant.

CONCLUSIONTransgenic mouse models of ALS can be established in the first filial generation of male B6SJL SOD1G93A/+ mice mated with female B6SJLF1/J+/+. PCR technique can precisely identify the genotype of the filial generation.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Base Sequence ; Breeding ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Female ; Genotype ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Mice, Transgenic ; Point Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; Superoxide Dismutase-1