To observe the effect of various doses of oil of Piper longum unsaponifiable matter (OPUM) to cholesterol gallstones in experimental mice. C57BL/6 mice (n = 60) were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, model group, OPUM (15, 30 and 60 mg x kg(-1)) group and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 60 mg x kg(-1)) group, administered for 10 weeks. The level of serum lipid and liver function enzymes were tested. The gallbladder was removed and bile was obtained by centrifugation. Next, the levels of the bile total cholesterol (TC), phospholipid (PL) and bile acid (TBA) were measured. The indicators of lipid peroxidation were determined and cholesterol saturation index (CSI) was calculated. The liver histological changes were observed by HE staining. The results showed that serum TC, TG (triglycerides) and AST (aspartate transaminase) contents, gallbladder cholesterol crystallization and CSI increased significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, the activity of SOD decreased significantly and MDA content increased significantly in liver (P < 0.05). HE staining results showed that the hepatic cord disorder and intracellular lipid droplets increased significantly. All results indicate that lithogenic diet lead to the formation of cholesterol gallstones. In OPUM (30 and 60 mg x kg(-1)) group, serum TC, TG and AST content, gallbladder cholesterol crystallization and CSI decreased significantly, the activity of SOD increased significantly and MDA content decreased significantly. HE staining results showed that OPUM can improve the morphology of liver cell, reduce the degree of hepatic cord disorders and restore the cell morphology close to normal. The cause of OPUM prevents cholesterol gallstone formation maybe due to protect the integrity of the liver cells, lower CSI, and reduce cholesterol crystal formation and hence prevent cholesterol gallstone formation.

Objective To explore the effects of isokinetic training on muscle endurance and the ambulatory capacity of patients with incomplete lumbar spinal cord injury ( SCI ) . Methods Sixty patients were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group, each of 30. Both groups were given conventional rehabilitation, while the treatment group was additionally provided with isokinetic muscle strength and muscle endurance training for 3 months. The endurance ratio ( RO) of the quadriceps and hamstrings, the mean power frequency of the rectus femo-ris (RF-MPF) and the biceps flexor cruris (BF-MPF), and distance covered in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were evaluated before and after the treatment. An index of functional community ambulation was also compared be-tween the 2 groups. Results After the treatment significant differences were observed in all of the measurements compared to before the treatment for both groups. The average RO improvement of the quadriceps and hamstrings, the BF-MPF, the RF-MPF and the 6MWT distance of the treatment group were all significantly higher compared with the control group. After the treatment, 25 patients of the treatment group could demonstrate functional community ambula-tion, significantly better than that of 20 of the control group. Conclusion Isokinetic training can improve muscle endurance and the walking capacity of persons with an incomplete lumbar spinal cord injury.

AIM: To investigate the expression of adhes i on molecules in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and analyze the correlatio n between the expression of adhesion molecules and chemosensitivity. METHODS: The surgical and needle specimens from 64 patients were tested by the ATP-TCA. The expression of adhesion molecules and multi-drug resi stance genes (MDR) of tumor tis sues of 64 cases and adjacent tissues of 12 cases of HCC were detected with RT-P CR. RESULTS: The expression level of E-cadherin, ICAM-1, CD 44, CD 44V, ? 5, ? 1 in liver cancer tissues was 1.24?0.54, 0.96?0.3 7, 0.62?0 .73, 0.86?0.33, 0.97?0.49, 1.41?0.24, respectively. There was a signif icant difference between CD 44 and E-cadherin, ? 1. The expression levels of MD R 1, MRP, GST-?, LRP, TOPO II mRNA in liver cancer tissues were 1.17?0.47, 1 .59?0.33, 1.18?0.48, 1.03?0.48, 1.00?0.31, respectively. The express ion level of adhesion molecule mRNA had positive Spearman correlation with the expression level of MDR mRNA. ICAM-1, ? 5 had positive Spearman correlation w ith MDR 1. E-cadherin and CD 44 had negative Spearman correlation with MDR 1. E-cadherin had negative Spearman correlation with MRP. ICAM-1 had positive Spearman correlation with LRP. E-cadherin and CD 44 had negative Spearman c orrelation with LRP. CONCLUSION: The expression levels of adhesion molecule mRNA ha ve correlation with the effect of chemotherapy and the expression of MDR genes .

Objective To investigate the correlative factors of constipation in patients with Parkinson′s disease(PD).Methods Two hundred and twelve patients with PD were enrolled in our study.Constipation scale was used to evaluate the degree of constipation.The data of patient′s age,course of disease and medication were collected; UPDRS Ⅲ scale,Hoehn-Yahr scale,Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD),Chinese version of mini mental state examination(MMSE)were performed; risk factors of constipation in patients with PD were analyzed by partial correlation and binary-logistic regression.Results The age,Hoehn-Yahr stage,HAMD scores in 212 patients with PD were significantly associated with constipation(P＜0.05)and were the risk factors for constipation.However,gender,course of disease,paralest daily dose,piribedil sustained daily dose,levodopa daily dose,UPDRS Ⅲ scores and MMSE scores were not significantly correlated to constipation(P＞0.05).Conclusion Age,Hoehn-Yahr stage and HAMD scores have correlation with constipation in patients with PD.

Taking the typical metabolic control product-guanosine as an example, the method of metabolic flux shift investigation based on process multi-levels parameter correlation analysis was established. The metabolic pathway, multi-parameter correlation, accumulation of amino acid and organic acid during guanosine fermentation process were integratively analyzed. The metabolic flux shift from HMP to EMP was ascertained, which was assumed to be caused by the accumulation of ammonium ion. The subsequent optimization based on controlling flux distribution between EMP and HMP did improve the yield by 35% when the metabolic flux shift was prevented.
Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Ammonia ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Guanosine ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of serious pediatric airway obstruction.

METHODSSeventy three pediatric cases with serious airway obstruction, admitted to Shantou hospital from 1995 to 2005, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAmong the 73 cases, 28 cases (38.4%) with inflammatory disease and 33 cases (45.2%) with foreign body. In addition, 8 cases of laryngeal papilloma, 3 cases of laryngotracheobronchial spasm and 1 case of pharyngeal dysembryoma were also included in this study. The patients who had endotracheal intubation or tracheotomy were 39 cases (53.4%) and 27 cases (36.9%) respectively. Ten cases received non-surgery treatment. Seventy two cases diagnosis was confirmed and the related serious airway obstruction condition got stable within 12 hours. While serious complications occurred in 23 cases (31.5%) and operative complications occurred in 3 cases (4.1%). Four cases ( 5.5%) died and 68 cases (93.2%) were cured. One case refused to be treated.

CONCLUSIONSThe condition of serious pediatric airway obstruction patients is usually critical, the related causes could be complicated, quick diagnosis and timely removal of the obstruction factors are imperative.

Adolescent ; Airway Obstruction ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the operative effect and value of window partial laryngectomy for the treatment of stage T2-3 glottic laryngeal carcinoma.

METHODSFrom Oct. 2000 to Dec. 2006, the stage T2-3 glottic laryngeal carcinoma of 48 patients by properly selected were performed with window partial laryngectomy and laryngeal reconstruction. Twenty nine males and 19 females were included. Their ages ranged from 43 to 78 years (median 57.0 years). Before operation and in the 6 months after operation, these targets including auditory mental evaluation of hoarse degree, active degree and symmetry of vocal cord, glottic width in the time of quiet breathing, glottic closing degree in the time of phonating, respiratory function and swallowing function were surveyed. In addition, the things of recurrence and metastasis of tumors together with survival time of patients were following investigated.

RESULTSAll patients were decannulated successfully and incisions were healed smoothly. No operative complication occurred. Except active degree of vocal cord (P = 0.343), there were respectively significant difference between two group targets of auditory mental evaluation of hoarse degree (all P <0.01), symmetry of vocal cord (P = 0.000), glottic width in the time of quiet breathing (P = 0. 001), glottic closing degree in the time of phonating (P = 0.001) and respiratory function (P=0.001) those were investigated before operation and after operation. The swallowing function wasn't influenced (P= 0.310). There were laryngostenosis in 1 case, recurrence in 1 case (2.1%), cervical lymph node metastasis in 1 case and hepatic metastasis in 1 case. Two cases died. 3-year and 5-year overall survival rate were respectively 96.9% and 88.9%.

CONCLUSIONSThe study showed that window partial laryngectomy was successful for treating stage T2-3 glottic laryngeal carcinoma by properly selected. This operation was effective for reducing surgical invasion and beneficial to resume respiratory and vocal function.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Cartilages ; surgery ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Vocal Cords

Metabolic engineering has become a powerful tool for optimization of industrial fermentation processes. Metabolic engineering usually undergoes three steps: construction of a recombinant strain with improved properties, genetic and biochemical analysis of the strain, and identification of target for further improvement. Metabolic fluxes analysis is an important part of the biochemical analysis. Based on the law of mass conservation and assuming pseudo-steady-state for the intermediates in the metabolic pathways, we have quantitatively analyzed the time course of the flux distribution in Bacillus subtilis and used the data to reveal the nature of the so-called "40 hour" phenomenon in fermentation of guanosine, a key raw material for the synthesis of additives for human consumption and animal feeds. The phenomenon refers to the observation that guanosine production, which proceeds at high rate from 12 hour on, declines around 40 hour while consumption of glucose keeps increasing, leading to the lower yield of the nucleoside. Equations based upon the metabolic network of Bacillus subtilis consisted of EMP pathway, HMP pathway, TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation pathway and others reactions of the intermediates, was constructed. The equations were solved by using the quantitative data obtained in this study. The air flow and volume, concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the exit-gas were monitored online; the concentration of biomass, glucose and guanosine was analyzed manually; and the concentration of acetate, citric acid, pyruvate, and 17 amino acids were HPLC quantified. The solutions of the equation were proved to be valid, as the experimental data on oxygen consumption agrees with that of predicted form the equation. The results indicated that at 40h of the fermentation process the flux of HMP pathway, which provides the precursor of the nucleoside, decreased while that of EMP pathway and the pathways that generate amino acids and organic acids increased. The shift correlated with the accumulation of NH4+ in the broth. The assimilation of NH4+ is an energy consuming process and could shift the metabolism to the energy generating EMP pathway. Accordingly, measures were taken to prevent the accumulation of NH4+. The interference indeed stopped the metabolism shift and boosted the guanosine production at 30 g/L, 70% higher than the level reported in literature.
Bacillus subtilis ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; physiology ; Guanosine ; metabolism ; Models, Theoretical ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; metabolism

To observe the effect of various doses of oil of Piper longum unsaponifiable matter (OPUM) to cholesterol gallstones in experimental mice. C57BL/6 mice (n = 60) were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, model group, OPUM (15, 30 and 60 mg x kg(-1)) group and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 60 mg x kg(-1)) group, administered for 10 weeks. The level of serum lipid and liver function enzymes were tested. The gallbladder was removed and bile was obtained by centrifugation. Next, the levels of the bile total cholesterol (TC), phospholipid (PL) and bile acid (TBA) were measured. The indicators of lipid peroxidation were determined and cholesterol saturation index (CSI) was calculated. The liver histological changes were observed by HE staining. The results showed that serum TC, TG (triglycerides) and AST (aspartate transaminase) contents, gallbladder cholesterol crystallization and CSI increased significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, the activity of SOD decreased significantly and MDA content increased significantly in liver (P < 0.05). HE staining results showed that the hepatic cord disorder and intracellular lipid droplets increased significantly. All results indicate that lithogenic diet lead to the formation of cholesterol gallstones. In OPUM (30 and 60 mg x kg(-1)) group, serum TC, TG and AST content, gallbladder cholesterol crystallization and CSI decreased significantly, the activity of SOD increased significantly and MDA content decreased significantly. HE staining results showed that OPUM can improve the morphology of liver cell, reduce the degree of hepatic cord disorders and restore the cell morphology close to normal. The cause of OPUM prevents cholesterol gallstone formation maybe due to protect the integrity of the liver cells, lower CSI, and reduce cholesterol crystal formation and hence prevent cholesterol gallstone formation.
Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bile ; chemistry ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Gallbladder ; Gallstones ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Piper ; chemistry ; Plant Oils ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; blood