Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hiccup ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

In order to obtain higher L-lactic acid yield industrial strain, the original strain Rhizopus oryzae PW352 was mutated by means of N+ ions implantation and a mutant strain Rhizopus oryzae RE3303 was obtained. Its lactic acid yield was increased by 75% than that of the original one. The acid producing condition was optimized by orthogonal design. The concentration of L-lactic acid reached to 131～136g/L and the conversion rate of glucose was as high as 86%～90% under the optimum condition.

The dynamic changes of germination percentage, germination potential, thousand-seed weight, antioxidase activity in Desmodium styracifolium seeds with different storage time were tested, and electrical conductivity, contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein, starch in seed leach liquor were also determined in order to reveal the mechanism of seed deterioration. The results as the following. (1) The germination percentage, germination potential and thousand-seed weight of D. styracifolium seeds declined, while the seed coat color darkened with the extension of storage time. (2) The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) decreased with the prolongation of storage period. The SOD activity declined fastest in 1,095-1,185 d of storage, while the POD activity declined significantly in 365-395 d of storage. (3) The electrical conductivity and the contents of soluble sugar, starch in seed leach liquor increased, while the content of soluble protein declined with the extension of storage time. (4) Correlation analysis indicated that the germination percentage, germination potential and thousand-seed weight of D. styracifolium seeds have a significantly positive correlation with SOD and POD activity, while have a significantly negative correlation with the electrical conductivity, contents of soluble sugar and starch. It can be concluded that during the storage of D. styracifolium seeds, physiological and biochemical changes including decrease in antioxidase activity, rise in electrical conductivity, degradation effluent of soluble sugar and starch, degradation of soluble protein were the main factors leading to the seed deterioration.
Color ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Germination ; Peroxidases ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Starch ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo detect Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) in buccal epithelial cells and subgingival plaque from periodontally healthy subjects and patients with chronic periodontitis.

METHODS40 subjects were included in the healthy group and 39 subjects were included in the diseased group in this study. Cells and subgingival plaque samples were collected. The extracted DNA was amplified with universal primers and P. gingivalis species-specific primer.

RESULTSP. gingivalis was detected in 37.5% of subgingival plaque samples and 32.5% of buccal mucosa samples in the healthy subjects, but 69.23% of subgingival plaque samples and 46.15% of buccal mucosa samples in the periodontitis group. Highly statistically significant differences were observed between healthy and periodontitis groups in the detections of P. gingivalis of subgingival plaque samples.

CONCLUSIONP. gingivalis may be one of oral flora because it can be detected in the healthy population and not lead to destruction of supporting structures of the teeth.

Adult ; Bacteria ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Dental Plaque ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Periodontitis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of chewing sugar-free gum after sucrose challenge on dental plaque pH in situ.

METHODS16 healthy volunteers aged 23 - 32 years were screened as subjects. The pH of 48-hour dental plaque was measured using a Beetrode pH microelectrode when subjects chewed Extra sugar-free gum after sucrose challenge.

RESULTSDental plaque pH maintained at resting plaque pH when immediately chewed sugar-free gum after sucrose challenge. Chewing sugar-free gum at 5 min after sucrose challenge, dental plaque pH was raised from 5.59 (measured at 5 min after sucrose challenge) to 6.98 (measured at 10 min after sucrose challenge).

CONCLUSIONSChewing sugar-free gum after sucrose challenge can neutralize organic acid produced by bacteria in dental plaque and rapidly rise plaque pH.

Adult ; Chewing Gum ; Dental Plaque ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Sucrose

Objective A resistin binding peptide (RBP) was selected by phage display in our previous work. Studies had shown that RBP could antagonize the role of resistin on the lipid metabolism and endocrine function of adipose tissue, but whether RBP affects the insulin secretion of pancreatic cells is still unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of RBP on basal insulin secretion in RINm5F insulinoma cells. Methods The cell viability was measured by 3-[4,5-dimethyhhiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetra-zolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay. The supernatants were assayed for insulin content by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reverse transcriptase-PCR assay and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) involved in insulin secretion. Cytosolic Ca2+, the trigger of insulin exocytosis, was analyzed with the fluorescent probe FURA-3/AM. Results RBP did no effect on the cell viability with a concentration of 10-8-10-12mol/L of 2 hours intervention. But it stimulated basal insulin secretion of RINm5F cells, accompanied by up-regulated increased expression of GLUT2 and elevated concentration of cytosolic Ca2+. Conclusion RBP could stimulate basal insulin secretion without affecting the cell viability.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between periodontitis and the traditional risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD), as well as the role in the mechanisms responsible for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in the relationship of peridontitis and CHD.

METHODSA periodontal examination was conducted on a total of 356 subjects, and community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) was obtained from each subject. Periodontal status was categorized into TN < or =2, TN=3, TN=4 three groups according to the CPITN indexes. Fasting venous blood samples were collected from all the three group subjects, the serum hsCRP concentration and serological changes used in diagnosing CHD routinely were determined, and software of SPSS 16.0 were used to analyzed the relationship of periodontal, hsCRP concentration and routinely CHD serological indexes.

RESULTSIn the groups of TN < or =2, TN=3 and TN=4, the hsCRP level was (1.10 +/- 1.16), (1.86 +/- 2.34), (2.25 +/- 2.75) mg x L(-1), respectively. Compared with Group TN < or =2, the concentration of hsCRP in Group TN=3 and TN=4 were higher (OR = 1.24, OR = 1.31, respectively). Compared with group hsCRP < 3.0 mg x L(-1), more calculus and deep periodontal pockets were found in the Group hsCRP > or = 3.0 mg x L(-1) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe serum hsCRP level is correlated with the severity of periodontal disease.

C-Reactive Protein ; chemistry ; Coronary Disease ; Humans ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Risk Factors

The cis and trans isomers separation of 2-butene-1,4-diol and lafutidine were studied by HPLC on two kinds of chiral columns: (S,S)-Whelk-O 1 and ChiraSpher. The isomers of 2-butene-1,4-diol can be separated on both chiral columns while the isomers of lafutidine can only be resolved on ChiraSpher column. The influence of different type and amount of mobile phase modifier on the isomers separation was extensively studied. The resolution of cis and trans isomers of 2-butene-1,4-diol was 2.61 on (S,S)-Whelk-O 1 column with hexane-ethanol (97:3, v/v) as the mobile phase. The resolution of lafutidine was 1.89 on ChiraSpher column with hexane-ethanol-THF-diethylamine (92:3:5:0.1, v/v/v/v) as the mobile phase. LC-MS methods were developed to identify the isomer peaks.
Acetamides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Butylene Glycols ; analysis ; chemistry ; Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Isomerism ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Piperidines ; analysis ; chemistry ; Pyridines ; analysis ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical manifestations of bullous retinal detachment and analyze the etiological factors.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of the clinical data was conducted in 22 patients with multifocal retinal pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE) and big bullous retinal detachment (BBRD), who were admitted between 2003 and 2008 in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center with the diagnoses established by ocular fundus examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and/or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).

RESULTSThe patients included 15 men (68%) and 7 women (32%), with a mean age at the initial visit of 42 years, ranging from 25 to 64 years. Four patients (18%) received previously systemic corticosteroid therapy, and 2 of them used corticosteroids before retina detachment, 1 suffered progression of retinal detachment after corticosteroid therapy, and the other developed retinal detachment in the healthy eye during the therapy. Multifocal bullous retinal detachment was diagnosed as diffuse pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE) in 9 cases. Most of the 13 cases of big bullous retinal detachment had poor vision after operation and laser therapy.

CONCLUSIONBullous retinal detachment occurs most frequently in mid-life and more often in men than women. Abnormal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and hyperpermeability of the choroid vessels are associated with its occurrence. Systemic corticosteroid therapy and mental stress may induce and aggravate this disease. Early medication and laser therapy are effective, and surgical intervention may save only part of the vision in advanced cases.

Adult ; Female ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Detachment ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To conduct a microbiological and parasitological investigation of experimental minipigs in Guangdong province. Methods Four major experimental minipig production units in Guangdong province were included in this investigation. Samples were taken from a total of 154 pigs of 4 brreds, i. e. , Bama minipigs, Juema minipigs, Tibet minipigs and Wuzhishan minipigs. Pig fur, scales, serum, rectal swabs and feces samples were collected for detection of 20 pathogens. The data were analyzed and compared among the production units and breeds. Results Mixed infections were detected in all the four institutions. The infection rates of 7 pathogens were rather high: Streptococcus suis type 2 (50. 7%), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (40. 3%), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (100%), Japanese encephalitis virus (41. 3%), porcine circovirus type 2 (74. 8%), porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (73. 8%),gastroenteritis virus (44. 7%). Porcine parvovirus (26. 0%), pseudorabies virus(15. 6%) and intestinal worms (3. 2%) were also detected in some animals. The immune qualified rates of classical swine fever virus (62. 8%) and foot-and-mouth disease virus (35. 8%) were rather low. The immune qualified rate of pseudorabies virus was as high as 98. 4%. Besides, Salmonella, Brucella, swine dysentery snake like spirochetes, dermatophytes, influenza virus. Toxoplasma gondii, ectoparasites, and coccidia were not detected. Conclusions The results of this investigation indicate that epidemiological quality control of pathogens in experimental minipigs and efforts to establish high grade minipig population in Guangdong province remain to be strengthened. Our study also provides a basis for revision of local and even national standards for experimental minipigs.