The characteristics of gas-liquid mass transfer of three-phase system comprising air, tap water/wastewater, and hollow glass beads were studied in a laboratory-scale inverse turbulent bed reactor. The influence of operational factors and liquid property on volumetric liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient kLa was investigated under the conditions of superficial gas velocity (0.53mm xs(-1) - 10mx s(-1) solid hold-up (0 - 0.3), and superficial liquid velocity (0 - 0.2mm x s(-1)). The results showed that the coefficient value was 0.0456 - 1. 414min -, which increased with superficial gas velocity and liquid velocity. The coefficient attained the maximum value at solid hold-up of 0.05 - 0.08. Compared with the coefficient value in tap water, that in synthetic wastewater and industrial wastewater is decreased by 39.0% and 50.9%, respectively. These data have provided a basis for the process analysis and mathematical simulation of inverse turbulent bed reactor.
Algorithms ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Bioreactors ; Computer Simulation ; Gases ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Kinetics ; Models, Chemical ; Reproducibility of Results ; Temperature ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Water ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Water Microbiology ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Water Purification ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intracellular trafficking pathway of fusion protein epidermal growth factor-adenovirus early region 4 open reading frame 4 protein (EGF-E4orf4) internalized via epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its affectivity on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation.

METHODSMDA-MB-231 and BGC823 cells were incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate-EGF-E4orf4 or EGF at different time points. The specific molecular mark of early endosome or late lysosome was labeled by indirect immunofluorescence, and then colocalization staining was observed using confocal laser microscopy. The levels of ERK phosphorylation were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe fluorescent signal of fusion protein EGF-E4orf4 accumulated within the cells and congregated to the perinuclear region. A nucleus localization of the fusion protein was only at MDA-MB-231 cell. Colocalization of EGF-E4orf4 with early endosome/late lysosome was observed. EGF-E4orf4 stimulated ERK phosphorylation, which was most obvious 10 minutes after stimulation, and then gradually attenuated, which was similar to EGF stimulation but with a less decrease.

CONCLUSIONSInternalized EGF-E4orf4 can be slowly degraded via endosome-lysosome pathway. The action features of EGF-E4orf4 are remarkably different between MDA-MB-231 and BGC823 cells, which may help explain the differences in its anti-tumor potency and in the special selectivity toward different tumor cells.

Adenovirus E4 Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacokinetics ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Protein Transport ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Viral Proteins ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical practice of laparoscopic rectopexy in the treatment of severe rectal prolapse.

METHODSFrom March 1998 to February 2007, 4 cases of complete rectal prolapse, including 1 male and 3 female,ranged 21-82 years old, were treated by laparoscopic rectopexy. In one case, the posterior wall of rectum was freed and elevated, and pre-rectal introcession was closed by silk suture, then the posterior wall was suspended and fixed on sacral promontory fascia, finally the sigmoid colon was fixed by sutures on the fascia of left psoas major. In other three cases, insertion of mesh was performed. Rectum was freed and elevated to the level of levalor ani. A sheet of T-shape polypropylene mesh was placed posterior to the rectum, whose lower margin was at the level of levator ani and wrapped around the rectum covering except the anterior wall. The free margin of the mesh was sutured on the muscular layer of rectum, then the mesh was put posterior to the rectum and fixed on the sacral promontory fascia by clipping to repair hernia. After that, the pelvic peritoneum was closed, and finally the sigmoid colon was fixed by sutures on the fascia of left psoas major.

RESULTSFour operation procedures were completed successfully. There was no conversion operation. The time was consumed 92.5 (80-100) min, and the bleeding amount was 6.5 (5-10) ml. No post-operative complications were found. Urine incontinence and encopresis were relieved. No recurrence and constipation was found after 2 months to 3 years follow up postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic rectopexy is a safe, workable and effective procedure, which can reduce operative trauma and shorten hospitalization time.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Rectal Prolapse ; surgery ; Rectum ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective :To study correlation between treadmill exercise test assessing myocardial ischemia and coronary stenosis .Methods :A total of 150 patients with stable angina pectoris in our hospital ,according to vascular stenosis by coronary CT were divided into group A (stenosis＜ 50%,n＝ 50) ,group B (stenosis 50% ～75%,n＝ 50) and group C (stenosis ＞75%,n＝50).Coronary stenotic rate and ST depression during exercise test were compared a-mong three groups.Spearman method was used to analyze correlation between treadmill exercise positive rate and coronary stenosis .Results :Compared with group B ,there were significant rise in coronary diameter stenotic rate [(63.64 ± 4.21)% vs.(66.71 ± 4.46)%] and vascular diameter of reference segment [(2.92 ± 0.23) mm vs.(3.03 ± 0.21) mm] in group C ,P＜0.05 or ＜0.01. Along with coronary stenosis aggravated ,there was significant re-duction in onset time of ST depression [(712.3 ± 202.7) s vs.(602.3 ± 210.4) s vs.(501.2 ± 236.1) s] ,and signif-icant rise in duration [ (425.4 ± 200.5) s vs.(520.8 ± 205.8) s vs.(603.4 ± 198.4) s] and treadmill exercise posi-tive rate (64.00% vs.82.00% vs .92.00%) ,in group A ,B ,C respectively ;and ST depression extent of group C was significantly higher than that of group A [(2.4 ± 1.1) mV vs.(1.9 ± 0.8) mV] ,P＜0.05 or ＜0.01. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that treadmill exercise positive rate (myocardial ischemia rate ) was not significantly correlated with coronary stenotic degree (r＝3.425 , P＝0.126).Conclusion :Although treadmill exercise test pos-sesses important significance in diagnosis of myocardial ischemia ,but coronary stenotic degree is not correlated with myocardial ischemic degree .which should raise clinical attention

OBJECTIVETo discuss the value of pre-operative semen analysis of patients with varicocele as a predictive restore index of sperm motility and fertilizing capacity after varicocelectomy.

METHODSSemen analysis was carried out with computer-aided sperm analyzer in 107 patients with varicocele and all patients were referred to the clinic with diagnosis of male infertility. Stratification of patients as group A (n = 32), B ( n = 36) and C (n = 39) was based on pre-operative total motile sperm count (TMSC). Follow-up included semen analysis and pregnancy data after three months following left or bilateral varicocelectomy.

RESULTSThe average post-operative TMSC increased significantly when compared with the pre-operative. However, a mean absolute increase in group A and B was better than that in group C (P < 0.05). Of the 68 patients in groups A and B based on pre-operative TMSC, 56 patients' TMSC (82.4%) was > or =20 x 10(6) after varicocelectomy, and that of only 8 (20.5%) patients in group C was > or =20 x 10(6) following varicocelectomy. Of the 98 patients wives, 36 had natural conception. Pregnancy rates in groups A and B were higher than that in group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVaricocelectomy may be the most effective method to patients with varicocele with pre-operative TMSC > or = 5 x 10(6), but it may be not the best method for patients with severe oligoasthenospermia (pre-operative TMSC < 5 x 10(6)).

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Ligation ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Semen ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Varicocele ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of antiarrhythmic peptide (AAP10) on ventricular arrhythmias in rabbits with healed myocardial infarction (OMI).

METHODSThirty rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10 each): Sham group, left thoracotomy was performed without coronary ligation; OMI group and OMI + AAP10 group, the circumflex coronaries were ligated. Three months post operation, the electrophysiological and antiarrhythmic effects of AAP10 were assessed in the arterially perfused rabbit left ventricular wedge preparation. Sham and OMI group were perfused with Tyrode's solution and OMI + AAP10 group was perfused with Tyrode's solution + AAP10 (80 nmol/L). Transmembrane action potentials were recorded simultaneously from endocardium and epicardium together with a transmural ECG by use of 2 separate intracellular floating microelectrodes. The stimulus-response-interval (SRI) of the epicardium and the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) were observed. Whole heart and left ventricular weights, the left ventricular thickness at infarct border zone were measured.

RESULTSWhole heart and left ventricular weights as well as the left ventricular thickness at the infarct border zone significantly increased post infarction. VT was induced in 8 out of 10 rabbits in OMI group and in 2 out of 10 rabbits in OMI + AAP10 group (P < 0.05). SRI was also significantly shortened in OMI + AAP10 group compared to OMI group [SRI-1: (20.59 +/- 0.79) ms vs. (28.71 +/- 0.55) ms; SRI-2: (30.42 +/- 0.74) ms vs. (38.67 +/- 0.49) ms, all P < 0.01]. However, the action potential morphology and duration were similar between OMI and OMI + AAP10 groups.

CONCLUSIONThe antiarrhythmic peptide (AAP10) can increase gap junctional intercellular conductance without affecting the action potential morphology and duration and decrease the incidence of inducible ventricular tachycardia.

Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; physiopathology ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), to enable the early diagnosis and to evaluate the treatment.

METHODSWe analyzed 12 families of HNPCC from Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, China. Mismatch repair genes hMSH2 and hMLH1 expression and microsatellite instability of tumor tissue were studied using microdissection, microsatellite analysis, immunohistochemical staining and Gene Scan analysis. Direct DNA sequencing of hMSH2 and hMLH1 were performed subsequently.

RESULTSAltogether 32 patients with colorectal cancer were recognized in 12 HNPCC families, with the median age of 45.2 years (75.0% before the age of 50 years). The proximal tumors accounted for 51.1%, while multiple colorectal cancers accounted for 34.4%. Poor differentiation cancers occupied half of the patients (53.1%). And 68.8% of the patients had the tumor of Dukes A and B. Among 12 HNPCC families, 7 cases in 6 HNPCC families developed extracolonic cancer. 13 cases died during follow up of 1 - 23 years. The median survival time was 6.4 years. 19 alive cases followed up from 1 to 28 years. All tumors (9/9) displayed microsatellite instability, with the half losing hMSH2 or hMLH1 expression. In the 5 genetic analyzed kindreds 3 possessed germline mutation. Two of three mutations have not been reported in the worldwide database previously.

CONCLUSIONHNPCC showed distinct clinicopathological characteristics. Microsatellite instability analysis and immunohistochemical staining might be the effective screening methods before direct DNA sequencing for the detection of mutation in mismatch repair genes. It is important to analyze the members of affected families.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Adult ; Aged ; Carrier Proteins ; China ; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Neoplasm ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; MutS Homolog 2 Protein ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; analysis ; genetics

Objective:Through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian rapamycin target protein （mTOR） signaling pathway， explore the effect of Zhigancao Tang on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury（MIRI）The role and mechanism of arrhythmia（ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation）. Method:The 72 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group，model group， Zhigancao Tang low，medium and high dose group（11.43，22.86，45.72 g·kg^-1），Wenxin granule group（2.43 g·kg^-1），continuous drug intervention for 10 days. Two hours after the last administration，the MIRI model of rat was prepared by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery，and the changes of electrocardiogram were recorded. After successful modeling，blood and heart tissue were collected to detect the content of creatine creatine（CK），lactate dehydrogenase（LDH）and aspartate aminotransferase（AST）in the serum, the enzyme-linked immunoassay（ELISA） method was used to detect cardiac troponin（CtnI）content, immunohistochemical detection of myocardial PI3K，Akt，mTOR expression. Western blot was used to detect the myocardial autophagy-related protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3（LC-3），autophagy markers Beclin1 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway related protein expression and phosphorylated p-PI3K，p-Akt，p-mTOR levels. Result:In model group， 100% of ventricular tachycardia and 91.67% of ventricular fibrillation occurred. Compared with sham operation group， the serum levels of CK，LDH，AST，and CtnI in the model group were significantly increased（P<0.01），PI3K，Akt，mTOR AOD values in myocardial tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01），the relative expression of the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and Beclin1 was significantly increased（P<0.01），p-PI3K/PI3K，p-Akt/Akt，and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation in the high-dose Zhigancao Tang group was significantly reduced （P<0.01），and the duration was the shortest compared with other administration groups（P<0.01）， CK，LDH，AST level and CtnI content were significantly reduced（P<0.01）， the expression of PI3K，Akt and mTOR of Zhigancao Tang group was significantly decreased with increasing dose（P<0.01）， the expression of LC-3 and Beclin1 was accompanied by Zhigancao Tang increase of each dose group of soup had different degrees of decrease （P<0.01），while the expression ratio of PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related protein was significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Conclusion:Pretreatment of Zhigancao Tang can reduce the abusually elevated cardiac enzymes CK, LDH, AST and CtnI, inhibit excessive autophagy of cells, and up-regulate the expression of PI3K, Akt and mTOR, indicating that the anti-MIRI arrhythmia effect of Zhigancao Tang may be related to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.