Recent studies have shown a significant relationship between ambient particulate matter and cardiovascular diseases.Results of epidemiological and experimental studies in recent years were reviewed in the present paper.The biological mechanisms of the ambient particulate matter-induced cardiovascular impacts were also discussed.

Objective To investigate the changes of psychological state and family environment of the patients with neurosis (including depression and anxiety) in the process of treatment. Methods The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA), self-rating depression scale(SDS), self-rating anxiety scale(SAS), family environment scale(FES), and family adaptability and cohesion scale(FACESⅡ-CV) were used to evaluate the changes of psychological state and family relationship in the process of treatment among patients with depression and anxiety hospitalized in general hospitals (n=45) and their family members (n=45). Results Before intervention, values of HAMD, HAMA, SDS and SAS in patients were higher than normal ones, and were in line with the corresponding diagnostic criteria. After psychological intervention and medication for 2 to 3 months, symptoms such as depression and anxiety were improved significantly, and values of the above scales were within normal ranges. Besides, there was also significant improvement in FES and FACESⅡ-CV after intervention among the patients. All the values of the family members were in the normal ranges before intervention, however, significantly positive changes were observed after intervention. Conclusion With the improvement in depression and anxiety after intervention among patients, the psychological pressure of family members is released, and family relationship is partially restored. The rehabilitation of patients plays an important role in the restoration of family function.

Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Olfaction Disorders ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Zymonomas mobilis was transformed with a polyhydroxybutyrate synthesis operon phbCAB equipped with a pdc promoter from Z. mobilis. For the first time,PHB was produced in recombinant Z.mobilis. Shake flask studies indicated that accumulation of PHB in Zymomonas mobilis increased approximately 10% ethanol productivity for the first 48h of anaerobic fermentation. After that,the PHB effect was observed as insignificant probably due to the exhaustion of the sugar.

A L-histidine producing mutant was derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum HZ4221(TRA R DCP R AMT R histidase - )by means of mutagenesis with N-methy-N′-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine(NTG).Contrast to original strain,the amount of histidine accumulation reached to a level of 5.31g/L in a medium containing 80g/Lglucose and 30g/L ammonium sulfate after cultured for 72 hours; the transketolase activity reduced to a degree of 15.7%.The utilization of the carbon sources,genetic stability,effect of metal ions were also been investigated in this paper.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the economics of caspofungin vs. voriconazole in initial empirical antifungal therapy of fe-brile neutropenia(FN). METHODS:Based on two international multiple center clinical trials about caspofungin vs. voriconazole in initial empirical antifungal therapy of FN,combined with domestic clinical experts'opinions about drug selection,a decision tree model was developed. TreeAge Pro 2011 software was used to analyze the cost and effectiveness of 10-day therapy of caspofungin or voriconazole as initial empirical antifungal therapy. RESULTS:The direct medical cost of caspofungin group was lower than that of voriconazole group(52826.71 yuan vs. 58246.70 yuan). The success rate and survival rate were higher than voriconazole group(33.95% vs. 25.63%、92.36% vs. 91.87%). Whether the success rate or the survival rate of patients as the effect indicators, cost-effectiveness ratio of caspofungin group was lower than that of voriconazole group. Moreover,incremental cost effectiveness ra-tio and sensitivity analysis confirmed this conclusion. CONCLUSIONS:Caspofungin has more advantages than voriconazole in cost and effectiveness as initial empirical antifungal therapy in patients with FN.

Objective To inhibit the expression level of SALI4 in AML cell line THP-1 and investigate its potential effects on pathogenesis of leukemia. Methods AML cell line THP-1 was transfected with plasmids that expressed small interfering RNA targeting SALL4. The samples were divided into 4 groups:(1) blank group: samples with not any treatments; (2) control group: cells with empty pRS vector alone;(3) test1 group:cells with SALL4-shRNA-pRS-1 plasmid transfection complex; (4) test2 group:cells with SALL4-shRNA-pRS-2 plasmid transfection complex. The expression levels of SALL4 mRNA and protein were measured by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR and WB. C-myc, Cyclin D1 and β-catenin were important components of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and their expression levels in SALL4 knockdown THP-1 cells were detected by real-time fluorescence PCR. Furthermore, THP-1 apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry after Annexin V-PI staining. Results Real time fluorescent quantitative PCR illustrated that the expression of SALL4 in testl group, test2 group, control group and blank group were ( 36. 0 ± 4. 3 ) %,(32. 0 ± 2. 4) %, ( 102. 0 ± 6.5 ) % and ( 100. 0 ± 2. 6 ) % respectively. There was statistical significance ( F = 226. 3, P < 0. 05 ). The expression of SALL4 in testl and test2 group respectively were significant lower than that in blank group (t = 19.7,19. 1, P<0. 05). The expression of SALL4 had no significant difference between blank group and control group (t = 1.1, P ＞0. 05). Western blot analysis revealed SALL4 protein in testl and test2 group were significantly decreased compared with those of control and blank group. All above data indicated the high efficiency of RNA interference targeting SALL4. Comparing with the blank group, the relative expression of C-myc, Cyclin D1 and β-catenin mRNA in test1, test2 and control group were(44.0 ±6.2)%,(44.0 ±5.1)% and (107.0±13.6)%;(22.0±4.5)%,(25.0±3.5)% and (48.0 ± 7. 6 ) %; ( 42.0 ± 3.5 ) %, ( 59. 0 ± 3.7 ) % and ( 79. 0 ± 5.6 ) %. The expression of C-myc,β-catenin and Cyclin D1 mRNA in testl and test2 group were significant lower than that in blank group (t = 10. 1,9. 5, 23. 3, 22. 9; 17.4, 12. 4; P < 0. 05). The percentage of apoptotic cells in group of test1,test2,control, blank were (57.2 ±9.1)%, (34.4 ±8.6)%, (14.4 ±3.6)% and (14.8 ±4.8)%respectively. There was statistical significance ( F = 42. 5, P < 0. 05 ). After the inhibition of SALL4, the percentages of apoptotic cell in testl and test2 group were significantly increased( t =9. 7, 4. 5 ;P <0. 05).Conclusion The inhibition of SALL4 in leukemia cell line THP-1 downregulates the expression of cell proliferation related genes such as C-myc, Cyclin D1,β-catenin and promoted apoptosis.

Objective To assess regional myocardial function by left ventricular radial myocardial motion velocity gradient(MVG) measured by omni-directional M-mode echocardiography(OME). Methods There were 32 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM), 20 patients with hypertension of left ventricular hypertrophy(HLVH),and 36 healthy volunteers in the study, LEJ-2 mode OME was used to measure and calculate MVG of 16 segment on left ventricular short axes. Results In the control group,MVG on left ventricular short axes were found to be decreased progressively from base plane to apical plane. Compared with the control group,the left ventricular MVG were reduced in HCM group and HLVH group( P <0. 05). Conclusions The left ventricular MVG can correspond directly to regional thickened myocardial motion,and can be used to evaluate left ventricular myocardial function in patients with thickened myocardium.

Objective To study the relation between changed atrial load and atrial septal motion.Methods Forty one patients with valve diseases,7 patients with congenital heart diseases, and 12 normal subjects were involved.Two dimensional image was obtained by transesophageal echocardiography.The thickness,wave time and velocity were showed during atrial septal motion by omni directional M mode echocardiography (OME).Results With increase of the volume load and pressure load in the atrium,the atrial septal thickness increased, and the velocity of atrial septal motion increased or reduced.Conclusions OME shows that the thickness and velocity of atrial septal motion relates with condition of atrial load.

BACKGROUND: Defected Laryngeal cartilage has many alternatives, including autologous cartilage, al ograft cartilage and metal stents. Although these materials can achieve desired outcomes in laryngeal cartilage defect repair, certain limitations exist. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biocompatibility and properties of artificial ossicular chain reconstruction materials, and to explore the effect of artificial ossicular chain reconstruction materials on laryngeal cartilage defect repair. METHODS: Porous hydroxyapatite otosteon was prepared by high-temperature calcination of hydroxyapatite, fol owed by cultured in bone morphogenetic protein solution extracted from fresh human bone to construct bone morphogenetic protein-hydroxyapatite artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material. And then, the biocompatibility and characteristics of the material were analyzed. Forty adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into porous hydroxyapatite group and artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material group (n=20 per group), and underwent repair with porous hydroxyapatite material and bone morphogenetic protein-hydroxyapatite artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material respectively after modeling of laryngeal cartilage defect. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference in compressive strength of artificial ossicular chain reconstruction materials with different porosities. No symmetry sphere formed in hol ows of the outer surface of the material, with polygonal appearance and with a pore size of 100-200 μm. There were no obvious adverse reactions in both two groups after implantation, but in the artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material group, numerous fibrous connective tissues and obvious bone nodules appeared, and the degradation rate of the material was faster. These results suggest that the bone morphogenetic protein-hydroxyapatite artificial ossicular chain reconstruction material exhibits good biocompatibility and properties, which wil obtain satisfactory outcomes for laryngeal cartilage defect repair. So, the material holds a great value of clinical application.