Some types of bacteria swim through rotating their flagella. The swimming mechanism of bacteria during flagella bundling and tumble process is analyzed. The effects of body rotation and flagellum′s polymorphic transitions on bundling processes and the wall effect phenomenon are also discussed. Finally, based on dynamics similarity, a new microrobot module is put forward to further studying the flagella swimming phenomena. The research would be very helpful for constructing the bionic swimming robots under the low Reynolds number.

Hide melting presents itself as one of the most critical processes in the production of donkey-hide gelatin. Here a NIR-based method was established for the rapid analysis of in-process hide melting solutions as well as for end-point determination of this process. Near infrared (NIR) spectra of hide melting solutions were collected in transflective mode. With the contents of total nitrogen determined by the Kjeldahl method as reference values, partial least squares regression (PLSR) was employed to build calibration models between NIR spectra and total nitrogen. Model parameters including wavelength range and PLS factors were optimized to achieve best model performance. Based on the contents of total nitrogen predicted by calibration model, end point of hide melting was determined. The constructed PLS model gave a high correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.991 3 and a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.807 g x L(-1). With the predicted total nitrogen and predefined limit, decisions concerning the proper times of melting were made. This research demonstrated that NIR transflectance spectroscopy could be used to expeditiously determine the contents of total nitrogen which was subsequently chosen as the indictor for determining the end-point of hide melting. The proposed procedure may help avoid unnecessary raw material or energy consumption.
Animals ; Calibration ; Endpoint Determination ; methods ; Equidae ; anatomy & histology ; Gelatin ; chemistry ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Nitrogen ; analysis ; chemistry ; Skin ; chemistry ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; Time Factors ; Transition Temperature

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of Dynesys system for the treatment of multiple segment lumbar degenerative disease.

METHODSA total of 28 patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease treated with Dynesys system from December 2008 to May 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 16 males and 12 females, aged from 27 to 75 years old with an average of 49.1 years. Thirteen patients with multiple segmental lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, including L3-L5 in 7 cases, L2-L4 in 1 case and L4-S1 in 5 cases. Fifteen patients with multiple segmental lumbar spinal stenosis, including L3-L5 in 10 cases, L4-L5 in 4 cases and L2-S1 in 1 case. The symptoms of lumbago and (or) intermittent claudication in all patients were treated with conservative treatments for more than 6 months and these methods did not work. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to analyze the lumbar and leg pain, imaging data were used to measure the intervertebral space height and intervertebral motion of fixed segment and upper adjacent segment, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to evaluate the clinical effect.

RESULTSAll operations were successful and the patients were followed up from 38 to 65 months with an average 50.6 months. At final follow-up, ODI and VAS of the low back pain and leg pain were (25.10±6.52)%, (1.25±0.70) points and (1.29±0.89) points, respectively and were decreased compared with preoperative (P<0.05). Postoperative intervertebral space heights were increased and intervertebral motions were decreased in fixed segment compared with preoperative (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in intervertebral space heights and intervertebral motions of upper adjacent segment between preoperative and postoperative (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONDynesys system may obtain long-term clinical curative effect in treating multiple lumbar degenerative disease. It can partially preserve the intervertebral motions of the fixed segments, have little effect on adjacent segments. The long-term clinical effect of Dynesys still need longer time follow-up observation.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; pathology ; surgery ; Joint Instability ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVETo study the role of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway with p38MAPK in Curcuma wenyujin diterpenoid compound C (CDCC) fighting against inflammation and inducing gastric cancer cell apoptosis by stimulating gastric cell SGC7901 with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were in vitro acted by CDCC in different concentrations at different time points. Their growth inhibition ratios were measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis rate of gastric cancer cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. Nuclear translocation of p65 was detected by cell immunofluorescence. Expression levels of p38MAPK/P-p38MAPK, p65/P-p65, and Caspase 3/P-Caspase 3 were measured by Western blot.

RESULTSCDCC had significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of SGC-7901. It also could effectively induce the apoptosis of gastric cancer cell SGC-7901. It also could reduce nuclear translocation of p65 in gastric cancer cell SGC-7901. Results of Western blot indicated that expression levels of p38MAPK and p65 were reduced and the expression level of Caspase-3 was elevated along with increased concentrations of CDCC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONApoptosis executive protein Caspase 3 activated by regulating p65 via p38MAPK might be one of possible mechanisms for CDCC fighting against inflammation and gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Curcuma ; Diterpenes ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Objective To determine the conditioning regimen suitable for mice allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods Twelve BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 2 equal groups to undergo X-ray irradiation by linear accelerator at the dose of 7.0 Gy (pure X-ray group) or 60Co source irradiation at the dose of 7.0 Gy (pure γ-ray group).Thirty mice were randomly divided into 2 equal groups to undergo X-ray irradiation and then infusion of bone marrow from donor mice via caudal vein (X-ray + transplantation group) or γ-ray and then infusion of bone marrow via caudal vein (γ-ray + transplahtation group).3,5,7,10,15,20,and 30 d later peripheral blood samples were collected to calculate the number of white blood cells (WBCs) and detect the chimeric rates of lymphocytes by flow cytometry.5,10,and 20 d after irradiation 15 mice were killed with their lung,liver,small intestine,spleen,and femurs taken out to undergo pathological examination.Results The survival rates during the period 5-15 days of the γ-ray + transplantation group were all significantly higher than those of the X-ray + transplantation group.The pathological changes of organs of the X-ray +transplantation group were all more severe than those of the γ-ray + transplantation group.Since the fifth day after transplantation cells originating from the donor began to appear in the peripheral blood.The chimeric rate of the γ-ray + transplantation group 10 days after transplantation was (95.53± 2.57) %.The chimeric rates 5,10,and 20 days after transplantation of the γ-ray + transplantation group were all significantly higher than those of the X-ray + transplantation group (t = 15.263,3.256,P < 0.05).The WBC count of both irradiation groups decreased to the lowest level 5 d later and began to increase 10 days after transplantation and the WBC counts of the γ-ray + transplantation group 10 and 20 days aftertransplantation were both significantly higher than those of the X-ray + transplantation group (t = 3.624,6.695 ,P < 0.05).The chimeric rats of the peripheral lymphocytes 10 and 20 days after transplantation of the γ-ray + transplantation group were both significantly higher than those of the X-ray + transplantation group (t = 12.317,8.295,P < 0.05).The homogeneity rate of transplantation of the γ-ray +transplantation group was better than that of the X-ray + transplantation group.Conclusions As a conditioning regimen in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation γ-ray irradiation causes milder injury and accelerated reconstitution of hematopoiesis and immunity,in comparison with X-ray irradiation.

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of Xuebijing injection in the prevention of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in the patients with ureteral stones and urinary tract infection during the perioperative period of ureteroscopy.Methods: Totally 64 cases with ureteral stones complicated with urinary tract infection treated with ureteroscopy were selected as the subjects and divided into two groups according to the digital method.The 32 cases in the control group were given the conventional antibiotics during the perioperative period for preventing the incidence of SIRS, and the observation group was given 500ml Xuebijing added to 100ml normal saline for intravenous drip additionally.The incidence of SIRS and the laboratory indicators after the operation were observed and compared between the groups.Results: The incidence of postoperative SIRS of the observation group was 9.38% , which was lower than that of the control group (34.38% , P <0.05);the incidence of sepsis of the observation group was 0%, while there was no statisticcally difference bettween the two groups(P＞0.05).The C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), leucocyte count and endotoxin in the observation group on the 2nd, 4th and 6th day after the operation were better than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion: Xuebijing injection combined with antibiotics has significant clinical effect on the incidence of SIRS after ureteroscopy in the patients with ureteral stones and urinary tract infection, which can effectively improve the clinical indicators and reduce the incidence of sepsis, and is worthy of clinical promoted application.

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnostic value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

METHODSTwenty healthy volunteers and fifty patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent DTI in the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Ningbo University from January 2014 to April 2015. Healthy volunteers served as controls. Fifty patients were divided into three groups (group A , B, C) according to cervical MRI scan standard. Group A (17 cases) had only the dura mater spinalis compressed; Group B (23 cases) showed the cervical spinal cord compressed, but no high signal in it; Group C (10 cases) had the cervical spinal cord compressed with high signal in the same level. The average apparent diffusion coefficients(ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA)values in these examinee were analyzed and all subjects were performed fiber tracking.

RESULTSThere was no statistically significant differences in ADC and FA values in C2/C3, C3/C4, C4/C5, C5/C6, C6/C7 of control group (P>0.05). The average ADC and FA values in control group were (0.875 +/- 0.096) x10(3) mm2/s and 0.720 +/- 0.051, respectively; compared with group A,there was no statistically significant difference; compared with group B and C, there was significant difference; comparison among group A, B, C, there was significant differences.

CONCLUSIONDTI can early and accurately quantify the changes of microstructure in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Fiber tracking can show the damage range of spinal cord lesions.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spondylosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

Background::Although the impact of tumor complexity on peri-operative outcomes has been well established using several nephrometry scoring systems, the impact of adherent perirenal fat remains poorly defined. This study aimed to develop a novel nephrometry scoring system for predicting the peri-operative outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) by integrating and optimizing the RENAL score (RNS) and Mayo adhesive probability (MAP) score.Methods::We retrospectively evaluated 159 patients treated with retroperitoneal LPN. The patients’ demographic parameters, RNSs, and MAP scores were evaluated as potential predictors of perioperative outcomes, including operation time, estimated blood loss (EBL), and margin, ischemia, and complication (MIC) achievement rate. The independent predictors were used to develop a novel nephrometry scoring system. The predictive value and inter-observer agreement for the novel nephrometry scoring system were evaluated.Results::Tumor radius (R score), nearness to the renal sinus or collecting system (N score), and posterior perinephric fat thickness were independent predictors of peri-operative outcomes and were used to develop the RNP score. The univariate analysis revealed that the RNP score was significantly associated with operation time, EBL, and MIC achievement rate ( P < 0.050). The RNP score was an independent predictor of operation time ( P < 0.001), EBL ( P = 0.018), and MIC achievement rate ( P = 0.023) in the multivariate analysis. The RNP score was not inferior to RNS in the area under the curve for predicting peri-operative outcomes and performed better in inter-observer agreement (76.7% vs. 57.8%) and kappa value (0.804 vs. 0.726). Conclusion::The RNP score, combining the advantages of the RNS and MAP score, demonstrated a good predictive value for the peri-operative outcomes of retroperitoneal LPN and better inter-observer agreement.

Nondestructive method of measuring soluble solids content (SSC) of citrus fruits was developed using Fourier transform near infrared reflectance (FT-NIR) measurements collected through optics fiber. The models describing the relationship between SSC and the NIR spectra of citrus fruits were developed and evaluated. Different spectra correction algorithms (standard normal variate (SNV), multiplicative signal correction (MSC)) were used in this study. The relationship between laboratory SSC and FT-NIR spectra of citrus fruits was analyzed via principle component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) regression method. Models based on the different spectral ranges were compared in this research. The first derivative and second derivative were applied to all spectra to reduce the effects of sample size, light scattering, instrument noise, etc. Different baseline correction methods were applied to improve the spectral data quality. Among them the second derivative method after baseline correction produced best noise removing capability and yielded optimal calibration models. A total of 170 NIR spectra were acquired; 135 NIR spectra were used to develop the calibration model; the remaining spectra were used to validate the model. The developed PLS model describing the relationship between SSC and NIR reflectance spectra could predict SSC of 35 samples with correlation coefficient of 0.995 and RMSEP of 0.79 degrees Brix.
Biochemistry ; methods ; Calibration ; Citrus ; metabolism ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Light ; Models, Statistical ; Regression Analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Scattering, Radiation ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; methods ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared

Watermelon is a popular fruit in the world with soluble solids content (SSC) being one of the major characteristics used for assessing its quality. This study was aimed at obtaining a method for nondestructive SSC detection of watermelons by means of visible/near infrared (Vis/NIR) diffuse transmittance technique. Vis/NIR transmittance spectra of intact watermelons were acquired using a low-cost commercially available spectrometer operating over the range 350~1000 nm. Spectra data were analyzed by two multivariate calibration techniques: partial least squares (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR) methods. Two experiments were designed for two varieties of watermelons [Qilin (QL), Zaochunhongyu (ZC)], which have different skin thickness range and shape dimensions. The influences of different data preprocessing and spectra treatments were also investigated. Performance of different models was assessed in terms of root mean square errors of calibration (RMSEC), root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) and correlation coefficient (r) between the predicted and measured parameter values. Results showed that spectra data preprocessing influenced the performance of the calibration models. The first derivative spectra showed the best results with high correlation coefficient of determination [r=0.918 (QL); r=0.954 (ZC)], low RMSEP [0.65 degrees Brix (QL); 0.58 degrees Brix (ZC)], low RMSEC [0.48 degrees Brix (QL); 0.34 degrees Brix (ZC)] and small difference between the RMSEP and the RMSEC by PLS method. The nondestructive Vis/NIR measurements provided good estimates of SSC index of watermelon, and the predicted values were highly correlated with destructively measured values for SSC. The models based on smoothing spectra (Savitzky-Golay filter smoothing method) did not enhance the performance of calibration models obviously. The results indicated the feasibility of Vis/NIR diffuse transmittance spectral analysis for predicting watermelon SSC in a nondestructive way.
Algorithms ; Citrullus ; chemistry ; Food Analysis ; methods ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Photometry ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Solubility ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; methods