Objective To develop and evaluate three types of biodegradable intravascular stent (BIS)with biodegradable materials of poly-L-acid(PLLA)or Poly](1-lactide-co-glycol ide)(PLLGA). Methods Forty-five spiral BISs(15 BISs for each type)were prepared with PLLA(153 kDa,type A), PLLGA(141 kDa,type B),and PLLGA(contains paclitaxel,141 kDa,type C).The physical and mechanical properties of the BIS were tested,including radial force,overlay rate,longitudinal shrinkage rate,and rate of expansion.Results The radial force of three types BIS was 15.7%/0.006 Mpa(type A), 16.3%/0.006 Mpa(type B),and 16.4%/0.006 Mpa(type C).The radial force of type A was greater than that of type B and C(P

Objective To assess the functional role of TH 17 cells in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allyHSCT).Methods Bone marrow monocytes and splenic T cells were enriched from C57/BL6 donors.Recipient Balb/c mice were irradiated with 7.5 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) and injected with 5 105 splenic T cells and 5 106 bone marrow monocytes.Survival was monitored daily,clinical graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was assayed three times a week,and detailed histopathologic analyses of lung were performed at day six after Allo-HSCT.Flow cytometry analysis was performed using CD3-FITC,CD4-PE,CD45-PerCP-CyS.5 monoclonal antibodies.Cells were stained for intracellular cytokines using mouse TH 1/TH2/TH 17 cytokine kit.Results All the experimental animals showed GVHD manifestations on the day 6 after transplantation.Animals from BMT and HF groups were scarified and histological analysis of lung was performed.Absence of TH 17 cells induced severe pathologic pulmonary lesions.The histopathology of the lung tissue was characterized by disorganization,epithelia cell damage,interstitial fibroplasias,and monocytes infiltration.The proportion of TH1 and TH 17 in BMT group was (5.53 ± 0.11 ) ％ and ( 1.04 ± 0.34)％ respectively,both significantly different from that in HF group.The levels of IL-17A and IFN-γin BMT group were (2.81 ±0.19) and (42.97 ± 0.23) pg/mL respectively.IL-17A could not be detected in HF group,yet the level of IFN-y was only (9.89 ± 0.51 ) pg/mL.IL-10 in both HF and BMT groups was not detectable.Conclusion Lung is on target of aGVHD.IL-17A may play a key role in the lung injury after transplantation.

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

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

Design space approach is applied in this study to enhance the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen) by optimizing parameters. Total flavonoid recovery, dry matter removal, and pigment removal were defined as the process critical quality attributes (CQAs). Plackett-Burman designed experiments were carried out to find the critical process parameters (CPPs). Dry matter content of concentrated extract (DMCE), mass ratio of ethanol to concentrated extract (E/C ratio) and concentration of ethanol (CEA) were identified as the CPPs. Box-Behnken designed experiments were performed to establish the quantitative models between CPPs and CQAs. Probability based design space was obtained and verified using Monte-Carlo simulation method. According to the verification results, the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Dangshen can be guaranteed by operating within the design space parameters. Recommended normal operation space are as follows: dry matter content of concentrated extract of 45.0% - 48.0%, E/C ratio of 2.48-2.80 g x g(-1), and the concentration of ethanol of 92.0% - 92.7%.
Chemical Precipitation ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Previous methods used for nuclear transplantation were further investigated to develop a method that was both easy to carryout and did not require any special apparatus, such as Piezoimpact or Spindle-View. Following the puncture of zona pellucida with two holes by injection pipette that contained donor nuclei or cells, the injection pipette was pulled back to the perivitelline space while the negative pressure was increased in the holding pipette until the polar body and karyoplasm were wiped off completely. Then a reconstructed embryo was completed by the direct injection of the donor nucleus or cell without pulling out the injection pipette. 200 oocytes were manipulated using this method and it cost about 40 seconds with nucleus injection and about 30 seconds with cell injection to complete a reconstructed embryo. The success rates were 62.6% and 86. 0%, respectively, and enucleation rate was about 73.3% validated by Hoechst 33342. Using this method, the nucleus was completely eliminated and another was injected using the microscope and micromanipulator. Moreover, the efficiency of nuclear transplantation and survival rate of reconstructed embryos were greatly improved. Furthermore, it is very easy to manipulate and popularize in practice.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cloning, Organism ; methods ; Embryo, Mammalian ; cytology ; metabolism ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Oocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Zona Pellucida ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEDermabrasion has been of great value in plastic surgery. Dermabrasion was developed for a specific indication; however, within a very short time, the concept of dermabrasion found wide applicability. This study was to investigate the application of dermabrasion in the treatment of acne scars.

METHODSFrom Feb. 1996 to May 2004, a total of 110 patients with acne scar were treated with dermabrasion.

RESULTSPostoperatively, the curative results were achieved in 45 cases; good results in 40 cases and effective results in 25 cases. The study revealed that the patients at 18-46 years of age have good results.

CONCLUSIONSDermabrasion is a good and safe technique to treat the scar of acne.

Acne Vulgaris ; complications ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Cicatrix ; etiology ; surgery ; Dermabrasion ; methods ; Face ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To determine factors affecting postoperative survival of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A retrospective analysis of consecutive 54 elderly patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma from Jan 1995 to Dec 2002 was performed. The data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. Results Univariate analysis and Cox regression showed Child Pugh grading, vessel invasion, satellite nodule formation, Edmondson Steiner grading, intrahepatic recurrence and distant metastasis all related to postoperative overall survival or disease-free survival of the elderly with hepatocellular carcinoma (all P

A method has been developed by solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector for simultaneous determination of 10 kinds of cyanotoxins in lake water, including microcystin-RR (MC-RR), MC-YR, MC-HtyR, MC-LR, MC-WR, MC-LA, MC-LY, MC-LW, MC-LF and nodularin ( NOD ).The samples were enriched and purified by a HLB solid phase extraction column.The separation was performed on a Waters C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) with the gradient elution of acetonitrile and water containing 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid.The flow rate of the mobile phase was 0.8 mL/min.The column temperature was 30℃ and the injection volume was 20 μL.The photodiode array detector was scanned from 190 nm to 300 nm and the detection wavelength was 238 nm.Multiple qualitative analyses were completed according to retention time, full scanning spectrum of photodiode array detector and purity analysis of chromatographic peak.Good linearity was observed in the cyanotoxin concentration range of 0.05 mg/L-2.0 mg/L with correlation coefficients ( R) from 0.9998 to 0.9999.The limits of detection for 10 cyanotoxins were in the range of 0.005 μg/L-0.020 μg/L.The recoveries were in the range of 85.1%-105.3% at the three spiked levels of 0.1 mg/L, 1.0 mg/L and 1.8 mg/L with the relative standard deviations ( RSD ) of 0.8% -9.2%.The method was characteriZed by wide applicability, convenient operation, quick analytical rate, high sensitivity, good accuracy and high recovery.The qualitative accuracy was improved by using multiple qualitative analyses.This method was successfully applied to determination of 10 kinds of cyanotoxins in lake water.

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.