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

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the changes in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) following hemodialysis.

METHODSThe urea nitrogen and the blood creatinine levels were determined with an automatic biochemistry analyzer, HO-1 and IL-6 levels by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), CRP by chemoluminescence technique, and MDA by thiobarbituric acid assay.

RESULTSHO-1, CRP, IL-6, and MDA levels were significantly elevated in patients with ESRF in comparison with the control group. After hemodialysis, HO-1 and CRP levels increased and IL-6 and MDA levels decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONIn ESRF patients who have elevated inflammatory factors and HO-1 levels, hemodialysis can increase HO-1 and CRP levels and lower IL-6 and MDA levels.

Adult ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Creatinine ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; blood ; therapy ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis

OBJECTIVEIntegrating column switching for on-line concentration and programmed injection, a novel HPLC method is developed for simultaneous determination of high-content water-soluble components (danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, salvianolic acid B) and trace nerolidol in Xiangdan injection. The concentrations of water-soluble components in Xiangdan injection are roughly 1000 times of that of nerolidol.

METHODThe on-line concentration was performed on a Zorbax SB-C18 guard column. The separation was carried out on Lichrospher C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase of guard column was mixtures of acetonitrile and 1.0% acetic acid water, and the flow rate was 0.5 mL x min(-1). The mobile phase of the analytical column was mixtures of acetonitrile and 0.05% acetic acid water, and the flow rate was set at 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was maintained at 40 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was 280 nm at 0-40 min, 210 nm at 40-55 min. The program injection was 10 microL of sample solution 1 at 0 min, 200 microL of sample solution 2 at 15.3 min.

RESULTThe calibration curves of danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, salvianolic acid B and nerolidol showed good linear regression (R2 > 0.9990) within investigated concentration ranges. The average recoveries of the four analytes were between l00% and 102%, and the RSD values were less than 3.0%. For danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, salvianolic acid B and nerolidol, the limits of detection at a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 3 were 17.1, 0.473, 60.2, 50.6 microg x L(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method is a simple, sensitive and repeatable approach. More importantly, results indicate that the present method shows promising prospect for quality control of Xiangdan injection.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; Solubility

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