Butyric acid can be used to produce cellulose butyrate fiber and ester derivatives,and to be applied in foodstuffs and perfume industries.Recent researches have found that butyric acid is a preferred carbon source for colonic epithelial cells,and can inhibit histone deacetylase,showing great anticancer potentials.With more and more functions of butyric acid being found and applied in bio-related fields,and with consumer's growing preference to bioproducts,biotechnological production of butyric acid will receive more competence than petroleum-based chemical synthesis.Low product concentration and poor selectivity are presently the main restricting factors.Workers have made considerable progress on more cheep carbon sources,optimization of fermentation process,simplifying downstream processing,and genetic engineering of producing strains.Any achievement on these aspects in the future can contribute to put fermentation of butyric acid into industry.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Reproduction ; physiology ; Social Behavior ; Tupaiidae ; physiology

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at points Xiaohai and Xiajuxu on the expressions of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in serum and nicotinic acetylcholine receptorα 7 (α 7 nAchR) in duodenal tissues in a rat model of duodenal ulcer (DU) and preliminarily explore the relative specificity of He-Sea point in “treating visceral diseases with He-Sea point”.Methods Forty healthy SD rats were randomized into blank (A), model (B), Xiaohai (C) and Xiajuxu (D) groups, 10 rats each. A rat model of DU was made by subcutaneous injection of 10% cysteamine hydrochloride at the right buttock. After successful model making, group C was given electroacupuncture at point Xiaohai and group D, at point Xiajuxu. Duodenal tissue ulcer was macroscopically observed and scored in every group of rats. Rat serum expression of TNF-α was determined by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); rat serum expression of ChAT, by ultraviolet spectrophotometry & colorimetry; rat duodenal expression ofα7 nAchR, by Western blot.Results After model making, the duodenal ulcer score was significantly higher in groups B, C and D than in group A (allP<0.01) and significantly lower in groups C and D than in group B (bothP<0.01) and in group D than in group C (P<0.01). TNF-α expression was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P<0.01) and significantly lower in groups C and D than in group B (bothP<0.01) and in group D than in group C (P<0.01). ChAT expression tended to increase in group C compared with group B but there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) and was significantly higher in group D than in group B (P<0.01) or C (P<0.05).α7 nAchR expression was significantly higher in groups C and D than in group B (bothP<0.01). There was a positive correlation between ChAT andα7 nAchR expressions in every group (r=0.444,P=0.007).Conclusions Electroacupuncture at both points Xiaohai and Xiajuxu can reduce the duodenal ulcer score and serum TNF-α expression and increase serum ChAT and duodenalα7 nAchR expressions in DU rats. The results show that the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on duodenal ulcer may be produced by regulating TNF-α. Its mechanism may be activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway to produce an anti-inflammatory effect. The effect being better in group D than in group C suggests that Xiajuxu has the relative specificity.

Objective:To examine the feasibility of using cerebral state index(CSI)for monitoring the sedation depth during target-controlled infusion(TCI)with propofol and remifentanil.Methods:Forty-four consenting ASAⅠorⅡpatients(aged 18-60 years)undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=11 each)according to the target effect-site concentrations of remifentanil administered by TCI during induction of anesthesia.The target effect-site concentrations of remifentanil of R_0,R_2,R_4,and R_6 groups were 0,2 ng?ml~(-1),4 ng?ml~(-1),and 6 ng?ml~(-1),respectively. Anesthesia was induced by TCI with remifentanil and propofol.CSI and bispectral index(BIS)were used to measure the sedation depth.The initial effect-site propofol concentration(PCe)was 1.5?g?ml~(-1),which was increased by 0.5?g?ml~(-1) every 4 min.The modified OAA/S score(5=alert,1=does not respond to prodding),loss of eyelash reflex(LOR eyelash)and loss of response to electric tetanie stimulation(LOR tetanic)were compared against CSI,BIS and PCe(calculated effect-site propofol concentration).Correlation coefficients were calculated between CSI and other parameters.Results:The 4 groups were comparable with respect to the ages and bodyweights.CSI and BIS values were higher but PCe value were lower at LOR eyelash and LOR tetanic in R_2,R_4,and R_6 than those in the R_0 group(P

Objective To observe the changes of expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) in lung tissue of preterm rats exposed to hyperoxia,and explore the role of HO-1 in hyperexia-induced lung injury of preterm rats.Methods Three-day-old preterm rats of standard SD were randomly assigned to hyperoxia group and air group.At the third and 7th day of exposure,the expressions of HO-1 mRNA were detected by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and the cellular distribution and expressions of HO-1 protein in the lung were measured by immunohistochemical techniques,respectivesly,and the active of HO-1 was determined also.Results On the third day,in air group,the expressions of HO-1 mRNA(0.17 ?0.08),HO-1(7.23?4.63)were mildly expressed and the activity of HO-1 was(4.32?1.57) nmol/(mg?h);compared with those of air group,the expression of HO-1 mRNA in hyperoxia group(0.72?0.33) was significantly increased(Pa

OBJECTIVETo observe the local tissue oxygenation in acupoint Zusanli (ST36) of patients in critical condition, and to assess the value of applying tissue oxygen measurement via acupoint in clinical practice.

METHODSThirty-six patients with severe illness undergoing invasive positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) were divided into the infected group (n=13) and the non-infected group (n=23). Tissue oxygen pressure (PtO2) in the right acupoint Zusanli was measured with tissue oxygen tension detector when the concentration of inspired oxygen (FiO2) was 40% and 100% respectively, meanwhile, the arterial blood oxygen pressure (PaO2) was also determined to calculate PtO2 index (the ratio of PtO2/PaO2).

RESULTSThere was a positive correlation between PtO2 and PaO2 (P < 0.05); PaO2 in the infected group was lower, and PtO2 index and PtO2 were higher significantly, as compared with those in the non-infected group (all P < 0.05). As FiO2 adjusted from 40% to 100%, the increment of PtO2 in the infected group was significantly higher than that in the non-infected group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor the severely infected patients with obstacle of systemic oxygen delivery, the local tissue oxygen demand of acupoints increases significantly, and the tissue oxygen delivery dependence is enhanced, in this time, the tissue might fulfill the oxygen demand itself through elevating PtO2 index. It is of great significance to monitor tissue oxygen pressure in acupoint to determine the state of local tissue oxygenation in critically illed patients.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Communicable Diseases ; complications ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Critical Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Multiple Organ Failure ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Oxygen ; blood ; metabolism ; Oxygen Consumption ; physiology ; Partial Pressure ; Positive-Pressure Respiration

OBJECTIVETo study therapeutic effects of retrograde locked intramedullary nail for the treatment of middle or distal fractures of humeral shaft.

METHODSFrom October 2002 to February 2005, 21 patients with middle or distal fractures of humeral shaft were treated with AO retrograde locked intramedullary nail. Among the patients, 13 patients were male and 8 patients were female, ranging in age from 23 to 56 years, with an average of 34.5 years. Nineteen patients were fresh fractures, and 2 patients were old fractures. Eleven patients had middle fractures of humeral shaft, and other 10 patients had distal fractures of humeral shaft. Two patients with old fractures were non-union and treated with autoallergic bone grafting; 5 patients combined with radial nerve injury underwent exploration. The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to Constant-Murley shoulder score and Mayo elbow score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, ranging from 18 to 24 months, with an average of 20.8 months. The fractures were healed except 1 patient with old fracture and 1 patient with extremely distal acute fracture. The shoulders and elbows had satisfactory recovery except 1 patient with old fracture. The mean Constant-Murley score was (83.6 +/- 13.4) points (50-97), 12 patients got an excellent result, 5 good, 4 fair and no bad; the mean Mayo elbow score was (88.6 +/- 9.8) points (65-95), 13 patients got an excellent result, 5 good, 3 fair and no bad.

CONCLUSIONThe retrograde locked intramedullary nail offers an ideal treatment method for middle and distal fractures of humeral shaft. Strict operative indication, precise surgical techniques and stable locking are the keys to a successful treatment results.

Adult ; Bone Nails ; Elbow Joint ; physiopathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; HLA Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo find out clinical characteristics and natural history of post transfusion HCV infection.

METHODS83 subjects who have received the blood from a same blood donor from January 1998 to July 2002 were investigated by the method combining cross-sectional study with retrospective study. HCV-antibody, HCV RNA, liver function, abdomen B-ultrasound and Fibroscan were detected.

RESULTSThe HCV-antibody were all positive. The HCV RNA of 56 out of the 83 cases were positive. The chronicity rates of hepatis C were 76.3% (29/38) in male patients and 60.00% (27/45) in female patients respectively, without significant difference (X² = 2.99, P = 0.11). The average age of the HCV RNA positive patients was (36.54 ± 14.37) years old. The average age of the HCV RNA negative patients was (27.43 ± 12.51) years old. A significant difference (T = -2.41, P = 0.018) existed between. The HCV genotype was type1b. Among the HCV RNA positive patients,10 cases were with mild asthenia, anorexia and abdominal distention, 9 cases with increased serum ALT, 12 cases.with chronic hepatitis and 1 case was diagnosed with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical manifestations of HCV infection are occult and chronic. The chronicity rate is related to gender and the age when infection was caught.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Blood Donors ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C ; etiology ; transmission ; virology ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; etiology ; transmission ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Transfusion Reaction ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the value of MSCT and MRI in diagnosis of early postoperative complications of inguinal hernia repair (IHR).Methods Imaging and clinical data in 1 6 patients with early complications of IHR were analyzed retrospectively.Re-sults Among the complications,postoperative infection in 2 was found including incision infection in 1 and groin cellulitis in other 1. CT showed swelling abdominal wall and heterogeneous enhancement for incision infection,and inguinal mass,deep inguinal ring thickening,edema of residual sac with fluid and air collections for groin cellulitis.Seroma was found in 8,and CT and MRI demon-strated residual sac effusion,spermatic cord thickening and spermatic vascular tortuosity.Residual sac edema was found in 4,and CT and MRI showed thickening spermatic cord without effusion in residual sac or scrotum.Effusions between patch and anterior abdom-inal wall were detected by MRI in 2,one of which was accompanied by patch shrinking.Conclusion With specific clinical background for early complications of IHR,MSCT and MRI provide more anatomical information of inguinal region,which may contribute to di-agnosis and treatment of early postoperative complications.