With the constant rise of energy price,it has a great practical meaning of using lignocellulose to produce ethanol.Xylose is a kind of monosaccharide whose content is only less than glucose in most lignocellulosic hydrolysates.There is some difficulty of producing ethanol from lignocellulose by the traditional ethanol production strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae,because it cannot metabolize xylose.People have tried to use genetic engineering technology and cell fusion method to modify Saccharomyces cerevisiae to make it metabolize xylose and produce ethanol for many years.This review indroduced the progress in this field.

Humans ; Forensic Pathology

OBJECTIVEEpinephrine has a place in the treatment of pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest but has been controversy concerning its optimal dose. This meta-analysis aimed to seek for evidences of the effectiveness of different doses of epinephrine in children with cardiac arrest and to evaluate the effectiveness of high-dose versus standard-dose epinephrine in children with cardiac arrest.

METHODPublished papers on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective clinical controlled trials (CCTs) were electronically searched from MEDLINE (1966 to September 2006), EMBASE (1974 to June 2006), the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2006), CBM (1998 to 2006) and CNKI (1994 to 2006). We also had searched the related references and manual retrieval 10 professional academic journals about epinephrine treatment of pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest (1998 to 2006). The search strategy was made according to the collaborative review group search strategy. At first, we found 546 articles. Second, we excluded 474 of them through reading the title, abstract, excluding non-randomized, non-controlled trials and non-clinical studies. Finally, we identified 4 papers through searching for original articles and telephone contact with some of the authors after excluding 68 papers. Then we performed the meta-analysis by RevMan 4.2.7. For homogenous dichotomous data (P > or = 0.1, I(2) < or = 50%) we calculated fixed effects model, relative risk (RR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), For heterogeneity Dichotomous data (P < 0.1, I(2)>50%) we calculated random effects model, relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTFour trials involving 360 cases were included. The results of meta-analysis indicated that there were no statistical difference in recovery of spontaneous circulation [RR = 1.28, 95% CI (0.93, 1.77)]. Perondi, Patterson and Cheng xiuyong's study compared the rate of survival at 24 hours and showed statistical heterogeneity (P = 0.01, I(2) = 0.77). The random effects model indicated that there were no significant difference [RR = 1.40, 95% CI (0.43, 4.55)]. The sensitivity analysis showed that after deleting Perondi's group there were no statistical heterogeneity. Fixed effects model indicated that there were significant difference [RR = 2.50, 95% CI (1.52, 4.11)]. T When the rates of survival to hospital discharge were compared among the 4 studies, there was statistical heterogeneity (P = 0.07, I(2) = 0.58), the random effects model indicated that there were no statistical difference [RR = 1.78, 95% CI (0.42, 7.50)], There were no heterogeneity after Cheng Xiu-yong group was deleted.

CONCLUSIONHigher doses of epinephrine in children with cardiopulmonary arrest may not increase the rate of recovery of spontaneous circulation, the rate of survival at 24 hours, the rate of survival to hospital discharge and worsen the neurological outcomes. Adverse reactions is difficult to monitor and evaluate because of the current restrictions on medical technology.

Bronchodilator Agents ; toxicity ; Child ; Epinephrine ; toxicity ; Heart Arrest ; chemically induced ; mortality ; Humans ; Pediatrics ; Risk ; Treatment Outcome ; United States

OBJECTIVETo assess the genetic and environmental influences on the somatotype of children and adolescents, and the effects of sex and age.

METHODSThe components of somatotype were calculated by using Heather-Cater method in a total of 376 twin pairs of Han nationality, including 245 monozygotic (MZ) and 131 like-sex dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs aged 6 to 18 years. Model-fitting method by Mx package was performed to evaluate the proportion of variance components and to analyze the effects of sex and age on each component of somatotype using the adjusted data for other two somatotype components. The heritability of each component in different development periods divided by growth spurt was also evaluated.

RESULTSThe estimated heritabilities of endomorphic, mesomorphic and ectomorphic components were 0.45, 0.80, 0.44 in boys, 0.82, 0.79 and 0.81 in girls respectively after adjusting age. In boys, the heritability of endomorphic component during late puberty was significantly higher than that during pre-puberty (t = 4.99, P < 0.01) and puberty (t = 6.16, P < 0.01), while the heritability of ectomorphic component during late puberty was significantly lower than that during pre-puberty (t = 3.35, P < 0.01) and puberty (t = 4.12, P < 0.01). In girls, the heritability of endomorphic (t = 2.77, P < 0.01) or mesomorphic (t = 2.08, P < 0.05) component during pre-puberty was significantly higher than that in early puberty.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic influence on somatotype of girls should be much more than that of boys, especially on the endomorphic and ectomorphic components. For boys, the mesomorphic component is mainly determined by genetic factors, but the other components are mainly affected by environmental ones. The effects of the development periods on the heritability of somatotype should be paid much attention to.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Somatotypes ; genetics ; Twins ; genetics ; Twins, Dizygotic ; genetics ; Twins, Monozygotic ; genetics

Background:The prognostic significance of ABO blood type for lymphoma is largely unknown.We evaluated the prognostic role of ABO blood type in patients with extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 697 patients with newly diagnosed ENKTL from three cancer centers.The prognostic value of ABO blood type was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models.The prognostic values of the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and the Korean Prognostic Index (KPI) were also evaluated.Results:Compared with patients with blood type O,those with blood type non-O tended to display elevated baseline serum C-reactive protein levels (P =0.038),lower rate of complete remission (P =0.005),shorter progression-free survival (PFS,P ＜ 0.001),and shorter overall survival (OS,P =0.001).Patients with blood type O/AB had longer PFS (P ＜ 0.001) and OS (P =0.001) compared with those with blood type A/B.Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age ＞60 years (P ＜ 0.001),mass ＞5 cm (P =0.001),stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ (P ＜ 0.001),elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (P =0.001),and blood type non-O were independent adverse predictors of OS (P =0.001).ABO blood type was found to be superior to both the IPI in discriminating patients with different outcomes in the IPI low-risk group and the KPI in distinguishing between the intermediate-to-low-and high-to-intermediate-risk groups.Conclusions:ABO blood type was an independent predictor of clinical outcome for patients with ENKTL.

Objective To investigate the serum levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and their dynamic changes in patients with delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP) and their relation with the condition variation of the patients.Methods The serum ET-1 and TNF-α levels were determined with enzyme-linked immunno-sorbent assay (ELISA) in 31 patients with DEACMP, and the dynamic changes of patients' condition were monitored by use of the activity of daily living (ADL) scale, the information-memory-concentration test (IMCT) and the Hasegawa's dementia scale (HDS). The comparisons between patients with DEACMP and both 30 patients with acute carbon momoxide poisoning (ACMP) but without DEACMP and 30 normal controls were also conducted. Results At the acute stage of the DEACMP group, the serum levels of ET-1 and TNF-α were both significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P＜0.05); that of TNF-α was significantly lower than that in the ACMP group (P＜0.05), but that of ET-1 was not significantly different from that in the ACMP group (P＞0.05). The serum levels of ET-1 and TNF- α in the ACMP group were both significantly higher than those in the normal control group(P＜0.05). In the DEACMP group, the serum level of ET-1 at the convalescent stage was significantly lower than that at the acute stage (P＜0.05), but the serum level of TNF-α was not significantly different from that at the acute stage (P＞0.05). At the acute stage of the DEACMP group, ADL scores were significantly higher than those in norms, and IMCT scores and HDS scores were significantly lower than those in norms (P＜0.05). In the DEACMP group, the ADL scores at the convalescent stage were significantly lower than those at the acute stage (P＜0.05), IMCT scores and HDS scores were significantly higher than those at the acute stage (P＜0.05). Significant correlations between scores of any 2 of 3 scales in patients with DEACMP at both acute and convalescent stage were noted (P＜0.05). Conclusion The dynamic detection of serum ET-1 and TNF-α level variations could be used as an indicator for condition severity in patients with DEACMP.

Objective To investigate the value of ischemic myocardial viability assessment using interleaved T1-T2*magnetic resonance imaging.Methods The left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD)were occluded for 2 hours,followed by 1-hour reperfusion in 7 pigs.The hearts were then removed and perfused with a mixture of pig blood and crystalloid solution in 1:1 ratio.T1 relaxation times of the myocardium were measured with a TurboFLASH inversion。recovery sequence.The contrast agent,Gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentoacetie acid(Gd-DTPA)Was then inieeted as a bolus into the aortic perfusion line(0.05 mmol／kg body wt).The first pass of the contrast agent through the heart was followed using the interleaved T1-T2* imaging sequence.Once the concentration of Gd-DTPA was in an equilibrium state,T1 relaxation times were measured again.Results The percentage recovery of T2* intensity(PRT2*)at the maximum T1 intensity measured during the first pass of the contrast agent with the interleaved T1-T2*imaging was statistically different in normal myocardium(37±11)%,infarct rim(90±15)%and infarct core(100±5)%,F=66.585,P=0.000.Moreover,the infarcted regions shown on PRT2* maps matched well with the infarcted myocardium measured by TTC staining.The median of T1 relaxation time in normal region,infarct rim and infarct COre was 53l ms,541 ms and 1298 ms,respectively (H=6.284,P=0.043).However,normal region could not be differentiated from infarct rim with T1 relaxation times(q=0.082,P=0.775).Conclusion Infarcted myocardium and isehemic myocardial viability can be correctly identified and evaluated by the interleaved T1-T2* magnetic resonance imaging in this model.

BACKGROUNDDiagnosis and treatment for respiratory symptoms (RSs) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more difficult than that for common esophageal symptoms. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency (RF) treatment on RSs of GERD in a preliminary 12-month follow-up observation.

METHODSFrom April 2006 to October 2008, 505 GERD patients with mainly respiratory presentations such as wheezing, chronic cough or hoarseness, were treated by endoscopic RF. A questionnaire was completed before and after treatment, using a six-point scale ranging from 0 to 5 to assess symptom severity and frequency. The symptom score was the sum of frequency and severity.

RESULTSSymptom scores were significantly improved at the end of the follow-up period. The mean heartburn score decreased from 5.31 to 1.79. The mean regurgitation score decreased from 5.02 to 1.64; mean cough score decreased from 6.77 to 2.85; mean wheezing score decreased from 7.83 to 3.07; and mean hoarseness score decreased from 5.13 to 1.81 (P < 0.01). No major complications or deaths occurred. Minor complications included temporary post-procedural retrosternal unease or pain (n = 106; 21.0%), mild fever (n = 86; 17.0%), transient nausea/vomiting (n = 97; 19.2%), and transient dysphagia (n = 42; 9.3%). Thirty-five (6.9%) patients had recurrence of symptoms. Endoscopic RF treatment was repeated in six patients, and laparoscopic fundoplication was performed in seven.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic RF is an effective and safe means to treat RSs in patients with GERD.

Adult ; Aged ; Cough ; surgery ; Esophagogastric Junction ; physiopathology ; radiation effects ; Esophagoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Heartburn ; surgery ; Hoarseness ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radio Waves ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and to investigate risk factors affecting prognosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 HCC patients with PVTT type I (segmental PVTT) and PVTT type II (lobar PVTT) were involved and divided into LR (n=47) and LT groups (n=47). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared before and after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were explored. Results: Two treatment groups were well-balanced using IPTW. In the entire cohort, LT provided a better prognosis than LR. Among patients with PVTT type I, RFS was better with LT (p=0.039); OS was not different significantly between LT and LR (p=0.093). In subgroup analysis of PVTT type I patients with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >200 ng/mL, LT elicited significantly longer median RFS (18.0 months vs. 2.1 months, p=0.022) and relatively longer median OS time (23.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.065). Among patients with PVTT type II, no significant differences in RFS and OS were found between LT and LR (p=0.115 and 0.335, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed treatment allocation (LR), tumor size (>5 cm), AFP and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels to be risk factors of RFS and treatment allocation (LR), AFP and AST as risk factors for OS. Conclusion LT appeared to afford a better prognosis for HCC with PVTT type I than LR, especially in patients with AFP levels >200 ng/mL.

OBJECTIVEIt is controversial whether unilateral interruption of the arteria iliaca interna distal end affects penile hemodynamics and erectile function. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate this influence by detecting the blood flow of the penile artery before and after renal transplantation.

METHODSThirty-three patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) received renal transplantation, the grafts revascularized by end-to-end anastomosis to the right internal iliac artery. Six months before and after the surgery, we obtained the IIEF scores of the patients, recorded their penile blood flow on color Doppler ultrasonography and the levels of serum creatinine, hemoglobin and serum cholesterol, and analyzed post-transplantation immunosuppressive medication.

RESULTSThe patients ranged in age from 21 to 55 years, of whom 36% had erectile dysfunction (ED) during MHD, and 33% after renal transplantation. A total of 67% of the renal transplant recipients (RTR) complained of unchanged and 15% deteriorated ED, while 18% admitted improved erectile function. The patients showed a significantly stronger sexual desire after the transplantation than before it (6.2 +/- 1.6 vs 8.9 +/- 0.9, P < 0.01). There was a significant decrease in peak systolic velocity (PSV) in the cavernous arteries after transplantation as compared with pre-transplantation (P < 0.01). Penile arterial blood flow insufficiency was found in none of the RTRs.

CONCLUSIONUnilateral interruption of the internal iliac artery decreases penile arterial blood flow, but not to such a degree as to result in ED. Unilateral interruption of the arteria iliaca interna distal end does not affect the erectile function of RTRs.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; surgery ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; blood supply ; Priapism ; etiology ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Artery ; surgery ; Young Adult