Two Pseudomonas strains, K80 - B and K80 - A, can use hydrocarbon as carbon source by two different mechanisms. Different effects can be observed when they are applied to 69-8 oil of Dagan Oil Field. The strain K80-B producing both hydrocarbon pseudosolubilizing factor and hydrocarbon emulsifying factor can decrease the viscosity and solidifying point of the 69-8 oil 51.6% and 2℃ respectively. Whereas the other can only decrease 43.5% and 3℃ respectively. When the two strains are mixed, synergistic effect on crude oil is obvious.

Background Previous experimental and clinical studies have proved that elevated serum uric acid increased risk for developing hypertension.Whereas,there are a paucity of information on the relationship between serum uric acid and prehypertension.Objective The purpose of this research is to evaluate the association between the serum uric acid and prehypertension.Method A cohort of seven thousand eight hundred thirty-nine subjects without hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases were recruited from a cross sectional study in urban and rural place in 9 provinces during 2005-2006.Based on serum uric acid(324 ?mol/L for overall population,366 ?mol/L for male,285 ?mol/L for female),people were categorized into quartiles.The odds ratio for prehypertension was calculat ed with the lowest quartile as the reference.Results The prevalence of prehypertension increased with increasing uric acid in total population(P324 ?mol/L)to lowest quartile 1(

Objective To culture the rabbit bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) ,and to observe their biologi-cal characteristics in vitro and the expression of BMP2 and EGFP after Ad-EGFP-BMP2 infected on them .Methods To isolate and cultivate BMSCs by density gradient centrifugation and adherent culture in vitro ;the cell cycle and the surface marks were detected by flow cytometer ;rabbit BMSCs were differentiated into the direction of osteogenetic cells by in vitro induction .After transfection , the expression of exogenous gene in the cells was detected by the immunocytochemical staining and Western blot .Results About 56 .84% of rabbit BMSCs cell cycle was in the G1 phase;the D44 expression was positive and the CD45 expression was negative ;af-ter induction by osteogenetic cells ,the Ⅰtype collagen immunohistochemical staining was positive and the alizarin red staining was positive .After transfection ,the strong expression of BMP2 and EGFP in cells was showed by Western blot and the immunocyto-chemical staining .Conclusion rabbit BMSCs are successfully isolated ,cultured and identified to have the ability of osteogenetic dif-ferentiation ;the structured Ad-BMP-2/EGFP can efficiently transfected rabit BMSCs and stably express the target gene of BMP 2 .

Objective To study the effects of short-term cryopreservation on the proliferation ,bio-characteristics and osteogenic capability of rabbit BMSCs and lay the foundation for the further study .Methods The 5th generation of rabbit BMSCs were cryo-preservated by liquid nitrogen for 30 days ,and then thawing the cells to culture it to the 10th generation in vitro ,put the non-cryo-preservated and the same generation BMSCs as the control group .The MTT ,cell cycle ,cell surface marker ,the content of ALP and the immunohistochemical staining for collagen typeⅠ and alizarin red staining for calcium after differentiation induced by osteogene-sis were used to evaluate the proliferation ,bio-characteristic and osteogenic differentiation capability of rabbit BMSCs .Results The growth incubation period of BMSCs after cryopreservated was extended ,but it gradually recover through serial passage .The prolif-eration index and the proportion of BMSCs in G1 phase were 42 .9% ± 3 .4% and 57 .0% ± 3 .4% respectively .The positive rate of cell surface marker of CD44 was 93 .62% ± 1 .05% without expression of CD45 .The contents of ALP(U/gprot) were 6 .73 ± 1 .92 and 15 .99 ± 4 .36 in BMSCs after 7th day and 14th day with osteogenic induction ,respectively .The collagen typeⅠ and alizarin red staining for calcium indicated positive at BMSCs after 14th day and 21th day with osteogenic induction ,respectively .These results showed no significant difference compared with the control group (P>0 .05) .Conclusion Short-term cryopreservation has no obvi-ous impacts on the proliferation ,bio-characteristic and osteogenic capability of BMSCs and it could be used for further study .

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) and cholesterol on the pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and on the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits in the brains of rats.

METHODThe rats were treated by intracerebroventricular injection of Abeta1-42 and fed with a diet containing 5% cholesterol to establish animal model of AD. The pathological changes, learning and memory, and expression of nAChRs of rats were analyzed by Bieoschowsky staining, immunohistochemistry, water-labyrinth, Western blot, and RT-PCR.

RESULTSAbeta intracerebroventricular injection induced Abeta deposition in rat brains and high-cholesterol diet resulted in hypercholesterolemia in the animals. Injection of Abeta caused a reduction of learning and memory of rats and modifications of the expression of nAChRs. Cholesterol enhanced these effects of Abeta on neuropathology and expression of nAChRs.

CONCLUSIONSAbeta can induce marked neuropathological changes, influence the learning and study ability, and modify the expression of nAChRs. Cholesterol can enhance the neurotoxicity of Abeta.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Drug Synergism ; Female ; Hypercholesterolemia ; blood ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Aim To evaluate the effects of salvianolic acid B ( Sal B ) on bone metabolism and its potential mechanism in high fat diet ( HFD) mice.Methods Thirty C57BL/6J male mice were divided into three groups with 10 mice each, namely normal , HFD and HFD+Sal B.HFD and HFD+Sal B mice were treated with HFD, and HFD+Sal B group mice were also with Sal B (125 mg· kg -1· d-1).After 12 weeks' treat-ment, femurs were harvested .The effects of Sal B on biomechanical strength were evaluated by biomechani-cal tests, and the effects of Sal B on bone microstruc-ture were evaluated by Safranin O/fast green staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining .The expression of nuclear factor-kappa B ( NF-κB)-p65 and NADPH ox-idase 4 ( Nox4 ) and cathepsin K in femurs was deter-mined by immunohistochemical staining . Results Maximum load and elastic load significantly decreased ,and the trabeculae became thinner and irregular in the femurs of HFD mice , while Sal B treatment could re-verse the descending biomechanical strength and the disorganized femurs bone micro-structures in HFD mice.In addition, the expressions of Nox4, NF-κB-p65 and cathepsin Kmarkedly increased in HFD mice , and Sal B possessed the ability to down-regulate the ex-pression of Nox4, NF-κB-p65, and cathepsin K in the femurs triggered by HFD .Conclusions Sal B treat-ment improves bone metabolism via regulating Nox 4/NF-κB/cathepsin K signaling pathway in HFD mice . The findings contribute to the understanding and exten-sion of the applications of Salvia miltiorrhiza and its constituents on osteoporosis .

The paper is aimed to establish a methods for identication of pearl powder and conch powder from different origins. Hermetic aluminum pan was used to encapsulate samples. The optimal testing conditions were: heating rate 10 degrees C x min(-1), sample weight 3 mg and nitrogen gas flow rate 40 mL x min(-1). The enthalpy values of pearl powder and conch powder was obvious different. Identication of pearl powder and conch powder by DSC is a practical method for its accuracy, convenience and practificality.
Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; methods ; China ; Discriminant Analysis ; Pinctada ; chemistry ; classification ; Powders ; chemistry

Acupuncture prescription is the key and effectiveness guarantee to acupuncture treatment. Proper selection of acupoint is directly related to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. Several issues were discussesed, which were acupoint indications, clinical syndrome differentiation and acupoints selection. Acupuncturists should grasp the acupoints characteristic and pay attention to syndrome differentiation. Also they should have flexible selection of acupoints and keep pace with research updates when facing clinical problems in order to maximize the curative effect of acupuncture.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history

OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the 8003 base pair (bp) fragmentation damage of brain mitochondrial DNA in newborn piglets at different times after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) so as to explore the biomolecular foundation of neonatal neuronal metabolic disorders.

METHODSFifty 3-day-old piglets were randomly assigned into Control and HIBD groups. The HIBD group was subdivided into groups sacrificed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hrs post-HIBD (n=10). HIBD was induced by left carotid ligation and exposure to 8% oxygen for 2 hours. The Control group was exposed to air and was sham-operated. The left hippocampal cortexes of all subjects were obtained to amplify the fragments of 200 bp and 8003 bp by the LX-PCR method. The PCR products were electrophoresed on agaros gels to obtain the integral optical density (IOD).

RESULTSThe IOD of 8003 bp fragment was markedly reduced in the HIBD 0 hr group (22.616 +/- 2.276) when compared with that of the Control group (56.995 +/- 0.317) (P < 0.05). The IOD value remained lower at 24 hrs (27.719 +/- 0.309) and 48 hrs post-HIBD (49.491 +/- 3.233) (P < 0.05). Until 72 hrs post-HIBD, the IOD (55.972 +/- 2.236) restored to the control value.

CONCLUSIONSThe brain mitochondrial DNA was fragmented in newborn piglets following brain hypoxia-ischemia. It did not recover to normal until 72 hrs post-HIBD. The fragmentation damage of mitochondrial DNA may be related to the depression of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes activity and neuron apoptosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; DNA Damage ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Swine

INTRODUCTIONProblem-based learning (PBL), a pedagogic concept using a student-centred approach and problem-solving through small group discussions, has been adopted in varying degrees for years at all 11 medical institutes in Taiwan. Much evidence has shown that a number of factors can seriously affect student performance in PBL courses, such as the design of PBL scenarios, the tutors' character and students' attitudes and efforts.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe aim of this study was to examine how the personal characters or knowledge base of Taiwanese medical students influence their performance in a hybrid-PBL curriculum. A total of 309 (234 male, 75 female) high-school entry undergraduate medical students participated in this survey. Self-assessed personal traits were presented in a 44-item questionnaire with a Big Five factor structure. Knowledge base was assessed by students' score point average (SPA) based on their previous 4-year education in medical school. Peer-assessed performance of students in the PBL curriculum was carried out using a well-developed, reliable and validated evaluation form.

RESULTSEach student's peer-evaluated PBL performance can be divided into 5 principal components, which included control-lead, assist-coordinate, written organisation and compromise- comply (Eigen value >1). The consistency and reliability of the Big Five questionnaire on personal traits was analysed and discordant items were deleted (Cronbach's alpha = 0.72 to 0.86 after deletion). The relationship between the personal traits, knowledge base and PBL performance, as analysed by simple regression, showed that "extraversion" and "openness to experience" were positively related to the "assist-coordinate" characteristic in PBL performance, and "conscientiousness" was positively related to the "control-lead" characteristic in PBL performance. The SPA was positively related to the "assist-coordinate" or "control-lead" characteristic in PBL performance. The "agreeableness" was negatively correlated with the "control-lead" characteristic in PBL performance. After stepwise regression between the Big Five and each component of PBL performance, only the correlation between conscientiousness and control/lead, and between extraversion and assist/coordinate remained significant.

CONCLUSIONKnowledge and personality characteristics appear to be associated with student performance in a hybrid-PBL curriculum. The implications of this study on the future development and application of this assessment tool in medical schools are presented.

Educational Measurement ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Competency ; psychology ; Problem-Based Learning ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Students, Medical ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Taiwan