In order to compare the characteristics of ethano l production, a serie s respiratory deficient mutants (rho -) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the ir wil d parent strain (rho +) were assayed for ethanol yield, ethanol fermentation ki netics, ethanol tolerance, and activities of ethanol-dehydrogenase. The data i nd icated that: Though the average amount of ethanol produced by mutants rho - a nd by wild rho + strains were similar, some mutants produced a little more amount of ethanol than wild type. The kinetics curve of ethanol fermentation suggested t h at rho - mutants had a little higher ethanol fermenting speeds than wild type . Th e activity of ethanol-dehydrogenase per unit weight of protein of rho - mutan ts c ells were higher than that of wild strain rho +; the activity of ethanol-dehyd rogenase per unit volume of fermentation medium of rho + were higher than that rho - mutants,mainly due to the higher biomass of rho + were higher than that of rho - mutan ts. Some rho - mutants could tolerate higher ethanol concentration than wild rh o + stra in, but some not. If higher ethanol tolerance and higher ethanol yield rho - mu tants were used in fermenting process,higher ethanol yield would be expected,but some problems such as that rho - mutants grew slowly should be considered.

Objective To study the relationship of the collection efficiency and physical parameters,such as the height of exhaust hood,baffle,ventilation conditions of these parameters on the effect of control.Methods The computational fluid dynamics software FLUENT was used to form the model,and to maximize production in line with the actual operating conditions for physics experiments,to take air numerical simulation and physical model of re-testing the method of combining.Results Without the lagging conditions,the air flow system should be chosen 1 320 m~3/h,with the lagging conditions,the air flow system should be chosen 1 078 m~3/h.The system in a certain air volume,lower installation height could increase the average wind speed of breathing zone.At a certain suction cover installation height and air flow,the baffle could improve the collection efficiency.Without the baffle,the collection efficiency and control distance(dimensionless)showed a relation of cubic polynomial.Conclusion The physical parameters of suction on the hood may impact the collection efficiency at breathing zone measuring point.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Cardiomyopathies ; blood ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Pesticides ; poisoning ; Troponin I ; blood

One hundred and seventy-two strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from Taxus mairei,Cephalotaxus fortunei and Torreya grandis cv.merrillia.The result of the antifungal assay shows that ninety strains of the fungi have antagonism against one or more botanical pathogenic fungi,such as Neurospora sp.,Trichoderma sp.,Fusarium sp.etc.The percentage of antifungal strains to tested strains are as follows:40% Cephalotaxus fortunei,54.2% Taxus mairei,57.1% Torreya grandis cv.merrillia.Thirty-five strains have high antifungal activities,and their inhibition zone diameter is at least 15mm.The active endophytic fungi were identified as 18 genera,most of which belong to Paecilomyces and Fusarium etc.

Polydatin is a monocrystaline compound isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (Polygonaceae) with biological properties, such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative and nephroprotective effects. Increasing number of studies have demonstrated the protective effect of polydatin on renal ischemia reperfusion injury. However, the possible mechanisms of this protection are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of polydatin on ischemia-reperfusion induced expression of toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) in rat renal tubular epithelia cells (NRK-52E), and analyze the mechanism of polydatin on TLR4 signal pathway. The cultured NRK-52E cells were incubated in three gas incubators for a period of 6 h at hypoxia and 24h at reoxygenation to simulate the ischemia-reperfusion injury in vitro. TLR4 mRNA level was analyzed by real-time-PCR, and the protein expression of TLR4 and NF-κB by Western blotting, while TNF-α and IL-1β proteins expressions were detected by ELISA. Polydatin downregulated I/R induced mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, and decreased the protein expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β. The TLR4 blocker partially antagonized the effect of I/R on NF-κB signaling, and such inhibitory effect was markedly enhanced by polydatin. In the present study, polydatin protects NRK-52E cells from I/R injury possibly by relieving the inflammatory response through regulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism

Background Studies demonstrated that human amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) have some characteristics of embryonic stem cells and they were used to re-establish the surface of eyes. Human AECs may serve as new seed cells in tissue engineering for corneal epithelium reconstitution in the future. Objective The present study was to investigate the application value of human amniotic epithelium cells transfected by lentiviral vectormediated enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene as new seed cell source for engineering the corneal surfacelayer. Methods Lentiviral vector carrying the objective gene EGFP was transfected into human amniotic epithelial cells (pLenti6/V5-DEST),and the transient expression of the transgene in the human amniotic epithelial cells was observed under the fluorescence microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect the positive expression rates of EGFP in transfected cells. The transfected human amniotic epithelial cells were seeded onto the fresh corneal stromal surface of New Zealand white rabbit and cultured in vitro. The stem cell deficiency ( SCD ) models were established by cutting off the limbus of cornea in 20 eyes of New Zealand white rabbits, and the model rabbits were then divided into 2 groups randomly. The transplanted grafts carrying the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP gene-transferred human amniotic epithelium cells were regarded as the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP group, and the corneal stroma graft without any epithelial cell served as the control group. The opacity of stroma and corneal conjunctivalization and vascularization were observed daily. The rabbits' eyes were extracted one month after operation. The expression of EGFP in the cornea was detected under the fluorescence microscope, and the expression of CK8, CK18 and CK12 in cornea was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results The shape of the transferred human amniotic epithelial cells resembled normal human amniotic epithelial cells. 48 hours after the transient transfection of EGFP presented with the highest expression level throughout the observation duration, with a positive expression rate of EGFP of 61.5% ,showing significant differences in comparison with that of 12 ( 5.24% ) , 24 ( 38.27% ) or 96 ( 39. 10% ) hours ( P ＜0. 05) post-transfection; but no obvious difference was found in the positive rate of transiently transfected EGFP between 48 hours and 72 hours ( 58.36% ) ( P＞0. 05 ). Six cornea grafts were clear in 1 month and two corneas were rejected during the observation period in the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP group. A few new blood vessels were seen around the graft. Ten corneas of the control group became opaque and cloudy with new blood vessels growth around the grafts. Imunohistochemistry revealed the positive expressions of CK8, CK1 8 and CK12 in the corneal epithelial layer in the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP group. However,the expression of CK12 was absent in the control group. Conclusion Human amniotic epithelium cells transfected with the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP gene is a new and ideal feed cell type to reconstruct the corneal surface layer. Lentivirus is a relatively safe gene transfection vector.

Low frequency sensorineural deafness is a common subtype of idiopathic sudden deafness. Certain patients suffered recurrent attacks without vertigo, much alike Meniere's disease. Few of them developed into definite Meniere's disease during long-term follow-up in many clinical studies. Although the pathophysiology of recurrent low frequency deafness is yet unknown, the desease is considered associated with early state of endolymphatic hydrops or migraine. Otologists shall be aware of its clinical course and careful explanation is necessary at time of initial informed consent.
Endolymphatic Hydrops ; complications ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; complications ; diagnosis ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; Humans ; Meniere Disease ; complications ; Vertigo

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of glycyrrihizic acid (GA) and prednisone on renal injury in chronic aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) rat model.

METHODSNinety-eight male Wistar rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into 4 groups, the normal control group (n = 20), the GA group, the model group, and the prednisone group, 26 rats in each group. Rats in the latter 3 groups were made into AAN model by administration of aristolochic acid (AA, contained in extract of Caulis Aristolochiae Manshuriensis) 20 mg/(kg x d) by gastric gavage, and equal volume of drinking water was given to rats in the control group. Medication was started 2 h later, the GA group was treated with GA 25 mg/(kg x d), the prednisone group with prednisone 3.15 mg/(kg x d), and to the other two groups equal volume of drinking water was given. Body weight was measured weekly, renal function related indices and morphology of the renal tissue were examined at the 4th, 8th and 12th weekend.

RESULTSAlong with the feeding time, body weight in the control group increased steadily, while that in the treated groups increased slowly. The ratio of serum creatinine/body weight increased markedly in the model group, while it significantly lowered in the treated groups. Morphological examination showed that the structural injury in the treated groups was milder than that in the model group, and its degree of fibrosis was milder also (15% - 20% vs 30%). Electronmicroscopy showed that AA induced, injury degeneration and necrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells, and markedly injured the cell organs, such as mitochondria, and induced nuclear variation, while in the treated groups, it was mainly limited in renal tubule, with normal cell organs, few nucleolus variation and less interstitial collagen fibers.

CONCLUSIONGA and prednisone could reduce the serum creatinine level, improve renal function, relieve the renal morphological changes, and decrease the inter stitial fibrosis, showing a definite preventing effect on chronic AAN in rats.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Aristolochic Acids ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To assess the safety of early subcutaneous injection of a low-dose low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) nadroparin for prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH).Methods The patients with sICH who early using nadroparin or lower limb intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) for prevention of DVT were enrolled.A nadroparin group continuously injected nadroparin 0.4 ml/d subcutaneously for 10 days at day 4 after admission and an IPC group used lower limb IPC.Head CT was reexamined and hematoma volume changes were evaluated at day 3,5,and 14 after admission.The hemorrhagic events during the course of treatment were documented,and the lower limb DVT was examined by color Doppler sonography.Results A total of 94 patients with acute sICH (n =41 in the nadroparin group,n =53 in the IPC group) who early use of nadroparin or IPC for prevention of DVT were enrolled.Fourteen patients had lower limb DVT,5 (12.2％) of them were in the nadroparin group and 9 (17.0％) of them were in the IPC group.However,there was no significant difference in the incidence of DVT between the two groups (x2 =0.418; P =0.518).During the treatment,no patient experienced increased intracranial hematoma and rebleeding.Conclusion Early subcutaneous injection of low-dose nadroparin for the prevention of DVT in patients with sICH is safe.

AIM:To investigate the feasibility of using human amniotic epithelial cells(HAECs) sheets,which are cultured by using a biodegradable fibrin sealant to re-establish corneal surface layer.METHODS:Human amniotic membrane(AM) harvested at the time of elective caesarean section was digested by collagenase and trypsin respectively to obtain HAECs.The HAECs were planted on Millicell culture dishes coated with biodegradable fibrin glue,and cultured by using the air-lifting cultivation.The HAECs sheets were investigated morphologically by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining,scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and were identified by cytokeratin immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:HAECs sheets were transparent and successfully cultured by using a biodegradable fibrin sealant.Most of the cultured cells were round or polygon and typical slabstone-like appearance.Many microvilli were observed on cell surfaces by SEM.Cytokeratin staining was positive.HAECs had stratificated growth tendency and became corneal-like stratificating epithelial cells.CONCLUSION:A commercially available fibrin sealant was an effective means of tissue engineering to create a carrier-free,transplantable HAECs sheets.The sheets were potential graft to re-establish corneal surface layer.