Cofactor engineering, a vital part of metabolism engineering, changes the redox cofactor regeneration approach. Its main goal is to rebuild the components of metabolic products. The bioconversion of xylose for the production of ethanol is being studied intensively because ethanol is an alternative energy source and a potential liquid fuel. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been traditionally used in producing ethanol from fermentable sugars but it cannot utilize xylose, only its isomer xylulose. Introduction of the xylose fermentation pathway from Pichia stipitis into S. cerevisiae enables xylose utilization in recombinant S. cerevisiae, but the ethanol yields of xylose fermentation with recombinant S. cerevisiae has been low and large amounts of the byproduct xylitol are produced. The major reason is that the catabolism of xylose with the fungal pathway leads an imbalance of redox cofactor. The process of the catabolism of xylose requires NADPH and NAD~+, both of which have to be regenerated in separated processes. More and more attention has therefore focused on the redox cofactor balance in S. cerevisia. The research progress of cofactor engineering to solve the imbalance of redox cofactor in xylose metabolism recombinant S. cerevisiae was introduced. This included expression of transhydrogenase, increasing the utilization of NADPH, and achieving the anaerobic reoxidation of NADH. Reversing the cofactor specificity of enzymes is another effective way.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of a schedule of 2 cycles' high-dose dexamethasone (HD-DXM) as an initial therapy in adults immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and compare with conventional dose prednisone therapy. Method A total of 59 newly diagnosed ITP patients were divided into 2 groups randomly. In 30 patients ( Dexamethasone group), oral HD-DXM was administered at 40 mg/d for 4 consecutive days, repeated one week later, and then failed to maintain. In the remaining 29and then gradually tapered. Results For short-term efficacy, after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, the response rate in Dexamethasone group was significantly higher than that in Prednisone group (50. 0% vs 24. 1%, P ＜0. 01; 73.3% vs 55.2%, P ＜0. 05 ), while 3 weeks later, there was no remarkable difference between the two groups(83.3% vs 68.9%, P ＞ 0. 05 ), though the response rate in Dexamethasone group remained higher. For long-term effect, at the end of the 2nd and 3rd months of follow-up, the relapse rate in Dexamethasone group was significantly lower than that in Prednisone group(24. 0% vs 40. 0%, P ＜ 0. 05;32.0% vs 65. 0%, P ＜ 0. 01 ), while at the end of the 1st month of follow-up, there was no significant difference( 16. 0% vs 20. 0%, P ＞0.05 ). In addition, it's well tolerated and no complications such as severe infection or Cushing syndrome were complained in Dexamethasone group. Conclusion HD-DXM possesses an advantage over conventional dose prednisone therapy in efficacy and safety.

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic model was prepared in Wistar rats and the blood glucose levels were controlled at 3 levels of＜10,10-14 mmol/L or＞16.7 mmol/L by insulin,and changes of glucose transporter(GLUT)1 and 3 protein expressions of brain were observed in control rats and diabetic rats with different blood glucose levels by immunohistochemistry.The results showed that chronic hyperglycemia could decrease the protein expressions of GLUT 1 and GLUT3.

Objective To investigate the osteogenesis capability of different frequency extracorporeal shock wave.Methods 39 rabbits received different frequency extracorporeal shock wave at the middle potion of tibia for 3 or 7 days,these rabbits were then sac rificed and the tibia bones were collected to process for HE and toluidine blue staining,the pathological changes were observed under the light microscope.Results After different frequency extracorporeal shock wave treatment,the typical periosteal reaction were observed,external periosteum bleeded and thickened but there was no reaction at internal periosteum,marrow cavity opened and fibrosed.the osteoblast-1iking cell proliferated,however,no cartilage cells were observed;The rabbits received 7 days shock wave treatment showed more severe reaction than those for 3 days.The shock wave at lower frequency showed more severe reaction than higher frequency.Conclusion shock wave induced osteogenesis through the periosteal reaction of external periosteum;the osteogenesis capability of different frequency extracorporeal shock wave were affected by the frequency.Higher frequency of shock wave was not the ideal way to promote osteogenesis.

OBJECTIVETo explore biomechanical properties and stress-strain of mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery.

METHODSAfter the model of mucosa scars was made, the mucosa scars and normal mucosa were excised and examined immediately by tensionometry.

RESULTSThe mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery were compared with normal mucosa. The Poisson's ratio of mucosa scars and normal mucosa was 0.5 and 0.49, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups. The ultimate Young's modulus of mucosa scars was about 24.22 MPa, however, it declined to 3.32 Mpa in normal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONSThe mucosa scars after cleft palate surgery are biomechanically weaker than normal mucosa. It can be used for further research, such as maxillary orthognathic surgery, distraction osteogenesis, and orthodontic treatment.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cicatrix ; physiopathology ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Humans ; Mouth Mucosa ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Osteotomy, Le Fort

Objective To study the effects of Chinese herbs Yiyanheji on intestinal mucosa barrier in rats with SAP.Methods Animal models of SAP were induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate (0.1ml/100g) into the common biliopancreatic duct.90 healthy Wistar rats weighing (250?30)g were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham operation group (SO,n=30),SAP group (SAP,n=30) and Chinese herbs Yiyanheji treated group(SAP+YH,n=30).Treated group was treated with Yiyanheji after operation.The SAP group was treated with physiological saline.Three groups of rats were killed at 72 hours after operation or treatment.Bacterial cultures were performed in all animals.The changes of terminal ileum' tissue were observed by optical electron mi- croscopy.The data of test were analyzed by statistic software.Results The incidence of bacterial translocation was 22.5% in Yiyanheji treated group,and it was lower than that in SAP group which was 90.0 %.The difference was significant(P

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of wuling Capsule combined with Pinaverium Bromide in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODSSixty-four IBS patients were randomized into two groups, the treatment group and the control group, 32 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took wuling Capsule (0. 33 g/capsule, 3 times per day) and Pinaverium Bromide (50 mg/tablet, one tablet each time, 3 times per day) , while those in the control group only took Pinaverium Bromide (50 mg/tablet, one tablet each time, 3 times per day). The therapeutic course for all was 6 weeks. IBS symptom score questionnaire, IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) , Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) , and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were assessed before and after treatment. Adverse reactions were also observed.

RESULTSThe improvement of abdominal pain, stool frequency, and stool properties, as well as changing rates of integrals were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). The improvement of dysphoria, body image, concerns for health, and dietary restriction of IBS-QOL, as well as changing rates of integrals were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). The improvement of SDS and SAS, as well as changing rates of integrals were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). No severe adverse reaction occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONCombination therapy of wuling Capsule and Pinaverium Bromide could improve abdominal pain and defecation, attenuate depression and anxiety of IBS patients with higher safety.

Anxiety ; Anxiety Disorders ; Biomedical Research ; Capsules ; Defecation ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Morpholines ; therapeutic use ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Currently platinum-based double chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).When the disease is under control,the next step after a standard course of chemotherapy is controversial,and maintenance treatment is used in the treatment of advanced NSCLC increasingly.Maintenance treatment of advanced NSCLC includes continue maintenance treatment and medication changed maintenance therapy.currently used for maintenance therapy with pemetrexed and erlotinib are shown to improve overall survival,which are usually used for maintenance treatment.

Objective To establish the anti-infective tissue engineered bones (TEBs) and evaluate the anti-infective and osteogenic effects of the infection-prevention TEBs on femoral large bone defects in goats.Methods Based on the controlledrelease antibiotic system fibrin gel-coated vancomycin alginate beads (FG-Vanco-AB),the infection-prevention TEBs were established and evaluated.They were transplanted into the critical-size defects in the right femurs of goats.TEBs without the controlled-release antibiotic system were used as controls and transplanted into the left femoral defects.The breakpoint sensitivity of vancomycin (5 mg/mL) for S.aureus was used as a standard concentration.Postoperatively,the vancomycin concentrations in the lesion site,in the adjacent site and in the circulation,as well as the anti-infective effects of the infection-prevention TEBs were evaluated by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Bone hcaling was assessed by histology,CT and ECT.The results were used to evaluate the osteogenic effect of the infection-prevention TEBs.Results Results from ESM,CLSM and in vivo tracing showed that the in vitro and in vivo survival conditions of seeded cells were analogous to those of TEBs.The effective concentration (over the bactericidal concentration) of vancomycin in bilateral defects and in blood lasted for 28 days,2 days and 7 days,respectively.The concentration of vancomycin in the femur decreased gradually from the grafted site to both ends.At 28 and 56 days postoperatively,the ECT results showed no significant difference between the right and left femurs.CT and histology demonstrated that at 14,28 and 112 days after surgery,bone defects in the bilateral femurs were repaired synchronously,and were completely covered by new bone tissue after 112 days.Conclusion The anti-infective TEBs were successfully established.FG-Vanco -AB in the transplanted sites provided the local bone tissues with anti-infective capability whilst not interfered the process of bone reconstnction and wound healing.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety as well as the effects of rituximab on B-lymphocytes and anti-platelet glycoprotein-specific antibodies,in patients with steroid-resistant idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP).Methods Twelve steroid-resistant ITP patients,16 to 54 years old,received intravenous rituximab at the dose of 375 mg/m2 once-weekly for 4 weeks.Lab studies included CBC,serum concentrations of IgG,IgM and IgA.CD+3,CD+4,CD+8,CD+19,CD+20 cell numbers were assayed by flow cytometry and anti-platelet glycoprotein-specific antibodies(GP Ⅱ b/Ⅲ a,GP Ⅰ b/Ⅸ)were assayed by monoclonal antibody-specific immobilisation of platelet antigens prior to and following rituximab therapy.Results A complete response(platelet counts ≥100×109/L)was observed in 4 cases,a partial response (platelet counts between 50 and 100×109/L)in 3 cases,a minor response(platelet counts between 30 and 50×109/L)in 2 cases,and non response(platelet counts＜30×109/L)in 3 cases.Responses were sustained 0.5 to 12 months(median 5 months).After 4 weeks of rituximab therapy,anti-platelet glycoprotein-specific antibodies(GP Ⅱ b/Ⅲ a,GP Ⅰ b/Ⅸ)disappeared except one NR patient and CD+19/CD+20 cells were almost depleted in all patients(295.0±86.4)×106/L vs(4.1±2.2)×106/L(P＜0.01).As expected,the T cell counts,and the serum concentrations of IgG,IgM and IgA were not changed after therapy.No severe side effects were observed.Conclusion Rituximab may be an effective and safe treatment for adults with steroid-resistant ITP.