Microbial production of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) by photosynthetic bacteria compared to other bacteria and algae was reviewed. During anaerobic cultivation of the Rhodobacter spaeroides mutant strain, control of the redox potential was effective or producing large amounts of extracellular ALA. ALA has been practically applied in agriculture as herbicide, pesticide and growth-promoting factor for plants. New agriculture applications including salt tolerance and cold temperature tolerance of plants were also desired. Finally recent medical application for cancer treatment, tumor diagnosis and other clinical uses were discussed.

2 weeks) (both, P

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Radiography ; Retroperitoneal Space ; pathology ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology

Objective To elucidate the effect of human leukocyte antigen(HLA)cross-reactive groups(CREGs)matching on the patient/graft survival rate of renal transplant recipients positive for penal-reactive antibody(PRA).Methods The PRA level and the HLA antibody specificity of renal transplant candidates were assayed using the LAT1240,LM720R,and SSP2LB kits.The appropriate donors were selected according to the CREGs matching standard.Results 112 recipients included 43 positive cases of HLA classⅠantibody,39 positive cases of HLA classⅡantibody,and 30 positive cases of bothⅠandⅡ.The HLA mismatching cases of 0,1,2,3,4 and 5 allele(s)were 6,39,38, 21,7 and 1,respectively.Hyper-acute rejection(2 cases),acute rejection(18 cases),chronic rejec- tion(5 cases),delayed graft function(4 cases),graft excision(one case)due to rejection and deaths (13 cases,5 with a functioning graft)occurred after transplant.Ninety-nine recipients and 96 grafts survived.The 1-,3-,and 5-year graft survival rate was 91.96%,86.96%,and 86.21%,respec- tively.Conclusion The HLA matching rate of patient/graft was elevated significantly and the effect of high PRA level was decreased according to the principle of CREGs,which increased the patient/graft survival rate remarkably in sensitized recipients.

The microstructure of cationic cyclopeptide (TD-34) treated Caco-2 cell membrane was observed, and we discussed the relationship between membrane structure and insulin transmembrane permeability. Atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to observe living cell membrane in air condition and tapping mode. Results showed that the surface of Caco-2 cell membrane treated with TD-34 lost its smoothness and nearly doubled its roughness. Apparent permeability coefficients (P(app)) of insulin in Caco-2 cell monolayers increased 2.5 times. In conclusion, AFM can be used to observe microstructure of cationic cyclopeptide treated cell membrane and cationic cyclopeptide enhanced insulin delivery across Caco-2 cell membrane by increasing membrane fluidity.
Caco-2 Cells ; Cations ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; drug effects ; Humans ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Peptides, Cyclic ; pharmacology

Objective: To investigate the developmental toxicity of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene in zebrafish embryos. Methods: AB wild-type male and female zebrafish were selected to mate and spawn, then the eggs were cultured with Holt buffer solution. Six dose groups ( 0.4, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0 μg/mL ), a solvent control group and a cosolvent control group, were set up with 20 embryos each. Malformations and death of embryos were observed at 48, 72 and 96 hpf ( hours post fertilization ), the mortality and 50% lethal concentration ( LC50 ) were also calculated. Results: At 48, 72 and 96 hpf, the LC50 of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene on zebrafish embryos were 1.668, 1.043 and 0.895 μg/mL, respectively, with a downward trend. After 72 hpf, when the concentration reached 2.0 μg/mL, all the zebrafish died. In the range of 0.4-2.0 μg/mL, the mortality of zebrafish at 48, 72 and 96 hpf increased with the increase of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene concentration ( all P<0.05 ); the malformation rate of zebrafish embryos at 48 hpf increased with the increase of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene concentration ( P<0.05 ). Zebrafish embryos exposed to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene led to yolk sac edema, pericardial edema and spinal curvature. Conclusion 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene can affect the development of zebrafish embryos, which will lead to lethal and teratogenic effects.

Accidents, Occupational ; mortality ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; poisoning

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Palatal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Palate, Hard ; surgery ; Tongue Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

BACKGROUND:The effects of both conservative and traditional open reduction and internal fixation are dissatisfactory in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures, however, minimal-invasive percutaneous pedicle screw-rod systems provide a new available method.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical effect of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation using Sextant minimal-invasive system in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.
METHODS:A total of 55 patients, who had undergone percutaneous pedicle screw fixation using Sextant system (25 patients) or open pedicle screw fixation (30 patients) for single-level vertebral body compression fractures in Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from February 2011 to January 2013, were enrol ed in this study. They showed no neurological signs and symptoms. The operative time, intraoperablood loss, postoperative drainage amount, length of hospital stay, pre-and post-operative Cobb angle and anterior vertebral body height ratio were recorded and compared between two groups.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Except two patients in open pedicle screw fixation group were lost after discharge, al other patients were fol owed up for 8-14 months. There were significant differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage amount and length of hospital stay between two groups (P=0.000 0). The post-operative Cobb angle was significantly lower while anterior vertebral body height ratio was significantly higher at one week than those before fixation in two groups (P=0.000 0). No significant difference was found in correction loss between two groups at 8 months after operation. Experimental findings indicate that, percutaneous pedicle screw fixation using Sextant system has a satisfactory outcome in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. However, understanding the correct indications is very important for clinical application.

Objective To analyze the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetic patients and its association with traditional and non-traditional risk factors. Methods A total of 420 type 2 diabetic patients with duration exceeding 1 year and without acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina,and infection were evaluated. PAD was diagnosed by ankle-brachial index ≤0.90. Risk factors included age, gender, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes duration,glycated hemoglobin A[C ( HbA_1C ), uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),high sensitive C reactive protein(hs-CRP),fibrinogen,and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER). Results The prevalence rate of PAD was 16.4%(69/420). Older age, longer diabetes duration,lower HDL-C, higher UAER, hs-CRP and fibrinogen were associated with PAD. Multiple Logistic regression revealed that only age, UAER, hs-CRP and fibrinogen levels were independent risk factors. The prevalence rate of PAD was 4.7%(2/43), 12.9%(27/209) and 23.8%(40/168) in patients of less than 50 years old,50-70 years old and more than 70 years old, and was 7.9%( 14/177),9.3%( 11/118) and 35.2% (44/125) in different hs-CRP group (hs-CRP < 1 mg/L,l-3 mg/L, >3 mg/L), and was 9.7% (30/310) ,34.4%(33/96) and 42.9%(6/14) in normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria, and was 12.1%(43/356) and 40.6%(26/64) in different fibrinogen levels group (≤4 g/L and > 4 g/L). Conclusions The prevalence rate of PAD is higher in type 2 diabetic patients. Non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors may be involved in the development of PAD.