The nitrate-N content in KNO3 solution and soil was rapidly predicted using techniques of mid-infrared spectroscopy, in which 15 NO-3 and 14 NO-3 were distinguished and predicted. The results showed that the characteristic band of nitrate in solution and soil was 1200-1500 cm-1 , and compared with 14 NO-3 , the red shift of characteristic band of 15 NO-3 was about 35 cm-1 . In the characteristic band of nitrate, absorption band increased with the nitrate nitrogen concentration with less interference absorption. The linear regression was made between the first principal component of characteristic band and nitrate-N content, and correlation coefficient was more than 0 . 9840 , indicating that the technique of mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy could be applied for rapid monitoring of nitrate in solution and soil. Meanwhile, based on the red shift characteristic of 15 NO-3 absorption band, the method of partial least squares were involved to predict the nitrate-N of different N-isotope labeled in solution and soil, resulting that all the prediction models reached excellent levels. For 14 NO3-N and 15 NO3-N in solution, the correlation coefficients ( R2 ) were 0. 9980 and 0. 9982 respectively, and ration performance to standard deviations ( RPD ) were 6. 44 and 4. 76, respectively. While for 14 NO3-N and 15 NO3-N in soil, the correlation coefficients ( R2 ) were 0. 9794 and 0. 9679, and RPD were 5. 75 and 4. 78, respectively. Therefore, the technique of mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy can be applied for rapid monitoring different N-isotope labeled nitrate in solution and soil, to provide a new in situ and fast time method to study nitrification process in soil.

Animals ; Chickens ; physiology ; Eating ; drug effects ; Injections, Intraventricular ; methods ; Neuropeptide Y ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND:How to make more transplanted bone marrow stem cel s stay and differentiate in the liver is an important issue, which is also crucial for treatment of liver cirrhosis via the hepatic artery.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect of autologous bone marrow stem cel transplantation via the hepatic artery on liver cirrhosis.
METHODS:Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were equivalently randomized into normal control, stem cel transplantation and model groups. Animal models of liver cirrhosis were made in the latter two groups. Then, model rabbits in the stem cel transplantation group were subjected to autologous bone marrow stem cel transplantation via the hepatic artery. Liver function of rabbits was detected in 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 weeks after cel transplantation, and pathological detection of the liver was performed in the 10th week.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 10 weeks after cel transplantation, the liver function of the rabbits was improved significantly compared with the model group, including reduced activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase, shortened activated partial thromboplastin time, and increased albumin level (P<0.05). Pathological examination of the liver showed that the liver cel s in the stem cel transplantation group were intact with no obvious edema and stil had the structure of the pseudolobule, and compared with the model group, the degree of liver fibrosis was significantly reduced in the stem cel transplantation group. Our experimental results show that the transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cel s via the hepatic artery has a certain therapeutic effect on liver cirrhosis by increasing the body albumin content in a short time and improving the liver function.

Objective To observe the effects of functional ambulation training in a realistic environment based on the activities of daily living among stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods Thirty-two stroke survivors with hemiplegia were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group,each of 16.Both groups were given routine rehabilitation training,while the experimental group was additionally given functional ambulation training based on the activities of daily living in a realistic environment for 60 min per day,five days a week for six weeks.Both groups were evaluated using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE),the Holden walking functional class assessment (HWFCA),the Berg balance scale (BBS),functional gait assessment (FGA),the 5 times sit to stand test (FTSST),the timed up and go test (TUGT),and rated using the specific activity balance confidence scale (ABC) and the modified Barthel index (MBI).Results Before the training,no significant differences between the two groups were found in terms of any of the measurements.After the six weeks of training,significant improvement was observed in all of the outcome measures except the MMSE and the HWFCA,with the experimental group scoring significantly better,on average,than the control group.Conclusion When combined with routine rehabilitation training,functional ambulation training based on the activities of daily living in a realistic environment can significantly enhance the functional gait,balance and postural control of stroke survivors.This should facilitate their activities in daily life and improve their confidence in maintaining their balance.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of monocyte-macrophages (THP-1) in malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) cells induced by coal tar pitch (CTP) and the expression of TNF-α in the process of the cell malignant transformation.

METHODSBEAS-2B cells and THP-1 Cells were divided into four groups: coal tar pitch (CTP) group, benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] group, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group, BEAS-2B and THP-1 co-culture (co-culture group) group. Carcinogenesis model was established. The soft agar colony formation, chromosome aberrations and cell cycle tests were used to detect the cellular malignant transformation. The ELISA assay was utilized to measure the levels of TNF-α in the supernatant of CTP group and co-culture group.

RESULTSThe chromosome number abnormalities could be observed in early stage of the experiment (the 10th generation cells), which showed the increased ratio of aneuploid to polyploid, and the decreased number of diploid. The colony formation rate of co-culture group (the 20th generation cells) was 17.63‰ ± 0.97‰, which was significantly higher than that (13.94‰ ± 0.84‰) of CTP group and that (12.96‰ ± 1.62‰) of B(a)P group (P < 0.05). The proportion of S phase cells in the co-culture group was 44.49% ± 0.68%, which was significantly higher than that (38.19% ± 1.26%) of CTP group and that (36.41% ± 1.19%) of B(a)P group (P < 0.05). The TNF-α level in the co-culture group was significantly higher than that in CTP group (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONMonocyte-Macrophages can accelerate the malignant transformation of BEAS-2B cells induced by CTP and increase the expression level of TNF-α.

Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Line ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; chemically induced ; Coal Tar ; toxicity ; Coculture Techniques ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; pathology ; Humans ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Monocytes ; cytology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic massage (tuina) for treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: Six English and Chinese databases, including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM), Cochrane Library and PubMed databases, were independently searched to identify appropriate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying therapeutic massage for KOA compared to oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone. The main outcome measures were total effectiveness and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) score. Results: A total of 8 RCTs were included and they were of average quality. The results showed that therapeutic massage was more effective than NSAIDs comparing total effectiveness [risk ratio (RR)=1.14, 95％ confidence interval (CI) (1.07, 1.21), P<0.0001]; compared with NSAIDs, therapeutic massage produced more significant improvements in pain [mean difference (MD)=-2.06, 95％CI (-2.75, -1.36), P<0.00001], stiffness intensity [MD=-0.90, 95％CI (-1.05, -0.75), P<0.00001] and joint function [MD=-12.48, 95％CI (-13.91, -11.05), P<0.00001]. Conclusion: Therapeutic massage was more effective than oral NSAIDs in treating KOA. In relieving pain and stiffness and improving the function of knee joint, therapeutic massage was superior to NSAIDs.

OBJECTIVETo study relationship between acute dipterex poisoning and oxidative stress and free radical damage.

METHODSEighty-two patients with acute dipterex poisoning (ADPP) and ninety-two healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in the study with randomized controlled trial design. Plasma levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE), as well as level of lipoperoxide (LPO) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the red blood cells (RBC), were determined by spectrophotometry.

RESULTSLevels of VC and VE, and activities of SOD and AChE were (37.35 +/- 9.98) micromol/L, (16.57 +/- 4.54) micromol/L, (1 785 +/- 154) U/g Hb and (213.1 +/- 57.6) U/g Hb, respectively, in the ADPP group, significantly lower than those in the HAV group, (55.34 +/- 15.98) micromol/L, (25.66 +/- 7.24) micromol/L, (2 124 +/- 185) U/g Hb and (305.3 +/- 83.6) U/g Hb, respectively. Plasma level of LPO was (35.20 +/- 5.29) nmol/g Hb in the ADPP group, significantly higher than that in the HAV group, (27.87 +/- 4.66) nmol/g Hb. Partial correlation analysis suggested that there existed negative correlation between activity of AChE in the RBC and plasma level of LPO (r = -0.274, P = 0.013) and positive correlation between activity of AChE in the RBC and plasma levels of VC and VE, and activity of SOD in the RBC (r = 0.333, P = 0.002, r = 0.269, P = 0.015 and r = 0.248, P = 0.026, respectively) in the ADPP, adjusted for age. Coefficient of reliability alpha was 0.682 (P < 0.001), with a standardized alpha of 0.868 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThere exist severe oxidative stress and free radical damage in patients with acute dipterex poisoning.

Acetylcholinesterase ; blood ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Ascorbic Acid ; blood ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Female ; Free Radicals ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Poisoning ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Trichlorfon ; poisoning ; Vitamin E ; blood

BACKGROUNDThe relationship between the presence of metalloproteinases and thyroid cancer remains unknown, and many controversies still exist in this field. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlations between papillary thyroid cancer and peripheral blood levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2.

METHODSThe correlations were studied by detecting the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in the peripheral blood of 30 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 27 patients with benign thyroid disease, and 25 healthy volunteers.

RESULTSThe levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in the peripheral blood of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were significantly higher than those in the peripheral blood of patients with benign thyroid disease and healthy volunteers (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between patients with benign thyroid disease and healthy volunteers (P > 0.05). The accuracy of detection by both enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in the papillary thyroid cancer group was 83.33%.

CONCLUSIONSThe levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in the peripheral blood are helpful in identifying thyroid carcinoma and aid in preoperative assessment.

Adult ; Aged ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; blood ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo provide anatomical evidences for the morphological and histological identification of 20 medicinal species in Hypericum.

METHODMorphological and anatomical study on the organs of 20 medicinal species in Hypericum using tissue clearing, paraffin sectioning and thin sectioning.

RESULTAccording to their anatomical characteristics, the secretory structures can be divided into nodules, secretory cavities (canals) and tiny secretory tubes of 20 medicinal species in Hypericum. Hypericin was produced and stored in the nodules, while the volatile oil was produced and stored in the secretory cavities (canals) and tiny secretory tubes. The types differed markedly from each other in location, diameter and distributional density of leaf, and the anatomical structures differed from each other of stem, calyx, petal, anther and fruit among the 20 species in Hypericum.

CONCLUSIONThe secretory structures may be as anatomical evidences for the morphological and histological identification of 20 medicinal species in Hypericum.

Flowers ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Fruit ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Hypericum ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Perylene ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; Species Specificity