For energy security, air pollution concerns, coupled with the desire to sustain the agricultural sector and revitalize the rural economy, many countries have applied ethanol as oxygenate or fuel to supplement or replace gasoline in transportation sector. Because of abundant feedstock resources and effective reduction of green-house-gas emissions, the cellulosic ethanol has attracted great attention. With a couple of pioneers beginning to produce this biofuel from biomass in commercial quantities around the world, it is necessary to solve engineering problems and complete the economic assessment in 2015-2016, gradually enter the commercialization stage. To avoid "competing for food with humans and competing for land with food", the 1st generation fuel ethanol will gradually transit to the 2nd generation cellulosic ethanol. Based on the overview of cellulosic ethanol industrialization from domestic and abroad in recent years, the main engineering application problems encountered in pretreatment, enzymes and enzymatic hydrolysis, pentose/hexose co-fermentation strains and processes, equipment were discussed from chemical engineering and biotechnology perspective. The development direction of cellulosic ethanol technology in China was addressed.
Biofuels ; Biomass ; Biotechnology ; Cellulose ; chemistry ; Chemical Engineering ; China ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Fermentation ; Hydrolysis

Purpose To investigate the expression level and the role of TUSC7 in human cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM).Methods Quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was performed to detect the expression of TUSC7 in 60 cases of CMM tissues,20 cases of benign nevus,4 CMM cell lines,and one normal human epidermal melanocytes.Then overexpression of TUSC7 was performed and its role in tumor progression was explored.Results TUSC7 expression was significantly downregulated in primary CMM tissues (n =60) compared to benign nevi (n =20),which were significantly downregulated in all the four melanoma cell lines,especially in A375 cells,compared with the normal melanocytes cells (all P ＜ 0.05).In comparison with the A375 cells transfected with the empty plasmid,those transfected with pcDNA-TUSC7 showed an obvious decrease in the proliferation and colony formation activity,while increase in the apoptosis rate (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Our results suggested that the dysregulation of TUSC7 may play an important role in the CMM progression.

AIM To study the central role of genistein (GST) in regulating cardiovascular function of nervous center by examining the effects of GST on the electrical activity of rat paraventricular nucleus neurons in slice preparation and to elucidate the mechanism involved. METHODS Using extracellular single-unit discharge recording technique to examine discharges of neurons in paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamic slices at the resting potential level. RESULTS ①In response to the application of GST 10, 50 and 100 μmol·L-1, respectively, in the perfusate for 2 min, the spontaneous discharge rates (SDR) of neurons in 25/26 hypothalamic slices were significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. ②Pretreatment with L-glutamate 0.2 mmol·L-1 led to a marked increase in the SDR of slices in an epileptiform pattern. GST 50 μmol·L-1 significantly attenuated the increased SDR in all 7 slices. ③In 8/8 slices, the G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channels (GIRKs) antagonist, tetraethylammonium 1 mmol·L-1 completely blocked the inhibitory effect of GST 50 μmol·L-1. ④Pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester 50 μmol·L-1 increased SDR in all 7 slices, but did not affect the inhibitory effect of GST 50 μmol·L-1. CONCLUSION GST can inhibit the electrical activity of paraventricular neurons, and play a protective role on the central neurons. The inhibitory effect of GST may be related to the activation of GIRKs which induce K+ outward current and then engender the cell membrane hyperpolarization, but be not due to the NO release.

Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Occupational Diseases ; therapy ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy

Extracellular single-unit discharge recording technique was used to examine the effects of Ginkgolide B (BN52021) on the discharges of neurons in CAI area of hippocampal slices and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.The results showed that:(1) In response to the application of ginkgolide B (0.1,1,10 βμmol/L; n =43) into the perfusate for 2 rain,the spontaneous discharge rates (SDR) of 42/43 (97.67%) neurons were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner; (2) Pretreatment with L-glutamate (L-Glu,0.2mmol/L) led to a marked increase in the SDR of all 10 (100%) neurons in an epileptiform pattern.The increased discharges were suppressed significantly after ginkgolide B (1 μmol/L) was applied into the perfusate for 2 rain; (3) In 8 neurons,perfusion of the selective L-type calcium channel agonist,Bay K 8644 (0.1 μmol/L),induced a significant increase in the discharge rate of 8/8 (100%) neurons.Ginkgolide B (1 μmoL/L) applied into the perfusate inhibited the discharges of 7/8 (87.5%) slices; (4) In 8 neurons,the broad potassium channels blocker,tetraethylammonium (TEA,1 mmol/L) completely blocked the inhibitory effect of ginkgolide B (1 μmol/L).These results suggest that ginkgolide B can inhibit the electrical activity of CAI neurons.The inhibitory effect may be related to the blockade of L-type voltage-activated calcium channel and may be concerned with delayed rectifier potassium channel (KDR),which indicated that ginkgolide B play a protective role on the central neurons.

Objective To investigate the value of external counterpulsation and traction therapy on patients with vertebral artery insufficiency syndrome by use of transcranial Doppler (TCD). Methods Based on the criteria of clinical diagnosis, 86 patients with vertebral artery insufficiency syndrome and 60 healthy persons were examined by EME 4004 type TCD. The peak velocity (Vp) and mean velocity (Vm) of blood flow of the vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA) were detected and analyzed before and after rehabilitation treatment. Results The blood flow velocities of the vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) of the patient group were much lower than that of the control group ( P 0.05). Conclusion TCD examination while rotating neck could provide valuable information for the diagnosis and rehabilitation assessment of patients with vertebral artery insufficiency syndrome. External counterpulsation and traction therapy are effective in the treatment of the vertebral artery insufficiency syndrome.

Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupunctures at Baihui,Fengfu,and Shenshu on the cognitive function and learning memory of mice exposure with ionizing radiation.Methods C57BL/6J (30-day old) mice were randomly divided into l0 groups consisting of the control group,X-ray exposure groups (4,8 and 16 Gy),electroacupuncture-nonacupiont (E-nonA) groups (4,8 and 16 Gy) and electroacupuncture-acupiont (EA) groups (4,8 Gy and 16 Gy),with 10 mice assigned to each group.The mice were irradiated (IR) on the left cerebral hemisphere with doses of 4,8 and 16 Gy.Some mice were electroacupunctured for 3 courses of treatment.Using weight as a measurable parameter,the open-field test and Morris water maze test were used to evaluate the curative effects.Results Compared with the control group,the weights of mice in the exposure groups (8 and 16 Gy) significantly decreased (t =2.917,9.650,3.043,2.882,P ＜ 0.05) at 7 and 14 d,while the weights of the E-nonA (8 and 16 Gy) and EA groups (8 and 16 Gy) were not significantly altered.Compared to the model groups (8 and 16 Gy),the weights of EA groups (8 and 16 Gy) significantly increased (t =6.602,5.409,19.660,2.975,P ＜ 0.05).In the open-field test,the crossing times and the rearing time of exposure model groups (8 and 16 Gy) significantly decreased compared to the control group (t =2.183,2.119,2.369,2.231,P ＜ 0.05).Compared with model groups (8 and 16 Gy) and E-nonA groups (8 and 16 Gy),the crossing times and rearing time of the EA groups were significantly increased (compared with model:t =8.914,2.727,4.325,4.178,P ＜ 0.05;compared with E-nonA:t =4.030,3.014,2.150,4.771,P ＜0.05).In the Morris water maze,compared with the control,the latent period of model group (4 Gy) was significantly increased and the crossing times significantly decreased (t =4.544,3.422,P ＜ 0.05);compared to model and E-nonA groups (4 Gy),the latent period of EA group significantly increased (compared with model:t =2.877,P ＜ 0.05;compared with E-nonA:t =3.001,P ＜ 0.05).At day 2 and 3,the latent period of model groups (8 and 16 Gy) significantly increased (t =2.544,3.706,3.796,7.934,P ＜ 0.05) and the crossing times (t =2.120,2.393,P ＜ 0.05) significantly decreased,resident time in target area of model group (8 Gy) was significantly decreased (t =2.543,P ＜ 0.05) compared to the control group.Compared with model and E-nonA groups (8 and 16 Gy),the latent period of EA gourps significantly decreased (compared with model:t =5.404,7.869,4.104,15.590,P ＜ 0.05;compared with E-nonA:t =2.938,7.955,6.566,10.350,P ＜ 0.05) while the through times and resident time in target area significantly increased in the EA group (8 Gy) (compared with model:t =2.673,2.613,P ＜ 0.05;compared with E-nonA:t =3.345,2.179,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Irradiation with a dose higher than 8 Gy could induce mice brain injury.Electroacupuncture can alleviate the radiation damage of cognitive function as well as learning and memory functions in mice.

Objective To evaluate the effects of an intervention programme of health education and life style modification on postmenopausal osteoporosis women. Methods A total of 120 postmenopausal osteoporosis women were enrolled in this one-year randomized controlled follow-up study and assigned to the intervention group ( Group A, n = 60) or the control group ( Group B, n = 60). Both groups were treated with alendronate sodium. In Group A, education program was performed once a season in the form of face-to-face consultation or group session. In Group B, no additional intervention was used. The primary outcome was patients' compliance in follow-up. The secondary outcomes were change in bone mineral density (BMD).BMD was measured by dual-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on lumbar spine and hip at baseline and 12 months after the intervention. Results After one-year intervention,51 subjects in Group A and 38 in Group B completed the follow-up. Groups A showed better compliance. BMD on lumbar spine and hip was significantly increased in both groups when compared with baseline. The changes of BMD on lumbar (0.042+0.067 vs 0.026±0.070,P=0. O29) or Words region (0.029 +0. 129 vs 0.023±0. 143,P=0. 041 ) showed statistical significance between the two groups. Conclusion For alendronate sodium treatment, health management ensures the effectiveness of the therapy and improves the compliance of the patients.

Objective To explore the effects of different courses of electro-acupuncture at Baihui,Fengfu,and Shenshu of both sides on the behavior of mice exposed to radiation.Methods Fifty C57BL/6Jmice 30 days old were randomly and equally divided into control group,model group (exposure to radiation of 8 Gy),electro-acupuncture group 1 (1 week of treatment),electro-acupuncture group 2 (2 weeks of treatment),and electro-acupuncture group 3 (3 weeks of treatment).The mouse model of radiation-induced brain injury was established by exposure to radiation of 8 Gy and treated with electro-acupuncture.The open field test and Morris water maze test were used to evaluate the cognitive function and spatial learning and memory,respectively.Group t-test difference.Results In the open field test,the model group had significantly fewer vertical or horizontal movements than the control group (P=0.032,0.029,0.028),while the electro-acupuncture groups 2 and 3 had significantly more vertical or horizontal movements than the model group (P=0.001,0.017,0.000).In the Morris water maze test,compared with the control group,the model group had significantly longer latency,a significantly lower frequency of entry into the goal box,and significantly shortened residence time,indicating substantially worse performance of spatial learning and memory (P=0.023,0.001,0.001).Compared with the model group,the electro-acupuncture groups 2 and 3 had significantly shortened latency,a significantly higher frequency of entry into the goal box,and significantly longer residence time (P=0.046,0.017,0.049,0.007,0.031,0.009).Conclusions Different courses of electro-acupuncture treatment at Baihui,Fengfu,and Shenshu of both sides can substantially improve the cognitive function and spatial learning and memory in mice exposed to radiation.Particularly,2 and 3 weeks of electro-acupuncture treatment give the best outcomes.

Objective To provide the scientific evidence for studying Alzheimer's disease (AD) and decision-making for its management by analyzing the strategic information of hotspots in studies on AD.Methods Citation strategic coordinate diagram was plotted by describing the history of studies on AD with co-citation clustering for further understanding the novelty and concern of hotspots in studies on AD.The current hotspots in studies on AD were discovered by co-words clustering and their strategic coordinates were analyzed to reveal their development periods.Results The current hotspots in studies on AD were substance metabolism in AD patients, etiology of AD and therapies for AD.The diagnosis of AD according to its clinical characteristics and hypothesis on amyloid cascade in AD patients were greatly concerned.Conclusion Citation strategic coordinate analysis and co-words strategic coordinate analysis can display the hotspots in studies on AD and their development history.