With the constant rise of energy price,it has a great practical meaning of using lignocellulose to produce ethanol.Xylose is a kind of monosaccharide whose content is only less than glucose in most lignocellulosic hydrolysates.There is some difficulty of producing ethanol from lignocellulose by the traditional ethanol production strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae,because it cannot metabolize xylose.People have tried to use genetic engineering technology and cell fusion method to modify Saccharomyces cerevisiae to make it metabolize xylose and produce ethanol for many years.This review indroduced the progress in this field.

The role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the central regulation of the circulation is known to be a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator, but its actions on baroreceptor reflex function are not fully resolved. The present study examined the role of ANP (6, 60 ng/0.2 microl) by direct microinjection into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in conscious rats. OPC-21268 (0.45 microg/3 microl), an antagonist of the V(1) receptor, was microinjected into the lateral ventricle to examine whether the effect of ANP on baroreflex sensitivity is mediated by vasopressin (VP). ANP significantly increased the baroreflex sensitivity, and OPC-21268 attenuated the increase of baroreflex sensitivity induced by ANP. Intravenous injections of ANP (60 ng/0.04 ml) did not affect baroreflex sensitivity. These results suggest that ANP in the PVN may produce a facilitative effect on baroreflex, and the effect may be via, at least in part, the central vasopressin.
Animals ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; pharmacology ; physiology ; Baroreflex ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Microinjections ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Background: There have been few reports of mutations in the beta-myosin heavy chain(MYH7)gene in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM),which is associated with sudden cardiac death caused by HCM.This study aimed to screen the mutation sites in the sarcomeric gene MYH7 in Chinese patients with HCM.We also p1anned to analyze the pathogenicity of the mutation site as well as its significance in clinical and forensic medicine.Methods: From January 2006 to June 2017,autopsy cases were collected from the Department of Pathology,the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University.The experiment was to detect MYH7 gene status in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 18 independent autopsy cases who suffered HCM related sudden death(fatal HCM)and 20 cases without cardiomyopathy.Common mutation exon fragments of MYH7 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction.The end-of-deoxygenation method and gene cloning method were further performed to analyze the mutation sites.Homologous comparison among mutant sites was conducted using BLAST online database.Results:The 1336th nucleotide of MYH7 gene at exon 14 was converted from T to G in one HCM case,resulting in the conversion of threonine(Thr)at position 446 to proline(Pro).In another case,the 1402th nucleotide at exon 14 was converted from T to C,resulting in the conversion of phenylalanine(Phe)at position 468 to leucine(Leu).Homologous comparison results showed that the two amino acid residues of Thr446 and Phe468 are highly conserved among different species.Conclusions: Our results showed fatal HCM harbored mutations of Thr446Pro and Phe468Leu in the MYH7 gene.It is significant for clinical and forensic medicine to further explore the functions and detailed mechanisms of these mutations.

OBJECTIVETo investigate hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among pigs in Henan province.

METHODSA total of 623 swine sera, collected from 5 districts, were divided into two groups, under 3-month of age and over 3-month of age. They were tested for HEV antigen and antibody by using ELISAs, respectively. The sera positive for HEV antigen were tested for HEV RNA with RT-PCR. The positive products of RT-PCR were cloned and sequenced.

RESULTSThe positive rates of anti-HEV antibody of the groups under 3-month and over 3-month of age were 90.27% and 92.55%, respectively, without statistical difference, while those of HEV antigen were 15.93% and 5.69%, respectively, with significant difference. The positive rates of anti-HEV antibody and HEV antigen were significantly different among different districts. HEV RNA was detectable in 5 of 47 HEV antigen positive samples. The sequence analysis showed that in 4 of 5 specimens the sequence belonged to genotype 4 while in the remaining one the sequence was genotype 1.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence rate of HEV infection in pigs was high in Henan province and the rate differed in different districts.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; immunology ; Antigens, Viral ; analysis ; immunology ; China ; Genotype ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; immunology ; veterinary ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Swine ; virology ; Swine Diseases ; epidemiology ; immunology ; virology

BACKGROUNDGrowth and development of infants has been an important topic in pediatrics for a long time. Infants must be provided with food containing all necessary nutrients. Breast milk is believed to be the most desirable natural and cheapest food for well-balanced nutrition. But with the progress in the development of substitute food in developed countries, it is thought that formula milk can meet the requirement for infant growth. During early infancy, growth, as the most sensitive index of health, is therefore a critical component in evaluating the adequacy of breast-feeding, mixed-feeding and formula feeding. Iron status is another important index of infant health. Iron deficiency anemia remains the most prevalent nutritional deficiency index in infants worldwide. This study is to compare infants in Beijing at 4 months who are on three different feeding modes (breast feeding, mixed feeding and formula feeding) in physical changes and iron status. The results may provide new mothers with support in feeding mode selection, which will also be helpful to the China Nutrition Association in feeding mode education.

METHODSThis is a cohort study. One thousand and one normal Beijing infants were followed regularly for 12 months. Body weight and horizontal length were measured. Hemoglobin, red blood cell counts, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and serum iron were analyzed at 4 months.

RESULTSThe breast feeding percentage in the first 4 months was 47.9%. The feeding mode was not significantly related to maternal delivery age, education, labor pathway nor infant sex (P>0.05). Infant boys and girls exclusively breast-fed from 0 to 4 months had the highest weight at 0-6 months. The anemia rate of breast-fed infant boys at 4 months was the highest.

CONCLUSIONSBreast feeding should be given more emphasis. It is compulsory for new mothers to breast-feed their infants if possible. Social environment should also guarantee the requirement for breast feeding. Furthermore the normal values of hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and serum iron, which were originally used to judge children's iron deficiency anemia, might not be optimal for evaluating infants. There might be a need to develop sex-specific cutoff levels of hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and serum iron for infants.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; epidemiology ; Breast Feeding ; Child Development ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Newborn ; Iron ; blood ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the united intraoperative (125)I seed implantation as a treatment option for thoracic advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODSFrom January 2000 to August 2004, according to preoperative CT staging criteria, 298 patients in phase II to III of ESCC had been enrolled in this prospective study. With informed consent, they were randomized into two groups: intraoperative (125)I seed implantation (group A) and surgery alone (group B). With 0.5 mCi of single seed, total activity in 10 to 30 mCi, matched peripheral dose in 60 to 70 Gy, 20 to 40 (125)I seeds were implanted into the target under direct vision in accordance with treatment planning system. The post-operative complications were observed. The validation and quality assessment of radioactive seeds were demonstrated according to CT scan or X imaging. The short-term efficacy was evaluated according to WHO criteria. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rate were followed up.

RESULTSOn the close date of August 31st 2008, the satisfied quality assessment of (125)I seeds was observed. There was no displacement or loss of seed. The local recurrence rates in the group A and group B were 14.9% and 38.7%, respectively, which were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The complete response and partial response rate in the group A was 78.8%. It was significantly higher than 30.3% in the group B (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference among groups when comparing the complications (P > 0.05). The 1-year survival rates were no statistical difference among the two groups. However, the 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates in group A (64.0%, 42.7%, and 25.1%) were statistically different from that in the B group (52.0%, 34.5%, and 12.6%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIt is safe, effective and simple application about the intraoperative (125)I seed implantation for advanced ESCC. It may reduce the local recurrence rate and improve survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachytherapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intraoperative Care ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDTumor involving the septum pellucidum is uncommon. Surgery as the main therapeutic procedure for this lesion is a challenge to neurosurgeons. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and pathological features of septum pellucidum tumor in 41 patients and compared the curative effects of frontal transcortical, trans-sulcal and interhemispheric transcallosal approaches.

METHODSClinical characteristics and the pathological features of septum pellucidum tumor were investigated retrospectively in 41 patients. The differences in postoperative residual rates, extents of tumors and resection of normal brain tissues after use of the three approaches in these patients were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSSeptum pellucidum tumor is more likely to attack young or middle-aged persons. The tumor mainly presents itself as a central neurocytoma or cerebral low-grade glioma in pathology and manifests as intracranial hypertension clinically. No difference was found in the extent of tumor resection but significant difference in the extent of normal brain tissue resection and in postoperative disability rate among the three approaches. The transcortical approach brought about the most serious injury to brain tissue and the highest disability rate, Whereas the frontal transcallosal approach the lightest injury and the lowest disability rate. The injury to brain tissue and the disability rate brought about by the front trans-sulcus approach were between the above two approaches.

CONCLUSIONSOperation is still regarded the major treatment for septum pellucidum tumor. Transcallosal and trans-sulcus approaches are fit with the concept of minimally invasive surgery, and transcallosal approach is the first choice for septum pellucidum tumor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Septum Pellucidum

Objective To develop the method of 16S rRNA gene clone library for tick bacterial flora analysis, and to analyze the detection effective of pathogens in tick and capacity of bacterial flora diversity. Methods Primers were designed according to the specific gene of Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella henselae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and templates were choosen by positive PCR result to amplify the DNA extracted from the ticks. One set of primers targeting 16S rRNA gene conserved region were chosen to amplify certain fragments, DNA extraction, PCR reaction, cloning and sequencing. Nucleotide sequences were compared with GenBank database. Calculated Coverage values of clone library and Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Results Sixteen defined genus-or species-bacteria were detected in 103 valid sequences. Eight species were edge type (Clone No. > 5). Three kinds of pathogens were identified (Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella henselae and Rickettsia sp). Three kinds of pathogens were not edge type(Clone No. < 5). Coverage value was 96.11%, and Shannon-Wiener index was 2.40. Analysis results of cloning sequence showed that tick-parasitic bacteria mainly were α and γ deformation mycetes which accounted for 56.25% (9/16). Conclusions The 16S rRNA gene sequences technology could make relative quantitative of bacterial flora, and detect many kinds of pathogens in tick. It's a good method for detection of pathogens and bacterial flora analysis.

Objective To improve the quality of personal dose equivalent measurement by exploring optimal annealing temperature conditions.Methods Totally 60 pieces of thermoluminescent detectors were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups.The 6 groups underwent 10-min annealing under 200,220,230,240,250 or 260 ℃ respectively,and then were cooled with the same conditions and went through measurement after irradiation by the calibrated radiation source.The above operation of annealing,cooling and measurement were repeated for 10 times,and the 6 groups were compared on dispersity,sensitivity and glow curve.Results Single test proved that under 240 ℃ the dispersity,sensitivity and glow curve gained optimal results comprehensively,while repeated tests showed that the dispersity had the optimal value under 250 ℃ and the sensitivity decreased significantly as the times of annealing rose.Conclusion Annealing conditions have to be selected according to the requirements of the thermoluminescent detector.

Fatigue is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We examined the relationship between T2DM fatigue and the skeletal muscle 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system. In animal experiments, a T2DM model was established in mice by feeding a high-fat diet with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice were treated with the 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH) and the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor carbidopa (CDP) (separately and in combination). In cell culture experiments, C2C12 cells were stimulated with D-glucose, palmitic acid or 5-HT. 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation were inhibited by SH, CDP, or monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor. The animal experiments were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University. The results showed that 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthase and MAO-A were expressed in mouse skeletal muscle and C2C12 cells. The expression of these proteins was significantly up-regulated in T2DM mice or when C2C12 cells were exposed to palmitic acid and D-glucose; palmitic acid was a stronger stimulant of their expression than D-glucose. Rotating rod experiments and biochemical index tests have shown that T2DM fatigue is associated with an increase in skeletal muscle 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation. 5-HT_2AR mediates the expression of MAO-A and the synthesis of 5-HT, which indirectly regulates the degradation of 5-HT. MAO-A regulates cell inflammation, mitochondrial ROS production and membrane potential depolarization by mediating 5-HT degradation. MAO-A also inhibits the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) and ATP synthase-6 (ATP6), thus inhibiting mitochondrial functions such as fatty acid β oxidation and ATP synthesis. SH and CDP can effectively treat T2DM fatigue, and can also reduce blood glucose and blood lipid, and the combination of SH and CDP has a clear synergistic effect.