Deconstruction of lignocellulosic plant cell walls to fermentable sugars by biochemical means is impeded by several poorly understood ultrastructural and chemical barriers. Pretreatment is an essential step by altering the morphological and compositional characteristics of biomass to enhance the sugar release during enzymatic hydrolysis. Therefore, getting insight into this field is necessary to improve the conversion of biomass into biofuels. In this review, we highlight our recent understanding on the impact of various promising pretreatments on biomass, with emphasis on the topochemical and ultrastructural changes of plant cell walls that are related to the reduction of recalcitrance and the consequence of saccharification. It will lend support to the scientific research and development with respect to biomass conversion.
Biofuels ; Biomass ; Carbohydrates ; chemistry ; Cell Wall ; ultrastructure ; Fermentation ; Hydrolysis ; Lignin ; chemistry ; Plant Cells ; ultrastructure

Objective To investigate the imaging features of aggressive angiomyxoma.Methods CT findings in 3 patients and MRI finding among one of them with pathologically proved aggressive angiomyxoma were retrospectively analyzed and the relevant literature were reviewed.Results In all the 3 cases,CT and MR imaging demonstrated a well defined mass arising from the pelvis,perineum or vulva.The tumours displaced but did not invade adjacent structures of the pelvic.In 2 cases,there was marked enhancement following injecting contrast materials or T_2WI with internal swirling pattern.Recurrent tumour in one case was of similar imaging features to the primary lesion.The small cystiform area could be seen inside the lesion in one case.Conclusion Aggressive angiomyxoma carries certain characteristics in CT and MRI manifestations.MRI is more excellent than CT in delineating the site,shape and the extent of these lesions.

Objective To objectively evaluate the endpoint ot transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using two dimensional color-coded digital subtraction angiography (2D-ccDSA).Methods Retrospective analysis of twenty-four patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),treated by TACE and evaluated by post-processed 2D-ccDSA.All patients were examined by DSA before and after TACE procedure,all these DSA series were converted into color-code images,the time density curve (TDC) was derived from the 2D-ccDSA imaging.Time-to-peak (TTP) was measured for the ostia of the catheter,the origin of the tumor feeding artery (TFA) and the embolized site of the TFA; maximal TDC enhancement was measured for selected spots of the tumor parenchyma.The tumor blood supply time (TBST) for pre and post-TACE was calculated accordingly.Data were interpreted with paired t test using SPSS.Results The TTP of the ostia of the catheter and the origin of the tumor feeding artery (TFA) before TACE were (3.47 ± 0.96) and (4.09 ± 1.09) s,after the TACE were (3.49 ± 1.02) and (3.78 ± 1.05) s,respectively.There was no statistical difference between the pre-and post-procedural TTP of the two landmarks (t values were 0.10 and 1.15,P values were 0.92 and 0.26).TTP at the embolized site of the main TFA were [(4.62± 1.16) and (5.59± 1.57)s]for pre and post-TACE,the tumor blood supply time (TBST) was greatly delayed compared with that after the TACE procedure [(1.82± 1.10)s and (0.52±0.41)s].The mean maximal TDC enhancements of the tumor parenchyma areas were (3.03±0.88)units before TACE and (1.10±0.67)units after TACE.The differences were all statistically significant (t values were 3.32,6.04 and 8.93,respectively,P＜0.01) Conclusion It is feasible to use 2D-ccDSA to objectively assess the endpoint of TACE procedures.

Objective To evaluate the treament of central retinal artery occlusion by thrombolysis infusion via super selective ophthalmic artery catheterization.Design Retrospective,observational case series.Participants 21 eyes of 21 patients with CRAO. Methods 21 patients with CRAO were diagnosed by stereoscopic color fundus photography and flouorescein fundus angiography, and were treated by urokinase infusion via super select ophthalmic artery catheterization seldinger technique.Main Outcome Measures Visual acuity and the postoperative complications.Results In the 21 patients,10 had showed the occlusion of ophthalmic arterial trunk by super selective internal carotid artery angiography,the others can be found the appearance of ophthalmic arterial trunk and all patients had undergone thrombolysis therapy successfully.Imaging times of central retinal artery before and after thrombolysis infusion treatment are 38.18?10.86 seconds,12.65?3.30 seconds(t=-11.89,P=0.000).Mean foflow-up time is 3.23?1.26 months.After the treatment,the visual acuity was more than 0.25 in 4 patients,improved to different extent in 9 and remained unchanged in 8. Conclusions Super selective arterial catheterization with thrombolysis for CRAO can improve the visual acuity of the patients,a speedy execution of all internal,neurological,and ophthalmology diagnostic measures;and a prompt therapy are necessary.

Based on the character of the molecular structure, the prodrugs of phosphates and phosphonates were divided into two categories. The first is the drug which contained the phosphate group, introducing protected groups to increase lipophilicity and improve bioavailability. The other one is the drug which had no phosphate group, introducing the phosphate group into molecules to enhance the solubility, regulate the distribution coefficient and enhance the drug-like property. This review focuses on the application of phosphates and phosphonates in drug research and development based on improvement of physico-chemical property, drug safety and the pharmacokinetics.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence of epilepsy and its clinical features in patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods:Clinical data of patients with AD from a separate database of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital for dementia and degenerative diseases from January 2010 to January 2019 were retrospectively examined.The prevalence of AD combined with epilepsy was analyzed.The characteristics from neuropsychological assessment, clinical manifestations of epileptic attacks, electroencephalogic patterns and other features were analyzed and compared with those of AD patients without epilepsy.Results:Of 376 AD patients, 11.4% had epilepsy, with 4.0% showing non-induced seizures before AD diagnosis and 7.5% after AD diagnosis.The average age of AD patients at first onset of epilepsy was 59.8±19.9 years, and the average age of patients at initial diagnosis with AD was 62.8±6.6 years.The most common type was focal seizures(65.1%), and EEG showed mostly focal slow waves(69.8%)and focal epileptiform discharges(23.3%). The AD diagnosis for patients with epilepsy was 8 years earlier than those without epilepsy.Conclusions:Epilepsy has a high prevalence in AD patients, and seizures may be a risk factor for progression from cognitive impairment to AD.Early identification of seizures and cognitive impairment may have a positive effect on delaying the progression of dementia.

Objective To discuss the application of color-coded digital subtraction angiography (ccDSA) in quantitatively analyzing the instant perfusion changes of hepatic tumors during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).Methods The clinical data of 35 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent TACE were reviewed.Before and after TACE,two-dimensional DSA (2D-DSA) was performed by using the same parameters in all patients.The image sequences were post-processed with 2D-ccDSA.On ccDSA images the regions of interest (ROIs) were measured to obtain the time-contrast-intensity (CI[t]) curves as well as the perfusion parameters,including tumor blood supply time (TBST),area under the curve (AUC),contrast-intensity peak (C I-Peak) and maximum upslope (MS),which were used to evaluate the degree of the reduction in direct blood flow and in tumor staining.The relationship between the above parameters and subjective angiographic chemoembolization endpoint (SACE) was analyzed.Results After TACE,the perfusion parameters were significantly different from pre-TACE ones.AUC and CI-Peak values were dramatically decreased.After TACE,TBST slowed a significant delay.The reduction of perfusion about 30％-40％ was equal to SACE grade Ⅲ;the reduction of perfusion about 60％-70％ was equal to SACE grade Ⅳ.Conclusion 2D-ccDSA can be used to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the effect of TACE on the perfusion of hepatic tumors,providing useful indexes for making quantitative assessment of the degree of blood flow stagnation and the reduction of tumor staining.

Objective To explore the expression and mutual relationship between transforming growth factor-?(TGF-?) and hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) in children's renal tissues,as well as the effect of the 2 indexes on the renal pathological change.Methods According to the severity of renal pathological change under light microscope,61 cases were divided into 3 groups:named control group(26 cases,clinically diagnosed as thin basement membrane nephropathy),test group Ⅰ [22 cases,clinically diagnosed as less evident focal segmental glomerulosclerosi(FSGS) nephropathy] and test group Ⅱ(13 cases,clinically diagnosed as evident FSGS nephropathy).Immunity class test(SP method:streptavidinbiotin peroxidase method) was used to detect the representation of HGF and TGF-?.Semi-quantitative analysis had been carried out in all cases.Film reading of cell was viewed by Olympus microscope,brown yellow from cytoplase as the positive signal,10 high power microscope visions were randomly selected from renal glomerali area and 10 from renal interstitium area.Medical image analysis software was used to determine the masculine area of HGF or TGF-? and image intensity;then the immunity class index was defined as masculine area ? image intensity.Results 1.HGF and TGF-? existed in all renal tissues;2.Expressions of HGF and TGF-? increased obviously along with FSGS pathology alteration(Pa

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscope-assisted surgical technique in treating knee fractures and knee peripheral fractures.Methods From September 2000 to December 2005,there were 46 cases with knee or knee peripheral fractures,in whom artbroseope-assisted surgical technique was performed in 36 cases including 24 males and 12 females,with mean age of 30.5 years (18-52 years).Of 36 cases,26 cases with patella fractures were treated by internal fixation of tension band using cancellous bone screws,four with distal end femoral fractures by retrograde interlocking using intramedullary nail and six with fractures of tibial plateau and tibial condyle crista by internal fixation u- sing cancellous bone screws.Results The mean hospitalization was eight days.A follow up for 3-36 months(average 14 months)in 36 cases showed fracture healing.Of 36 cases,32 cases regained full knee range of motion,four left with terminal flexion,with mean loss of 15?,and had thigh circumference (10 cm above knee)1.1 cm(range 0.6-2.0 cm)shorter than health side and two had slight pain in the knee joint.Lysholm knee joint function score was 86.5+7.6 for patellar fractures,tibial plateau frac- tures and condylar crista fractures.Conclusion As for knee or knee peripheral fractures,arthroscope- assisted surgical technique can provide fine monitoring,decrease trauma and complications,fixate inter- nally and help early ground exercise.

Objective To evaluate the detection of serum pepsinogen (PG) in screening of gastric cancer. Methods (1) To calculate the detection rate of gastric cancer in PG Positive patients from northeastern, noah-western and northern China. (2) To determine the PG positive rate in patients with chronic superficial and atrophic gastritis. (3) To calculate the detection rate of gastric cancer, H. pylori infection and esophageal cancer in PG positive patients from gastric cancer high risk areas. Results (1) The detection rate of gastric cancer in PC, positive patients from Changchun (northeastern China), Xihing (northwestern China) and Beijing ( northern China) was 22. 58%, 25. 2% and 0, respectively. The sensitivity of PG to seeen gastric cancer in Changchun and Xihing was 50. 9% and 35.6%, and the specificity was 82. 56% and 85.69%, respectively. (2) Only 25% of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis were PG positive. (3) The serum PG level was measured in 2346 cases from gastric cancer high risk areas, and PG positive rate was 27.02% (634/2346), in which 496 patients (76. 65%, 496/634) received endoscopy, and gastric cancer was detected in 10 (2. 02%, 10/496), including 9 cases of early gastric caner. The prevalence of gastric cancer was 0. 43% in common population and 1.58% in PG positive population. The infection rate of H. pylori was 70. 73% in 2346 subjects and 2 cases of esophageal cancer, including 1 case of early cancer was diagnosed. Conclusion Serum PG level cannot be used as a marker for gastric cancer or atrophic gastritis, while it may be of value for gastric cancer screening in high risk areas.