Succinic acid is regarded as C4 platform chemical, which has a huge potential market with wide applications in biopolymer, food, medicine, and so on. Production of succinic acid by microorganism fer-mentation has attracted much attention in recent times. By fermentation, succinic acid could be produced from renewable resources in place of petroleum with low cost and low pollution; especially CO2 could be fixed by microorganism to form the product, which is a promising way to deal with the green gas. Some E. coli have been chosen as good succinic acid producing strains because of their clear genetic backgrounds, convenience to be modified and controlled, and good growth properties with low nutrients requirements. The progress of genetic engineering strategy and metabolic engineering technology for construction of succinic aicd producing recombinant E. coli has been introduced in this paper with the discussion of the future re-search in this area.

Objective To analyze retrospectively the clinical characteristics, pathogeny and therapy of traumatic interhemispheric subdural hematoma (ISH). Methods 31 ISH cases admitted since 1996 were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively concerning the clinical characteristics and therapies. Typically,ISH manifested itself with hemiplegia or monoplegia in the contralateral lower limb, called the falx syndrome, and unconsciousness was infrequent at the initial stage of the head injury. The pathogeny of ISH involved cracks of the bridging vein, hematomas in the interhemispheric small arteries and veins and probably coagulation dysfunction or anticoagulant therapy. Results In all 31 patients, 29 were cured and 2 died ofmultisystem organ failure (MSOF) and cerebral hernia respectively. The follow-up revealed that 6 cured patients developed interhemispheric subdural effusion. Conclusion CT scanning showing the interhemispheric hematoma exceeds 20 mL, or the interhemispheric hematoma is thicker than 1 cm can be referential to the diagnosis of ISH. For the ISH treatment, surgery and conservative management are suggested based on the functional disturbance or the stability of the disease. Patients with progressive neurologic deterioration should be operated without delay.

Objective To explore the treatment of deep-vein indwelling catheter in infant patients with subdural hematoma and hydrops. Methods Deep-vein indwelling cather wes used in treatment of 19 cases infant patients with subdural hematoma and hydrops. These cases include acute subdural hematoma(9 cases), chronic subdural hematoma(6 cases), subdural collection of fluid(4 cases).Deep-vein indwelling cather which set in subdura and constantly drain is to treat infant patients with subdural hematoma and hydrops via anterior fontanelle puncture. Constantly drainage last 3～5 days.Results All puncture and deep-vein indwelling catheter were successful. The cranial CT was rechecked in 1～7 days after operation. Subdural hematoma and subdural collection of fluid were nearly removed.All patients are survival. Conclusions The treatment of deep-vein indwelling catheter in infant patients with subdural hematoma and hydrops is safe and effective.

[Objective]To discuss the microsurgical approaches of 30 patients with tentorial meningiomas and conclude their treatment experiences.[Methods]A retrospective analysis of clinical data was performed on 30 patients underwent microsurgical approaches from July 2004 to September 201 1.The pathology of these patients was confirmed after operation.The outcome and follow-up were evaluated.[Results] The meningiomas were totally removed in 19 patients subtotally in 6,and partially in 5.All the patients received 8 months to 5 years of follow-up:no mortality or death were found;no surgical related complications were noted.[Conclusion] Appropriate approaches according to the size and site of the tumors,intraoperative protection of venous sinus,facial and acoustic nerves and brain stem are the key points to improve the therapeutical outcomes and the post-operative quality of patients with infra and supra tentorial menmingiomas.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanical characteristics of new anatomic plate of distal tibia from view of biomechanics.

METHODSTwelve fresh adult moist ankle specimens were randomly divided into four block groups (every group had 3 specimens), 3 tibial specimens as a normal control (normal group N), 9 specimens were resulted in unstable distal tibial Pilon fracture. Using steel plate fixation with a new anatomic distal tibial plate (group A), reconstruction plate (group B), clover plate (group C). Group B and group C as control group to test the remote axial compressive strength, remote axial stiffness, reversing biomechanical properties, contacted characteristics of the tibial astragaloid articular surface.

RESULTSThe remote axial compressive strength, remote axial stiffness, reversing biomechanical properties, contacted characteristics of tibial astragaloid articular surface the in distal tibial Pilon fracture instability of group A were near normal group N (P>0.05). Group A was best than group B and C (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe new anatomic plate of distal tibia was relatively strong, which can reach effective and stable fixation for unstable distal tibial Pilon fracture.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Tibia ; chemistry ; injuries ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

Objective To develop a minimally invasive operating technique for the treatment of hypertensive thalamic hemorrhage. Methods The clinical data of 15 patients with hypertensive thalamic hemorrhage performed neuroendoscope-assisted micro-invasive surgical treatment in our hospitals from July 2007 to June 2010 were retrospectively analyzed; their treatment efficacy were also concluded. Results The mean operation time of these patients was (1.5±0.4) h and the amount of blood loss was 30-40 mL; the mean clearance rate of hematoma in the thalamus was (86.2 ±7.9)percentage. Patients were followed up and evaluated by Glasgow outcome scale for at least 3 months.Three patients (21.4%) showed good recovery, 4 (28.6%) moderate disability, 4(28.6%) severe disability and 2 (14.3%) vegetative survival; 1 patient (7.1%) died. Conclusion Neuroendoscope-assisted micro-invasive surgical treatment is a fast and minimally invasive operating technique with little blood loss in the treatment of hypertensive thalamic hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVETo detect 3-dimensional images of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor Nr1 (NMDAr1) polycolonal IgG affixed on mica in physiological environment.

METHODSThe images and data were obtained from a contact mode and commercial Si3N4 probed tip by using atomic force microscope (AFM).

RESULTSThe anti-NMDAr1 polycolonal IgG has a characteristic structure described as an ellipse spherical shape of 136.4 A x 62.8 A x 26.1 A. On the section of the ellipse edge there were two peaks about 13 nm in width.

CONCLUSIONSUsing AFM to investigate biomacromolecule can make us deeply understand the structure of IgG, which will instruct us to detect the membrane receptor protein as a labelling agent.

Adsorption ; Aluminum Silicates ; Gold Colloid ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; methods ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effects of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT1R) blocker olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods SHRs (male, 12 weeks old; weighing 300±20 g) were randomly assigned to normal, ICH, vehicle-treatment ICH (control), OLM-treatment ICH (OLM) groups. ICH was induced via stereotaxic right basal ganglia administration of collagenase type Ⅶ. One hour after ICH, the rats in OLM group were given a single oral dose of OLM (10 or 3 mg/kg solved in 1 mL sodium carboxymethylcellulose) via nasogastric feeding, and those in the control group received an equal volume of sodium carboxymethylcellulose only. Six hours after ICH induction, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was measured using the non-invasive method of tail-cuff plethysmography in conscious rats. Twenty-four hours after ICH induction, neurobehavior was detected by the modified limb placing test (MLPT); brain water content was measured by dry-wet method; the mRNA expression levels of receptor and target genes were analyzed by real-time PCR. Results MAP in the ICH group ([121.4±3.5] mm Hg) did not significantly differ from baseline pressure in the normal group ([120.2±3.8] mm Hg)(P>0.05); MAP in the OLM group with 10 mg/kg ([105.6±3.1] mm Hg) was significantly lower than that in the ICH group (P<0.05); the OLM group with 3 mg/kg ([120.8±3.1] mm Hg) and control group ([118.6±3.9] mm Hg) did not induce blood pressure reduction, and did not show significant difference as compared with the ICH group (P>0.05). In the hemorrhagic hemisphere, brain water content in the OLM group with 3 mg/kg (80.02%±0.32%) had significant difference from that in the ICH group (80.90%±0.36%, P< 0.05); brain water content of the control group (80.81%±0.32%) was slightly lower than that of the ICH group, without significant differences (P>0.05). The OLM group with 3 mg/kg (5.03±0.71) was showed significantly lower score of MLPT as compared with that in the ICH group (6.62±0.55, P<0.05). The score of MLPT in the control group (6.41 ±0.55) did not differ from that in the ICH group (P>0.05). In the hemorrhagic hemisphere, the mRNA expressions of AT1R and target genes, such as HO-1, COX-2, IL-6 and VCAM-1, in the OLM group with 3 mg/kg were significantly lower than those in the ICH group (P<0.05), but the difference between the control and ICH groups did not show statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusion Treatment with low doses of OLM in the experimental ICH of SHRs may promote its neurological recovery and induce its neuroprotective effects, including reduction of edema, inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Objective To report the phototoxicity effects of a novel photosensitizer ZnPcS4-BSA on photodynamic therapy (PDT) towards human U251 glioma cells in vitro. Methods The cellular uptake of ZnPcS4-BSA by U251 glioma cells was quantified by UV-spectra to determine the optimal incubation time. Human U251 glioma cells were incubated with ZnPcS4-BSA of various concentrations and received laser irradiation of different energy densities. Cell survival rates were measured by CCK-8 assay.Flow cytometer was used to detect apoptosis.Gene expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by Real-Time PCR in the U251 cells after PDT and β-actin was used as an internal standard. The normal U251 cells severed as controls. Results The uptake of ZnPcS4-BSA by U251 glioma cells reached the maximum after incubation for 4 hours.ZnPcS4-BSA of different concentrations without laser irradiation had no significant effects on cell survival rates (P＞0.05).Without ZnPcS4-BSA incubation,compared with 0,25,50,100,200 J/cm2 groups, the cell survival rate of the 400 J/cm2 group was significantly lower (P＜0.05), whereas no significant difference was found between any other two groups. When the U251 glioma cells incubated with 30 μ mol/L ZnPcS4-BSA for 4 hours underwent laser irradiations of 25,50,100,200 J/cm2,the cellular survival rates significantly decreased with the increased energy densities (P＜0.05). When the U251 glioma cells incubated with ZnPcS4-BSA of 20,40,60,80,100 μ mol/L for 4 hours underwent laser irradiation of 200 J/cm2, the cellular inhibition rates significantly increased with the increased concentrations (P ＜0.05). Compared with controls, the cellular apoptosis and VEGF expression significantly increased in the U251 glioma cells incubated with ZnPcS4-BSA of 20 μmol/L after laser irradiation of 100 J/cm2 (P＜0.05). Conclusion The novel ZnPcS4-BSA is a good photosensitizer for PDT towards U251 glioma cells,because the ZnPcS4-BSA-mediated PDT can induce effective apoptosis of the targeted cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in glioma stem cells (GSCs). Methods GSCs were isolated from human glioblastoma cell line U87 and identified by detecting the expressions of CD133 and nestin with immunofluorescence staining. The obtained GSCs were divided into control group,empty vector group (cultured with dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]) and ATRA treatment group (cultured with 10 nmool/L ATRA).After 10 d of differentiation; the proliferation of the treated GSCs was evaluated using CCK8 assay; the expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP),β-tubulin Ⅲ and galactoeerebroside (GralC) in the cells were detected by immunofluorescence.VEGF and bFGF levels in cultured supernatant were measured by ELISA; the mRNA expressions of VEGF and bFGF were detected by RT-PCR. Results The target antibodies of neural stem cells (NSCs), CD133 and nestin,positively expressed in the GSCs; differentiated GSCs can differentiate several kinds of homologous daughter cells,which expressed the cell markers of astrocytes,neurons and oligodendrocytes: GFAP, β-tubulin LⅢ and GalC, respectively. The percentage of GFAP-positive differentiated GSC s in the ATRA treatment group was significantly higher as compared with that in the other 2 groups after 10 d of differentiation (P＜0.05); the speed of proliferation of GSCs in ATRA treatment group was obviously slower than that in the other 2 groups 3-7 d after differentiation (P＜0.05).The VEGF and bFGF levels and the mRNA expression levels of VEGF and bFGF in GSCs of the ATRA treatment group 24 h after differentiation were also significantly lower than those in the other 2 groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion ATRA can induce the differentiation of GSCs and inhibit its proliferation.It may exerts its anti-glioblastoma effect through the VEGF and bFGF signaling pathways.