Cofactor engineering, a vital part of metabolism engineering, changes the redox cofactor regeneration approach. Its main goal is to rebuild the components of metabolic products. The bioconversion of xylose for the production of ethanol is being studied intensively because ethanol is an alternative energy source and a potential liquid fuel. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been traditionally used in producing ethanol from fermentable sugars but it cannot utilize xylose, only its isomer xylulose. Introduction of the xylose fermentation pathway from Pichia stipitis into S. cerevisiae enables xylose utilization in recombinant S. cerevisiae, but the ethanol yields of xylose fermentation with recombinant S. cerevisiae has been low and large amounts of the byproduct xylitol are produced. The major reason is that the catabolism of xylose with the fungal pathway leads an imbalance of redox cofactor. The process of the catabolism of xylose requires NADPH and NAD~+, both of which have to be regenerated in separated processes. More and more attention has therefore focused on the redox cofactor balance in S. cerevisia. The research progress of cofactor engineering to solve the imbalance of redox cofactor in xylose metabolism recombinant S. cerevisiae was introduced. This included expression of transhydrogenase, increasing the utilization of NADPH, and achieving the anaerobic reoxidation of NADH. Reversing the cofactor specificity of enzymes is another effective way.

Objective To analyze the major adverse reactions of anti-hyperlipidemia drugs and their influencing factors.Methods The adverse reactions of anti-hyperlipidemia drugs in 579 patients were retrieved from the National Population and Health Scientific Data Platform.An adverse reaction-matched dictionary was established by normalizing the names of anti-hyperlipidemia drugs according to the drug name + dosage form and describing the adverse reactions according to the WHO adverse reaction terminology.The data set dimensions were analyzed by data mining.Results The adverse reaction rate of intravenous drip was 75.4% and manifested as chest distress,itching and dyspnea.The rate of adverse reaction involving organ systems was 61.1% and manifested as systemic injury,fever,discomfort and anorexia.Logistic regression analysis showed that the drug giving route was a factor influencing the severity of adverse reaction.Conclusion The adverse reactions of anti-hyperlipidemia drugs involve systemic,skin and its appendix injury.Drug giving route is the major factor influencing the severity of adverse reaction.

BACKGROUND:There is evidence that internal fixation through an anterior or posterior approach for treatment of severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis exhibits good curative effects. However, few prospective, long-term fol ow-up case control studies are reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efficacy and safety of cobalt al oy pedicle screw implantation for treatment of severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis. METHODS/DESIGN:This is a prospective, single-center, self-control, open-label trial, which wil be performed at the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, China. Eighty-four patients with severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis wil be included according to the diagnosis criteria. Among 52 patients with tuberculosis of the thoracic spine, 28 wil undergo surgery through a posterior approach, and 24 through an anterior approach. According to the Frankel Grade classification, grade C, D and E spinal cord function wil be assessed in 8, 31 and 13 patients, respectively. Surgery through a posterior and anterior approach wil be respectively performed in half of 32 patients with tuberculosis of the lumbar spine. Grade C, D and E spinal cord function wil be assessed in 7, 14 and 11 patients, respectively. The primary outcome measure of this study wil be the Cobb angle at the thoracic spine segments before and 2 years after surgery, which wil be used to evaluate the angle of the spine curvature at the thoracic segments. The secondary outcome measures wil be X-ray scan or MRI findings before and 2 years after surgery, which wil be used to evaluate vertebral fusion after internal fixation;and Frankel Grade before and 2 years after surgery, which wil be used to evaluate recovery of spinal cord function after injury. Other outcome measures wil include multiple logistic regression analysis results of the factors that influence patient's curative effects and the incidence of adverse events 2 years after surgery. The trial protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, China and wil be performed in strict accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, formulated by the World Medical Association. Signed informed consent regarding the trial protocol wil be obtained from each participant. DISCUSSION:This study is to validate that cobalt al oy pedicle screw implantation shows precise curative effects in the treatment of severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis and to analyze through what approach, posterior or anterior, internal fixation wil be more beneficial to surgery performance. The outcomes of this study wil provide objective long-term fol ow-up evidence for internal fixation treatment of severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis in the clinic.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multiple organ autoimmune disorder, including the liver, but the possible reason in impairment in the liver is still unclear. Our present study assessed alterations of transcription factor Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and several other immune molecules [programmed cell death 1 and its ligand (PD1 and PD-L1), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transform growth factor β (TGF-β)] in the liver and other major organs of lupus-prone BXSB mice by flow cytometry, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results showed that both frequency and number of Foxp3(+) Tregs were dramatically reduced in the thymus, spleen and kidney of the BXSB mice (P<0.05), but those in the liver were kept in nearly normal range, when compared to negative control C57BL/6 mice. In comparison to control mice, the mRNA levels of Foxp3, PD1 and PD-L1 were significantly decreased in the kidneys of BXSB mice (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the livers of the BXSB mice (P>0.05). Protein levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in serum showed no significant difference between BXSB and C57BL/6 mice, but were significantly increased in the kidneys and livers of BXSB mice as compared with those in C57BL/6 mice (P<0.05). These results suggest that reduced Foxp3(+) Tregs are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE in BXSB mice, and relatively higher number of these cells in the livers than in the other target organs could constitute a protective mechanism against hepatic lesions in lupus-prone mice, which may provide insights into development of new therapeutic approaches in SLE patients.

Objective:To investigate the changes of expression levels of TLR9 and IL-6 in the periodontal tissue during the experimental tooth movement of the rats, and the effecst of the MT01 on the expression of TLR9,TRAF6 and IL-6 in periodontal tissue,and to clarify its related mechanisms.Methods:Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into MT01 intervention group(n=6) and non-MT01 group(n=24).Force of 0.49 N was applied to move the upper first molars mesially. The rats in Non-MT01 intervention group were sacrificed on the days 3,7,14 and 21, and the rats in MT01 intervention group were all sacrificed on the day 7. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of TLR9,TRAF6 and IL-6 mRNA in maxillary first molar alveolar bone in each group.Results:The expression levels of IL-6 and TLR9 mRNA in loaded side were higher than those in control side(P<0.05), and reached the maximum levels on the day 7(P<0.01);with the interpose of MT01, the expression levels of TLR9 and TRAF6 mRNA were lower than control side(P<0.01).Conclusion: MT01 could down-regulate the expression levels of TLR9 and TRAF6 during orthodontic tooth movement and eventually resists the inflammation during the tooth movement.

Objective To observe the lung protection of Astragalus membranaceus against radiotherapy to intermediate-stage and terminal thoracic neoplasm, and its influence on TNF-α and ET expression.Methods The patients with intermediate-stage and terminal thoracic neoplasm under radiotherapy were divided into a treatment group and a control group.Patients in the treatment group took 10 ml of Asragalus membranaceus twice a day.for consecutive 6 months from the beginning of radio therapy.TNF-α and ET in the plasma were measured before and after the radiotherapy.The clinical symptom,iconographic changes and lung diffusion were observed from the 15th day of radiotherapy.Results The TNF-α and ET in plasma afterthe radiotherapy were(2.48±0.75)as/ml and(69.32±23.03)pg/ml for the treatment group,and(5.12±1.01)ns/ml and(97.87±37.83)pg/ml for the control group with the statistial difference(x2=7.49,6.57,P<0.001).The decrease of CO diffusion 5 and 10 months after the radiotherapy in the treatment group was statistically different compared with that in the control group(x2=3.98,3.78,P<0.05).There was a statistical difference of the incidence of acute radiation pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis between these two groups(P<0.05).Conclusions Astragalus membranaceus could inhibit the excess expression of TNF-α and ET in plasma and reduce the deterioration of diffusion after radiotherapy,so that it can be used for intervention of lung injuries from radiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic metastasis from gastrointestinal stromal turnor(GIST).Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with GIST who had been admitted to our hospitalfrom December 1993 to May 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Of all patients,14 underwent radical resection and 2 underwent palliative operation.Two patients with palliative operation and 3 with radical resection were administered with imatinib postoperatively. All patients were followed up for 3-161 months,and GIST metastasis and invasion was observed in 8 of the 14 patients who received radical resection.Of the 7 patients with hepatic metastasis.3 were treated with hepatic artery chemoembolization,1 was administered with imatinib,2 received reoperation and 1 did not receive any treatment. Reoperation was carried out on 1 patient who had abdominal wall metastasis.The 1-and 3-year survival rates of the 16 patients were 92%and 74%,respectively.Conclusions The recurrence rate of GIST after hepatectomy is high.Complete surgical resection is the best curative treatment for hepatic metastasis from GIST and GIST recurrence.The combination of surgical resection and imatinib administration may help to improve the prognosis of patients with hepatic metastasis from GIST.

Objective To examine the interfractional dosimetric variations among inverse three-dimensional (3D) plan, forward 3D plan, and two-dimensional (2D) plan of intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer, and to discuss the risk of implementing the interval plan on different implantation applicators at short time intervals.Methods Twenty-five groups of CT-guided intracavitary brachytherapy (two consecutive radiations at ≤4 d apart) plans from 11 cervical cancer patients who received radical radiation therapy in our hospital were reviewed and compared.The dwelling location and time of the first intracavitary brachytherapy plan (Plan-1) were simulated on the CT image of the second intracavitary brachytherapy to form Plan-1-S.The target coverage indices and D 2 cc of organs at risk (OARs) of Plan-1-S and Plan 2(actual plan of the second intracavitary brachytherapy) under the three planning modes were recorded and compared using the paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and ANOVA.Results The D90, D100, and V100 of high-risk CTV were significantly lower in Plan-1-S created under the inverse mode in the actual plan (-9.11±13.46%,-13.16±18.79%, and-7.80±13.34%, P=0.002, 0.002, and 0.005, respectively).D90, D100, and V100 of the interval plan had the greatest reduction under the inverse mode (76%, 80%, and 76%, respectively).The maximum reductions in D90, D100, and V100 were 332.14 cGy (2D), 244.12 cGy (forward), and 41.76%(inverse).OAR overdose occurred most frequently under the forward mode;the rates of D90, D100, and V100 reductions accompanied by one OAR overdose were 29.41%, 37.50%, and 25.00%, and the rates of D90, D100, and V100 reductions by two OAR overdoses were 5.88%, 12.50%, and 6.25%,respectively.Overdose occurred most frequently in the small intestine (36%).Comparison of the three planning modes showed that the inverse plan had a greater reduction in each target coverage index than the 2D plan.Conclusions The simulated interval plan can significantly reduce target coverage and increase the risk of OAR overdose regardless of the planning mode and the short time intervals, and is therefore not recommended for clinical application.

Objective To study the effects of Huangqi(Chinese herb)for prevention of peridural adhesion after operation.Methods L2 and L5 laminectomy of 22 New Zealand rabbits were performed in this experimental study.Partial yellow ligament was sectioned and fat was exposed.Then the peridural fat was sectioned.The 44 vertebral lamina seyments were randomly divided into two groups of a. Huangqi group and b.Normal Saline(NS)group.The b group was control group.Huangqi liquid and NS were separately injected into the defect points of L2 and L5 vertebral lamina of the two groups.The speciments were obtained at 2nd,4th and 8th weeks after operation.Optical microscope and transmission electron microscope were used for the observation.Results There were many changes in group a:little migration of inflammation cells,small number of fibroblast and collagen,no adhesion of peridural scar,no degeneration and demyelination of spinal nerves.But in group b,adhesion of peridural scar could be seen clearly.Conclusion Huangqi has no nerve toxicity and it could be used as a good medicine to prevent postoperative peridural adhesion.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application value of Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) by analyzing the positive rate of HIV tests for people in need of PITC and that of routine HIV tests.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the demographic and epidemiologic data about the patients seeking PITC services or undergoing routine HIV tests in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January and December 2013.

RESULTSThe positive rate of initial HIV screening was 1.98% in the PITC group and 0.24% in the routine test group, while that of confirmed HIV was 0. 40% in the former and 0.07% in the latter, both with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01). The positive rate of HIV was markedly higher in males than in females, particularly in the PITC group.

CONCLUSIONPITC has a high clinical value in HIV detection for targeted subjects and therefore deserves general application in dermatology.

Counseling ; Dermatology ; Female ; HIV Seropositivity ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors