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 explore the etiology and the fungi distribution in patients with complex renal calculi,as well as the therapeutic efficacy of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL).Methods The mid-stream urine culture was underwent in 891 cases of patients with complex renal calculi.The MPCNL were performed in patients with complex renal calculi combined with fungous infection.Results Of 891 patients with complex renal calculi,3.7%(33/891) patients were presented with fungous infection,including 60.61%(20/33) with Candida albicans and 39.39%(13/33) with Candida glabrata.All the 33 patients had long-term use of broad spectrum antibiotics from 25 to 92 days(averaged 45.8 days).The patients with complex renal calculi combined with fungous infection were treated with MPCNL.The stone-free rate was 87.88%(29/33) and the insignificance stone-residual rate was 12.12%(4/33).Conclusion The patients with complex renal calculi are apt to fungous infection and the abuse of broad spectrum antibiotics should be avoided.The MPCNL is safe and reliable for the treatment of the patients with complex renal calculi combined with fungous infection.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical effect of avulsed skin replantation of hand and foot via vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) combing low temperature technique.

METHODSFrom March 2012 to October 2013,13 cases with avulsed skin replantation of hand foot using combined technique included 8 males and 5 females with an average age of 32 years old ranging from 18 to 62 years. The time from injury to hospital was 1 to 4 hours (2.4 hour in average). The reasons of injury included machine injury in 7 cases and rolling over by cars in 6 cases. The parts of injuried involved finger in 2 cases,back of the hand in 5 cases and dorsum of foot in 6 cases. The area of avulsed skin was 5 cm x 6 cm to 12 cm x 16 cm,tendon and bone exposure was found in 4 cases. VSD was operated in all patients and the avulsed skin was refrigerated in the temperature of -4 °C or -80 °C. After 4 days, the skin stored in the -4 °C was replanted to the wounded place in 5 cases and in 3 cases the skin was planted to the donor site of flap. The skin stored in the -80 °C was replanted in 4 cases after 7 or 8 days, 1 case after 45 days.

RESULTSOf the 13 cases, 1 case of degloved injury from lower leg to dorsal foot,the replanted skin was necrosis completely; 1 case of degloving injury with fourth finger,the skin which replanted after 45 days survived approximately 30%,cured after skin-graft many times. In the other cases, the survival area of replanted skin was more than 85%, all cured after dressing. According to the standard of skin survival area evaluation by Jia et al, 11 cases showed excellent, 1 showed medium and 1 showed inferior. There were no complication about grafted skin rupture after the skin survived in 11 patients,after 4 to 22 months follow-up, the resiliency of grafted skin showed good. Sensation recovery was measured by BMRC standard: 3 cases of S3, 5 cases of S3, 3 cases of S2.

CONCLUSIONVSD combining lower temperature technique in skin replantation provides time and space for wound preparation and treatment plan for the patients who need second surgery, especially for the large area skin degloving,this method could utilize the degloved skin efficiently, decrease the donor site area, alleviate the pain and financial burden,reduce the scar formation of donor site and impediment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Drainage ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Hand Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Replantation ; Skin ; injuries ; Skin Transplantation ; Young Adult

Cardiovascular disease has been the biggest killer of human being in 21 century. A safe, high-speed and high-efficiency travel by plane can further improve the rescue success rate, and reduce death rate. However, because of the special travel environment by plane, it can result in infinite difficulties and inconvenience of flying nurses′ disease observation, technical operation, and so on. From national and international related data, this report would address the normal nursing problems and countermeasures of flying nurses taking care of cardiovascular patients during the process of air evacuation.

Early childhood caries(ECC)is a considerable pediatric and public health problem worldwide.Preceding studies have focused primarily on bacterial diversity at the taxonomic level.Although these studies have provided significant information regarding the connection between dental caries and oral microbiomes,further comprehension of this microbial community's ecological relevance is limited.This study identified the carbon source metabolic differences in dental plaque between children with and without ECC. We compared the microbial community functional diversity in 18 caries-free subjects with 18 severe ECC patients based on sole carbon source usage using a Biolog assay.The anaerobic microbial community in the ECC patients displayed greater metabolic activity than that of the control group.Specific carbon source metabolism differed significantly between the two groups.Subjects from the two groups were well distinguished by cluster and principal component analyses based on discriminative carbon sources. Our results implied that the microbial functional diversity between the ECC patients and healthy subjects differed significantly.In addition,the Biolog assay furthered our understanding of oral microbiomes as a composite of functional abilities,thus enabling us to identify the ecologically relevant functional differences among oral microbial communities.

OBJECTIVETo define the effects of Astragalus membranaceus on the atrial dynamics and ANP secretion in the perfused beating rabbit atria.

METHODThe experiments have been done in isolated perfused beating rabbit atria. ANP was measured by radioimmunoassay in the atrial perfusate in real-time base.

RESULTA. membranaceus (2.0, 2.5, 3.0 g L(-1)) could increase atria stroke volume from (694.70 +/- 0.01) microL g(-1) (P<0.05) to (1,003.00 +/- 8.80) microL g(-1) (P<0.001); (1,120.00 +/- 17.71) microL g(-1) and (1,195.00 +/- 8.21) microL g(-1) (P<0.001), respectively, and its could difference increase atrial pulse pressure from (0.82 +/- 0.01) kPa to (0.86 +/- 0.01) kPa (P<0.01); (0.96 +/- 0.01) kPa (P<0.001) and (1.02 +/- 0.01) kPa (P<0.001), respectively; A. membranaceus obviously increased rabbit atrial dynamics with dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, A. membranaceus inhibited ANP secretion. Nifedipine (1.0 micromol L(-1)), a L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor, and KB-R 7943 (10.0 micromol L(-1)), an inhibitor of reversed Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger, blocked the effects of A. membranaceus-induced augmentation of atrial dynamics but failed to modulation the inhibition of A. membranaceus on ANP secretion.

CONCLUSIONA. membranaceus increases the atrial dynamics via Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger and L-type Ca2+ channel and negatively modulates ANP secretion in beating rabbit atria.

Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; secretion ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Female ; Heart Atria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; secretion ; Male ; Myocardial Contraction ; drug effects ; Nifedipine ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Radioimmunoassay ; Thiourea ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND: The intimal thickening of coronary artery was understood as an early process in the beginning of atherosclerosis. However, the implication of intimal thickening as a morphologic change of coronary artery disease, on the coronary vascular hemodynamics has not been explored. METHODS: To evaluate the effect of intimal thickening on the coronary vascular hemodynamics, we studied the extent of intimal thickening on intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) and the coronary vascular flow and resistance by using Doppler wire in left anterior descending coronary arteries after successful intervention in 40 patients(29 males, mean age 55+/-9 years) with coronary artery disease. Mean intimal index and mean lumen cross sectional area were determined by IVUS and coronary flow average peak velocity was obtained by using Doppler wire before and after intracoronary adenosine in distal artery to the stenosis. Coronary flow velocity reserve(CFR), volumetric coronary blood flow(CBF) and coronary vascular resistance index(CVRI) were calculated. Hyperemic pressure-to-flow ratio(hyperemic mean aortic pressure/hyperemic volumetric coronary blood flow), ie, an index of minimal coronary vascular resistance(mCVR), was further derived. RESULTS: Intimal index(mean 20.0+/-8.3%) was significantly correlated with CVRI(mean 0.33+/-0.14, r=.37, p=.02) and mCVR(mean 0.81+/-0.40mmHg/ml/min, r=.36, p=.02). However, there was no correlation with CBF and CFR. CONCLUSION: The CVRI and mCVR(hyperemic pressure to flow ratio), the indices coronary microvascular resistance, were significantly related to the degree of intimal thickness of coronary artery. The extent of intimal thickness of coronary artery on IVUS study may be related to microvascular integrity.
Adenosine ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Vascular Resistance*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is well known that anti-platlet agents decrease the rate of subacute thrombosis after intracoronary stenting significantly. The aim of this study is to assess the antithrombotic effect and safety of 2-month combined regimen of cilostazol and aspirin on intracoronary stenting. METHODS: The study population consisted of 78 lesions of 57 patients (age: 58.1+/-10.3, male 47, female 10) with ischemic heart disease who were underwent successful intracoronary stenting. They were received cilostazol(200mg/day) and aspirin(100mg/day) two days before intracoronary stenting and continued for 8 weeks, and then aspirin was medicated continuously during the study. The laboratory and clinical findings were evaluated before cilostazol administration, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 6 months after intervention. The excercise treadmill test was done at 6 months after intervention. RESULTS: Subacute thrombosis occurred in 2 patients(3.5%). Target lesion revascularization(TLR) was done in 4 patients(7.3%). Clinical restenosis (symptomatic or positive stress test, subacute thrombosis and TLR) occurred in 15 patients(26.3%). There was no granulocytopenia, or severe liver dysfunction. HDL-cholesterol was increased significantly at 2 months(36.6+/-7.4 mg/dl versus 41.6+/-9.3 mg/dl. p<0.01) and 6 months(36.6+/-7.4 mg/dl versus 42.4+/-10.6 mg/dl. p<0.01) follow up. CONCLUSION: Two-month combined regimen of cilostazol and aspirin was effective and safe after intracoronary stenting. Subacute thrombosis and clinical restenosis rate were comparable with pervious reports. Further large randomized trials are needed for the evaluation of favorable effect of cilostazol on lipid metabolism.
Agranulocytosis ; Aspirin* ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver Diseases ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Stents* ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is well known that anti-platlet agents decrease the rate of subacute thrombosis after intracoronary stenting significantly. The aim of this study is to assess the antithrombotic effect and safety of 2-month combined regimen of cilostazol and aspirin on intracoronary stenting. METHODS: The study population consisted of 78 lesions of 57 patients (age: 58.1+/-10.3, male 47, female 10) with ischemic heart disease who were underwent successful intracoronary stenting. They were received cilostazol(200mg/day) and aspirin(100mg/day) two days before intracoronary stenting and continued for 8 weeks, and then aspirin was medicated continuously during the study. The laboratory and clinical findings were evaluated before cilostazol administration, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 6 months after intervention. The excercise treadmill test was done at 6 months after intervention. RESULTS: Subacute thrombosis occurred in 2 patients(3.5%). Target lesion revascularization(TLR) was done in 4 patients(7.3%). Clinical restenosis (symptomatic or positive stress test, subacute thrombosis and TLR) occurred in 15 patients(26.3%). There was no granulocytopenia, or severe liver dysfunction. HDL-cholesterol was increased significantly at 2 months(36.6+/-7.4 mg/dl versus 41.6+/-9.3 mg/dl. p<0.01) and 6 months(36.6+/-7.4 mg/dl versus 42.4+/-10.6 mg/dl. p<0.01) follow up. CONCLUSION: Two-month combined regimen of cilostazol and aspirin was effective and safe after intracoronary stenting. Subacute thrombosis and clinical restenosis rate were comparable with pervious reports. Further large randomized trials are needed for the evaluation of favorable effect of cilostazol on lipid metabolism.
Agranulocytosis ; Aspirin* ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver Diseases ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Stents* ; Thrombosis

Early restoration of blood flow to the ischemic myocardium not only saves myocardium but also induces reperfusion injury. While no specific therapy to reduce reperfusion injury has yet been established, recent laboratory studies have shown that G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists, insulin, and postconditioning can effectively prevent reperfusion injury in various experimental settings and animal species. The potential mechanisms underlying the cardioprotection initiated by these interventions may include activation of the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) pathway, inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta), and modulation of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening. These encouraging laboratory findings may help us develop successful clinical strategies to salvage reperfused myocardium in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins ; physiology ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Myocardium