A bacterial strain Eml isolated from contaminated soil of Shengli oil field was identified as Rhodococcus ruber according to its phenotype, physiological and chemical properties, and its 16S rRNA gene sequence. This strain could degrade various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as well as alkanes in petroleum, and produce bioemulsifier. The results indicated that strain Eml could produce bioemulsifier efficiently when n-hexadecane was used as sole carbon source. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of bioemulsifier were as followed: 10g/L of n-hexadecane, 1g/L of yeast extract, media initial pH 7, and cultivation was carried out at 30℃ on a rotary shaker at 200 rpm. Under these conditions the surface tension of culture decreased to the lowest value, around 30 mN/m, after 1 day, and the emulsifying capacity was 100% . The concentration of bioemulsifier reached to the highest value, around 68 times of CMC , after 5 days' cultivation. The results also showed that the bioemulsifier produced by this strain should be lipid.

12 isolates of thermoacidophilies were obtained from samples of hot springs of Southern China's Guangdong and Yunna provinces. All isolates are heterotrophic. Cells are rods, Gram positive or variable. The optimal pH and temperature for growth are 3.5-5.5 and 43℃-52℃, respectively. Based on their morphological physiological properties and their 16S rDNA sequences, they were identified as members of Alicyclobacillus.

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical effect of integrated Chinese medical (CM) treatment (as maintenance therapy) on the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after first-line chemotherapy.

METHODSThe study was a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Totally 69 non-progressive advanced NSCLC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy were randomly assigned to the test group (34 cases) and the control group (35 cases). Patients in the control group were treated with one Western drug chemotherapy (Gemcitabine or Alimta or docetaxel). Those in the test group were treated with integrated CM treatment (CM decoction, CM Intravenous preparation, and point application). Each cycle consisted of 21 days. Treatment lasted till the disease progressed, or intolerable toxic/adverse reactions occurred, or patients refused to continue the treatment. Patients' life spans were regularly followed-up.

RESULTS(1) The median cycle of maintenance therapy was 2 cycles for two groups with no statistical difference (P =0.274). The median PFS was 12.43 weeks in the test group and 10.00 weeks in the control group, showing statistical difference (P =0.025). The middle survival time (MST) was 18.8 months in the test group and 16.73 months in the control group, showing no statistical difference (P =0.437).

CONCLUSIONCM treatment (as maintenance therapy) showed quail effect to one Western drug chemotherapy in prolonging patients' life span.

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Pemetrexed ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in the cerebral cortex of rat with chronic fluorosis,and to reveal the mechanisms of damaged nervous system resulted from the toxicity of fluoride.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups.The rats in each group were given drinking water containing different levels of fluoride:control group less than 0.5 mg/L,small amount of fluoride exposure group 10.0 mg/L and large amount of fluoride exposure group 50.0 mg/L.The animals were examined at the sixth month after initiating the experiment.Protein levels of P-gp and NF-κB in brain tissues were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting,and the P-gp protein and mRNA level by quantitative real time PCR method.Results As compared to the control group(28.21 ±6.13),the numbers of positive staining cells by P-gp antibody in the cortex of rat brains were significantly increased in both the small and the large amount of fluoride exposure groups[(48.46 ± 8.00),(53.72 ± 9.15),respectively,all P ＜ 0.05] ; the protein levels in the control group(100.00 ± 3.86)％ detected by Western blotting were significantly increased in the cortex of rat brains treated with fluoride in both the small and the large amount of fluoride exposure groups[(189.47 ± 3.14)％,(191.36 ± 11.09)％,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05].The significantly increased expression of NF-κB at the protein level was observed in the cortex of rat brains of the small and the large amount of fluoride exposure groups[(365.97 ± 6.04)％ and (417.15 ± 10.89)％,respectively] as compared with the control group[(100.00 ± 10.07)％,all P ＜ 0.05].The mRMA level of P-gp in the cortex of rat brains of the small and the large amount of fluoride exposure groups(2396 ± 427,3479 ± 371,respectively) were higher than that of the control group(260 ± 106,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The increased expressions of P-gp and NF-κB in the cortex of rat brains are induced by chronic fluorosis,which might be connected with the mechanism of brain damages.

Objective To observe the expression of mitochondrial fission protein locus Fis1 and ultrastructural changes in the renal cells of rats with chronic fluorosis,and to reveal the mechanism in mitochondrial damage of the renal cells.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups according to sex and body mass(20 in each group):control group,lower fluoride group and higher fluoride group.All the rats were fed with different doses of sodium fluoride in drinking water(0,10 and 50 mg/L,respectively).Six-month later,the expression of Fisl in renal cells was determined by real-time fluorenscence quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry technology,the mitochondrial morphology of renal cells was observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Results As compared with the control group(28.70 ± 12.41),Fis1 mRNA levels(91.48 + 34.83 and 582.09 ± 184.69) in renal cells of the lower fluoride and the higher fluoride groups were increased(all P ＜ 0.05).As compared with the control group(10.49 ± 7.66),Fisl protein levels(16.33 ± 10.26 and 21.50 ± 5.24) in renal cells of the lower fluoride and the higher fluoride groups showed a trend of increasing,the higher fluoride group was higher than that of the control group(P ＜ 0.05).By TEM,mitochondrial crest in renal cells of the lower fluoride and the higher fluoride groups was vague or disappeared,mitochondrial division section appeared.Conclusions Fluoride is a kind of toxicant that can cause damage to mitochondrion of renal cells,induce the expression of Fis1 in transcriptional and protein level,and lead to the obstacles of mitochondrial fusion-fission and ultrastructural abnormality of mitochondrion,which may play an important role in mechanism of mitochondrial damage in the renal cells of rats with chronic fluorosis.

Objective To investigate the MR features of pituitary abscess.Methods The MR features of 14 cases of pituitary abscess proved by surgical pathology and clinical treatments were analyzed retrospectively.Results Pre-contrast MR showed hypointense heterogeneous intensity on T_1 WI in 12 cases and iso-hyperintense on T_1 WI in 2 cases,hyperintense on T_2 WI in all cases.Post-gadolinium MR showed the ring-like enhancement around the uneven edge of abscess and the surrounding enhanced meninges connecting to the focus.The normal pituitary could not be identified in all 14 cases.The MR specific findings include the fluid-fluid level,nodule on the edge and the enhanced patchy shadow.Conclusions The pituitary abscess has specific findings on MR examination,which can be used to combine with clinical symptoms to achieve the diagnosis before operation,so that the cases could be treated with antibiotic without operation.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects on the morphology of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of the adult with the low angle Class II malocclusions before and after orthodontic treatment comparatively. To provide the references for the orthodontic treatment of the adults.

METHODS19 adult patients with low angle Class II malocclusions were chosen and treated with Damon self-ligating braces. The examinations of 16-slice spiral CT were taken before and after the orthodontic treatment. The parameters of skeletal morphology of TMJ were measured in the multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images. The results were analysed statistically.

RESULTSThe rate of condyles in a center position in the glenoid fossa after the treatment was 52.6%(20/38), and the rate of retrodisplacement was 31.6% (12/38). The position of the condyles before and after the orthodontic treatment had significant differences (P<0.05, chi2=4.41, chi2=5.32). The mean value of the anterior oblique angle of condyle decreased by 2.32 degrees +/- 1.78 degrees after treatment, meanwhile the average height of the condylar head increased by (1.07 +/- 0.29) mm. There were significant differences in both results before and after treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe orthodontic treatment can make the TMJ structures stable and beneficial to relieve the symptoms by moving the condyle forward, increasing the height and reconstructing the anterior oblique angle of condyle on adult patients with low angle Class II malocclusions.

Adult ; Humans ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; Mandibular Condyle ; Orthodontics ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

19 cases with vertical alveolar bone resoption wer examined by CBCT and treated by orthodentic therapy, the changes of alveolar ridge height, bone defect and bone mineral density were analysed. After treatment, the defect area of alveolar bone was decreased(P＜ 0. 05), the density of defect area of alveolar bone was increased(P＜ 0. 05). CBCT plays an important role in the evaluation of vertical alveolar bone absorption and reconstruction treated by orthodontic therapy.

Objective To explore the differences of TCM constitutions and lifestyles among the subjects with positive tumor marker screening and those with normal tumor marker screening. Methods Totally 245 subjects with positive tumor marker screening from September 2014 to December 2017 in Weihai area were selected as the observation group and 300 subjects with normal tumor marker screening were selected as the control group. Field questionnaire was used to investigate TCM constitutions and lifestyles. Results In the observation group, the ratio of constitution of yin-yang harmony was significantly lower than the control group, with statistical significance (χ2=207.483, P＜0.001). The ratios of constitution of phlegm-dampness, constitution of blood stasis, constitution of qi deficiency and constitution of qi stagnation were significantly higher than the control group, with statistical significance (P＜0.05). There was statistical significance between the 2 groups in irregular rest, heavy drinking, regular smoking, lack of exercise, irregular diet and partial eclipse (P＜0.05). CEA, a positive indicator of tumor markers in the observation group, was commonly found in constitution of phlegm-dampness (40.43％) and constitution of qi deficiency (22.70％); CA199 was commonly found in constitution of qi stagnation (38.71％) and constitution of qi deficiency (24.19％); AFP was commonly found in constitution of blood stasis (38.46％) and constitution of qi deficiency (23.08％); CA125 was commonly found in constitution of blood stasis (33.33％) and constitution of qi stagnation (19.05％); CYFRA21-1 was commonly found in constitution of phlegm-dampness (54.55％) and constitution of qi deficiency (22.73％); PSA was commonly found in constitution of phlegm-dampness (61.52％) and constitution of damp-heat (23.08％). Conclusion Effectively controling the distribution of TCM constitutions of subjects with positive tumor marker screening in Weihai area and understanding the influence of lifestyles on tumor markers can provide guidance for clinical improvement of patients' biased constitutions and reduction of positive indicators of tumor markers.

Population pharmacokinetics of vancomycin (VAN) in the Chinese patients was described by using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling (NONMEM). 619 VAN serum concentrations data from 260 patients including 177 males and 83 females were collected separately from two centers. A one-compartment model was used to describe this sparse data. No significant difference was observed between two center datasets by introducing SID covariate. The final model was as CL= (θ (base0+ θ(max) x(1 -e(-θ(Age)(Age/72) and V = θ x θ (Age)(Age/72). The creatinine clearance (CL(Cr)) and Age were identified as the most significant covariate in the final model. Typical values of clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (V) in the final model were 2.91 L x h(-1) and 54.76 L, respectively. Internal model validation by Bootstrap and NPDE were performed to evaluate the robustness and prediction of the final model. The median and 95% confidence intervals for the final model parameters were based on 1000 Bootstraps. External model evaluation was conducted using an independent dataset that consisted of 34 patients to predict model performance. Pharmacodynamic assessment for VAN by AUC (0-24 h) to MIC ratios of over 400 was considered to be the best to predict treatment outcomes for patients. AUC (0-24 h) was calculated by clearance based on the above population model. The results indicate that the conventional dosing regimen probably being suboptimal concentrations in aged patients. The approach via population pharmacokinetic of VAN combined with the relationship of MIC, Age, CL(Cr) and AUC(0-24 h)/MIC can predict the rational dose for attaining efficacy.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Vancomycin ; pharmacokinetics