Calculi ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; pathology

Atrioventricular Block ; chemically induced ; Child ; Humans ; Male ; Mercury Poisoning ; complications

The viable but noncuturable (VBNC) state is a survival strategy when bacteria are exposed to en- vironment stress. The VBNC state is part of the life cycle of non-differentiating bacteria, and it has a far-reaching impact on traditional bacteriology. Cells in the VBNC state fail to grow on the routine bacterio- logical media, here its significance in human health and environment science are detailed. Cells entering the VBNC state exhibit dwarfing and a number of metabolic changes in respiration rates and macromolecular synthesis. This paper summarized the variations in DNA and protein comparing to the culturable cells. We also discussed the ability of cells to resuscitate from the VBNC state and return to an actively metabolizing and culturable form. Some new methods for monitoring the VBNC state were listed. Finally the future was suggested.

A comparative study on the glycolic acid oxidase (GO) of the domestic Spirulina(Arthrospira) platensis (S_(1)) from alkaline lake in Erdos Plateau and the imported S. (A.) platensis (S_(2)) and S. (A.) maxima (S_(3)) as well is made with colorimetric method. The results show that activity of GO (25℃, pH 8.0) of S_(1), S_(2 )and S_(3) is 70.9 U/gFW, 59.6 U/gFW and 80.9 U/gFW respectively; the GO's optimum temperature of S_(1)、S_(2) and S_(3 )is 30℃; the GO's optimum pH value of S_(1 )is 8.6,while that of S_(2 ) 8.2 and that of S_(3) 8.4; the GO of S_(1 )is stable from 0℃ to 35℃ and from pH 7.6 to pH 10.0, while that of S_(2) from 0℃ to 30℃ and from pH 8.0 to pH 9.0 and that of S_(3) from 0℃ to 35℃ and from pH 8.0 to pH 8.6. Adaptive range of S_(1) GO for temperature and pH is wider, and activity at low and high temperature and under strong acidand alkali conditions is higher than that of the imported species.

Objective: The genetic diversity of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis germplasmic resources in natural populations was analyzed by simple sequence repeat marker for protection and rational utilization. Methods: A total of 115 individuals of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis collected from five natural populations were analyzed by SSR marker for genetic diversity analysis. Results: Eight pairs of SSR primers were screened. A relatively high level of genetic diversity was revealed: The percentage of polymorphic bands was 100%, the polymorphism information content was 0.745 6. At the population level and species level, the observed number of allele was 8.425 0 and 17.750 0, respectively, the effective number of allele was 4.960 9 and 7.500 7, respectively, the observed heterozygosity was 0.295 5 and 0.294 8, respectively, the expected heterozygosity was 0.654 8 and 0.774 4, respectively, and the Shannon's information index was 1.520 1 and 2.038 6, respectively. The genetic differentiation coefficient was 0.172 8 and the gene flow was 1.196 6. Based on UPGMA cluster analysis, the five populations of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were divided into two clades. Conclusion: The level of genetic diversity of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was relatively high and there was certain genetic differentiation within and among populations. This study puts forward several suggestions for the protection and development of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis resources, which will be helpful for protection and sustainable utilization of scientific advice and reference.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the plasma unconjugated bilirubin(UCB)and electrical activity of brain in term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia,and explore the parameters that possess the prognostic value and deduce a series of discriminant for prognostic judgment.Methods Thirty-two neonates with hyperbilirubinemia and 31 neonates without hyperbilirubinema(control group)were studied with standard EEG,and they were assessed for their neurological development in 3 and 6 months.A statistical method of Bayes Discriminant analysis was adopted to set up an equation with values of parameters of EEG,clinic datum and consequence.Stepdic and Dis-grim processes were used to pick out the parameters which had great significance for predicting the outcome of nervous system development.A series of discriminant was deduced for prognostic judgment and then cross validation was performed to assess the accuracy of the discriminant.Results 1.The standard EEG and brain electrical activity map records indicated that the hyperbilirubinemia group had longer maximum duration of interburst interval(IBI),longer mean duration of IBI,lower amplitude under all conditions,more anterior dysrhythmia(AD)in wake,and higher incidence of sleep-wake cycle disturbance.2.The plasma concentration of UCB was linear correlated with AD in wake.3.Gestational age,birth weight,plasma concentration of UCB,burst duration of IBI in trace alternate,amplitude in all sleep state,AD in wake,brief burst not in quiet sleep and sleep-wake cycle disturbance might play important roles in predicting the outcome of neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.Conclusions Cerebral electrical activity is an effective tool for predicting neurologic outcome of neonates with hyperbi-lirubinemia.Cerebral electrical activity and clinic data will provide a new method for accurately predicting neurological development and prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a modified method of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)--6-o'clock tunnel HoLEP for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe included 112 cases of BPH in this study, 57 treated by 6-o'clock tunnel HoLEP (experimental group) and the other 55 by conventional HoLEP (control group). We compared the operation time, volume of the resected prostatic tissue, intraoperative blood transfusion, volume of bladder irrigation solution, postoperative hemoglobin change, and incidence of urinary incontinence between the two groups.

RESULTSStatistically significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the operation time ([56.01 ± 8.62] min vs [68.65 ± 9.08] min), cases of intraoperative blood transfusion (0 vs 2), volume of bladder irrigation solution ([27.51 ± 3.67] L vs [36.89 ± 6.47] L), postoperative hemoglobin decrease ([10.70 ± 2.50] g/L vs [12.60 ± 3.30] g/L), and cases of postoperative stress-induced urinary incontinence (2 vs 7) (all P <0.05). One-month follow-up revealed smooth urination in both groups of patients but no true urinary incontinence or secondary bleeding in either.

CONCLUSIONModified 6-o'clock tunnel HoLEP can significantly reduce the operation time, bladder irrigation, and intraoperative bleeding, and therefore can be used as a safe and effective option for the treatment of BPH.

Case-Control Studies ; Hemorrhage ; prevention & control ; Holmium ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; methods ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Period ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; statistics & numerical data ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo approach the central nervous mechanism of abdominal acupuncture by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

METHODSTwelve old healthy volunteers were treated by standardized abdominal acupuncture with invigorating the kidney and nourishing marrow method and Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qixue (KI 13), Shangqu (KI 17) and Huaroumen (ST 24) were selected. They were examined by using resting-state fMRI before and after treatment of abdominal acupuncture and the brain functional connectivities were analyzed based on bilateral hippocampus chosen as seed points.

RESULTS(1) Before acupuncture, functional connectivities were found in the bilateral middle frontal gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle temporal gyrus, bilateral thalamus, bilateral subiculum hippocampi, bilateral insula, the cupula and declivis of right cerebellum, left superior frontal gyrus, left head of caudate nucleus, left posterior cingulate gyrus and left inferior parietal lobule (all P < 0.05). (2) After acupuncture, functional connectivities were found in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle temporal gyrus, bilateral thalamus, bilateral insula, bilateral subiculum hippocampi, bilateral inferior parietal lobule, bilateral postcentral gyrus, bilateral cingulate gyrus, right head of caudate nucleus, right middle occipital gyrus and right posterior cingulate gyrus (all P < 0.05). (3) After acupuncture, there were intensity functional connectivities greater than before acupuncture in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral superior parietal lobule, right inferior frontal gyrus, right anterior cingulate gyrus, right fusiform gyrus, right precuneus and right postcentral gyrus, while the intensity of functional connectivities of left middle temporal gyrus, right lingual gyrus, left cuneus/precuneus and left inferior parietal lobule were attenuated.

CONCLUSIONAbdominal acupuncture with invigorating the kidney and nourishing marrow method can improve the allomeric function of the brain cognition network of central nervous system.

Abdomen ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Aged ; Brain ; physiology ; Dentate Gyrus ; physiology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; physiology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept plus Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside (TWP) in elderly patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSTotally 46 elderly patients with active RA were randomly assigned to the treatment group (22 cases) and the control group (24 cases). All patients received subcutaneous injection of etanercept, 25 mg each time, twice per week. The dosage was reduced to once per week 3 months later. Patients in the treatment group took TWP Tablet (10 mg each time, three times per day), while those in the control group took methotrexate (MTX), 10 mg each time, once per week. The whole course lasted for 24 weeks. Patients' rest pain, tender joint number, swollen joint number, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), patients' global assessment, physicians' global assessment, erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), rheumatic factor were assessed at week 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24. The curative effect was statistically evaluated by the United States Institute of Rheumatology ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 improvement criteria. Meanwhile, any adverse event was recorded and evaluated.

RESULTSTotally 41 completed the trial, and 5 dropped off (3 in the treatment group and 2 in the control group). Compared with the control group, there was no statistical difference in ACR20, ACR50, or ACR70 in the treatment group (P > 0.05). Compared with before treatment in the same group, there was some improvement in tender joint number, swollen joint number, visual analogue scale (VAS) for patients' global assessment, VAS for physicians' global assessment, ESR, CRP, and HAQ between the two groups, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group in the same phase, there was no statistical difference in the treatment group (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the occurrence of adverse events between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSEtanercept plus TWP could achieve equivalent therapeutic effect to that of Etanercept plus MTX. The two regimens could improve clinical signs, symptoms, and QOL related to RA. They were well tolerated in the treatment of elderly patients with active RA.

Aged ; Antirheumatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Etanercept ; Female ; Glycosides ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Tripterygium ; chemistry