The effect of pH on the extracellularpolysaccharide synthesis by Aureobasidium pullulans was studied by addding CaCO3and HCI. Cultivated in P2 liquid medium for 24h,pH dropped to 3. 6 because of strongly producing acid. Under this low pH environment, further fermentation for 120h,only 5. 9g/L of polysacharide was obtained. When grown in MP2 medium contaning0. 5 % CaCOs,the pH was kept above 5.0 during 144 hours,production of polysaccharide increased to 31g/L. The detailed information of effects of controlled pH on polysaccharide production showed an optimal pH value 5. 0 must be maintained through the fermentative period.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the C677T polymor-phism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene/G448A polymorphism of the

Objective To analyze the clinical application of monoenergetic technique of dual-energy CT in removing metal artifacts for patients with fractures fixed with metal fixer.Methods Fofly-five patients with fractures fixed with metal fixer underwent dual-energy CT scanning for the fractures.Two different data were collected in one-time scanning using dual-energy scanning sequence.With monoenergetic technique,two different data at 100 and 140 kilovolts were used for subtraction to removing metal artifacts based on different densities.Raw data were reconstructed with monoenergetic technique(group A)and conventional simulation method(group B),respectively.And,all data were reconstructed with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR),volume rendering(VR)and maximum intensity projection(MIP),respectively.Wilcoxon signed rank test was applied for the comparison of imaging quality and artifacts between the two groups.Results There were fewer artifacts on the images due to the application of monoenergetic technique in dual-energy CT scanning.In group A,the rate of high-quality images reached to 91.9%(124/135);and,in group B,it was 59.3%(80/135).There were statistical diference between the two groups(Z=-12.541.P<0.01).The images without artifact reached to 89.6%(121/135)in group A;whereas,it was 45.2%(61/135)in group B.There was statistical difference between the two groups(Z=-11.910,P<0.01).Conclusion Using monoenergetic technique,metal artifacts were removed effectively and the fine structure of fracture was clearly displayed.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of taurine on HK-2 cells exposed to oxalate (Ox) and calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal (COM) in vivo.Methods HK-2 cells,a proximal tubular epithelial cell line,were cultured.Five groups were divided in this study:control group (only HK-2 cells) ; Ox and COM group (HK-2 cells + Ox + COM) ; Taurine group (HK-2 cells + Ox + COM + Taurine) ; Apocynin group (HK-2 cells + Ox + COM + Apocynin) ; Catalase group (HK-2 cells + Ox + COM +Catalase).After 6 hrs,the cultures medias from each group were tested for LDH,H2O2,8-isoprostane,and MCP-1 protein.Cellular expression of MCP-1 mRNA and P47phox mRNA were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.After 24 hrs,cells livability was investigated by MTT.Results Compared with the control,cells livability was reduced when exposed to Ox and COM (P ＜ 0.05),Treatment with Taurine,Apocynin and Catalase significantly increased the cells livability (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the control,the expression of LDH,H2O2,8-isoprostane,and cellular expression of MCP-1 mRNA and P47phox mRNA were increased following exposure to Ox and COM (P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P ＜0.05).Treatment with Taurine,Apocynin and Catalase significantly reduced the expression of LDH,H2O2,8-isoprostane,as well as the cellular expression of MCP-1 mRNA.Expression of P47phox mRNA in Taurine group was not reduced significantly (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions This study showed that Taurine protected the HK-2 cells from oxidative injury exposed to Ox and COM by the pathway that may not be in relation to the inhibition of P47phox mRNA expression.

Objective To detect the serum level of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP5b) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after infliximab treatment and analyze the relevance between TRACP-5b and activity indexes of RA.The effect of different medicines on bony erosion in RA and its possible mechanism were explored.Methods Patients were divided into two groups:16 patients were treated with inffiximab for 24 weeks (group 1 ),25 patients were treated with MTX for 24 weeks (group 2).The core indicators of RA activity were evaluated.Ranked test,grouped design and matched t test was used to examine the quantity data between groups,while numerate data was analyzed with qui-square test.Correlation between data was tested by Spearmen's and Pearson's tests.RestltsThe levels of TRACP-5b in patients with X-ray stagesⅠ ,Ⅱ ,Ⅲ ,Ⅳ were elevated at the baseline.The levels of TRACP-5b in phase Ⅲ and Ⅳ were [(3.34±1.07) U/L] and[(4.05±0.25) U/L] respectively,higher (P＜0.05) than those in phase Ⅰ[(1.69±0.48) U/L].At week 0,week 12,and week 24,the serum levels of TRACP-5b in group 1 were(3.07±1.32),(2.72±1.18),(2.16±1.09) U/L respectively,while the levels in week 12,and 24 were significantly lower than those of week 0(P＜0.05).A significant decrease of serum TRACP-5b level in group 1[(2.16±1.09 ) U/L]when compared to group two[ (3.05±0.93) U/L] after 24 weeks.TRACP=5b level was positively correlated with the course of disease (r=0.313,P=0.043 ),HAQ(r=0.443,P=0.007).Conclusion Infliximab can reduce TRACP-5b level in RA and inhibit inflammatory bone loss.TRACP-5b can be used to evaluate the efficacy of biological agents in treating RA.

Objective: Fetal monitoring is extremely important in perinatal care. Analysis of cardiotocogragh(CTG) can suppose if the fetus is lack of oxygen, distressed, acidosis, etc. in order to take measures timely. Methods: We have designed Meticare analysis software package to analyze 867 pieces of CTG data, and researched the relationship between short term variation (STV) and basal heart rate(BHR) by statistics, and short time monitoring analysis based on STV. Results: The amplitude of fetal heart rate curve variation(long term variation) tended to decrease when BHR increasing, with the negative correlation and regression equation STV = 9.866-0.02×BHR. Positive correlation exists between 5 and 10 mimute-STV, with the regression equation STV_(10min)=2.861-0.596×STV_(5min).Conclusion: STV calculated by 5 minutes CTG data can forecast the one by 10 minutes data as a reference demanded by Dawes & Redman criterion. If fetal doppler contains STV analysis function, out-patient fetal heart auscultation will be more significant. After 30 weeks pregnancy, with the STV decreasing, fetal distress, asphyxia, low birth weight, and even mortality increasing. BHR increasing should cause attention that STV might decrease, when monitoring with no analysis functional devices or fetal dopplars.

Objective To observe the effects of Wendan decoction (WD) on depression-like behavior in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) and explore the related mechanism.Methods Rodent model of PD was established by unilaterally lesioning medial forebrain bundle with 6-hydrodopamine.After intragastric administration with WD,the rats's behavior changes were detected by the open field test,sucrose preference test and forced swimming test;the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters in the rat brain were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.Results Compared with those of sham-operated rats,the horizontal and vertical activities of the PD model rats decreased significantly,and sucrose consumption decreased significantly,but immobility time during forced swimming was significantly prolonged.The contents of dopamine (DA),5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and DA in the striatum decreased significantly.After administration of WD for 2 weeks,the immobility time of the PD model rats was significantly decreased,sucrose consumption increased significantly;DA,5-HT and NA levels in the mPFC increased significantly.Conclusion WD improves the depression-like behavior in PD model rats,and the mechanisms may involve the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters in mPFC.

Objective:Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are resistant to chemotherapy. Our study aimed to investigate the stem cell-like proper-ties of doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma cell line 143B and its correlation with Notch signaling. Methods:We generated doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma cells by treating them with 2μm doxorubicin. Stem cell-like properties such as morphology change, Stro-1/CD117 double positive ratio, stem cell-related gene expression, sphere formation efficiency, and EMT character were assessed on day 5 after doxorubicin withdrawal. Notch receptor and its target genes were examined using qPCR and Western blot analysis. The stem cell-like properties of doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma cells were assessed when pretreated with Notch inhibitor or vehicle. The an-ti-tumor effect of Notch inhibitor was tested using a xenograft model. Results:Doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma cells were enriched in Stro-1+/CD117+cells, which showed obvious increased expression of stem cell-related genes, and exhibited enhanced spheroid for-mation and evident mesenchymal characteristics unlike doxorubicin-sensitive cells. qPCR and Western blot assays showed that Notch intracellular domain 1 (NICD1) and target genes Hes1 and Hey1 were upregulated in doxorubicin-resistant osteosarcoma stem cells compared with those in vehicle cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) to prevent Notch signaling en-hanced chemo-sensitivity and inhibited doxorubicin-enriched osteosarcoma stem cell activity in vitro. Finally, the Notch inhibitor pre-vented tumor growth in mice xenograft models. Conclusion: Doxorubicin induced the enrichment of osteosarcoma stem-like cells through Notch signaling, and inactivation of Notch could be useful for overcoming drug resistance and eliminating osteosarcoma.

Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics and surgical risks for elderly patients with gastric cancer. Methods The clinical data from 607 patients, who received surgical therapy for gastric cancer between January 2006 and December 2009, were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, 267 patients were over 65 years of age, and the other 340 patients (≤65 years of age)were served as control. Complete surgical resection was done by doctors in same group. The preoperative complications such as cardiopulmonary disease and post-operative complications as well as pathologic patterns were compared between two groups. Results Coexisted diseases were found more in elderly patients than in controls (68.91% vs 31.63 %, P＜0.01). Whereas there was no significant difference between two groups with respect to post-operative complication [28. 19% (75/267)vs 25.59 % (87/340)]. However, the incidence of cardiopulmonary complications, especially pulmonary infection, was higher in elderly patients than in controls (17.23% vs 5.29% ,P＜0.01). The digestive tract complications were related to the pattern of radical operation. Post-operative complication occurred less in patients treated with D1 radical operation than those with D2 and D3 radical operation.Conclusions The incidence of post-operative complication in elderly patients with gastric cancer was closely related to the surgical method. The elderly patients may has less complications if they were operated with D1 radical method which can reduce risk of complication and improve the quality of life.

Objective To compare the quality and radiation doses of coronary artery angiography under the natural heart rate condition between Flash spiral heart mode and prospective electrocardiogramtriggering sequence mode using dual-source,in order to choose personalized low doses of coronary artery scanning mode.Methods Sixty patients who underwent coronary angiography(CTA)on a 128-slice,dualsource CT scanner were divided into 2 group i.e,group A(27cases)and group B(33 cases).Flash spiral heart scan mode was employed for group A.Inclusion criteria included:heart rate<65 bpm.regular sinus rhythm,heart rate fluctuation less than ±5 bpm.Date acquisition was set at 60% of the R-R interval.Prospective electrocardiogram-triggering sequence scan mode(SAS)was performod for group B.Inclusion criteria included:(1)heart rate≥65 bpm,(2)arrhythmias,premature beat,fibrillation atrial.Exclusion criteria included:bad holding breath.Date acquisition(1)At low heart rate(≤75 bpm),date acquisition was set at 60%-80%of the R-R interval.(2)At high heart rate(>75 bpm),date acquisition was set at 30%-50%of the R-R interval. (3)At the arrhythmias,premature beat,fibrillation atrial,date acquisition was set at 20%-90%of the R-R interval.In both gronps,patients with a BMI≥25.0kg/m2 were examined with a tube voltage of 120 kV.while the other patients with a BMI<25.0 kg/m2 were examined with a tube voltage of 100 kV.The BMl was(24.6±1.0)kg/m2 in group A,while that was (24.6±0.9)kg/m2 in group B.In both groups,all images were transferred to the workstation for further processing and analysis.The imaging quality of coronary artery segments and the radiation dose were compared with t test.Results A total of 336 coronary artery segments were evaluated in group A and 412 segments were evaluated in group B.The imaging quality of coronary artery segments were scored.Excellent or good was achieved in 98.2%(330 of 336)artery segments in group A,and that was 98.1%(404 of 412)in group B.There was no statistical difference in imaging quality between the two groups(t=0.513,P=0.608).The average effective dose was(0.74±0.29)mSv in group A,whereas that was(3.67±1.37)mSv in group B.There was a significant difference between the two groups(t=-10.858,P=0.000).Conclusions The personalized low doses coronary artery scanning mode can substantially reduce radiation damage while preserving good imaging quality.