Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; diagnosis

Objective To investigate effects of very early hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on patients with malignant brain edema after surgical operation for treatment of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods A total of 146 patients who suffered from malignant brain edema after last surgical operation for severe TBI were enrolled for this study.According to the intervention time of HBOT,they were randomized into a very early group (HBOT within 3 days after operation,n =55),an ordinary group (HBOT at 4 to 10 days after operation,n =65) and a control group (non-HBOT,n =26).Mortality rate of the 3 groups were recorded within 4 weeks after operation,and GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) score were assessed in 1,2,3 and 4 weeks after operation.Dynamic head CT scan were performed for detecting brain status and for determine the duration of brain edema.Results The mortality of the very early group,the ordinary group and the control group were 10.9％,7.7％ and 11.5％,respectively,and no statistically significant difference was revealed among the groups (P ＞ 0.05).In very early group,the GCS scores of 1,2,3 and 4 weeks after operation were (8.837 ±3.350),(10.755 ± 3.388),(11.633 ± 3.408) and (12.367 ± 3.408),respectively,with significant difference between the time points 1 week and 2,3 and 4 weeks as well as 2 and 4 weeks after surgery (P ＜0.05),but not between 2 and 3 as well as 3 and 4 weeks after surgery (P ＞ 0.05).In ordinary group,the GCS scores at 1,2,3 and 4 weeks after surgery were (8.509 ±3.042),(9.458 ±3.115),(10.186 ±3.203) and (10.627 ±3.439),respectively,with significant difference between 1 week and 2,3 and 4 weeks after operation (P ＜ 0.05).In control group,the GCS scores at 1,2,3 and4 weeks after surgery were (8.042 ±2.881),(8.417 ±2.962),(8.542 ±3.02) and (8.958 ± 3.043),with no statistical difference among different time points (P ＞ 0.05).When compared with the very early group,the GCS sores of the ordinary group and the control group were significantly lower after intervention (P ＜ 0.05),and the GCS of control group was lower than that of the ordinary group (P ＜ 0.05).As for brain edema duration,the very early group was the shortest among the 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05) Conclusion Very early hyperbaric oxygen treatment could improve consciousness state and alleviate malignant brain edema after surgical operation in TBI patients.

Purpose To establish myocardial infarction model in rabbits and to evaluate cardiac function and pathological changes.Materials and Methods In 35 New Zealand white rabbits, the left anterior descending branch (LAD) of the coronary artery was ligated. The cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography, and the blood serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level was examined preoperatively, on postoperative day 1, and in 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks for comparison. Pathological sections and HE staining were performed to observe pathological changes. Results The death rate was 28.6% (10/35). There was progressive increase in left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) at 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P<0.05). There was progressive decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening fraction (LVFS) at 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P<0.05). The BNP level started increasing in 1 day, peaked in 1 week, then gradually decreased but remained higher than preoperative level in 8 weeks (P<0.01). Pathological section showed typical myocardial cell degeneration, necrosis, ifbrosis, calciifcation and scar formation. Conclusion This myocardial infarction model is satisfactory with signiifcant decrease of cardiac function and increase of BNP level.

ObjectiveStromal cell-derived factor -1 (SDF-1 ) is closely related to the biological characteristics of breast cancer. We aimed to explore whether estrogen affected breast cancer by SDF-1. MethodsThe breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and MRC5 were chosen, and divided into three groups: the control group, the estrogen group and the estrogen + estrogen receptor blocker group. Each group was cultured with different physiological concentrations of 17-β estrogen at certain time, and the same alcohol concentration of 17-β estradiol at different time points, and then the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the concentration of SDF-1 in culture medium, and the semi-quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT -PCR) was used to detect the expression of SDF-1 mRNA in each group.ResultsSDF-1 can be detected in the culture medium of both MCF-7 and MRC5 cell lines. All different concentrations of 17-β estradiol may increase the secretion of SDF-1 in MCF-7 cells. When adding 17-β estradiol to the concentration of 107mol/L, the secretion of SDF-1 reached the peak in 2 hours, which was 6 times and 2.7 times that of control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ). The effect could be ehminated by pure estrogen receptor ICI182,780. In addition, the mRNA expression of SDF-1 was consistent with the SDF-1 protein levels-l07 mol/L group. The expression of SDF-1 mRNA was higher than both that of the control group and the blocking group in 2 hours (P ＜ 0.05 ). ConclusionsIn some breast cancer cell lines, physiological concentrations of estrogen can increase the secretion of SDF- 1, and this effect is mainly achieved through the estrogen receptor. Estrogen can influence the biological characteristics of breast cancer by SDF-1.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations on the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX).

METHODSAn Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) reactor was used to cultivate the granular sludge and to perform the ANAMMOX reaction in the bench scale experiment. NH4(+)-N and NO2(-)-N were measured by using colorimetric method. NO3(-)-N was analyzed by using the UV spectrophotometric method. COD measurement was based on digestion with potassium dichromate in concentrated sulphuric acid.

RESULTSWhen the COD concentrations in the reactors were 0 mg/L, 200 mg/L, 350 mg/L, and 550 mg/L, respectively, the NH4(+)-N removal efficiency was 12.5%, 14.2%, 14.3%, and 23.7%; the removal amount of NO2(-)-N was almost the same; the nitrate removal efficiency was 16.8%, 94.5%, 86.6%, and 84.2% and TN removal efficiency was 16.3%, 50.7%, 46.9%, and 50.4%, moreover, the COD removal efficiency was 85%, 65.7%, and 60%; the COD removal rate was 27.42, 61.88, and 97.8 mg COD/(h x L).

CONCLUSIONCOD concentrations have a significant influence on anaerobic ammonium oxidation by granular sludge.

Ammonia ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Anaerobiosis ; Bioreactors ; Industrial Microbiology ; Nitrogen ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxygen ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Potassium Dichromate ; chemistry ; Sewage ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Sulfuric Acids ; chemistry ; Time Factors ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; methods

Background and purpose: Ursolic acid is widely present in spica prunellae, hedyotis diffusa and other heat antidotes. The growth of a variety of tumor cells can be inhibited and induced apoptosis by ursolic acid.This study was aimed to investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of UA on inducing apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma BGC823 cells. Methods: The MTT assay was used to detect the antiproliferative effect of UA on BGC823 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis of BGC823 cells. The expression level of bcl-2 and bax gene was investigated by real time-polymerase chain reaction (real time-PCR). Results: UA inhibited the proliferation of BGC823 cells in a dose and time-dependent way. After treatment by UA for 24. 48 and 72 h, the IC_(50) of BGC823 was 36.88, 34.72, and 32.18 μmol/L, respectively. UA could signifcantly induce apoptosis of BGC823 cells and block cells at G_2/M phase. UA could increase the expression of bax gene and decrease the expression of bcl-2 gene in a dose and time-dependent way. Conclusion: UA could induce apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of BGC823 cells in a dose and time-dependent way. It could arrest cell cycle of BGC823 cells at G_2/M phase. Its mechanisms might be associated with the up-regulation of bax gene and down-regulation of bcl-2 gene.

Objective To explore the arterial function of the Miao nationality people who live in natural circumstance.Methods 244 Miaos were mcmited in our studv.Right blood pressure and biochemistry examination were measured.PWV and CAVI were measured using validated automatic devices and used as indexes of arterial stiffness.Ultrasonic indexes such as carotid diameter,carotid plaque,IMT、flow-mediated dilation(FMD) were measured as well.Results Body mass index,waist-to-hip ratio,heart rates,blood lipid level and glucose had no significant difierence between male and female groups.Arterial function indexes such as C-F PWV(9.50±2.14 vs.8.81±1.69,t=2.074,P=0.006),C-R PWV(11.39±1.74 vs.10.54±1.77,t=3.506,P<0.001),R-CAVI(8.25±1.35 vs.7.41±1.20,t=4.768,P<0.001),L-CAVI(8.21±1.30 vs.7.41±1.15,t=4.616,P<0.001),R-IMT(0.67±O.12 vs.0.63±0.13,t=2.503,P=0.012) and L-IMT(0.67±0.11 vs.0.63±0.14,t=2.337,P=O.018) had significant difference between the two groups.Conclusions The medical condition of the Mians needs to be impmved.It is useful to diagnose patients and hish risk people by systemic arterial function examination.

Objective To investigate the change of serum Tg levels of DTC patients with positive stimulated Tg (Tg ≥ 10.00 μg/L),negative 131I-diagnostic whole body scan(Dx-WBS) and no distant metastasis 6 months after initial 131I therapy.Methods Fifty-six DTC patients (20 males,36 females,average age 43.11 (21-70) y) with intermediate or low risk of recurrence according to American Thyroid Association (ATA) guideline were enrolled into the retrospective study.All patients were grouped according to stimulated Tg level after initial 131I therapy:group with positive Tg (Tg+ group,n =19) and group with negative Tg (Tgˉ group,n=37).Changes of suppressed Tg at 1 year and 2.5 years (Tg1ysup and Tg2.5ysup) after initial therapy were compared between the two groups.Serum TSH level,TgAb level,neck ultrasound and chest CT results were also evaluated.The two-sample t test and x2 test were used for statistical analysis with SPSS 17.0.Results Stimulated Tg and Tglysup levels in Tg+ group were remarkably higher than those in Tgˉ group:(24.27±4.10) μg/L vs (2.73±3.01) μg/L,t=7.191,P＜0.05(6 months after initial 131I therapy) ; (2.21±0.55) vs (0.48±0.10) μg/L,t=3.102,P＜0.05(1 year after initial 131I therapy),respectively.In Tg+ group,suppressed Tg level decreased with time in 68.4％ (13/19) of patients,of whom the Tg2.5ysup level was much lower than Tglysup level ((0.53±0.15) μg/L vs (1.38±0.50) μg/L).Tg2.5sup level in Tg+ group became comparable to that in Tgˉ group ((1.44±0.52) μg/L vs (0.38±0.07) μg/L; t =2.001,P＞0.05).In each group,one case of recurrence with suppressed Tg of 1.4 μg/L and 0.1 μg/L respectively,was observed using neck ultrasound after 2 years of follow-up.Conclusions Serum Tg levels decreased with time for Tg+/131I-Dx-WBS-DTC patients with intermediate or low risk of recurrence.It might not be necessary to follow up these patients with Tg and 131 I-DxWBS after 6 months of initial 131I therapy.

Objective To build a bio-material artificial chest wall and discuss its feasibility and efficiency in reconstruction of huge bony defects of chest wall in mongrels in comparison with traditional "sandwich" procedure. Methods (1) The procine osteal and membranate tissues were treated with epoxy cross linking method and their surfaces were modified with amino acid solutions at various concen-trations and at different temperatures to obtain an artificial pleura and artificial ribs for construction of the artificial chest wall. (2) The huge bony defects (5 cm×5 cm) were created in chest wall of five Chinese mongrels. (3) Three mongrels in test group was repaired with artificial chest wall, while two mongrels in control group was repaired with traditional "sandwich" complex. A follow-up was carried out to observe reconstruction effect and rejection in both groups at 3,6 and 12 months after implantation. Results There was no death found during the perioperative period and at 12 month follow-up in test group, with abnormal contour of chest wall and good thoracic activity after reconstruction. In the meantime, there found no rejection, collapse in the repaired region or paradoxical respiration. The postoperative X-rays at 3,6,12 and 24 months showed a good integrity of the thorax, with no collapse, deformation or abnormal movement. Meanwhile, the follow-up of control group showed a normal contour but slight collapse, with no paradoxical respiration. The Chest X-ray examination revealed that the bone cement in" sandwich" complex was X ray opaque and showed mild abnormal movement with breathing. The common blood test and immune items showed no abnormal. Conclusions The bio-material artificial chest wall is a safe and effective reconstruction technique for bony defects of thoracic wall in mongrels, with no acute or chronic rejection.

Objective To investigate the preventive effects of curcumin for status epilepticus(SE) induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine.Methods Totally 45 Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: preventive group(n=15),non-preventive group(n=15),and control group(n=15).The latency peroid and incidence of SE were recorded.The surviving neurons were stained by using nissl staining,and the programme death cells were detected by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) in hippocampal CA3.Results The SE incidence of preventive group was 66.7%,which was significantly lower than that of non-preventive group(P0.05).Conclusion Pretreatment of curcumin can prevent the SE induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine and the pretreatment can not protect the neuron.