[Application effects of feedforward control theory in the rollover bed treatment of mass patients with burn-explosion combined injury]

Objective: To explore the application effects of feedforward control theory in the rollover bed treatment of mass patients with burn-explosion combined injury. Methods: A retrospective observational research was conducted. From June 13 to 14, 2020, 15 patients with severe burn-explosion combined injury caused by liquefied natural gas tank car explosion and conforming to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. There were 13 males and 2 females, aged 33-92 (66±17) years. All the patients were treated with rollover bed from 48 h post admission, and the feedforward control theory was introduced, including establishing a special feedforward control management team for rollover bed, clarifying the duties of the medical staff in the rollover bed treatment of patients, implementing the cooperation strategy of multidisciplinary physician, training and examining for 80 nurses in the temporarily organized nurse team in the form of "rollover bed workshop", and formulating the checklist and valuation list of rollover bed treatment for continuous quality control. The frequency and the total number of turning over, and successful rate of one-time posture change with the rollover bed of patients within 30 days of admission were recorded, the occurrences of adverse events caused by improper operation for the rollover bed during the treatment were observed, including respiratory and cardiac arrests, treatment interruption, unplanned extubation, bed falling, and skin graft displacement. The lowest levels of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), the number of patients with oxygenation index>300 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and the occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of patients within 2 days of admission and on the 30th day of admission were recorded. Results: Within 30 days of admission, the patients were turned over with the rollover bed for 2 to 6 times each day, with a total of 1 320 turning over operations, the successful rate of one-time posture change reached 99.9% (1 319/1 320), and no adverse event occurred. Within 2 days of admission, the lowest levels of PaO2 and PaCO2 of the patients were (100±19) and (42±4) mmHg, respectively, and the number of patients with mild, moderate, and severe ARDS were 10, 2, and 3, respectively, and none of the patients had oxygenation index>300 mmHg. On the 30th day of admission, the lowest levels of PaO2 and PaCO2 of the patients were (135±28) and (37±8) mmHg, respectively, 3 patients developed moderate ARDS, 1 patient developed severe ARDS, and 11 patients had oxygenation index>300 mmHg. Conclusions: The introduction of feedforward control theory in the treatment of rollover bed of mass patients with burn-explosion combined injury can ensure safe and successful completion of turning over with the rollover bed, promote the repair of burn wound, and improve respiratory function, and therefore improve the treatment quality of patients.

[Survival analysis of different kinds of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutated non-small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastasis]

Objective: To explore the prognosis of patients with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) and epidermal growth factor receptor mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with different kinds of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Methods: From January 2016 to June 2021, the clinicopathological data of 70 patients confirmed by histologically or cytologically EGFRm LM who received different types of TKIs in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed. According to treatment patterns, patients were divided into the first-and second-generation EGFR-TKIs treatment group and the third-generation EGFR-TKIs treatment group [Osimertinib 80 mg once a day], and the prognosis and prognostic factors (with Cox proportional hazards model) of patients in different treatment group were assessed. The next-generation sequencing (NGS) of paired samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma from 64 patients at the time of LM diagnosis was performed simultaneously. Results: There were 20 males and 50 females in 70 EGFRm NSCLC patients with LM. The age ranged from 35 to 69 years, with a median age of 56 years. A total of 24 patients received the first-and second-generation EGFR-TKIs treatment, and 46 received the third-generation EGFR-TKIs treatment. Twenty-four patients developed disease progression on the first-and second EGFR-TKIs treatments, followed by treatment with the third-generation EGFR-TKIs (Osimertinib) in 12 cases, chemotherapy or anti-angiogenesis therapy in 4 cases, and the optimal supportive treatment in 8 cases. Among the 70 patients, 18 had partial response (PR), 48 had stable disease (SD), and 4 had progressive disease (PD). The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 26% (18/70) and 94% (66/70), respectively. The median follow-up time was 16.5 months. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.3 months(95%CI: 2.8-7.8)in the first-and second-generation EGFR-TKIs and 10.8 months (95%CI: 7.9-13.6) in the third-generation EGFR-TKIs, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.019). The median overall survival (OS) was 14.9 months (95%CI: 9.7-20.0) and 15.7 months (95%CI: 13.3-18.1) in the two groups, respectively, but no statistical differences was observed (P=0.713). Univariate analysis showed that the PFS of patients with EGFRm LM were related to gender and different types of EGFR-TKIs (P˂0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that male (HR=2.30, 95%CI: 1.31-4.03, P=0.004) and the first-and second-generation EGFR-TKIs (HR=2.03, 95%CI: 1.20-3.41, P=0.008) were independent risk factors for PFS in patients with EGFRm LM. The EGFR mutation was detected in 61 (95%) CSF and in 27 (42%) plasma samples. Conclusion: In EGFRm NSCLC patients with LM, the dose of Osimertinib 80 mg (once a day) has a significant PFS benefit compared with the first-and second-generation EGFR-TKIs.

[Analysis on job burnout status and its influencing factors among female workers of labor-intensive enterprises]

Objective: To analyze the status and its influencing factors of job burnout among female workers of labor-intensive enterprises. Methods: A total of 750 female workers from 5 labor-intensive enterprises in Guangdong Province were selected as the study subjects by random cluster sampling method in August, 2019. 665 valid questionnaires were collected, and the effective recovery rate was 88.67%. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey was used to assess job burnout and its influencing factors were analyzed. Results: Among 665 female workers, 429 (64.51%) found to have different levels of burnout, among which 380 (57.14%) were mild to moderate burnout and 49 (7.37%) were severe burnout. The comprehensive scores of job burnout in different age, marital status, current post working age, working time per week, personal monthly income, working system and occupational stress groups were statistically significant (P<0.01) . There were significant differences in the score of emotional exhaustion in different age, marital status, current working age, working time per week, personal monthly income and occupational stress groups (P<0.05) . There were significant differences in the dimensions of depersonalization in different age, weekly work time, personal monthly income, working system and occupational stress groups (P<0.05) . There were significant differences in the dimensions of low individual achievement in different education levels, weekly work time, working system and occupational stress groups (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The female workers of labor-intensive enterprises are generally have mild to moderate job burnout. The main influencing factors of job burnout are weekly work time and occupational stress.

Comparative genome-wide methylation analysis of longissimus dorsi muscles in Yorkshire and Wannanhua pigs

DNA methylation was one of the earliest discovered epigenetic modifications in vertebrates, and is an important epigenetic mechanism involved in the expression of genes in many biological processes, including muscle growth and development. Its effects on economically important traits are evidenced in reported differences in meat quality traits between Chinese indigenous pig breeds (Wannanhua pig) and Western commercial pig breeds (Yorkshire pig), and this presents a unique model for analyzing the effects of DNA methylation on these traits. In the present study, a whole genome DNA methylation analysis was performed on the two breeds using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation. GO functional enrichment and pathway enrichment analyses identified differentially methylated genes primarily associated with fatty acid metabolism, biological processes of muscle development and signaling pathways related to muscle development and pork quality. Differentially methylated genes were verified by sodium pyrosequencing, and the results were consistent with the sequencing results. The results of the integrative analysis between DNA methylation and gene expression revealed that the DNA methylation levels showed a significantly negative correlation with gene expression levels around the transcription start site of genes. In total, 41 genes were both differentially expressed and methylated; these genes were related to fat metabolism, lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle development. This study could help further explore the molecular mechanisms and phenotypic differences in pig growth and development among different breeds.

[Development of the Core Occupational Stress Scale for occupational populations in China]

Objective: To develop the Core Occupational Stress Scale (COSS) for key occupational populations, and to assess the reliability and validity of COSS in China. Methods: According to the literature review, in-depth interview and expert evaluation, the item pool of COSS was established. A total of 20 981 employees (3 703 employees from 2018 and 17 178 employees from 2019) of manufacturing, medical, and traffic polices, etc. from Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Jiangsu, Shandong, Zhejiang, Hunan, Guangdong and Hubei were investigated using convenient sampling of those participating in general or occupational health examination of the day. Item differential test and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to screen items from the item pool; confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test structure validity; criterion and convergent validity were tested by Pearson correlation. Cronbach's α coefficient was used to test the reliability of the scale. Results: The EFA suggested a four-factor structure for a 17-item version of COSS, which were social support, organization and reward, demand and effort, and control. It explained 62.06% of the total variance and factor loadings ranged from 0.447 to 0.918. The CFA confirmed the hypothesized four-factor model (GFI=0.904, CFI=0.912, RMSEA=0.079). The COSS scores were positively correlated with burnout, depressive symptoms, and effort-reward imbalance scores with r ranging from 0.357 to 0.567 (P<0.05). The total COSS and each dimension of Cronbach's α coefficients were 0.772-0.896. Conclusions: The COSS has good reliability and validity and can be used as an occupation stress assessment for occupational populations in China.

Probiotic administration of lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 attenuates atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice fed with a high-fat diet

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 on atherosclerotic progression in apolipoprotein-E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice fed with a high-fat diet and the underlying mechanisms of its action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight-week-old ApoE-/- mice were treated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 daily for 12 weeks. ApoE-/- mice in the vehicle group and wild type (WT) mice were treated with normal saline. Serum lipid levels, histopathological analysis of the aorta, oxidative and inflammatory indexes and activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway were examined.

RESULTS

Compared to ApoE-/- mice in the vehicle group, no changes in body weight or serum lipid levels were found in ApoE-/- mice treated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1. However, the administration of GR-1 slowed down the development of atherosclerosis and reduced plaque formation. Additionally, GR-1 attenuated the development of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in a dose-dependent manner in ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet. Furthermore, in ApoE-/- mice treated with GR-1, GR-1 was demonstrated to have a role in inhibiting the translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and suppressing the degradation of IκB-α.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that the administration of GR-1 decreased atherosclerotic lesion size in ApoE-/- mice by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, the NF-κB signaling pathway might mediate these effects.

[Evidence summary for postoperative hypothermia rewarming in adults with severe burns]

Objective: To retrieve, evaluate, and summarize the best evidence for postoperative hypothermia rewarming in adults with severe burns. Methods: Foreign language databases including Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center Database, PubMed, Ovid-Medline, BMJ Best Practice, and Web of Science were retrieved with the search terms of " severe burn/major burn/severe degree burn" , " hypothermia/warming intervention/hypothermia/temperature/body temperature change" , and " postoperative /perioperative/peri-operative/post-operative" and Chinese databases including Chinese Journal Full-Text Database, Wanfang Database, and VIP Database were retrieved with the search terms of "//" , "/" , and "" to obtain all the publicly published evidence for postoperative hypothermia rewarming in adults with severe burns from the establishment of each database to April 2018, including systematic evaluations, guidelines, expert consensus, evidence summary, and original research closely related to the evidence. The literatures were screened and evaluated for their quality, the evidences were extracted from them, evaluated, classified in order to summarize the best evidences. Results: A total of 8 literatures were included, including one systematic evaluation, three guidelines, one expert consensus, and three evidence summaries. Finally, the best evidences in 8 aspects including the body temperature monitoring site, body temperature monitoring frequency, surface heating, in vivo heating, rewarming start, multi-strategy rewarming, equipment, and personnel training were summarized. Conclusions: Based in the evidence-based nursing method, this study retrieves and evaluates the literature, summarizes the evidence analysis and evaluation, and obtains the best evidences of postoperative hypothermia rewarming in adult patients with severe burns, which provides a strong reference for the clinical implementation of rewarming.

[Practice of nosocomial infection management in burn department based on the American hospital evaluation standard of the Joint Commission International]

Objective: To explore the role of continuous quality improvement measures based on the American hospital evaluation standard of the Joint Commission International (JCI) in prevention and control of nosocomial infection in Burn Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (hereinafter referred to as the author' s department). Methods: From 2013 to 2018, based on 11 JCI standards related to infection prevention and control and the current situation of the author' s department, more than 50 doctors, nurses, and nursing assistants from the author' s department participated in continuous improvement of the three-level management system of nosocomial infection in the author' s department, focusing on implementing of management of patient with multidrug resistant bacteria infection, optimizing the infection control management of instrument and cloth, and implementing target management on 5 indicators such as hand hygiene implementation rate, and carrying out inspection, quality management, and improvement on 11 items of prevention and control of nosocomial infection. The implementation rate of hand hygiene from 2013 to 2018 and the accuracy rate of hand hygiene from 2016 to 2018 of medical staff in the author' s department, and incidences of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) of central venous, catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) of burn intensive care unit in the author's department from 2013 to 2018 were monitored.The following 7 indicators were monitored from 2013 to 2018, including false negative rate of nosocomial infection, incidence of hyperglycemia during intensive insulin treatment for severely burned patients, the implementation rate of CRBSI preventive measures, the specification rate of surface fixation of indwelling catheter, the implementation rate of VAP preventive measures, the accuracy rate of bed temperature during the use of suspended bed, and the implementation rate of hand hygiene of standardized training medical staff in the author' s department before and after improvement. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test. Results: The implementation rate of hand hygiene of medical staff in the author' s department was 88.0%-89.5% from 2013 to 2018, the correct rate of hand hygiene of medical staff in the author' s department was 95.10%-97.35%, and both reached the target values. The incidences of CRBSI in 2015, VAP in 2017, and CAUTI in 2013, 2014, and 2017 of burn intensive care unit failed to reach the respective target value and reached the respective target value after quality improvement, and the above-mentioned 3 indicators reached the respective target value in other years. From 2013 to 2018, the false negative rate of nosocomial infection and the incidence of hyperglycemia during intensive insulin treatment of severely burned patients in the author' s department after improvement were significantly lower than those before improvement (χ(2)=24.50, 4.74, P<0.05 or P<0.01), the implementation rate of CRBSI preventive measures, the specification rate of surface fixation of indwelling catheter, the implementation rate of VAP preventive measures, and the accuracy rate of bed temperature during the use of suspended bed after improvement in the author' s department were significantly higher than those before improvement (χ(2)=13.78, 6.50, 20.37, 13.92, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the implementation rate of hand hygiene of standardized training medical staff in the author' s department after improvement was similar to that before improvement (χ(2)=1.71, P>0.05). Conclusions: The introduction of JCI standard can improve the implementation rate and accuracy rate of hand hygiene of medical staff in burn department, reduce the incidences of CRBSI, CAUTI, and VAP, and improve the effect of prevention and control of nosocomial infection in burn department.

[Cyto-inactivation instantly induced by microwave ablation on thyroid nodules]

Objective: To explore the effect of microwave ablation on thyroid nodules cell activity by the reaction of key enzyme of cell activation. Methods: From November 2017 to February 2018, 104 patients with 120 thyroid nodules underwent ultrasound-guided microwave ablation at Super-minimally Invasive Medicals, Shanghai International Medical Center, aged 14-55 years, 42 males and 62 females.Twice core needle biopsy were performed before and after thermal ablation.The specimen were using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and enzyme histochemical staining with include succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d), respectively, and observe under microscope. Results: Enzyme histochemical staining showed that the positive rate of SDH and NADPH-d in the marginal region and transitional region were 100% before ablation, and were 0% immediately after ablation.The positive rate of SDH and NADPH-d histochemical staining in the same area before and immediately after ablation was statistically significant (P<0.05). Shortly after microwave ablation, the tissue structure and cell morphology showed no obvious alteration in HE stained sections, but in sections with enzyme histochemical staining, the activity of SDH and NADPH-d in ablated tissue disappeared.The accuracy rate of pathologic diagnosis was 100% after ablation. Conclusions: SDH and NADPH-d enzyme activity may be better in evaluating the short-term efficacy of microwave ablation of thyroid nodules than HE staining.

[Effect of cetylpyridinium chloride Buccal Tablets on perioperative application of OSAHS patients]

Objective:To investigate the effect of Cetylpyridinium Chloride Buccal Tablets on perioperative application of OSAHS patients.Method:Sixty patients of OSAHS were randomly divided into treatment group and control group according to the ratio of 1:1, using randomized single-blind controlled trial. The treatment group was treated with Cetylpyridinium Chloride Buccal Tablets in perioperative period and the control group was not. All patients accepted UPPP. Pharyngeal pain, pharyngeal edema, levels of IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-α in saliva were analyzed on the first day, third day and fifth day after surgery.Result:Compared with control group, the pharyngeal pain of treatment group was slighter on the third day and fifth day (P< 0.05). The levels of IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α in saliva were lower on the third day and fifth day (P< 0.05).Conclusion:Applying Cetylpyridinium Chloride Buccal Tablets during perioperative period can effectively relieve postoperative pharyngeal pain and inflammatory response in patients with OSAHS.

Abstract P6-01-02: Integration of whole-genome sequencing and functional screening to identify breast cancer lung metastatic drivers

This abstract was not presented at the symposium.

Placenta percreta with colon involvement in a twin pregnancy: case report and literature review

A case of a woman with twin pregnancy having placenta percreta involving the colon, showed hematochezia symptoms, experienced bleeding which caused the patient's mortality. Placenta percreta with bowel involvement is a very serious complication of pregnancy. Symptoms are very atypical and it is very difficult to diagnose.

Invasive pulmonary fungal infections in patients with connective tissue disease: a retrospective study from northern China

Invasive pulmonary fungal infection (IPFI) is a potentially fatal complication in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). The current study aimed to uncover the clinical characteristics and risk factors of patients with IPFI-CTD. The files of 2186 CTD patients admitted to a single center in northern China between January 2011 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 47 CTD patients with IPFI were enrolled into this study and assigned to the CTD-IPFI group, while 47 uninfected CTD patients were assigned to the control group. Clinical manifestations were recorded, and risk factors of IPFI were calculated by stepwise logistical regression analysis. Forty-seven (2.15%) CTD patients developed IPFI. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients were responsible for the highest proportion (36.17%) of cases with IPFI. Candida albicans (72.3%) accounted for the most common fungal species. CTD-IPFI patients had significantly elevated white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and fasting glucose values compared to controls (P<0.05). Cough, sputum and blood in phlegm were the most common symptoms. Risk factors of IPFI in CTD included maximum prednisone dose ≥30 mg/day within 3 months prior to infection, anti-microbial drug therapy, and interstitial pneumonia. CTD patients who have underlying interstitial pneumonia, prior prednisone or multiple antibiotics, were more likely to develop IPFI.

Laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy due to giant uterine fibroids: a case report

The laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy (LSH) was given to a patient whose uterus was about seven-month pregnanacy because of fibroids. The biggest problem was the operation space and visual field was too narrow. Different from the usual procedure we do, we morcellated the uterus at the beginning to expand the space. Loop ligature of the uterine isthmus was adopted to block uterine ateries before morcellating the uterus. After the adnexa exposed totally, we started to cut off the round ligaments, proper ligaments and fallopian tubes like usual. It was the first time we did LSH for so giant uterus in our hospital, although which was usually suitable for the uterus smaller than four-month pregnancy. But if the uterine ateries can be blocked effectively at the beginning, the uterus can be morcellated and the space will be enlarged. The laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy will also be completed successfully.

Genome-wide survey and phylogenetic analysis on subunit sequences of eukaryotic DNA polymerase delta

DNA polymerase d is not only the major replicative enzyme in eukaryotic chromosomal DNA synthesis but is also the primary polymerase for most DNA repair pathways. However, the subunit composition of polymerase d varies in different organisms. While polymerase d in many eukaryotic species has all 4 subunits (POLD1, 2, 3, and 4), many other organisms do not possess POLD4. Whether POLD4 is indispensable and why these differences exist are unknown. In the present study, we identified the POLD4 protein sequences of 218 eukaryotic species and determined the POLD1, 2, and 3 protein sequences of 55 species representing various taxonomic groups. No insect and nematode species examined possessed POLD4. Approximately 80% of protozoan species did not contain POLD4. Nearly 50% of fungal species did not contain POLD4. Other animal and plant species are expected to contain POLD4. Phylogenetic analyses of POLD1, 2, 3, and 4 sequences revealed that most animal and plant species inherited DNA polymerase d from protozoa, whereas some other animal and plant species may have inherited polymerase d directly from fungi. Because a large number of protozoan and fungal species do not possess POLD4, current insect and nematode species lacking POLD4 may have evolved from ancestor protozoan species lacking POLD4; thus, other protozoan and animal species lacking POLD4 may share a similar evolutionary history. Future studies should examine the origin and indispensability of POLD4 in various organisms.

Comparative study of pelvic floor biofeedback training and tolterodine for treatment of detrusor after-contraction in posturination dribbling in children

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of detrusor after-contraction (DA-C) in children with posturination dribbling, and compare the outcomes of pharmacological treatment and pelvic floor biofeedback training.

METHODS

Children with posturination dribbling underwent urodynamic studies. Patients with DA-C were randomly allocated to one of two groups: pelvic floor biofeedback training or 1 mg tolterodine, orally, twice daily. Treatment was continued for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

The study included 45 children. DA-C was present in 39 patients (86.6%), 30 (76.9%) of whom also exhibited detrusor overactivity. Pelvic floor biofeedback training resulted in a significantly better response than tolterodine, in terms of reduction in the number of posturination dribbling events in the month after completion of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

DA-C is closely associated with posturination dribbling in children. Pelvic floor biofeedback training should be considered the initial treatment option in these patients.

Genetic differentiation of chinese indigenous meat goats ascertained using microsatellite information

To investigate the genetic diversity of seven Chinese indigenous meat goat breeds (Tibet goat, Guizhou white goat, Shannan white goat, Yichang white goat, Matou goat, Changjiangsanjiaozhou white goat and Anhui white goat), explain their genetic relationship and assess their integrity and degree of admixture, 302 individuals from these breeds and 42 Boer goats introduced from Africa as reference samples were genotyped for 11 microsatellite markers. Results indicated that the genetic diversity of Chinese indigenous meat goats was rich. The mean heterozygosity and the mean allelic richness (AR) for the 8 goat breeds varied from 0.697 to 0.738 and 6.21 to 7.35, respectively. Structure analysis showed that Tibet goat breed was genetically distinct and was the first to separate and the other Chinese goats were then divided into two sub-clusters: Shannan white goat and Yichang white goat in one cluster; and Guizhou white goat, Matou goat, Changjiangsanjiaozhou white goat and Anhui white goat in the other cluster. This grouping pattern was further supported by clustering analysis and Principal component analysis. These results may provide a scientific basis for the characteristization, conservation and utilization of Chinese meat goats.

Predictive potential of microsatellite markers on heterosis of fecundity in crossbred sheep

Small Tail Han (STH) sheep is a famous Chinese local breed and has perfect prolificacy performance, but it is inferior to imported mutton sheep breeds on meat production. In this study, six imported male sheep populations (White Suffolk, Black Suffolk, Texel, Dorper, South African Mutton Merino and East Friesian) were crossbred with STH female sheep respectively. The heterosis values of litter size, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of crossbred sheep were analyzed for seeking the optimal cross. Meanwhile 28 microsatellite markers were used to measure the genetic distance between imported populations and STH population. Regression between the genetic distance and heterosis was analyzed for evaluating potential of microsatellite on predicting heterosis. Results showed a significant positive linear correlation (r = 0.892, P < 0.05) between heterosis of litter size and genetic distance D (A) of six crosses. This implied that these microsatellite markers had moderate potential to forecast heterosis of litter size in sheep. Results of this study also indicated that South African Mutton Merino and East Friesian sheep would be the optimal sire breeds for the litter size and might bring the greatest economic benefit in six imported populations; Suffolk sheep could be prior consideration as sire breeds when breeding objective focused on ADG. Finally these results provided valuable information for Chinese sheep industry.

Enhancement of the hydrolysis activity of β-galactosidase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus by saturation mutagenesis

Thermostable β-galactosidase (BgaB) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus is characterized by its thermoactivity in the hydrolysis of lactose to produce lactose-free milk products. However, BgaB has limited activity toward lactose. We established a method for screening evolved mutants with high hydrolysis activity based on prediction of substrate binding sites. Seven amino acid residues were identified as candidates for substrate binding to galactose. To study the hydrolysis activity of these residues, we constructed mutants by site-saturation mutagenesis of these residue sites, and each variant was screened for its hydrolysis activity. The first round of mutagenesis showed that changes in amino acid residues of Arg109, Tyr272, and Glu351 resulted in altered hydrolysis activity, including greater activity toward ortho-nitrophenyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (oNPG). The mutants R109V and R109L displayed changes in the optimum pH from 7.0 to 6.5, and the mutant R109V/L displayed different substrate affinity and catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)). Mutant R109G showed complete loss of BgaB enzymatic activity, suggesting that Arg109 plays a significant role in maintaining hydrolysis activity. The optimum pH of mutant E351R increased from 7.0 to 7.5 and this mutant showed a prominent increase in catalytic efficiency with oNPG and lactose as substrates.

First Report of Alternaria Leaf Blight on Bupleurum chinense Caused by Alternaria alternata in China

Bupleurum chinense DC. (family Umbelliferae) is an important medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine and is cultivated as an economically important plant in China (2). From 2006 to 2009, severe foliar disease was observed on B. chinense in Haidian, Changping, and Shunyi districts, Beijing, China. Approximately 75 to 85% of fields were affected with disease incidence ranging from 65 to 90%. Distribution of the disease in affected B. chinense fields was generally associated with high soil moisture, often corresponding to poor drainage. Initial symptoms first appeared on older leaves as irregularly shaped, minute, dark brown-to-black spots, with yellow borders on the edge of the affected leaflet blade. As the disease progressed, the lesions expanded, causing the leaflets to turn brown, shrivel, and die. Isolations performed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) initially resulted in white colonies. After 7 days of incubation at 25°C, the colonies turned gray or brown. Conidia varied in size from 10 × 6 to 40 × 12 μm, appeared brown to dark brown or olive-brown, were short beaked and borne in long chains, oval and bean-shaped with one to six transverse septa and zero to three longitudinal septa. Sequences of the rDNA from the internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 and the 5.8S gene were amplified using primers ITS1 and ITS4, were obtained from three isolates, and comparisons with GenBank showed 100% similarity with A. alternata (Genbank Accession No. AB470912.1). For pathogenicity tests, three isolates were grown on PDA for 14 days. Inoculations were performed on detached, surface-sterilized, and healthy B. chinense leaflets following the method of Belisario (1). A 5-μl drop of conidial suspension containing 1 × 10⁵ CFU/ml was placed on each leaflet and 12 leaves per isolate were used. Leaves were incubated in a growth chamber (80 to 90% relative humidity; 50 to 60 klx/m² light intensity with a 12-h photoperiod). After 5 days, leaf spots similar to the original symptoms developed on all inoculated leaves and A. alternata was consistently reisolated from symptomatic leaf tissues on PDA. Control leaflets inoculated with sterile water remained asymptomatic. The experiment was performed three times. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. alternata on B. chinense from China. References: (1) A. Belisario et al. Plant Dis. 83:696, 1999. (2) C. Sui et al. Plant Dis. 93:844, 2009.

DNA polymorphism of 5' flanking region of prolactin gene and its association with litter size in sheep

A single nucleotide polymorphism of 5' flanking region of the prolactin gene was investigated in both high prolificacy breeds (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and low prolificacy breeds (Dorset and Suffolk sheep) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). The results indicated that two genotypes (AA and AB) were detected in Small Tail Han sheep (n = 239), only one genotype (AA) was detected in Hu (n = 40), Dorset (n = 50) and Suffolk sheep (n = 39). The mutant homozygous genotype (BB) was not detected in four sheep breeds. In Small Tail Han sheep (n = 239), the frequency of genotypes AA and AB was 0.91 and 0.09, the frequency of the A and B alleles was 0.95 and 0.05, respectively. The fitness tests showed that the Small Tail Han sheep population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Sequencing revealed a mutation (G-->T) at the position 63 bp of the 5' flanking region of prolactin gene in AB genotype compared with AA genotype in Small Tail Han sheep. The Small Tail Han ewes with AB genotype had 0.83 (p < 0.05) lambs more than those with AA genotype. These results preliminarily showed that the prolactin locus is either a major gene that influences the high prolificacy in Small Tail Han sheep or is in close linkage with such a gene.

Adjuvant chemotherapy in oesophageal cancer: a meta-analysis and experience from the Shanghai Cancer Hospital

Whether adjuvant chemotherapy increases survival of oesophageal cancer patients has been widely debated. The present study used meta-analysis software to combine data from six studies up to July 2007 that were found and selected as suitable, comprising a total of 1001 oesophageal cancer patients. The results indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy did not significantly improve outcome in oesophageal cancer patients. A trend towards improved outcome from adjuvant chemotherapy was found in lymph node-positive patients, but did not reach significance. In our own study including 270 oesophageal cancer patients, adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve overall patient survival, but did improve survival for patients with metastases in cervical and/or celiac lymph nodes (stage IVa). Although our study had the largest patient sample, more prospective clinical trials with large numbers of patients are necessary to confirm the value of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IVa patients.

GTP-binding protein-independent potentiation by mastoparan of IL-1 -induced nitric oxide release from insulin-secreting HIT-T15 cells

Our recent data implicated small molecular weight G-proteins (e.g., H-Ras) in interleukin 1beta (IL 1beta)-induced metabolic dysfunction and apoptotic demise of the islet beta cell (Tannous et al., Biochem Pharmacol 2001; 62:1459-1468, Kowluru and Morgan, Biochem Pharmacol, 2002; 63:1027-1035, Chen et al. Biochem Pharmacol, 2003; 66:1681-1694). Recently, we have shown that mastoparan, a tetradecapeptide from wasp venom, has been shown to directly activate islet endogenous G-proteins and regulate islet function (Amin et al., Endocrinology 2003; 144: 4508-4518). Herein, we investigated potential contributory roles, if any, of mastoparan (Mas)-sensitive G-proteins in IL-induced nitric oxide (NO) release from insulin-secreting HIT-T15 cells. While, ineffective by itself, Mas significantly potentiated IL-induced NO release from HIT-T15 cells. Interestingly, Mas-17, an inactive analog of Mas, also potentiated IL-induced NO release, suggesting that the potentiating effect of Mas may not involve activation of specific G-proteins. Such potentiating effects on IL-induced NO release were also demonstrable in the presence of another polycationic compound, melittin. Together, these findings suggest that Mas-induced potentiation of IL-induced NO release may in part be due to its amphiphilic and polycationic nature. These data also warrant caution in the use of Mas to study its regulation of cellular function without the use of an appropriate negative control, such as Mas-17.

Modeling of organic pollutant destruction in a stirred-tank reactor by ozonation

Destruction of organic contaminants in water by ozonation is a gas-liquid process which involves ozone mass transfer and fast irreversible chemical reactions. Ozonation reactor design and process optimizing require the modeling of the gas-liquid interactions within the reactor. In this paper a theoretical model combining the fluid dynamic and reaction kinetic parameters is proposed for predicting the destruction rates of organic pollutants in a semi-batch stirred-tank reactor by ozonation. A simple expression for the enhancement factor as our previous work has been applied to evaluate the chemical mass transfer coefficient in ozone absorption, 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and 2,6-DCP or their mixture are chosen as the model compounds for simulating, and the predicted DCP concentrations are compared with some measured data.

Activation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase by a glutamate- and magnesium-sensitive protein phosphatase in the islet beta-cell

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) catalyzes the formation of malonyl-CoA, a precursor in the biosynthesis of long-chain fatty acids, which have been implicated in physiological insulin secretion. The catalytic function of ACC is regulated by phosphorylation (inactive)-dephosphorylation (active). In this study we investigated whether similar regulatory mechanisms exist for ACC in the pancreatic islet beta-cell. ACC was quantitated in normal rat islets, human islets, and clonal beta-cells (HIT-15 or INS-1) using a [(14)C]bicarbonate fixation assay. In the beta-cell lysates, ACC was stimulated by magnesium in a concentration-dependent manner. Of all the dicarboxylic acids tested, only glutamate, albeit ineffective by itself, significantly potentiated magnesium-activated ACC in a concentration-dependent manner. ACC stimulation by glutamate and magnesium was maximally demonstrable in the cytosolic fraction; it was markedly reduced by okadaic acid (OKA) in concentrations (<50 nmol/l) that inhibited protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Furthermore, pretreatment of the cytosolic fraction with anti-PP2A serum attenuated the glutamate- and magnesium-mediated activation of ACC, thereby suggesting that ACC may be regulated by an OKA-sensitive PP2A-like enzyme. Streptavidin-agarose chromatography studies have indicated that glutamate- and magnesium-mediated effects on ACC are attributable to activation of ACC's dephosphorylation; this suggests that the stimulatory effects of glutamate and magnesium on ACC might involve activation of an OKA-sensitive PP2A-like enzyme that dephosphorylates and activates ACC. In our study, 5-amino-imidazolecarboxamide (AICA) riboside, a stimulator of AMP kinase, significantly inhibited glucose-mediated activation of ACC and insulin secretion from isolated beta-cells. Together, our data provide evidence for a unique regulatory mechanism for the activation of ACC in the pancreatic beta-cell, leading to the generation of physiological signals that may be relevant for physiological insulin secretion.

Hrs interacts with sorting nexin 1 and regulates degradation of epidermal growth factor receptor

Hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs) is a mammalian homologue of yeast vacuolar protein sorting (Vps) protein Vps27p; however, the role of Hrs in lysosomal trafficking is unclear. Here, we report that Hrs interacts with sorting nexin 1 (SNX1), a recently identified mammalian homologue of yeast Vps5p that recognizes the lysosomal targeting code of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and participates in lysosomal trafficking of the receptor. Biochemical analyses demonstrate that Hrs and SNX1 are ubiquitous proteins that exist in both cytosolic and membrane-associated pools, and that the association of Hrs and SNX occurs on cellular membranes but not in the cytosol. Furthermore, endogenous SNX1 and Hrs form a approximately 550-kDa complex that excludes EGFR. Immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation studies show that Hrs and SNX1 colocalize on early endosomes. By using deletion analysis, we have mapped the binding domains of Hrs and SNX1 that mediate their association. Overexpression of Hrs or its SNX1-binding domain inhibits ligand-induced degradation of EGFR, but does not affect either constitutive or ligand-induced receptor-mediated endocytosis. These results suggest that Hrs may regulate lysosomal trafficking through its interaction with SNX1.

The electrogenerated chemiluminescent behavior of hemin and its catalytic activity for the electrogenerated chemiluminescence of lucigenin

The electrogenerated chemiluminescent (ECL) behavior of hemin at a platinum electrode in the alkaline solution has been investigated in detail. Under the optimum conditions the linear response range of hemin is 1.0 x 10(-5)-1.0 x 10(-8) g ml(-1), the detection limit was 1.0 x 10(-8) g ml(-1), and the relative standard derivation for 1 x 10(-7) g ml(-1) hemin was 2.8%. It has been also found that hemin would catalyze the ECL of lucigenin at a platinum electrode in a neutral solution in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the catalytic ECL intensity was linear with the concentration of hemin in the range of 1.0 x 10(-14)-1.0 x 10(-10) g ml(-1). IgG labeled with hemin was used to examine the ECL catalytic activity of hemin after conjugating to protein, and the results showed that hemin retained ECL catalytic activity when conjugated to protein.

Adsorptive and electrochemical behaviors of estradiol valerate at a mercury electrode

It was found that estradiol valerate could be adsorbed at a mercury electrode under open circuit. The adsorptive and electrochemical behaviors of estradiol valerate on a static mercury electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear scan voltammetry and chronocoulometry. Based on this, a sensitive and selective adsorptive stripping square-wave voltammetric method was developed for the determination of estradiol valerate based on the optimization of solution conditions and electrochemical parameters. It was found that in a Britton-Robinson buffer solution containing 18% alcohol (pH 9.5), estradiol valerate gave a sensitive reductive peak at potential -1.29 V (vs. SCE) and the peak current was linear with the concentration of estradiol valerate in the range 2.0 x 10(-8)-2.5 x 10(-6) mol L-1. The detection limit was 1.1 x 10(-8) mol L-1. The interference of some common steroid estrogens was examined and it was found that they did not interfere in the determination of estradiol valerate in the present system.

Characterization and cytokine stimulating activities of heteroglycans from Tremella fuciformis

Three heteroglycans, T1a, T1b, and T1c, have been isolated from the body of Tremella fuciformis Berk. They are composed of mannose (Man), xylose (Xyl), glucose (Glc), fucose (Fuc), and glucuronic acid (GlcA). According to methylation analysis and partial acidic hydrolysis the main chains of T1a, T1b, and T1c consisted of (1-->3)-linked Man, which was branched at the 2, 4, or 6 positions. The branching points were linked with nonreducing terminal GIcA-residues or (1-->6)-linked glucan-chains. Molecular weights of the three heteroglycans are 53,000, 18,000, and 12,000 D respectively, but they undergo self-aggregation in water. T1a-T1c induce human monocytes to produce interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in vitro. Acidic hydrolysate fractions of T1a (T1a-1, 2, 3, 4, 5) with molecular weight from 53,000 to 1,000 D, also induce human monocytes to produce IL-6 as efficient as T1a.

Osmoregulatory alterations in myo-inositol uptake by bovine lens epithelial cells. Part 4: Induction pattern of Na(+)-myo-inositol cotransporter mRNA under hypertonic conditions denoting an early-onset, interactive, protective mechanism against water stress

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of hypertonicity on the induction of the Na(+)-myo-inositol (Na(+)-MI) cotransporter(s) in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells (BLECs).

METHODS

Na(+)-MI cotransporter 626-bp reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction product amplified from lens cell RNA and aldose reductase (AR) cDNA probes were used to measure respective mRNA content by Northern blot analysis.

RESULTS

Northern blot analysis of BLEC mRNA hybridized to Na(+)-MI cotransporter cDNA showed that Na(+)-MI cotransporter mRNA increased when secondary cultures of BLECs were exposed to physiological medium supplemented with 116 mmol/l NaCl. A time course further revealed a maximal increase in Na(+)-MI cotransporter mRNA by 8 hours. Thereafter, the level of Na(+)-MI cotransporter mRNA steadily declined for the duration of the 72-hour incubation period despite continuous exposure of BLECs to hypertonicity. AR mRNA levels maximally increased by 24 h of cell exposure to hypertonic condition. Unlike Na(+)-MI cotransporter mRNA, AR mRNA remained elevated throughout the duration of the experiment. Hypertonic exposure resulted in a steady state accumulation of myo-inositol and sorbitol for 6 days. Inhibition of sorbitol formation prompted the intracellular myo-inositol content to a higher level.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that enhanced MI transport and accumulation, as an adaptive osmoregulatory response to hypertonicity in cultured BLECs, is a primary, early-onset, protective mechanism against water stress, succeeded by, enhanced sorbitol formation and accumulation, a secondary, late-onset protective mechanism. The lens appears to respond to the preliminary stages of hyperosmotic stress by induction of Na(+)-MI cotransporter mRNA, indicating that the myo-inositol carrier protein(s) play an initial responsive role in the management of osmotic stress. Lens water stress management is interactive because myo-inositol and sorbitol levels are regulated in concert.

Osmoregulatory alterations in myo-inositol uptake by bovine lens epithelial cells. III. Effects of cycloheximide and colchicine on Na(+)-myo-inositol cotransporter activity under hypertonic conditions, inhibition of a plasma membrane osmotic stress protein

Cultured bovine lens epithelial cells adapt to hypertonic sodium stress via an increase in Na(+)-myo-inositol cotransporter activity and accumulate myo-inositol. At least 12 hr of hypertonic exposure was necessary to enhance myo-inositol accumulation; and thereafter, uptake activity continued to increase throughout the duration of a 72-hr exposure period. Switching from hypertonic to isotonic medium for 24 hr reversed the otherwise elevated accumulation activity. The protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, did not affect myo-inositol uptake in isotonic medium but markedly decreased myo-inositol uptake in hypertonic medium. Cells exposed to hypertonic conditions and the microtubule disrupter, colchicine, similarly showed marked impairment of the otherwise enhanced myo-inositol uptake. These studies indicated that hypertonicity-induced elevation of Na(+)-myo-inositol cotransporter activity in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells is not solely attributed to the increased sodium gradient alone, but rather involves increased de novo synthesis of the Na(+)-myo-inositol cotransporter protein(s).

Osmoregulatory alterations in myo-inositol uptake by bovine lens epithelial cells. Part 1: A hypertonicity-induced protein enhances myo-inositol transport

PURPOSE

The nature of the association between attenuated myo-inositol-concentrating capability, intracellular polyol accumulation, and hypertonicity-enhanced myo-inositol uptake was investigated in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells (BLECs) exposed to high ambient galactose.

METHODS

The kinetic characteristics of myo-inositol accumulation based on the measurement of in vitro myo-[3H]inositol (3H-MI) uptake was determined with cultured BLECs incubated in either high ambient galactose or galactose-free, physiological medium under experimental conditions that included both aldose reductase inhibition and elevation of extracellular osmotonicity.

RESULTS

The uptake of 3H-MI was lowered after chronic (20 hour) preincubation of cultured BLECs in 40 mmol/l galactose (i.e., conditions that would favor galactitol synthesis) compared with control cells in galactose-free, physiological medium. Acute exposure (3 hours) of cultured BLECs to a range of 10 to 40 mmol/l galactitol or 5.5 to 44 mmol/l galactose plus the aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI), sorbinil, established by Dixon plot that galactitol, but not galactose, inhibited both the high- and the low-affinity MI transport sites. MI uptake was markedly stimulated in cultured BLECs exposed to galactose-free, hyperosmotic medium by the addition of extracellular raffinose, mannitol, or sorbitol for 20 hours. The enhanced uptake involved increase in the maximal velocity without significant change in Km of both the high- and low-affinity MI transport sites, as indicated by Lineweaver-Burk analysis. However, a similar coadministration of 150 mmol/l sorbitol to the 40 mmol/l galactose (Gal) medium significantly increased, but failed to normalize, the MI uptake relative to that observed with galactose-free, physiological medium. The combined administration of 150 mmol/l sorbitol and the ARI, zopolrestat, to Gal significantly exceeded the MI uptake observed with physiological medium. Exposure of BLECs to cycloheximide for 20 hours did not affect MI uptake in cells maintained in 40 mmol/l galactose but inhibited the otherwise enhanced MI uptake in cells maintained in Gal plus 150 mmol/l sorbitol and zopolrestat in the omission versus the inclusion of cycloheximide.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that bovine lens epithelial cells respond to hypertonic stress by elevating myo-inositol transport activity. The increase in MI uptake is due to an increase in the number (or, possibly, a change in the transporter turnover rate) of high- and low-affinity, sodium-dependent MI transporters expressed as a result of the osmotic shock stemming from exposure to hypertonic medium.

Modulation of myo-[3H]inositol uptake by glucose and sorbitol in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells. I. Restoration of myo-inositol uptake by aldose reductase inhibition

The association between high-ambient glucose, the polyol pathway, and aldose reductase inhibition on in vitro myo-[3H]inositol uptake was examined in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells (BLECs). Myo-[3H]inositol accumulation in the presence of 5.5 mmol/l D-glucose was rapid and linear for 8 hr. When Na+ was replaced on an equal molar basis with N-methyl-D-glucamine chloride, myo-[3H]inositol uptake was reduced by more than 95%. The myo-inositol transport system appear to be distinct from glucose transport, based upon three criteria: (1) 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose uptake, unlike myo-[3H]inositol uptake, was largely sodium independent; (2) L-glucose was a competitive inhibitor of myo-[3H]inositol uptake but had no effect on 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose uptake; and (3) 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose uptake appeared independent of myo-inositol concentration. Sodium-dependent myo-[3H]inositol uptake was substantially inhibited after chronic (20 hr) exposure of cultured cells to 40 mmol/l glucose. Inhibition of aldose reductase activity partially prevented the inhibitory effect of glucose on myo-[3H]inositol accumulation. No significant difference in the rates of passive efflux of myo-[3H]inositol from preloaded high glucose-treated and control cultures was observed. Although the coadministration of sorbinil to the high-glucose medium partially protected against the attendant decrease in transport activity, the failure to normalize myo-[3H]inositol uptake suggested that glucose-sensitive and sorbitol-sensitive processes were involved in the uptake of myo-inositol.

Modulation of myo-[3H]inositol uptake by glucose and sorbitol in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells. II. Characterization of high- and low-affinity myo-inositol transport sites

Myo-[3H]inositol accumulation in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells (BLECs) occurred by high- and low-affinity, Na(+)-dependent transport sites. The high- and low-affinity transport systems had a Km of 27 +/- 4 and 157 +/- 22 mumol/l, respectively, and Vmax of 652 +/- 35 and 2952 +/- 308 pmol/mg protein/hr, respectively. The uptake of myo-[3H]inositol was lowered after chronic (20 hr) incubation of cultured cells in 40 mmol/l glucose throughout the concentration range for 1.5-400 mumol/l myo-inositol. The coadministration of sorbinil (0.1 mmol/l) to 40 mmol/l glucose partially prevented the inhibitory effect of glucose on myo-[3H]inositol uptake. Although the aldose reductase inhibitor prevented the inhibitory effect of glucose on the low-affinity transport site, a glucose-sensitive process for myo-[3H]inositol uptake on the high-affinity transport site was uncovered by Lineweaver-Burk analysis. Acute exposure (3 hr) of cultured BLECs maintained in physiologic medium (Eagle's minimal essential medium, 5.5 mmol/l glucose) to a range of 5.5-44 mmol/l glucose plus sorbinil also caused a decrease in myo-[3H]inositol uptake. Dixon plot analysis confirmed that the acute effect of glucose was the result of competitive inhibition of the high-affinity myo-inositol transport site. Acute exposure of cultured cells to 10-40 mmol/l sorbitol also diminished the accumulation of myo-[3H]inositol. Dixon plot analysis established that the acute effect of exogenous sorbitol was the result of competitive inhibition of the low-affinity myo-inositol transport site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of gender and age on thixotropic properties of whole blood from healthy adult subjects

The thixotropic parameters of whole blood from 314 healthy subjects (154 women, 160 men) were measured with our modified method by Low shear 30 Rheometer and calculated according Huang's equation. This communication offered the reference range of thixotropic parameters from man and woman group. The results demonstrated that no significant differences existed in the plasma viscosity and fibrinogen between man and woman group. Man group had statistically higher values in HCT, yield stress (tau 0), Newtonian contribution of viscosity (mu), non-Newtonian contribution of viscosity (eta s--mu), apparent viscosity at 2.37 sec-1 (eta s), the equilibrium value of the structural parameter (A) and apparent kinetic rate constant of rouleaux breakdown (ARC) than those in woman group. The man and woman groups could be separately divided into five subgroups in terms of age. It was found that the levels of fibrinogen and plasma viscosity had a tendency of increasing with aging. In the old subgroup (greater than 60 years) of men and women HCT, tau v, mu, eta s, (eta s--mu) and A had significant lower values than those in young and middle-age subgroups. However, it was very interested that there were differences of ARC versus age between man group and woman group, i.e. ARC in the man subgroup II, IV had lower and the woman subgroup II, III, IV had higher values than their respective older subgroup did.

[Research on thixotropic parameters of whole blood from Chinese adult subjects]

This study measured the thixotropic parameters of whole blood from 314 healthy subjects (154 women, 160 men) with our modified method by Low Shear-30 Rheometer according to Huang's equation. We suggested the range of normal values of thixotropic parameters from man and woman group. The results demonstrated that no significant differences existed in the plasma viscosity (eta p) and fibrinogen between man and woman group. Man group had significantly higher values than those in woman group in hematocrit (HCT), yield stress (tau 0), Newtonian contribution of viscosity (mu), non-Newtonion contribution of viscosity (eta s-mu), apparent viscosity at 2.37s-1 (eta s), the equilibrium value of the structural parameter (A) and apparent kinetic rate constant of rouleaux breakdown (ARC). The man and woman groups could be separately divided into five subgroups on the basis of age. All parameters were compared with one another and treated statistically. We found that the levels of fibrinogen and eta p had an increasing trend with aging. In the old subgroup (greater than or equal to 60 years) of man and woman, HCT, tau 0, mu, eta s, (eta s-mu) and A had significantly lower values than those in young and middle age subgroups. However, it was very interesting that there were differences of ARC versus age between the man and woman groups, i.e., ARC in the man subgroup 3, 4 had lower values and in the woman subgroup 2, 3, 4 had higher values than their respective older subgroups did.

[Observation and measurement of coronary arteries of goat]

The coronary arteries of 50 goats were studied by means of angiography and dissection. The results were as follows: The right coronary artery (RCA) and left coronary artery (LCA) arose from the right and left aortic sinuses respectively. At the beginning, the average external diameter of RCA (2.98 +/- 1.02 mm) was smaller than that of LCA (3.42 +/- 0.74 mm). An independent inter ventricular septal artery (in 94%) supplied the upper two-thirds of the inter ventricular septum. The arterial distributive types were divided into three: The LCA was dominant in 96%, symmetrical in 4%, RCA dominant in 0%. Sixty two percent of the S-A node arteries arose from the RCA, 28% from LCA, 10% from both RCA and LCA. All the A-V node arteries originated from the LCA.

[Intraoperative hemodynamics of pyrolytic carbon cambered bileaflet valve replacement in animals]

Pyrolytic carbon cambered bileaflet valve developed by Chengdu University of Technology and Sciences was evaluated for its hemodynamics. The curved surface of the valve leaflet is cylindrical. Under anaesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass and chemical cardioplegia, a cambered bileaflet valve (i.d. = 16 mm) was replaced at mitral position in each of 12 goats. Before valve replacement, mitral flow rate (MFR) was 74.9 +/- 12.3 ml.sec-1, average valvular pressure drop delta P) 0.56 +/- 0.17 kPa (4.2 +/- 1.3 mmHg) and effective opening area (EOA) of the valve 1.20 +/- 0.18 cm2. After valve replacement, corresponding hemodynamic parameters were 49.3 +/- 12.7 ml.sec-1, 0.46 +/- 0.17 kPa (3.8 +/- 1.3 mmHg) and 0.81 +/- 0.12 cm2 respectively. In our previous report on yak pericardiac heart valve (i.d. = 20 mm) in goats, corresponding hemodynamic parameters after valve replacement were 45.6 +/- 11.8 ml.sec-1, 0.86 +/- 0.32 kpa (6.4 +/- 2.4 mmHg) and 0.65 +/- 0.26 cm2. With comparable mitral flow rate and heart rate (113.6 +/- 19.6 min-1 vs 119.1 +/- 17.1 min-1), the average valvular pressure drop of pyrolytic carbon cambered bileaflet valve is significantly smaller than that of the yak pericardiac valve (P less than 0.001), and the effective opening area is marginally larger than that of the yak pericardiac valve (0.05 less than P less than 0.1). If the same-sized valves of this two kinds are used, the hemodynamic parameter of cambered bileaflet valve would be better than those of yak pericardiac valve. Since the latter valve has been successfully used in patients, the present valve might be applicable in clinical situation.

Effects of male accessory sex gland secretions on early embryonic development in the golden hamster

The ventral prostates, dorsolateral prostates, coagulating glands, seminal vesicles and/or ampullary glands were bilaterally removed from adult male hamsters. Removal of these glands did not affect the fertilization rate and cleavage of the embryos at 48 h post coitum (p.c.). Air-dried preparations of the embryos showed a delay in cleavage at 72 h p.c. and a significant number of degenerated embryos was also found in females mated with males from which all the male accessory sex glands had been removed. A significant implantation loss was also observed at 122 h p.c. The results suggest that, in the golden hamster, removal of the male accessory sex gland causes a slower cleavage rate in embryonic development and a significant embryonic loss during pregnancy.

Effects of hematocrit on thixotropic properties of human blood

The rheological properties of whole human blood exhibit thixotropic behavior at low shear rates up to about ten reciprocal seconds (1). The accepted cause of this shear rate-dependent and time-dependent behavior is the progressive breakdown of rouleaux into individual red cells. Huang developed a rheological equation which incorporates the kinetics of rouleau breakdown in his models (2). This five-parameter equation was used successfully to represent the hysteresis loop and the torque-decay curve of whole human blood. Numerical values of these five thixotropic parameters, which characterize the rheological behavior of the blood from apparently healthy human subjects, were established (3). In this communication, we examined the effect of hematocrit on each of the above mentioned parameters. The results show that the following parameters will increase their values with an increase in hematocrit: the yield stress, Newtonian contribution of viscosity, non-Newtonian contribution of viscosity, apparent viscosity and the equilibrium value of the structural parameter which indicates the relative amount of rouleaux in blood. Mathematical equations were developed to give the relationship between parameters and hematocrit. Two other thixotropic parameters, viz. the kinetic rate constant of rouleaux breakdown into individual red cells and the order of the breakdown reaction, were found to be independent of the hematocrit. It is consistent with reaction kinetic theory that the rate constant and the order of reaction are independent of the concentration of reactants.

Thixotropic properties of whole blood from healthy human subjects

The steady state non-Newtonian viscosity of whole human blood has been widely studied as a function of the shear rate; and used to characterize the blood in various pathological disorders. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that blood is a thixotropic fluid. Its time-dependency and shear rate dependency of rheological behavior can be represented by an equation developed by Huang. Parameters of the equation can be used for the characterization of an individual's blood. They provide information, such as the kinetic rate constant of breakdown of RBC rouleaux to individual erythrocytes and the relative amount of rouleau formation in the dynamic equilibrium between rouleaux and individual erythrocytes. In this communication, the thixotropic parameters from blood samples of fifteen apparently healthy human subjects were investigated. When compared to the use of apparent viscosity values for the correlation with a pathological disorder, thixotropic parameters are preferable. The mean values of thixotropic parameters obtained from apparently healthy human subjects provide a base for comparison with the same parameters as obtained from blood samples of patients with certain pathological disorders involving the circulation.