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[Impact of asthma action plan-based remote joint management model on asthma control in children]. ZHONGHUA ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS 2023; 61:820-826. [PMID: 37650164 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112140-20230222-00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To compare the effects of the China Children's Asthma Action Plan (CCAAP)-based remote joint management model with traditional management model on the control of childhood asthma. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the general data and asthma control assessment data of 219 children with asthma who attended the respiratory department of Guangzhou Women's and Children's Medical Center from April 2021 to October 2021 and were followed up for 1 year or more. According to the follow-up management model, the CCAAP-based remote joint management model was used in the observation group and the traditional management model was used in the control group, and the propensity score matching method was applied to match the data of children in the two management models for comparison. Paired-samples t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, McNemar χ2-test or χ2-test or nonparametric tests were used to compare the general data and asthma control assessment data between the two matched groups of children. Results: Among 219 children with asthma, 145 were male and 74 were female, aged at consultation (7.2±2.4) years. There were 147 cases in the observation group and 72 cases in the control group, and 27 cases in each of the observation and control groups were successfully matched. The number of asthma exacerbation aura, acute exacerbations, and emergency room visits or hospitalizations for asthma exacerbations were lower in the observation group than in the control group after pairing (1 (0, 2) vs. 3 (1, 5) times, 0 (0,0) vs. 0 (0, 1) times, 0 (0,0) vs. 1 (0, 1) times, Z=-3.42, -2.58, -3.17, all P<0.05). The use of peak flowmeters was higher in children aged 5 years and older in the observation group than in the control group after pairing (100% (22/22) vs. 13% (3/23), χ2=54.00,P<0.001). The ratio of actual to predicted 1st second expiratory volume of force after follow-up in the observation group after pairing was higher than that before follow-up in the observation group and after follow-up in the control group ((95±11)% vs. (85±10)%, (95±11)% vs. (88±11)%, t=-3.40, 2.25, all P<0.05). The rate of complete asthma control after follow-up was higher in both the observation and control groups after pairing than before follow-up for 12 months in both groups (93% (25/27) vs. 41% (11/27), 52% (14/27) vs. 41% (11/27), H=56.19, 45.37, both P<0.001), and the rate of complete control of asthma in children in the observation group was higher than that in the control group at 3 and 12 months of follow-up management (56% (15/27) vs. 25% (5/20), 93% (25/27) vs. 52% (14/27), χ2=47.00, 54.00, both P<0.001). The number of offline follow-up visits, inhaled hormone medication adherence scores, and caregiver's asthma perception questionnaire scores were higher in the observation group than in the control group after pairing (6 (4, 8) vs. 4 (2,5), (4.8±0.3) vs. (4.0±0.6) score, (19.3±2.6) vs. (15.2±2.7) score, Z=6.58, t=6.57, 5.61, all P<0.05), and the children in the observation group had lower school absences, caregiver absences, asthma attack visit costs, and caregiver PTSD scores than the control group (0 (0,0) vs.3 (0, 15) d, 0 (0,0) vs. 3 (0, 10) d, 1 100 (0, 3 700) vs. 5 000 (1 000, 10 000) yuan, 1.3 (1.1, 1.9) vs. 2.0 (1.2, 2.7) score, Z=-2.89, -2.30, 2.74, 2.73, all P<0.05). Conclusion: The CCAAP-based joint management model of asthma control is superior to the traditional management model in the following aspects: it can effectively improve asthma control, self-monitoring, and lung function in children; it can improve treatment adherence and caregivers' asthma awareness; and it can reduce the duration of absenteeism from school, the cost of asthma exacerbation visits, and caregiver's negative psychology.
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Forrest Classification for Bleeding Peptic Ulcer: A New Look at the Old Endoscopic Classification. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051066. [PMID: 35626222 PMCID: PMC9139956 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of peptic ulcer bleeding is clinically challenging. For decades, the Forrest classification has been used for risk stratification for nonvariceal ulcer bleeding. The perception and interpretation of the Forrest classification vary among different endoscopists. The relationship between the bleeder and ulcer images and the different stages of the Forrest classification has not been studied yet. Endoscopic still images of 276 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding for the past 3 years were retrieved and reviewed. The intra-rater agreement and inter-rater agreement were compared. The obtained endoscopic images were manually drawn to delineate the extent of the ulcer and bleeding area. The areas of the region of interest were compared between the different stages of the Forrest classification. A total of 276 images were first classified by two experienced tutor endoscopists. The images were reviewed by six other endoscopists. A good intra-rater correlation was observed (0.92–0.98). A good inter-rater correlation was observed among the different levels of experience (0.639–0.859). The correlation was higher among tutor and junior endoscopists than among experienced endoscopists. Low-risk Forrest IIC and III lesions show distinct patterns compared to high-risk Forrest I, IIA, or IIB lesions. We found good agreement of the Forrest classification among different endoscopists in a single institution. This is the first study to quantitively analyze the obtained and explain the distinct patterns of bleeding ulcers from endoscopy images.
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Explainable deep neural network for echocardiography view classification. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jeab289.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan
Background
Deep neural network may assist echocardiography interpretation in several tasks; however, the lack of expandability hindered its broader application since physicians couldn’t realize the rationale of interpretation clearly and comfortably.
Method
Retrospectively, we manually annotated 26,465 transthoracic echocardiography images into 29 classes for model development in 4:1 ratio as training and validation datasets. We added an autoencoder component into our model, adapted from capsule net, for view-classifying to deconvolute the feature maps of last layer as decoder for human interpretation. The performance of view classification was measured in accuracy and confusion matrix, and the interpretability of model were assessed by cardiologist.
Result
After appropriate model training, the accuracy of our model achieved averaged 98.2% for echocardiography view classification, ranged from lowest 80.0% in suprasternal view to 100% of several more common view in validation dataset. The successful deconvolution of feature map to reconstruct images showed essential independent components of echocardiography view and could be interpretated by cardiologist and clinical physicians.
Conclusion
With the use of autoencoder in model for echocardiography view classification showed maintainable good performance in accuracy and facilitated clinical interpretation to enhance its reliability. Abstract Figure. Model architecture and performance Abstract Figure. Example of explaniable deconvolution
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Performance Comparison of the Deep Learning and the Human Endoscopist for Bleeding Peptic Ulcer Disease. J Med Biol Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40846-021-00608-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Management of peptic ulcer bleeding is clinically challenging. Accurate characterization of the bleeding during endoscopy is key for endoscopic therapy. This study aimed to assess whether a deep learning model can aid in the classification of bleeding peptic ulcer disease.
Methods
Endoscopic still images of patients (n = 1694) with peptic ulcer bleeding for the last 5 years were retrieved and reviewed. Overall, 2289 images were collected for deep learning model training, and 449 images were validated for the performance test. Two expert endoscopists classified the images into different classes based on their appearance. Four deep learning models, including Mobile Net V2, VGG16, Inception V4, and ResNet50, were proposed and pre-trained by ImageNet with the established convolutional neural network algorithm. A comparison of the endoscopists and trained deep learning model was performed to evaluate the model’s performance on a dataset of 449 testing images.
Results
The results first presented the performance comparisons of four deep learning models. The Mobile Net V2 presented the optimal performance of the proposal models. The Mobile Net V2 was chosen for further comparing the performance with the diagnostic results obtained by one senior and one novice endoscopists. The sensitivity and specificity were acceptable for the prediction of “normal” lesions in both 3-class and 4-class classifications. For the 3-class category, the sensitivity and specificity were 94.83% and 92.36%, respectively. For the 4-class category, the sensitivity and specificity were 95.40% and 92.70%, respectively. The interobserver agreement of the testing dataset of the model was moderate to substantial with the senior endoscopist. The accuracy of the determination of endoscopic therapy required and high-risk endoscopic therapy of the deep learning model was higher than that of the novice endoscopist.
Conclusions
In this study, the deep learning model performed better than inexperienced endoscopists. Further improvement of the model may aid in clinical decision-making during clinical practice, especially for trainee endoscopist.
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Effects of dietary supplementation with Taiwanese tea byproducts and probiotics on growth performance, lipid metabolism, and the immune response in red feather native chickens. Anim Biosci 2020; 34:393-404. [PMID: 32882776 PMCID: PMC7961192 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.20.0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study compared the catechin composition of different tea byproducts and investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with green tea byproducts on the accumulation of abdominal fat, the modulation of lipid metabolism, and the inflammatory response in red feather native chickens. Methods Bioactive compounds were detected, and in vitro anti-obesity capacity analyzed via 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In animal experiments, 320 one-day-old red feather native chickens were divided into 4 treatment groups: control, basal diet supplemented with 0.5% Jinxuan byproduct (JBP), basal diet supplemented with 1% JBP, or basal diet supplemented with 5×106 colony-forming unit (CFU)/kg Bacillus amyloliquefaciens+5×106 CFU/kg Saccharomyces cerevisiae (BA+SC). Growth performance, serum characteristics, carcass characteristics, and the mRNA expression of selected genes were measured. Results This study compared several cultivars of tea, but Jinxuan showed the highest levels of the anti-obesity compound epigallocatechin gallate. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes treated with Jinxuan extract significantly reduced lipid accumulation. There were no significant differences in growth performance, serum characteristics, or carcass characteristics among the groups. However, in the 0.5% JBP group, mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were significantly decreased. In the 1% JBP group, FAS, ACC and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ levels were significantly decreased. Moreover, inflammation-related mRNA expression levels were decreased by the addition of JBP. Conclusion JBP contained abundant catechins and related bioactive compounds, which reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, however there was no significant reduction in abdominal fat. This may be due to a lack of active anti-obesity compounds or because the major changes in fat metabolism were not in the abdomen. Nonetheless, lipogenesis-related and inflammation-related mRNA expression were reduced in the 1% JBP group. In addition, dietary supplementation with tea byproducts could reduce the massive amount of byproducts created during tea production and modulate lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response in chickens.
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Automatic Striatal ROI Delineation for Semi-quantitative Analysis of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 Brain SPECT Imaging. J Med Biol Eng 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40846-020-00530-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Laetiporus sulphureus-fermented wheat bran enhanced the broiler growth performance by improving the intestinal microflora and inflammation status. Poult Sci 2020; 99:3606-3616. [PMID: 32616257 PMCID: PMC7597830 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of Laetiporus sulphureus–fermented wheat bran (LS) as a feed supplementation on the immunomodulative properties in broiler chickens. Crude phenolic compounds, crude polysaccharides, crude triterpenoids, and ergosterol were determined in LS water extracts. In animal experiments, 400 male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned into 5 groups fed with a corn–soybean–based diet (control) and a control diet replaced with 5% wheat bran (WB), 10% WB, 5% LS, and 10% LS, respectively. Each group had 4 replicates and 20 birds per pen (total of 80 birds/treatment). The results showed that the 5% LS–supplemented group had significantly higher BW in the finisher phase (22–35 D). Better feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) of LS-supplemented groups was observed in both the finisher phase and the overall experimental period. The LS-supplemented groups had significantly lower coliform counts in the ileum than the other treatment and control groups (P < 0.05). The results of serum immunoglobulin showed that LS supplementation significantly increased serum IgA concentration compared with the control and WB-supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, ileal IgA contents of the LS groups were significantly higher than in the WB and control groups (P < 0.05). Regarding proinflammatory cytokines, serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6 in the LS-supplemented groups were significantly lower than those in the 10% WB group (P < 0.05), whereas serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-1β in the 5% LS group were significantly lower than in both the control and WB-supplemented groups (P < 0.05). An investigation on the effects of LS on immune-related genes in broiler showed that chickens supplemented with 5% LS had lower levels of liver and jejunum IL-1β and NF-κB mRNA compared with the control group and WB groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, LS supplementation can potentially enhance growth performance of broilers by improving intestinal microflora and inflammation status.
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Effects of mushroom waster medium and stalk residues on the growth performance and oxidative status in broilers. Anim Biosci 2020; 34:265-275. [PMID: 32138471 PMCID: PMC7876722 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.19.0889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study developed mushroom stalk residues as feed additives in the broiler diet for improving the growth performance and immunity of broilers as well as to increase the value of mushroom stalk residues. METHODS In total, 300 ROSS 308 broilers were randomly allocated into fifteen pens with five dietary treatments: i) control, basal diet; ii) CMWM, supplemented with 1% Cordyceps militaris waster medium (CM); iii) CMPE, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus eryngii stalk residue (PE); iv) CMPS, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus sajorcaju stalk residue (PS); v) CMFV, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Fammulina velutipes stalk residue (FV). RESULTS The chemical analysis results showed that CM extracts, PE extracts, PS extracts, and FV extracts contain functional components such as polysaccharides and phenols and have both 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate scavenging and Ferrous scavenging capacities. The group CMWM saw increased body weight gain and feed conversion rate and the promotion of jejunum villus growth, but there is no significant difference in the intestinal bacteria phase. Antioxidant genes in the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)- antioxidant responsive element pathway among the groups are significantly higher than that of the control group, especially in group CMWM. CONCLUSION The mushroom stalk residues have antioxidant functional components, can improve the intestinal health and body weight gain of chickens, and can activate the antioxidant pathway of Nrf2 to increase the heme oxygenase-1 expression. The treatment with 1% CM was the most promising as a feed additive.
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Abstract
In clinical dentistry practice, supplemental bone surgery or jawbone defect after tooth extraction must be assisted by a bone-filling material. Cobalt-substituted hydroxyapatite (COHA) effectively promotes bone cell growth, reduces the inflammatory response, and is an antibacterial agent. COHA can therefore be used as an alveolar bone-filling material or guided bone regeneration membrane. Meanwhile, COHA can be used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with negative contrast agents and targeting materials without causing metal interference with the image. Hence, COHA has received increasing amounts of attention in recent years. However, the influence of different cobalt precursors on the synthesized COHA is still unknown. Therefore, COHA synthesized from 3 cobalt precursors (cobalt chloride, cobalt nitrate, and cobalt sulfate) was compared in this study. The results show that COHA synthesized by the precursor with the smallest anion radius, cobalt chloride, has a larger particle size (239 nm) and a higher cobalt ion substitution rate (15.6%). When the cobalt ion substitution rate increases, the MRI has a stronger contrast. Bioactivity data indicate that COHAC is more susceptible to degradation and therefore releases more cobalt ions to contribute to the differentiation of bone cells. Based on these studies, COHAC prepared with the cobalt chloride precursor has a higher cobalt ion substitution rate, faster degradation rate, better image contrast, and better bioactivity. It is therefore the preferred choice of bone-filling material for alveolar bone regeneration.
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Autonomic dysfunction as an independent risk factor for uncontrolled inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis following functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Rhinology 2019; 0:2224. [PMID: 31886799 DOI: 10.4193/rhin19.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multi-factorial disorder that causes systemic symptoms beyond rhinologic symptoms alone. A possible association between autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and CRS has been identified; however, few studies have confirmed this observation. In this study, we prospectively measured changes in ANS dysfunction symptoms following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and explored the impact of ANS dysfunction on surgical outcomes of CRS. METHODOLOGY Patients diagnosed with CRS who consented to surgical intervention were included prospectively. All patients completed the Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) and the 31-item Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS 31) questionnaires before the operation and during the follow-up period. Clinical demographic data, Lund-Mackay, and modified Lund-Kennedy scores were recorded and measured. RESULTS A total of 102 patients were enrolled. The median SNOT-22 and COMPASS 31 scores significantly improved following FESS from 43.0 to 14.0 and 21.0 to 11.2 (all P less than 0.001), respectively. FESS led to a significant reduction in the prevalence of various ANS dysfunction symptoms. In multivariate analyses, revision surgeries (odds ratio [OR] 5.012, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52416.489; P=0.008), CRS with nasal polyps (OR 4.071, 95% CI 1.454-11.40; P=0.008), and higher Pre-FESS COMPASS 31 scores (OR 1.043, 95% CI 1.003-1.084; P=0.036) were independent risk factors for uncontrolled inflammation following FESS. CONCLUSIONS ANS dysfunction symptoms are prevalent in CRS and higher preoperative COMPASS 31 scores correspond with poor surgical outcomes. Following FESS, the majority of ANS dysfunction symptoms can be alleviated. Further investigations are required to explore the possible mechanism of how ANS is involved in the pathogenesis of CRS.
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Effects of dietary Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product supplementation on antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and lipid metabolism in broiler chickens. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2019; 33:1113-1125. [PMID: 31480134 PMCID: PMC7322656 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.19.0392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study was investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product on modulation of antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and lipid metabolism in broilers. Methods Functional compounds and in vitro antioxidant capacity were detected in wheat bran (WB) solid-state fermented by Antrodia cinnamomea for 16 days (FAC). In animal experiment, 400 d-old broiler chickens were allotted into 5 groups fed control diet, and control diet replaced with 5% WB, 10% WB, 5% FAC, and 10% FAC respectively. Growth performance, intestinal microflora, serum antioxidant enzymes and fatty acid profiles in pectoral superficial muscle were measured. Results Pretreatment with hot water extracted fermented product significantly reduced chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells death induced by lipopolysaccharide and 2,2′-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride. Birds received 5% and 10% FAC had higher weight gain than WB groups. Cecal coliform and lactic acid bacteria were diminished and increased respectively while diet replaced with FAC. For FAC supplemented groups, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased at 35 days only, with catalase elevated at 21 and 35 day. Regarding serum lipid parameters, 10% FAC replacement significantly reduced triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein level in chickens. For fatty acid composition in pectoral superficial muscle of 35-d-old chickens, 5% and 10% FAC inclusion had birds with significantly lower saturated fatty acids as compared with 10% WB group. Birds on the 5% FAC diet had a higher degree of unsaturation, followed by 10% FAC, control, 5% WB, and 10% WB. Conclusion In conclusion, desirable intestinal microflora in chickens obtaining FAC may be attributed to the functional metabolites detected in final fermented product. Moreover, antioxidant effects observed in FAC were plausibly exerted in terms of improved antioxidant enzymes activities, increased unsaturated degree of fatty acids in chicken muscle and better weight gain in FAC inclusion groups, indicating that FAC possesses promising favorable mechanisms worthy to be developed.
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Effects of dietary Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product supplementation on metabolism pathways of antioxidant, inflammatory, and lipid metabolism pathways-a potential crosstalk. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2019; 33:1167-1179. [PMID: 31480133 PMCID: PMC7322654 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.19.0393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study was conducted to fathom the underlying mechanisms of nutrition intervention and redox sensitive transcription factors regulated by Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product (FAC) dietary supplementation in broiler chickens. Methods Four hundreds d-old broilers (41±0.5 g/bird) assigned to 5 groups were examined after consuming control diet, or control diet replaced with 5% wheat bran (WB), 10% WB, 5% FAC, and 10% FAC. Liver mRNA expression of antioxidant, inflammatory and lipid metabolism pathways were analyzed. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration in each group were tested in the chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) of 35-d old broilers to represent the stress level of the chickens. Furthermore, these cells were stimulated with 2,2′-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the cell stress tolerance by measuring cell viability and oxidative species. Results Heme oxygenase-1, glutathione S-transferase, glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit, and superoxide dismutase, and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) that regulates the above antioxidant genes were all up-regulated significantly in FAC groups. Reactive oxygen species modulator protein 1 and NADPH oxygenase 1 were both rather down-regulated in 10% FAC group as comparison with two WB groups. Despite expressing higher level than control group, birds receiving diet containing FAC had significantly lower expression level in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and other genes (inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3, and cyclooxygenase 2) involving in inflammatory pathways. Additionally, except for 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase that showed relatively higher in both groups, the WB, lipoprotein lipase, Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid binding protein, fatty acid desaturase 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha genes were expressed at higher levels in 10% FAC group. In support of above results, promoted Nrf2 and inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation in chicken liver were found in FAC containing groups. H2O2 and NO levels induced by LPS and AAPH in cPBMCs were compromised in FAC containing diet. In 35-d-old birds, PGE2 production in cPBMCs was also suppressed by the FAC diet. Conclusion FAC may promote Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and positively regulate lipid metabolism, both are potential inhibitor of NF-κB inflammatory pathway.
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Risk factors outperform intracranial large artery stenosis predicting unfavorable outcomes in patients with stroke. BMC Neurol 2019; 19:180. [PMID: 31370812 PMCID: PMC6670158 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-019-1408-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study examined how intracranial large artery stenosis (ILAS), symptomatic and asymptomatic ILAS, and risk factors affect unfavorable outcome events after medical treatment in routine clinical practice. Methods This was a 24-month prospective observational study of consecutively recruited stroke patients. All participants underwent magnetic resonance angiography, and their clinical characteristics were assessed. Outcome events were vascular outcome, recurrent stroke, and death. Cox regression analyses were performed to identify potential factors associated with an unfavorable outcome, which included demographic and clinical characteristics, the risk factors, and stenosis status. Results The analysis included 686 patients; among them, 371 were assessed as ILAS negative, 231 as symptomatic ILAS, and 84 as asymptomatic ILAS. Body mass index (p < .05), hypertension (p = .01), and old infarction (p = .047) were factors relating to vascular outcomes. Hypertension was the only factor for recurrent stroke (p = .035). Poor glomerular filtration rate (< 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) (p = .011) and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (p < .001) were significant predictors of death. Conclusions This study extended previous results from clinical trials to a community-based cohort study by concurrently looking at the presence/absence of stenosis and a symptomatic/asymptomatic stenotic artery. Substantiated risk factors rather than the stenosis status were predominant determinants of adverse outcome. Although the degree of stenosis is often an indicator for treatment, we suggest risk factors, such as hypertension and renal dysfunction, should be monitored and intensively treated.
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Immunomodulation Properties of Solid-State Fermented Laetiporussulphureus Ethanol Extracts in Chicken Peripheral Blood Monocytes In Vitro. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF POULTRY SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/1806-9061-2018-0976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Molecular characteristic and pathogenicity analysis of a virulent recombinant avain infectious bronchitis virus isolated in China. Poult Sci 2018; 97:3519-3531. [PMID: 29917155 PMCID: PMC7107092 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pey237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A virulent infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), designated as CK/CH/GD/QY16 (referred as QY16), was isolated from a diseased chicken farm in Guangdong province, China, in 2016. The complete genome of the strain was sequenced and analyzed. The results show that the genome of QY16 consists of 27,670 nucleotides, excluding poly (A) tail, and that its genome organization is 5’ UTR-1a-1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-4b-4c-5a-5b-N-6b-3’ UTR-poly (A) tail. Sequence comparison among QY16 and other IBV strains was conducted and its results demonstrate that the S1 gene of QY16 has the highest nucleotide sequence identity with that of 4/91, and the other part of its genome is highly similar to that of YX10. The results of the phylogenic analysis show that the entire genome of QY16 and most of the QY16 genes are located in the same cluster as those of YX10, except for the S1 gene which is located in the same cluster with that of 4/91. It has been further confirmed by the RDP and SimPlot analysis that QY16 is a recombinant strain deriving from YX10 (as the major parental sequence) and 4/91 (as the minor parental sequence), and that the recombination occurs in a region which includes the 3’-terminal 1b sequence (85 nt) and the 5’-terminal S1 protein gene sequence (1,466 nt). The results of the vaccination-challenge test suggest that QY16 is a nephropathogenic strain of IBV and that the vaccine strains–H120 and 4/91—cannot provide effective protection against it. These results indicate that the continuing evolution of IBV strains by genetic drift and genetic recombination may lead to IBV outbreaks even among the vaccinated chickens in China.
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Potential crosstalk of oxidative stress and immune response in poultry through phytochemicals - A review. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2018; 32:309-319. [PMID: 30381743 PMCID: PMC6409470 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.18.0538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Phytochemicals which exist in various plants and fungi are non-nutritive compounds that exert numerous beneficial bioactive actions for animals. In recent years following the restriction of antibiotics, phytochemicals have been regarded as a primal selection when dealing with the challenges during the producing process in the poultry industry. The selected fast-growing broiler breed was more fragile when confronting the stressors in their growing environments. The disruption of oxidative balance that impairs the production performance in birds may somehow be linked to the immune system since oxidative stress and inflammatory damage are multi-stage processes. This review firstly discusses the individual influence of oxidative stress and inflammation on the poultry industry. Next, studies related to the application of phytochemicals or botanical compounds with the significance of their antioxidant and immunomodulatory abilities are reviewed. Furthermore, we bring up nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) for they are respectively the key transcription factors involved in oxidative stress and inflammation for elucidating the underlying signal transduction pathways. Finally, by the discussion about several reports using phytochemicals to regulate these transcription factors leading to the improvement of oxidative status, heme oxygenase-1 gene is found crucial for Nrf2-mediated NF-κB inhibition.
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Effects of mulberry leaves on production performance and the potential modulation of antioxidative status in laying hens. Poult Sci 2018; 96:1191-1203. [PMID: 28339512 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pew350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated the antioxidant ability of Taisung No. 3 mulberry leaf extract (MLE) as well as the potential of mulberry leaf (ML)-based dietary supplementation for modulating the antioxidative status of laying hens. The results showed that the MLE had a total phenolic compound content of 7.4 ± 0.15 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight (DW) and a total flavonoid content of 4.4 ± 0.19 mg of quercetin equivalent/g DW. The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging ability was 45.9% when 0.1 mg/mL MLE was added. The lipid oxidation inhibition ability was 43.9% when 50 mg/mL MLE was added. We subjected 96 laying hens (Hendrix Genetics) to 4 treatments, namely diets supplemented with dry ML at 0 (control), 0.5, 1, or 2% for 12 weeks. Each treatment involved 8 replicates with 3 hens each. The results indicated that the 0.5% ML-supplemented group exhibited significantly higher mRNA levels of antioxidant-regulated genes, such as Nrf2, HO-1, and GST, and significantly lower ROMO1 gene expression levels at wk 12. The serum malondialdehyde level was lower and the catalase activity and superoxide dismutase activity were higher in all the ML-supplemented groups than in the control group. The egg mass and feed conversion rate significantly improved in the ML-supplemented groups compared with the control group, and, overall, 1% ML supplementation had the most favorable effects at one to 12 weeks. The egg yolk weight, shell weight, shell strength, shell thickness, yolk color, and Haugh unit were increased among all ML-supplemented groups at one to 12 weeks. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that 0.5% ML can be used as a new feed additive to potentially modulate the antioxidative status of laying hens and improve their production performance and egg quality.
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Improving Nutrition Utilization and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens Through Solid-State Fermentation of Agricultural By-Products by Aureobasidium Pullulans. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF POULTRY SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/1806-9061-2017-0495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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Aerobic Biodegradation of OCDD by P. Mendocina NSYSU: Effectiveness and Gene Inducement Studies. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2017; 89:2113-2121. [PMID: 29166993 DOI: 10.2175/106143017x15054988926415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The goals of this study were to assess the effectiveness of (1) enhancing octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) biodegradation under aerobic conditions by Pseudomonas mendocina NSYSU (P. Mendocina NSYSU) with the addition of lecithin, and (2) inducing OCDD ring-cleavage genes by pentachlorophenol (PCP) and OCDD addition. P. Mendocina NSYSU could biodegrade OCDD via aerobic cometabolism and lecithin was used as a primary substrate. Approximately 74 and 67% of OCDD biodegradation was observed after 60 days of incubation with lecithin and glucose supplement, respectively. Lecithin was also used as the solubilization additive resulting in OCDD solubilization and enhanced bioavailability of OCDD to P. Mendocina NSYSU. Two intradiol and extradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenase genes (Pmen_0474 and Pmen_2526) were identified from gene analyses. Gene concentration was significantly enhanced after the inducement by PCP and OCDD. Higher gene inducement efficiency was obtained using PCP as the inducer, and Pmen_2526 played a more important role in OCDD biodegradation.
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Interpenetration of CH 3NH 3PbI 3 and TiO 2 improves perovskite solar cells while TiO 2 expansion leads to degradation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:21407-21413. [PMID: 28758661 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp03116e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells have drawn much attention and achieved efficiencies over 22%, but relatively little is known about the long-term stability under photovoltaic operation. So far, stability studies have reported about the importance of degradation of each layer, but little to no consideration has been given to the whole device architecture. We investigated the stability of perovskite solar cells in order to fundamentally understand the mechanism behind efficiency improvement/degradation during device operation. We found that during operation the interfaces of the perovskite and the electron-transport layer (ETL), meso-porous TiO2, further intermix with each other, which leads to improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) during the initial operation of these solar cells. The operation-induced structural changes are examined directly by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with in situ low-energy Ar+ sputtering and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) with C60 sputtering. In addition, this study describes that the primary cause of irreversible degradation during operation is due to the expansion of TiO2 and ion migration throughout the perovskite solar cell.
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Adaptive Weighted Nonlinear Least Squares Method for Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Quantification. J Med Biol Eng 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40846-017-0313-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Erratum to: Comparison of PI-RADS 2, ADC histogram-derived parameters, and their combination for the diagnosis of peripheral zone prostate cancer. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2017; 42:1619. [PMID: 28138729 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-017-1047-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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[First aid system for trauma: development and status]. BEIJING DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF PEKING UNIVERSITY. HEALTH SCIENCES 2017; 49:368-371. [PMID: 28416852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
With the great progress of the economy, the level of industrialization has been increasing year by year, which leads to an increase in accidental trauma accidents. Chinese annual death of trauma is already more than 400 000, which makes trauma the fifth most common cause of death, following malignant tumor, heart, brain and respiratory diseases. Trauma is the leading cause of the death of young adults. At the same time, trauma has become a serious social problem in peace time. Trauma throws great treats on human health and life. As an important part in the medical and social security system, the emergency of trauma system occupies a very important position in the emergency medical service system. In European countries as well as the United States and also many other developed countries, trauma service system had a long history, and progressed to an advanced stage. However, Chinese trauma service system started late and is still developing. It has not turned into a complete and standardized system yet. This review summarizes the histories and current situations of the development of traumatic first aid system separately in European countries, the United States and our country. Special attentions are paid to the effects of the pre- and in-hospital emergency care. We also further try to explore the Chinese trauma emergency model that adapts to the situations of China and characteristics of different regions of China. Our review also introduces the trauma service system that suits the situations of China proposed by Professor Jiang Baoguo's team in details, taking Chinese conditions into account, they conducted a thematic study and made an expert consensus on pre-hospital emergency treatment of severe trauma, providing a basic routine and guidance of severe trauma treatment for those pre-hospital emergency physicians. They also advised to establish independent trauma disciplines and trauma specialist training systems, and to build the regional trauma care system as well as the standards for graded treatment, thus establishing a multiple disciplinary team (MDT) of severe trauma. In this way, we can reduce the mortality and disability risks of severe trauma, improve the quality of patients' life, and save more lives.
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Detection of exercise periodic breathing using thermal flowmeter in patients with heart failure. Med Biol Eng Comput 2016; 55:1189-1198. [PMID: 27744563 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-016-1581-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Exercise periodic breathing (EPB) is associated with exercise intolerance and poor prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). However, EPB detection during cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is difficult. The present study investigated the use of a wireless monitoring device to record the EPB during CPET and proposed quantization parameter estimates for the EPB. A total of 445 patients with HF were enrolled and underwent exercise tests. The ventilation data from the wearable device were compared with the data obtained during the CPET and were analyzed based on professional opinion and on 2 automated programs (decision tree [DT] and oscillatory pattern methods). The measurement accuracy was greater with the DT method (89 %) than with the oscillatory pattern method (75 %). The cutoffs for EPB recognition using the DT method were (1) an intercept of the regression line passing through the minute ventilation rate vs. the time curve during the recovery phase ≥64.63, and (2) an oscillatory phase duration to total exercise time ratio ≥0.5828. The wearable device was suitable for the assessment of EPB in patients with HF, and our new automated analysis system using the DT method effectively identified the EPB pattern.
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Antioxidant capacity of phytochemicals and their potential effects on oxidative status in animals - A review. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2016; 30:299-308. [PMID: 27660026 PMCID: PMC5337908 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.16.0438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress suppresses animal health, performance, and production, subsequently impacting economic feasibility; hence, maintaining and improving oxidative status especially through natural nutrition strategy are essential for normal physiological process in animals. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring antioxidants that could be considered as one of the most promising materials used in animal diets in various forms. In this review, their antioxidant effects on animals are discussed as reflected by improved apparent performance, productivity, and the internal physiological changes. Moreover, the antioxidant actions toward animals further describe a molecular basis to elucidate their underlying mechanisms targeting signal transduction pathways, especially through the antioxidant response element/nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 transcription system.
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Enhanced anaerobic biodegradation of OCDD-contaminated soils by Pseudomonas mendocina NSYSU: microcosm, pilot-scale, and gene studies. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2014; 278:433-443. [PMID: 24997259 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, microcosm and pilot-scale experiments were performed to investigate the capability and effectiveness of Pseudomonas mendocina NSYSU (P. mendocina NSYSU) on the bioremediation of octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD)-contaminated soils. The objectives were to evaluate the (1) characteristics of P. mendocina NSYSU, (2) feasibility of enhancing OCDD biodegradation with the addition of P. mendocina NSYSU and lecithin, and (3) variation in microbial diversity and genes responsible for the dechlorination of OCDD. P. mendocina NSYSU was inhibited when salinity was higher than 7%, and it could biodegrade OCDD under reductive dechlorinating conditions. Lecithin could serve as the solubilization agent causing the enhanced solubilization and dechlorination of OCDD. Up to 71 and 62% of OCDD could be degraded after 65 days of incubation under anaerobic conditions with and without the addition of lecithin, respectively. Decreased OCDD concentrations caused significant increase in microbial diversity. Results from the pilot-scale study show that up to 75% of OCDD could be degraded after a 2.5-month operational period with lecithin addition. Results from the gene analyses show that two genes encoding the extradiol/intradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenase and five genes encoding the hydrolase in P. mendocina NSYSU were identified and played important roles in OCDD degradation.
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Reentrant surface anisotropy in the antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic bilayer Mn/Co/Cu(001). PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2014; 112:037201. [PMID: 24484162 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.112.037201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the magnetic anisotropy energy of monatomic surface-step atoms in antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic (AF/FM) epitaxial Mn/Co bilayers grown on vicinal Cu(001) surfaces. The step-induced anisotropy of the Co/Cu(001) films was quenched upon submonolayer Mn deposition, but a reentrant uniaxial surface anisotropy was observed for Mn thickness (tMn) between 1 and 2 monolayers, which disappears for Mn thickness above 2 monolayers. In the Mn/Co/Cu(001) system, Mn films undergo a tMn-dependent transition from FM to AF in the 1-2 Mn monolayer thickness range, which entails the coexistence of FM and AF Mn phases in the film. The observation of a sizeable uniaxial anisotropy exclusively in the Mn-thickness range of coexistence of the FM and AF phases points out the crucial role of the boundaries between FM and AF regions within the Mn film. A symmetry-breaking mechanism of a magnetic type, rather than a purely geometric one, is therefore proposed as the origin of the reentrant anisotropy.
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Biodegradation of Polychlorinated Dibenzo--Dioxins by Strain NSYSU. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2014; 43:349-357. [PMID: 25602569 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2013.06.0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The dioxin-degrading bacterium strain NSYSU (NSYSU strain) has been isolated from dioxin-contaminated soil by selective enrichment techniques. In the present study, the NSYSU strain was investigated for its capability to biodegrade polychlorinated dibenzo--dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. High-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and a chemically activated luciferase gene expression bioassay were performed to determine the presence of dioxin compounds. The results indicate that the NSYSU strain could degrade PCDDs and PCDFs under anaerobic conditions in liquid cultures. The main intermediates of the dechlorination process were identified. The results of the bioreactor test indicate that the NSYSU strain could also degrade PCDDs and PCDFs effectively in soil slurries under aerobic conditions. Results from the bioreactor experiment show that approximately 98 and 97% of octachlorodibenzofuran and OCDD were degraded, respectively. The dioxin concentrations in soil slurry decreased from 5823 to 1198 pg toxic equivalency g, resulting in total dioxin removal of 79%. These first findings suggest that the NSYSU strain has the potential to be an effective tool for the bioremediation of soils contaminated with highly recalcitrant organic compounds.
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An improved method for velocity estimation of red blood cell in microcirculation. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2014; 2014:214-217. [PMID: 25569935 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2014.6943567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a coarse-to-fine combined method for dealing with large displacement situations caused by low speed of frame rate in microscopic video sequences. Motion image estimation method utilizes the modified block matching method based on image warping to perform a wide range of changes in the amount of search comparison, and then using the optical flow method to fine adjustment pixel by pixel, to complete the overall precision of the estimation. In the evaluation experiment, we have compared both current optical flow and proposed method by testing them with simulated vessel images, the results of the estimation is quite accurate.
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Chemical Composition and Biological Properties of Essential Oils of Two Mint Species. TROP J PHARM RES 2013. [DOI: 10.4314/tjpr.v12i4.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Posterior subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide after phacoemulsification in a patient with X-linked retinoschisis. Optom Vis Sci 2013; 90:e274-7. [PMID: 23974665 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000000026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe a case of X-linked retinoschisis with pseudophakic cystoid macular edema treated by posterior subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide. CASE REPORT The patient was a 60-year-old man. His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was counting fingers in the right eye. Senile cataract was found with grade II nuclear sclerosis. Optical coherence tomography revealed foveoschisis with a central foveal thickness (CFT) of 545 μm. The patient underwent uneventful phacoemulsification and in-the-bag implantation of intraocular lens. Postoperative persistent cystoid macular edema was found, with CFT increased to 787 μm. The macular edema did not respond to topical corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Triamcinolone acetonide 20 mg was injected into the posterior subtenon space 10 weeks after the surgery. Macular cystic lesions dramatically disappeared 2 months after the injection, and CFT decreased to 171 μm, with accompanying inner/outer segment disruption. His BCVA also improved to 20/100. Macular edema or foveoschisis did not recur, and BCVA remained stable 1 year after the cataract operation. CONCLUSIONS Foveoschisis and pseudophakic cystoid macular edema disappeared after posterior subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide without recurrence during the 15-month follow-up period.
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Acute Myocardial Injury in a 45-year-old Female: Hypereosinophilic Syndrome. HONG KONG J EMERG ME 2013. [DOI: 10.1177/102490791302000111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) can cause eosinophilic infiltration in multiple organ systems resulting in organ damage. Among all, cardiac involvement is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important to improve the prognosis. We reported a 45-year-old woman with a history of eosinophilia presented with chest pain in our emergency department. Laboratory tests revealed marked eosinophilia and elevated cardiac markers. A neurological event, presenting as right-side limb weakness, supervened later. The diagnosis of HES was established, and prompt treatment with corticosteroids, hydroxyurea, and imatinib resolved the eosinophilia; further cardiac and neurological injury was thus prevented. This case reminds us to consider and, if applicable, to provide the appropriate management for HES in the context of making a differential diagnosis in clinical situations involving organ damage.
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Accuracy evaluation of RBC velocity measurement in nail-fold capillaries. Microvasc Res 2011; 81:252-60. [PMID: 21255589 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2011.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2010] [Accepted: 01/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous red blood cell velocity in vivo can be measured by using capillaroscopy with image processing techniques. However, unlike simulated blood flow images, there is no standard to determine the accuracy of the techniques for computing blood flow velocities. In this paper, we quantitatively evaluated the accuracy of previously proposed optical flow method for measuring red blood cell velocity in nail-fold capillaries. Blood flow images of subjects under normal and occlusion-release conditions were examined by a capillaroscope. To obtain velocity values, the images were further analyzed by using optical flow, cross-correlation and visual inspection methods, respectively. Visual inspection method was taken as the golden standard to determine the accuracy of blood flow velocity measurement using optical flow and cross-correlation techniques. Results showed that optical flow estimation provided superior accuracy to cross-correlation when assessing real blood flow velocity in nail-fold capillaries. Optical flow estimation is able to measure red blood cell velocity with a high accuracy of 91% and 86% when the observed velocity is less than 0.5mm/s under normal and occlusion-release conditions, respectively. In addition, optical flow method showed good agreement with visual inspection in determining blood flow velocity in both normal and occlusion-release conditions when the high-velocity zone is excluded.
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An approach to automatic blood vessel image registration of microcirculation for blood flow analysis on nude mice. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2010; 14:319-30. [PMID: 21082459 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2010.497489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Image registration is often a required and a time-consuming step in blood flow analysis of large microscopic video sequences in vivo. In order to obtain stable images for blood flow analysis, frame-to-frame image matching as a preprocessing step is a solution to the problem of movement during image acquisition. In this paper, microscopic system analysis without fluorescent labelling is performed to provide precise and continuous quantitative data of blood flow rate in individual microvessels of nude mice. The performance properties of several matching metrics are evaluated through simulated image registrations. An automatic image registration programme based on Powell's optimisation search method with low calculation redundancy was implemented. The matching method by variance of ratio is computationally efficient and improves the registration robustness and accuracy in practical application of microcirculation registration. The presented registration method shows acceptable results in close requisition to analyse red blood cell velocities, confirming the scientific potential of the system in blood flow analysis.
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Assessment of the perforators of anterolateral thigh flaps using 64-section multidetector computed tomographic angiography in head and neck cancer reconstruction. Eur J Surg Oncol 2010; 36:1004-11. [PMID: 20719469 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2010.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2010] [Revised: 06/20/2010] [Accepted: 07/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Late toxicities in concurrent chemoradiotherapy using high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy plus weekly cisplatin for locally advanced cervical cancer: a historical cohort comparison against two previous different treatment schemes. EUR J GYNAECOL ONCOL 2010; 31:504-509. [PMID: 21061789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the long-term toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), using high-dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDRICB) compared to radiation (RT) alone in patients with advanced cervical cancer using a control-cohort study. METHODS A total of 332 cases of Stage IIB-III disease were included in this comparative study. Seventy-three patients were treated with a 3-insertion schedule and labeled group A, whereas the other 146 patients with a 4-insertion schedule became group B. One hundred and thirteen patients treated by a 4-insertion protocol with concurrent weekly cisplatin were labeled group C. RESULTS The cumulative rate of grade 2 or above rectal complication was 13.7% for group A, 9.6% for the group B and 15.9% for group C (p = 0.76), whereas the grade 3 to 4 non-rectal radiation-induced intestinal injury was 6.8% for group A, 6.2% for group B and 9.7% for group C (p = 0.20). Grade 2 to 4 late bladder toxicity was higher in group C, with the cumulative rate being 5.5% for group A, 4.8% for group B and 15.0% for group C (p = 0.004). The independent factor for a rectal complication was the occurrence of a bladder complication (p = 0.01, hazard ratio 3.06). The independent factors for bladder complications were the use of CCRT (p = 0.01, hazard ratio 2.08), and the occurrence of rectal complications (p = 0.02, hazard ratio 2.77). CONCLUSIONS When treating advanced cervical cancer, HDRICB consisting of four 6 Gy insertions and weekly cisplatin shows a trend of increasing late bladder complications. The interval between drug administration and HDRICB should be kept long enough to avoid any synergistic effect of both regimens.
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Unprecedented re-growth of carbon nanotubes on in situ re-activated catalyst. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2009; 20:025608. [PMID: 19417277 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/2/025608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A simple-stepped growth process for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes that exhibit excellent field emission properties is reported. In the process, the growth was interrupted, and during the interruption the catalyst was re-activated in situ, resulting in enhanced growth of the CNTs after the interruption. A film of CNTs re-grows on top of an existing CNT film at much higher rates, which can be up to 669% higher. The tubular structure continues during the re-growth. The structural continuity creates an opportunity for the fabrication of junction CNTs for nano-electronic applications. The resulting CNTs also have excellent field emission properties, exhibiting an extremely low turn-on field of 0.10 V microm(-1).
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A large chest wall tumour in an asymptomatic 15-year-old girl. BMJ Case Rep 2009; 2009:bcr09.2008.1018. [PMID: 21686501 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.09.2008.1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A 15-year-old asymptomatic girl was found to have a large left lower chest wall mass associated with chest wall invasion on an opportunistic chest radiograph. The tumour was excised and shown to be a clear cell sarcoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered and she was disease free at her 10 month follow up.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common curable disease of secondary hypertension. Most such patients have either idiopathic bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH) or unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). Bilateral APAs are reportedly extremely rare. AIM To compare the distinctive characteristics, clinical course, and outcomes of bilateral APA vs. BAH. DESIGN Retrospective record review. METHODS From July 1994 to Jan 2007, 190 patients diagnosed with PA underwent surgical intervention at our hospital. Bilateral APA was diagnosed in 7/164 patients with histologically-proven APA. Twenty-one patients diagnosed as BAH, and 21 randomly selected of unilateral APA patients, matched by age and sex served as controls. RESULTS Patients with bilateral APA had similar blood pressure, arterial blood gas analysis, spot urinary potassium to creatinine ratio and clinical symptoms to those with BAH, but lower serum potassium levels (p = 0.027), lower plasma renin activity (p = 0.037), and higher plasma aldosterone concentrations (p = 0.029). Aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) after administration of 50 mg captopril was higher in bilateral APA than in BAH patients (p = 0.023), but not different between unilateral APA and BAH (p = 0.218). A cut-off of ARR >100 ng/dl per ng/ml/h and plasma aldosterone >20 ng/dl after captopril significantly differentiated bilateral APA from BAH. Bilateral subtotal adrenalectomy normalized blood pressure and biochemistry in all patients with bilateral APA. DISCUSSION Bilateral APA, presenting simultaneously or sequentially, may not be a rare disease, accounting for 4.3% of APA in this sample. The clinical presentations of bilateral functional adenoma are not different from BAH, but patients with low serum potassium and ARR >100 after captopril should be carefully evaluated for bilateral adenoma.
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Comparison of a new modified laparoscopic presacral neurectomy and conventional laparoscopic presacral neurectomy in the treatment of midline dysmenorrhea. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2007; 99:28-32. [PMID: 17481632 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2007.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2007] [Revised: 03/11/2007] [Accepted: 03/13/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe a newly modified laparoscopic presacral neurectomy procedure and to evaluate the long-term benefits of the surgery as a treatment for midline dysmenorrhea. METHOD Eighty-eight reproductive female patients with midline dysmenorrhea were enrolled in the non-randomized prospective study. There were fifty-five patients in the modified laparoscopic presacral neurectomy (MLPSN) group and thirty-three patients in the conventional laparoscopic presacral neurectomy (LPSN) group. All patients received post-surgery follow-up of more than eight years for evaluation with respect to pain relief, recurrence, and complications. RESULTS Upon receipt of surgery, the MLPSN and the LPSN groups both demonstrated a significant decrease (P<0.001) in the mean pain score when compared to the pre-surgery mean pain scores. However, the probability of recurrence during the eight years of follow-up was 81.8% (27 patients) in the LPSN group, compared to 43.6% (24 patients) in the MLPSN group, resulting in a significantly lower long-term recurrence rate in the MLPSN group, compared to the LPSN group (P<0.05). No patients in the MLPSN group had long-term complications and one patient had constipation after surgery in the LPSN group. CONCLUSION The modified laparoscopic presacral neurectomy procedure provides an alternative for those patients who suffer intractable midline dysmenorrhea. This surgery is relatively simple and safe and could result in a satisfactory long-term outcome in the intervention of midline dysmenorrhea.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND METHODS There is a growing interest in the safety and efficacy of percutaneous kidney biopsy for outpatients in Taiwan. We conducted a retrospective study for patients receiving the biopsy in 2002 and 2003. Complication and mortality associated with the biopsy were compared between 147 inpatients and 183 outpatients who had been judged to need no hospitalization. All biopsies were performed using the ultrasound guidance and an automated spring-loaded biopsy device. RESULTS There were no death and no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups. No delayed gross hematuria, delayed pain, fever or biopsy site bleeding developed in outpatients, who were followed-up by telephone contacts for 1 - 5 days after they had been discharged. Both outpatients and inpatients with hematoma were younger than those without (p < 0.05). Template bleeding time was longer for inpatients with hematuria compared with inpatients without (12.0 vs. 5.8 minutes in average, p = 0.036), but not for outpatients (4.5 vs. 6.0 minutes in average, p = 0.282). There were moderate differences in platelet count between outpatients with hematuria and those without (p = 0.057), and in serum creatinine between inpatients with hematuria and those without (p = 0.069). CONCLUSION The outpatient renal biopsy appears to be equally as safe and efficient as the inpatient biopsy. However, we suggest checking template bleeding time and platelet count before biopsy for patients with clinical bleeding tendency, such as patients with a serum creatinine level over 4 mg/dl (approaching CKD stages IV, V) due to a higher risk of prolonged bleeding time. Outpatient biopsy with a 6-hour inpatient observation can be considered as a medically adequate procedure.
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In vitro determination of normal and neoplastic human brain tissue optical properties using inverse adding-doubling. Phys Med Biol 2006; 51:2011-27. [PMID: 16585842 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/51/8/004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
To complement a project towards the development of real-time optical biopsy for brain tissue discrimination and surgical resection guidance, the optical properties of various brain tissues were measured in vitro and correlated to features within clinical diffuse reflectance tissue spectra measured in vivo. Reflectance and transmission spectra of in vitro brain tissue samples were measured with a single-integrating-sphere spectrometer for wavelengths 400-1300 nm and converted to absorption and reduced scattering spectra using an inverse adding-doubling technique. Optical property spectra were classified as deriving from white matter, grey matter or glioma tissue according to histopathologic diagnosis, and mean absorption and reduced scattering spectra were calculated for the three tissue categories. Absolute reduced scattering and absorption values and their relative differences between histopathological groups agreed with previously reported results with the exception that absorption coefficients were often overestimated, most likely due to biologic variability or unaccounted light loss during reflectance/transmission measurement. Absorption spectra for the three tissue classes were dominated by haemoglobin absorption below 600 nm and water absorption above 900 nm and generally determined the shape of corresponding clinical diffuse reflectance spectra. Reduced scattering spectral shapes followed the power curve predicted by the Rayleigh limit of Mie scattering theory. While tissue absorption governed the shape of clinical diffuse reflectance spectra, reduced scattering determined their relative emission intensities between the three tissue categories.
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Inhibitory effect of CDA-II, a urinary preparation, on aflatoxin B(1)-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Food Chem Toxicol 2005; 44:546-51. [PMID: 16229933 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2005.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2005] [Accepted: 08/30/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The effects of CDA-II (cell differentiation agent II; a urinary preparation) on both aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1))-induced cell injury and DNA damage were investigated using cultured rat hepatocytes. CDA-II was able to suppress both the lipid peroxidation and lactate dehydrogenase leakage induced by AFB(1). Glutathione (GSH) depletion by AFB(1) was replenished by CDA-II treatment. Under these experimental conditions, CDA-II enhanced the activity of GSH peroxidase, but not GSH S-transferase. By evaluation of unscheduled DNA synthesis, CDA-II reduced AFB(1)-induced DNA damage in hepatocyte cultures. These findings suggest that CDA-II can inhibit cytotoxicity of AFB(1) through enhancing the activity of GSH peroxidase and preventing GSH depletion.
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Aqueous extract of Anoectochilus formosanus attenuate hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2005; 12:453-60. [PMID: 16008122 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2004.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Anoectochilus formosanus (AFE) on liver fibrogenesis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhosis. Fibrosis was induced in rats by oral administration of CCl4 (20%, 0.5 ml/rat, p.o.) twice a week for 8 weeks. AFE (0.5 and 2.0 g/kg, p.o., daily for 8 weeks) was administered to rats simultaneously. AFE showed reducing actions on the elevated levels of GOT and GPT caused by CCl4. Liver fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 led to the drop of serum albumin concentration; the AFE increased the albumin concentration. The CCl4-induced liver fibrosis markedly caused liver atrophy and splenomegalia, while AFE increased the liver weight, and decreased the spleen weight. The CCl4-induced liver fibrosis decreased the protein content, and increased collagen contents in rat's liver. AFE significantly increased the contents of protein and reduced the amount of collagen in the liver. In CCl4-treated rats, glutathione concentrations of liver were not affected. AFE significantly increased liver glutathione concentrations. All these results clearly demonstrate that AFE can reduce the liver fibrogensis in rats induced by CCl4.
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Abstract
Geobacter sulfurreducens, previously classified as a strict anaerobe, tolerated exposure to atmospheric oxygen for at least 24 h and grew with oxygen as the sole electron acceptor at concentrations of 10% or less in the headspace. These results help explain how Geobacter species may survive in oxic subsurface environments, being poised to rapidly take advantage of the development of anoxic conditions.
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Abstract
1. The OPAE random primers (Operon Technologies, Inc., CA) were used for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting in Chinese, White Roman and Landaise geese. One of these primers, OPAE-06, produced a 938-bp sex-specific fragment in all females and in no males of Chinese geese only. 2. A novel female-specific DNA sequence in Chinese goose was cloned and sequenced. Two primers, CGSex-F and CGSex-R, were designed in order to amplify a 912-bp sex-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragment on genomic DNA from female geese. 3. It was shown that a simple and effective PCR-based sexing technique could be used in the three goose breeds studied. 4. Nucleotide sequencing of the sex-specific fragments in White Roman and Landaise geese was performed and sequence differences were observed among these three breeds.
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Abstract
In this work, three-dimensional near-field imaging of the focused laser spot was studied theoretically and experimentally. In the theoretical simulation, we use the electromagnetic equivalent of the vectorial Kirchhoff diffraction integral to calculate the intensity distribution of the focal region, and a high depolarization is found in high numerical aperture systems (NA = 0.85). The experimental set-up is based on a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) system. A high-NA objective lens is used to focus incident light of various polarizations, and a tapered near-field optical fibre probe of the NSOM system is used to determine the intensity of the focal field. The results show an asymmetric distribution of the focused intensity with the linear polarized laser beam.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaginal agenesis is a rare condition and treatment methods are varied. The difference between most of the surgical techniques is the graft material used. The purpose of this study was to describe the procedure and outcome of creating a neovaginal pouch lined with autologous buccal mucosa. METHODS AND RESULTS Between August 2000 and February 2002, eight patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome were admitted to our hospital. All of the patients successfully underwent neovaginoplasty with autologous buccal mucosa as graft material. The buccal mucosal wound completely healed 2 weeks after the operation and the neovaginal length and calibre were well formed. Follow-up ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 years. One patient encountered post-operative vaginal bleeding and another patient suffered from urinary bladder injury. CONCLUSION This is the first reported procedure of vaginoplasty with autologous buccal mucosa as graft material. Our method is ideal in its simplicity, provides good cosmetic results, and improves the vaginal length of the patient.
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