Ozone micro-bubble aeration using the ceramic ultrafiltration membrane with superior oxidation performance for 2, 4-D elimination.

Micro-bubble aeration is an efficient way to promote ozonation performance, but the technology is challenged by extensive energy cost. Here, a ceramic ultrafiltration membrane was used to achieve ozone micro-bubble (0-80 µm) aeration in a simple way at gaseous pressures of 0.14-0.19 MPa. Compared with milli-bubble aeration, micro-bubble aeration increased the equilibrium aquatic O3 concentrations by 1.53-3.25 times and apparent O3 transfer rates by 3.12-3.35 times at pH 5.0-8.0. Consequently, the •OH yield was 2.67-3.54 times via faster O3 transfer to the aquatic solution followed by decomposition rather than interfacial reaction. Ozone micro-bubble aeration outperformed milli-bubble aeration, with the degradation kinetics of 2,4-D being 3.08-4.36 times higher. Both O3-oxidation and •OH oxidation were important to the promotion with the contributions being 35.8%-45.9% and 54.1%-64.2%, respectively. The operational and water matric conditions influenced the oxidation performance via both O3 oxidation and •OH oxidation, which is reported for the first time. In general, the ceramic membrane offered a low-energy approach of ozone micro-bubble aeration for efficient pollutant degradation. The O3 oxidation and •OH oxidation were proportionally promoted by ozone micro-bubble due to O3 transfer enhancement. Thus, the promotive mechanism can be interpreted as the synchronous enchantment on ozone exposure and •OH exposure for the first time.

Effects of the Radix Ginseng and Semen Ziziphi Spinosae drug pair on the GLU/GABA-GLN metabolic cycle and the intestinal microflora of insomniac rats based on the brain-gut axis.

Introduction: To explore the mechanism of action of appling Radix Ginseng and Semen Ziziphi Spinosae Drug pair (R-S) in the treatment of insomnia by investigating the effect of R-S on GLU/GABA-GLN metabolic cycle and intestinal microflora of rats with insomnia. Methods: Rats were intraperitoneally injected with 4-chloro-DL-phenylalanine (PCPA) to make sleep deprivation (SD) models. The rats were divided into 6 groups, with 8 rats in each group. The general status of the rats was observed and the pentobarbital sodium sleep synergy experiment was performed. The contents of GABA, GLU, GLN, GAD65, and GS in hippocampus of rats were determined by ELISA. The expressions of GABAARα1mRNA, mGluR5mRNA, NR1mRNA and GluR1mRNA in rats' hippocampal tissue were determined by Realtime PCR. 16SrRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the intestinal microflora of insomnia rats. Results: In PCPA-induced insomnia rats, the state of insomnia was relieved, the sleep rate was improved, the duration of sleep latency was shortened and the sleep duration was prolonged in each dose group of R-S (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) compared with the model group. The contents of GABA, GLN, GAD65 and GS were increased (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) while GLU content was decreased (p < 0.01) in both medium and high dose groups, especially in the high dose group. The expression of GABAARα1mRNA was increased (p < 0.01), and the expressions of mGluR5mRNA, NR1mRNA and GluR1mRNA were decreased (p < 0.01) in hippocampal tissue of rats in R-S groups, especially in the high dose group. At the same time, the various dose groups of R-S could improve the species diversity, microflora abundance of insomnia rats and regulate the KEGG metabolic pathway related to sleep. Discussion: R-S can improve the sleep of PCPA-induced insomnia rats by regulating GLU/GABA-GLN metabolic cycle and intestinal microflora, which provides experimental basis for appling R-S in the treatment of insomnia.

Preliminary study on the correlation between the trace Mn2+ and the calcite polymorph in gallstones containing calcium carbonate from the northeast China via electron spin resonance.

Gallstones containing calcium carbonate (GCCC) from the northeast China were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electron spin resonance (ESR). The sextet signal arising from the allowed transitions of the trace Mn2+ ions in GCCC was found to be ESR-detectable and strong. The XRD technique revealed the crystal habit of calcite in GCCC. Of the three polymorphs of calcium carbonate, no calcite was present as a solitary crystallization form, accompanied by aragonite or vaterite or both. The sextet ESR signal and the (104) main XRD peak at 2θ = ∼29.4° were employed as two probes to explore the relationship between trace Mn2+ and calcite. The Mn content can be considered as an indicator of the amount of calcite in GCCC because of the existence of a correlation between Mn2+ and calcite. The correlation between Mn2+ and calcite, the relation between the levels of Mn2+ and the type of gallstones, the structural preference of Mn2+ to the calcite polymorph, and the influence of dietary habits on calcite in calcium carbonate gallstones are discussed.

A comparative study of mud-like and coralliform calcium carbonate gallbladder stones.

To gain insight to underlying mechanism of the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) gallbladder stones, we did comparative study of stones with mud appearance and those with coralliform appearance. A total of 93 gallbladder stones with mud appearance and 50 stones with coralliform appearance were analyzed. The appearance, color, texture, and the detection of Clonorchis sinensis eggs by microscopic examination were compared between the two groups. Then, the material compositions of stones were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and the spectrogram characteristics were compared. Moreover, microstructure characteristics of the two kinds of stones were observed and compared with Scanning Electron Microscopy. Mud-like gallbladder stones were mainly earthy yellow or brown with brittle or soft texture, while coralliform stones were mainly black with extremely hard texture, the differences between the two groups was significant (p < .05). The analytic results of FTIR spectroscopy showed that 95.7% (89/93) of the mud-like gallbladder stones were CaCO3 stones, and mainly aragonite; while all of the coralliform stones were CaCO3 stones, and mainly calcite (p < .05). Meanwhile, microscopic examination indicated that the detection rate of Clonorchis sinensis eggs in mud-like CaCO3 stones was lower than that in coralliform CaCO3 stones (p < .05), and that in aragonite CaCO3 stones was lower than that in calcite CaCO3 stones(p < .05). Mud-like CaCO3 stones mainly happened to patients with cystic duct obstruction. Clonorchis sinensis infection was mainly associated with coralliform (calcite) CaCO3 stones. Cystic duct obstruction was mainly associated with mud-like (aragonite) CaCO3 stones.

Anticrossing double Fano resonances generated in metallic/dielectric hybrid nanostructures using nonradiative anapole modes for enhanced nonlinear optical effects.

Third-harmonic generation with metallic or dielectric nanoparticles often suffer from, respectively, small modal volumes and weak near-field enhancements. This study propose and demonstrate that a metallic/dielectric hybrid nanostructure composed of a silver double rectangular nanoring and a silicon square nanoplate can be used to overcome these obstacles for enhanced third-harmonic generation. It is shown that the nonradiative anapole mode of the Si plate can be used as a localized source to excite the dark subradiant octupole mode of the Ag ring, and the mode hybridization leads to the formation of an antibonding and a bonding subradiant collective mode, thereby forming anticrossing double Fano resonances. With the strong coupling between individual particles and the effectively suppressed radiative losses of the Fano resonances, several strong hot spots are generated around the Ag ring due to the excitation of the octupole mode, and electromagnetic fields within the Si plate are also strongly amplified, making it possible to confine more incident energy inside the dielectric nanoparticle. Calculation results reveal that the confined energy inside the Si plate and the Ag ring for the hybrid structures can be about, respectively, more than three times and four orders stronger than that of the corresponding isolated nanoparticles, which makes the designed hybrid nanostructure a promising platform for enhanced third-harmonic generation.

[Effect of astragaloside on mRNA expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal transduction in anemia model mice induced by chemotherapy].

To study the influence of astragaloside on mRNA expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal transduction in anemia model mice induced by chemotherapy, 48 male BALB/c mice which were 6-7 week old were picked as the research objects and randomly divided into four groups, blank group, model group, astragaloside group and astragaloside IV group. Each group was 12 mice. Chemotherapy anemia model was established by cyclophosphamide. The mice were drawn blood from eyeball after 14 days treatment. The QPCR was used to test the mRNA concentrations of Akt, PI3K, BCL-xl, bad, FoxO, mTOR, PTEN in mouse spleen. In comparison of blank group, astragaloside group and astragaloside IV group,the erythrocyte counting and values of Hb in model group were significantly lower (P<0.05). The volumes mRNA of Akt,PI3K,BCL-xl,bad,mTOR were lower in blank group, compared with other groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The similar trend in astragaloside IV group except PI3K, comparing with blank group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The contents of these five genes were no significant differentiations between astragaloside group and blank group. The statistics were obvious between astragaloside group and astragaloside IV group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The concentrations of FoxO, PTEN were higher in model group,compared with blank group and astragaloside group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but no difference with astragaloside IV group. Comparing with blank group, the volumes of these two genes were increased in astragaloside IV group (P<0.05), FoxO was higher in astragaloside group (P<0.05), but PTEN was not significant. There was no the same as astragaloside group and Astragaloside IV group. Therefore, astragaloside could increase the contents of Akt, PI3K, BCL-xl, bad, mTOR (P<0.01), decrease the concentrations of FoxO, PTEN (P<0.05). The changes in cyclophosphamide-induced anemia were highly significant by astragaloside. It could be related to the mRNA expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signal Transduction.

[Gallbladder Stone Types in Patients with Cholelithiasis and Clonorchis sinensis Infection in the Endemic Area of Clonorchiasis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between Clonorchis sinensis infection and the gallbladder stone type in patients with cholelithiasis in the endemic area of clonorchiasis. METHODS: Gallbladder stones were collected from 598 patients with cholelithiasis through minimally invasive gallbladder-preserving cholelithotomy in the Sixth People's Hospital of Nansha District from May 2009 to October 2012. The stone samples were analyzed for composition by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to identify their types. The Clonorchis sinensis eggs were detected in the stones by microscopic examination, and the detection rates of eggs were calculated for different stone types. Then the clinical characteristics and biochemical indicators were compared among patients with different types of stones, as well as between Clonorchis sinensis egg-positive and -negative patients with the calcium-carbonate type of stones. Some calcium-carbonate stones positive for Clonorchis sinensis eggs were randomly selected for further scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination. RESULTS: Of the stones from 598 patients, 234 (39.1%) were cholesterol type, 133 (22.2%) bile pigment type, 112(18.7%) calcium-carbonate type, 86 (14.4%) mixed types and 33(5.5%) were others. The detection rate of Clonorchis sinensis eggs in these types was 6% (15/234), 44% (59/133), 60% (67/112), 36% (31/ 86) and 30% (10/33), respectively, being highest in calcium-carbonate stones while lowest in cholesterol stones. The Co2-combining power of the plasma was higher in patients with calcium-carbonate and mixed stones than in those with cholesterol stones (P < 0.05), and the CO2-combining power of the bile and biliary pH were both higher in patients with calcium-carbonate types than in those with other types (P < 0.05). In addition, in patients with calcium-carbonate stones, the CO2-combining powers of the plasma and the bile, as well as biliary pH were all higher in the egg-positives than in the egg-negatives. Further, both light microscopy and SEM revealed adherence of the Clonorchis sinensis eggs to calcium-carbonate crystals. CONCLUSION: The infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis is higher in patients with calcium-carbonate gallbladder stones than in those with other types of stones.

Clonorcis sinensis eggs are associated with calcium carbonate gallbladder stones.

Calcium carbonate gallbladder stones were easily neglected because they were previously reported as a rare stone type in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between calcium carbonate stones and Clonorchis sinensis infection. A total of 598 gallbladder stones were studied. The stone types were identified by FTIR spectroscopy. The C. sinensis eggs and DNA were detected by microscopic examination and real-time fluorescent PCR respectively. And then, some egg-positive stones were randomly selected for further SEM examination. Corresponding clinical characteristics of patients with different types of stones were also statistically analyzed. The detection rate of C. sinensis eggs in calcium carbonate stone, pigment stone, mixed stone and cholesterol stone types, as well as other stone types was 60%, 44%, 36%, 6% and 30%, respectively, which was highest in calcium carbonate stone yet lowest in cholesterol stone. A total of 182 stones were egg-positive, 67 (37%) of which were calcium carbonate stones. The C. sinensis eggs were found adherent to calcium carbonate crystals by both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Patients with calcium carbonate stones were mainly male between the ages of 30 and 60, the CO2 combining power of patients with calcium carbonate stones were higher than those with cholesterol stones. Calcium carbonate gallbladder stones are not rare, the formation of which may be associated with C. sinensis infection.

The systematic classification of gallbladder stones.

BACKGROUND: To develop a method for systematic classification of gallbladder stones, analyze the clinical characteristics of each type of stone and provide a theoretical basis for the study of the formation mechanism of different types of gallbladder stones. METHODOLOGY: A total of 807 consecutive patients with gallbladder stones were enrolled and their gallstones were studied. The material composition of gallbladder stones was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and the distribution and microstructure of material components was observed with Scanning Electron Microscopy. The composition and distribution of elements were analyzed by an X-ray energy spectrometer. Gallbladder stones were classified accordingly, and then, gender, age, medical history and BMI of patients with each type of stone were analyzed. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Gallbladder stones were classified into 8 types and more than ten subtypes, including cholesterol stones (297), pigment stones (217), calcium carbonate stones (139), phosphate stones (12), calcium stearate stones (9), protein stones (3), cystine stones (1) and mixed stones (129). Mixed stones were those stones with two or more than two kinds of material components and the content of each component was similar. A total of 11 subtypes of mixed stones were found in this study. Patients with cholesterol stones were mainly female between the ages of 30 and 50, with higher BMI and shorter medical history than patients with pigment stones (P<0.05), however, patients with pigment, calcium carbonate, phosphate stones were mainly male between the ages of 40 and 60. CONCLUSION: The systematic classification of gallbladder stones indicates that different types of stones have different characteristics in terms of the microstructure, elemental composition and distribution, providing an important basis for the mechanistic study of gallbladder stones.

The anaphylactoid constituents in Xue-Sai-Tong injection.

Xue-Sai-Tong injection, a traditional Chinese medicine with total saponins of Sanqi ginseng as active ingredients, has been used for more than 500 years to treat coronary artery disease in China. Anaphylactoid reaction induced by Xue-Sai-Tong injection was one of the main adverse drug reactions which has occurred frequently in recent years. It is of importance to elucidate its anaphylactoid constituents. The in vivo anaphyalctoid tests indicated that the anaphylactoid mediators could be used as indexes to evaluate the anaphylactoid action. Further, the in vitro model based on determining the mediators release from the degranulation of mast cells and RBL-2H3 cells stimulated by Xue-Sai-Tong injection was explored. Mediators released from mast cells and RBL-2H3 cells caused by Xue-Sai-Tong injection were determined by comparison of the methods of fluorospectrophotometry, ELISA, and spectrophotometry, respectively, revealing that the histamine release induced by the Xue-Sai-Tong injection could not be assayed accurately by the method of fluorospectrophotometry because of the interference of saponins and unknown components in the injection. The rat peritoneal mast cell was also not an optimal cell model for determining histamine and ß-hexosaminidase release due to the higher spontaneous release ratio during the cell collection. Thus, ELISA determination of the histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells is a suitable in vitro model to assay the anaphylactoid reaction of Xue-Sai-Tong injection. Previously, abnormal hemolysis in some batches of Xue-Sai-Tong injection was observed in the course of their HD50 (half hemolytic dosage) determination. This study further found that injections which exhibited an abnormal hemolysis phenomenon also caused a higher release of the anaphylactoid mediators from RBL-2H3 cells, indicating the HD50 could be an auxiliary index to evaluate anaphylactoid action of the herbal injection indirectly. Research for anaphylactoid components in Xue-Sai-Tong injection indicated that proteins with over 10 KDa of molecular weight, but not ginsenosides, could be the main constituents inducing the release of anaphylactoid mediators from RBL-2H3 cells. An HPLC method for protein determination in the Xue-Sai-Tong injection was established subsequently, and the content of proteins with molecular weights of over 10 KDa in the injections showed an obviously positive correlation with the histamine release induced by the injections. In addition, taking ginsenoside-Rd coupled with BSA as an example, the hapten property of ginsenosides was studied and the ratio of ginsenoside-Rd to BSA was determined to be 8:1 by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the ginsenoside-BSA conjugate showed a stronger action to stimulate histamine release from the RBL-2H3 cells.

Microscopic examination of gallbladder stones improves rate of detection of Clonorchis sinensis infection.

To improve the rate of detection of Clonorchis sinensis infection, we compared different specimens from patients with cholecystolithiasis. Feces, gallbladder bile, and gallbladder stones collected from 179 consecutive patients with cholecystolithiasis underwent microscopic examination, and according to the results, 30 egg-positive and 30 egg-negative fecal, gallbladder bile, and gallbladder stone specimens, respectively, underwent real-time fluorescent PCR. The detection rates of eggs in feces, bile, and gallbladder stones were 30.7%, 44.7%, and 69.8%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The PCR results confirmed that the eggs in the specimens were C. sinensis eggs. Eggs in the feces were "fresh" and in the gallbladder stones were "old." Microscopic examination of gallbladder stones may improve the detection rates of C. sinensis infection, which is important for developing individualized treatments to prevent the recurrence of gallbladder stones and to prevent the occurrence of severe liver damage and cholangiocarcinoma.

A microstructural study of gallbladder stones using scanning electron microscopy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the microstructure of different types of gallbladder stones to better understand the basis of gallbladder stone formation. METHODS: Gallbladder stones from 387 patients with cholecystolithiasis were first analyzed by Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy to identify the type of the gallbladder stone, and they were then examined using scanning electron microscopy to define their microstructure. RESULTS: Cholesterol stones were mainly composed of plate-like or lamellar cholesterol crystals stacked tightly in a radial, cord-like, or irregular staggered arrangement. A small number of bilirubinate particles were seen occasionally. Pigment stones were mainly composed of loosely arranged bilirubinate particles with different shapes (sphere-like, clumping-like, or amorphous). Calcium carbonate stones were composed of calcium carbonate crystals having many shapes (bulbiform, ellipsoid, fagot-shaped, fusiform, hawthorn-shaped, cuboid, button-shaped, lamellar, broken firewood-shaped, rod-shaped, acicular, or crushed sugar cane-shaped). Bulbiform shaped crystals were the most common. Phosphate stones were mainly composed of different sized echin-sphere-like or rough bulbiform crystals. Bilirubinate particles were always adherent. Calcium stearate stones usually had a network structure with adherent bilirubinate particles. Protein stones usually had a honeycomb or chrysanthemum petal-like structure. Cystine stones were composed of hexagonal cystine crystals, some of which had prominent edges. Mixed stones presented different shapes according to their mixed components. CONCLUSION: Different types of gallbladder stones had characteristic shapes and elements. This study provides an objective basis for further research regarding gallbladder stone formation.

[Survey on Clonorchis sinensis infection and bile component of gallstone patients from the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis and bile components of gallstone patients from the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong Province. METHODS: From June 2011 to November 2012, 406 gallstone patients from the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong Province were enrolled in the study. Fecal specimens, bile and gallbladder stone samples were examined for the presence of C. sinensis eggs by the Kato-Katz method, centrifuged sediment smear microscopy, and triturated stone microscopy, respectively. The blood samples were detected for the antibody against C. sinensis by using colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay. Total calcium, ionized calcium, HCO3-, magnesium, pH, total bilirubin (TBIL), total bile acid (TBA), total cholesterol (CHO), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were analyzed quantitatively in bile of gall bladder. RESULTS: The overall C. sinensis infection rate was 52.2% (212/406). The proportion of males infected with C. sinensis was 64.7% (130/201), higher than that of females (40.0%, 82/205). The content of TBIL [(1 458.0 +/- 681.0) micromol/L], CHO [(4.1 +/- 1.3) mmol/L] and magnesium [(4.8 +/- 1.8) mmol/L] in the bile from the patients under 30 years old, total calcium [(3.0 +/- 1.3) mmol/L], ionized calcium [(1.5 +/- 0.7) mmol/L], TBA [(114.6 +/- 54.5) mmol/L], CHO [(5.1 +/- 1.7) mmol/L], TBIL [(1 396.0 +/- 615.0) micromol/L], GGT [(1 562.0 +/- 583.0) U/L] and ALP [(263.0 +/- 94.0) U/L] in 31-40 years-old, or CHO [(5.4 +/- 2.2) mmol/L] in 41-50 years-old in egg-positive group was lower than that of the corresponding negative groups [(2 759.0 +/- 969.0) micromol/L, (7.5 +/- 2.5), (7.5 +/- 2.2), (3.8 +/- 1.6), (1.9 +/- 1.0), (144.1 +/- 63.4), and (9.9 +/- 2.5) mmol/L, (1 892.0 +/- 584.0) micromol/L, (2457.0 +/- 988.0) and (535.0 +/- 196.0) U/L, and (7.9 +/- 2.3) mmol/L], respectively (P < 0.05). While, the content of HCO3- [(22.7 +/- 5.1) mmol/L], pH (7.6 +/- 0.4) in 31-40 years-old group and pH (7.6 +/- 0.4) in the patients aged above 50 years-old was higher than that of the negatives [(17.3 +/- 6.9) mmol/L, 7.4 +/- 0.2, and 7.5 +/- 0.3] (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong Province, C. sinensis prevalence is high in the gallstone patients. There are differences in bile components between C. sinensis-infected and non-infected patients.

[Detection of Clonorchis sinensis eggs in the ground gallbladder stones by microscopy].

Sera, feces, bile and gallbladder stones were collected from 179 patients who accepted gallbladder-preserving cholelithotomy during the period of January to June 2010 at the general surgery department in the Second People's Hospital of Panyu District in Guangzhou. Rapid colloidal gold immunochromatography was used to detect IgG against Clonorchis sinensis. C. sinensis eggs were examined by fecal direct smear, and in bile sediments and ground gallbladder stones. The results showed that the positive rate of rapid colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay for IgG was 51.4%, and the egg positive rate in feces, bile sediments and gallbladder stones was 30.7%, 44.7% and 69.8%, respectively. The detection rate of fecal direct smear was the lowest, while that of the gallbladder stone examination was the highest (P < 0.05). Those patients with egg-positive feces and/or bile sediments were all with egg-positive gallbladder stones.

Cholecystolithiasis is associated with Clonorchis sinensis infection.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to analyze gallbladder stones for direct evidence of a relationship between Clonorchis sinensis infection and gallbladder stones formation. METHODOLOGY: We investigated one hundred eighty-three gallbladder stones for the presence of Clonorchis sinensis eggs using microscopy, and analyzed their composition using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We confirmed the presence of Clonorchis sinensis eggs in the gallbladder stones using real-time fluorescent PCR and scanning electron microscopy. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Clonorchis sinensis eggs were detected in 122 of 183 gallbladder stones based on morphologic characteristics and results from real-time fluorescent PCR. The proportion of pigment stones, cholesterol stones and mixed gallstones in the egg-positive stones was 79.5% (97/122), 3.3% (4/122) and 17.2% (21/122), respectively, while 29.5% (18/61), 31.1% (19/61) and 39.3% (24/61) in the egg-negative stones. The proportion of pigment stone in the Clonorchis sinensis egg-positive stones was higher than in egg-negative stones (P<0.0001). In the 30 egg-positive stones examined by scanning electron microscopy, dozens or even hundreds of Clonorchis sinensis eggs were visible (×400) showing a distinct morphology. Many eggs were wrapped with surrounding particles, and in some, muskmelon wrinkles was seen on the surface of the eggs. Also visible were pieces of texture shed from some of the eggs. Some eggs were depressed or without operculum while most eggs were adhered to or wrapped with amorphous particles or mucoid matter (×3000). CONCLUSION: Clonorchis sinensis eggs were detected in the gallbladder stones which suggests an association between Clonorchis sinensis infection and gallbladder stones formation, especially pigment stones.

Development of a real-time PCR assay for the detection of Clonorchis sinensis DNA in gallbladder bile and stone samples from patients with cholecystolithiasis.

High prevalence of cholecystolithiasis in parts of East Asia has been postulated to be associated with Clonorchis sinensis infection. This study describes the development of a TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay for the detection of C. sinensis DNA in gallbladder bile and stone samples from patients with cholecystolithiasis. Primers and probe targeting the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene of mitochondrial DNA proved to be highly specific for C. sinensis and did not amplify other related heterogeneous DNA samples. The detection limit of this assay was 0.1 pg of adult C. sinensis genomic DNA. All of the egg-positive samples determined by microscopy yielded positive results by real-time PCR assay and that genetic testing of gallbladder stones using real-time PCR was considered as the most effective means for assessing C. sinensis infection status. This assay not only contributes to a greater understanding of stone pathogenesis but also benefits patients with cholecystolithiasis by facilitating effective diagnosis, treatment, and relapse prevention.

Tiny cystine stones in the gallbladder of a patient with cholecystolithiasis complicating acute cholecystitis: a case report.

Cystine stones, the main component of which is cystine, are very common urinary calculi, but are rare in the gall bladder. In animals, there has been only one report of cystine gallstones in tree shrews, and to our knowledge, this is the first report of cystine gallstones in humans.

Design and application of a new series of gallbladder endoscopes that facilitate gallstone removal without gallbladder excision.

In recent years, some Chinese doctors have proposed a new concept, gallstone removal without gallbladder excision, along with transition of the medical model. As there is no specialized endoscope for gallstone removal without gallbladder excision, we designed and produced a new series of gallbladder endoscopes and accessories that have already been given a Chinese invention patent (No. ZL200810199041.2). The design of these gallbladder endoscopes was based on the anatomy and physiology of the gallbladder, characteristics of gallbladder disease, ergonomics, and industrial design. This series of gallbladder endoscopes underwent clinical trials in two hospitals appointed by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The clinical trials showed that surgeries of gallstones, gallbladder polyps, and cystic duct calculus could be smoothly performed with these products. In summary, this series of gallbladder endoscopes is safe, reliable, and effective for gallstone removal without gallbladder excision. This note comprehensively introduces the research and design of this series of gallbladder endoscopes.

[A waterproof equipment for endoscope equipment].

The article introduces a new kind of waterproof equipment for endoscope. The equipment can resolve the problem that the endoscope's ocular and camera are always interfered by the Backstreaming liquid while performing surgical operation. The equipment is made up of three parts, which are ring-shaped locking structure, obturating ring and waterproof plastic sheath. Using the equipment can achieve the purpose of protecting the endoscope's ocular and camera effectively.

[Water quality safety of ozonation and biologically activated carbon process in application].

Ozonation and biologically activated carbon process, one of advanced treatment technologies, has been applied in many places at home and abroad. However, some emerging water quality problems appeared in operation. Drinking water treatment plant (6 x 10(5) m3/d) with ozonation and biologically activated carbon process (O3-BAC process) was investigated systematically, including microbial safety, the excessive growth of aquatic microorganism and chemical stability of water quality. And some experiments were done in the pilot plant (10 m3/h) at the same time. O3-BAC process is reliable in microbial safety, but operation management should be enhanced. A good number of aquatic microorganisms grow immoderately during operation of O3-BAC process, which is more serious especially in place with high temperature and humidity. With prolong of runtime, the growth of aquatic microorganisms varies regularly. That is hazardous to water quality safety. When raw water is low with alkalinity, decrease of pH in O3-BAC process is obvious. That will seriously affect on chemical stability.