Characterization of the physiochemical properties, microstructure, and molecular interactions of a novel rice-pea protein gel.

The application of rice and pea proteins in food production is limited due to their undesirable processing performance. The objective of this research was to develop a novel rice-pea protein gel using alkali-heat treatment. This gel had a higher solubility, stronger gel strength, better water retention capacity, and denser bilayer network. This is due to the alkali-heat induced modifications for the secondary structures of proteins (i.e., a decrease in the α-helix, and an increase in the ß-sheets) and the interactions between protein molecules. The network structure of gel was more compact by adding 2% and 4% alkali-heat rice protein (AH-RP). This resulted in a stable double-layer network structure of gel. Adding 4% AH-RP significantly improved the hardness and elasticity of gel. This gel will have a good potential use for being the ingredient to produce the functional foods and meat analogs.

A Modified Technique to Harvest Integrated Zygomatic Arch-Temporal Bone Flap: Clinical Experience.

Background: In skull base surgery, zygomaticectomy is an effective method to increase surgical exposure and reduce brain retraction. However, the traditional zygomaticectomy methods are complicated and more invasive. Objective: To improve the procedure of zygomaticectomy, we introduced a modified technique to harvest integrated zygomatic arch-temporal bone flap. Subjects and Methods: A modified technique to section the zygomatic arch integrated with the temporal bone flap was described in the present work. This technique was applied in eight skull base lesion patients. The improved surgical angle was measured using Osirix software. Results: The surgical exposure is satisfied and no temporal lobe contusion or severe complications occurred in the patients. An increased surgical angle was obtained by zygomatic arch removing, with a mean value of 13.31°. Conclusions: This integrated zygomatic arch-temporal bone flap technique achieved increased exposure, decreased temporal lobe retraction, and minimal bone loss, leading to better cosmetics and functional reconstructions.

Cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive programme for drug-resistant tuberculosis in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive programme for drug-resistant tuberculosis launched in four sites in China in 2011. METHODS: In 2011-2012, we reviewed the records of 172 patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis who enrolled in the comprehensive programme and we collected relevant administrative data from hospitals and China's public health agency. For comparison, we examined a cohort of 81 patients who were treated for drug-resistant tuberculosis in 2006-2009. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis, from a societal perspective, that included probabilistic uncertainty. We measured early treatment outcomes based on three-month culture results and modelled longer-term outcomes to facilitate estimation of the comprehensive programme's cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted. FINDINGS: The comprehensive programme cost 8837 United States dollars (US$) per patient treated. Low enrolment rates meant that some fixed costs were higher, per patient, than expected. Although the comprehensive programme appeared 30 times more costly than the previous one, it resulted in greater health benefits. The comprehensive programme, which cost US$ 639 (95% credible interval: 112 to 1322) per DALY averted, satisfied the World Health Organization's criterion for a very cost-effective intervention. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive programme, which included rapid screening, standardized care and financial protection, improved individual outcomes for MDR tuberculosis in a cost-effective manner. To support post-2015 global heath targets, the comprehensive programme should be expanded to non-residents and other areas of China.

[Evaluation of balanced release of complex components of Chuanping sustained tablets based on fingerprint].

To combine fingerprint and drug release rate in vitro, in order to study in vitro release of complex components of Chuanping sustained tablets, compound traditional Chinese medicine preparation. A qualitative determination of the characteristic peaks of the compound preparations were conducted by the fingerprint. The results of the dissolution rate determination under different release conditions showed that the release of three index components (methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine and scopolamine) of Chuanping sustained tablets was less affected by gastrointestinal factors, with similarity factors being more than 80 with unknown component release curves of three major characteristic peaks in the fingerprint. The qualitative determination proved that multiple components of the compound traditional Chinese medicine preparation was dissolved in vitro at similar rates, realizing the balanced release of complex components of the compound traditional Chinese medicine preparation. This study layed a theoretical and experimental basis for quality evaluation for the compound traditional Chinese medicine preparation.

[Correlation between dissolution in vitro and absorption in vivo of chuanping sustained release tablets].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between dissolution in vitro and absorption in vivo of Chuanping sustained release tablets. METHOD: The ephedrine, pseudoephedrine were chosen as marker components, dissolution in vitro of Chuanping sustained release tablets in the different pH were tested by the rotating basket method and HPLC; urine drug levels were determined by HPLC and absorption fractions were calculated according to Wagner-Nelson's formula and deconvolution technique. RESULT: The linear regressive equation between the absorption percentage in vivo F and accumulative release percentage in vitro of Chuanping sustained release tablets was established as F(ephedrine) = 1.572 5f-20. 729 (R2 = 0.974 5); F(pseudoephedrine) = 1.237f-0.147 6 (R2 = 0.959 5). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that there was fine correlation between the absorption percentage in vivo and the accumulative release percentage in vitro of Chuanping sustained release tablets.

[Role of HLA protein three-dimensional conformation difference in unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

This study was purposed to investigate the value of Histocheck and HLA-Matchmaker softwares in evaluating influence of HLA protein three dimensional conformation among individuals on outcome of unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (URHSCT). Data of the HLA-A/B/C/DRB1/DQB1 genotypes from 62 cases of URHSCT (HLA-allele 10/10 match 30 cases, 9/10 match 32 cases) were input into Histocheck and HLA-Matchmaker softwares respectively. The relationship between the software dissimilar scores and the 1 year overall survival (OS), incidence of aGVHD of III-IV grade and relapse rate was analyzed. The results showed that (1) with increase of the Histocheck scores, incidence of aGVHD of III-IV increased from 0% to 20% (p = 0.25), while no or mild aGVHD occurred in 70% cases with the high scores. For the relapsed cases, there was no significant difference between the cases with low scores and with highest scores (relapse rate 20%) except that 9 cases had no relapse in the group with higher score (11 - 20). (2) the analysis using HLA matchmaker software showed that incidence of aGVHD of III-IV grade increased with the increase of numbers of mismatch Eplets, arranging from 0% to 30%, the incidence of moderate aGVHD reduced (p = 0.019), whereas 60% cases in highest scores group had moderate aGVHD. No relapse occurred in the group with higher scores (≥ 3) (n = 10), whereas high relapse rate appeared in the lower score group (20%, p = 0.54). It is concluded that the value of Histocheck and HLA-Mtchmaker software for analysing the outcome of URHSCT may be similar despite of different calculating methods; for the certain pair of recipient and donor, correlation of the two score systems with incidence of aGVHD and relapse rate is similar, but with less accuracy; The HLA Matchmaker software appears better than Histocheck software in terms of correlation.

[Influence of HLA-A/B/C/DRB1/DQB1 on unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

This study was purposed to explore the influence of number and locus of HLA allele mismatch on unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (URHSCT) in Chinese Han population. Total 10 alleles within the HLA-A/B/C/DRB1/DQB1 loci were analyzed by PCR-SSP for 101 pairs of donor and recipients who received URHSCT. 101 cases of URHSCT were divided into four groups: HLA-allele 10/10 match (n = 30), 9/10 (n = 32), 8/10 (n = 31) and 7/10 match (n = 8). The correlation of the HLA with overall survival (OS ≥ 1 year), incidence of acute GVHD (aGVHD) of grade II to IV and relapse rate of primary diseases were evaluated. The results showed that (1) The OS rates in HLA-10/10 and 9/10 groups were higher than that in HLA-8/10 match group (78% and 82% vs 50%, p = 0.39); incidence of aGVHD in the HLA-10/10 were lower than that in HLA-9/10 and HLA-8/10 group (0% vs 10% and 10%; p = 0.28); relapse rates among the 3 groups were close (16%, 18% and 20%, respectively). Although there were only 8 cases in HLA-7/10 match URHSCT, the data indicated that they were safe and effective; (2) Compared to the HLA-10/10 match URHSCT (n = 30), the HLA-C mismatch URHSCT (n = 12) harbored higher incidence of severe aGVHD (0% vs 25%, p = 0.006), longer OS (77% vs 85%, p = 0.30), and tendency to low relapse rate (8% vs17%, p = 0.47); (3) According to HLA-C1/C2, the ligands of inhibitory KIR, the 42 cases of HLA-10/10 match URHSCT and HLA-C mismatch URHSCT were grouped into donor/recipient HLA-C1/C2 match and mis-match subgroups. There was no difference between the two subgroups for OS, incidence of aGVHD and relapse rate (78% vs 80%, 14% vs 20%, and 5% vs 20%). It is concluded that for 0 to 2 locus of HLA allele mismatch in URHSCT, the fewer mismatch numbers, the longer OS, but with similar aGVHD incidence and the relapse rate; triple HLA allele mismatch (HLA-7/10 match) is safe in URHSCT. The HLA-C mismatch may be related to higher incidence of aGVHD and lower relapse rate and prolonged OS, remaining to be further studied.

Dual wavelengths monitoring for optical coatings.

A new monitoring method based on the use of dual wavelengths monitoring is proposed. Firstly, the sensitivity of each layer in an optical coating for the monitoring wavelength is calculated by admittance equations. Then two appropriate monitoring wavelengths are chosen to make sure that every layer has a sensitive terminal point. The thickness error of the layer can be compensated. For quarter-wave multilayer and nonquarter-wave multilayer optical coatings, the advantage of this new monitoring method has been demonstrated by both the theoretical analyses and experimental results.

[Epidemiological survey on the infection of Paragonimus westermani in Jiangxi Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Paragonimus westermani infection in the intermediate hosts and animal reservoivs in Jiangxi Province. METHODS: Two forest farms in Jingan and Wanzai Counties and one town in Yushan County of Jiangxi Province were selected as pilots for epidemiological and retrospective survey. The intermediate hosts (snails, crabs) and reservoir hosts (cat, dog, civet cat, wildcat, etc.) were collected and examined. Data on the changes of ecological environment and people's behaviors were also collected. RESULTS: The average infection rate in Semisulcospira libertina and Sinopotamon spp. was 0.21% and 54.3% respectively, and that of reservoir hosts was 5.6%. Compared with those in 20 years ago, the infection rate in Sinopotamon spp. decreased considerably. CONCLUSION: The three areas are still endemic for P. westermani with lower prevalence than before possibly due to the change of ecological environment.