Gibberellins regulate masculinization through the SpGAI-SpSTM module in dioecious spinach.

The sex of dioecious plants is mainly determined by genetic factors, but it can also be converted by environmental cues such as exogenous phytohormones. Gibberellic acids (GAs) are well-known inducers of flowering and sexual development, yet the pathway of gibberellin-induced sex conversion in dioecious spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) remains elusive. Based on sex detection before and after GA3 application using T11A and SSR19 molecular markers, we confirmed and elevated the masculinization effect of GA on a single female plant through exogenous applications of GA3, showing complete conversion and functional stamens. Silencing of GIBBERELLIC ACID INSENSITIVE (SpGAI), a single DELLA family protein that is a central GA signaling repressor, results in similar masculinization. We also show that SpGAI can physically interact with the spinach KNOX transcription factor SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (SpSTM), which is a homolog of the flower meristem identity regulator STM in Arabidopsis. The silencing of SpSTM also masculinized female flowers in spinach. Furthermore, SpSTM could directly bind the intron of SpPI to repress SpPI expression in developing female flowers. Overall, our results suggest that GA induces a female masculinization process through the SpGAI-SpSTM-SpPI regulatory module in spinach. These insights may help to clarify the molecular mechanism underlying the sex conversion system in dioecious plants while also elucidating the physiological basis for the generation of unisexual flowers so as to establish dioecy in plants.

Role of HMGB1 in TNF-α Combined with Z-VAD-fmk-Induced L929 Cells Necroptosis.

The present study established a necroptosis model in vitro and investigated the role of HMGB1 in cell necroptosis. A combination of tumor necrosis factor-α and z-VAD-fmk was used to induce necroptosis in L929 cells with necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin-1 applied as an intervention. Flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to measure cell necroptosis. Western blotting assay was applied to detect the expression of receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL) and HMGB1. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay was used to confirm the interaction between HMGB1 and RIPK3. Our study demonstrated that HMGB1 migrated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm at the onset of necroptosis and was subsequently released passively to the extracellular matrix. Further experiments determined that the binding of HMGB1 with RIPK3 in the cytoplasm was loose during necroptosis. By contrast, when necroptosis was inhibited, the interaction in the cytoplasm was tight suggesting that this association between HMGB1 and RIPK3 might affect its occurrence. In conclusion, the transfer of HMGB1 from nucleus to cytoplasm, and its interaction with RIPK3 might be potentially involved in necroptosis.

Cytotoxic Secondary Metabolites Isolated from the Marine Alga-Associated Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum LD-201810.

A new pentaketide derivative, penilactonol A (1), and two new hydroxyphenylacetic acid derivatives, (2'R)-stachyline B (2) and (2'R)-westerdijkin A (3), together with five known metabolites, bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids 4-6 and meroterpenoids 7 and 8, were isolated from the solid culture of a marine alga-associated fungus Penicillium chrysogenum LD-201810. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D/2D NMR and high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectra (HRESIMS). The absolute configurations of the stereogenic carbons in 1 were determined by the (Mo2(OAc)4)-induced circular dichroism (CD) and comparison of the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, while the absolute configuration of the stereogenic carbon in 2 was established using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 adapt the 2'R-configuration as compared to known hydroxyphenylacetic acid-derived and O-prenylated natural products. The cytotoxicity of 1-8 against human carcinoma cell lines (A549, BT-549, HeLa, HepG2, MCF-7, and THP-1) was evaluated. Compound 3 exhibited cytotoxicity to the HepG2 cell line with an IC50 value of 22.0 µM. Furthermore, 5 showed considerable activities against A549 and THP-1 cell lines with IC50 values of 21.2 and 18.2 µM, respectively.

[Comparative study on chronic multiple organ injury in normal rats caused by high dose of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets from 6 different manufacturers].

The aim of this paper was to compare different effects of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets from 6 different manufacturers on multiple organ injuries in rats and to explore mechanism of hepatotoxicity preliminarily from the perspective of apoptosis and oxidative stress. Rats were randomly divided into the groups normal, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Fujian(7 groups with 16 rats in each group, sex in half). Rats were given Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets at 144 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)(16 times the clinical equivalent dose) once a day according to its corresponding group like rats in Zhejiang group was given Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets from Zhejiang manufactures continuously for 20 days with the life and death situation of mice to be observed, then rats were executed to detect various indicators. RESULTS:: showed that 8 female rats in Zhejiang group died after 15 days of administration, the serum NEUT of rats in Hubei, Fujian and Shanghai groups was significantly lower than that of normal rats. The serum AST, ALT and/or TBiL levels were increased in all rats, and serum BUN and/or CRE levels of rats were also increased in Hunan, Hubei, Fujian and Shanghai groups. In dosage groups, testicular and ovarian coefficients of rats were reduced, the number of sperm were significant decreased while the rate of sperm malformation increased and sperm dynamics parameters of normal, especially in Jiangsu and Zhejiang groups. Liver histopathology and apoptosis of liver cells were observed in dosage groups, especially in Jiangsu and Hubei groups. In liver, Nrf2, HO-1 and Bcl-2 were inhibited and the protein expression level of Bax were increased simultaneously in dosage groups. These results showed that all Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets from 6 manufacturers could lead to chronic multiple organ injuries with disparate specialties in rats, and Jiangsu and Zhejiang groups were more toxic. It could be the mechanism promoting mitochondrial mediated Bax/Bcl-2 cell apoptosis signaling pathway and negatively regulating Nrf2/HO-1 oxidative stress signaling pathway that Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets from 6 different manufacturers resulted in chronic liver injury, the results above were for reference only in subsequent study.

Cytogenetic and genomic organization analyses of chloroplast DNA invasions in the nuclear genome of Asparagus officinalis L. provides signatures of evolutionary complexity and informativity in sex chromosome evolution.

BACKGROUND: The transfer of chloroplast DNA into nuclear genome is a common process in plants. These transfers form nuclear integrants of plastid DNAs (NUPTs), which are thought to be driving forces in genome evolution, including sex chromosome evolution. In this study, NUPTs in the genome of a dioecious plant Asparagus officinalis L. were systematically analyzed, in order to investigate the characteristics of NUPTs in the nuclear genome and the relationship between NUPTs and sex chromosome evolution in this species. RESULTS: A total of 3155 NUPT insertions were detected, and they represented approximated 0.06% of the nuclear genome. About 45% of the NUPTs were organized in clusters. These clusters were derived from various evolutionary events. The Y chromosome contained the highest number and largest proportion of NUPTs, suggesting more accumulation of NUPTs on sex chromosomes. NUPTs were distributed widely in all of the chromosomes, and some regions preferred these insertions. The highest density of NUPTs was found in a 47 kb region in the Y chromosome; more than 75% of this region was occupied by NUPTs. Further cytogenetic and sequence alignment analysis revealed that this region was likely the centromeric region of the sex chromosomes. On the other hand, the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) and the adjacent regions did not have NUPT insertions. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that NUPTs were involved in shaping the genome of A. officinalis through complicated process. NUPTs may play important roles in the centromere shaping of the sex chromosomes of A. officinalis, but were not implicated in MSY formation.

Comparison of deep or moderate neuromuscular blockade for thoracoscopic lobectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery typically requires deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB), but whether deep or moderate NMB is superior for thoracoscopic surgery remains controversial. METHODS: Patients scheduled for thoracoscopic lobectomy under intravenous anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive moderate [train of four (TOF) 1-2] or deep NMB [TOF 0, post-tetanic count (PTC) 1-5]. Depth of anesthesia was controlled at a Narcotrend rating of 30 ± 5 in both groups. The primary outcome was the need to use an additional muscle relaxant (cisatracurium) during surgery. Secondary outcomes included surgeon satisfaction, recovery time of each stage after drug withdrawal [time from withdrawal until TOF recovery to 20% (antagonists administration), 25, 75, 90, 100%], blood gas data, VAS pain grade after extubation, the time it takes for patients to begin walking after surgery, postoperative complications and hospitalization time. Results were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled per arm, and all but one patient in each arm was included in the final analysis. Among patients undergoing moderate NMB, surgeons applied additional cisatracurium in 8 patients because of body movement and 5 because of coughing (13/29, 44.8%). Additional cisatracurium was not applied to any of the patients undergoing deep NMB (p < 0.001). Surgeons reported significantly higher satisfaction for patients undergoing deep NMB (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon rank sum test). The mean difference between the two groups in the time from withdrawal until TOF recovery of 25% or 90% was 10 min (p < 0.001). The two groups were similar in other recovery data, blood gas analysis, VAS pain grade, days for beginning to walk and mean hospitalization time. CONCLUSIONS: Deep NMB can reduce the use of additional muscle relaxant and increase surgeon satisfaction during thoracoscopic lobectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-15007117 , 22 September 2015.

Phylogenetic analysis of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) isolates from China with high homology to PCV2c.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is an important emerging pathogen that has been causatively associated with multifactorial disease syndromes in pigs and other species. It has a worldwide distribution and causes significant economic losses in the swine industry. Its genome is dynamically evolving through recombination and mutation, and the circulating genotypes of PCV2 strains in Asia are PCV2a, PCV2b and PCV2d. In this study, 12 PCV isolates were evaluated and identified by amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis, and the results revealed a new monophyletic group of PCV in China. More importantly, three of these isolates shared high homology within the ORF1 region with a strain of genotype PCV2c that was detected only in Denmark. Phylogeographic analysis of these isolates suggested that the isolates may have arisen in Denmark and that they were then transported to China.

Detection of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter Lwoffii Isolated from Soil of Mink Farm.

There were 4 Acinetobacter lwoffii obtained from soil samples. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains to 16 antimicrobial agents was investigated using K-B method. Three isolates showed the multi-drug resistance. The presence of resistance genes and integrons was determined using PCR. The aadA1, aac(3')-IIc, aph(3')-VII, aac(6')-Ib, sul2, cat2, floR, and tet(K) genes were detected, respectively. Three class 1 integrons were obtained. The arr-3-aacA4 and blaPSE-1 gene cassette, which cause resistance to aminoglycoside and beta-lactamase antibiotics. Our results reported the detection of multi-drug resistant and carried resistant genes Acinetobacter lwoffii from soil. The findings suggested that we should pay close attention to the prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacterial species of environment.

[Bushen Huoxue Recipe Inhibited Vascular Calcification in Chronic Renal Failure Rats by Regulating BMP-2/Runx2/Osterix Signal Pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Bushen Huoxue Recipe (BHR) on inhibiting vascular calcification (VC) in chronic renal failure (CRF) rats by regulating BMP-2/Runx2/Osterix signal pathway, and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, and the BHR group, 10 in each group. Rats in the model group and the BHR group were administered with 250 mg/kg adenine suspension by gastroagavage and fed with 1.8% high phosphorus forage, once per day in the first 4 weeks, and then gastric administration of adenine suspension was changed to once per two days in the following 5-8 weeks. Rats in the BHR group were administered with BHR at the daily dose of 55 g/kg by gastrogavage in the first 8 weeks, once per day. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the normal group by gastrogavage for 8 weeks. Histological changes in renal tissue and aorta VC were observed by HE staining and alizarin red staining respectively. Levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in serum were detected. Protein expression levels of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2), Runt related transcription factor (Runx2) , and Osterix were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: HE staining showed that compared with the normal group, disordered glomerular structure, tubular ectasia and dropsy, intracavitary inflammatory cell infiltration, dark brown crystal deposition in kidney tubules, renal interstitial fibrosis, and decreased number of renal blood vessels in the model group. Compared with the model group, normal glomerular numbers increased more, reduced degree of tubular ectasia, decreased number of inflammatory cells, and reduced adenine crystal deposition in the BHR group. Alizarin red staining showed that compared with the normal group, calcified nodes could be found in the model group, with extensive deposition of red particle in aorta. Compared with the model group, calcified nodes were reduced in the BHR group. Compared with normal group, serum levels of P, SCr, BUN, and iPTH significantly increased, serum Ca level significantly decreased, protein expressions of BMP-2, Runx2, Osterix also increased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, serum levels of P, SCr, BUN, and iPTH levels significantly decreased, serum Ca level significantly increased, protein expressions of BMP-2, Runx2, Osterix also decreased in the BHD group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: BHD could improve renal function, Ca-P metabolism, and renal histological changes in CHF rats, down-regulate the expression level of BMP-2/Runx2/Osterix signal pathway in vascular calcification of CRF, which might be one of the mechanisms for inhibiting VC in CHF.

Effect of Nonstructural Protein 2 Hypervariable Regions in the Replication of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in Marc-145 Cells.

BACKGROUND: Highly pathogenic (HP) porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes prolonged high fever, red discoloration of the body, blue ears and a high mortality. Previously, we found that the PRRSV vaccine strain TJM contained a deletion of 120 amino acids (aa 628-747) in nonstructural protein 2 (Nsp2). We aimed to explore the replication features of PRRSV after adding the transiently expressed product of these 120 aa in vitro. METHODS: We constructed seven eukaryotic expression plasmids containing different parts of the 120-aa sequence, transfected them into Marc-145 cells and then inoculated the cells with 103 TCID50 TJM per well. We detected virus replication at mRNA and protein level by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively, and determined the virus titer. RESULTS: The transiently expressed 120 aa and one of its truncated polypeptides inhibited PRRSV TJM propagation on Marc-145 cells. The complete 120-aa sequence induced a remarkable decrease in PRRSV replication, causing a reduction in structural protein levels between 36 and 48 h after infection. Additionally, aa 628-727 partly reduced the replication of PRRSV on Marc-145 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The 120 aa from Nsp2, especially aa 628-727, play a negative role in PRRSV TJM proliferation.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition reverses pulmonary arterial dysfunction in lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) after lung transplantation remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Lung IRI induces nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS) and reactive nitrogen species, decreasing nitric oxide bioavailability. We hypothesized that ischemia-induced iNOS intensifies with reperfusion and contributes to IRI-induced pulmonary arterial regulatory dysfunction, which may lead to early graft failure and cause pulmonary edema. The aim of this study was to determine whether ischemia-reperfusion alters inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, potentially affecting pulmonary perfusion. We further evaluated the role of iNOS in post-transplantation pulmonary arterial disorder. METHODS: We randomized 32 Sprague-Dawley rats into two groups. The control group was given a sham operation whilst the experimental group received orthotropic lung transplants with a modified three-cuff technique. Changes in lung iNOS, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression were measured after lung transplantation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Vasoconstriction in response to exogenous phenylephrine and vasodilation in response to exogenous acetylcholine of pulmonary arterial rings were measured in vitro as a measure of vascular dysfunction. To elucidate the roles of iNOS in regulating vascular function, an iNOS activity inhibitor (N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine, L-NIL) was used to treat isolated arterial rings. In order to test whether iNOS inhibition has a therapeutic effect, we further used L-NIL to pre-treat transplanted lungs and then measured post-transplantation arterial responses. RESULTS: Lung transplantation caused upregulation of iNOS expression. This was also accompanied by suppression of both vasoconstriction and vasodilation of arterial rings from transplanted lungs. Removal of endothelium did not interfere with the contraction of pulmonary arterial rings from transplanted lungs. In contrast, iNOS inhibition rescued the vasoconstriction response to exogenous phenylephrine of pulmonary arterial rings from transplanted lungs. In addition, lung transplantation led to suppression of PaO2/FiO2 ratio, increased intrapulmonary shunt (Q s/Q t), and increase of lung wet to dry ratio (W/D), malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels, all of which were reversed upon iNOS inhibition. Furthermore, inhibition of iNOS significantly rescued vascular function and alleviated edema and inflammatory cell infiltration in the transplanted lung. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that lung transplantation causes upregulation of iNOS expression, and pulmonary vascular dysfunction. iNOS inhibition reverses the post-transplantational pulmonary vascular dysfunction.

[Effect of traditional Chinese medicines with different properties on thermoregulation and temperature-sensitive transient receptor potentialion channel protein of rats with yeast-induced fever].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the intervention effects of four traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with typical cold or hot property on body temperature and temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential ion channel proteins (TRPs) of rats with yeast-induced fever. METHOD: The pyrexia model was induced by injecting yeast suspension subcutaneously. Totally 108 male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the Rhei Radix et Rhizoma treated group, the Coptidis Rhizoma treated group, the Euodiae Fructus treated group, and the Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma treated group, with 18 rats in each group. At the 4 h, 8 h and 12 h after injection of yeast, the rats were sacrificed to collect their hypothalamus and dorsal root ganglion. The expressions of TRPV1 and TRPM8 were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot method. RESULT: Compared with the normal group, after injection of yeast, the temperature of rats in the model group notably increased, and reached the peak at 8 h (P < 0.01). The TRPV1 level in hypothalamus and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the model group significantly increased, whereas the TRPM8 level significantly reduced. Compared with the model group, the Rhei Radix et Rhizoma group and the Coptidis Rhizoma group showed significant decrease in the high body temperature of rats caused by yeast, down-regulation in the expression of TRPV1, and up-regulation in the expression of TRPM8 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Euodiae Fructus and Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma had no significant effect on either temperature or TRPs of fever rats. CONCLUSION: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma, both are TCMs with cold property, can reduce the temperature of fever rats induced by yeast, which may be related to their effective regulation of TRPV1 and TRPM8 in hypothalamus and DRG, while Euodiae Fructus and Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma had no relevant effect.

Peritendinous Submembrane Access Technique for Management of Acute Ruptures of the Achilles Tendon: A Retrospective Study of 249 Cases.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous repair is an alternative to open surgical repair of the Achilles tendon with comparable, functional results and low re-rupture and infection rates; however, sural nerve injury is a known complication. The purpose of this study is to design a new surgical procedure, the minimally invasive peritendinous submembrane access technique (MIS-PSAT). It offers optimal results, with excellent functional outcomes, and with minimal soft tissue complications and sural nerve injury. METHODS: This retrospective study included 249 patients with acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures treated at our institution between 2009 and 2019. All patients underwent MIS-PSAT at our institution and were followed up for 8-48 months. Functional evaluation was based on the Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS), associated with local complications and isokinetic tests. RESULTS: None of the patients had infection, necrosis, or sural nerve injury. Re-rupture occurred in two cases. The average times to return to work and sports was 10.4 and 31.6 weeks, respectively. The average ATRS and AOFAS-AHS scores were 90.2 and 95.7, respectively, with an excellent rate of 99.5%. Isokinetic tests showed that ankle function on the affected side was comparable with that on the healthy side (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The MIS-PSAT for acute Achilles tendon rupture is easy to perform with few complications. Importantly, the surgical technique reduces the risk of sural nerve injuries. Patients have high postoperative satisfaction, low re-rupture rates, and muscle strength, and endurance can be restored to levels similar to those on the healthy side.

Solution-gated graphene field effect transistors integrated in microfluidic systems and used for flow velocity detection.

Solution-gated graphene field effect transistors (SGGT) were integrated in microfluidic systems. The transfer characteristics of a SGGT with an Ag/AgCl gate electrode shifted horizontally with the change of the ionic concentration of KCl solution in the microchannel and the relationship can be fitted with the Nernst equation, which was attributed to the change of the potential drop at the Ag/AgCl electrode. Therefore the gate electrode is one important factor for the ion sensitive property of the SGGT. Then SGGTs were used as flow velocity sensors, which were based on measuring the streaming potentials in microfluidic channels. A linear relationship between the shift of the transfer curve of the SGGT and the flow velocity was obtained, indicating that the SGGT is a promising transducer for measuring flow velocity in a microchip. Since the streaming potential is influenced by the three physical quantities, including the flow velocity, the ionic strength of the fluid and the zeta potential of the substrate, the device can be used for sensing any one of the three quantities when the other two were known. It is noteworthy that SGGTs have been used for various types of chemical and biological sensors. Array of the devices integrated in multichannel microchips are expected to find many important applications in the lab-on-a-chip systems in the future.

[The detection of flavonoids glycosides from ginkgo biloba based on spectrofluorimetry].

Flavonoids glycosides from ginkgo are widely applied in pharmaceutical, food, daily necessities and other areas due to their variety of biological activities. To overcome the shortcoming of current methods of time wasting, complex operation and expensive costs, an accuracy, low costs and fast determination method was established for flavonoids glycosides from ginkgo. According to the principle that flavonoids can form fluorescent chelate with Al3+, the detection condition was explored with rutin as standard. The results showed that the fluorimetric intensy of chelate of rutin with Al3+ would be stabilized and achieve maximum with lambda(ex) = 400 nm and lambda(em) = 520 nm, in Al (NO3)3-(HAc-NaAc) reaction system for 1 500 s with pH 3.6. The linear regression equation y = 29.92x + 36.49 (R2 = 0.986) was deduced with the concentration of rutin and fluorescence intensy, and the linear range 1.8 x 10(-6) -3.2 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1). Flavonoids glycosides of cell suspension cultures from ginkgo biloba was detected by this method. The recovery experiments were also carried out with the average recovery rate of 101.3%. The advantages of high sensitivity, reproducibility, simple operation, and low costs were showed, indicating its good prospects.

Seizure-free after surgery in a patient with non-lesional startle epilepsy: a case report.

We present the case of a patient with startle epilepsy provoked by auditory, somatosensory and visual stimuli during video-electrocorticography (ECoG) recording. Ictal ECoG of all types of seizures triggered by the three kinds of stimuli showed that seizure onset originated from the left supplementary sensorimotor area (SSMA). The patient has been seizure-free after the cortex around the left SSMA only had been resected. Therefore, we speculate that left SSMA is the epileptogenic zone of startle epilepsy in this patient and perhaps the primary cortex to modulate the startle reflex in healthy persons.

[Spatial Distribution Characteristics of VOCs and Its Impact on Ozone Formation Potential in Rizhao City in Summer].

GC-SAW was used to carry out online sampling analysis of the main business sources, residential sources, and roads in Rizhao City from August 22 to 29 in 2020. The spatial distribution characteristics of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere were obtained, and the chemical reactivity of the main components was studied. The results showed that the VOCs with carbon atoms greater than 5 (VOCC>5) were mainly toluene propylbenzene and n-octane, and the spatial distribution was significant; the average ρ(TVOCC>5) in the port area, downtown area, and industrial area were 80.5, 115.3, and 118.1 µg·m-3, respectively. Combined with road traffic impact and industrial production emissions, the maximum ρ(TVOCC>5) on the main roads in Rizhao City appeared near the Yingbin Road; the concentration value was 164.37 µg·m-3; the ρ(BTEX) in adhesive processing, painting, and glass factories reached 432.34, 1010.84, and 1989.85 µg·m-3, respectively. The chemical reactivity analysis of the main components of VOCC>5 showed that BTEX and n-octane were the important active components of ozone formation in Rizhao City.

Functional reconstruction of ischemic contracture in the lower limb.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the method of functional reconstruction of ischemic contracture in the lower limb and propose a classification protocol for ischemic contracture in the lower limb based on its severity and prognosis. METHODS: A total of 42 patients with ischemic contracture in the lower limb were included in this study. According to different types of disturbance and degrees of severity, surgical reconstructions consisting of nerve decompression, tendon lengthening or transfer, intrinsic foot muscle release and sural-tibial nerve anastomosis were performed in every patient. RESULTS: Postoperatively, all patients were able to walk on flat ground. Drop foot was corrected in 10 patients, and 5 patients still felt some difficulty during stair activity. Split Achilles tendon transfer to flexor hallucis longus tendon was performed in 12 patients, and their walking stability was improved. Seven patients accepted ipsilateral sural-tibial nerve anastomosis, and sensitivity recovery reached to S2 in 2 patients and S3 in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic contracture in the lower limb is a devastating complication after lower limb trauma. The prevention of contracture is much more important than the treatment of an established contracture. Split Achilles tendon transfer to flexor hallucis longus tendon and sural-tibial nerve anastomosis, which was initially implemented by us, could improve the functional recovery of ischemic contracture in lower limbs, and thus provides a new alternative for functional reconstruction of ischemic contracture in the lower limb.

[Comparative study of femoral head replacement and internal fixation in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of femoral head replacement and internal fixation in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 70 cases of unstable intertrochanteric fractures treated from January 2016 to January 2019 and meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 39 cases were fixed with closed reduction and new proximal femoral intramedullary nail(InterTAN), and 31 cases were treated with open trochanter reconstruction and artificial femoral head replacement. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay, weight bearing time, postoperative complication rate and hip function recovery (Harris score) were compared between two groups. RESULTS: All cases were followed up for 12 to 24 months. There were no significant differences in intraoperative bleeding and hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time in replacement group was longer than that in internal fixation group (P< 0.05). The postoperative weight-bearing time in replacement group was significantly earlier than that in internal fixation group (P<0.05). In the replacement group, there were 1 case of pulmonary infection, 1 case of deep venous thrombosis and 1 case of periprosthetic fracture;in the internal fixation group, there were 4 cases of pulmonary infection, 3 cases of internal fixation failure, 3 cases of cerebral infarction and 2 cases of urinary infection;there was significant difference between two groups (P< 0.05). The Harris score in replacement group was higher than that in internal fixation group one month after operation (P< 0.05), but there was no significant difference between two groups at 12 months after operation(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: InterTAN and femoral head replacement can treat unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly, but femoral head replacement can move down early, improve the quality of life at the end of life, reduce postoperative complications and facilitate the treatment of coexisting diseases in internal medicine.