Effects of human limb gestures on galvanic coupling intra-body communication for advanced healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: Intra-Body Communication (IBC), which utilizes the human body as the transmission medium to transmit signal, is a potential communication technique for the physiological data transfer among the sensors of remote healthcare monitoring system, in which the doctors are permitted to remotely access the healthcare data without interrupt to the patients' daily activities. METHODS: This work investigates the effects of human limb gestures including various joint angles, hand gripping force and loading on galvanic coupling IBC channel. The experiment results show that channel gain is significantly influenced by the joint angle (i.e. gain variation 1.09-11.70 dB, p < 0.014). The extension, as well as the appearance of joint in IBC channel increases the channel attenuation. While the other gestures and muscle fatigue have negligible effect (gain variation <0.77 dB, p > 0.793) on IBC channel. Moreover, the change of joint angle on human limb IBC channel causes significant variation in bit error rate (BER) performance. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal the dynamic behavior of galvanic coupling IBC channel, and provide suggestions for practical IBC system design.

Lentivirus-mediated RNA silencing of c-Met markedly suppresses peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo.

AIM: To investigate the expression of c-Met in peritoneal free cancer cells isolated from human gastric cancer ascites, and its relationship to peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer. METHODS: Peritoneal free cancer cells (PFCCs) were isolated from ascites specimens of gastric cancer patients. c-Met expression in PFCCs was detected with immunocytochemistry. In human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901, c-Met expression was detected using RT-PCR and Western blot, and was suppressed with lentivirus-mediated RNAi. The proliferation of SGC7901 cells was measured using MTT assay, and the invasion ability was detected with invasion assay. The adhesion of SGC7901 cells to peritoneum was observed in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) monolayer in vitro and in mice in vivo. RESULTS: PFCCs were isolated from ascites of 6 out of 10 gastric cancer patients. c-Met expression in PFCCs was detected in 5 of the 6 gastric cancer patients. In SGC7901 cells, Lentivirus-mediated RNAi significantly reduced both c-Met mRNA and protein expression, which resulted in suppressing the cell proliferation, invasion and adhesion to peritoneum. The expression of α3ß1 integrin and E-cadherin was significantly inhibited in SGC7901 cells transfected with Lenti-miRNAc-Met. In the peritoneal dissemination model of gastric cancer, intraperitoneal injection of Lenti-miRNAc-Met markedly suppressed the tumor Progression of SGC7901 cells. CONCLUSION: c-Met is expressed in PFCCs from the ascites of gastric cancer patients. Down-regulation of c-Met expression markedly suppresses the multistep process of peritoneal dissemination, thus may be a potential target for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Study of channel characteristics for galvanic-type intra-body communication based on a transfer function from a quasi-static field model.

Intra-Body Communication (IBC), which modulates ionic currents over the human body as the communication medium, offers a low power and reliable signal transmission method for information exchange across the body. This paper first briefly reviews the quasi-static electromagnetic (EM) field modeling for a galvanic-type IBC human limb operating below 1 MHz and obtains the corresponding transfer function with correction factor using minimum mean square error (MMSE) technique. Then, the IBC channel characteristics are studied through the comparison between theoretical calculations via this transfer function and experimental measurements in both frequency domain and time domain. High pass characteristics are obtained in the channel gain analysis versus different transmission distances. In addition, harmonic distortions are analyzed in both baseband and passband transmissions for square input waves. The experimental results are consistent with the calculation results from the transfer function with correction factor. Furthermore, we also explore both theoretical and simulation results for the bit-error-rate (BER) performance of several common modulation schemes in the IBC system with a carrier frequency of 500 kHz. It is found that the theoretical results are in good agreement with the simulation results.

Different significance between intratumoral and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density in gastric cancer: a retrospective study of 123 cases.

BACKGROUND: Patients with gastric cancer in China have worse outcome and poorer prognosis. Tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis plays a crucial role in metastasis and tumor progression. The intratumoral and peritumoral lymphatics were supposed to have different biological effects. Three major growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor- (VEGF)-A, VEGF-C and VEGF-D, are involved in the activation process via their receptors (VEGFRs). The purpose of current study is to investigate the significant difference between intratumoral and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in gastric cancer and their correlations with lymphangiogenetic growth factors. METHODS: Intratumoral LVD (I-LVD) and peritumoral LVD (P-LVD) of 123 patients with primary gastric cancer were assessed after staining with D2-40, and confirmed by double staining with D2-40/CD34. Proliferative activity of lymphatics endothelium was evaluated by double staining with D2-40/Ki-67. The associations were analyzed between I-LVD/P-LVD and the expression level of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and the receptor VEGFR-3, which was measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The correlations of I-LVD and P-LVD with patient prognosis were also valued. RESULTS: (1) The peritumoral lymphatics (PTLs) were relatively enlarged with dilated lumen compared with the intratumoral lymphatics (ITLs). Increased P-LVD was significantly higher than I-LVD (P < 0.05). (2) P-LVD was found significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) (P < 0.001), lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) (P < 0.001), VEGF-C (P = 0.003), VEGF-D expression level (P = 0.005) and VEGFR-3 expression level (P < 0.001) in peritumoral tissues, despite no significant association was found between above variants with I-LVD. However, increased I-LVD was demonstrated to be associated with decreased tumor volume (P < 0.001). Neither I-LVD nor P-LVD was correlated with VEGF-A expression (P > 0.05). (3) Proliferative activity of lymphatics endothelium was observed in PTLs, in spite of ITLs. (4) Increased P-LVD, but not I-LVD, was indicated to be an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis by multivariate logistic regression analysis, and was related to worse disease-free survival and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: PTLs play roles in gastric cancer progression. Increased P-LVD, but not I-LVD, was significantly associated with VEGF-C/-D/VEGFR-3 system, and could be an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis and a prognostic factor in gastric cancer.

Comparison of intravitreal injection of conbercept and triamcinolone acetonide for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion.

AIM: To compare the safety and efficacy of the intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) and triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: A prospective, randomized clinical study. Patients with ME secondary to BRVO were randomly assigned to either IVC group or IVTA group at a ratio of 2:1 and a 12-month follow-up was performed. The efficacy outcome measures included the mean changes and differences in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central retinal thickness (CRT). The safety profiles and the mean retreatment intervals were also compared. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference of baseline between the two groups (IVC group, n=36; IVTA group, n=17). At 12mo, the BCVA letters improved by 27.31±18.36 in the IVC group, and 13.53±11.37 in the IVTA group (P=0.0004). CRT reduction was 253.33±163.69 and 150.24±134.32 µm, respectively (P=0.0034). The mean BCVA in the IVC group was superior to that of the IVTA group for months 6-12 (P<0.01). The mean CRT at 9 and 12mo were thinner in the IVC group compared to the IVTA group (P<0.01). The mean retreatment interval in the IVC group was longer than that in the IVTA group (97.40±36.27d vs 68.71±36.38d, P=0.0030). One eye in the IVC group and seven eyes in the IVTA group developed elevated intraocular pressure (IOP; P=0.0012). The proportion of eyes with cataract new-onset or progression were 19.44% in the IVC group and 64.71% in the IVTA group (P=0.0012). CONCLUSION: IVC could maintain or improve BCVA and reduce CRT for a longer time and have longer retreatment interval than IVTA. In addition, patients treated with IVTA are more susceptible to IOP elevation and cataract progression.

Comparison of four models for end-stage liver disease in evaluating the prognosis of cirrhosis.

AIM: To investigate the prognostic value of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and three new MELD-based models combination with serum sodium in decompensated cirrhosis patients-the MELD with the incorporation of serum sodium (MELD-Na), the integrated MELD (iMELD), and the MELD to sodium (MESO) index. METHODS: A total of 166 patients with decompensated cirrhosis were enrolled into the study. MELD, MELD-Na, iMELD and MESO scores were calculated for each patient following the original formula on the first day of admission. All patients were followed up at least 1 year. The predictive prognosis related with the four models was determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the four parameters. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were made using the cut-offs identified by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC). RESULTS: Out of 166 patients, 38 patients with significantly higher MELD-Na (28.84 +/- 2.43 vs 14.72 +/- 0.60), iMELD (49.04 +/- 1.72 vs 35.52 +/- 0.67), MESO scores (1.59 +/- 0.82 vs 0.99 +/- 0.42) compared to the survivors died within 3 mo (P < 0.001). Of 166 patients, 75 with markedly higher MELD-Na (23.01 +/- 1.51 vs 13.78 +/- 0.69), iMELD (44.06 +/- 1.19 vs 34.12 +/- 0.69), MESO scores (1.37 +/- 0.70 vs 0.93 +/- 0.40) than the survivors died within 1 year (P < 0.001). At 3 mo of enrollment, the iMELD had the highest AUC (0.841), and was followed by the MELD-Na (0.766), MESO (0.723), all larger than MELD (0.773); At 1 year, the iMELD still had the highest AUC (0.783), the difference between the iMELD and MELD was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Survival curves showed that the three new models were all clearly discriminated the patients who survived or died in short-term as well as intermediate-term (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Three new models, changed with serum sodium (MELD-Na, iMELD, MESO) can exactly predict the prognosis of patients with decompensated cirrhosis for short and intermediate period, and may enhance the prognostic accuracy of MELD. The iMELD is better prognostic model for outcome prediction in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from seal oils on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease associated with hyperlipidemia.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from seal oils for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: One hundred and forty-four patients with NAFLD associated with hyperlipidemia were included in the 24-wk, randomized, controlled trial. The patients were randomized into two groups. Group A (n=72) received recommended diet and 2 g n-3 PUFA from seal oils, three times a day. Group B (n=72) received recommended diet and 2 g placebo, three times a day. Primary endpoints were fatty liver assessed by symptom scores, liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum lipid levels after 8, 12, 16, and 24 wk. Hepatic fat infiltration was detected by ultrasonography at weeks 12 and 24 after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients (66 in group A, 68 in group B) were included in the study except for 10 patients who were excluded from the study. After 24 wk of treatment, no change was observed in body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), renal function and blood cells of these patients. Total symptom scores, ALT and triglyceride (TG) levels decreased more significantly in group A than in group B (P<0.05). As expected, there was a tendency toward improvement in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), and total cholesterol (TCHO) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (P<0.05) after administration in the two groups. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups. The values of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly improved in group A (P<0.05), but no significant change was found in group B at different time points and after a 24-wk treatment. After treatment, complete fatty liver regression was observed in 19.70% (13/66) of the patients, and an overall reduction was found in 53.03% (35/66) of the patients in group A. In contrast, in group B, only five patients (7.35%, 5/68) achieved complete fatty liver regression (P=0.04), whereas 24 patients (35.29%, 24/68) had a certain improvement in fatty liver (P=0.04). No serious adverse events occurred in all the patients who completed the treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that n-3 PUFA from seal oils is safe and efficacious for patients with NAFLD associated with hyperlipidemia and can improve their total symptom scores, ALT, serum lipid levels and normalization of ultrasonographic evidence. Further study is needed to confirm these results.

[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-A, -C and -D and their prognostic significance and relationship with angio- and lymphangiogenesis in gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-A, -C and -D and their prognostic significance and relation to angio- and lymphangiogenesis in gastric cancer. METHODS: The expression of VEGF-A, -C and -D in 123 primary gastric cancers was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and microvessel density (MVD) were assessed after immunohistochemical double-staining with D2-40 and CD34, respectively. The correlation between the expression of those VEGF factors and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed by univariate method. The overall survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was carried out using Cox proportion hazard model. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of VEGF-A, -C and -D in primary gastric cancer samples were 64.2%, 65.9% and 41.5%, respectively. High expression of VEGF-A, or -C or -D, or any two of them was correlated with high LVD (P < 0.05). High expression of both VEGF-A and -C was associated with high MVD, lymph node metastasis, LVI and MVI (P < 0.05). Both VEGF-C and -D high expression was correlated with LVI and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The patients with high expression of these factors had a statistically shorter overall survival (P < 0.05). The patients with both VEGF-A and -C expression had the shortest survival (56 months). Multivariate analysis showed that VEGF-A high expression, MVD, lymph node metastasis and depth of tumor invasion were independent survival predictors (P = 0.033, 0.002, 0.019 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: High expression of both VEGF-A and -C imply high potential of lymphangiogenesis, metastasis and poorer survival in gastric cancer patients. High expression of VEGF-C and -D may induce lymphangiogenesis and promote lymph node metastasis, but only VEGF-A is an independent predictor of survival.

[Impact of secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine on lymphocyte migration and the significance thereof in pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis: experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC) on lymphocyte migration and the significance thereof in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: model group undergoing dripping of 40% acetone solution of dinitro-chlorobenzene (DNCB) on the back for 2 weeks and then enema of 6% DNCB acetone solution so as to establish models of UC, and then intravenous injection of normal saline (NS) for 5 days; SLC antibody intervention group undergoing intravenous injection of SLC antibody 15 microg x ml(-1) x kg(-1) immediately after the establishing of model; and control group undergoing enema of NS nly and then intravenous injection of NS for 5 days. Six days after the establishing of model venous blood samples were collected from the portal veins of the 3 groups. Lymphocytes were isolated and cultured. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of the SLC receptor CCR7. Boyden chamber system was used to examine the migration ability of the lymphocytes exposed to SLC of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 ng/ml respectively. ELISA was used to detect the expression of interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in the supernatants of the lymphocytes of different groups. RESULTS: RT-PCR showed that the CCR7 mRNA expression level of the model group was (0.792 +/- 0.108), significantly higher than that of the intervention group (0.386 +/- 0.115, P = 0.0429), and the CCR7 mRNA expression levels of these 2 groups were both significantly higher than that of the control group (0.106 +/- 0.029, both P < 0.01). SLC dose-dependently promoted the migration ability of the lymphocytes, but there existed a saturation phenomenon. Exposed to 80 ng/ml SLC the migration level of the lymphocytes of the model group peaked to (85.9 +/- 16.0), 3.7 times as high as that of the control group (20.5 +/- 1.8, P < 0.01), and the migration level of the lymphocytes of the intervention group was 38.2 +/- 6.3, significantly higher than that of the control group too (P < 0.05). SLC enhanced the expression of IFN-gamma of the lymphocytes of the model group, while reduced the IL-10 level, and both effects peaked at the concentration of 80 ng/ml (P = 0.042, P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: SLC promotes the lymphocyte migration and boosts the differentiation of lymphocytes, thus participating in the pathogenesis of UC.

[Mechanism of hepatic stellate cell migration during liver fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of migration of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) within the space of Disse microenvironment during liver fibrosis, and to explore the novel pathogenesis of liver fibrosis from the view of cell migration. METHODS: Human HSCs of the line LX2-HSC were cultured. A modified in vitro Boyden chamber system was used to partially mimic the microenvironment of Disse space of normal basement membrane like matrix or that in fibrosis. HSCs were put in the upper chamber, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, plate-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF), bfibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and collagen type I or type IV were put into the lower chamber. Four hours later cell migration assay was conducted. HSCs were put into 6-well plate and then added with TGF-beta1, PDGF-BB, EGF, VEGF, bFGF, and collagen type I or type IV, zymography was used to examine the activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9. SDS-gel immunoblotting was used too. RESULTS: Stimulation of HSCs with PDGF-BB, TGF-beta1, and/or EGF resulted in an increase in their migratory capacity and up-regulated MMP-2 activity. And the increase of MMP-2 could enhance Migration of HSC by 4.9-fold. The migration of HSCs (3.2-fold) was induced by type I collagen and inhibited by type IV collagen (1.2-fold). Migration induced by PDGF-BB, TGF-beta1, and collagen I could be inhibited by alpha1- and/or alpha2-integrin blocking antibodies. CONCLUSION: In liver fibrosis, alterations within the space of Disse microenvironment facilitate the migration of HSCs; the mechanism is associated with up-regulation of MMP-2 and with mediation of alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1 integrins. Extracellular matrix by it self shows feedback actions to migration of HSCs.

[Antitumor effects of specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors combined with chemotherapeutic agents on gastric cancer cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of two specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors (SCI), rofecoxib and celecoxib, combined with chemotherapeutic drugs 5-Fu, DDP and VP-16 on gastric cancer cell line BGC-823, and to evaluate whether specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors can be used as a synergetic agent in chemotherapy. METHODS: The gastric cancer cell line BGC-823 cells were incubated for 48 hours with rofecoxib and celecoxib, 5-Fu, DDP and VP-16 (concentration gradient of 5-Fu, DDP and VP-16:1 microg/ml, 10 microg/ml and 100 microg/ml), or in combination, respectively. MTT working solution was added to each culture and calculated the survival rates of gastric cancer cells. Median-effect principle and Professor Jin's evaluation methods were applied to detect the interaction between the specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents. RESULTS: The inhibition rates of gastric cancer cells were 42.63% +/- 1.26% and 50.67% +/- 2.35% by treatment with 0.1 micromol/L rofecoxib and 50 micromol/L celecoxib, respectively. The inhibition rates of gastric cancer cells by treatment with 5-Fu, DDP and VP-16 at different concentrations (1 microg/ml, 10 microg/ml and 100 microg/ml) were 39.75% +/- 3.14%, 49.96% +/- 2.08%, 87.93% +/- 3.66%; 48.28% +/- 2.08%, 59.46% +/- 1.69%, 88.23% +/- 4.81%; and 29.23% +/- 3.27%, 49.34% +/- 3.75%, 79.24% +/- 2.44%, respectively. However, the inhibition rates showed a synergetic role while combined the two SCI (0.1 micromol/L rofecoxib and 50 micromol/L celecoxib) with chemotherapeutic agent at different concentrations (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Both rofecoxib and celecoxib have an ability to suppress gastric cancer cells in vitro, and the synergetic role becomes evident when rofecoxib and celecoxib are combined with chemotherapeutic agents at different concentrations, which indicate that the two specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors may be used as a chemotherapeutic sensitizer.

[Abnormal lymphocyte homing and colon lesions in ulcerative colitis: experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between abnormal lymphocyte homing and colon lesions in ulcerative colitis. METHODS: 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: model group [undergoing enema of dinitrochlorobenzene to establish models of ulcerative colitis and then venous injection of normal saline (NS) once a day for 5 days], lymphocyte homing intervention group [undergoing venous injection of secondary lymphoid-tissue chemokine (SLC) antibody, and then venous injection of NS for 5 days], and control group [undergoing venous injection of NS for 5 days]. On the 6th day blood samples were collected from the portal vein to isolated lymphocytes. Distant colon was dissected to undergo pathological examination of submucosal aggregated lymphatic follicles, ulceration, and inflammation, thus observing the lymphocyte homing situation. Specimens of colon mucosa underwent detection cytokine of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of SLC gene and the chemokine receptor CCR7. The proportion of CCR7 positive lymphocytes which drainage from colonic vein were measured by flow cytometry (FC). RESULTS: Abnormal lymphocyte homing phenomenon under colonic mucosa was found in the model and intervention groups. The relative grey degree of SLC gene mRNA expression of the model and intervention groups were 0.85 +/- 0.05 and 0.77 +/- 0.14 respectively, both significantly higher than that of the control group (0.31 +/- 0.11, both P < 0.01), however, without significant difference between the 2 former groups. The relative grey degree of CCR7 mRNA expression of the model group was 0.79 +/- 0.11, significantly higher than that of the intervention groups (0.39 +/- 0.12, P = 0.0429), and both were significantly higher than that of the control group (0.11 +/- 0.03, both P < 0.01). FC showed that the proportion of CCR7(+) lymphocytes drainage from colonic vein of the model and the intervention groups were 69% +/- 5% and 77% +/- 10% respectively, both significantly higher than that of the control group (17% +/- 84%, both P < 0.01), however, without significant difference between these 2 former groups (P = 0.0837). CONCLUSION: Abnormal lymphocyte homing is associated with inflammation of the colonic mucosa. Blocking of the lymphocyte homing is effective in reducing the inflammation of colonic mucosa.

Impact of surfactant type for ionic liquid pretreatment on enhancing delignification of rice straw.

This work describes an environmentally friendly method for pretreating rice straw by using 1-Allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([AMIM]Cl) as an ionic liquid (IL) assisted by surfactants. The impacts of surfactant type (including nonionic-, anionic-, cationic- and bio-surfactant) on the ionic liquid pretreatment were investigated. The bio-surfactant+IL-pretreated rice straw showed significant lignin removal (26.14%) and exhibited higher cellulose conversion (36.21%) than the untreated (16.16%) rice straw. The cellulose conversion of the rice straw pretreated with bio-surfactant+IL was the highest and the lowest was observed for pretreated with cationic-surfactant+IL. Untreated and pretreated rice straw was thoroughly characterized through SEM and AFM. In conclusion, the results provided an effective and environmental method for pretreating lignocellulosic substrates by using green solvent (ionic liquid) and biodegradable bio-surfactant.

Spent mushroom substrate biochar as a potential amendment in pig manure and rice straw composting processes.

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is a bulky waste byproduct of commercial mushroom production, which can cause serious environmental problems and, therefore, poses a significant barrier to future expansion of the mushroom industry. In the present study, we explored the use of SMS as a biochar to improve the quality of bio-fertilizer. Specifically, we performed a series of experiments using composting reactors to investigate the effects of SMS biochar on the physio-chemical properties of bio-fertilizer. Biochar was derived from dry SMS pyrolysed at 500°C and mixed with pig manure and rice straw. Results from this study demonstrate that the addition of biochar significantly reduced electrical conductivity and loss of organic matter in compost material. Nutrient analysis revealed that the SMS-derived biochar is rich in fertilizer nutrients such as P, K, Na, and N. All of these findings suggest that SMS biochar could be an excellent medium for compost.

The effect of surfactant-assisted ultrasound-ionic liquid pretreatment on the structure and fermentable sugar production of a water hyacinth.

This study investigated the possibility of enhancing the disruption of water hyacinth (WH) in an ultrasound-ionic liquid (US-IL) pretreatment assisted by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) was used to dissolve the WH. The optimum concentration of SDS for the highest production of reducing sugar was also determined. Compared to the US-IL pretreatment, the production of reducing sugars, cellulose conversion and delignification were increased by 72.23%, 58.74% and 21.01%, respectively, upon addition of 0.5% SDS. Moreover, the enhancement of SDS in the US-IL pretreatment was confirmed by the analysis of structural features, which demonstrated that the SDS increased the removal of lignin and decreased the cellulose crystallinity.

[A study of extraesophageal presentations in gastroesophageal reflux disease].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective multi-center study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of extraesophageal reflux disorders (EED) in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients and the therapeutic effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on EED. METHODS: We investigated GERD patients in 4 hospitals in Shanghai in a same time period. These patients were diagnosed as GERD by finding reflux esophagitis (RE) on endoscopy or with abnormal reflux during 24 h esophageal pH monitoring. Typical GERD symptoms and EED symptoms were evaluated by questionnaire. Patients with EED symptoms underwent videolaryngoscopy and abnormalities were recorded. RESULTS: Totally 200 subjects were enrolled in this study. Among them 95 patients complained of EED. The RE cases were 134 in number and EED occurred in 65 of the RE patients. The commonest presenting symptom of EED was globus or foreign body feeling in the throat (27%), followed by cough, soar throat and hoarseness. Asthma was a rare symptom, the occurrence being 21%, 16%, 11% and 3% respectively. The rate of typical GERD symptoms existing in EED group was 56%. The severity of EED symptoms showed no significant difference between RE and NERD patients. Abnormalities were found in 58% of subjects with EED on laryngoscopy, the occurrence of arytenoids medial wall erythema/edema was 25%, vocal cord erythema/edema was 32%, posterior pharyngeal wall cobble stoning was 20%, and 42% of the patients showed no abnormalities on laryngoscopy. Higher dosage PPI therapy showed effects on the relief of EED, and the relief rate was 95% after 8 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a significant part of GERD patients suffered from EED, and value of laryngoscopy and 24 h pH monitoring is limited for the diagnosis of EED. Higher dosage of PPI was effective for the treatment of EED.

Synergistic effects of surfactant-assisted ionic liquid pretreatment rice straw.

The aim of this work was to study an environmentally friendly method for pretreating rice straw by using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) as an ionic liquid (IL) assisted by surfactants. Different temperatures, reaction times, and surfactant concentrations were studied. Compared with [BMIM]Cl only pretreatment, the addition of 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 1% cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) increased lignin removal to 49.48% and 34.76%, respectively. Untreated and pretreated rice straw was thoroughly characterized through FTIR, XRD, and FE-SEM. Cellulose crystallinity and surface morphology of the rice straw were substantially altered after surfactant-assisted IL pretreatment. In conclusion, surfactant-assisted IL pretreatment is an effective method for producing fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic substrates.

Detection of micrometastasis of gastric carcinoma in peripheral blood circulation.

AIM: To detect the micrometastasis of gastric carcinoma in peripheral blood circulation using immunomagnetic beads sorting technique and RT-PCR technique, and to discuss its significance and the difference between the two methods. METHODS: Density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate mononuclear cells from peripheral blood, immunomagnetic beads sorting technique and RT-PCR technique were used to detect the disseminated carcinoma cells. HE, immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence staining were also used to identify the characteristics of the cells separated with immunomagnetic beads sorting technique. RESULTS: Cells expressing cytokeratin were separated and enriched from the peripheral blood specimens of patients suffering from gastric carcinoma or chronic gastritis. After HE staining, two kinds of cells with little cytoplasm were found. Majority of these cells had small and round nuclei, even chromatins and the thickness of nuclear membrane was normal. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that there were CD34 and CD45 expression on the cell membrane of this kind of cells and these cells also showed expressed human telomerase reverse transcriptase by immunofluorescence staining, but the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen was absent. So, these cells might hematopoiesis precursors. Another kind of cells had larger and abnormal nuclei with thicker nuclear membranes. Massed chromatins and poly-nucleoli were found in the nuclei. These cells expressed human telomerase reverse transcriptase and carcinoembryonic antigen, but CD34 and CD45 were not found on the cell membrane. So, these cells were considered as gastric carcinoma cells escaping from the original focuses and existing in the peripheral blood circulation. Carcinoma cells were found in 25 of 60(41.7%) specimens of peripheral blood from patients with gastric carcinoma, while there were no such cells separated from the blood specimens of chronic gastritis patients. The difference of positive rates of disseminated carcinoma cells between two groups was markedly significant (P<0.005). The expressions of CK20 mRNA in peripheral blood specimens were examinated with RT-PCR. CK20 mRNA was detected from 32 of 60(53.3%) peripheral blood specimens in the group of gastric carcinoma patients, while none of the specimens from patients suffering from chronic gastritis had CK20 mRNA. Significant difference was also found between two groups (P<0.005). Statistic analyses also showed that there was a significant difference between the positive rates of two methods in detecting the disseminated carcinoma cells from the peripheral blood circulation of gastric carcinoma patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that there were disseminated carcinoma cells in the peripheral blood circulation of some patients with gastric carcinoma. Disseminated carcinoma cells can be detected from the peripheral blood samples with immunomagnetic beads sorting technique and RT-PCR technique. The positive rate of RT-PCR technique is higher than that of immunomagnetic beads sorting technique in detecting micrometastasis.

[Therapeutic effects of octreotide on hepatofibrosis-induced with carbon tetrachloride in rats].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of octreotide on experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS: Hepatofibrotic rats models were established with carbon tetrachloride. All the experimental rats were divided into four groups: normal control group, pre-and post-treatment model group, and octreotide-treated group in which the rats were injected subcutaneously with octreotide at the dose of 50ng/100g, twice daily, for thirty days. Serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN) and pro-collagen type III peptide (PCIII) were detected by radioimmunoassay. Hepatic fibrosis scoring grade was assessed through Van-Gieson staining and observed under light microscope. Protein expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) were determined with immunohistochemical staining method. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of collagen type I and PCIII were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Serum levels of HA (ng/L), LN (microg/L) and PCIII (ng/L) in pre- and post-treatment model groups were higher than those in normal control group (121.8+/-9.5 and 110.3+/-13.4 vs. 33.1+/-3.7, 85.7+/-12.1 and 78.2+/-7.9 vs. 37.1+/-6.3, 35.9+/-3.5 and 33.7+/-2.6 vs. 15.6+/-2.8, respectively, t > or = 9.41, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two model groups. Concentrations of HA (55.8ng/L+/-7.2ng/L), LN (43.1microg/L+/-3.4microg/L) and PCIII (27.8ng/L+/-3.4ng/L) decreased significantly in octreotide-treated group, compared with those in model groups (t >or=2.76, P<0.05). With histological analysis, fibrotic scoring grade in octreotide-treated group was obviously ameliorated, compared with that in model groups (chi2 > or = 3.97, P<0.05). Imaging analysis revealed that alpha-SMA and TGFbeta1 immunohistological staining areas were markedly shrinked in octreotide-treated group (t > or = 2.47, P < 0.05). In two model groups, PCIII and type I mRNA levels significantly up-regulated as compared with those in normal group (t > or = 9.27, P<0.001), and they were inhibited by octreotide markedly (t > or = 2.47, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide can inhibit hepatic stellate cells transforming into myofibroblasts, down-regulate TGFbeta1, collagen type I and PCIII transcriptions, so that it has therapeutic effects on experimental hepatic fibrosis.

[The role of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) during activation of hepatic stellate cells].

OBJECTIVES: To observe the role of PPARgamma during the activation process of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: By morphology and RT-PCR, we study the changes of expression of PPARgamma in culture-activated HSC or in vivo activated HSC induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). RESULTS: In vitro, the expression level of PPARgamma in freshly isolated HSC (0.72+/-0.01) significantly reduced to 0.48+/-0.03 on the third day of culture (t = 19.8372, P<0.01), and reduced 70% on the seventh culture-day and could not be detected after the second passage. In vivo, HSC freshly isolated from normal control rats expressed PPARgamma (0.76+/-0.01). During the development of rat liver fibrosis induced by DMN, the expression level significantly reduced to 0.46+/-0.02 after the third injection of DMN (t = 29.5318, P<0.01), and reduced 66% on the end of first week and could not be detected on the end of second and third week. CONCLUSION: The expression of PPARgamma might play an important role on the maintenance of resting-form of HSC, and the reduction of expression of PPARgamma might be an early event during the activation process of HSC.