Larger hydroxyapatite aggregation from Ca2+ adhesion in ANAMMOX granular sludge caused by high dissolved oxygen.

Anaerobic ammonia oxidation (ANAMMOX), a sustainable biological process, is promising to remove NH4+-N from municipal sewage. In this study, results showed that the anammox granular sludge morphology changes with the alternation of dissolved oxygen (DO), mainly attributing to the adhesion of calcium ions (Ca2+) to the surface of sludge particles. Diverse characterization methods revealed that gray adhesions in the form of hydroxyapatite covered the original holes on the anammox granular sludge surface, including scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), digital camera images, Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Ex-situ degradation of NH4+-N and NO2--N yielded diverse outcomes. The protein to polysaccharide ratio (PN/PS) in the total extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) across 4 size groups demonstrated a decrease under O2 exposure. Microbial community analysis indicated norank_f_A4b and Nitrolancea being the most abundant genus under O2 exposure at day 1 and day 100, respectively. These findings offer an effective strategy to prevent size-larger granular sludge from deteriorating through changing DO and Ca2+ in municipal wastewater in ANAMMOX.

Overexpression of lncRNA MT1JP Mediates Apoptosis and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating miR-24-3p.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effects of the long non-coding (lnc) RNA MT1JP on the apoptosis and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with liver cancer admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng were included in this study. We transfected hepatocellular carcinoma cells with MT1JP and miR-24-3p and assessed their expression and effects on apoptosis and migration. Correlations were verified using a dual-luciferase reporter and RNA-binding protein coimmunoprecipitation. RESULTS: The expression of MT1JP was downregulated (P < 0.05), whereas that of miR-24-3p was upregulated in liver cancer. Serum MT1JP levels were correlated with tumor size, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), TNM stage, differentiation, and lymph node metastasis. Both MT1JP overexpression and miR-24-3p inhibition inhibited cellular proliferation and migration and increased apoptosis rates. They significantly downregulated expression of the cell migration-associated proteins matrix metalloproteinase -2, -9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) (P < 0.05). They upregulated the expression of Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases (Caspase-3 and -9) proteins that are involved in apoptosis. They decreased expression of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2; P < 0.05). A target relationship between MT1JP and miR-24-3p was identified using dual-luciferase gene reporter assays and RNA-binding protein coimmunoprecipitations. MT1JP overexpression significantly downregulated miR-24-3p expression (P < 0.05). MT1JP and miR-24-3p expression were negatively correlated in liver cancer tissues (r = -0.561, P < 0.001; Pearson χ2 tests). Rescue experiments showed that upregulating miR-24-3p expression could counteract MT1JP overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. CONCLUSION: MT1JP, even when expressed at low levels, participates in the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of liver cancer cells by regulating miR-24-3p.

Test method for health-related physical fitness of college students in mobile internet environment.

Improving health-related physical fitness plays an important role in enhancing the comprehensive physical fitness of college students. The traditional test of health-related physical fitness is characterized by complicated operations and low efficiency. A set of test methods for health-related physical fitness of college students based on an intelligent mobile terminal is designed in this work. The intelligent test method calculates the health-related physical fitness level of users through image acquisition and analysis by combining intelligent terminal software and test items of key elements. To verify the validity of the proposed method, a total of 116 college students (59 males and 57 females) aged between 18 and 22 are chosen as test respondents. The health-related physical fitness of respondents is tested and compared by using the traditional and proposed methods. The traditional test method reports the cardiorespiratory fitness scores of 69.6 ± 9.5 (M) and 77.1 ± 9.9 (F), and the proposed method reports 70.9 ± 9.7 (M) and 77.7 ± 9.8 (F). Twenty samples are chosen randomly to calculate the correlation coefficients r = 0.944 (M) and 0.965 (F) and significance p = 0.145 (M) and 0.489 (F). The flexibility fitness scores in the traditional method are 74.6 ± 11.9 (M) and 73.3 ± 11.5 (F), and the scores of the proposed method are 74.8 ± 11.5 (M) and 75.0 ± 11.2 (F). Twenty samples are chosen randomly to calculate r = 0.944 (M) and 0.938 (F) and p = 0.941 (M) and 0.098 (F). In the proposed method, muscle strength/muscular endurance fitness and a body composition module are tested by the traditional method, and test data are input into an artificial input system. The experimental results verify the accuracy of the proposed method in evaluating the health-related physical fitness of college students. Application of the proposed method can effectively reduce the cost of physical fitness testing, increase the convenience of testing, and direct substantial attention to the health-related physical fitness of college students.

[Effect of Qishen Yiqi droplet on adenylate contents in myocardium of cor pulmonale rats].

Cor pulmonale rat models were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline(MCT), and the sham group received a single intraperitioneal injection of normal saline. After the model rats received intragastric administration of Qishen Yiqi droplet(QS) for 6 weeks, the contents of adenylate(ATP, ADP and AMP) in right myocardial tissues were measured by HPLC, and then the metabolism changes in myocardium of cor pulmonale rats with QS were investigated. The results showed that ATP, ADP, and AMP were well separated, with a good linearity within a certain range of concentration; and the recovery rates were within the range of 90%-108%. As compared with model group, the level of ATP was significantly elevated in high-dose treatment group; ADP contents showed an increasing trend and AMP contents showed a decreasing trend, indicating that QS could significantly improve energy metabolism system in myocardium. By using the HPLC, a qualitative and quantitative analysis method was given for the determination of ATP, ADP and AMP contents in myocardium, providing a method for energy metabolism measurement in biological samples.

Pathological Changes in APP/PS-1 Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease Treated with Ganoderma Lucidum Preparation.

Objective To explore the efficacy of ganoderma lucidum preparation(Ling Zhi) in treating APP/PS-1 transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods APP/PS-1 transgenic mice of 4 months were randomly divided into model group,ganoderma lucidum treatment groups,including high [2250 mg/(kg·d)] and middle [750 mg/(kg·d)] dose groups,i.e.LZ-H and LZ-M groups,and the positive control group(treated with donepezil hydrochloride [2 mg/(kg·d)]).In addition,C57BL/6J wild mice were selected as normal group.The animals were administered for 4 months.Histopathological examinations including hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining,immunohistochemistry,special staining,and electron microscopy were applied,and then the pathological morphology and structures in different groups were compared. Results The senile plaques and neurofibrillar tangles in the cerebrum and cerebellum were dissolved or disappeared in LZ-H and LZ-M groups.Decrease of amyloid angiopathy was found in LZ-H and LZ-M groups.The immature neurons appeared more in hippocampus and dentate nucleus of LZ-H and LZ-M groups than those in AD model and donepezil hydrochloride groups(hippcampus:F=1.738,P=0.016;dentate nucleus:F=1.924,P=0.026),and these immature neurons differentiated to be neurons.More Purkinje cells loss occurred in AD model mice than that in LZ-H and LZ-M groups(F=9.46,P=0.007;F=9.46,P=0.010).The LZ-H and LZ-M groups had more new neuron stem cells grown up in cerebellum.Electromicroscopic examination showed the hippocampal neurons in LZ-H and LZ-M group were integrated,the nuclear membrane was intact,and the mitochondria in the cytoplasm,endoplasmic reticulum,Golgi bodies,microtubules,and synapses were also complete.The microglial cell showed no abnormality.No toxicity appeared in the pathological specimens of mice treated with ganoderma lucidum preparation.Conclusion The ganoderma lucidum preparation can dissolve and decline or dismiss the senile plaques and neurofibrillar tangles in the brain of AD mice and also reduce the amyloid angiopathy.

[Association of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants with respiratory distress syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection in the lower respiratory tract and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). METHODS: Seventy-three VLBW infants diagnosed with neonatal RDS, who had received at least one dose of pulmonary surfactant, as well as mechanical ventilation, and were hospitalized for over 28 days, were recruited. Endotracheal aspirates were obtained from the lower respiratory tract and examined by real-time PCR to detect UU DNA. The infants were divided into UU infection and non-UU infection groups according to examination results. Clinical characteristics and the incidence of BPD were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the non-UU infection group, the UU infection group had a higher rate of maternal vaginal delivery, higher incidence of recurrent nosocomial pulmonary infection and premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and longer durations of PROM, oxygen supplementation, and hospital stay; in addition, the UU infection group had higher plasma IgM level, leukocyte count, and neutrophil count within 3 hours after birth. Among 73 VLBW infants, 45 developed BPD; the incidence of BPD in the UU infection group was 90% (19/21), versus 50% (26/52) in the non-UU infection group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: UU infection in the lower respiratory tract increases the incidence of BPD in VLBW infants with RDS.

[Migraine without aura treated by comprehensive auricular acupuncture: a multicentral controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To assess objectively the efficacy of migraine without aura treated by comprehensive auricular acupuncture. METHODS: Ninty patients of migraine without aura from three centers were selected as the observation subjects. Thirty cases from each center were treated with the comprehensive auricular acupuncture. This therapy included the retroauricular venous bleeding on the ears, the autologous blood injection at Fengchi (GB 20) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) and bleeding at the Nie (temporal), Zhen (occiput), Yidan (pancreas), Shenmen, Pizhixia (subcortex) and Neifenmi (endocrine) of auricular point. The therapy was applied once every 7-10 days. The continuous 3 treatments made one session. RESULTS: At the end of one session for the patients in three centers, the headache scores were reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment (all P< 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in comparison among three centers (all P>0.05). The clinical total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30), 90.0% (27/30) and 93.3% (28/30) in three centers separately. There was no obvious difference in the efficacy in comparison among three centers (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The comprehensive auricular acupuncture reduces apparently the headache score for migraine without aura and relieves the clinical symptoms of migraine. It is the simple and effective therapy for migraine without aura.

[Effects of shivering on airway rewarming].

AIM: To investigate the effects of shivering on airway rewarming. METHODS: The hypothermic dog model without shivering was established by immersing an anesthetized dog in cold water and administering atracurium to inhibit the dog shivering. The model dog respired warm fully humidified (40-45 degrees C, RH 99.9%) air and room temperature air(19 +/- 1 degrees C, RH 30% - 75%) to rewarm each for 2 hours, the priority of different temperature air respired was arranged randomly. After rewarming for 4 hours, the relaxed dog breathed warm humidified air by positive pressure ventilation in order to restore its spontaneous respiratory. Then the dog continued to respire warm humidified air spontaneously until the esophageal (Te) and rectal temperature (Tr) of the dog achieved the same degrees as the dog was immersed in the water. The metabolic heat production was detected by indirect calorimetry during the experiment. RESULTS: (1) When the shivering was inhibited, inhaling warm humidified air for 2 hours made the Tr and Te of the dogs increase 0.26-0.39 degrees C and 0.44-1.11 degrees C per hour respectively, inhaling air at room temperature for 2 hours made Tr and Te of the dogs decrease 0.24-0.51 degrees C and 0.58-0.67 degrees C per hour, respectively. And the changes in Tr and Te of the dogs were unrelated to the priority of inhaling air at different temperature. (2) When the dog with shivering respired spontaneously warm humidified air, the rewarming rates of Tr and Te were 2.26-2.33 degrees C/h and 1.96-2.38 degrees C/h respectively, quicker than those of the dogs whose shivering was inhibited. (3) Compared with metabolic heat production of the unshivering dog respiring warm humidified air by positive pressure ventilation, that of the shivering dog respiring warm humidified air spontaneously increased outstandingly, shivering thermogenesis made the rewarming rates increased obviously. CONCLUSION: Airway rewarming is a method conducive to rewarming of hypothermia. When the body is shivering, the metabolic heat production increases obviously, that makes the rewarming rate increase markedly. So the shivering must be inhibited in order to eliminate the interference of shivering thermogenesis when the effects of airway rewarming are detected.

[Observation on the therapeutic effect of ear point combined therapy on common migraine at the remission stage and effects on plasma CGRP and ET in the patient].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the therapeutic effect of ear point combined therapy on common migraine at the remission stage and the mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-two cases of common migraine at the remission stage were treated with ear point combined therapy, including blood-letting at ear back, injection of autoblood into Fengchi (GB 20), Yanglingquan (GB 34), and pricking at ear points Nie, Yi-dan (pancreas and gallbladder), Shenmen, etc.. Clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated at the end of one therapeutic course, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and endotheline (ET) were detected before and after treatment, and the CGRP and ET contents were compared with those in 22 normal persons. RESULTS: The effective rate was 78.1% (P<0.001), CGRP and ET contents had very significant changes after treatment (P<0.01), and CGRP and ET showed negative correlativity (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The ear point combined therapy can regulates the balance between the plasma CGRP and ET in the patient of common migraine and improve vasodilative, vasoconstrictive and endothelial fuctions in the brain, hence stopping pain.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture combined with functional training for treatment of peripheral nerve incomplete injury of upper limbs].

OBJECTIVE: To search for the best program for treatment of peripheral nerve incomplete injury. METHODS: Ninety cases were randomly divided into a treatment group, a control group I and a control group II, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with electroacupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), etc. plus functional training, and the control group I with electroacupuncture and the control group H with functional training. After treatment for 3 months, basic function, practical function, EMG, nerve conduction velocity were compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: The good rate of basic function of 50.0%, the curemarkedly effective rate of practical function of 50.0% and the total effective rate of neurophysiology of 64.3% in the treatment group were better than 20.7%, 17.2%, 41.4% in the control group I (P < 0.05) and 23.3%, 20.0% and 36.O7% in the control group II (P 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture combined with functional training can accelerate nervous repair, promote functional recovery of the denervated muscles, so as to shorten the restoring time of nerve-muscle and increase life quality of the patient.

[Clinical observation on treatment of cervicogenic headache with turtle-probing needling at Tianzhu (BL 10)].

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effect of turtle-probing needling at Tianzhu (BL 10) on cervicogenic headache. METHODS: Seventy cases were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=36) and a control group (n= 34). The treatment group were treated with turtle-probing needling at Tianzhu (BL 10) on the affected side, first perpendicularly needling the point and then penetration-needling homolateral Fengchi (GB 20), Fengfu (GV 16), below cervical Jiaji points (EX-B2), and occipital tuberosity in order. And the control group were treated with acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20),Tianzhu (BL 10), Shuaigu (GB 8), Touwei (ST 8) and corresponding cervical Jiaji points (EX-B2), Houxi (SI 3), Ashi points at the affected side with routine needling manipulation. Treatment was given once each day, 6 sessions constituting one course. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in therapeutic effect (P > 0.05), but the cured and markedly effective rates for analgesic effect in the observation group at the first three sessions were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The turtle-probing needling method and the routine needling have a similar therapeutic effect, but the turtle-probing needling method more rapidly produces the analgesic effect.

[Evaluation of therapeutic effects of synthetic auricular point therapy for treatment of common migraine at the attack stage].

OBJECTIVE: To observe and evaluate the short-term and long-term curative effects of the synthetic auricular point therapy on the common migraine in attack stage. METHODS: With the study method of randomized controlled trial, 108 cases of common migraine at the attack stage were randomly assigned to a treatment group of 72 cases treated with synthetic auricular point therapy (blood-letting on the ear back, point injection of own blood, pricking ear point), and a control group of 36 cases treated with Western medicine. Their short-term and long-term curative effects were observed and evaluated. RESULTS: The total short-term effective rate and the total long-term effective rate were respectively 98.6% and 79. 6% in the treatment group with less adverse effects, and with a very significant difference as compared with the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The synthetic auricular point therapy has obvious short-term and long-term curative effects on common migraine at the attack stage with safety.

[Establishment of a hypothermic dog model to investigate airway rewarming].

AIM: In order to study airway rewarming method and rewarming devices for hypothermia, hypothermic dog model was established. METHODS: The anesthetized dog was immersed in cold water at 16.7 degrees C until the esophageal temperature (Te) of the dog decreased to 34.0 degrees C, the core temperature and skin temperature were monitored by using a 12-channel scanning thermometers. Atracurium besylate, a skeletal muscle relaxant, was injected intravenously when the core temperature of the dog was basically steady after the dog was out of the cold water, the hypothermic dog model was established. RESULTS: Rectal and esophageal temperature could stand for the core temperature of the hypothermic dog model, but mixing with each other was prohibited because of leading to mistakes. Administering of atracurium besylate could eliminate the effect of shivering on airway rewarming alone, hypothermic dog model in which shivering was inhibited could be used in determination of airway rewarming technique and rewarming devices for hypothermia. CONCLUSION: Hypothermic dog model in which shivering was inhibited can abolish the interference of shivering, experimental repeatability is good, experimental method quite simple, and the model appropriate for application and dissemination.

[Role of cellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 in freezing/thawing injury of vascular endothelial cells].

AIM: To investigate the role of ICAM-1 on the surface of vascular endothelial cell (VEC) in freezing/thawing injury of VEC, in order to elucidate the pathogenesis of freezing/thawing injury. METHODS: VEC separated and cultured from rat aorta and PMN separated from rat peripheral blood were selected as experiment materials. The frozen/thawed VEC model was founded by freezing VEC with the type WKL-V rate cooling instrument and then rewarming them in a water bath. ICAM-1 expression on the surface of frozen/thawed VEC was detected at 4, 12 and 24 h after freezing/thawing with immunohistochemical method. After coincubating frozen/thawed VEC with normal PMN, the adhesion of VEC to PMN was monitored with rose bengal staining assay and the injury level of VEC was indicated by measuring LDH activity in nutrient solution. RESULTS: The ICAM-1 expression on the surface of VEC increased from 13.2% +/- 3.6% before freezing/thawing of VEC to 22.3% +/- 4.4% at 4 hour after freezing/thawing, and reached the peak (37.9% +/- 2.5%) at 12 hour after freezing/thawing of VEC. After coincubation of frozen/thawed VEC with normal PMN, the adherence of frozen/thawed VEC to PMN increased from group control 0.204 +/- 0.025 to 0.363 +/- 0.022 (P < 0.01), LDH activity in nutrient solution increased from group control 104.64 +/- 20.14 U/L to 162.33 +/- 27.88 U/L (P < 0.01), monoclonal antibody against ICAM-1 (ICAM-1 Mab) could partially block the adherence of frozen/thawed VEC to PMN (0.270 +/- 0.021, P < 0.01), and diminish LDH activity in nutrient solution (125.39 +/- 22.26 U/L, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The freezing/thawing of VEC can elicit an increase in ICAM-1 expression on the surface of VEC, and then proceed to VEC-PMN adherence and lead to VEC injury.

[Study on synergic or antagonistic effects of different acupoint groups on vertebro-basilar insufficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the synergic or antagonistic effect of needling acupoints Fengchi (GB 20) and Tianzhu (BL 10), and Jiaji C4-C6 (EX-B2) on vertebro-basilar insufficiency (VBI). METHODS: Self-control method was used and 20 cases of VBI were respectively treated with acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) and Tianzhu (BL 10), Jiaji (EX-B2). Their combination and the changes of vertebro-basilar artery's (VBA) systolic velocity of blood flow was detected. RESULTS: The VBA's systolic velocity of blood flow after acupuncture were increased in all the 3 groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with no significant difference among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) and Tianzhu (BL 10) or Jiaji (C4-C6 ) or their combination can increase VBA's systolic velocity of blood flow, improving blood supply of vertebro-basilar artery, but they have no synergic or antagonistic effects.