The effects of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) on pro-atherosclerosis mechanisms.

Brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) are environmental endocrine disruptors, comprising several pollutants, which potentially affect the endocrine system and cause dysfunction and disease. Widespread BFR exposure may cause multisystem toxicity, including cardiovascular toxicity in some individuals. Studies have shown that BFRs not only increase heart rate, induce arrhythmia and cardiac hypertrophy, but also cause glycolipid metabolism disorders, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and inflammatory responses, all of which potentially induce pre-pathological changes in atherosclerosis. Experimental data indicated that BFRs disrupt gene expression or signaling pathways, which cause vascular endothelial dysfunction, lipid metabolism-related disease, inflammation, and possibly atherosclerosis. Considerable evidence now suggests that BFR exposure may be a pro-atherosclerotic risk factor. In this study, we reviewed putative BFR effects underpinning pro-atherosclerosis mechanisms, and focused on vascular endothelial cell dysfunction, abnormal lipid metabolism, pro-inflammatory cytokine production and foam cell formation. Consequently, we proposed a scientific basis for preventing atherosclerosis by BFRs and provided concepts for further research.

Treatment Outcomes of Pulpectomy in Primary Maxillary Incisors Filled with ZOE and Metapex: A Two-year Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: To address a literature gap by evaluating, in a larger set of samples, the clinical and radiographic outcomes of pulpectomy in primary maxillary incisors using ZOE and calcium hydroxide/iodoform paste. To also identify the predisposing factors for treatment outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Medical charts of 124 patients (aged 16 to 60 months) and radiographs of their incisors (309 incisors) were reviewed (128 with ZOE and 181 with Metapex). All incisors were restored with composite resin crowns. RESULTS: The radiographic success rates for ZOE and Metapex were: 85.9% and 82.9% at the 12-month recall, and 69.2% and 64% at the 24-month recall, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Clinical failures occurred more frequently in the Metapex group (P = 0.006), as clinical signs of pain and soft tissue pathosis were found in 6.2% of the Metapex cases at 24 months but none in the ZOE group. Significant predisposing factors for radiographic success were type of tooth, degree of obturation at recalls, and preoperative root resorption. CONCLUSIONS: The radiographic success rates are comparable between the ZOE and Metapex groups. Clinical pathological manifestations such as pain and soft tissue pathosis are seen in the Metapex group at recalls, but none in the ZOE group. Predisposing factors such as type of incisor, preoperative root resorption, and extent of filling at recalls are associated with the radiographic success rate.

Postoperative dental morbidity in children following dental treatment under general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia has been widely used in pediatric dentistry in recent years. However, there remain concerns about potential postoperative dental morbidity. The goal of this study was to identify the frequency of postoperative dental morbidity and factors associated with such morbidity in children. METHODS: From March 2012 to February 2013, physically and mentally healthy children receiving dental treatment under general anesthesia at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan were recruited. This was a prospective and observational study with different time evaluations based on structured questionnaires and interviews. Information on the patient demographics, anesthesia and dental treatment performed, and postoperative dental morbidity was collected and analyzed. Correlations between the study variables and postoperative morbidity were analyzed based on the Pearson's chi-square test. Correlations between the study variables and the scale of postoperative dental pain were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Fifty-six pediatric patients participated in this study, with an average age of 3.34 ± 1.66 years (ranging from 1 to 8 years). Eighty-two percent of study participants reported postoperative dental pain, and 23% experienced postoperative dental bleeding. Both dental pain and bleeding subsided 3 days after the surgery. Dental pain was significantly associated with the total number of teeth treated, while dental bleeding, with the presence of teeth extracted. Patients' gender, age, preoperative dental pain, ASA classification, anesthesia time, and duration of the operation were not associated with postoperative dental morbidity. CONCLUSION: Dental pain was a more common postoperative dental morbidity than bleeding. The periods when parents reported more pain in their children were the day of the operation (immediately after the procedure) followed by 1 day and 3 days after the treatment.

The PTEN-AKT-mTOR/RICTOR Pathway in Nasal Natural Killer Cell Lymphoma Is Activated by miR-494-3p via PTEN But Inhibited by miR-142-3p via RICTOR.

Nasal natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma (NNL) is an Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoma of cytotoxic NK cell origin. The Epstein-Barr virus-encoded miR-BART20-5p inhibits T-bet (TBX21), the master transcription factor of cytotoxic NK cells. To further explore the roles of miRNAs in NNLs, we measured the miRNA expression profiles of 36 NNLs. miR-21, miR-142-3p, miR-126, miR-451, and miR-494-3p were the top five miRNAs with the highest expression levels. By using pathway analysis, we identified associations between all of the five miRNAs with the PTEN-AKT-mTOR pathway, in which PTEN suppresses the oncogenic AKT, and mTOR mediates the oncogenic effects of AKT. YT and NK92 cells derived from NK cell lymphomas were used. miR-494-3p inhibited PTEN with secondary activation of AKT in NK92 cells, and miR-142-3p inhibited RICTOR, a key component of the mTOR complex, with secondary suppression of AKT in YT cells. Significantly, T-bet inhibited the PTEN-AKT-mTOR/RICTOR pathway through induction of PTEN and suppression of RICTOR. Therefore, a molecular circuit of T-bet, PTEN, AKT, and RICTOR is regulated by miR-BART20-5p, miR-494-3p, and miR-142-3p. This circuit is involved in the pathogenesis of NNL. Hence, antagomirs to miR-BART20-5p or miR-494-3p, miR-142-3p mimics, or AKT inhibitors may be useful in NNL therapy.

Human Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Neurological Function in Rats with Intrauterine Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy by Reducing Apoptosis and Inflammatory Reactions.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of neonatal disability and mortality. Although hypothermia therapy offers some neuroprotection, the recovery of neurological function is limited. Therefore, new synergistic therapies are necessary to improve the prognosis. Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy is emerging as a promising treatment option for HIE. In this study, we studied the therapeutic efficacy of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs) in the HIE rat model and analyzed the underlying therapeutic mechanisms. METHODS: Rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 9 for each) as follows: control, HIE model, HIE + normal saline, and HIE + PD-MSC transplantation at days 7, 14 and 28 postpartum. Following PD-MSC transplantation, neurological behavior was evaluated using rotarod tests, traction tests, and the Morris water maze test. The degree of brain tissue damage was assessed by histological examination and Nissl staining. Expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins and inflammatory factors were quantified by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Immunofluorescence was used to investigate the ability of PD-MSCs to repair the morphology and function of hippocampal neurons with hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) injury. RESULTS: PD-MSC transplantation enhanced motor coordination and muscle strength in HIE rats. This treatment also improved spatial memory ability by repairing pathological damage and preventing the loss of neurons in the cerebral cortex. The most effective treatment was observed in the HIE + PD-MSC transplantation at day 7 group. Expression levels of microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), interleukin (IL)-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF -ß1) were significantly higher in the HIE + PD-MSC treatment groups compared to the HIE group, whereas the levels of BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX), BCL-2-associated agonist of cell death (BAD), IL-1ß and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that intravenous injection of PD-MSC at 7, 14 and 28 days after intrauterine HI damage in a rat model could improve learning, memory, and motor function, possibly by inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory damage. These findings indicate that autologous PD-MSC therapy could have potential application for the treatment of HIE.

Meta-analysis reveals cyanotoxins risk across African inland waters.

Global eutrophication and climate warming exacerbate production of cyanotoxins such as microcystins (MCs), presenting risks to human and animal health. Africa is a continent suffering from severe environmental crises, including MC intoxication, but with very limited understanding of the occurrence and extent of MCs. By analysing 90 publications from 1989 to 2019, we found that in various water bodies where MCs have been detected so far, the concentrations were 1.4-2803 times higher than the WHO provisional guideline for human lifetime exposure via drinking water (1 µg/L) in 12 of 15 African countries where data were available. MCs were relatively high in the Republic of South Africa (averaged 2803 µg/L) and Southern Africa as a whole (702 µg/L) when compared to other regions. Values were higher in reservoirs (958 µg/L) and lakes (159 µg/L) than in other water types, and much higher in temperate (1381 µg/L) than in arid (161 µg/L) and tropical (4 µg/L) zones. Highly significant positive relationships were found between MCs and planktonic chlorophyll a. Further assessment revealed high ecological risk for 14 of the 56 water bodies, with half used as human drinking water sources. Recognizing the extremely high MCs and exposure risk in Africa, we recommend routine monitoring and risk assessment of MCs be prioritized to ensure safe water use and sustainability in this region.

[Cloning and expression analysis of differentially expressed genes in Chinese fir stems treated by different concentrations of exogenous IAA].

To reveal the potential genetic mechanisms of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) that regulate Chinese fir wood formation, cloned the differentially expressed genes via suppress subtractive hybridization (SSH) using the truncated stems treated by 0 and 3 mg IAA/g lanolin as the driver and tester, respectively. A total of 332 unigenes that were involved in cell organization and biosynthesis, developmental processes control, electron transport, stress response, and signal transduction. To further test the results from SSH, we selected those unigenes, whose putative encoding proteins showed significantly homologous with HIRA, PGY1, SMP1, TCT, TRN2, and ARF4, and analyzed their expressed specificity in the wood formative tissues and their response to the secondary developmental changes of vascular cambium stimulated by 0, 1, and 3 mg.IAA/g.lanolin treatment. The results showed that ClHIRA, ClPGY1, and ClARF4, which were specifically expressed in the adaxial zone of stem, were positively response to the activities of cell division and tracheid differentiation stimulated by exogenous IAA treatment. However, ClSMP1, ClTCTP1, and ClTRN2, which were mainly expressed in the abaxial zones of stems, showed negative correlation with the treated levels of exogenous IAA and activities of vascular cambium secondary development at the transcriptional level. This result showed that the differential response of developmental regulatory genes located in different vascular tissues to the level changes of edogenous IAA in stems is likely to be an important molecular mechanism of auxin regulating wood formation.

[Determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in Microcos paniculata by GC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for determination 9 organochlorine pesticide residue in Microcos paniculata by gas chromatography. METHODS: The sample was infiltrated with water and extracted with hexane by ultrasonic. The extract solvent was purified by concentrated sulphuric acid. DB-1701 capillary column was used to separate the sample. GC-ECD was applied to determine the residues of organochlorine pesticide. RESULTS: The percentage recoveries were ranged from 78.1% to 97.8% and RSD were from 2.4% to 8.8%. CONCLUSION: The method established is quick, simple and low in cost.

[Adsorption Properties and Host-guest Effects of Porous Cyclodextrin Polymers for Dye Molecules in Water].

Cyclodextrin can form host-guest inclusion complexes with a variety of organic pollutants and has unique advantages in removing complex dye molecules from water. In this study, a porous cyclodextrin polymer (P-CDP) was prepared using a rigid crosslinking agent, and the structure of the P-CDP was characterized by FT-IR, XPS, SEM, BET, and other technologies. The P-CDP was studied using isothermal adsorption and kinetic adsorption experiments. The inclusion adsorption performance and host-guest effect of the P-CDP for dye molecules in water were studied using competitive experiments. The characterization results showed that the P-CDP had strong thermal stability. It had a microporous structure with a specific surface area of 108.745 m2·g-1. The Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model had a higher fitting degree for the adsorption process. The results of the competition experiments showed that the electrostatic effect was stronger than the host-guest effect in the adsorption process. Pollutants whose molecular configurations were highly matched with the cyclodextrin cavity could form inclusion complexes with high molecular stability. Contaminants with strong hydrophobicity were more likely to be encapsulated in the cyclodextrin cavity. After the P-CDP adsorbed the dyes, the removal efficiency after the fifth cycle of elution and regeneration remained above 80%. This study showed that P-CDP has potential application value in the treatment of dye wastewater.

Probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei effect on cariogenic bacterial flora.

Lactobacillus paracasei has been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of many pathogenic microbes such as Streptococcus mutans, in vitro. However, its clinical application remains unclear. Here, we examined whether a novel probiotic L. paracasei GMNL-33 may reduce the caries-associated salivary microbial counts in healthy adults. Seventy-eight subjects (aged 20 to 26) had completed this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study. A probiotic/test (n = 42) and a control group (n = 36) took a L. paracasei GMNL-33 and a placebo oral tablet three times per day for 2 weeks, respectively. Bacterial counts of salivary S. mutans, lactobacilli, and salivary buffer capacity were measured with chair-side kits at the beginning (T1), the completion (T2) of medication, and 2 weeks after medication (T3). The results did not show differences in the counts of S. mutans and lactobacilli between probiotic and control groups at T1, T2, and T3. Nevertheless, within the probiotic group, an interesting probiotic effect was noticed. Between T1 and T2, no inhibitory effect against S. mutans was observed. However, a significant count reduction in the salivary S. mutans was detected between T2 and T3 (p = 0.016). Thus, a 2-week period of medication via oral administration route may be needed for L. paracasei GMNL-33 to be effective in the probiotic action.

Traumatic posterior atlantoaxial dislocation without associated fracture and neurological deficit.

Traumatic posterior atlantoaxial dislocation without related fractures of the odontoid process and anterior arch of the atlas is exceedingly rare, with only ten published cases reported so far in English literature. We report on a 44-year-old man with post-traumatic posterior displacement of the atlas with respect to the axis without any associated fractures and neurological deficit caused by a crush injury in earthquake. Radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed posterior displacement of the atlas with the odontoid peg lying anterior and to the right of the anterior arch of the atlas. Partial odontoidectomy and posterior fixation with bone graft were performed in one-stage procedure after several unsuccessful attempts of closed reduction. The patient did not have neurological deterioration after operation.

[Preparation of pg-C3N4/BiOBr/Ag Composite and Photocatalytic Degradation of Sulfamethoxazole].

A pg-C3N4/BiOBr/Ag composite was successfully prepared by simple high-temperature calcination and co-precipitation methods. The composite was characterized by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV-Vis, BET, and photocurrent analyses alongside other detection methods, and the degradation of 10 mg·L-1 sulfamethoxazole was investigated under simulated visible light irradiation. The results showed that the pg-C3N4/BiOBr/Ag composite had the best degradation effect on sulfamethoxazole when the loading ratio of silver was 5%. Compared with pg-C3N4, BiOBr monomer, and pg-C3N4/BiOBr composite, the photocatalytic degradation effect of the pg-C3N4/BiOBr/Ag (5%) was significantly improved, and the degradation rate was almost 100% within 30 min. The reaction rate constant (0.21016 min-1) was 13.15 times that of pg-C3N4/BiOBr. Through radical quenching experiments, it was shown that the main active substances in the photocatalytic degradation were holes (h+), superoxide radicals (·O2-), and singlet oxygen (1O2), among which superoxide radicals (·O2-) contributed the most. Cyclic tests of pg-C3N4/BiOBr/Ag showed that the synthesized material has good recyclability and application prospects.

Salivary microbial counts and buffer capacity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the caries activity in children undergoing maintenance stage chemotherapy courses. METHODS: Forty-six children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were examined, the age ranged from 3 to 12 years with a mean age of 7(1/2) years. They were under maintenance stage chemotherapy at the Department of Pediatric Hematology of Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. A control group of healthy children was recruited by age and sex-matching criteria. The children received only a clinical dental examination without radiographs. Decayed (D), Missing (M), and Filled (F) Tooth surfaces (S) scores were recorded following the WHO criteria. After oral examination, stimulated saliva samples were collected from the subjects to exam the salivary Streptococcus mutans counts, salivary lactobacilli counts and salivary buffer capacity. RESULT: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test shows that the salivary Streptococcus mutans counts in ALL children were significantly lower than healthy subjects (P<.001) and lactobacilli counts were similar on both groups (P=.47). However, the ALL group tended to have lower salivary buffer capacity than the control group (P=.002). The mean DEFTS/DMFTS scores of the ALL group were higher than the control group, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Specific oral prevention regimens for ALL children undergoing chemotherapy should be planned for patients with unusually low salivary buffer capacity.

Biological denitrification in a macrophytic lake: implications for macrophytes-dominated lake management in the north of China.

Denitrification plays an important role in nitrogen (N) removal in freshwater ecosystems. Aquatic plants might have an impact on the sediment denitrification of water body, especially in macrophytes-dominated lake; however, there were different opinions about it. Our hypothesis was that the sediment denitrification rates differ significantly in different vegetation zones and seasons because of direct and indirect effect of the aquatic plants. Therefore, we studied sediment denitrification in Dongping Lake, a typical macrophytes-dominated lake located in the north of China. The acetylene inhibition technique was used to quantify the sediment denitrification rates (DRs) in the Phragmites communis (P. communis) zone, aquaculture zone, Potamogeton crispus (P. crispus) zone and mixed vegetation zone in July (summer), October (autumn), December (winter) of 2015 and March (spring) of 2016. The results showed that the average DRs were significantly higher in the P. communis zone (69.0 ± 91.6 µmol N m-2 h-1) than the mixed vegetation zone (8.70 ± 5.44 µmol N m-2 h-1), and the average DRs represented significant seasonal difference as in the order of winter (74.5 ± 88.3 µmol N m-2 h-1) > autumn (15.7 ± 18.6 µmol N m-2 h-1) ≈ summer (10.7 ± 5.90 µmol N m-2 h-1) > spring (3.85 ± 1.29 µmol N m-2 h-1). The DRs generally decreased with the increasing of depth; however, significant increase of DRs with depth were found in certain seasons at the vegetated zones except the non-vegetated zone (the aquaculture zone) indicating the possible rhizosphere effect of aquatic plants on denitrification. The higher DRs and cycling rates of nitrate in the P. communis zone might be related to the larger biomass and oxygen transporting capacity of P. communis than those of the other aquatic plants. Winter peaks of DRs might be attributed to the higher NO3- load and the absence of the plant uptake. The high cycling rates of nitrate in Dongping Lake indicated an enhanced internal N cycling by aquatic plants. Sediment denitrification could remove about 537.7 t N every year, which was about 26.5% of annual TN loading in Dongping Lake.

[Prevention and treatment of complications after surgical resection for esophageal and gastric cardiac cancers].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience in surgical resection for esophageal and gastric cardiac cancers so as to put forward countermeasures to prevent the post-operative complications. METHODS: From September 1952 to December 2005, 20,796 patients with esophageal and gastric cardiac cancers underwent surgical operation. The category and incidence of the complications in different decades were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: (1) 18,772 of the 20 796 patients with esophageal and gastric cardiac cancers underwent surgical resection. Operative complications occurred in 1741 patients (9.27%), death occurred in 433 of which (24.87%). (2) The complication rate was 39.77% in 1950s, and decreased to 4.10% in 2000s. The mortality rate of complication was 44.29% in 1950s, and decreased to 15.42% in 2000s. (3) The incidence and mortality rates of closely-surgery-related complications declined obviously over the period of study. The incidence and mortality rates of anastomotic leakage were 4.55% and 50.00% respectively in 1950s, and then decreased to 1.21% and 3.33% respectively in 2000s. The incidence and the mortality rates of empyema were 7.39% and 38.46% respectively in 1950s, and decreased to 0.36% and 5.56% respectively in 2000s. The incidence and the mortality rates of chylothorax was 0.16% and 0% recently. (4) The incidence of non-surgical-related complications declined slightly but the mortality rate was still very high over the period of study. The mortality rates of pulmonary and cardiovascular complication were 27.42% and 25.00% respectively recently. CONCLUSION: (1) One of the advantages of surgical treatment for esophagus and gastric cardiac cancers is the obvious decline of the incidence and the mortality rates of complications. (2) In order to reduce the incidence of systemic complication, especially pulmonary complication, active and corresponding preoperative preparation should be improved along with the expansion of the scope of surgical indication. (3) The key for prevention of post-operative complications is consummate surgery techniques. Prevention and treatment of anastomotic leakage, gastric wall necrosis, and intrathoracic and intraabdominal bleeding are still the focal points.

[Study on fingerprint of Maodongqing injection by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the fingerprint of Maodongqing injection by HPLC. METHODS: The column of ODS-2 Hypersil C18 (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm) was used. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid with gradient elution. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, the column temperature was 30 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was 325 nm. RESULTS: The fingerprint of Maodongqing injection was established, and 8 samples of different batches of Maodongqing injection were detected. Thirteen peaks in the chromatogram were marked by "Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Version 2004 A)". There was a high similarity and each chromatographic peak was obtained with good separation and correlation according to the technical requirements of the fingerprints of Chinese traditional medicine. CONCLUSION: This method is accurate, reliable and provides a scientific basis for controlling the quality of Maodongqing injection.

MiR-27b promotes sheep skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation by targeting myostatin gene.

To investigate the role of miR-27b in sheep skeletal muscle development, here we first cloned the sequence of sheep pre-miR-27b, then further investigated its expression pattern in sheep skeletal muscle in vivo, the relationship of miR-27b expression and sheep skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro, and then finally confirmed its target gene during this development process. MiR-27b sequence, especially its mature sequence, was conservative among different species. MiR-27b highly expressed in sheep skeletal muscle than other tissues. In skeletal muscle of Suffolk and Bashbay sheep, miR-27b was upregulated during foetal period and downregulated during postnatal period significantly (P<0.01), but it still kept a relatively higher expression level in skeletal muscle of postnatal Suffolk sheep than Bashbay. There is a potential target site of miR-27b on 3'-UTR of sheep myostatin (MSTN) mRNA, and the double luciferase reporter assay proved that miR-27b could successfully bind on this site. When sheep satellite cells were in the proliferation status, miR-27b was upregulated and MSTN was downregulated significantly (P<0.01). When miR-27b mimics was transfected into sheep satellite cells, the cell proliferation was promoted and the protein level of MSTN was significantly downregulated (P<0.01). Moreover, miR-27b regulated its target gene MSTN by translation repression at an early step, and followed by inducing mRNA degradation in sheep satellite cells. Based on these results, we confirm that miR-27b could promote sheep skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation by targeting MSTN and suppressing its expression.

[Identification and analysis of differentially expressed genes during wood formation in Chinese fir by SSH].

Wood is an important raw material for the global industry with rapidly increasing demand. To isolate the differentially expressed genes in xylogenesis of Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook], a forward subtractive cDNA library was constructed using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method, which was performed using the cDNA from the mutant Dugansha clone as the tester and the cDNA from the normal Jurong 0 clone as the driver. Six hundred and eighteen clones were obtained. Recombinants were identified using PCR with universal T7 and SP6 primers and using EcoR digestion. To further eliminate false positive, dot hybridization was used with four DIG-labeled probes (FSP, RSP, UTP, and UDP). Real-time PCR was performed to confirm the results. A total of 260 unique ESTs were obtained, 60% of the ESTs exhibiting homologies with proteins of known function fell into 4 major classes: metabolism, cell wall biogenesis and remodeling, signal transduction and stress. The systematic analysis of genes involved in wood formation in Chinese fir provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in xylem differentiation, is important resources for forest research directed toward understanding the genetic control of wood formation and future endeavors to modify wood and fiber properties for industrial use.

[Estimation of morbidity risk in aged patients undergoing resections of esophagus carcinoma and gastric cardiac carcinoma using physiological and operative severity score].

OBJECTIVE: To test the clinical validity of physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) in aged patients undergoing resections of esophagus carcinoma and gastric cardiac carcinoma. METHODS: POSSUM was used in 167 aged patients undergoing esophagus carcinoma and gastric cardiac carcinoma resection. The physiological score and the operative severity score were compared between the groups with and without postoperative complications. The morbidity rates were calculated. Observed morbidity rates were compared with the rates predicted by POSSUM. RESULTS: Seventy-six of the 167 patients suffered from postoperative complications. The physiological score of the group with complications was 16.75 +/- 0.4, significantly higher than that of the group without complications (15.4 +/- 0.3, P < 0.0017). The number of the patients with complications predicted by POSSUM was 70, not significantly different from the observed number of the patients with complications (78, P = 0.378). There were 94 person-times of complications in these 78 patients, 12 being with hypertension, 37 with arrhythmia; 5 with asthma; 3 with febrile; 2 with pneumonia; 1 with atelectasis; 1 with respiratory failure; 3 with wound infection; 3 with wound liquefaction; 2 with anastomotic leakage; 6 with phlebitis; 2 with pneumothorax; 2 with acute dilatation of stomach; 1 with chylothorax; 2 with hemorrhage; 1 with cardiac failure; 1 with infectious shock; 2 with empyema; 2 with deep vein thrombo-embolism; 1 with pulmonary infarction; 1 with cerebral infarction; 1 with urinary infection; and 1 with psychiatric symptom. CONCLUSION: The POSSUM makes satisfactory prediction of postoperative morbidity in aged patients undergoing esophagus carcinoma and gastric cardiac carcinoma resection. Intensive monitoring and organ supporting therapy after the operation according to the score is of great benefit to decrease the post-operative complications.

Fingerprint quality control of Tianjihuang by high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection.

A novel, simple and accurate fingerprint method was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD) for the quality control of Hypericum japonicum thunb (Tianjihuang), a Chinese herbal medicine used for the treatment of several bacterial diseases, infectious hepatitis, gastrointestinal disorder, internal hemorrhage and tumors. For the first time, the feasibility and advantages of employing chromatographic fingerprint were investigated and demonstrated for the evaluation of Tianjihuang by systematically comparing chromatograms with a professional analytical software recommended by State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). Our results revealed that the chromatographic fingerprint combining similarity evaluation could efficiently identify and distinguish raw herbs of Tianjihuang from different sources. The effects resulted from collecting locations, harvesting time and storage time on herbal chromatographic fingerprints were also examined.