Effect of ultrasonic time on the structural and physico-chemical properties of hemicelluloses from Eucalyptus grandis.

Effect of sonication on the extractability and physico-chemical properties of hemicelluloses from Eucalyptus grandis using 5% KOH solution at 50 °C for 3 h has been comparatively studied. The results showed that the yield of hemicelluloses increased from 2.6 to 19.6% as the ultrasonic time was extended from 5 to 35 min. The highest yield of hemicelluloses (95.2%) was achieved at 30 min ultrasonic time. Xylose was the dominant sugar (82.94-84.96%) of all the hemicellulosic fractions. Furthermore, the hemicelluloses obtained by ultrasound-assisted extractions had slightly lower molecular weights (74,510-66,770 g/mol) and thermal stabilities, but higher contents of xylose (83.95-84.96%). The increased yield of ultrasonically extracted hemicelluloses, which have preserved their main structural properties, confirmed the great potential of ultrasound-assisted extraction to separate hemicelluloses from Eucalyptus grandis at an industrial level.

Experimental study of airway pressure release ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is a ventilator mode which has demonstrated potential benefits in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. We therefore sought to compare relevant pulmonary data and safety outcomes of this mode to the conventional ventilation and sustained inflation. Canines admitted after intravenous injection of oleic acid requiring mechanical ventilation were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=6), namely conventional ventilation group, low tidal volume ventilation with recruitment group (LTV+SI) and APRV group. The changes of oxygenation, ventilation, airway pressure, inflammatory reaction and hemodynamics at the basic state were observed at 0, 1, 2 and 4 h during the experiment. The levels of PaO2/FiO2 in APRV group were higher than LTV+SI group at 2 and 4 h (P<0.05). In APRV group, the PCO2 levels at 1, 2 and 4 h is much lower than LTV+SI group (P<0.05). Outcome variables showed no differences between APRV, LVT+SI and conventional mechanical ventilation for plateau airway pressure (24±1 vs. 29±3 vs. 25±4), mean arterial pressure (92.9±16.5 vs. 85.8±21.4 vs. 88.7±24.4), cardiac index (4.3±1.7 vs. 3.5±1.9 vs. 3.4±2.1), ERO2 (13.4±10.3 vs. 16.1±6.8 vs. 17.6±9.1), lac (2.5±1.7 vs. 3.1±1.6 vs. 3.9±1.9), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (132±11 vs. 140±6 vs. 195±13) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. For canines sustaining acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring mechanical ventilation, APRV can significantly improve oxygenation and keep hemodynamic stability compared with LTV+SI. The results of TNF-α and MMP-9 suggest that APRV could be as protective for ARDS as LTV with recruitment group.

Drought-responsive WRKY transcription factor genes TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33 from wheat confer drought and/or heat resistance in Arabidopsis.

BACKGROUND: Drought stress is one of the major causes of crop loss. WRKY transcription factors, as one of the largest transcription factor families, play important roles in regulation of many plant processes, including drought stress response. However, far less information is available on drought-responsive WRKY genes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), one of the three staple food crops. RESULTS: Forty eight putative drought-induced WRKY genes were identified from a comparison between de novo transcriptome sequencing data of wheat without or with drought treatment. TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33 from WRKY Groups III and II, respectively, were selected for further investigation. Subcellular localization assays revealed that TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33 were localized in the nuclei in wheat mesophyll protoplasts. Various abiotic stress-related cis-acting elements were observed in the promoters of TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that TaWRKY1 was slightly up-regulated by high-temperature and abscisic acid (ABA), and down-regulated by low-temperature. TaWRKY33 was involved in high responses to high-temperature, low-temperature, ABA and jasmonic acid methylester (MeJA). Overexpression of TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33 activated several stress-related downstream genes, increased germination rates, and promoted root growth in Arabidopsis under various stresses. TaWRKY33 transgenic Arabidopsis lines showed lower rates of water loss than TaWRKY1 transgenic Arabidopsis lines and wild type plants during dehydration. Most importantly, TaWRKY33 transgenic lines exhibited enhanced tolerance to heat stress. CONCLUSIONS: The functional roles highlight the importance of WRKYs in stress response.

Effect of the Shenfu Injection Combined with Early Goal-Directed Therapy on Organ Functions and Outcomes of Septic Shock Patients.

Shenfu injection (SFI) derived from traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used in cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of SFI and conventional early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) on organ functions and outcomes of septic shock patients. For this purpose, a total of 45 septic shock patients were randomly divided into control group A (24 patients on EGDT) and experimental group B (21 patients on SFI + EGDT). SFI was administered (100@20 mL/h) twice daily. Hemodynamic status, lactic acid, and vasoactive drug use were observed before and after treatment. Other indicators included ventilator weaning time, ICU stay time, free of organ failure time, and 28-day hospital mortality. Regarding experimental group, compared with controls, BUN/creatinine decreased significantly at 3, 5, and 7 days while PaO2/FiO2 increased at 1 and 3 days (P < 0.05). APACHE-II and SOFA scores decreased in both groups at 3, 5, and 7 days (P < 0.05), whereas SOFA scores improved more in experimental group as compared with controls. Ventilator weaning time and ICU stay were significantly shorter in experimental group as compared with controls. In both groups, mean arterial pressure/systemic vascular resistance index post-treatment levels increased and lactic acid decreased at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h (P < 0.05). Heart rate decreased at 24, 48, and 72 h (P < 0.05); while gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase levels increased at 1 day and 1 and 3 days, respectively (P < 0.05). Combined use of SFI and EGDT can improve hemodynamics, reduce the damage to vital organs, and shorten ventilation and ICU stay times in septic shock patients.

Combined use of non-biological artificial liver treatments for patients with acute liver failure complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Acute liver failure (ALF) caused by viral and non-viral hepatitis is often accompanied with severe metabolic disorders, the accumulation of toxic substances and continuous release and accumulation of a large number of endogenous toxins and inflammatory mediators. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of various combined non-biological artificial liver treatments for patients with acute liver failure (ALF) complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS: Thirty-one patients with mid- or late-stage liver failure complicated by MODS (score 4) were randomly divided into three treatment groups: plasmapheresis (PE) combined with hemoperfusion (HP) and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), PE+CVVHDF, and HP+CVVHDF, respectively. Heart rate (HR) before and after treatment, mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory index (PaO2/FiO2), hepatic function, platelet count, and blood coagulation were determined. RESULTS: Significant improvement was observed in HR, MAP, PaO2/FiO2, total bilirubin (TBIL) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels after treatment (P<0.05). TBIL and ALT decreased more significantly after treatment in the PE+CVVHDF and PE+HP+CVVHDF groups (P<0.01). Prothrombin time (PT) and albumin were significantly improved only in the PE+CVVHDF and PE+HP+CVVHDF groups (P<0.05). TBIL decreased more significantly in the PE+HP+CVVHDF group than in the HP+CVVHDF and PE+CVVHDF groups (P<0.05). The survival rate of the patients was 58.1% (18/31), viral survival rate 36.4% (4/11), and non-viral survival rate 70% (14/20). CONCLUSION: Liver function was relatively improved after treatment, but PE+HP+CVVHDF was more efficient for the removal of toxic metabolites, especially bilirubin. The survival rate was significantly higher in the patients with non-viral liver failure than in those with viral liver failure.

Hemodiafiltration combined with resin-mediated absorption as a therapy for hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether hemodiafiltration combined with resin-mediated absorption is a better therapy for hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis. Patients (n = 67) with acute pancreatitis treated in ICU from January 2009 to December 2012 were included in this study. Seven of these 67 cases were diagnosed hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP). All the 7 HLAP patients went through fast, gastrointestinal decompression, anti-shock treatment, inhibition of pancreatic secretion, antiseptic treatments, and hemoperfusion (HP) combined with continuous veno venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). After one round of treatment by resin adsorption, there was a significant decrease in serum triglycerides (TG) (29.78 %) and total cholesterol (TC) (24.02 %) levels (p < 0.01). TG and TC levels dropped by 49.02 and 37.66 %, respectively, after 1-day treatment of HP + CVVHDF; by 62.81 and 47.37 % on day 2 post-treatment; and by 69.57 and 49.47 % on day 3 post-treatment. All the 7 patients survived. The average time spent in the ICU was 7 ± 3.8 days, and the average duration of hospitalization was 19 ± 15.1 days. Our results show that hemoperfusion combined with hemodiafiltration is an efficient treatment as this approach can reduce plasma lipid levels effectively and reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis due to hyperlipidemia.

Efficacy of various combined blood purification techniques for treating patients with non-viral acute liver failure.

We sought to study the clinical efficacy of various combined blood purification techniques in patients with non-viral acute liver failure complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). For this purpose, 19 patients diagnosed of mid- or late-stage liver failure with MODS score-4 were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups of PE+HP+CVVHDF, PE+CVVHDF, and HP+CVVHDF, respectively. Pre- and post-treatment heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), arterial blood gases (pH, PaO2, and PaCO2), hepatic function, platelet count, and blood coagulation were determined. The data show significant improvement in HR, MAP, PaO2/FiO2, total bilirubin (TBIL), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels after treatment (P < 0.05). TBIL decreased more significantly after treatment in PE+CVVHDF and PE+HP+CVVHDF groups (P < 0.01). Significant improvement in prothrombin time and albumin was observed only in PE+CVVHDF and PE+HP+CVVHDF groups (P < 0.05). The decrease of TBIL and improvement of PaO2/FiO2 ratio were more pronounced in PE+HP+CVVHDF than in HP+CVVHDF group (P < 0.05). To conclude, liver function was relatively improved by all the three combined blood purification techniques used; however, PE+HP+CVVHDF approach was found more efficient in the removal of toxic metabolites, especially bilirubin. The data suggest that the combined blood purification techniques used were effective and involved minor side effects.

[Effects of combination of midazolam and propofol on anterograde amnesia in critical patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of sedation with midazolam and propofol on anterograde amnesia in critical patients. METHODS: Sixty selected patients on mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit (ICU) were randomly divided into three subgroups (propofol, midazolam, and midazolam and propofol combination group), with 20 cases in each group. Patients who were awakened from sedation were showed with a card depicted with different colors, figures and numbers. When patients were totally conscious after weaning from mechanical ventilation,the influence of the different methods of sedation on anterograde amnesia of these critically ill patients was assessed. RESULTS: (1) 70%, 95% and 90% of patients manifested amnesia in propofol, midazolam and the combination group, respectively. All the patients recovered their memory immediately in 30 minutes after withdrawal of the sedatives. (2) When midazolam was compared with propofol and combination group, time of onset was obviously prolonged after an intravenous injection of a load dose in midazolam group [(2.7+/-1.1) minutes and (3.1+/-1.3) minutes vs. (5.1+/-2.8) minutes], also was time of extubation after regaining of consciousness [(0.7+/-0.2) hour and (1.2+/-0.6) hours vs. (2.7+/-0.3) hours, all P<0.01]. There was no significant difference between propofol group and the combination group in time of onset and extubation (both P>0.05). (3) Cost of propofol [(2,100+/-125) yuan] was 75% higher than that of midazolam [(1,200+/-112) yuan, P<0.01], but cost of sedatives in the combination group [(1,300+/-132) yuan] was similar to that in midazolam group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Combination of midazolam and propofol can not only ensure anterograde amnesia in critical patients, reduce drug dosage and adverse reactions, but also can help reduce the hospital expenses. This method may be a better sedation program in ICU.

[Comparative study on recruitment maneuvers in acute respiratory distress syndrome with pulmonary and extrapulmonary origin].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of lung recruitment maneuvers (RM) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with pulmonary and extrapulmonary origin (ARDSp/ARDSexp). METHODS: Thirty-seven ARDS patients with a forced expiratory volume were selected (16 with ARDSp, 21 with ARDSexp). Without using any sedative and neuromuscular blocking agents, with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) up to 30 cm H(2)O (1 cm H(2)O=0.098 kPa), the patients were asked to hold the breath for 30 seconds, and then CPAP was lowered to the level of that before the treatment within 5-10 seconds. RESULTS: Compared with the state before recruitment, changes in heart rate (HR) were not obvious in two groups during RM, mean arterial pressure was elevated evidently after 2 minutes in two groups (both P<0.05), and central venous pressure (CVP) rose after 30 seconds in two groups (both P<0.05). Peak inspiratory pressure, platform pressure and mean airway pressure increased clearly after 30 seconds (all P<0.05), and pulmonary compliance decreased obviously 30 seconds after re-inflation recruitment in two groups (both P<0.05), and increased obviously in ARDSexp group 5, 15, 30 minutes after recruitment (all P<0.05). In the group with ARDSp oxygenation index (OI) changed distinctly 10, 30 minutes and 1 hour after recruitment compared with the state before recruitment (all P<0.05). In patients with ARDSexp OI was significantly improved 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours after RM. CONCLUSION: In ARDSexp, with pulmonary interstitial edema as the main pathology, responded better to RM than ARDSp with pulmonary consolidation.

[Comparison of effects of low-dose dopamine and dobutamine in patients with nonoliguric renal failure].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of low-dose dopamine and dobutamine on renal functioning patients with nonoliguric renal failure. METHODS: Twenty-nine hemodynamically stable patients with nonoliguric renal failure were enrolled to this study group. Each patient was given 5% glucose (control), dopamine or dobutamine in random order by means of an injection pump every 4 hours. The change in urine output, fractional excretion of sodium (FeNa) and creatinine clearance rate (CCr) were determined. RESULTS: Compared with control, urine volume, FeNa, and CCr were increased significantly after administration of dopamine, or dobutamine. Compared with dobutamine, dopamine could increase the urine output and the FeNa markedly, but there was no difference in CCr increase between dopamine and dobutamine. CONCLUSION: Dopamine or dobutamine treatment could significantly increase the urine output, FeNa, and CCr in patients with nonoliguric renal failure. Dopamine infusion markedly increases urine output and the FeNa, but there is no significantly difference in CCr between dopamine and dobutamine treatment.