Emergence of ehrlichiosis by a new tick-borne Ehrlichia species in China.

OBJECTIVES: From March to June 2021, the reported number of clinically diagnosed endemic typhus in Anhui and Hubei provinces of China nearly increased four-fold compared with the monthly average numbers in last 5 years. An etiological and epidemiological investigation was initiated. METHODS: The clinical specimens from the reported patients and the potential vector ticks were collected for molecular and serological detection, as well as cell culturing assay to identify the potential pathogen. RESULTS: Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of rrs and groEL showed that the pathogen from these patients was Ehrlichia sp., isolated from Haemaphysalis longicornis attached to these patients. The phylogenetic analysis based on 39 Ehrlichia genomes suggested that it should be taxonomically classified as a novel species, tentatively named "Candidatus Ehrlichia erythraense". A total of 19 of 106 cases were confirmed as Candidatus Ehrlichia erythraense infections by polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and/or serological tests. The most frequent symptoms were fever (100%), rashes (100%), asthenia (100%), anorexia (100%), and myalgia (79%). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of the disease presenting with fever and rashes in Anhui and Hubei provinces was caused by a novel species of the genus Ehrlichia; physicians need to be aware of this newly-discovered pathogen to ensure appropriate testing, treatment, and regional surveillance.

Equipment Anomaly Detection for Semiconductor Manufacturing by Exploiting Unsupervised Learning from Sensory Data.

In-line anomaly detection (AD) not only identifies the needs for semiconductor equipment maintenance but also indicates potential line yield problems. Prompt AD based on available equipment sensory data (ESD) facilitates proactive yield and operations management. However, ESD items are highly diversified and drastically scale up along with the increased use of sensors. Even veteran engineers lack knowledge about ESD items for automated AD. This paper presents a novel Spectral and Time Autoencoder Learning for Anomaly Detection (STALAD) framework. The design consists of four innovations: (1) identification of cycle series and spectral transformation (CSST) from ESD, (2) unsupervised learning from CSST of ESD by exploiting Stacked AutoEncoders, (3) hypothesis test for AD based on the difference between the learned normal data and the tested sample data, (4) dynamic procedure control enabling periodic and parallel learning and testing. Applications to ESD of an HDP-CVD tool demonstrate that STALAD learns normality without engineers' prior knowledge, is tolerant to some abnormal data in training input, performs correct AD, and is efficient and adaptive for fab applications. Complementary to the current practice of using control wafer monitoring for AD, STALAD may facilitate early detection of equipment anomaly and assessment of impacts to process quality.

Humanistic care and psychological counseling on psychological disorders in medical students after COVID-19 outbreak: A protocol of systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of humanistic care and psychological counseling (HCPC) on psychological disorders (PD) in medical students after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. METHODS: We will search randomized controlled trials or case-controlled studies of HCPC on PD in medical students after COVID-19 outbreak in the following electronic databases: PUBMED/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, AMED, WANGFANG, and CNKI. The time is restricted from the construction of each database to the present. All process of study selection, data collection, and study quality evaluation will be carried out by two independent authors. Any different opinions will be solved by a third author through discussion. We will employ RevMan 5.3 software to conduct statistical analysis. RESULTS: This study will provide a better understanding of HCPC on PD in medical students after COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: This study may offer strong evidence for clinical practice to treat PD in medical students after COVID-19 outbreak. STUDY REGISTRATION: CRD42020193199.

A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for interstitial cystitis.

BACKGROUND: This study will examine the effectiveness and safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for the treatment of patients with interstitial cystitis (IC). METHODS: We will retrieve the following electronic databases from their commencements to the March 1, 2020 to discover all related potential studies: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and WANFANG Database. Randomized controlled trials related to the NMES for the treatment of patients with IC will be included, regardless publication status and language. Literature selection, data collection, and study quality assessment will be independently performed by 2 authors. The extracted data will be expressed as risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous data, and mean difference or standard mean difference and 95% confidence intervals for continuous data. RevMan V.5.3 software will be employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: This study will summarize current high quality randomized controlled trials to appraise the effectiveness and safety of NMES for the treatment of patients with IC. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will provide helpful evidence to determine whether NMES is an effective treatment for patients with IC or not. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020170495.

Efficacy of pirarubicin for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study will aim to appraise the efficacy and safety of pirarubicin for the treatment of patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: We will perform a comprehensive literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from their beginning to the February 29, 2020. All randomized controlled trials of pirarubicin for NMIBC will be included regardless limitations related to the language and publication time. Two researchers will independently select studies from searched records, extract data from included randomized controlled trials, and assess study quality using Cochrane risk of bias tool. Any differences between them will be solved with the help of another researcher. RevMan 5.3 software will be utilized for statistical analysis. RESULTS: This study will provide a synthesis of current evidence to investigate the efficacy and safety of pirarubicin for NMIBC using overall survival, progression-free survival, recurrence-free survival, quality of, rates of recurrence, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: This study will explore whether or not pirarubicin can be used as an effective and safety treatment for patients with NMIBC. REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202040113.

Can docetaxel combined prednisone effectively treat hormone refractory prostate cancer?: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that docetaxel combined prednisone (DP) has been used for the treatment of patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). However, its results are still inconsistent. Therefore, this study will synthesize the latest evidence of the efficacy and safety of DP for the treatment of patients with HRPC. METHODS: Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, CBM, and CNKI will be searched to identify randomized controlled trials published from their inception to the March 1, 2020, irrespective language and publication time restrictions. We will calculate the pooled effects of dichotomous outcomes as risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals, and that of continuous outcomes as standardized mean difference or mean difference and 95% confidence intervals. Study quality will be assessed using Cochrane risk of bias, and quality of evidence for main outcome will be evaluated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation. Statistical analysis will be performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will appraise the efficacy and safety of DP for the treatment of patients with HRPC. The primary outcome includes overall survival, and the secondary outcomes comprise of progression-free survival, prostate-specific antigen response rate, duration of prostate-specific antigen response, objective tumor response rate, disease-free survival, quality of life, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: The results of this study may provide helpful evidence of DP for the treatment of patients with HRPC.Systematic review registration: INPLASY202040112.

Degradation of non-oxidizing biocide benzalkonium chloride and bulk dissolved organic matter in reverse osmosis concentrate by UV/chlorine oxidation.

Non-oxidizing biocide that is used to inhibit the microorganism growth on RO membrane, are observed to be high concentration and toxic in RO concentrate. The synergistic oxidation process (SOP) of UV/chlorine was investigated to simultaneously reduced the content (60.2 %) and toxicity (57.0 %) of a representative biocide dodecylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride (DDBAC) in real RO concentrate, with a UV fluence 1080 mJ/cm2 and chlorine dose 20 mg/L. Besides eliminating the DDBAC, UV/chlorine reduced the UVA254 and fluorescence of the dissolved organic matters (DOM). The oxidation mechanism was verified to be the radical electrophilic addition rather than the chlorine-electrophilic substitution through the decay of electron-donation moiety and UVA254. As results, high molecular weight fractions of DOM (>2k Da, 79.2 %) was cleaved into low molecular weight fractions (<0.4k Da, 18.4 %) and organic halide was formed. Parallel-factor analysis of the fluorescence components suggested that decomposition of the protein-like fluorophore is most likely to surrogate the biocide removal and organic halide formation compared to other fluorophore components and UVA254. Accordingly, a portable fluorescence probe with 400 nm excitation and 410-600 nm emission wavelengths was developed as an online surrogate for the DDBAC removal and organic halide formation.

Effect of Hic-5 gene knockout on NF-κB/p65 expression and CCl4-induced liver fibrosis degree in mice / 临床肝胆病杂志

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Hic-5 gene knockout on NF-κB/p65 expression and liver fibrosis. MethodsTen wild-type male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into wild-type control group (WT-Control group with 5 mice) and wild-type experimental group (WT-CCl4 group with 5 mice), and ten male C57BL/6 mice with Hic-5 gene knockout were randomly divided into Hic-5 knockout control group (Hic-5 KO-Control group with 5 mice) and Hic-5 knockout experimental group (Hic-5 KO-CCl4 group with 5 mice). The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. Picrosirius red staining was used to observe collagen deposition in liver tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and p65 protein, and real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagen 1, and p65 in liver tissue. The primary hepatic stellate cells of mice were isolated and stimulated with different concentrations of TGF-β1, and then real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagen 1, and p65 in primary hepatic stellate cells. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsPicrosirius red staining showed that compared with the WT-CCl4 group, the Hic-5 KO-CCl4 group had a significant reduction in collagen fibers in liver tissue (P＜0.001). Measurement of serum ALT and AST showed that there were significant differences in ALT and AST between the WT-Control group, the WT-CCl4 group, the Hic-5 KO-Control group, and the Hic-5 KO-CCl4 group (F=22.85 and 25.15, both P＜0.001), and the Hic-5 KO-CCl4 group had significantly lower serum levels of ALT and AST than the WT-CCl4 group (both P＜0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that there were significant differences in the expression levels of α-SMA and p65 protein in liver tissue between the WT-Control group, the WT-CCl4 group, the Hic-5 KO-Control group, and the Hic-5 KO-CCl4 group (F=207.10 and 98.16, both P＜0.001), and the Hic-5 KO-CCl4 group had significantly lower expression of α-SMA and p65 protein in liver tissue than the WT-CCl4 group (both P＜0.01). The results of real-time quantitative PCR showed that there were significant differences in the relative mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagen 1, and p65 in liver tissue between the WT-Control group, the WT-CCl4 group, the Hic-5 KO-Control group, and the Hic-5 KO-CCl4 group (F=41.62, 13.93, and 98.16, all P＜0.001), and the Hic-5 KO-CCl4 group had significantly lower relative mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagen 1, and p65 in liver tissue than the WT-CCl4 group (all P＜0.05). After the primary hepatic stellate cells were stimulated by TGF-β1 at concentrations of 0, 5, and 10 ng/ml, there were significant differences in the relative mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagen 1, and p65 between the WT 0 ng/ml group, the WT 5 ng/ml group, the WT 10 ng/ml group, the KO 0 ng/ml group, the KO 5 ng/ml group, and the KO 10 ng/ml group (F=53.9, 75.82, and 52.41, all P＜0.001), and the Hic-5 KO group had significantly lower relative mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagen 1, and p65 than the WT group (all P＜0.01). ConclusionHic-5 knockout inhibits NF-κB/p65 expression and hepatic stellate cell activation and alleviates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis.

Catalytic reduction of SO2 by CO over Au4Pt2(CO)n and Au6Pt(CO)n clusters: a first-principles study.

The catalytic properties of the magic gold-platinum bimetallic clusters (Au4Pt2 and Au6Pt) for the reduction of SO2 by CO, without or with preadsorbing CO molecules, are firstly investigated using density functional theory calculations. We find that the catalytic activities improve effectively with the preadsorption of CO onto the catalysts and that the catalytic activities of Au6Pt(CO)n are better than those of Au4Pt2(CO)n as more CO molecules are adsorbed onto the catalysts. During the reaction process, the Au4Pt2(CO)n clusters always keep two-dimensional morphologies except for when n = 5 and the Au6Pt(CO)n clusters have three-dimensional geometries except for when n = 0. The most stable adsorption site for SO2 molecules on the catalysts is the site of preadsorbing the next CO molecule on the corresponding catalysts. The largest activation energy (E) is related to the metal 5d (M-5d) band center and the charge transfer (Ct) as well as the bond length (Rb) between COS and the catalyst contribute to the desorption energy (Ed) of COS corporately. We propose that Au6Pt(CO)6 is a cost-effective gold-platinum bimetallic catalyst for the reduction of SO2 by CO.

Formation and control of disinfection byproducts and toxicity during reclaimed water chlorination: A review.

Chlorination is essential to the safety of reclaimed water; however, this process leads to concern regarding the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and toxicity. This study reviewed the formation and control strategies for DBPs and toxicity in reclaimed water during chlorination. Both regulated and emerging DBPs have been frequently detected in reclaimed water during chlorination at a higher level than those in drinking water, indicating they pose a greater risk to humans. Luminescent bacteria and Daphnia magna acute toxicity, anti-estrogenic activity and cytotoxicity generally increased after chlorination because of the formation of DBPs. Genotoxicity by umu-test and estrogenic activity were decreased after chlorination because of destruction of toxic chemicals. During chlorination, water quality significantly impacted changes in toxicity. Ammonium tended to attenuate toxicity changes by reacting with chlorine to form chloramine, while bromide tended to aggravate toxicity changes by forming hypobromous acid. During pretreatment by ozonation and coagulation, disinfection byproduct formation potential (DBPFP) and toxicity formation potential (TFP) occasionally increase, which is accompanied by DOC removal; thus, the decrease of DOC was limited to indicate the decrease of DBPFP and TFP. It is more important to eliminate the key fraction of precursors such as hydrophobic acid and hydrophilic neutrals. During chlorination, toxicities can increase with the increasing chlorine dose and contact time. To control the excessive toxicity formation, a relatively low chlorine dose and short contact time were required. Quenching chlorine residual with reductive reagents also effectively abated the formation of toxic compounds.

Synergistic effect of RhBMP-2 and bFGF on ectopic osteogenesis in mice

Objective: To investigate the synergistic effect and mechanism of the combined application of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Methods: 24 KM male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups with 4 mice in each group, namely, Group A (control group), Group B (only treated with collagen), Group C (treated with 2 ng bFGF+collagen), Group D (treated with 4 μ g rhBMP-2+collagen), Group E (treated with 4 μ g rhBMP-2+2 ng bFGF+collagen) and Group F (treated with 4 μ g rhBMP-2+4 ng bFGF+collagen). The composites were implanted into the intermuscular septum of hind legs mice; whereas in control group, intermuscular septum of mice was separated and no implantation was performed. General observation, detection of concentration of calcium content, micro computed tomography (Micro-CT), three-dimensional reconstruction scan, measurement of bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BVF) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), as well as histological observation with HE staining and ALP and CD34 immumohistochemical staining were performed. Results: Ectopic osteogenesis was found in Groups D, E and F mice. The difference in concentration of calcium contents was statistically significant between Groups D and E (. P0.05). Micro-CT and three-dimensional reconstruction revealed continuous newborn bone substance in external surface of ectopic bone formation, and the center of bone formation did not show obvious substantial filling by bone substance. The differences in BMD, BVF and Tb.Th were statistically significant between Groups D and E or F (. P<0.01 or <0.05). HE staining showed that in Groups D, E and F, newborn bone substance was mainly located at the edge of ectopic bone formation, and the bone formation in Groups E and F was better than that in Group D. ALP and CD34 immumohistochemical staining revealed the positive expression mainly at the edge of ectopic bone formation, and area of positive expression in Groups E and F was larger than that in Groups D. Conclusions: rhBMP-2 possesses the capacity to induce ectopic osteogenesis independently, but bFGF does not have this ability; the combined application of rhBMP-2 and bFGF can enhance the synergetic effect on inducing ectopic osteogenesis.

Synergistic effect of RhBMP-2 and bFGF on ectopic osteogenesis in mice

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the synergistic effect and mechanism of the combined application of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).@*METHODS@#24 KM male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups with 4 mice in each group, namely, Group A (control group), Group B (only treated with collagen), Group C (treated with 2 ng bFGF+collagen), Group D (treated with 4 μ g rhBMP-2+collagen), Group E (treated with 4 μ g rhBMP-2+2 ng bFGF+collagen) and Group F (treated with 4 μ g rhBMP-2+4 ng bFGF+collagen). The composites were implanted into the intermuscular septum of hind legs mice; whereas in control group, intermuscular septum of mice was separated and no implantation was performed. General observation, detection of concentration of calcium content, micro computed tomography (Micro-CT), three-dimensional reconstruction scan, measurement of bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BVF) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), as well as histological observation with HE staining and ALP and CD34 immumohistochemical staining were performed.@*RESULTS@#Ectopic osteogenesis was found in Groups D, E and F mice. The difference in concentration of calcium contents was statistically significant between Groups D and E (P0.05). Micro-CT and three-dimensional reconstruction revealed continuous newborn bone substance in external surface of ectopic bone formation, and the center of bone formation did not show obvious substantial filling by bone substance. The differences in BMD, BVF and Tb.Th were statistically significant between Groups D and E or F (P<0.01 or <0.05). HE staining showed that in Groups D, E and F, newborn bone substance was mainly located at the edge of ectopic bone formation, and the bone formation in Groups E and F was better than that in Group D. ALP and CD34 immumohistochemical staining revealed the positive expression mainly at the edge of ectopic bone formation, and area of positive expression in Groups E and F was larger than that in Groups D.@*CONCLUSIONS@#rhBMP-2 possesses the capacity to induce ectopic osteogenesis independently, but bFGF does not have this ability; the combined application of rhBMP-2 and bFGF can enhance the synergetic effect on inducing ectopic osteogenesis.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target goal attainment rate and related factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target goal attainment rate and related factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2011 to March 2012, a total of 832 ACS patients were retrospectively evaluated in the Cardiology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. The target goal attainment rate after PCI was defined as the percentage of patients reaching LDL-C goals recommended by The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guidelines for the management of dyslipidemias (European guidelines) and Chinese guidelines on prevention and treatment of dyslipidemias in adults and Chinese guidelines on percutaneous coronary artery intervention treatment (Chinese guidelines). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to the European guidelines, the overall LDL-C goal attainment rates at 1 month and 9 months after PCI were 25.2% (210/832) and 22.2% (186/832), respectively. According to the Chinese guidelines, the overall LDL-C goal attainment rates at 1 month and 9 months after PCI were 46.5% (387/832) and 42.3% (352/832), respectively. In accordance with the Chinese guidelines, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender (females/males, OR = 0.650, 95%CI: 0.442-0.956), age ( ≥ 60 years/<60 years, OR = 0.628, 95%CI:0.464-0.850), hypertension (OR = 0.737, 95%CI: 0.547-0.994), prior myocardial infarction history (OR = 0.696, 95%CI:0.511-0.948), prior PCI history (OR = 0.575, 95%CI: 0.339-0.974) and baseline LDL-C levels ( OR = 0.155, 95%CI: 0.096-0.252) were independent risk factors that affected LDL-C goal attainment at 1 month post PCI. Moreover, the following parameters were the independent risk factors for LDL-C goal attainment at 9 months after PCI: prior myocardial infarction history (OR = 0.706, 95%CI:0.521-0.958), prior PCI history (OR = 0.565, 95%CI:0.334-0.957) and baseline LDL-C levels (OR = 0.176, 95%CI:0.110-0.282).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Currently, the LDL-C control rate is low in patients with ACS after PCI. The cholesterol lowering therapy should be individually strengthened for patients after PCI, especially in female patients, patients with aged ≥ 60 years old, hypertension, prior myocardial infarction history, prior PCI history and higher baseline LDL-C level.</p>

[Effects of plasma Hcy on the contents of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of ED rats with hyperhomocysteinemia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in the activities of carbon monoxide (CO) and heme oxygenase 2 (HO-2) in ED rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). METHODS: This study included 40 male Wistar rats weighing 280 - 310 g, 10 as normal controls (group A). HHcy models were made in the other 30 by giving 3% methionine for 4 weeks, and then divided into groups B, C and D. The rats in group B continued to be fed with 3% methionine, those in group C were treated with betaine hydrochloride, and those in group D were given zinc porphyrin IX at 45 micromol per kg per d. Penile erections of the rats were recorded, and 4 weeks later, all were killed for determination of the levels of homocysteine (Hcy) in the blood plasma and the activities of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis. RESULTS: The level of plasma Hcy, penile erection frequency and the content of CO in the corpus cavernosum were (12.55 +/- 0.82) micromol/L, (1.88 +/- 0.05) times and (10.55 +/- 1.73) micromol/L in group A, the Hcy level significantly higher while the penile erection frequency and CO content remarkably lower than in group B ([25.01 +/- 0.94] micromol/L, [0.70 +/- 0.05] times and [9.51 +/- 1.52] micromol/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with a negative correlation between the level of Hcy and that of CO and HO-2 (P < 0.01). Compared with group B, the three parameters were all significantly increased in C ([14.37 +/- 0.47] micromol/L, [1.18 +/- 0.08] times and [10.36 +/- 1.56] micromol/L, all P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Decreased expressions of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis may result in ED in HHcy rats. Betaine can reduce the Hcy level in the blood plasma and CO content in the corpus cavernosum, which might be one of the mechanisms of its action on ED with HHcy.

Effects of plasma Hcy on the contents of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of ED rats with hyperhomocysteinemia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in the activities of carbon monoxide (CO) and heme oxygenase 2 (HO-2) in ED rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 40 male Wistar rats weighing 280 - 310 g, 10 as normal controls (group A). HHcy models were made in the other 30 by giving 3% methionine for 4 weeks, and then divided into groups B, C and D. The rats in group B continued to be fed with 3% methionine, those in group C were treated with betaine hydrochloride, and those in group D were given zinc porphyrin IX at 45 micromol per kg per d. Penile erections of the rats were recorded, and 4 weeks later, all were killed for determination of the levels of homocysteine (Hcy) in the blood plasma and the activities of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of plasma Hcy, penile erection frequency and the content of CO in the corpus cavernosum were (12.55 +/- 0.82) micromol/L, (1.88 +/- 0.05) times and (10.55 +/- 1.73) micromol/L in group A, the Hcy level significantly higher while the penile erection frequency and CO content remarkably lower than in group B ([25.01 +/- 0.94] micromol/L, [0.70 +/- 0.05] times and [9.51 +/- 1.52] micromol/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with a negative correlation between the level of Hcy and that of CO and HO-2 (P < 0.01). Compared with group B, the three parameters were all significantly increased in C ([14.37 +/- 0.47] micromol/L, [1.18 +/- 0.08] times and [10.36 +/- 1.56] micromol/L, all P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decreased expressions of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis may result in ED in HHcy rats. Betaine can reduce the Hcy level in the blood plasma and CO content in the corpus cavernosum, which might be one of the mechanisms of its action on ED with HHcy.</p>

[Effects of high- and low temperature stress on the leaf PSII functions and physiological characteristics of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa cv. 'Roufurong')].

Taking the detached leaves of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa cv. 'Roufurong') as test materials, this paper studied the effects of high temperature (40 degrees C) and low temperature (15 degrees C) stresses on the PS II functions and physiological characteristics of peony leaves under strong light intensity (1400 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)), with 25 degrees C as the control. With the increasing time of high- and low temperature stress, the maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), actual quantum yield of photosystem II (Phi(PS II)) , and efficiency of excitation capture of open PS II center (Fv'/Fm') all decreased continuously. After recovered in the dark for 4 hours, the Fv/Fm in treatments 15 degrees C and 25 degrees C quickly recovered, but that in treatment 40 degrees C only recovered to 75.5% of non-treatment, even if the leaves were treated in the dark for 15 hours. At 40 degrees C, the balance of excited energy between PS I and PS II under strong light intensity was perturbed seriously. Treatment 40 degrees C inhibited the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, enhanced the production of O2-, H2O2, and MDA, and reduced the contents of chlorophyll and soluble protein. This study revealed that strong light combined with high temperature impaired the photosynthetic apparatus of the tree peony irreversibly, whereas strong light plus low temperature had weaker impact.

Application of ultrasonic inspection in monitoring dynamic healing of mandibular fracture in rabbit model

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the feasibility of ultrasonic diagnosis for monitoring fracture healing.@*METHODS@#Thirty rabbit models with fraction of mandible body were established by surgically removing partial lower jawbone. At the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 12th week after the operation, they were examined by X-ray and ultrasound, respectively. All detection results were scored according to a generally accepted standard. Spearman rank correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between the results of the two inspection methods.@*RESULTS@#In each healing stage, the results of the ultrasonic inspection were basically consistent with those of the X-ray examination, as supported by a Spearman rank correlation coefficient of 0.892 (P<0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Non-invasive ultrasonic inspection can be used instead of X-ray examination to monitor and diagnose fracture healing.

Inflammation inhibitory effects of sirolimus and paclitaxel-eluting stents on interleukin-1β-induced coronary artery in-stent restenosis in pigs / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Coronary artery in-stent restenosis (ISR) and late stent thrombosis remain as important complications of stenting. The inflammation reactions to sirolimus and paclitaxel-eluting stents were investigated in a swine stenosis model induced by interleukin (IL)-1β.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mini pigs (n = 12; 2-3 months old and weighing 25-30 kg) were subjected to thoracotomy. Segments (10 mm) of the mid left anterior descending coronary artery and left circumflex coronary artery were exposed and aseptically wrapped with a cotton mesh soaked with IL-1β (5 µg). After 2 weeks, the animals were anesthetized and quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) was performed. The stenosis sites were randomized into three groups for stent insertion: a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) group (Firebird(TM), n = 7), a paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) group (TAXUS(TM), n = 9), and a bare-metal stent (BMS) group (YINYITM, Dalian Yinyi Biomaterials Development Co., Ltd, China, n = 8). The three different stents were randomly implanted into stenosis segments. Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), P-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was determined by reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>QCA showed severe stenosis in IL-1β treated segments. The SES and PES groups showed lower 1-month angiographic late lumen loss (LLL) within the stent and the lesion compared with BMS (P < 0.05) by follow-up QCA. The SES showed lower LLL than that of PES in reducing 1-month inflammation lesions in pigs by follow-up QCA ((0.15 ± 0.06) mm vs. (0.33 ± 0.01) mm, P < 0.0001). The neointimal hyperplasia areas in SES and PES showed lower than those of BMS (SES (11.6 ± 1.7) mm(2), PES (27.2 ± 1.6) mm(2) vs. BMS (76.2 ± 1.3) mm(2), P < 0.0001). The mRNA expression of MCP-1 by RT-PCR in SES and PES showed lower than that of BMS at 30 days after stenting (SES 0.20 ± 0.03, PES 0.48 ± 0.49 vs. BMS 0.58 ± 0.07, P < 0.05). Levels of VCAM-1 in SES were significantly lower than those of PES and BMS (SES 0.35 ± 0.08 vs. PES 0.65 ± 0.13, BMS 0.70 ± 0.06, P < 0.05). Histochemical immunostaining of vessel walls showed lower inflammatory chemokine MCP-1 expression in the SES and PES groups compared with BMS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SESs were superior in reducing 1-month angiographic LLL in inflammation lesions in pigs, strongly suggesting that SESs can suppress inflammatory reactions in ISR at multiple points.</p>

[Economic burden of inpatient of varicella in Shandong, Gansu and Hunan provinces, 2007].

OBJECTIVE: To analysis the economic burden of varicella inpatient in China, 2007. METHODS: In three provinces, the sample places stratified by economic status in district, county and township level and were selected. 185 varicella inpatients were sampled and analysized. RESULTS: The cost of inpatient was 4025.86 RMB per case, including RMB 2952.6 direct cost and RMB 1073.26 indirect cost per case. The total cost of varicella inpatient in China was RMB 103 million in 2007. CONCLUSION: The disease burden is heavy in China.

Damped oscillation in the NO+CO/Pt(100) reaction system.

Considering the influence of the surface defects formed in the surface restructuring phase transition in the CO+NO/Pt(100) reaction system, we propose a lattice gas model to investigate the damped oscillation in the high-temperature oscillatory regime by means of a Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation results show that the persistent oscillation can change into a damped one when the fraction of the defects increases. The production rate of CO2 is near to the maximum value when the oscillation is damped to the end. Furthermore, it is found, in the early stage of the oscillation, that the NO decomposition mainly occurs in the 1 x 1 phase and the hex phase is inactive for the reaction. However, as the reaction proceeds, defects are gradually formed in the 1 x 1 <==> hex phase transition, the hex phase becomes active and dominative for the NO decomposition, and then the oscillation becomes damping. The simulation results give an explanation for some previous experimental phenomena.