[A case of poisoning caused by head and face bite of Deinagkistrodon acutus].

Snake bites kill and maim many people every year. Head and face venomous snake bite is rare, easy to misdiagnose and miss diagnosis, and the fatality rate is high. In this paper, 1 case of head and face venomous snake bite poisoning was reported and 10 similar cases were reviewed. The clinical characteristics of head and face venomous snake bite poisoning were summarized to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Head and face venomous snake bites may lead to airway injury, edema, and airway obstruction is the main cause of early death. Timely intubation or tracheotomy to maintain oxygen supply and early use of antivenin can improve prognosis.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram for Predicting Incidence of Early Allograft Dysfunction Following Liver Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) is frequent complication post-liver transplantation and is closely related to recipient's mortality and morbidity. We sought to develop a nomogram for predicting incidence of EAD. METHODS: Based on multivariate analysis of donor, recipient, and operation data of 199 liver transplants from deceased donors between 2013 and 2015, we identified 5 significant risk factors for EAD to build a nomogram. The model was subjected to prospective validation with a cohort of 42 patients who was recruited between January and June 2016. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability were measured by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation was showed by the calibration curve. RESULTS: Incidence rate of EAD in the training set and validation cohort were 55.91% (104/199) and 54.76% (23/42), respectively. In the training set, according to the results of univariable and multivariable analysis, 5 independent risk factors including donor gender, donor serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level, donor serum urea level, donor comorbidities (respiratory, cardiac, and renal dysfunction), and recipient Model for End-stage Liver Disease score were identified and assembled into the nomogram. The AUC of internal validation using bootstrap resampling and prospective validation using the external cohort of 42 patients was 0.74 and 0.60, respectively. The calibration curves for probability of EAD showed acceptable agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. According to the score table, the probability of EAD was under 30% when the total point tally was under 72. But when the total was up to 139, the risk of EAD increased to 60%. CONCLUSION: We've established and validated a nomogram that can provide individual prediction of EAD for liver transplant recipients. The practical prognostic model may help clinicians to qualify the liver graft accurately, making a more reasonable allocation of organs.

Evaluation of luteinizing hormone regulation of maturation and apoptosis, expression of LHR and FSHR in cumulus-oocyte complexes in Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep.

The present study aimed to assess LH effects on in vitro maturation (IVM) and apoptosis and also to explore the gene expressions of LHR and FSHR in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) of the sheep. COCs were in vitro matured 24h in the IVM medium supplemented with varying concentrations of LH (0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 µg/mL). They were allocated into LH-1 (control group), LH-2, LH-3, LH-4 and LH-5 groups, respectively. FSH (10 IU/mL) addition was as a positive control (FSH group). COCs apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL. The qPCR and Western blotting were utilized to detect mRNA and protein expressions of FSHR and LHR, respectively. The results showed maturation rates of oocytes improved as LH concentration increased from 0 to 10 µg/mL (IU/mL), reaching a peak value of 44.3% in the LH-3 group. Maturation rate of LH-5 group was lower than that of LH-3 and FSH-treated groups. The lowest apoptosis rate was found in LH-3 group. The germinal vesicle break down (GVBD) rates of LH-2, LH-3 and LH-4 groups were also increased in comparison with that found in LH-1 group (control group). GVBD rate of LH-5 was lower than that in LH-3 group. The germinal vesicle (GV) rates in LH-3 and LH-4 groups were lower than those in LH-1 and LH-5 groups (p<0.05, or p<0.01). The lowest GV rate was found in LH-3 group. GV rates in LH-2, LH-4 and LH-5 groups were higher than that in FSH group (p<0.05). At hours 20, 22 and 24 after oocytes IVM, caspase-3 concentrations in four LH-treated groups were decreased in comparison with that in LH-1 group. At 24h, caspase-3 concentrations of LH-2 and LH-3 groups were lower than that in LH-1 group (p<0.05). Expression levels of FSHR and LHR mRNAs rose when LH concentrations in IVM medium increased. The greatest expressions of FSHR and LHR mRNAs were found in LH-5 and LH-3 groups (p<0.01) in comparison with those in the control group (LH-1). Meanwhile, FSHR mRNA expressions in LH-2, LH-3 and LH-4 groups were lower than that in FSH group (p<0.01 or p<0.05). Expression levels of FSHR proteins revealed no significant differences among all groups. Expression levels in LHR proteins were increased. LHR protein level in LH-2 group was higher than that in LH-1 group. In conclusion, LH treatment could promote the maturation rate and GVBD rate. LH reduced apoptosis rate, GV rate of sheep oocytes, and caspase-3 concentrations in IVM medium fluids and additionally enhanced expressions of FSHR and LHR mRNAs of sheep COCs.

Equine chorionic gonadotropin influence on sheep oocyte in vitro maturation, apoptosis, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor expression.

We assessed the effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM), apoptosis, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) expression and mRNA levels. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered from sheep ovaries and pooled in groups, before being cultured in IVM media containing varying eCG concentrations. Maturation and apoptosis rates were then calculated. Expression of FSHR, LHR, and GnRHR mRNA in oocytes was measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Protein levels were ascertained by western blotting. Matured oocytes displayed and released an intact first polar body. Sheep oocyte maturation rates gradually increased as eCG concentration was raised from 0 to 20 µg/mL. Apoptosis rates of eCG-treated oocytes were lower than those of the control group, and were lowest using 20 µg/mL eCG. FSHR, LHR, and GnRHR mRNA expression increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.05, respectively, compared to 0 µg/mL eCG) with eCG concentration, being highest following exposure to 20 µg/mL. FSHR and GnRHR protein levels were significantly higher in oocytes administered 20 µg/mL eCG compared with those matured in the absence of eCG. eCG dose positively correlated with FSHR, LHR, and GnRHR mRNA and protein expression. In conclusion, eCG enhances maturation and decreases apoptosis of oocytes undergoing IVM, and heightens FSHR, LHR, and GnRHR expression. Such increased expression may facilitate oocyte IVM. These findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of underlying hormonal control of sheep oocyte IVM, advancing ovine reproductive methods.

Effect of shockwave therapy on plantar fasciopathy. A biomechanical prospective.

It has been suggested that extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a safe and effective treatment for pain relief from recalcitrant plantar fasciopathy (PF). However, the changes in gait and associated biomechanical parameters have not been well characterised. We recruited 12 female patients with recalcitrant PF who had a mean age of 59 years (50 to 70) and mean body mass index of 25 kg/m(2) (22 to 30). The patients reported a mean duration of symptoms of 9.3 months (6 to 15). Shockwave therapy consisting of 1500 impulses (energy flux density 0.26 mJ/mm(2)) was applied for three sessions, each three weeks apart. A pain visual analogue scale (VAS) rating, plantar pressure assessment and motion analysis were carried out before and nine weeks after first shock wave therapy. It was demonstrated that patients increased their walking velocity and cadence as well indicating a decrease in pain after shockwave therapy. In the symptomatic foot, the peak contact pressure over the forefoot increased and the contact area over the digits decreased. The total foot impulse also decreased as did stance duration. The duration the centre of pressure remained in the hindfoot increased in the symptomatic foot after shockwave therapy. The differences in centre of pressure trajectory at baseline decreased at final follow-up. In conclusion, shockwave therapy not only decreased the pain VAS rating but also improved the gait parameters of the symptomatic foot in PF patients.

Epithelial growth within the lamellar interface after laser in situ keratomileusis.

We report on a case of 36-year-old man with excessive myopia and amblyopia who underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The surgery was performed smoothly, and visual acuity improved greatly. The patient was lost to follow-up in our clinic until 2 months later when he returned because of blurred vision. Epithelial growth within the lamellar interface was noted which disclosed white, plaquelike, confluent opacities within the lamellar interface on the visual axis. Topography showed an irregular astigmatism overlying the entrance to the pupil. The flap was lifted at the flap edge, but it was difficult to lift it around the area of epithelium growth within the lamellar interface under an operating microscope. The epithelial tightly adhered to the lamellar interface, so surgery was aborted because of the possibility of flap perforation. Prednisolone acetate 1% was used for one month, but the epithelial growth within the lamellar interface persisted. LASIK has the impressive potential to correct refractive errors. Epithelial growth within the interface after LASIK, although usually a benign complication, can lead to a poor outcome and even permanent vision loss.

NEXAFS study of 1-butanethiol adsorbed on Cu(111) and square root of 7 x square root of 7 R19.1 degrees S/Cu(111).

The adsorption of 1-butanethiol on Cu(111) and square root of 7 x square root of 7 R19.1 degrees S/Cu(111) surfaces has been studied by S K-edge near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and thermal desorption spectroscopy. Upon adsorption on clean Cu(111) surface at room temperature, butanethiolate as well as atomic sulfur is formed. For the butanethiolate, the S-C bond is found predominately perpendicular to the surface as revealed by polarization analysis. In contrast, on square root of 7 x square root of 7 R19.1 degrees S/Cu(111) surface, the S-H and S-C bonds of the butanethiol stay intact, resulting in a weakly chemisorbed butanethiol.

Functional recovery after brain lesion--contralateral neuromodulation: an fMRI study.

Behavioral recovery takes place even after permanent damage to the entire brain region normally controlling sensorimotor hind limb function in the rat. In our study, 2 weeks after full behavioral recovery from an experimental unilateral permanent brain damage, the topographic representation of the previous paretic hindlimb was investigated by fMRI. The analysis showed that during electrical stimulation of the previously paretic hindlimb, two normally inactive brain regions were now being activated. One region was the non-damaged contralateral sensori-motor cortex and the other region was located lateral to the lesion. These results suggest that behavioral recovery can be explained by functional reorganization and neuromodulation of the brain.

Endothelial cell loss induced by phacoemulsification occurs through apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Cornea endothelial cells are nondividing cells containing pumping function which is crucial for cornea clarity and integrity. Endothelial cell loss occurs after cataract surgical procedures such as phacoemulsification. The authors hypothesize that endothelium damage occurs through apoptosis. METHODS: Ultrasound was achieved by placing a phacoemulsification probe in the anterior chamber and delivering 0% or 50% of maximum power for 2.5 min. The corneal tissue was harvested immediately, and at 1 and 7 days after the operation. Corneal tissue was stained by hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) and evaluated by light microscopy. Endothelium apoptosis was monitored using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay to detect DNA fragmentation. RESULTS: In corneas which underwent phacoemulsification with 0% energy, no cell loss or apoptosis was identified immediately, 1 or 7 days after the operation. Likewise, in corneas exposed to 50% energy, no cell loss or apoptosis was detected immediately after phacoemulsification. However, minimal amount of cell loss but prominent apoptosis was detected with the TUNEL assay 1 day after the operation, whereas significant cell loss but no apoptosis was detected 7 days after the operation by H&E stain. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that corneal endothelial cell loss induced by ultrasound damage occurs through apoptosis.

Methanosarcina mazei strain O1M9704, methanogen with novel tubule isolated from estuarine environment.

A new methanogenic isolate, designated as strain O1M9704 (=OCM 667), was isolated from the sediment of the estuarine environment in Eriln Shi, Taiwan. This strain grew on trimethylamine and methanol, but it did not catabolize H2-CO2, acetate, or formate. Cells grew optimally at 37 degrees C with 0.5% NaCl in neutral pH. The cells were stained Gram-negative, nonmotile, irregular coccus 0.3-0.6 microm in diameter. A comparison of 16S rDNA sequences phylogenetically related strain O1M9704 to Methanosarcina mazei. Gas vacuoles were observed both under phase contrast microscope and in thin sections in the electron microscope. Negative stain of electron micrographs showed a novel character of strain O1M9704. with tubule structure extended out of the cells. The tubule structure and gas vacuoles may benefit the adaptation of methanoarchaea in estuarine environment.

Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effect of trilinolein: mediated by nitric oxide and cyclic GMP.

At concentrations ranged from 0.1 nM to 1 microM, trilinolein concentration-dependently relaxed the phenylephrine-induced constriction of isolated rat aorta. Concentration-response curves for the interaction between trilinolein and phenylephrine showed that trilinolein was unlikely a competitive antagonist of phenylephrine. The vasorelaxant effect of trilinolein was dependent on the presence of intact endothelium. Both NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and methylene blue antagonized this vasorelaxant effect. L-arginine partially reversed the effect of L-NAME on trilinolein. Linoleic acid had no vasorelaxant effect. We concluded that trilinolein is an endothelium dependent vasorelaxant and the underlying mechanism could be a stimulation of the nitric oxide and cyclic GMP pathway.

Trilinolein inhibits epinephrine-induced human platelet aggregation.

At concentrations ranging from 10(-9) to 10(-6) M, trilinolein inhibited epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. This inhibition was accompanied by reduced ATP release and thromboxane B2 formation. However, concentration-response curves for the interaction between trilinolein and epinephrine showed that trilinolein was unlikely a competitive antagonist of epinephrine. Platelet aggregation induced by collagen, thrombin, ADP or arachidonic acid was not inhibited. This study supported the theory that this type of triglyceride may have therapeutic potential but the definite mechanism for its effect remains to be answered.

Effect of lipid peroxidation on beating frequency of human sperm tail.

The tail beat frequency (TBF) of sperm was measured with a sperm-head fixation method which was based on the tendency of sperm to attach its head to the surface of a glass slide. Ferrous sulphate, a promotor of lipid peroxidation, inhibited TBF within 5 min of mixing with sperm. This inhibition can be reversed dose-dependently by superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and albumin. It was concluded that TBF could be a new pharmacological model for studying the effect of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant on sperm motility. Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants can be screened with this method.

Linoleate-rich triacylglycerol in Panax pseudo-ginseng improves erythrocyte deformability in vitro.

With Reid's filtration techniques as a bioassay for evaluating red blood cell (RBC) deformability, we purified from Panax pseudo-ginseng an active component that improved the deformability of calcium-loaded RBC. NMR and mass spectrometric studies showed that the purified substance was a triacylglycerol (TG) with linoleic acid as the major fatty acid residue in the esterified positions of glycerol. The mechanism for this TG to improve RBC deformability could be a modification of membrane fluidity rather than a competitive antagonism with calcium ion.

Effect of triacylglycerols on erythrocyte deformability in vitro.

With Reid's filtration technique as a bioassay for evaluating red blood cell (RBC) deformability, we found that tripalmitolein, triolein and trilinolein improved the deformability of calcium-loaded RBC while glycerol, linoleic acid, dilinoleoyl phosphatidyl choline, trilpalmitin, tristearin, trilinolenin and triarachidonin did not. Maximal effect of tripalmitolein, triolein and trilinolein was achieved at 10(-9), 10(-10) and 10(-8) M respectively. We propose that only those triacylglycerols which contain fatty acids with one or two double bonds could modify RBC membrane fluidity and improve RBC deformability.