Abstract In the water-deficient area, river-changed ponds are common and vital for aquatic species. This paper studies the relationship between the environmental factors and the benthic invertebrate communities in varying ponds under river habitat modifications (RHM). For analysis, numerous samples are collected from river-changed ponds in Beijing, China. These ponds are classified into five types, including totally reinforced ponds, channel reinforced ponds, bank reinforced ponds, natural ponds, and restored ponds. Results indicate: 1) the biodiversity of benthic invertebrates is dependent strongly on the pond type; 2) habitat quality explains a considerable amount of variations in benthic invertebrate communities, and RHM show strong power in explaining variations in habitat quality; 3) RHM on the pond bank has stronger impact on the habitat quality than that on the pond bottom. These findings suggest that RHM can affect the benthic invertebrate community through changing habitat quality. And we suggest that ecological restoration of pond bank should be a useful way to improve invertebrate biodiversity for rive-changed ponds in Beijing.

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) biological patch for abdominal wall reconstruction and in the treatment of infant and neonatal giant omphalocoele as well as other large abdominal wall defects. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the surgical use of an ADM biological patch for reconstructing the abdominal wall was performed. Eleven infants with giant omphalocoele, one with an iatrogenic large abdominal wall defect, and one with a large abdominal wall hernia were treated by filling the abdominal wall defect with the biological patch and expanding the abdominal cavity volume to avoid sharply increased pressure after the direct suture closure of the abdominal incision. This procedure obtained good results. Results: Infants with giant omphalocoele had good results in 10 of 11 cases (the parents of one patient ended treatment). One infant with an iatrogenic abdominal wall defect and one with a large abdominal wall hernia had good results; at follow-up, neither infant has had complications. Conclusion: Large abdominal wall defects in neonates and infants can be reconstructed by ADM patches with good results.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la viabilidad del uso del parche de matriz dérmica acelular (MDA) biológico para la reconstrucción de la pared abdominal y el tratamiento de onfaloceles gigantes, así como otros defectos de la pared abdominal en infantes y neonatos. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo del uso quirúrgico del parche biológico de MDA para reconstruir la pared abdominal. Once infantes con onfalocele, uno con un defecto iatrogénico grande de la pared abdominal, y otro con una hernia grande de la pared abdominal, fueron tratados rellenando el defecto de la pared abdominal con el parche biológico y ampliando el volumen de la cavidad abdominal, para evitar un aumento agudamente considerable de la presión tras el cierre de la sutura directa de la incisión abdominal. Este procedimiento dio buenos resultados. Resultados: Los infantes con onfalocele gigante tuvieron buenos resultados en 10 de los 11 casos (los padres de un paciente dieron por terminado el tratamiento). Un niño con defecto iatrogénico de la pared abdominal y uno con una hernia grande de la pared abdominal tuvieron buenos resultados. En el seguimiento, ninguno de los niños tuvo complicaciones. Conclusión: Los defectos grandes de la pared abdominal en recién nacidos y niños pequeños pueden ser reconstruidos con parches de MDA con buenos resultados.

Recent evidence indicates that a deficiency of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) may influence asthma pathogenesis; however, its roles in regulating specific molecular transcription mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the expression and enzyme activity of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and its synergistic effects with dexamethasone (Dx) in the inhibition of inflammatory cytokine secretion in a rat asthma model. Healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, asthma, 1,25(OH)2D3 pretreatment, 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment, Dx treatment, and Dx and 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Pulmonary inflammation was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge (OVA/OVA). Inflammatory cells and cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and histological changes in lung tissue were examined. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and HDAC2 expression levels were assessed with Western blot analyses and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Enzyme activity measurements and immunohistochemical detection of HDAC2 were also performed. Our data demonstrated that 1,25(OH)2D3 reduced the airway inflammatory response and the level of inflammatory cytokines in BAL. Although NF-κB p65 expression was attenuated in the pretreatment and treatment groups, the expression and enzyme activity of HDAC2 were increased. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 and Dx had synergistic effects on the suppression of total cell infusion, cytokine release, and NF-κB p65 expression, and they also increased HDAC2 expression and activity in OVA/OVA rats. Collectively, our results indicated that 1,25(OH)2D3 might be useful as a novel HDAC2 activator in the treatment of asthma.

ABSTRACT Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is recommended as the second-line option for variceal bleeding in liver cirrhosis patients when the bleeding is not well controlled by medical and/or endoscopic therapy. However, due to a high incidence of post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy, particularly in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), TIPS is rarely used in such cases. We report a case involving the successful and safe use of TIPS combined with haemoperfusion to treat an ESRD patient with liver cirrhosis-related refractory portal hypertensive variceal bleeding. Our case suggests the possibility of inserting TIPS to stop recurrent variceal bleeding in ESRD patients with liver cirrhosis. Haemoperfusion may be used to reduce the risk of post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy.

RESUMEN La derivación portosistémica intrahepática transyugular (DPIT) se recomienda como la opción de segunda línea para el sangramiento variceal en los pacientes de cirrosis hepática, cuando el sangrado no es bien controlado por tratamiento médico y/o endoscópico. Sin embargo, debido a la alta incidencia de la encefalopatía hepática post-DPIT, particularmente en pacientes con enfermedad renal en etapa terminal (ERET), DPIT es raramente utilizada en estos casos. Reportamos un caso que implica el uso exitoso y seguro de DPIT combinado con hemoperfusión para tratar a un paciente de ERET con sangramiento variceal refractario por hipertensión portal relacionado con cirrosis hepática. Nuestro caso sugiere la posibilidad de insertar DPIT para detener el sangrado recurrente por várices en los pacientes de ERET con cirrosis hepática. La hemoperfusión puede utilizarse para reducir el riesgo de encefalopatía hepática post-DPIT.

The use of conceptual scheme evaluation is a key step in the development of new products. In this paper, a multi-dimensional evaluation method that involves subjective evaluation, eye-tracking, and product image evaluation is established. In this study, subjective evaluation is used to test customers' initial reactions to conceptual schemes, and eye-tracking is used to highlight the features of conceptual schemes that are most attractive to customers. With the help of Kansei engineering, the most attractive features of a particular product are described and clarified from the product image evaluation. This multidimensional method can be applied not only in screening conceptual schemes, but also in exploring the reasons and suggestions for product improvement. The method was assessed in this study through a case study evaluation of conceptual design schemes for a mobile phone.

Die gebruik van konseptuele skema beoordeling is ‘n sleutel stap in die ontwikkel van nuwe produkte. ‘n Multidimensionele beoordelingsmetode, wat subjektiewe beoordeling, die volg van oog beweging en produk beeld beoordeling behels, is ontwikkel. Subjektiewe beoordeling word gebruik om kliënte se aanvanklike reaksies op konseptuele skemas te toets. Die volg van oog beweging word gebruik om die mees aantreklike eienskappe van konseptuele skemas uit te lig. Met die hulp van Kansei ingenieurswese word die mees aantreklike eienskappe van ‘n spesifieke produk beskryf en duidelik gemaak vanuit die produk beeld beoordeling. Hierdie multidimensionele metode kan ook toegepas word in die motiverings en aanbevelings vir produk verbetering. Dié metode is beoordeel deur ‘n gevallestudie van konseptuele ontwerpskemas van ‘n selfoon.

Recent evidence shows that moxifloxacin could exert an antimicrobial effect against Helicobacter pylori in both in vitroand in vivo models. To systematically evaluate whether moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy could improve eradication rates and reduce side effects in first-line or second-line anti-H. pyloritreatment, eligible articles were identified by searches of electronic databases. We included all randomized trials comparing moxifloxacin-based triple therapy with standard triple or quadruple therapy during H. pylori eradication treatment. Statistical analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.0.10. Subanalysis/sensitivity analysis was also performed. We identified seven randomized trials (n=1263). Pooled H. pylori eradication rates were 79.03% (95%CI: 75.73-82.07) and 68.33% (95%CI: 64.44-72.04) for patients with moxifloxacin-based triple therapy or with standard triple or quadruple therapy, respectively (intention-to-treat analysis). The odds ratio (OR) was 1.82 (95%CI: 1.17-2.81), the occurrence of total side effects was 15.23% (95%CI: 12.58-18.20) and 27.17% (95%CI: 23.64-30.92) for groups with or without moxifloxacin, and the summary OR was 0.45 (95%CI: 0.26-0.77). In subgroup analyses, we noted that the second-line eradication rate in the moxifloxacin group was significantly higher than that in the quadruple therapy group (73.33 vs 60.17%, OR: 1.78, 95%CI: 1.16-2.73, P<0.001). However, there was no difference in first-line eradication treatment. Findings from this meta-analysis suggest that moxifloxacin-based triple therapy is more effective and better tolerated than standard triple or quadruple therapy. Therefore, a moxifloxacin-based triple regimen should be used in the second-line treatment of H. pylori infection.

The ex vivo antioxidation activity of polysaccharide extracted from the red seaweed Porphyra yezoensis was studied by systematically measuring and analyzing the scavenging efficiencies on the free radicals O-2·, -OH and DPPH, and the inhibitory effects on the hemolysis in mouse erythrocytes induced by H2O2 and on lipid peroxidation in mouse liver homogenates. The results show that Porphyra polysaccharide, in the experimental concentration range, possessed antioxidation activity. The scavenging efficiency for O-2· was found to be remarkably high and the maximum scavenging rate was 82.77%. The scavenging efficiency for ·OH was even higher than for O-2·, with a maximum removing rate of 85.63%, whereas for DPPH it was 13.97%. The inhibitory effects on mouse erythrocyte hemolysis and malondialdehyde formation in mouse liver were significant, with maximum inhibition rates of 82.90% and 58.48%, respectively. The combined data indicate that the polysaccharide extracted from Porphyra has strong antioxidation activity.

Se estudió la actividad antioxidante de polisacáridos extraidos del alga roja Porphyra yezoensis. Se midió y analizó sistemáticamente su eficiencia para eliminar los radicales libres O-2·, -OH y DPPH, y sus efectos inhibitorios en la hemólisis inducida por H2O2 en eritrocitos de ratón, así como en la peroxidación lipídica en homogeneizado de hígado de ratón. Los resultados sugieren que el polisacárido de Porphyra, en el intervalo de concentración experimental, presentó actividad antioxidante. La eficiencia de eliminación para O-2· resultó notablemente alta, con una tasa máxima de 82.77%. La eficiencia para eliminar el radical ·OH fue aún mayor, con una tasa máxima de 85.63%, mientras que para eliminar DPPH fue de 13.97%. Los efectos inhibitorios en la hemólisis de eritrocitos de ratón y en la formación de malondialdehído en el hígado de ratón fueron significativos, con tasas máximas de inhibición de 82.90% y 58.48%, respectivamente. Estos resultados en su conjunto indican que los polisacáridos extraídos de Porphyra tienen una fuerte actividad antioxidante.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and mast cells are believed to play important roles in allergic inflammation. However, their contributions to the pathogenesis of human asthma have not been clearly established. Significant progress has been made recently in our understanding of airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness through studies of murine models of asthma and genetically engineered mice. Some of the studies have provided significant insights into the role of IgE and mast cells in the allergic airway response. In these models mice are immunized systemically with soluble protein antigens and then receive an antigen challenge through the airways. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mice with allergic airway inflammation contains significant amounts of IgE. The IgE can capture the antigen presented to the airways and the immune complexes so formed can augment allergic airway response in a high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI)-dependent manner. Previously, there were conflicting reports regarding the role of mast cells in murine models of asthma, based on studies of mast cell-deficient mice. More recent studies have suggested that the extent to which mast cells contribute to murine models of asthma depends on the experimental conditions employed to generate the airway response. This conclusion was further supported by studies using FcepsilonRI-deficient mice. Therefore, IgE-dependent activation of mast cells plays an important role in the development of allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice under specific conditions. The murine models used should be of value for testing inhibitors of IgE or mast cells for the development of therapeutic agents for human asthma.