RESUMO Utilizando um anticorpo monoclonal contra a aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) como ligante, foi identificado um mimotopo específico de aflatoxina B1 após se realizarem quatro ciclos de seleção biológica de 7-peptídeos aleatórios em biblioteca de fago exibida. O mimotopo é denominado P10, e sua sequência de aminoácidos é YRRHEKD. O soro imunológico de ratos Balb/c imunizados com P10 foi especificamente ligado à aflatoxina B1-albumina, indicando que o anticorpo era específico ao AFB1. Esses resultados sugerem que é possível desenvolver a vacina baseada em mimotopo associado à toxina.

In this study, a domestically advanced super-high heavy-hammer impact test machine system was used to perform horizontal impact tests on five 1/5 reduced scale models of stainless steel reinforced concrete piers with different ratios of longitudinal reinforcements. The impact velocity and force of the ship model, displacement of the specimen measurement point, reinforcement strain, cracks, and ultrasonic velocity data during the impact process were collected and analysed. The results showed that, under these test conditions, the increase of reinforcement ratio can improve the lateral impact resistance of reinforced concrete piers to a certain extent.

Carbonylation of nickel obtained by reduction of nickel oxide and selectively reduced Australian laterite ore was studied at temperatures of 80-100°C and CO gauge pressures of 0-56 atm. The effects of sulphur-containing catalysts on the nickel carbonylation were also examined. The results show that the extent of nickel carbonylation increased with increasing temperature from 80 to 100°C at constant CO pressure. The carbonylation of nickel at 100°C and CO gauge pressure 27 atm. was close to completion after 5.5 hours of reaction. At all temperatures, the effect of CO pressure was very strong when the gauge pressure was increased from zero to 14 atm. Sulphur-containing catalysts accelerated the carbonylation reaction. The time for complete carbonylation of nickel was reduced from 5.5 hours in the non-catalytic reaction to 2 hours in the catalytic carbonylation at 100°C and CO gauge pressure 14 atm. The extent of carbonylation of nickel from the selectively reduced laterite ore with particle size 53-200 μηι at 100°C and CO gauge pressure 41 atm. was below 50%. The use of catalysts in the carbonylation of selectively reduced ore was ineffective. The rate of reaction increased with decreasing particle size and increasing gas flow rate.

Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient for all living plants and plant production. Simultaneously, atmospheric nitrogen deposition also affects plant productivity at a global scale. However, few studies have investigated how plants respond to P addition while simultaneously considering N deposition. We investigated plant biomass, nutrient status and stoichiometric ratios on Potentilla tanacetifolia in response to P fertilization under contrasting N addition rates in a typical meadow steppe in Inner Mongol ia, China. Aboveground biomass of P. tanacetifolia increased under increasing levels of P fertilization under conditions of N addition. However, there was no significant change in biomass when only phosphorus was added. Plant leaf and stem P concentrations increased linearly with P addition when there was no N addition. Our results suggest that increased plant P nutrition under P addition will not turn into plant growth enhancement unless N demands are also satisfied. Nitrogen addition significantly increased leaf N concentrations, and leaf and seed N:P ratios, when there was no P fertilization. Nevertheless, the effects of N addition were weakened, and eventually disappeared when P fertilization rates increased. This indicates that N-induced alterations of the plant nutrition status and stoichiometric ratios were P availability-dependent. Overall, our results suggest that multiple-nutrient constraints and their interactions must be considered when assessing plant nutrient and growth responses to nutrient enrichment.

El fósforo es un macronutriente esencial para todas las plantas vivas y la producción vegetal. Simultáneamente, la deposición atmosférica de nitrógeno también afecta la productividad de las plantas a una escala global. Sin embargo, pocos estudios han investigado como responden las plantas a la adición de P mientras se considera la deposición atmosférica de N al mismo tiempo. Se investigaron la biomasa vegetal, el nivel de nutrientes y relaciones estequiométricas en Potentilla tanacetifolia en respuesta a la fertilización fosforada bajo varias tasas de adición de N en una estepa de pradera típica en el interior de Mongolia, China. La biomasa aérea de P. tanacetifolia se incrementó con mayores niveles de fertilización fosforada bajo condiciones de adición de N. Sin embargo, no hubo un cambio significativo en la biomasa cuando solo se agregó P. Las concentraciones de P en hoja y tallo se incrementaron linealmente con el agregado de P cuando no hubo adición de N. Nuestros resultados sugieren que una mayor nutrición fosforada a la planta bajo agregado de P no determinará un mejor crecimiento vegetal a menos que también sean satisfechas las demandas de N. El agregado de N incrementó significativamente las concentraciones de N foliares, y las relaciones N:P de la semilla y de las hojas, cuando no hubo fertilización fosforada. De todas maneras, los efectos de la adición de N fueron debilitados, y eventualmente desaparecieron, cuando se incrementaron las tasas de fertilización con P. Esto indica que las alteraciones inducidas por el N en el nivel de nutrición vegetal y las relaciones estequiométricas fueron dependientes de la disponibilidad de P. Nuestros resultados sugieren que limitaciones de varios nutrientes al mismo tiempo y sus interacciones deben ser consideradas cuando se estudian las respuestas de los nutrientes y del crecimiento de las plantas a un aumento en el nivel de nutrientes.

This paper presents a statistical analysis of coal mining safety which shows a positive relationship between technological innovation and the state of safety in Chinese coal mines. Fatalities per million tons, labour productivity, and fatalities per 10 000 exposure hours are the indicators used to analyse the situation of Chinese coal mining safety during the years 2001-2010. A correlation analysis is provided using Statistics Package for Social Science (SPSS). The results show that during this period, there was a positive correlation between technological development, financial investment in safety, and coal mine safety in China. The Huainan Mining Group is taken as an example to illustrate the improvement in coal mine safety due to technological development. Finally, some suggestions are proposed to further improve safety in Chinese coal mines from the perspective of risk assessment, an interdisciplinary approach, and safety culture.

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of diets supplemented with glucose oxidase (GOD) on growth performance, serum parameters and faecal microflora of piglets. One hundred and twelve piglets (35 days old) were randomly assigned to two groups (four replicates per group, half male and half female, and 14 piglets per replicate) and fed a diet with or without 100 U GOD per kg, for 35 days. Feeding GOD caused a higher average daily weight gain and feed intake, and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) of piglets. No significant difference was observed in the reference values of serum biochemical parameters between the groups fed with or without GOD. The contents of triiodothyronine, thyroxine and growth hormone of piglets fed GOD were higher than those of the control. Moreover, GOD supplementation suppressed the concentration of faecal Salmonella. The results showed that supplementation of GOD to diets promoted growth performance, increased the contents of growth and development-related hormones, and improved the faecal microflora of growing piglets.

This study aimed to determine whether psychological factors affect health-related quality of life (HRQL) and recovery of knee function in total knee replacement (TKR) patients. A total of 119 TKR patients (male: 38; female: 81) completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-revised (EPQR-S), Knee Society Score (KSS), and HRQL (SF-36). At 1 and 6 months after surgery, anxiety, depression, and KSS scores in TKR patients were significantly better compared with those preoperatively (P<0.05). SF-36 scores at the sixth month after surgery were significantly improved compared with preoperative scores (P<0.001). Preoperative Physical Component Summary Scale (PCS) and Mental Component Summary Scale (MCS) scores were negatively associated with extraversion (E score) (B=-0.986 and -0.967, respectively, both P<0.05). Postoperative PCS and State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores were negatively associated with neuroticism (N score; B=-0.137 and -0.991, respectively, both P<0.05). Postoperative MCS, SAI, Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI), and BAI scores were also negatively associated with the N score (B=-0.367, -0.107, -0.281, and -0.851, respectively, all P<0.05). The KSS function score at the sixth month after surgery was negatively associated with TAI and N scores (B=-0.315 and -0.532, respectively, both P<0.05), but positively associated with the E score (B=0.215, P<0.05). The postoperative KSS joint score was positively associated with postoperative PCS (B=0.356, P<0.05). In conclusion, for TKR patients, the scores used for evaluating recovery of knee function and HRQL after 6 months are inversely associated with the presence of negative emotions.

Although radical nephrectomy alone is widely accepted as the standard of care in localized treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), it is not sufficient for the treatment of metastatic RCC (mRCC), which invariably leads to an unfavorable outcome despite the use of multiple therapies. Currently, sequential targeted agents are recommended for the management of mRCC, but the optimal drug sequence is still debated. This case was a 57-year-old man with clear-cell mRCC who received multiple therapies following his first operation in 2003 and has survived for over 10 years with a satisfactory quality of life. The treatments given included several surgeries, immunotherapy, and sequentially administered sorafenib, sunitinib, and everolimus regimens. In the course of mRCC treatment, well-planned surgeries, effective sequential targeted therapies and close follow-up are all of great importance for optimal management and a satisfactory outcome.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to report on our last nine years’ experience in the diagnosis and treatment of retrocaval ureter. Methods: Eight patients with retrocaval ureter were reviewed. Intravenous urography and retrograde pyelography were used for confirming the diagnosis. All of the patients had undergone surgery, one case being done laparoscopically. The mean age of the patients was 9.2 years (range 2 to 13 years). Results: Five patients were boys and three were girls. The clinical manifestations were right flank pain in three (37.5%), gross haematuria in one (12.5%), and urinary tract infection in one (12.5%). Three asymptomatic patients were diagnosed by routine physical examination. All of the patients had Type 2 and right-sided retrocaval ureter. Associated anomalies were seen in none of the patients. Retrocaval ureter is a rare anomaly in the paediatric age group. Conclusion: Laparoscopy is a promising method to repair the retrocaval ureter.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es reportar nuestra experiencia sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del uréter retrocavo en los nueve últimos años. Métodos: Se examinaron ocho pacientes con uréter retrocavo. A fin de confirmar el diagnóstico, se usaron la urografía intravenosa y la pielografía retrógrada. Todos los pacientes habían sido intervenidos quirúrgicamente, y una de las intervenciones fue realizada mediante laparoscopía. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 9.2 años (rango de 2 a 13 años). Resultados: Cinco pacientes eran varones y tres eran niñas. Las manifestaciones clínicas fueron: dolor en el flanco derecho en tres (37.5%), hematuria macroscópica en uno (12.5%), e infección urinaria en uno (12.5%). Tres pacientes asintomáticos fueron diagnosticados mediante examen físico de rutina. Todos los pacientes tenían uréter retrocavo derecho tipo 2. No se observaron anomalías asociadas en ninguno de los pacientes. El uréter retrocavo es una anomalía rara en el grupo de edad pediátrica. Conclusión: La laparoscopia es un método prometedor para la reparación del uréter retrocavo.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the vitreous level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) in diabetic rats, and to explore the role of VEGF and KDR in diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Eighty-four adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. Fifty-eight rats in group A were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin to induce diabetes and 20 rats in group B were injected with physiological saline. Blood glucose meter was used to detect the blood glucose level at 72 hours after injection; blood glucose level >16.67 mmol/L was considered to be successful modelling. Blood glucose level was assayed and body mass was measured on the same modelling day, one week, two weeks and four weeks after modelling. Four weeks after modelling, the vitreous was taken and the VEGF and KDR levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The eyeballs were fixed with paraform and embedded by petrolin for haematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining. RESULTS: Forty-two rats survived and 16 rats died in group A. No rats died in group B. The blood glucose at one week, two weeks and four weeks between the two groups had statistical differences (p < 0.05). The weight at one week and two weeks between the two groups was not different but there was statistical difference at four weeks between the two groups (p < 0.01). The ELISA results showed that the VEGF and KDR levels were 0.276 ± 0.026 ng/mL and 2.936 ± 0.295 ng/mL in group A, 0.231 ± 0.021 ng/mL and 2.394 ± 0.227 ng/mL in group B, respectively. The VEGF and KDR levels of group A were higher than those of group B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The changes of VEGF and KDR levels in the vitreous of diabetic rats were related to the early retinopathy induced by diabetes.

OBJETIVO: Investigar el nivel vítreo del factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular (FCEV) y receptor con dominio inserto-quinasa (KDR) en ratas diabéticas, y explorar el papel de FCEV y KDR en la retinopatía diabética. MÉTODOS: Ochenta y cuatro ratas adultas Wistar fueron divididas aleatoriamente en dos grupos. A cincuenta y ocho ratas en el grupo A se les inyectó estreptozotocinapor vía intraperitonealpara inducir diabetes, mientras que a 20 ratas en el grupo B se les inyectó una solución salina fisiológica. Se usó un medidor de glucosa en sangre para detectar el nivel de glucosa en sangre a las 72 horas después de la inyección. Un nivel de glucosa en sangre > 16.67 mmol/L se consideró como un modelo exitoso. Se analizó el nivel de glucosa en sangre, y se midió la masa corporal en el mismo día del modelado, y una semana, dos semanas, y cuatro semanas después del modelado. Cuatro semanas después del modelado, se tomó el humor vítreo, y los niveles de FCEV y KDR fueron detectados mediante ensayo por inmunoabsorción ligado a enzimas (ELISA). Los globos oculares fueron fijados con para formaldehido e incrustados por petrolin para tinción (H & E) hematoxilina-eosina. RESULTADOS: Cuarenta y dos ratas sobrevivieron y 16 ratas murieron en el grupo A. Ninguna de las ratas en el grupo B murió. La glucosa en la sangre a la semana, las dos semanas, y las cuatro semanas entre los dos grupos tuvo diferencias estadísticas (p < 0.05). El peso a la semana y a las dos semanas entre los dos grupos no fue diferente, pero hubo diferencia estadística a las cuatro semanas entre los dos grupos (p < 0.01). Los resultados de ELISA mostraron que los niveles de FCEV y KDR fueron 0.276 ± 0.026 ng/mLy 2.936 ± 0.295 ng/mL en el grupo A, 0.231 ± 0.021 ng/mL y 2.394 ± 0.227 ng/mL en el grupo B, respectivamente. Los niveles de FCEV y KDR del grupo A fueron superiores a los del grupo B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONES: Los cambios de nivel FCEV y KDR en el humor vítreo de las ratas diabéticas estaban asociados con la retinopatía temprana inducida por diabetes.

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.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision in the treatment of advanced rectal cancer in a randomised population. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2005, 125 patients (70 males, 55 females, mean age 55.5 (standard deviation (SD) 11) years, range 25 - 81 years) with rectal cancer were evaluated and prospectively followed up in our hospital (mean follow-up 42 (SD 23 months, range 5 - 113 months). The 5-year overall survival rate, 5-year disease-free survival rate and recurrence rate were analysed. RESULTS: There were 54 cases of cancer defined as UICC stage II and 68 cases defined as stage III. Of these cases, 22 were localised to the upper rectum, 50 to the middle rectum and 53 to the lower rectum. The 5-year overall survival rates were 71.3% and 51% among the stage II and the stage III patients, respectively. The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 59.2% and 45.4% among the stage II and the stage III cancer patients, respectively. The overall recurrence rate was 16.8% (local recurrence rate 11.25%, distant recurrence rate 8%). Multivariate analysis showed that age and size were independent predictors of overall survival (p=0.006 and p<0.001 for stage II and stage III patients, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest good long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of rectal cancer. However, this technique should be used with caution in older patients and patients with larger tumours.

The degradation of cephalexin in aqueous solution under ultrasound irradiation was investigated. Biodegradability of the solution was evaluated by the BOD5/COD ratio, which was raised from zero to 0.36 after ultrasound treatment, indicating that the ultrasound irradiation process is a successful pre-treatment step to improve the biodegradability of cephalexin solution. The influences of ultrasound power and pH value on the degradation of cephalexin were studied. It was found that the optimal ultrasound power for cephalexin degradation in the system was 200 W and the rate of cephalexin degradation was maximal in the pH range of 6.5 to 8.5. The degradation kinetics of cephalexin in aqueous solution under various operational conditions was also investigated. It was found that the degradation of cephalexin follows a pseudo-first order kinetics.

Cryptosporidium parvum is the most frequent parasitic agent that causes diarrhoea in AIDS patients in Thailand. Cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in humans may be attributed to contamination of their drinking water from infected dairy pastures. A 23-kDa glycoprotein of C. parvum (CpP23) is a sporozoite surface protein that is geographically conserved among C. parvum isolates. This glycoprotein is a potentially useful candidate antigen for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Therefore, we investigated the seroprevalence of C. parvum infection in dairy cows in northern Thailand using an ELISA based on recombinant CpP23 antigen. Sera were randomly collected from 642 dairy cows of 42 small-holder farmers, which had the top three highest number of the dairy cows' population in Northern Thailand, that included Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Lumpang provinces. The overall seroprevalence of the infection was 4.4 %, and the seropositive rates for the three provinces were 3.3 % in Chiang Mai, 5.1 % in Chiang Rai and 3 % in Lumpang. These results suggest that cattle could play a role in zoonotic cryptosporidiosis in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to describe behavioural problems encountered in a group of Dominican children living with Human Immunodeficency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the Dominican Republic. They were not receiving antiretroviral treatment. METHOD: The participants were 43 children with HIV infection (2 to 8 years of age) who were attending an immunology clinic in the largest paediatric hospital in the Dominican Republic. All of the participants were vertically infected with the HIV virus (mother-to-child transmission) and had a very low socio-economic status. The children’s caregivers were administered the Child Behavioural Checklist (CBCL) by trained psychologists to determine the caregivers’ perception of the children’s behavioural problems. Behavioural findings were examined according to the CBCL age format: younger children (under 5 years of age) and older children (over 6 years of age). RESULTS: Descriptive statistics revealed a high proportion of the children, both younger (approximately 40%) and older (46%) scored in the borderline/clinical ranges for internalizing problems, including anxiety, withdrawn-depressed and somatic complaints. In addition, 46% of the older children were perceived as having externalizing problems (rule breaking and aggressive behaviour). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a high incidence of behavioural and mood problems may be prevalent among Dominican children with HIV. The findings are discussed in terms of future research to examine other risk factors that might contribute to the high rate of maladaptive behaviours observed in the present report, including the contribution of socio-economic status, caregiver illness, caregiver education and parental loss.

OBJETIVO: El propósito de este reporte es describir los problemas conductuales hallados en un grupo de niños dominicanos que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana/síndrome de la inmunodeficiencia humana adquirida (VIH/AIDS) en República Dominicana, sin recibir tratamiento antiretroviral. MÉTODO: Los participantes fueron 43 niños (de 2 a 8 años de edad) infectados por el VIH, que asistían a una clínica inmunológica en el mayor hospital pediátrico de la República Dominicana. Todos los participantes estaban verticalmente infectados por el virus del VIH (transmisión de madre a hijo), y tenían un estatus socioeconómico bajo. Con el propósito de determinar la percepción que los encargados del cuidado de los niños tenían de los problemas conductuales de estos, psicólogos profesionales aplicaron a los cuidadores infantiles el instrumento conocido como la Lista de Control de la Conducta del Niño (CBCL). Los hallazgos conductuales fueron examinados de conformidad con el formato de edad de la CBCL: niños menores (por debajo de los 5 años de edad) y niños mayores (más de 6 años de edad). RESULTADOS: Las estadísticas descriptivas revelaron que una alta proporción de niños, tanto menores (aproximadamente 40%) como mayores (46%), alcanzaron puntuaciones en los rangos clínicos/límites de problemas de internalización, incluyendo ansiedad, depresión con retraimiento, y quejas somáticas. Además, del 46% de los niños mayores se tuvo la percepción de que tenían problemas de externalización (rompimiento de las reglas y comportamiento agresivo). CONCLUSIÓN: Estos hallazgos sugieren que prevalece una alta incidencia de problemas conductuales y anímicos entre los niños dominicanos con VIH. Los hallazgos se discuten en término de una investigación futura a fin de examinar otros factores de riesgo que podrían estar contribuyendo a la alta tasa de comportamientos maladaptativos observados en el reporte presente, incluyendo la contribución del estatus socioeconómico, la enfermedad de los propios cuidadores, la educación de los cuidadores y la pérdida de los padres.