Abstract In this study, the effects of degradation on ascorbic acid (AA) in asparagus-lemon juice with different blending ratios were investigated during storage. The R2 values of the first-order kinetic model for predicting AA loss were 0.8216-0.9990, indicating that the model described well the degradation of AA in asparagus-lemon juice with different blending ratios. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the blending ratio of asparagus-lemon juice during storage. The optimum blending ratios that selected by the RSM were: 23%, 26%, 27%, 28% and 29% of diluted asparagus juice blended with 85% of diluted lemon juice, and the desirability were 0.820. The RSM correlation coefficients (R2) between experimental and model predicted values ranged from 0.6394 to 0.9975. Therefore, RSM and the first-order model may be effective tools to optimize the blending ratio of blended juice and AA degradation in juices.

This work presented a new PEG modified calix[4]arene stationary phase (C4A-PEG-2PTSC) for gas chromatographic (GC) separations. The statically coated C4A-PEG-2PTSC column exhibited moderate polarity and column efficiency of 2224 plates m-1 determined by 1-octanol at 120 oC. The results showed that the C4A-PEG-2PTSC column exhibited the good separation performance for various types of analytes containing halogenated benzenes, benzaldehydes, phenols, alcohols, anilines isomers and showed the different retention behavior with the comparative columns. Importantly, it showed the better separation capacity of toluidine and xylidine isomers than commercial HP-35 column. Moreover, it was applied in practical sample analysis to detect the content of isomer impurities. This work exhibited the good application potential of C4A-PEG-2PTSC stationary phase in GC analyses.

Abstract Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a polypeptide growth factor with various biological activities. Recent studies have shown that this growth factor and they receptors are expressed in human Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and sperm cells after birth, and are involved in the endocrine regulation of spermatogenesis. However, there is no report on the expression of TGF-β in human embryonic testis. TGF-β1 is a peptide growth factor widely distributed in germ cells at various levels in the testis, regulating the function of the testes and maintaining the stability of the testis environment by acting on various cells. This review summarizes the research progress of TGF-β1 in human testis.

SUMMARY: Lumbar disc herniation is considered to be the main pathological factor for the common clinical disease of low back pain. Biomechanical factor is an important cause of lumbar disc herniation, so it is urgent to analyze the stress/strain behavior of intervertebral disc under different loading condition. Slow repetitive loading is considered to be an important factor of spine and disc injuries, and the effect of fatigue load on internal displacement in the intervertebral disc was investigated by applying the optimized digital image correlation technique in this study. The first finding was that fatigue load had a significant effect on the displacement distribution in the intervertebral disc under compression. Superficial AF exhibited the largest axial displacements before fatigue load, while it exhibited the smallest axial displacements after fatigue load. Inner AF exhibited slightly smaller radial displacements than outer AF before fatigue load, while it exhibited significantly greater radial displacements than outer AF displacements after fatigue load. The second finding was that fatigue load had a certain effect on the internal displacement distribution in the flexed intervertebral disc under compression. Middle AF exhibited the smallest axial displacements before fatigue load, while deep AF exhibited the smallest axial displacements after fatigue load. The radial displacement distribution did not change before and after fatigue load, as the radial displacement in outer AF was the smallest, while the radial displacement in inner AF was the largest. The third finding was that with the increase in fatigue time and amplitude, the Young's modulus of the intervertebral disc increased significantly. This study can provide the basis for clinical intervertebral disc disease prevention and treatment? and is important for mechanical function evaluation of artificial intervertebral disc as well.

RESUMEN: La hernia de disco lumbar se considera el principal factor patológico para la enfermedad clínica común del dolor lumbar. El factor biomecánico es una causa importante de hernia de disco lumbar, por lo que es urgente analizar el comportamiento de esfuerzo / tensión del disco intervertebral bajo diferentes condiciones de carga. La carga repetitiva lenta se considera un factor importante de lesiones de columna y disco, y en este estudio el efecto de la carga de fatiga sobre el desplazamiento interno en el disco intervertebral se investigó mediante la aplicación de la técnica de correlación de imagen digital optimizada. El primer hallazgo fue que la carga de fatiga tuvo un efecto significativo en la distribución del desplazamiento en el disco intervertebral bajo compresión. El AF superficial exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más grandes antes de la carga de fatiga, mientras que exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más pequeños después de la carga de fatiga. El AF interno exhibió desplazamientos radiales ligeramente más pequeños que el AF externo antes de la carga de fatiga, mientras que exhibió desplazamientos radiales significativamente mayores que los desplazamientos AF externos después de la carga de fatiga. El segundo hallazgo fue que la carga de fatiga tenía un cierto efecto sobre la distribución del desplazamiento interno en el disco intervertebral flexionado bajo compresión. El AF medio exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más pequeños antes de la carga de fatiga, mientras que el AF profundo exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más pequeños después de la carga de fatiga. La distribución del desplazamiento radial no cambió antes ni después de la carga de fatiga, ya que el desplazamiento radial en la FA externa fue el más pequeño, mientras que el desplazamiento radial en la FA interna fue el más grande. El tercer hallazgo fue que con el aumento del tiempo de fatiga y la amplitud, el módulo de Young del disco intervertebral aumentó significativamente. Este estudio puede proporcionar la base para la prevención y el tratamiento clínico de la enfermedad del disco intervertebral, y también es importante para la evaluación de la función mecánica del disco intervertebral artificial.

Resumo Esse relato apresenta um caso de neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional após mola hidatiforme parcial ocorrida na tuba uterina. Trata-se de uma associação rara, cuja incidência estima-se de 1 em cada 20.000 a 100.000 gestações, havendomenos de 300 casos apresentados na literatura ocidental. O tema é importante porque apresenta critérios diagnósticos atuais para essa ocorrência incomum, que vinha sendo diagnosticada equivocadamente, não apenas sob o ponto de vista morfológico, como também imunohistoquímico. Da mesma forma, alerta o obstetra para a ocorrência da gravidez molar ectópica, que tende a evoluir com rotura tubária mais frequentemente do que os casos de gravidez ectópica não molar. Por fim, a evolução do caso para neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional impõe às pacientes com gravidez ectópica molar a necessidade de seguimento pós-molar tão rigoroso quanto nos casos de mola hidatiforme intrauterina, ainda que o tratamento quimioterápico determine elevadas taxas de cura.

Abstract This report presents the case of a patient with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia after a partial hydatidiform mole formed in the Fallopian tube. Ectopic molar pregnancy is a rare condition, with an estimated incidence of 1 in every 20,000 to 100,000 pregnancies; less than 300 cases of it have been reported in the Western literature. The present report is important because it presents current diagnostic criteria for this rare condition, which has been incorrectly diagnosed in the past, not only morphologically but also immunohistochemically. It also draws the attention of obstetricians to the occurrence of ectopic molar pregnancy, which tends to progress to Fallopian tube rupture more often than in cases of ectopic non-molar pregnancy. Progression to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia ensures that patients with ectopic molar pregnancy must undergo postmolar monitoring, which must be just as thorough as that of patients with intrauterine hydatidiform moles, even if chemotherapy results in high cure rates.

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar o efeito da fumaça de cigarro sobre a produção e caracterização de exopolissacarídeos (EPSs) produzidos por Bifidobacterium. Os cigarros de marca Shanhua (nicotina: 1,1 mg, alcatrão: 11 mg) foram utilizados para preparar um condensado de fumaça de cigarro (CSC). A cepa padrão de Bifidobacterium animalis foi cultivada em meio MRS sob condições anaeróbicas do CSC. Os resultados mostraram que a CSC diminuiu significativamente o crescimento de B. animalis, bem como EPSs e produção de ácido acético. Além disso, duas frações de EPSs (Fr-I e Fr-II) foram isoladas e purificadas para determinação de componentes químicos e moleculares. Pela comparação com o controle, observou-se que o CSC apresentou uma grande diferença na composição de hidratos de carbono EPSs. A massa do peso molecular de Fr-I passou de 3,33 × 105 g / mol (sem CSC) para 2,99 × 105 (com CSC). Em conclusão, os estudos in vitro revelaram que a CSC foi capaz de afetar diretamente a produção de metabolitos de B. animalis, o que pode ser um fator essencial de certas desordens patológicas.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of cigarette smoke on the production and characterization of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by Bifidobacterium. Cigarettes of Shanhua brand (nicotine: 1.1 mg, tar: 11 mg) were utilized to prepare a cigarette smoke condensate (CSC). The standard strain of Bifidobacterium animalis was cultured in MRS media under anaerobic addition of CSC. The results showed that CSC significantly decreased the growth of B. animalis as well as EPSs and acetic acid production. Furthermore, two EPSs fractions (Fr-I and Fr-II) were isolated and purified for chemical and molecular determination. By comparison with control, CSC was found to be of great impact on EPSs carbohydrate composition. The molecular weight mass of Fr-I changed from 3.33×105 g/mol (without CSC) to 2.99×105 (with CSC). In conclusion, in vitro studies revealed that CSC was directly able to affect the production of metabolites for B. animalis, which could be an essential factor in certain pathological disorders.

Background:Intracranial abscesses are associated with high mortality. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main pathogens that cause intracranial infection. Until now, there is no report to identify the key effectors of S. aureus during the intracranial infection.Methods:The murine intracranial abscesses model induced by S. aureuswas constructed. The vital sign and survival rate of mice were observed to evaluate the infection. Histological examination was used to diagnose the pathological alterations of mouse tissues. The sensitivity of S. aureus to whole blood was evaluated by whole-blood killing assay.Results:In murine intracranial abscesses model, it was shown that the mortality caused by the accessory gene regulator (agr) locus deficient strain was significant decreased compared with its parent strain. Moreover, we found that RNAIII, the effector of agr system, was essential for the intracranial infection caused by S. aureus. In the further investigation, it was shown that restoration the expression of α-toxin in agr deficient strain could partially recover the mortality in the murine intracranial abscesses model.Conclusion:Our data suggested that the agr system of S. aureus is an important virulence determinant in the induction and mortality of intracranial abscesses in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a three-stage intervention to reduce caesarean deliveries in a Chinese tertiary hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to assess whether educating staff, educating patients and auditing surgeon practices (introduced in 2005) had reduced caesarean delivery rates. Multiple logistic regression was used to check for a potential association between caesarean rates and rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). FINDINGS: The caesarean delivery rate ranged from 53.5% to 56.1% in 2001-2004 and from 43.9% to 36.1% in 2005-2011. When 2001-2004 and 2005-2011 were treated as "before" and "after" periods to evaluate the intervention's impact on the mean caesarean section rate, a significant reduction was noted: from 54.8% to 40.3% (odds ratio, OR: 0.56; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.52-0.59; χ2 test: P < 0.001). The overall drop in the caesarean section rate was significant (χ2 test: P < 0.001) and inversely correlated with the years (Spearman's ρ: -0.096; P < 0.001). Although complicated pregnancies increased after 2004, the primary caesarean section rate decreased annually by 20% on average in 2005-2011, after practice audits were implemented. Multiple logistic regression showed a positive association between the caesarean delivery rate and the rate of admission to the NICU (adjusted OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.14-1.40). CONCLUSION: Patient and staff education and practice audits reduced the Caesarean section rate in a tertiary referral hospital without an increase in admissions to the NICU.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia de una intervención en tres etapas para reducir los partos por cesárea en un hospital de atención terciaria en China. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo para evaluar si el programa educativo para el personal y los pacientes y la auditoría de las prácticas de los cirujanos (que se pusieron en marcha en el año 2005) habían disminuido la tasa de partos por cesárea. Se empleó una regresión logística múltiple para comprobar la posible relación entre la tasa de cesáreas y la tasa de admisión en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales (UCIN). RESULTADOS: La tasa de partos por cesárea osciló entre el 53,5% y el 56,1% entre 2001 y 2004 y entre el 43,9% y el 36,1% entre 2005 y 2011. Se constata una reducción significativa en la misma si se consideran los años 2001-2004 y 2005-2011 como periodos «antes» y «después» para evaluar el impacto de la intervención sobre la tasa media de partos por cesárea: del 54,8% al 40,3% (razón de posibilidades, OR: 0,56; intervalo de confianza, IC, del 95%: 0,54 - 0,59; χ2test P<0,001). La disminución general en la proporción de cesáreas fue significativa (χ2 test: P<0,001) y estuvo relacionada de forma inversa con los años (correlación de Spearman ρ: -0,096; P<0,001). A pesar del aumento de embarazos complicados después de 2004, la tasa de cesáreas primarias disminuyó anualmente hasta un 20% de media entre los años 2005-2011 después de haber puesto en marcha las auditorías de las prácticas. La regresión logística múltiple mostró una relación positiva entre la tasa de partos por cesárea y la tasa de admisión en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales UCIN (OR ajustada: 1,26; IC del 95%: 1,14-1,40). CONCLUSIÓN: El programa educativo para el personal y los pacientes, así como las auditorías de las prácticas redujeron la tasa de cesáreas en un hospital de atención terciaria sin aumentar el número de admisiones en la UCIN.

OBJECTIF: Evaluer l'efficacité d'une intervention en trois étapes pour réduire les accouchements par césarienne dans un hôpital de troisième ligne chinois. MÉTHODES: Une étude rétrospective a été menée afin de déterminer si l'éducation du personnel, l'éducation des patients et l'audit des pratiques des chirurgiens (introduit en 2005) avaient réduit les taux d'accouchement par césarienne. Une régression logistique multiple a été utilisée pour vérifier une éventuelle corrélation entre les taux de césarienne et les taux d'admission à l'unité de soins intensifs néonataux. RÉSULTATS: Le taux de césarienne variait de 53,5% à 56,1% en 2001-2004 et de 43,9% à 36,1% en 2005-2011. Lorsque 2001-2004 et 2005-2011 ont été traités en tant que périodes "avant" et "après" pour évaluer l'impact des interventions sur le taux moyen de césarienne, une réduction significative a été mise en évidence: de 54,8% à 40,3% (rapport des chances, OR: 0,56; intervalle de confiance à 95%, IC: 0,52 à 0,59; test de χ2: P <0,001). La baisse globale du taux de césarienne était significative (test de χ2: P <0,001) et inversement corrélée avec les années (ρ de Spearman: -0,096; P <0,001). Bien que les grossesses compliquées aient augmenté après 2004, le taux de césarienne primaire a diminué chaque année de 20% en moyenne en 2005-2011, après que l'audit de bonnes pratiques ait été mis en œuvre. Une régression logistique multiple a montré une corrélation positive entre le taux de naissance par césarienne et le taux d'admission à l'unité de soins intensifs néonataux (OR ajusté: 1,26, IC 95%: 1,14 à 1,40). CONCLUSION: L'éducation des patients et du personnel ainsi que l'audit de bonnes pratiques ont réduit le taux de césarienne dans un hôpital de troisième ligne, sans augmentation des admissions en soins intensifs néonataux.