Identification,synthesis, and bioactivity of a male-produced aggregation pheromone in assassin bug,Pristhesancus Plagipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Pristhesancus plagipennis, a large Australian assassin bug, possesses three pairs of dorsal abdominal glands (DAGs). In the male, the anterior and posterior glands are hypertrophied and secrete an attractant pheromone. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of male DAG extracts and airborne volatiles emitted from calling males showed the pheromone signature to be dominated by a novel component. Subsequent chemical manipulations, GC-MS, and chiral-column analyses established its identity as (Z)-3-hexenyl (R)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate. Minor components included 3-methylbutanol, 2-phenylethanol, (Z)-3-hexenol, decanal, (E)-2-hexenoic acid, and three minor hexenyl esters. Bioactivity studies using laboratory olfactometers and outdoor flight cages demonstrated attraction by femaleP. plagipennis to calling males, heptane extracts of male posterior DAGs and a synthetic formulation of the (Z)R enantiomer of the major ester, alone or in combination with other components of male anterior and posterior DAGs. Males were also attracted to the major ester. The racemate andS enantiomer of the ester were not attractive. Contamination of the (Z)R enantiomer with 30–60% of theE isomer also made the compound nonattractive. This is the first report of an aggregation pheromone in the Reduviidae. The prospects for pheromonal manipulation ofP. plagipennis populations to enhance the value of this predator in horticultural ecosystems, are discussed.     

波形钢腹板-混凝土组合桥梁研究的新进展

阐述了波形钢腹板PC箱梁桥的结构特点,概括了国内外在波形钢腹板箱梁偏载作用下力学性能研究、箱梁弯曲承载能力研究、钢腹板与顶底板混凝土连接形式研究、波形钢腹板稳定性研究及体外预应力筋的参数分析等方面的研究现状.给出了部分国内外此类桥梁一览表,归纳了波形钢腹板混凝土组合桥梁的最新桥型发展趋势,最后指出了波形钢腹板-混凝土组合桥梁需进一步深入研究的方向.     

Decreased serum HMGB1 associated with M2 macrophage polarization and patients with calcific aortic valve disease

Except for the standard aortic valve replacement, no effective medical treatment is available to prevent or delay calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) progression. Recently, macrophages and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) are the most intriguing candidates in various inflammatory disorders. However, the association between serum HMGB1, CAVD, and macrophage polarization remains unclear. Therefore, we examined whether the level of serum HMGB1 is clinically associated with aortic valve calcification and whether HMGB1 treatment can promote macrophage differentiation toward M1 or M2 phenotype. This experimental study included 19 CAVD patients and 20 healthy controls whose serum HMGB1 levels were examined by ELISA assay. THP-1 macrophage polarization system was established to test the polarization capability of HMGB1 treatment. The results showed that serum levels of HMGB1 were significantly reduced in patients with CAVD. HMGB1 treatment promoted M2 macrophage polarization but not M1 phenotype with increased IL-10 expression and reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Our findings suggest that serum HMGB1 is negatively associated with the development of aortic valve calcification, and HMGB1 treatment may facilitate M2 macrophage polarization for reducing aortic valve calcification.     

重组人生长激素在腹部重度创伤患者中的早期价值探讨

目的通过回顾性研究来探讨重组人生长激素(rhGH)治疗腹部重度创伤的早期价值及临床意义。方法 2005年1月至2010年12月,26例重度腹部创伤患者分为A组(n=12)和B组(n=14),A组接受肠外营养联合rhGH治疗,B组接受肠外营养治疗,通过监测住院期间2组患者的血糖、甘油三脂(TG)、蛋白质代谢指标、免疫指标的改变和观察2组患者并发症的发生情况,比较2种治疗方法对患者蛋白质代谢和免疫功能的影响。结果与B组相比,肠外营养联合rhGH组(A组)患者治疗后第4、7天蛋白质代谢指标、免疫指标明显改善,术后并发症的发生率较低(P<0.05)。而2组血糖和TG在治疗前和治疗后4、7d监测显示差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论早期联合rhGH肠外营养是治疗重度腹部创伤的一种安全有效的治疗措施,加用rhGH能更好地改善患者预后,有利于患者康复。     

EFFECTS OF PARENT ARTERY SEGMENTATION AND ANEURISMALWALL ELASTICITY ON PATIENT-SPECIFIC HEMODYNAMIC SIMULATIONS

It is well known that hemodynamics and wall tension play an important role in the formation,growth and rupture of aneurysms.In the present study,the authors investigated the influence of parent artery segmentation and aneurismal-wall elasticity on patient-specific hemodynamic simulations with two patient-specific cases of cerebral aneurysms.Realistic models of the aneurysms were constructed from 3-D angiography images and blood flow dynamics was studied under physiologically representative waveform of inflow.For each aneurysm three computational models were constructed:Model 1 with more extensive upstream parent artery with the rigid arterial and aneurismal wall,Model 2 with the partial upstream parent artery with the elastic arterial and aneurismal wall,Model 3 with more extensive upstream parent artery with the rigid wall for arterial wall far from the aneurysm and the elastic wall for arterial wall near the aneurysm.The results show that Model 1 could predict complex intra-aneurismal flow patterns and wall shear stress distribution in the aneurysm,but is unable to give aneurismal wall deformation and tension,Model 2 demonstrates aneurismal wall deformation and tension,but fails to properly model inflow pattern contributed by the upstream parent artery,resulting in local misunderstanding Wall Shear Stress (WSS) distribution,Model 3 can overcome limitations of the former two models,and give an overall and accurate analysis on intra-aneurismal flow patterns,wall shear stress distribution,aneurismal-wall deformation and tension.Therefore we suggest that the proper length of extensive upstream parent artery and aneurismal-wall elasticity should be considered carefully in establishing computational model to predict the intra-aneurismal hemodynamic and wall tension.     

Formulation Development and Stability Studies of Aqueous Metronidazole Benzoate Suspensions Containing Various Suspending Agents

ABSTRACT

Metronidazole is a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotozoan agent. Crystallization occurs in aqueous metronidazole benzoate suspensions caused by an anhydrate to monohydrate conversion. This study aimed to develop an aqueous metronidazole benzoate suspension that does not exhibit this hydration and the accompanying crystal growth. Four suspending agent systems were evaluated. Xanthan gum and Avicel® RC-591 (a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium) were found to be the suspending agents that resulted in optimal formulation properties. Monohydrate formation did not occur in product containing Avicel® RC-591, indicating that suspending agents may exert a positive effect on metronidazole benzoate suspension stability.     

Clinical significance of serum biomarkers in pediatric solid mediastinal and abdominal tumors

Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15. Despite successes in treating solid tumors such as Wilms tumor, disappointments in the outcomes of high-risk solid tumors like neuroblastoma have precipitated efforts towards the early and accurate detection of these malignancies. This review summarizes available solid tumor serum biomarkers with a special focus on mediastinal and abdominal cancers in children.     

Left ventricular mass index and aortic arch calcification score are independent mortality predictors of maintenance hemodialysis patients

To analyze predictive factors for all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, nonfatal CV events (CVE) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and to compare the effects of standard hemodialysis (HD) and online hemodiafiltration (HDF) on these factors and outcomes. A total of 333 MHD patients were prospectively followed up for 50 ± 15 months and all‐cause death, CV death and CVE were registered. At the baseline, demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the whole population were recorded. Then, patients were stratified into two groups according to the dialysis modalities, HD (n = 268) and HDF (n = 65). At the end of 6th month, clinical and laboratory data were recorded again. The predictive factors at baseline for all‐cause mortality, CV mortality, and CVE were analyzed by Cox regression. The effects of HD and HDF on these factors at the 6th month and long‐term outcomes were compared by t‐test and Kaplan–Meier method, respectively. Age, gender, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), aortic arch calcification score (AoACS), hemoglobin (Hb) <10 g/dL, and ferritin >500 ng/mL maintained independent associations with all‐cause mortality. C‐reactive protein (CRP), LVMI, AoACS, and Hb <10 g/dL were associated with CV mortality. Prior cardiovascular disease (CVD), AoACS and LVMI were independent predictors of nonfatal CVE. Higher body mass index (BMI), body weight, total serum cholesterol, Hb concentration, and lower CRP level, LVMI, and AoACS were found in patients on HDF at the end of the 6th month. Improved outcomes with longer survival time for all‐cause mortality, CV mortality, and CVE were found in HDF group. Age, gender, LVMI, AoACS, Hb, and ferritin were predictors of all‐cause mortality in MHD patients. CRP, LVMI, AoACS, and Hb were associated with CV mortality. Prior CVD, AoACS, and LVMI were independent predictors of nonfatal CVE. HDF could improve BMI, body weight, total serum cholesterol, Hb, CRP, LVMI, AoACS, and long‐term outcomes, including all‐cause mortality, CV mortality, and CVE.     

Biocompatibility of a modified metallic surface of pure Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy with the connective tissue of mouse

The surface of implantable biomaterials is in direct contact with the host tissue and plays a critical role in determining biocompatibility. In order to improve the integration of implants, some attempts have been made to coat the surface of the biomaterial with calcium phosphate. In this investigation pure Ti, Ti-6A1-4V alloy and alkali treated specimens were used as implanted materials in the abdominal wall of mice. The implants were kept there for 3 months and then their biocompatibility was evaluated by optical microscope. Surface structural changes of specimens due to the alkali treatment and soaking in Hank’s solution were analyzed by XRD, SEM and XPS. Alkali treated specimens formed a dense and uniform bone-like apatite layer on the specimen surface when they were soaked in Hank’s solution. The average thickness of the fibrous capsule formed around the implant was much thinner for the alkali-treated specimens than the others. The number of macrophages was much less for the alkali-treated specimens than the others. The results of this evaluation indicate that alkali treated pure Ti and the Ti-6A1-4V alloy have better biocompatibility compared to the other metals tested.