Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hepatitis B virus in HIV-infected patients in Guangdong, China

This study investigated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HIV-infected adults at the time of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in Guangdong province, China. A total of 2793 HIV-infected adults were enrolled between January 2004 and September 2011. Demographic data and laboratory parameters were collected, HBV-DNA levels were measured, and HBV genotypes were identified before ART initiation. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in HIV-infected patients was 13.2%. A total of 266 HIV/HBV co-infected patients and 1469 HIV mono-infected patients were recruited. The median alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels of HIV/HBV co-infected patients were higher than HIV mono-infected patients (32 U/L vs. 22 U/L, p < 0.001 and 35 U/L vs. 24 U/L, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas the median CD4 cell count of HIV/HBV co-infected patients was lower than HIV mono-infected patients (59 cells/mm(3) vs. 141 cells/mm(3), p < 0.001). The level of CD4 cell count was lower in hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive co-infected patients than HBeAg-negative patients (36 cells/mm(3) vs. 69 cells/mm(3), p = 0.014). A similar result was found in high level of HBV-DNA and low level of HBV-DNA groups (33 cells/mm(3) vs. 89 cells/mm(3), p < 0.001). HBV genotypes were classified as genotypes B and C. Patients infected with genotypes B and C differed significantly in terms of proportion of those who were HBeAg-positive (40.5% vs. 62.2%, p = 0.014). This study indicates a high prevalence of HBsAg in HIV-infected adults in Guangdong. The level of CD4 cell count in HIV/HBV co-infected patients was much lower than HIV mono-infected patients, especially in patients who were HBeAg-positive and had a high level of HBV-DNA. The predominant HBV genotype in HIV/HBV co-infected patients is genotype B.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for the treatment of large gastric submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer: a single center study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the resection of gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer at our institution.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2010 to January 2014, a total of 49 patients underwent ESD for the resection of MP-originating gastric SMTs. The characteristics of the 49patients, clinical efficacy, safety of ESD, and post-ESD pathological diagnoses were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

ESD was successfully performed in 48 cases, and one case was converted to surgery. Pathological diagnosis included 43 gastrointestinal stromal tumors, 5 leiomyomas, and 1 schwannoma. During the procedure, 9 patients developed perforation. These patients recovered after conservative treatment. No residual or recurrent tumors were detected during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

ESD seems to be a feasible, safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure, even for the resection of large gastric tumors originating from the MP. However, more studies should be carried out in the future.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens supplementation alleviates immunological stress in lipopolysaccharide-challenged broilers at early age

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ( BA: ) on the immune function of broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide ( LPS: ). 192 one-day-old male Arbor Acre broiler chickens were randomly distributed into four treatments: 1) broilers fed a basal diet; 2) broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with BA; 3) LPS-challenged broilers fed a basal diet; and 4) LPS-challenged broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with BA. Each treatment consisted of six replicates with eight broilers per replicate. Broilers were intraperitoneally injected with either 500 μg LPS per kg body weight or sterile saline at 16, 18 and 20 d of age. LPS decreased the average daily gain ( ADG: , P = 0.001) and average daily feed intake (P = 0.001). The decreased ADG (P = 0.009) and increased feed conversion ratio (P = 0.047) in LPS-challenged broilers were alleviated by BA. LPS increased the relative spleen weight (P = 0.001). Relative spleen (P = 0.014) and bursa (P = 0.024) weights in the LPS-challenged broilers were reduced by BA. LPS increased white blood cell ( WBC: ) numbers (P = 0.001). However, the WBC numbers (P = 0.042) and the ratio of lymphocytes to WBC (P = 0.020) in LPS-challenged broilers were decreased with BA treatment. LPS decreased plasma lysozyme activity (P = 0.001), but increased concentrations of plasma corticosterone (P = 0.012) and IL-2 (P = 0.020). In contrast, BA increased lysozyme activity in plasma (P = 0.040). LPS increased mRNA abundances of splenic toll-like receptor 4 (P = 0.046), interferon γ (P = 0.008), IL-1β (P = 0.045) and IL-6, (P = 0.006). IL-2 (P = 0.014) and IL-6 (P = 0.074) mRNA abundances in LPS-challenged broilers were reduced by BA, although BA had an opposite effect for IL-10 mRNA expression in those broilers (P = 0.004). In conclusion, BA supplementation could partially alleviate the compromised growth performance and immune status of broilers under immune stress induced by LPS challenge at early age.

Effects of Heat-oxidized Soy Protein Isolate on Growth Performance and Digestive Function of Broiler Chickens at Early Age

This study was conducted to investigate effects of heat-oxidized soy protein isolate (HSPI) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, apparent nutrient digestibility and digestive function of broiler chickens. A total of 320 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 10 birds, receiving diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI, control group) or the same amount of SPI heated in an oven at 100°C for 1, 4, or 8 h, for 21 days, respectively. The results indicated that compared with the control group, body weight gain and feed intake of birds fed diet containing SPI heated for 8 h were significantly lower (p<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen concentration was higher in the broilers fed diet containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). In contrast, serum glucose content was decreased by HSPI substitution at d 21 (p<0.05). The relative pancreas weight in HSPI groups was higher than that in the control group at d 21 (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the opposite effect was observed for relative weight of anterior intestine and ileum in broilers fed a diet containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h had a decreased lipase activity in anterior intestinal content at d 14 and 21 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, the same effect was also noted in broilers given diets containing SPI heated for 1 h at d 21 (p<0.05). Similarly, amylase, protease and trypsin activity in anterior intestinal content were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) from d 8 to 10 and DM, crude protein (CP), and ether extract from d 15 to 17 were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Besides, birds given diets containing SPI heated for 4 h also exhibited lower CP apparent digestibility from d 15 to 17 (p<0.05). It was concluded that HSPI inclusion can exert a negative influence on the growth performance of broilers, which was likely to result from the simultaneously compromised digestive function.

Correlated activity supports efficient cortical processing

Visual recognition is a computational challenge that is thought to occur via efficient coding. An important concept is sparseness, a measure of coding efficiency. The prevailing view is that sparseness supports efficiency by minimizing redundancy and correlations in spiking populations. Yet, we recently reported that "choristers", neurons that behave more similarly (have correlated stimulus preferences and spontaneous coincident spiking), carry more generalizable object information than uncorrelated neurons ("soloists") in macaque inferior temporal (IT) cortex. The rarity of choristers (as low as 6% of IT neurons) indicates that they were likely missed in previous studies. Here, we report that correlation strength is distinct from sparseness (choristers are not simply broadly tuned neurons), that choristers are located in non-granular output layers, and that correlated activity predicts human visual search efficiency. These counterintuitive results suggest that a redundant correlational structure supports efficient processing and behavior.

A Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone and radiotherapy alone in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Given the lack of studies, whether the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is superior to CCRT alone for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. The main objective of this Bayesian network meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy of CCRT + AC when compared with CCRT alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We systematically searched databases and extracted data from randomized, controlled trials involving NPC patients randomly assigned to receive CCRT + AC, CCRT, or radiotherapy (RT). Overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) with hazard ratios (HRs) were investigated. A Bayesian network for different outcomes was established to incorporate all evidence. Multiple treatment comparisons based on the network integrated the efficacy of CCRT + AC, CCRT, and RT.

RESULTS

Eight studies involving 2144 patients were analyzed. In the network meta-analysis, CCRT + AC and CCRT were both significantly better than RT alone for all outcomes, except that no significant difference was found between CCRT and RT for LRFS. Though ranking probabilities showed that CCRT + AC was ranked superior to CCRT for OS, LRFS, and DMFS, no significant differences were found between CCRT+AC and CCRT for all outcomes [OS: HR = 0.86, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.60-1.16; LRFS: HR = 0.72, 95% CrI 0.43-1.15; DMFS: HR = 0.86, 95% CrI 0.62-1.16].

CONCLUSIONS

No significant improvement was found following CCRT + AC compared with CCRT alone. Whether the omission of additional AC can reduce toxic effects without adversely affecting survival in patients with locoregionally advanced NPC should be further explored, in addition to the precise patient status that would benefit from AC following CCRT.

Intense high repetition rate Mo Kα x-ray source generated from laser solid interaction for imaging application

We report an efficient Mo Kα x-ray source produced by interaction of femtosecond Ti: sapphire laser pulses with a solid Molybdenum target working at 1 kHz repetition rate. The generated Mo Kα x-ray intensity reaches to 4.7 × 10(10) photons sr(-1) s(-1), corresponding to an average power of 0.8 mW into 2π solid angle. The spatial resolution of this x-ray source is measured to be 26 lp/mm. With the high flux and high spatial resolution characteristics, high resolving in-line x-ray radiography was realized on test objects and large size biological samples within merely half a minute. This experiment shows the possibility of laser plasma hard x-ray source as a new low cost and high resolution system for radiography and its ability of ultrafast x-ray pump-probe study of matter.

Correlation and interventional embolization therapy of posterior intercostal arteries-induced hemoptysis

The incidence of posterior intercostal arteries-induced hemoptysis, its correlation with primary diseases, and the value of interventional embolization therapy were investigated. Clinical data, multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and other imaging data of 143 cases of hemoptysis were retrospectively analyzed. After the offending vessels were subjected to interventional embolization therapy, patients were followed-up for observations of clinical efficacies and complications. Thirty-one patients (21.7%) showed 65 branches of posterior intercostal arteries as the non-bronchial systemic arteries involved in hemoptysis; pleural thickening was evident in 25 (80.6%) cases. Posterior intercostal arteries-induced hemoptysis was observed in 16 of the 27 (59.3%) patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, and in 9 of the 10 (90.0%) patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pulmonary damage. Posterior intercostal arteries-induced hemoptysis was correlated to pleural thickening (P<0.05), which differed significantly among different underlying diseases (P<0.05). Twenty-eight cases of 58 branches of posterior intercostal arteries were found to be involved in hemoptysis by preoperative chest CT angiogram (CTA); the intraoperative matching rates were 90.3% (28/31) and 89.2% (58/65), respectively. Thirty-one patients received transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), of which 29 (93.5%) showed immediate hemostasis; 1 case had surgical treatment for ineffectuality, and 2 cases showed recurrence without serious complications. The posterior intercostal arteries were commonly involved in hemoptysis, and were closely associated with pleural thickening and pulmonary tuberculosis, especially when accompanied by pulmonary damage. Complete TAE could improve the treatment effect of hemoptysis and preoperative chest CTA was helpful for interventional embolization therapy.

Tuning and spontaneous spike time synchrony share a common structure in macaque inferior temporal cortex

Investigating the relationship between tuning and spike timing is necessary to understand how neuronal populations in anterior visual cortex process complex stimuli. Are tuning and spontaneous spike time synchrony linked by a common spatial structure (do some cells covary more strongly, even in the absence of visual stimulation?), and what is the object coding capability of this structure? Here, we recorded from spiking populations in macaque inferior temporal (IT) cortex under neurolept anesthesia. We report that, although most nearby IT neurons are weakly correlated, neurons with more similar tuning are also more synchronized during spontaneous activity. This link between tuning and synchrony was not simply due to cell separation distance. Instead, it expands on previous reports that neurons along an IT penetration are tuned to similar but slightly different features. This constraint on possible population firing rate patterns was consistent across stimulus sets, including animate vs. inanimate object categories. A classifier trained on this structure was able to generalize category "read-out" to untrained objects using only a few dimensions (a few patterns of site weightings per electrode array). We suggest that tuning and spike synchrony are linked by a common spatial structure that is highly efficient for object representation.

Implication of polymorphisms in DNA repair genes with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma

We explored the association between 4 XRCC1 (Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln) and XPD (Asp312Asn and Lys751Gln) polymorphisms with the development and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 218 cases with HCC and 277 healthy controls were included in the study. Genotyping of the XRCC1 (Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln) and XPD (Asp312Asn and Lys751Gln) polymorphisms was performed in a 384-well plate format on the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. We found that individuals with the XRCC1 399AA genotype had a higher risk of HCC compared with the GG genotype (odds ratio, OR = 1.85, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.03-3.23). Similarly, individuals carrying the XPD 751GG genotype showed a greatly increased risk of HCC (OR = 2.97, 95%CI = 126- 7.38). Cox regression analysis showed that individuals carrying XPD 751Gln/Gln genotypes had a 0.30-fold increased risk of death from HCC. These results suggest that polymorphisms in XRCC1 and XPD may have functional significance in HCC.

Effects of dietary concentrations of methionine on growth performance and oxidative status of broiler chickens with different hatching weight

1. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two hatching weight (HW) levels and two dietary concentrations of methionine on the growth performance and oxidative status of broilers. Male Arbor Acres chickens were divided into two groups on their HW (low and high HW, H and L). Each HW group was then distributed into two subgroups, of similar HW, receiving either low or high dietary concentrations of methionine (4.9 g methionine/kg, LM; 5.9 g methionine/kg, HM). Thus, all day-old birds were distributed into 4 treatments (H-LM, H-HM, L-LM, L-HM) × 6 replicates × 10 birds for 21 d. 2. Broilers with high HW were heavier than those with low HW during the 21 d assay, which appeared to result from increased body weight gain rather than improved feed conversion efficiency. A higher dietary concentration of methionine (5.9 g/kg) improved growth performance of broilers with low HW in terms of body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. 3. Broilers with different HW had similar antioxidant status both in serum and liver. 4. Broilers given a diet containing 5.9 g/kg methionine had enhanced serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content at day 7. 5. Broilers given a diet containing 5.9 g/kg methionine had a higher hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH):glutathione disulphide (GSSG) ratio than those given a diet containing 4.9 g/kg methionine at day 21. High dietary methionine concentration reduced hepatic GSH content and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity of broilers with high HW at day 7 and at day 21, respectively, but increased hepatic GSH content of broilers with low HW at day 7. 6. Although broilers with different HW had similar oxidative status as indicated by several parameters in blood and liver, HW can have positive effects on the subsequent growth performance of broilers, and a higher dietary methionine concentration (5.9 g/kg) can improve growth performance and antioxidant status in broilers exhibiting low HW.

Relationships between biochemical and physiological changes induced by exercise in postmyocardial infarction patients

AIM

AIM of the study was to examine the relationships between biochemical and physiological changes induced by exercise in postmyocardial infarction patients (PMIP) during the early stages of cardiac rehabilitation.

METHODS

Forty-nine male non-blockade recent PMIP, aged 63.8 ± 4.7 years, performed a graded exercise test on a motorised treadmill until volitional cessation or reaching any of the American College of Sports Medicine criteria. Blood pressure and rate-pressure product (RPP) were recorded every three minutes. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was monitored continuously and heart rate (HR) was taken from this. Blood samples were obtained by two methods; those used for testing blood lactate (BL) were taken from an already warmed finger tip before and during exercise, and the others used for enzymatic analysis based on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 (LDH-1), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase polypeptide sub-unit MB (CK-MB) were collected by venipuncture from the antecubital vein pre and immediate post exercise test.

RESULTS

Highly significant correlations existed between exercise-induced changes in HR, RPP, BL and ST segment level with increased enzymes activity in serum, and 73.1% to 90.1% of the variance in percentage increase of the enzyme activity could be predicted from the variance in percentage increase of HR during exercise. However, the mechanism of these relationships may differ.

CONCLUSION

Since the rise in serum enzymes during submaximal exercise is primarily attributed to changes in membrane permeability in fatigued muscle, these relationships provide useful guidance to health professionals obtaining biochemical information about muscle fatigue.

Litter production and litter elemental composition in two rehabilitated Kandelia obovata mangrove forests in Jiulongjiang Estuary, China

Spatial and seasonal variations in litter production and C, N, and P concentrations were compared between the 24 and 48 year old Kandelia obovata mangrove forests in the Jiulongjiang estuary, China. The 24 yr forest had significantly higher production of total, leaf and branch litter, but lower flower and fruit litter than the 48 yr forest. Total, leaf and branch litter production were significantly positively correlated to monthly temperature and rainfall. Spatial patterns of litter production among the inner, mid and outer zones in the same forest were similar to those of tree heights. C, N and P concentrations of leaf litter showed significant seasonality but varied little among these three forest zones. C/N and N/P ratios of leaf litter were significantly lower for the 24 yr forest than those for the 48 yr forest. During the entire sampling year, total litter of the 24 and 48 yr forests contained 590.31 and 437.31 g C m(-2) yr(-1), 8.46 and 5.47 g N m(-2) yr(-1), 1.92 and 1.16 g P m(-2) yr(-1), respectively.

Transport magnetic proximity effects in platinum

Platinum (Pt) metal, being nonmagnetic and with a strong spin-orbit coupling interaction, has been central in detecting the pure spin current and establishing most of the recent spin-based phenomena. Magnetotransport measurements, both electrical and thermal, conclusively show strong ferromagnetic characteristics in thin Pt films on the ferromagnetic insulator due to the magnetic proximity effects. The pure spin current phenomena measured by Pt, including the inverse spin Hall and the spin Seebeck effects, are thus contaminated and not exclusively established.

Ultrafast surface carrier dynamics in the topological insulator Bi₂Te₃

We discuss the ultrafast evolution of the surface electronic structure of the topological insulator Bi(2)Te(3) following a femtosecond laser excitation. Using time and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, we provide a direct real-time visualization of the transient carrier population of both the surface states and the bulk conduction band. We find that the thermalization of the surface states is initially determined by interband scattering from the bulk conduction band, lasting for about 0.5 ps; subsequently, few picoseconds are necessary for the Dirac cone nonequilibrium electrons to recover a Fermi-Dirac distribution, while their relaxation extends over more than 10 ps. The surface sensitivity of our measurements makes it possible to estimate the range of the bulk-surface interband scattering channel, indicating that the process is effective over a distance of 5 nm or less. This establishes a correlation between the nanoscale thickness of the bulk charge reservoir and the evolution of the ultrafast carrier dynamics in the surface Dirac cone.

Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens M1 isolated from milk kefir grains ameliorates experimental colitis in vitro and in vivo

Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens M1, isolated from and identified in Taiwanese milk kefir grain, has demonstrated immune-modulating activity. In the present study, we further investigated the effects of Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 on intestinal epithelial cells in vitro and on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in vivo. The possible mechanisms regarding the cytokine products and intestinal epithelial barrier restoration as well as the putative receptor for the protective effects of Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 were investigated. In vitro results indicated that Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 could strengthen the epithelial barrier function in vitro by increasing the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and significantly upregulated the level of the chemokine CCL-20 at both the apical and basolateral sites. The in vivo effects of Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 on the regulation of intestinal physiology indicate that this strain could ameliorate DSS-induced colitis with a significant attenuation of the bleeding score and colon length shortening. Production of proinflammatory cytokines was decreased and that of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased in the DSS-treated mice given Lb. kefiranofaciens M1. The putative receptor for the protective effects of Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 was toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), which was involved in probiotic-induced cytokine production in vitro and in attenuation of the bleeding score and colon length shortening in vivo. In this study, the kefir lactobacillus Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 clearly demonstrated an anticolitis effect. Based on these results, Lb. kefiranofaciens M1 has the potential to be applied in fermented dairy products as an alternative therapy for intestinal disorders.

Noggin is required for early development of murine upper incisors

BMP signaling plays crucial roles in the development of many organs, including the tooth. Equally important is BMP signaling homeostasis, as demonstrated by multiple organ defects in mice lacking the extracellular BMP antagonist Noggin. Here, we show that Noggin is initially expressed in the maxillary mesenchyme adjunct to the upper incisor at the initiation stage, and then in the developing teeth, including incisors and molars, from the bud stage. Noggin mutants develop normal molars and mandibular incisors, but form a single, medially located upper incisor that is arrested at the late bud stage. Histological and molecular marker analyses demonstrated that two distinct upper incisor placodes initiate independently at E11.5, but begin to fuse at E12.5, coupling with elevated cell proliferation rates in the developing tooth germs. We further found that Chordin and Gremlin, two other BMP antagonists, are co-expressed with Noggin in the developing lower incisor and molar teeth. These observations indicate the importance of BMP signaling homeostasis, and suggest a functional redundancy between BMP antagonists during tooth development.

Impetigo herpetiformis with gestational hypertension: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Impetigo herpetiformis (IH) is a rare skin disorder that occurs during pregnancy. It was previously associated with high maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity, but now has a better prognosis.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of a pregnant woman with IH who presented with generalized erythematous pustular eruptions in the 32nd week of gestation. The IH progressed rapidly, and gestational hypertension was observed in the 36th week. The lesions did not subside, despite treatment with corticosteroids and phototherapy. She delivered a healthy male baby via cesarean section in the 37th week. One month after her delivery, her skin returned to normal, except for residual pigmentation, with complete recovery 3 months postpartum.

CONCLUSION

An experienced medical team comprising obstetricians, dermatologists, perinatologists and neonatologists is critical to aggressively treat this life-threatening specific dermatosis of pregnancy and to prevent ensuing complications, such as fluid and electrolyte imbalance, secondary infection and placental insufficiency.

Optimizing electromagnetic enhancement of flexible nano-imprinted hexagonally patterned surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates

The production of inexpensive, large-scale, uniform substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a key to popularize its usage in chemical and biological detection. We demonstrate a flexible nano-imprinted hexagonally patterned SERS-active substrate. Its electromagnetic enhancement factor was optimized by the thickness adjustment of its silver over-coated film. The experimental data show a good correspondence with the theoretical prediction. Such substrate was shown to exhibit high uniformity and reproducibility with a variation of less than 2%, offering a potential of greatly exploiting such substrate in infield biocide monitoring.

Successful salvage treatment of recurrent endometrial cancer with multiple lung and abdominal metastases

The prognosis of recurrent endometrial carcinoma is generally poor except for isolated vaginal or pelvic relapse without previous radiation. Recurrences associated with infield failure or distant metastasis carry a poor prognosis. We report a case of recurrent endometrial carcinoma treated with cytoreductive surgery, targeted radiation to lung metastasis defined by CT and PET and adjuvant chemo-hormone therapy followed by maintenance progestin therapy with a good outcome. This case implied that chemo-hormone therapy with targeted radiation should be evaluated in recurrent endometrial cancer with positive progesterone receptor for salvage treatment.

Ultrasonic atomization and subsequent desolvation for monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the glycoprotein (GP) IIIa receptor into drug eluting stent

An eluting-stent system with mAb dispersed in the PLLA (poly (L-lactic acid)) was validated in vitro. Specifically designed spray equipment based on the principle of ultrasonic atomization was used to produce a thin continuous PLLA (poly (L-lactic acid)) polymer coating incorporating monoclonal antibody (mAb). This PLLA coating was observed in light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The concentration of the monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIIa receptor and the eluting rate were then measured by a radioisotope technique with (125)I-labelled GP IIIa mAb. An in vitro perfusion circuit was designed to evaluate the release rates at different velocities (10 or 20 ml min(-1)). The PLLA coating was thin and transparent, uniformly distributed on the surface of the stent. Three factors influenced its thickness: PLLA concentration, duration and gas pressure. The concentration of mAb was influenced by the duration of absorption and the concentration of the mAb solution; the maximum was 1662.23 + or - 38.83 ng. The eluting rate was fast for the first 2 h, then decreased slowly and attained 80% after 2 weeks. This ultrasonic atomization spray equipment and technological process to prepare protein eluting-stents were proved to be effective and reliable.

Bacterial communities in a crude oil gathering and transferring system (China)

Bacterial communities in crude oil and oil field production water samples from an oil gathering and transferring system in Changqing Oil field in China were investigated by 16S rRNA denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis followed by gene cloning and sequencing. DGGE profiles showed that bacterial communities are far more rich in the water samples than that in the crude oil samples, and that bacteria related to Ochrobactrum sp. and Stenotrophomonas sp. were detected in all crude oil and oil field water samples. Bacteria related to Burkholderia sp., Brevundimonas sp., and Propionibacterium sp. were detected in the crude oil samples but not in water samples. Bacteria related to Hippea sp., Acidovorax sp., Arcobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Thiomicrospira sp., Brevibacterium sp., Tissierella sp. and Peptostreptococcus sp. were detected in the water samples but not in crude oil samples. Using an archaea-specific primer set, methanogens related to Methanomicrobials and Methanosarcinales were found in water samples but not in crude oil samples. The comparability of the microbial communities in the water and crude oil phase during the period of oil gathering and transferring process was 83.3% and 88.2%, respectively, indicating a stable structure of the microbial communities.