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The rotational speed of the toothed rolls crusher is a key parameter for controlling the particle size of the crushed product.At present, the determination of the rotational speed is in a qualitative stage.There is no corresponding theory to guide.Based on the Grady-Kipp dynamic fracture model, the relationship between loading speed and product particle size is analyzed.The anthracite and gangue crushed at different loading speeds was carried out by drop hammer test machine.The results show that the average size of the two materials decreases with the increase of loading speed with power law.The test results verify the correctness of the fracture model, and provide a reference for the determination of the loading speed of toothed rolls crusher.

We compared and analyzed the primary anatomical structures for stem of Carum carvi on five different altitudes by paraffin section methods, and observed the structure with unidimensional and two-dimensional (area) index properties, in order to find out the change rule of structures for stem of C. carvi with the rising of elevation, which could provide basic information for the development and utilization of C. carvi. The test showed that stem primary structure consisted of cortex and vascular cylinder. With the altitude increasing, the thickness of epidermis and pith, the width of pith ray and the area of aerenchyma gradually increased, but the ratio of vascular tissue to fundamental tissue gradually reduced; the number of layers and thickness of cortex, the number and thickness of vascular bundle gradually decreased, however, the development degree of vascular bundle and the diameter of duct gradually increased. The thickening of epidermis could reduce the losing their body heat and decrease the damage from strong ultraviolet rays; The increasing of ratio of fundamental tissue was conducive to store more physiological regulatory substances, increase of cold resistance abilities in the plant; The development of aerenchyma could reduce the diffusional resistance of the air inside the plant, channel being formed along aerial parts to underground part, and also could increase the plant's buoyancy, reduce the proportion of plants. The varying of anatomical structures for stem of C. cavri during different elevation reflected plant adaptations for environment. But in this experiment, some special phenomenon was observed, the number of layers and thickness of cortex in C. carvi stem, this phenomenon was reported in the aerial stem structures of Kobresia pygmaea and its mechanical tissue of aerial part had a decline meanwhile underground part had a rise. Whether this kind of phenomenon exists or not, we must further carry on study about anatomical structures for root of C. carvi. In this study, we also found that the number and thickness of vascular bundle gradually decreased, however the development degree of vascular bundle and the diameter of duct gradually increased with the increasing of the altitude. The possible reason was that its low temperature and short frostless period were under the high altitude conditions, the plant developed more completely under the high altitude areas than the low altitude areas in same growth period. It also reflected plant adaptations for environment. And the problem about development degree of the same plant in different altitudes still need further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to unveil the effect of ophiopogonin D(OPD) on isoproterenol(ISO)-induced apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes and the possible targets, which is expected to provide clues for further research on the myocardial protection of ophiopogonins. Cell count kit-8(CCK-8) assay was used to detect viability of cells treated with OPD and ISO, Western blot to examine the effect of OPD and ISO on the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related Bip, Bax, Perk, ATF4, caspase-12, and CHOP, flow cytometry to determine cell apoptosis rate, and Hoechst 33258 and Tunel staining to observe cell apoptosis and morphological changes. In addition, the probe for calcium ion-specific detection was employed to investigate calcium ion release from the endoplasmic reticulum, and OPD-bond epoxy-activated agarose solid-phase microspheres were prepared and used as affinity matrix to capture OPD-binding target proteins in H9 c2 cell lysate. For the target proteins of OPD identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry, the related signal pathways were enriched and the potential targets of OPD against cardiomyocyte injury were discussed. The experimental result showed that 10 μmol·L~(-1) ISO can significantly induce the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins and promote cell apoptosis. Different concentration of OPD can prevent the damage of myocardial cells caused by ISO. According to mass spectrometry results, 19 proteins, including Fam129 a and Pdia6, were involved in multiple signaling pathways such as the unfolded protein reaction bound by the ERN1 sensor, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and Nrf2 signal transduction pathway. The above results indicate that OPD protects cardiomyocytes by regulating multiple signaling pathways of target proteins and affecting cell cycle progression.

Objective: To observe the effect of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) on the prognosis of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) accompanied with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology when authors worked as medical team members for treating COVID-19. COVID-19 patients with pulse oxygen saturation/fraction of inspiration oxygen (SpO 2 /FiO 2 , S/F) ratio < 235, managed by medical teams [using S/F ratio instead of oxygenation index (PaO 2 /FiO 2 ) to diagnose ARDS] from February to April 2020 were included. The patients were divided into NIPPV group and HFNC group according to their oxygen therapy modes. Clinical data of patients were collected, including general characteristics, respiratory rate (RR), fraction of FiO 2 , SpO 2 , heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), S/F ratio in the first 72 hours, lymphocyte count (LYM), percentage of lymphocyte (LYM%) and white blood cell count (WBC) at admission and discharge or death, the duration of dyspnea before NIPPV and HFNC, and the length from onset to admission. The differences of intubation rate, all-cause mortality, S/F ratio and RR were analyzed, and single factor analysis and generalized estimation equation (GEE) were used to analyze the risk factors affecting S/F ratio., Results: Among the 41 patients, the proportion of males was high (68.3%, 28 cases), the median age was 68 (58-74) years old, 28 cases had complications (68.3%), and 34 cases had multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS, 82.9%). Compared with HFNC group, the proportion of complications in NIPPV group was higher [87.5% (21/24) vs. 41.2% (7/17), P < 0.05], and the value of LYM% was lower [5.3% (3.4%-7.8%) vs. 10.0% (3.9%-19.7%), P < 0.05], the need of blood purification was also significantly lower [0% (0/24) vs. 29.4% (5/17), P < 0.05]. The S/F ratio of NIPPV group gradually increased after 2 hours treatment and RR gradually decreased with over time, S/F ratio decreased and RR increased in HFNC group compared with baseline, but there was no significant difference in S/F ratio between the two groups at each time point. RR in NIPPV group was significantly higher than that in HFNC group after 2 hours treatment [time/min: 30 (27-33) vs. 24 (21-27), P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in rate need intubation and hospital mortality between NIPPV group and HFNC group [66.7% (16/24) vs. 70.6% (12/17), 58.3% (14/24) vs. 52.9% (9/17), both P > 0.05]. Analysis of the factors affecting the S/Fratio in the course of oxygen therapy showed that the oxygen therapy mode and the course of illness at admission were the factors affecting the S/F ratio of patients [βvalues were -15.827, 1.202, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were -29.102 to -2.552 and 0.247-2.156, P values were 0.019 and 0.014, respectively]., Conclusions: Compared with HFNC, NIPPV doesn't significantly reduce the intubation rate and mortality of patients with COVID-19 accompanied with ARDS, but it significantly increases the S/F ratio of those patients.

Background: Endotracheal and endobronchial metastases (EEM) is a rare manifestation in primary lung cancer. It has not yet been reported in Chinese literatures. The aim of this study was to summarize and analyze the clinical feature of lung cancer with EEM., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 6 patients who presented with EEM of lung cancer from Peking University Third Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018. With "endotracheal metastases, endobronchial metastases, lung cancer" as the keywords, 13 cases were retrieved from PubMed database until February 2020. The clinical, radiologic and bronchoscopic data were collected., Results: Six patients were selected from 967 patients with lung cancer, and all were diagnosed with lung cancer and EEM simultaneously. There were 4 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 1 case of adenocarcinoma, and 1 case of small cell lung cancer. One patient had stage IIIb and 5 patients had stage IV. There were 5 cases of central lung cancer and 1 case of peripheral lung cancer. EEM on bronchoscope examination presented as endoluminal nodular or polypoid lesion in 5 patients, and abnormal white bulge in 1 patient. 5 cases metastasized to the contralateral bronchus, 1 case to the ipsilateral bronchus and 1 case to the trachea. The median overall survival was 7.5 months. Totally 13 cases of lung cancer with EEM were retrieved from PubMed database. 12 cases were diagnosed during the follow up after lung cancer resection. There were 8 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 9 cases of central type. Endotracheal or endobronchial nodules showed in 10 cases and eccentric wall thickening in 2 cases were seen on chest computed tomography (CT), which corresponding to the nodular or polypoid lesion bronchoscopically. 5 cases metastasized to the contralateral bronchus, 10 cases to the trachea and 1 case to the ipsilateral bronchus., Conclusions: EEM is a rare metastasis of lung cancer, which can occur at the initial diagnosis of lung cancer or after surgical resection. It is often seen in the patients of squamous cell carcinoma with central type in advanced stage. The prognosis is poor.

Objective: To investigate the effect of daphnetin (DAP) combined with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene transfection on chondrogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in rats., Methods: Rat ADSCs were isolated and amplified by enzymatic digestion. The third generation ADSCs were treated with IGF-1 gene transfection as experimental group and normal ADSCs as control group. The cells of the two groups were treated with different concentrations of DAP (0, 30, 60, 90 μg/mL), respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) after cultured for 72 hours. After 14 days, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of chondrocyte markers (collagen type Ⅱ and Aggrecan) in each group; and toluidine blue staining and collagen type Ⅱ immunohistochemical staining were performed., Results: CCK-8 assay showed that with the increase of DAP concentration, the cell absorbance ( A ) value of the control group and the experimental group increased gradually ( P <0.05). At the same DAP concentration, the cell A value of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P <0.05). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot showed that with the increase of DAP concentration, the relative mRNA and protein expressions of collagen type Ⅱ and Aggrecan in the control group did not change significantly, and there was no significant difference among the different concentration groups ( P >0.05). But the mRNA and protein expressions of collagen type Ⅱ and Aggrecan in the experimental group increased gradually, and the 60 and 90 μg/mL DAP concentration groups were significantly higher than 0 μg/mL DAP concentration group ( P <0.05). At the same DAP concentration, the relative mRNA and protein expressions of collagen type Ⅱ and Aggrecan were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group ( P <0.05). Toluidine blue staining showed that with the increase of DAP concentration, there was no significant difference in cell staining between the control group and the experimental group. At the same DAP concentration, the cells in the experimental group were slightly darker than those in the control group. Immunohistochemical staining of collagen type Ⅱ showed that with the increase of DAP concentration, there was no significant difference in the cytoplasmic brown-yellow coloring of the cells in the control group. The cytoplasmic brown-yellow coloring of the cells in the experimental group gradually deepened, with 60 and 90 μg/mL DAP concentration groups significantly deeper than 0 μg/mL DAP concentration group. At the same DAP concentration, the color of the cells in the experimental group was significantly deeper than that in the control group., Conclusion: DAP can promote the proliferation of ADSCs in rats. The differentiation of ADSCs into chondrocytes induced by DAP alone was slightly, but DAP combined with IGF-1 gene transfection has obvious synergistic effect to promote chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs.

Objective: To offer a series of efficient methods to physiologists in appropriate selection, and application of statistical techniques., Methods: We bring about two questions as follows:What's the role of statistics in the process of a physiological research? How to make sure the results produced in a physiological research can be repeatable in practice in the long run. From the answers to these two questions, we highlight the importance of the discipline of statistics to research work, explain why it is difficult, how to choose a suitable statistical method in a specific situation, and offer the critical methods to use statistics accurately and appropriately., Results: We abstract three core sections from the discipline of statistics:how to make the design of a study impeccable; How to strictly follow the protocol of a study, and How to draw conclusions well reasoned and strongly supported by evidence. By elaborating these sections, it is feasible to correctly use statistical methods for data analysis and results interpretation., Conclusions: In physiological research, conclusion can stand with time and repeatable in practice only when researchers strictly and rigorously follow the rule of scientific research.

Objective: To analyse population pharmacokinetic (PPK) parameter values of ciprofloxacin in Chinese elderly patients with lower respiratory tract infection., Methods: Hospitalized in Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU) due to severe lower respiratory tract infection and at high risks of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 43 consecutive elderly patients received an intravenous infusion of ciprofloxacin at a dose of 200/400 mg every 12/24 h empirically. Plasma samples were drawn from Day 4 and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h after infusion. The serum concentrations of ciprofloxacin were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ciprofloxacin population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted by the NONMEM 7.3.0 software., Results: Forty patients aged (78 ± 9) years completed the study. A total of 210 serum concentrations were detected. The mean values of clearance and volume of distribution (V1) were 17.8 L/h and 49.8 L respectively. The serum creatinine level influenced ciprofloxacin according to the equation: Clearance - 17.8 × [1 - 0.001 3 × (serum creatinine - 67)] × e(η1i) × 0.659(n) (at a dose of 200 mg, n - 1, at a dose of 400 mg, n - 0; ηi for inter individual random variation). The values of clearance and V1 were multiplied by 0.659 at a dose of 200 mg. At the doses of 200 and 400 mg, the maximum steady-state concentrations (C(max)) were (4.2 ± 1.1) and (5.3 ± 1.21) mg/L, the minimum steady-state concentrations (C(min)) (1.1 ± 1.1) and (0.8 ± 0.4) mg/L and the area under concentration-time curve measured in steady-state up to 24 h after dosing (AUC(0-24 h)) were (45.5 ± 28.1) and (47.2 ± 11.3) mg · h · L⁻¹ respectively., Conclusions: The clearance of ciprofloxacin in elderly patients significantly decreases as compared with adult patients. Ciprofloxacin PPK model shows a significant influence of serum creatinine level on ciprofloxacin clearance. A single dose of 400 mg may increase serum drug concentration, but causes no in vivo drug retention.

Objective: To optimize the method of isolating a small amount of metagenomic DNA efficiently from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) , which will facilitate subsequent PCR and DNA sequencing., Methods: BALF (5mL) of stable COPD patients was spun down to collect the cells. To extract genomic DNA from Gram-positive bacteria more efficiently, QIAGEN's DNA extraction protocol was optimized as follows: Added Buffer ATL to the pellets and used bead tubes and tissue homogenizers to break cell walls; then added proteinase K and incubated; after adding Buffer AL and ethanol, pipetted the mixture into a DNeasy spin column then centrifuged; washed the column with Buffer AW1 and Buffer AW2, finally added 50 microL Buffer AE to elute DNA. After measuring the total DNA concentration, the bacterial 16S rDNA was amplified by PCR and amplicon libraries were created for further determination., Results: The DNA content of BALF with optimized protocols was 467.5 (135.0-1697.5) ng, which was significantly higher than those extracted with phenol-chloroform 95.0 (0-612.5) ng. After optimizing, more 16S rDNA PCR production can be obtained for future analysis (P = 0.002)., Conclusion: The optimized DNA extraction methods combining DNA isolation kits with bead-beating were more efficient in isolating tiny metagenomic DNA from BALF.

Objective: To explore the association between the -511C/T, -31T/C and +3954C/T polymorphisms of interleukin-1B (IL-1B) gene and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using the method of meta-analysis., Methods: Comprehensive searches were performed of PubMed, Embase, Ovid, Wanfang and Chinese journal full-text database to retrieve the related case-control studies. The pooled odds ratios were performed respectively for allele comparison, additive genetic model, dominant genetic model and recessive genetic model and subgroup analysis was also performed by ethnicity., Results: Seven case-control studies were included for meta-analysis. Pooled analysis showed that neither -511C/T, -31T/C nor +3954 C/T polymorphisms increased the susceptibility to COPD. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant risks were found in the Caucasian population for -511C/T T allele (OR = 1.76, 95%CI 1.22 - 2.54, P = 0.002), but not in the Asian population (OR = 0.94, 95%CI 0.64 - 1.38, P = 0.736). Significant risks were also found in the Caucasian population for -31T/C C allele (OR = 0.62, 95%CI 0.40 - 0.97, P = 0.035), but not in the Asian population (OR = 1.06, 95%CI 0.89 - 1.26, P = 0.533)., Conclusions: IL-1B polymorphisms may play a role in the susceptibility of COPD in an ethnicity-specific manner. In the Caucasian population, the risk of COPD was associated positively with the IL-1B -511C/T T allele and negatively with the IL-1B -31T/C C allele.

Objective: To study the effects and mechanisms of Zuoguiyin (ZGY) on the ovarian nitric oxide (NO) production in peri-menopausal rats., Methods: The peri-menopausal model rats were respectively administered with low (13.78 g/kg), middle (20.67 g/kg), and high (31.00 g/kg) dose ZGY, and nilestriol for 8 weeks. Normal saline was given by gastrogavage to rats in the model group and the young control group (as the control group). The ovarian NO content and the activity of total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were detected using nitrate reductase method and chemical colorimetry respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of inducible NOS (iNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS), and neuronal NOS (nNOS) were detected using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical assay., Results: (1) Compared with that in the control group, the ovarian NO content and the activity of total NOS in peri-menopausal rats were significantly lower (P < 0.01). Middle and high dose ZGY could obviously up-regulate them (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (2) The three kinds of NOS expression levels in perimenopausal rats were obviously lower when compared with those of the control group (P < 0.01). Middle dose ZGY could significantly promote all the three kinds of NOS expression levels of pre-senile rats (P < 0.01). High dose ZGY could up-regulate the expressions of iNOS and eNOS, while low dose ZGY could only enhance the iNOS expression (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: The down-regulated expressions of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS in local ovaries resulted in decreased NOS activity and NO production, which were closely correlated with damaged microcirculatory vascular functions of ovaries in peri-menopausal rats. ZGY could protect rats' ovarian microcirculation by up-regulating the expressions of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS, and enhancing the ovarian NOS activity and NO production.

Genetics is one of the main courses in agricultural and forestry colleges. However, there is large repetition of teaching contents and joining problems between genetics and the relative courses. The negative effects of above problems are discussed in this paper. In order to relieve the conflict between the increase of genetics contents and the decrease of teaching hours in genetics teaching of undergraduates and provide reference for future textbook compilation, some approaches on solving repetition of teaching content and suggestions on joining problems are put forward.

Objective: To investigate the feature of cerebral oxygen metabolism during peri-operative stage of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), in order to identify the difference between the patients with or without complicating encephalopathy after OLT, and the relationship between the cerebral oxygen metabolism and encephalopathy after OLT., Methods: Thirty patients undergoing OLT were studied. The patients were divided into two groups according to occurrence or not of encephalopathy after OLT: encephalopathy group and non-encephalopathy group. Blood samples were taken from radial artery and jugular vein simultaneously for blood gas analysis before operation, 25 minutes after onset of anhepatic phase, 30 minutes after graft reperfusion , 3 hours after graft reperfusion , and 24 hours after graft reperfusion. Cerebral arterial oxygen content (CaO(2)), oxygen content of jugular vein blood (CjvO(2)), cerebral arterial-venous oxygen content difference (Ca-jvO(2)), cerebral oxygen extraction ratio (CERO(2)) and cerebral blood flow/cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen ratio (CBF/CMRO(2)) were calculated, and the levels of blood glucose and lactic acid were recorded., Results: There were 11 patients (36.7%) complicated by encephalopathy after OLT. The quantity of red blood cell infusion, blood loss and the dosage of noradrenalin in encephalopathy group were significantly larger compared with non-encephalopathy group. The overall tendency of change in cerebral oxygen metabolism index was about the same for both groups, while CaO(2) and Ca-jvO(2) at 25 minutes after onset of anhepatic phase, 30 minutes after graft reperfusion and 3 hours after graft reperfusion , and CERO(2) at 30 minutes after graft reperfusion and 3 hours after graft reperfusion were significantly decreased compared with those before operation [CaO(2) (ml/L) in encephalopathy group: 132.4 ± 23.5 , 125.9 ± 17.6, 133.4 ± 11.1 vs. 148.5 ± 28.8, in non-encephalopathy group: 135.7 ± 22.4, 130.5 ± 20.0, 139.9 ± 21.2 vs. 148.9 ± 28.2; Ca-jvO(2) (ml/L) in encephalopathy group: 42.9 ± 13.2, 31.4 ± 12.3 , 32.3 ± 6.5 vs. 52.9 ± 23.5, in non-encephalopathy group: 33.0 ± 14.1, 26.6 ± 9.1, 30.6 ± 10.3 vs. 50.2 ± 23.2; CERO(2) in encephalopathy group: (24.9 ± 9.7)%, (24.4 ± 5.5)% vs. (35.4 ± 11.5)%, in non-encephalopathy group: (20.6 ± 7.3)%, (21.9 ± 7.0)% vs. (33.4 ± 13.1)%, all P < 0.05], and they returned to the levels before operation at 24 hours after graft reperfusion. Jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO(2)) and CBF/CMRO(2) ratio were significantly increased at 30 minutes after graft reperfusion and 3 hours after graft reperfusion compared with the levels before operation [SjvO(2) in encephalopathy group: 0.838 ± 0.105, 0.835 ± 0.065 vs. 0.709 ± 0.125, in non-encephalopathy group: 0.854 ± 0.074, 0.824 ± 0.074 vs. 0.713 ± 0.138; CBF/CMRO(2) ratio in encephalopathy group: 37.8 ± 16.6, 31.9 ± 6.8 vs. 20.9 ± 6.7 , in non-encephalopathy group: 37.8 ± 14.1, 35.7 ± 13.7 vs. 24.3 ± 14.0, all P <0.05], and they returned to the levels before operation at 24 hours after graft reperfusion. The overall tendency of change in blood glucose and lactic acid was about the same in both groups, while the levels of blood glucose increased significantly from anhepatic phase to 24 hours after graft reperfusion compared with the levels before operation , and the levels of lactic acid increased significantly from anhepatic phase to 3 hours after graft reperfusion compared with the levels before operation and returned to the levels before operation at 24 hours after graft reperfusion., Conclusion: There are significant changes in the features of cerebral oxygen metabolism during OLT, but there is no difference between encephalopathy group and non-encephalopathy group. The occurrence of encephalopathy can be attributed to many factors, so the prevention and treatment should be comprehensive considered.

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from some Chinese medicinal herbs such as Coptidis rhizoma, has been used for the treatment of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal infections as an antibacterial drug in Chinese medicine. In recent years, it was reported to have beneficial effects on the metabolism disorders states of diabetes. The mechanisms involve many aspects of the diabetes, including regulating the blood cholesterol and triglyceride, lowering blood glucose, ameliorating the insulin resistant state and influencing the function of the pancreatic beta cell.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation of the quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the lung function tests, especially the inspiratory capacity (IC)., Methods: Sixty-two stable COPD patients were enrolled between Jan. 2006 and Mar. 2007 (55 males and 7 females), with an age range of 43 - 79 (66 +/- 8) years. Lung volume, spirometry and small airway function measurements were performed in all patients. The St George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) score was collected. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated., Results: The total score of the 62 COPD patients was 43 +/- 17. The 3 component scores were: symptoms (54 +/- 23), activity (54 +/- 19) and impact (33 +/- 20). The FEV(1) pred% was (43 +/- 13)%, FEV(1)/FVC was (52 +/- 11)%, residual volume (RV) pred% was (194 +/- 50)%, RV/total lung capacity (TLC) was (166 +/- 31)%, and IC pred% was (74 +/- 21)%. The SGRQ scores were significantly correlated with IC pred%, RV pred%, RV/TLC, FEV(1) pred%, FEV(1)/FVC and small airway function measurements (FEF(50%), FEF(25%), MMEF). The correlation coefficients between the parameters of spirometry and the total score of SGRQ were -0.336 to -0.479, while those between the parameter of small airway function and the total score of SGRQ were -0.368 to -0.411. Among all these lung function measurements, IC pred% was best correlated with the SGRQ score, and the correlation coefficients between the IC pred% and the total score and the other 3 component scores of SGRQ were -0.418 to -0.521, respectively, P < 0.05. The symptoms section score had the poorest correlation with the lung function test., Conclusions: The lung function test results correlate with the quality of life in patients with COPD. IC pred%, together with FEV(1) pred% should be used for clinical evaluation of patients with COPD.

Objective: To study whether using ulinastatin (UTI) during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) can decrease acute renal failure after liver transplantation in patients with Severe Hepatitis., Method: Thirty-one patients with Severe Hepatitis undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were studied. They were devided into two groups: determination of serumbeta(2) microglobulin (beta(2) MG), BUN and Cr before operation and 24 h after operation, at the same time, urine samples were taken for determination of urine beta(2) MG. Data of HR, ABPM, CVP, CO were recorded during operation. The Incidence of renal failure affiliated liver transplantation (RFALT) and prognosis of these patients were also recorded in the two groups after operation., Results: (1) 4 cases in group U while 10 cases in group C developed RFALT at 24 h after operation (P < 0.05). In these patients who developed RFALT at 24 h after operation, 4 cases were all rehabilitation discharge in group U, while in group C, 2 cases died, 3 cases didn't cure but required discharge, only 5 cases were rehabilitation discharge. (2) Compared with baseline before operation, serum beta(2) MG, Urine beta(2) MG, BUN and Cr increased significantly at 24 h after operation both in two groups, (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) Compared with group C, serum beta(2) MG, Urine beta(2) MG, BUN increased significantly at 24 h after operation in group U (P < 0.05, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Protective effects of ulinastatin during orthotopic liver transplantation on kidney function in patients with Severe Hepatitis can decrease acute renal failure after liver transplantation.

Objective: To observe the changes of systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics and the plasma levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) and investigate their association in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS)., Methods: Twenty-six patients with HPS undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were enrolled in this study with 20 patients without hypoxemia as the control group. Blood samples were taken one day before OLT to measure the plasma levels of iNOS and ET-1 using fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) and radioimmunoassay, respectively, with 10 healthy volunteers serving as the healthy control group. Before the operation for OLT, the parameters of systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics were monitored after anesthesia induction., Results: The systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients without hypoxemia was characterized by high cardiac output and low resistance, and by comparison, the patients with HPS showed even higher cardiac output and lower mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistance. The two patient groups had comparable plasma iNOS and ET-1 levels, which were both higher than those in the healthy control group., Conclusion: The hemodynamics in patients with end-stage liver disease exhibit a pattern of high cardiac output and low resistance, which is more obvious in HPS patients possibly in association with elevated plasma levels of iNOS and ET-1.

Epalrestat is the unique aldose reductase inhibitor on the market, which was mainly used for the diabetic neuropathy. Lenses osmotic expansion could be induced by galactose to mimic the pathological process of diabetic cataract in vitro. In present study, we mainly investigated whether epalrestat possesses inhibitory effect on the lens osmotic expansion. The results indicated that epalrestat could not only markedly inhibit rat lens osmotic expansion in vitro, but also significantly reduced the high expression of the osmotic expansion-related genes such as AR and AQP1 in mRNA and protein levels. The findings may provide an important reference to epalrestat in the clinical application for the treatment of diabetic cataract.

Objective: To investigate the role of sodium cromoglycate in brain protection and its effects on brain tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) expressions after global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in gerbils., Methods: Twenty-four healthy male gerbils were randomized into 3 equal groups, namely the sham-operated group with isolation of the bilateral carotid arteries but without occlusion, IR injury model group with bilateral carotid artery occlusion, and sodium cromoglycate treatment group with bilateral carotid artery occlusion and sodium cromoglycate administration at 25 mg/kg via the lingual vein as soon as the reperfusion start with another dose 1 h later. The animals were then sacrificed and the thalamus were removed, fixed in 10% formaldehyde and sliced for observation under light microscope with HE staining. The rest brain tissues were prepared into homogenate to determine the content of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. The right hemispheres of the gerbils were measured for wet weight and dry weight to calculate the water content in the brain., Results: The water content in the brain of the gerbils in the model group was the highest among the groups, and that in sodium cromoglycate treatment group was significantly less than that of the model group (P<0.05). Microscopic examination showed the most severe brain tissue damage in the model group with also the highest TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels in the brain. The brain TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels in sodium cromoglycate group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the model group (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Sodium cromoglycate can alleviate brain IR injury possibly by lowering the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels in the brain tissues.

Objective: To analyze the early risk factors of acute lung injury (ALI) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT)., Methods: Ninety-one patients with end-stage liver disease, 79 males and 12 females, underwent OLT. The general condition, serum total bilirubin, albumin, creatinine, and prothrombin activity, Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score 48 h before operation were recorded. The operation time, cold ischemia time of donor's liver, time of anhepatic phase, ascitic fluid, blood loss, RBC infusion amount, crystal infusion, and total infusion during operation were recorded too. Follow-up was conducted for 14 days to observe the clinical manifestation, and time of ventilatory support, arterial blood gas analysis and radiological examination of chest were performed. Univariate analysis and logistic stepwise regression analysis were done to investigate the early risk factors of ALI., Result: 53 patients (58.2%) suffered from pulmonary complications following OLT, including ALI (27.5%) and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (5.5%). Univariate analysis showed that preoperative senior age, severe hepatitis B, high serum total bilirubin, low prothrombin activity, and high CTP and MELD scores, and large amount of blood loss and RBC infusion during operation were all risk factors of ALI following OLT (all P < 0.05). Logistic stepwise regression analysis screened out serum total bilirubin as an independent predictor for ALI following OLT., Conclusion: A little more than a quarter of the patients undergoing OLT develop ALI after operation. High preoperative serum total bilirubin is an important early risk factor for ALI following OLT.

Objective: To evaluate the patients' comprehension, recognition and burden of COPD in the rural area of Beijing., Methods: Of the 1624 people aged more than 40 in 5 villages in Yanqing county of Beijing, 148 were diagnosed to have COPD. Patients' comprehension of the disease and COPD control, the medication use, the impact of quality of life, and the experience of exacerbations of COPD were evaluated., Results: According to the GOLD standards the disease classification was 23.6% (35/148), 49.3% (73/148), 23.0% (34/148) and 4.1% (6/148) respectively in stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV COPD. None of the 148 COPD patients had ever heard the term COPD, and none of them had been diagnosed COPD. Lung function tests and health education had never been performed for these patients. Only 4.1% (6/148) of the patients in stable stage took theophylline irregularly. None of the stable COPD patients took inhalers regularly or temporally. No oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation were done in those patients. During acute exacerbation, only 6.8% (10/148) took theophylline and 6.8% (10/148) had antibiotics. Only 3.4% (5/148) of the patients had been admitted to hospital during the past year. For the general health status, 4.1% (6/148) was excellent, 20.9% (31/148) very good, 26.4% (39/148) good, 27.7% (41/148) ordinary, 20.9% (31/148) poor. 47.3% (70/148) of the patients had limitation of activity. 25.0% (37/148) had feelings of depression sometimes and 25.7% (38/148) had some impacts no their social activity., Conclusion: Patients have a poor understanding of COPD in the rural area in Beijing. The management of both stable and exacerbation of COPD was inadequate. COPD appears to have a significant impact on patient activities of daily living and mood. Health education should play an important role in the management of COPD.

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiology and risk factors of asthma of people aged more than 40 years living in the rural area of Beijing., Methods: The data of 1,638 people aged more than 40 years living in 5 villages of Yanqing County in Beijing were collected. Respiratory symptoms, the living conditions, life styles and cooking habits, personal history and family history were collected. Physical examination and lung function tests (ventilation function and bronchodilation tests) were also performed. Asthma was diagnosed based on symptoms, signs, and lung function tests. Univariate analysis and Logistic analysis were employed to evaluate the risk factors for asthma., Results: The prevalence of asthma was 1.89% (31/1 638). For those with asthma, the male to female ratio was 1:4.2, the difference being significant (P<0.05). Common triggering factors for asthma included influenza, cold air, passive smoking and cooking oil smoke. There were statistic differences between asthmatics and non-asthmatics in respiratory disease history in childhood, frequent cough before age 14, and years of exposure to biomass fuel. Cough before age 14 was closely associated with asthma. Only 12.9% of the cases had been diagnosed before this study, indicating that asthma was a underdiagnosed disease in this area., Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma is high in this rural area of Beijing. Life style changes and management of respiratory infections before age 14 are indicated for reducing risk factors for asthma. More attention should be paid to early diagnosis of asthma in rural areas.

Objective: To observe the changes in renal function in patients with severe hepatitis and liver cancer with cirrhosis during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT)., Methods: Thirty end-stage liver disease patients with normal blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) undergoing OLT were studied. They were divided into two groups: severe hepatitis group (group H, n=15) and liver cancer group (group C, n=15), and all the patients received modified piggyback liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass. During the operation, blood samples were drawn for the determination of serum beta (2)-microglobulin (beta (2)-MG), and the determination was performed at 5 following time points: before operation, 20 minutes before anhepatic phase, 30 minutes in anhepatic, 60 minutes after reperfusion, and the end of operation. Urine samples were collected for determination of urine beta (2)-MG and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) at 3 time points: before operation, 60 minutes after reperfusion, and the end of operation. The values of SCr and BUN before operation, 24 hours after operation and 1 week after operation. The incidence of renal function failure after liver transplantation in the two groups were recorded respectively., Results: (1)In 7 patients. 12 patients and 14 patients whose serum beta (2)-MG, urine beta (2) MG and urine NAG were higher than normal values, respectively, in group H before operation, and in 3 patients, 3 patients and 7 patients whose serum beta (2)-MG, urine beta (2)-MG and urine NAG, respectively, were higher than normal values in group C before operation. The incidence of abnormal of urine beta (2)-MG and NAG in group H were significantly higher than those in group C (P<0.01, P<0.05 respectively),while there were no significant differences for the abnormal rate of serum beta (2)-MG at every time point between the two groups during operation (all P>0.05). (2)Compared with baseline, serum beta (2)-MG almost had no change in both groups. There were no significant differences in the variation and the mean value of serum beta (2)-MG at every time point between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the baseline,urine beta (2)-MG and urine NAG were increased at 60 minutes after reperfusion and also at the end of operation in both groups, but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). Compared with group C, urine NAG increased at every time point during the operation in group H (P<0.05 or P<0.01). (3)Incidence of renal failure related with liver transplantation (RFALT):46.7% developed RFALT in group H at 24 hours after operation, and there was none in group C(P<0.01)., Conclusion: Compared with patients with liver cancer with cirrhosis,the damages to renal function in patients with severe hepatitis before operation are more serious, which are mainly due to renal tubular injury. These patients are susceptible to RFALT, and protection of renal function is necessary.

Objective: To investigate cardiac function impairment and myocardial injury in rats with intestinal ischemia-reperfusion and the protective effect of cromolyn sodium., Methods: Thirty-two SD rats were randomized into 4 groups (n=8), namely the sham operation group, model group, 50 mg/kg cromolyn sodium group, and 25 mg/kg cromolyn sodium group. Intestinal damage was induced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 60 min. Cromolyn Sodium was administrated intaperitoneally 15 min before reperfusion. The heart rate (HR), left ventricle pressure (LVSP), and the maximal/minimum rate of LVSP (+dp/dt(max), -dp/dt(max)) were sacrificed immediately before ischemia (baseline, T(0)), at 15 min (T(1)), 30 min (T(2)), 45 min (T(3)) of ischemia, and at 3 min (T(4)), 5 min (T(5)), 10 min (T(6)), 15 min (T(7)), 45 min (T(8)), 60 min (T(9)) of reperfusion. At the end of the experiment, the rats were executed and the hearts were immediately removed for observation of the pathological changes and determination of MDA contents and SOD activity., Results: Compared with the baseline T(0), the HR, +dp/dt(max), -dp/dt(max) and the LVSP were decreased significantly at T(8) and T(9) in the model group and the two cromolyn sodium groups (P<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, these indices were also significantly decreased at T(8) and T(9) in the model group and the two cromolyn sodium groups, but the model group had significantly lower levels for these indices at T(8) and T(9) than the two cromolyn sodium groups (P<0.05). The score of myocardial injury in the model group and the two cromolyn sodium groups were significantly higher than that of group A, and 50 mg/kg cromolyn sodium group had lower score than the model group (P<0.05). The rats in the model group had significantly higher MDA levels than those in the sham operation group and the 50 mg/kg cromolyn sodium group. SOD activities in the model group and 25 mg/kg cromolyn sodium group was lower than that in the sham operation group (P<0.05), but 50 mg/kg cromolyn sodium group had significantly higher SOD activities than the model group (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Cromolyn sodium can protect the myocardium against intestal ischemia-reperfusion injury and improve the cardiac function.

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and differential diagnosis of pleural disease caused by sarcoidosis., Methods: The clinical data of cases of sarcoidosis diagnosed with pathological evidence in this hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical features and the diagnostic procedures of the cases with pleural disease as the main manifestations were reported. A review of case reports and series published in Chinese literature were carried out to study the incidence and the features of pleural effusion and pneumothorax in sarcoidosis., Results: Thirty-two cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis were diagnosed with pathological evidence, of which 2 cases (2/32, 6.3%) presented as pleural effusion with one confirmed by medical thoracoscopy; one case (1/32, 3.1%) presented as recurrent pneumothorax and interstitial lung disease, and the diagnosis was confirmed by open lung biopsy. Pleural fluid analysis showed exudates with lymphocyte predominance. The fluid level of adenosine deaminase (ADA) was all less than 30 U/L and increased angiotensin converting enzyme level was demonstrated in one case. All 3 cases had been misdiagnosed as tuberculosis and received anti-tuberculous therapy for a period of 1 - 12 months. A review of the case reports and series in Chinese literature showed that the incidence of pleural disease in sarcoidosis was 3.4% - 16.7% in different series, and that pleural effusion in sarcoidosis was misdiagnosed as tuberculous in most cases., Conclusions: Pleural sarcoidosis is not rare in Chinese patients, but often misdiagnosed as tuberculous pleural disease. Recognition of this fact is of clinical importance both in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and in the differential diagnosis of pleural diseases.

Objective: To investigate the changes in oxygen metabolism in peri-operative stages in hepatitis B gravis and non-hepatitis B gravis undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT)., Methods: Twelve patients undergoing OLT for hepatitis B gravis (experimental group) and 10 patients without hepatitis B gravis (control group) were enrolled for study. Anesthesia was induced by propofol, fentanyl and vecuronium bromide, and maintained with isoflurane. Arterial catheter was inserted into the left radial artery. Swan-Ganz catheter was inserted through the right internal jugular vein. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)), mixed venous partial pressure of oxygen (PvO(2)), arterial oxygen content (CaO(2)), mixed venous oxygen content (CvO(2)), arterial-venous oxygen content difference (Ca-vO(2)), oxygen delivery (DO(2)), index of oxygen delivery (DO(2)I), oxygen consumption (VO(2)), index of oxygen consumption (VO(2)I), index of oxygen extract (O(2)EI), oxygen extract rate (O(2)ER) were determined before skin incision (T1), 10 minutes before anhepatic phase (T2), 25 minutes after liver was removed (anhepatic phase, T3), 30 minutes in neohapitic phase (T4), and the end of operation (T5)., Results: (1) In the experimental group, PvO(2) increased, Ca-vO(2) decreased, DO(2) and VO(2) showed no change, and O(2)EI and O(2)ER decreased in T2. In preanhepatic period, PvO(2) increased, Ca-vO(2) decreased, DO(2) and VO(2) did not change. In anhepatic period, DO(2), DO(2)I, VO(2) and VO(2)I decreased obviously, DO(2) decreased by 43%, while VO(2) decreased by 21%, and O(2)ER increased obviously. In reperfusion period, PaO(2) and PvO(2) increased, CaO(2) and Ca-vO(2) decreased, DO(2) and DO(2)I increased, VO(2) and VO(2)I recovered to base level. After termination of operation, PvO(2), DO(2), DO(2)I were still high. (2) In the control group: PvO(2) increased, O(2)EI and O(2)ER decreased, but no significant changes were found in DO(2) and VO(2) in T2. DO(2), DO(2)I, VO(2), and VO(2)I all decreased in T3, while DO(2) reduced by 25% and VO(2) reduced by 12%. In T4, PvO(2), DO(2) and DO(2)I all increased, while Ca-vO(2), VO(2) and VO(2)I reached the pre-operative levels in T4. DO(2) and DO(2)I levels were higher than those of pre-operation in T5., Conclusion: The decrease in DO(2) is more obvious than VO(2) in anhepatic period during OLT in hepatitis B gravis patients. In neohepatic period, DO(2) increases while VO(2) returns to base level.

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of non-symptomatic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in a rural area in Beijing., Methods: The data of 1,624 people aged more than 40 in 5 villages in Yanqing county in Beijing were collected. Information of medical history and symptom were obtained, and physical examination and lung function test were performed., Results: The prevalence of COPD was 9.1% (148/1 624) in this area. In these 148 patients, 62 (42%) were non-symptomatic and 86 (58%) were symptomatic, the prevalence of non-symptomatic COPD being 3.8% (62/1 624). There was no statistical difference in the sex, age, occupation, marriage status, education level and smoking index between the symptomatic and the non-symptomatic groups (all P > 0.05). The forced expired volume in one second (FEV(1)) and FEV(1)% predicted were lower in the symptomatic group [(1.3 +/- 0.7) L, (61 +/- 23)%] than those in the non-symptomatic group [(1.5 +/- 0.6) L, (70 +/- 22)%; all P < 0.05]., Conclusions: The prevalence of COPD was high in this area with a high percentage of non-symptomatic patients. The COPD prevalence might be underestimated due to the symptom free patients.

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological characteristic and risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the rural area of Beijing., Methods: The data of 1,624 people aged more than 40 in 5 villages in Yanqing County in Beijing were collected. The habitation condition, life and cooking habit, smoking history, personal history and family history were asked, and their physical examinations and lung function tests were conducted., Results: The prevalence of COPD was 9.11% in this area, 15.05% in males and 3.76% in females. There were significant differences in sex, age, smoking history, family history, frequent cough before age 14 and body index between the COPD and non-COPD groups. The prevalence of corpulmonale was 1.66% in this area., Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD was high in this area and related with sex, age, smoking history, family history, frequent cough before age 14 and low body index. Other factors such as environment, working exposure need to be studied in the future. COPD is a major public health problem, which should claim more attention.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance sialography (MRS) for chronic obstructive parotitis (COP)., Methods: 18 patients with COP underwent both conventional sialography and MRI sialography. A new magnetic resonance technique was applied. In addition to the usually performed T1 and T2 cross-sectional sequence, a heavy T2-weighted sequence (TR=4000 msec,TE=250 msec)was performed that allowed depiction of the fluid-filled parotid duct system. The MRI sialographic findings were compared with that of conventional sialography. The overall accuracy of diagnosis and ductal stenosis were assessed., Results: The main duct of the parotid gland as well as primary branching ducts could be reliably depicted. Compared with the conventional sialography, the diagnostic accuracy of MRS was 94.4%(17/18) and stenosis diagnosis reached 100%(17/17)., Conclusions: Initial experience indicates that magnetic resonance sialography can be applied successfully to investigate the duct system of the parotid gland. It is completely noninvasive and a promising alternative to radiographic sialography.