Lumbar Intervertebral Discs Degeneration：A Quantitative Evaluation by Using T2 Mapping / 中国医学影像学杂志

PurposePifrrmann scoring based on T2WI can only evaluate intervertebral disc qualitatively and is easily affected by the surrounding environment and imaging parameters. The present study attempted to make a quantificational study on lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration by using MR T2 mapping sequence so as to improve its diagnosis.Materials and Methods Sagittal T1FSE, sagittal and axial T2FSE, sagittal T2 mapping sequence were performed on 265 lumbar intervertebral discs from 53 subjects. The MR imaging was analyzed and all the discs were classified according to Pifrrmann scoring. T2 relaxation time of the discs was calculated and statistical analysis was conducted on its correlation.Results Among the 265 discs, 5 (1.9%) were scored as Pfirrmann I, 153 (57.7%) were scored as Pfirrmann II, 86 (32.3%) were scored as Pfirrmann III, 20 (7.5%) were scored as Pfirrmann IV, 1 (0.38%) were scored as Pifrrmann V. The average anterior annulus T2 values showed no difference between every Pfirrmann grade (P>0.05), while the difference of average posterior annulus T2 values was significant between groups (P<0.05). The relaxation time of anterior annulus was signiifcantly shorter than that of posterior annulus in the discs of Pifrrmann II-IV, whilst the reverse occurred in the discs of Pifrrmann I (P<0.05). The differences of the relaxation time of nucleus pulposus T2 values were signiifcant between groups of Pifrrmann grade I to IV (P<0.05). The T2 relaxation time of each partition of nucleus pulposus (ROI2/ROI3, ROI3/ROI4, ROI2/ROI4) was signiifcantly correlated (r=0.86, 0.76 and 0.63,P<0.05), the T2 relaxation time of anterior annulus and posterior annulus had no correlation (r=0.09, P<0.05), and the nucleus pulposus T2 values and Pfirrmann grade were negatively correlated (r=-0.78,P<0.05).Conclusion MR T2 mapping can quantitatively evaluate the T2 relaxation time of lumbar intervertebral discs, and is signiifcantly correlated with Pifrrmann grades.

Optimization of the fermentation conditions for 5-keto-D-gluconic acid production / 生物工程学报

Gluconobacter oxydans converts glucose to gluconic acid and subsequently to 5-keto-D-gluconic acid (5-KGA), a precursor of industrially important L(+)-tartaric acid. To increase the yield of 5-KGA, fermentation conditions of 5-KGA production was optimized. Under the optimum medium and culture conditions in the shake flask, the highest 5-KGA production reached 19.7 g/L, increased by 43.8% after optimization. In a 5-L bioreactor, the pH was controlled at 5.5 and dissolved oxygen (DO) at 15%, 5-KGA production reached 46.0 g/L, raised at least 1.3 times than in the shake flask. Glucose feeding fermentation process was further developed, and the highest 5-KGA production of 75.5 g/L with 70% of yield was obtained, 32.0% higher than the highest reported value. Therefore, this newly developed fermentation process provided a practical and effective alternative for the commercial production of 5-KGA, and further of L(+)-tartaric acid.

Expression of betaig-h3 in keratoconus and normal cornea / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To observe the expression of betaig-h3 in normal cornea and keratoconus and to elucidate the role of extracellular matrix in keratoconus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of betaig-h3 in the cornea. The cDNA library was screened with human betaig-h3 cDNA probe to locate betaig-h3 mRNA in cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression of betaig-h3 was found mainly in the stroma of the normal cornea and keratoconus, but decrease depending on the degree of keratopathy. In some serious cases, no expression signal was detected. The strongest expression was seen at the border of the normal region and keratoconus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>betaig-h3, the structural component of the extracellular matrix, can affect cell adhensiveness in the development of corneal fibrous interstitial organization. During the development of keratoconus, decreasing levels of betaig-h3 cause the diminution of corneal steadiness, which is related to formation of keratoconus.</p>

Oxidative damage and enzyme histochemistry changes in senile cataract / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

To study the possible etiopathology of senile cataract,the changes in the activity of lens epithelial enzyme in senile cataract and the effects of oxidative damage on the enzymatic activity of the cultured bovine lens epithelial cells. Methods 1. The activities of succinate dehydrogenase ( SDH)、 Lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH)、 Glucose - 6 - phosphate dehydrogenase (G60D) and Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) collected from senile cataract and normal lens epithelial cells were observed by enzyme histochemistry methods. 2. An experimental oxidative damage model of cultured bovine lens epithelial cells in vitro was established. Then the activities of SDH、 LDH and G6PD were observed after oxidative damage and then,after VitC treatment. Results 1. The activities of SDH、 LDH、 G6PD and ATPase of senile cataract lens epithelial cells were apparently lower than those of normal transparent lens.2. After oxidative damage, the activities of SDH、 LDH and G6PD of cultured bovine lens epithelial cells dramatically decreased. Vitamin C partly raised the enzyme activities, rather than bring them to normal.Conclusion Activities of enzyme related with energetic metabolism are decreased following oxidative damage, which may be a possible cause of senile cataract.