The geriatric nutritional risk index is an effective tool to detect GLIM-defined malnutrition in rectal cancer patients.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the value of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) scores in detecting malnutrition in patients with rectal cancer; the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) was used as the reference criterion. Materials and methods: This study included patients with rectal cancer who underwent proctectomy. GNRI, PNI, and ALI were calculated to detect the GLIM-defined malnutrition using the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between the nutritional tools and postoperative complications. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank tests, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to clarify the relationship between nutritional tools and overall survival (OS). Results: This study enrolled 636 patients with rectal cancer. The GNRI demonstrated the highest sensitivity (77.8%), pretty specificity (69.0%), and the largest AUC (0.734). The GNRI showed good property in predicting major postoperative complications. All three nutritional tools were independent predictors of OS. Conclusion: The GNRI can be used as a promising alternative to the GLIM and is optimal in perioperative management of patients with rectal cancer.

[Effects of Clostridium butyricum on serum uric acid and inflammatory mediators in rats with hyperuricemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of intragastric administration of Clostridium butyricum in regulating serum uric acid, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats with hyperuricemia rats. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomized into 4 equal groups, namely the normal control group, hyperuricemia model group, benzbromarone (3 mg/kg daily) intervention group and live Clostridium butyricum group (1.5×107 CFU/day). Except for those in the control group, the rats were subjected to intragastric administration of yeast extract and oteracil potassium once daily for 12 weeks to induce hyperuricemia with corresponding treatments. The changes in serum uric acid, lipopolysaccharides , IL-6 and TNF-α in each group were detected. RESULTS: The serum level of uric acid was significantly higher in rats fed with high-purine diet than in the control rats (P<0.01), demonstrating the successful establishment of hyperuricemia models. In rats with hyperuricemia, serum uric acid level was positively correlated with the levels of LPS, IL-6 and TNF-α, and their serum levels decreased significantly and progressively with time in Benzbromarone group and Clostridium butyricum group. Benzbromarone was more effective in decreasing serum uric acid in the rats, while Clostridium butyricum produced a stronger effect in down-regulating the inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSION: Chronic inflammatory reaction exists in rats with hyperuricemia. Intragastric administration of Clostridium butyricum can effectively decrease serum uric acid level and inhibit the inflammatory cytokines, and thus contributes to immune homeostasis in the intestines.

Effects of organic ligands on Pb absorption and speciation changes in Arabidopsis as determined by micro X-ray fluorescence and X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis.

Pb can pass through the food chain via plants and threaten human health, which has attracted widespread attention. Changes in Pb speciation affect its bioavailability in soils and water. However, whether organic ligands can change the uptake and mobility of Pb in plants and increase or decrease Pb bioavailability remains uncertain. To reveal the roles of organic and inorganic Pb in Pb metabolism in plants, the localization and speciation changes of Pb in Arabidopsis thaliana plants grown in organic and inorganic Pb were characterized by synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence and X-ray absorption near-edge structure, respectively. These results demonstrated that Arabidopsis absorbed more Pb from Pb(NO3)2 than Pb(CH3COO)2 at the same exposure concentration. A higher percentage of Pb-citrate was found in Arabidopsis exposed to inorganic Pb solution, which suggested that Pb-citrate was the main complex for root-to-shoot transportation in Arabidopsis exposed to inorganic Pb solutions. Pb complexed with the organic ligand CH3COO- significantly inhibited primary root growth and lateral root development, while, at the same time, Pb was blocked by root hairs, which represented another way to reduce Pb absorption and protect the plant from biotoxicity.

[Distribution and speciation of Pb in Arabidopsis thaliana shoot and rhizosphere soil by in situ synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence and X-ray absorption near edge structure].

In order to investigate plant reacting mechanism with heavy metal stress in organ and tissue level, synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence (micro-SRXRF) was used to determine element distribution characteristics of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb in an Arabidopsis thaliana seedling grown in tailing dam soil taken from a lead-zinc mine exploration area. The results showed a regular distribution characters of K, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn, while Pb appeared not only in root, but also in a leaf bud which was beyond previously understanding that Pb mainly appeared in plant root. Pb competed with Mn in the distribution of the whole seedling. Pb may cause the increase of oxidative stress in root and leaf bud, and restrict Mn absorption and utilization which explained the phenomenon of seedling death in this tailing damp soil. Speciation of Pb in Arabidopsis thaliana and tailing damp rhizosphere soil were also presented after using PbL3 micro X-ray absorption near edge structure (micro-XANES). By comparison of PbL3 XANES peak shape and peak position between standard samples and rhizosphere soil sample, it was demonstrated that the tailing damp soil was mainly formed by amorphous forms like PbO (64.2%), Pb (OH)2 (28.8%) and Pb3O4 (6.3%) rather than mineral or organic Pb speciations. The low plant bioavailability of Pb demonstrated a further research focusing on Pb absorption and speciation conversion is needed, especially the role of dissolve organic matter in soil which may enhance Pb bioavailability.

[Efficacy observation on refractory insomnia treated with the balance needling therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the difference in the clinical efficacy on refractory insomnia between the balance needling therapy and the conventional acupuncture and verify the effectiveness and practicality of the balance needling therapy. METHODS: Sixty cases were randomized into a balance needling therapy group, a conventional acupuncture group and a placebo group, 20 cases in each one. In the balance needling therapy group, Shi-mian (point for insomnia) was selected with quick needling manipulation. After the arrival of qi, the technique of lifting and thrusting was applied till the radiating numbness presented in the middle or index finnger, thus the needle was removed. In the conventional acupuncture group, Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured with the conventional technique. The treatment was given once every day, 7 treatments made one session, 2 sessions were required totally. In the placebo group, starch capsules were prescribed for oral administration before sleep every night, continuously for 14 days. The efficacy and scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) beforea and after treatment were observed in three groups. RESULTS: PSQI scores were reduced after treatment in every group (both P < 0.01), the scores in the balance needling therapy group and conventional acupuncture group were reduced apparently as compared with those in the placebo group (both P < 0.01). The total effective rate were 90.0% (18/20), 85.0% (17/20) and 15.0% (3/20) in the balance needling therapy group, conventional acupuncture group and placebo group separately. The efficacy in the balance needling therapy group and the conventional acupuncture group was higher obviously than that in the placebo group (both P < 0.01), and the balance needling therapy group had the same efficacy as conventional acupuncture group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The balance needling therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of refractory insomnia and achieves the same efficacy as the conventional acupuncture, which has more simple operation and less pain for the patients and much more considerable practicality in clinic.

[Determination of major, minor and trace elements in soils by polarized energy X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and the application to vertical distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon].

It is difficult to get accurate, precise and reliable analytical data when using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) to determinate sulfur in geological sample. The possible ways to improve sulfur determination accuracy are discussed. Sulfur, and the major, minor and trace elements in soils were determined by polarization energy dispersion XRF (EDXRF) spectrometry and the element profiles and vertical distribution were obtained. Based on this, replacement of two short-term vegetation soil profiles was studied. Significant correlations among the vertical distribution of soil organic carbon content (TOC), organic carbon stable carbon isotopes (delta13C) and several elements were found. The study showed that the EDXRF method can be well applied to element soil geochemical cycle and carbon cycle researches.

[Model fitting results of pyrene sorption on soil after gradient oxidations by different oxidants].

The influences of the sorption of pyrene on soils after the gradient oxidations with Fenton and NaClO on soil were investigated using two different soil samples from Dongling, Beijing (DL) and Qujing, Yunnan (YN), China. Six models were used to simulate the sorption using coefficient of determination (R2) and mean weighted square errors (MWSE) to evaluate the goodness of fitting. The results showed that Polanyl-Manes model fitted best among all these models. Both gradient oxidations secured the positive correlation between adsorption capacity of DL soil and TOC, while the results for YN soil were on the opposite. The adsorption capacities of YN soils oxidated by NaClO were stronger than that oxidated by Fenton while opposite results were identified for DL soils. YN soils oxidated by NaCIO had stronger adsorption capacities than DL soils. The adsorption of pyrene was influenced by TOC of soil with high TOC ( < 2.5%) while no influences were identified with low TOC (0.1%-0.5%). Both DL and YN soils oxidated by NaC1O had more equilibrium adsorption potentials. The equilibrium adsorption potentials had good significant linear relationships with TOC. DL soils oxidated by NaClO secured the positive correlation between equilibrium adsorption potentials and TOC, while opposite results were identified in other three oxidated soil groups.

[Concentration characteristics and influencing factors of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in TSP in the southeastern suburb of Beijing, China].

ATSP samples were collected at three sampling sites in the southeastern suburb of Beijing from March, 2005 to January, 2006. The samples were analyzed for TSP and sixteen PAHs. The concentrations and seasonal changes of TSP and sixteen PAHs were illustrated. Concentrations of sigma 16PAHs range from 0.29 - 1 184.48 ng/m3, and the average value is 239.44 ng/m3. Partial correlation analysis was applied to investigate the influence of meteorological parameters (temperature, wind speed, air pressure and relative humidity) and air pollution indexes (SO2, NO2 and PM10) on PAHs concentrations. Finally, quantitative estimation equations between PAHs and meteorological parameters and air pollution indexes were put forward by applying stepwise linear regression method, and the equations are sigma 16PAHs = 572.56 - 23.18 t and sigma 16PAHs = 5.99 SO2, respectively. Concentration of PAHs could be estimated using temperature or API of SO2.