[Simultaneous production of hydrogen and volatile fatty acid from Macrocystis pyrifera].

Batch experiments were conducted to analyze the effects of pretreatment conditions, inoculum-substrate ratio (ISR) and initial pH on the hydrogen and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production from anaerobic digestion of Macrocystis pyrifera biomass. The results indicated that M. pyrifera could produce hydrogen and VFA simultaneously. In addition, thermo-alkaline pretreatment was proved as the best method for hydrogen and VFA production. The optimal pretreatment conditions, ISR, initial pH value were determined as thermal-alkaline pretreatment at 100 degrees C with 4 g x L(-1) NaOH, 0.3 and 6, respectively. Under these conditions, the maximum hydrogen production was 36.21 mL x g(-1) per unit volatile solids, which resulted in 77.82% improvement compared with the yield from untreated M. pyrifera. Furthermore, the TVFA yield under the optimal conditions was found to be 0.15 g x g(-1) per unit volatile solids and the VFAs mainly consisted of acetate and butvrate

Efficacy of spastic pelvic floor syndrome treated with electroacupuncture at Baliao (BL 31, BL 32, BL 33 and BL 34) / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy on spastic pelvic floor syndrome (SPFS) treated with electroacupuncture (EA) at Shangliao (BL 31), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 33) and Xialiao (BL 34).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six cases of SPFS were treated with EA at Shangliao (BL 31), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 33) and Xialiao (BL 34), intermittent wave, 60 times/min in frequency, retained for 20 min. In general, the acupoints on one side were stimulated in each treatment. The bilateral acupoints stimulation was applied in serious cases. The treatment was given once every two days, five treatments made one session and totally three sessions were required. Before and after treatment, the clinical symptoms, anal kinetic indices defecation radiographic changes were observed. The follow-up observation was done in three months after the end of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In three-months follow-up after treatment, 14 cases were cured, 18 cases improved and 4 cases failed. The total effective rate was 88. 9%. After treatment, the cases of incomplete defecation, difficult defecation, anal pain and anal obstruction were reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment, indicating the statistically significant differences (all P<0.01). After treatment, rectal anal reflex threshold (ARA) was increased, anal maximal contraction pressure (AMCP) was reduced to (16.62±1.54) kPa and anal rest pressure (ARP) was significantly reduced to (7.22±0.36) kPa, indicating the statistical differences as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01). After treatment, anorectal angle (ARA) in forceful defecation was increased to (116.55±9.42)°, the distance between the anorectal junction and the pubococcygeal line was decreased, and the impression of puborectal muscle was alleviated apparently as compared with that before treatment (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at Shangliao (BL 31), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 33) and Xialiao (BL 34) achieves definite efficacy on SPFS and this therapeutic method obviously relieves the symptoms and deserves to be promoted in clinic.</p>

Sacral nerve stimulation treatment in functional anorectal pain / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the treatment outcomes of sacral nerve stimulation(SNS) for functional anorectal pain(FAP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 32 patients of FAP received SNS treatment through S3 from March 2011 to December 2011. Visual analogue scale(VAS), anal pressure measure, and health survey(SF-36) before and after treatment were used to evaluate the outcomes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, VAS score was significantly decreased, rectal anal reflex threshold volume elevated, and anal maximum contraction pressure (AMCP) and anal rest pressure significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(all P<0.01). Except for general health, the remaining dimension score of the SF-36 increased significantly after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01). After SNS treatment, 19 cases were cured, 12 improved, 1 was refractory. The total effective rate was 96.9% during 3 months after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SNS is a safe and effective alternative for FAP and can alleviate the pain symptom and improve the quality of life.</p>

[Expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog in lower rectal cancer on neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) in low rectal cancer on neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine plus radiotherapy. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with low rectal cancer on therapy with capecitabine (1650 mg×m(-2)×d(-1) in 2 divided doses) for two course and concurrent radiotherapy (50 Gy, 2 Gy/day, 5 days a week). Then the investigators analyzed the relationship between the preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and prognosis and measured the expression of PTEN during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: 92.4% (61/66) of patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy as planned. 87.9% (58/66) tumor stages were down-staged, tumor size decreased while the distance from anal edge increased. And curative resection with sphincter-sparing was carried out in all patients. The rate of sphincter preservation was 90.9% (60/66). Among which, 85.5% patients showed an excellent function of sphincter. The 2-year survival rate was 87.9% (58/66). The survival period was an average of 35.3 months (range: 25-60). The PTEN mRNA and protein expression in cancer tissues on neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were significantly higher than those before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (P=0.0079, 0.0269). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in lower rectal cancer patients has shown its efficacy in down-staging cancer, enhancing resectability, offering sphincter preservation, up-regulating PTEN expression, promoting the apoptosis of cancer cell and achieving a better survival rate. Thus preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is an effective adjuvant measure.