Stochastic processes shape microbial community assembly in biofilters: Hidden role of rare taxa.

Stochastic and deterministic processes are the major themes governing microbial community assembly; however, their roles in bioreactors are poorly understood. Herein, the mechanisms underlying microbial assembly and the effect of rare taxa were studied in biofilters. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed differences in microbial communities at various stages.

Decoding the influence of low temperature on biofilm development: The hidden roles of c-di-GMP.

Biofilms are widely used and play important roles in biological processes. Low temperature of wastewater inhibits the development of biofilms derived from wastewater activated sludge. However, the specific mechanism of temperature on biofilm development is still unclear.

Engineering a Pseudomonas putida as living quorum quencher for biofilm formation inhibition, benzenes degradation, and environmental risk evaluation.

Bacterial communication interruption based on quorum quenching (QQ) has been proven its potential in biofilm formation inhibition and biofouling control. However, it would be more satisfying if QQ could be combined with the efficient degradation of contaminants in environmental engineering. In this study, we engineered a biofilm of Pseudomonas putida through introducing a QQ synthetic gene, which achieved both biofilm formation inhibition and efficient degradation of benzene series in wastewater.

Microbial community evolution and functional trade-offs of biofilm in odor treatment biofilters.

Biofilters inoculated with activated sludge are widely used for odor control in WWTP. In this process, biofilm community evolution plays an important role in the function of reactor and is closely related to reactor performance. However, the trade-offs in biofilm community and bioreactor function during the operation are still unclear.

A method establishment and application for biofilm quorum quenching activity assay.

The existence of quorum sensing (QS) and quorum quenching (QQ) plays important roles in biofilm formation. However, direct detection of QS ability is difficult due to the low concentrations of signal molecules inside the biofilm. Therefore, QQ activity is typically used to indicate the attribution of QS/QQ to the biofilm.

Microbial community regulation and performance enhancement in gas biofilters by interrupting bacterial communication.

Background: Controlling excess biomass accumulation and clogging is important for maintaining the performance of gas biofilters and reducing energy consumption. Interruption of bacterial communication (quorum quenching) can modulate gene expression and alter biofilm properties. However, whether the problem of excess biomass accumulation in gas biofilters can be addressed by interrupting bacterial communication remains unknown.

The role of PTEN in primary sensory neurons in processing itch and thermal information in mice.

PTEN is known as a tumor suppressor and plays essential roles in brain development. Here, we report that PTEN in primary sensory neurons is involved in processing itch and thermal information in adult mice. Deletion of PTEN in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) is achieved in adult Drg11-Cre: PTEN (PTEN CKO) mice with oral administration of tamoxifen, and CKO mice develop pathological itch and elevated itch responses on exposure to various pruritogens.

Neurochemical characterization of pERK-expressing spinal neurons in histamine-induced itch.

Acute itch is divided into histamine- and non-histamine-dependent subtypes, and our previous study has shown that activation of ERK signaling in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) is required selectively for histamine-induced itch sensation. Morphological characteristics of pERK-expressing neurons are required for exploring the mechanism underlying spinal itch sensation. To investigate whether pERK-expressing neurons are supraspinally-projecting neurons, we injected Fluorogold (FG) into the ventrobasal thalamic complex (VB) and parabrachial region, the two major spinal ascending sites in rodents.

Development of the science of mass casualty incident management: reflection on the medical response to the Wenchuan earthquake and Hangzhou bus fire.

Objective: In this paper, we review the previous classic research paradigms of a mass casualty incident (MCI) systematically and reflect the medical response to the Wenchuan earthquake and Hangzhou bus fire, in order to outline and develop an improved research paradigm for MCI management.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, China Wanfang, and China Biology Medicine (CBM) databases for relevant studies. The following key words and medical subject headings were used: 'mass casualty incident', 'MCI', 'research method', 'Wenchuan', 'earthquake', 'research paradigm', 'science of surge', 'surge', 'surge capacity', and 'vulnerability'.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation is required for itch sensation in the spinal cord.

Background: Itch, chronic itch in particular, can have a significant negative impact on an individual's quality of life. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying itch processing in the central nervous system remain largely unknown.

Results: We report here that activation of ERK signaling in the spinal cord is required for itch sensation.

Evaluation of the inflammatory response in a two-hit acute lung injury model using [F]FDG microPET.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a two-hit acute lung injury (ALI) model is better than a one-hit model in simulating ALI, and to evaluate the inflammatory response in the lungs in these two models using micro-positron emission tomography (microPET) with [F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups; rats in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS; n=10) and LPS-HCl (n=10) groups were challenged by the intraperitoneal administration of 5 mg/kg LPS, while rats in the normal saline (NS; n=3) and HCl (n=10) groups received the same volume of normal saline solution. Sixteen hours following the administration, the rats in the HCl and LPS-HCl groups received an acid instillation (IT) of 0.

Effect of cholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine on circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis.

Background: The nervous system, through the vagus nerve and its neurotransmitter acetylcholine, can down-regulate the systemic inflammation in vivo, and recently, a role of brain cholinergic mechanisms in activating this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway has been indicated. Galanthamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor and one of the centrally acting cholinergic agents available in clinic. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of galanthamine on circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis and the possible role of the vagus nerve in the action of galanthamine.

Analysis of clinical risk factors associated with mortality of severely injured multiple trauma patients with acute lung injury.

Background: It is important to study the factors affecting the clinical mortality of the severe multiple trauma population. The present study was aimed to identify the potential risk factors that could affect mortality rate of acute lung injury (ALI) in severely injured multiple trauma population and to investigate the effects of certain risk factors on the prognosis of different patient subpopulations.

Methods: This is a follow-up study treating trauma as a single cause for emergency department (ED) and emergency intensive care unit (EICU) admissions.

Risk factors for urban road traffic injuries in Hangzhou, China.

Objective: To investigate factors that most influence urban road traffic injuries (RTI) mortality and morbidity.

Methods: The study used linked police and hospital records of RTI patients in the city of Hangzhou during the 3-year period 2004-2006. Three RTI outcome groups were included: (1) fatally injured; (2) severely injured; and (3) mildly injured persons.

Comparison of the new injury severity score and the injury severity score in multiple trauma patients.

Objective: To assess whether these characteristics of less misclassification and greater area under receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of the new injury severity score (NISS) are better than the injury severity score (ISS) as applying it to our multiple trauma patients registered into the emergency intensive care unit (EICU).

Methods: This was a retrospective review of registry data from 2 286 multiple trauma patients consecutively registered into the EICU from January 1,1997 to December 31, 2006 in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University in China. Comparisons between ISS and NISS were made using misclassification rates, ROC curve analysis, and the H-L statistics by univariate and multivariate logistic progression model.

Risk factors of mortality in road traffic injury patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: Among the deaths due to trauma, about one half of the patients suffer from road traffic injury (RTI). Most of RTI patients complicate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and severe multiple injuries. ARDS is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in trauma patients.

Research progress in mechanism of traumatic brain injury affecting speed of fracture healing.

In patients who have sustained traumatic brain injury with associated extremity fracture, there is often a clinical perception that the rate of new bone formation around the fracture site increases.(1) An overgrowth of callus is observed and ectopic ossification even occurs in the muscle,(2) but the mechanism remains unclear. Whether this rapidly-formed new bone is fracture callus or a variant of heterotopic ossification, a common complication of traumatic brain injury, is the subject of some debates.

Protective effect of raloxifene on lipopolysaccharide and acid- induced acute lung injury in rats.

Aim: To evaluate the protective effect of oral raloxifene on acute lung injury.

Methods: Thirty adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats each weighing 180-210 g were used and divided into 3 groups: the raloxifene-lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-HCl group (n=10), the LPS-raloxifene-HCl group (n=10), and the placebo group (n=10). All the rats were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 5 mg/kg LPS, and raloxifene (30 mg/kg) was orally administered 1 h before and 14 h after LPS injection into the raloxifene-LPS-HCl and the LPS-raloxifene-HCl groups, respectively; the placebo group received nothing.

Rapid detection of pneumothorax by ultrasonography in patients with multiple trauma.

Introduction: Early detection of pneumothorax in multiple trauma patients is critically important. It can be argued that the efficacy of ultrasonography (US) for detection of pneumothorax is enhanced if it is performed and interpreted directly by the clinician in charge of the patients. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of emergency department clinicians to perform bedside US to detect and assess the size of the pneumothorax in patients with multiple trauma.

Development of the trauma emergency care system based on the three links theory.

The three links theory applied in trauma emergency care system refers to an integrated system with the three important components of trauma emergency care system, viz. prehospital trauma services, hospital trauma services and critical care services. The development of the trauma emergency care system should be guided by the three links theory so as to set up a practical and highly efficient system: a prompt operating and monitoring transportation system, a smooth and real-time information system, a rational and sustainable system of regulations and contingency plans, and a system for cultivating all-round trauma physicians.

Basic fibroblast growth factor alleviates brain injury following global ischemia reperfusion in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to explore the protective effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on brain injury following global ischemia reperfusion and its mechanisms. Brain injury following global ischemia was induced by four vessels occlusion and systemic hypotension. Twenty-four rabbits were randomized into three groups: group A, only dissection of vessels; group B, intravenous infusion of normal saline after reperfusion for 6 h; group C, 30 microg/kg bFGF injected intravenously at the onset of reperfusion, then infused with 10 microg/(kg.

Epidemiological characteristics of expressway traffic trauma in 2040 cases.

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of expressway traffic trauma in 2040 cases in Zhejiang Province.

Methods: The data of 2040 cases of expressway traffic trauma taken from Zhejiang Provincial Expressway Traffic Bureau were analyzed with computer techniques.

Results: A total of 2040 persons were injured in 7963 expressway traffic accidents in Zhejiang Province from January 1999 to December 2001.

Dynamically monitoring tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor following secondary brain injury.

Objective: To study the altering rule of coagulation function at molecular level in patients with secondary brain injury (SBI).

Methods: Tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) were studied in 32 patients 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after craniocerebral injury. Repeated cranial CT scans and platelet counts were made simultaneously.