rhCSF3 accelerates the proliferation of human melanocytes in culture through binding CSF3R and the expression of CSF3R transcripts.

Melanogenic paracrine and autocrine cytokine networks have recently been discovered in vitro between melanocytes and other types of skin cells. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (CSF3R) controls the survival, proliferation and differentiation of many kinds of cells, including neutrophils. To understand the function of CSF3R and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhCSF3) on melanocyte proliferation, this study compared the expression of CSF3R and the effects of rhCSF3 in primary human melanocytes, neutrophils and HEL 92.

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver mistaken for hepatic abscess in an adult.

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) predominantly occurs in children under the age of 10 years, and ~90% of cases occur in children <15 years old. Patients may complain of abdominal pain, fever or other symptoms. No significant decrease has been identified in the hepatic function or elevation of α-fetoprotein, which differentiates UESL from primary carcinomas of the liver.

Preparation of regenerated keratin sponge from waste feathers by a simple method and its potential use for oil adsorption.

In this work, pigeon feathers, a kind of totally waste by-product from the poultry industry, were utilized to fabricate a highly porous keratin sponge in a very simple way by freeze-drying treatment of the dissolved keratin solution, and applied for the first time as an oil adsorbent. An improved method was proposed to dissolve the feather keratin using the inexpensive sodium disulfite as the reducing reagent for sulfitolysis reaction, with a much lower concentration of all involving reaction regents. Moreover, the regenerated keratin sponges obtained a high oil adsorption capacity of above 30 g/g for both liquid paraffin and soybean oil, as well as a good oil holding ability, suggesting that this keratin sponge might be a potential for use as oil adsorbent.

Composition analysis and application of degradation products of whole feathers through a large scale of fermentation.

Purpose: Feathers are one of the most abundant bioresources. They are discarded as waste in most cases and could cause environmental pollution. On the other hand, keratin constituted by amino acids is the main component of feathers.

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon produced from rice straw by (NH4)2HPO4 activation.

Effects of different pretreatment protocols in (NH(4))(2)HPO(4) activation of rice straw on porous activated carbon evolution were evaluated. The pore structure, morphology and surface chemistry of obtained activated carbons were investigated by nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that pretreatment combining impregnation with (NH(4))(2)HPO(4) and preoxidation could significantly affect the physicochemical properties of prepared activated carbons.

Identification of a keratinase-producing bacterial strain and enzymatic study for its improvement on shrink resistance and tensile strength of wool- and polyester-blended fabric.

A wool-degrading bacterium was isolated from decomposition wool fabrics in China. The strain, named 3096-4, showed excellent capability of removing cuticle layer of wool fibers, as demonstrated by removing cuticle layer completely within 48 h. According to the phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA profile, the isolate was classified as Pseudomonas.

Characterization of a novel Stenotrophomonas isolate with high keratinase activity and purification of the enzyme.

A feather-degrading bacterium was isolated from poultry decomposition feathers in China. The strain, named L1, showed significant feather-degrading activity because it grew and reproduced quickly on basal medium containing 10 g/L of native feather as the source of energy, carbon, and nitrogen. According to the phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA profile, the isolate belongs to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

[Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage for acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis with multiple organ failure: report of 25 cases].

Objective: To explore the treatment of acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC) with multiple organ failure (MOF).

Methods: Twenty-five patients with AOSC complicated by MOF underwent non-surgical comprehensive therapies, including endoscopic naso biliary drainage (ENBD), flushing and antibiotic perfusion through the naso biliary catheter. The alterations of the levels of serum total bilirubin and common bile duct diameter were measured both preoperatively and postoperatively, with retrospective analysis of the patients' clinical record.