ABSTRACT Introduction: Atrial fibrillation is one of the common complications of mitral valve disease. Currently, in the absence of freezing equipment, it’s still impossible to fully conduct a minimally invasive Cox-maze IV procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. Methods: We analyzed the clinical data of 28 patients who underwent thoracoscopic minimally invasive mitral valve full maze surgery in our hospital from October 2021 to September 2022; 13 patients were male and 15 were female, three suffered from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and 25 suffered from permanent atrial fibrillation; average age was 61.88±8.30 years, and mean preoperative left atrial diameter was 47.12±8.34 mm. Isolation of left atrial posterior wall (box lesion) was completed in all patients by cut-and-sew technique and bipolar clamp ablation. Results: For these subjects, the median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 169 (109.75-202.75) minutes, aortic cross-clamping time was 106 (77.75-125.50) minutes, and ventilator assistance time was 6.5 (0-10) hours. Among them, eight subjects had the endotracheal tubes removed immediately after surgical operation. Three subjects were in the blanking period; two subjects still had atrial fibrillation at three months after operation, one of whom resumed sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion therapy; and all the remaining 23 subjects had sinus rhythm. Conclusion: The minimally invasive cut-and-sew technique for electrical isolation of left pulmonary veins can improve sinus conversion rate of patients suffering from both mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation. In selected subjects, it is safe and has good results in the short-term postoperative period.

Abstract Introduction: Propofol is a widely used anesthetic and its dose is closely related to aging. Telomere length (TL) is a unique heritable trait, and emerging as a biomarker of aging, health and disease. Telomerase RNA component (TERC) plays an important role in maintaining TL. We proposed a hypothesis that propofol dose in general anesthesia can be predicted by measuring TL before operation, which greatly reduced the risk of anesthesia, especially the elderly. Methods: The association between the propofol dose in anesthesia induction and: TL in the DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes; body weight; sex; difference of the Bispectral Index (BIS) before and after anesthesia induction in patients was evaluated by multivariable linear regression analyses. The mutation at the 5’end or 3’end of TERC was detected. We recruited 100 patients of elective surgery. Results: We found that propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated significantly with TL (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), body weight (r = 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p= 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p = 0.004), and difference of BIS before and after anesthesia induction (r = 0.85, p = 0.029). By comparing the absolute values of standardized regression coefficients (0.58, 0.21, 0.19, and 0.12) of the four variables, it can be seen that TL contributes the most to the propofol dose in anesthesia induction. However, the mutation at the 5’ end or 3’ end of TERC was not found. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence that the propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated with genetically determined TL. TL may be a promising predictor of the propofol dose, which is beneficial to improve the safety of anesthesia and reduce perioperative complications.

Resumen Objetivo: realizar una revisión sistemática de los estudios observacionales que analizan la asociación entre la ingesta de alimentos ultraprocesados (UPF) y el riesgo de depresión. Material y métodos: la búsqueda se adhirió a las directrices Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA); se realizó una búsqueda de estudios observacionales publicados hasta junio de 2020 en las bases de datos PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library y Web of Science, seguida de búsquedas manuales adicionales. Ocho revisores, que trabajaron de forma independiente en equipos de dos, seleccionaron los estudios para su elegibilidad, extrajeron los datos y evaluaron el riesgo de sesgo. Los desacuerdos se resolvieron a través de la discusión o, si era necesario, a través de la adjudicación de un tercero. Se evaluaron los estudios transversales mediante la lista de comprobación metodológica de la Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) y los estudios de cohortes y de casos y controles mediante la escala Newcastle-Ottawa (NOS) para la calidad. Se utilizó un formato tabular para resumir los artículos. Resultados: finalmente se seleccionaron 28 estudios que evaluaban la ingesta de UPF y el riesgo de depresión, 21 de los cuales tenían un diseño transversal, 6 un diseño de cohortes y 1 un diseño de casos y controles. De ellos, 4 estudios de cohortes y 17 estudios transversales encontraron que el consumo de UPF se asociaba positivamente con la depresión o los síntomas depresivos. Conclusiones: nuestra revisión demostró que la mayoría de los estudios incluidos en la revisión sistemática mostraron que el consumo de UPF está asociado con el riesgo de depresión. Los estudios futuros deberían considerar el uso de evaluaciones validadas del consumo de alimentos y métodos estandarizados de evaluación de la depresión para promover la comparabilidad entre los estudios.

Abstract Objective: to conduct a systematic review of the observational studies analyzing the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and the risk of depression. Material and methods: the search adhered to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA); a search for observational studies published until June 2020 was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, followed by additional manual searches. Eight reviewers, working independently in teams of two, screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We resolved disagreements through discussion or, if necessary, through adjudication by a third (LH). And the study assessed cross-sectional studies using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) methodological checklist and cohort and case-control studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for quality. We used a tabular format to summarize the articles. Results: twenty-eight studies evaluating UPF intake and risk of depression were finally selected, 21 of which had a cross-sectional design, 6 studies had a cohort design, and 1 had a case-control design. Of these, 4 cohort studies and 17 cross-sectional studies found that consumption of UPF were positively associated with depression or depressive symptoms. Conclusions: our review demonstrated that most studies included in the systematic review showed that UPF consumption is associated with the risk of depression. Future studies should consider the use of validated food intake assessments and standardized depression assessment methods to promote comparability between studies.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) in late pregnancy is a rare but severe disease. Lack of clinical experience is the main cause of high mortality. This study tries to investigate the multidisciplinary therapeutic strategy for these patients. Case presentation: We reported three patients with AAAD in late pregnancy. Sudden chest pain was the main clinical symptom before operation. All three patients and their newborns survived through multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis and treatment. No serious complications occurred during the mid-term follow-up. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment strategy play a crucial role in saving the lives of pregnant women with AAAD. Introduction (AAAD disease mortality presentation operation midterm mid term followup. followup follow up. up follow-up Conclusion

RESUMO Introdução Aplicação do método de aprendizagem baseada em problemas (PBL) ao ensino da fisiologia do esporte. Objetivos Este estudo explorou o mecanismo do método PBL para ampliar o interesse e a eficácia da aprendizagem dos estudantes. Métodos Vinte estudantes do sexo masculino da Faculdade de Educação Física da Universidade Hubei Minzu foram divididos randomicamente em um grupo PBL (10) e um grupo de método de ensino tradicional (TTM). Durante o teste, os participantes do grupo TTM ficaram sentados e em silêncio ouvindo o professor experiente, enquanto os do grupo PBL ficaram sentados e participaram de uma discussão em grupo de 20 minutos de acordo com a orientação do mesmo professor. A pressão parcial do oxigênio transcutâneo (TcPO2), a perfusão sanguínea microcirculatória (MPB) e a potência das bandas alfa e beta foram monitoradas no início e durante o teste. Resultados A média do escore do questionário do grupo PBL foi significativamente maior do que a do grupo TTM. No grupo PBL, o poder alfa dos estudantes diminuiu em termos estatísticos nos canais F3, T3, P3 e O1 e o poder beta dos estudantes aumentou nos canais F7, F3, T3, C3, P3 e O1 em comparação com os valores basais. Conclusão O PBL pode ser um mecanismo eficaz de aprendizagem, uma vez que os estudantes ficam ativamente engajados no ensino da fisiologia do esporte. Nível de Evidência I; Estudos terapêuticos - Investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction Applying the problem-based learning (PBL) method to the teaching of sports physiology. Objective This study explored the mechanism of the PBL method to improve the interest and learning effectiveness of students. Methods Twenty male students at the Physical Education College of Hubei Minzu University were randomly divided into a PBL group (10) and a traditional teaching method group (TTM). During the test, the subjects in the TTM group sat quietly listening to the experienced teacher, while the subjects in PBL group sat quietly and participated in a 20-minute group discussion under the guidance of the experienced teacher. Transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (TcPO2), microcirculatory blood perfusion (MBP), and alpha- and beta-band power were monitored at the beginning of and during the test. Results The mean of the PBL-group quiz score was significantly higher than that of the TTM group. In the PBL group, the alpha power of the students decreased statistically in the F3, T3, P3, and O1 channels and the beta power of the students increased statistically in the F7, F3, T3, C3, P3, and O1 as compared to the baseline values. Conclusion PBL can be an effective learning mechanism, since the students are actively engaged in the teaching of sports physiology. Level of Evidence I; Therapeutic studies - Investigating treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción Aplicación del método de Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (PBL), a la enseñanza de la fisiología del deporte. Objetivos Este estudio exploró el mecanismo del método PBL para ampliar el interés y la eficacia del aprendizaje de los estudiantes. Métodos Veinte estudiantes varones de la Facultad de Educación Física de la Universidad de Hubei Minzu fueron divididos aleatoriamente en el grupo PBL (10) y en un grupo de método de enseñanza tradicional (TTM). Durante la prueba, los participantes del grupo TTM permanecieron sentados y escuchando en silencio al profesor experimentado, mientras que los del grupo PBL permanecieron sentados y participaron en un debate de grupo de 20 minutos de acuerdo con la orientación del mismo profesor. La presión parcial de oxígeno transcutáneo (TcpO2), la perfusión sanguínea microcirculatoria (MBP) y la potencia de las bandas alfa y beta se monitorizaron al inicio y durante la prueba. Resultados La puntuación media del cuestionario del grupo PBL fue significativamente mayor que la del grupo TTM. En el grupo PBL, la potencia alfa de los estudiantes disminuyó estadísticamente en los canales F3, T3, P3 y O1 y la potencia beta de los estudiantes aumentó en los canales F7, F3, T3, C3, P3 y O1 en comparación con los valores de referencia. Conclusión El PBL puede ser un mecanismo de aprendizaje eficaz, ya que los estudiantes participan activamente en la enseñanza de la fisiología del deporte. Nivel de evidencia I; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Abstract Aplastic anemia (AA), a rare disorder, is associated with bone marrow microenvironment (BMM). Presently, AA treatment is of great difficulty. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of action of Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide (RGP) in AA. Busulfan was used to induce AA in BALB/c mice; blood cell count and Ray’s Giemsa staining were used to assess the severity of hematopoietic failure; HE was performed to assess the pathological state of the marrow cavity; ELISA was performed to assess IL-4, IL-10, IL-6, IL-12, IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, VEGF, and EPO; and WB was performed to evaluate the effects of RGP on the HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling. Significant downregulation of hemocyte levels in the blood and nucleated cells in the bone marrow was reversed by RGP and Cyclosporine A (CA). Compared with the AA group, dilating blood sinusoids, inflammation, hematopoiesis, decreased bone marrow cells and megakaryocytes were alleviated by RGP and CA, and the HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling was inhibited too. Notably, RGP was more effective when used in combination with CA. In this study, we established a relationship between BMM and the HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway and found that RGP regulates BMM by suppressing the activation of the HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling. Thus, RGP exerts a pharmacological effect on AA.

RESUMO Introdução: O nível do atletismo do futebol desenvolve-se rapidamente, exigindo que os atletas sejam mais capazes de treinar, fortalecerem-se e prepararem-se para a competição. Muitas vezes, essas características são comprometidas por lesões evitáveis resultantes de treinamento excessivo ou irracional, especialmente no inverno. O resultado é a ausência do atleta nos jogos durante a temporada, comprometendo a qualificação da equipe. Objetivo: Melhorar o tratamento e a prevenção das maiores lesões ocasionadas aos atletas de futebol durante o inverno. Metodologia: As principais lesões resultantes do mau treinamento e as melhores práticas de conscientização e recuperação foram pesquisadas. As ações selecionadas foram implementadas em dez atletas com acompanhamento durante toda a temporada anual, totalizando 50 jogos. Resultados: Um aumento no número de atletas ativos durante a fase de competição foi observado em 7 jogos, e a eficiência da competição foi aumentada em 14%. Conclusão: Os jogadores de futebol podem obter melhor reabilitação através de treinamento prático de manutenção de força na fase de reabilitação entre o treinamento de inverno e as competições. Esse método científico e racional tem um efeito significativamente positivo sobre o desempenho físico dos atletas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação de Resultados.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The level of soccer athletics develops rapidly, requiring athletes to be more capable of training, strengthening, and competitive readiness. Often, these characteristics are compromised by preventable injuries resulting from excessive or unreasonable training, especially in winter. The outcome is the athlete’s absence from games during the season, compromising the team’s qualification. Objective: Improve the treatment and prevention of the major injuries caused to soccer athletes in winter. Methodology: The main injuries resulting from poor training and the best practices of awareness and recovery were researched. The selected actions were implemented on ten athletes with follow-up during the entire annual season, totaling 50 games. Results: An increase in the number of active athletes during the competition phase was observed in 7 games, and competition efficiency was increased by 14%. Conclusion: Soccer players can get better rehabilitation through practical strength maintenance training in the rehabilitation phase between winter training and competitions. This scientific and rational method has a significantly positive effect on the physical performance of athletes. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies – Investigating the results.

RESUMEN Introducción: El nivel del atletismo de fútbol se desarrolla rápidamente, lo que exige de los atletas una mayor capacidad de entrenamiento, fortalecimiento y preparación para la competición. Con frecuencia, estas características se ven comprometidas por lesiones evitables derivadas de un entrenamiento excesivo o no adecuado, en particular durante el invierno. El resultado es la no participación del atleta en los partidos de la temporada, lo que compromete la clasificación del equipo. Objetivo: Mejorar el tratamiento y la prevención de las principales lesiones causadas a los deportistas de fútbol en el invierno. Metodología: Se investigaron las principales lesiones derivadas de un mal entrenamiento y las mejores prácticas de sensibilización y recuperación. Las acciones seleccionadas se aplicaron en diez atletas con seguimiento durante toda la temporada anual, con un total de 50 partidos. Resultados: Se observó un aumento del número de atletas activos durante la fase de competición en 7 partidos, y la eficacia de la competición se incrementó en un 14%. Conclusión: Los futbolistas pueden conseguir una mejor rehabilitación mediante un entrenamiento práctico de mantenimiento de la fuerza en la fase de rehabilitación entre el entrenamiento invernal y las competiciones. Este método científico y racional tiene un efecto significativamente positivo en el rendimiento físico de los atletas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.

Abstract The purpose of this work was to systematically evaluate the intervention effects of video games training (VGT) on the gross motor skills (GMS) development of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Seven Chinese and English databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, EBSCO) were searched. Data were retrieved from randomized controlled trials on the GMS among individuals with CP. The retrieval was from the inception of each database to March 16, 2021. The included studies were evaluated quantitatively using the PEDro Scale. Then, relevant data were inputted and analyzed in Review Manager 5.4. Thirteen papers were included: seven written in English and six in Chinese. In the three subordinate concept of GMS, VGT could significantly improve locomotor skills (LS) (standardized mean difference = 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.55-105, P<0.00001), and non-locomotor skills (NLS) (standardized mean difference = 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.38-1.28, P=0.0003) in CP. However, there was no significant difference in object control skills (OCS), when compared with the control group (standardized mean difference = 0.55, 95% confidence interval -0.01-0.72, P=0.05). VGT can improve LS and NLS in CP, but the effect on OCS is uncertain; therefore, it is recommended that additional high-quality literature be included in the future. In general, VGT has been proven an effective intervention tool on the GMS development in CP.

Resumen Este artículo intentó evaluar sistemáticamente el efecto de la intervención del entrenamiento con videojuegos (VGT) en el desarrollo de las habilidades motoras gruesas (GMS) de niños con parálisis cerebral (CP), basándose en un cuerpo de datos logrado de las conclusiones de pruebas controladas aleatorias sobre las habilidades motoras gruesas de niños con CP, obtenidos de la búsqueda sistemática en siete bases de datos chinos y extranjeros, tales como PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang y EBSCO. El lapso de búsqueda fue desde la fecha de establecimiento de cada base de datos hasta el 16 de marzo del 2021. Se aplicó la escala PEDro para realizar un estudio cuantitativo y después, se analizaron los datos relevantes con Review Manager 5.4. Se incluyeron 13 publicaciones, 7 artículos escritos en inglés y 6 en chino. En el marco del concepto de los tres subordinados de GMS, la VGT podría mejorar significativamente la habilidad locomotora (LS) (diferencia de medias estandarizada = 0.80, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0.55-105, P<0.00001), y las habilidades no locomotoras (NLS) (diferencia de medias estandarizada = 0.83, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0.38-1.28, P= 0,0003) en PC; pero no hubo una diferencia significativa en las habilidades de control de objetos (OCS), cuando se compararon con el grupo control (diferencia de medias estandarizada= 0,55, intervalo de confianza del 95% -0,01-0,72, P= 0,05). En conclusión, el VGT puede mejorar las LS y NLS en CP, pero el efecto sobre OCS es incierto; por lo que se recomienda la inclusión de literatura adicional de alta calidad en el futuro. De este modo se pudo demostrar que el VGT es una herramienta de intervención eficaz en el desarrollo de las GMS en niños con CP.

A novel recognition method was put forward to identify the producing areas of the flue-cured tobacco leaves rapidly and non-destructively by using a near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer and a multi-layer-extreme learning machine (ML-ELM) algorithm. In contrast to traditional linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithms, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were the highest for the proposed ML-ELM algorithm. The ML-ELM models for different producing areas of Yunnan tobacco leaves had the best generalization ability and prediction results. Besides, the above three algorithms were also identified by using the chemical index data. The experimental results indicated that the NIR spectroscopy technology together with ML-ELM algorithm achieved the best prediction performance both using the NIR spectral data and chemical index data. It indicates that the combination of NIR and ML-ELM can recognize different producing areas of Yunnan tobacco leaves rapidly, accurately, and non-destructively.

SUMMARY: Variations in subclavian artery branches are relatively common and may impact surgical procedures and effects. During educational dissection of a male cadaver, we encountered an extremely rare variation of the right subclavian artery branches. The internal thoracic artery, the thyrocervical trunk, and the costocervical trunk arose from the third part of the right subclavian artery. In addition, the phrenic nerve displaced remarkably laterally by the thyrocervical trunk, and the course of the costocervical trunk was between the upper trunk and the middle trunk of the brachial plexus. These variations may pose a potential risk for nerve compression and increase the risk of arterial and nerve puncture. This case report would bring attention to the possibility of other similar cases, and early detection of these variations through diagnostic interventions is helpful to reduce postoperative complications.

RESUMEN: Las variaciones en las ramas de la arteria subclavia son relativamente comunes y pueden afectar los procedimientos y efectos quirúrgicos. Durante la disección educativa de un cadáver masculino, encontramos una variación extremadamente rara de las ramas de la arteria subclavia derecha. La arteria torácica interna, el tronco tirocervical y el tronco costocervical nacían de la tercera parte de la arteria subclavia derecha. Además, el nervio frénico se desplazaba lateralmente por el tronco tirocervical, y el trayecto del tronco costocervical se encontraba entre el tronco superior y el tronco medio del plexo braquial. Estas variaciones pueden suponer un riesgo potencial de compresión nerviosa y aumentar el riesgo de punción arterial y nerviosa. Este reporte de caso llamaría la atención sobre la posibilidad de otros casos similares, y la detección temprana de estas variaciones a través de diagnósticos es útil para reducir las complicaciones postoperatorias.

Abstract Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) plays a key role in tea processing. It catalyzes the conversion of tea polyphenols into theaflavin and its derivatives. PPO was partially purified and characterized in both its soluble form (sPPO) and membrane-bound form (mPPO) from tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves. Both forms were purified by three-phase partitioning and membrane ultrafiltration. sPPO and mPPO showed high activity against diphenols as substrate and had the highest affinity for catechol and caffeic acid. The optimum temperatures and pH for enzyme activity were different. mPPO was more stable than sPPO in the acidic pH range. Among the chemical inhibitors studied, oxalic acid exerted the highest inhibitory effect on mPPO, whereas EDTA showed the highest inhibitory effect on sPPO. Both sPPO and mPPO showed similar enzymatic synthesis rates in the formation of theaflavin-3'-gallate and theaflavin-3,3'-gallate. At high concentrations of the substrate, the synthesis of theaflavins was inhibited due to the presence of high levels of ester catechins. However, mPPO showed stronger stability against inhibition by ester catechins than sPPO.

Abstract Doxorubicin (DOX) induced myocardial toxicity may limit its therapeutic use in clinic. Psoralen (PSO), a major active tricyclic furocoumarin extracted from Psoralea corylifolia, is widely used as an antineoplastic agent in treatment of leukemia and other cancers. This study is aim to find the protective effect of psoralen polymer lipid nanoparticles (PSO-PLN) on doxorubicin-induced myocardial toxicity in mice. The model of myocardial toxicity induced by DOX was established. The experiment was divided into 6 groups: normal saline group, DOX + Sulfotanshinone Sodium, DOX + PSO-PLN (3 mg/kg), DOX + PSO-PLN (6 mg/kg), DOX + PSO-PLN (9 mg/ kg), DOX group. DOX alone treated mice lead to a significant decrease in the body weight, heart weight, and increase in the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and malondialdehyde (MDA) markers of cardiotoxicity. However, DOX reduced glutathione (GSH) content and activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), were recovered by PSO-PLN. And PSO-PLN also decreased markers of cardiotoxicity in the serum. Western blotting data showed that the protective effects of PSO-PLN might be mediated via regulation of protein kinase A (PKA) and p38. Our study suggest that PSO-PLN possesses antioxidant activities, inactivating PKA and p38 effect, which in turn protect the heart from the DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Abstract Three extraction parameters including extraction time, material to solvent ratio, and extraction temperature for the extraction yield of Phyllanthus urinaria polysaccharides were optimized by response surface methodology. The results revealed that the optimal extraction process was extraction time of 5.3 h, extraction temperature of 93 °C, and material to solvent ratio of 1:47 g/mL, under which the polysaccharide yield was 6.40%; The three parameters had significant effect on the polysaccharide yield, and the influence of extraction time was the greatest and that of extraction temperature was the lowest. The antioxidant activity test indicated that the equivalent scavenging ability of Phyllanthus urinaria polysaccharides on DPPH and ABTS free radicals was 0.88 and 0.84 μg TBHQ/μg of polysaccharides, respectively; while the reducing power and total antioxidant capacity of Phyllanthus urinaria polysaccharides was equivalent to 93.62% and 93.55% of TBHQ, respectively. The Phyllanthus urinaria polysaccharides had good antioxidant activity.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the effect of ergosterol combined with risedronate on fracture healing. Methods Sixty male Sprague Dawley fracture model rats were assigned into group A (n=20), group B (n=20), and group C (n=20) at random. All rats were fed by gavage until their sacrifice as it follows: group A with ergosteroside and risedronate, group B with risedronate, and group C with saline solution. At weeks 2 and 4, 10 rats of each group were sacrificed. Healing effect and bone tissue changes in the fractures site were assessed by using hematoxylin and eosin stain histology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expression of serum bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA, osteocalcin (OCN) mRNA and core-binding factor subunit-?1 (CBF-?1) mRNA. Results In terms of serum BMP-2, BMP-7, and VEGF expression at weeks 2 and 4 after gavage, group A < group B < group C (P<0.05). At week 4 after gavage, serum VEGF expression in the three groups harbored positive relationship with serum BMP-2 and BMP-7 expression (P<0.05). Regarding serum OPG, OCN and CBF-?1 mRNA expression at weeks 2 and 4 after gavage, group A <group B <group C (P<0.05). Hematoxylin and eosin staining results showed that the recovery effect of trabecular bone and callus in the cases of group A was better than the other two groups after intragastric administration. Conclusion Ergosteroside combined risedronate can patently ameliorate the healing effect of fracture in rats.

ABSTRACT Hybrid rice seeds from sterile lines have displayed a new type of heavy chalkiness in the subtropical zone of China in recent years, which was named top-gray chalkiness, resulting in a lower quality of hybrid rice seeds in large-scale production. In this study, the morphological characteristics of the chalky hybrid rice seeds were investigated, the microscopic structures of their chalky parts observed, the α-amylase activit and relative nutrient content analyzed, and the germination indexe and microorganism populations of the chalky hybrid seeds determined. The results revealed that top-gray chalkiness in hybrid rice seeds originated from the top site of the grain, and that the chalky part was probably infected by bacteri and fungi to form a gray colo and which further resulted in a lower germination rat and germination potential. This observed chalkiness in rice seeds differed from the previously reported rice chalkiness categories both in the occurrence positio and color. Besides, the amylopectin content declined in the chalky par and the protein content in the chalky part increased as compared to the normal seeds. This research could provide technical support for the hybrid rice breeding enterprises during the breeding of hybrid rice seeds in large-scale production.