Further Study on a Flow Injection On-line Multiplexed Sorption Preconcentration Coupled with Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Trace Element Determination

Talanta. Oct, 2004  |  Pubmed ID: 18969669

A further study on a newly developed flow injection (FI) on-line multiplexed sorption preconcentration (MSP) using a knotted reactor coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was carried out to demonstrate its applicability and limitation for trace element determination. For this purpose, Cr(VI), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) were selected as the analytes, and detailed comparison was made between the MSP-FAAS and conventional FI on-line sorption preconcentration FAAS in respect to retention efficiency and linear ranges of absorbance versus sample loading flow rate and total preconcentration time. Introduction of an air-flow for removal of the residual solution in the KR after each sub-injection in the MSP procedure played a decisive role in the improvement of retention efficiency. The linearity of absorbance versus sample loading flow rate or total preconcentration time was extended to a more degree for the metal ions with less stability of their PDC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) complexes than those with more stable PDC complexes. It seems that the MSP procedure behaves advantages beyond the inflection points in the diagrams of absorbance versus total preconcentration time and sample loading flow rate obtained by conventional (a single continuous) preconcentration procedure. With a sample loading flow rate of 6.0mlmin(-1) and a total preconcentration time of 180s, the retention efficiencies were increased from 25, 46, 41 and 63% with a single continuous sorption preconcentration to 44, 78, 65 and 75% with a six sub-injection preconcentration procedure for Cr(VI), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II), respectively. The detection limits were 0.40, 0.33, 0.31 and 0.26mugl(-1) for Cr(VI), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II), respectively. The precision (R.S.D.) for eleven replicate determination of 2mugl(-1) Cr(VI), Co(II) and Ni(II), and 1mugl(-1) Cu(II), was 2.1, 4.1, 2.6 and 1.7%, respectively.

Clinical Comparison of Branched DNA and Reverse Transcriptase-PCR and Nucleic Acid Sequence-based Amplification Assay for the Quantitation of Circulating Recombinant Form_BC HIV-1 RNA in Plasma

AIDS (London, England). Dec, 2007  |  Pubmed ID: 18172387

To investigate the correlation between three viral load assays for circulating recombinant form (CRF)_BC.

HIV-1 Incidence Estimates Using IgG-capture BED-enzyme Immunoassay from Surveillance Sites of Injection Drug Users in Three Cities of China

AIDS (London, England). Dec, 2007  |  Pubmed ID: 18172391

To detect recent infection in injection drug users (IDU) using the HIV-1 subtypes B, E, and D IgG-capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) and estimate HIV-1 incidence in the IDU population in three cities of China.

[Application of BED-CEIA to Estimate the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevalence Among Injecting Drug Users in Chongqing Municipality]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Nov, 2007  |  Pubmed ID: 18396659

To estimate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) prevalence of injecting drug users (IDUs) in Chongqing city.

[Study on Effect of Heating Rate on Thermal Decomposition of HMX Energetic Materials by In-situ Diffuse Reflection FTIR Spectrum]

Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi = Guang Pu. Oct, 2007  |  Pubmed ID: 18306770

In-situ FTIR spectroscopy is a rising and dynamic technique. This technique combines the advantages of investigation in-situ and accurate structure analysis by FTIR spectroscopy, and can detect real time chemical change in materials at different temperatures and obtain the relationship between micromechanism of materials and temperature. In the present paper, thermal decomposition of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) heated with a rate of 5, 10, 20 and 40 degrees C x min(-1), respectively, was investigated by in-situ diffuse reflection FTIR spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that intramolecular cyclization occurs in breakage of HMX with a heating rate of 5 degrees C x min(-1), while intermolecular cyclization appears with a heating rate of 10, 20 and 40 degrees C x min(-1). With increasing temperature, the rupture rate of C-N bond is faster than that of N-N bond, which verifies that the cleavage of C-N bond is the dominant rupture form. With increasing heating rate, the decomposition beginning temperature of C-N bond increases. Eight kinds of gaseous products such as CO2, N2O, CO, NO, HCHO, HONO, NO2 and HCN were determined. The decomposition mechanism of HMX was not affected with changing heating rate.

[Expression and Immunity of Fused Protein H1N1 M2e and Cholera Toxin B]

Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Mar, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18328189

To construct the eukaryotic recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1a(+)-M2e/CtB which contains H1N1 M2e gene and cholera toxin B subunit gene (CtB) and to study the expression and immunity of recombinant protein M2e/CTB in NIH3T3 cells.

Expression Analysis of the Calcineurin B-like Gene Family in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Under Environmental Stresses

Gene. May, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18395997

Calcium plays a crucial role as a second messenger in mediating various defense responses under environmental stresses. Calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins have been implicated as important Ca2+ sensors in plant-specific calcium signaling. Based on the similarity of sequence, ten CBL genes were identified by searching the rice japonica genome database, which were randomly distribute on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 12. By semi-quantitative RT-PCR approach the expression pattern of each gene was detected in various organs at the adult stage and seedlings treated with NaCl, PEG and cold stresses or exogenous ABA. The results showed that the induction of each rice CBL gene was not only responsive to different stress conditions, but also organ specific. In vivo targeting experiment revealed that OsCBL8 localized to the plasma membrane, which was consistent with OsCBL4 and SOS3 previously reported. To elucidate the putative function of OsCBL8 gene, transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsCBL8 gene were generated by the Agrobacterium-mediated approach. The OsCBL8 transgenic rice seedlings showed more tolerance to salt stress than non-transgenic seedlings.

[Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Middle Ear and Mastoid: a Case Report]

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Nov, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19267986

[Study on the Drug Resistance Situation Among Recently Infected HIV-1 Patients in Dehong]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Sep, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19173856

To study the HIV-1 drug resistance (DR) situation among newly infected persons in Dehong.

[A Dynamic Analysis on Incidence and Trend of HIV-1 Epidemics Among Intravenous Drug Users, Attendants at the STD Clinics and Pregnant Women in Yunnan Province, China]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Dec, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19173964

BED-CEIA assay was used in HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites to identify recent HIV-1 infection, to estimate HIV-1 incidence and to understand the epidemic trends in Yunnan province.

Hardware-based Anti-Brownian Electrokinetic Trap (ABEL Trap) for Single Molecules: Control Loop Simulations and Application to ATP Binding Stoichiometry in Multi-subunit Enzymes

Proceedings - Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. Aug, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19823693

The hardware-based Anti-Brownian ELectrokinetic trap (ABEL trap) features a feedback latency as short as 25 µs, suitable for trapping single protein molecules in aqueous solution. The performance of the feedback control loop is analyzed to extract estimates of the position variance for various controller designs. Preliminary data are presented in which the trap is applied to the problem of determining the distribution of numbers of ATP bound for single chaperonin multi-subunit enzymes.

Chronic, but Not Acute Morphine Treatment, Up-regulates Alpha-Ca2+/calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinase II Gene Expression in Rat Brain

Neurochemical Research. Oct, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18408996

The effects of acute and chronic morphine treatments on the expression of Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) gene in rat brain were investigated using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Our data showed that repeated, but not single morphine administration, resulted in significant up-regulation of the alpha-CaMK II gene expression in hippocampus and frontal cortex. We further studied the time courses of alpha-CaMK II gene expression in response to repeated morphine administration. After 3 days of consecutive morphine injections, the alpha-CaMK II mRNA levels exhibited a trend of up-regulation, and after 6 days of consecutive morphine injections it increased over 50-60% as compared with the control group. The alpha-CaMK II mRNA levels remained high 24 h after the cessation of chronic morphine treatment and returned to the control level 72 h later. However, changes of alpha-CaMK II gene levels mentioned above were not detected in amygdala or piriform cortex. Taken together, our data demonstrate that chronic morphine treatment region-specific up-regulates the levels of the alpha-CaMK II gene expression in hippocampus and frontal cortex.

Isolation of Neuronal Chromatin from Brain Tissue

BMC Neuroscience. 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18442397

DNA-protein interactions in mature brain are increasingly recognized as key regulators for behavioral plasticity and neuronal dysfunction in chronic neuropsychiatric disease. However, chromatin assays typically lack single cell resolution, and therefore little is known about chromatin regulation of differentiated neuronal nuclei that reside in brain parenchyma intermingled with various types of non-neuronal cells.

Activity of Recombinant Human Interleukin-15 Against Tumor Recurrence and Metastasis in Mice

Cellular & Molecular Immunology. Jun, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18582400

Transplantable experimental tumor models were constructed to study the activities of recombinant human interleukin-15 (rhIL-15) against tumor recurrence and metastasis. The results showed that tumor nodule formation was retarded and tumor growth was inhibited in the subcutaneous tumor model of LA795 lung adenocarcinoma after treatment with rhIL-15, and the survival rate of T739 tumor-bearing mice treated with rhIL-15 was much higher than that of mice treated with either saline or with the same dose of rhIL-2. This indicats that rhIL-15 had better antitumor effect than rhIL-2 at the same dose level. In some rhIL-15 treated mice, the tumor cells inoculated subcutaneously were eradicated and there was no tumor formation even 138 days after tumor cell inoculation. The tumor-free mice were rechallenged with live tumor cells and no tumor reoccurred in the following two months in all of these mice, indicating that long-lasting antitumor systemic immunity developed. It was also shown that tumor recurrence and metastasis were inhibited markedly after treatment with rhIL-15, but not with the same dose of rhIL-2, in both subcutaneously and intravenously disseminated tumor models of LA795 lung adenocarcinoma. Simultaneously, the CTL and NK cell activities of the splenocytes obtained from tumor-bearing mice that had been treated with either rhIL-15 or rhIL-2 were both markedly enhanced. However, the enhancement of CTL and NK cell activities was more significant in rhIL-15 treated mice than that in rhIL-2 treated mice. This suggests that the anti-tumor effect of rhIL-15 in vivo was achieved by enhancing the CTL and NK cell activities in tumor immune response.

Expression Analysis of Rice A20/AN1-type Zinc Finger Genes and Characterization of ZFP177 That Contributes to Temperature Stress Tolerance

Gene. Sep, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18588956

The A20/AN1-type zinc finger protein family is conserved in animals and plants. Using human AWP1 protein as a query, we identified twelve A20/AN1-type zinc finger proteins in japonica rice. Most of these genes were constitutively expressed in leaves, roots, culms and spikes. Through microarray analysis, it was found that four genes (ZFP177, ZFP181, ZFP176, ZFP173), two genes (ZFP181 and ZFP176) and one gene (ZFP157) were significantly induced by cold, drought and H(2)O(2) treatments, respectively. Further expression analysis showed that ZFP177 was responsive to both cold and heat stresses, but down-regulated by salt. The subcellular localization assay indicated that ZFP177 was localized in cytoplasm in tobacco leaf and root cells. Yeast-one hybrid assay showed that ZFP177 lacked trans-activation potential in yeast cells. Overexpression of ZFP177 in tobacco conferred tolerance of transgenic plants to both low and high temperature stresses, but increased sensitivity to salt and drought stresses. Further we found expression levels of some stress-related genes were inhibited in ZFP177 transgenic plants. These results suggested that ZFP177 might play crucial but differential roles in plant responses to various abiotic stresses.

Tissue Distribution and Depuration of the Extracted Hepatotoxic Cyanotoxin Microcystins in Crucian Carp (Carassius Carassius) Intraperitoneally Injected at a Sublethal Dose

TheScientificWorldJournal. 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18677427

An acute toxicity experiment was conducted by intraperitoneal injection with a sublethal dose of extracted microcystins (MCs), 50 microg MC-LR (where L = leucine and R = arginine) equivalent/kg body weight (BW), to examine tissue distribution and depuration of MCs in crucian carp (Carassius carassius). Liver to body weight ratio increased at 3, 12, 24, and 48 h postinjection compared with that at 0 h (p < 0.05). MC concentrations in various tissues and aquaria water were analyzed at 1, 3, 12, 24, 48, and 168 h postinjection using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The highest concentration of MCs (MC-RR + MC-LR) was found in blood, 2-270 ng/g dry weight (DW), followed by heart (3-100 ng/g DW) and kidney (13-88 ng/g DW). MC levels were relatively low in liver, gonad, intestine, spleen, and brain. MC contents in gills, gallbladder, and muscle were below the limit of detection. Significant negative correlation was present between MC-RR concentration in blood and that in kidney, confirming that blood was important in the transportation of MC-RR to kidney for excretion. Rapid accumulation and slow degradation of MCs were observed in gonad, liver, intestine, spleen, and brain. Only 0.07% of injected MCs were detected in liver. The recovery of MCs in liver of crucian carp seemed to be dose dependent.

Beta-escin, a Natural Triterpenoid Saponin from Chinese Horse Chestnut Seeds, Depresses HL-60 Human Leukaemia Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis

The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. Sep, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18718126

Beta-escin, a natural triterpenoid saponin isolated from the seed of the horse chestnut, is known to generate a wide variety of biochemical and pharmacological effects. The purpose of the present study was to examine the apoptotic and antiproliferative activity of beta-escin in HL-60 human acute myeloid leukaemia cells. Antiproliferative activity was examined by soft agar colony assay and the trypan blue exclusion method. Apoptotic activity was evaluated by morphological analysis, annexin V analysis, DNA fragmentation analysis and flow cytometry cell cycle analysis. The results showed that beta-escin caused a significant inhibition of HL-60 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Morphological evidence of apoptosis, including vacuolization, apoptotic nuclei fragmentation and apoptotic body formation, was observed in cells treated with 30 microg mL(-1) of beta-escin for 24, 48 and 72 h. A significant increase in the population of annexin V+ and PI- cells (early apoptotic) among the total cells was observed in cells treated with beta-escin (30-50 microg mL(-1)) for 24 h (P<0.001). Typical DNA ladders, DNA with a unit length of about 180 bp, were detected in cells treated with beta-escin (30-50 microg mL(-1)) for 48 h by agarose gel electrophoresis. Flow cytometry cell cycle analysis revealed that beta-escin (30-50 microg mL(-1)) induced G1-S arrest and led to a significant accumulation of the sub-G1 population in HL-60 cells (P<0.05). Taken together, the results demonstrate that beta-escin is a potent natural inhibitor of cell proliferation and inducer of apoptosis in HL-60 acute myeloid leukaemia cells. The results indicate that beta-escin may be a useful candidate agent for exploring potential antileukaemic drugs.

Protective Effect of Ginkgolids (A+B) is Associated with Inhibition of NIK/IKK/IkappaB/NF-kappaB Signaling Pathway in a Rat Model of Permanent Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Brain Research. Oct, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18722355

We have previously reported that Ginkgolids which contain Ginkgolids A and B (Ginkgolids (A+B), GKAB) reduce infarct size in a rat model of focal ischemia. NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK)-IkappaBalpha kinase (IKK) pathway plays an important role in activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). A previous study demonstrated that Ginkgolid B inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced NF-kappaB activation in rat pleural polymorphonuclear granulocytes. However, little is known about the inhibitory mechanisms of Ginkgolids on the activation of NF-kappaB. The present study evaluated the effects of GKAB on NIK/IKK/IkappaB/NF-kappaB signaling pathway in a rat model of permanent focal cerebral ischemia.

Thematic Review Series: Skin Lipids. Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptors and Liver X Receptors in Epidermal Biology

Journal of Lipid Research. Mar, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18182682

The epidermis is a very active site of lipid metabolism, and all peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and liver X receptor (LXR) isoforms are expressed in the epidermis. Activation of PPARalpha, -beta/delta, or -gamma or LXRs stimulates keratinocyte differentiation. Additionally, activation of these receptors also improves permeability barrier homeostasis by a number of mechanisms, including stimulating epidermal lipid synthesis, increasing lamellar body formation and secretion, and increasing the activity of enzymes required for the extracellular processing of lipids in the stratum corneum, leading to the formation of lamellar membranes that mediate permeability barrier function. The stimulation of keratinocyte differentiation and permeability barrier formation also occurs during fetal development, resulting in accelerated epidermal development. PPAR and LXR activation regulates keratinocyte proliferation and apoptosis, and studies have shown that these receptors play a role in cutaneous carcinogenesis. Lastly, PPAR and LXR activation is anti-inflammatory, reducing inflammation in animal models of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Because of their broad profile of beneficial effects on skin homeostasis, PPAR and LXR have great potential to serve as drug targets for common skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and skin cancer.

Self-assembly of Multilayer Films Containing Gold Nanoparticles Via Hydrogen Bonding

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. Mar, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18187144

Polymer/Au nanoparticle multilayer ultrathin films are fabricated via hydrogen-bonding interaction by a layer-by-layer technique. The Au nanoparticles surface-modified with pyridine groups of poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP) are prepared in dimethyl formamide (DMF). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image shows that uniform nanoparticles are dispersed in the PVP chains. Poly(3-thiophene acetic acid) (PTAA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) are utilized to form hydrogen bonds with PVP, respectively. Considering the pH-sensitive dissociation behavior of PTAA and PAA, we investigate the release behavior of the Au-containing multilayers at different pH values in this work. UV-vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are employed to monitor the buildup and the release of the multilayers. The results indicate that in the films assembled with gold nanoparticles, the polymers are difficult to be removed from the substrate. The interaction between the gold particles and the neighboring PVP chains is responsible for the phenomenon. Gold particles act as physical cross-link points in the multilayers. Due to the additional interaction caused by the gold nanoparticles in the films except the hydrogen-bonding interaction between PTAA (or PAA) and PVP, the stability of the Au-containing multilayer film is ensured even though the changes in pH values may result in the break of the hydrogen bonds.

Extracting Stoichiometry, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics for the Interaction of DNA with Cadmium Ion by Capillary Electrophoresis On-line Coupled with Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Electrophoresis. Mar, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18232028

Understanding the binding of cadmium with DNA is of great importance for elucidating the mechanism of cadmium genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. In the present work, CE on-line coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was employed to study the binding electrophoretic behaviors, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and kinetics for the interaction of cadmium cation (Cd(II)) with DNA. The stoichiometry (Cd(II) to DNA (as the concentration of base pairs)) for the interaction was determined to be 1:5. Two types of binding sites on DNA were observed with the binding constants of 10(6) and 10(5) L/mol, respectively, showing strong affinity of Cd(II) to DNA. The interaction of Cd(II) with both types of binding sites on DNA were driven by negative enthalpy change with a large positive entropy change. The binding of Cd(II) to DNA followed a first-order kinetics for Cd(II) with the apparent activation energy of 45.7 +/- 1.9 kJ/mol. The results obtained in present investigation would be helpful to understanding the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of cadmium.

Pathogenesis of Permeability Barrier Abnormalities in the Ichthyoses: Inherited Disorders of Lipid Metabolism

Journal of Lipid Research. Apr, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18245815

Many of the ichthyoses are associated with inherited disorders of lipid metabolism. These disorders have provided unique models to dissect physiologic processes in normal epidermis and the pathophysiology of more common scaling conditions. In most of these disorders, a permeability barrier abnormality "drives" pathophysiology through stimulation of epidermal hyperplasia. Among primary abnormalities of nonpolar lipid metabolism, triglyceride accumulation in neutral lipid storage disease as a result of a lipase mutation provokes a barrier abnormality via lamellar/nonlamellar phase separation within the extracellular matrix of the stratum corneum (SC). Similar mechanisms account for the barrier abnormalities (and subsequent ichthyosis) in inherited disorders of polar lipid metabolism. For example, in recessive X-linked ichthyosis (RXLI), cholesterol sulfate (CSO(4)) accumulation also produces a permeability barrier defect through lamellar/nonlamellar phase separation. However, in RXLI, the desquamation abnormality is in part attributable to the plurifunctional roles of CSO(4) as a regulator of both epidermal differentiation and corneodesmosome degradation. Phase separation also occurs in type II Gaucher disease (GD; from accumulation of glucosylceramides as a result of to beta-glucocerebrosidase deficiency). Finally, failure to assemble both lipids and desquamatory enzymes into nascent epidermal lamellar bodies (LBs) accounts for both the permeability barrier and desquamation abnormalities in Harlequin ichthyosis (HI). The barrier abnormality provokes the clinical phenotype in these disorders not only by stimulating epidermal proliferation, but also by inducing inflammation.

1H NMR Study on Pre-micellization of Quaternary Ammonium Gemini Surfactants

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids. Apr, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18266397

Two quaternary ammonium Gemini surfactant series, 12-s-12, ([C(12)H(25)N+ (CH(3))(2)](2)(CH(2))(s).(2)Br(-)) and 14-s-14 ([C(14)H(29)N(+)(CH(3))(2)](2)(CH(2))(s).(2)Br(-)), where s = 2, 3, and 4, have been studied by the use of (1)H NMR in aqueous solution at concentrations below their critical micelle concentrations (CMC) at 25 degrees C. The appearance of a second set of peaks for the 14-s-14 series and the changes in chemical shifts, line widths, and line shapes of the 12-s-12 series with increasing concentration below the CMC are interpreted as evidence for the formation of premicelle aggregates (oligomers) that appear at approximately one-half their CMC values. Self-diffusion coefficients (D) and transverse relaxation times (T(2)) have also been detected and support the results obtained by (1)H NMR.

Fabrication and Elimination of PTAA/P4VP Layer-by-layer Films

Applied Spectroscopy. Feb, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18284797

Layer-by-layer (LBL) ultra-thin films have been assembled by alternate adsorption of poly(3-thiophene acetic acid) (PTAA) and poly(4-vinyl-pyridine) (P4VP) on planar quartz slides via hydrogen-bonding interaction. Subsequently, the multilayers can be controllably removed by changing the pH values of the aqueous solutions used for film immersion. Our present study is an attempt to reveal the mechanisms of the multilayer film with two-dimensional (2D) ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) correlation spectroscopy. UV-vis spectroscopy is primarily employed here to monitor the buildup and removal of the ultra-thin films. 2D correlation analysis is performed on the basis of the corresponding spectra for further studies. The morphology of the multilayer film is characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). When eliminated in alkaline and acidic aqueous solutions, the polymers in the films show diverse phenomena mainly due to the different extents of dissociation of PTAA and protonation of P4VP at different pH values. In alkaline solution, the elimination of PTAA takes place before P4VP, while in acid solution, the removal of these two polymers adopts a reverse order.

Association of the Variable Number of Tandem Repeats Polymorphism in the Promoter Region of the SMYD3 Gene with Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Relation to Tobacco Smoking

Cancer Science. Apr, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18294291

The etiology of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has been shown to be multifactorial, including genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, such as tobacco smoking. A variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in the promoter region of SMYD3, a recently characterized histone lysine methyltransferase gene that is implicated in cell proliferation and carcinogenesis, has been shown to be functional, but its association with cancer risk has not been well established because of apparently discrepant results in different populations. In this case-control study, we genotyped 567 patients with newly diagnosed ESCC and 567 healthy controls and found an increased ESCC risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.91) associated with the common SMYD3 VNTR genotype. Stratification analysis revealed that the increased risk was limited to smokers (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.27-3.12). Furthermore, compared with the reference group of non-smokers carrying the homozygous or heterozygous genotype, ORs (95% CI) of the wild genotype for non-smokers, smokers who smoked <25, and >or=25 pack-years were 1.03 (0.70-1.53), 2.80 (1.66-4.70), and 4.76 (2.67-8.46), respectively (P < 0.001 for trend test), suggesting an interaction between this genetic polymorphism and smoking status. These findings provide additional evidence that the common VNTR polymorphism in the promoter region of SMYD3 gene may be a susceptibility factor for human cancers such as ESCC by interacting with tobacco carcinogens.

Plasmid-mediated Quinolone Resistance Determinants Qnr and Aac(6')-Ib-cr in Extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia Coli and Klebsiella Pneumoniae in China

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. May, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18299311

To characterize the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants qnr and aac(6')-Ib-cr in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

[Comparison of Accumulated Temperature Above 10 Degrees C Before and After the Year 1978 in China]

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao = The Journal of Applied Ecology / Zhongguo Sheng Tai Xue Xue Hui, Zhongguo Ke Xue Yuan Shenyang Ying Yong Sheng Tai Yan Jiu Suo Zhu Ban. Aug, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18975762

By using the observation data from 620 meteorological stations in China, the annual accumulated temperature above 10 degrees C, its starting date, ending date, and duration days from 1951 to 1978 and from 1979 to 2005 were calculated and compared. The results showed that in most areas of China, especially in Northeastern, North, and South China, the accumulated temperature above 10 C from 1979 to 2005 was higher than that from 1951 to 1978. The starting date of accumulated temperature above 10 degrees C in northern areas of Yangtze River was 0-5 days earlier from 1979 to 2005 than from 1951 to 1979, while that in southern areas of Yangtze River was 0-5 days later from 1979 to 2005 than from 1951 to 1979. The ending date of accumulated temperature above 10 degrees C in most areas of China was delayed 0-5 days, except that in near coastal areas of South China and some regions of Southwest China, which was delayed more than 5 days. The duration days of accumulated temperature above 10 C were generally increased by 0-5 days or 5-10 days in most areas of China, but the increase amplitude was different and could not be linked together in different areas. To accurately know the changing trend of accumulated temperature above 10 degrees C could provide an important basis for the adjustment of agricultural production structure and the assessment of agricultural potential productivity.

Effects of a Western Diet Versus High Glucose on Endothelium-dependent Relaxation in Murine Micro- and Macro-vasculature

European Journal of Pharmacology. Dec, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18996368

Vascular contractility and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation were studied in mesenteric, aorta and coronary vasculature from male and female LDL receptor deficient (LDLR(-/-)) and wild type C57BL/6 mice fed either a high-fat Western Diet (WD) or regular animal chow (RD). Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was also studied in small mesenteric arteries and aorta from C57BL/6 mice following a 20 h exposure in vitro to 30 mM glucose. Compared with RD-fed animals, WD-fed LDLR-/- animals had increased body weights, elevated triglycerides and total cholesterol, but not glucose. Control C57BL6 animals had elevated body weight without increased cholesterol, triglyceride or glucose levels. The contractile sensitivity to cirazoline (pD(2)) of small mesenteric arteries was the same for RD-fed LDLR-/- and RD-fed C57BL6 mice, but was reduced in WD-fed male LDLR-/- and WD-fed female C57BL/6 mice. Maximum mesenteric contractile values for cirazoline (Emax) were unchanged; however, the Emax for phenylephrine in the aorta from WD-fed male C57BL/6 (but not LDLR-/- or female C57BL/6) mice was reduced. The Emax for acetylcholine-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in micro- and macro vessels (small mesenteric artery, coronary artery and aorta) from WD-fed LDLR-/- and C57BL/6 mice was unaltered, in contrast to the reduction in Emax for glucose-exposed tissues. Furthermore, the component of acetylcholine-mediated vasodilatation resistant to the combination of inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase and guanylyl cyclase (nitro L-arginine methyl ester - 100 microM; indomethacin 10 microM and 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one, ODQ - 10 microM, respectively) was generally greater in WD-fed mice. Thus, vasculature from WD-fed mice with short-term dyslipidaemia do not exhibit reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, but the WD is associated with changes in the overall endothelial-dependent relaxation and contractile responses thus suggesting an impact of diet rather than dyslipidaemia on cellular signalling pathways in vascular tissue. In contrast, acute hyperglycaemia resulted in endothelial dysfunction in both small mesenteric arteries and thoracic aorta.

Epigenetics in the Nervous System

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience. Nov, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19005036

It is becoming increasingly clear that epigenetic modifications are critical factors in the regulation of gene expression. With regard to the nervous system, epigenetic alterations play a role in a diverse set of processes and have been implicated in a variety of disorders. Gaining a more complete understanding of the essential components and underlying mechanisms involved in epigenetic regulation could lead to novel treatments for a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Neuronal Death Resulting from Targeted Disruption of the Snf2 Protein ATRX is Mediated by P53

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience. Nov, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19020049

ATRX, a chromatin remodeling protein of the Snf2 family, participates in diverse cellular functions including regulation of gene expression and chromosome alignment during mitosis and meiosis. Mutations in the human gene cause alpha thalassemia mental retardation, X-linked (ATR-X) syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by severe cognitive deficits, microcephaly and epileptic seizures. Conditional inactivation of the Atrx gene in the mouse forebrain leads to neonatal lethality and defective neurogenesis manifested by increased cell death and reduced cellularity in the developing neocortex and hippocampus. Here, we show that Atrx-null forebrains do not generate dentate granule cells due to a reduction in precursor cell number and abnormal migration of differentiating granule cells. In addition, fewer GABA-producing interneurons are generated that migrate from the ventral telencephalon to the cortex and hippocampus. Staining for cleaved caspase 3 demonstrated increased apoptosis in both the hippocampal hem and basal telencephalon concurrent with p53 pathway activation. Elimination of the tumor suppressor protein p53 in double knock-out mice rescued cell death in the embryonic telencephalon but only partially ameliorated the Atrx-null phenotypes at birth. Together, these findings show that ATRX deficiency leads to p53-dependent neuronal apoptosis which is responsible for some but not all of the phenotypic consequences of ATRX deficiency in the forebrain.

[Oxidative Damages in Rats Induced by the Diet from Yanting Region with High Prevalence of Esophageal Cancers]

Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical Science Edition. Sep, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19024310

To test the effect of the diet from Yanting region, a region with high prevalence of esophagus cancers, on oxidative damages in rats.

[Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission with Single Dose Nevirapine and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Drug Resistance]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Jul, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19031772

CE with On-line Detection by ICP-MS for Studying the Competitive Binding of Zinc Against Cadmium for Glutathione

Electrophoresis. Nov, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19035408

Development of a feasible method for studying the competitive interaction between a pair of antagonists is essential for understanding the antagonism of trace metals in biological systems. Herein, we report the application of CE on-line coupled with ICP mass spectroscopy (CE-ICP-MS) to investigate the competitive binding of Zn(2+) against Cd(2+) for glutathione (GSH), which is related to the detoxification of Cd(2+) in biological system, and introduce a method to evaluate the kinetics and thermodynamics for the competitive binding of Zn(2+) against Cd(2+) for GSH. The CE-ICP-MS hybrid technique allows easy and sensitive probing of the competitive binding of Zn(2+) against Cd(2+) for GSH and quantitative determination of the important thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the competitive binding of Zn(2+) against Cd(2+) for GSH. Owing to the high sensitivity and element selectivity with multi-elements detection capacity of ICP-MS, we detailed the evaluation of the kinetics and thermodynamics describing the competition of Zn(2+) against Cd(2+) for GSH from the systematic data obtained by CE-ICP-MS. The competitive binding of Zn(2+) against Cd(2+) for GSH was demonstrated exothermic and thermodynamically favorable (DeltaG = -7.2 kJ/mol) and driven entirely by a large favorable enthalpy decrease (DeltaH = -15.1 kJ/mol) but with an unfavorable entropy decrease (DeltaS = -25.6 J/mol/K). The kinetic data were fit to a second-order equation with the reaction rate constant (k) of (2.18+/-0.10)x10(2) L/(mol x s) under the simulated physiological condition.

[The Significance of Anastomosing the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in the Thyroidectomy]

Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi = Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery. Jun, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18800681

To explore the advantage of exposure recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in thyroid surgery and to detect the methods of avoiding nerve damage.

Complete Nucleotide Sequence of PKP96, a 67 850 Bp Multiresistance Plasmid Encoding QnrA1, Aac(6')-Ib-cr and BlaCTX-M-24 from Klebsiella Pneumoniae

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Dec, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18812424

The multiresistance plasmid pKP96 from Klebsiella pneumoniae was sequenced completely and analysed concerning its genetic environment and distributing of antimicrobial resistance genes.

The Changing Face of HIV in China

Nature. Oct, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18833270

HIV has advanced from high-risk groups such as intravenous drug users to some in the general population, according to comprehensive new data from the south of China. What needs to be done to halt its spread?

1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Hydroxylase in Adipocytes

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Nov, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18840526

High vitamin D intake is associated with reduced insulin resistance. Expression of extra-renal 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D hydroxylase (1alpha-hydroxylase) has been reported in several tissues and contributes to local synthesis of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D) from the substrate 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD). Expression and dietary regulation of 1alpha-hydroxylase in tissues associated with energy metabolism, including adipose tissue, has not been assessed. Male Wistar rats were fed a high calcium (1.5%) and high vitamin D (10,000IU/kg) or a low calcium (0.25%), low vitamin D (400IU/kg) with either a high fat (40% energy) or high sucrose (66% energy) dietary background for 14 weeks. Expression of 1alpha-hydroxylase, assessed by real time PCR, was detected in adipose tissue and did not differ with dietary level of calcium and vitamin D. 1alpha-Hydroxylase mRNA was also detected in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and 25OHD treatment at 10nM levels induced 1,25(OH)(2)D responsive gene, CYP24, and this response was reduced in the presence of the p450 inhibitor, ketoconazole. In addition, (3)H 25OHD was converted to (3)H 1,25(OH)(2)D in intact 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Cumulatively, these results demonstrate that 1alpha-hydroxylase is expressed in adipose tissue and is functional in cultured adipocytes. Thus, the capacity for local production may play a role in regulating adipocyte growth and metabolism.

[Drug Resistance Among Recent HIV-1 Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chongqing Municipality of China]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. May, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18956677

To evaluate the situation of HIV prevalence, incidence and drug resistance (DR) among recent HIV infected men who have sex with men(MSM) during the year of 2006.

Effects of a Regional Chinese Diet and Its Vitamin Supplementation on Proliferation of Human Esophageal Cancer Cell Lines

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences : BES. Oct, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19133620

To study the effects of a local diet popular in Yanting region (YT diet) on the proliferation of two human cell lines (Eca-109 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma line and HL7702 normal liver epithelial cell line) in rats by a sero-physiological approach.

[Isolation, Identification and Denitrification Characterization of Thiobacillus Denitrificans]

Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue / [bian Ji, Zhongguo Ke Xue Yuan Huan Jing Ke Xue Wei Yuan Hui "Huan Jing Ke Xue" Bian Ji Wei Yuan Hui.]. Oct, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19143397

A autotrophic denitrifying bacterial strain, TD, was isolated from soil and the strain was identified and characterized. The strain was gram negative, strictly chemolithoautotrophic, and short rod shaped bacterium. The 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that strain TD had a similarity of 99.85% with Thiobacillus denitrificans. According to the morphologic, physiobiochemical characteristics and the analysis of its 16S rDNA, the strain was identified as Thiobacillus denitrificans. Studies showed that the optimal conditions for denitrification were pH 6.85 and 32.8 degrees C, while the optimal growth conditions were pH 6.90 and 29.5 degrees C. The bacteria grew slowly with no apparent stable phase. The maximal denitrification rate reached 2.245 mg x (L x h)(-1) which was found in exponential phase. In the process of the culture, the medium pH decreased significantly. Relatively high salinity restrained the denitrification activity of Thiobacillus denitrificans. The acute toxicity test results showed that Thiobacillus denitrificans was non-toxic.

[The Effect of Smear Layer on Apical Microleakage]

Shanghai Kou Qiang Yi Xue = Shanghai Journal of Stomatology. Dec, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19148450

To evaluate the effect of smear layer on apical microleakage in extracted root-filled teeth by SEM and glucose penetration model.

[Fermentation and Polysaccharide Antioxidative Activity of a Libertella Strain]

Wei Sheng Wu Xue Bao = Acta Microbiologica Sinica. Oct, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 19160825

To study fermentative production of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from a Libertella sp. and to evaluate its antioxidant activity.

Tetra-methyl Biphenyl-2,3,3',4'-tetra-carboxyl-ate

Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online. 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 21201759

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(20)H(18)O(8), contains two mol-ecules with small geometric differences. The dihedral angles between the benzene rings are 62.94 (12) and 59.99 (12)°. The dihedral angles between the carboxylate groups in the 2- and 3-positions are 81.72 (13) and 65.54 (15)°, respectively. However, the dihedral angles between the carboxylate groups in the 3' and 4'-positions are 67.24 (15) and 59.98 (17)°, respectively.

Tetraethyl 2,2'-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-p-phenylenedimethylene)dipropanoate

Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online. 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 21201824

In the mol-ecule of the title compound, C(22)H(26)F(4)O(8), a crystallographic inversion centre is located at the centroid of the benzene ring. C-H⋯F and C-H⋯O intra-molecular hydrogen bonds are observed as well as an inter-molecular C-H⋯O inter-action.

1,1'-Biphenyl-2,3,3',4'-tetra-carboxylic Acid Monohydrate

Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online. 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 21202334

In the organic molecule of the title compound, C(16)H(10)O(8)·H(2)O, the dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 42.30 (11)°. Extensive O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding helps to stabilize the crystal structure.

1,1,3-Trimethyl-3-phenyl-indane

Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online. 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 21202335

In the title compound, C(18)H(20), the five-membered ring of the indane fragment adopts an envelope conformation, with the flap atom deviating by 0.399 (3) Å from the plane of the remaining four atoms. The dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and the indane benzene ring is 79.58 (7)°.

N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-3,5-dinitro-benzamide

Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online. 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 21203141

The title compound, C(9)H(9)N(3)O(6), was synthesized by the condensation of methyl 3,5-dinitro-benzoate and 2-amino-ethanol. The non-centrosymmetric space group results in the formation of pseudo-chiral helices in the crystal structure, which exhibits a layer packing structure involving intra-molecular N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O inter-actions.

Convex and Concave Nanodots and Lines Induced on HOPG Surfaces by AFM Voltages in Ambient Air

Nanotechnology. Aug, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 21730644

Convex and concave nanodots were created on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) in ambient air by applying a voltage pulse between a metal-coated atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and the sample surface. Using a linear scan with a positive substrate bias, nanoscale lines were also etched on the HOPG surface. Depending on the amplitude and duration of the voltage pulse, the nanostructures are either convex or concave. The depth of the concave structure sharply increased with the amplitude and duration of the voltage pulse, while the height of the convexity stayed at a low level and varied in a small range with the voltage lower than a threshold value. Under negative substrate bias or in a vacuum, no change occurred on the HOPG surface in the experimental range. The formation of the nanostructures can be ascribed to the primary dissociative adsorption of water and oxygen in air induced by the intensive hole concentration and the subsequent defect-assisted oxidation of graphite.

[The Change Trend of Mother-to-child Transmission Rate of HIV-1 During 2005-2007 in Some Areas of China]

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine]. Nov, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 20137521

To explore the change trend of mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1 in some areas in China.

A Novel RPMXR Motif Among Class II 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate Synthases is Required for Enzymatic Activity and Glyphosate Resistance

Journal of Biotechnology. Dec, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19799945

The shikimate pathway enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase is an attractive target for drugs and herbicides. Here we identified a novel RPMXR motif that is strictly conserved among class II EPSP synthases. Site-directed mutational analysis of this motif showed that substitutions of the four strictly conserved amino acid residues, Arg127, Pro128, Met129, and Arg131, resulted in complete loss of enzymatic activity, whereas changes in the non-conserved Asn130 residue strongly influenced glyphosate resistance (all numbering according to Pseudomonas stutzeri A1501 EPSP synthase). These experimental results, combined with 3D structure modeling of the location and interaction of the RPMXR motif with phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and shikimate-3-phosphate (S3P), demonstrate that the novel motif is required for enzymatic activity and glyphosate resistance of class II EPSP synthases.

[Surveillance on HIV-1 Incidence Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chongqing, China, 2006 - 2008]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Sep, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 20193218

To estimate HIV-1 incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chongqing and to provide reasonable evidence for intervention strategy.

[Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Immunization of MMR in Changning District of Shanghai]

Zhongguo Yi Miao He Mian Yi. Dec, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 20518322

To summarize the adverse events of Measles, mumps, rubella combined attenuated live vaccine (MMR) during 2008 in Changning District of Shanghai. To research the effective monitoring pattern of adverse event following immunization (AEFI), and to provide evidence for establishing the safe monitoring system.

Cx43 Contributes to TGF-beta Signaling to Regulate Differentiation of Cardiac Fibroblasts into Myofibroblasts

Experimental Cell Research. Apr, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19162006

Differentiation and activation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts which express alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) are essential for wound healing and tissue repair. Change in fibroblast properties is initiated by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Here, we sought to investigate whether connexin43 (Cx43), a gap-junctional protein, contributes to differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. In cultured neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts, we found that expression of alpha-SMA increases in parallel with Cx43 by using immunocytochemistry, and that knockdown of the endogenous Cx43 activity with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS) inhibits alpha-SMA expression significantly, while overexpression of Cx43 increases alpha-SMA expression remarkably. These findings demonstrate that Cx43 contributes to TGF-beta signaling to regulate alpha-SMA expression. Thus, we propose a novel physiologic function of Cx43, which plays a critical role in the pathological activation of cardiac fibroblasts in the myocardial fibrosis associated with heart failure.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Extremophilic Bacillus Cereus Strain Q1 with Industrial Applications

Journal of Bacteriology. Feb, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19060151

Bacillus cereus strain Q1 was isolated from a deep-subsurface oil reservoir in the Daqing oil field in northeastern China. This strain is able to produce biosurfactants and to survive in extreme environments. Here we report the finished and annotated genome sequence of this organism.

Child Body Mass Index in Four Cities of East China Compared to Western References

Annals of Human Biology. Jan-Feb, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19085513

The rising trends in child obesity worldwide are poorly documented in China.

Suspended Moxibustion Relieves Chronic Visceral Hyperalgesia Via Serotonin Pathway in the Colon

Neuroscience Letters. Feb, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19114087

Experiments in rats have shown that chronic visceral hyperalgesia can be relieved by electro-acupuncture, but the efficacy of suspended moxibustion for relieving chronic visceral hyperalgesia is still unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of suspended moxibustion on rectal sensory thresholds and to analyze its possible mechanisms when treating chronic visceral hypersensitivity rats. Suspended moxibustion was administered once daily to 37-day-old chronic visceral hypersensitivity rats for 7 days. The two acupoints (ST25, bilateral) were simultaneously given suspended moxibustion. Each treatment lasted for 15 min. Rats in treatment of suspended moxibustion was not anesthetized. Untreated chronic visceral hypersensitivity rats and normal rats were used as controls. The abdominal withdrawal reflex was determined during 30-90 min after the first treatment. A 5-cm long segment of distal colon was harvested after seven treatments and 5-hydroxytryptamine concentrations in the colon were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Abdominal withdrawal reflex scores from the rectus abdominis in response to colorectal distention were increased in rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity, and the stimulation at strength of 20 mmHg was significantly depressed by suspended moxibustion. Suspended moxibustion increased the pain threshold and restored normal sensitivity by reducing 5-hydroxytryptamine concentrations in the colon of chronic visceral hypersensitivity rats.

The Effect of Differentiation on 1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D-mediated Gene Expression in the Enterocyte-like Cell Line, Caco-2

Journal of Cellular Physiology. Jan, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 18726998

We examined 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D(3))-induced expression of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 24-hydroxylase (CYP24) and apical calcium channel (TRPV6) mRNA levels in 2-, 9-, and 15-day cultures Caco-2 cells that model proliferating, post-proliferative, and differentiated enterocytes. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced (10 nM, 8 h) CYP24 and TRPV6 mRNA levels were significantly greater in differentiated and post-proliferative than proliferating Caco-2 cells (>16X and >3X, respectively). Neither CYP24 mRNA half-life nor induction of a -298 bp rat CYP24 promoter-luciferase reporter construct (10 nM 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), 24 h) were different between proliferating and post-proliferating Caco-2 cells. We next tested whether the blunted response of natural genes to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in proliferating Caco-2 cells is due to altered chromatin remodeling. VDR and coactivator protein levels do not increase with differentiation but the level of the co-repressor Alien falls by 50% with differentiation. Over-expression of Alien reduced 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced activity of a minimal VDRE containing promoter-luciferase construct by more than 60% in differentiated Caco-2 cells while siRNA knockdown of Alien in proliferating Caco-2 cells increased 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced CYP24 mRNA level by 40%. These observations suggest that Alien is a regulator of VDR-mediated gene transcription in Caco-2 cells. In addition, we found that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced association of VDR with chromatin and with the CYP24 promoter was lower in proliferating cells. This suggests that decreased recruitment of VDR to vitamin D response elements also contributes to the blunted transcriptional responsiveness to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in proliferating Caco-2 cells.

Anti-ceramidase LCL385 Acutely Reduces BCL-2 Expression in the Hippocampus but is Not Associated with an Increase of Learned Helplessness in Rats

Behavioural Brain Research. Jan, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 18768150

Evidence from in situ studies supports the role of anti-apoptotic factors in the antidepressant responses of certain psychotropics. The availability of anti-ceramidase pro-apoptocic compound (LCL385) provides an opportunity to test in vivo the relation between hippocampal apopotosis and learned helplessness.

Characterizing Distribution of Steroidal Alkaloids in Fritillaria Spp. and Related Compound Formulas by Liquid Chromatography-mass Spectrometry Combined with Hierarchial Cluster Analysis

Journal of Chromatography. A. Mar, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 18462741

Bulbus Fritillariae (BF), referred to the bulbs of several Fritillaria species (Liliaceae), is a commonly used antitussive and expectorant herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Due to the complexity of BF botanical origin in the herbal markets, it is urgently needed to develop a reliable method for species identification. Previous studies based on morphological and histological as well as molecular biological techniques have respective limitations. For the purpose of finding a possible discriminant method among Fritillaria species, 27 steroidal alkaloids in 17 Fritillaria species and 12 BF-containing compound formulas were identified and characterized by a high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) method. The estimated relative composition of steroidal alkaloids was used to carry out a chemotaxonomical study on Fritillaria species by means of hierarchial cluster analysis. In addition, the characteristic occurring patterns of the examined bases were compared in an effort to distinguish the botanical origin of BF-containing compound formulas. The results demonstrated that the qualitative and quantitative differences in steroidal alkaloids were useful not only for chemotaxonomy in some medicinal Fritillaria species but also for species identification in compound formulas. The described method has important implications in quality control of BF-containing TCM preparations, allowing for the prevention of BF confusion, and also revealing the possible presence of adulteration.

Effects of Room-temperature Ionic Liquids on the Chemical Vapor Generation of Gold: Mechanism and Analytical Application

Analytica Chimica Acta. Sep, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19720174

To get insight into the mechanism of the effect of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) on the chemical vapor generation (CVG) of noble metals, gold was taken as a model element, and eight RTILs were examined. All the RTILs resulted in 3-24 times improvement in sensitivity for Au, depending on their nature. For the RTILs with identical anion, the RTILs with the cations of short chain exhibited better enhancement effect than those with long alkyl chain length or complex branch chain. For the RTILs with identical cation, the RTILs with Br(-) gave the best enhancement effect. The formation of ion pairs between the cation of RTILs and the anion species of gold via electrostatic interaction, and/or the substitution of the Cl(-) in the anion species of gold by the anion of RTILs likely enabled a more effective CVG reaction to occur. The RTILs also facilitated the generation of small bubbles and provided an electrostatic stabilization to protect the unstable volatile gold species and to help fast isolation of volatile gold species from the reaction mixture. 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C(4)mim]Br gave the best improvement in the sensitivity (24 times) among the RTILs studied, and also reduced the interferences from common transition and other noble metals. Based on the enhancement effect of [C(4)mim]Br, a novel flow injection-CVG-atomic fluorescence spectrometric method with a detection limit (3 s) of 1.9 microg L(-1) and a precision of 3.1% (50 microg L(-1), RSD, n=11) was developed for the determination of trace gold in geological samples.

Expression and Clinical Significance of S100A2 and P63 in Esophageal Carcinoma

World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG. Sep, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19725154

To investigate the expression and clinical significance of S100A2 mRNA and protein, p63 protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and their roles in carcinogenesis and progression of esophageal carcinoma (EC).

[The Complications of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy]

Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi = Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery. Aug, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 20041608

To investigate the complications of traumatic optic neuropathy and to call the surgeons attention to precaution.

[The Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Bisphosphonates in the Treatment of Primary Hyperparathyroidism Complicated by Hypercalcemia Crisis]

Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine]. Sep, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 20079207

To study the efficacy and adverse events of intravenous bisphosphonates in the treatment of patients of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) complicated by hypercalcemia crisis.

Two-dimensional Turbulent Flow Chromatography Coupled On-line to Liquid Chromatography-mass Spectrometry for Solution-based Ligand Screening Against Multiple Proteins

Journal of Chromatography. A. Mar, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19203758

We present herein a novel bioseparation/chemical analysis strategy for protein-ligand screening and affinity ranking in compound mixtures, designed to increase screening rates and improve sensitivity and ruggedness in performance. The strategy is carried out by combining on-line two-dimensional turbulent flow chromatography (2D-TFC) with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and accomplished through the following steps: (1) a reversed-phase TFC stage to separate the protein/ligand complex from the unbound free molecules, (2) an on-line dissociation process to release the bound ligands from the complexes, and (3) a second mixed-mode cation-exchange/reversed-phase TFC stage to trap the bound ligands and to remove the proteins and salts, followed by LC-MS analysis for identification and determination of the binding affinities. The technique can implement an ultra-fast isolation of protein/ligand complex with the retention time of a complex peak in about 5s, and on-line prepare the "clean" sample to be directly compatible with the LC-MS analysis. The improvement in performance of this 2D-TFC/LC-MS approach over the conventional approach has been demonstrated by determining affinity-selected ligands of the target proteins acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase from a small library with known binding affinities and a steroidal alkaloid library composed of structurally similar compounds. Our results show that 2D-TFC/LC-MS is a generic and efficient tool for high-throughput screening of ligands with low-to-high binding affinities, and structure-activity relationship evaluation.

IL-1alpha Accelerates Stratum Corneum Formation and Improves Permeability Barrier Homeostasis During Murine Fetal Development

Journal of Dermatological Science. May, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19216058

The ontogenesis of the epidermal permeability barrier is complex and incompletely understood. Previously we showed that IL-1 and TNFalpha regulate permeability barrier homeostasis in adult mice.

Treatment of Hypocalcemia Caused by Hypoparathyroidism or Pseudohypoparathyroidism with Domestic-made Calcitriol: a Prospective and Self-controlled Clinical Trial

Chinese Medical Journal. Feb, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19236804

Parathyroid hormone deficiency or resistance may cause hypocalcemia with related symptoms and signs. Lifelong treatment of calcium combined with vitamin D or its metabolites is always necessary for these patients. Here we reported a prospective and open-label trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of domestic-made calcitriol in treatment of hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Germinal Mosaicism of GATA3 in a Family with HDR Syndrome

American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A. Feb, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19253381

The Efficacy and Safety of Calcitriol And/or Caltrate D in Elderly Chinese Women with Low Bone Mass

Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. Mar, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19262561

To observe the efficacy and safety of Rocaltrol (calcitriol) and/or Caltrate D (calicum carbonate plus vitamin D) in elderly Chinese women with osteopenia or osteoporosis.

A Recurrent Mutation C.617G>A in the ACVR1 Gene Causes Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva in Two Chinese Patients

Calcified Tissue International. May, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19300893

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP; OMIM 135100) is a rare heritable disorder of connective tissue characterized by congenital malformations of the great toes and recurrent episodes of painful soft tissue swelling that lead to heterotopic ossifications. Recent studies have shown that the ACVR1 (activin A receptor, type I; OMIM 102576) gene, which encodes the BMP type I receptor protein, is responsible for this disease. We observed two Chinese patients who suffered from progressive pain and ankylosis of major joints with congenital bilateral hallus valgus malformation, neck stiffness, and several posttraumatic ossified lesions on the head and dorsum. Both patients were diagnosed as having FOP. This study aimed to investigate the ACVR1 gene mutation in Chinese FOP patients. Direct sequence analysis of genomic DNA and restriction enzyme digestion demonstrated the presence of a single heterozygous c.617G>A (p.R206H) mutation in the ACVR1 gene in both patients. This mutation is first reported in Chinese patients with FOP and it was de novo in both affected families.

Expression of Mouse Beta-defensin-3 in MDCK Cells and Its Anti-influenza-virus Activity

Archives of Virology. 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19301094

Influenza (flu) pandemics have presented a threat to human health in the past century. Because of outbreaks of avian flu in humans in some developing countries in recent years, humans are more eager to find a way to control flu. Mammalian beta-defensins (beta-defensins) are associated primarily with mucosal and skin innate immunity. Previous studies have demonstrated antimicrobial properties of a variety of defensin peptides. We have identified the presence of mouse beta-defensin 1, 2, and 3 genes (Mbd-1, 2, and 3) in trachea and lung tissues by RT-PCR before and after infection with influenza virus. We constructed a eukaryotic expression plasmid containing Mbd-3, pcDNA 3.1(+)/MBD-3, and the plasmid was introduced into Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells by transfection. The expression of Mbd-3 in MDCK cells was verified by immunofluorescence test, RT-PCR, and Western blot. The pcDNA 3.1(+)/MBD-3 plasmid was injected into mice to observe its effect against influenza A virus (IAV) in vivo. Mouse beta-defensin genes could be expressed in trachea and lung tissues before IAV infection, but expression of Mbd-2 and Mbd-3 was increased significantly after IAV infection. The survival rate of mice with MBD-3 against IAV challenge was 71.43%, and MDCK cells with MBD-3 could clearly inhibit IAV replication. The results demonstrated that mouse beta-defensins possess anti-influenza virus activity, suggesting that mouse beta-defensins might be used as agents to prevent and treat influenza.

Current HIV-2 Diagnostic Strategy Overestimates HIV-2 Prevalence in China

Journal of Medical Virology. May, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19319947

A significant number of HIV-2 infections have been reported in China using Western blot as per current guidelines for HIV-2 diagnosis in China. However, most specimens were also positive on HIV-1 Western blot suggesting cross-reactivity and possible overestimation. We carried out the current study to evaluate a strategy to diagnose the HIV-2 infections in China. A total of 119 specimens received from 16 provinces were likely to be HIV-2 when tested according to current guidelines in China using the Genelabs Western blot (HIV Blot 2.2 WB). Further testing by HIV-2 WB (Bio-Rad New LAV Blot II or Genelabs HIV Blot 1.2 WB) scored 56 (47.1%) of 119 samples with banding pattern suggestive of HIV-2 infection, and 63 (52.9%) were HIV-2 indeterminate. A peptide-based HIV-1 and HIV-2 enzyme immunoassay for differential diagnosis of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections was validated and used. This in-house EIA demonstrated that only 1 (0.8%) of 119 specimens had HIV-2 specific antibodies, while 2 (1.7%) were dually reactive. These results were highly concordant (>99%) with those by Inno-LIA HIV-I/II (Innogenetics, Belgium), which also use specific peptides for type-specific diagnosis. Our data demonstrates that HIV-2 infection is rare in China, and HIV-2 Western blot may overestimate the prevalence of HIV-2 in the population with HIV-1. The HIV-2 diagnostic strategy in China needs to be revised to include more specific peptide-based immunoassays.

[Relationship Between Impulsivity and Sleep Disorders in Children Aged 6 to 12 Years]

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. Apr, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19374819

To study the relationship between impulsivity and sleep disorders in children.

Ceramide Stimulates ABCA12 Expression Via Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor {delta} in Human Keratinocytes

The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Jul, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19429679

ABCA12 (ATP binding cassette transporter, family 12) is a cellular membrane transporter that facilitates the delivery of glucosylceramides to epidermal lamellar bodies in keratinocytes, a process that is critical for permeability barrier formation. Following secretion of lamellar bodies into the stratum corneum, glucosylceramides are metabolized to ceramides, which comprise approximately 50% of the lipid in stratum corneum. Gene mutations of ABCA12 underlie harlequin ichthyosis, a devastating skin disorder characterized by abnormal lamellar bodies and a severe barrier abnormality. Recently we reported that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and liver X receptor activators increase ABCA12 expression in human keratinocytes. Here we demonstrate that ceramide (C(2)-Cer and C(6)-Cer), but not C(8)-glucosylceramides, sphingosine, or ceramide 1-phosphate, increases ABCA12 mRNA expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthase, sphingomyelin synthase, and ceramidase and small interfering RNA knockdown of human alkaline ceramidase, which all increase endogenous ceramide levels, also increased ABCA12 mRNA levels. Moreover, simultaneous treatment with C(6)-Cer and each of these same inhibitors additively increased ABCA12 expression, indicating that ceramide is an important inducer of ABCA12 expression and that the conversion of ceramide to other sphingolipids or metabolites is not required. Finally, both exogenous and endogenous ceramides preferentially stimulate PPARdelta expression (but not other PPARs or liver X receptors), whereas PPARdelta knockdown by siRNA transfection specifically diminished the ceramide-induced increase in ABCA12 mRNA levels, indicating that PPARdelta is a mediator of the ceramide effect. Together, these results show that ceramide, an important lipid component of epidermis, up-regulates ABCA12 expression via the PPARdelta-mediated signaling pathway, providing a substrate-driven, feed-forward mechanism for regulating this key lipid transporter.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Genotypic Drug Resistance Among Volunteer Blood Donors in Yunnan, China

Transfusion. Sep, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19453981

Drug resistance profiles of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) in treatment-naïve infections have been reported in developed countries. However, little is known in developing countries, including China, especially in treatment-naïve volunteer blood donors.

NMR Study of the Dynamics of Cationic Gemini Surfactant 14-2-14 in Mixed Solutions with Conventional Surfactants

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B. Jun, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19462938

Three kinds of conventional surfactants, namely, two nonionic surfactants [polyethylene glycol (23) lauryl ether (Brij-35) and Triton X-100 (TX-100)], one cationic surfactant [n-tetradecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (TTAB)], and an anionic surfactant [sodium n-dodecyl sulfate (SDS)}, were mixed into the quaternary ammonium gemini surfactant [C(14)H(29)N(+)(CH(3))(2)](2)(CH(2))(2).2Br(-) (14-2-14) in aqueous solution. The exchange rate constants between 14-2-14 molecules in the mixed micelles and those in the bulk solution were detected using two nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods: one-dimensional (1D) line shape analysis and two-dimensional (2D) exchange spectroscopy (EXSY). The results obtained from these two methods were consistent. Both showed that mixing a nonionic conventional surfactant, either Brij-35 or TX-100, enhanced the exchange process between the 14-2-14 molecules in the mixed micelles and those in the bulk solution. In contrast, the anionic surfactant SDS and the cationic surfactant TTAB slowed the process slightly.

Age- and Sex-related Expression and Activity of Carboxylesterase 1 and 2 in Mouse and Human Liver

Drug Metabolism and Disposition: the Biological Fate of Chemicals. Sep, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19487248

Carboxylesterase (CES) 1 and CES2 are two major hepatic hydrolases responsible for the metabolism of numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. In this study, age- and sex-dependent expression and activity of CES1 and CES2 were investigated using both animal models and individual human liver s9 samples. The expression and activity of mouse CES1 (mCES1) and mCES2 in the liver were markedly lower in newborns relative to adults and increased gradually with age, approximating levels of adult animals by age 2 to 4 weeks. Likewise, the average human CES1 (hCES1) expression in the subjects <1 year of age was significantly lower than that of pooled samples. In particular, hCES1 expression in the 13-day and 1-month-old subjects was just 20.3 and 11.1%, respectively, of the pooled sample values. In addition, the subjects <1 year of age exhibited a trend suggestive of low hCES2 expression, but this difference failed to reach statistical significance because of large interindividual variability. The expression and activity of mCES1 and mCES2 were not significantly altered after the animals were treated with human growth hormone, indicating growth hormone may not be associated with the low level of CES expression during early developmental stages. No significant differences of the expression and activity of mCES1 and mCES2 were observed between sexually mature male and female mice. In conclusion, the expression and activity of CES1 and CES2 are age-related but independent of growth hormone level. Sex seems to be an unlikely factor contributing to the regulation of CES1 and CES2.

AtECB2, a Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein, is Required for Chloroplast Transcript AccD RNA Editing and Early Chloroplast Biogenesis in Arabidopsis Thaliana

The Plant Journal : for Cell and Molecular Biology. Sep, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19500301

Chloroplast biogenesis is a complex process in higher plants. Screening chloroplast biogenesis mutants, and elucidating their molecular mechanisms, will provide insight into the process of chloroplast biogenesis. In this paper, we obtained an early chloroplast biogenesis mutant atecb2 that displayed albino cotyledons and was seedling lethal. Microscopy observations revealed that the chloroplast of atecb2 mutants lacked an organized thylakoid membrane. The AtECB2 gene, which is highly expressed in cotyledons and seedlings, encodes a pentatricopeptide repeat protein (PPR) with a C-terminal DYW domain. The AtECB2 protein is localized in the chloroplast, and contains a conserved HxEx(n)CxxC motif that is similar to the activated site of cytidine deaminase. The AtECB2 mutation affects the expression pattern of plastid-encoded genes. Immunoblot analyses showed that the levels of photosynthetic proteins decreased substantially in atecb2 mutants. Inspection of all reported plastid RNA editing sites revealed that one editing site, accD, is not edited in atecb2 mutants. Therefore, the AtECB2 protein must regulate the RNA editing of this site, and the dysfunctional AccD protein from the unedited RNA molecules could lead to the mutated phenotype. All of these results indicate that AtECB2 is required for chloroplast transcript accD RNA editing and early chloroplast biogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Characterization and Immunostimulatory Activity of a Polysaccharide from the Spores of Ganoderma Lucidum

International Immunopharmacology. Sep, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19540939

Spores of Ganoderma lucidum contain a large amount of bioactive substances and have a higher bioactivity than the fruit bodies of G. lucidum. However, ingredients from spores are less studied due to the difficulties in collecting the spores and breaking the rigid shell. In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide named GSG was extracted from the spores of G. lucidum. GSG is characterized to be a branched glucan that contains several different kinds of linkages. It was an effective inducer of MAPKs- and Syk-dependent TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion in murine resident peritoneal macrophages. Dectin-1 could recognize GSG and partially mediate its biological activities. Additionally, in vivo administration of GSG potentiated the Con A-induced proliferative response of splenocytes and induced anti-tumor activity against Lewis lung cancer in mice. Therefore, these results suggest that GSG is an effective immunomodulator and may be a promising adjuvant remedy for anti-tumor therapies.

[Relationship Between Nasal Discharge Eosinophils and Responses to Treatment of Inhaled Glucocorticosteroid in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis]

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Mar, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19558859

To evaluate the treatment responses of persistent allergic rhinitis with and without nasal discharge eosinophilia (EOS) to inhaled glucocorticosteroid (CS), and therefore to verify whether low nasal discharge eosinophils predict poor response to treatment with CS.

[Surveillance on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Incidence in the United States]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Feb, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19565888

[The Strategy of Management for Bilateral Carotid Atherosclerotic Stenosis]

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Surgery]. Mar, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19595221

To evaluate the indication, time and strategy of surgery for patients with bilateral carotid atherosclerotic stenosis.

Novel Genetic Environment of the Carbapenem-hydrolyzing Beta-lactamase KPC-2 Among Enterobacteriaceae in China

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Oct, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19620332

Thirty-nine bla(KPC)-producing isolates of the family Enterobacteriaceae with carbapenem resistance or reduced carbapenem susceptibility were obtained from inpatients from eight hospitals in six cities of three provinces in eastern China. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis of all 36 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates revealed six major patterns. The resistant plasmids of most isolates were successfully transferred by conjugation and evaluated experimentally to be 40 to 180 kb in size. A 20.2-kb bla(KPC)-surrounding nucleotide sequence from plasmid pKP048 has been obtained and contains an integration structure of a Tn3-based transposon and partial Tn4401 segment, with the gene order Tn3-transposase, Tn3-resolvase, ISKpn8, the bla(KPC-2) gene, and the ISKpn6-like element. The chimera of several transposon-associated elements indicated a novel genetic environment of the K. pneumoniae carbapenemase beta-lactamase gene in isolates from China.

[Evaluation of BED-CEIA Assay with Dried Blood Spot Specimens in China]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Mar, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19642385

OBJECTIVE; To study the feasibility of using dried blood spot (DBS) specimens in BED-CEIA assay and to estimate the HIV-1 incidence with DBS in China.

[Clinical Features of Pregnancy and Lactation-associated Osteoporosis: Analysis of 4 Cases]

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. Apr, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19671313

To analyze the clinical features of pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO).

PPARδ Activation Promotes Stratum Corneum Formation and Epidermal Permeability Barrier Development During Late Gestation

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Feb, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 19675577

The goal of epidermal ontogenesis is to form a stratum corneum (SC), which is required for post-natal permeability barrier function. The regulation of epidermal ontogenesis is poorly understood, but nuclear hormone receptors have been shown to have an important function. As peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPARdelta) is very abundant in fetal epidermis and PPARdelta activation stimulates differentiation and permeability barrier formation in adults, we hypothesized that PPARdelta might regulate epidermal ontogenesis. Treatment of fetal rat explants with the PPARdelta ligand, GW 610742X, accelerates permeability barrier development, evidenced by a decrease in transepidermal water loss and an enhanced outside-in barrier function, attributable to the presence of more mature lamellar membranes in the SC and enhanced expression of loricrin and involucrin. Similarly, the intra-amniotic administration of GW 610742X also accelerates the formation of the SC and permeability barrier development. Finally, in PPARdelta-deficient mice the formation of the SC and the expression of differentiation-related proteins were delayed on days 16.5 and 17.5 of gestation. However, at later stages (day 18.5 and after birth), there were no differences between wild-type- and PPARdelta-deficient mice, indicating only a transient delay in epidermal ontogenesis. These studies show that PPARdelta has a role in SC formation and permeability barrier development.

Puqienine E: an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Steroidal Alkaloid from Fritillaria Puqiensis

Fitoterapia. Apr, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 19686814

Eight steroidal alkaloids, puqienine A, puqienine B, puqienine C, puqienine D, puqienine E, puqietinone, puqiedine and peimisine were isolated from Fritillaria puqiensis G. D. Yu et. G. Y. Chen, and their anti-hypertensive effect were assessed in vitro based on the inhibition of the purified angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) using high-performance liquid chromatography assay. The results showed that puqienine E, puqienine B and puqienine A exhibited better inhibitory activity against ACE than others, with inhibition ratios of 70.2+/-0.5%, 24.7+/-0.5% and 20.4+/-2.8%, respectively at the concentration of 200 microM. The 50% inhibiting concentration of puqienine E was determined to be 68 microM.

High-level Expression and Novel Antifungal Activity of Mouse Beta Defensin-1 Mature Peptide in Escherichia Coli

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Jan, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 19283515

Mouse beta defensin-1 (mBD-1) is a cationic 37-amino acid antimicrobial peptide with three conserved cysterine disulfied bonds. It exhibits a broad antimicrobial spectrum, but mBD-1 against Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) is poorly understood. This study describes the mBD-1 gene, the heterologous fusion expression of the peptide in Escherichia coli, and the bioactive assay of released mature mBD-1. By constructing the expression plasmid (pET32a-mBD1), high yields of soluble mBD-1 fusion protein (0.67 g/L) could be obtained in E. coli and cleaved by enterokinase. The digested product was further purified and desalted with the final amount of pure mature mBD-1 being 0.14 g/L. Classical fungi growth inhibition assay showed clear antifungal activity against C. albicans and C. neoformans with IC(50) of 5 and 2 microM, respectively. The results show that the mBD-1 control fungal colonization through hyphal induction, direct fungicidal activity, and the activity is suppressed by increasing NaCl concentration. Successful expression of the mBD-1 peptide in E. coli offers a basis for further studying its antifungal mechanisms and may provide significance in developing this peptide to an antifungal drug.

Use of Sustainable Chemistry to Produce an Acyl Amino Acid Surfactant

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. May, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20094712

Surfactants find wide commercial use as foaming agents, emulsifiers, and dispersants. Currently, surfactants are produced from petroleum, or from seed oils such as palm or coconut oil. Due to concerns with CO(2) emissions and the need to protect rainforests, there is a growing necessity to manufacture these chemicals using sustainable resources In this report, we describe the engineering of a native nonribosomal peptide synthetase pathway (i.e., surfactin synthetase), to generate a Bacillus strain that synthesizes a highly water-soluble acyl amino acid surfactant, rather than the water insoluble lipopeptide surfactin. This novel product has a lower CMC and higher water solubility than myristoyl glutamate, a commercial surfactant. This surfactant is produced by fermentation of cellulosic carbohydrate as feedstock. This method of surfactant production provides an approach to sustainable manufacturing of new surfactants.

A 9-bp Deletion Homoplasmy in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Revealed by Mitochondrial Genome-mutation Screen

Biochemical Genetics. Feb, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20094848

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and heterogeneous disorder presenting a challenge for clinical investigators. To investigate the association of a mitochondrial genetic basis with PCOS, we screened mutations of the whole mitochondrial genome in 57 women patients with PCOS and 38 healthy control individuals. Two-step PCR reactions were adopted to amplify and sequence the whole mitochondrial genome. A 9-bp deletion variant appeared in homoplasmy between PCOS patients and control individuals. In the 62 individuals with complete sequences, eight of 34 (23.5%) patients showed the 9-bp deletion, compared with only two of 28 (7.1%) in healthy controls. The 9-bp deletion variant in region V of mitochondrial DNA may be associated with the heterogeneous disorder PCOS.

Application of the BED Capture Enzyme Immunoassay for HIV Incidence Estimation Among Female Sex Workers in Kaiyuan City, China, 2006-2007

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases. Jul, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20102792

To estimate HIV incidence among female sex workers (FSWs) by serial cross-sectional surveys and IgG-capture BED-enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA).

Microbicide Acceptability and Associated Factors Among Female Sex Workers and Male Clients in Kaiyuan County, Yunnan Province, China

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (1999). Feb, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20104117

To determine microbicide acceptability and associated factors among female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients in Yunnan, China.

IL-6 Stimulates but is Not Essential for Stratum Corneum Formation and Permeability Barrier Development During Gestation

Experimental Dermatology. Aug, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 19758319

The regulation of epidermal ontogenesis is a complex process. Previous studies have shown that cytokines (IL-1, TNFalpha and IL-6) regulate permeability barrier homeostasis in adult mice. Recently, we reported that IL-1 and TNFalpha accelerate stratum corneum (SC) formation and permeability barrier development in foetal rodents. Here, we determined whether IL-6 also regulates SC formation and permeability barrier development during late gestation. Using a rat skin explant model, we demonstrated that IL-6 accelerates permeability barrier formation in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. This acceleration of barrier formation is attributable to (a) accelerated lamellar membrane maturation, (b) formation of a multi-layer SC and (c) enhanced expression of epidermal differentiation markers. When comparing epidermis of IL-6-deficient (knockout mice) and wild-type foetal mice at days 16-18, we could not detect any abnormalities in either SC formation or the expression of differentiation markers in knockout (KO) mice. In parallel, the basal expression levels of IL-6 mRNA in epidermis and IL-6 protein in amniotic fluid were very low, with only a minimal change in IL-6 receptor mRNA levels in epidermis of days 16-22 foetal mice. These low IL-6 levels may account, at least in part, for the absence of epidermal abnormalities in IL-6 KO mice. In conclusion, exogenous IL-6 accelerates epidermal ontogenesis, but it is not essential for normal epidermal maturation.

Roles of Fyn in Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Feb, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 19968749

Src family kinases have been suggested to be associated with the metastasis of tumors, but their related mechanisms remain unclear. The aims of the present study were to assess the possible mechanisms by which the inhibition of Fyn activation regulates pancreatic cancer metastasis.

Cloning and Characterization of a Glycerol-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase (NAD+) Gene from the Halotolerant Yeast Pichia Farinosa

Yeast (Chichester, England). Feb, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20014039

In this study, a novel glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NAD(+)) (EC1.1.1.8) gene (PfGPD) was cloned from halotolerant yeast Pichia farinosa, using degenerate reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) methods. The full-length cDNA of the PfGPD gene is 1403 bp, which has an open reading frame (ORF) encoding 370 amino acids. PfGPD is conserved with other glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes and presents a single copy in the P. farinosa genome. Transcriptional analysis revealed that PfGPD gene expression level was high after 2 h induction in a hyperosmotic environment containing 2 M NaCl and returned to normal within 6 h. These results suggest that the PfGPD gene is induced by salt stress. Yeast complementation experiment indicated that PfGPD complements gpd1 mutation in S. cerevisiae. The Accession No. for PfGPD in GenBank is EF601986.

Characterization of Conformation-specific Monoclonal Antibodies Against Rabies Virus Nucleoprotein

Archives of Virology. Aug, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20521069

Three anti-rabies virus (RABV) nucleoprotein (N) monoclonal antibodies (Mab) were characterized by immunofluorescence assays, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. One of these Mabs recognized the antigen by all of the assays, while the other two recognized N only in the native form in the immunofluorescence assay. These data, together with epitope mapping studies, suggest that two anti-N Mabs recognize conformational epitopes located within the N-terminal region of the RABV N protein. The availability of Mabs specific for both linear and epitope-specific antibodies should prove valuable for rabies diagnosis as well as for RABV N protein structure-function studies.

Levels and Dynamic Changes of Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 in Hypophosphatemic Rickets/osteomalacia

Chinese Medical Journal. May, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20529556

Hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia is a group of diseases characterised by defective mineralization of bone due to hypophosphatemia and low 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D. To explore the role of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) in the regulation of phosphate homeostasis, we measured the circulating concentrations of this growth factor in healthy individuals and in patients with hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia.

Complete Nucleotide Sequence of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Multidrug Resistance Plasmid PKP048, Carrying BlaKPC-2, BlaDHA-1, QnrB4, and ArmA

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Sep, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20547789

The Klebsiella pneumoniae multidrug resistance plasmid pKP048 was completely sequenced. This plasmid carries several important resistance determinants, such as bla(KPC-2), bla(DHA-1), qnrB4, and armA, which confer resistance to carbapenems, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides, respectively. Analysis of the finished 151,188-bp sequence data revealed 163 putative genes, 108 of which were assigned functions such as replication, stable inheritance, antibiotic resistance, a mobile element, conjugal transfer, and a restriction-modification system, showing the strong phylogenetic mosaicism and plasticity of the plasmid.

Epithelial-mesenchymal Transitions of Bile Duct Epithelial Cells in Primary Hepatolithiasis

Journal of Korean Medical Science. Jul, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20592900

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis. Thirty-one patients with primary hepatolithiasis were enrolled in this study. Expressions of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, alpha-SMA, vimentin, S100A4, TGF-beta1 and P-smad2/3 in hepatolithiasis bile duct epithelial cells were examined by immunohistochemistry staining. The results showed that the expressions of the epithelial markers E-cadherin and alpha-catenin were frequently lost in hepatolithiasis (32.3% and 25.9% of cases, respectively), while the mesenchymal markers vimentin, alpha-SMA and S100A4 were found to be present in hepatolithiasis (35.5%, 29.0%, and 32.3% of cases, respectively). The increased mesenchymal marker expression was correlated with decreased epithelial marker expression. The expressions of TGF-beta1 and P-smad2/3 in hepatolithiasis were correlated with the expression of S100A4. These data indicate that TGF-beta1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition might be involved in the formation of hepatolithiasis.

A Novel Mechanism of Cell Growth Regulation by Cell Cycle and Apoptosis Regulatory Protein (CARP)-1

Journal of Molecular Signaling. 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20594350

CARP-1/CCAR1, a perinuclear phospho-protein, regulates signaling by adriamycin, steroids, or growth factors. However, intracellular events that regulate CARP-1-dependent cell growth are not fully understood.

Familial Syndrome Resembling Aarskog Syndrome

American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A. Aug, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20607856

Aarskog(-Scott) syndrome (AAS) is characterized by short stature, and facial, limb, and genital anomalies. AAS can be an X-linked condition caused by mutations in the FGD1 gene, but there is evidence that an autosomal dominant or recessive form also exists. We report on a Chinese family in whom several members have manifestations of AAS, but differ in limb anomalies and show additional characteristics. FGD1 sequencing and linkage analysis excluded FGD1 as the cause in this family. A common known submicroscopic chromosome imbalance is less likely. Both autosomal dominant and recessive patterns of inheritance remain possible.

Biodegradation of Phenol and M-cresol by Mutated Candida Tropicalis

Journal of Environmental Sciences (China). 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20617741

The phenol and m-cresol biodegradations were studied using the mutant strain CTM 2 obtained by the He-Ne laser irradiation on wild-type Candida tropicalis. The results showed that C. tropicalis exhibited the increased capacity of phenolic compounds degradation after laser irradiation. It could degrade 2600 mg/L phenol and 300 mg/L m-cresol by 5% inoculum concentration, respectively. In the dual-substrate biodegradation system, 0-500 mg/L phenol could accelerate m-cresol biodegradation, and 300 mg/L m-cresol could be completely utilized within 46 hr at the presence of 350 mg/L phenol. Besides, the maximum biodegradation of m-cresol could reach 350 mg/L with 80 mg/L phenol within 61 hr. Obviously, phenol, as a growth substrate, could promote CTM 2 to degrade m-cresol, and was always preferentially utilized as carbon source. Comparatively, low-concentration m-cresol could result in a great inhibition on phenol degradation. In addition, the kinetic behaviors of cell growth and substrate biodegradation were described by kinetic model proposed in our laboratory.

Poly(ethylene Glycol)-radix Ophiopogonis Polysaccharide Conjugates: Preparation, Characterization, Pharmacokinetics and in Vitro Bioactivity

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics : Official Journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft Für Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik E.V. Oct, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20633648

Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide (ROP), a natural graminan-type fructan with Mw of ∼5kDa, had been found to have an excellent anti-myocardial ischemic activity. However, its rapid renal excretion following administration remarkably limits its efficacy and clinical use, which makes necessary the development of an effective delivery system. In this article, the feasibility of PEGylation to solve this problem was examined. A moderate coupling reaction between the hydroxyl-activated ROP and the amino-terminated mPEG was chosen to PEGylate ROP. Five different mPEG-ROP conjugates (with mPEG of molecular mass 2, 5 or 20kDa) were prepared, purified, characterized and evaluated in pharmacokinetics and in vitro bioactivity. Results showed that only when the apparent molecular weight of the conjugate approached to a certain value, would its plasma elimination reduce abruptly. In general, the conjugation caused the reduction in the bioactivity of ROP; however, well-preserved bioactivity was observed when the grafting degree of the conjugate was lower. Among the five conjugates studied, the one with an average 1.3 mPEG (20kDa) residues per single ROP was found to be satisfactory both in plasma retention and in bioactivity. It had a 47.4-fold increased elimination half-life and preserved approximately 74% of the bioactivity of ROP; moreover, the decrease in bioactivity is not significant. These findings demonstrate that PEGylation would be a promising approach for improving the clinical efficacy of ROP by prolonged retention in plasma.

1α, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Regulates Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α in Untransformed and Harvey-ras Transfected Breast Epithelial Cells

Cancer Letters. Dec, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20655141

The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism by which 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D) alters hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein in untransformed and Harvey-ras (H-ras) oncogene transfected MCF10A breast epithelial cells. Treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D (10nM) increased both mRNA (2.55±0.6-fold vs. vehicle, p=0.03) and protein levels (2.37±0.3-fold vs. vehicle, p<0.0001) of HIF-1α in MCF10A cells in 12h, which remained elevated at 24h. However, in H-ras transfected MCF10A cells, 1,25(OH)(2)D treatment increased HIF-1α protein level (2.08±0.38-fold vs. vehicle, p=0.05) at 12h, with no change in mRNA level and HIF-1α protein level returned to baseline after 24h. A transcription inhibitor prevented the 1,25(OH)(2)D induction of HIF-1α protein and mRNA levels in MCF10A cells, but failed to alter the induction of HIF-1α protein level in H-ras transfected MCF10A cells. On the other hand, inhibition of proteasomal degradation prevented the 1,25(OH)(2)D-induced HIF-1α protein level in H-ras transfected MCF10A but not in MCF10A cells. These results support that 1,25(OH)(2)D regulates HIF-1α protein level via transcriptional regulation in MCF10A cells in contrast to through proteosomal degradation with the presence of H-ras oncogene in MCF10A cells.

Regulation of ABCG1 Expression in Human Keratinocytes and Murine Epidermis

Journal of Lipid Research. Nov, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20675829

ABCG1, a member of the ATP binding cassette superfamily, facilitates the efflux of cholesterol from cells to HDL. In this study, we demonstrate that ABCG1 is expressed in cultured human keratinocytes and murine epidermis, and induced during keratinocyte differentiation, with increased levels in the outer epidermis. ABCG1 is regulated by liver X receptor (LXR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPAR-δ) activators, cellular sterol levels, and acute barrier disruption. Both LXR and PPAR-δ activators markedly stimulate ABCG1 expression in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. PPAR-γ activators also increase ABCG1 expression, but to a lesser degree. In contrast, activators of PPAR-α, retinoic acid receptor, retinoid X receptor, and vitamin D receptor do not alter ABCG1 expression. In response to increased intracellular sterol levels, ABCG1 expression increases, whereas inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis decreases ABCG1 expression. In vivo, ABCG1 is stimulated 3-6 h after acute barrier disruption by either tape stripping or acetone treatment, an increase that can be inhibited by occlusion, suggesting a potential role of ABCG1 in permeability barrier homeostasis. Although Abcg1-null mice display normal epidermal permeability barrier function and gross morphology, abnormal lamellar body (LB) contents and secretion leading to impaired lamellar bilayer formation could be demonstrated by electron microscopy, indicating a potential role of ABCG1 in normal LB formation and secretion.

Recombinant Mouse Beta-defensin 2 Inhibits Infection by Influenza A Virus by Blocking Its Entry

Archives of Virology. Apr, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20195655

Human influenza A virus (IAV) is a major cause of life-threatening respiratory tract disease worldwide. Defensins are small cationic peptides of about 2-6 kDa that are known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Here, we focused on the anti-influenza A activity of mouse beta-defensin 2 (mBD2). The prokaryotic expression plasmid pET32a-mBD2 was constructed and introduced into Escherichia coli Rosseta gami (2) to produce recombinant mBD2 (rmBD2). Purified rmBD2 showed strong antiviral activity against IAV in vitro. The protective rate for Madin-Darby canine kidney cells was 93.86% at an rmBD2 concentration of 100 microg/ml. Further studies demonstrated that rmBD2 prevents IAV infection by inhibiting viral entry. In addition, both pretreatment and postinfection treatment with rmBD2 provided protection against lethal virus challenge with IAV in experimental mice, with protection rates of 70 and 30%, respectively. These results suggest that the mBD2 might have important effects on influenza A virus invasion.

Blocking Effects of SiRNA on VEGF Expression in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG. Mar, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20205278

To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT-1) and fetal liver kinase 1 (FLK-1) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and the blocking effects of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) on VEGF expression in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells.

Impact of Female Cigarette Smoking on Circulating B Cells in Vivo: the Suppressed ICOSLG, TCF3, and VCAM1 Gene Functional Network May Inhibit Normal Cell Function

Immunogenetics. Apr, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20217071

As pivotal immune guardians, B cells were found to be directly associated with the onset and development of many smoking-induced diseases. However, the in vivo molecular response of B cells underlying the female cigarette smoking remains unknown. Using the genome-wide Affymetrix HG-133A GeneChip microarray, we firstly compared the gene expression profiles of peripheral circulating B cells between 39 smoking and 40 non-smoking healthy US white women. A total of 125 differential expressed genes were identified in our study, and 75.2% of them were down-regulated in smokers. We further obtained genotypes of 702 single nucleotide polymorphisms in those promising genes and assessed their associations with smoking status. Using a novel multicriteria evaluation model integrating information from microarray and the association studies, several genes were further revealed to play important roles in the response of smoking, including ICOSLG (CD275, inducible T-cell co-stimulator ligand), TCF3 (E2A immunoglobulin enhancer binding factors E12/E47), VCAM1 (CD106, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1), CCR1 (CD191, chemokine C-C motif receptor 1) and IL13 (interleukin 13). The differential expression of ICOSLG (p = 0.0130) and TCF3 (p = 0.0125) genes between the two groups were confirmed by real-time reverse transcription PCR experiment. Our findings support the functional importance of the identified genes in response to the smoking stimulus. This is the first in vivo genome-wide expression study on B cells at today's context of high prevalence rate of smoking for women. Our results highlight the potential usage of integrated analyses for unveiling the novel pathogenesis mechanism and emphasized the significance of B cells in the etiology of smoking-induced disease.

Mitochondrial DNA Transmission, Replication and Inheritance: a Journey from the Gamete Through the Embryo and into Offspring and Embryonic Stem Cells

Human Reproduction Update. Sep-Oct, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20231166

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes key proteins associated with the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Defects to mtDNA cause severe disease phenotypes that can affect offspring survival. The aim of this review is to identify how mtDNA is replicated as it transits from the fertilized oocyte into the preimplantation embryo, the fetus and offspring. Approaches for deriving offspring and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are analysed to determine their potential application for the prevention and treatment of mtDNA disease.

Tumor Motion Prediction with the Diaphragm As a Surrogate: a Feasibility Study

Physics in Medicine and Biology. May, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20371906

We have previously assessed the use of the diaphragm as a surrogate for predicting real-time tumor position with linear models built with training data extracted from the same treatment fraction (Cerviño et al 2009 Phys. Med. Biol. 54 3529-41). However, practical use in the clinical setting requires the capability of predicting tumor position throughout the treatment course using a model built at the beginning of the course. We evaluate the inter-fraction applicability of linear models to predict superior-inferior tumor position based on diaphragm position using 21 fluoroscopic sequences from five lung cancer patients. Tumor position is predicted with models built during the first fluoroscopic sequence of each patient. Other fluoroscopic sets are registered to the first set with five different methods. The mean localization prediction error and maximum error at a 95% confidence level averaged over all patients are found to be 1.2 mm and 2.9 mm, respectively, for bony registration and 1.2 mm and 2.8 mm, respectively, for registration based on the mean position of the tumor in the first two breathing cycles. Other registration methods produce larger prediction errors. In the clinical setting, this prediction error could be added as a margin to the target volume. We therefore conclude that it is feasible to predict lung tumor motion with diaphragm with sufficient accuracy in the clinical setting.

Estimation of HIV-1 Incidence Among Five Focal Populations in Dehong, Yunnan: a Hard Hit Area Along a Major Drug Trafficking Route

BMC Public Health. 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20374618

Since 1989 when the first 146 HIV positives in China were identified, Dehong Prefecture had been one of the areas hardest-hit by HIV in China. The local and national governments have put substantial financial resources into tackling the HIV epidemic in Dehong from 2004. The objective of this study was to track dynamic changes in HIV-1 prevalence and incidence among five focal populations in Dehong and to assess the impact of HIV prevention and control efforts.

Developmental Regulation and Individual Differences of Neuronal H3K4me3 Epigenomes in the Prefrontal Cortex

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. May, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20421462

Little is known about the regulation of neuronal and other cell-type specific epigenomes from the brain. Here, we map the genome-wide distribution of trimethylated histone H3K4 (H3K4me3), a mark associated with transcriptional regulation, in neuronal and nonneuronal nuclei collected from prefrontal cortex (PFC) of 11 individuals ranging in age from 0.5 to 69 years. Massively parallel sequencing identified 12,732-19,704 H3K4me3 enriched regions (peaks), the majority located proximal to (within 2 kb of) the transcription start site (TSS) of annotated genes. These included peaks shared by neurons in comparison with three control (lymphocyte) cell types, as well as peaks specific to individual subjects. We identified 6,213 genes that show highly enriched H3K4me3 in neurons versus control. At least 1,370 loci, including annotated genes and novel transcripts, were selectively tagged with H3K4me3 in neuronal but not in nonneuronal PFC chromatin. Our results reveal age-correlated neuronal epigenome reorganization, including decreased H3K4me3 at approximately 600 genes (many function in developmental processes) during the first year after birth. In comparison, the epigenome of aging (>60 years) PFC neurons showed less extensive changes, including increased H3K4me3 at 100 genes. These findings demonstrate that H3K4me3 in human PFC is highly regulated in a cell type- and subject-specific manner and highlight the importance of early childhood for developmentally regulated chromatin remodeling in prefrontal neurons.

[Cloning and Expression Analysis of ZFP207 Encoding a TFA-type Zinc Finger Protein in Rice]

Yi Chuan = Hereditas / Zhongguo Yi Chuan Xue Hui Bian Ji. Apr, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20423894

The zinc finer proteins consist of a large transcription factor family involved in plant development and responses to environmental stresses. In this paper, a TFA-type zinc finger protein gene ZFP207 (GenBank assession number AK063147.1) was cloned from rice variety Jiucaiqing by RT-PCR approach. This gene contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 567 bp, which encodes a peptide of 188 amino acid residues. The isoelectric point (pI) of the protein is 9.67, and its molecular weight is 20.72 kDa. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the ZFP207 protein comprises a typical TFA-type zinc finger domain and an EAR-motif at its C-terminus. However, nuclear localization signals (NLS) commonly existing in TFA-type zinc finger proteins was not found in the ZFP207 amino acid sequence. In addition, based on the alignments of the whole amino acid sequences of some known TFA-type zinc finger proteins in plants, a phylogenetic tree was con-structed by the neighbour joining method. The phylogenetic tree showed that ZFP207 and other TFA-type zinc finger proteins with single zinc finger domain were grouped into the same branch. The expression pattern of ZFP207 gene was also investigated in various rice tissues at adult stage by RT-PCR and the results showed that ZFP207 was expressed with high levels in culms and leaves, but lower in roots and spikes. Finally, the trans-activation assay in yeast cells revealed that ZFP207 lacked the trans-activation activity.

Risk Factors for Development of New-onset Diabetes Mellitus in Adult Heart Transplant Recipients

Transplantation. Jun, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20431437

The objectives of this study are to examine the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) and to identify its risk factors in adult heart recipients using the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network of Organ Sharing database.

Effects of a Regional Chinese Diet on Proliferation of Human Esophageal Cancer Cell Line Eca-109 by a Sero-physiology Method

Nutrition and Cancer. 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20432176

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is prevalent in Yanting (YT) country located in southwestern China. Residents in the YT region have an unusual diet pattern and the role of the YT diet on the risk of ESCC is still uncertain. The present study was to examine the possible effects of sera from rats fed with the YT diet on proliferation of human esophageal cancer cell line Eca-109 by means of a sero-physiology approach. Firstly, two feasibilities were assessed to set up the sero-physiology method. We found that rats fed with a human adult diet in Chengdu region (ESCC-low-risk-area) for 30d had very close body weight gains in comparison with the control rats fed with the conventional diet, confirming the feasibility of feeding rats with a human diet without affecting their normal growth. Cell growth results showed that 5% non-deactivated rat serum had exactly the same effect on the proliferation of Eca-109 cells compared with the fetal bovine sera (FBS) control, confirming the feasibility of cultivating Eca-109 cells with the rat serum instead of FBS. Subsequently, cell proliferation results indicated that rats' sera fed with the YT diet significantly promoted Eca-109 cells proliferation but inhibited human normal liver epithelial cell line control HL7702 proliferation, whereas rats' sera fed with the Chengdu diet didn't have these effects on the two cell lines. The different effects of the two human diets on proliferation of Eca-109 cells demonstrated that the sero-physiology method is effective in studying the relationship between diet and cancer, and there maybe exist cancer-promoting factors in the YT diet.

Gold Nanoparticles Amplified Ultrasensitive Quantification of Human Urinary Protein by Capillary Electrophoresis with On-line Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopic Detection

Journal of Proteome Research. Jul, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20450228

Quantitative analysis of proteins play pivotal roles in basic discovery research and clinical applications, and the analytical challenge is to provide sufficient sensitivity to determine the proteins at endogenous levels. Here, we report a strategy for ultrasensitive quantification of human urinary protein by capillary electrophoresis with on-line inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopic detection (CE-ICPMS) in conjunction with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) amplification. The albumin in the sample solution was incubated with excess AuNPs to form the AuNP-albumin adduct. The excess AuNPs and the AuNP-albumin adduct were then effectively separated by CE for on-line ICPMS detection. As a result of AuNPs-tagging, more than 2000 gold atoms on average were attached to each albumin molecule to successfully achieve a significant amplification of ICPMS signal with extremely low limit of detection (0.5 pM for 280 nL of sample injection, corresponding to 0.1 amol) and a wide linear response over 4 orders of magnitude. The relative standard deviations of the migration time, peak area, and peak height for seven replicate injections of a mixture of 0.4 pM AuNPs and 9.0 pM albumin ranged from 1.8% to 4.4%. The developed method was successfully applied for detecting albumin in human urine samples with quantitative recoveries in the range of 93.0-99.7%. The methodology demonstrated here has potential for simultaneous determination of low-abundance multiple biomarkers of interest via multiple nanomaterials tags because of high-resolution CE separation and ultrasensitive ICPMS detection.

Mechanism of the Mixed Surfactant Micelle Formation

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B. Jun, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20481561

This article provides a full description of the mixed micelle formation process at a molecular level. The mechanism of mixed micelle formation in binary surfactant aqueous solution systems, ionic/nonionic mixed systems (12-2-12/TX-100, 14-2-14/TX-100, and SDS/TX-100), and ionic/ionic mixed systems (12-2-12/TTAB, 14-2-14/TTAB, and SDS/CTAB), in heavy water solutions was studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The critical micellization concentrations of each individual component in the mixed surfactant solutions were gained by analyzing changes in chemical shift and intensities of resonance peaks. The chemical shift changes indicated that in the 12-2-12/TX-100 and SDS/TX-100 systems, micelles of TX-100 formed first, and then 12-2-12 or SDS molecules were fused in the micelles, respectively, which has been proved by 2D NOESY experiments. In contrast, 14-2-14 was the first component to form the micelles in the 14-2-14/TX-100 system. Although 12-2-12 and 14-2-14 are analogs and differ only in the length of the hydrophobic chain by two methylene groups, they showed different behaviors in the micellization processes in the mixture with TX-100. The observation suggests that in the binary surfactant system under current study, the component with lower cmc in the mixed solution aggregates first; then, the other one fuses, resulting in the mixed micelles as the total concentration increases. The same results were obtained for the ionic/ionic solutions, 12-2-12/TTAB, 14-2-14/TTAB, and SDS/CTAB. The above results suggest that the two mixed surfactants do not aggregate synchronously. It obviously demonstrates that the so-called "cmc of the mixed surfactant solution" needs reconsideration.

Setdb1 Histone Methyltransferase Regulates Mood-related Behaviors and Expression of the NMDA Receptor Subunit NR2B

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience. May, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20505083

Histone methyltransferases specific for the histone H3-lysine 9 residue, including Setdb1 (Set domain, bifurcated 1)/Eset/Kmt1e are associated with repressive chromatin remodeling and expressed in adult brain, but potential effects on neuronal function and behavior remain unexplored. Here, we report that transgenic mice with increased Setdb1 expression in adult forebrain neurons show antidepressant-like phenotypes in behavioral paradigms for anhedonia, despair, and learned helplessness. Chromatin immunoprecipitation in conjunction with DNA tiling arrays (ChIP-chip) revealed that genomic occupancies of neuronal Setdb1 are limited to <1% of annotated genes, which include the NMDA receptor subunit NR2B/Grin2B and other ionotropic glutamate receptor genes. Chromatin conformation capture and Setdb1-ChIP revealed a loop formation tethering the NR2B/Grin2b promoter to the Setdb1 target site positioned 30 kb downstream of the transcription start site. In hippocampus and ventral striatum, two key structures in the neuronal circuitry regulating mood-related behaviors, Setdb1-mediated repressive histone methylation at NR2B/Grin2b was associated with decreased NR2B expression and EPSP insensitivity to pharmacological blockade of NR2B, and accelerated NMDA receptor desensitization consistent with a shift in NR2A/B subunit ratios. In wild-type mice, systemic treatment with the NR2B antagonist, Ro25-6981 [R-(R,S)-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-beta-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)-1-piperidine propranol], and hippocampal small interfering RNA-mediated NR2B/Grin2b knockdown resulted in behavioral changes similar to those elicited by the Setdb1 transgene. Together, these findings point to a role for neuronal Setdb1 in the regulation of affective and motivational behaviors through repressive chromatin remodeling at a select set of target genes, resulting in altered NMDA receptor subunit composition and other molecular adaptations.

[Advances on the Assays for Newly Infected HIV Cases.]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Apr, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20513298

[Expressions of 6 MicroRNAs in Prostate Cancer]

Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue = National Journal of Andrology. Jul, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20873592

Experimental evidence shows that microRNAs play an important role in the initiation and progression of human malignancies. The present study aimed to investigate the expressions of 6 microRNAs in prostate cancer (PCa) and their clinical significance.

[Soil Respiration in Subtropical Forests and Model Simulation of Its Relationships with Soil Temperature and Moisture Content]

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao = The Journal of Applied Ecology / Zhongguo Sheng Tai Xue Xue Hui, Zhongguo Ke Xue Yuan Shenyang Ying Yong Sheng Tai Yan Jiu Suo Zhu Ban. Jul, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20879518

By using Li-6400-09 system, an in situ measurement on the soil respiration, soil temperature, and soil moisture content in three main forest types (evergreen broadleaved forest, Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation, and Phyllostachys pubescens forest) in subtropical area of China was conducted, with the relationships between soil respiration and soil temperature and moisture content simulated by several models. The C flux of soil respiration in P. pubescens forest, evergreen broadleaved forest, and C. lanceolata plantation was 12.84, 11.70, and 7.12 t C x hm(-2) x a(-1), respectively, and the soil respiration in these three forest types had similar diurnal and seasonal variations, with the maximum value at 11:00-12:00 and the minimum value at 1:00-3:00, and the highest value in August and September while the lowest value in December and January. Van't Hoff equation and Lloyd & Taylor function had less difference in describing the relationships between soil respiration and soil temperature, while the soil respiration rate predicted by Lloyd & Taylor function was smaller than the observed value. Quadratic model and power function model could well simulate the relationship between soil respiration and soil moisture content. Soil moisture content positively or negatively affected soil respiration, but the effects only reached significant level in C. lanceolata plantation. Comparing with single-factor equation, two-factor equation (soil temperature and moisture content) could better describe the responses of soil respiration to changed soil temperature and moisture content. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed that after eliminating the effects of soil temperature and moisture content, forest type had significant effects on soil respiration (R2 = 0.541). Other factors, such as air temperature, air relative humidity, and photosynthetic radiation also affected soil respiration, and the effects of air temperature reached significant level.

Prenylated Xanthones from the Bark of Garcinia Xanthochymus and Their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Radical Scavenging Activities

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20966883

Garcinia xanthochymus has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for expelling worms and removing food toxins. Bioassay-guided fractionation of an EtOAc-soluble extract of G. xanthochymus stem bark led to the isolation of six new xanthones. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D-NMR techniques. Free-radical-scavenging activities of the isolated compounds were elucidated through DPPH method. Most of the isolated compounds showed considerable free radical scavenging activity on DPPH assay. Compound 1 exhibited effective antioxidant scavenging activity against DPPH radical with an IC₅₀ value of 19.64 μM, and compound 6 showed the lowest activity among all the tested molecules, with an IC₅₀ value of 66.88 μM. These findings support the notion that the plant genus Garcinia is a good source of bioactive compounds.

Generation and Analysis of ESTs from the Grass Carp, Ctenopharyngodon Idellus

Animal Biotechnology. Oct, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20967641

Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus (Valenciennes, 1844), is an economically important species widely cultured in the world, but its genome research resources are largely lacking. The objectives of this study were to construct normalized cDNA libraries for efficient EST analysis, to generate ESTs from these libraries, and to identify EST-related molecular markers such as microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for genetic analysis of this species. A total of 6,269 ESTs were generated representing 4,815 unique sequences, from which 105 putative microsatellites and 5,228 SNPs were identified. These genome resources provide the material basis for future genetic and functional analyses in this species.

Photoacoustic and High-frequency Power Doppler Ultrasound Biomicroscopy: a Comparative Study

Journal of Biomedical Optics. Sep-Oct, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 21054102

Both photoacoustic imaging and power Doppler ultrasound are capable of producing images of the vasculature of living subjects, however, the contrast mechanisms of the two modalities are very different. We present a quantitative and objective comparison of the two methods using phantom data, highlighting relative merits and shortcomings. An imaging system for combined photoacoustic and high-frequency power Doppler ultrasound microscopy is presented. This system uses a swept-scan 25-MHz ultrasound transducer with confocal dark-field laser illumination optics. A pulse-sequencer enables ultrasonic and laser pulses to be interlaced so that photoacoustic and power Doppler ultrasound images can be coregistered. Experiments are performed on flow phantoms with various combinations of vessel size, flow velocity, and optical wavelength. For the task of blood volume detection, power Doppler is seen to be advantageous for large vessels and high flow speeds. For small vessels with low flow speeds, photoacoustic imaging is seen to be more effective than power Doppler at the detection of blood as quantified by receiver operating characteristic analysis. A combination of the two modes could provide improved estimates of fractional blood volume in comparison with either mode used alone.

[Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Tight Carotid Stenosis]

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Surgery]. Jun, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 21055225

To explore the specialty of diagnosis and surgery of tight carotid stenosis.

Discovery of Novel Quinolinone Adenosine A2B Antagonists

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters. Dec, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 21055932

A novel series of quinolinone-based adenosine A(2B) receptor antagonists was identified via high throughput screening of an encoded combinatorial compound collection. Synthesis and assay of a series of analogs highlighted essential structural features of the initial hit. Optimization resulted in an A(2B) antagonist (2i) which exhibited potent activity in a cAMP accumulation assay (5.1 nM) and an IL-8 release assay (0.4 nM).

Expression and Regulation of GPAT Isoforms in Cultured Human Keratinocytes and Rodent Epidermis

Journal of Lipid Research. Nov, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20719759

Phospholipids are required for epidermal lamellar body formation. Glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPATs) catalyze the initial step in the biosynthesis of glycerolipids. Little is known about the expression and regulation of GPATs in epidermis/keratinocytes. Here, we demonstrate that GPAT 1, 3, and 4 are expressed in epidermis/keratinocytes, whereas GPAT2 is not detected. In mouse epidermis, GPAT 3 and 4 are mainly localized to the upper layers whereas GPAT1 is found in both the upper and lower layers. GPAT1 and 3 mRNA increase during fetal rat epidermal development. No change in GPAT expression was observed in adult mice following acute permeability barrier disruption. Calcium-induced human keratinocyte differentiation increased GPAT3 mRNA whereas both GPAT1 and 4 mRNA levels decreased. In parallel, total GPAT activity increased 2-fold in differentiated keratinocytes attributable to an increase in N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) sensitive GPAT activity localized to microsomes with little change in NEM resistant activity, consistent with an increase in GPAT3. Furthermore, PPARγ or PPARδ activators increased GPAT3 mRNA, microsomal GPAT activity, and glycerol lipid synthesis without affecting the expression of GPAT1 or 4. Finally, both PPARγ and PPARδ activators increased GPAT3 mRNA via increasing its transcription. Thus, multiple isoforms of GPAT are expressed and differentially regulated in epidermis/keratinocytes.

[Effects of Anthocyanins Derived from Xinjiang Black Mulberry Fruit on Delaying Aging]

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu = Journal of Hygiene Research. Jul, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20726236

To study the effects of anthocyanins from Xinjiang black mulberry fruit on the lifespan and antioxidant system of Drosophila melanogaster.

Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young and Middle-aged Chinese Women

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B. Sep, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20803767

To assess the associations between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and cardiometabolic risk factors in young and middle-aged Chinese women.

Quality Assurance in the HIV/AIDS Laboratory Network of China

International Journal of Epidemiology. Dec, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 21113040

In 2009, there were 8273 local screening laboratories, 254 confirmatory laboratories, 35 provincial confirmatory central laboratories and 1 National AIDS Reference Laboratory (NARL) in China. These laboratories were located in Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) facilities, hospitals, blood donation clinics, maternal and child health (MCH) hospitals and border health quarantine health-care facilities.

Analysis of Homeostasis Model Assessment-insulin Resistance HOMA-IR in Healthy Young Chinese Adults

Saudi Medical Journal. Dec, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 21136005

[Adrenal Lesions in Patients of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1]

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. Oct, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 21162898

To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of adrenal lesions in Chinese multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) patients.

3,3,9,9-Tetra-phenyl-2,4,8,10-tetra-oxa-spiro-[5.5]undeca-ne

Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online. 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 21589189

In the title compound, C(31)H(28)O(4), the asymmetric unit contains two crystallographically independent mol-ecules. In these two mol-ecules, the four dihedral angles between each pair of phenyl rings on the same C atoms are 75.4 (1), 83.0 (1), 85.0 (1) and 80.4 (2)°. All of the nonplanar six-membered heterocycles adopt chair conformations. Inter-molecular C-H⋯π and weak C-H⋯O inter-actions link the mol-ecules and are effective in the stabilization of the crystal structure.

[The Role of Structural Protein Gag and Related Gene (protein) in Late Stages of the HIV-1 Replication Cycle and the Inhibitors]

Yao Xue Xue Bao = Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. Feb, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 21351430

The late stages of the HIV-1 replication cycle are important to the overall replication cycle. During the late stages, HIV-1 replication undergoes the processes of assembly, release, and maturation, resulting in the production of a mature virus particle capable of infecting a new target cell. The structural protein Gag and its related gene (protein) play a central role in these pathways. The different regions of Gag worked in concert to drive production of a mature infectious particle through protein-protein, protein-RNA and protein-lipid interactions. The designed drug aimed directly at these stages can efficiently block the maturation and infectivity of HIV-1. In this article, the role of structural protein Gag and related gene (protein) in late stages of the HIV-1 replication cycle and related inhibitors is reviewed.

ATRX Partners with Cohesin and MeCP2 and Contributes to Developmental Silencing of Imprinted Genes in the Brain

Developmental Cell. Feb, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20159591

Human developmental disorders caused by chromatin dysfunction often display overlapping clinical manifestations, such as cognitive deficits, but the underlying molecular links are poorly defined. Here, we show that ATRX, MeCP2, and cohesin, chromatin regulators implicated in ATR-X, RTT, and CdLS syndromes, respectively, interact in the brain and colocalize at the H19 imprinting control region (ICR) with preferential binding on the maternal allele. Importantly, we show that ATRX loss of function alters enrichment of cohesin, CTCF, and histone modifications at the H19 ICR, without affecting DNA methylation on the paternal allele. ATRX also affects cohesin, CTCF, and MeCP2 occupancy within the Gtl2/Dlk1 imprinted domain. Finally, we show that loss of ATRX interferes with the postnatal silencing of the maternal H19 gene along with a larger network of imprinted genes. We propose that ATRX, cohesin, and MeCP2 cooperate to silence a subset of imprinted genes in the postnatal mouse brain.

[Proportions and Correlates of Recent HIV Infections Among Newly Reported HIV/AIDS Cases from 2005 Through 2009 in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province.]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Nov, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 21176677

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportions and correlates of recent HIV infections among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases from 2005 through 2009 in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province. METHODS: All available serum samples of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases during 2005 - 2009 period in Dehong prefecture, were tested using the BED HIV incidence capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA). RESULTS: A total of 9367 HIV/AIDS cases were newly reported in 2005 through 2009, of whom 7252 (77.4%) were tested with BED-CEIA. Among the tested, 954 (13.2%) were positive for BED-CEIA and were regarded as recent HIV infections. The proportion of recent HIV infection among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases was 11.21% in 2005, 11.87% in 2006, 17.55% in 2007, 13.22% in 2008, and 12.22% in 2009. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the proportion of recent HIV infections among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in 2009 was significantly higher among females, those aged 11 - 19 years, and internal residents outside of Dehong prefecture, but significantly lower among immigrants who were mostly from Myanmar, than local residents. CONCLUSION: From 2005 to 2009, the proportion of recent HIV infections among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Dehong prefecture in Yunnan province was fluctuating slightly. Future research is needed to examine its long-term and secular trend. Such proportion was significantly different by different sociodemographic characteristics.

Proliferating Cells in Suborbital Tissue Drive Eye Migration in Flatfish

Developmental Biology. Mar, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21195706

The left/right asymmetry of adult flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) is remarkable given the external body symmetry of the larval fish. The best-known change is the migration of their eyes: one eye migrates from one side to the other. Two extinct primitive pleuronectiformes with incomplete orbital migration have again attracted public attention to the mechanism of eye migration, a subject of speculation and research for over a century. Cranial asymmetry is currently believed to be responsible for eye migration. Contrary to that hypothesis, we show here that the initial migration of the eye is caused by cell proliferation in the suborbital tissue of the blind side and that the twist of frontal bone is dependent on eye migration. The inhibition of cell proliferation in the suborbital area of the blind side by microinjected colchicine was able to prevent eye migration and, thereafter, cranial asymmetry in juvenile Solea senegalensis (right sideness, Soleidae), Cynoglossus semilaevis (left sideness, Cynoglossidae), and Paralichthys olivaceus (left sideness, Paralichthyidae) with a bottom-dwelling lifestyle. Our results correct the current misunderstanding that eye migration is driven by the cranial asymmetry and simplify the explanation for broken left/right eye-symmetry. Our findings should help to focus the search on eye migration-related genes associated with cell proliferation. Finally, a novel model is proposed in this research which provides a reasonable explanation for differences in the migrating eye between, and sometimes within, different species of flatfish and which should aid in our overall understanding of eye migration in the ontogenesis and evolution of Pleuronectiformes.

[Location of Tympanic Segment and Mastoid Segment of Facial Nerve and Prevention of Prosopoplegia in Operations]

Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi = Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery. Apr, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21710720

To study the location of facial nerve and prevent facial nerve injury in middle ear surgery according to dissection of temporal bone and experience of middle ear surgery.

[Investigation on the Behavior Problems of Children Aged 3 to 5 Years in Changsha and Comparison of the Norm of Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire in Chinese and American Urban Children]

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22099201

To investigate the behavior problems of children aged 3 to 5 years in Changsha and to compare the differences of the results detected by the norm of Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) in Chinese and American urban children.

Vitamin D Supplementation During Exercise Training Does Not Alter Inflammatory Biomarkers in Overweight and Obese Subjects

European Journal of Applied Physiology. Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22183086

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers in overweight and obese adults participating in a progressive resistance exercise training program. Twenty-three (26.1 ± 4.7 years) overweight and obese (BMI 31.3 ± 3.2 kg/m(2)) adults were randomized into a double-blind vitamin D supplementation (Vit D 4,000 IU/day; female 5, male 5) or placebo (PL, female 7; male 6) intervention trial. Both groups performed 12 weeks (3 days/week) of progressive resistance exercise training (three sets of eight exercises) at 70-80% of one repetition maximum. Whole-blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α production as well as circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), TNFα, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were assessed at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. No main effects of group or time were detected for circulating CRP, TNFα, IL-6, and ALT. As expected, when PL and Vit D groups were combined, there was a significant correlation between percent body fat and CRP at baseline (r = 0.45, P = 0.04), and between serum 25OHD and CRP at 12 weeks (r = 0.49, P = 0.03). The PL group had a significant increase in 25 μg/ml LPS + polymixin B-stimulated TNFα production (P = 0.04), and both groups had a significant reduction in unstimulated TNFα production (P < 0.05) after the 12-week intervention. Vitamin D supplementation in healthy, overweight, and obese adults participating in a resistance training intervention did not augment exercise-induced changes in inflammatory biomarkers.

Effect of Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate Activated Signaling Pathways on 1α, 25 Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) Regulated Human 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 24-hydroxylase Gene Expression in Differentiated Caco-2 Cells

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22174178

Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, can modulate 1α, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2) D(3) )-induced expression of the 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) gene but this has not been studied in differentiated enterocytes, a primary 1,25(OH)(2) D(3) target cell. We found that in differentiated Caco-2 cells, an established model of the mature absorptive epithelial cell, PMA significantly enhanced 1,25(OH)(2) D(3) -induced human CYP24A1 (hCYP24A1) mRNA accumulation and hCYP24A1 promoter-luciferase reporter gene activation by 150%. Reporter gene studies further identified the region between -298 to +74 bp in the hCYP24A1 promoter as critical for the PMA enhancing effect and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis showed that PMA enhanced 1,25(OH)(2) D(3) -induced binding of vitamin D receptor to this region. PMA can activate PKC, ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinases and inhibition of these signaling pathways reduced both 1,25(OH)(2) D(3) -induced hCYP24A1 gene transcription and the enhancing effect of PMA. The PMA enhancing effect on 1,25(OH)(2) D(3) action was evident in a minimal promoter with three osteocalcin VDREs and was reduced after mutation of a putative vitamin D stimulatory site in the hCYP24A1 promoter. In contrast, mutation of a Ets binding site in the hCYP24A1 promoter had no impact on 1,25(OH)(2) D(3) action or the PMA enhancing effect. These data suggest that in the differentiated enterocyte PMA-induced activation of several signaling pathways contribute to 1,25(OH)(2) D(3) -induced hCYP24A1 gene expression through multiple regulatory motifs within the proximal hCYP24A1 promoter. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Clinical Research on Nasal Endoscopic Surgery for Rhinogenous Optic Function Damage]

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Oct, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22321416

To explore the surgical treatment of rhinogenous optic function damage (ROFD) through transnasal endoscopic approach.

[A Compound Heterozygous Mutation in CYP17A1 Gene in a Female Subject with Partial 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 Lyase Deficiency]

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22321788

To explore the clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of a Chinese female patient with partial 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD), a rare type of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

[In Vitro Effect of Iron Overload on Bone Marrow Cell Function by Inducing the Reactive Oxygen Species]

Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Xueyexue Zazhi. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22338154

To investigate the in vitro effect of iron overload on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and of bone marrow (BM) cell function.

The Levels of Bone Turnover Markers in Chinese Postmenopausal Women: Peking Vertebral Fracture Study

Menopause (New York, N.Y.). Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21747303

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum N-aminoterminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX), and vitamin D status in healthy Chinese postmenopausal women. The study was also designed to investigate their possible relationships with osteoporosis phenotypes.

[Comparison of Three HIV Antibody Confirmatory Assay Kits in Confirming Early HIV Infection]

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine]. May, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21756787

This study was to compare the performance of three HIV antibody confirmatory assay kits in confirming early HIV infection.

[Analysis for Susceptibility of Breast Cancer Due to Gene SMC4L1 Based on a Multi-criteria Evaluation Model]

Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi = Journal of Biomedical Engineering = Shengwu Yixue Gongchengxue Zazhi. Jun, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21774228

The recent literature has proposed a multi-criteria evaluation model for breast cancer susceptibility. In this paper we employ the model to analyze the breast cancer susceptibility of several candidate genes having various relations with known breast cancer genes. Based on the model, we employed weight sum and TOPSIS methods to calculate the quantitative relations between candidate genes and breast cancer susceptibility. After the calculation, two ranking evaluation lists of alternatives were resulted from the two methods. The results generated with the two different methods were remarkably similar, while the top 7 were exactly identical. So the top 7 genes were analyzed, and the result from multi-criteria model was consistent with the previous research. A search of the literature using PubMed demonstrates CDC2 gene ranked first is researched frequently. Furthermore, TopBP1 gene ranked second and HMMR gene ranked 6th are identified as susceptibility genes for breast cancer by references in the literature. This multi-objective evaluation model can accurately represent the complex relationship between candidate genes and breast cancer susceptibility. Then this paper focuses on SMC4L1 gene ranked third. The analysis from various aspects indicates that SMC4L1 is potential to be a susceptibility gene for breast cancer. It's worthwhile to research on SMC4L1 and other top genes in result prior to and afterwards.

HIV, HCV, and HBV Co-infections in a Rural Area of Shanxi Province with a History of Commercial Blood Donation

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences : BES. Jun, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21784304

Unhygienic blood collection in the early 1990s led to blood-borne infections in Central China. This study aimed to estimate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection with hepatitis C and B viruses (HCV and HBV) and their risk factors in a rural area of Shanxi Province with a history of commercial blood donation.

Multiple Linear B-cell Epitopes of Classical Swine Fever Virus Glycoprotein E2 Expressed in E.coli As Multiple Epitope Vaccine Induces a Protective Immune Response

Virology Journal. 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21801433

Classical swine fever is a highly contagious disease of swine caused by classical swine fever virus, an OIE list A pathogen. Epitope-based vaccines is one of the current focuses in the development of new vaccines against classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Two B-cell linear epitopes rE2-ba from the E2 glycoprotein of CSFV, rE2-a (CFRREKPFPHRMDCVTTTVENED, aa844-865) and rE2-b (CKEDYRYAISSTNEIGLLGAGGLT, aa693-716), were constructed and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli as multiple epitope vaccine. Fifteen 6-week-old specified-pathogen-free (SPF) piglets were intramuscularly immunized with epitopes twice at 2-week intervals. All epitope-vaccinated pigs could mount an anamnestic response after booster vaccination with neutralizing antibody titers ranging from 1:16 to 1:256. At this time, the pigs were subjected to challenge infection with a dose of 1 × 106 TCID50 virulent CSFV strain. After challenge infection, all of the rE2-ba-immunized pigs were alive and without symptoms or signs of CSF. In contrast, the control pigs continuously exhibited signs of CSF and had to be euthanized because of severe clinical symptoms at 5 days post challenge infection. The data from in vivo experiments shown that the multiple epitope rE2-ba shown a greater protection (similar to that of HCLV vaccine) than that of mono-epitope peptide(rE2-a or rE2-b). Therefore, The results demonstrated that this multiple epitope peptide expressed in a prokaryotic system can be used as a potential DIVA (differentiating infected from vaccinated animals) vaccine. The E.coli-expressed E2 multiple B-cell linear epitopes retains correct immunogenicity and is able to induce a protective immune response against CSFV infection.

Inhibition of Influenza A Virus Replication by RNA Interference Targeted Against the PB1 Subunit of the RNA Polymerase Gene

Archives of Virology. Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21837415

Influenza (flu) pandemics have posed a great threat to human health in the last century. However, current vaccination strategies and antiviral drugs provide limited protection. RNA interference (RNAi) is an effective means of suppressing influenza virus replication. PB1 is the critical protein subunit of the influenza virus RNA polymerase. The gene encoding this protein, PB1, is highly conserved among different subtypes of IAV and was therefore chosen as the target in this study. The oligonucleotide, PB1-shRNA, contains a 21-bp siRNA corresponding to nucleotides 1,632 to 1,652 of PB1 linear vRNA with BamHI or EcoRI restriction enzyme sites incorporated at the ends. The PB1-shRNA oligonucleotide was directionally cloned into the RNAi-ready pSIREN-shuttle vector. The correct structure of the resulting pSIREN/PB1 plasmid was confirmed by restriction endonuclease digestion. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were transfected with pSIREN/PB1 and subsequently infected with IAV at an MOI of 0.1 (A/PR/8/34, H1N1). The virus titer in cell culture supernatants was determined 48 hours later, and it was found that virus growth was inhibited by more than 50-fold relative to controls. Furthermore, embryonated eggs and mice were inoculated with liposome-encapsulated pSIREN/PB1 and then challenged with the A/PR/8/34 virus. The results showed at least a 100-fold inhibition in virus replication in egg allantoic fluid and a survival rate of between 50% and 100% in experimental mice. This study demonstrates that PB1-shRNA expressed by the recombinant plasmid pSIREN/PB1 inhibits influenza A virus replication both in vitro and in vivo. These observations provide a foundation for the development of a new and efficient treatment of influenza infections.

[The Effect of Apigenin on Reproductive Axis in Female Rats]

Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi = Zhongguo Yingyong Shenglixue Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology. May, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21845881

Schistosoma Japonicum: Treatment of Different Developmental Stages in Mice with Long-acting Praziquantel Implants

Experimental Parasitology. Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21856298

This paper reports the effective treatment of Schistosoma japonicum in a mouse model with long-acting praziquantel (PZQ)-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) implants. The implants yielded stable, high plasma PZQ concentrations ranging 100-1600 ng/mL during the 40-day investigation period. For assessment of efficacy, the implants were implanted into mice immediately after infection and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after infection to treat the schistosomes at different developmental stages. All the mice were sacrificed at 6 weeks after infection for worm and egg recovery, worm morphology examination, and histopathological analysis of implantation site tissues. The worm burdens, egg burdens, and numbers of miracidia hatched from the retrieved eggs for all the implant-treated groups (except groups T2-A, T4 and T5) were reduced by 100% when compared with the control group. From groups T2-A, T4 and T5, some schistosome debris was recovered. Eggs were found in only group T5 for which the time between infection and implantation was 4 weeks, which enabled the maturation of juvenile female schistosomes into adult ones that lay eggs. Histopathological observations of implantation tissue showed no evidence of granulomatous foreign-body or lymphoid cell aggregation, demonstrating good biocompatibility of the PZQ implants. These results demonstrate that the long-acting PZQ implants can kill schistosomes at any developmental stages and attenuate/avoid the associated liver damage.

Functional Regulatory Variants of MCL1 Contribute to Enhanced Promoter Activity and Reduced Risk of Lung Cancer in Nonsmokers: Implications for Context-dependent Phenotype of an Antiapoptotic and Antiproliferative Gene in Solid Tumor

Cancer. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21887682

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of molecules that regulate both apoptosis and proliferation is involved in tumorigenesis. A common insertional polymorphism in promoter of MCL1, a member of BCL2 family gene with the dual regulatory functions, has been shown to be functional in leukemia, but its association with cancer predisposition and prognosis has not been well established. We hypothesized that MCL1 promoter variants may modify risk of solid cancer. METHODS: We genotyped -190 insertional polymorphism and 3 linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (-627A>C, -298G>C, and -235C>A) in 320 lung cancer patients and 362 controls, and analyzed their functional significance. RESULTS: We confirmed that these regulatory variants correlated with enhanced promoter activity and elevated expression of both mRNA and protein in solid cancer cells and tissues. We further demonstrated that heightened expression of MCL1 resulted in decreased proliferation ability of lung cancer cells. We found a reduced cancer risk (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.25-0.88) associated with -190 insertional genotype. Stratification analysis further showed pronounced associations in nonsmokers (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.09-0.70), in females (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.07-0.74), and in the histological type of adenocarcinoma (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.05-0.62). Likewise, homologous diplotype of these polymorhpisms that positively affected gene expression was associated with reduced risk in nonsmokers (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.58). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that common variants in MCL1 promoter correlated with increased transactivation in solid cancer cells and were associated with reduced risk of lung cancer in nonsmokers, suggesting a dominant antiproliferative function of MCL1 against its antiapoptosis effect in development of solid cancer in nonsmokers. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.

Sensing Cooperativity in ATP Hydrolysis for Single Multisubunit Enzymes in Solution

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Oct, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21896715

In order to operate in a coordinated fashion, multisubunit enzymes use cooperative interactions intrinsic to their enzymatic cycle, but this process remains poorly understood. Accordingly, ATP number distributions in various hydrolyzed states have been obtained for single copies of the mammalian double-ring multisubunit chaperonin TRiC/CCT in free solution using the emission from chaperonin-bound fluorescent nucleotides and closed-loop feedback trapping provided by an Anti-Brownian ELectrokinetic trap. Observations of the 16-subunit complexes as ADP molecules are dissociating shows a peak in the bound ADP number distribution at 8 ADP, whose height falls over time with little shift in the position of the peak, indicating a highly cooperative ADP release process which would be difficult to observe by ensemble-averaged methods. When AlFx is added to produce ATP hydrolysis transition state mimics (ADP·AlFx) locked to the complex, the peak at 8 nucleotides dominates for all but the lowest incubation concentrations. Although ensemble averages of the single-molecule data show agreement with standard cooperativity models, surprisingly, the observed number distributions depart from standard models, illustrating the value of these single-molecule observations in constraining the mechanism of cooperativity. While a complete alternative microscopic model cannot be defined at present, the addition of subunit-occupancy-dependent cooperativity in hydrolysis yields distributions consistent with the data.

Effect of Cyclooxygenase Genotype and Dietary Fish Oil on Colonic Eicosanoids in Mice

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21937210

Dietary ω3 fatty acids can modulate substrate availability for cyclooxygenases (COXs) and lipoxygenases, thus modulating downstream eicosanoid formation. This could be an alternative approach to using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other COX inhibitors for limiting Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthesis in colon cancer prevention. The aims of this study were to evaluate to what extent COX- and lipoxygenase-derived products could be modulated by dietary fish oil in normal colonic mucosa and to evaluate the role of COX-1 and COX-2 in the formation of these products. Mice (wild-type, COX-1 null or COX-2 null) were fed a diet supplying a broad mixture of fatty acids present in European/American diets, supplemented with either olive oil (oleate control diet) or menhaden (fish) oil ad libitum for 9-11 weeks. Colonic eicosanoid levels were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS), and proliferation was assessed by Ki67 immunohistochemistry. For the dietary alteration of colonic arachidonic acid: eicosapentaenoic ratios resulted in large shifts in formation of COX and lipoxygenase metabolites. COX-1 knockout virtually abolished PGE(2) formation, but interestingly, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (12-HETE) acid and 15-HETE formation was increased. The large changes in eicosanoid profiles were accompanied by relatively small changes in colonic crypt proliferation, but such changes in eicosanoid formation might have greater biological impact upon carcinogen challenge. These results indicate that in normal colon, inhibition of COX-2 would have little effect on reducing PGE(2) levels.

Rapidly Increasing Rates of Hip Fracture in Beijing, China

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : the Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21956596

The age-specific rates of hip fractures have been declining in most countries in the West but a few studies suggest that the rates might be increasing in areas of Asia that are undergoing urbanization.(1) We previously conducted a population-based study of hip fracture rates in Beijing, China in 1990-92 that included validation of hip fracture cases. Using a similar approach to validate cases, we estimated the age-specific hip fracture rates in Beijing, China for 2002-2006. Specifically, we obtained hospital discharge data for hip fractures were reported to the Beijing Bureau of Public Health. To confirm the diagnoses, Beijing residence, and find cases missed by the public records we checked individual cases in the public health records against medical records in a random sample of Beijing hospitals. The rates from public health data were adjusted for these under- and overestimations. We found that between 1990-92 and 2002-2006, the adjusted age-specific rates of hip fracture over age 50 years increased 2.76-fold (95% CI, 2.68 to 2.84) in women and 1.61-fold (95% CI, 1.56 to 1.66) in men. Over age 70 years, the age-specific rates increased 3.37-fold (95% CI, 3.28 to 3.47) in women and 2.01-fold (95% CI, 1.95 to 2.07) in men. From 2002 to 2006, the rates over age 50 years increased 58% in women and 49% in men. We conclude that the rate of hip fracture has been rising very rapidly in Beijing, China. Therefore, the burden of hip fractures may be shifting rapidly from the West to urbanizing areas of the East. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Effects of the Association Between the α-subunit Thigh and the β-Subunit EGF2 Domains on Integrin Activation and Signaling

Biochemistry. Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21966982

Integrin bidirectional signaling is mediated by conformational change. It has been shown that the separation of the α- and β-subunit transmembrane/cytoplasmic tails and the lower legs is required for transmitting integrin bidirectional signals across the plasma membrane. In this study, we address whether the separation of the αβ knee is critical for integrin activation and outside-in signaling. By introducing three disulfide bonds to restrict dissociation of the α-subunit thigh domain and β-subunit I-EGF2 domain, we found that two of them could completely abolish integrin inside-out activation, whereas the other could not. This disulfide-bonded mutant, in the context of the activation mutation of the cytoplasmic domain, had intermediate affinity for ligands and was able to mediate cell adhesion. Our data suggest that there exists rearrangement at the interface between the thigh domain and the I-EGF2 domain during integrin inside-out activation. None of the disulfide-bonded mutants could mediate cell spreading upon adhering to immobilized ligands, suggesting that dissociation of the integrin two knees is required for integrin outside-in signaling. Disrupting the interface by introducing a glycan chain into either subunit is sufficient for high affinity ligand binding and cell spreading.

Label-free DNA Hybridization Detection and Single Base-mismatch Discrimination Using CE-ICP-MS Assay

The Analyst. Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21998816

Detecting a specific DNA sequence and discriminating single base-mismatch is critical to clinical diagnosis, paternity testing, forensic sciences, food and drug industry, pathology, genetics, environmental monitoring, and anti-bioterrorism. To this end, capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method is developed using the displacing interaction between the target ssDNA and the competitor Hg(2+) for the first time. The thymine-rich capture ssDNA 1 is interacted with the competitor Hg(2+), forming an assembled complex in a hairpin-structure between the thymine bases arrangement at both sides of the capture ssDNA 1. In the presence of a target ssDNA with stronger affinity than that of the competitor Hg(2+), the energetically favorable hybridization between capture ssDNA 1 and the target ssDNA destroys the hairpin-structure and releases the competitor as free Hg(2+), which was then read out and accurately quantified by CE-ICP-MS assay. Under the optimal CE separation conditions, free Hg(2+) ions and its capture ssDNA 1 adduct were baseline separated and detected on-line by ICP-MS; the increased peak intensity of free Hg(2+) against the concentration of perfectly complementary target ssDNA was linear over the concentration range of 30-600 nmol L(-1) with a limit of detection of 8 nmol L(-1) (3s, n = 11) in the pre-incubated mixture containing 1 μmol L(-1) Hg(2+) and 0.2 μmol L(-1) capture ssDNA 1. This new assay method is simple in design since any target ssDNA binding can in principle result in free Hg(2+) release by 6-fold Hg(2+) signal amplification, avoiding oligonucleotide labeling or assistance by excess signal transducer and signal reporter to read out the target. Due to element-specific detection of ICP-MS in our assay procedure, the interference from the autofluorescence of substrata was eliminated.

[Significance of Preoperative Screening of Deep Vein Thrombosis on the Prevention from Pulmonary Embolism]

Zhongguo Gu Shang = China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22007585

To Explore the significance of preoperative screening of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on the prevention from pulmonary embolism (PE) with color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in patients of lower limb fractures.

Benefit of Infusions with Ibandronate Treatment in Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Chinese Medical Journal. Oct, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22040553

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare bone disease and its effective treatment is relatively deficient. We tried to assess the effects of new bisphosphonate, ibandronate on children with OI.

Identification of KPC-2-producing Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates in China

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. May, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21393139

Emergence of NDM-1-producing Acinetobacter Baumannii in China

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Jun, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21398294

To investigate the prevalence of bla(NDM-1) in Gram-negative bacilli in China.

[An Analysis of Hyperinsulinemia in Bartter Syndrome]

Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine]. Feb, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21418833

To analyse hyperinsulinemia in Bartter syndrome.

Long-day Effects on the Terminal Inflorescence Development of a Photoperiod-sensitive Soybean [Glycine Max (L.) Merr.] Variety

Plant Science : an International Journal of Experimental Plant Biology. Mar, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21421398

The type of terminal inflorescence is a key component for identifying soybean type. In this study, a late maturity and photoperiod-sensitive determinate soybean, cv. Zigongdongdou, was used to investigate effects of long-day (LD) on the formation and development of the terminal inflorescence. After emergence, soybean seedlings were subjected to 12 h short-day (SD) photoperiod for 13 days to induce the initiation of terminal inflorescence. The plants were then moved to 16 h LD treatment (LDT) for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wks, respectively. After LDT, plants were moved back to 12 h SD condition until the end of the experiment. The LDT greatly affected morphological and anatomical features of terminal inflorescence as well as the developmental rate of plants. Reversed flowers could be found in the reversed "inflorescences" in plants with 2-5 wks LDT. Such changes were confirmed through morphological observation and anatomical dissection. In the long-day treatments, the formation of flowers and the development of terminal inflorescence could be reversed and plant type of a soybean could be further changed. This long-day effect was a cumulative process, which increased with the increase in the duration of LDT.

[Clinical Study of Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia]

Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Xueyexue Zazhi. Feb, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21429379

To observe the incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in patients received unfractionated heparin (UFH) treatment, and explore the feasibility of monitoring HIT by platelet counts, as well as the significance of HIT-antibody test in HIT diagnosis.

[Reversion of Multidrug Resistance by CIK in K562/ADR Cells and Its Mechanism Exploration]

Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Xueyexue Zazhi. Jan, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21429403

To investigate the effects and mechanism of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells in reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) and increasing intracellular concentration of adriamycin (ADR) in the K562/ADR cells.

Polymorphisms in CYP3A5*3 and MDR1, and Haplotype Modulate Response to Plasma Levels of Tacrolimus in Chinese Renal Transplant Patients

Annals of Transplantation : Quarterly of the Polish Transplantation Society. Mar, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21436775

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of polymorphisms in CYP3A5*3, CYP3AP1, and MDR1, and of haplotype, on plasma levels of tacrolimus in Chinese patients after renal transplantation, and to assess the relationship between polymorphisms and the variability of concentration/dose of tacrolimus for optimization and individualization regimens.

Doxycycline Up-regulates the Expression of IL-6 and GM-CSF Via MAPK/ERK and NF-κB Pathways in Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells

International Immunopharmacology. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21439396

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) constitute a major component of the thymic stroma which provides a microenvironment critical for developing thymocytes. We have previously demonstrated that doxycycline (Dox), a tetracycline derivative, enhances the proliferation of the mouse thymic epithelial cell line 1 (MTEC1) via MAPK/ERK signal pathway. Herein we provide evidence that Dox also has profound impact on the cytokine production by MTEC1. Specifically, the expression of IL-6 and GM-CSF, both at mRNA and protein levels, was found to be increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner with the addition of Dox. Western blotting analysis revealed that treatment with Dox-induced phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB and ERK. Notably, Dox-induced up-regulation of IL-6 and GM-CSF was largely abolished after pretreatment of MTEC1 with either NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 or MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126, supporting the involvement of the two pathways in the process. These findings warrant further investigation into the potential application of Dox in T-cell reconstitution in such situations as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone marrow transplantation and HIV infection.

PPARgamma Activators Stimulate Aquaporin 3 Expression in Keratinocytes/epidermis

Experimental Dermatology. Jul, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21457357

Aquaporin 3 (AQP3), a member of the aquaglyceroporin family, which transports water and glycerol, is robustly expressed in epidermis and plays an important role in stratum corneum hydration, permeability barrier function and wound healing. PPAR and LXR activation regulates the expression of many proteins in the epidermis and thereby can affect epidermal function. Here, we report that PPARgamma activators markedly stimulate AQP3 mRNA expression in both undifferentiated and differentiated cultured human keratinocytes (CHKs). The increase in AQP3 mRNA by PPARgamma activator occurs in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Increased AQP3 mRNA levels are accompanied by an increase in AQP3 protein in undifferentiated keratinocytes and a significant increase in glycerol uptake. Activation of LXR, RAR and RXR also increases AQP3 mRNA levels in undifferentiated and differentiated CHKs, but to a lesser extent. PPARdelta activation stimulates AQP3 expression in undifferentiated CHKs but decreases expression in differentiated CHKs. In contrast, PPARalpha activators do not alter AQP3 expression. AQP9 and AQP10, other members of aquaglyceroporin family, are less abundantly expressed in CHKs, and their expression levels are not significantly altered by treatment with LXR, PPAR, RAR or RXR activators. Finally, when topically applied, the PPARgamma activator, ciglitazone, induces AQP3 but not AQP9 gene expression in mouse epidermis. Our data demonstrate that PPAR and LXR activators stimulate AQP3 expression, providing an additional mechanism by which PPAR and LXR activators regulate epidermal function.

Protein Expression Profiling in the Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Embryos Exposed to the Microcystin-LR

Proteomics. May, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21472853

Microcystin-leucine-arginine (MCLR) is the most toxic and the most commonly encountered variant of microcystins (MCs) in aquatic environment, and it has the potential for developmental toxicity. A number of previous studies have described the developing toxicity of MCLR based on conventional toxicological indices. However, the molecular mechanisms by which it expresses its toxicity during the early development remain largely unknown. To further our understanding of mechanisms of action and identify the potential protein biomarkers for MCLR exposure, a proteomic analysis was performed on developing zebrafish embryos exposed to 0.5 mg/L MCLR until 96 hours post-fertilization. 2-DE combined with MS was employed to detect and identify the protein profiles. Results showed that 75 spots from the 0.5 mg/L MCLR condition showed a significant increase or decrease in abundance compared with the control. In total, 40 proteins were identified. These proteins were mainly included in process related to oxidative stress, energetic metabolism, and the cytoskeleton assembly. MCLR exposure also affects the expression of the subunits of protein phosphatases 2A. Furthermore, the proteomic and transcriptional analysis of nine proteins was determined by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR due to their correlation with the known MCLR toxic mechanisms. The consistent and discrepant results between protein and mRNA levels indicated complicated regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in response to MCLR exposure.

Prevalence and Etiology of Abnormal Liver Tests in an Adult Population in Jilin, China

International Journal of Medical Sciences. 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21487569

Serum biochemical liver tests (LTs) (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyltransferase) and platelet counts are often used to screen for chronic liver disease. We determined the prevalence and etiologies of abnormal LTs in an adult population in Jilin, China.

Displacement Solid-phase Extraction on Mercapto-functionalized Magnetite Microspheres for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometric Determination of Trace Noble Metals

Analytica Chimica Acta. Apr, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21501710

A flow injection online displacement solid-phase extraction (DSPE) via magnetic immobilization of mercapto-functionalized magnetite microspheres onto the inner walls of a knotted reactor (KR) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed for selective preconcentration and determination of trace noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt, Ir and Au) in complex matrices. Online DSPE of 2.7 mL aqueous solution gave the enhancement factors of 32-46 for the six noble metals in comparison with direct nebulization of aqueous sample solution, and the detection limits (3 s) of 2.1 ng L(-1) for Ru, 1.9 ng L(-1) for Rh, 2.5 ng L(-1) for Pd, 1.8 ng L(-1) for Ir, 1.9 ng L(-1) for Pt and 1.7 ng L(-1) for Au. The sample throughput of the developed method was about 20 samples h(-1), and the relative standard deviation for eleven replicate determinations of the noble metals at the 30 ng L(-1) level ranged from 1.2% to 2.1%. The recoveries of Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt, Ir and Au still maintained 90% even after successive 140 cycles of DSPE. The developed method was successfully applied to selective determination of trace Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt, Ir and Au in complex matrices.

[A System Review on the Application of BED-capture Enzyme Immunoassay in Detecting New HIV-1 Infection.]

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi. Feb, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21518629

OBJECTIVE: To study whether BED-capture enzyme immunoassay (CEIA) is feasible to be used in wide-ranging population, we collect papers and conference abstracts related to BED-CEIA and HIV-1 incidence. METHODS: 10 papers are included for the discussion, regarding the concordance between the estimated HIV-1 incidence from BED-CEIA and the results from a cohort studies; and 11 papers are selected to discuss the related misclassification on the estimation of HIV-1 incidence. RESULTS: Concordance between the two sets is related to the districts and design of research. Results from Africa are not so satisfactory, but researches, those BED-CEIA samples are collected during the follow-up of the cohort study, have shown better outcomes than other ones. There are totally 7303 samples of LTI (long-term infections) collected for analyzing the misclassification of BED-CEIA. 432 LTI are misclassified as new infections, making the raw rate of misclassification as 5.9% with 95% confidential interval between 5.36 and 6.44. Data from systematic review shows that the BED-CEIA's misclassification rate relates to the count of CD4(+)T lymphocytes and time after the infection but has no relation to the classification of sub-populations (female sexual workers and intravenous drug users in China) and districts (China and Africa). CONCLUSION: Our results reveal that the misclassification is relevant to the immune-status of the infected persons.

[Start-up of a Thermophilic Anaerobic Sludge Digester]

Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue / [bian Ji, Zhongguo Ke Xue Yuan Huan Jing Ke Xue Wei Yuan Hui "Huan Jing Ke Xue" Bian Ji Wei Yuan Hui.]. Feb, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21528577

Anaerobic digestion is one of the most widely-used technologies of the sludge reduction and stabilization, in which thermophilic digestion has advantage of fast stabilization. But it is lack of operation experience in China. Thus start-up of a thermophilic anaerobic sludge digester treating excess activated sludge was investigated. The digester was an internal circulation anaerobic sludge digester. It belongs to upflow reactor and its hydrodynamic conditions can be controlled by backflow biogas. A multistep strategy was applied to the start-up to enhance anaerobic bacteria to adapt the changes of temperature, reactor and treated sludge, including: to feed the digester with easily-degraded glucose to enhance bacteria reproduce at the first beginning with COD organic loading of 2.4 kg/(m3 x d); to accelerate the internal circulation; to control pH within a optimal range; to gradually increase excess sludge flow rate as well as to initiate pydrohydrolysis to enhance hydrolysis. The start-up took 63 days and when it finished, the VSS organic loading reached 1.60 kg/(m3 x d), the average VSS biogas rate was 0.51 L/g, i. e. 15.3 m3/m3 sludge (96% water content), VSS and SS removals were 60.8% and 45.8%. This shows that the strategy is valid.

Chitosan-whey Protein Isolate Composite Films for Encapsulation and Stabilization of Fish Oil Containing Ultra Pure Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Journal of Food Science. Jan-Feb, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21535641

Chitosan (1.5%, w/v)-whey protein isolate (WPI, 5% w/v) composite films were developed for encapsulating and stabilizing fish oil (FO) containing 93.7% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Chitosan-WPI film-forming solutions (FFS) were incorporated with 1.5% or 2% FO (w/v), 2% (w/v) glycerol, Tween 80 (3 times weight of FO), and 0.5% (w/v) oregano or rosemary essential oil (EO), and cast for films at room conditions. Dried films were stored at 2 °C for 30 d for evaluating encapsulation efficiency (EE), lipid stability, and film functionality. Total oil contents in films from FFS incorporating 1.5% or 2% FO were 28.1% to 32.5% and 33.4% to 37.3%, respectively, and free oil contents were 13.5% to 14.7% and 15.5% to 16.3%, respectively. EE, moisture content, and water activity of the films were 47.8% to 66%, 18.7% to 24.9%, and 0.42% to 0.50%, respectively, without significant difference among differently formulated films. Increasing FO concentration from 1.5% to 2% in FFS decreased tensile strength of the films from 0.57-0.73 to 0.34-0.44 MPa, but not the film elongation. Addition of oregano EO in FFS retarded lipid oxidation of the fish oil encapsulated in the films, in which a 43% to 53% reduction in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances value and 39% to 51% reduction in peroxide value were achieved. Chitosan-WPI composite films with incorporation of oregano essential oil could be applied as a simple and economic means for encapsulating and stabilizing fish oil for fortifying omega-3 fatty acids in various applications.

Interspecies Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is Dependent on Compatible Mitochondrial DNA and Reprogramming Factors

PloS One. 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21556135

Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) involves the transfer of a nucleus or cell from one species into the cytoplasm of an enucleated oocyte from another. Once activated, reconstructed oocytes can be cultured in vitro to blastocyst, the final stage of preimplantation development. However, they often arrest during the early stages of preimplantation development; fail to reprogramme the somatic nucleus; and eliminate the accompanying donor cell's mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in favour of the recipient oocyte's genetically more divergent population. This last point has consequences for the production of ATP by the electron transfer chain, which is encoded by nuclear and mtDNA. Using a murine-porcine interspecies model, we investigated the importance of nuclear-cytoplasmic compatibility on successful development. Initially, we transferred murine fetal fibroblasts into enucleated porcine oocytes, which resulted in extremely low blastocyst rates (0.48%); and failure to replicate nuclear DNA and express Oct-4, the key marker of reprogramming. Using allele specific-PCR, we detected peak levels of murine mtDNA at 0.14±0.055% of total mtDNA at the 2-cell embryo stage and then at ever-decreasing levels to the blastocyst stage (<0.001%). Furthermore, these embryos had an overall mtDNA profile similar to porcine embryos. We then depleted porcine oocytes of their mtDNA using 10 µM 2',3'-dideoxycytidine and transferred murine somatic cells along with murine embryonic stem cell extract, which expressed key pluripotent genes associated with reprogramming and contained mitochondria, into these oocytes. Blastocyst rates increased significantly (3.38%) compared to embryos generated from non-supplemented oocytes (P<0.01). They also had significantly more murine mtDNA at the 2-cell stage than the non-supplemented embryos, which was maintained throughout early preimplantation development. At later stages, these embryos possessed 49.99±2.97% murine mtDNA. They also exhibited an mtDNA profile similar to murine preimplantation embryos. Overall, these data demonstrate that the addition of species compatible mtDNA and reprogramming factors improves developmental outcomes for iSCNT embryos.

Flanking V and J Sequences of Complementary Determining Region 3 of T Cell Receptor (TCR) δ1 (CDR3δ1) Determine the Structure and Function of TCRγ4δ1

The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Jul, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21606499

The γδ T cell receptor (TCR) differs from immunoglobulin and αβ TCR in its overall binding mode. In human, genes δ1, δ2, and δ3 are used for TCRδ chains. Previously, we have studied antigen binding determinants of TCRδ2 derived from dominant γδ T cells residing in peripheral blood. In this study we have investigated the critical determinants for antigen recognition and TCR function in TCRδ1 originated from gastric tumor-infiltrating γδ T lymphocytes using three independent experimental strategies including complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) of TCRδ1 (CDR3δ1)-peptide mediated binding, CDR3δ1-grafted TCR fusion protein-mediated binding, and TCRγ4δ1- and mutant-expressing cell-mediated binding. All three approaches consistently showed that the conserved flanking V and J sequences but not the diverse D segment in CDR3δ1 determine the antigen binding. Most importantly, we found that mutations in the V and J regions of CDR3δ1 also abolish the assembly of TCR and TCR-CD3 complexes in TCRγ4δ1-transduced J.RT3-T3.5 cells. Together with our previous studies on CDR3δ2 binding, our finding suggests that both human TCRδ1 and TCRδ2 recognize antigen predominately via flanking V and J regions. These results indicate that TCRγδ recognizes antigens using conserved parts in their CDR3, which provides an explanation for a diverse repertoire of γδTCRs only recognizing a limited number of antigens.

Rare Case of Reninoma with Double Inferior Vena Cava

Clinical and Experimental Hypertension (New York, N.Y. : 1993). 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21649530

A 16-year-old boy suffered from headaches and dizziness for 2 years. He was found to have remarkably elevated blood pressure (BP) of 180/110 mmHg. Laboratory findings showed a low level of serum potassium and markedly increased plasma renin activity. A solid mass at the periphery of the right kidney and double inferior vena cava (IVC) were detected by abdominal computer tomography (CT). Right partial nephrectomy via laparoscopy was performed on the patient. The histologic and electron microscopic findings comfirmed a diagnosis of juxtaglomerlar cell tumor. The patient had no headache or dizziness with normal BP after surgery.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel 5-alkyl-2-arylthio-6-((3,4-dihydroquinolin-1(2H)-yl)methyl)pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones As Potent Non-nucleoside HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. Jul, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21683601

A series of novel S-DABO analogues of 5-alkyl-2-arylthio-6-((3,4-dihydroquinolin-1(2H)-yl)methyl)pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Among them, the most potent HIV-1 inhibitors were compounds 6c1,6c6, and 6b1 (EC(50)=0.24 ± 0.05, 0.38 ± 0.13, 0.39 ± 0.05 μM, respectively), which possess improved or similar HIV-1 inhibitory activity compared with nevirapine (NVP) (EC(50)=0.21 μM) and delavirdine (DLV) (EC(50)=0.32 μM). None of these compounds were active against HIV-2 replication. Furthermore, enzyme inhibitory assays were performed with selected derivatives against HIV-1 wtRT, confirming that the main target of these compounds is the HIV-1 RT and these new S-DABOs are acting as NNRTIs. The preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) of these new congeners is discussed briefly and rationalized by docking studies.

Impact of the 237th Residue on the Folding of Human Carbonic Anhydrase II

International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21686151

The deficiency of human carbonic anhydrase II (HCAII) has been recognized to be associated with a disease called CAII deficiency syndrome (CADS). Among the many mutations, the P237H mutation has been characterized to lead to a significant decrease in the activity of the enzyme and in the Gibbs free energy of folding. However, sequence alignment indicated that the 237th residue of CAII is not fully conserved across all species. The FoldX theoretical calculations suggested that this residue did not significantly contribute to the overall folding of HCAII, since all mutants had small ΔΔG values (around 1 kcal/mol). The experimental determination indicated that at least three mutations affect HCAII folding significantly and the P237H mutation was the most deleterious one, suggesting that Pro237 was important to HCAII folding. The discrepancy between theoretical and experimental results suggested that caution should be taken when using the prediction methods to evaluate the details of disease-related mutations.

Highly Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Synthesis of α-hydroxy β-amino Acid Derivatives: Lewis Base Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of α-acetoxy β-enamino Esters

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English). Aug, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21688371

The Expression and Regulation of Enzymes Mediating the Biosynthesis of Triglycerides and Phospholipids in Keratinocytes/epidermis

Dermato-endocrinology. Apr, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21695015

Triglycerides and phospholipids play an important role in epidermal permability barrier formation and function. They are synthesized de novo in the epidermis via the glycerol-3-phosphate pathway, catalyzed sequentially by a group of enzymes that have multiple isoforms including glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT), 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT), Lipin and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT). Here we review the current knowledge of GPAT, AGPAT, Lipin and DGAT enzymes in keratinocytes/epidermis focusing on the expression levels of the various isoforms and their localization in mouse epidermis. Additionally, the factors regulating their gene expression, including calcium induced differentiation, PPAR and LXR activators, and the effect of acute permeability barrier disruption will be discussed.

The Mechanisms by Which Lipids Coordinately Regulate the Formation of the Protein and Lipid Domains of the Stratum Corneum: Role of Fatty Acids, Oxysterols, Cholesterol Sulfate and Ceramides As Signaling Molecules

Dermato-endocrinology. Apr, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21695021

The formation of a permeability barrier between the external environment and the host is essential for survival. To provide this barrier keratinocytes undergo a complex pathway of differentiation, which culminates in keratinocyte cornification and the formation of extracellular lipid enriched lamellar membranes in the stratum corneum. The mechanisms that coordinately regulate the parallel formation of the corneocytes and lamellar membranes are unknown. The extracellular lamellar membranes are derived from the exocytosis of lamellar bodies and to synthesize lamellar bodies the keratinocyte must have abundant quantities of cholesterol, fatty acids and ceramides. These lipids could serve as signaling molecules and thereby coordinately regulate the formation of the stratum corneum. Fatty acids activate PPARs and studies have shown that PPAR activation stimulates keratinocyte differentiation. Cholesterol is converted to oxysterols that activate LXR and studies have shown that LXR activation also stimulates keratinocyte differentation. Additionally, PPAR and LXR activation also facilitates the formation of the lipid enriched lamellar membranes. Ceramides, via a number of mechanisms also stimulate keratinocyte differentiation. Recently, studies have shown that ceramides by increasing PPAR delta also increase the expression of ABCA12, which would facilitate the formation of lamellar bodies. Finally, keratinocytes accumulate a large quantity of cholesterol sulfate, which plays a key role in regulating desquamation. Cholesterol sulfate has also been shown to stimulate keratinocyte differentiation. Thus, cholesterol, cholesterol sulfate, fatty acids and ceramides all stimulate keratinocyte differentiation and thereby could coordinately regulate the formation of the stratum corneum.

Enhanced Biological Removal of NOχ from Flue Gas in a Biofilter by Fe(II)Cit/Fe(II)EDTA Absorption

Bioresource Technology. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21700449

A mixed absorbent had been proposed to enhance the chemical absorption-biological reduction process for NO(x) removal from flue gas. The mole ratio of the absorbent of Fe(II)Cit to Fe(II)EDTA was selected to be 3. After the biofilm was formed adequately, some influential factors, such as the concentration of NO, O(2), SO(2) and EBRT were investigated. During the long-term running, the system could keep on a steady NO removal efficiency (up to 90%) and had a flexibility in the sudden changes of operating conditions when the simulated flue gas contained 100-500 ppm NO, 100-800 ppm SO(2), 1-5% (v/v) O(2), and 15% (v/v) CO(2). However, high NO concentration (>800 ppm) and relative short EBRT (<100s) had significant negative effect on NO removal. The results indicate that the new system by using mixed-absorbent can reduce operating costs in comparison with the single Fe(II)EDTA system and possesses great potential for scale-up to industrial applications.

Isolation and Structure Determination of a Sesquiterpene Lactone (vernodalinol) from Vernonia Amygdalina Extracts

Pharmaceutical Biology. May, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21281250

Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA; Asteraceae or Compositae) is a small tree growing throughout tropical Africa. It is widely used for food and medicinal purposes by local people. It was reported that it had several qualities, including anticancer activity.

Dynamics of Mixed Surfactants in Aqueous Solutions

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B. Mar, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21319757

The dynamics of mixed surfactants in aqueous solution has been studied at a molecular level by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The line widths and line shapes of the resonance peaks of two types of binary mixed surfactant systems, ionic/nonionic mixed solutions (12-2-12/TX-100, 14-2-14/TX-100, 14-2-14/Brij-35, and SDS/TX-100) and ionic/ionic mixed solutions (12-2-12/TTAB and 14-2-14/TTAB), in the (1)H NMR spectra offered semiquantitative results about the influence of mixing on the surfactant exchange dynamics between monomers in aqueous solution and those in the micelles. The results showed that the exchange rates of the mixed surfactants were enhanced by each other for the three cationic/nonionic mixed solutions, while the exchange rates were lowered by each other for the two cationic/cationic mixed solutions. As for SDS/TX-100 mixed systems, the addition of SDS made the exchange rate of TX-100 in solution faster, while TX-100 made the exchange rate of SDS slower. These results provide some information about surfactant interaction in mixed solutions.

Characteristics and Endovascular Treatment of Aneurysms of Posterior Cerebral Artery

Neurology India. Jan-Feb, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21339651

Aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) are a distinct rarity and present with some peculiar morphologic features and specific clinical findings. These aneurysms can be managed endovascularly with good results.

Risk Factors for Development of New-onset Diabetes Mellitus After Transplant in Adult Lung Transplant Recipients

Clinical Transplantation. Nov-Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21175848

The objectives of this study are to examine the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplant (NODAT) and to identify its risk factors in adult lung transplant recipients using the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network of Organ Sharing database. Between July 2004 and December 2007, a total of 3540 adults (≥18 yr old) received their first single- or double-lung transplant alone and had at least one follow-up report of post-transplant diabetic status. Among these, 2991 recipients were identified as not having diabetes mellitus (DM) pre-transplant. Risk factors for NODAT were examined. DM was newly reported in 33.4% of the 2991 recipients over the median follow-up time of 670 d. Significant independent risk factors for the development of NODAT included male gender (HR = 1.15), recipient age ≥50 (1.46), African American (1.39), higher body mass index (1.51 for ≥30 vs. 18-25), cystic fibrosis (3.30), and tacrolimus use at discharge (1.67). NODAT occurred in a third of adult lung transplant recipients during the median follow-up period. Some of the risk factors for NODAT after lung transplant are similar to those reported in other solid-organ transplants. Cystic fibrosis is a strong risk factor for development of NODAT after lung transplant.

Diazoxide Suppresses Hepatic Ischemia/reperfusion Injury After Mouse Liver Transplantation by a BCL-2-dependent Mechanism

The Journal of Surgical Research. Aug, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 20828743

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is responsible for primary liver dysfunction and failure after transplantation. The mitochondrial pathway appears to be involved in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury. Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K (mitoK(ATP)) channels play a central role in protecting the heart from injury in ischemic preconditioning. The selective mitoK(ATP) channel agonist diazoxide potently reduced mitochondrial injury by preventing cytochrome c loss from the intermembrane space. Therefore, this study sought to determine whether diazoxide can attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in mice. Furthermore, it was found that up-regulation of the Bcl-2 gene is a mechanism of diazoxide cytoprotection.

Prenatal L-DOPA Exposure Produces Lasting Changes in Brain Dopamine Content, Cocaine-induced Dopamine Release and Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference

Neuropharmacology. Feb-Mar, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 20854831

Dopamine, its receptors and transporter are present in the brain beginning from early in the embryonic period. Dopamine receptor activation can influence developmental events including neurogenesis, neuronal migration and differentiation raising the possibility that dopamine imbalance in the fetal brain can alter development of the brain and behavior. We examined whether elevated dopamine levels during gestation can produce persisting changes in brain dopamine content and dopamine-mediated behaviors. We administered L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) in drinking water to timed-pregnant CD1 mice from the 11th day of gestation until the day of parturition. The prenatal L-DOPA exposure led to significantly lower cocaine conditioned place preference, a behavioral test of reward, at postnatal day 60 (P60). However, in vivo microdialysis measurements showed significant increases in cocaine-induced dopamine release in the caudate putamen of P26 and P60 mice exposed to L-DOPA prenatally, ruling out attenuated dopamine release in the caudate putamen as a contributor to decreased conditioned place preference. Although dopamine release was induced in the nucleus accumbens of prenatally L-DOPA exposed mice at P60 by cocaine, the dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens was not significantly different between the L-DOPA and control groups. However, basal dopamine release was significantly higher in the prenatally L-DOPA exposed mice at P60 suggesting that the L-DOPA exposed mice may require a higher dose of cocaine for induction of cocaine place preference than the controls. The prenatal L-DOPA exposure did not alter cocaine-induced locomotor response, suggesting dissociation between the effects of prenatal L-DOPA exposure on conditioned place preference and locomotor activity. Tissue concentration of dopamine and its metabolites in the striatum and ventral midbrain were significantly affected by the L-DOPA exposure as well as by developmental changes over the P14-P60 period. Thus, elevation of dopamine levels during gestation can produce persisting changes in brain dopamine content, cocaine-induced dopamine release and cocaine conditioned place preference.

Setdb1-mediated Histone H3K9 Hypermethylation in Neurons Worsens the Neurological Phenotype of Mecp2-deficient Mice

Neuropharmacology. Jun, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 20869373

Rett syndrome (RTT, OMIM # 312750), a neurodevelopmental disorder of early childhood, is primarily caused by mutations in the gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). Various molecular functions have been ascribed to MECP2, including the regulation of histone modifications associated with repressive chromatin remodeling, but the role of these mechanisms for the pathophysiology of RTT remains unclear. Here, we explore whether or not neuronal expression of the histone H3-lysine 9 specific methyl-transferase, Setdb1 (Set domain, bifurcated 1)/Eset/Kmt1e, which is normally present only at low levels in differentiated neurons, rescues the RTT-like phenotype of Mecp2-deficient mice. A myc-tagged Setdb1 cDNA was expressed through the tau locus for ubiquitous expression in CNS neurons, or under control of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CK) promoter to selectively target postmitotic neurons in forebrain. However, the CK-Setdb1 transgene lead to an enhanced neurological deficit, and the tauSetdb1 allele further shortened life span of mice with a brain-wide deletion of Mecp2 during prenatal development. In contrast, no neurological deficits or premature death was observed in CK-Setdb1 and tauSetdb1 mice expressing wildtype Mecp2. However, levels of trimethylated H3K9 at pericentromeric repeats were fully maintained in differentiated neurons from symptomatic Mecp2 null mutant mice. Based on these results, we draw two conclusions: First, neuronal chromatin in RTT brain is not affected by a generalized deficit in H3K9 trimethylation. Second, artificial up-regulation of this repressive chromatin mark via Setdb1 gene delivery specifically to neurons is harmful for the Mecp2-deficient brain. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Trends in neuropharmacology: in memory of Erminio Costa'.

New Therapeutic Approaches Targeted at the Late Stages of the HIV-1 Replication Cycle

Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21110817

Owing to the serious clinical consequences associated with acquisition of resistance to current antiretroviral drugs, discovery of new drug targets and development of novel anti-HIV-1 therapeutic agents have become a high research priority. The late stages of HIV-1 replication involve the processes of assembly, budding and maturation, and comprise several new potential therapeutic targets which have not (yet) been targeted by any of the antiretroviral drugs approved at present. The structural protein Gag plays a central role in these stages through its different regions and mature Gag proteins working in concert. In this article, we highlight a number of steps in the late stages of HIV-1 replication that represent promising targets for drug discovery. Recent progress in development of related inhibitors targeting at CA, zinc fingers of NC, p6-Tsg101 interaction, lipid rafts of plasma membrane, proteolytic cleavage sites in Gag and gp160 processing is also reviewed.

LPS-induced Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition of Intrahepatic Biliary Epithelial Cells

The Journal of Surgical Research. Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 20691985

Recent studies have revealed that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of bile duct epithelial cells is engaged in hepatic fibrogenesis. However, the association between etiological factors of liver disease such as virus or bacterial infection and EMT remains to be investigated. The present study focuses on the inductive role of endotoxin, the main component of the cell wall's ectoblast of gram-negative bacteria, in the EMT of human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HIBEpiCs).

FGF23 Analysis of a Chinese Family with Autosomal Dominant Hypophosphatemic Rickets

Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 21710177

Autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR; MIM 193100) is a hereditary disorder characterized by isolated renal phosphate wasting, hypophosphatemia, and inappropriately normal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) levels. Recent studies have shown that the fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) gene is responsible for this disease. FGF23 protein is a phosphaturic factor that is elevated in several diseases associated with hypophosphatemia and rickets but varies with disease status in ADHR. In the present study we observed a Chinese family of Han ethnic origin diagnosed with ADHR. The proband is a 30-year-old woman with no history of rickets but with multiple tooth abscesses as a young adult. She presented with progressive painful swelling of the left ankle after a blunt trauma at 26 years of age. She developed back pain, generalized weakness, and fatigue, and she could barely walk at age 27. She was found to have severe hypophosphatemia, low ratio of phosphorus tubule maximum (TmP) to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (TmP/GFR), and elevated alkaline phosphatase at age 28. Her brother, 26 years old, presented with fatigue at 24 years of age and is normophosphatemic. The parents of this family had no history of rickets or hypophosphatemia. Direct sequence analysis of genomic DNA demonstrated a single heterozygous c.527G>A (p.R176Q) mutation in the FGF23 gene in three family members, including the proband, her brother, and their mother. Intact FGF23 assay of seven time points during the oral phosphate loading test showed no significant relationship between intact FGF23 and serum phosphorus levels of the subject with ADHR and a control. It is probably the first report of a Chinese family with ADHR.

Biophysical Properties and Supramolecular Structure of Self-assembled Liposome/ε-peptide/DNA Nanoparticles: Correlation with Gene Delivery

Biomacromolecules. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22066663

Using solid-phase synthesis, lysine can be oligomerized by a reaction of the peptide carboxylate with the ε-amino group to produce nontoxic, biodegradable cationic peptides, ε-oligo(L-lysines). Here α-substituted derivatives of such ε-oligo(L-lysines) containing arginine and histidine in the side chain were tested as vectors for in vitro gene delivery. Combination of ε-oligolysines with the cationic lipid DOTAP and plasmid DNA resulted in transfection efficiency exceeding that of DOTAP alone, without significant increase in cytotoxicity. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering studies revealed self-assembly of the DOTAP, ε-oligolysines, and DNA to ordered lamellar complexes. High transfection efficiency of the nanoparticles correlates with increase in zeta potential above +20 mV and requires particle size to be below 500 nm. The synergistic effect of branched ε-oligolysines and DOTAP in gene delivery can be explained by the increase in surface charge and by the supramolecular structure of the DOTAP/ε-oligolysine/DNA nanoparticles.

Ketogenic Diet Protects Against Epileptogenesis As Well As Neuronal Loss in Amygdaloid-kindling Seizures

Neuroscience Letters. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22178860

Ketogenic diets (KD) have shown beneficial effects in terms of anticonvulsant and anti-epileptogenic properties in several experimental models. However, few studies have investigated the consequences of KD with regards to the anti-epileptogenic and neuroprotective effects in kindling-induced seizures. Here, postnatal day 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats received one of two experimental diets for 4 weeks: (a) a 'classic' 4:1 KD; and (b) a normal regular rodent chow diet (ND). Fully-kindled seizures were achieved by daily electrical stimulation in the amygdala. Seizure stage and after-discharge duration (ADD) were assessed daily. The after-discharge threshold (ADT) was measured every 5 days. The effects of the two diets on neuronal loss were observed before kindling and 20 days after stimulation by Nissl staining. We found that the progression of seizure stage and ADD was delayed by KD. KD prevented the ADT decrease on day 5. The incidence of generalized seizures was lower in the KD group compared to the ND group. The neuronal density was decreased in the ipsilateral hilus of the dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 area, as well as the contralateral CA1 area before kindling in the KD group. However, KD prevented neuronal loss in the ipsilateral CA1 area 20 days after stimulation. Our data suggest that KD can protect against epileptogenesis by preventing both after-discharge generation and propagation in kindling seizures. In addition, KD also possesses a neuroprotective function during kindling although it changes hippocampal development in early life.

Juglone, from Juglans Mandshruica Maxim, Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Human Leukemia Cell HL-60 Through a Reactive Oxygen Species-dependent Mechanism

Food and Chemical Toxicology : an International Journal Published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22266044

Juglone, a major chemical constituent of Juglans mandshruica Maxim, is a promising anticancer agent that has shown a strong activity against cancer cells in vitro. Our previous study showed that juglone inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells with an IC50 value ∼8μM. To further explore the proapoptotic mechanism of juglone, we investigated the role of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the apoptosis induced by juglone in HL-60 cells. The generation of ROS was about 2 to 8-fold as compared to control cell after treatment with juglone (2, 4 and 8μM) for 24h. The glutathione (GSH) depletion was consistent with ROS generation after treatment with juglone. Reversal of apoptosis in antioxidants (NAC and catalase) pretreated cells indicated the involvement of ROS in juglone-induced apoptosis. The cleavage of PARP and procaspase-3 and -9, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm), and release of cytochrome c (Cyt c) and Smac induced by juglone were significantly blocked by NAC. NAC also prevented the inhibition the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR proteins by juglone. Collectively, these results indicated that ROS played a significant role in the apoptosis induced by juglone in human leukemia cell HL-60.

A Haplotype of MATN3 is Associated with Vertebral Fracture in Chinese Postmenopausal Women: Peking Vertebral Fracture (PK-VF) Study

Bone. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22270056

The Matrilin3 gene (MATN3) encodes an extracellular matrix protein, which modulates chondrocyte differentiation. The aim of this study was to test for association of MATN3 polymorphisms with bone mineral density (BMD), fracture, vertebral fracture, bone turnover or 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in postmenopausal women. A community-based population of 1488 postmenopausal women was randomly selected in Beijing. The history of fracture and vertebral fracture was obtained via questionnaire and vertebral X-ray respectively. BMD of lumbar spine (2-4), femoral neck and total hip were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum N-terminal procollagen of type 1 collagen (P1NP), β-isomerized type I collagen C-telopeptide breakdown products (β-CTX) and 25(OH)D were quantified. Binary logistic regression revealed that Haplotype-4 was significantly associated with vertebral fracture risk in both additive model (p=0.023, OR=1.521) and dominant model (p=0.028, OR=1.623). The significance remained after 10,000 permutation tests to correct multiple testing (p=0.042). Re-selected age matched vertebral fracture case-control groups revealed similar associations in additive model (p=0.014, OR=1.927, 95%CI=1.142-3.253) and in dominant model (p=0.011, OR=2.231, 95%CI=1.200-4.148). However, no significant association was found between MATN3 polymorphisms and serum β-CTX, P1NP, 25(OH)D levels, or BMD. In linear regression, Haplotype-2 approached marginal significance in association with femoral neck BMD T-score (p=0.050), but this would account for only 0.2% of BMD variation in our sample. This study suggests that Haplotype-4 of MATN3 is associated with vertebral fracture risk independent of BMD in Chinese postmenopausal women. Efforts should be made to replicate our finding in other, similar and ethnically diverse, populations.

Derivation and Functional Analysis of Patient Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells As an In Vitro Model of Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Stem Cells (Dayton, Ohio). Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22311747

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited disorder of phagocytes in which NADPH oxidase is defective in generating reactive oxygen species. In this study, we reprogrammed three normal unrelated patient's fibroblasts (p47(phox) and gp91(phox) ) to pluripotency by lentiviral transduction with defined pluripotency factors. These induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) share the morphological features of human embryonic stem cells, express the key pluripotency factors and posses high telomerase activity. Furthermore, all the iPSC lines formed embryoid bodies in vitro containing cells originating from all three germ layers and were capable of teratoma formation in vivo. They were isogenic with the original patient fibroblasts, exhibited normal karyotype and retained the p47(phox) or gp91(phox) mutations found in the patient fibroblasts. We further demonstrated that these iPSC could be differentiated into monocytes and macrophages with a similar cytokine profile to blood-derived macrophages under resting conditions. Most importantly, CGD-patient specific iPSC derived macrophages showed normal phagocytic properties but lacked reactive oxygen species production, which correlates with clinical diagnosis of CGD in the patients. Together these results suggest that CGD-patient-specific iPSC lines represent an important tool for modelling CGD disease phenotypes, screening candidate drugs and the development of gene therapy.

Microwave-assisted Purge-and-trap Extraction Device Coupled with Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Five Predominant Odors in Sediment, Fish Tissues, and Algal Cells

Journal of Chromatography. A. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22153815

Off-flavors are among the most troublesome compounds in the environment worldwide. The lack of a viable theory for studying the sources, distribution, and effect of odors has necessitated the accurate measurement of odors from environmental compartments. A rapid and flexible microwave-assisted purge-and-trap extraction device for simultaneously determining five predominant odors, namely, dimethyltrisulfide, 2-methylisoborneol, geosmin, β-cyclocitral and β-ionone, from the primary sources and sinks is demonstrated. This instrument facilitates the extraction and concentration of odors from quite different matrices simultaneously. This device is a solvent-free automated system that does not require cleaning and is timesaving. The calibration curves of the five odor compounds showed good linearity in the range of 1-500 ng/L, with correlation coefficients above 0.999 (levels=7) and with residuals ranging from approximately 77% to 104%. The limits of detection (S/N=3) were below 0.15 ng/L in algae sample and 0.07 ng/g in sediment and fish tissue samples. The relative standard deviations were between 2.65% and 7.29% (n=6). Thus the proposed design is ready for rapid translation into a standard analytical tool and is useful for multiple applications in the analysis of off-flavors.