The predictive value of leukocyte parameters for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in south China.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive values of the leukocyte parameters for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP).

Methods: A total of 523 HDP patients and 853 normal pregnancies were included in the present study. The leukocyte parameters in different stages of pregnancy were compared among the groups, and the efficiency of clinical diagnosis was calculated to analyze the predictive value of these parameters to HDP.

Study on the interaction of amino phosphine ester derivatives with DNA by spectroscopy, modeling and calorimetry.

The binding properties of amino phosphate ester derivatives, compound 1 and 2 with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated by UV spectra, fluorescence spectra, molecular modeling and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The intrinsic binding constants K(b) of compound 1 and 2 with CT-DNA were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy and ITC, respectively. The results indicated that the two compounds bind to CT-DNA with different binding affinity, which is in the order of compound 1>compound 2.

Binding of quercetin to lysozyme as probed by spectroscopic analysis and molecular simulation.

The binding of quercetin to lysozyme (LYSO) in aqueous solution was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and molecular simulation at pH 7.4. The fluorescence quenching of LYSO by addition of quercetin is due to static quenching, the binding constants, K ( a ), were 3.

[Nutritional risk screening and enteral nutrition in patients with oral and maxillofacial cancers].

Purpose: To screen the nutritional risk of patients with oral and maxillofacial cancers using NRS2002 and evaluate the clinical usefulness of NRS2002. Meanwhile, nutritional support was given after screening and the effect was evaluated.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with oral and maxillofacial cancers were enrolled in this study.

Platelets, inflammation, and prediction of the hypertension disorders of pregnancy.

Objective: To assess the features of the platelets (PLTs) of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and to determine whether they have a predictive value for the disorders during the preclinical stage.

Methods: This study included 461 HDPs and 827 normal pregnancies. Platelet counts were compared between the two groups by an independent samples t test; a Fisher's linear discriminant analysis and receiver operator characteristic curve were performed to analyze the diagnostic effects of the variables in developing HDP.

Disturbance in function and expression of condensin affects chromosome compaction in HeLa cells.

Condensin, a major non-histone protein complex on chromosomes, is responsible for the formation of rod-shaped chromosome in mitosis. A heterodimer composed of SMC2 (structural maintenance of chromosomes) and SMC4 subunits constitutes the core part of condensin. Although extensive studies have been done in yeast, fruit fly and Xenopus to uncover the mechanisms and molecular nature of SMC proteins, little is known about the complex in mammalian cells.

G-actin participates in RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription elongation by recruiting positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb).

Actin is a key regulator of RNA polymerase (Pol) II-dependent transcription. Positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), a Cdk9/cyclin T1 heterodimer, has been reported to play a critical role in transcription elongation. However, the relationship between actin and P-TEFb is still not clear.

Factors contributing to formation of edema in volume overloaded continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Volume control is critical for the success of peritoneal dialysis (PD) but dry weight in PD has been difficult to obtain. Edema free is, in general, accepted clinically as a target for volume control in PD patients. However, PD patients can be free of edema despite significant volume overload.

A rapid and simple isothermal nucleic acid amplification test for detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.

Background: A simple and rapid IsoAmp HSV assay has been developed for qualitative detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 from genital lesions. Sample preparation involved a simple dilution step and the diluted specimens were directly added to the device and amplified by isothermal helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). Amplification products were then detected by a DNA strip embedded in a disposable cassette without any instrument.

Enhancement of shrimp antiviral immune response through caspase-dependent apoptosis by small molecules.

Epidemic diseases cost large amount of economic loss in the shrimp aquaculture. To control the epidemic diseases, it is a very efficient approach to enhance the shrimp immunity by immunostimulants. In aquaculture, however, the applications of the available immunostimulants are very limited due to the lack of information about the roles of these immunostimulants in animal immunity.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 attenuates atherosclerotic lesions by targeting vascular cells.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a newly discovered homolog of ACE whose actions oppose those of angiotensin II (AngII). However, the underlying mechanisms by which ACE2 effectively suppresses early atherosclerotic lesions remain poorly understood. Here, we show, both in vitro and in vivo, that ACE2 inhibited the development of early atherosclerotic lesions by suppressing the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and improving endothelial function.

Schizosaccharomyces cryophilus sp. nov., a new species of fission yeast.

The genus Schizosaccharomyces is presently comprised of three species, namely Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Schizosaccharomyces octosporus and Schizosaccharomyces japonicus. Here, we describe a hitherto unknown species, Schizosaccharomyces cryophilus, named for its preference for growth at lower temperatures than the other fission yeast species. Although morphologically similar to S.

Nucleic acid assay system for tier II laboratories and moderately complex clinics to detect HIV in low-resource settings.

There is a clear need for an instrument-free molecular diagnostic system for detecting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA or DNA that can be used in developing countries. Such a test could be used for early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection during infancy and could serve as a surrogate end point for vaccine trials. We developed the IsoAmp HIV-1 assay (BioHelix Corporation), which targets the HIV-1 gag gene with use of isothermal reverse-transcription helicase-dependent amplification chemistry.

[Effects of mutational sptl5 gene to xylose utilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae].

We used genetic methods to get a mutational spt15 gene from the recombinant strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH499-3, screened by global transcription machinery engineering (gTME) approach. We transformed the gene into the original strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH499 using the vector pYX212, then got a new recombinant strain. We studied the characteristic of this strain and found that it could metabolize xylose and co-ferment xylose and glucose.

A double-regulated oncolytic adenovirus with improved safety for adenocarcinoma therapy.

Safety and efficiency are equally important to be considered in developing oncolytic adenovirus. Previously, we have reported that ZD55, an oncolytic adenovirus with the deletion of E1B-55K gene, exhibited potent antitumor activity. In this study, to improve the safety of ZD55, we utilized MUC1 promoter to replace the native promoter of E1A on the basis of ZD55, and generated a double-regulated adenovirus, named MUD55.

Suppression of cancer growth in mice by adeno-associated virus vector-mediated IFN-beta expression driven by hTERT promoter.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has rapidly become a promising gene delivery vehicle for its excellent advantages of non-immunogenic, low pathogenicity and long-term gene expression in vivo. However, a major obstacle in development of effective AAV vector is the lack of tissue specificity, which caused low efficiency of AAV transfer to target cells. The application of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter is a prior targeting strategy for AAV in cancer gene therapy as hTERT activity is transcriptionally upregulated in most cancer cells.

Novel regulators of Fgf23 expression and mineralization in Hyp bone.

We used gene array analysis of cortical bone to identify Phex-dependent gene transcripts associated with abnormal Fgf23 production and mineralization in Hyp mice. We found evidence that elevation of Fgf23 expression in osteocytes is associated with increments in Fgf1, Fgf7, and Egr2 and decrements in Sost, an inhibitor in the Wnt-signaling pathway, were observed in Hyp bone. beta-Catenin levels were increased in Hyp cortical bone, and TOPflash luciferase reporter assay showed increased transcriptional activity in Hyp-derived osteoblasts, consistent with Wnt activation.

Study on mechanism of wet air oxidation of emulsification wastewater.

Wet air oxidation (WAO) can effectively be used to treat high-concentration, non-biodegradable emulsification wastewater that contains nonionic matters. Gas chromatograph analysis of emulsification wastewater after oxidation indicated that a catalyst increased production of fatty acids but could not promote its oxidation between 160 and 180 degrees C. When the temperature was greater than or equal to 220 degrees C, the catalyst not only increased production of fatty acids initially but effectively promoted its oxidation in later stages and significantly reduced the concentration of residual surfactants.

RNA helicase A acts as a bridging factor linking nuclear beta-actin with RNA polymerase II.

Actin, the major component of the cytoplasmic skeleton, has been shown to exist in the nucleus. Nuclear actin functions in several steps of the transcription process, including chromatin remodelling and transcription initiation and elongation. However, as a part of PICs (pre-initiation complexes), the role of actin remains to be elucidated.

Effect of nutrition on arterial stiffness in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: A poor nutritional state is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in end-stage renal disease. It is unclear whether malnutrition itself can induce cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined the impact of nutritional status on patients' arterial stiffness in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Relationship between serum albumin and pulse wave velocity in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Hypoalbuminemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality in dialysis patients, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Meanwhile, increased pulse wave velocity (PWV), the marker of arterial stiffness, has been proved to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. The relationship between serum albumin and PWV in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients (CAPD) was studied.

Spliceosomal cleavage generates the 3' end of telomerase RNA.

Telomeres cap the ends of chromosomes and provide a means to complete replication. The DNA portion of telomeres is synthesized by the enzyme telomerase using part of an RNA subunit as a template for reverse transcription. How the mature 3' end of telomerase RNA is generated has so far remained elusive.

Development of isothermal TaqMan assays for detection of biothreat organisms.

TaqMan probe (dual-labeled DNA probe)-based real-time detection, one of the most sensitive and specific fluorescent detection methods, has been widely utilized in conjunction with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Helicase-dependent amplification (HDA) is an isothermal amplification technology that has a similar reaction scheme to PCR, but replaces thermocycling with a helicase capable of unwinding a DNA duplex. Here we describe a novel isothermal real-time detection method (HDA-TaqMan) that combines the advantages of both HDA and a TaqMan assay.