Cerenkov luminescence tomography for small-animal imaging.

Cerenkov radiation is a well-known phenomenon in which optical photons are emitted by charged particles moving faster than the speed of light in a medium. We have observed Cerenkov photons emitted from beta-emitting radiotracers such as (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose using a sensitive CCD camera. Phantom and in vivo mouse imaging experiments have demonstrated that surface measurements of the emitted Cerenkov optical photons could be used to reconstruct the radiotracer activity distribution inside an object by modeling the optical photon propagation with the diffusion equation and reconstructing the optical emission source distribution iteratively with a preconditioned conjugate gradient method.

Systematic mutational analysis of peptide inhibition of the p53-MDM2/MDMX interactions.

Inhibition of the interaction between the tumor suppressor protein p53 and its negative regulators MDM2 and MDMX is of great interest in cancer biology and drug design. We previously reported a potent duodecimal peptide inhibitor, termed PMI (TSFAEYWNLLSP), of the p53-MDM2 and -MDMX interactions. PMI competes with p53 for MDM2 and MDMX binding at an affinity roughly 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of (17-28)p53 (ETFSDLWKLLPE) of the same length; both peptides adopt nearly identical alpha-helical conformations in the complexes, where the three highlighted hydrophobic residues Phe, Trp, and Leu dominate PMI or (17-28)p53 binding to MDM2 and MDMX.

Functional interaction of human neutrophil peptide-1 with the cell wall precursor lipid II.

Defensins constitute a major class of cationic antimicrobial peptides in mammals and vertebrates, acting as effectors of innate immunity against infectious microorganisms. It is generally accepted that defensins are bactericidal by disrupting the anionic microbial membrane. Here, we provide evidence that membrane activity of human alpha-defensins does not correlate with antibacterial killing.

Madm (Mlf1 adapter molecule) cooperates with Bunched A to promote growth in Drosophila.

Background: The TSC-22 domain family (TSC22DF) consists of putative transcription factors harboring a DNA-binding TSC-box and an adjacent leucine zipper at their carboxyl termini. Both short and long TSC22DF isoforms are conserved from flies to humans. Whereas the short isoforms include the tumor suppressor TSC-22 (Transforming growth factor-beta1 stimulated clone-22), the long isoforms are largely uncharacterized.

[Inhibitory effect of anluohuaxianwan on experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of anluohuaqianwan on experimental hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN) in rats.

Methods: 36 male SD rats were randomly dividied into three groups: model group, normal group, anluohuaqianwan group. The rats in the three groups were treated with DMN daily for 4 weeks.

Classification of inflammation activity in ulcerative colitis by confocal laser endomicroscopy.

Objectives: The assessment of inflammation activity in ulcerative colitis (UC) includes endoscopy and histology. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) combines real-time endoscopy and histology. This study was aimed at evaluating the application of CLE in the assessment of inflammation activity in UC.

A bifunctional regulatory element in human somatic Wee1 mediates cyclin A/Cdk2 binding and Crm1-dependent nuclear export.

Sophisticated models for the regulation of mitotic entry are lacking for human cells. Inactivating human cyclin A/Cdk2 complexes through diverse approaches delays mitotic entry and promotes inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdk1 on tyrosine 15, a modification performed by Wee1. We show here that cyclin A/Cdk2 complexes physically associate with Wee1 in U2OS cells.

Collagen II/hyaluronan/chondroitin-6-sulfate tri-copolymer scaffold for nucleus pulposus tissue engineering.

This study aims to investigate the bioactivity of collagen II/hyaluronan/chondroitin-6-sulfate tri-copolymer as bionic scaffold for nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue engineering. Collagen II (C II) (pH 1-2) was mixed with hyaluronan (HyA) and lyophilized to prepare C II/HyA matrices. Chondroitin 6-sulfate (6-CS) was covalently attached to the C II/HyA matrices using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS).

Three-dimensional fluorescence optical tomography in small-animal imaging using simultaneous positron-emission-tomography priors.

We propose three-dimensional fluorescence optical tomography imaging for small animals guided by simultaneous priors from positron emission tomography (PET). Using a sparsity regularization, the target prior from PET images was incorporated into the reconstruction algorithm for optical imaging. The method and algorithms are validated with numerical simulations and a phantom experiment performed on a combined optical-PET scanner based on a conical mirror geometry.

Construction of collagen II/hyaluronate/chondroitin-6-sulfate tri-copolymer scaffold for nucleus pulposus tissue engineering and preliminary analysis of its physico-chemical properties and biocompatibility.

To construct a novel scaffold for nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue engineering, The porous type II collagen (CII)/hyaluronate (HyA)-chondroitin-6-sulfate (6-CS) scaffold was prepared using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) cross-linking system. The physico-chemical properties and biocompatibility of CII/HyA-CS scaffolds were evaluated. The results suggested CII/HyA-CS scaffolds have a highly porous structure (porosity: 94.

Effect of a novel recombinant protein of fibronectinIII7-10/cadherin 11 EC1-2 on osteoblastic adhesion and differentiation.

The limitations of specific adhesion and osteoblastic differentiation are current problems in bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a novel recombinant protein of fibronectin module III7-10/cadherin 11 EC1-2 (rFN/CDH) on cell adhesion and differentiation. Gene coding rFN/CDH was engineered by a homology modeling strategy, and an expression plasmid was constructed by standard DNA techniques.

Fabrication and characterization of a recombinant fibronectin/cadherin bio-inspired ceramic surface and its influence on adhesion and ossification in vitro.

This study has investigated the effects of a bio-inspired ceramic surface modified with a novel recombinant protein on surface parameters and cell behavior. The surface of a biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic was functionalized with a recombinant protein spanning the fragments of fibronectin module III7-10 and extracellular domains 1 and 2 of cadherin 11 (rFN/CDH) using a dimethyl-3,3'-dithiobispropionimidate cross-linking method. The surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and protein adsorption and surface density measurements.

POSTURE MATCHING AND ELASTIC REGISTRATION OF A MOUSE ATLAS TO SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY RANGE DATA.

Estimation of internal mouse anatomy is required for quantitative bioluminescence or fluorescence tomography. However, only surface range data can be recovered from all-optical systems. These data are at times sparse or incomplete.

Clinical experience and results of lumbar microendoscopic discectomy: a study with a five-year follow-up.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of microendoscopic discectomy (MED) for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation over a five-year follow-up period.

Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2002, 275 patients were accepted for MED in our hospital. A retrospective review was carried out on 151 of these cases with a mean of five years follow-up.

Clinical prognostic significance of heart abnormality and heart rate variability in patients with stroke.

Objective: To investigate the difference of heart rate variability (HRV) and serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) activity between right-sided and left-sided stroke, and the relative impact of cardiac autonomic imbalance and heart abnormality on death by serum CK-MB activity and fractal dimension (FD) detection in patients with stroke.

Methods: Three hundred and twenty-seven patients (mean age: 61.12 +/- 9.

[Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain].

Objective: To evaluate the preliminary clinical outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) for patient with discogenic chronic low back pain (CLBP) and failing to respond to conservative treatment.

Methods: From June 2007 to May 2008, 52 patients with CLBP and failing to respond to conservative treatment were treated, including 15 males and 37 females aged 29-46 years old (average 38.2 years old).

A three-dimensional multispectral fluorescence optical tomography imaging system for small animals based on a conical mirror design.

We have developed a three dimensional (3D) multispectral fluorescence optical tomography small animal imaging system with an innovative geometry using a truncated conical mirror, allowing simultaneous viewing of the entire surface of the animal by an EMCCD camera. A conical mirror collects photons approximately three times more efficiently than a flat mirror. An x-y mirror scanning system makes it possible to scan a collimated excitation laser beam to any location on the mouse surface.

Grape seed proanthocyanidins protect cardiomyocytes from ischemia and reperfusion injury via Akt-NOS signaling.

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in cardiomyocytes is related to excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and can be modulated by nitric oxide (NO). We have previously shown that grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), a naturally occurring antioxidant, decreased ROS and may potentially stimulate NO production. In this study, we investigated whether GSPE administration at reperfusion was associated with cardioprotection and enhanced NO production in a cardiomyocyte I/R model.

Structural basis for high-affinity peptide inhibition of p53 interactions with MDM2 and MDMX.

The oncoproteins MDM2 and MDMX negatively regulate the activity and stability of the tumor suppressor protein p53--a cellular process initiated by MDM2 and/or MDMX binding to the N-terminal transactivation domain of p53. MDM2 and MDMX in many tumors confer p53 inactivation and tumor survival, and are important molecular targets for anticancer therapy. We screened a duodecimal peptide phage library against site-specifically biotinylated p53-binding domains of human MDM2 and MDMX chemically synthesized via native chemical ligation, and identified several peptide inhibitors of the p53-MDM2/MDMX interactions.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the lumbar vertebrae mimicking tuberculous spondylitis: a case report.

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PHL) of the spine is very rare. A case of a 44-year-old patient with PHL originating from a single lumbar vertebra was initially misdiagnosed as tuberculous spondylitis. After surgical decompression and biopsy, the patient was confirmed as primary B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the lumbar vertebrae and was further treated with chemotherapy.

The clinical features of, and microendoscopic decompression for, extraforaminal entrapment of the L5 spinal nerve.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical results of, and surgical techniques for, microendoscopic (METRx) decompression of extraforaminal entrapment of the L5 spinal nerve at the lumbosacral tunnel.

Methods: Five patients with extraforaminal entrapment of the L5 spinal nerve in the lumbosacral tunnel were treated in our department, including three men and two women. The average age was 65.

Knowledge and attitudes about human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccines among women living in metropolitan and rural regions of China.

Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and causes virtually all cervical cancer globally. The recent development of two safe and clinically effective vaccines against HPV is a promising step towards lowering cervical cancer rates in the future. What Chinese women think about HPV and the vaccines remains unknown.

[Micro-endoscopic strategies and options for recurrent lumbar disc herniation].

Objective: To evaluate the results of micro-endoscopic revision surgery for recurrent disc herniation, and compare the results of disc excision with and without interbody fusion.

Methods: A total of 32 patients included who had undergone micro-endoscopic revision discectomy for recurrent disc herniation with or without interbody fusion has been surveyed to assess their clinical outcome. The 27 patients who had been followed were divided into two groups; the micro-endoscopic discectomy alone 14 cases, the micro-endoscopic discectomy with interbody fusion 13 cases.

Expression of human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors ligand binding domain-maltose binding protein fusion protein in Escherichia coli: a convenient and reliable method for preparing receptor for screening ligands.

Human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (hPPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors and are the target for the treatment of many diseases. Screening of their ligands is mainly based on assays of ligand binding to the ligand binding domain (LBD) of hPPARs.However, such assays are difficult because of the preparation of hPPARs LBD.

Seed-mediated growth of ZnO nanorods on multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

The heterostructures of ZnO nanorods on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were fabricated by a seed-mediated growth method. First, the surfaces of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were coated in situ with mono-dispersed ZnO nanocrystals of about 7 nm by the reaction of zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide. These nanocrystals were then served as the seeds for further growth of ZnO nanorods.