IL12 polymorphisms, HBV infection and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a high-risk Chinese population.

To investigate the association between the potentially functional polymorphisms in IL12A and IL12B, HBV infection and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Chinese population, we genotyped three polymorphisms, rs568408 (3'UTR G>A), rs2243115 (5'UTR T>G) in IL12A and rs3212227 (3'UTR A>C) in IL12B in a case-control study of 869 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases and 891 cancer-free controls. We found that the IL12A rs568408 GA/AA variant genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of HCC (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.

Characterization of kinesin-like proteins in silkworm posterior silk gland cells.

Kinesins are microtubule-based motors involved in various intracellular transports. Neurons, flagellated cells, and pigment cells have been traditionally used as model systems to study the cellular functions of kinesins. Here, we report silkworm posterior silkgland (PSG), specialized cells with an extensive endomembrane system for intracellular transport and efficient secretion of fibroin, as a novel model for kinesin study.

A potentially functional polymorphism in the promoter region of miR-34b/c is associated with an increased risk for primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

The miR-34 family members are direct transcriptional targets of tumor suppressor p53, and loss of miR-34 function can impair p53-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. A potentially functional SNP rs4938723 (T > C) was found in the promoter region of pri-miR-34b/c (423 bp from the transcription start site), located in the CpG island and might affect transcription factor GATA binding and therefore pri-miR-34b/c expression. In our study, we hypothesized that SNPs miR-34b/c rs4938723 and TP53 Arg72Pro may independently or jointly contribute to primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility.

GSK-3 beta inhibits presynaptic vesicle exocytosis by phosphorylating P/Q-type calcium channel and interrupting SNARE complex formation.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), a Ser/Thr protein kinase abundantly expressed in neurons, plays diverse functions in physiological and neurodegenerative conditions. Our recent study shows that upregulation of GSK-3 suppresses long-term potentiation and presynaptic release of glutamate; however, the underlying mechanism is elusive. Here, we show that activation of GSK-3beta retards the synaptic vesicle exocytosis in response to membrane depolarization.

Synthesizing a novel genetic sequential logic circuit: a push-on push-off switch.

Design and synthesis of basic functional circuits are the fundamental tasks of synthetic biologists. Before it is possible to engineer higher-order genetic networks that can perform complex functions, a toolkit of basic devices must be developed. Among those devices, sequential logic circuits are expected to be the foundation of the genetic information-processing systems.

Convenient synthesis of silver nanowires with adjustable diameters via a solvothermal method.

Silver nanowires have been successfully synthesized via a simple solvothermal method by adding sodium sulfide (Na(2)S) into the solution. The Ag(2)S colloids produced in the initial stage help reduce the concentration of free Ag(+) ions in the initial formation of silver seeds and subsequently release Ag(+) ions to the solution. Otherwise, there is no oxidative etching owing to the absence of oxygen.

Neuroprotection by baicalein in ischemic brain injury involves PTEN/AKT pathway.

Recently more evidences support baicalein (Bai) is neuroprotective in models of ischemic stroke. This study was conducted to determine the molecular mechanisms involved in this effect. Either permanent or transient (2 h) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced in rats in this study.

Correlation of the virulence of CSFV with evolutionary patterns of E2 glycoprotein.

Infection with classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is costly to the livestock industry. Several genomic sequences including velogenic strains and low virulent strains have been identified. However, the reasons for the virulence of the virus have remained unclear.

Convenient, rapid synthesis of silver nanocubes and nanowires via a microwave-assisted polyol method.

Silver nanostructures have been synthesized via a microwave-assisted polyol method by adding sodium sulfide (Na(2)S) into the solution. An interesting morphology evolution can be observed by adjusting the concentration of Na(2)S and the heating power. It is found that the ideal concentration of Na(2)S is 31.

Structures of discoidal high density lipoproteins: a combined computational-experimental approach.

Conversion of discoidal phospholipid (PL)-rich high density lipoprotein (HDL) to spheroidal cholesteryl ester-rich HDL is a central step in reverse cholesterol transport. A detailed understanding of this process and the atheroprotective role of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) requires knowledge of the structure and dynamics of these various particles. This study, combining computation with experimentation, illuminates structural features of apoA-I allowing it to incorporate varying amounts of PL.

Physiologic effects of electroacupuncture combined with intramuscular administration of xylazine to provide analgesia in goats.

Objective: To investigate physiologic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with xylazine administration in goats.

Animals: 48 healthy crossbred goats.

Procedures: Goats were randomly allotted to 8 groups of 3 (nonpregnant and nonlactating) female goats and 3 male goats each.

Effects of gallium on the structure and electrical properties of 0.65 (Bi0.94La0.06) (Ga(x)Fe(1-x))O3-0.35PbTiO3 ceramics.

Crystalline solutions of 0.65 Bi(0.94)La(0.

A high temperature piezoelectric ceramic: (1-x)(Bi0.9La0.1)FeO(3-x)PbTiO3 crystalline solutions.

(1-x)(Bi(0.9)La(0.1))FeO(3-x)PbTiO(3) (BLF-PT) crystalline solutions for x = 0.

Determination of trace mercury species by high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after cloud point extraction.

A sensitive method for speciation analysis of inorganic mercury (Hg(2+)) and methyl mercury (MeHg(+)) has been developed by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after cloud point extraction. The analytes were complexed with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) and preconcentrated by a non-ionic surfactant Triton X-114. Mercury species were effectively separated by HPLC in less than 6 min.

JNK1 activation predicts the prognostic outcome of the human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide with an extremely poor prognosis. The classification of HCC based on the molecular signature is not well-established.

Results: In the present study, we reported HCC signature genes based on the JNK1 activation status in 31 HCC specimens relative to the matched distal noncancerous liver tissue from 31 patients.

PI3K integrates the effects of insulin and leptin on large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in neuropeptide Y neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus.

The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin and the pancreatic beta-cell-derived hormone insulin function as afferent signals to the hypothalamus in an endocrine feedback loop that regulates body adiposity. They act in hypothalamic centers to modulate the function of specific neuronal subtypes, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons, by modifying neuronal electrical activity. To investigate the intrinsic activity of these neurons and their responses to insulin and leptin, we used a combination of morphological features and immunocytochemical technique to identify the NPY neurons of hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) and record whole cell large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK) currents on them.

Method for the mapping of a female partial-sterile locus on a molecular marker linkage map.

The female gametophyte is an absolutely essential structure for angiosperm reproduction, and female sterility has been reported in a number of crops. In this paper, a maximum-likelihood method is presented for estimating the position and effect of a female partial-sterile locus in a backcross population using the observed data of dominant or codominant markers. The ML solutions are obtained via Bailey's method.

Age-related synaptic changes in the CA1 stratum radiatum and spatial learning impairment in rats.

1. Age-related impairments in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory are not associated with a loss of neurons, but may be related to synaptic changes. In the present study, we analysed the behavioural performance of adult, middle-aged and old Wistar rats using the Morris water maze, as well as the structure of synapses and the expression of autophosphorylated Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II at threonine 286 (pThr286-alphaCaMKII), a key post-synaptic protein in the CA1 stratum radiatum, in the same rats.

Phosphatidylinositol-linked novel D(1) dopamine receptor facilitates long-term depression in rat hippocampal CA1 synapses.

Recent work has demonstrated that a phosphatidylinositol (PI)-linked D(1) dopamine receptor selective agonist, SKF83959, mediates phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis via activation of phospholipase C(beta) in brain. Specific contributions of SKF83959 to synaptic plasticity have not been well elucidated. The aim of the current investigation was to characterize the role of SKF83959 on long-term depression (LTD) in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices and to explore the molecular events leading to these changes.

[Controllable synthesis and UV-Vis spectral analysis of silver nanoparticles in AOT microemulsion].

Colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized in water-in-oil microemulsion using silver nitrate solubilized in the water core of a microemulsion as source of silver ions, hydrazine hydrate solubilized in the water core of another one as reducing agent, cyclohexane as the continuous phase, and sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) as the surfactant. The main factors affecting the formation of silver nanoparticles were systematically studied. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra were used for analyzing the effects of reaction parameters, including the type of reducing agents, the molar ratio of water to surfactant and the concentration of AgNO3 and AOT and so on, on the formation of silver nanoparticles.

Ischemia activates JNK/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway to up-regulate 14-3-3gamma in astrocyte.

Ischemia occurs in the brain as the result of stroke and other related injuries and few therapies are effective. If more is understood then potential treatments could be investigated. It was previously reported that 14-3-3gamma could be up-regulated by ischemia in astrocyte to protect cells from ischemia-induced apoptosis.

Basic fibroblast growth factor stimulates epithelial cell growth and epithelial wound healing in canine corneas.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the proliferation of canine corneal epithelial cells and epithelial wound healing.

Animal Studied: Canine corneal epithelial cells from the corneas of euthanized dogs and corneal epithelial wounds on one eye from each of 24 dogs.

Procedures: The proliferation of corneal epithelial cells in vitro was measured using the methylthiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay.

TP53 R249S mutations, exposure to aflatoxin, and occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in a cohort of chronic hepatitis B virus carriers from Qidong, China.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high mortality in East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, two regions where the main etiologic factors are chronic infections with hepatitis B virus and dietary exposure to aflatoxin. A single base substitution at the third nucleotide of codon 249 of TP53 (R249S) is common in HCC in these regions and has been associated with aflatoxin-DNA adducts. To determine whether R249S may be detected in plasma DNA before HCC diagnosis, we conducted a case-control study nested in a cohort of adult chronic hepatitis B virus carriers from Qidong County, People's Republic of China.