Similar neutralizing activity in the HIV-1 infected long term non-progressors(LTNPs) and typical progressors(TPs).

Neutralizing antibodies are considered to be an important protective parameter used in HIV-1 vaccine evaluation. However, the exact role that neutralizing antibodies plays in controlling the disease progression of HIV-1 infected peoples is still undetermined. In this paper, we compared the protective function of the neutralizing antibody response in the plasma from LTNP and TP against clade B and clade C pseudoviruses.

Modulation of the innate immune system in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei following long-term low salinity exposure.

Immune parameters, haemocyte lifespan, and gene expressions of lipopolysaccharide and β-glucan-binding protein (LGBP), peroxinectin (PX), integrin β, and α2-macroglobulin (α2-M) were examined in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles (0.48 ± 0.05 g) which had been reared at different salinity levels of 2.

Evaluation of potentially inappropriate medications among older residents of Malaysian nursing homes.

Background: There is an increasing evidence of medicines related issues such as inappropriate prescribing among older people. Inappropriate prescribing is an important risk factor for adverse drug reactions and hospitalizations in the older people.

Objective: To assess and characterize the prevalence of Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) in nursing home care in Malaysia as defined by Screening Tool of Older Peoples Prescriptions (STOPP) and Beers criteria.

Litopenaeus vannamei inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (LvIAP1) is essential for shrimp survival.

The members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family are involved in the regulation of diverse cellular processes, including apoptosis, signal transduction and mitosis. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of three IAP genes from Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei: LvIAP1, LvIAP2 and LvSurvivin. LvIAP1, the orthologue of Penaeus monodon IAP (PmIAP), consists of three BIR domains and one RING domain; LvIAP2 consists of two BIR domains and LvSurvivin has only one BIR domain.

[Genetic polymorphism of GST gene in children with infectious mononucleosis and acute lymphocytic leukemia].

Objective: To study the relationship between glutathione S-transferase genes GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms and the susceptibility to infectious mononucleosis (IM) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children.

Methods: The case-control study involved 106 children with IM, 41 children with ALL and a control group of 100 children with non-hematologic and nontumorous diseases. The genetic polymorphisms of GSTT1 and GSTM1 were detected with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

[Effect of the bone resorption supernatant from RAW264.7 osteoclast on the osteogenic activity of mouse MC3T3-E1 cell].

Objective: To investigate the effect of osteoclast bone resorption supernatants on the osteogenic activity of mouse MC3T3-E1 cell line.

Methods: Mouse RAW264.7 cell line was induced to osteoclast which was identified with tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and osteoclast specific gene detection.

A putative cell surface receptor for white spot syndrome virus is a member of a transporter superfamily.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a large enveloped DNA virus, can cause the most serious viral disease in shrimp and has a wide host range among crustaceans. In this study, we identified a surface protein, named glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), which could also interact with WSSV envelope protein, VP53A. Sequence analysis revealed that Glut1 is a member of a large superfamily of transporters and that it is most closely related to evolutionary branches of this superfamily, branches that function to transport this sugar.

Identification of potential host proteins for influenza A virus based on topological and biological characteristics by proteome-wide network approach.

A proteome-wide network approach was performed to characterize significant patterns of influenza A virus (IAV)-human interactions, and to further identify potentially valuable targets for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Topological analysis demonstrated a strong tendency for IAV to interplay with highly connected and central proteins located in sparsely connected sub-networks. Additionally, functional analysis based on biological process revealed a number of functional groups overrepresented for IAV interactions, in which regulation of cell death and apoptosis, and phosphorus metabolic process is the most highly enriched.

Identification of human protein complexes from local sub-graphs of protein-protein interaction network based on random forest with topological structure features.

In the post-genomic era, one of the most important and challenging tasks is to identify protein complexes and further elucidate its molecular mechanisms in specific biological processes. Previous computational approaches usually identify protein complexes from protein interaction network based on dense sub-graphs and incomplete priori information. Additionally, the computational approaches have little concern about the biological properties of proteins and there is no a common evaluation metric to evaluate the performance.

Association between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and periodontitis: a meta-analysis.

Background: The purpose of the meta-analysis is to explore the association between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms (including four gene loci: Taq-I, Bsm-I, Apa-I, and Fok-I) for susceptibility to periodontitis (either chronic [CP] or aggressive [AP]). Up to now, there has been only one systematic review focusing on this topic. We obtained some different findings compared with the previously published literature.

TCF12 protein functions as transcriptional repressor of E-cadherin, and its overexpression is correlated with metastasis of colorectal cancer.

A correlation of TCF12 mRNA overexpression with colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis was suggested by microarray data and validated by the survey of 120 patients. Thirty-three (27.5%) of the 120 patients showed tumor TCF12 mRNA overexpression and had a higher rate of metastatic occurrence (p = 0.

[The correlational study of viral load of human bocavirus and clinical features in children with acute respiratory tract infection].

Objective: To analyze the correlations between clinical features in paediatric patients with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) and viral load of human bocavirus.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 956 children < 5 years admitted with an acute respiratory tract infection from November 2009 to December 2010, and 251 healthy children conclused as control group in the corresponding period. Human bocavirus was investigated in nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) and throat swab by PCR, and viral load was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in HBoV positive sample.

Preparation of molecular imprinted film based on chitosan/nafion/nano-silver/poly quercetin for clenbuterol sensing.

A useful molecular imprinted film (MIP-CNSQ/WGE) based on chitosan/nafion/nano-silver/poly quercetin compound was prepared by a compound electrochemical method at paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode for clenbuterol (CLB) sensing, which was characterised by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra (XPS), infrared spectra (IR) and electrochemical techniques to confirm the formation. The molecular imprinted film modified electrode was successfully applied to the determination of CLB with a reliable result. In optimum conditions, CLB at concentrations of 0.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome with unilateral polyneuropathy involving cranial nerves V, VII, VIII, and XII in a diabetic patient.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a rare complication of the varicella zoster virus, defined as a peripheral facial palsy that typically results from involvement of the facial and auditory nerves. Ramsay Hunt syndrome can be associated with cranial nerves V, VI, IX, and X but rarely with XII. We describe an atypical case of Ramsay Hunt syndrome with multiple cranial nerve involvement of nerves V, VII, VIII, and XII.

Expression of human tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this study was to compare the mRNA and serum expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy controls. Sixty-two SLE patients and 15 healthy controls were recruited in the study. TWEAK messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 33 of 62 patients was detected by relative quantification RT-PCR.

[Induction of proinflammatory cytokines and cell apoptosis by Chlamydia pneumoniae Cpn0810].

Aim: To expresse the Chlamydia pneumoniae Cpn0810 in E.coli BL21, and to study weather could it inducing proinflamatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6 in human monocytic (THP-1) and cell apoptosis.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was used to amplify the Cpn0810 gene, PCR products were purified and cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX6p-2.

Degeneration of cortical function in the Royal College of Surgeons rat.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the progress of cortical functional degeneration in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat. Cortical responses were measured with optical imaging of intrinsic signals using gratings of various spatial frequencies. Subsequently, electrophysiological recordings were also taken across cortical layers in response to a pulse of broad-spectrum light.

Elevated serum YKL-40 level predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery.

Background: YKL-40 is a member of the mammalian chitinase-like proteins. Elevated serum YKL-40 levels in patients with gastrointestinal cancer at time of diagnosis are associated with poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of serum YKL-40 before surgery and during follow-up in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving curative resection.

Relationships among Constitution, Stress, and Discomfort in the First Trimester.

The purpose of this study was to explore correlations among constitution, stress, and discomfort symptoms during the first trimester of pregnancy. We adopted a descriptive and correlational research design and collected data from 261 pregnant women during their first trimester in southern Taiwan using structured questionnaires. Results showed that (1) stress was significantly and positively correlated with Yang-Xu, Yin-Xu, and Tan-Shi-Yu-Zhi constitutions, respectively; (2) Yin-Xu and Tan-Shi-Yu-Zhi constitutions had significant correlations with all symptoms of discomfort, while Yang-Xu had significant correlations with all symptoms of discomfort except for "running nose"; (3) Tan-Shi-Yu-Zhi constitution and stress were two indicators for "fatigue"; Tan-Shi-Yu-Zhi was the indicator for "nausea"; Yang-Xu and Yin-Xu were indicators for "frequent urination.

Activating transcription factor 6 protects insulin receptor from ER stress-stimulated desensitization via p42/44 ERK pathway.

Aim: Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) is a key signal transducer of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress). This study was conducted to clarify the potential role of ATF6 in the insulin signaling pathway under chronic ER stress.

Methods: ER stress of HEK293 cells was induced with tunicamycin (2 μg/mL).

Dietary administration of a Gracilaria tenuistipitata extract enhances the immune response and resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus and white spot syndrome virus in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.

The haemogram, phenoloxidase (PO) activity, respiratory bursts (RBs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, lysozyme activity, and the mitotic index of haematopoietic tissue (HPT) were examined after the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei had been fed diets containing the hot-water extract of Gracilaria tenuistipitata at 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, and 2.

Inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, insulin resistance and metabolic control after periodontal intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of periodontal intervention on inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, insulin resistance (IR), and metabolic control and to investigate the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and moderately poor glycemic control and chronic periodontitis.

Methods And Patients: A total of 190 moderately poorly controlled (HbA1c between 7.5% and 9.

An immersion of Gracilaria tenuistipitata extract improves the immunity and survival of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei challenged with white spot syndrome virus.

The innate immunity and resistance against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei which received the Gracilaria tenuistipitata extract were examined. Shrimp immersed in seawater containing the extract at 0 (control), 400 and 600 mg L(-1) for 3 h were challenged with WSSV at 2 × 10(4) copies shrimp(-1). Shrimp not exposed to the extract and not received WSSV challenge served as unchallenged control.

Osteogenic effect of Drynariae rhizoma extracts and Naringin on MC3T3-E1 cells and an induced rat alveolar bone resorption model.

Objective: To investigate if Drynariae rhizoma (DR) and its main ingredient Naringin could reduce alveolar bone loss by stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.

Materials And Methods: The effect of DR water (DRWE), ethanolic extract (DREE), and Naringin on MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated respectively by MTT method and by measuring the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP activity) as well as the level of osteocalcin in medium. Bone mineral density (BMD) detection, osteoclast counting by tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining, and histopathological analysis were performed in an induced rat model of alveolar bone resorption after gastric perfusion with DR extracts or Naringin.

Induction of differentiation by pyruvate and DMEM in the human retinal pigment epithelium cell line ARPE-19.

Purpose: Cultured retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may become a therapeutic option for transplantation in retinal disease. However maintaining a native RPE phenotype in vitro has proven challenging. The human RPE cell-line ARPE-19 is used widely as an alternative to primary RPE.