Publications by authors named "Chi R"

Objectives: Household contacts of people at high risk for influenza complications should receive yearly influenza vaccination to reduce potential viral transmission. We evaluated influenza vaccine coverage among children to determine whether or not living with a high-risk adult predicts the likelihood of being vaccinated.

Methods: Using the 2006 National Health Interview Survey, we examined influenza vaccination rates among children (aged 1-17 years) who did and did not reside in a household with an adult at high risk for influenza-related complications.

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In this study, waste beer yeast powder was modified by pyromellitic dianhydride to improve its adsorption capacities for cationic dye: methylene blue (MB). According to the Langmuir equation, the maximum uptake capacities (q(m)) of the modified biomass for MB was 830.8 mg g(-1), which was about five times than that obtained on the unmodified biomass.

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A new dual-wavelength Mie lidar (DWL) is introduced. The DWL can be used to monitor the optical properties of tropospheric aerosol at 532 and 1 064 nm wavelength and their spatial and temporal variations, and to research aerosol size distribution with altitude. This lidar adopted four channels to receive the far and near range backscattering signal at 532 and 1 064 nm wavelength respectively.

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Clathrin is involved in vesicle formation in the trans-Golgi network (TGN)/endosomal system and during endocytosis. Clathrin recruitment to membranes is mediated by the clathrin heavy chain (HC) N-terminal domain (TD), which forms a seven-bladed beta-propeller. TD binds membrane-associated adaptors, which have short peptide motifs, either the clathrin-box (CBM) and/or the W-box; however, the importance of the TD binding sites for these motifs has not been tested in vivo.

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Translation initiation commences with the binding of eIF-4F to the mRNA 5'-end cap. eIF-4F binds the cap structure via its eIF-4E subunit, which is the rate-limiting step for the initiation of translation. This pathway can be inhibited by 4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs).

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In this study, poly (methacrylic acid) modified biomass was prepared to improve the adsorption capacities for three dyes: methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RB) and basic magenta (BM). FTIR and potentiometric titration demonstrated that a large number of carboxyl groups were introduced on the biomass surface, and the concentration of the functional group was calculated to be 1.4 mmol g(-1) by using the first and second derivative method.

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A recent study found that false memories were reduced by 36% when low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was applied to the left anterior temporal lobe after the encoding (study) phase. Here we were interested in the consequences on a false memory task of brain stimulation throughout the encoding and retrieval task phases. We used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) because it has been shown to be a useful tool to enhance cognition.

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Three phosphate-solubilizing fungi, identified as Penicillium expansum, Mucor ramosissimus, and Candida krissii, were isolated from phosphate mines (Hubei, People's Republic of China) and characterized. All the isolates demonstrated diverse levels of phosphate-solubilizing capability in National Botanical Research Institute's phosphate growth medium containing rock phosphate as sole phosphate source. Acidification of culture medium seemed to be the main mechanism for rock phosphate solubilization.

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In this study, poly(amic acid)-modified biomass was prepared to improve the adsorption capacities for two cationic dyes, methylene blue and basic magenta. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and potentiometric titration demonstrated that a large number of imide, amine, and carboxyl groups were introduced on the biomass surface, and the concentrations of these functional groups were calculated to be 0.27, 1.

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False memories are ubiquitous and often to our detriment. Yet, certain pathologies, including anterior temporal lobe dementia and autism, can lead to literal recall and thus greater resistance to false memories. This inspired us to reduce false memories by temporarily inhibiting the left anterior temporal lobe, using low frequency magnetic pulse stimulation.

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Objective: To investigate the process of separating and purifying flavonoids from Smilax glabra.

Method: With the yield of flavonoids as index, the optimum process of separating and purifying flavonoids from S. glabra Roxb was screened by static and dynamic adsorption tests.

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Actin-myosin II filament-based contractile structures in striated muscle, smooth muscle, and nonmuscle cells contain the actin filament-cross-linking protein alpha-actinin. In striated muscle Z-disks, alpha-actinin interacts with N-terminal domains of titin to provide a structural linkage crucial for the integrity of the sarcomere. We previously discovered a long titin isoform, originally smitin, hereafter sm-titin, in smooth muscle and demonstrated that native sm-titin interacts with C-terminal EF hand region and central rod R2-R3 spectrin-like repeat region sites in alpha-actinin.

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Background: To prospectively study changes in lung function in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients and to explore predictors for these changes over time.

Methods: In all, 52 patients with HL receiving bleomycin-based chemotherapy with (n = 23) or without (n = 29) mediastinal radiotherapy were enrolled. Pretreatment pulmonary function tests were carried out.

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Objective: To optimize the process of extracting flavonoids from Smilax glabra.

Methods: Flavonoids were extracted from Smilax glabra by microwave-assisted method, and the extracting time, microwave power, ethanol concentration, solid-solvent ratio and extracting temperature were optimized through single factor experiment and orthogonal test.

Results: The optimun process parameters of extracting flavonoids were as follows: the extracting time, microwave power, ethanol concentration, solid-liquid ratio and extracting temperature were 5 minutes, 600 W, 60%, 1:30 and 80 degrees C, respectively.

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Upconversion emission has been obtained from Er-focused ion-beam (FIB) implanted GaN. Visible green emission at the 522- and 546-nm range were excited with infrared (IR) laser sources at either 840 or 1000 nm, or with both lasers simultaneously. By implanting closely spaced patterns with the FIB, we demonstrated the concept of storing data in Er-implanted GaN.

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The objective of this study was to determine if genistein (GEN) modulation of the immune responses might contribute to the increased host resistances to tumors. A time-course study was performed in adult female B6C3F1 mice that had been exposed to GEN for 1-4 weeks at the dose level of 20 mg/kg by gavage. A significant increase in ex vivo cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity was observed in the periods of 2 weeks and 4 weeks.

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Objective: To optimize the extraction process of baicalin from Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi with ethanol.

Methods: The extraction process of baicalin from Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi was optimized with the aid of orthogonal experiments.

Results: The optimal parameters were obtained as follows: extracting temperature, extracting time, ethanol concentration and mechanical stirring speed were 80 degrees C, 1 h, 60% and 400 r/min, respectively.

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Previously, we have reported that thalidomide (Thd) can enhance neutrophil function in female B6C3F1 mice. The present study was intended to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the enhanced neutrophil responses following Thd treatment intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg) for 14 or 28 days. Treatment with Thd increased the numbers of neutrophils in the spleen, peripheral blood, bone marrow, peritoneal cavity and lungs of female B6C3F1 mice when compared to the vehicle control mice.

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Objectives: To compare influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates of older veterans with those of nonveterans and to compare vaccination rates of veterans who receive care at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers with those of veterans who do not.

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Objectives: To describe baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of older adults with pneumococcal bacteremia, compare the frequency of serious outcomes according to pneumococcal vaccination status, and assess factors associated with mortality.

Design: Population-based case-series.

Setting: Group Health Cooperative, a health maintenance organization in Washington State.

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The objective of this study was to determine whether immune responses could be differentially modulated by the phytoestrogen genistein (GEN) in mice from the 1st and 2nd litters, and whether the effects were persistent or reversible. B6C3F1 mice were exposed to a control or GEN-containing diet at 25, 250, and 1250 microg/g for the 1st litters, and 500 microg/g for the 2nd litters from d 0 of gestation to postnatal day (PND) 22, and through feeding after weaning. At PND42, anti-CD3 antibody-stimulated splenic T-cell proliferation and the percentages of T cells were increased in mice from the 1st litters at 250 and 1250 microg/g GEN but not from the 2nd litters.

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To further determine whether genistein (GEN) modulation of the immune responses was related to its endocrine-disrupting properties and time of exposure, pregnant C57BL/6 mice were exposed to GEN at 0-1250 ppm in feed starting on day 14 of gestation. The C57BL/6 offspring were exposed to GEN in utero and lactationally, and through feed after weaning until postnatal day 42. In dams, exposure to GEN increased the terminal body weight (250 and 1250 ppm), the number of splenic T cells and NK cells (250 ppm), and the activity of NK cells (250 ppm).

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The objective of the present study was to determine if exposure to the phytoestrogen genistein (GEN) during immune development had any effects on the production of IgE by adult mice following dermal treatment with trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a respiratory allergen. B6C3F1 mice were exposed to GEN either by feeding at 500 ppm or by gavage (20 mg/kg) for varied periods from gestation day (GD) 14 to postnatal day (PND) 84. In utero exposure to GEN by feeding increased the production of IgE at PND 84 in male mice but not in female mice.

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