Upregulated Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling pathway: a new hope in the repair of spinal cord injury.

An increasing number of studies report that the Ras/Raf/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway has a death-promoting apoptotic function in neural cells. We hypothesized that the Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling pathway may be abnormally regulated in rat injured spinal cord models. The weight drop method was used to establish rat spinal cord injury at T9.

Experimental investigation on a diode-pumped cesium-vapor laser stably operated at continuous-wave and pulse regime.

Employing a fiber-coupled diode-laser with a center wavelength of 852.25 nm and a line width of 0.17 nm, experimental investigation on diode-end-pumped cesium (Cs) vapor laser stably operated at continuous-wave (CW) and pulse regime is carried out.

Thermoresponsive Photonic Crystal: Synergistic Effect of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylic Acid and Morpho Butterfly Wing.

In this work, we report a simple method to fabricate smart polymers engineered with hierarchical photonic structures of Morpho butterfly wing to present high performance that are capable of color tunability over temperature. The materials were assembled by combining functional temperature responsivity of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylic acid (PNIPAm-co-AAc) with the biological photonic crystal (PC) structure of Morpho butterfly wing, and then the synergistic effect between the functional polymer and the natural PC structure was created. Their cooperativity is instantiated in the phase transition of PNIPAm-co-AAc (varying with the change of temperature) that can alter the nanostructure of PCs, which further leads to the reversible spectrum response property of the modified hierarchical photonic structures.

[Expression of CaMK II delta in cerebral cortex following traumatic brain injury].

Objective: To observe the time-course expression of calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase II delta (CaMK II delta) in cerebral cortex after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: The TBI rat model was established. The expression of CaMK II delta in cerebral cortex around injured area was tested by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining.

Comparison operative and conservative management for primary patellar dislocation: an up-to-date meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this review was to compare the clinical outcomes between operative and conservative management for primary patella dislocation (PPD).

Methods: PubMed Medline, EMBASE, Google scholar, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials that compared operative technique versus conservative technique for PPD. The results of eligible studies were independently extracted and analyzed according to the following: patient's satisfaction, Kujala score, Tegner score, and redislocation rate.

π-π interaction of aromatic groups in amphiphilic molecules directing for single-crystalline mesostructured zeolite nanosheets.

One of the challenges in material science has been to prepare macro- or mesoporous zeolite. Although examples of their synthesis exist, there is a need for a facile yet versatile approach to such hierarchical structures. Here we report a concept for designing a single quaternary ammonium head amphiphilic template with strong ordered self-assembling ability through π-π stacking in hydrophobic side, which stabilizes the mesostructure to form single-crystalline mesostructured zeolite nanosheets.

Conservation of sequence and function in fertilization of the cortical granule serine protease in echinoderms.

Conservation of the cortical granule serine protease during fertilization in echinoderms was tested both functionally in sea stars, and computationally throughout the echinoderm phylum. We find that the inhibitor of serine protease (soybean trypsin inhibitor) effectively blocks proper transition of the sea star fertilization envelope into a protective sperm repellent, whereas inhibitors of the other main types of proteases had no effect. Scanning the transcriptomes of 15 different echinoderm ovaries revealed sequences of high conservation to the originally identified sea urchin cortical serine protease, CGSP1.

Optically active chiral CuO "nanoflowers".

Helical symmetry can be found in most flowers with a rotation of contort petal aestivation. For micro- and nanoscale analogies, flower mimicking structures have been reproduced; however, the conceptual chirality of "nanoflowers" has not yet been defined. Here, the chirality of the "flower" was defined by its nanosized chiral structure and consequent optical activity (OA), opening new horizons for the physical theory and chiral materials.

An insight into the role of the surfactant CTAB in the formation of microporous molecular sieves.

Quaternary ammonium salts are well-known zeolite structure-directing agents. However, cationic surfactants with quaternary ammonium head groups are known to fail to function as SDAs of zeolites because their long surfactant chains disrupt the ordered growth of the zeolite crystals. In this study, we found that ZSM-5 and silicalite-1 can be formed very easily with appropriate synthesis compositions over a large temperature range of 100-200 °C.

Fabrication of free-standing hierarchical carbon nanofiber/graphene oxide/polyaniline films for supercapacitors.

A hierarchical high-performance electrode with nanoacanthine-style polyaniline (PANI) deposited onto a carbon nanofiber/graphene oxide (CNF/GO) template was successfully prepared via an in situ polymerization process. The morphology analysis shows that introducing one-dimensional (1D) CNF could significantly decrease/inhibit the staking of laminated GO to form an open-porous CNF/GO architecture. Followed with in situ facial deposition of PANI, the as-synthesized PANI modified CNF/GO exhibits three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical layered nanoarchitecture, which favors the diffusion of the electrolyte ions into the inner region of active materials.

Controlled fabrication of PANI/CNF hybrid films: molecular interaction induced various micromorphologies and electrochemical properties.

In this paper, a facile and efficient method is reported to prepare polyaniline/carbon nanofiber (PANI/CNF) hybrid films by in situ chemical polymerization of aniline. The various morphologies and microstructures of PANI/CNF hybrid films can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of aniline and different acids as the protonation reagent, and the formation mechanism is illustrated in this study. The surface morphologies and chemical structure of the PANI/CNF hybrid films are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), water contact angle (CA), FT-IR, Raman, and UV-vis spectrophotometers.

Infratemporal fossa fat enlargement in chronic maxillary atelectasis.

Objective: To describe the radiographic findings in chronic maxillary atelectasis and analyse the volume changes of the affected maxillary sinus, orbit, nasal vault and infratemporal fossa.

Methods: Case series of all patients with diagnosis of chronic maxillary atelectasis presenting between January 2000 and August 2012 who underwent full oculoplastic and orbital evaluation including standardised photography and CT or MRI. Two-dimensional imaging features and volumetric changes were assessed.

Chromosomal mapping of microsatellite repeats in the rock bream fish Oplegnathus fasciatus, with emphasis of their distribution in the neo-Y chromosome.

Despite the theoretical and experimental progress, our understanding on sex chromosome differentiation is still diagrammatic. The accumulation of repetitive DNA sequences is believed to occur in early stages of such differentiation. As fish species present a wide range of sex chromosome systems they are excellent models to examine the differentiation of these chromosomes.

Normative measurements of extraocular musculature by multislice computed tomography.

Objective To establish the normal measurements of diameter of extraocular muscles (EOMs) by multislice computed tomography (CT). Methods Orbits of 50 volunteers (25 male and 25 female) were scanned with a multislice CT scanner. For each subject, one axial image at the central level of the eyeball, one coronal image about 1 cm behind globe, and two oblique sagittal images respectively along the left and right optic nerve were used for measurements of the thickness and width of EOMs.

Quantitative evaluation of extraocular muscle with high-field magnetic resonance in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy with upper-lid retraction.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of high-field magnetic resonance in measuring the thickness and width of extraocular muscles, calculate the ratio of thickness to width, and summarize the characters of the diameters and its ratio in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) with upper-lid retraction.

Methods: Sixteen GO patients with upper-lid retraction (GO group) and 14 healthy control group were enrolled in this study. All the patients underwent enhanced high-field magnetic resonance orbital scan.

Isolation and characterization of male-specific DNA markers in the rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus.

Sex-specific DNA markers applicable were very useful for elucidating the sex-determination mechanism and sex control in fishes. In the present study, amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) approach with 144 primer combinations was employed to identify sex-specific markers in the rock bream. Four male-specific AFLP fragments were identified which were designated as Opl286, Opl237, Opl422, and Opl228.

Nanosheet-constructed porous TiO2-B for advanced lithium ion batteries.

Hierarchical porous TiO(2)-B with thin nanosheets is successfully synthesized. TiO(2)-B polymorph ensures fast insertion of Li-ion due to its pseudocapacitive mechanism. The thin nanosheet walls with porous structure allow exposure to electrolytes for facile ionic transport and interfacial reaction.

Repeated triamcinolone acetonide injection in the treatment of upper-lid retraction in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of repeated subconjunctival injections of triamcinolone in the treatment of upper-lid retraction with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

Design: Interventional controlled retrospective clinical study.

Participants: We studied 23 eyes in 15 patients as the nontreatment control group and 35 eyes in 21 patients as the treatment group.

[Novel exploration of emergency treatment for ueitic acute angle closure glacuma].

Objective: To explore the effects of anterior chamber paracentesis plus pupillary block relief under slit-lamp microscope for the emergency treatment of uveitic acute angle closure glaucoma (ACG).

Methods: In early stage, 14 uveitc acute ACG patients received anterior chamber paracentesis plus pupillary block relief while another 10 uveitc acute ACG patients underwent laser peripheral iridectomy (LPI). The intraocular pressure (IOP), degree of Tyndall, degree of pupillary block and severe adverse events were recorded at each observation timepoint.

[The epidemiologic and virological analysis of an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease in Inner Mongolia in 2007].

In 2007, an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) occurred in Jungar Banner, Erdos city, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Fever, vesicular exanthema on the hands, feet, mouth, and buttocks were presented in most of the patients. Most of the patients were infants less than 5 years old, and an obvious peak period appeared in the disease outbreak. From 28 hospitalized patients, 23 stool specimens and 6 throat swab specimens were collected for enterovirus isolation, and 15 enteroviruses were isolated, 9 were identified as Human Enterovirus 71 (HEV71, the isolation rate is 31.

Genetic characterization of asymmetric reciprocal hybridization between the flatfishes Paralichthys olivaceus and Paralichthys dentatus.

Interspecific reciprocal crosses between the two flatfishes Paralichthys olivaceus and P. dentatus yielded hybrids with different viabilities. Specifically, the hybrids of P.

Expression pattern of dmrt4 from olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in adult gonads and during embryogenesis.

The dmrt (doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor) gene family comprises several transcription factors that share a conserved DM domain. Dmrt1 is considered to be involved in sexual development, but the precise function of other family members is unclear. In this study, we isolated genomic DNA and cDNA sequences of dmrt4, a member of the dmrt gene family, from olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, through genome walking and real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR.

[Modulation of cell proliferation and collagen synthesis of porcine Tenon's fibroblasts by extracts of lens and vitreous with treatment of dexamethasone].

Objective: To demonstrate the effects of lens extract (LE), vitreous extract (VE) and dexamethasone on the modulating of the proliferation and collagen synthesis of Tenon's capsule fibroblast.

Methods: Cell proliferation and collagen synthesis of Tenon's fibroblast were measured using MTT and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction techniques in the presence or absence of LE, VE, or dexamethasone, respectively.

Results: The growth of Tenon's fibroblasts was stimulated by LE and VE in dose and time-dependent manners.

Effect of fetal hemoglobin-stimulating medicines on the interaction of DNA and protein of important erythroid regulatory elements.

Beta-Thalassemia is the most common single gene disorder in the world, which is caused by the imbalance between alpha-globin chain and beta-globin chain synthesis. Several medicines, such as 5-azacytidine, hydroxyurea, cytarabine, vinblatine, butyrate, and myleran, have been shown to be able to reactivate gamma-globin chain synthesis during the adult stage, and some of them (5-azacytidine, hydroxyurea, myleran, and butyrate) have been used clinically to treat thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Much research efforts are focusing on the determination of the underlying mechanisms of medicine action.

High-mobility group protein 2 may be involved in the locus control region regulation of the beta-globin gene cluster.

Expression regulation of the beta-globin gene cluster is a result of synergistic interactions between cis-elements and trans-acting factors. Previous studies usually concentrated on the core sequence of each hypersensitive site in the locus control region of the beta-globin gene cluster. But more and more evidence illustrates that the flanking regions are indispensable also.