Urinary metabolites of isorhynchophylline in rats and their neuroprotective activities in the HT22 cell assay.

Isorhynchophylline is one of the major alkaloids from the Uncaria hook possessing the effects of lowered blood pressure, vasodilatation and protection against ischemia-induced neuronal damage. However, the metabolic pathway of isorhynchophylline has not been fully reported yet. In this paper, the metabolism of isorhynchophylline was investigated in rats.

Diversity of HIV/AIDS epidemic in China: a result from hierarchical clustering analysis and spatial autocorrelation analysis.

Objective: To find out the diversity of HIV/AIDS epidemic among different areas in China according to their varied epidemic characteristics.

Design And Methods: Seventeen provincial variables, generated from original HIV/AIDS epidemic data and socioeconomic indicators to indicate HIV/AIDS epidemic characteristics, were introduced to hierarchical clustering analysis to form subepidemic areas. Then spatial autocorrelation analysis was applied to show the clustering distribution of cases from different most-at-risk populations.

Transparent, biocompatible nanostructured surfaces for cancer cell capture and culture.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood which have detached from both the primary tumor and any metastases may be considered as a "liquid biopsy" and are expected to replace tumor biopsies in the monitoring of treatment response and determining patient prognosis. Here, we introduce a facile and efficient CTC detection material made of hydroxyapatite/chitosan (HA/CTS), which is beneficial because of its transparency and excellent biological compatibility. Atomic force microscopy images show that the roughness of the HA/CTS nanofilm (HA/CTSNF) substrates can be controlled by changing the HA:CTS ratio.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detected by RT-PCR and its prognostic role in gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of published literature.

Objective: The prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is controversial in gastric cancer (GC). We performed a meta-analysis of available studies to assess its prognostic value detected by RT-PCR for patients diagnosed with GC.

Methods: EMBase, PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane library and Google Scholar database search was conducted on all studies reporting the outcomes of interest.

The Cysteine2/Histidine2-Type Transcription Factor ZINC FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA6 Modulates Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses by Activating Salicylic Acid-Related Genes and C-REPEAT-BINDING FACTOR Genes in Arabidopsis.

The cysteine2/histidine2-type zinc finger proteins are a large family of transcription regulators, and some of them play essential roles in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress. In this study, we found that expression of CH-type ZINC FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA6 (AtZAT6) was transcriptionally induced by salt, dehydration, cold stress treatments, and pathogen infection, and AtZAT6 was predominantly located in the nucleus. AtZAT6-overexpressing plants exhibited improved resistance to pathogen infection, salt, drought, and freezing stresses, while AtZAT6 knockdown plants showed decreased stress resistance.

[Trend and outcome of multiple pregnancies in Beijing, 1996-2010].

Objective: To describe the trend of multiple pregnancies and to compare the results with single pregnancy in Beijing from 1996 to 2010. Prevalence rates of pregnancy complications were compared between multiple and single pregnancies.

Methods: In 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2010, live births in two hospitals in Beijing were included to describe the trend of multiple and single pregnancy.

Two-dimensional preparative liquid chromatography system for preparative separation of minor amount components from complicated natural products.

An on-line comprehensive two-dimensional preparative liquid chromatography system was developed for preparative separation of minor amount components from complicated natural products. Medium-pressure liquid chromatograph (MPLC) was applied as the first dimension and preparative HPLC as the second one, in conjunction with trapping column and makeup pump. The performance of the trapping column was evaluated, in terms of column size, dilution ratio and diameter-height ratio, as well as system pressure from the view of medium pressure liquid chromatograph.

Secular trends of low birthweight and macrosomia and related maternal factors in Beijing, China: a longitudinal trend analysis.

Background: Information tracking changes of birthweight is scarce in China. To examine trends of low birthweight (birthweight < 2500 g) and macrosomia (birthweight ≥ 4000 g) and potential risk factors in Beijing, hospital records from two major obstetrics and gynecology hospitals in urban districts in Beijing were analyzed.

Methods: Hospital records from 1996 to 2010 were retrieved.

Timing and secular trend of pubertal development in Beijing girls.

Background: Historical research is limited in changes in pubertal development in Chinese girls. We aimed to identify the timing of pubertal characteristics and the secular trend of menarche age among Beijing girls from the 1980s through the 2000s.

Methods: Six data sets were analyzed, including the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome study in 2004, where 9778 Bejing girls aged 6-18 years were studied.

[Expression of protein-tyrosine-phosphatase 1B in non-small-cell lung cancer and its prognostic significance].

Objective: To explore the protein-tyrosine-phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) expression and its prognostic significance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Immunohistochemical method of EnVision was applied to investigate the expression of PTP1B in lung specimens from 63 cases with NSCLC and 9 cases with pneumonia confirmed by pathological examination after surgical removals at Jinling Hospital from June 2000 to October 2010. The data of PTP1B expression in different lung tissues and its relationship with clinicopathological features and prognostic value for survival were analyzed by chi-square test, Kaplan-Meire survival analysis, Log rank test and multivariable Cox regression analysis.

Pretreatment platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as a predictor of response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and prognosis for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Previous studies showed the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was associated with the prognosis of many tumors. However, to our knowledge, no study has explained the role of PLR in predicting response to first-line chemotherapy and prognosis for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to characterize the role of pretreatment PLR in NSCLC.

A critical role for the long non-coding RNA GAS5 in proliferation and apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer.

In more recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been investigated as a new class of regulators of cellular processes, such as cell growth, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. Although lncRNAs are dysregulated in numerous cancer types, limited data are available on the expression profile and functional role of lncRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, we determined the expression pattern of the growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) in 72 NSCLC specimens by qRT-PCR and assess its biological functions in the development and progression of NSCLC.

Role of the Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha induced autophagy in the conversion of non-stem pancreatic cancer cells into CD133+ pancreatic cancer stem-like cells.

The initiation and progression of various solid tumors, including pancreatic carcinoma, are driven by a population of cells with stem cell properties, namely cancer stem cells (CSCs). Like their normal counterparts, CSCs are also believed to rely on their own microenvironment termed niches to sustain the population. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a major actor in the cell survival response to hypoxia.

LSD1 regulates pluripotency of embryonic stem/carcinoma cells through histone deacetylase 1-mediated deacetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16.

LSD1 is essential for the maintenance of pluripotency of embryonic stem (ES) or embryonic carcinoma/teratocarcinoma (EC) cells. We have previously developed novel LSD1 inhibitors that selectively inhibit ES/EC cells. However, the critical targets of LSD1 remain unclear.

[Application of molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction in the separation and determination of active constituents from natural compounds].

The active constituents of natural medicine resources are complicated and in low content, which are difficult to be extracted and separated by general methods. Molecularly imprinted polymers are functional porous materials with molecular-specific recognition sites to a particular target molecule. The molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction has been used as a sample preparation technique for the separation of active constituents from natural medicine resources.

Molecular insights: structure and dynamics of a Li ion doped organic ionic plastic crystal.

A molecular-level understanding of why the addition of lithium salts to Organic Ionic Plastic Crystals (OIPCs) produces excellent ionic conductivity is described for the first time. These materials are promising electrolytes for safe, robust lithium batteries, and have been experimentally characterised in some detail. Here, molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate the effects of lithium ion doping on both the structure and dynamics of an OIPC matrix (tetramethylammonium dicyanamide [TMA][DCA]) and illustrate a molecular-level transport model: in the plastic crystal phase lithium ions can form clusters with [DCA](-), and this clustering then in turn creates free volume or defect paths in the remainder of the lattice, which enhances ion conduction.

Use of transcriptome sequencing to understand the pistillate flowering in hickory (Carya cathayensis Sarg.).

Background: Different from herbaceous plants, the woody plants undergo a long-period vegetative stage to achieve floral transition. They then turn into seasonal plants, flowering annually. In this study, a preliminary model of gene regulations for seasonal pistillate flowering in hickory (Carya cathayensis) was proposed.

Identifying three ecological chemotypes of Xanthium strumarium glandular trichomes using a combined NMR and LC-MS method.

Xanthanolides, as the sesquiterpene lactones, are reportedly the major components for the pharmacological properties of X. strumarium L. species.

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective extraction of sildenafil, vardenafil and their analogs from herbal medicines.

The successfully developed magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) toward six synthetic phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors were described. Sildenafil was used as template for the preparation of MMIPs using superparamagnetic core-shell nanoparticle as supporter. The obtained MMIPs were characterized using transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer.

[Gestational weight gain and its relationship with the birthweight of offspring].

Objective: To explore the appropriate weight gain during pregnancy and its relationship with the birthweight of offspring.

Methods: A total of 16 460 healthy pregnant women who delivered in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital and Haidian Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in 2010 were recruited. All are singleton pregnancies.

Energy-Transfer Mechanisms in Ir -Eu Bimetallic Complexes.

The bridging ligands in d-f bimetallic complexes play an important role in the excitation energy transfer (EET) process. To elaborate on the effect of the ligand on the EET process, a series of bridging ligands (μ-L), 1-(1',10'-phenanthrolin-2'-yl)-4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dione (phen3f), 1-(1',10'-phenanthrolin-2'-yl)-4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoropentane-1,3-dione (phen5f), 1-(2,2'-bipyridine-6-yl)-4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dione (bpy3f), and 1-(2,2'-bipyridine-6-yl)-4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoropentane-1,3-dione (bpy5f), and their corresponding iridium complexes, [(dfppy) Ir(μ-L)] (dfppy=2-(4',6'-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-N,C2'), as well as their corresponding heteroleptic Ir -Eu complexes [{(dfppy) Ir(μ-L)} EuCl]Cl were synthesized and characterized. Photophysical and kinetic results revealed that the alternation of the bridge ligand resulted in a systemic difference in the lowest triplet-state energy (T ) of the iridium complexes, the EET efficiency from iridium complexes to the Eu ion, and a significant difference in the total luminescence quantum yields.

Global microRNA expression profiling reveals differential expression of target genes in 6-hydroxydopamine-injured MN9D cells.

Recent evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about how these small RNAs contribute to dopaminergic neuronal apoptosis. Here, we profiled the expression of miRNAs in MN9D cells with and without 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment by miRCURY™ LNA microRNA arrays.

Effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor on microRNA expression in a 6-hydroxydopamine-injured dopaminergic cell line.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent, progressive neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by the irreversible and selective loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which is a potent protective factor for DA neurons, is considered a promising neuroprotective candidate for PD. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be involved in a number of neurodegenerative diseases.

Proteomic analysis of synovial fibroblast-like synoviocytes from rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identity protein expression patterns of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) derived from the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis.

Methods: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in combination with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was used to visualise and identify differential cellular protein expression profiles in FLSs between RA and control groups. Western-blot analysis was performed to further verify selected differentially-expressed proteins.

[Situation on HIV/AIDS epidemics among migrant population in China, 2008 - 2011].

Objective: To analyze the HIV/AIDS epidemics situation among migrant population.

Methods: Data on HIV/AIDS cases among mobile population through case reporting system was collected from 2008 to 2011.

Results: The number of reported cases on HIV/AIDS among mobile population had been rising, with proportions of the total reported cases increased from 10.