Distribution and self-assisted diffusion of Be and Mg impurities in ZnO.

The band gap width of the Be-doped ZnO correlates strongly with the distribution of the dopants. By performing first-principles calculations, it is found that an interstitial Be (Bei) atom preferably migrates in a basal plane. During the migration, such a Bei atom favorably bonds to a substituted Be (BeZn) atom, forming a new defect complex (2Be)Zn, showing a trend of aggregation of Be atoms in ZnO.

[Influence of cefuroxime sodium on synaptic plasticity of parallel fiber-Purkinje cells in young rats].

Objective: To investigate the influence of cefuroxime sodium (CS) on the electrophysiological function of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Methods: Postnatal day 7 (P7) Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into early administration I and II groups (administered from P7 to P14) and late administration group (administered from P14 to P21), and all the groups received intraperitoneally injected CS. The control groups for early and late administration groups were also established and treated with intraperitoneally injected normal saline of the same volume.

Experience-Dependent Bimodal Plasticity of Inhibitory Neurons in Early Development.

Inhibitory neurons are heterogeneous in the mature brain. It is unclear when and how inhibitory neurons express distinct structural and functional profiles. Using in vivo time-lapse imaging of tectal neuron structure and visually evoked Ca(2+) responses in tadpoles, we found that inhibitory neurons cluster into two groups with opposite valence of plasticity after 4 hr of dark and visual stimulation.

NUT CONSUMPTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG CHINESE ADULTS.

Background: Affective disorders, especially depressive symptoms, bring such a burden to mortality and morbidity that they are associated with physical and psychological health and quality of life. Nuts, a foodstuff rich in multiple micronutrients, macronutrients, and other useful components, were considered to be a protector against depressive symptoms. Here, we conducted an analysis to examine the relationship between nut consumption and depressive symptoms.

[Efficacy and prognostic factors of induction therapy combined with autologous stem cell transplantation in 201 patients with multiple myeloma].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and prognostic factors of induction therapy combined with autogenetic peripheral blood stem cells transplantation (APBSCT)in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: From January 1998 to May 2015, 201 patients with MM were enrolled. All patients received APBSCT after induction therapy.

Taxonomic status and molecular phylogeography of two sibling species of Polytremis (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).

The skipper Polytremis theca species complex is widely distributed in the south of the Qinling Mountains in China. A recent study of the Polytremis genus suggested that this species might encompass two differentiated lineages. We tested this hypothesis, by carrying out a phylogenetic study of this agricultural pest based on nationwide sampling and the evaluation of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers.

[Value of endobronchial ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastasis in lung cancer].

Objective: To assess the value of endobronchial ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastasis in lung cancer. 


Methods: A total of 40 patients with lung cancer underwent ultrasonic bronchoscope examination before operation. Elastography and standard endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) of lymph nodes were performed before EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

A pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme that oxidizes an unactivated carbon-carbon bond.

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes have wide catalytic versatility but are rarely known for their ability to react with oxygen to catalyze challenging reactions. Here, using in vitro reconstitution and kinetic analysis, we report that the indolmycin biosynthetic enzyme Ind4, from Streptomyces griseus ATCC 12648, is an unprecedented O2- and PLP-dependent enzyme that carries out a four-electron oxidation of L-arginine, including oxidation of an unactivated carbon-carbon (C-C) bond. We show that the conjugated product of this reaction, which is susceptible to nonenzymatic deamination, is efficiently intercepted and stereospecifically reduced by the partner enzyme Ind5 to give D-4,5-dehydroarginine.

Mitochondrial events responsible for morphine's cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Morphine may induce cardioprotection by targeting mitochondria, but little is known about the exact mitochondrial events that mediate morphine's protection. We aimed to address the role of the mitochondrial Src tyrosine kinase in morphine's protection. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min ischemia and 2h of reperfusion.

Endobronchial Ultrasound Elastography for Diagnosing Mediastinal and Hilar Lymph Nodes.

Background: Pathophysiological processes, such as malignancy, can lead to the formation of stiffer tissue in lung cancers. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) elastography is a novel technique for measuring tissue stiffness during EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). The current study was conducted to investigate the diagnostic value of EBUS elastography for mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastasis in lung cancers.

Photodegradation of Mercaptopropionic Acid- and Thioglycollic Acid-Capped CdTe Quantum Dots in Buffer Solutions.

CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and thioglycollic acid (TGA) as capping agents. It is confirmed that TGA and MPA molecules were attached on the surface of the QDs using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The movement of the QDs in agarose gel electrophoresis indicated that MPA-capped CdTe QDs had small hydrodynamic diameter.

Trapping and Characterization of a Single Hydrogen Molecule in a Continuously Tunable Nanocavity.

Using inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy with the scanning tunneling microscope (STM-IETS) and density functional theory calculations (DFT), we investigated properties of a single H2 molecule trapped in nanocavities with controlled shape and separation between the STM tip and the Au (110) surface. The STM tip not only serves for the purpose of characterization, but also is directly involved in modification of chemical environment of molecule. The bond length of H2 expands in the atop cavity, with a tendency of dissociation when the gap closes, whereas it remains unchanged in the trough cavity.

Urinary kidney injury molecule-1 as an early indicator to predict contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

With the improvement of the skill level of coronary intervention, contrast agents are used more widely. As a result, contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is currently the third leading cause of hospital-acquired AKI. Traditionally, AKI is defined by measuring an increase of the serum creatinine concentration (Scr).

[Response and prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma induced by PAD/TAD].

Objective: To evaluate the impact of cytogenetic grouping and autologous stem cell transplantation on the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) induced by PAD (velcade+epirubicin+dexamethasone) and TAD (thalidomide+epirubicin+dexamethasone).

Methods: A total of 191 patients with a definite diagnosis of MM were enrolled from May 2008 to December 2013 into this prospective study. They were non-randomly induced by PAD (n = 132) or TAD (n = 59) plus autologous stem cell transplantation or chemotherapy.

Understanding the origin of phase segregation of nano-crystalline in a Be(x)Zn(1-x)O random alloy: a novel phase of Be(1/3)Zn(2/3)O.

The usage of a BexZn1-xO alloy in ultraviolet (UV)-region optoelectronic devices is largely hindered by its intricate phase segregation of crystallites of different sizes. To understand the physical origin of this phase segregation phenomenon on the atomistic scale, we have undertaken an extensive study of the structural evolution of the segregation phases in the BexZn1-xO alloy at finite temperatures by using first-principles calculations combined with the cluster expansion approach. We find that a random alloy of BexZn1-xO tends to segregate into a mix-ordered phase below a critical temperature, by the growth of prototype and nano-sized structures.

Fe/Co doped molybdenum diselenide: a promising two-dimensional intermediate-band photovoltaic material.

An intermediate-band (IB) photovoltaic material is an important candidate in developing the new-generation solar cell. In this paper, we propose that the Fe-doped or the Co-doped MoSe2 just meets the required features in IB photovoltaic materials. Our calculations demonstrate that when the concentration of the doped element reaches 11.

The clinical characteristics and prognosis of IGH deletion in multiple myeloma.

Objective: To analyze the frequency, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of IGH deletion in multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: A total of 310 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma were analyzed. Among them 251 patients were newly diagnosed and 59 patients were previously treated, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with IGH break apart probes were done for each case.

Quantitative trait locus analysis of agronomic and quality-related traits in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

SSR-based QTL mapping provides useful information for map-based cloning of major QTLs and can be used to improve the agronomic and quality traits in cultivated peanut by marker-assisted selection. Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an allotetraploid species (AABB, 2n = 4× = 40), valued for its edible oil and digestible protein.

Prevalence of clinical anxiety, clinical depression and associated risk factors in chinese young and middle-aged patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of clinical anxiety and clinical depression in Chinese young and mid-aged patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and to analyze their potential risk factors.

Methods: Two hundred and sixteen Chinese patients with ONFH were consecutively enrolled in this cross-sectional study from January 2010 to December 2010. The Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and the Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess the prevalence of clinical anxiety and clinical depression.

Complete mitochondrial DNA genome of Polytremis nascens (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).

In this study, the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of Polytremis nascens (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) was determined. The 15,392 bp mitogenome with GenBank accession number KM981865 contained 13 protein genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a non-coding control region (D-loop). All the 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes were found.

Purification and characterization of a thermostable hypothetical xylanase from Aspergillus oryzae HML366.

In the current study, fermentation broth of Aspergillus oryzae HML366 in sugar cane bagasse was subjected to ultrafiltration and ion exchange chromatography, and two xylanases, XynH1 and XynH2, were purified. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled with SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that XynH1 is identical to the hypothetical A. oryzae RIB40 protein XP_001826985.

Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of p-CuS:Cu(+)and n-CuS:Sn(4+) Films Deposited with a Chemical Bath Deposition.

This work presents the manufacturing and potential application of the CuS films in recent literature and patents and then focus on the chemical bath depostion of p-CuS: Cu(+)and n-CuS: Sn(4+) filmsat room temperature by controlling S/Cu molar ratio in the bath solution and doping Cu(+) and Sn(4+) cations, respectively. The CuS:Cu(+)and CuS:Sn(4+) films with S/Cu molar ratio larger and less than the stoichiometric ratio showed p-type and n-type electrical conduction, respectively, and low electrical resistivity of~1.31×10(-3) Ω·cm and ~0.

Soft drink consumption is associated with depressive symptoms among adults in China.

Background: Research evidence supports a positive link between soft drinks and depressive symptoms. However, data thus far are only from Caucasian populations. We investigated whether high levels of consumption of soft drinks were associated with the depressive symptoms among adults in China.

Abnormal methylation of the sex-determining region Y-box 17 (SOX17) promoter predicts poor prognosis in myelodysplastic syndrome.

Background: The sex-determining region Y-box 17 (SOX17) is a member of the high mobility group (HMG) transcription factor family, which plays critical roles in the regulation of development and stem/precursor cell function. Recent evidence demonstrated that SOX17 acts as a tumor-suppressor gene, at least partly though repression of Wnt pathway activity.

Methods: Here we report that SOX17 methylation was detected in THP-1 and SKM-I cell lines and SOX17 mRNA levels was up-regulated by 5-aza-dC.

Urinary interleukin-18 as an early indicator to predict contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is at present the third leading cause of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (AKI). Traditionally, it is diagnosed by measuring an increase of the serum creatinine (SCr) concentration. However, SCr is an insensitive marker for detecting CIN.