[Twenty autopsy cases of anaphylactic shock induced by cephalosporins].

Objective: To explore the characteristics of autopsy cases of anaphylactic shock induced by cephalosporins and provide the evidences in forensic medicine.

Methods: Twenty cases of anaphylactic shock induced by cephalosporins were collected from April 2005 to August 2009 in judicial expertise center of China Medical University, and the characteristics of the cases were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The age of decedents ranged from 40 to 60 years.

Inhibition of sclerostin by monoclonal antibody enhances bone healing and improves bone density and strength of nonfractured bones.

Therapeutic enhancement of fracture healing would help to prevent the occurrence of orthopedic complications such as nonunion and revision surgery. Sclerostin is a negative regulator of bone formation, and treatment with a sclerostin monoclonal antibody (Scl-Ab) results in increased bone formation and bone mass in animal models. Our objective was to investigate the effects of systemic administration of Scl-Ab in two models of fracture healing.

Abscisic acid enhances resistance to Alternaria solani in tomato seedlings.

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is an important regulator in many aspects of plant growth and development, as well as stress resistance. Here, we investigated the effects of exogenous ABA application on the interaction between tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) and Alternaria solani (early blight).

Synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable folate conjugated polyurethanes.

In order to obtain targeting polyurethane micelle drug carriers, a series of biodegradable folate conjugated polyurethanes (FPUs) were synthesized using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) as soft segments, L-lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate (LDI) and 1,3-propanediol (PDO) as hard segments, and folic acid-ethylenediamine conjugate (FA-EDA) as an end-capping reagent. The resultant FPUs were fully characterized by (1)H NMR, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These polymers can self-assemble into micelles in aqueous solutions confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), pyrene fluorescence probe techniques, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Robust interferon-α and IL-12 responses by dendritic cells are related to efficient CD4+ T-cell recovery in HIV patients on ART.

Amongst HIV patients with successful virological responses to antiretroviral therapy (ART), poor CD4(+) T-cell recovery is associated with low nadir CD4(+) T-cell counts and persistent immune activation. These factors might be influenced by dendritic cell (DC) function. Interferon-α-producing plasmacytoid DC and IL-12-producing myeloid DC were quantified by flow cytometry after stimulation with agonists to TLR7/8 (CL075) or TLR9 (CpG-ODN).

Quantitative grafting of peptide onto the nontoxic biodegradable waterborne polyurethanes to fabricate peptide modified scaffold for soft tissue engineering.

Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (GRGDSP) peptide has frequently been used in the biomedical materials to enhance adhesion and proliferation of cells. In this work, we modified the nontoxic biodegradable waterborne polyurethanes (WBPU) with GRGDSP peptide and fabricated 3-D porous scaffold with the modified WBPU to investigate the effect of the immobilized GRGDSP peptide on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) adhesion and proliferation. A facile and reliable approach was first developed to quantitative grafting of GRGDSP onto the WBPU molecular backbone using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EX810) as a connector.

Endogenous axon guiding chemorepulsant semaphorin-3F inhibits the growth and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma.

Purpose: To elucidate the role of Semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F), originally described as an axon guiding chemorepulsant implicated in nerve development, in the progression of colorectal carcinoma.

Experimental Design: SEMA3F and its receptor NRP2 were examined in 72 cases of human colorectal carcinoma specimens and cell lines LoVo, SW480, and SW620 with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. SEMA3F mRNA expression in the frozen tissue specimens and cell lines was examined with quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR.

Expression and deposition of fibrous extracellular matrix proteins in cardiac valves during chick development.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays essential signaling and structural roles required for the proper function of cardiac valves. Cardiac valves initially form as jelly-like cushions, which must adapt to withstand the increased circulation hemodynamics associated with fetal development and birth. This increased biomechanical stability of the developing valves is largely imparted by ECM proteins, which form a highly organized fibrous meshwork.

[Effect of ischemic postconditioning on activation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase and cardiac myocyte apoptosis in rats].

Objective: To explore the change of phospho-p38 (P-p38) mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) and its influence on myocardial apoptosis in reperfusion injury in postconditioning.

Methods: Totally 60 rats were equally and randomly divided into six groups: Sham group,reperfusion injury (R/I) group, postconditioning (Post) group, SB203580 (I_p38) group, anisomycin plus postconditioning (Ani+post) group,and anisomycin (Ani) group. After the model of acute myocardial infarction was established,placebo solution (DMSO), SB203580 (1 mg/kg), or anisomycin (2 mg/kg) was injected through jugular vein 5 minutes before reperfusion.

Primary renal adenosquamous carcinoma.

A case of renal adenosquamous carcinoma is presented. The fact that the urothelium has no glandular or squamous structures makes the pathogenesis of this tumor unique. The process is assumed to begin with urothelial metaplasia resulting from chronic irritation leading to dysplasia and subsequently squamous and glandular differentiation.

[Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome by endoscope through transparent combined with dilation conductor].

Objective: To study the effect of surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by endoscope through a transparent combined with dilation conductor to cut the transverse carpal ligament.

Methods: Between April 2003 and April 2008, 56 patients with CTS were treated with endoscopic carpal tunnel release through a transparent combined with dilation conductor. There were 8 males and 48 females with an average age of 50 years (range, 38-65 years).

[Experimental study on selective hepatic lobectomy using nitinol alloy net blocker of biliary intrahepatic duct].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and possible mechanism of non traditional hepatic lobectomy using nitinol alloy net blocker of biliary intrahepatic duct.

Methods: Biliary intrahepatic ducts of the experimental pigs were blocked with and without dissepiment blockers. The histological changes and expressions of TGF-betal and TIMP-1 in the livers were compared.

An inhibitor of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase, Nordy, induces differentiation and inhibits self-renewal of glioma stem-like cells.

Recent progress in cancer biology indicates that eradication of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is essential for more effective cancer therapy. Unfortunately, cancer stem cells such as glioma stem-like cells (GSLCs) are often resistant to either radio- or chemotherapy. Therefore, screening and development for novel therapeutic modalities against CSCs has been an important emerging field in cancer research.

Rapid construction of mechanically- confined multi- cellular structures using dendrimeric intercellular linker.

Tissue constructs that mimic the in vivo cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions are especially useful for applications involving the cell- dense and matrix- poor internal organs. Rapid and precise arrangement of cells into functional tissue constructs remains a challenge in tissue engineering. We demonstrate rapid assembly of C3A cells into multi- cell structures using a dendrimeric intercellular linker.

Fabrication and characterization of waterborne biodegradable polyurethanes 3-dimensional porous scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering.

In this study, a series of 3-D interconnected porous scaffolds with various pore diameters and porosities was fabricated by freeze-drying with non-toxic biodegradable waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) emulsions of different concentration. The structures of these porous scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the pore diameters were calculated using CIAS 3.0 software.

Preparation and characterization of nonfouling polymer brushes on poly(ethylene terephthalate) film surfaces.

In this study, a surface grafting of nonfouling poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMA) on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was carried out via surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) to improve hemocompatibility of polymer based biomaterials. To do this, the coupling agent with hydroxyl groups for the ATRP initiator was first anchored on the surface of PET films using photochemical method, and then these hydroxyl groups were esterified by bromoisobutyryl bromide, from which PET with various main chain lengths of PEGMA was prepared. The structures and properties of modified PET surfaces were investigated using water contact angle (WAC), ATR-FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Identification of a novel second-generation circulating recombinant form (CRF48_01B) in Malaysia: a descendant of the previously identified CRF33_01B.

A molecular epidemiological investigation conducted among injecting drug users in eastern Peninsular Malaysia in 2007 identified a cluster of sequences (n = 3) located outside any known HIV-1 genotype. Analyses of near full-length nucleotide sequences of these strains from individuals with no recognizable linkage revealed that they have an identical subtype structure comprised of CRF01_AE and subtype B', distinct from any known circulating recombinant forms (CRFs). This novel CRF, designated CRF48_01B, is closely related to CRF33_01B, previously identified in Kuala Lumpur.

Optimum Information Transfer Rates for Communication through Haptic and Other Sensory Modalities.

This paper is concerned with investigating the factors that contribute to optimizing information transfer (IT) rate in humans. With an increasing interest in designing complex haptic signals for a wide variety of applications, there is a need for a better understanding of how information can be displayed in an optimal way. Based on the results of several early studies from the 1950s, a general "rule of thumb" has arisen in the literature which suggests that IT rate is dependent primarily on the stimulus delivery rate and is optimized for presentation rates of 2-3 items/s.

Spatiotemporal integration in somatosensory perception: effects of sensory saltation on pointing at perceived positions on the body surface.

In the past, sensory saltation phenomena (Geldard and Sherrick, 1972) have been used repeatedly to analyze the spatiotemporal integration capacity of somatosensory and other sensory mechanisms by means of their psychophysical characteristic. The core phenomenon consists in a systematic mislocalization of one tactile stimulus (the attractee) toward another successive tactile stimulus (the attractant) presented at another location, increasing with shorter intervals. In a series of four experiments, sensory saltation characteristics were studied at the forearm and the abdomen.

Changes in tactile sensitivity over the time-course of a goal-directed movement.

We report three experiments designed to investigate changes in tactile sensitivity over the time-course of goal-directed movements. A dual-task paradigm involving a speeded movement task and a non-speeded perceptual task was utilized. In the movement task, participants grasped a start computer mouse with their right hand (RH) and, at the go signal, reached for and grasped a goal mouse placed 25 cm in front of it.

Synthesis, degradation, and cytotoxicity of multiblock poly(epsilon-caprolactone urethane)s containing gemini quaternary ammonium cationic groups.

Novel cationic biodegradable multiblock poly(epsilon-caprolactone urethane)s that contain gemini quaternary ammonium side groups on the hard segments were developed. To obtain these polyurethanes, a new L-lysine-derivatized diamine containing gemini quaternary ammonium side groups (GA8) was first synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), and high-resolution mass spectra (HRMS). Then a series of gemini poly(epsilon-caprolactone urethane)s were designed and prepared using L-lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate (LDI), poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) diols, 1,4-butandiol (BDO), and GA8 and were terminated by methoxyl-poly(ethylene glycol) (m-PEG).

Label-free detection of biomolecular interactions using BioLayer interferometry for kinetic characterization.

The analysis of biomolecular interactions is key in the drug development process. Label-free biosensor methods provide information on binding, kinetics, concentration, and the affinity of an interaction. These techniques provide real-time monitoring of interactions between an immobilized ligand (such as a receptor) to an analyte in solution without the use of labels.

Driver reaction time to tactile and auditory rear-end collision warnings while talking on a cell phone.

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of rear-end collision warnings presented in different sensory modalities while drivers were engaged in cell phone conversations in a driving simulator.

Background: Tactile and auditory collision warnings have been shown to improve braking response time (RT) in rear-end collision situations. However, it is not clear how effective these warnings are when the driver is engaged in attentionally demanding secondary tasks, such as talking on a cell phone.

Controller design and consonantal contrast coding using a multi-finger tactual display.

This paper presents the design and evaluation of a new controller for a multi-finger tactual display in speech communication. A two-degree-of-freedom controller consisting of a feedback controller and a prefilter and its application in a consonant contrasting experiment are presented. The feedback controller provides stable, fast, and robust response of the fingerpad interface and the prefilter shapes the frequency-response of the closed-loop system to match with the human detection-threshold function.

[Effects of different sterilization methods on mechanical properties of dental fissure bureffects of different sterilization methods on mechanical properties of dental fissure bur].

Objective: The purpose was to analyze the effects of three sterilization methods (dry heat sterilization, steam sterilization, and chemical sterilization) on the corrosion of dental fissure bur.

Methods: 200 dental fissure burs were distributed to 10 groups. Bending strength, elastic modulus, and torsional strength were measured by bending and torsional instrument and calculated with special designed software.