Diversification of freshwater crabs on the sky islands in the Hengduan Mountains Region, China.

The numerous naturally-fragmented sky islands (SIs) in the Hengduan Mountains Region (HMR) of southwestern China constitute discontinuous landscapes where montane habitats are isolated by dry-hot valleys which have fostered exceptional species diversification and endemicity. However, studies documenting the crucial role of SI on the speciation dynamics of native freshwater organisms are scarce. Here we used a novel set of comprehensive genetic markers (24 nuclear DNA sequences and complete mitogenomes), morphological characters, and biogeographical information to reveal the evolutionary history and speciation mechanisms of a group of small-bodied montane potamids in the genus Tenuipotamon.

Description of a New Species of (Gastropoda: Semisulcospiridae) from Guizhou, China, Based on Morphology and Molecular Evidence.

A new species of , sp. nov., is described from Guizhou Province, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Prediction and early warning model of mixed exposure to air pollution and meteorological factors on death of respiratory diseases based on machine learning.

In recent years, with the repeated occurrence of extreme weather and the continuous increase of air pollution, the incidence of weather-related diseases has increased yearly. Air pollution and extreme temperature threaten sensitive groups' lives, among which air pollution is most closely related to respiratory diseases. Owing to the skewed attention, timely intervention is necessary to better predict and warn the occurrence of death from respiratory diseases.

[Effect of different fluence rates applied in curcumin-photodynamic therapy on Candida albicans biofilms].

Purpose: In this study, the inactivation effect of different fluence rates on Candida albicans biofilms during curcumin-photodynamic therapy was investigated in vitro.

Methods: The standard Candida albicans and clinical isolated Candida albicans were selected as model fungus and different fluence rates (12, 22, 42, 62, 82, 102 mW/cm) during curcumin-photodynamic therapy were applied to inactivate Candida albicans biofilm. To evaluate the inactivation effect, XTT assay and Live/Dead kit were employed to quantify and visualize the activities of Candida albicans biofilms.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and glucose transporter 1 in the malignant transformation of oral lichen planus.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) are key factors in numerous physiological and pathological processes. However, studies on their involvement in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP) and its progression toward oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are scarce. In this study, we examined the protein and gene expressions of both HIF-1α and GLUT1 in normal mucosa, nonatrophic OLP (OLPI), atrophic OLP (OLPII), and OSCC resulting from OLP.

Inter-isoform Hetero-dimerization of Human UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) 1A1, 1A9, and 2B7 and Impacts on Glucuronidation Activity.

Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) play a pivotal role in phase II metabolism by catalyzing the glucuronidation of endobiotics and xenobiotics. The catalytic activities of UGTs are highly impacted by both genetic polymorphisms and oligomerization. The present study aimed to assess the inter-isoform hetero-dimerization of UGT1A1, 1A9, and 2B7, including the wild type (1A1*1, 1A9*1, and 2B7*1) and the naturally occurring (1A1*1b, 1A9*2/*3/*5, and 2B7*71S/*2/*5) variants.

Dimerization of human uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase allozymes 1A1 and 1A9 alters their quercetin glucuronidation activities.

Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A (UGT1A) is a major phase II drug-metabolism enzyme superfamily involved in the glucuronidation of endobiotics and xenobiotics in humans. Many polymorphisms in UGT1A genes are reported to inhibit or decrease UGT1A activity. In this study, two UGT1A1 allozymes, UGT1A1 wild-type and a splice mutant, as well as UGT1A9 wild-type and its three UGT1A9 allozymes, UGT1A9*2(C3Y), UGT1A9*3(M33T), and UGT1A9*5(D256N) were single- or double-expressed in a Bac-to-Bac expression system.

Low expression of glucocorticoid receptor a in oral lichen planus correlates with activation of nuclear factor κB: a preliminary study.

Background: Emerging evidence indicates that the interaction between glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a key pathogenetic cross talk in the autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The objective of this study was to determine the GRα expression in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and investigate its correlation with NF-κB in OLP.

Methods: We compared the expression of GRα and NF-κB in oral biopsy specimens from patients with OLP(n = 32) against normal controls (n = 12) and investigated the correlation between the expression of GRα and NF-κB in OLP.

[Comparative study of sensitivity of different dental metal materials].

Purpose: To compare the sensitivity of different dental metal materials, in order to provide references for choosing of dental metal materials.

Methods: Patch test was performed on 92 patients wearing dental metal prosthesis. Pearson Chi-square test, corrected Chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis with SPSS17.

In vitro culture system for keratinocytes obtained from oral lichen planus lesions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish a stable in vitro culture system for keratinocytes obtained from oral lichen planus (OLP) lesions and evaluate cultured keratinocyte characteristics including cell morphology, ultrastructure, and expression of biomarkers.

Materials And Methods: OLP mucosa (histopathologically confirmed) was collected and cells isolated using the cold enzyme digestion method. Primary culture and serial passage were performed on serum-free keratinocyte medium.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the giant pill millipede, Sphaerotheriidae sp. (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Sphaerotheriida).

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the millipede Sphaerotheriidae sp. has been studied. The genome is 14,970 bp long and contains the typical complement of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes.

[Antifungal susceptibility test of genotypes of Candida albicans from patients with atrophic or erosive oral lichen planus].

Purpose: To study the antifungal susceptibility of genotypes of Candida albicans from patients with atrophic or erosive oral lichen planus and provide evidence for the treatment of candidiasis.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was adopted to analyze 101 Candida albicans which were isolated from atrophic or erosive oral lichen planus.Microdilution broth method was carried out for antifungal susceptibility test.

[Codon optimization of recombinant staphylococcal enterotoxin O enhances the expression level in Escherichia coli].

Objective: To enhance the expression level of staphylococcal enterotoxin O (SEO) by optimization of rare codons.

Methods: The gene of mature SEO (His-tag included) was cloned to pET28a, and 15 rare codons on the gene were optimized by PCR technology. These recombinant plasmids then were transformed into E.

A new genus and two new species of the subfamily Pauropodinae (Myriapoda: Pauropoda: Pauropodidae) from China.

A new genus Songius is established and two new species--Songius rugosus from Qixia Mountain and Laoshan Forest Park, Jiangsu, and Tiantangzhai, Dabie Mountain, Anhui, and Songius bicruris from Tiantangzhai--are described. A novel surface structure of the pygidial tergum was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The genus is established on the basis of the distinctive appearance of the modification of the surface structure of the pygidial tergum.

[Safety and immunological effect of domestic split influenza virus vaccine].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and immunological effect of domestic split influenza virus vaccine.

Methods: All 606 subjects were divided into three groups by under 6, 16-60 and above 60 years old. Each age group was divided as study group (n = 213), control group 1 (n = 195) and control group 2 (n= 198) by Table of Random Number, one domestic vaccine and two imported vaccines were respectively inoculated in three group people.

[Peptide bond scission of staphylococcal enterotoxin C2 and related factors].

Objective: To investigate the limited digestion of recombinant staphylococcal enterotoxin C2 (SEC2-His)in different conditions.

Methods: The purified recombinant SEC2-His was treated with different reagents and the cleavage of rSEC2 molecule was observed by SDS-PAGE.

Result: The cleavage occurred in positions Cys93-Cys110 of the disulfide loop.

PAMAM-triamcinolone acetonide conjugate as a nucleus-targeting gene carrier for enhanced transfer activity.

The excellent transfection efficiency and viability are essential for successful gene therapy. It suggested that when bound to its glucocorticoid receptor, glucocorticoid steroid can dilate the nuclear pore complexes and facilitated the transport of pDNA into the nucleus. In this research, the two different degrees of substitution of PAMAM-triamcinolone acetonide (PAMAM-TA) conjugates were synthesised for efficient translocation of pDNA into the nucleus.

[Preparation and identification of monoclonal antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxin I].

Objective: To prepare and identify monoclonal antibodies against staphylococcal enterotoxin I (SEI).

Methods: Spleen cells obtained from mice immunized with the SEI protein were fused with the myeloma cells (SP2/0). Hybridomas were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the stable monoclonal hybridomas were isolated by limiting dilution at least three times.

[Preparation and application of antibody against staphylococcal enterotoxin C2].

The filtrate of Staphylococcus aureus culture has been used in an ampule form named as staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection for cancer therapy in clinic for ten years in China and proved to be effective. The active constituent of three kinds of injections is claimed to be staphylococcal enterotoxin C2 (SEC2), and the content of SEC2 is used as quality control. However, the correct content of SEC2 was not known and the relative amount of SEC2 was very low because of the complicated components of the filtrate.

[Coexpression of PXRLBD with SRC88 and construction of equilibrium dialysis model of screening PXR ligands].

The aim of this study was to obtain the soluble protein of human pregnane X receptor ligand binding domain (PXRLBD) through the coexpression of PXRLBD and 88 amino acids of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC88) and apply the protein to constructing a new model of screening PXR ligands. Expression plasmid of pETDuet-1-SRC88-PXRLBD was constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) to coexpress PXRLBD and SRC88 via induction by IPTG at low temperature. Then an equilibrium dialysis model was constructed to study the interaction between PXRLBD and drugs including clotrimazole and dexamethasone, using HPLC as the analysis method.

[Construction, expression and characterization of recombinant fusion protein HSA-PTH (1-34) in Pichia pastoris].

Objective: To obtain recombinant fusion protein HSA (human serum albumin)-PTH(1-34) in Pichia pastoris.

Methods: HSA and PTH(1-34) cDNA were obtained with PCR and the DNA segments were cloned into vector pPIC9 with linker. The linearized plasmids were transformed GS115 competent cells treated with LiCl, and mut+ transformants were screened on MD plate.

[Alternatively spliced variants of constitutive androstane receptor in liver of mouse].

Objective: To investigate the existence of alternatively spliced variants of constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) in liver of mouse.

Methods: The nucleotide from liver of mouse was purified and the CAR cDNA was amplified by PCR. The fragments of CAR cDNA were cloned to T vector and sequence analysis was performed.

[Expression and bioactivity of the cloned staphylococcal enterotoxin O].

This study is to clone the gene of staphylococcal enterotoxins O, obtain recombinant protein (rSEO) and investigate its activity on mice lymphocyte. Staphylococcus aureus O gene is cloned into GST gene fusion vector pGEX-4T-1. The resultant plasmid pGEX-4T-SEO was used to transform E.

Myriapod monophyly and relationships among myriapod classes based on nearly complete 28S and 18S rDNA sequences.

Myriapods play a pivotal position in the arthropod phylogenetic tree. The monophyly of Myriapoda and its internal relationships have been difficult to resolve. This study combined nearly complete 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences (3,826 nt in total) to estimate the phylogenetic position of Myriapoda and phylogenetic relationships among four myriapod classes.