Toxic effect of palladium on embryonic development of zebrafish.

Since palladium (Pd) is now increasingly used in modern industry, it progressively accumulates in the environment, especially in aquatic ecosystem. The potential toxicity of Pd has therefore caused extensive concern worldwidely. In the present study, we investigated the toxic effect of Pd on zebrafish development.

Results of comparing transthoracic device closure and surgical repair with right infra-axillary thoracotomy for perimembranous ventricular septal defects.

Objectives: Transthoracic device closure (TTDC) and surgical repair with right infra-axillary thoracotomy (SRRIAT) are two main alternative minimally invasive approaches for restrictive perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD); however, few studies have compared them with each other in terms of effectiveness and cost.

Methods: Patients with perimembranous VSD undergoing TTDC or SRRIAT from January 2012 to July 2013 were reviewed in a comparative investigation between the two procedures.

Results: Success from the procedures was achieved in 30 TTDC (30/33, 91%) and 96 SRRIAT patients (100%).

Retinoids induce integrin-independent lymphocyte adhesion through RAR-α nuclear receptor activity.

Oxidative metabolites of vitamin A, in particular all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), have emerged as key factors in immunity by specifying the localization of immune cells to the gut. Although it is appreciated that isomers of retinoic acid activate the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) family of nuclear receptors to elicit cellular changes, the molecular details of retinoic acid action remain poorly defined in immune processes. Here we employ a battery of agonists and antagonists to delineate the specific nuclear receptors utilized by retinoids to evoke lymphocyte cell adhesion to ADAM (adisintegrin and metalloprotease) protein family members.

Metal-free intramolecular carbocyanation of alkenes: catalytic stereoselective construction of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines with multiple substituents.

The first catalytic stereoselective approach to prepare multiple substituted cyclic nitriles by means of a novel metal-free intramolecular carbocyanation strategy has been developed, which provided an efficient protocol to construct densely functionalized diastereoenriched pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivates under mild reaction conditions (up to 20/1 d.r., 98% yield).

Anti-adhesive effect of hyaluronate in a rabbit laminectomy model.

Background: Postlaminectomy dural adhesion is a common cause of recurrent symptoms. Hyaluronic acid-based gel has been reported to reduce the incidence of postoperative adhesion in the peritoneal cavity; however, its effect on preventing postoperative scar formation at laminectomy sites is not yet known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-adhesive effect of hyaluronic acid-based gelatin after laminectomy, using a rabbit model.

[CONSTRUCTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ADENOVIRUS VECTOR EXPRESSING BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN 2 AND TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR β3 GENES AND THEIR EXPRESSION IN BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS OF DIANNAN SMALL-EAR PIGS].

Objective: To construct and identify the recombinant adenovirus vector expressing bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3) genes, to observe the expressions of BMP-2 and TGF-β3 after transfected into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) of the Diannan small-ear pigs.

Methods: BMP-2 cDNA and TGF-β3 cDNA were amplified by PCR, and were subcloned into the pEC3.1 (+) plasmid to obtain pEC-GIE 3.

Bio-distribution and pharmacokinetics of nobiliside A-loaded liposome following intravenous administration in rats.

Nobiliside A (Nob) is a new triterpenoid saponin separated from Holothuria noblilis. In this article, a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method was established to quantify Nob, a hemolytic saponin, in rat blood and tissue homogenates. Standard curves were linear (r=0.

High takeoff of the right coronary artery associated with ventricular septal defect, right aortic arch, and bridging bronchus.

We report a case of a 14-year-old female with abnormally high takeoff of the right coronary artery (RCA) that was associated with a ventricular septal defect, right aortic arch, and bridging bronchus. During surgery, an exceptionally high takeoff of the RCA was discovered. Postoperative computed tomography confirmed the presence of the associated right aortic arch with anomalous branching pattern, and bridging bronchus.

[Chondrogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by transforming growth factor beta3 gene in Diannan small-ear pigs].

Objective: To observe transforming growth factor beta3 (TGF-beta3) gene expression and the chondrogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) after TGF-beta3 gene is transfected into BMSCs of Diannan small-ear pig.

Methods: Recombinant adenovirus 5 (rAd5) was extracted as gene vector and packed into recombinant adenovirus rAd5-TGF-beta3, double enzyme digestion and PCR identification were performed. BMSCs were isolated and cultured from bone marrow of 2-month-old Diannan small-ear pigs (weighing, 12-15 kg), and the 2nd generation of BMSCs were harvested for experiments.

Effect of synergists on susceptibility to chlorantraniliprole in field populations of Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

The Asiatice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), an important rice insect pest in China, has developed resistances to several classes of insecticides. To control C. suppressalis, chlorantraniliprole has been introduced as a novel insecticide in rice field since 2008.

High basal level of autophagy in high-altitude residents attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective: Hypoxia can induce autophagy, which plays an important role in cardioprotection. The present study tested the hypothesis that patients with congenital heart disease living at a high altitude could resist ischemia-reperfusion injury better than those at a low altitude, through elevated basal autophagy by chronic hypoxia.

Methods: Twelve Tibetan patients residing at a high altitude of >3000 m and 12 Han patients residing at a low altitude of <500 m with simple atrial or ventricular septal defects were prospectively recruited.

Catalytic formal [4 + 2] cycloadditions between unactivated allenes and N-hydroxyaniline catalyzed by AuCl₃/CuCl₂/O₂.

AuCl3-catalyzed formal [4 + 2]-cycloadditions between substituted allenes and N-hydroxyanilines are described. This reaction sequence comprises initial isomerizations of allenes to butadienes under N2 and subsequent oxidations of N-hydroxyanilines to nitrosoarenes under O2. CuCl2 (5 mol %) was added in the second step to increase the oxidation efficiency.

pelo is required for high efficiency viral replication.

Viruses hijack host factors for their high speed protein synthesis, but information about these factors is largely unknown. In searching for genes that are involved in viral replication, we carried out a forward genetic screen for Drosophila mutants that are more resistant or sensitive to Drosophila C virus (DCV) infection-caused death, and found a virus-resistant line in which the expression of pelo gene was deficient. Our mechanistic studies excluded the viral resistance of pelo deficient flies resulting from the known Drosophila anti-viral pathways, and revealed that pelo deficiency limits the high level synthesis of the DCV capsid proteins but has no or very little effect on the expression of some other viral proteins, bulk cellular proteins, and transfected exogenous genes.

Various applications of TALEN- and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination to modify the Drosophila genome.

Modifying the genomes of many organisms is becoming as easy as manipulating DNA in test tubes, which is made possible by two recently developed techniques based on either the customizable DNA binding protein, TALEN, or the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Here, we describe a series of efficient applications derived from these two technologies, in combination with various homologous donor DNA plasmids, to manipulate the Drosophila genome: (1) to precisely generate genomic deletions; (2) to make genomic replacement of a DNA fragment at single nucleotide resolution; and (3) to generate precise insertions to tag target proteins for tracing their endogenous expressions. For more convenient genomic manipulations, we established an easy-to-screen platform by knocking in a white marker through homologous recombination.

ROS regulate cardiac function via a distinct paracrine mechanism.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can act cell autonomously and in a paracrine manner by diffusing into nearby cells. Here, we reveal a ROS-mediated paracrine signaling mechanism that does not require entry of ROS into target cells. We found that under physiological conditions, nonmyocytic pericardial cells (PCs) of the Drosophila heart contain elevated levels of ROS compared to the neighboring cardiomyocytes (CMs).

[Study on the mechanism of action of total saponins of Panax notoginseng in ameliorating oxidative stress and insulin resistance in rats fed with high fat diet].

Objective: To investigate whether total saponins of Panax notoginseng (tPNS) can ameliorate oxidative stress and insulin resistance (IR) in the high fat induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model and to explore the relationship between oxidative stress and IR.

Methods: Totally 50 healthy rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (NC), the model group, the high dose tPNS group (at the daily dose of 160 mg/kg), the low dose tPNS group (at the daily dose of 80 mg/kg), and the bicyclol group (at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg), 10 in each group. Rats in the NC group were fed with standard forage.

Kctd10 regulates heart morphogenesis by repressing the transcriptional activity of Tbx5a in zebrafish.

The T-box transcription factor Tbx5 (Tbx5a in zebrafish) plays a crucial role in the formation of cardiac chambers in a dose-dependent manner. Its deregulation leads to congenital heart disease. However, little is known regarding its regulation.

[Superficial peroneal neurocutaneous vascular axial adipofascial-cutaneous flap pedicled with lateral supramalleolar perforator for coverage of donor site defects at foot dorsum].

Objective: To report the operative techniques and clinical results of modified superficial peroneal neurocutaneous propeller adipofascial-cutaneous flap for reconstruction of donor site defects at foot dorsum.

Methods: A propeller adipofascial flap with a skin pedicle (4-6 cm in width) based on the lateral superamalleolar perforating artery which vascularized the flap through the nutrient vessel chain of the superficial peroneal nerve was designed to repair defects after harvesting of foot pedicled dorsal flap. The defects at donor site of the leg was closed directly and split-thickness skin grafting was performed on the adipofascial surface of the flap primarily or secondarily.

Risk factors for acute kidney injury in patients undergoing same admission coronary angiography and valve replacement.

Background: We investigated risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing same admission coronary angiography (CAG) and valve replacement.

Methods: Among 283 consecutive patients undergoing valve surgery between October 2010 and July 2012, 71 patients with same admission preoperative CAG were included in the study. Predictors of AKI were identified with a univariable model; then, logistic regression analysis was performed with the variables with p < 0.

Thiepin-fused heteroacenes: simple synthesis, unusual structure, and semiconductors with less anisotropic behavior.

The simple one-pot syntheses of sulfur-rich thiepin-fused heteroacences with an alkylidene-fluorene framework, THA1 and THA6 (thiepin-fused heteroacene 1 or 6, in which the thiepin is conjugated at both ortho positions with SCH3 or SC6 H13 , respectively), is reported. Based on electrochemical studies and theoretical calculations, their LUMO energies are relatively low (-3.26 eV), and their HOMO and HOMO-1 orbitals are nearly degenerate.

Host cell-induced signaling causes Clostridium perfringens to upregulate production of toxins important for intestinal infections.

Clostridium perfringens causes enteritis and enterotoxemia in humans and livestock due to prolific toxin production. In broth culture, C. perfringens uses the Agr-like quorum sensing (QS) system to regulate production of toxins important for enteritis/enterotoxemia, including beta toxin (CPB), enterotoxin, and epsilon toxin (ETX).

TEMPTING system: a hybrid method of rule and machine learning for temporal relation extraction in patient discharge summaries.

Patient discharge summaries provide detailed medical information about individuals who have been hospitalized. To make a precise and legitimate assessment of the abundant data, a proper time layout of the sequence of relevant events should be compiled and used to drive a patient-specific timeline, which could further assist medical personnel in making clinical decisions. The process of identifying the chronological order of entities is called temporal relation extraction.

Comparison of anti-EGFR-Fab' conjugated immunoliposomes modified with two different conjugation linkers for siRNa delivery in SMMC-7721 cells.

Background: Targeted liposome-polycation-DNA complex (LPD), mainly conjugated with antibodies using functionalized PEG derivatives, is an effective nanovector for systemic delivery of small interference RNA (siRNA). However, there are few studies reporting the effect of different conjugation linkers on LPD for gene silencing. To clarify the influence of antibody conjugation linkers on LPD, we prepared two different immunoliposomes to deliver siRNA in which DSPE-PEG-COOH and DSPE-PEG-MAL, the commonly used PEG derivative linkers, were used to conjugate anti-EGFR Fab' with the liposome.