Light chain somatic mutations change thermodynamics of binding and water coordination in the HyHEL-10 family of antibodies.

Thermodynamic and structural studies addressed the increased affinity due to L-chain somatic mutations in the HyHEL-10 family of affinity matured IgG antibodies, using ITC, SPR with van't Hoff analysis, and X-ray crystallography. When compared to the parental antibody H26L26, the H26L10 and H26L8 chimeras binding to lysozyme showed an increase in favorable DeltaG(o) of -1.2+/-0.

Experimental investigation of radiation effect on erbium-ytterbium co-doped fiber amplifier for space optical communication in low-dose radiation environment.

High power erbium-ytterbium co-doped fiber amplifier (EYDFA) has been radiated to the dose of 50 krad at the dose rate of 40 rad/s. Some key parameters have been measured to investigate the radiation effect on the EYDFA for space optical communication. Considering the dose of 50 krad is big enough to the most of low-dose radiation environment, these experimental results will be a good reference for the low-dose inter-satellite optical communication designers.

Inhalative formaldehyde exposure enhances aggressive behavior and disturbs monoamines in frontal cortex synaptosome of male rats.

Formaldehyde (FA) exposure is known to be toxic to central nervous system of mammals. In this paper, we evaluated the aggressive behavior after repetitive inhalative FA exposure to male SD rats, and explored the potential mechanism. The rats, ranging from 160 to 180 g, were randomly designated into the orchiectomized (ORX) group, the control and the inhalative FA treatment groups.

HAb18G (CD147), a cancer-associated biomarker and its role in cancer detection.

Aims: To evaluate HAb18G/CD147 as a cancer-associated biomarker using its monoclonal antibody HAb18.

Methods And Results: On immunohistochemical analysis of 28 tissue microarrays and pathological sections of 1117 breast tissue samples, HAb18G/CD147 was expressed in carcinoma with an overall positivity rate of 67.76%, which was significantly higher than that in sarcomas (27.

Approach to improve beam quality of inter-satellite optical communication system based on diffractive optical elements.

For inter-satellite optical communication transmitter with reflective telescope of two-mirrors on axis, a large mount of the transmitted energy will be blocked by central obscuration of the secondary mirror. In this paper, a novel scheme based on diffractive optical element (DOE) is introduced to avoid it. This scheme includes one diffractive beam shaper and another diffractive phase corrector, which can diffract the obscured part of transmitted beam into the domain unobscured by the secondary mirror.

Qianliguang (Senecio scandens) safety dilemma: dose is the key?

Qianliguang ( SENECIO SCANDENS) is a common Chinese medicinal herb. Qianliguang-containing herbal proprietary products are registered as over-the-counter remedies in China and exported to Western countries. The safety of using Qianliguang and its products has raised general concerns because of a potential risk of the presence of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).

Biofiltration treatment of odors from municipal solid waste treatment plants.

An in situ compost biofilter was established for the treatment of odors from biostabilization processing of municipal solid waste. The concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in odors and their components were measured. Biofilter media was characterized in terms of total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), organic matter (OM), pH value and determination of bacterial colony structure.

Dynamin-related protein 1 mediates high glucose induced pancreatic beta cell apoptosis.

The pancreatic beta cell dysfunction is critical cycle in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Hyperglycemia is one of factors that induce pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, but the underlying mechanisms have not been well elucidated. In this study, we reported that a mitochondrial fission modulator, Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp-1), plays an important role in high glucose induced beta cell apoptosis.

Crystal structure of a dimerized cockroach allergen Bla g 2 complexed with a monoclonal antibody.

The crystal structure of a 1:1 complex between the German cockroach allergen Bla g 2 and the Fab' fragment of a monoclonal antibody 7C11 was solved at 2.8-angstroms resolution. Bla g 2 binds to the antibody through four loops that include residues 60-70, 83-86, 98-100, and 129-132.

Development of a new poly(ethylene glycol)-graft-poly(D,L-lactic acid) as potential drug carriers.

A new poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-modified poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) was synthesized by grafting maleic anhydride onto PLA and subsequently amidating with O,O'-bis-(2-aminopropyl) polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene oxide-block-polypropylene glycol (H2N-PEG-NH2, Mw: 600). Its structure was confirmed by FTIR, DSC, 1H NMR, GPC, and ninhydrin test. The polymer is more hydrophilic compared with PLA according to contact angle tests, and is degradable as determined from its pH and mass changes during degradation.

Identification of five hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Herba Senecionis scandentis (Qianliguang).

Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham is a plant source for a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) herb Qianliguang. A TCM herbal proprietary product containing Qianliguang as the major herb for the treatment of sinusitis has been used in China for several decades, and has also been exported to other regions and countries worldwide.

[Effect of simvastatin on rat pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow and injected monocrotaline].

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of simvastatin on the pulmonary hypertension induced by injected monocrotaline combining with high pulmonary blood flow of rats.

Methods: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into the placebo group, simvastatin 1 mg/(kg x d) group, simvastatin 2 mg/(kg x d) group and control group. The arterial-venous shunt rats were injected with monocrotaline at day 7 and developing the pulmonary hypertension after shunting operation.

HAb18G/CD147 functions in invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

CD147 molecule is reported to be correlated with the malignancy of some cancers; however, it remains unclear whether it is involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated the function of HAb18G/CD147, a member of CD147 family, and its antibodies, HAb18 and LICARTIN, in HCC invasion and metastasis. We observed that HAb18G/CD147 gene silence in HCC cells significantly decreased the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and the invasive potential of HCC cells (P < 0.

[Zhang Zhongjings lost formulas not included in Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases)].

In addition to the medical formulas of Zhang Zhongjing mostly existed in Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases) and Jinkui Yaolve Fanglun (Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber ) collated by Lin Yi in the Song Dynasty, there are some other lost formulas scattered in Beiji Qianjin Yao Fang (Essential Recipes for Emergent Use Worth a Thousand Gold), Qianjin Yi Fang (A Supplement to Recipes Worth a Thousand Gold ) , Waitai Miyao (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library) , written in the Tang Dynasty, and Taiping Shenghui Fang (Tiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief) and Isimpo (Prescriptions from the Heart of Medicine)and those written in the Song Dynasty. Based on the textual research, collation, differentiation of Zhongjings formulas in different texts and medical works, the lost formulas of Zhongjing were collected besides those in Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases) and Jinkui Yaolve Fanglun (Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber), and then the state of the formulas were identified.

A randomized controlled trial of Licartin for preventing hepatoma recurrence after liver transplantation.

Unlabelled: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only curative therapy of HCC with underlying cirrhosis, but due to HCC metastasis and recurrence, its benefit is limited to a small population who meet the strict selection criteria. We previously reported that Licartin ([131I] mAb HAb18G/CD147) was safe and effective in treating HCC patients, and its antigen, HAb18G/CD147, was closely related to HCC invasion and metastasis. Here, we reported a randomized controlled trial to assess the post-OLT antirecurrence efficacy of Licartin in advanced HCC patients.

Recombinant chimeric antibody hCAb as a novel anti-human colorectal carcinoma agent.

A new chimeric IgG1 antibody hCAb which could be specifically directed against a cell surface-associated glycoprotein of colorectal cancer cells was prepared by genetic engineering technology in our lab. In this study, we explored the potential therapeutic mechanisms and described the evaluation of hCAb directed against colorectal cancer. The standard 51Cr release assay showed that like many other clinically validated IgG1 monoclonal antibodies, hCAb primarily acts by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).

Radioimmunotherapy of human colon cancer xenografts by using 131I labeled-CAb1 F(ab')2.

Purpose: Therapeutic efficacy, suitable dose, and administration times of 131I-CAb1 F(ab')2, a new monoclonal antibody therapeutics specifically directed against a cell surface-associated glycoprotein of colon cancer, were investigated in this article.

Methods And Materials: In human colon cancer xenografts, 131I-CAb1 F(ab')2 at the dose of 125 muCi, 375 muCi, and 1125 muCi were administrated intraperitoneally on Days 6 and 18 after implantation of HR8348 cells with CAb1 high reactivity. Survival time and tumor growth inhibition rate were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 131I-CAb1 F(ab')2 in treatment of colon cancer xenografts.

Processing, catalytic activity and crystal structures of kumamolisin-As with an engineered active site.

Kumamolisin-As is an acid collagenase with a subtilisin-like fold. Its active site contains a unique catalytic triad, Ser278-Glu78-Asp82, and a putative transition-state stabilizing residue, Asp164. In this study, the mutants D164N and E78H/D164N were engineered in order to replace parts of the catalytic machinery of kumamolisin-As with the residues found in the equivalent positions in subtilisin.

Targeting radioimmunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma with iodine (131I) metuximab injection: clinical phase I/II trials.

Purpose: HAb18G/CD147 is a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-associated antigen. We developed iodine (131I) metuximab injection (Licartin), a novel 131I-labeled HAb18G/CD147-specific monoclonal antibody Fab'2 fragment, and evaluated its safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical efficacy on HCC in Phase I/II trials.

Methods And Materials: In a Phase I trial, 28 patients were randomly assigned to receive the injection in 9.

[Effect of captopril on pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by left-to-right shunt in rats].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor on pulmonary vascular remodeling of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow.

Methods: An arterial-venous shunt was surgically created between abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava in the rat of all groups except the control group. Captopril was given to all of the rats.

Biodistribution and localization of iodine-131-labeled metuximab in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: Radioimmunotherapy may improve the outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients by delivering targeted radiation to liver lesion tissue while relatively sparing nontarget tissues. This study was designed to observe the biodistribution, localization and imaging characteristics of 131I -labeled Metuximab in 24 patients with HCC to determine the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of this antibody.

Methods: Twenty-four HCC patients were randomly divided into three groups to receive 18.

Molecular replacement with pseudosymmetry and model dissimilarity: a case study.

Crystals of human T-cell leukemia virus protease (HTLV-1 PR) have been very difficult to prepare and only native data extending to 2.6 angstroms resolution could be collected. Initial attempts to solve the structure with a variety of low-sequence-identity models utilizing proteases from other retroviruses and using a number of molecular-replacement programs were unsuccessful.

Analysis of avian bone response to mechanical loading. Part two: Development of a computational connected cellular network to study bone intercellular communication.

Mechanical loading-induced signals are hypothesized to be transmitted and integrated by connected bone cells before reaching the bone surfaces where adaptation occurs. A computational connected cellular network (CCCN) model is developed to explore how bone cells perceive and transmit the signals through intercellular communication. This is part two of a two-part study in which a CCCN is developed to study the intercellular communication within a grid of bone cells.

Crystal structure of human T cell leukemia virus protease, a novel target for anticancer drug design.

The successful development of a number of HIV-1 protease (PR) inhibitors for the treatment of AIDS has validated the utilization of retroviral PRs as drug targets and necessitated their detailed structural study. Here we report the structure of a complex of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) PR with a substrate-based inhibitor bound in subsites P5 through P5'. Although HTLV-1 PR exhibits an overall fold similar to other retroviral PRs, significant structural differences are present in several loop areas, which include the functionally important flaps, previously considered to be structurally highly conserved.

Application of "oxygen uptake rate-amino acids" associated mode in controlled-fed perfusion culture.

Controlled-fed perfusion, a new operation mode, which combines the advantages of fed-batch and perfusion, has been reported to enhance monoclonal antibody productivity. The aim of the present study was to further enrich this mode by an "oxygen uptake rate-amino acids (OUR-AA)" strategy in which the feeding of amino acids was controlled according to the variation of OUR during perfusion. And the effects of this strategy on bioreactor productivity and product quality were evaluated.