Adiponectin levels in circulation and breast milk and mRNA expression in adipose tissue of preeclampsia women.

Objective: Physiological insulin resistance occurs in normal pregnancy and is exaggerated in women with preeclampsia (PE). Adiponectin is a hormone with insulin-sensitizing, anti-atherogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Reports published on association between adiponectin levels and PE risk have been conflicting.

Rapid detection of tobacco mosaic virus using the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification method.

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) can cause a severe disease that is capable of greatly reducing tobacco quality and yield. In this study, a one-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed for detection of TMV. The concentration of Mg(2+), reaction temperature and reaction time of the RT-LAMP were optimized to 5 mM, 65°C, and 60 min, respectively.

Reduced CD27 expression on antigen-specific CD4+ T cells correlates with persistent active tuberculosis.

Objective: CD27, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, has important role in generation of T cell immunity. In this study, association of CD27 expression on mycobacterial antigen-specific CD4+ T cells with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was investigated.

Methods: Mycobacterial antigen-specific CD4+ T cells were identified based on CD154 expression and CD27 expression on antigen-specific CD4 T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.

NOx removal from vehicle emissions by functionality surface of asphalt road.

This paper reported the potential of heterogeneous photocatalysis as an advanced oxidation technology for NO(x) removal from vehicle emissions by using TiO(2) as a photocatalyst immobilized on the surface of asphalt road. Based on asphalt road material porous characteristic, we utilized permeability technology to make asphalt nano-TiO(2) to be environmental protection materials. And then using scanning electron microscope, we observed the penetrating effect of TiO(2).

Solid self-emulsifying nitrendipine pellets: preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation.

Objective of this study is to develop and evaluate the new solid self-emulsifying (SE) pellets of poorly soluble nitrendipine (NTD). These pellets were prepared via extrusion/spheronization technique, using liquid SEDDS (NTD, Miglyol 812, Cremophor RH 40, Tween 80, and Transcutol P), adsorbents (silicon dioxide and crospovidone), microcrystalline cellulose and lactose. The resulting SE pellets with 30% liquid SEDDS exhibited uniform size (800-1000 microm) and round shape, droplet size distribution following self-emulsification was nearly same to the liquid SEDDS (72+/-16 nm and 64+/-12 nm).

Strong humoral response elicited by a DNA vaccine targeting gastrin-releasing peptide with optimized adjuvants inhibits murine prostate carcinoma growth in vivo.

Previous studies demonstrated that the elevated expression and receptor binding of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) in various types of cancer suggest that GRP might be a putative target for immunotherapy in neoplastic diseases. DNA vaccine for hormone/growth factor immune deprivation represents a feasible and attractive approach for cancer treatment; nevertheless, there is still a need to increase the potency of the DNA vaccine. Here, based on six copies of the B cell epitope GRP(18-27) in a linear alignment as an immunogen, we designed several anti-GRP DNA vaccines containing different combinations of immunoadjuvants, such as HSP65, tetanus toxoid(830-844) (T), pan HLA-DR-binding epitope (PADRE) (P), and mycobacterial HSP70(407-426) (M), on a backbone of pCR3.

A novel human parathyroid hormone (1-34) analog for the treatment of osteoporosis.

The more effective bioactive peptides which can be efficiently prepared with low cost and high yield are in great demand for the development of therapeutic peptides. In this study, Pro-Pro-[Arg(11)]hPTH(1-34)-Pro-Pro-Asp (hPTH'), an analog of human parathyroid hormone (1-34) [hPTH(1-34)], was prepared by an efficiently cost-effective preparation strategy. It was repeated eight times on the gene level and expressed in the form of inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli.

Specific antibodies elicited by a novel DNA vaccine targeting gastrin-releasing peptide inhibit murine melanoma growth in vivo.

The elevated expression and receptor binding of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) in various types of cancer, especially in malignant melanoma of the skin, suggest that GRP might be a putative target for immunotherapy in neoplastic diseases. We have therefore constructed a novel DNA vaccine coding for six tandem repeats of a fragment of GRP from amino acids 18 to 27 (GRP6) flanked by helper T-cell epitopes for increased immunogenicity, including HSP65, a tetanus toxoid fragment from amino acids 830 to 844 (T), pan-HLA-DR-binding epitope (PADRE) (P), and two repeats of a mycobacterial HSP70 fragment from amino acids 407 to 426 (M). The anti-GRP DNA vaccine (pCR3.

[Chiral separation of racemic epoxiconazole on cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral stationary phase using high performance liquid chromatography].

The two pairs of enantiomers of epoxiconazole were resolved using normal phase, reversed-phase and polar organic solvent high performance liquid chromatography on cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) (CDMPC) chiral stationary phase, separately. The effects of different mobile phase compositions on the retention factor, separation factor and resolution in the chiral separation of epoxiconazole were investigated. It can be baseline separated on a Chiralcel OD-H column packed with CDMPC chiral stationary phase when methanol-water (80: 20, v/v) was used as the mobile phase, the resolutions of the two pairs of enantiomers were 1.

Inhibition of renal cancer cell growth by oncolytic adenovirus armed short hairpin RNA targeting hTERT gene.

RNA interference (RNAi) has been proved to be a powerful tool for gene knockdown purpose and holds a great promise for the treatment of cancer. Our previous study demonstrated that the reduction of hTERT expression by means of chemically synthesized siRNAs and shRNAs expressed from plasmid resulted in proliferation inhibition in human renal carcinoma cells. In this study, we constructed a novel oncolytic adenovirus-based shRNA expression system, ZD55-hTERT, and to explore ZD55-hTERT-mediated RNAi for hTERT gene silencing.

Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups in a Chinese Uygur population and their potential association with longevity.

1. The haplogroups and polymorphisms of mitochondrial (mt) DNA are associated with longevity. This association is highly geographically dependent.

Effect of volatile-char interaction on the NO emission from coal combustion.

To clarify the effects of volatile-char interaction on the redistribution of fuel-N to N2 during devolatilization and the reduction of NO through gas-solid reactions during combustion, two types of experiments were performed on a novel reactor. The separate combustion of volatile and char and the combustion of entrained pulverized coal, and the formation of NO was examined between 800 and 1100 degrees C by using four typical Chinese coals with different ranks. The effect of volatile-char interaction on fuel-N conversion to NO during combustion was elucidated through comparing the NO emissions from the two types of combustion experiments.

Panax notoginseng saponins attenuate atherosclerosis in rats by regulating the blood lipid profile and an anti-inflammatory action.

Previous studies have reported on the anti-atherosclerotic effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS). The aim of the present study was to explore the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-atherosclerotic effects of PNS and the inflammatory response. Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely a control group, a group, in which zymosan A was used to induce inflammation (Zym group) and a PNS-treated group.

Construction and analysis of high-complexity ribosome display random peptide libraries.

Random peptide libraries displayed on the ribosome are becoming a new tool for the in vitro selection of biologically relevant macromolecules, including epitopes, antagonists, enzymes, and cell-surface receptors. Ribosome display is a cell-free system of coupling individual nascent proteins (phenotypes) to their corresponding mRNA (genotypes) by the formation of stable protein-ribosome-mRNA complexes and permitting the selection of a functional nascent protein by iterative cycles of panning and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification in vitro. The complexity of the random peptide library is critical for the success of a panning experiment; greater the diversity of sequences within the library, the more likely it is that the library comprises sequences that can bind a given target with specific affinity.

Avian eyelid assay, a new diagnostic method for detecting botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A, B and E.

Based upon botulinum neurotoxins' (BoNT) mechanism of action, a novel, rapid, and sensitive avian eyelid assay was developed to detect Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A, B and E in assay buffer and mimic samples. It showed that chick was the most optimal model of 20-selected laboratory, non-laboratory animals. The eyelid closure of chick was the indicator symptom for positive results.

[Measurement of affinity constant of monoclonal antibody by competitive antibody binding to antigen].

Objective: To develop a more reliable and stable method for determining monoclonal antibody (mAb) affinity constant based on competitive antibody/antigen binding.

Methods: The Kd value was calculated based on the relationship between the binding proportion of the antigen and the original concentration of the mAb that competed for the binding site of the antigen.

Results: The Kd values measured with this improved method under two different conditions were 2.

[Determination of tetracycline antibiotics residues in chicken muscle by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

A sensitive and selective method is presented for simultaneous determination of tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) veterinary drugs. Oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracyclines (TC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) in the chicken muscle were extracted, and then solid-phase cleaned-up on a C18 reversed-phase column to obtain an extract suitable for analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Electrospray ionization was applied and operated in the positive ion mode.

beta-cyclodextrin-immobilized (4S)-phenoxy-(S)-proline as a catalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reactions.

beta-Cyclodextrin-immobilized (4S)-phenoxy-(S)-proline was prepared conveniently by simply heating the amino acid and beta-cyclodextrin in ethanol-water (1/1, v/v) and removal of the solvent. This proved to be an efficient catalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reactions, and the catalyst could be recycled four times without loss of enantioselectivity.

[Simultaneous determination of four fluoroquinolone residues in edible chicken tissues by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography].

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection was developed for the simultaneous analysis of ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin and sarafloxacin residues in edible chicken tissues. The analytes were extracted from chicken muscle, skin and fat, liver, kidney by aqueous potassium dihydrogenphosphate of different pH values through homogenization. The supernatant of the extract was applied onto a C18 solid phase extraction cartridge for clean-up.

[Improvement of concentration method for detecting genotoxic activities of drinking water using umuC-test].

umuC-test is an effective method to determine the genotoxic activity. In this study, the highest genotoxic activity was found exactly at 37 degrees C by modifying original condition of umuC test. Effects of concentration methods on the genotoxic activity was studied, and it was found that the HLB solid phase extraction is most effective to extract the genotoxic chemicals from a drinking water when using acetone as eluant.

[Analysis on processing mechanism of calamine].

Objective: To study processing method and mechanism of Calamine.

Method: Thermogravimetry analysis method and nano-technology were adopted to analyze and synthesize the components in Calamine, Tetracycline was took as the comparison drug to determine the antibacterial activity of Calamine and its components.

Result: A part of zinc carbonate in Calamine was decomposed into zinc oxide when processing, and the particle size was smaller than before.

The design and application of DNA chips for early detection of SARS-CoV from clinical samples.

Background: SARS coronavirus has been identified as the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Few tests allow confirmation or exclusion of SARS within the first few days of infection. A gene chip is a useful tool for the study of microbial infections mainly for its capability of performing multi-target analysis in a single test.

[Modification and application of recombinant yeast bioassay for measuring the AhR ligand activity].

A recombinant yeast bioassay, a yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in which the human AhR and ARNT complex are coexpressed, is one of the methods to screen the active AhR agonist. In this study, the original agonist test was modified. The exposure time was reduced from 18 to 8 hours when experiment was under the following conditions: (1) the yeast was cultured in 0.

Changes in anoxic denitrification rate resulting from prefermentation of a septic, phosphorus-limited wastewater.

A preliminary bench-scale study of parallel University of Cape Town (UCT) biological nutrient removal systems showed improvement in anoxic denitrification rates resulting from prefermentation of a septic (i.e., high volatile fatty acid [VFA] content), phosphorus-limited (i.