High-flux ceramic membranes with a nanomesh of metal oxide nanofibers.

Traditional ceramic separation membranes, which are fabricated by applying colloidal suspensions of metal hydroxides to porous supports, tend to suffer from pinholes and cracks that seriously affect their quality. Other intrinsic problems for these membranes include dramatic losses of flux when the pore sizes are reduced to enhance selectivity and dead-end pores that make no contribution to filtration. In this work, we propose a new strategy for addressing these problems by constructing a hierarchically structured separation layer on a porous substrate using large titanate nanofibers and smaller boehmite nanofibers.

[The effect of oral candida to development of oral leukoplakia into cancer].

Objective: To investigate the rate of candidal infection in different condition of oral epithelia, that may imply the possibility of candida in the canceration of oral leukoplakia.

Methods: Saliva culture was used to detect the infection of candida in 100 cases of healthy control group, 110 cases of oral leukoplakia and 11 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma, whose smoking condition were collected carefully. The results were analyzed by Crosstabs, Bivariate Correlations and Binary Logistic Regression analysis.

[Expression of beta-endorphin and micro-opioid receptor during wound healing process in rat with deep partial-thickness scald].

Objective: To observe the expression of beta-endorphin and micro-opioid receptor (MOR) during wound healing process in rat with deep partial-thickness scald.

Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into control( n = 6, without treatment) , and scald ( n = 30, with 5% TBSA deep-partial thickness scald) groups. Skin specimens from wound were harvested immediately after scald and on 3, 7, 14, 21 post-scald days( PSD) for the determination of 1-endorphin and MOR expression with immunofluorescent staining.

[Ultrastrtctural observation of bone marrow stromal cells cultured in coralline hydroxyapatite].

Objective: To observe the ultrastructure of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) cultured in coralline hydroxyapatite (CHA) and evaluate their biocompatibility.

Methods: BMSCs isolated from dogs were cultured with CHA as the scaffold, and the morphologies of the cells were observed with phase-contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope.

Results And Conclusion: BMSCs grew well with good attachment to the CHA scaffold and performed normal function, demonstrating CHA as one of useful biocarrier materials for bone tissue engineering.

[Role of angiotensin II receptors in proliferation of fibroblast derived from human hypertrophic scars].

Objective: The present study was undertaken to observe the expression of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors in human hypertrophic scars, and explore their role in the proliferation of fibroblasts in human hypertrophic scars.

Methods: The expression of both ATL and AT2 receptors in fibroblasts of hypertrophic scars was detected with immunohistochemical staining. Radioligand receptor binding assay and RT-PCR were used to determined expression level of AT1 and AT2 receptors in cultured fibroblasts derived from hypertrophic scars.

Transplantation of autologous adipose-derived stem cells ameliorates cardiac function in rabbits with myocardial infarction.

Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are capable of differentiating into cardiomyogenic and endothelial cells in vitro. We tested the hypothesis that transplantation of ADSCs into myocardial scar may regenerate infracted myocardium and restore cardiac function.

Methods: ADSCs were isolated from the fatty tissue of New Zealand white rabbits and cultured in Iscoves modified dulbeccos medium.

[Comparison of direct and indirect environmental DNA extraction methods for samples from a high-temperature environment].

Two different direct DNA extraction methods and one indirect DNA extraction method were applied to recover environmental DNA from six mat samples, which were sampled closely around a high-temperature spring vent in Tengchong Rehai of the western Yunnan province. As the criteria, quantity and purity of the extracted crude DNA, the result of PCR amplification for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) before and after crude DNA purification, and the Shannon-wiener index of DGGE profiles were used to evaluate the direct and indirect DNA extraction methods. For the samples of less biomass, the indirect method yielded available crude DNA with high purity, and the DNA was amplified without purification by PCR for DGGE.

[Culturable bacterial diversity of the ancient salt deposits in the Kunming Salt Mine, P. R. China].

In order to understand the diversity of culturable bacteria, 44 bacteria strains inhabiting brines and salt crystals in the Kunming Salt Mine, P. R. China were isolated and cultured.

Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor enhanced dermal wound healing by a pathway involving ERK and c-fos in diabetic rats.

Background: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been shown to promote dermal wound healing, however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for are not fully understood.

Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible signaling mechanisms by which PDGF improved healing of cutaneous wound in diabetic rats.

Methods: Four full-thickness skin wounds were created on the dorsum of Wistar diabetic rats.

Identification of HIV-1 specific T lymphocyte responses in highly exposed persistently seronegative Chinese.

Background: Studies of highly exposed persistently seronegative (HEPS) individuals may provide valuable information on mechanisms of protection and on vaccine design. Cellular immune responses play a critical role in containing human immunodeficiency virus. However, the cellular immune responses in HEPS individuals have not been thoroughly assessed at the entire viral genome level.

Production and characterization of single chain Fv directed against beta2-agonist clenbuterol.

The single chain Fv (scFv) directed against beta2-agonist clenbuterol (CBL) was produced by using phage display technology. The heavy chain and light chain variable region genes (VH) VL) were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from CBL specific hybridoma cell lines 5D1 and assembled as a single chain Fv (scFv) fragment with linker peptide (Gly4Ser)3. Then the scFv DNA fragment was cloned into M13 phagemid vector pCANTAB5E and the anti-CBL antibody libraries were constructed.

[Preparation of anti-P21-activated kinase 5 polyclonal antibody and its application in dental germ cells].

Objective: To clone PAK5-N terminal sequence for expression in E. coli to prepare its polyclonal antibody, and examine the role of PAK5 in dental germ cells.

Methods: Based on human PAK5 cDNA sequence, PCR primers were designed to amplify PAK5-N terminal sequence.

Angiotensin II regulates phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt cascade via a negative crosstalk between AT1 and AT2 receptors in skin fibroblasts of human hypertrophic scars.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation has been shown to regulate proliferation of skin fibroblasts and production of extracellular matrix, which are very important process in skin wound healing and scarring; however, the signaling pathways involved in this process, especially in humans, are less explored. In the present study, we used skin fibroblasts of human hypertrophic scar, which expressed both AT1 and AT2 receptors, and observed that Ang II increased Akt phosphorylation and phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI 3-K) activity. In addition, the Ang II-induced Akt phosphorylation was blocked by wortmannin, a PI 3-K inhibitor.

[Preliminary identification and characterization of in vitro cultured bone marrow stromal cells for their bioactivity and osteogenic potential].

Objective: To induce the differentiation of bone marrow stromall cells (BMSCs) isolated from Beagles into osteoblasts in vitro and identify the osteogenic potential and bioactivity of the BMSCs.

Methods: Primary cultured BMSCs isolated from Beagles were subcultured in mineralization medium to induce their differentiation into osteoblasts, whose morphological characteristics and proliferation status were observed by phase-contrast microscope. The osteogenic activity of the cells was evaluated with von Kossa staining of the mineralized nodules and determination of the alkaline phosphatase activity.

New stilbenoids from Pholidota yunnanensis and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production.

Six new stilbenoids, a (bibenzyldihydrophenanthrene) ether designated phoyunnanin D (1), a bis(dihydrophenanthrene) ether designated phoyunnanin E (2), and four stilbenes designated phoyunbene A-D (3-6), were isolated from the air-dried whole plant of Pholidota yunnanensis ROLFE. The new compounds were identified as 7-[2-(3-hydroxyphenethyl)-4-hydroxy-6-methoxyphenoxy]-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1), 1-[(9,10-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-7-phenanthrenyl)oxy]-4,7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (2), trans-3,3'-dihydroxy-2',4',5-trimethoxystilbene (3), trans-3,4'-dihydroxy-2',3',5-trimethoxystilbene (4), trans-3,3'-dihydroxy-2',5-dimethoxystilbene (5), and trans-3-hydroxy-2',3',5-trimethoxystilbene (6) based on spectroscopic evidence. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of compounds 1-6 on nitric oxide production in a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.

[Effect of alpha-difluoromethylornithine on the expression of ODC mRNA in the cortex and hippocampus in rats after cerebral ischemia reperfusion].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) inhibiting ODC activity in the cortex and hippocampus in rats.

Methods: Forty male rats was randomly divided into ischemal control group and DFMO pretreatment group. DFMO was given intravenously half an hour before global cerebral ischemia, and expression of ODC mRNA was measured by comparative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the cortex and hippocampus in rats after 2, 4, 6 h and 8 h of reperfusion.

[Changes and significance of PAO activities and polyamine levels at different time of reperfusion after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats].

Objective: To assay the changes of polyamine oxidase (PAO) activities and polyamine levels in the cortex and subcortex at different time of reperfusion following 2 h focal cerebral ischemia in rats in order to explore the regularity and signifiance ofh these changes.

Methods: Rats of 2 h reversible focal cerebral ischemia were produced by ameliorated method of Longa's intraluminal suture occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCA). PAO activities and polyamine levels in the cortex and subcortex were measured by homovanillic acid fluorometry and high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) after 2, 4, 8, and 24 h reperfusion following 2 h ischemia, respectively.

[Expression of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA in the cortex and hippocampus of rat after transient cerebral ischemia].

Objective: To detect the expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA in the cortex and hippocampus of rat over different postischemic recirculation periods, and to explore the mechanism of increase in ODC activity after transient cerebral ischemia.

Methods: A 10-min transient cerebral ischemia was produced in anesthetized rat by ameliorated four-vessel occlusion, and the expression of ODC mRNA was measured using comparative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the cortex and hippocampus of rats sacrificed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after the ischemia. The variations were studied.

[Expression of mineral-associated markers in human dental follicle cells in vitro].

Objective: To culture human dental follicle cells in vitro and observe their mineralization characteristics.

Methods: Human dental follicle tissues were digested with bacterial collagenase and cultured to obtain dental follicle cells. Mineralization characteristics of these cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR.

[Expressions of PDCD5 and p53 in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To study the relationship of the expressions of new apoptosis-related gene PDCD5 and p53 in oral normal mucosa, oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: The expressions of PDCD5 and p53 were observed separately in 17 samples of oral normal mucosa, 60 of oral leukoplakia, and 30 of oral squamous cell carcinoma by Immunohistochemical means.

Results: PDCD5 positive rate in oral normal mucosa was 88.

[In vitro study of oral Candida albicans in virulence from HIV-positive individuals].

Objective: To study the influence of Candida albicans on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals susceptible to oral candidiasis.

Methods: In vitro secreted aspartyl proteinase activities, adhesion to healthy buccal epithelial cells of Candida albicans isolates from oral cavities of subjects with and without HIV infection were measured.

Results: The pathogenetic isolates of Candida albicans from HIV-positive patients were significantly lower than that from HIV-negative subjects (P < 0.