[Chemical constituents of Aconitum tanguticum].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents isolated from the whole plant of Aconitum tanguticum.

Method: Chemical constituents were isolated and purified from the title plant by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 2D-NMR, and ESI-MS.

A silica nanoparticle-based sensor for selective fluorescent detection of homocysteine via interaction differences between thiols and particle-surface-bound polymers.

Biothiols play crucial roles in maintaining biological systems; among them, homocysteine (Hcy) has received increasing attention since elevated levels of Hcy have been implicated as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Hence, the selective detection of this specific biothiol, which is a disease-associated biomarker, is very important. In this paper, we demonstrate a new mesoporous silica nanoparticle-based sensor for selective detection of homocysteine from biothiols and other common amino acids.

Dual color fluorescence quantitative detection of specific single-stranded DNA with molecular beacons and nucleic acid dye SYBR Green I.

We have developed a dual color fluorescence quantitative detection method for specific single-stranded DNA with molecular beacons (MBs) and nucleic acid dye SYBR Green I by synchronous scanning fluorescence spectrometry. It is demonstrated by a reverse-transcription oligonucleotide sequence (target DNA, 33 bases) of RNA fragment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a model system. In the absence of target DNA, the MBs are in the stem-closed state, the fluorescence of 5-carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX) is quenched by black hole quencher-2 (BHQ-2), and the interaction between SYBR Green I and the MBs is very weak.

A universal platform for amplified multiplexed DNA detection based on exonuclease III-coded magnetic microparticle probes.

An amplified multiplexed DNA detection biosensor has been developed, which combines the unique cleavage function of exonuclease III (Exo III) with the separating ability of magnetic microparticles (MMPs). By using different fluorophores, the multiplexed detection of DNA is demonstrated.

A report of pupilloplasty for secondary glaucoma after vitrectomy associated with ocular trauma.

Blunt ocular trauma is frequently seen in clinical practice, and is likely to cause ocular structure disrupture and visual function impairment. Vitrectomy is considered as an efficacious treatment of severe ocular trauma; however, secondary glaucoma has been frequently observed postoperatively.The present paper reported a case undergoing pupilloplasty, which successfully lowered intraocular pressure (IOP), reconstructed anterior segment structure, and restored visual function.

Relationship between interleukin-6 and ammonia in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy due to liver cirrhosis.

Aim:   Previous studies have shown significantly elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6 in cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), but the relationship between circulating levels of IL-6 and ammonia is unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between both variables in cirrhotic patients with MHE.

Methods:   Psychometric tests including number connection test part A (NCT-A) and digit symbol test (DST) were performed to diagnose MHE in 85 cirrhotic patients.

Molecular characterization of a novel tetraspanin from the oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis: variation, localization and relationship to oyster host defense.

We identified a tetraspanin family member gene, named Ca-TSP, in the oyster Crassostrea ariakensis and found that the transcription profiles of Ca-TSP were variable in the oyster hemocytes. Three distinct patterns of variation of Ca-TSP were observed. Using immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, we show that Ca-TSP was present in granules and in vesicular structures of the oyster hemocyte.

Detection of antibodies against major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A in long-term renal graft recipients.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, allele specificity, and intensity of anti-MICA antibodies in long-term renal graft recipients and to investigate their association with impaired renal function.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-eight long-term (> 10 y) renal graft recipients were divided into 2 groups: (1) patients with impaired renal function (serum creatinine ≥ 2 mg/dL, n=6); (2) patients with normal renal function (serum creatinine < 176.8 μmol/L, n=62).

Epigenetic interplay of histone modifications and DNA methylation mediated by HDA6.

One of the most fundamental questions in the control of gene expression is how epigenetic patterns of DNA methylation and histone modifications are established. Our recent studies demonstrate that histone deacetylase HDA6 integrates DNA methylation and histone modifications in gene silencing by interacting with DNA methyltransferase MET1 and histone demethylase FLD, suggesting that regulatory crosstalk between histone modifications and DNA methylation could be mediated by the interaction of various epigenetic modification proteins.

HD2 proteins interact with RPD3-type histone deacetylases.

HD2 proteins were previously identified as plant specific histone deacetylases (HDACs). The molecular mechanism of the function of HD2 proteins is still unclear. Using Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay, we demonstrated that Arabidopsis HD2 proteins, HD2A, HD2C and HD2D, can interact with RPD3-type HDACs, HDA6 and HDA19, suggesting that that these proteins may act in the same protein complex.

Rigidity of wedge loop in PACSIN 3 protein is a key factor in dictating diameters of tubules.

BAR (Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs) domain-containing proteins participate in cellular membrane remodeling. The F-BAR proteins normally generate low curvature tubules. However, in the PACSIN subfamily, the F-BAR domain from PACSIN 1 and 2 can induce both high and low curvature tubules.

The nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus.

The nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus serves as the genomic template for transcription and replication. The viral genomic RNA is sequestered in the nucleocapsid in every step of the virus replication cycle. The structure of the nucleocapsid and the entire virion revealed how the viral genomic RNA is encapsidated and packaged in the virus.

Polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T and its influence on the antihypertensive and vascular protective effects of short-term lercanidipine treatment.

Objective: To determine whether the antihypertensive and vascular protective effects of short-term treatment with lercanidipine, a calcium channel blocker, are modulated by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism.

Methods: In a self-controlled study, a total of 143 essential hypertensive patients, all permanent residents of Shanghai, were included. All of them were treated orally with lercanidipine at a single daily fixed dosage of 10mg for 28 consecutive days and the genotypes of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism were determined.

Identification of expressed genes in cDNA library of hemocytes from the RLO-challenged oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis Gould with special functional implication of three complement-related fragments (CaC1q1, CaC1q2 and CaC3).

A SMARTer™ cDNA library of hemocyte from Rickettsia-like organism (RLO) challenged oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis Gould was constructed. Random clones (400) were selected and single-pass sequenced, resulted in 200 unique sequences containing 96 known genes and 104 unknown genes. The 96 known genes were categorized into 11 groups based on their biological process.

Determination of glucose and uric acid with bienzyme colorimetry on microfluidic paper-based analysis devices.

In this work, we first employ a drying method combining with the bienzyme colorimetric detection of glucose and uric acid on microfluidic paper-based analysis devices (μPADs). The channels of 3D μPADs are also designed by us to get better results. The color results are recorded by both Gel Documentation systems and a common camera.

Preemptive deceased-donor renal transplant in adults: single-center experience and outcome.

Objectives: Preemptive renal transplant has been associated with better survival of both the allograft and the recipient than has conventional renal transplant. It remains unclear, however, whether preemptive transplant is optimal for renal replacement therapy. We describe our experience with preemptive renal transplant.

HD2C interacts with HDA6 and is involved in ABA and salt stress response in Arabidopsis.

HD2 proteins are plant specific histone deacetylases. Four HD2 proteins, HD2A, HD2B, HD2C, and HD2D, have been identified in Arabidopsis. It was found that the expression of HD2A, HD2B, HD2C, and HD2D was repressed by ABA and NaCl.

Subcellular localization of class II HDAs in Arabidopsis thaliana: nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of HDA15 is driven by light.

Class II histone deacetylases in humans and other model organisms undergo nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. This unique functional regulatory mechanism has been well elucidated in eukaryotic organisms except in plant systems. In this study, we have paved the baseline evidence for the cytoplasmic and nuclear localization of Class II HDAs as well as their mRNA expression patterns.

Influenza virus entry.

As all the enveloped viruses, the entry of influenza viruses includes a number of steps in host cell infection. This chapter summarizes the current knowledge of the entry pathway and the role of the fusion protein of influenza virus, hemagglutinin, in this process. Hemagglutinin (HA) is a trimeric glycoprotein that is present in multiple copies in the membrane envelope of influenza virus.

Chemiluminescence biosensors for DNA detection using graphene oxide and a horseradish peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme.

In this communication, we demonstrate that graphene oxide (GO) greatly inhibits the peroxidatic activity of a horseradish peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme. Combining this observation with the unique DNA/GO interactions, an ultrasensitive GO-based chemiluminescence DNA biosensing platform is developed.

Improved left ventricular diastolic function with exercise training in hypertension: a Doppler imaging study.

Objective. To study the effects of 6 months' exercise training on ventricular function in hypertensive patients. Methods.

Multifunctional ferritin cage nanostructures for fluorescence and MR imaging of tumor cells.

Bionanoparticles and nanostructures have attracted increasing interest as versatile and promising tools in many applications including biosensing and bioimaging. In this study, to image and detect tumor cells, ferritin cage-based multifunctional hybrid nanostructures were constructed that: (i) displayed both the green fluorescent protein and an Arg-Gly-Asp peptide on the exterior surface of the ferritin cages; and (ii) incorporated ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles into the ferritin interior cavity. The overall architecture of ferritin cages did not change after being integrated with fusion proteins and ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

HDA6 directly interacts with DNA methyltransferase MET1 and maintains transposable element silencing in Arabidopsis.

The molecular mechanism of how the histone deacetylase HDA6 participates in maintaining transposable element (TE) silencing in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is not yet defined. In this study, we show that a subset of TEs was transcriptionally reactivated and that TE reactivation was associated with elevated histone H3 and H4 acetylation as well as increased H3K4Me3 and H3K4Me2 in hda6 mutants. Decreased DNA methylation of the TEs was also detected in hda6 mutants, suggesting that HDA6 silences the TEs by regulating histone acetylation and methylation as well as the DNA methylation status of the TEs.

Clinical efficacy and safety of lactulose for minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of lactulose in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE).

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing lactulose with placebo or with no intervention in the management of MHE that were conducted from January 1990 to July 2011 were searched from MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCI, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and China Biological Medicine Database. Studies with a Jadad score higher than 3 were included in the meta-analysis and evaluated using RevMan5.

[Study on the prevalence of acute flaccid paralysis and hand foot mouth disease in Beijing 2006 - 2008].

Objective: To study the prevalence of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and hand foot mouth disease (HFMD) in Beijing, from 2006 - 2008.

Methods: Data on AFP and HFMD was analyzed epidemiologically, during 2006 - 2008 in Beijing. All the specimens from AFP cases were isolated and identified by RD and L20B cell and all of non-polio enterovirus (NPEV) cases were assayed by HFMD real-time PCR kit.