Receptor and transporter binding and activity profiles of albiflorin extracted from Radix paeoniae Alba.

Albiflorin, a traditional Chinese herb, is a main component of Radix paeoniae Alba, which has been used for the treatment of depressive disorders since ancient times. However, the mechanism of the antidepressant effect of albiflorin is poorly understood. Thus, we explored the binding profile of albiflorin at neurotransmitter receptors and transporters.

Sterilization Effects of Adult-targeted Baits Containing Insect Growth Regulators on Delia antiqua.

The onion maggot, Delia antiqua, is a devastating pest of liliaceous crops and current control measures fail to avert pesticide residues, threats to agroecosystem, and costly expenditures. Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are used as trypetid pest chemosterilants for their suppression on adult fertility and fecundity, but their effects on onion flies are unknown. Here, three IGRs (lufenuron, cyromazine, pyriproxyfen) were incorporated into baits to evaluate their effects on onion fly survival, fecundity, fertility, susceptibility of adults in different ages and offspring development.

Novel mutation in mitochondrial DNA in 2 siblings with Leigh syndrome.

Leigh syndrome is clinically and genetically heterogeneous, associated with mutations in mitochondrial and nuclear genes.(1) Diagnostic criteria include progressive disorder with motor and intellectual delay/regression; signs and symptoms of brainstem and/or basal ganglia disease; raised lactate concentration in blood and/or CSF; and one or more of the following: (1) characteristic features on neuroimaging (bilateral symmetrical hyperintensities in brainstem, basal ganglia, dentate nuclei, and optic nerves on T2-weighted MRI); (2) typical neuropathologic changes; and (3) typical neuropathology in a similarly affected sibling.(2) We describe 2 African American siblings who have a mutation in the mitochondrial MT-TL2 gene and a clinical diagnosis of Leigh syndrome.

RBX1 expression is an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of RBX1 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Quantitative real-time (RT-PCR) and western blot were used to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of RBX1 in NSCLC and corresponding non-cancerous tissues. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the expression of RBX1 in 192 NSCLC tissue samples.

Guidance from an in situ hot stage in TEM to synthesize magnetic metal nanoparticles from a MOF.

A series of in situ hot stage experiments using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were studied to directly observe the transition of a Ni-MOF to Ni nanoparticles wrapped in carbon (Ni-NPC) over temperatures ranging from ambient temperature to 700 °C. Ni-NPC-600 displays high catalytic activity in 4-nitrophenol reduction and high conversion, even after 10 cycles.

SOX9 directly Regulates CTGF/CCN2 Transcription in Growth Plate Chondrocytes and in Nucleus Pulposus Cells of Intervertebral Disc.

Several lines of evidence indicate that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) stimulates chondrocyte proliferation and maturation. Given the fact that SOX9 is essential for several steps of the chondrocyte differentiation pathway, we asked whether Ctgf (Ccn2) is the direct target gene of SOX9. We found that Ctgf mRNA was down-regulated in primary sternal chondrocytes from Sox9(flox/flox) mice infected with Ad-CMV-Cre.

Enhancement of Exposure and Reduction of Elimination for Paeoniflorin or Albiflorin via Co-Administration with Total Peony Glucosides and Hypoxic Pharmacokinetics Comparison.

There is evidence suggesting that herbal extracts demonstrate greater bioactivities than their isolated constituents at an equivalent dose. This phenomenon could be attributed to the absence of interacting substances present in the extracts. By measuring the pharmacokinetic parameters of paeoniflorin (PF) and albiflorin (AF) after being orally administered to rats in isolated form, in combination with each other and within total peony glucosides (TPG), respectively, the current study aimed to identify positive pharmacokinetic interactions between components of peony radix extracts.

Modified Great Toe Wraparound Flap with Preservation of Plantar Triangular Flap for Reconstruction of Degloving Injuries of the Thumb and Fingers: Long-Term Follow-Up.

Background: The purpose of this article is to report the authors' experience with the use of the modified great toe wraparound flap with preservation of a plantar triangular flap for reconstructing degloving injuries of the thumb and fingers.

Methods: Between 2007 and 2012, 31 patients underwent reconstruction with 37 flaps. Twenty-seven patients underwent reconstruction with 31 flaps for a degloved thumb and fingers, and four patients underwent reconstruction with six flaps for degloved fingers only.

[Comparison of the shaping ability of three Ni-Ti rotary instruments in the preparation of simulated curved root canals].

Purpose: To compare the shaping ability of three rotary Ni-Ti instruments in simulated root canals.

Methods: A total of 30 simulated resin blocks were divided randomly into 3 groups: ProTaper Universal, ProTaper Next and TF Adaptive. Each group consisted of 10 root canals.

[Biases on community structure during DNA extraction of shrimp intestinal microbiota revealed by high-throughput sequencing].

Objectives: High-throughput sequencing technology is increasingly applied in intestinal microbiota of aquatic animals including shrimp. However, there is a lack of standard method or kit for DNA isolation from shrimp intestinal microbiota, and little is known about the effectiveness and biases regarding DNA extraction based on high-throughput sequencing. The aim of this study was to study the biases of different DNA extraction kits on community structure of shrimp intestinal microbiota through high-throughput sequencing, and to better understand the structure and composition of bacterial flora associated with healthy Litopenaeus vannamei.

[Investigation on soil - transmitted nematode infections in national surveillance sites in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2015].

Objective: To understand the status of soil-transmitted nematode infections in rural residents so as to provide the evidence for formulating the guidance for prevention and control of the diseases.

Methods: The national surveillance sites of soil-transmitted nematode infections were established in Shuyang County, Suqian City, Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2015. At least 1 000 fecal samples of residents aged 3 years or above were collected in every autumn, and the intestinal helminth eggs were detected with the Kato-Katz technique and the eggs were detected by the cellophane tape method for children aged 3-12 years.

Gender, Headaches, and Sleep Health in High School Students.

Background: The effects of gender, headaches, and their interaction on sleep health (sleep duration, sleep onset and continuity, and indications of hypersomnolence) have not been well studied.

Materials And Methods: For American adolescents, we contrasted sleep health variables between males (n = 378) and females (n = 372) and between individuals with chronic headaches (n = 102 females and 60 males) and without chronic headaches (n = 270 females and 318 males) using data from surveys.

Results: Not all measures of sleep health differed between groups, but the following patterns were observed for the measures that did differ.

Biomimetic synthesis of needle-like fluorescent calcium phosphate/carbon dot hybrid composites for cell labeling and copper ion detection.

Herein, we report a biomimetic method to synthesize needle-like calcium phosphate (CaP) with dimensions of ∼130 nm length and ∼30 nm width using carbon dots (CDs) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose as dual templates. In addition to acting as the template, the CDs enable the CaP/CDs hybrid composites to emit blue fluorescence under UV excitation. Moreover, the prepared CaP/CDs exhibited a negligible cytotoxicity towards HeLa cells.

Severe holocord syrinx in a child with megalencephaly-capillary malformation syndrome.

The authors present the case of a child with megalencephaly-capillary malformation syndrome who developed a rapidly progressive holocord syringomyelia that was treated surgically. A 3-year-old boy with megalencephaly-capillary malformation-polymicrogyria (MCAP) syndrome presented with several months of right leg weakness, worsening scoliosis, and increased seizures. An MRI study of the brain demonstrated a Chiari I malformation and massively dilated syringomyelia extending from C-2 to the conus medullaris.

[Diversity of Bdellovibrio-and-like organisms from shrimp mariculture ponds in Zhanjiang].

Objective: Bdellovibrio-and-like organisms (BALOs) are small-sized, parasitic bacteria that rely on other Gram-negative bacteria for survival. Our work aimed to characterize the community diversity of BALOs associated with tropical shrimp ponds.

Methods: We collected water samples from eight shrimp ponds culturing Litopenaeus vannamei, in Zhanjiang, China, and extracted total DNA of the samples.

Wind estimation around the shipwreck of Oriental Star based on field damage surveys and radar observations.

Based on observational analyses and on-site ground and aerial damage surveys, this work aims to reveal the weather phenomena-especially the wind situation-when Oriental Star capsized in the Yangtze River on June 1, 2015. Results demonstrate that the cruise ship capsized when it encountered strong winds at speeds of at least 31 m s near the apex of a bow echo embedded in a squall line. As suggested by the fallen trees within a 2-km radius around the wreck location, such strong winds were likely caused by microburst straight-line wind and/or embedded small vortices, rather than tornadoes.

Effects of Instant Messaging on School Performance in Adolescents.

Instant messaging may compromise sleep quality and school performance in adolescents. We aimed to determine associations between nighttime messaging and daytime sleepiness, self-reported sleep parameters, and/or school performance. Students from 3 high schools in New Jersey completed anonymous questionnaires assessing sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, messaging habits, and academic performance.

Sleep health, messaging, headaches, and academic performance in high school students.

Aim: We tested for associations of bedtime, sleep duration, instant messaging, and chronic headaches with hypersomnolence and academic performance in a sample of high school students in New Jersey, USA.

Methods: Students were surveyed anonymously and asked to report their sleep and messaging habits, headache status, and overall grades.

Results: We found that greater hypersomnolence was associated with later bedtimes, shorter sleep durations, and the presence of chronic headaches, but not with messaging after lights out.

Pre-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts prognosis in patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on the prognosis of patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-five patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal carcinoma (cT3-4 N0-3M0) treated with chemoradiotherapy were reviewed retrospectively. Chemoradiotherapy comprised external beam radiotherapy to the larynx (70 Gy) with three cycles of cisplatin at 3 week intervals.

Sodium glycididazole enhances the radiosensitivity of laryngeal cancer cells through downregulation of ATM signaling pathway.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole, and the corresponding mechanisms of action on laryngeal cancer cells. Two laryngeal cancer cell lines (Hep-2 and UT-SCC-19A) were irradiated with X-rays in the presence or absence of sodium glycididazole. Cell survival, DNA damage and repair, cell apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, expression of proteins related to cell cycle checkpoint, and apoptosis were measured.

Radiation enhancing effects of sanazole and gemcitabine in hypoxic breast and cervical cancer cells in vitro.

Aim Of The Study: Sanazole and gemcitabine have been proven clinically as hypoxic cell radiosensitisers. This study was conducted to determine the radiation enhancing effects of sanazole and gemcitabine when administered together at relevant concentrations into hypoxic human MCF-7 and HeLa cells.

Material And Methods: A 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the number of surviving cells.

UPLC-HRMS based metabolomics reveals the sphingolipids with long fatty chains and olefinic bonds up-regulated in metabolic pathway for hypoxia preconditioning.

Hypoxia preconditioning (HPC) could protect cells, tissues, organs and systems from hypoxia injury, but the molecular mechanism still remained unclear. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) based metabolomics method was utilized to explore the key endogenous metabolites and metabolic pathways related to HPC. Our results clearly showed that the HPC mice model was established and refined, suggesting that there were significant differences between the control group and 6 × HPC group at the molecular levels.

[Expression of Wnt5a in chronic apical periodontitis and its clinical significance].

Purpose: To detect the expression of Wnt5a in lesions of chronic apical periodontitis and determine the relationship between expression of Wnt5a and inflammation degree.

Methods: Ten patients with chronic apical periodontitis and 5 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. According to the inflammatory cell infiltration, the specimens were divided into 2 groups: severe inflammation group and mild inflammation group.

Feeding of Whitefly on Tobacco Decreases Aphid Performance via Increased Salicylate Signaling.

Background: The feeding of Bemisia tabaci nymphs trigger the SA pathway in some plant species. A previous study showed that B. tabaci nymphs induced defense against aphids (Myzus persicae) in tobacco.