[Phase separation characteristics of an anaerobic baffled reactor treating organic wastewater containing sulphate].

Phase separation characteristics of anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) treating organic wastewater containing sulphate were investigated in a 5-compartment ABR with an effective volume of 32 L. During a start-up experiments of 132 days, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and sulphate (SO4(2-)) removal efficiency, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and sulfide (S2-) distribution in each compartment were measured. The microbiology communities of granular sludge were also investigated by scanning electronic microscope (SEM).

Lowering beta-amyloid levels rescues learning and memory in a Down syndrome mouse model.

beta-amyloid levels are elevated in Down syndrome (DS) patients throughout life and are believed to cause Alzheimer's disease (AD) in adult members of this population. However, it is not known if beta-amyloid contributes to intellectual disability in younger individuals. We used a gamma-secretase inhibitor to lower beta-amyloid levels in young mice that model DS.

[Effect of liangxue shengji recipe on incidence of post-percutaneous coronary intervention restenosis and adverse cardiovascular events].

Objective: To observe the intervention effect of Liangxue Shengji Recipe (LSR) on incidence of post-percutaneous coronary intervention (post-PCI) restenosis and adverse cardiovascular events.

Methods: With a randomized, single-blinded methods adopted, 100 patients with coronary artery disease (CHD) and underwent stent implantation were randomized into two groups, the control group and the treated group, conventional Western treatment was administered to them all, but with LSR to patients in the treated group additionally. They were followed up for at least six months.

Norbin is an endogenous regulator of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 signaling.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) is highly expressed in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). It is involved in multiple physiological functions and is a target for treatment of various CNS disorders, including schizophrenia. We report that Norbin, a neuron-specific protein, physically interacts with mGluR5 in vivo, increases the cell surface localization of the receptor, and positively regulates mGluR5 signaling.

[Survey of asthma control and perception in asthmatic outpatients of Beijing urban district].

Objective: To evaluate the status of asthma control and asthma perception in asthmatic outpatients of Beijing urban district.

Methods: A questionnaire survey in a face-to-face setting was conducted among 360 asthmatic out-patients, 144 males and 316 females, aged (48 +/- 15), from June 2007 to December 2007 in 3 class 3 first level general hospitals in 3 Beijing urban districts.

Results: Among 360 asthmatic patients, 325 (90.

A role for LYNX2 in anxiety-related behavior.

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders in developed societies. Although roles for the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus and mediodorsal thalamus in anxiety disorders are well documented, molecular mechanisms contributing to the functions of these structures are poorly understood. Here we report that deletion of Lynx2, a mammalian prototoxin gene that is expressed at high levels in anxiety associated brain areas, results in elevated anxiety-like behaviors.

Randomized-controlled phase II clinical trial of a bacterially expressed recombinant hepatitis E vaccine.

The candidate recombinant hepatitis E vaccine, HEV 239, protect monkeys against infection by hepatitis E virus (HEV). The safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine for humans was assessed in a randomized controlled phase II clinical trial. The study was conducted in an endemic area of southern China and consisted of a dose scheduling, involving 457 adults and a dose escalation component involving 155 high school students.

[Study on the safety and immunogenicity of MF59-adjuvanted influenza subunit vaccine in Chinese elderly].

Objective: To compare the safety and immunogenicity between a MF59-adjuvanted influenza subunit vaccine and a conventional non-adjuvanted influenza subunit vaccine.

Methods: A randomized, blind-designed controlled study was carried out, with 600 subjects (> or = 60 years of age) received MF59-adjuvanted influenza subunit vaccine (FLUAD, n = 400) or conventional non-adjuvanted influenza subunit vaccine (Agrippal, n = 200) respectively. The local and systemic reactions were observed on 0-7 days after vaccination.

[Dynamic study on the anti-HBs level of immunized children born to HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative mothers in hyperendemic area of hepatitis B].

Objective: To investigate the dynamic changes of the anti-HBs level among immunized newborn infants born to HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative mothers in hyper-endemic area of Hepatitis B.

Methods: Infants who were regularly vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine and tested to be anti-HBs positive were divided into two groups according to HBsAg-positive or negative mothers in Long-an, Guangxi. Each subject was followed up 3 times during age 5 to 8.

[Effects of electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40) on SOD and MDA in different organs of the hyperlipemia rat].

Objective: To probe into the target organ of Fenglong (ST 40) and the mechanism in resolving phlegm.

Methods: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, a blank control group, a model group and a Fenglong group, 10 rats in each group. The hyperlipemia rat model was prepared by feeding high fat forage.

Safety and immunogenicity of a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar): primary dosing series in healthy Chinese infants.

This was a randomized safety/immunogenicity evaluation of PCV7 primary series at 3, 4, 5 months in healthy Chinese infants. Eight hundred subjects were randomized to Group 1 (PCV7 > or =7 days before DTaP), or Group 2 (PCV7 with DTaP), or Group 3 (DTaP only). Erythema and induration/swelling were recorded at the PCV7 injection site at any individual dose in no more than 12% and 8% of subjects, respectively, and neither exceeded 2.

[Study on the safety and immunogenicity of group A + C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine].

Objective: In order to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of group A + C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, a controlled field trial was performed among children at 6-24 months and 5-13 years old in Longsheng county, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Methods: More than 600 children were selected in this trial. 428 children, aged 6-24 month-old and 5-13 year-old were involved in two experimental groups and were inoculated 100 microg of group A + C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

A novel family of potent negative allosteric modulators of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors.

Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), mGluR2 and mGluR3, play a number of important roles in mammalian brain and represent exciting new targets for certain central nervous system disorders. We now report synthesis and characterization of a novel family of derivatives of dihydrobenzo[1,4]diazepin-2-one that are selective negative allosteric modulators for group II mGluRs. These compounds inhibit both mGluR2 and mGluR3 but have no activity at group I and III mGluRs.

Interaction of novel positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 with the negative allosteric antagonist site is required for potentiation of receptor responses.

Exciting advances have been made in the discovery of selective positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) mGluR5. These compounds may provide a novel approach that could be useful in the treatment of certain central nervous system disorders. However, because of their low potencies, previously described mGluR5 potentiators are not useful for functional studies in native preparations.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus infection, rural southern People's Republic of China.

Genotype 4 hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the dominant cause of hepatitis E in the People's Republic of China; swine are the principal reservoir. Our study was conducted in 8 rural communities of southern China, where families keep pigs near their homes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 23 of 24 concurrent virus isolates from this region are genotype 4 strains.

Effect of electroacupuncture on reperfusion ventricular arrhythmia in rat.

Protective effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) on acute reperfusion ventricular arrhthmia was investigated. Ventricular arrhythmia was induced by occlusion of the proximal left anterior descend (LAD) branch of coronary artery for 5 min and followed with 15 min reperfusion. EA on acupoint "Neiguan", "Jianshi" was performed at 30 min before ligation and continued another 5 min during ischemia.

Biphenyl-indanone A, a positive allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2, has antipsychotic- and anxiolytic-like effects in mice.

Previous studies indicate that agonists of the group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), mGluR2 and mGluR3, may provide a novel approach for the treatment of anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. However, the relative contributions of the mGluR2 and mGluR3 subtypes to the effects of the group II mGluR agonists remain unclear. In the present study, we describe an alternate synthesis and further pharmacological characterization of a recently reported positive allosteric modulator of mGluR2 termed biphenyl-indanone A (BINA).

A selective small molecule IkappaB Kinase beta inhibitor blocks nuclear factor kappaB-mediated inflammatory responses in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes, chondrocytes, and mast cells.

IkappaB kinase (IKK) beta is essential for inflammatory cytokine-induced activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). NF-kappaB plays a pivotal role in the function of major cell types that contribute to the pathophysiological process of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we report the mechanism and the effect of the IKKbeta inhibitor N-(6-chloro-7-methoxy-9H-beta-carbolin-8-yl)-2-methylnicotinamide (ML120B), a beta-carboline derivative, on NF-kappaB signaling and gene activation in RA-relevant cell systems.

[The effect of a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor on airway inflammation and airway remodeling in a murine model of asthma].

Objective: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the effect of a VEGF receptor inhibitor on airway inflammation and remodeling in a murine model of asthma.

Methods: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: group A (control group, n = 10), group B (asthmatic model group, n = 10) and group C (VEGF receptor inhibitor group, n = 10). The asthmatic model was established by OVA sensitization and challenge.

A close structural analog of 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine acts as a neutral allosteric site ligand on metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 and blocks the effects of multiple allosteric modulators.

The metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) activates calcium mobilization via binding of glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Allosteric modulation of the receptor has recently emerged as a promising alternative method of regulation to traditional regulation through orthosteric ligands. We now report three novel compounds that bind to the allosteric 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) site on mGlu5 but have only partial inhibition or no functional effects on the mGlu5 response.

Regulation of NMDA receptor trafficking by amyloid-beta.

Amyloid-beta peptide is elevated in the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease and is believed to be causative in the disease process. Amyloid-beta reduces glutamatergic transmission and inhibits synaptic plasticity, although the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We found that application of amyloid-beta promoted endocytosis of NMDA receptors in cortical neurons.

Small molecule inhibitors of IkappaB kinase are selectively toxic for subgroups of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma defined by gene expression profiling.

Constitutive activation of the NF-kappaB pathway is required for survival of the activated B cell-like (ABC) subgroup of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here we show that a small molecule IkappaB kinase (IKK) inhibitor, PS-1145, and related compounds are toxic for ABC DLBCL cell lines but not for cell lines derived from the other prevalent form of DLBCL, germinal center B cell-like DLBCL. Treatment of ABC lines with these inhibitors rapidly induced a series of gene expression changes that were attributable to cessation of constitutive IKK activity, similar to changes induced by acute expression of genetic inhibitors of NF-kappaB, confirming the effectiveness and specificity of this compound.

[Constructing a Cox proportional hazard regression model of prognosis factors of acute myocardial infarction by retrospective cohort study].

Objective: To study the effects of the potential factors, including Chinese herbal decoction, on the long-term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Previous clinical data of 162 patients with AMI were collected, who were followed-up to observe the important events for prognosis, as death and cardio-cerebral episode, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the relative factors.

Results: The degree of cardiac function (by New York grading) increased 1 grade when age increased for 10 years, and the relative hazardous degree (RHD) raised to 1.

NMDA receptors are movin' in.

Dynamic modulation of the number of postsynaptic glutamate receptors is considered one of the main mechanisms for altering the strength of excitatory synapses in the central nervous system (CNS). However, until recently N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors were considered relatively stable once in the plasma membrane, especially in comparison with alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors that are internalized at a high rate. A series of recent studies has changed this viewpoint by revealing that NMDA receptors are subject to constitutive as well as agonist-induced internalization through clathrin-mediated endocytosis.