Natriuretic peptides and right atrial fibrosis in patients with paroxysmal versus persistent atrial fibrillation.

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are excellent diagnostic and prognostic markers of heart failure, but their roles in atrial fibrillation (AF), particularly of isolated cardiac valvular origin, are unclear. We assessed the mRNA and protein content of pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (pro-ANP) and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) in right atrial appendages (RAAs) and their N-terminal fragments (nt-proANP and nt-proBNP) in the plasma of 30 patients with paroxysmal AF (PaAF) and 40 patients with persistent AF (PeAF) matched with 34 patients in sinus rhythm (SR) undergoing isolated valvular replacement. To explore the underlying mechanism, fibrosis related examinations were simultaneously carried out in RAAs.

Unique biological properties of catalytic domain directed human anti-CAIX antibodies discovered through phage-display technology.

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX, gene G250/MN-encoded transmembrane protein) is highly expressed in various human epithelial tumors such as renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC), but absent from the corresponding normal tissues. Besides the CA signal transduction activity, CAIX may serve as a biomarker in early stages of oncogenesis and also as a reliable marker of hypoxia, which is associated with tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although results from preclinical and clinical studies have shown CAIX as a promising target for detection and therapy for RCC, only a limited number of murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and one humanized mAb are available for clinical testing and development.

Vertical detachment energy of hydrated electron based on a modified form of solvent reorganization energy.

In this work, the constrained equilibrium principle is introduced and applied to the derivations of the nonequilibrium solvation free energy and solvent reorganization energy in the process of removing the hydrated electron. Within the framework of the continuum model, a modified expression of the vertical detachment energy (VDE) of a hydrated electron in water is formulated. Making use of the approximation of spherical cavity and point charge, the variation tendency of VDE accompanying the size increase of the water cluster has been inspected.

CtIP links DNA double-strand break sensing to resection.

In response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), cells sense the DNA lesions and then activate the protein kinase ATM. Subsequent DSB resection produces RPA-coated ssDNA that is essential for activation of the DNA damage checkpoint and DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR). However, the biochemical mechanism underlying the transition from DSB sensing to resection remains unclear.

Mangiferin prevents diabetic nephropathy progression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most severe diabetic microangiopathies and accounting for approximately one-third of all cases of end-stage renal disease. In the present study, we investigated the effect of mangiferin, a polyphenol from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. or Mangifera indica L.

Induction of leukotriene B(4) and prostaglandin E(2) release from keratinocytes by protease-activated receptor-2-activating peptide in ICR mice.

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) has been shown to play a key role in the pathophysiology of itch. However, the precise mechanism of PAR2-mediated itch remains largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of several agents on the scratching behavior induced by PAR2-activating peptide (SLIGRL-NH2).

Participation of proteinase-activated receptor-2 in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis-induced scratching behavior and the inhibitory effect of tacrolimus.

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) may be an important regulator of skin mast cell function during cutaneous inflammation and hypersensitivity. However, little is known of the role of PAR2 in allergic pruritus, because mast cells, which are thought to be responsible for this symptom, can release a number of different pruritogens. In the present study, we investigated the effects of several agents on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis-induced scratching behavior in ICR mice.

Impact of ketone and amino on the inner shell of guanine.

Removal of the functional groups of guanine, i.e. ketone and amino, one by one produces model molecules of hypoxanthine, 2-aminopurine and unsubstituted purine.

[Establishment of hepatocyte extraction combined with HPLC(HE-HPLC) and application in analysis of active components in the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides extract].

To screen effective principles from traditional Chinese medicine, a method named hepatocyte extraction combined with HPLC (HE-HPLC) was establish in this study. The active principles in the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis extract were combined with the hepatocytes under imitated physiological environments. Then the unattached substances were washed off by PBS with pH 7.

Mechanisms of alpha1-adrenoceptor mediated QT prolongation in the diabetic rat heart.

Aims: Diabetes mellitus is associated with changes of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR) on heart electrical function and expression. In this study, we investigated the ionic basis underlying abnormal alpha(1)-AR mediated QT prolongation in the diabetic rat hearts.

Main Methods: Electrophysiological and biochemical techniques were used in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic and control rat hearts.

A correlation-test-based validation procedure for identified neural networks.

In this study, an enhanced correlation-test-based validation procedure is developed to check the quality of identified neural networks in modeling of nonlinear systems. The new computation algorithm up grades the validation power by including a direct correlation test between residuals and delayed outputs that have been quoted indirectly in the most previous approaches. Furthermore, based on the new validation procedure, three guidelines are proposed in this study to help explain the validation results and the statistic properties of the residuals.

Broadening of neutralization activity to directly block a dominant antibody-driven SARS-coronavirus evolution pathway.

Phylogenetic analyses have provided strong evidence that amino acid changes in spike (S) protein of animal and human SARS coronaviruses (SARS-CoVs) during and between two zoonotic transfers (2002/03 and 2003/04) are the result of positive selection. While several studies support that some amino acid changes between animal and human viruses are the result of inter-species adaptation, the role of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) in driving SARS-CoV evolution, particularly during intra-species transmission, is unknown. A detailed examination of SARS-CoV infected animal and human convalescent sera could provide evidence of nAb pressure which, if found, may lead to strategies to effectively block virus evolution pathways by broadening the activity of nAbs.

Inner-shell chemical shift of DNA/RNA bases and inheritance from their parent purine and pyrimidine.

Inner-shell electronic structures, properties and ionization spectra of DNA/RNA bases are studied with respect to their parent pyrimidine and purine species. Density functional theory B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ has been employed to produce the geometries of the bases, whereas LB94/et-pVQZ//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ is used to calculate site-related Hirshfeld charges and core (vertical) ionization energies, as well as inner-shell spectra of C1s, N1s and O1s for DNA/RNA bases and their parent pyrimidine and purine species. The site-dependent variations of properties indicate the changes and inheritance of chemical environment when pyrimidine and purine become substituted.

Mechanisms of SHP-1 P2 promoter regulation in hematopoietic cells and its silencing in HTLV-1-transformed T cells.

The Src homology-2-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1), is a negative regulator of cell signaling. It is also considered a tumor suppressor gene because of its ability to antagonize the action of tyrosine kinases. Although SHP-1 is expressed strongly in hematopoietic cells, decreased expression has been observed in various hematological malignancies, which suggests a central involvement of SHP-1 in leukemogenesis.

Reference values of semen parameters for healthy Chinese men.

Aims: To establish reference values of semen parameters in a residential, geographic, and age representative sample of healthy Chinese men.

Methods: From a national study of 1,191 healthy Chinese men, semen samples were analyzed from 105 subjects whose wives or partners were pregnant within the 12 months prior to the date when the semen sample was taken.

Results: The means, fifth percentiles, and percentages lower than the WHO criteria for semen parameters were, respectively: 75.

Lentivirus display: stable expression of human antibodies on the surface of human cells and virus particles.

Background: Isolation of human antibodies using current display technologies can be limited by constraints on protein expression, folding and post-translational modifications. Here we describe a discovery platform that utilizes self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vectors for the surface display of high-affinity single-chain variable region (scFv) antibody fragments on human cells and lentivirus particles.

Methodology/principal Findings: Bivalent scFvFc human antibodies were fused in frame with different transmembrane (TM) anchoring moieties to allow efficient high-level expression on human cells and the optimal TM was identified.

Transcription factor GATA-4 is involved in erythropoietin-induced cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) can reduce myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the cellular mechanisms have not been elucidated entirely. The present study was to investigate whether transcription factor GATA-4 could be involved in EPO-induced cardioprotection when it was administered after ischemia, immediately before reperfusion.

Formation of nanocrystalline matrix of sodium rare earth fluoride up-conversion phosphors.

Until now, ytterbium and erbium co-doped sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF4:Yb, Er) is among the most efficient up-conversion phosphors. Its potential for applications in biological and medical fields has interested many scientists. However, the formation mechanism of the co-doped sodium yttrium fluoride nanoparticles is still unknown.

Effects of the selective prostacyclin receptor antagonist RO3244019 on the micturition reflex in rats.

Purpose: We investigated the role of prostacyclin on afferent modulation of the micturition reflex using the novel selective prostacyclin receptor antagonist RO3244019 in rat models of bladder function.

Materials And Methods: The effects of RO3244019 on urodynamic parameters were evaluated in 3 rat models. In the anesthetized isovolumetric bladder contraction and the volume induced micturition reflex (Refill) models the effects of RO3244019 and chronic capsaicin desensitization were compared.

Human anti-CXCR4 antibodies undergo VH replacement, exhibit functional V-region sulfation, and define CXCR4 antigenic heterogeneity.

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) are essential for many biological processes and various pathological conditions. However, the relationship between CXCR4 antigenic structure and SDF-1-mediated biological responses is poorly understood. In this report, a panel of human anti-CXCR4 Abs were isolated and used to explore CXCR4 antigenic heterogeneity and function.

[Protective effect of total glucosides of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora against oxidative stress in glomerular mesangial cells induced by high glucose].

Total glucosides of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora (TGP) is the active principal in Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora which has antioxidant effect. Since oxidative stress plays a key role in diabetic nephropathy, we investigated the effects of TGP on oxidative stress in bovine glomerular mesangial cells (MC) induced by prolonged high glucose. Bovine glomerular mesangial cells were cultured and passages 2-3 were used for the experiment.

A study on orientation and absorption spectrum of interfacial molecules by using continuum model.

In this work, a numerical procedure based on the continuum model is developed and applied to the solvation energy for ground state and the spectral shift against the position and the orientation of the interfacial molecule. The interface is described as a sharp boundary separating two bulk media. The polarizable continuum model (PCM) allows us to account for both electrostatic and nonelectrostatic solute-solvent interactions when we calculate the solvation energy.

Negative regulation of the SH2-homology containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) P2 promoter by the HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein.

Expression of SH(2)-homology-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), a candidate tumor suppressor, is repressed in human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1)-transformed lymphocyte cell lines, adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells, and in other hematologic malignancies. However, the mechanisms underlying regulation and repression of SHP-1 remain unclear. Herein, we cloned the putative full-length, hematopoietic cell-specific SHP-1 P2 promoter and identified the "core" promoter regions.

Quality evaluation of Cordyceps through simultaneous determination of eleven nucleosides and bases by RP-HPLC.

A new RP-HPLC method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 11 nucleosides and bases, including adenosine, cordycepin, cytidine, guanosine, inosine, thymidine, uridine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, and uracil in Cordyceps. Determination was achieved on a Zorbax 300SB C18 analytical column (4.6 x 250 mm id, 5 mm) using gradient elution with diode-array detection.

Continuous medium theory for nonequilibrium solvation: IV. Solvent reorganization energy of electron transfer based on conductor-like screening model.

In this work the authors present some evidences of defects in the popular continuous medium theories for nonequilibrium solvation. Particular attention has been paid to the incorrect reversible work approach. After convincing reasoning, the nonequilibrium free energy has been formulated to an expression different from the traditional ones.