MYH9-related disease: description of a large Chinese pedigree and a survey of reported mutations.

We describe a large four-generational Chinese pedigree segregating MYH9 -related disease caused by a V1516L mutation. The clinical findings supported previously established genotype-phenotype correlations, and also demonstrated interindividual variability of disease manifestations even within the same family. The same mutation was previously reported in another Chinese pedigree but resulting from a different DNA substitution.

Transcriptome profiling of a multiple recurrent muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder by deep sequencing.

Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is one of the commonly diagnosed cancers in the world. The UCB has the highest rate of recurrence of any malignancy. A genome-wide screening of transcriptome dysregulation between cancer and normal tissue would provide insight into the molecular basis of UCB recurrence and is a key step to discovering biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic targets.

[Bufo gargarizans mcl-1 cloning and its prokaryotic recombinant protein expression].

MCL-1 is encoded by myeloid cell leukemia-1 gene (mcl-1), which is one of the anti-apoptotic members of bcl-2 cell apoptotic gene superfamily. ChanSu is made of dorsal secretions of several Bufo species, commonly used in the prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine for treating many diseases including cancer. To clarify if mcl-1 is expressed in the dorsal skin of B.

[Distribution of matrix-bound phosphine in surface sediments of Jinpu Bay].

This work investigated the distribution of matrix-bound phosphine in surface sediments of Jinpu Bay and associated environmental factors in summer, using the gas chromatography combined with a pulsed flame detector (GC-PFPD). It showed that phosphine ubiquitously presented in the sediments of Jinpu Bay. Contents of matrix-bound phosphine varied between 62.

Effects of the epigenetic drug MS-275 on the release and function of exosome-related immune molecules in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Background: Tumor-derived exosomes have been viewed as a source of tumor antigens that can be used to induce anti-tumor immune responses. In the current study, we aim to investigate the regulatory effect of the epigenetic drug MS-275 on hepatoma G2 (HepG2) cell-derived exosomes, especially for their immunostimulatory properties and alteration of some non-specific immune protein expression, such as heat shock protein (HSP) 70, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA) and MICB.

Methods: MS-275 was used to modulate the secretion of exosomes in human HepG2 cells, and exosomes from untreated HepG2 cells served as negative controls.

Disparity and convergence: Chinese provincial government health expenditures.

The huge regional disparity in government health expenditures (GHE) is a major policy concern in China. This paper addresses whether provincial GHE converges in China from 1997 to 2009 using the economic convergence framework based on neoclassical economic growth theory. Our empirical investigation provides compelling evidence of long-term convergence in provincial GHE within China, but not in short-term.

Pyrophosphate-regulated Zn(2+)-dependent DNAzyme activity: an amplified fluorescence sensing strategy for alkaline phosphatase.

In this work, based on the fact that pyrophosphate (PPi) could regulate the activity of Zn(2+)-dependent DNAzyme, we for the first time report a fluorescence turn-on sensing system for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with improved sensitivity via nonprotein-enzymatic signal amplification. A catalytic and molecular beacon (CAMB) design was employed to further improve its sensitivity. Taking advantage of the strong interactions between PPi and the Zn(2+), the cofactor Zn(2+) was caged, and the DNAzyme activity was effectively inhibited.

A 10 year surveillance for antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in community- and hospital-associated intra-abdominal infections in China.

The objective of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of hospital-associated (HA) and community-associated (CA) Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients with intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) in China. From 2002 to 2011, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 12 antibiotics against 3074 E. coli and 1025 K.

Incorporation of bioactive polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine within bilayered collagen scaffolds enhances the differentiation and subchondral osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (Povidone-iodine, PVP-I) is widely used as an antiseptic agent for lavation during joint surgery; however, the biological effects of PVP-I on cells from joint tissue are unknown. This study examined the biocompatibility and biological effects of PVP-I on cells from joint tissue, with the aim of optimizing cell-scaffold based joint repair. Cells from joint tissue, including cartilage derived progenitor cells (CPC), subchondral bone derived osteoblast and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) were isolated.

[Cloning and bioinformatic analysis of TAGLN2 cDNA of Bufo japonicus formosus].

To study the bioactive polypeptides included in Bufo skin and its secretions the plasmid skin cDNA library of adult Japanese toad Bufo japonicus formosus was prepared. The pSD64TR has been used as the vector and the cloning sites are Xho I and EcoR I. To screen cDNAs encoding bioactive components, the plasmid cDNA library was transformed into E.

Molecular spectroscopic studies on the interaction of ferulic acid with calf thymus DNA.

The interaction between ferulic acid and calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) under physiological conditions (Tris-HCl buffer solutions, pH 7.4) was investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, DNA melting techniques, and viscosity measurements. Results indicated that a complex of ferulic acid with ctDNA was formed with a binding constant of K(290K)=7.

Bi-layer collagen/microporous electrospun nanofiber scaffold improves the osteochondral regeneration.

An optimal scaffold is crucial for osteochondral regeneration. Collagen and electrospun nanofibers have been demonstrated to facilitate cartilage and bone regeneration, respectively. However, the effect of combining collagen and electrospun nanofibers on osteochondral regeneration has yet to be evaluated.

Use of functionalized PEG with 4-aminobenzoic acid stabilized platinum nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for the hydrosilylation of alkenes.

A catalyst containing functionalized polyethylene glycol with 4-aminobenzoic acid (PEG-AMB) stabilized platinum nanoparticles has been synthesized and characterized, and its application in the hydrosilylation of alkenes investigated. It is shown that the functionalized PEG-stabilized Pt nanoparticles form a very efficient catalyst for the hydrosilylation of alkenes. The Pt nanoparticles can be fully immobilized in the PEG-AMB and recycled at least nine times without any obvious loss of catalytic activity.

Whole-exome sequencing identifies mutated PCK2 and HUWE1 associated with carcinoma cell proliferation in a hepatocellular carcinoma patient.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is diagnosed in more than half a million individuals worldwide every year. It is often invasive and metastatic, resulting in a poor prognosis. Our knowledge of the genomic alterations implicated in HCC initiation and progression is fragmentary, and few molecular alterations unique to HCC are known.

Inhibitory function of parathyroid hormone-related protein on chondrocyte hypertrophy: the implication for articular cartilage repair.

Cartilage repair tissue is usually accompanied by chondrocyte hypertrophy and osseous overgrowths, and a role for parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in inhibiting chondrocytes from hypertrophic differentiation during the process of endochondral ossification has been demonstrated. However, application of PTHrP in cartilage repair has not been extensively considered. This review systemically summarizes for the first time the inhibitory function of PTHrP on chondrocyte hypertrophy in articular cartilage and during the process of endochondral ossification, as well as the process of mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenic differentiation.

Hepatocyte function within a stacked double sandwich culture plate cylindrical bioreactor for bioartificial liver system.

Bioartificial liver (BAL) system is promising as an alternative treatment for liver failure. We have developed a bioreactor with stacked sandwich culture plates for the application of BAL. This bioreactor design addresses some of the persistent problems in flat-bed bioreactors through increasing cell packing capacity, eliminating dead flow, regulating shear stress, and facilitating the scalability of the bioreactor unit.

Investigation on the interaction between luteolin and calf thymus DNA by spectroscopic techniques.

The interaction of luteolin with calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) under physiological conditions (Tris-HCl buffer solutions, pH 7.4) was studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurement method, respectively. The results indicated that a complex of luteolin with ctDNA can be formed.

Semaphorin 5A, an axon guidance molecule, enhances the invasion and metastasis of human gastric cancer through activation of MMP9.

Semaphorin 5A, a member of semaphorin family, was originally identified as axonal guidance factor functioning during neuronal development. Previously, we showed that the expression of semaphorin 5A might contribute to the metastasis of gastric cancer. However, its functional roles and mechanism(s) in invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer remain unclear.

[Prophylactic recombinant human thrombopoietin treatment alleviates chemotherapy- induced thrombocytopenia in tumor patients].

Objective: To assess the efficacy of prophylactic treatment with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) on chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in tumor patients.

Methods: In this randomized cross-over self-controlled clinical trial, 24 patients with malignant neoplasms were randomized group A (12 cases) and group B (12 cases). All the patients underwent two identical cycles of chemotherapy.

Neonatal desensitization supports long-term survival and functional integration of human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells in rat joint cartilage without immunosuppression.

Immunological response hampers the investigation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or their derivates for tissue regeneration in vivo. Immunosuppression is often used after surgery, but exhibits side effects of significant weight loss and allows only short-term observation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether neonatal desensitization supports relative long-term survival of hESC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hESC-MSCs) and promotes cartilage regeneration.

A universal amplified strategy for aptasensors: enhancing sensitivity through allostery-triggered enzymatic recycling amplification.

A universal amplified sensing strategy based on endonuclease was developed for designing fluorescence aptasensors. By employing hairpin-structured design for both recognition and reporter probes to decrease background signal, and a nicking endonuclease to perform target-triggered enzymatic recycling amplification, the proposed biosensor showed high sensitivity to target protein. To demonstrate the feasibility of the design, immunoglobulin E (IgE) was studied as a model target.

[Biomechanical study of vertebroplasty with geneX(®) cement augmentation in a calf osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture model].

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical properties of geneX cements for use in vertebroplasty in a calf osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture model.

Methods: Thirty vertebral bodies (T(9)-L(4)) were harvested from 4 fresh calf spines. The bone mineral density was measured with dual-energy radiographic absorption.

Effects of 4-tert-butylpyridine on the quasi-Fermi levels of TiO2 films in the presence of different cations in dye-sensitized solar cells.

The effects of additives on the quasi-Fermi levels (QFL) of TiO(2) films in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were investigated by a direct method. We observed that the values of QFL of TiO(2) at short circuit and open circuit are different and found for the first time the linear relationships between QFL shifts at short circuit and open circuit induced by 4-tert-butylpyridine (TBP), and that the slopes of the lines were significantly influenced by the nature of cations in the electrolyte. Different QFL shifts at short circuit and open circuit were observed in the presence of TBA(+).

Spectroscopic analysis on the resveratrol-DNA binding interactions at physiological pH.

The interaction of resveratrol with calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) under physiological conditions (Tris-HCl buffer solutions, pH 7.4) was studied by spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurement method, respectively. Results indicated that a complex of resveratrol with ctDNA was formed with a binding constant of K(17°C) = 5.

Strong association between angiotensin I-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and unexplained recurrent miscarriage of Chinese women--a case-control study.

The patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM) undergo multiple diagnostic tests to detect parental chromosomal anomalies, maternal thrombophilic, endocrine, or immunological disorders, and over 50% of the cases with RM are classified as idiopathic unexplained RM (URM). Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) is proposed to be a candidate gene in many common diseases, and the plasma ACE levels was associated with an insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism involving about 287 bp situated in intron 16 of the ACE gene, the so-called ACE/ID polymorphism. In this study, we have estimated the ACE I/D polymorphism within a cohort of Chinese patients with URM.