IL-37 Is a Novel Proangiogenic Factor of Developmental and Pathological Angiogenesis.

Objective: Angiogenesis is tightly controlled by growth factors and cytokines in pathophysiological settings. Interleukin 37 (IL-37) is a newly identified cytokine of the IL-1 family, some members of which are important in inflammation and angiogenesis. However, the function of IL-37 in angiogenesis remains unknown.

MicroRNA857 Is Involved in the Regulation of Secondary Growth of Vascular Tissues in Arabidopsis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs that repress target gene expression posttranscriptionally, and are critically involved in various developmental processes and responses to environmental stresses in eukaryotes. MiRNA857 is not widely distributed in plants and is encoded by a single gene, AtMIR857, in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The functions of miR857 and its mechanisms in regulating plant growth and development are still unclear.

GmEXPB2, a Cell Wall β-Expansin, Affects Soybean Nodulation through Modifying Root Architecture and Promoting Nodule Formation and Development.

Nodulation is an essential process for biological nitrogen (N2) fixation in legumes, but its regulation remains poorly understood. Here, a β-expansin gene, GmEXPB2, was found to be critical for soybean (Glycine max) nodulation. GmEXPB2 was preferentially expressed at the early stage of nodule development.

[Quality standard study on Tibetan medicine Gentianae Szechenyii Flos].

In order to efficiently control the quality of the Tibetan medicine Gentianae Szechenyii Flos, the quality standard was established in this study. The tests of water content, total ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of the crude drugs were carried out based on the methods recorded in appendix of Chinese Pharmacopeia (2010 edition, volume 1). The TLC method was established by using reference drug and gentiournoside A as reference substance, and a mixture of ethyl acetate-methanol-water-formic acid (7: 1.

[Determination of phenols and triterpenoid saponins in stems of Sargentodoxa cuneata].

The methods to determine the total phenols, total saponins, and marker constituents salidroside, chlorogenic acid and 3, 4-dihydroxy-phenylethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside in the samples of Sargentodoxae Caulis were established to provide the evidence for the improvement and revision of the quality standard of the crude material recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 Edition). The content of total phenols was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using gallic acid as a reference substance. The content of total saponins was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using 3-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-2)-O-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-28-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl] asiatic acid as a reference substance.

[Performance Study of Bromochloracetonitrile Degradation in Drinking Water by Fe/Cu Catalytic Reduction].

The paper used the method of iron copper catalyst reduction to degrade low concentrations of bromochloracetonitrile (BCAN) to lighten the damage to human being, which is a kind of disinfection by-products (DBPs) produced during the chlorination process of drinking water. The removal efficiency of BCAN and its influencing factors were investigated. The mechanism of degradation and kinetics were also explored.

Affinity-Tuned ErbB2 or EGFR Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Exhibit an Increased Therapeutic Index against Tumors in Mice.

Target-mediated toxicity is a major limitation in the development of chimeric antigen T-cell receptors (CAR) for adoptive cell therapy of solid tumors. In this study, we developed a strategy to adjust the affinities of the scFv component of CAR to discriminate tumors overexpressing the target from normal tissues that express it at physiologic levels. A CAR-expressing T-cell panel was generated with target antigen affinities varying over three orders of magnitude.

Mitochondrial Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Regulates Revascularization in Chronic Ischemia: Potential Impact on the Development of Coronary Collateral Circulation.

Objective: Revascularization is an essential process to compensate for cardiac underperfusion and, therefore, preserves cardiac function in the face of chronic ischemic injury. Recent evidence suggested a vital role of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in cardiac protection after ischemia. This study was designed to determine whether ALDH2 regulates chronic ischemia-induced angiogenesis and to explore the underlying mechanism involved.

Association of Lp-PLA2-A and early recurrence of vascular events after TIA and minor stroke.

Objective: To determine the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) measured in the acute period and the short-term risk of recurrent vascular events in patients with TIA or minor stroke.

Methods: We measured Lp-PLA2 activity (Lp-PLA2-A) in a subset of 3,201 participants enrolled in the CHANCE (Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Non-disabling Cerebrovascular Events) trial. Participants with TIA or minor stroke were enrolled within 24 hours of symptom onset and randomized to single or dual antiplatelet therapy.

Serum Uric Acid Levels and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies.

Context: An excess circulating uric acid level, even within the normal range, is always comorbid with metabolic syndrome (MS), several of its components, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which was regarded as hepatic manifestation of MS; however, these associations remain controversial.

Objective: This study aimed to quantitatively assess the relationship between the serum uric acid (SUA) levels and the MS/NAFLD risk.

Design: We searched for related prospective cohort studies including SUA as an exposure and MS/NAFLD as a result in MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE databases up to January 31, 2015 and July 28, 2015, respectively.

Genetic predisposition to higher blood pressure increases risk of incident hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in Chinese.

Although multiple genetic markers associated with blood pressure have been identified by genome-wide association studies, their aggregate effect on risk of incident hypertension and cardiovascular disease is uncertain, particularly among East Asian who may have different genetic and environmental exposures from Europeans. We aimed to examine the association between genetic predisposition to higher blood pressure and risk of incident hypertension and cardiovascular disease in 26 262 individuals in 2 Chinese population-based prospective cohorts. A genetic risk score was calculated based on 22 established variants for blood pressure in East Asian.

[Interaction of butylphthalide with rat and human liver CYP450 isoenzymes].

The work aims to study the drug metabolizing enzymes involved in the metabolism of butylphthalide and evaluate the induction and inhibition activities of butylphthalide on CYP450 isoenzymes by using in vitro (liver microsome incubation system of rats and human) and in vivo (CYP induced model of rats) method. Butylphthalide was incubated with selective inhibitors of CYP450, and its metabolic rate was determined to identify the metabolizing isoenzymes of NBP in rat (normal and induced rats) and human liver microsomes. The in vitro inhibition effect of butylphthalide on 6 main liver microsomal CYP450 isoenzymes was evaluated by using probe drugs; the induction and inhibition activities in vivo of butylphthalide on CYP450 isoenzymes were evaluated by NBP ig dosing (160 mg x kg(-1)) and iv dosing (20 mg x kg(-1)) in rats.

[Establishment of double targets of high throughput screening model for xanthine oxidase inhibitors and superoxide anion scavengers].

A double targets of high throughput screening model for xanthine oxidase inhibitors and superoxide anion scavengers was established. In the reaction system of xanthine oxidase, WST-1 works as the probe for the ultra oxygen anion generation, and product uric acid works as xanthine oxidase activity indicator. By using SpectraMax M5 continuous spectrum enzyme sign reflectoscope reflector, the changes of these indicators' concentration were observed and the influence factors of this reaction system to establish the high throughput screening model were studied.

A Cluster-Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Simplified Multifaceted Management Program for Individuals at High Cardiovascular Risk (SimCard Trial) in Rural Tibet, China, and Haryana, India.

Background: In rural areas in China and India, the cardiovascular disease burden is high but economic and healthcare resources are limited. This study (the Simplified Cardiovascular Management Study [SimCard]) aims to develop and evaluate a simplified cardiovascular management program delivered by community health workers with the aid of a smartphone-based electronic decision support system.

Methods And Results: The SimCard study was a yearlong cluster-randomized, controlled trial conducted in 47 villages (27 in China and 20 in India).

[Response of Maize to Lead Stress and Relevant Chemical Forms of Lead].

A sand-culture experiment was carried out to research the differences in lead (Pb) chemical-form among different maize varieties for roots and shoots under Pb stress, and further investigate into the mechanism of maize endurance to resist Pb. The results showed that the wheat varieties of Zhengdan 958 and Longping 206 have the maximum Pb tolerance, whereas Lianchuang 5's tolerance of Pb was the minimum. Pb form in roots and shoots were mainly harmfulness HAc-extractable and HCl-extractable, accounting for a high proportion of 60% - 87%.

[Running Condition and Bacterial Community Associated with the Partial Nitritation System].

In partial nitritation process, the sludge concentration was higher than 4000 mg x L(-1), DO was less than 0.2 mg x L(-1), the temperature of 15-29 degrees C, the reactor HRT of 4.6 h, and the circulation ratio was 75%, not only the microbial biomass reached the highest value but also the ratio of nitrite to ammonium of the effluent could be controlled at approximate 1.

[Radiolytic Decomposition of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride in Aqueous Solution Using γ Irradiation].

Effects of initial concentrations, pH values, different additives and composite pollutants on ciprofloxacin hydrochloride removal using γ irradiation were investigated. The experiments results showed γ irradiation could effectively remove ciprofloxacin hydrochloride; low initial concentration and strongly acidic condition were favorable for CIP removal using γ irradiation; the degradation of CIP was inhibited upon the addition of CO3(2-) and methanol, which indicated that the degradation of CIP might be mainly ascribed to *OH oxidation and the direct decomposition of CIP molecules induced by irradiation. BrO3- showed a synergistic effect with CIP in degradation of the composite pollutants when mixed together with CIP for γ irradiation, and the removal rates of both pollutants were improved.

Balancing the Expression and Production of a Heterodimeric Protein: Recombinant Agkisacutacin as a Novel Antithrombotic Drug Candidate.

Agkisacucetin extracted from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus has been demonstrated to be a promising antithrombotic drug candidate in clinical studies due to its function as a novel platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib inhibitor. Agkisacucetin is a heterodimeric protein composed of α- and β-subunits with seven disulphide bonds. Both subunits form inactive homodimeric products, which cause difficulties for recombinant production.

[Transplacental transport mechanisms of drugs for transplacental treatment of fetal tachyarrhythmia of MDCKII/MDCKII-BCRP cell line].

To study the transport mechanisms of drugs for transplacental treatment of fetal tachyarrhythmia, MDCKII-BCRP and MDCKII cell models was used. MDCKII-BCRP and MDCKII cell monolayer model was used to investigate the bi-direction transport of sotalol, propranolol, propafenone, procainamide and flecainide. Drug concentrations were measured by HPLC-UV or chemiluminescence.

Periventricular Location as a Risk Factor for Hemorrhage and Severe Clinical Presentation in Pediatric Patients with Untreated Brain Arteriovenous Malformations.

Background And Purpose: The morphologic features of brain arteriovenous malformations differ between children and adults; therefore, our aim was to analyze various features of brain arteriovenous malformations to assess the risk of hemorrhage in children.

Materials And Methods: We identified all consecutive children admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital for brain arteriovenous malformations between July 2009 and April 2014. The effects of demographic characteristics and brain arteriovenous malformation morphology on hemorrhage presentation, annual bleeding rates, postnatal hemorrhage, and immediate posthemorrhagic neurologic outcomes were studied by using univariate and multivariable regression analyses.

[Effect of naringin on osteoclast differentiation].

Objective: To discuss the effect of Drynariae Rhizoma's naringin on osteoclasts induced by mouse monocyte RAW264.7.

Method: RAW264.

[Spatial-temporal distributions of dissolved inorganic carbon and its affecting factors in the Yellow River estuary].

Estuary is an important area contributing to the global carbon cycle. In order to analyze the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the surface water of Yellow River estuary. Samples were collected in spring, summer, fall, winter of 2013, and discussed the correlation between the content of DIC and environmental factors.

MicroRNA167-Directed Regulation of the Auxin Response Factors GmARF8a and GmARF8b Is Required for Soybean Nodulation and Lateral Root Development.

Legume root nodules convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonium through symbiosis with a prokaryotic microsymbiont broadly called rhizobia. Auxin signaling is required for determinant nodule development; however, the molecular mechanism of auxin-mediated nodule formation remains largely unknown. Here, we show in soybean (Glycine max) that the microRNA miR167 acts as a positive regulator of lateral root organs, namely nodules and lateral roots.

[Simultaneous production of hydrogen and volatile fatty acid from Macrocystis pyrifera].

Batch experiments were conducted to analyze the effects of pretreatment conditions, inoculum-substrate ratio (ISR) and initial pH on the hydrogen and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production from anaerobic digestion of Macrocystis pyrifera biomass. The results indicated that M. pyrifera could produce hydrogen and VFA simultaneously.

[Temporal and spatial variation of mercury in water of agro-forestry and livestock compound watershed in the three Gorges Reservoir Area].

The temporal and spatial distribution of mercury (Hg) in four different sources of stream (aquaculture wastewater, bare land, forestry land and agro-forestry land) and well water of an agro-forestry and livestock compound watershed in the Three Gorge Reservoir region was studied during the period from March 2013 to March 2014. The total mercury (THg) concentrations ranged 9.95-15.