Temperature Increase Enhances Competence to Transmit Dengue Virus.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease that has been an epidemic in China for many years. is the dominant mosquito species and the main vector of dengue in China. Epidemiologically, dengue mainly occurs in Guangdong Province; it does not occur or rarely occurs in other areas of mainland China.

In situ preparation of multilayer coated capillary column with HKUST-1 for separation of neutral small organic molecules by open tubular capillary electrochromatography.

The popularity of novel nanoparticles coated capillary column has aroused widespread attention of researchers. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with special structure and chemical properties have received great interest in separation sciences. This work presents the investigation of HKUST-1 (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology-1, called Cu(BTC) or MOF-199) nanoparticles as a new type of coating material for capillary electrochromatography.

Engineering cell wall synthesis mechanism for enhanced PHB accumulation in E. coli.

The rigidity of bacterial cell walls synthesized by a complicated pathway limit the cell shapes as coccus, bar or ellipse or even fibers. A less rigid bacterium could be beneficial for intracellular accumulation of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) as granular inclusion bodies. To understand how cell rigidity affects PHB accumulation, E.

Two new saponins from the leaves of Panax notoginseng.

Two new saponins, notoginsenosides Ng1 (1) and Ng2 (2), together with seven known compounds (3-9), were isolated from the leaves of Panax notoginseng. Their structures were elucidated by UV, IR, HRESIMS, and NMR experiments. Compounds 6 and 7 showed moderate cytotoxic activities against HCT-116, with IC values of 4.

Ultraviolet-Durable Superhydrophobic Nanocomposite Thin Films Based on Cobalt Stearate-Coated TiO Nanoparticles Combined with Polymethylhydrosiloxane.

Ultraviolet (UV)-durable superhydrophobic nanocomposite thin films have been successfully fabricated on aluminum substrates by embedding cobalt stearate (CoSA)-coated TiO nanoparticles in a hydrophobic polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) matrix (PMHS/TiO@CoSA) using the sol-gel process. When compared to the sharp decrease of water contact angle (WCA) on the superhydrophobic PMHS/TiO thin films, the PMHS/TiO@CoSA superhydrophobic thin films exhibited a nearly constant WCA of 160° under continuous UV irradiation for more than 1 month. The designed scheme of the TiO@CoSA core-shell structure not only increased the hydrophobic properties of the TiO nanoparticle surface but also confined the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO nanoparticles.

Abnormal DNA methylation may contribute to the progression of osteosarcoma.

The identification of optimal methylation biomarkers to achieve maximum diagnostic ability remains a challenge. The present study aimed to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms underlying osteosarcoma (OS) using DNA methylation analysis. Based on the GSE36002 dataset obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, differentially methylated genes were extracted between patients with OS and controls using t‑tests.

Oxidation pretreatment by calcium hypochlorite to improve the sensitivity of enzyme inhibition-based detection of organophosphorus pesticides.

Background: Enzyme inhibition-based detection is the most widely used method for rapid detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) in food and agricultural products. However, the accuracy of the method is negatively affected by low inhibitory activities of OPs with PS moiety on acetylcholinesterase.

Results: We demonstrated that oxidation pretreatments with bromine, hydrogen peroxide, or calcium hypochlorite significantly enhanced the enzyme inhibitory activities of these OPs.

Use of a Recombinant Mosquito Densovirus As a Gene Delivery Vector for the Functional Analysis of Genes in Mosquito Larvae.

In vivo microinjection is the most commonly used gene transfer technique for analyzing the gene functions in individual mosquitoes. However, this method requires a more technically demanding operation and involves complicated procedures, especially when used in larvae due to their small size, relatively thin and fragile cuticle, and high mortality, which limit its application. In contrast, viral vectors for gene delivery have been developed to surmount extracellular and intracellular barriers.

Albumin-Conjugated Lipid-Based Multilayered Nanoemulsion Improves Drug Specificity and Anti-Inflammatory Potential at the Spinal Cord Injury gSite after Intravenous Administration.

Albumin-conjugated multilayered nanoemulsion (albumin-MNE) of methyl prednisolone (MP) was developed to ensure the specificity of the drug at the spinal cord injury (SCI) site. MNE was prepared by emulsification followed by ionic deposition of oppositely charged polymer followed by albumin conjugation using N-hydroxysuccinimide. Prepared nanoemulsion was characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (Zp), pH, viscosity, and entrapment efficiency.

Enhancement or inhibition of PLCγ2 expression in rat hepatocytes by recombinant adenoviral vectors that contain full-length gene or siRNA.

We investigated the effects of recombinant adenovirus vectors that overexpress or silence PLCγ2 on the expression of this gene during hepatocyte proliferation. Hepatocytes were isolated, identified by immunofluorescent cytochemical staining and infected by previously constructed Ad-PLCγ2 and Ad-PLCγ2 siRNA1, siRNA2 and siRNA3. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was observed by fluorescence microscopy.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitor ameliorates neuronal injury in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injured rat model.

This study investigated the mechanisms responsible for the neuroprotective effect of sildenafil citrate (SFC) on ischemia-reperfusion spinal cord (SC) injuries. Balloon occlusion of the thoracic aorta was used to induce SC ischemia. The animals (n=30) were separated into three groups: sham, SC injury with saline, and SC injury with 5mg/kg i.

Azacyclo-indoles and Phenolics from the Flowers of Juglans regia.

Seven new azacyclo-indoles and phenolics and four known alkaloids were isolated from the flowers of Juglans regia. Spectroscopic and chromatographic data revealed that the structures of the new compounds are 5,6,11,12-tetrahydropyrrolo[1',2':1,2]azepino[4,5-b]indole-3-carbaldehyde (1), (±)-5,6,7,11c-tetrahydro-1H-indolizino[7,8-b]indol-3(2H)-one (2), (±)-9-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-2-carboxamide (3), 5-(ethoxymethyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (4), (±)-5,8-dihydroxy-4-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (5), (±)-4-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)-5,8-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (6), and (±)-4-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)-5-hydroxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (7). The five pairs of enantiomers were resolved, and the absolute configurations of the enantiomers were assigned via electronic circular dichroism data.

Quality assessment of groundwater from the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula.

Assessment of groundwater quality plays a significant role in the utilization of the scarce water resources globally and especially in arid regions. The increasing abstraction together with man-made contamination and seawater intrusion have strongly affected groundwater quality in the Arabia Peninsula, exemplified by the investigation given here from the United Arab Emirates, where the groundwater is seldom reviewed and assessed. In the aim of assessing current groundwater quality, we here present a comparison of chemical data linked to aquifers types.

[Effects of Huaiqihuang granules on immune function in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia].

Objective: To observe the effects of Huaiqihuang granules on the immune function in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Methods: Pediatric inpatients with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia were randomly divided into Huaiqihuang granule treatment group (n=51) and conventional treatment group (n=47). The Huaiqihuang granule treatment group was orally administered Huaiqihuang granules in addition to the conventional treatment, while the conventional treatment group received conventional treatment only.

Genome-wide analysis of salinity-stress induced DNA methylation alterations in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) using the Me-DIP sequencing technology.

Cytosine DNA methylation is a significant form of DNA modification closely associated with gene expression in eukaryotes, fungi, animals, and plants. Although the reference genomes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) have been publically available, the salinity-stress-induced DNA methylome alterations in cotton are not well understood.

Long Noncoding RNA CCAT2 Knockdown Suppresses Tumorous Progression by Sponging miR-424 in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the one of most common gynecological malignant tumors with high mortality. A series of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been validated to play a vital role in EOC tumorigenesis. Colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) has been verified as an oncogenic lncRNA in multiple tumors; however, the role of CCAT2 in EOC genesis is still unclear.

Brazilian Green Propolis Extract Synergizes with Protoporphyrin IX-mediated Photodynamic Therapy via Enhancement of Intracellular Accumulation of Protoporphyrin IX and Attenuation of NF-κB and COX-2.

Brazilian green propolis (BGP) is noted for its impressive antitumor effects and has been used as a folk medicine in various cultures for many years. It has been demonstrated that BGP could enhance the cytotoxic effect of cytostatic drugs on tumor cells. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic approach used against malignant cells.

Competence of Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus Mosquitoes as Zika Virus Vectors, China.

In China, the prevention and control of Zika virus disease has been a public health threat since the first imported case was reported in February 2016. To determine the vector competence of potential vector mosquito species, we experimentally infected Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes and determined infection rates, dissemination rates, and transmission rates.

[Effects of long-term fertilization on soil fertility in yellow fluvo-aquic soil].

Based on the long-term field fertilization experiment in yellow fluvo-aquic soil, this study selected 2 types of soil physical, 8 items of soil chemical, and 5 soil biological properties for principal component-cluster analysis to valuate comprehensively effects of long-term fertilization on soil fertility. Results showed that significant differences of soil properties were found among the fertilization treatments. Compared with no organic manure treatment (NPK), all treatments of organic manure (M) or its combination with inorganic fertilizers (MN, MNP, MNPK) significantly reduced soil bulk density, and increased soil total porosity, the contents of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, microbial biomass, and activities of catalase, urease, alkaline phosphatase and invertase.

[Effect of Nano Zeolite on Growth, Activity of Antioxidant Enzyme, and Chemical Fractions and Concentration of Cd in Chinese Cabbage].

Pot experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of nano zeolite (NZ) and ordinary zeolite (OZ) on the growth, activities of antioxidant enzyme, Cd fraction and Cd concentration in two varieties of Chinese cabbage. The results showed that the activities of SOD, CAT and POD in the shoot and root of two varieties increased, and the dry weight of shoot and the total dry weight of Chinese cabbage increased by 4.5%-96.

Comparison of Mizoribine and Mycophenolate Mofetil With a Tacrolimus-Based Immunosuppressive Regimen in Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation Recipients: A Retrospective Study in China.

Background: A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms as well as the efficacy and safety of mizoribine (MZR) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in Chinese living-donor kidney transplantation (LDKT).

Methods: Forty-two recipients enrolled between January 2012 and March 2014 were treated with either MZR (n = 22) or MMF (n = 20). All patients were treated in combination with a tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen, besides the study drugs.

Role of cardiotrophin-1 in the regulation of metabolic circadian rhythms and adipose core clock genes in mice and characterization of 24-h circulating CT-1 profiles in normal-weight and overweight/obese subjects.

Cardiotrophin (CT)-1 is a regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis. In the present study, we analyzed whether CT-1 also acts to peripherally regulate metabolic rhythms and adipose tissue core clock genes in mice. Moreover, the circadian pattern of plasma CT-1 levels was evaluated in normal-weight and overweight subjects.

Bioactive isopimarane diterpenoids from the stems of Euonymus oblongifolius.

Seven isopimarane diterpenes and one abietane diterpene, together with six known sesquiterpene derivatives, were isolated from the stems of Euonymus oblongifolius. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configuration of euonymusisopimaric acid A was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis using anomalous scattering of Cu Kα radiation. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in the murine microglia BV2 cell line, and for their cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines.

Chitosan-Coated Diatom Silica as Hemostatic Agent for Hemorrhage Control.

Uncontrolled hemorrhage leads to high death risk both in military and civilian trauma. Current hemostatic agents still have various limitations and side effects. In this study, natural diatom silica obtained from diatomite and diatom culture was purified and developed for hemorrhage control.