Value of needle confocal laser microendoscopy combined with endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of hilar and mediastinal lymph node lesions.

Endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy (EBUS) and needle confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) are techniques for screening benign and malignant lesions of the hilar and mediastinal lymph node (HMLN). This study investigated the diagnostic potential of EBUS, nCLE, and combined EBUS and nCLE in HMLN lesions. We recruited 107 patients with HMLN lesions who were examined by EBUS and nCLE.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the β-Amylase Gene Family in .

β-Amylase (BAM) is an important starch hydrolase, playing a role in a variety of plant growth and development processes. In this study, 22 gene family members (GFMs) were identified in quinoa (), an ancient crop gaining modern consumer acceptance because of its nutritional qualities. The genetic structure, phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships, and expression patterns of GFMs in different tissues, were analyzed.

Overexpression of Enhances Salt Tolerance in Chrysanthemum Seedlings.

High salinity seriously affects the production of chrysanthemum, so improving the salt tolerance of chrysanthemum becomes the focus and purpose of our research. The WRKY transcription factor (TF) family is highly associated with a number of processes of abiotic stress responses. We isolated from , and a protein encoded by this new gene contains two highly conserved WRKY domains and two CH zinc-finger motifs.

Vitamin D intake and type 2 diabetes risk: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

Background: The findings form studies on the relationship between vitamin D and type 2 diabetes were inconsistent.

Objectives: To elucidate the association between vitamin D consumption and type 2 diabetes risk by conducting a meta-analysis.

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search to identify prospective cohort studies of vitamin D intake and type 2 diabetes risk prior to November 2012.

Elevated urinary level of vitamin D-binding protein as a novel biomarker for diabetic nephropathy.

Improving the early prediction and detection of diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains a great challenge in disease management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early detection power of urinary vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) for the diagnosis of DN. Urine samples were obtained from 45 healthy volunteers and 105 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (DM group), microalbuminuria (DN1 group) and macroalbuminuria (DN2 group) (n=35 per group).

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of xanthinol in human plasma and its application in a bioequivalence study of xanthinol nicotinate tablets.

A sensitive, rapid liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization mass spectrometric method for the determination of xanthinol in human plasma was developed and validated. Xanthinol nicotinate in plasma (0.5 mL) was pretreated with 20% trichloroacetic acid for protein precipitation.