The rice semi-dwarf mutant sd37, caused by a mutation in CYP96B4, plays an important role in the fine-tuning of plant growth.

Plant cytochrome P450 has diverse roles in developmental processes and in the response to environmental cues. Here, we characterized the rice (Oryza sativa L ssp. indica cultivar 3037) semi-dwarf mutant sd37, in which the gene CYP96B4 (Cytochrome P450 96B subfamily) was identified and confirmed as the target by map-based cloning and a complementation test.

Determination of BmKCT-13, a chlorotoxin-like peptide, in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS: application to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study.

A novel chlorotoxin-like toxin derived from Buthus martensii Karsch, namely BmKCT-13, is a potential candidate for glioma therapy and highly homologous to the chlorotoxin (CTX) derived from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus. In this study, a simple, sensitive, and robust analytical method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for the determination of BmKCT-13 in rat plasma using CTX as internal standard (IS). After sample preparation by protein precipitation with 0.

Quantitative determination of ɛ-N-carboxymethyl-L-lysine in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

ɛ-N-carboxymethyl-L-lysine (CML) is a stable chemical modification of protein lysine residues resulting from glycation and oxidation reactions and a potential biomarker of oxidative stress caused by sugar and lipid oxidation. In this study, a rapid, simple and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography-tandem spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the determination of CML in human plasma has been developed and validated. Sample preparation involved protein precipitation using trichloroacetic acid after addition of deuterated CML as internal standard.

miR-150 promotes human breast cancer growth and malignant behavior by targeting the pro-apoptotic purinergic P2X7 receptor.

The P2X7 receptor regulates cell growth through mediation of apoptosis. Low level expression of P2X7 has been linked to cancer development because tumor cells harboring a defective P2X7 mechanism can escape P2X7 pro-apoptotic control. microRNAs (miRNAs) function as negative regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression, playing major roles in cellular differentiation, proliferation, and metastasis.

[Establishment of the prognostic evaluation system of T1G3 bladder urothelial cancer].

Objective: To formulate the systems of prognostic evaluation that allowed urologists to easily calculate a T1G3 bladder cancer patient's short- and long-term risk score of recurrence, progression and death after transurethral resection.

Methods: The 187 cases with T1G3 bladder cancer were diagnosed from January 1998 to October 2006. Clinical epidemiology study was carried out and prognosis information were collected.

[Coverage errors of five shade guide systems to vital natural teeth].

Objective: To compare the coverage errors (CE) of five different shade guides in anterio vital natural teeth of selected people.

Methods: Anterior vital natural teeth were measured with Crystaleye spectrophotometer, color coordinates of the teeth and five shade guides A (VITA Classical), B (VITA 3D-Master), C (Chromascop), D (Shofu Vintage Halo NCC) and E (Noritake)were analyzed with the supporting software. The CE of the five shade guide systems to natural teeth were evaluated in cervical, body and incisal regions, and difference in CE among shade guides was determined.

Engineering the MEP pathway enhanced ajmalicine biosynthesis.

The 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway genes encoding DXR and MECS from Taxus species and STR from Catharanthus roseus were used to genetically modify the ajmalicine biosynthetic pathway in hairy root cultures of C. roseus. As expected, the STR-overexpressed root cultures showed twofold higher accumulation of ajmalicine than the control.

Engineering salidroside biosynthetic pathway in hairy root cultures of Rhodiola crenulata based on metabolic characterization of tyrosine decarboxylase.

Tyrosine decarboxylase initializes salidroside biosynthesis. Metabolic characterization of tyrosine decarboxylase gene from Rhodiola crenulata (RcTYDC) revealed that it played an important role in salidroside biosynthesis. Recombinant 53 kDa RcTYDC converted tyrosine into tyramine.

Mercury dynamics in groundwater across three distinct riparian zone types of the US Midwest.

Although the intense biogeochemical gradients present in riparian zones have the potential to affect mercury (Hg) cycling, Hg dynamics in riparian zones has received relatively little attention in the literature. Our study investigated groundwater filtered total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) dynamics in three riparian zones with contrasting hydrogeomorphic (HGM) characteristics (till, alluvium, outwash) in the US Midwest. Despite high Hg deposition rates (>16 μg m(-2)) in the region, median THg (<1.

Preparation of graphene nanoplatelet-titanate nanotube composite and its advantages over the two single components as biosensor immobilization materials.

A novel nanocomposite consisting of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and titanate nanotubes (TNTs) have been synthesized successfully utilizing the hydrothermal method. The GNP-TNT composite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The voltammetric characterization of GNP-TNT composite, pure GNPs and pure TNTs modified horseradish peroxidase (HRP) biosensors were conducted to select the most suitable electrode immobilization material for enzyme biosensors.

Pressure-induced stromal keratopathy as a result of ocular trauma after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Importance: Pressure-induced stromal keratopathy is a rare kind of complication of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) that may cause vision loss in affected eyes. Herein, we described the clinical features and treatment of 2 cases of pressure-induced stromal keratopathy due to traumatic hyphema in post-LASIK eyes.

Observations: Two patients sought treatment for painful vision loss after blunt trauma on post-LASIK eyes.

SET/PP2A system regulates androgen production in ovarian follicles in vitro.

SET has multiple cell functions including nucleosome assembly, histone binding, transcription control, and cell apoptosis. In ovaries SET is predominantly expressed in theca cells and oocytes. In our study, SET overexpression in theca cells stimulated testosterone production whereas SET knockdown decreased testosterone production.

Gold nanoparticle encapsulated-tubular TIO2 nanocluster as a scaffold for development of thiolated enzyme biosensors.

In this work, a highly sensitive and stable sensing scaffold consisting of gold nanoparticle-encapsulated TiO2 nanotubes, the hydrophilic ionic liquid, 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, and Nafion was developed for the fabrication of electrochemical enzyme biosensors. A significant aspect of our work is the application of 12-phosphotungstic acid as both a highly localized photoactive reducing agent to deposit well-dispersed gold nanoparticles on TiO2 nanotubes and an electron mediator to accelerate the electron transfer between an enzyme and the electrode. After characterizing the nanocomposite component of the scaffold by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, thiolated horseradish peroxidase (as a model enzyme) was immobilized on the scaffold and the biosensor was applied to the detection of H2O2.

Pre-treatment of radicular dentin by self-etch primer containing chlorhexidine can improve fiber post bond durability.

We evaluated whether the pre-treatment of radicular dentin by ED Primer containing different concentrations of chlorhexidine can improve the bond durability of fiber post to radicular dentin. Experimental ED primers containing different concentrations of chlorhexidine (0%, 0.5% and 1.

Rice zinc finger protein DST enhances grain production through controlling Gn1a/OsCKX2 expression.

The phytohormone cytokinin (CK) positively regulates the activity and function of the shoot apical meristem (SAM), which is a major parameter determining seed production. The rice (Oryza sativa L.) Gn1a/OsCKX2 (Grain number 1a/Cytokinin oxidase 2) gene, which encodes a cytokinin oxidase, has been identified as a major quantitative trait locus contributing to grain number improvement in rice breeding practice.

Activation of the jasmonic acid pathway by depletion of the hydroperoxide lyase OsHPL3 reveals crosstalk between the HPL and AOS branches of the oxylipin pathway in rice.

The allene oxide synthase (AOS) and hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) branches of the oxylipin pathway, which underlie the production of jasmonates and aldehydes, respectively, function in plant responses to a range of stresses. Regulatory crosstalk has been proposed to exist between these two signaling branches; however, there is no direct evidence of this. Here, we identified and characterized a jasmonic acid (JA) overproduction mutant, cea62, by screening a rice T-DNA insertion mutant library for lineages that constitutively express the AOS gene.

In vitro potency and efficacy favor later generation fluoroquinolones for treatment of canine and feline Escherichia coli uropathogens in the United States.

Information regarding in vitro activity of newer fluoroquinolones (FQs) is limited despite increasing resistance in canine or feline pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). This study describes in vitro potency and efficacy toward E.

Mechanisms accounting for fluoroquinolone multidrug resistance Escherichia coli isolated from companion animals.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is associated with fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance in companion animal Escherichia coli (E. coli). In this study, gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDR) were sequenced among uropathogenic E.

The Arabidopsis mediator subunit MED25 differentially regulates jasmonate and abscisic acid signaling through interacting with the MYC2 and ABI5 transcription factors.

Transcriptional regulation plays a central role in plant hormone signaling. At the core of transcriptional regulation is the Mediator, an evolutionarily conserved, multisubunit complex that serves as a bridge between gene-specific transcription factors and the RNA polymerase machinery to regulate transcription. Here, we report the action mechanisms of the MEDIATOR25 (MED25) subunit of the Arabidopsis thaliana Mediator in regulating jasmonate- and abscisic acid (ABA)-triggered gene transcription.

A near-frictionless and extremely elastic hydrogenated amorphous carbon film with self-assembled dual nanostructure.

A highly crosslinking network combined with a fullerene-like structure is disclosed in a hydrogenated amorphous carbon film. The very soft carbon film exhibits super-low friction and excellent wear resistance even under a Hertzian contact pressure comparable to its hardness under vacuum, which is an extraordinary tribological behavior in the filed of solid lubrication films or coatings.

Visual changes after encircling band removal.

Aims: Visual changes over 1 year in 40 eyes were studied in 40 patients after removing scleral encircling bands.

Methods: Encircling bands in 20 eyes were cut and removed. The fellow eyes of the above patients and the eyes of another 20 patients with encircling bands that were not removed over the same period served as controls.

Detection of estradiol at an electrochemical immunosensor with a Cu UPD|DTBP-Protein G scaffold.

A copper monolayer was formed on a gold electrode surface via underpotential deposition (UPD) method to construct a Cu UPD|DTBP-Protein G immunosensor for the sensitive detection of 17β-estradiol. Copper UPD monolayer can minimize the non-specific adsorption of biological molecules on the immunosensor surface and enhance the binding efficiency between immunosensor surface and thiolated Protein G. The crosslinker DTBP (Dimethyl 3,3'-dithiobispropionimidate · 2HCl) has strong ability to immobilize Protein G molecules on the electrode surface and the immobilized Protein G provides an orientation-controlled binding of antibodies.

Evaluation of hepatitis A surveillance data and outbreak detection in Yunnan Province, China, from 2004 through 2009.

Hepatitis A outbreaks may be averted if detected early. The current study objectives were to evaluate the quality and timeliness of hepatitis A surveillance data from Yunnan Province, China, and to evaluate the sensitivity of the system for reporting outbreaks. The study period was from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2009.

Hydrogen peroxide detection at a horseradish peroxidase biosensor with a Au nanoparticle-dotted titanate nanotube|hydrophobic ionic liquid scaffold.

In this work, a novel sensing scaffold, consisting Au nanoparticle (GNP)-dotted TiO(2) nanotubes (TNTs) as the rigid material and the hydrophobic ionic liquid (HIL), 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, as the entrapping agent, was applied to facilitate the electron transfer of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on a glassy carbon electrode. GNPs were immobilised on the TNTs in our work using a one-step reduction of HAuCl(4)·3H(2)O by sodium borohydride in the presence of sodium citrate as a stabilising reagent. The morphology and composition of the as-synthesised composite materials were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.