Expression of pancreatic regenerating gene in lung and intestinal tissue correlates with the severity of disease in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of regenerating gene I (Reg I) in the lung and intestinal tissues of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), as well as the correlation of Reg I expression with lung and intestinal injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to control (n=40) and ANP (n=80) groups. The rats in the control group received laparotomy only.

The effect of desloratadine on patch test reactions in Chinese patients.

Background: Few data on the effect of antihistamines on patch test results in Chinese patients are currently available.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of desloratadine on patch test reactions.

Methods: Patients known to have at least one strongly positive (+ +) test with an allergen were re-patch tested after 14 to 70 days (average time interval 26.

Composite reconstruction of the hip following resection of periacetabular tumors: middle-term outcome.

The records of 18 patients with periacetabular tumors who underwent composite reconstruction of the hip following resection of periacetabular tumors were analyzed retrospectively. The mean follow-up period was 49.4 months (range, 28-100 months).

Effect of p120 catenin silencing on biological behaviors of PANC-1 cells.

This study examined the possible role of p120ctn in the pathogenesis and development of pancreatic cancer. PANC-1 cells, a kind of human pancreatic carcinoma cell line, were cultured in this study. p120ctn was immunocytochemically detected in PANC-1 cells.

Design, synthesis and in vitro activities on anti-platelet aggregation of 4-methoxybenzene-1,3-isophthalamides.

On the purpose of searching for the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and obtaining novel anti-platelet drugs, 41 4-methoxybenzene-1,3-isophthalamides have been described the synthesis process and in vitro activities on anti-platelet aggregation. The target compounds have been classified into four series: series 1 (ortho-substituted phenyl: 1a-1j), series 2 (meta-substituted phenyl: 2a-2k), series 3 (para-substituted phenyl: 3a-3l) and series 4 (aromatic of no substituted group and aromatic heterocyclic substituted groups: 4a-4h). The chemical structures of the target compounds were confirmed by MS, IR, (1)H NMR, and their in vitro activities on anti-platelet aggregation were tested and assessed by using Born test.

Role of non-structural protein 2 in the regulation of the replication of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in MARC-145 cells: effect of gene silencing and over expression.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an economically important disease in swine-producing areas. Many vaccine strategies have been developed to control the disease, but none have yet been completely successful. The development of a cell line that can produce large yields of PRRSV vaccine is very necessary.

Intracellular chloride channel protein CLIC1 regulates macrophage function through modulation of phagosomal acidification.

Intracellular chloride channel protein 1 (CLIC1) is a 241 amino acid protein of the glutathione S transferase fold family with redox- and pH-dependent membrane association and chloride ion channel activity. Whilst CLIC proteins are evolutionarily conserved in Metazoa, indicating an important role, little is known about their biology. CLIC1 was first cloned on the basis of increased expression in activated macrophages.

Potent neutralization of botulinum neurotoxin/B by synergistic action of antibodies recognizing protein and ganglioside receptor binding domain.

Background: Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), the causative agents for life-threatening human disease botulism, have been recognized as biological warfare agents. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutics hold considerable promise as BoNT therapeutics, but the potencies of mAbs against BoNTs are usually less than that of polyclonal antibodies (or oligoclonal antibodies). The confirmation of key epitopes with development of effective mAb is urgently needed.

Preparation and antitumor activity of a polymeric derivative of methotrexate.

A polymer-drug conjugate was developed by conjugating amino bonds of methotrexate (MTX) to succinoylated α,β-poly[(2-hydroxyethyl)-L-aspartamide] (PHEA). The therapeutic efficacy of PHEA-MTX was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. PHEA-MTX showed sustained release properties when incubated in pH 5.

[The effect of Smads signal pathway on the osteogenesis of human periodontal ligament stem cells in simulated microgravity].

Unlabelled: PUPOSE: To investigate the effect of Smads signal pathway on the osteogenesis of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) in simulated microgravity.

Methods: Human periodontal ligament stem cells were isolated from the ligament of surgically extracted human teeth.Through limiting dilution assay, mono-clone of the cell was obtained, hPDLSCs were isolated from MesenPRO RS medium.

Effect of heat treatment on sorption of polar and nonpolar compounds to montmorillonites and soils.

Batch sorption isotherms of 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, and tetracycline to organic-free montmorillonites and soils receiving heat treatment (375°C for 24 h) were compared with those to unheated sorbents. Sorption of the nonpolar 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene to soil was lowered after the removal of humus by heating, consistent with the mechanism of hydrophobic partition into organic matter. For 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, the enhanced sorption to heated soils was attributed to specific interactions with exchangeable cations facilitated by heating-induced irreversible partial dehydration of the clay interlayer.

Cytoprotective effect of hyaluronic acid and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose against DNA damage induced by thimerosal in Chang conjunctival cells.

Background: To investigate genotoxicity of the preservative thimerosal (Thi), and the cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of hyaluronic Acid (HA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on Chang conjunctival cells.

Method: Cells were divided into three groups. One group was exposed to Thi at various concentrations (0.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of nc-TiO2 by promoting photogenerated electrons captured by the adsorbed oxygen.

Nanocrystalline TiO2 (nc-TiO2) was modified by a simple post treatment with monometallic sodium orthophosphate solution. It is shown that the surface modification with an appropriate amount of phosphate obviously enhances the surface photovoltage responses of nc-TiO2 in the presence of O2, clearly indicating that the separation of photogenerated charges is greatly improved by promoting the photoelectrons captured by the adsorbed O2. This is well responsible for its much high photocatalytic activity for degrading representative gas-phase acetaldehyde, liquid-phase phenol and rhodamine B of phosphate-modified nc-TiO2, compared with the unmodified nc-TiO2.

17-β-estradiol inhibits hyperosmolarity-induced proinflammatory cytokine elevation via the p38 MAPK pathway in human corneal epithelial cells.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of 17-β-estradiol on hyperosmolar stress-induced proinflammatory cytokine production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in SV40-immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs) and the regulatory effects of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in this process.

Methods: SV40 hCECs cultured in normal osmolar media were switched to a higher osmolarity (450 mOsM) by adding NaCl with or without pretreatment with 17-β-estradiol. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and ELISA were applied to characterize IL-6, IL-1, and TNF-α gene and protein expression.

Smoking and risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between smoking and age-related cataract (ARC).

Methods: Eligible studies were identified via computer searches and reviewing the reference lists of the key articles. The summary relative risk ratio (RR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

[Mutation analysis of FOXL2 gene in Chinese patients with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome].

Objective: To analyse mutational points of FOXL2 gene in 5 Chinese patients with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) and to predict structural changes of the mutational FOXL2 protein. So as to improve the diagnostic accuracy of this kind of disease.

Methods: Five milliliter samples of peripheral venous blood were collected from the patients.

[Clinical manifestation and strategy for surgical resection and reconstruction of thoracolumbar vertebral osteoid osteoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestation of thoracolumbar vertebral osteoid osteoma and to evaluate the surgical procedure and effectiveness of transpedicular tumor resection and spine reconstruction with posterior pedicle screw system and bone graft.

Methods: Between January 2001 and June 2010, 8 cases of thoracolumbar vertebral osteoid osteoma underwent one-stage transpedicular intralesional excision and bone graft combined with spine reconstruction with pedicle screw system through posterior approach. There were 5 males and 3 females with a median age of 15.

Primary clavicle tumors and tumorous lesions: a review of 206 cases in East Asia.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to systematically review the published literature from East Asia on the clinical, pathological, and epidemiological characteristics of primary clavicle tumor and tumorous lesions.

Methods: A computerized search based on keywords "clavicle," "tumor," and "tumorous lesion" (both in Chinese and in English) was performed on literature published from 1980 to 2011 in East Asian countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and Mongolia. An analysis was carried out with unified inclusion and exclusion criteria.

In situ stabilization remediation of cadmium contaminated soils of wastewater irrigation region using sepiolite.

The effects of immobilization remediation of Cd-contaminated soils using sepiolite on soil pH, enzyme activities and microbial communities, TCLP-Cd (toxicity characteristic leaching procedure-Cd) concentration, and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) growth and Cd uptake and accumulation were investigated. Results showed that the addition of sepiolite could increase soil pH, while the TCLP-Cd concentration in soil was decreased with increasing sepiolite. The changes of soil enzyme activities and bacteria number indicated that a certain metabolic recovery occurred after the sepiolite treatments, and spinach shoot biomass increased by 58.

Synthesis of efficient N-containing TiO2 photocatalysts with high anatase thermal stability and the effects of the nitrogen residue on the photoinduced charge separation.

Efficient N-containing TiO(2) nanoparticles with high anatase thermal stability were synthesized via a hexamethylenetetramine (HMT)-modified sol-hydrothermal process. The results showed that modification with proper amounts of HMT is effective in increasing the onset temperature of the phase transformation of TiO(2) from anatase to rutile. The enhancement of the anatase thermal stability of the modified TiO(2) was attributed to ammonia produced slowly by hydrolysis of the HMT molecules in the sol-hydrothermal process and, additionally, to the residual nitrogen species after the thermal treatment at high temperatures, as indicated by the XPS examination.

Impact of delayed diagnosis time in estimating progression rates to hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis and death.

Delay of the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and its treatment to avert cirrhosis, is often present sincethe early stage of HCV progression is latent. Current methods to determine the incubation time to HCV-related cirrhosis and the duration time from cirrhosis to subsequent events (e.g.

Role of benzalkonium chloride in DNA strand breaks in human corneal epithelial cells.

Purpose: To investigate the toxic effects of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a preservative commonly used in ophthalmic preparations, on DNA single- and double-strand breaks in immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (HCEs).

Methods: HCEs were treated with BAC in concentrations ranging from 0.00005% to 0.

A GCG expansion (GCG)₁₁ in polyadenylate-binding protein nuclear 1 gene caused oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy in a Chinese family.

Purpose: To identify the mutation in polyadenylate-binding protein nuclear 1 gene (PABPN1, previously termed PABP2) in a Chinese family with autosomal, dominantly inherited oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD).

Methods: Clinical and ophthalmologic examinations were conducted on available living family members from three generations. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of every available family member, and the fragment flanking the (GCG)(n) of the PABPN1 gene was amplified by PCR.