A novel bioactive nerve conduit for the repair of peripheral nerve injury.

The use of a nerve conduit provides an opportunity to regulate cytokines, growth factors and neurotrophins in peripheral nerve regeneration and avoid autograft defects. We constructed a poly-D-L-lactide (PDLLA)-based nerve conduit that was modified using poly{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt-(L-lysine)]} and β-tricalcium phosphate. The effectiveness of this bioactive PDLLA-based nerve conduit was compared to that of PDLLA-only conduit in the nerve regeneration following a 10-mm sciatic nerve injury in rats.

Detection of fetal cell-free DNA in maternal plasma for Down syndrome, Edward syndrome and Patau syndrome of high risk fetus.

Objective: The study aimed to validate the efficacy of detection of fetal cell-free DNA in maternal plasma of trisomy 21, 18 and 13 in a clinical setting.

Methods: A total of 2340 women at high risk for Down syndrome based on maternal age, prenatal history or a positive sesum or sonographic screening test were offered prenatal noninvasive aneuploidy test. According to the prenatal noninvasive aneuploidy test, the pregnant women at high risk were offered amniocentesis karyotype analysis and the pregnant at low risk were followed up to make sure the newborn outcome.

Graphis yunnanensis (Ostropales, Graphidaceae), a New Lichen Species from China.

Graphis yunnanensis is described here as a new species. It is taxonomically well characterized by entire labia, slit-like disc, lateral thalline margin, completely carbonized proper exciple, inspersed hymenium, 8-spored asci, muriform 25~45 × 8~12 µm ascospores, and the presence of norstictic and stictic acids. The separation of the new species from other somewhat similar Graphis species is discussed.

Evolutionary Migration of the Disjunct Salt Cress Eutrema salsugineum (= Thellungiella salsuginea, Brassicaceae) between Asia and North America.

Eutrema salsugineum (= Thellungiella salsuginea Brassicaceae), a species growing in highly saline habitats, is a good model for use in salt-stress research. However, its evolutionary migrations and genetic variations within and between disjunct regions from central Asia to northern China and North America remain largely unknown. We examined genetic variations and phylogeographic patterns of this species by sequencing ITS, 9 chloroplast (cp) DNA fragments (4379 bp) and 10 unlinked nuclear loci (6510 bp) of 24 populations across its distributional range.

Experimental and theoretical investigations of copper (I/II) complexes with triazine-pyrazole derivatives as ligands and their in situ C-N bond cleavage.

Two copper complexes, Cu(SCN)(Mpz(∗)T-(EtO)2) (1) (Mpz(∗)T-(EtO)2=L3) and CuCl(H2O)(Mpz(∗)T-O2) (2) (Mpz(∗)T-O2=L4) were synthesized by the reaction of 2,4,6-tri(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (L1) or 2,4,6-tri(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (L2) with CuCl2·2H2O in anhydrous ethanol and methanol, respectively. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction. The structural characterizations and quantum mechanical calculations of the two complexes were analyzed in detail.

Serial changes of mean platelet volume in relation to Killip Class in patients with acute myocardial infarction and primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is related to the reactivity of platelets. Among survivors of acute myocardial infarction (MI), greater MPV is known to be associated with impaired reperfusion and higher mortality. The aims of the study is to investigate the dynamic changes of MPV and the relation between MPV and cardiac function in patients with acute MI and received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

TXNDC17 promotes paclitaxel resistance via inducing autophagy in ovarian cancer.

Paclitaxel is recommended as a first-line chemotherapeutic agent against ovarian cancer, but drug resistance becomes a major limitation of its success clinically. The key molecule or mechanism associated with paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer still remains unclear. Here, we showed that TXNDC17 screened from 356 differentially expressed proteins by LC-MS/MS label-free quantitative proteomics was more highly expressed in paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cells and tissues, and the high expression of TXNDC17 was associated with poorer prognostic factors and exhibited shortened survival in 157 ovarian cancer patients.

Oxidative stress and imbalance of mineral metabolism contribute to lameness in dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate correlations between oxidative stress, metabolism of mineral elements, and lameness in dairy cows. Forty multiparous Chinese Holstein dairy cows were selected and divided into two groups (healthy vs lame, n = 20) by gait score. The experiment lasted for 60 days and samples of hair, blood, and hoof were collected at days 0, 30, and 60 of experiment period, individually.

Whole mitochondrial genome sequence of a glioblastoma multiforme model inbred rat (Muridae; Rattus).

In this study, we sequenced a complete mitochondrial genome sequence of a rat glioblastoma multiforme disease model for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,316 bp and coding 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes. This mitochondrial genome sequence will provide new genetic resource into glioblastoma multiforme disease.

A note on the lichen genus ramalina (ramalinaceae, ascomycota) in the hengduan mountains in china.

On the basis of extensive field investigation and a series of herbarium specimen identifications, we present and discuss the descriptions and distribution of 22 species of Ramalina found in the Hengduan Mountains of southwestern China. In this revisionary study, representatives of the Ramalina genus, including R. americana, R.

[Pharmacokinetics of SN-38 in rats and tissue distribution of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin in mice after intravenous injection of irinotecan hydrochloride nanoparticles].

The paper reported an investigation of the pharmacokinetics of SN-38 (7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin) in rats and the tissue distribution in mice after injection of irinotecan hydrochloride nanoparticles (CPT-11) via tail veins. An LC-MS/MS method was established to determine the concentrations of SN-38 in whole blood of rats and in different tissues of mice. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of SN-38 were compared after the intravenous injection of CPT-11 NPs and CPT-11 solution.

Downregulation of microRNA-124 predicts poor prognosis in glioma patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical significance of microRNA-124 (miR-124) expression in glioma. The expression levels of miR-124 were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The correlation between the miR-124 levels and the clinicopathological factors of the glioma patients was analyzed.

[A further discussion on acupuncture treatment plan of facial neuritis in Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice in Acupuncture and Moxibustion].

The treatment plan of facial neuritis in Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice in Acupuncture and Moxibustion (2011 edition) is discussed, and case information of facial neuritis during the recent five years in department of acupuncture and moxibustion, PLA General Hospital, is retrospectively analyzed. In accordance with anatomy of the facial nerve to form the acupuncture prescription, the detailed diagnosis and treatment method for facial neuritis are introduced. The advantages of the diagnosis and treatment method for facial neuritis are summarized, hoping to establish a more comprehensive, standardized and unified treatment plan.

Effects of genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C19*2/*3 and MDR1 C3435T on the pharmacokinetics of lansoprazole in healthy Chinese subjects.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of CYP2C19*2/*3 and MDR1 C3435T polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of lansoprazole (LPZ) in healthy Chinese subjects.

Methods: All 24 subjects were from a study of bioequivalence. Plasma concentrations of LPZ were determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Differential expression of miRNAs in colon cancer between African and Caucasian Americans: implications for cancer racial health disparities.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality are higher in African Americans (AAs) than in Caucasian Americans (CAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be dysregulated in colonic and other neoplasias. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify candidate miRNAs that could contribute to potential biological differences between AA and CA colon cancers. Total RNA was isolated from tumor and paired adjacent normal colon tissue from 30 AA and 31 CA colon cancer patients archived at Stony Brook University (SBU) and Washington University (WU)‑St.

[Study on the stages of major sediments in Dianchi lake].

The statistical technique self-organizing maps (SOM) was applied for stages analysis of Lake Dianchi sediments, southwestern China. The dataset of nine pollutants, including Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sn, Zn, TP and KN, was observed and collected for 10 monitoring sites from 1991 to 2010. The results show that the 20 years' study could be divided into 4 stages.

[Changes in epidermal growth factor concentrations in neonates with late-onset breast milk jaundice after stopping breast feeding].

Objective: To investigate the changes in epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations in infants' serum and breast milk in neonates with late-onset breast milk jaundice after stopping breast feeding.

Methods: Thirty full-term infants with late-onset breast milk jaundice were included in the study. Infants' serum and breast milk were collected before and 72 hours after stopping breast feeding, and the total bilirubin and EGF concentrations in infants' serum and EGF concentration in breast milk were measured respectively.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor for the early prediction of infarct size.

Background: Early diagnosis and knowledge of infarct size is critical for the management of acute myocardial infarction (MI). We evaluated whether early elevated plasma level of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is useful for these purposes in patients with ST-elevation MI (STEMI).

Methods And Results: We first studied MIF level in plasma and the myocardium in mice and determined infarct size.

[Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of irinotecan hydrochloride nanoparticles].

To investigate the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) in rats and the tissue distribution of CPT-11 in mice after injection of irinotecan hydrochloride nanoparticles (CPT-11 NPs) via tail veins, separately, a LC-MS/MS method was established to determine the concentration of CPT-11 in whole blood of rats and in different tissues of mice. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of CPT-11 were compared after the intravenous injection of CPT-11 NPs and CPT-11 solution. Compared with CPT-11 solution, the elimination half-life of CPT-11 was prolonged from 2.

[Pharmacokinetic interaction of pioglitazone hydrochloride and atorvastatin calcium in Beagle dogs].

The object of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetic interaction of pioglitazone hydrochloride and atorvastatin calcium in healthy adult Beagle dogs following single and multiple oral dose administration. A randomized, cross-over study was conducted with nine healthy adult Beagle dogs assigned to three groups. Each group was arranged to take atorvastatin calcium (A), pioglitazone hydrochloride (B), atorvastatin calcium and pioglitazone hydrochloride (C) orally in the first period, to take B, C, A in the second period, and to take C, A, B in the third period for 6 days respectively.

Synergy between the ectoenzymes CD39 and CD73 contributes to adenosinergic immunosuppression in human malignant gliomas.

Background: The importance of ectoenzymes CD39 and CD73 in mediating adenosinergic immunosuppression has been recognized, but their roles in human malignant glioma-associated immunosuppression remain largely unknown.

Methods: In this study, the ectoenzyme characteristics of malignant glioma cells and infiltrating CD4(+) T lymphocytes isolated from newly diagnosed malignant glioma patients were investigated. The ectoenzyme activities of both cell populations were determined by nucleotide hydrolysis assay.

The Fusarium Graminearum virulence factor FGL targets an FKBP12 immunophilin of wheat.

Wheat scab, caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum is a devastating disease worldwide. Despite an extensive and coordinated effort to investigate this pathosystem, little progress has been made to understand the molecular basis of host-pathogen interactions, for example how the pathogen causes disease in plant. Recently, a secreted lipase (FGL1) has been identified from the fungus and shown to be an important virulence factor; however, the intrinsic function of FGL1 in plant is unknown.

Impact of uncontrolled blood pressure on diagnostic accuracy of coronary flow reserve for detecting significant coronary stenosis in hypertensive patients.

Background: Impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients with hypertension may be caused by epicardial coronary stenosis or microvascular dysfunction. Antihypertensive treatment has been shown to improve coronary microvascular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) on diagnostic accuracy of CFR for detecting significant coronary stenosis.

The use of newborn screening dried blood spots for research: the parental perspective.

Objective: To investigate the attitudes of Chinese parents regarding the storage of dried blood spots collected for newborn screening (NBS) and their use in research.

Methods: We conducted a hospital-based survey of parents and examined parental attitudes regarding (a) allowing NBS sample storage, (b) permitting use of children's NBS samples for research with parental permission, and (c) permitting use of children's NBS samples for research without parental permission.

Results: The response rate was 52 percent.