Changes of the reactor performance and the properties of granular sludge under tetracycline (TC) stress.

In this study, the response of nitrifying granules (NG) and conventional granules (CG) to tetracycline (TC) was compared. The presence of TC made granules break down into small fractions and led to nitrite accumulation in nitrifying system; while it had little toxic effect on CG system. Specific oxygen uptake rate tests showed 3.

Six1 promotes proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells via upregulation of cyclin D1 expression.

Six1 is one of the transcription factors that act as master regulators of development and are frequently dysregulated in cancers. However, the role of Six1 in pancreatic cancer is not clear. Here we show that the relative expression of Six1 mRNA is increased in pancreatic cancer and correlated with advanced tumor stage.

[Expression of Bcl-2, PD-L1 and its clinical significance in colorectal cancer].

Objective: To study the expression of Bcl-2 and PD-L1 in colon cancer and its relationship with metastasis.

Methods: Tumor samples were collected from 57 cases of colon cancer, and tumor adjacent normal mucous tissue were obtained as normal control. The expressions of Bcl-2 and PD-L1 were assayed by immunohistochemical staining, and its correlations with patients' clinical pathological indexes were analyzed.

Silencing of the host factor eIF(iso)4E gene confers plum pox virus resistance in plum.

Plum pox virus (PPV) causes the most economically-devastating viral disease in Prunus species. Unfortunately, few natural resistance genes are available for the control of PPV. Recessive resistance to some potyviruses is associated with mutations of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) or its isoform eIF(iso)4E.

The interaction between the oxytocin and pain modulation in headache patients.

Oxytocin (OXT), a nonapeptide hormone of posterior pituitary, reaches the central nervous system from systemic blood circulation with a difficulty because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The interest has been expressed in the use of the nasal route for delivery of OXT to the brain directly, exploiting the olfactory pathway. Our previous study has demonstrated that OXT in the central nervous system rather than the blood circulation plays an important role in rat pain modulation.

Novel germline GJA5/connexin40 mutations associated with lone atrial fibrillation impair gap junctional intercellular communication.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of sustained cardiac arrhythmia worldwide. Here, we investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of lone AF-linked germline mutations in the connexin40 (Cx40) gene, GJA5. The entire coding region of GJA5 was sequenced in 68 unrelated patients with lone AF.

[Effects of H2 relaxin on the expression of Epac in a murine model of chronic asthma].

Objective: To explore the effects of H(2) relaxin on the expression of exchange protein directly activated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (Epac) in a murine model of chronic asthma and the roles in the management of airway remodelling.

Methods: Thirty-two BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups of normal control, asthma, vehicle control and relaxin treatment (n = 8 each). They were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin to establish a chronic asthmatic model.

[Dynamic prediction on the number of influenza-like cases in Gansu province based on data from the influenza sentinel surveillance program, from 2006 to 2011].

Objective: To understand the epidemiological trend on the number of influenza-like cases and to explore the feasibility of early warning systems of influenza in Gansu province.

Methods: Based on data from the influenza sentinel surveillance program, a sequence chart was used to analyze the epidemiological trend on the number of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases. Both control chart and mobile percentile method were used to select the threshold of premium alert for the ILI of sentinel surveillance program.

A review of the genus Compterosmittia Sæther, 1981 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from China.

The genus Compterosmittia Sæther, 1981 from China is reviewed. Three new species, C. duodecima sp.

Two species of Thienemanniella Kieffer from Oriental China (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae).

A new species from Oriental China, Thienemanniella curva sp. n. is described and illustrated as adult males.

An association between XPC Lys939Gln polymorphism and the risk of bladder cancer: a meta-analysis.

The polymorphism Lys939Gln in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC) gene has been reported to be associated with bladder cancer in some studies, though the results remain inconclusive. To explore this relationship between XPC Lys939Gln polymorphism and the susceptibility for bladder cancer and the impact of smoking exposures, a cumulative meta-analysis was performed in this study. PubMed and EMBASE databases have been systematically searched to identify relevant studies.

A novel GATA5 loss-of-function mutation underlies lone atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Cumulative evidence highlights the importance of genetic defects in the pathogenesis of AF. However, AF is of remarkable heterogeneity and the genetic determinants of AF in a vast majority of patients remain illusive.

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D and CYP11B2 gene -344T/C polymorphisms with lone atrial fibrillation and its recurrence after catheter ablation.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in atrial structural and electrical remodeling. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential associations of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/ deletion (I/D) and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene -344T/C polymorphisms with the risk and recurrence of lone atrial fibrillation (AF). One hundred and ninety-three patients who underwent successful catheter ablation for lone AF were recruited.

Fluoride adsorption on carboxylated aerobic granules containing Ce(III).

Aerobic granules (AG) were carboxylated and Ce(III) was incorporated to obtain modified granuels (Ce(III)-MAG) for removal of fluoride from aqueous solutions. The Ce(III)-MAG was characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD and pH(pzc), and the introduction of carboxyl groups and Ce(III) was confirmed. The adsorption capacity of Ce(III)-MAG for fluoride was 45.

Effect of intranasal arginine vasopressin on human headache.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP), a nonapeptide hormone of posterior pituitary, reaches the central nervous system from systemic blood circulation with a difficulty because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The interest has been expressed in the use of the nasal route for delivery of AVP to the brain directly, exploiting the olfactory pathway. Our previous study has demonstrated that AVP in the brain rather than the spinal cord and blood circulation plays an important role in rat pain modulation.

Effects of step-feed on granulation processes and nitrogen removal performances of partial nitrifying granules.

Two anoxic/oxic sequencing batch reactors (A/O SBRs) were operated to investigate the effects of step-feed on granulation processes and performances of partial nitrifying granules (PNG). R1 was operated in a traditional single-feed mode, while a two-step-feed strategy was used in R2. Results showed that R1 had a faster granulation process and better performance in maintaining partial nitrification compared with R2, indicating that the step-feed mode had a negative effect of on formation of PNG.

A new species of the genus Microtendipes Kieffer, 1915 (Diptera, Chironomidae) from Oriental China.

A new species of the genus Microtendipes Kieffer, 1915, Microtendipes zhejiangensissp.n., is described, and its morphological description and illustrations are given.

Two new species of Bryophaenocladius Thienemann, 1934 (Diptera, Chironomidae) from China.

Two new species of Bryophaenocladius Thienemann, 1934, Bryophaenocladius mucronatussp. n. and Bryophaenocladius parictericussp.

Two new species of Olecryptotendipes Zorina, 2007 from China (Diptera, Chironomidae).

Two new species, Olecryptotendipes exilissp. n. and Olecryptotendipes melasmussp.

GATA6 loss-of-function mutation in atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence demonstrates that hereditary defects are involved in the pathogenesis of AF. However, AF is of remarkable genetic heterogeneity, and the heritable components responsible for AF in the majority of patients remain unclear.

Ablation of atrial tachycardia occurring after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with corrected rheumatic valve disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism and the effectiveness of ablation of atrial tachycardia (AT) recurring after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in patients with rheumatic valvular disease (RVD) and mitral valve prosthesis.

Methods: Twenty-eight consecutive patients with RVD and mitral valve prosthesis and a 1:2 matched control group (n = 56) without RVD underwent reablation for recurrent AT after catheter ablation of long-standing persistent AF.

Results: Macro- or localized reentrant ATs were identified in 47 (87 %) of 54 ATs from RVD group and in 65 (78.

Review of dicrotendipes kieffer from china (Diptera, chironomidae).

The genus Dicrotendipes Kieffer from China, including 8 species, is reviewed. Two new species, Dicrotendipes nudussp. n.

The influence of closing-opening wedge osteotomy on sagittal balance in thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis: a comparison with closing wedge osteotomy.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To compare the radiographical and clinical outcomes between closing wedge osteotomy (CWO) and closing-opening wedge osteotomy (COWO) for thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis.

Summary Of Background Data: Several surgical techniques have been used to correct the fixed thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by ankylosing spondylitis.

Left atrial wall thickness: anatomic aspects relevant to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: The success and complication rates of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation may be related to regional differences in left atrial (LA) wall thickness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the transmural LA wall thickness in various regions.

Methods: We measured LA wall thickness in 36 human heart specimens using calipers at three planes including left pulmonary veins (PVs) vestibule plane, right PVs vestibule plane and the middle plane between the two.