Mutant breeding of Starmerella bombicola by atmospheric and room-temperature plasma (ARTP) for improved production of specific or total sophorolipids.

To enhance specific or total sophorolipids (SLs) production by Starmerella bombicola for specific application, mutant library consisting of 106 mutants from 7 batches was constructed via atmospheric and room-temperature plasma (ARTP). When compared to the wild strain, 11, 36 and 12 mutants performed increases over 30% in lactonic, acidic or total SLs production. Genetic stability investigation showed that 8, 7, and 4 mutants could maintain the improved SLs production capacity.

Elevated expression of Gα in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma associates with poor prognosis.

Background: The stimulatory G protein a subunit (Gα) plays important roles in diverse cell processes including tumorigenesis. Activating mutations in Gα gene (GNAS) have been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in various human carcinomas. Furthermore, Gα signaling is crucial in promoting liver regeneration by interacting with growth factor signaling, indicating that Gα might play a promoting role in cancer development.

Loss of Dicer1 impairs hepatocyte survival and leads to chronic inflammation and progenitor cell activation.

Aim: To investigate the continuous hepatic histopathological processes which occur in response to the loss of Dicer1.

Methods: We generated a hepatocyte-selective Dicer1 knockout mouse and observed the gradual hepatic histopathological changes in the mutant liver. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed to detect Dicer1 expression.

[A re-ponderation about the eastward spread of western medicine into China and the process of its recognition by the Chinese].

Since the end of the Ming Dynasty, western medicine was introduced into China gradually. At first, due to the Chinese were used to traditional Chinese medicine treatment, plus the disgusted attitude toward the malfeasance of western missionaries, the Chinese didn't accept western medical approaches, even with resentment. As the advantages of western medicine gradually revealed, the Chinese felt the magical effects of western medicine in medical practice, and at the same time, the advanced intellectuals were seeking the truth to save the nation and its people, then western medicine were accepted by the Chinese gradually and then spread all over China, reflecting that this process of from conflict between Chinese and western culture to recognition is but, in fact, the cultural conflict between China and the West and its fusion.

An experimental model for induction of lung cancer in rats by Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Objective: To assess induction effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) on lung cancer in rats.

Methods: A lung cancer animal model was developed through repeated intratracheal injection of Cpn (TW-183) into the lungs of rats, with or without exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (Bp). Cpn antibodies (Cpn-IgA, -IgG, and -IgM) in serum were measured by microimmunofluorescence.