Transcriptome analysis of the Octopus vulgaris central nervous system.

Background: Cephalopoda are a class of Mollusca species found in all the world's oceans. They are an important model organism in neurobiology. Unfortunately, the lack of neuronal molecular sequences, such as ESTs, transcriptomic or genomic information, has limited the development of molecular neurobiology research in this unique model organism.

The effects of low dose X-irradiation on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro.

Background: It has been indicated that moderate or high dose of X-irradiation could delay fracture union and cause osteoradionecrosis, in part, mediated by its effect on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. However, whether low dose irradiation (LDI) has similar roles on osteoblasts is still unknown. In this study, we investigated whether and to what extent LDI could affect the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts in vitro.

Complete mitochondrial genome of black porgy Acanthopagrus schlegelii (Perciformes, Sparidae).

Black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegelii, is a marine protandrous hermaphrodite and belongs to one of the most important species commercialized for food in various areas of Asia. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of A. schlegelii has been determined.

[Surveillance of schistosomiasis in Sichuan Province, 2005-2010].

Objective: To understand the epidemic trend of schistosomiasis in Sichuan Province so as to provide the evidence for formulating schistosomiasis control strategy.

Methods: According to the National Schistosomiasis Surveillance Protocol, the national surveillance sites in Sichuan Province were selected. The schistosomiasis surveillance was carried out continuously from 2005 to 2010.

[The association of target organ damage with abnormal ankle brachial index in hypertensive patients].

Objective: To investigate the association of hypertensive target organ damage with abnormal ankle brachial index (ABI) in high-risk hypertensive patients.

Methods: During December 2008 to May 2009, a cross-sectional study was conducted to investigated the prevalence of abnormal ABI (ABI < 0.90) in 2674 community-dwelling, hypertensive patients, who aged > 40 years, without coronary heart disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack or known arteriosclerosis, from 18 centers in China.

[Relationship and interactions between elevated fasting glucose and hypertension for cardiocerebral vascular disease].

Objective: To explore the relationship and interaction of elevated fasting glucose and hypertension on cardiocerebral vascular disease.

Methods: 10 054 males and females were recruited for our cross-sectional study during May 2007 to August 2007. Unconditional logistic regression was used to analysis the relationship between fasting glucose and hypertension on cardiocerebral vascular disease.

B7-H1 expression is associated with expansion of regulatory T cells in colorectal carcinoma.

Aim: To investigate the expression of B7-H1 in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) to define its regulating effects on T cells in tumor microenvironment.

Methods: One hundred and two paraffin blocks and 33 fresh samples of CRC tissues were subject to this study. Immunohistochemistry was performed for B7-H1 and CD3 staining in CRC tissues.

[Relevance of cardiovascular disease risk and abnormal ankle brachial index in hypertensive patients:a multicentre study].

Objective: To evaluate the relevance of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and abnormal ankle brachial index (ABI) in high-risk and very high-risk hypertensive patients and explore the strategies of prevention and treatment for peripheral arterial disease according to the CVD risk.

Methods: Between December 2008 and May 2009, the cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of abnormal ABI (ABI < 0.90) in 2674 community-dwelling, hypertensive patients, aged ≥ 40 years old, without coronary heart disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack or known arteriosclerosis, from 18 centers in China.

[Association between marital status and prevalence of peripheral arterial disease among Beijing residents: a cross-sectional study].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between marital status and prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) among Beijing residents.

Methods: From May to August 2007, 10 054 residents were interviewed to collect demographic and biochemistry information. Generalized linear mixed model was used to determine the relationship between marital status and prevalence of PAD in terms of OR and corresponding 95% confidence intervals.

A frequent somatic mutation in CD274 3'-UTR leads to protein over-expression in gastric cancer by disrupting miR-570 binding.

Inhibitory costimulatory molecule CD274 expresses in various cancers and contributes to cancer immune evasion by inhibiting T cell activation and proliferation, yet the regulatory mechanisms for CD274 overexpression in cancers are poorly understood. In this study, we discovered a novel mechanism of CD274 expression regulated by miR-570. A guanine-to-cytosine mutation at the 3'-UTR of CD274 mRNA led to CD274 overexpression by disrupting the miR-570 binding.

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis and a descending mediastinal abscess caused by acute epiglottitis with diabetes mellitus: a life-threatening complication.

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis and a descending mediastinal abscess of the neck following acute epiglottitis, life-threatening complications, is reported in a 43-year-old man with DM. The bacterial culture showed Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. The patient recovered after surgical debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy.

Protective effects of IL-4 on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin and lipopolysaccharide induced immunological liver injury in mice.

Objective: Mice injected with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammatory liver injury. This study was performed to explore the protective effects of interleukin (IL)-4 against liver injury induced by BCG and LPS in mice.

Materials And Methods: Mice injected with BCG (125 mg/kg) were challenged with LPS (10 μg/kg) to induce the model of inflammatory liver injury.

[Smoking cessation rate in cardiovascular patients after percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To investigate the smoking cessation rate and its related factors in cardiovascular patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1241 outpatients or inpatients fulfilling the inclusion criteria was conducted at 14 hospitals across China.

Results: The survey population mainly consisted of middle-aged male patients with an average age of (59.

The effect of mTOR inhibition alone or combined with MEK inhibitors on brain metastasis: an in vivo analysis in triple-negative breast cancer models.

mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and its analogs are lipophilic, demonstrate blood-brain barrier penetration, and have shown promising antitumor effects in several types of refractory tumors. We thus try to explore the therapeutic effects of mTOR inhibitors on brain metastasis models. We examined the effects of different dose of mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin, Temsirolimus-CCI-779) on cell invasion in two brain metastatic breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB231-BR and CN34-BrM2).

[Prevalence, awareness and treatment situation of hypertension in Chinese cardiovascular physicians].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hypertension and the current status of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Chinese cardiovascular physicians.

Methods: A total of 4032 cardiovascular certified physicians were recruited from 386 medical centers in all 31 provinces and municipalities in mainland China between 1 June 2008 and 31 August 2008.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension in Chinese cardiovascular physicians was 12.

Using genetic and clinical factors to predict tacrolimus dose in renal transplant recipients.

Aims: Tacrolimus has a narrow therapeutic window and shows significant interindividual difference in dose requirement. In this study we aim to first identify genetic factors that impact tacrolimus dose using a candidate gene association approach, and then generate a personalized algorithm combining identified genetic and clinical factors to predict individualized tacrolimus dose.

Materials & Methods: We screened 768 SNPs in 15 candidate genes in metabolism, transport and calcineurin inhibition pathways of tacrolimus, for association with tacrolimus dose in a discovery cohort of 96 patients.

Chloride channel ClC-3 promotion of osteogenic differentiation through Runx2.

ClC-3 chloride channel has been speculated to contribute to the acidification of synaptic vesicles and endosomes. However, the biological function of ClC-3 in osteogenesis remains to be determined. In this study, we first analyzed ClC-3 expression in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary mouse osteoblasts and then performed the osteoinductive procedure to determine the effects on gene expression.

Synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles based on low generational triethylene glycol-polyamidoamine dendrimers.

Low generational polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers with triethylene glycol (TEG) core and ester groups at the surface have been synthesized and investigated as templates for preparation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), by reducing chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) with potassium borohydride (KBH4) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to confirm the formation of AuNPs. Stable gold nanoparticles with particle size around 10 nm were obtained and the interaction between the dendrimers and Au moieties is discussed.

Cloning, mRNA expression, and recombinant expression of peptidoglycan recognition protein II gene from large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea).

Peptidoglycan recognition protein II (pglyrp2) is a type of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that has amidase activity and is structurally conserved through evolution. However, their contributions in immune defense are different between mammal pglyrp2 and its counterpart in insects. Hitherto, fish pglyrp2 was poorly known in its structure, expression pattern and its contribution in immune defense.

ClC-5 regulates dentin development through TGF-beta1 pathway.

ClC-5 is one of the voltage-dependent chloride channel (ClC) family members. Mutations involving CLCN5 cause an X-linked nephropathy associated with Dent's disease. Some Clcn5 gene knockout (ClC-5 KO) mice have abnormal growth of the teeth; however, the expression and function of ClC-5 during tooth development is still unknown.

Modification of polyethylene with Pluronics F127 for improvement of blood compatibility.

In order to improve blood compatibility of polyethylene (PE) film, the Pluronics F127 additives in the PE film were then crosslinked to be stably entrapped in the PE matrix. The crosslinking was done by free radicals produced from the decomposition of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) in the film through heating (120 degrees C). Surface properties of the Pluronics F127 additive-containing PE films were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and water contact angle (WCA) measurements.

Time-varied magnetic-field induced monolayer formation and re-aggregation of Au nanoparticles during solvent evaporation.

The self-organization of citrate-capped Au nanoparticles on silicon slide driven by solvent evaporation is carried out under an time-varied magnetic field. The monolayer formation and succedent re-aggregation of Au nanoparticles are observed. The mechanism is proposed based on the interaction between Au colloidal surface and rotating electric field around nanoparticles induced by time-varied magnetic field.

[Snail control by using soil pasting mixed with niclosamide].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of snail control through soil pasting mixed with niclosamide.

Methods: Four sites were selected in different epidemic areas in Sichuan province. Soil pasting mixed with niclosamide was carried on, and the dosage was 0 g/m2, 4 g/m2, 6 g/m2, 8 g/m2 and 10 g/m2 respectively.