Angiotensin II infusion-induced inflammation, monocytic fibroblast precursor infiltration, and cardiac fibrosis are pressure dependent.

The activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system increases blood pressure and intracellular signals, thus leading to cardiac fibrosis. Whether increased blood pressure or angiotensin II-activated signaling is responsible for elevated angiotensin II-induced cardiac remodeling is unknown. Here, we aimed to determine whether lowering blood pressure with hydralazine might prevent inflammation and cardiac fibrosis in response to angiotensin II.

Arsenic trioxide induces apoptosis of p53 null osteosarcoma MG63 cells through the inhibition of catalase.

This study is aimed at investigating the effect of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on p53 null human osteosarcoma MG63 cells and the mechanisms underlying the effect. Apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry with Annexin-V-FITC/PI dual staining. Intracellular ROS was measured by flow cytometry using a cell-based ROS assay kit.

Differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells: the potential mechanism for estrogen-induced preferential osteoblast versus adipocyte differentiation.

Introduction: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of differentiating into osteoblasts and adipocytes. This critical balance between osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation plays a significant role in maintaining normal bone homeostasis. In osteoporosis, a metabolic bone disease seen mainly in postmenopausal women because of estrogen deficiency, the concomitant occurrence of increased bone marrow adipocyte production with diminished production of osteoblasts, points to the potential role of estrogen in shifting the balance of MSC differentiation.

Fiber-optic temperature sensor based on interaction of temperature-dependent refractive index and absorption of germanium film.

The interaction of a large temperature-dependent refractive index and a temperature-dependent absorption of semiconductor materials at 1550 nm can be used to build a very sensitive, film coated fiber-optic temperature probe. We developed a sensor model for the optical fiber-germanium film sensor. A temperature sensitivity of reflectivity change of 0.

Surface-initiated DNA self-assembly as an enzyme-free and nanoparticle-free strategy towards signal amplification of an electrochemical DNA sensor.

Surface-initiated DNA polymerization has been employed in this work as an appealing signal amplification strategy for electrochemical DNA sensors. This strategy is especially superior in that enzymes, colloidal particles and other bulky structures are not involved in order to achieve amplified signals, and thus is highly promising in circumventing problems due to uncontrolled nucleation, adsorption, aggregation or disassembly of nanoparticles, liposomes and proteins, as well as enzyme deactivations. Our preliminary results have shown that a decrease (as compared to an amplification-free system) in detection limit by a factor greater than 300 can be easily achieved by cyclic voltammetry under still not optimized conditions, with an ability of differentiating a single base mutation.

[Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry in typical desert and desertified regions, north China].

Characteristics of leaf nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry at regional scale is key factors to understand spatial pattern, forecast change trends and reveal responses of terrestrial ecosystem to global change. In this study, pattern of leaf nitrogen and phosphorus of 214 plants was investigated to elucidate their relationships with rainfall and temperature in typical desert and desertified regions of northern China. The results showed that average leaf nitrogen concentration, average leaf phosphorus concentrations, and leaf N/P of 214 species are (24.

[Effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on tumor neovascularization].

Objective: The effect of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on tumor neovascularization were studied.

Methods: hMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow by density gradient fractionation and adherence to plastic flasks. hMSCs-EGFP were obtained by pLEGFP-N1 retroviral vector.

[Effect of cryopreservation on growth and osteogenesis of human adipose-derived stem cells].

Objective: As one of the adult stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have become an important seed cell source for tissue engineering recently. But whether the thawed cryopreserved ADSCs could be used to tissue engineered bone remains unknown. To investigate the effect of cryopreservation on the growth and osteogenesis of ADSCs in vitro.

[Gene therapy based on inducible IL-12 gene in a mouse model of orthotopically transplanted H22 hepatoma].

Objective: To evaluate the antitumor efficiency of IL-12 gene induced by RU486 regulatory system in a mouse model of orthotopically transplanted hepatoma.

Methods: The orthotopic hepatoma model was prepared by inoculation of H22 hepatoma cells into the mouse liver. Murine interleukin-12 (IL-12) expressing plasmid pRS22 containing RU486 regulatory system was injected into mice by a hydrodynamic injection 3 days after H22 cells inoculation.

Expression and network analysis of genes related to melanocyte development in the Silky Fowl and White Leghorn embryos.

Silky Fowl is a natural mutant with hyperpigmentation of various internal tissues. Although the mechanism of hyperpigmentation remains unclear, recent studies have shown that the abnormal migration of melanoblast and the absence of environmental barrier molecules are responsible for the hyperpigmentation in Silky Fowl. In this study, 13 genes related to melanocyte development were selected to detect expression changes between Silky Fowl and White Leghorn [including SRY-box 10 (Sox10), paired box (Pax3), stem cell factor (Scf), v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Kit), endothelin type-B receptor (Ednrb), endothelin 3 (Edn3), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf), tyrosinase (Tyr), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (Trp1), tyrosinase-related protein-2 (Trp2), melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r), Agouti-related proteins (Agrp), and Proopiomelanocortin (Pomc)].

Quality of reporting of trial abstracts needs to be improved: using the CONSORT for abstracts to assess the four leading Chinese medical journals of traditional Chinese medicine.

Background: Due to language limitations, the abstract of journal article may be the only way for people of non-Chinese speaking countries to know about trials in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, little is known about the reporting quality of these trial abstracts. Our study is to assess the reporting quality of abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in four leading Chinese medical journals of TCM, and to identify any differences in reporting between the Chinese and English version of the same abstract publication.

Arsenic induces apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells through mitochondrial pathways.

To clarify the molecular mechanisms through which arsenic causes injuries to blood vessels, we analyzed the effects of sodium arsenite (NaAsO(2)) on the apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the expression of the related genes. HUVECs apoptosis increased and Delta Psi m decreased in a dose-dependent manner following arsenic treatment. Intracellular ROS showed 2 phase alterations: a slight decrease with low levels of arsenic (5 and 10 microM) treatment; but a sharp increase at higher concentrations (>or=20 microM).

Toward a universal "adhesive nanosheet" for the assembly of multiple nanoparticles based on a protein-induced reduction/decoration of graphene oxide.

Graphene oxide (GO) can be reduced and decorated by bovine serum albumin (BSA) at suitable pH and temperature. The resulting bioconjugates between BSA and GO or reduced GO are ideal templates for highly efficient assembly of a variety of nanoparticles with dramatically different compositions, sizes, shapes, and properties. This methodology offers a great chance for investigations on the structure-performance relationship of hybrid nanomaterials toward combinatorial material design aiming at special functions and applications.

[Separation of derivatized aliphatic aldehydes in beverage by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis].

A simple and mild method for the separation of aliphatic aldehydes based on a condensation reaction with 9,10-phenanthrenequinone as labeling reagent with nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis has been developed. The detection was performed with a diode array detector (DAD). A 58.

[Inhibition of malignant phenotype of HeLa cells by RNA interference of the telomerase activity].

Objective: To investigate the biology of HeLa cells upon inhibition of human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) gene by RNA interference in vitro.

Methods: Four shRNAs (A, B, C and D) targeting hTERT gene were designed and prepared by in-vitro transcription. The expression of hTERT gene was evaluated by immunofluorescent staining and telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) ELISA (TRAP-ELISA), after transient transfection of shRNAs by lipid formulation.

[Repair of calvarial defects with human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells and demineralized bone matrix in athymic rats].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of using human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) scaffolds to repair critical-sized calvarial defects in athymic rats.

Methods: Human UCB-MSCs were isolated, expanded and osteogenically induced in vitro. Osteogenic differentiation of UCB-MSCs was evaluated by Alizarin Red staining and measurement of calcium content respectively, and then the cells were seeded onto DBM scaffolds.

[Effects of 17β-estradiol on proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cell by regulating expression of claudin-6].

Objective: To explore the role of estrogen in the regulation of the expression of claudin-6 and biological behavior in MCF-7 cells.

Methods: RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry were conducted to analyze the expression and localization of claudin-6 in MCF-7 cells treated with 17β-estradiol. CCK-8 kit assay and Scratch Test were conducted to analyze the capability of proliferation and migration of 17β-estradiol treated MCF-7 cells.

[Effects of stable up-regulation of tight junction protein claudin-6 upon biological phenotypes of breast cancer cell MCF-7].

Objective: To explore the effect of over-expression of tight junction protein claudin-6 upon the biological characters of breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

Methods: The MCF-7 subline expressing a high level of claudin-6 was established by transfection with a pcDNA3.1-claudin-6 expression vector.

Priming with a DNA vaccine and boosting with an inactivated vaccine enhance the immune response against infectious bronchitis virus.

The methods of repeated immunization with inactivated vaccines have been used widely to increase antibody protection against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). However, compared with DNA vaccines, these methods usually induce poor cellular responses. In the present study, specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were immunized intramuscularly with a DNA vaccine carrying the main IBV structural genes (pVAX1-S1, pVAX1-M, and pVAX1-N, respectively) and boosted with the IBV M41 strain inactivated vaccine to assess whether such a new strategy could enhance the immune responses against IBV.

Tight junction protein, claudin-6, downregulates the malignant phenotype of breast carcinoma.

Claudin-6 is a protein component of tight junctions and its expression has been found to be undetectable or at low levels in some human and rat breast cancer cells. Here we investigated the effect of claudin-6 upregulation on the malignant phenotype of human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. MCF-7 sublines with stable claudin-6 expression were established by transfection with a pcDNA3.

Visual detection of sub-femtomole DNA by a gold nanoparticle seeded homogeneous reduction assay: toward a generalized sensitivity-enhancing strategy.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been employed to design colorimetric visual sensing assays toward the detections of various targets including DNA, based on the aggregation induced color transitions of AuNPs. However, the relatively high detection limit (LOD 10nM) in the case of DNA detection has become a stumbling block on the road of the further development and applications of these assays. This research aims at overcoming this limit by virtue of a seeded gold reduction strategy.

[The cloning expression, purification and activity of human angiostatin K (1-3) gene].

Objective: To clone the sequence of human Angiostatin cDNA and obtain the protein of recombinant angiostatin for further development.

Methods: Fresh human liver tissue was used for the extraction of total RNA and amplified the Angiostatin cDNA through RT-PCR method . After the recombinant plasmid pET30a-Angiostatin was constructed and confirmed, it was transduced into Rosetta (DE3).

An improved reagent for determination of aliphatic amines with fluorescence and online atmospheric chemical ionization-mass spectrometry identification.

An improved reagent named 2-[2-(dibenzocarbazole)-ethoxy] ethyl chloroformate (DBCEC-Cl) for the determination of aliphatic amines by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection and post-column online atmospheric chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) identification has been developed. DBCEC-Cl could easily and quickly label aliphatic amines. Derivatives were stable enough to be efficiently analyzed by HPLC and showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [M+H](+) under APCI-MS in positive-ion mode.

[MT1-MMP up-regulates VEGF expression in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells and induces tumor angiogenesis].

Objective: To study the function of MT1-MMP in tumor angiogenesis and elucidate the possible way of action that MT1-MMP contributes to angiogenesis.

Methods: MT1-MMP was transfected into human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 cells. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were employed to detect the expression of VEGF in the transfected and non-transfected MCF-7 cells.

Dual-sensitive probe 1-imidazole-2-(5-benzoacridine)-ethanone for the determination of amines in environmental water using HPLC with fluorescence detection and online atmospheric chemical ionization-mass spectrometry identification.

Dual-sensitive probe of 1-imidazole-2-(5-benzoacridine)-ethanone (IBAE) for the determination of free amines with fluorescence detection and online highly sensitive atmospheric chemical ionization-mass spectrometry identification (APCI-MS) has been developed. 2-(Benzoacridine)-5-acetic acid (BAAA) reacts with coupling agent N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) to form a highly activated amide intermediate 1-imidazole-2-(5-benzoacridine)-ethanone (IBAE), which is dual-sensitive probe. The amide intermediate (IBAE) reacts preferably with amines in dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent to give the high yields of derivatives.