Noncontact accurate measurement of cardiopulmonary activity using a compact quadrature Doppler radar sensor.

The designed sensor enables accurate reconstruction of chest-wall movement caused by cardiopulmonary activities, and the algorithm enables estimation of respiration, heartbeat rate, and some indicators of heart rate variability (HRV). In particular, quadrature receiver and arctangent demodulation with calibration are introduced for high linearity representation of chest displacement; 24-bit ADCs with oversampling are adopted for radar baseband acquisition to achieve a high signal resolution; continuous-wavelet filter and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) based algorithm are applied for cardio/pulmonary signal recovery and separation so that accurate beat-to-beat interval can be acquired in time domain for HRV analysis. In addition, the wireless sensor is realized and integrated on a printed circuit board compactly.

Tracing the origin of paralytic shellfish toxins in scallop Patinopecten yessoensis in the northern Yellow Sea.

Some dinoflagellate species within the genera Alexandrium, Gymnodinium and Pyrodinium are well-known producers of paralytic shellfish toxins (PST), which led to many poisoning incidents around the world. In the northern Yellow Sea, an important mariculture zone for scallop Patinopecten yessoensis, PST have been frequently detected from scallops. However, there is little knowledge concerning PST-producing microalgae in this region so far.

The expression changes of vacuolar protein sorting 4B (VPS4B) following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult rats brain hippocampus.

Vacuolar protein sorting 4 (VPS4), is a member of ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities protein family. VPS4 is composed of VPS4A and VPS4B, VPS4B plays an important role in the lysosomal degradation pathway, intracellular protein trafficking, virus budding and abscission of cytokinesis. However, information regarding its distribution and possible function in the central nervous system is limited.

Upregulated expression of NF-YC contributes to neuronal apoptosis via proapoptotic protein bim in rats' brain hippocampus following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Cerebral ischemia represents a severe brain injury that could lead to significant neuronal damage and death. In this study, we performed a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult rats and observed that a subunit of nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) transcriptional factor, NF-YC, was accumulated in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons. Immunochemistrical and immunofluorescent analysis revealed that NF-YC was primarily expressed in the nucleus of neurons.

Self assembly of three-dimensional Lu2O3:Eu3+ inverse opal photonic crystals, their modified emissions and dual-functional refractive index sensing.

In this study, Lu2O3:Eu(3+) inverse-opal-photonic crystals (IOPCs) with controllable lattice constants were fabricated using a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) template. The modification effect of PC on the (5)D0-(7)F(J) and (5)D1-(7)F(J) (J = 1-6) transitions were systemically studied by emission spectra, luminescent dynamics and the temperature-dependence. It is significant to observe that the increase of (5)D0-(7)F(J) radiative lifetime for Eu(3+) ions (30%) in contrast to the reference sample was mainly due to modulation of the effective refractive index, rather than the density of optical states.

Protection of spiral ganglion neurons from degeneration using small-molecule TrkB receptor agonists.

Neurotrophins (NTs) play essential roles in the development and survival of neurons in PNS and CNS. In the cochlea, NTs [e.g.

Complete genome sequence of the first Chinese virulent infectious laryngotracheitis virus.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an acute respiratory disease caused by infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV). The complete genome sequences of five attenuated ILTV vaccine strains and six virulent ILTV strains as well as two Australian ILTV field strains have been published in Australia and the USA so far. To provide the complete genome sequence information of ILTVs from different geographic regions, the whole genome of ILTV LJS09 isolated in China was sequenced.

Ultrastructural pathological changes in the cochlear cells of connexin 26 conditional knockout mice.

Mutations in the gene of connexin 26 (Cx26) are the most common cause of human non‑syndromic hereditary deafness. The pathogenesis of deafness caused by Cx26 remains uncertain. To explore the basic mechanism underlying Cx26 null mutations, ultrastructural changes and a number of marker proteins in the cochlear sensory epithelium of Cx26 conditional knockout mice were observed in the current study.

Trans-2-phenylcyclopropylamine regulates zebrafish lateral line neuromast development mediated by depression of LSD1 activity.

The zebrafish mechanosensory lateral line (LL) is a model system for the study of hair cell development, survival and regeneration. Recently, histone modifications have attracted a considerable amount of interest because of their indispensable roles in various kinds of cellular processes including differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and function. Lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is an important enzyme that regulates histone methylation.

Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus by real-time PCR in naturally and experimentally infected chickens.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an acute, highly contagious upper-respiratory infectious disease of chickens. In this study, a real-time PCR method was developed for fast and accurate detection and quantitation of ILTV DNA of chickens experimentally infected with ILTV strain LJS09 and naturally infected chickens. The detection lower limit of the assay was 10 copies of DNA.

Network characteristic analysis of ADR-related proteins and identification of ADR-ADR associations.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are caused by interactions between drugs or their metabolites and specific proteins. Knowledge of these proteins is important for facilitating mechanistic research of ADRs and new drug discovery. Here, we identified 41 network modules from an ADR-protein network; analysed the function of each module; revealed the potential accompanying actions of the ADRs and the new ADR-related proteins (ADRPs) to a unique ADR and studied the characteristics of composition, subcellular location and tissue distribution of these ADRPs by comparing them with drug-related proteins (DRPs).

Self-assembly, highly modified spontaneous emission and energy transfer properties of LaPO4:Ce3+, Tb3+ inverse opals.

The modification of photonic crystals (PCs) on photoluminescence of rare earth (RE) ions has attracted considerable interest, however, the modification of PCs on energy transfer (ET) processes of two separate RE centers has not been investigated yet. In this paper, three-dimensional Ce(3+), Tb(3+)-codoped LaPO4 inverse opal PCs (IOPCs) were fabricated by the PMMA colloidal template method. The modification of the photonic stop band (PSB) on emission spectra and the dynamics of the 5d-4f transition of Ce(3+) and the 4f-4f transition of Tb(3+) ions were systematically studied.

Fasting plasma glucose at 24-28 weeks to screen for gestational diabetes mellitus: new evidence from China.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at 24-28 weeks' gestation to screen for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Research Design And Methods: The medical records and results of a 75-g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) of 24,854 pregnant women without known pre-GDM attending prenatal clinics in 15 hospitals in China were examined.

Results: FPG cutoff value of 5.

Early postnatal virus inoculation into the scala media achieved extensive expression of exogenous green fluorescent protein in the inner ear and preserved auditory brainstem response thresholds.

Background: Gene transfer into the inner ear is a promising approach for treating sensorineural hearing loss. The special electrochemical environment of the scala media raises a formidable challenge for effective gene delivery at the same time as keeping normal cochlear function intact. The present study aimed to define a suitable strategy for preserving hearing after viral inoculation directly into the scala media performed at various postnatal developmental stages.

Increased expression of AGS3 in rat brain cortex after traumatic brain injury.

Receptor-independent activators of G protein signaling (AGS) offer alternative modes of signal processing for the G protein signaling system that has broad mechanistic and functional significance. Previous studies have demonstrated that AGS3, which belongs to the AGS family, is involved in a number of different cellular activities. However, the distribution and function of AGS3 in the central nervous system (CNS) remain unclear.

PORP vs. TORP: a meta-analysis.

After the surgical procedure of ossicular chain reconstruction, the effectiveness and/or stability of partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) or total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) were systematically compared and evaluated using meta-analysis. A total of 40 eligible investigations with 4,311 subjects were included in our study. There was a significant difference in the effectiveness of the reconstruction of the ossicular chain between PORP and TORP; the data showed a combined risk ratio (RR) of 1.

Inhibited local thermal effect in upconversion luminescence of YVO₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ inverse opals.

Upconversion Luminescence (UCL) of YVO₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ inverse opal photonic crystals (IOPCs) was investigated in contrast to the references under the excitation of a 980-nm laser diode. Besides the traditional modification on UCL and dynamics, it is significant to observe that in the IOPCs the temperature quenching and local thermal effect was greatly suppressed.

Avirulent Marek's disease virus type 1 strain 814 vectored vaccine expressing avian influenza (AI) virus H5 haemagglutinin induced better protection than turkey herpesvirus vectored AI vaccine.

Background: Herpesvirus of turkey (HVT) as a vector to express the haemagglutinin (HA) of avian influenza virus (AIV) H5 was developed and its protection against lethal Marek's disease virus (MDV) and highly pathogenic AIV (HPAIV) challenges was evaluated previously. It is well-known that avirulemt MDV type 1 vaccines are more effective than HVT in prevention of lethal MDV infection. To further increase protective efficacy against HPAIV and lethal MDV, a recombinant MDV type 1 strain 814 was developed to express HA gene of HPAIV H5N1.

Preparation and efficacy of a live newcastle disease virus vaccine encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles.

Background: Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease of poultry caused by pathogenic strains of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Live NDV vaccines are administered by drinking water, eyedrops or coarse aerosol spray. To further enhance mucosal immune responses, chitosan nanoparticles were developed for the mucosal delivery of a live NDV vaccine.

Clinical features of benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis in Chinese infants.

Background: Benign convulsions occur in infants during the course of mild gastroenteritis. It is now recognized as a distinct clinical entity in many countries. However, its occurrence in China has not yet been widely recognized by Chinese pediatricians.

Class IIa bacteriocins: diversity and new developments.

Class IIa bacteriocins are heat-stable, unmodified peptides with a conserved amino acids sequence YGNGV on their N-terminal domains, and have received much attention due to their generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, their high biological activity, and their excellent heat stability. They are promising and attractive agents that could function as biopreservatives in the food industry. This review summarizes the new developments in the area of class IIa bacteriocins and aims to provide uptodate information that can be used in designing future research.

Evaluation of the value of fasting plasma glucose in the first prenatal visit to diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus in china.

Objective: To evaluate the value of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) value in the first prenatal visit to diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Research Design And Methods: Medical records of 17,186 pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in 13 hospitals in China, including the Peking University First Hospital (PUFH), were examined. Patients with pre-GDM were excluded; data for FPG at the first prenatal visit and one-step GDM screening with 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation were collected and analyzed.

Identification of a conserved B-cell epitope on reticuloendotheliosis virus envelope protein by screening a phage-displayed random peptide library.

Background: The gp90 protein of avian reticuloendotheliosis-associated virus (REV-A) is an important envelope glycoprotein, which is responsible for inducing protective antibody immune responses in animals. B-cell epitopes on the gp90 protein of REV have not been well studied and reported.

Methods And Results: This study describes the identification of a linear B-cell epitope on the gp90 protein by screening a phage-displayed 12-mer random peptide library with the neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) A9E8 directed against the gp90.

[Effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on quality of life in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Objective: To observe the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on quality of life in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Thirty-seven non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were prospectively studied. A 36-item short form healthy survey questionnaire(SF36), the diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire(DTSQ), and quality of life scale for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DMQLS) were used to evaluate the quality of life for all the non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively.

Development of a rapid and specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification detection method that targets Marek's disease virus meq gene.

A rapid, sensitive and specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was developed and evaluated for the detection of Marek's disease virus (MDV) by amplification of conserved MDV meq gene sequences. LAMP is an innovative technique that allows the rapid detection of targeted nucleic acid sequences under isothermal conditions without the need for complex instrumentation. In this study, meq gene sequences were amplified successfully from different MDV strains by LAMP within 60min and no cross-reactivity was observed in a panel of related viruses that were associated with diseases of chickens.