Bottom-up fabrication of graphene on Ru(0001) via molecular self-assembly.

A bottom-up fabrication of graphene via molecular self-assembly of p-Terphenyl on Ru(0001) has been investigated by scanning tunneling microcopy and density functional theory. Upon annealing of the sample at 450 °C, the intermediate stage is observed, in which the adsorbed p-Terphenyl molecules and graphitized flakes converted from the molecules coexist, implying the onset of dehydrogenation of p-Terphenyl. At the annealing temperature of 480 °C, the graphitized flakes start to convert into graphene.

Riemerella anatipestifer lacks luxS, but can uptake exogenous autoinducer-2 to regulate biofilm formation.

Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) causes major economic losses to the duck industry. Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is a quorum-sensing signal that regulates bacterial physiology. The luxS and pfs genes are required for AI-2 synthesis in many bacterial species.

Amelioration of toxicity in neuronal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by hUPF1.

Over 30% of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) exhibit cognitive deficits indicative of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), suggesting a common pathogenesis for both diseases. Consistent with this hypothesis, neuronal and glial inclusions rich in TDP43, an essential RNA-binding protein, are found in the majority of those with ALS and FTD, and mutations in TDP43 and a related RNA-binding protein, FUS, cause familial ALS and FTD. TDP43 and FUS affect the splicing of thousands of transcripts, in some cases triggering nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), a highly conserved RNA degradation pathway.

Mechanism of testosterone deficiency in the transgenic sickle cell mouse.

Testosterone deficiency is associated with sickle cell disease (SCD), but its underlying mechanism is not known. We investigated the possible occurrence and mechanism of testosterone deficiency in a mouse model of human SCD. Transgenic sickle male mice (Sickle) exhibited decreased serum and intratesticular testosterone and increased luteinizing hormone (LH) levels compared with wild type (WT) mice, indicating primary hypogonadism in Sickle mice.

[Construction and characterization of a gspL mutant of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli].

Objective: To study the role of gspL gene in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Methods: The gspL mutant of Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) was constructed by homologous recombination assay. The growth characteristics, the ability of adhesion and invasion to DF1 cells, the virulence genes transcription level and median lethal dose (LD50) were analyzed between the gspL mutant strain and the wild strain.

Reduction of protein kinase C α (PKC-α) promote apoptosis via down-regulation of Dicer in bladder cancer.

In clinic, we examined the expression of protein kinase C (PKC)-α and Dicer in the samples of bladder cancer patients, and found that the two proteins have a line correlation. Our study confirmed this correlation existing by clearing the decreasing expression of Dicer after the PKC-α knockdown. Treatment of bladder cancer cell lines (T24, 5637) with the PKC-α or Dicer knockdown and the PKC inhibitors (Calphostin C and Gö 6976) can promote the apoptosis.

The effect of CuO NPs on reactive oxygen species and cell cycle gene expression in roots of rice.

To evaluate the effect of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on root growth, root reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and the expression of 2 genes (OsCDC2 and OsCYCD) associated with root growth of Oryza sativa (rice), rice roots were treated with 5 mg/L CuO NP suspension, 5 mg/L CuO bulk particle suspension, and 0.27 mg/L CuSO4  · 5H2 O solution, with distilled water as control. The results indicated that CuO NPs and Cu(2+) severely inhibited the elongation and biomass of rice roots after 72-h exposure.

[Phytotoxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles to metabolic activity in the roots of rice].

To study the toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) on plant growth, the physiological and biochemical activities of rice (Oryza sativa L. ) seedlings were detected under different kinds of treatments (CuO NPs suspension, CuO BPs suspension and CuSO4 .5H2O solution), using distilled water (d H20) culture as contrast.

The waaL gene is involved in lipopolysaccharide synthesis and plays a role on the bacterial pathogenesis of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes avian colibacillosis, resulting in economically devastating to poultry industries worldwide. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been identified as an important virulence factor of E. coli.

Enzymatic activity analysis and catalytic essential residues identification of Brucella abortus malate dehydrogenase.

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) plays important metabolic roles in bacteria. In this study, the recombinant MDH protein (His-MDH) of Brucella abortus was purified and its ability to catalyze the conversion of oxaloacetate (OAA) to L-malate (hereon referred to as MDH activity) was analyzed. Michaelis Constant (Km) and Maximum Reaction Velocity (Vmax) of the reaction were determined to be 6.

Adipose-specific knockout of SEIPIN/BSCL2 results in progressive lipodystrophy.

Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (BSCL2) is the most severe form of human lipodystrophy, characterized by an almost complete loss of adipose tissue and severe insulin resistance. BSCL2 is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the BSCL2/SEIPIN gene, which is upregulated during adipogenesis and abundantly expressed in the adipose tissue. The physiological function of SEIPIN in mature adipocytes, however, remains to be elucidated.

Molecular cloning and multifunctional characterization of GRIM-19 (gene associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality 19) homologue from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus).

GRIM-19 (gene associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality 19), a novel cell death regulatory gene, plays important roles in cell apoptosis, embryogenesis, mitochondrial respiratory chain and immune response. To date, little information is known about fish GRIM-19 characteristics except orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Here a new GRIM-19 gene is identified and characterized from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), an economic marine fish in China and Europe.

[Clinical efficacy of daily low-dose tadalafil on erectile dysfunction-no sexual life].

Objective: Erectile dysfunction-no sexual life (ED-NS) is defined as the inability to have enough penile erection hardness and duration so as to have enough confidence in attempting sexual intercourse for more than six months. This study was to investigate the effect of daily low-dose tadalafil on ED-NS.

Methods: We treated 35 ED-NS patients aged 17-35 (25.

The role of fascin in migration and invasion of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Introduction: To investigate the roles of fascin in migration and invasiveness in bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Immunohistochemical detection of fascin in urothelial carcinoma samples and inhibition the expression of fascin in the urothelial carcinoma cell line were performed, then the differences in cell behaviors before and after silencing of the fascin gene were tested.

Results: In our study, we found that overexpression of fascin was more frequent in urothelial carcinoma tissues (p < 0.

Transcript profiling of Paoenia ostii during artificial chilling induced dormancy release identifies activation of GA pathway and carbohydrate metabolism.

Endo-dormant flower buds must pass through a period of chilling to reinitiate growth and subsequent flowering, which is a major obstacle to the forcing culture of tree peony in winter. Customized cDNA microarray (8×15 K element) was used to investigate gene expression profiling in tree peony 'Feng Dan Bai' buds during 24 d chilling treatment at 0-4°C. According to the morphological changes after the whole plants were transferred to green house, endo-dormancy was released after 18 d chilling treatment, and prolonged chilling treatment increased bud break rate.

[Distribution and sources of arsenic in Yangzonghai Lake, China].

By collecting water and sediment samples from Yangzonghai Lake and analyzing the total amount and speciation of arsenic, the spatial distribution of arsenic in surface water and sediments was analyzed, the current status of arsenic pollution were estimated, the anthropogenic contribution rate and the arsenic reserve in the lake were calculated respectively. Meanwhile, the sources of arsenic were investigated. The results indicated that the total arsenic content in Yangzonghai Lake was 71.

Cloning, characterization and expression analysis of a cold shock domain family member YB-1 in turbot Scophthalmus maximus.

The Y-box proteins are a family of highly conserved nucleic acid binding proteins. In this report we have identified a new member, YB-1 from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) spleen cDNA library. The full-length cDNA sequence of turbot YB-1 was obtained and then the expression at transcriptional level was researched by qRT-PCR.

[Effects of high- and low temperature stress on the leaf PSII functions and physiological characteristics of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa cv. 'Roufurong')].

Taking the detached leaves of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa cv. 'Roufurong') as test materials, this paper studied the effects of high temperature (40 degrees C) and low temperature (15 degrees C) stresses on the PS II functions and physiological characteristics of peony leaves under strong light intensity (1400 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)), with 25 degrees C as the control. With the increasing time of high- and low temperature stress, the maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), actual quantum yield of photosystem II (Phi(PS II)) , and efficiency of excitation capture of open PS II center (Fv'/Fm') all decreased continuously.

Transcriptome analysis of tree peony during chilling requirement fulfillment: assembling, annotation and markers discovering.

Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) is a well-known horticultural and medicinal plant. The flower buds must go through a period of endo-dormancy before bud sprouting in winter, but very little information concerned with dormancy release is available. We obtained 625,342 sequencing reads with massive parallel pyrosequencing on the Roche 454 GS FLX platform (mean length: 358.

A role for phosphatidic acid in the formation of "supersized" lipid droplets.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are important cellular organelles that govern the storage and turnover of lipids. Little is known about how the size of LDs is controlled, although LDs of diverse sizes have been observed in different tissues and under different (patho)physiological conditions. Recent studies have indicated that the size of LDs may influence adipogenesis, the rate of lipolysis and the oxidation of fatty acids.

Urethral pull-through operation for the management of pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects.

Objective: To present our institutional experience in the management of pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects with urethral pull-through operation.

Methods: Seventy-six patients (average age 34.5 years) with posterior urethral strictures caused by pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects underwent urethral pull-through operation at our department from July 1995 to September 2009.

Testosterone and androgen receptor in human nephrolithiasis.

Purpose: We investigated the relationship of kidney calculi with plasma free and total testosterone, and androgen receptor up-regulation in the kidneys of men with nephrolithiasis.

Materials And Methods: Male patients with kidney stone and healthy men were included in the study. Blood was collected in a tube containing 2% heparin in the morning.

Fascin is a predictor for invasiveness and recurrence of urothelial carcinoma of bladder.

Objectives: To evaluate the expression of fascin in bladder urothelial carcinoma, and to analyze its association with clinicopathologic features and prognosis of urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of fascin, Ki-67, p53, CK20, and multidrug resistance gene (MDR) in 111 bladder urothelial carcinoma and 42 normal epithelial tissues. The association between fascin expression and clinicopathologic parameters and prognostic factors on tumor recurrence was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards model.

MHC class IIalpha gene polymorphism and its association with resistance/susceptibility to Vibrio anguillarum in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

Association between polymorphism of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes and disease resistance has been documented for few teleosts. In this study, we first investigate the genetic variation at the MHC IIalpha gene in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) for survival after challenge with bacterial infection. To explore the specific allele associated with disease resistance, about 6000 individuals from 60 families challenged with Vibrio anguillarum, which causes significantly different mortality in flounder families.

[Preparation and hemostatic evaluation of chitosan composite hemostatic membrane].

Objective: To improve the flexibility and hemostatic properties of chitosan (CS)/carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) hemostatic membrane by using glycerol and etamsylate to modify CS/CMCS hemostatic membrane. To investigate the mechanical properties and hemostatic capability of modified CS/CMCS hemostatic membrane.

Methods: The 2% CS solution, 2% CMCS solution, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% glycerol with or without 0.