Optimization of fermentation medium for the production of atrazine degrading strain Acinetobacter sp. DNS(32) by statistical analysis system.

Statistical experimental designs provided by statistical analysis system (SAS) software were applied to optimize the fermentation medium composition for the production of atrazine-degrading Acinetobacter sp. DNS(32) in shake-flask cultures. A "Plackett-Burman Design" was employed to evaluate the effects of different components in the medium.

Feasibility and effect of ultrasound microbubble-mediated wild-type p53 gene transfection of HeLa cells.

Gene therapy holds great promise for the treatment of diseases. The key problem of gene therapy is the choice of an effective vector. Ultrasound-mediated microbubble technique (UMMT) has already shown promising applications in numerous types of tumors apart from cervical carcinoma.

A graphene-based multifunctional affinity probe for selective capture and sequential identification of different biomarkers from biosamples.

A novel multifunctional graphene-based affinity probe has been explored for selective capture of two different types of peptides from the biosamples for sequential detection.

[Meta-analysis of laparoscopic Nissen and Toupet fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease].

Objective: To compare laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF)and Toupet laparoscopic fundoplication (LTF) with respect to treatment outcomes and postoperative complications.

Methods: PubMed, Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing laparoscopic Nissen and Toupet fundoplication were included.

[Effects of salt stress on physiological characters and salt-tolerance of Ulmus pumila in different habitats].

Taking the Ulmus pumila seedlings from three different habitats (medium-, mild-, and non-saline soils) as test materials, an experiment was conducted to study their salt-tolerance thresholds and physiological characteristic under different levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g X kg(-1)) of salt stress. With increasing level of the salt stress, the seedlings taken from medium- and mild- saline habitats had a lower increment of leaf membrane permeability, Na+ content, and Na+/K+ but a higher increment of leaf proline, soluble sugar, and K+ contents, and a lower decrement of leaf starch content, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, and stomatic conductance, as compared with the seedlings taken from non-saline habitat. The salt-tolerance thresholds of the seedlings taken from different habitats were in the order of medium- saline habitat (7.

[Clinical significance and intervention study of serum interleukin 18 in preeclampsia patients with coexisting obstructive sleep apnea].

Objective: To investigate the role of IL-18 in the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)-induced preeclampsia (PE), by comparison of the changes of serum IL-18 levels among different groups as well as before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in pregnant women with both OSAS and PE.

Methods: In control group there were 18 normal pregnant women with apnea hypopnea index (AHI) < 5. In simple PE group 18 pregnant PE patients with an AHI < 5 were recruited.

Synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and cleavage, BSA interaction and anticancer activity of dinuclear zinc complexes.

Three new zinc(II) complexes: [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)Cl(2)](ClO(4))(2)·C(2)H(5)OH (1) and [ZnL(2)X(4)]·2CH(3)CN (X = Br for 2, Cl for 3), utilizing two new and interrelated di-nucleating polypyridyl ligands (L(1), L(2)), have been synthesized and characterized by using various physico-chemical techniques. The interactions of three complexes with CT-DNA have been explored by using absorption, emission and CD spectral methods, which reveal that three complexes bind to CT-DNA by partial intercalation binding modes. Notably, in the presence of H(2)O(2) as a revulsant or an activator, the cleavage abilities of all complexes are obviously enhanced.

Fabrication of novel hierarchical structured Fe₃O₄ @LnPO₄ (Ln=Eu, Tb, Er) multifunctional microspheres for capturing and labeling phosphopeptides.

Novel core-shell structured Fe3O4@LnPO4 (Ln=Eu, Tb, Er) multifunctional microspheres with a magnetic Fe3O4 core and a LnPO4 shell covered with spikes are synthesized for the first time through the combination of a homogeneous precipitation approach and an ion-exchange process. Their potential for selective capture, rapid separation, and easy mass spectrometry (MS) labeling of the phosphopeptides from complex proteolytic digests are evaluated. These affinity microspheres can improve the specificity for capture of the phosphopeptides, realize fast magnetic separation, enhance the MS detection signals, and directly identify phosphopeptides through 80 Da mass loss in the mass spectra.

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with a suture-tie technique of patellar side fixation.

Background: Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is the preferred operative treatment for recurrent patellar dislocation. The purpose of this study was to report a novel suture-tie technique of patellar side fixation in medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for recurrent patellar dislocation, and to evaluate the intermediate-term results.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the results of 22 MPFL reconstructions in 21 patients (6 male and 15 female) with a suture-tie technique performed by a single surgeon between March 2004 and July 2009.

[Correlation of surgical timing and prognosis for ruptured intracranial aneurysms].

Objective: To explore the correlation between surgical timing and clinical prognosis for ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Methods: A series of 187 patients with intracranial aneurysm treated surgically at our department were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 101 patients received an average follow-up period of 9 months (range: 6 - 14).

Glioma stem-like cells are less susceptible than glioma cells to sonodynamic therapy with photofrin.

Despite remarkable progress in diagnosis and treatment, malignant glioma, a highly lethal cancer of the central nervous system, remains incurable. Although glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) represent a relatively small fraction of the cells in malignant glioma, they can proliferate and self renew extensively, being crucial for tumor recurrence. Cancer treatment by sonodynamic therapy (SDT) chiefly depends on antitumor effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from a sonosensitizer activated by ultrasound.

The ABCG2 transporter is a key molecular determinant of the efficacy of sonodynamic therapy with Photofrin in glioma stem-like cells.

We aimed to investigate the role of the ABCG2 transporter in the efficacy of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) with Photofrin in the glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) isolated and cultured from U251 glioma cells. Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analyses showed that ABCG2 was overexpressed in GSCs, and the percentage of ABCG2-positive GSCs was approximately 100%. The effect of ABCG2 on Photofrin extrusion in the absence or presence of a specific inhibitor of ABCG2 (fumitremorgin C; FTC) was investigated by determining the intracellular concentration of Photofrin in GSCs incubated with 20μg/ml Photofrin.

Esophageal cancer exhibits resistance to a novel IGF-1R inhibitor NVP-AEW541 with maintained RAS-MAPK activity.

Aim: To assess the effects of a novel type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor, NVP-AEW541, on cell proliferation and signal transduction of esophageal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Cell proliferation assay and western blot were conducted to assess the antitumor effects of NVP-AEW541. Genetic modification of RAS by expression vector was applied for overexpression of mutant RAS.

Oral administration of FAK inhibitor TAE226 inhibits the progression of peritoneal dissemination of colorectal cancer.

Peritoneal dissemination is one of the most terrible types of colorectal cancer progression. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a crucial role in the biological processes of cancer, such as cell attachment, migration, proliferation and survival, all of which are essential for the progression of peritoneal dissemination. Since we and other groups have reported that the inhibition of FAK activity exhibited a potent anticancer effect in several cancer models, we hypothesized that TAE226, a novel ATP-competitive tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to target FAK, can prevent the occurrence and progression of peritoneal dissemination.

Experimental research of RB94 gene transfection into retinoblastoma cells using ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction.

The purpose of this study was to explore the transfection of the recombinant expression plasmid pEGFP-C1/RB94 into human retinoblastoma cells (HXO-Rb44) using ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD). pEGFP-C1/RB94 was transfected into HXO-Rb44 in vitro by UTMD, with liposome as the positive control. After 24 to 72 h, the expression of the reporter gene enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was observed using fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry.

[Analysis of 14 elements for Jinhua bergamot by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and elemental analyser].

The content of the elements C, H, O and N in Jinhua bergamot was analysed by using Vario III elemental analyser, the bergamot sample was scanned by using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer with PW2400 wavelength dispersion, and the content of the elements Mg, Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe and Sr was analysed by using IQ+ analytical method. It turned out that the result is more ideal if the content of the elements C, H, O and N is processed as fix phase, and the analytical result is more ideal if, to prevent the sample skin from coming off, the sample is wrapped with mylar film with the film coefficient adjusted.

Targeted delivery of bone mesenchymal stem cells by ultrasound destruction of microbubbles promotes kidney recovery in acute kidney injury.

The aim of the present study was to explore whether ultrasound microbubble destruction augments site-targeted engraftment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) to kidney tissue and promotes recovery of the kidney in acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. AKI was induced by the subcutaneous injection of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂). Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the following groups after the establishment of rat models of AKI (n = 10): (1) Model group alone (control group); (2) 1.

The stiffness of the liver and spleen on ARFI Imaging pre and post TIPS placement: a preliminary observation.

Purpose: To prospectively assess the stiffness of the liver and spleen with acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging pre and post transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement.

Material And Methods: Between February, 2011 and September, 2011, we prospectively measured stiffness of the liver and spleen with mean shear wave velocity (MSV, m/s) on ARFI imaging in 10 healthy volunteers (mean age 32.2 ± 10.

Enhancement of meniscal repair in the avascular zone using connective tissue growth factor in a rabbit model.

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a secreted protein containing several domains that mediate interactions with growth factors, integrins and extracellular matrix components. CTGF plays an important role in extracellular matrix production by its ability to mediate collagen deposition during wound healing. CTGF also induces neovascularization in vitro, suggesting a role in angiogenesis in vivo.

[Effects of valsartan and U0126 on atrial fibrosis and connexin40 remodeling in rats].

Objective: To explore the effects of valsartan and MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 on atrial fibrosis and connexin40 (Cx40) remodeling in rats treated with isoproterenol (ISO).

Methods: 32 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (A), ISO (5 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) for 7 days) + DMSO group (B), ISO + U0126 (0.5 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) for 28 days) group (C, U0126 was dissolved in DMSO), ISO + valsartan (30 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) for 28 days) + DMSO group (D).

Determination of novel nitrogen-containing metabolite after oral administration of swertiamarin to rats.

In a series of studies on the metabolism of iridoid compounds, we investigated the metabolic fate of swertiamarin (1) in Wistar rats. Liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry detected new nitrogen-containing metabolite gentiandiol (3) in rat plasma. The structure of the metabolite was unequivocally identified by comparing the retention time as well as the mass spectrum with those of authentic compound, which was synthesized from swertiamarin (1).

[Construction and immunological analysis of a combined multi-epitope vaccine against EGFR/HER2].

A recombinant plasmid pET28a-HBcAg-delta n was constructed, in which three mimic B-epitopes of HER family were inserted into the truncated HBc vector. The fusion protein expressed was purified and used to immunize BALB/c mice to induce antibody against the epitopes. Three mimic epitope genes were inserted into the sequences of amino acid residues 78 and 79 of HBcAg by overlap PCR.

A photogrammetry-based system for 3D surface reconstruction of prosthetics and orthotics.

The objective of this study is to develop an innovative close range digital photogrammetry (CRDP) system using the commercial digital SLR cameras to measure and reconstruct the 3D surface of prosthetics and orthotics. This paper describes the instrumentation, techniques and preliminary results of the proposed system. The technique works by taking pictures of the object from multiple view angles.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of Cashmere goat mammalian target of rapamycin.

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily conserved protein kinase that belongs to the phosphatidylinositol kinase-related kinase family. We describe our molecular characterization of mTOR and its function (GenBank accession HM114224) in Cashmere goat (Capra hircus). The goat mTOR complementary DNA is 8617 bp, comprising an open reading frame of 7650 bp--corresponding to a polypeptide of 2549 amino acids--and a 909 bp 3' untranslated region with a polyA tract and a polyadenylation signal at nucleotides 8575-8580.