Sibship size, birth order and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and infectious mononucleosis: a nationwide study in Sweden.

Background: The aetiology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains enigmatic in endemic and non-endemic areas. Early-life infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may predispose to NPC development, whereas delayed primary infection with EBV may cause infectious mononucleosis (IM).

Methods: We used Swedish population and health registers to investigate whether potential indicators of early EBV infection, such as birth order, sibship size, maternal age and paternal age, are related to the subsequent risks for NPC and IM.

PEDF and PEDF-derived peptide 44mer stimulate cardiac triglyceride degradation via ATGL.

Background: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a 50-kDa secreted glycoprotein that is highly expressed in cardiomyocytes. A variety of peptides derived from PEDF exerts diverse physiological activities including anti-angiogenesis, antivasopermeability, and neurotrophic activities. Recent studies demonstrated that segmental functional peptides of PEDF, 44mer peptide (Val78-Thr121), show similar neurotrophic and cytoprotective effect to that of the holoprotein.

[Risk factors for postoperative complications and in-hospital death in distal pancreatectomy].

Objective: To explore the risk factors for postoperative complications and in-hospital death of distal pancreatectomy (DP).

Methods: Retrospective reviews were conducted for 223 patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy. Their perioperative data and postoperative rates of morbidity and mortality were collected.

Regulatory effects of hydrogen sulfide on alveolar epithelial cell endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats with acute lung injury.

Background: The present study was undertaken to examine the regulatory effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on endoplasmic reticulum stress in alveolar epithelial cells of rats with acute lung injury (ALI) induced by oleic acid (OA).

Methods: Seventy-two male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into control group, oleic acid-induced ALI group (OA group), oleic acid-induced ALI with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) pretreatment group (OA+NaHS group), and sodium hydrosulfide treatment group (NaHS group). Rats of each group were further subdivided into 3 subgroups.

HIF-1α change in serum and callus during fracture healing in ovariectomized mice.

The purpose was to detect the effects of ovariectomy (OVX) on femoral fracture healing through different angiogenesis and HIF-1α expression in mice. Thirty-six young female C57 mice were randomized into two groups: OVX and age-matched intact control (CON). The femoral fracture was generated at 3 weeks after OVX or CON.

Nano-magnetic immunosensor based on staphylococcus protein a and the amplification effect of HRP-conjugated phage antibody.

In this research, super-paramagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (magnetic particles) were coated with Staphylococcus protein A (SPA) and coupled with polyclonal antibody (pcAb) to construct magnetic capturing probes, and HRP-conjugated phage antibody was then used as specific detecting probe to design a labeled immunosensor for trace detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). The linear detection range of the sensor was 0.008~125 µg/L, the regression equation was Y = 0.

Analysis of double-probe characteristics in low-frequency gas discharges and its improvement.

The double-probe has been used successfully in radio-frequency discharges. However, in low-frequency discharges, the double-probe I-V curve is so much seriously distorted by the strong plasma potential fluctuations that the I-V curve may lead to a large estimate error of plasma parameters. To suppress the distortion, we investigate the double-probe characteristics in low-frequency gas discharge based on an equivalent circuit model, taking both the plasma sheath and probe circuit into account.

Endogeous sulfur dioxide protects against oleic acid-induced acute lung injury in association with inhibition of oxidative stress in rats.

The role of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2), an efficient gasotransmitter maintaining homeostasis, in the development of acute lung injury (ALI) remains unidentified. We aimed to investigate the role of endogenous SO2 in the pathogenesis of ALI. An oleic acid (OA)-induced ALI rat model was established.

Magnetic and microwave absorption properties of self-assemblies composed of core-shell cobalt-cobalt oxide nanocrystals.

Core-shell structure cobalt-cobalt oxide nanocomposites were directly synthesized via annealing Co nanocrystals in air at 300 °C. Their microstructure and magnetic properties were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS and VSM, respectively. The microwave absorbing properties of the nanocomposite powders by dispersing them in wax were investigated in the 2-18 GHz frequency range.

Expression of glypican 3 enriches hepatocellular carcinoma development-related genes and associates with carcinogenesis in cirrhotic livers.

Glypican-3 (GPC3) protein expression was determined by immunohistochemical analysis from 29 normal livers, 80 cirrhotic livers sample taken near hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 87 cirrhotic livers without HCC. The levels for miR-657 and HCC-related gene mRNAs were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Also, a published microarray dataset was used for gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to investigate the relationship between GPC3- and HCC-related gene signatures.

Transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 resistance limits glucocorticoid responsiveness to Toll-like receptor 4-mediated inflammation.

Glucocorticoids (GC) are among the most effective anti-inflammatory drugs, but are often associated with serious adverse effects or inadequate therapeutic responses. Here, we use activation of different Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by their respective ligands to evaluate context-specific GC sensitivity in the macrophage. Recruitment and activation of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), downstream of TLR engagement, is crucial in activating multiple inflammatory pathways, and contributes to inflammatory disorders.

The pharmacokinetic properties of bifenthrin in the rat following multiple routes of exposure.

Background: Pyrethroids generally have relatively low oral toxicity but variable inhalation toxicity. The pharmacokinetics of bifenthrin in the rat after oral, inhalation and intravenous administration is described. Pyrethroid acute toxicity via oral and inhalation routes is also presented.

A low cycle fatigue test device for micro-cantilevers based on self-excited vibration principle.

This paper reports a low-cycle fatigue test device for micro-cantilevers, which are widely used in micro scale structures. The working principle of the device is based on the phenomenon that a micro-cantilever can be set into self-excited vibration between two electrodes under DC voltage. Compared with previous devices, this simple device can produce large strain amplitude on non-notched specimens, and allows a batch of specimens to be tested simultaneously.

De novo assembly and transcriptome characterization: novel insights into catechins biosynthesis in Camellia sinensis.

Background: Tea is a popular natural non-alcoholic beverage consumed worldwide due to its bioactive ingredients, particularly catechins (flavan-3-ols). Catechins not only contribute to tea quality but also serve important functions in the anti-stress regulation of secondary metabolic pathways. However, the percentages of various catechins are different among tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.

Mechanistic and dynamic insights into ligand encapsulation by helical arylamide foldamers.

Molecular capsules have been extensively used in catalysis, drug delivery, molecular recognition and protection of ligands from degradation. Novel "apple peel" shaped helical arylamide capsules have been experimentally pursued due to their flexible nature and designability. They were found to encapsulate a variety of small molecules.

Characterization of a mutant glucose isomerase from Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum.

A series of site-directed mutant glucose isomerase at tryptophan 139 from Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum strain B6A were purified to gel electrophoretic homogeneity, and the biochemical properties were determined. W139F mutation is the most efficient mutant derivative with a tenfold increase in its catalytic efficiency toward glucose compared with the native GI. With a maximal activity at 80 °C of 59.

An intensity ratio of interlocking loops determines circadian period length.

Circadian clocks allow organisms to orchestrate the daily rhythms in physiology and behaviors, and disruption of circadian rhythmicity can profoundly affect fitness. The mammalian circadian oscillator consists of a negative primary feedback loop and is associated with some 'auxiliary' loops. This raises the questions of how these interlocking loops coordinate to regulate the period and maintain its robustness.

Hypoglycemic effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins by enhancing the Nrf2 signaling pathway in STZ-inducing diabetic rats.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) is a natural plant resources for diabetes therapy, however, there is little research on the mechanisms of GP. The present study was undertaken to characterize if G. pentaphyllum saponins (GPs) is the principal active compound of GP responsible for anti-diabetes, and to examine the relativity between blood glucose modulate and antioxidation.

Nucleotide excision repair gene ERCC1 19007T>C polymorphism contributes to lung cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

Aims: Association studies of ERCC1 19007T>C polymorphism and lung cancer have yielded inconsistent results, possibly because single studies often lack sufficient statistical power.

Methods: We examined the association by performing a meta-analysis. Two investigators independently searched the Google Scholar, PubMed, and CNKI Databases.

Fetal and maternal angiotensin (1-7) are associated with preterm birth.

Background: Recent studies show that preterm birth is associated with hypertension in later life. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) during pregnancy influences fetal growth and development. In the current study, we investigated the impact of fetal as well as maternal angiotensin (1-7) [Ang (1-7)] and angiotensin II (Ang II) plasma concentrations on the risk of preterm birth.

Modified arterioportal shunting in radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background/aims: The resection and reconstruction of hepatic artery is often required in radical surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. In this study, we reported our experience in performing the arterioportal shunting with restriction of the arterial caliber as an alternative for the arterial reconstruction on the basis of our experiment when reconstruction of hepatic artery is impossible.

Methodology: Eight patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent extended left hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy combined with en bloc resection of hepatic artery and arterioportal shunting with restriction of the arterial caliber.

PER1 phosphorylation specifies feeding rhythm in mice.

Organization of circadian behavior, physiology, and metabolism is important for human health. An S662G mutation in hPER2 has been linked to familial advanced sleep-phase syndrome (FASPS). Although the paralogous phosphorylation site S714 in PER1 is conserved in mice, its specific function in circadian organization remains unknown.

Comparative diversity analysis of gut microbiota in two different human flora-associated mouse strains.

The Kunming (KM) mouse is a closed colony mouse strain widely used in Chinese pharmacology, toxicology, and microbiology research laboratories. However, few studies have examined human flora-associated (HFA) microbial communities in KM mice. In this study, HFA models were built from germ-free KM and C57BL/6J mouse strains, and gut microbial diversity was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and DNA sequencing.

Telbivudine during the second and third trimester of pregnancy interrupts HBV intrauterine transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: BECKGROUND: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of telbivudine during the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy in intrauterine transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Based on the principle of Cochrane systematic reviews, a database was constructed from Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, the US National Science Digital Library (NSDL), the China Biological Medicine Database (CBM-disc), and contact with Chinese experts in the field from November 2006 to February 2013.

Methods: The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) of Oxford, Cochrane Collaboration's tool, and Review Manager Version 5.