"Intra base off/inter base on" coordination: self-assembly of a dimeric vitamin B12 derivative with a versatile tail.

A self-complementary, artificial vitamin B12 derivative dimerises in an unprecedented "intra base off/inter base on" coordination mode.

[Effects of astragalus and angelica on bone marrow stem cells proliferation and VEGF protein expression in vitro].

Objective: To observe the effects of Astragalus and Angelica on bone marrow stem cells (BMSU) proliteratlon mn vitro and investigate its possible mechanism.

Methods: Five 200 to 220 g SD rats were fed with a high fat diet for 4 weeks and given 30 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) twice develop type II diabetes from July 2009 to February 2010. The rats with blood glucose concentrations of 16.

[Application of dynamic hip screw with modified reamer in intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect and characteristic of dynamic hip screw with modified reamer (MDHS for short) in the treatment of the intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with intertrochanteric fracture from Aug. 2007 to Dec.

Immune-related gene expression in response to H5N1 avian influenza virus infection in chicken and duck embryonic fibroblasts.

Chicken and ducks are important hosts in responses to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 infection. In ducks, avian influenza (AI) generally causes an asymptomatic and long-lasting infection, whereas clinical apparent and transient disease is often observed in chickens. Using real-time quantitative PCR, we examined the expression of immune-related genes in response to H5N1 infection in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and duck embryo fibroblasts (DEF).

Multi-Directional Growth of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Over Catalyst Film Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition.

Unlabelled: The structure of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) severely depends on the properties of pre-prepared catalyst films. Aiming for the preparation of precisely controlled catalyst film, atomic layer deposition (ALD) was employed to deposit uniform Fe(2)O(3) film for the growth of CNT arrays on planar substrate surfaces as well as the curved ones. Iron acetylacetonate and ozone were introduced into the reactor alternately as precursors to realize the formation of catalyst films.

All-solid-state continuous-wave frequency-doubling Nd:YVO(4)/LBO laser with 2.35 W output power at 543 nm.

Efficient and compact green-yellow laser output at 543 nm is generated by intracavity frequency doubling of a cw diode-pumped Nd:YVO(4) laser at 1086 nm under the condition of suppressing the higher gain transition near 1064 nm. With 14.5 W of diode pump power and the frequency-doubling crystal LiB(3)O(5), as high as 2.

Retrocyclin 2: a new therapy against avian influenza H5N1 virus in vivo and vitro.

We tested the ability of retrocyclin 2, a type of theta defensin, to protect cells and chicken embryos from infection by H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. A gene fragment of retrocyclin 2 was designed based on the protein sequence of retrocyclin 2 and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA4.01 (HismaxA), named pcDNA4-RC2.

Sequence polymorphism and evolution of three cetacean MHC genes.

Sequence variability at three major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes (DQB, DRA, and MHC-I) of cetaceans was investigated in order to get an overall understanding of cetacean MHC evolution. Little sequence variation was detected at the DRA locus, while extensive and considerable variability were found at the MHC-I and DQB loci. Phylogenetic reconstruction and sequence comparison revealed extensive sharing of identical MHC alleles among different species at the three MHC loci examined.

The mouse Pol I terminator is more efficient than the hepatitis delta virus ribozyme in generating influenza-virus-like RNAs with precise 3' ends in a plasmid-only-based virus rescue system.

Reverse genetics systems for generating recombinant influenza viruses are based on two different mechanisms for obtaining the 3' end of the viral RNA: one uses the self-cleaving hepatitis delta virus ribozyme (HDVR), and the other uses the murine RNA polymerase I (Pol I) terminator. In this study, we employed EGFP and Renilla luciferase reporter constructs to compare the efficiency of both methods. Our results indicate that the murine Pol I terminator was more efficient than the HDVR, which will be helpful in choosing an influenza virus rescue system, as well as in establishing other RNA virus rescue systems.

Experimental study of the generation of a blue laser by intracavity frequency doubling of a cw Nd:GdVO4 laser with lithium borate.

Efficient cw intracavity frequency doubling of a diode end-pumped Nd:GdVO4 laser that operates in the 4F(3/2) --> 4I(9/2) transition at 912 nm is demonstrated. A 15 mm long lithium borate crystal, cut for critical type I phase matching at room temperature, was used for second harmonic generation of the fundamental laser. A maximum output power of 14.

Laparoscopic versus open myomectomy--a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The objective of this study was to determine the better method of myomectomy by comparing laparoscopic and open myomectomy for patients with fibroids with regard to operative parameters and outcomes. A systematic review was performed on published studies identified by the databases PubMed, EMBASE, the China Biological Medicine Datadase (CBMdisc), Ovid and the Cochrane Library, as well as cross-references. Randomized controlled trials on laparoscopic versus open myomectomy were assessed on operative parameters and outcomes.

Construction of effective receptor for recognition of avian influenza H5N1 protein HA1 by assembly of monohead glycolipids on polydiacetylene vesicle surface.

Fast and sensitive detection of epidemic virus is of the utmost importance for human being in nowadays. Various biosensors have been designed for this goal based on conjugation event between host cell glycolipids and invading virus. However, multihead glycolipids analogous to native receptors on cell surface are known to be very difficult to mimic because of the complexity of chemical synthesis.

Homochiral lanthanide phosphonates with brick-wall-shaped layer structures showing chiroptical and catalytical properties.

Based on enantiopure S- or R-(1-phenylethylamino)methylphosphonic acid (pempH(2)), homochiral lanthanide phosphonates (S)-[Ln(pempH)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (S-Ln) and (R)-[Ln(pempH)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (R-Ln) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Ho) are obtained successfully. All six compounds are isostructural, showing chiral brick-wall-shaped layer structures. They are all optically active, exhibiting second harmonic generation responses 0.

[Influence of jiangzhuo mixture on glucose and lipid metabolism in MSG obese-induced rats].

Objective: To study the effect of Jiangzhuo Mixture (JZM) on glucose and lipid metabolism, free fatty acid (FFA) and insulin sensitivity index of sodium glutamate (MSG) induced obese rats.

Methods: Sixty-four male MSG rats, 8-10 weeks old, were randomly divided into 4 groups equally, the low dose and high dose JZM group were treated respectively with 10 mL/(kg d) and 20 mL/(kg d) JZM, the rosiglitazone (RGZ) group with water solution of RGE 20 mg/(kg d), while the model group fed only with distilled water 10 mL/(kg d) for control, all by gastrogavage for 7 successive weeks. Levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (TC), and serum fasting insulin (Ins) were measured before and after treatment.

[Effect of Endostatin and SU6668 combined with 5-FU on human colon cancer xenograft in nude mice].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Endostatin and SU6668 combined with 5-FU on the growth and metastasis of human colon cancer in vivo and its mechanism.

Methods: Metastatic model of human colon cancer was established by orthotopic implantation of human tumor tissue into colon wall of nude mice. Twelve days later, mice were randomly divided into saline water control, Endostatin, SU6668, Endostatin plus SU6668, and Endostatin plus SU6668 and 5-FU groups, intraperitoneal injected respectively every day for four weeks.

RNA interference of avian influenza virus H5N1 by inhibiting viral mRNA with siRNA expression plasmids.

Avian influenza virus H5N1 causes widespread infection in the birds and human respiratory tract, but existing vaccines and drug therapy are of limited value. Here we show that small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) specific for conserved regions of the viral genome can potently inhibit influenza virus production in cell lines, embryonated chicken eggs and BALB/c mice. siRNA expression plasmid pBabe-Super was chosen in the study, which directed the synthesis of small interfering RNAs in cells.

Evaluation of ambient air quality in Guangzhou, China.

On the basis of the reported air quality index (API) and air pollutant monitoring data provided by the Guangzhou Environment Monitoring Stations over the last twenty-five years, the characteristics of air quality, prominent pollutants, and variation of the average annual concentrations of SO2, NO2, total suspended particulate (TSP), fine particulates (PM10), CO and dustfall in Guangzhou City were analyzed. Results showed that TSP was the prominent pollutant in the ambient air environment of Guangzhou City. Of the prominent pollutants, TSP accounted for nearly 62%, SO2 12.

An antibody directed against PDGF receptor beta enhances the antitumor and the anti-angiogenic activities of an anti-VEGF receptor 2 antibody.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptors (PDGFR) play important roles in tumorigenesis through stimulating tumor growth and promoting angiogenesis via enhancing pericyte recruitment and vessel maturation. Here we produced a neutralizing antibody, 1B3, directed against mouse PDGFRbeta. 1B3 binds to PDGFRbeta with high affinity (9x10(-11)M) and blocks PDGF-BB from binding to the receptor with an IC(50) of approximately 1.

Processes to activate phase III clinical trials in a Cooperative Oncology Group: the Case of Cancer and Leukemia Group B.

Purpose: National Cancer Institute-sponsored cooperative oncology groups are major sponsors of phase III clinical trials, yet the time and steps required to design and activate such studies has not been well studied. We examine the processes and document the calendar time required to activate such studies opened by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB).

Methods: Setup steps were documented by (1) interviewing CALGB headquarters and statistical center staff and committee chairs to discover the steps required to transit from concept development to final study activation, (2) reviewing procedure manuals, and (3) inspecting all study records, documents, and e-mails to identify any additional steps.

Roots of pioneer trees in the lower sub-tropical area of Dinghushan, Guangdong, China.

Representative pioneer tree root systems in the subtropical area of South China were examined with regard to their structure, underground stratification and biomass distribution. Excavation of skeleton roots and observation of fine roots of seven species including the Euphorbiaceae, Theaceae, Melastomataceae, Lauraceae and Fagaceae families was carried out. The results showed that: (1) Pioneer tree roots in the first stage of natural succession were of two types, one characterized by taproot system with bulky plagiotropic branches; the other characterized by flat root system with several tabular roots.

Oxadiazole derivatives as a novel class of antimitotic agents: Synthesis, inhibition of tubulin polymerization, and activity in tumor cell lines.

Oxadiazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit tubulin polymerization and to cause mitotic arrest in tumor cells. The most potent compounds inhibited tubulin polymerization at concentrations below 1 microM. Lead analogs caused mitotic arrest of A431 human epidermoid cells and cells derived from multi-drug resistant tumors (10, EC(50)=7.

Hepatitis C virus infection in former commercial plasma/blood donors in rural Shanxi Province, China: the China Integrated Programs for Research on AIDS.

Background: Unsafe practices during illegal plasma donation in the late 1980s and early 1990s spread bloodborne infections in central China.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 538 adult residents of 12 villages in rural Shanxi Province, where there had been an illegal commercial plasma-collection center, was conducted in 2003. Structured questionnaires were administered, and blood samples were tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies.