A novel framework for the identification of drug target proteins: Combining stacked auto-encoders with a biased support vector machine.

The identification of drug target proteins (IDTP) plays a critical role in biometrics. The aim of this study was to retrieve potential drug target proteins (DTPs) from a collected protein dataset, which represents an overwhelming task of great significance. Previously reported methodologies for this task generally employ protein-protein interactive networks but neglect informative biochemical attributes.

Barcoding and species recognition of opportunistic pathogens in Ochroconis and Verruconis.

The genera Ochroconis and Verruconis (Sympoventuriaceae, Venturiales) have remarkably high molecular diversity despite relatively high degrees of phenotypic similarity. Tree topologies, inter-specific and intra-specific heterogeneities, barcoding gaps and reciprocal monophyly of all currently known species were analyzed. It was concluded that all currently used genes viz.

Repair of ear cartilage defects with allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rabbits.

The study aims to investigate the feasibility of repairing cartilaginous defects with chondrocytes induced from allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) in rabbits' ear. BMMSCs were isolated and purified from New Zealand rabbits, in vitro amplified, and cultured in chondrocyte induction medium in order to acquire chondrocytes. After 3 weeks of induction, their phenotypes were confirmed as chondrocytes, then they were implanted onto novel polymeric scaffolds made from Poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) embedded with chitosan nonwoven cloth.

Injury types of victims in the 12th May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake: analysis of 1,038 patients in Jiangyou City.

Background: On 12th May 2008, a devastating earthquake of magnitude 8.0 struck Wenchuan, Sichuan Province of China, resulting in tremendous loss of lives and property.

Methods: We conducted an analysis of the types and distribution of the injuries among the wounded treated by a medical rescue team within 1 month following the Wenchuan earthquake in Jiangyou City.

[Construction and analysis of in vitro expression of adenovirus/adeno-associated hybrid virus containing the fusion gene of human beta-endorphin].

The fusion gene of human beta-endorphin was cloned into the shuttle plasmid pDC312-AAVEE with the method of molecular bilology. The latter and genomic plasmids were cotransfected into HEK293 to package the Adenovirus/Adeno-associated hybrid virus containing fusion gene of human beta-endorphin. The hybrid virus was identified with the method of PCR.

Inhibitory effect of extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves on VEGF-induced hyperpermeability of bovine coronary endothelial cells in vitro.

Aim: To study whether extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) can protect against atherosclerosis.

Methods: Confluent monolayers of bovine coronary endothelial cells (BCECs), bovine coronary smooth muscle cells (BCSMCs), and cocultures of the two were incubated with medium containing VEGF and/or EGb, and flux of 125I-labeled oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) across the monolayers was measured.

Results: Incubation with VEGF significantly increased the permeability of BCEC monolayers to 125I-ox-LDL in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, but had no effect on permeability of BCSMCs or endothelial cells-smooth muscle cells cocultures.

[Effects of CNTF on the nuclear translocation of PKC following NMDA administration in primary hippocampal neurons].

Aim: To investigate the effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on the nuclear translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) following NMDA administration in the primary cultured hippocampal neurons.

Methods: (1) PKCGAMMA or PKCepsilon- immunocytochemistry staining method was used after treating neurons with NMDA or CNTF. (2) The gray of the nucleus of the PKC-positive neurons were measured under the image pattern analysis system.

VEGF induced hyperpermeability in bovine aortic endothelial cell and inhibitory effect of salvianolic acid B.

Aim: To examine the effect of recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the low density lipoprotein (LDL) permeability of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) and the inhibitory effect of salvianolic acid B in vitro.

Methods: The confluence BAEC monolayers were cultured with normal medium and with medium containing VEGF or salvianolic acid B at various concentrations and for various time periods. The iodine labeled LDL flux across the monolayers was then performed, and radioactivity was measured by SN-695 automatic liquid scintillation counter.

Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in U937 foam cells and inhibitory effect of imperatorin.

Aim: To investigate the expression level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in a macrophage-derived foam cell model from human U937 cell line and the inhibitory effect of imperatorin (IMP) on the ICAM-1.

Methods: U937 cells were incubated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) 80 mg/L for 48 h and a macrophage-derived foam cell model was established. The medium was pretreated with different concentrations of IMP (0, 25, 50, 100 micromol/L).

[Antitumor effect of M-CSF and/or IFN-gamma gene cotransfected-macrophages by intratumoral injection].

Objective: To investigate the in vivo antitumor effects of M-CSF and/or IFN-gamma gene transfected-macrophages and their related immunological mechanisms.

Methods: Survival time and antitumor effects in vivo of tumor-bearing mice treated with gene-transfected macrophages were observed. NK cell and CTL activity was detected with 4 hr 51Cr release assay, cytotoxicity of macrophages was detected with indirect MTT methods, activity of IL-2, TNF, IFN-gamma were detected by routine methods.