Expression of recombinant allergen, Der f 1, Der f 2 and Der f 4 using baculovirus-insect cell systems.

Introduction: Specific immunotherapy is critical for alleviating symptoms associated with house dust mite allergy, such as asthma and rhinitis. However, this approach relies on crude extracts, which are often not of sufficient quality or purity and are not standardized. The use of recombinant allergens may enable safer, more effective treatment.

Nuclear PKM2 expression, an independent risk factor for ER after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Surgical resection, providing a long-term survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, is regarded as one of the standard curative treatments of HCC if the tumor is resectable. However, 50% patients develop early recurrence (ER) during the first two years after operation, which are more diffuse and rarely treatable with unsatisfactory long-term survival. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanisms of ER after curative resection and the molecular markers with predictive and prognostic significance have never been identified yet.

Attitudes Toward Clinical Trials Among Physicians in China With Different Levels of Experience.

Background: Physicians play an important role in clinical trials, but attitudes toward clinical trials among physicians with different levels of experience have seldom been studied. The objective of this study was to assess the different attitudes toward clinical trials among junior, intermediate, and senior physicians.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted between April 1 and May 1, 2015.

Quercetin stimulates mitochondrial apoptosis dependent on activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress in hepatic stellate cells.

Context: Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a hallmark of liver fibrosis. Quercetin has benefits for liver fibrosis, but the mechanisms are unknown.

Objective: We investigated the quercetin effect on HSC survival and the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS).

Dermatophagoides farinae allergen Der f 9: Cloning, expression, purification, characterization and IgE-binding in children with atopic asthma.

Background: The house dust mite species Dermatophagoides farinae releases allergens that cause allergies and asthma worldwide. This study sought to clone and express the full-length cDNA encoding the group 9 allergen of D. farinae (Der f 9).

TRPM8: a potential target for cancer treatment.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel superfamily plays critical roles in variety of processes, including temperature perception, pain transduction, vasorelaxation, male fertility, and tumorigenesis. One of seven families within the TRP superfamily of ion channels, the melastatin, or TRPM family comprises a group of eight structurally and functionally diverse channels. Of all the members of TRPM subfamily, TRPM8 is the most notable one.

16S rRNA gene sequencing is a non-culture method of defining the specific bacterial etiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an acquired respiratory tract infection following tracheal intubation. The most common hospital-acquired infection among patients with acute respiratory failure, VAP is associated with a mortality rate of 20-30%. The standard bacterial culture method for identifying the etiology of VAP is not specific, timely, or accurate in identifying the bacterial pathogens.

Glucocorticoids offer protection against myocardial injury in a murine model of sepsis.

Sepsis is a serious infection-related complication that, in causing significant inflammation, often leads to myocardial injury. Severe inflammation, including in sepsis, is sometimes treated with exogenous glucocorticoids (GCs). Here, to explore the potential effect of GCs to protect against myocardial injury, we created a model of sepsis in rats by performing cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in 96 rats randomly divided into sham-operated control (N=32), untreated sepsis (CLP, N=32), and GC-treated sepsis (N=32) groups.

The angiogenic responses induced by release of angiogenic proteins from tumor cell-activated platelets are regulated by distinct molecular pathways.

There is mounting evidence that tumor angiogenesis can be regulated by platelets (Plts), which serve as major sources and delivery vehicles of many proangiogenic cytokines including transforming growth factor-β and vascular endothelial growth factor. Although considerable progress has been made in understanding the role for Plt secretion in tumor angiogenesis, very little is known about the precise mechanisms underlying cancer cell induction of Plt granule release. Here, we demonstrated that nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells directly induced Plt secretion of several angiogenic regulatory cytokines that promoted angiogenesis in concert.

The Dermatophagoides farinae group 22 allergen: cloning and expression in Escherichia coli.

Background: Dermatophagoides farinae (Hughes) (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) and other domestic mites produce allergens that affect people worldwide. Here, the complementary DNA (cDNA) coding for group 22 allergen of D. farinae (Der f 22) from China was cloned, sequenced, and expressed successfully.

Genetic variants in noncoding PIWI-interacting RNA and colorectal cancer risk.

Background: PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), which are a novel type of identified small noncoding RNA (ncRNA), play a crucial role in germline development and carcinogenesis.

Methods: By systematically screening all known piRNAs, the authors identified 7 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 9 piRNAs. Associations between these selected SNPs and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) were detected in a case-control study.

Colorimetric determination of o-phenylenediamine in water samples based on the formation of silver nanoparticles as a colorimetric probe.

A simple, rapid and cost-effective method for visual colorimetric detection of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) based on the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been developed in this paper. Silver ions can be reduced to AgNPs by OPD in a few minutes, causing changes in absorption spectra and color of the reaction system. Therefore, colorimetric detection of OPD could be realized by a UV-vis spectrophotometer or even the naked eye.

Polymorphism in Integrin ITGA2 is Associated with Ischemic Stroke and Altered Serum Cholesterol in Chinese Individuals.

Background: Recent studies have reported contrasting results regarding the association of polymorphisms in two integrin genes, ITGA2 and ITGB3, with ischemic stroke.

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between the ITGA2 C807T and ITGB3 T176C polymorphic loci with ischemic stroke, as well as plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Study Design: Case control study.

Effects of electroacupuncture combined with bladder training on the bladder function of patients with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury.

Neurogenic bladder is a common complication of spinal cord injury and results in urinary bladder dysfunction through lost control of micturition, or urination. Although several treatment options exist, the efficacies of many of these treatments are unknown. In particular, electroacupuncture and bladder training have had some success as individual treatments.

Expression, cloning, and IgE-binding of the full-length dust mite allergen Der f 8.

Dermatophagoides farinae, a domestic mite species, produces some of the most potent allergens that contribute to allergy in China and worldwide. We sought to clone and express the group 8 allergen of D. farinae (Der f 8) to investigate its IgE-binding reactivity.

Label-free silver nanoparticles for the naked eye detection of entecavir.

A simple, rapid, field-portable colorimetric method for the detection of entecavir was proposed based on the color change caused by the aggregation of silver nanoparticles. Neutralization of the electrostatic repulsion from each silver nanoparticle resulted in the aggregation of AgNPs and a consequent color change of AgNPs from yellow to wine-red, which provided a platform for rapid and field-portable colorimetric detection of entecavir. The concentration of entecavir could be determined with naked eye or UV-vis spectrometer.

[Adsorption and release behavior of epirubicin hydrochloride on carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes].

In this study, the adsorption behavior of epirubicin hydrochloride (EPI) on carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (c-SWNTs) obtained by mixture acid treatment was investigated. The results indicated that the dispersion of c-SWNTs in water was obviously improved. The absorption of EPI on c-SWNTs came to equilibrium after 240 min and could be explained by pseudo-second-order model.

Immunoglobulin E-binding epitopes of mite allergens: from characterization to immunotherapy.

House dust mites and storage mites produce a number of allergens that can induce hypersensitivity reactions in humans and result in allergic diseases like asthma, rhinitis, and dermatitis. Recent advances in identifying and characterizing these allergens--and, in particular, their immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding epitopes--have produced a wealth of knowledge. Here, methods for identifying IgE-binding epitopes, from immunoassays to in silico approaches, are summarized and placed in context with the identification of epitopes of mite allergens, particularly from the Dermatophagoides spp.

Correlation between interleukin-18 promoter -607C/A polymorphism and susceptibility to ischemic stroke.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of interleukin-18 (IL-18), an inflammatory cytokine, have been linked to susceptibility to many diseases, including cancer and immune dysfunction. Here, we explored the potential association between the IL-18 -607C/A (rs1946518) promoter region polymorphism and susceptibility to ischemic stroke (IS). This locus was amplified from peripheral blood samples of 386 IS patients (cases) and 364 healthy individuals (controls) by the polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers.

Correlated expression of Fas, NF-kappaB, and VEGF-C in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Objective: To investigate the expressions of Fas, NF-kappaB, and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast and provide scientific basis for early diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: The immunohistochemical technique (SP method) was used to detect expression of Fas, NF-kappaB, and VEGF-C in 137 cases of breast-infiltrating ductal carcinoma, 17 cases of intraductal carcinoma of the breast, and 20 cases of normal breast tissues, and analyze its relationship with clinicopathologic factors of breast cancer and patients' survival rate, as well as the correlation among their expression, clinicopathologic factors, and survival rate.

Results: Fas expression was less commonly detected in infiltrating ductal carcinoma than in intraductal carcinoma and normal tissue.

Effects of exercise therapy on knee joint function and synovial fluid cytokine levels in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The aims of this study were to observe the effect of exercise therapy on the function of the knee joint and the levels of cytokines and cytokine-related genes, specifically tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), in the synovial joints of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and to explore its mechanism of action. A total of 100 KOA patients were divided into a treatment group (n=50) and a control group (n=50) according to the order of admission. The patients in the treatment group were treated with diclofenac sodium combined with exercise therapy and the patients in the control group were treated with diclofenac sodium only.

Expression of MAGE-A11 in breast cancer tissues and its effects on the proliferation of breast cancer cells.

The melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) genes are commonly expressed in tumors, but the function of many of these genes remains unknown. Here, we investigated the expression of one family member, MAGE-A11, in breast cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues. MAGE-A11 expression was assessed in breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 100 women by immunohistochemistry.

Cloning, bioinformatics analysis, and expression of the dust mite allergen Der f 5 of Dermatophagoides farinae.

Crude extracts of house dust mites are used clinically for diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergic diseases, including bronchial asthma, perennial rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. However, crude extracts are complexes with non-allergenic antigens and lack effective concentrations of important allergens, resulting in several side effects. Dermatophagoides farinae (Hughes; Acari: Pyroglyphidae) is one of the predominant sources of dust mite allergens, which has more than 30 groups of allergen.

Molecular dynamics simulations of PfAQP from the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are widely distributed in all kingdoms of life and act as facilitators in the transport of water and other small solutes through cell membranes. Since the plasmodial and human AQPs are different in their primary and secondary structure, an intervention targeting plasmodial AQP without affecting human AQPs is discussed to identify an attractive novel target against malaria. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the action mechanisms of these plasmodial AQPs.

Cloning of the surface layer gene sllB from Bacillus sphaericus ATCC 14577 and its heterologous expression and purification.

A cDNA fragment encoding the S-layer protein SllB cloned from Bacillus sphaericus ATCC 14577 was expressed on the surface of E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells and confirmed by the square lattice structure at the nanoscale level. The amplified gene fragment designed with PCR primers from a specified reference sequence (GenBank accession no.