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Hair analysis is a crucial method in forensic toxicology with potential applications in revealing doping histories in sports. Despite its widespread use, knowledge about detectable substances in hair is limited. This study systematically assessed the detectability of prohibited substances in sports using a multifaceted approach. Initially, an animal model received a subset of 17 model drugs to compare dose dependencies and detection windows across different matrices. Subsequently, hair incorporation data from the animal experiment were extrapolated to all substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency's List through in-silico prediction. The detectability of substances in hair was further validated in a proof-of-concept human study involving the consumption of diuretics and masking agents. Semi-quantitative analysis of substances in specimens was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results showed plasma had optimal dose dependencies with limited detection windows, while urine, faeces, and hair exhibited a reasonable relationship with the administered dose. Notably, hair displayed the highest detection probability (14 out of 17) for compounds, including anabolic agents, hormones, and diuretics, with beta-2 agonists undetected. Diuretics such as furosemide, canrenone, and hydrochlorothiazide showed the highest hair incorporation. Authentic human hair confirmed diuretic detectability, and their use duration was determined via segmental analysis. Noteworthy is the first-time reporting of canrenone in human hair. Anabolic agents were expected in hair, whereas undetectable compounds, such as peptide hormones and beta-2 agonists, were likely due to large molecular mass or high polarity. This study enhances understanding of hair analysis in doping investigations, providing insights into substance detectability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurofeedback training is a common treatment option for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Given theta/beta-based neurofeedback (T/B NF) training targets at the electrophysiological characteristics of children with ADHD, benefits for attention may be expected. PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through December 31, 2020. Studies were evaluated with Risk of Bias tools. Within-group effects based on Pre- and Post-treatment comparisons of the Intervention Group, and Between-group effects based on the between-group differences from Pre-treatment to Post-treatment were calculated. Nineteen studies met selection criteria for systematic review, 12 of them were included in meta-analysis. Within-group effects were medium at Post-treatment and large at Follow-up. Between-group analyses revealed that T/B NF was superior to waitlist control and physical activities, but not stimulant medication. Results showed that T/B NF has benefits for attention in children with ADHD, however, cautions should be taken when interpreting the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The passive stiffness and strength of periscapular muscles may affect scapulohumeral control, especially in overhead athletes due to sports-specific training. This study tried to assess the relationship between the passive stiffness and strength of periscapular muscles, scapulohumeral kinematics and neuromuscular control during scaption in swimmers. Ten male adolescent competitive front-crawl swimmers were recruited. The passive stiffness and strength of periscapular muscles were measured in standard postures by a hand-held myotonometer and dynamometer, respectively. Surface electromyography and electromagnetic tracking systems were synchronized to record the muscle activities and scapulohumeral kinematics during scaption. Correlations between the passive stiffness or strength of periscapular muscles and the kinematics or muscle activity were examined by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The maximal strength of periscapular muscles correlated positively with the ranges of upward and external rotation of the scapula and negatively with muscle activity during scaption. Passive stiffness of periscapular muscles was associated with the downward rotation of the scapula and triggered an increase in muscle activity. Increased passive stiffness or decreased strength in the periscapular muscles may affect their role in controlling the scapular rotation and contribute to compensation from adjacent muscles. Our findings suggest that when attempting to evaluate scapular behavior, it may be beneficial to examine muscle strength and passive stiffness of periscapular muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy side effects are minimized, and therapeutic results are enhanced by combination therapy, which is extensively utilized in cancer therapy. MTT experiment showed that compared to the free drugs calreticulin (CRT) and gemcitabine (GEM), GEM-CRT@NPs significantly increased the cytotoxicity of endometrial cancer (Ishikawa cells and KLE cells). These drugs were conjugated to a tri-block copolymeric framework. GEM-CRT@NPs were studied using HR-TEM and DLS analysis to determine particle size and zeta potential. Biochemical staining analyses were also used to investigate the morphological characteristics of endometrial cancer cell lines. After KLE and Ishikawa cancer cells were treated with GEM-CRT@NPs, endometrial cell shape was altered, as evidenced by nuclear fragmentation and nuclear condensation (apoptosis hallmarks). Additionally, the most significant apoptosis ratio to mitochondrial membrane potential indicates that the mitochondrial membrane potential is responsible for the cell's death. Upon treatment with GEM-CRT@NPs, systemic toxicity analysis revealed minimal histological abnormalities and significant blood chemistry alterations, and a near-normal look of the organs. Endometrial cancer treatment may be enhanced with the use of the targeted combination therapeutic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly pathogenic bacterium, Agrobacterium Fabacearum, causes crown gall in kiwifruit plants leads to serious damage resulting in huge economic losses. In this study, we aimed to screen antagonistic bacterial biocontrol agents against crown gall disease of kiwifruit plants. A total of 225 bacterial strains were isolated from kiwifruit plant rhizosphere soil. Among these, strain JK-F2 exhibited good biocontrol effects in the form of antagonistic activity against A. Fabacearum in vitro. Based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical features and 16S rRNA and gyrA genes, the strain JK-F2 was identified as Bacillus velezensis. The zone of inhibition of strain JK-F2 was 22.84 ± 0.21 mm when the plate was covered with A. Fabacearum. In pot tests with artificial inoculation of A. Fabacearum to kiwifruit plants, the application of strain JK-F2 ahead of pathogen inoculation significantly reduced the incidence of crown gall by 26.67%, and the control efficiency was 71.96%. In field experiments, the inoculation of strain JK-F2 by root irrigation reduced the average growth rate of galls by 17.95–43.15%. The undiluted strain JK-F2 was more effective than the diluted strain in controlling crown gall by reducing the growth rate of galls, with a biocontrol effect of 68.07%. In this study, strain JK-F2, with good biocontrol application value, was isolated and identified. It is a promising candidate for the biocontrol of crown gall in kiwi plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of Kangquan Recipe (康泉方, KQR) on bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) expression and its mechanism in rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups using a random number table, with 8 in each group: the normal group (normal saline 10 mL/kg), the model group (normal saline 10 mL/kg), the finasteride group (0.5 mg/kg), the low-dose KQR group (3.5 g/kg), the middle-dose KQR group (7 g/kg), and the high-dose KQR group (14 g/kg). The 40 rats were subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate after castration for 30 days to establish the BPH rat model except for those in the normal group. At the same time, the corresponding drugs were administered by gavage for 30 consecutive days. The effects of different doses of KQR on the protate wet weight, prostate volume and prostate index (PI) were observed. The changes in histopathology were monitored with hematoxylin-eosin staining. BAMBI protein and mRNA expression contents were determined by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: All doses of KQR could decrease prostatic epithelial tissue proliferation. Compared to the model group, the high and middle-dose KQR significantly reduced prostate wet weight, prostate volume and PI; increased BAMBI protein expression in the hypothalamus, pituitary and prostate tissue; all doses of KQR up-regulated BAMBI mRNA expression in serum, prostatic fluid and prostate tissue (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: KQR could inhibit the proliferation of rat prostatic tissue, promote BAMBI protein expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-prostate of rats with BPH; and increase BAMBI mRNA expression in the blood, prostatic fluid and prostate tissue of rats with BPH, showing a dose-effect relationship. KQR can be used as a potential drug for the treatment of BPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rapid and convenient detection of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) is of great significance for understanding function of protein. Results: For efficiently detecting PPIs, we used the changes of proteins fluorescence localization to design a novel system, fluorescence translocation co-localization (FTCL), based on nuclear localization signal (NLS) in living cells. Depending on the original state of protein localization (both in the cytoplasm, both in the nucleus, one in the nucleus and another in the cytoplasm), two target proteins can be partitioned into the cytoplasm and nucleus by adding a NLS or mutating an existing NLS. Three independent results display that the changes of protein fluorescence co-localization were observed following co-expression of the two target proteins. At the same time, we verified the accuracy of fluorescence co-localization by co-immunoprecipitation. Conclusions: There FTCL system provided a novel detection method for PPIs, regardless of protein localization in the nucleus or cytoplasm. More importantly, this study provides a new strategy for future protein interaction studies through organelle localization (such as mitochondria, Golgi and cytomembrane, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics contribute a lot to human beings and can kill bacteria effectively. However, more and more studies show that antibiotics can disturb the intestinal microbial community. It has been widely reported that oral antibiotics can reduce the diversity of intestinal microflora, but the effect of intramuscular injection on intestinal microflora is less studied. In this study, we sequenced the intestinal microflora of mice treated with tetracycline by 16SrRNA method, and found that intramuscular injection of tetracycline (TET) can also reduce the intestinal microbial richness of mice. In addition, the results showed that within a certain range (3 mg), with the increase of TET injection concentration, the wind of intestinal microflora in mice decreased significantly. When the injection concentration reached saturation, although the amount of TET injection was increased, the degree of intestinal flora affected was not increased. The results showed that the degree of diversity decrease was in direct proportion to the amount of tetracycline injection in the saturated concentration, but not positively related to the high amount of TET injection after exceeding the saturated concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some researches have shown the associations between air pollution and hospital-based emergency department visits, while the evidence about the acute effects of air pollution on emergency ambulance dispatches for the whole population is rarely available, especially on an hourly time scale. This paper aimed to investigate the effects of hourly concentrations of ambient air pollution on hourly number of ambulance emergency call-outs (AECOs) in Shenzhen, China. AECO data were collected from Shenzhen Emergency Center from January 2013 to December 2016. A time-stratified case-crossover design with conditional Poisson regression was performed to fit the relationship between hourly air pollution and AECOs. The distributed lag model was applied to determine lag structure of the effects of air pollutants. There were a total of 502,862 AECOs during the study period. The significant detrimental effects of SO2, PM2.5, and PM10 appeared immediately with a following harvesting effect after 5 h and the effects lasted for about 96 h. The cumulative effect estimates of four pollutants over 0–96 h were 13.99% (95% CI 7.52–20.85%), 2.07% (95% CI 0.72–3.43%), 1.20% (95% CI 0.54–1.87%), and 2.46% (95% CI 1.63–3.29%), respectively. We did not observe significant effects of O3. This population-based study quantifies the adverse effects of air pollution on ambulance dispatches and provides evidence of the lag structure of the effects on an hourly time scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: This study revealed that the Arabidopsis UGT75B1 plays an important role in modulating ABA activity by glycosylation when confronting stress environments. The cellular ABA content and activity can be tightly controlled in several ways, one of which is glycosylation by family 1 UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Previous analysis has shown UGT75B1 activity towards ABA in vitro. However, the biological role of UGT75B1 remains to be elucidated. Here, we characterized the function of UGT75B1 in abiotic stress responses via ABA glycosylation. GUS assay and qRT-PCR indicated that UGT75B1 is significantly upregulated by adverse conditions, such as osmotic stress, salinity and ABA. Overexpression of UGT75B1 in Arabidopsis leads to higher seed germination rates and seedling greening rates upon exposure to salt and osmotic stresses. In contrast, the big UGT75B1 overexpression plants are more sensitive under salt and osmotic stresses. Additionally, the UGT75B1 overexpression plants showed larger stomatal aperture and more water loss under drought condition, which can be explained by lower ABA levels examined in UGT75B1 OE plants in response to water deficit conditions. Consistently, UGT75B1 ectopic expression leads to downregulation of many ABA-responsive genes under stress conditions, including ABI3, ABI5 newly germinated seedlings and RD29A, KIN1, AIL1 in big plants. In summary, our results revealed that the Arabidopsis UGT75B1 plays an important role in coping with abiotic stresses via glycosylation of ABA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In cereal crop rice, auxin is known as an important class of plant hormone that regulates a plethora of plant growth and development. Glycosylation of auxin is known to be one of the important mechanisms mediating auxin homeostasis. However, the relevant auxin glucosyltransferase (GT) in rice still remains largely unknown. Results: In this study, using known auxin glucosyltransferases from other species as queries, twelve putative auxin UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes were cloned from rice and the one showing highest sequence similarity, named as OsIAGT1, was expressed as recombinant protein. In vitro enzymatic analysis showed that recombinant OsIAGT1 was capable of catalyzing glucosylation of IAA, IBA and other auxin analogs, and that OsIAGT1 is quite tolerant to a broad range of reaction conditions with peak activity at 30 °С and pH 8.0. OsIAGT1 showed favorite activity towards native auxins over artificially synthesized ones. Further study indicated that expression of OsIAGT1 can be upregulated by auxin in rice, and with OsIAGT1 overexpressing lines we confirmed that OsIAGT1 is indeed able to glucosylate IAA in vivo. Consistently, ectopic expression of OsIAGT1 leads to declined endogenous IAA content, as well as upregulated auxin synthesis genes and reduced expression of auxin-responsive genes, which likely leads to the reduced plant stature and root length in OsIAGT1 overexpression lines. Conclusion: Our result indicated that OsIAGT1 plays an important role in mediating auxin homeostasis by catalyzing auxin glucosylation, and by which OsIAGT1 regulates growth and development in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolics are a class of plant secondary metabolites that play important roles in plant growth and environmental adaptation. Glucosylation of phenolics is one of the molecular mechanisms controlling phenolics homeostasis. However, the relevant glucosyltransferases are largely unknown. In this study, a putative family 1 glucosyltransferase gene OsSGT1 was cloned from rice due to its close homology with the previously reported phenolics-related glucosyltransferases UGT84A1-A4, and the phylogenetic relationship of OsSGT1 with homologs from other species was investigated. Recombinant OsSGT1 protein showed strong activity towards phenolics to form their glucose conjugates. This is the first identified natural phenolics-related glucosyltransferase in rice. In addition, the expression patterns of OsSGT1 in different tissues of rice indicated that OsSGT1 was predominantly expressed in the old leaves and dough grains, suggesting that OsSGT1 might be involved in the maturation process of rice by regulating phenolic metabolism, and thus deepened our understanding on the roles of phenolics in rice growth and environmental adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial production of biofuel from oleaginous microalgae is often impeded by their slow growth rate than other fast-growing algal species. A promising strategy is to genetically engineer the fast-growing algae to accumulate lipids by expressing key lipogenic genes from oleaginous microalgae. However, lacking of strong expression cassette to transform most of the algal species and potential metabolic target to engineer lipid metabolism has hindered its biotechnological applications. In this study, we engineered the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) of green microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa for lipid enhancement by expressing a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) from oleaginous diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Molecular characterization of transformed lines revealed that heterologous PtG6PD was transcribed and expressed successfully. Interestingly, subcellular localization analyses revealed that PtG6PD was targeted to chloroplasts of C. pyrenoidosa. PtG6PD expression remarkably elevated NADPH content and consequently enhanced the lipid content without affecting growth rate. Collectively, this report represents a promising candidate to engineer lipid biosynthesis in heterologous hosts with notable commercial significance, and it highlights the potential role of plastidial PPP in supplying lipogenic NADPH in microalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel beta-cypermethrin (Beta-CP)-degrading strain isolated from activated sludge was identified as Brevibacillus parabrevis BCP-09 based on its morphological and physio-biochemical characteristics, and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Strain BCP-09 could effectively degrade Beta-CP at pH 5.0-9.0, 20-40 °C, and 10-500 mg L−1 Beta-CP. Under optimal conditions (pH 7.41, 38.9 °C, 30.9 mg L−1 Beta-CP), 75.87% Beta-CP was degraded within 3 days. Beta-CP degradation (half-life, 33.45 h) and strain BCP-09 growth were respectively described using first-order-kinetic and logistic-kinetic models. Seven metabolites were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry- methyl salicylate, catechol, phthalic acid, salicylic acid, 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid, 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde, and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA). The major Beta-CP metabolite, 3-PBA was further degraded into phenol, benzoic acid, and 4-methylhexanoic acid. BCP-09 also degraded aromatic compounds such as phenol, catechol, and protocatechuic acid. Beta-CP appears to be mainly degraded into 3-PBA, which is continuously degraded into smaller benzene or chain compounds. Thus, strain BCP-09 could form a complete degradation system for Beta-CP and might be considered a promising strain for application in the bioremediation of environments and agricultural products polluted by Beta-CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zein, one of corn processing byproducts, has excellent film-forming ability. However, zein does not have intrinsic antibacterial or antioxidant activity which limits its direct applicability as active food packaging material. In the present study, the rod-shaped micro-sized ZnO crystals were incorporated into zein films to construct zein-based active films as active packaging material with antibacterial property. The morphologies, structural analysis and sizes of ZnO crystals were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Prepared zein films were evaluated for ZnO loading and distribution. Furthermore, antibacterial activities on Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria were tested by using the disc diffusion method. Lastly, the stability of zein-based active films under the different storage temperature and humidity was investigated. The results showed that zein based-active films had well mechanical properties, stability and antibacterial activities, which were related to the sizes of ZnO crystals in films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel nanocomposites were prepared from graphene oxide (GO) and octahedral tin dioxide (SnO) through a facile process that included synthesis of octahedral SnO and the reduction of GO with ascorbic acid. The morphology and structure of the nanocomposites were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The nanocomposites were placed on a glassy carbon electrode where they displayed excellent performance in terms of differential pulse voltammetric determination of dopamine (DA). This is attributed to (a) the synergetic interactions between reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) and octahedral SnO, and (b) the presence of a large number of active sites on the nanocomposites surface. The sensor responds to DA in the concentration range of 0.08 to 30 μM, with a 6 nM detection limit if operated at 0.24 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The modified electrode also widely suppresses the background current resulting from excess ascorbic acid and uric acids. The method was applied to the determination of DA in spiked human urine and gave satisfactory results, with recoveries in the range from 96.4 to 98.2 %. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein glycation leads to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The structure-activity relationship of dietary flavonoids for inhibiting the glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in vitro was subjected to a detailed investigation. The structure-activity relationship revealed that: 1) the hydroxylation on ring B of the flavones enhanced the inhibition and the hydroxyl groups at the C-5 and C-7 positions of flavones favoured the inhibition; 2) the optimal number of hydroxyl groups on ring B of the flavonols was one (at the C-3 position) and the methylation of flavonols weakened the inhibition; 3) the methoxylation at the C-6 position and methylation at C-4' position of genistein clearly enhanced the inhibition; 4) the hydroxyl groups at the C-5 and C-7 positions of flavanones were in favour of the inhibition; 5) the glycosylation of flavonoids significantly weakened the inhibition. Obvious linear affinity-activity relationships exist between the BSA-flavonoid interaction and flavonoids as BSA glycation inhibitors (R2 = 0.76585). The flavonoids with a higher affinity to BSA exhibited a stronger inhibition of the glycation of BSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

pH-sensitive poly(4-vinylpyridine)- block-poly(methacrylic acid) (P4VP- b-PMAA) four-armed star-shaped block copolymers were synthesized by two-step atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), followed by hydrolysis of P4VP- b-poly( tert-butyl methacrylate) (P4VP- b-P tBMA). The chemical structure and molecular weight of the as-synthesized block copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (H and C NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) determinations. The solution behavior was investigated by surface tension technique, ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) transmittance, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potentials measurements. The experimental results indicated that the copolymers can spontaneously assemble into spherical-shaped core-shell micelle aggregates, with a critical micelle concentration (CMC) about 200 mg L, hydrodynamic diameters from 90 to 210 nm, depending on the environmental pH values and compositional ratios. The transmittance measurements revealed that the block copolymers produce evident phase transition in aqueous solution at pH from 6.5 to 7.0. Zeta potential data revealed high micelle stability. The as-synthesized block copolymers are anticipated to find their applications in the realms of specific drug release, metal loading and heterogeneous catalysis. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reported the growth and metabolism characteristics of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria aggregates in an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB). The results showed that the anammox bacteria aggregates presented starvation, growth, and inhibition phase along with the increase of substrate supply. The substrate conversion rates for survival were 0.05 kgNH-N/(kgVSS·day), 0.07 kgNO-N/(kgVSS·day), and 0.12 kgN/(kgVSS·day); the substrate conversion rates for maximum growth were 0.21 kgNH-N/(kgVSS·day), 0.24 kgNH-N/(kgVSS·day), and 0.45 kgNH-N/(kgVSS·day), respectively. In the growth phase, the yield of anammox bacteria aggregates was 0.14 gVSS/(gNH-N), 0.12 gVSS/(gNO-N), and 0.70 gVSS/(gNO-N); the yield of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was 0.11 gEPS/(gNH-N), 0.09 gEPS/(gNO-N), and 0.55 gEPS/(gNO-N), respectively. The EPS contents in anammox bacteria aggregates were high compared to that in anaerobic granular sludge. Speculated from the cell yield, the energy for anammox bacteria growth was not only from nitrite oxidation, but also from anammox reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports about the dispersal and control of anammox granular sludge at high substrate concentrations. The results demonstrate that anammox granular sludge would turn into flocculent sludge when the substrate concentrations exceed the inhibitory threshold concentrations, with an apparent drop in the settling velocity of anammox sludge from 73.73 to 16.49 m/h. Moreover, the sludge was washed out of the reactor and a decrease in the nitrogen removal rate from 23.82 to 16.97 kg N/(m/day) was observed. The dominant anammox bacteria in the granular and flocculent sludge were Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis; however, the contents of heme c and extracellular polymeric substances in the flocculent sludge were much lower than in the granular sludge. Furthermore, the chemical composition of extracellular polymeric substances was different. The high nitrite concentrations more than the inhibitory threshold concentrations were regarded as the reason for the observed granular sludge dispersal and deterioration in reactor performance. The apparent dispersed granular sludge and malfunction of reactor performance could be recovered by means of washing out the residual substrate from the reactor and then re-running the reactor from low substrate concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2-Benzyl-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3, 4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-one (ZC2) is a newly synthesized isoquinolinone compound. Its effect on vasodilation was evaluated in the present study. Isometric tension of rat artery rings was recorded by a sensitive myography system in vitro. The results showed that ZC2 relaxed rat mesenteric arteries pre-contracted by KCl, phenylephrine and 9, 11- dideoxy- 11α, 9α-epoxymethano-prostaglandin F2α (U46619), and abdominal aorta pre-contracted by KCl in a concentration-dependent manner. The ZC2-induced vasodilation was not affected by an endothelium denudation. ZC2 rightwards shifted the concentration-contraction curves, induced by KCl, phenylephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in a non-parallel manner, which suggests that the vasodilation effects are most likely via voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) and receptor-operated calcium channel (ROCC). Moreover, in Ca-free medium, ZC2 concentration-dependently depressed the vasoconstrictions induced by phenylephrine and CaCl, and decreased a contractile response induced by caffeine, which indicates a role of extracellular Ca influx inhibition through VDCC and ROCC, and intracellular Ca release from Ca store via the ryanodine receptors. Glibenclamide did not affect the vasodilation induced by ZC2, suggesting that ATP sensitive potassium channel is not involved in the vasodilation. The results indicate that ZC2 induces vasodilation by inhibiting the VDCC and ROCC, and receptormediated Ca influx and release. The inhibition of intracellular Ca release may be mediated via the ryanodine receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Hyper IgE syndrome (HIES) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder, characterized by eczema, recurrent skin and lung infections, and significantly elevated serum IgE level. It was previously diagnosed based on clinical manifestations and laboratory markers that were not specific to the disease. Recent studies have demonstrated that mutations in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) cause the autosomal dominant or sporadic HIES, which make the disease definitively characterized at molecular level. Here, we reported a 3-year old Chinese boy with neonatal-onset rash and multiple serious Staphylococcus aureus infections including recurrent skin abscesses, liver abscess, sepsis, and destructive pulmonary infection (pneumonia, multiple pulmonary abscesses, pyopneumothorax, and finally, pneumatocele). Genetic study revealed a heterozygous mutation in exon 21 of STAT3 gene (g.66583 A > C, c.1970A > C) in the boy, which resulted in a substitution of tyrosine at the amino acid position 657 to serine (p.Y657S) in the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of STAT3. Functional prediction with bioinformatics programs of the Sorting Intolerant from Tolerant (SIFT) and the Polymorphism Phenotyping (PolyPhen) reported "deleterious (SIFT score 0.02)" and "probably damaging (PSIC score difference 2.94)" values, respectively. Further study of family members revealed that neither his parents, nor his twin brother carried the mutation, indicating the mutation was likely to occur de novo in our patient.Conclusion: The mutation,p.Y657S,in SH2 domain of STAT3 is a disease-causing mutation in the boy with HIES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compounds, 2′,4′-difluoro-4-[(4-methylbenzoyl)oxy]- N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide 2a and 2′,4′-difluoro-4-[(4-chlorobenzoyl)oxy]- N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide 2b, synthesized from diflunisal, a registered anti-inflammatory drug, via amidation of carboxlic acid and esterification of phenolic hydroxy group and recrystallized from butanone-ethanol, were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [CCDC 753735 and 753736]. The 2a crystallizes in triclinic space group Pī with cell parameters a = 10.562(2) Å, b = 10.696(2) Å, c = 11.061(2) Å, α = 80.503(7)°, β = 84.722(7)°, γ = 73.553(7)° and Z = 2. The 2b crystallizes in triclinic space group Pī with cell parameters a = 9.348(3) Å, b = 11.150(3) Å, c = 11.798(4) Å, α = 106.627(4)°, β = 93.223(4)°, γ = 91.579(5)° and Z = 2. Their packing are stabilized by intermolecular N–H···O hydrogen bonds. The title compounds, 2′,4′-difluoro-4-[(4-methylbenzoyl)oxy]- N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide 2a and 2′,4′-difluoro-4-[(4-chlorobenzoyl)oxy]- N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide 2b, synthesized from diflunisal, a registered anti-inflammatory drug, via amidation of carboxlic acid and esterification of phenolic hydroxy group, were confirmed by single- crystal X-ray diffraction showing their packing are stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds[Figure not available: see fulltext.]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transient gravity waves due to an impulsive source in a two-layer fluid system are investigated analytically. The fluid is assumed to be inviscid and incompressible. The density of each of the two layers is constant. Five different boundary conditions are considered. The depth of each of the two layers is infinite or finite. The upper fluid of finite depth is covered by a rigid lid or a free surface. Based on the assumption of small-amplitude waves, a linear system is established. The integral solutions for the free-surface and interfacial waves are obtained by means of the Fourier-Laplace transform. The corresponding asymptotic representations are derived for large time with a fixed distance-to-time ratio by the Stokes and Scorer methods of stationary phase. The analytical solutions show that there are two different modes, namely the free-surface and interfacial wave modes. The wave profiles observed depend on the relation between the distance-to-time ratio and the maximal group velocities and on the limiting values of the second derivatives of the frequencies as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on molecular mechanisms that viruses use to regulate the host apparatus is important in virus infection control and antiviral therapy exploration. Our previous research showed that the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) LEF-11 localized to dense regions of the cell nucleus and is required for viral DNA replication. Herein, we examined the mechanism of LEF-11 on BmNPV multiplication and demonstrated that baculovirus LEF-11 interacts with Bombyx mori ATAD3A and HSPD1 (HSP60) protein. Furthermore, we showed that LEF-11 has the ability to induce and up-regulate the expression of ATAD3A and HSPD1, phenomena that were both reversed upon knockdown of lef-11. Our findings showed that ATAD3A and HSPD1 were necessary and contributed to BmNPV multiplication in Bombyx mori cells. Moreover, ATAD3A was found to directly interact with HSPD1. Interestingly, ATAD3A was required for the expression of HSPD1, while the knockdown of HSPD1 had no obvious effect on the expression level of ATAD3A. Taken together, the data presented in the current study demonstrated that baculovirus LEF-11 hijacks the host ATPase family members, ATAD3A and HSPD1, efficiently promote the multiplication of the virus. This study furthers our understanding of how baculovirus modulates energy metabolism of the host and provides a new insight into the molecular mechanisms of antiviral research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]