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The buried depth of the gas-producing reservoir in the Kuqa foreland thrust belt of the Tarim Basin exceeds 6000 m. The average matrix porosity of the reservoir is 5.5%, and the average matrix permeability is 0.128 × 10−3 μm2. In order to reveal the characteristics and effectiveness of ultra-deep fractures and their effects on reservoir properties and natural gas production, outcrops, cores, thin section, image logs and production testing data are used to investigate the effectiveness of tectonic fractures in ultra-deep reservoirs in the Kuqa foreland thrust zone, and the corresponding geological significance for oil and gas exploration and development are discussed. Tectonic fractures in the thrust belt include EW-trending high-angle tensile fractures and NS-trending vertical shear fractures. The former has a relatively high filling rate, while the latter is mostly unfilled. Micro-fractures are usually grain-piercing-through cracks with width of 10–100 microns. In the planar view, the effective fractures are concentrated in the high part and wing zones of the long axis of the anticline, and along the vertical direction, they are mainly found in the tensile fracture zone above the neutral plane. The adjustment fracture zone has the strongest vertical extension abilities and high effectiveness, followed by the nearly EW longitudinal tensile fracture zone, and the netted fracture zone with multiple dip angles. The effectiveness of fracture is mainly controlled by fracture aperture and filling degrees. Effective fractures can increase reservoir permeability by 1–2 orders of magnitude. The higher part of the anticline is associated with high tectonic fracture permeability, which control enrichment and high production of natural gas. The netted vertical open fractures effectively communicate with pores and throats of the reservoir matrix, which forms an apparent-homogenous to medium-heterogeneous body that is seen with high production of natural gas sustained for a long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GDC-0152 is a new type of chemical compound which can downregulate inhibitor of apoptosis protein. We previously reported that GDC-0152 induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells in a caspase-dependent manner. In this study, we have focused on GDC-0152-induced autophagy and the relationship between apoptosis and autophagy. We found that GDC-0152 can evoke autophagy flux as confirmed by the upregulation of LC3 and downregulation of p62. The conversion of LC3I to LC3II verified the existence of autophagy flux further. GDC-0152 induced autophagy through downregulating B cell lymphoma 2 and Bcl-2-interacting myosin-like coiled-coil protein, and upregulating WD-repeat domain phosphoinositide-interacting protein 1. Pretreating HL-60 cells with autophagy inhibitor Bafolimycin A1 reduced GDC-0152-induced apoptosis. However, pretreatment with caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK had no effect on autophagy. Reactive oxygen species were released in GDC-0152-treated HL-60 cells but did not take part in the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis. In conclusion, our findings suggest that GDC-0152-induced autophagy can trigger apoptosis in HL-60 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMP) trigger innate immune response and exacerbate inflammation to combat infection and cellular damage. Identifying DAMPs and revealing their functions are thus of crucial importance. Here we report that two molecules, N-myc and STAT interactor (NMI) and interferon-induced protein 35 (IFP35) act as DAMPs and are released by activated macrophages during lipopolysaccharide-induced septic shock or acetaminophen-induced liver injury. We show that extracellular NMI and IFP35 activate macrophages to release proinflammatory cytokines by activating nuclear factor-κB through the Toll-like receptor 4 pathway. In addition, the serum levels of NMI are increased in patients who succumbed to severe inflammation. NMI deficiency reduces inflammatory responses and mortality in mouse models of sepsis and liver injury. We therefore propose that extracellular NMI and IFP35 exacerbate inflammation as DAMPs, making them potential therapeutic targets for clinical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We design an electrically controllable terahertz wave attenuator by using graphene. We show that terahertz wave can be confined and propagate on S-shaped graphene waveguide with little radiation losses, and the confined terahertz wave is further manipulated and controlled via external applied voltage bias. The simulated results show that, when chemical potential changes from 0.03 into 0.05 eV, the extinction ratio of the terahertz wave attenuator can be tuned from 1.28 to 39.42 dB. Besides the simplicity, this novel terahertz wave attenuator has advantages of small size (24 × 30 μm), a low insertion loss, and good controllability. It has a potential application for forthcoming planar terahertz wave integrated circuit fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of iterative learning controller (ILC) requires to store the system input, output or control parameters of previous trials for generating the input of the current trial. In order to apply the iterative learning controller for a real application and reduce the memory size for implementation, a current error based sampled-data proportional-derivative (PD) type iterative learning controller is proposed for control systems with initial resetting error, input disturbance and output measurement noise in this paper. The proposed iterative learning controller is simple and effective. The first contribution in this paper is to prove the learning error convergence via a rigorous technical analysis. It is shown that the learning error will converge to a residual set if a forgetting factor is introduced in the controller. All the theoretical results are also shown by computer simulations. The second main contribution is to realize the iterative learning controller by a digital circuit using a field programmable gate array (FPGA) chip applied to repetitive position tracking control of direct current (DC) motors. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed current error based sampled-data iterative learning controller are demonstrated by the experiment results. Finally, the relationship between learning performance and design parameters are also discussed extensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terminal iterative learning control (TILC) is developed to reduce the error between system output and a fixed desired point at the terminal end of operation interval over iterations under strictly identical initial conditions. In this work, the initial states are not required to be identical further but can be varying from iteration to iteration. In addition, the desired terminal point is not fixed any more but is allowed to change run-to-run. Consequently, a new adaptive TILC is proposed with a neural network initial state learning mechanism to achieve the learning objective over iterations. The neural network is used to approximate the effect of iteration-varying initial states on the terminal output and the neural network weights are identified iteratively along the iteration axis. A dead-zone scheme is developed such that both learning and adaptation are performed only if the terminal tracking error is outside a designated error bound. It is shown that the proposed approach is able to track run-varying terminal desired points fast with a specified tracking accuracy beyond the initial state variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homo sapiens longevity assurance homolog 2 of yeast LAG1 ( LASS2) has been indicated to have a critical role in various tumors. In the study, we aimed to evaluate the LASS2 expression level in prognostic significance and compare it with commonly used biomarkers: Ki-67, p53 and progesterone receptor (PR) for patients with meningiomas. Firstly, 50 fresh tissues and 143 paraffin-embedded meningiomas samples were analyzed for LASS2 expression by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. Subsequently, LASS2 immunostaining was evaluated for its clinical significance. Furthermore, Correlations of LASS2 expression with common biomarkers were assessed. Both PCR and IHC results showed LASS2 was downregulated in high-grade meningiomas in comparison with that of grade I or normal brain (all P < 0.01). IHC results demonstrated LASS2 intensity distribution (ID) score was significantly correlated with tumor size, brain invasion, tumor recurrence and clinical course (all P < 0.01), whereas no correlation of LASS2 ID score with sex or Simpson grade. Moreover, lower LASS2 ID score was strikingly associated with shorter overall and progression-free survival ( P < 0.01). Pearson's analysis revealed the ID score was significantly reversely associated with Ki-67 and p53 but not with PR. More importantly,multivariate analyses revealed that LASS2 was an independent prognostic factor ( P < 0.05). To our knowledge, it is the first time to investigate the expression of LASS2 and identify it as a potential biomarker for prognosis in meningiomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, Rac GTPase-activating protein 1 (RACGAP1) has been shown to have a critical role in various tumors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of RACGAP1 in human meningiomas and to compare these results with the clinicopathological parameters. Thirty-two cases, classified as 13 World Health Organization grade I (40.6 %), 10 grade II (31.3 %) and 9 grade III (28.1 %) primary meningiomas, were selected from our pathological files. Clinico-pathological data, including survival data, were also available. RACGAP1 expression in the meningiomas was measured by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. Our results showed the level of RACGAP1 expression in grade III meningioma is higher than that of grade I. Higher levels of RACGAP1 mRNA were significantly correlated with tumor size, higher Simpson grade, histological type and clinical course ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, the level of RACGAP1 expression mRNA was positively correlated with MIB-1 labeling index in different meningiomas tissue ( r = 0.3237, P = 0.0007). Additionally, Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated a significantly worse survival in patients with high levels of RACGAP1 mRNA ( P = 0.008). In conclusion, these findings suggest that RACGAP1 may be used as a potential predictor for tumor proliferative and patient prognosis in meningiomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laminins are central components of basement membranes and play important roles in cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration. However, the role of laminins in tumor progression has not been thoroughly investigated in meningiomas. Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the expression of laminin γ1 in various grades of meningiomas in Chinese patients. Methods: In the current study, clinical and pathological data for 32 meningioma patients with various tumor grades were collected. The expression of laminin γ1 in each tumor was assessed by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis and was correlated with the meningioma grade, tumor recurrence and patient survival. Patient prognoses were attained and the progression-free survival was calculated based on the Kaplan-Meier method. A two-sided probability cutoff of 0.05 was chosen for statistical significance. Results: A total of 32 meningioma patients with various pathological subtypes (WHO grade I: 13, grade II: 10 and grade III: 9) were enrolled in this study. The qPCR results showed that laminin γ1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in grade III meningiomas than in grade I meningiomas ( p < 0.05), although there was no significant difference in laminin γ1 expression between grade II and grade I meningiomas ( p > 0.05). Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed that the expression of laminin γ1 protein was relatively higher in grade III meningiomas when compared with grade I meningiomas. Higher levels of laminin γ1 expression in meningiomas are associated with a significantly shorter tumor recurrence time ( p < 0.05) and a decreased patient survival time ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that laminin γ1 is associated with meningioma grades and could play a role in enhancing tumor invasion. Laminin γ1 could be used as a predictor for meningioma recurrence and patient survival. Furthermore, laminin γ1 may represent a druggable molecular target for future therapies for tumors that overexpress this marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lpine ecosystems are harsh environments where low temperatures are generally a limiting factor. Predicted global warming is thus expected to have a profound impact on alpine ecosystems in the future. This study was conducted to compare the effect of experimental warming on soils in two contrasting forest ecosystems (a dragon spruce plantation and a natural forest) using the open top chamber (OTC) method in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau of China. The OTC enhanced average daily mean soil temperatures by 0.61°C (plantation) and 0.55°C (natural forest), respectively, throughout the growing season. Conversely, soil volumetric moisture declined by 4.10% in the plantation and by 2.55% in the natural forest. Across all measuring dates, warming increased average soil CO efflux by 10.6% in the plantation and by 15.4% in the natural forest. However, elevated temperatures did not affect the respiration quotient in either forest. Two-stage sulfuric acid hydrolysis was used to quantify labile and recalcitrant C and N fractions in the two contrasting soils. Warming significantly reduced labile C and N fractions in both ecosystems but did not influence the total, recalcitrant and microbial biomass C and N pools. Labile C, N and microbial biomass C showed significant interactions in warming × forest type × season. Irrespective of warming treatments, all measured pools were significantly larger in the natural forest compared to the plantation. Taken together, our results indicate that the lowered soil labile C and N pools may be induced by the increased soil CO efflux. The responses of the natural forest soil were more sensitive to experimental warming than those of the plantation. We conclude that reforestation dramatically lowers soil C and N pools, further affecting the responses of forest soils to future global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dagger nematode, Xiphinema index, feeds aggressively on grape roots and in the process, vectors grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) leading to the severe viral disease known as fanleaf degeneration. Resistance to X. index and GFLV has been the key objective of grape rootstock breeding programs. A previous study found that resistance to X. index derived from Vitis arizonica was largely controlled by a major quantitative trait locus, XiR1 ( X. index Resistance 1), located on chromosome 19. The study presented here develops high-resolution genetic and physical maps in an effort to identify the XiR1 gene(s). The mapping was carried out with 1,375 genotypes in three populations derived from D8909-15, a resistant selection from a cross of V. rupestris A. de Serres (susceptible) × V. arizonica b42-26 (resistant). Resistance to X. index was evaluated on 99 informative recombinants that were identified by screening the three populations with two markers flanking the XiR1 locus. The high-resolution genetic map of XiR1 was primarily constructed with seven DNA markers developed in this study. Physical mapping of XiR1 was accomplished by screening three bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries constructed from D8909-15, V. vinifera Cabernet Sauvignon and V. arizonica b42-26. A total of 32 BAC clones were identified and the XiR1 locus was delineated within a 115 kb region. Sequence analysis of three BAC clones identified putative nucleotide binding/leucine-rich repeat (NB-LRR) genes. This is the first report of a closely linked major gene locus responsible for ectoparasitic nematode resistance. The markers developed from this study are being used to expedite the breeding of resistant grape rootstocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of the formation for thoracic impedance change. On the basis of Ohm’s law and the electrical field distribution in the cylindrical volume conductor, the formula about the thoracic impedance change are deduced, and they are demonstrated with the model experiment. The results indicate that the thoracic impedance change caused by single blood vessel is directly proportional to the ratio of the impedance change to the basal impedance of the blood vessel itself, to the length of the blood vessel appearing between the current electrodes, and to the basal impedance between two detective electrodes on the chest surface, while it is inversely proportional to the distance between the blood vessel and the line joining two detective electrodes. The thoracic impedance change caused by multiple blood vessels together is equal to the algebraic addition of all thoracic impedance changes resulting from the individual blood vessels. That is, the impedance changes obey the principle of adding scalars in the measurement of the electrical impedance graph. The present study can offer the theoretical basis for the waveform reconstruction of Impedance cardiography (ICG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the clinical effect of interferon β-1a on optic neuritis (ON) relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Taiwan. Data were collected from 23 MS patients with ON at National Taiwan University Hospital between January 1, 1993 and February 1, 2007. Twenty-three MS patients with ON received interferon β-1a (Rebif) 44 µg via subcutaneous injection three times weekly. All patients received corticosteroids pulse therapy followed by oral prednisolone for acute ON. The annual relapse rate (ARR) of ON in these MS patients before and after the use of interferon β-1a (Rebif) was the main clinical parameter of outcome in this study. The ARR of ON was lower in the posttreatment period than in the pretreatment period ( P = 0.0068). Thirteen patients (56.5%) had improved final visual acuity (>2 lines), and the other ten patients (43.5%) had stable final visual outcome (−2 lines < X < 2 lines). In addition, no recurrence of ON was noted in 15 patients (65.2%) during the posttreatment period. The use of interferon β-1a 44 µg via subcutaneous injection three times weekly did not increase the ON attacks in MS patients receiving this treatment. In addition, beneficial effects were found with the use of interferon β-1a on these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report a 21-year-old male with an atypical cystic meningioma in the right parietal area. On T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), the solid component was hypointense, while on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), it was hyperintense. On T1WI, the cystic component was hypointense, and on T2WI, it was hyperintense. The authors review the literature about incidence, locations, MRI features, cyst type, and intraoperative managements of atypical cystic meningiomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES:Adequate relief (AR) of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms (IBS-AR) has been used as a primary end point in many randomized controlled trials of IBS and is considered by the Rome III committee to be an acceptable primary end point. However, controversy exists on whether baseline severity confounds the effect of the treatment outcome. The aim (1) is to compare a subjective report of IBS-AR with global assessment of improvement (IBS-GAI), change in IBS symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS), and IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL); (2) to explore whether initial IBS symptom severity influences the ability of these outcome measures to detect differences post treatment; and (3) to determine whether psychological symptoms influence the sensitivity of these measures, in a randomized controlled treatment trial.METHODS:A total of 289 adult IBS patients were recruited to a treatment trial. Baseline IBS-SSS scores were used to classify IBS severity as mild (<175), moderate (175–300), or severe (>300). Questionnaires were completed at baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment with sham acupuncture or wait-list control.RESULTS:IBS baseline severity (IBS-SSS) significantly affected the proportion of patients who reported IBS-AR at 3 weeks (mild, 70%; moderate, 49.7%; severe, 38.8%) (P<0.05). However, once the patients who reported IBS-AR at baseline (28.0%) were excluded from the analysis, baseline severity no longer affected the proportion of patients reporting IBS-AR. Baseline severity did not have a significant effect on patients reporting moderate or significant improvement on the IBS-GAI (mild, 30%; moderate, 25.3%; severe, 18.8%) (P=NS). Psychological symptoms had no significant correlations with responders after adjusting for baseline severity.CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest that IBS-AR as an end point is inversely related to baseline symptom severity. However, if patients who report AR at screening were excluded from study participation, baseline symptom severity was no longer confounded with a report of AR at the study end point.Am J Gastroenterol 2009; 104:912–919; doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.13; published online 17 March 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Thrombin is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). CBP has been regarded as a potential therapeutic target on the basis of its ability to affect cell growth. Therefore we hypothesized that CBP mediates thrombin-induced proliferation of VSMCs. We constructed recombinant adenoviral vector that expresses four short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting rat CBP mRNA (CBP-shRNA/Ad). VSMCs were infected with CBP-shRNA/Ad and treated with thrombin. CBP level were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. To evaluate VSMC proliferation, the cell cycle and DNA synthesis were analyzed by flow cytometry and 3H-thymidine incorporation, respectively. CBP-shRNA/Ad infection inhibited thrombin-induced CBP expression in a dose-dependent manner concomitant with a decrease in the percentage of cells in the S phase and in DNA synthesis. These findings suggest that CBP plays a pivotal role in the S phase progression of VSMCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To observe the effect of β2-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in isolated rat hearts and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Methods: Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min global ischemia and 60 min reperfusion on a Langendorff apparatus. Cardiac function was evaluated by heart rate, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular systolic pressure, maximal rise rate of left ventricular pressure (+d p/d tmax), and the coronary effluent (CF). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluent, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Ca2+-ATPase activity in the cardiac tissue were measured using commercial kits. The apoptotic cardiomyocyte was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA levels and the expression of caspase-3 were detected by RT-PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. Cultured newborn rat cardiomyocytes were pre-incubated with clenbuterol, and oxidative stress injury was induced by H2O2. Cell viability and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). Results: In the isolated rat hearts after I/R injury, clenbuterol significantly improved diastolic function (LVEDP and CF) and Ca2+-ATPase activity. Treatment with clenbuterol increased SOD activity and decreased the MDA level and LDH release compared with the I/R group ( P<0.05). Moreover, clenbuterol decreased apoptosis, which was associated with a reduction in TUNEL-positive cells, Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA, and caspase-3 expression. In H2O2-induced cardiomyocyte injury, clenbuterol increased cell viability and attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Pre-treatment with ICI118551 (selective β2-adrenergic antagonist) decreased these effects compared with the clenbuterol-treated group ( P<0.05). Conclusion: Clenbuterol ameliorated ventricular diastolic function by enhaning Ca2+-ATPase activity and reduced oxidative stress and cardiac myocyte apoptosis in an experimental rat model of myocardium I/R. It decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by H2O2 in vitro. It plays a key role in the cardiac protection against myocardium I/R injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies non-convex programming problems. It is known that, in statistical inference, many constrained estimation problems may be expressed as convex programming problems. However, in many practical problems, the objective functions are not convex. In this paper, we give a definition of a semi-convex objective function and discuss the corresponding non-convex programming problems. A two-step iterative algorithm called the alternating iterative method is proposed for finding solutions for such problems. The method is illustrated by three examples in constrained estimation problems given in Sasabuchi et al. ( Biometrika, 72, 465–472 (1983)), Shi N. Z. ( J. Multivariate Anal., 50, 282–293 (1994)) and El Barmi H. and Dykstra R. ( Ann. Statist., 26, 1878–1893 (1998)). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presence of the heavy atom perturber Pb(Ac)2, fluorescein (HFin) can emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on the surface of a nitrocellulose membrane (NCM) at λex max/λem max = 480/648 nm. It can be spiked with the 1.5-generation polyamidoamine dendrimers (abbreviated: D-1.5) to emit stronger RTP. It was found that a quantitative specific affinity adsorption (AA) reaction between concanavalin agglutinin (abbreviated: Con A) labeled with D-1.5-HFin and N-acetylglucosamine (G) could be carried out on the surface of NCM. The product of the reaction (D-1.5-HFin- Con A-G) could emit strong and stable RTP, and the ΔIp was proportional to the content of G. According to the above facts, a new method for determination of G by affinity adsorption solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (AA-SS-RTP) was established, based on Con A labeled with fluorescein using D-1.5 dendrimers molecules as sensitizer. The linear range of the sandwich method was 0.040–60 pg G spot−1 (corresponding concentration range: 0.10–150 ng mL−1; sample volume: 0.40 µL spot−1). The regression equation of the working curve was ΔIp = 6.880 + 5.610 mG pg spot−1, r = 0.9987. The working solutions containing 0.10 and 150 ng mL−1 G were determined repeatedly 11 times, respectively. The corresponding RSDs were 2.9 and 3.8%. The detection limit of this method calculated by 3Sb/k was 0.021 pg spot−1 (5.2 × 10−11 g mL−1). Compared with the direct method (detection limit: 0.078 pg spot−1, linear range: 0.40–40 pg G spot−1), the sensitivity was obviously improved and the linear range was wider. This method has been successfully applied to the determination of G in human plasma, as well as to the supervision and forecast of human diseases, for it is of good sensitivity, accuracy and precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a novel approach to improve adaptive decorrelation filtering- (ADF-) based speech source separation in diffuse noise. The effects of noise on system adaptation and separation outputs are handled separately. First, fast noise compensation (NC) is developed for adaptation of separation filters, forcing ADF to focus on source separation; next, output noises are suppressed by speech enhancement. By tracking noise components in output cross-correlation functions, the bias effect of noise on the system adaptation objective function is compensated, and by adaptively estimating output noise autocorrelations, the speech separation output is enhanced. For fast noise compensation, a blockwise fast ADF (FADF) is implemented. Experiments were conducted on real and simulated diffuse noises. Speech mixtures were generated by convolving TIMIT speech sources with acoustic path impulse responses measured in a real room with reverberation time T60 = 0.3 second. The proposed techniques significantly improved separation performance and phone recognition accuracy of ADF outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the antioxidant properties of berberine (Ber) on corpus cavenosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMC) in penile erectile dysfunction. Methods: We examined the effects of Ber on cultured rabbit CCSMC damaged by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through examining cell viability by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay and assessing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, nitric oxide (NO) products, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in cells after stimulation with H2O2. Results: Treatment with 1 mmol/L H2O2 significantly decreased the cell viability, NO products, and SOD activity of CCSMC from 100% to 48.57%±4.1% ( P<0.01), 66.8±16.3 to 6.7±2.1 μmol/L ( P<0.01), and 49.5±1.8 to 30.1±2.6 U/mL ( P<0.01), respectively, and increased LDH release and MDA content from 497.6±69.5 to 1100.5±56.3 U/L ( P<0.01) and 3.7±1.3 to 78.4±2.9 nmol/mg protein ( P<0.01), respectively. However, treatment with different concentrations of Ber (10-1000 μmol/L) inhibited the damaging effects of H2O2, with increased cell viability ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), NO production ( P<0.01), and SOD activity ( P<0.01) and decreased LDH release and MDA content (both P<0.01). Conclusion: Ber could produce its antioxidant action on oxidative stress-induced cultured CCSMC. These effects may be of benefit in the prevention of penile erectile dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study was designed to determine the possible pathway underlying the enhancement of apoptosis induced by the combined use of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and ascorbic acid (AA). Methods: The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by means of flow cytometry analysis with an oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe (6-carboxy-2′,7′dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate) uploading. The activity of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by biochemical methods. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry analysis with rhodamine 123 staining. Bcl-2, Bax, and p 17 subunit of caspase-3 were analyzed using the Western blot method. The apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry with annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. Results: Compared with As2O3 (2.0 μmol/L) treated alone, As2O3 (2.0 μmol/L) in combination with AA (100 μmol/L) decreased intracellular GSH content from 101.30±5.76 to 81.91±3.12 mg/g protein, and increased ROS level from 127.61±5.12 to 152.60±5.88, which was represented by the 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein intensity. The loss of mitochondria membrane potential was increased from 1269.97±36.11 to 1540.52±52.63, which was presented by fluorescence intensity. The p17 subunit of caspase-3 expression was increased approximately 2-fold. However, SOD and GPx depletion and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were equal to that of As2O3 treated alone ( P>0.05). When the ROS scavenger, N-acetyl- L-cysteine, was added to As2O3 and AA combined treatment group, the apoptosis rate decreased from 15.60 %±1.14% to 9.48%±0.67%, and the ROS level decreased from 152.60±5.88 to 102.77±10.25. Conclusion: AA potentiated As2O3-induced apoptosis through the oxidative pathway by increasing the ROS level. This may be the result of depleting intracellular GSH. It may influence the downstream cascade following ROS, including mitochondria depolarization and caspase-3 activation. However, SOD and GPx depletion and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax influenced by As2O3was not found to be potentiated by AA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Omeprazole, lansoprazole and rabeprazole have been widely used as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They can be metabolized in the liver by CYP2C19, a polymorphic enzyme, and have a wide interindividual variability with respect to drug response. In the investigation reported here, we examined the kinetic characteristics of the three PPIs in healthy Chinese subjects in relation to CYP2C19 genotype status. Methods: Six homozygous extensive metabolizers (homEMs), six heterozygous extensive metabolizers (hetEMs) and six poor metabolizers (PMs) were recruited for the study from a total of 90 healthy Chinese volunteers whose CYP2C19 genotype status was determined by means of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The study was had an open label, randomized, three-way crossover design. After a single oral dose of 40 mg omeprazole, 30 mg lansoprazole or 40 mg rabeprazole, plasma concentrations of the three PPIs were determined by HPLC. Results: There were some differences for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), the elimination half-life (t1/2ke) and the maximum plasma concentration (cmax) in the three groups. In the homEMs, hetEMs and PMs, the relative AUC0–∞ values were 1:2.8:7.5 for omeprazole, 1:1.7:4.0 for lansoprazole and 1:1.6:3.7 for rabeprazole, respectively; the relative t1/2ke values were 1:1.02:1.65 for omeprazole, 1:1.08:2.39 for lansoprazole and 1:1.37:1.85 for rabeprazole, respectively; the relative cmax values were 1:2.09:4.39 for omeprazole, 1:1.34:1.72 for lansoprazole, and 1:1.24:2.04 for rabeprazole, respectively. Conclusion: The pharmacokinetic characteristics of the three PPIs are significantly dependent on the CYP2C19 genotype status. These data indicate that individualized dose regimen of the three PPIs, based on identification of genotype, can be of great benefit for ensuring the reasonable use of these drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luminescent nanoparticles of silicon dioxide (SiO2) containing fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) with a particle size of 20 nm were synthesized using the Sol–Gel method (abbreviated FITC–SiO2). FITC–SiO2 nanoparticles whose surfaces are modified (FITC–SiO2–S–CH2COOH) can emit strong and stable solid substrate room temperature phosphorescence (SS-RTP) on acetyl cellulose membranes. When the original color-producing agent (R) in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for determination of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was substituted with (FITC–SiO2–S–CH2COOH), the system maintained good FITC–SiO2 phosphorescence properties. Furthermore, the phosphorescence intensity enhanced markedly after the ELISA reaction. The relationship between the phosphorescence intensity and the content of AFP obeyed Beer’s law. Based on the facts stated above, a new method for the determination of human AFP by SS-RTP-ELISA (using the luminescent nanoparticle as marker) was established. The linear range of this method is 0.040–16.0 pg of human AFP per spot (sample volume: 0.40 µL spot−1, corresponding concentration: 0.10–40.0 ng mL−1). The regression equation of the working curve is ΔIp = −6.289+18.075 mAFP (pg spot−1) (r = 0.9960, n = 6). The detection limit (LD) of this method calculated by 3 Sb/k is 6.7 fg spot−1 (corresponding concentration: 17 ng L−1). Compared to the ELISA method using a traditional color-producing agent, the new method exhibited a 34.8 times higher sensitivity and a wider linear range. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of human AFP in serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan triple-spikelet wheat (TTSW) (Triticum aestivum L. concv. tripletum nom. nud.) is a landrace of common wheat collected from Tibet, China. It possesses a genetic stable character of triple-spikelets, and produces more than 50 spikelets and about 150 florets per spike. The plant has normal number of tillers, normal length of spikes, and well-developed seeds. The inheritance of the triple-spikelet trait in TTSW was genetically analyzed. The results indicate that the triple-spikelet character in TTSW is controlled by two recessive genes. Therefore, we suggest designating the genes controlling this character of triple-spikelets as Ts1 and Ts2. These genes could be used for increasing the number of spikelets per spike for high-yield breeding in common wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the protective effects of berberine on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice. Methods: Gastric ulcers were induced by oral ingestion of ethanol. Nitric oxide (NO) content was measured, and mRNA expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The ulcer index (UI) at 1 h, 2 h, 3 h and 6 h after oral administration of ethanol was 23.8±1.4, 23.3±2.2, 22.3±1.2 and 20.8±1.1, respectively. The UI in the berberine-treated groups (5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) was less than the control group. The content of NO in the control group was 73.3±7.3 μL/L, 94.0±9.2 μL/L, 109.6± 6.4 μL/L and 138.2±10.2 μL/L in gastric juice and 5.8±1.1 μmol/g protein, 8.3± 1.1 μmol/g protein, 9.8± 1.1 μmol/g protein and 11.9± 1.2 μmol/g protein in gastric tissue at 1 h, 2 h, 3 h and 6 h, respectively, after the oral administration of ethanol. The content of NO in the berberine-treated groups (5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) was higher than the control group at 1 h after the oral administration of ethanol (P<0.05), and was lower at 6 h (P<0.05). Analysis by RT-PCR showed that expression of eNOS was inhibited but iNOS expression was enhanced by ethanol. However, the expression of eNOS could be enhanced and iNOS expression could be inhibited by berberine ( P<0.01). Conclusion: Berberine could significantly protect gastric mucosa from damage by ethanol. This effect may be related to the increased expression of eNOS mRNA and inhibited expression of iNOS mRNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the relationship between differential leucocyte count and coronary atherosclerosis. The study population consisted of 507 consecutive patients (376 male and 131 female) who underwent coronary angiography for suspected or known coronary atherosclerosis. The patients' smoking and drinking habits were investigated, and anthropometric measurements, serum measurements, and hematological measurements were conducted for every patient. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was defined by using Gensini's score system. One-way ANOVA, Spearman's correlation analysis, and multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis were employed to explore the relationship between differential leucocyte count and coronary atherosclerosis. Oneway ANOVA indicated that the diastolic blood pressure, glucose, urea, creatinine, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, hemoglobin, and platelet count differed among the groups according to Gensini's score, the tertile values of which were used as cutoff points. Spearman's correlation analysis suggested that Gensini's score was significantly correlated with age, diastolic blood pressure, glucose, urea, creatinine, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, hemoglobin, and erythrocyte count, respectively. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis show that neutrophil count (β=0.247, P=0.000), age (β=0.141, P=0.001), glucose (β=0.173, P=0.000), creatinine (β=0.088, P=0.063), hemoglobin (β=-0.168, P=0.013) and sex (men were coded as 1 and women were coded as 2; β=-0.121, P=0.012) were significantly independently associated with the Gensini's score. Conclusion: The independent association of neutrophil count with the angiographical characteristics of coronary atherosclerosis, as estimated by Gensini's score, strongly suggests that granulocytosis may play a role in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the immunological function of a yeast expression system for thymosin α1 (Tα1). Methods: A constructed Tα1 yeast expression system was used to investigate the immunological function of orally administered Tα1. Dried yeast containing three different concentration of Tα1 was fed to normal Balb/c mice and other Balb/c mice whose immunities were inhibited in advance by cyclophosphamide. Synthesized Tα1 peptide was used as positive control and dried yeast with empty plasmid was used as negative control. CD4+ and CD8+ levels were detected by flow cytometry assay. TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were detected by liquid chip. Results: In normal Balb/c mice or immune inhibition Balb/c mice, CD8+ levels were significantly increased. Especially in immune inhibition Balb/c mice, CD8+ levels in synthesized Tα1 group (18.77%±4.72%), small dose group (13.48%±6.17%) and large dose group (22.74%±1.09%) were significantly higher than that in empty yeast control group (7.49%±2.14%). Conclusion: Orally administered Tα1 has its certain immunomodulatory function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon dioxide nano-particles, diameter 50 nm, containing morin (morin–SiO2) have been synthesized by the sol–gel method. They emit strong and stable room-temperature phosphorescence (SS-RTP) on filter paper as substrate, and bismuth can quench the intensity of the SS-RTP. On this basis a new morin–SiO2 solid-substrate room-temperature phosphorescence-quenching method has been established for determination of traces of bismuth. Reduction of phosphorescence intensity (Δ Ip) is directly proportional to the concentration of bismuth in the working range 0.16–14.4 ag spot−1 (sample volume 0.40 μL spot−1, corresponding to the concentration range 0.40–36.0 fg mL−1). The regression equation of the working curve is Δ Ip=14.86+5.279×[Bi3+] (ag spot−1) ( n=6, r=0.9982). The detection limit of this method is 0.026 ag spot−1 (corresponding to a concentration of 6.5×10−17 g mL−1).This sensitive, reproducible and accurate method has been used for successful analysis of real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) has been implicated as playing important roles in apoptosis and cancer development. In this work, we studied several natural chemopreventive compounds for their potential chemopreventive properties in the modulation of AP-1 signaling pathway in HT-29 colon cancer cells. Methods. The HT-29 cells were transfected with AP-1-luciferase reporter gene, and one of the stable clones (C-4) was used for subsequent experiments. The HT-29 C-4 cells were treated for 1 h with various natural chemopreventive agents and challenged with AP-1 stimulators such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 6 h. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was examined to understand the effect of these compounds on the upstream signaling activator of AP-1. The protein expression level of endogenous cycling D1, a gene that is under the control of AP-1, was also analyzed after treatments with the agents. In addition, cell death induced by these compounds was evaluated by MTS assay [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-arboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt]. Results. TPA and H2O2 treatments strongly induced AP-l-luciferase fictivity as expected. Phenethyl isothiocyanate, sulforaphane, curcumin, and resveratrol increased AP-1-luciferase activity dose-dependently and then decreased at higher doses in the presence or absence of TPA. Allyl isothiocyanate and (-)-epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) increased AP-1-luciferase activity dose-dependently up to 50 and 100 µM. Other tea catechins and procyanidin dimers, however, had little or no effect on AP-1-luciferase activity. The JNK activity was induced by the isothiocyanates and EGCG. Most of the chemopreventive compounds induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with the exception of epicatechin (EC) and the procyanidins, which had little effect. The expression of endogenous cyclin D1 protein was well correlated with those of AP-1-luciferase assay. Conclusion. Taken together, these results suggest that natural chemopreventive compounds may have differential biological functions on the signal transduction pathways such as AP-1 in the intervention of colon cancer progression and carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyacrylate-based conductive coatings were prepared from polyacrylate emulsion as matrix and carbon black (CB) whose surface was treated with titanate coupling agent as conducting particles. One kind of organic crystal was added to study its effects on the electrical conductivity and PTC (positive temperature coefficient) effect of the conductive coatings. Experimental results show that the coatings containing only polyacrylate emulsion and CB exhibit an excellent electrical conductivity but bad PTC effect, and when organic crystal is added, PTC effect is characterized and can increase by 2 orders of magtitude. The critical transformation temperature of polyacrylate emulsion/CB PTC composites is decided by melting point of organic crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inheritance of genes for hairy auricles and hairy leaf sheath of Ae. tauschii in hexaploid wheat backgrounds (synthetic hexaploid wheat and common wheat varieties) was analyzed. The results indicated that hairy auricles and hairy leaf sheath of Ae. tauschii can be transferred and are expressed in hexaploid wheat. In a synthetic hexaploid wheat ('Ae. tauschii' 188) hairy auricles was proved to be controlled by a single dominant gene derived from Ae. tauschii, which was different from the Pa gene located on chromosome 4BS of common wheat. The hairy leaf sheath phenotype of 'Altar 84/Ae. tauschii 188' was also controlled by a single dominant gene derived from Ae. tauschii, which is obviously different from the Hls gene in T. dicoccoides. We suggest to designate the Ae. tauschii genes for hairy auricles and hairy leaf sheath as Pa2 and Hls2, respectively; such genes could be used as useful genetic markers in common wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high quantity of tungsten oxide nanosheets were synthesized by oxidizing tungsten plates with potassium hydrate as the catalyst and tungsten plate as the substrate. The structural and geometrical properties were characterized by various techniques. It was found that the crystalline nanosheets have a WO3 structure with thicknesses of 30-50 nm and widths up to tens of micrometers. There exist two characteristic acute angles of about 37° or 51° on the nanosheet plane. The formation of these angles and the growth mechanism were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tungsten oxide comblike nanostructures were synthesized using a two-step thermal evaporation method. The first step involving high reactor pressure and temperature was to synthesize the cores of the comb structures, upon which the teeth of the comb were grown in the second step using low operation pressures and temperatures. The teeth of the comb structure are well aligned and vertical to the side surfaces of the cores. The effects of growth parameters were examined, and the growth mechanism was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]