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Background: Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a novel autoimmune disease of central nervous system (CNS). It is unclear whether Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is related to autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. Objective: To describe the clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics of patients with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. Methods: The clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of patients are presented. The levels of GFAP in CSF were detected by ELISA. T and B cell subsets in CSF were detected by flow cytometry. GFAP‐IgG in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were tested by cell‐based assay (CBA) and tissue‐based assay (TBA). Results: All three patients had fever, cognitive dysfunction, limb weakness, and positive GFAP‐IgG with EBV infection in CSF. Enteric glia cells may involve in this disease. Typical imaging findings include the gadolinium enhancement of linear perivascular radial perpendicular to the ventricle, meningeal enhancement (especially in midbrain interpeduncal fossa), longitudinally extensive lesions involving spindle cords, and more T2/Flair‐hyperintense lesions in the periventricular white matter at late stage. The patients had poor response to antiviral treatment and strong response to steroid pulse therapy. Conclusion: EBV could induce CNS autoimmune response in autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. The detection of GFAP‐IgG and EBV may facilitate the early diagnosis in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We aimed to assess the eradication efficacy and factors that influencing it of high‐dose dual therapy (HDDT) in Gansu region, Northwest China. Methods: A total of 216 treatment‐naive patients with Helicobacter pylori infection were randomly assigned to two groups for the 14‐day eradication treatment: the HDDT group (amoxicillin 750 mg q.i.d. and esomeprazole 40 mg t.i.d.) and the amoxicillin and clarithromycin‐containing bismuth quadruple therapy group (ACBQT: esomeprazole 20 mg, bismuth potassium citrate 2 g, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg; b.i.d.). The eradication rates, adverse effects and patient compliance of these two groups were compared. Eradication efficacy was determined by 13C urea breath test (13C UBT) 4–8 weeks after finishing treatment. Antibiotic resistance was determined by the Epsilometer testing (E‐test) method. Results: The eradication rates for the HDDT and ACBQT groups were 71.0% and 74.7% (P =.552) by per‐protocol analysis, and 65.7% and 68.5% (P =.664) by intention‐to‐treat analysis. The overall adverse event rates in the HDDT and ACBQT groups were 2.0% and 43.4% (P <.001), respectively. The resistance rates to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, tetracycline, levofloxacin and metronidazole were 15.2%, 42.0%, 5.4%, 35.7% and 83.0%, respectively. Amoxicillin resistance and delta over baseline (DOB) of 13C UBT ≥ 20 before treatment significantly reduced the eradication rate in 112 participants with H. pylori cultured. Conclusion: The HDDT as first‐line treatment for H. pylori was unsatisfactory in Gansu. Amoxicillin resistance and DOB of 13C UBT ≥ 20 before treatment were significantly correlated with H. pylori eradication failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myopathy and phosphorylase kinase deficiency caused by a mutation in the PHKA1 gene. Keywords: glycogen storage disease type IXD; novel mutation; PHKA1; typical myotonic discharges EN glycogen storage disease type IXD novel mutation PHKA1 typical myotonic discharges 1895 1897 3 10/13/22 20221101 NES 221101 Glycogen storage disease type IXD (GSD9D, OMIM 300559) is a rare metabolic myopathy characterized by exercise intolerance, myoglobinuria, myalgia, cramps, and myopathy.1 The pattern of muscle involvement has been recognized as a phenotype of primarily proximal weakness or primarily distal involvement. A novel PHKA1 mutation associating myopathy and cognitive impairment: expanding the spectrum of phosphorylase kinase b (PhK) deficiency. [Extracted from the article]

Cerebral microbleeds were not observed in any of the MRI images of patients with DM1, whereas 69% of those with CADASIL had microbleeds.5 Brain MRI characteristics in patients with DM1 or CADASIL are presented in Table 1. Anterior temporal lobe hyperintensities and white matter hyperintensities are characteristics of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).1 Because similar findings detected by brain MRI have been described in DM1, the brain MRI in these two diseases is often misinterpreted. Keywords: CADASL; ischemic stroke; MRI; myotonic dystrophy type 1 EN CADASL ischemic stroke MRI myotonic dystrophy type 1 1655 1657 3 09/05/22 20221001 NES 221001 Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant multisystemic disorder that causes muscle weakness, atrophy, and myotonia. [Extracted from the article]

Hepatic damage has been recognized as one of the major complications in diabetes mellitus. Our previous studies have verified that grape seed procyanidin B2 (GSPB2) played a protective effect on hepatic damage of diabetes. We used isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation proteomics here to identify the alterant mitochondrial protein profile in diabetic liver and to seek the protective targets of GSPB2. Proteomics found that 171 proteins were upregulated or downregulated in the liver mitochondria of diabetic group compared to the control group. Of these proteins, 61 were normalized after GSPB2 treatment. These back‐regulated proteins are involved in the process of fatty acid oxidation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Some differentially expressed proteins were confirmed by western blotting. Our study might help to better understand the mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic liver damage, and provide novel targets for estimating the protective effects of GSPB2. Practical applications: Grape seed procyanidin B2 (GSPB2), a polyphenolic component found in red wine and grapes, has beneficial effects such as antioxidative stress, antiapoptosis, and cardiovascular protection. We used proteomics here to identify the differentially expressed mitochondrial proteins in diabetic liver after GSPB2 treatment and to seek the protective targets of GSPB2. We found that the differentially expressed proteins were involved in carbon metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, citrate cycle, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. These proteins may play a key role in diabetic hepatic damage as functional proteins. Targeting these proteins including apply of GSPB2 could potentially lead to an effective treatment in the diabetic hepatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; IgG4-related disease; mechanism; peripheral neuropathy EN Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy IgG4-related disease mechanism peripheral neuropathy 172 174 3 12/17/21 20220101 NES 220101 CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflict of interest. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, mechanism, peripheral neuropathy, IgG4-related disease Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy-like neuropathy in IgG4-related disease. [Extracted from the article]

The progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy is related to cardiomyocyte dysfunction and apoptosis. Our previous studies showed that asporin (ASPN) was significantly increased in the myocardium of db/db mice through proteomics, and grape seed procyanidin B2 (GSPB2) significantly inhibited the expression of ASPN in the heart of db/db mice. We report here that ASPN played a critical role in glycated low‐density lipoproteins (gly‐LDL) induced‐cardiomyocyte apoptosis. We found that gly‐LDL upregulated ASPN expression. ASPN increased H9C2 cardiomyocyte apoptosis with down‐regulation of Bcl‐2, upregulation of transforming growth factor‐β1, Bax, collagen III, fibronectin, and phosphorylation of smad2 and smad3. However, GSPB2 treatment reversed ASPN‐induced impairments in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. These results provide evidence for the cardioprotective action of GSPB2 against ASPN injury, and thus suggest a new target for fighting against diabetic cardiomyopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidences have proved the protective role of traditional Chinese medicine in improving neurological damage induced by cerebral hypoxia‐ischemia. Herein, we hypothesized that Dendrobium officinale aqueous extract exerted neuroprotection against brain damage. Initially, a model of hypoxic‐ischemic brain damage (HIBD) was induced in neonatal rats, which were subsequently intragastrically administered with different doses of Dendrobium officinale aqueous extract. Next, the antioxidant capacity was examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. 2,3,5‐Triphenyltetrazolium chloride and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling staining assays were adopted to determine neuronal apoptosis in brain tissues. Furthermore, neurotrophic factors and hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) expression was identified by Western blot analysis. The neonatal rat models of HIBD presented impaired neurobehaviors and antioxidant capacity, increased neuronal apoptosis and expression of HIF‐1α and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), as well as diminished expression of neurotrophic factors and K+‐Cl−‐cotransporter 2 (KCC2). Notably, in response to different doses of Dendrobium officinale aqueous extract, the impairment on neurobehaviors and antioxidant capacity was alleviated, accompanied by reduced levels of nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde, and increased superoxide dismutase activity. Besides, the neuronal apoptosis was inhibited as reflected by down‐regulated cleaved caspase‐3 and Bax and up‐regulated Bcl‐2. Moreover, we also found accelerated expression of neurotrophic factors and KCC2 and diminished expression of HIF‐1α and HDAC1. Altogether, this present study highlights that the aqueous extract of Dendrobium officinale can suppress the neuronal apoptosis and enhance the expression of neurotrophic factors to protect neonatal rats against HIBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective: Statins are widely used worldwide in the prevention and treatment of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and ischaemic stroke. However, in clinical application, statins have shown great individual differences in terms of the efficacy and safety, some of which are related to genetic factors. The purpose of this article was to summarize the recent advances about the correlation between gene polymorphisms and the efficacy/safety of statins. Methods: We searched the databases including PharmGKB and PubMed (published before June 2019) using the keywords such as 'statin', 'gene polymorphism' and 'SNP' and obtained more than 100 articles. In this review, we described the clinical studies of genetic variants associated with both the efficacy and adverse reactions of statins. We also clarified the importance of taking pharmacogenetic variation into account to improve the clinical application of statins. Results and discussion: The available data were collected and analysed to present the polymorphisms of candidate genes encoding the most promising proteins including SLCO1B1 (encoding uptake transporters); ABCB1, ABCC2, ABCG2 (encoding effluent transporter); APOE, APOA5 (encoding apolipoprotein); genes encoding cytochrome P450 enzyme system; KIF6, HMGCR, LDLR, LPA, PCSK9, COQ2, CETP, etc These genes were proved to be related to the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of statins, thus affecting the efficacy and safety. What is new and conclusion: In this paper, the correlation between gene polymorphisms and the efficacy/safety of statins was summarized. The authors reached a consensus that the variants of the genes encoding uptake and effluent transporters have the most effect on the efficacy/safety of statins. It pointed out that it is desirable to do genetic testing of these transporter genes to reduce the incidence of myopathy or to achieve better outcomes before patients use statins, especially in the regions with high frequency of risk allele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a very complex neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by social difficulties and stereotypical or repetitive behavior. Some previous studies using low‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have proven of benefit in ASD children. Methods: In this study, 32 children (26 males and six females) with low‐function autism were enrolled, 16 children (three females and 13 males; mean ± SD age: 7.8 ± 2.1 years) received rTMS treatment twice every week, while the remaining 16 children (three females and 13 males; mean ± SD age: 7.2 ± 1.6 years) served as waitlist group. This study investigated the effects of rTMS on brain activity and behavioral response in the autistic children. Results: Peak alpha frequency (PAF) is an electroencephalographic measure of cognitive preparedness and might be a neural marker of cognitive function for the autism. Coherence is one way to assess the brain functional connectivity of ASD children, which has proven abnormal in previous studies. The results showed significant increases in the PAF at the frontal region, the left temporal region, the right temporal region and the occipital region and a significant increase of alpha coherence between the central region and the right temporal region. Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) scores were also compared before and after receiving rTMS with positive effects shown on behavior. Conclusion: These findings supported our hypothesis by demonstration of positive effects of combined rTMS neurotherapy in active treatment group as compared to the waitlist group, as the rTMS group showed significant improvements in behavioral and functional outcomes as compared to the waitlist group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu/SiO2 catalyst was prepared by the ammonia evaporation method for the direct synthesis of ethanol from CO hydrogenation. The catalyst exhibited the initial ethanol selectivity as high as 40.0 wt %, which dramatically decreased from 40.0 to 9.6 wt % on the stream of 50 h. XRD, XPS, TEM and N2O titration techniques were employed to elucidate the ethanol selectivity change and catalyst structure evolution during reaction process. The experiment and characterization results indicated that both Cu+/(Cu++Cu0) value and copper crystallite size had great effects on the ethanol selectivity. During the initial 38 h, the ethanol selectivity obviously decreased from 40.0 to 18.2 wt %, and Cu+/(Cu++Cu0) value on the catalyst surface rapidly dropped from 0.67 to 0.39, while the copper crystallite size remained almost unchanged. However, during the reaction period of 38–50 h, the Cu+/(Cu++Cu0) value possessed no distinct change, but a further decrease in ethanol selectivity and a rapid aggregation in Cu particles were observed simultaneously. The present systematic investigation demonstrated that the decrease of Cu+/(Cu++Cu0) value was the main factor for the loss of ethanol selectivity during the initial 38 h, whereas the rapid growth of Cu particles during the reaction period of 38–50 h were mainly contributed to the further decline of ethanol selectivity. Tuning selectivity: Cu/SiO2 was prepared by ammonia evaporation and used as catalyst for the direct synthesis of ethanol from CO hydrogenation. Both the Cu+/(Cu++Cu0) values and copper crystallite sizes had significant effects on the selectivity towards ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Kidney angiosarcomas usually metastasize from the skin, soft tissue, or visceral primary lesions, whereas primary renal angiosarcomas are rare. We report a case of primary renal angiosarcoma with morphological features similar to those of anastomosis hemangioma. Microscopically, there were multiple irregular anastomosing vascular spaces or channel‐like labyrinthine structures, and the tumor cells were positive for CD31, CD34, FLI‐1, PAX8, and vimentin; focally positive for factor VIII, CD10, and Ki‐67 (approximately 5%); and uniformly‐negative for CK, S‐100, and Melan‐A. The diagnosis of angiosarcoma depends on morphological and immunohistochemical examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Aims: Multiple evidence has indicated that myelin injury is common in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether myelin injury is an early event in AD and the relationship between it and cognitive function is still elusive. Methods: Spatial memory of 5XFAD mice was determined by Morris water maze at 1 and 3 months old. Meanwhile, the deposition of Aβ, the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP), LINGO‐1, NgR, and myelin ultrastructure in many memory‐associated brain regions were detected in one‐month‐old and three‐month‐old mice (before and after LINGO‐1 antibody administration) using immunostaining, Western blot (WB), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Results: No abnormal Aβ deposition was found in one‐month‐old 5XFAD mice. However, spatial memory deficits were proved in accordance with an obvious demyelination in memory‐associated brain regions in one‐month‐old mice and both deteriorated with age. Administration of LINGO‐1 antibody could obviously restore the myelin impairments in CA1 and DG region and partially ameliorate spatial memory deficits. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that myelin injury was an early event in 5XFAD mice even prior to emergence of deposition of Aβ. Intervention with the LINGO‐1 antibody could attenuate impaired spatial memory deficits by remyelination, which suggested that myelin injury was involved in spatial memory deficits and remyelination may be a potential therapeutic strategy in early stage of AD or mild cognitive impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Short-term memory refers to the capacity for holding information in mind for a short period of time with conscious memorization. It is an important ability for daily life and is impaired in several neurological and psychiatric disorders. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation ( tDCS) applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex ( DLPFC) was reported to enhance the capability of short-term memory in healthy subjects. However, results were not consistent and what is the possible impact factor is not known. One important factor that may significantly influence the effect of tDCS is the timing of tDCS administration. Aims In order to explore whether tDCS impact short-term memory and the optimal timing of tDCS administration, we applied anodal tDCS to the left DLPFC to explore the modulatory effect of online and off-line tDCS on digit span as well as visual short-term memory performance in healthy subjects. Results Results showed tDCS of the left DLPFC did not influence intentional digit span memory performance, whether before the task or during the task. In addition, tDCS of the DLPFC administered before the task showed no effect on visual short-term memory, while there was a trend of increase in false alarm when tDCS of the DLPFC administered during the task. Conclusions These results did not provide evidence for the enhancement of short-term memory by tDCS of the left DLPFC in healthy subjects, but it suggested an importance of administration time for visual short-term memory. Further studies are required to taking into account the baseline performance of subjects and time-dependence feature of tDCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantum confinement in atomic scale and the presence of interlayer coupling in multilayer make the electronic and optical properties of 2D materials (2DMs) be dependent on the layer number ( N) from monolayer to multilayer. Optical properties of 2DMs have been widely probed by several optical techniques, such as optical contrast, Rayleigh scattering, Raman spectroscopy, optical absorption, photoluminescence, and second harmonic generation. Here, it is reviewed how optical properties of several typical 2DMs (e.g., monolayer and multilayer graphenes, transition metal dichalcogenides) probed by these optical techniques significantly depend on N. Further, it has been demonstrated how these optical techniques service as fast and nondestructive approaches for N counting or thickness determination of these typical 2DM flakes. The corresponding approaches can be extended to the whole 2DM family produced by micromechanical exfoliations, chemical-vapor-deposition growth, or transfer processes on various substrates, which bridges the gap between the characterization and international standardization for thickness determination of 2DM flakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The source of seed cells is a critical factor for tissue engineering. The goal of this study was to evaluate the chondrogenesis of Sox9-overexpressing human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) seeded onto bone matrix gelatin (BMG)/fibrin hybrid scaffolds both in vitro and in vivo. hUCMSCs were stably transfected with Sox9-expressing plasmid and grown on the three-dimensional BMG/fibrin hybrid scaffold for 8 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy and histochemistry were performed. The hUCMSC-loaded scaffolds were implanted into the subcutaneous layer of immunocompetent rats and chondrogenesis and host immune responses were monitored for 8 weeks. We found that hUCMSCs spread well and proliferated from 2 weeks after culturing. They produced abundant glycosaminoglycans and collagen II. At 8 weeks after implanting into rats, the hUCMSCs on the scaffolds formed cartilage-like tissue and displayed positive staining for toluidine blue, safranin O, Masson's trichrome, and collagen II. No significant changes in serum levels of lgG, lgA, lgM, C3, and C4 were observed after implantation of the hUCMSC-loaded scaffolds. Xenogeneic implantation of Sox9-overexpressing hUCMSCs embedded in the BMG/fibrin scaffolds promotes the formation of cartilage-like tissue without inducing evident host immune response. Therefore, Sox9-overexpressing hUCMSCs represent a promising cell candidate for cartilage tissue engineering. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1150-1155, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Induced pluripotent stem cell ( iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes are a promising source of cells for regenerative heart disease therapies, but progress towards their use has been limited by their low differentiation efficiency and high cellular heterogeneity. Previous studies have demonstrated expression of adrenergic receptors ( ARs) in stem cells after differentiation; however, roles of ARs in fate specification of stem cells, particularly in cardiomyocyte differentiation and development, have not been characterized. Materials and methods Murine-induced pluripotent stem cells (mi PSCs) were cultured in hanging drops to form embryoid bodies, cells of which were then differentiated into cardiomyocytes. To determine whether ARs regulated mi PSC differentiation into cardiac lineages, effects of the AR agonist, epinephrine ( EPI), on mi PSC differentiation and underlying signalling mechanisms, were evaluated. Results Treatment with EPI, robustly enhanced mi PSC cardiac differentiation, as indicated by increased expression levels of cardiac-specific markers, GATA4, Nkx2.5 and Tnnt2. Although β- AR signalling is the foremost signalling pathway in cardiomyocytes, EPI-enhanced cardiac differentiation depended more on α- AR signalling than β- AR signalling. In addition, selective activation of α1- AR signalling with specific agonists induced vigorous cardiomyocyte differentiation, whereas selective activation of α2- or β- AR signalling induced no or less differentiation, respectively. EPI- and α1- AR-dependent cardiomyocyte differentiation from mi PSCs occurred through specific promotion of CPC proliferation via the MEK- ERK1/2 pathway and regulation of mi PS cell-cycle progression. Conclusions These results demonstrate that activation of ARs, particularly of α1- ARs, promoted mi PSC differentiation into cardiac lineages via MEK- ERK1/2 signalling . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Two bis-triazole-bis-amide-based copper(II) pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylate coordination polymers (CPs), [Cu(2,3-pydc)(dtb)0.5(DMF)] ·2H2O ( 1) and [Cu(2,3-pydc)(dth)0.5(DMF)] ·2H2O ( 2) (2,3-H2pydc = pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, dtb = N, N′-bis(4 H-1,2,4-triazole)butanamide, and dth = N, N′-bis(4 H-1,2,4-triazole)hexanamide), were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. CPs 1 and 2 show similar two-dimensional (2D) structures. In 1, the 2,3-pydc anions bridge the CuII ions into a one-dimensional (1D) chain. Such 1D chains are linked by the dtb ligands to form a 2D layer. The adjacent 2D layers are extended into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture by hydrogen-bonding interactions. The electrochemical properties of 1 and 2 were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of copper-lanthanide heterometallic coordination polymers (CPs), [LnCu(2,3-pydc)2(suc)0.5(H2O)3] ·H2O [Ln = La ( 1), Pr ( 2), Nd ( 3), Sm ( 4), Gd ( 5), and Eu ( 6), 2,3-H2pydc = pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, H2suc = succinic acid], [Ln2Cu3(2,3-pydc)6(H2O)10] ·8H2O [Ln = Eu ( 7), Tb ( 8), Dy ( 9), and Er ( 10)], and [Ln2Cu(2,3-pydc)2(suc)(µ2-OH)2(H2O)2] ·2H2O [Ln = Er ( 11), Yb ( 12), and Lu ( 13)], were synthesized by the hydrothermal reactions of LnCl3 · nH2O, Cu(NO3)2 ·3H2O, pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (2,3-H2pydc), and N, N′-di(4 H-1,2,4-triazole)butanamide (dtb). CPs 1- 13 possess three types of three-dimensional (3D) frameworks. In 1- 6, the dinuclear Cu2(2,3-pydc)4 and Ln2(COO)2 units link to each other to form two-dimensional (2D) layers, which are extended by the suc anions into a 3D framework. In 7- 10, the lanthanide ions connect the trinuclear Cu3(2,3-pydc)6 units into a 3D framework. In 11- 13, the mononuclear Cu(2,3-pydc)2 units bridge the one-dimensional (1D) lanthanide chains into 2D layers, which are linked by the suc anions into a 3D framework. CP 9 shows a field-induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior with a Ueff value of 83.7 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermodynamics of endocrine disruption compounds (EDCs) were studied. A quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model was used to estimate the contributions of the physicochemical properties (PPs) of EDCs for maximum adsorption capacity. The variables in QSPR were selected from multiple PPs through a Pearson correlation and principle component analysis. The result suggested EDCs had a strong mobility in sediments. Connolly solvent excluded volume (CSEV), polarizability, cluster count, sum of degrees, and total connectivity were identified as variables for QSPR. In single adsorption, estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), ethinylestradiol (EE2), estriol (E3), and bisphenol A (BPA) were dominated by cluster count (59.87%) and sum of degrees (−38.59%), with more roles attributed to adsorption by polarizability (70.52%) and the interaction of CSEV and polarizability (18.16%). In interference adsorption, E1, EE2, E3, and BPA was dominated by cluster count (−82.79 to 55.13%), the attribution to adsorption by the interactions from polarizability and sum of degrees (−52.06 to 66.51%) was significant for E1, EE2, E3, and BPA, with more contribution indicated for the polarizability (49.02%), sum of degree (−43.14%), and CSEV (−82.11%) to E2. The established QSPR model was helpful to explain the adsorption mechanism of multiple EDCs and organic compounds, such as pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, during the adsorption progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the role of genetic polymorphisms in candidate genes associated with the HPA axis and their interactions with environmental stressors in antidepressant response. Methods The remission of depressive symptoms after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment was tested against 21 single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) in five candidate genes associated with the HPA axis in a Chinese Han sample suffering from unipolar depression (n = 273). Any history of childhood trauma and recent negative life events were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form ( CTQ- SF) (n = 206) and the Life Event Scale (48 item, LES) (n = 207), respectively. Reporter gene assays were used to evaluate the possible effects of the most significant SNP on gene expression. Results A functional polymorphism at 3′ UTR of the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 ( CRHR1) gene (rs28364032) and three haplotypes containing it showed significant relationships with antidepressant remission. Further laboratory-based genomic studies showed that the G-to-A change of rs28364032 resulted in a 10-12% decrease in the intensity of luciferase activity. However, we failed to find association of environments and their interaction with HPA system-related genes with antidepressant remission. Conclusions Our results support a definite role for CRHR1 in the pharmacogenetics of antidepressant drugs. This may contribute to interpatient differences in their responses to antidepressant drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is a complex and well recognized autoimmune disorder. Careful monitoring/surveillance of thyroid gland functioning and active treatment of SLE patients with coexisting AITD, typically using medications, are critically important. The role of apheresis in this setting remains to be fully explored. Here we examine the use of double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of patients with SLE complicated with AITD and report our experiences using this apheresis methodology. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 11 patients with SLE complicated with AITD who had received DFPP in our blood purification center between 2004 and 2008. Levels of thyroid hormones, antithyroid autoantibodies, SLE disease activity, proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and response to therapy were analyzed. Results: AITD, SLE, and lupus nephritis improved after DFPP. Except for one patient who died of severe pneumonia in the second month after completion of DFPP, all surviving patients continued to show clinical improvements or remained stable during the follow-up periods. Conclusion: DFPP can effectively remove autoantibodies and may have an important adjuvant role in therapeutic options in the treatment of SLE patients with AITD complications. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA) copolymers are a kind of biocompatible and biodegradable materials being widely used in tissue engineering. However, phase separation had not been reported successfully in fabricating these amorphous polymers into nanofibrous matrix, although this technique had shown advantages over electrospinning in producing a nanofiber network. In this study, tetrahydrofuran (THF)/HO solvent pairs were found suitable solvents to induce the formation of uniform PLGA gel at selected gelation temperatures. The results indicated that fine nanofibrous structures with fiber diameter around 40-60 nm could be obtained following the steps of gel formation, solvent extraction, and freeze-drying, by controlling the concentration of PLGA/THF/HO solution, THF/HO ratio, and gelation temperature. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O. horridus is used as a folk medicine by natives in the Northern Pacific coast of North America. This experiment studied the antiproliferative effects of the extract of O. horridus root bark and its fractions chromatographed from Dianion HP20 resin column with water, 30, 50, 70 and 100% ethanol on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. The role of O. horridus in the cell cycle and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells was also investigated. The results showed that the 70% and 100% ethanol fractions demonstrated more potent antiproliferative effects than the total extract on both cell lines. The antiproliferative effects may result from the enrichment of active constituents detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The IC50 of the total extract, 50, 70, and 100% ethanol fractions for antiproliferation on MCF-7 cells were 248.4, 123.1, 44.0, and 31.5 μg/mL, respectively, and on NSCLC cells were 125.3, 271.1, 17.6, and 23.2 μg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, the water and 30% ethanol fractions significantly promoted cell proliferation on MCF-7 cells at concentrations > 100 μg/mL, suggesting that the hydrophilic fractions should be removed from the extract when used for cancer chemoprevention in order to achieve desirable activities. The effects of the total extract on cell cycle and apoptosis were similar to that of the 100% ethanol fraction because of the similarity of their chemical composition. At higher concentrations, the apoptotic effects of the 70% ethanol fraction are more significant. Data from this study suggested that the 70% and 100% ethanol fractions are active antiproliferative fractions and that induction of apoptosis is the mechanism involved in the antiproliferative effect observed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. The disease is characterized by typical spiking fever with evanescent rash, sore throat, polyarthralgias or polyarthritis, and involvement of various organs. Most of the reported cases with liver involvement occurred during the period of treatment with hepatotoxic drugs, whereas AOSD associated autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is extremely rare. AIH may be an indicator of the poor prognosis of AOSD. Herein we describe a case of successful treatment with plasma exchange for AOSD-associated AIH. J. Clin. Apheresis 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Diatoms are a group of highly abundant and diverse aquatic algae species. They contain high lipid content along with many bioactive compounds that can be exploited for biotechnological applications. Despite these attractive attributes, diatoms are underrepresented in production projects due to difficulties in their cultivation. To optimize the growth of three freshwater diatom isolates, Cyclotella sp., Synedra sp. and Navicula sp., an orthogonal assay on N, P, Si and Fe, as well as temperature and p H, was designed using traditional single-factor tests. We also studied the effect of using nanosilica as an alternate Si source on growth and found that the diatom isolates studied achieved their highest growth rates under different combinations of nutrient and environmental conditions. Silica had the greatest influence on growth, followed by phosphate and iron. The optimized growth conditions for Synedra sp. were N: 30 mg L−1, P: 3 mg L−1, Si: 14.8 mg L−1, Fe: 0.448 mg L−1, temperature 25°C and p H 8. For Navicula sp.: N: 20 mg L−1, P: 2.5 mg L−1, Si: 19.7 mg L−1, Fe: 0.112 mg L−1, temperature 30°C and p H 7.5-8. For Cyclotella sp.: N: 20 mg L−1, P: 2.5 mg L−1, Si: 19.7 mg L−1, Fe: 0.448 mg L−1, temperature 30°C and p H 7.5-8. Nano silica negatively affected growth in Navicula sp. and Cyclotella sp., but no such effect was observed in Synedra sp. Fatty acid profiling showed C16:0, C16:1( n − 7), C18:0 and C20:5( n − 3) as major fatty acids, with no significant differences in fatty acid methyl ester profiles between traditional and modified media. This work gives us a new insight into the growth requirements of freshwater diatom species, which are less studied than marine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature and stress characteristic of photonic band gap structure resonant cavities with square and graphite lattice have been studied by finite-difference time-domain method. The results show that the resonant cavities, both square and graphite lattice, have more and more resonant frequency with the cavity enlarging. And the curves between the resonant frequency and stress have better linearity. When the cavity enlarges enough, the curve between resonant frequency and temperature will become sectionalized line from nonlinear curve. Especially, the temperature sensitivity will be descending as the cavity is enlarging. Nevertheless, once some structures are put in the center of the cavity, the temperature sensitivity will be rising fast for this kind of cavity. Obviously, this character is convenient for us to achieve the specification measurement for temperature and stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]