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Long-time partial discharge (PD) is regarded as one of the main reasons for the insulation failure of high-voltage cables. In this work, we report on the application of atmospheric pressure plasma to deposit siloxane film on copper to avoid PDs. The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma is driven by AC power supply, with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), argon, and oxygen mixture as the source gas. The effect of oxygen gas flow rate on the thin film surface morphology, chemical composition, and electrical properties is studied systematically. Our results show that the stability of the plasma deteriorated, when the oxygen flow rate exceeded 10 sccm. The addition of oxygen in the source gas induced a high oxidation level of deposited thin film. The chemical composition of thin film was in the form of SiOx (x = 1.9) with 10 sccm oxygen compared to SiOx (x = 1.2), when deposited in the absence of oxygen. Additionally, the optimal thin film with good stability was obtained with the surface resistivity 1.1 × 1011 Ω, when deposited in the absence of oxygen. The corresponding relative permittivity of the deposited thin film is 2.9. The simulation results demonstrated that the electric field distortion was weaken after the film deposition, which reduced the probability of PD to occur.

Changes in air temperatures from 1970 to 2013 due to climate change in the Northern regions can have a serious effect on the construction and use of ice roads. The construction of ice roads in the early winter season is dependent on the ability of the area weather to freeze a working surface for the use of heavy equipment. A safe thickness of frozen ground and/or floating ice sheet is required. Late winter season weather governs the last date that the ice road system can be used. This paper uses weather patterns over the 43 year period from 1970 to 2013 to determine trends that may be present in the geographical areas of Prudhoe Bay (USA), the Mackenzie Delta (Canada) and the Yamal Peninsula (Russia). In addition, the effect of these changes in the weather on ice construction procedures in these three geographical locations are discussed and summarized.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit unique optical, electronic and catalytic properties that allow their potential application in many areas. The performance of the nanoparticles depends closely on their size distribution. One of the recent developments of the synthesis of AuNPs involves the utilization of atmospheric pressure microplasmas. This approach quickly attracted much attention due to its low cost and high throughput. Yet, there is still a certain degree of difficulty to control the nanoparticles size effectively.

Hyperthermia using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) has attracted increasing attentions due to the encouraging antitumor effect. Intracellular hyperthermia is more valid to cancer therapy, which demands that more nanoparticles are located inside the cell. However, previous intracellular hyperthermia should develop special materials with the aim to improve adsorption and accumulation of magnetic materials into the tumor cells, such as magnetite cationic liposomes1. But there is a certain degree of difficulty in the design and production of the magnetic materials. Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) has been reported as a novel technique to create large transmembrane potentials across membranes2 and nanopores in plasma membranes as well as in intracellular membranes3, which may be a new approach to make easy-to-synthesized nanoparticles incorporated into the cell.

Salivary glands, a major component of the mucosal immune system, confer antigen-specific immunity to mucosally acquired pathogens. We investigated whether a physiological route of inoculation and a subunit vaccine approach elicited MCMV-specific and protective immunity. Mice were inoculated by retrograde perfusion of the submandibular salivary glands via Wharton's duct with tcMCMV or MCMV proteins focused to the salivary gland via replication-deficient adenovirus expressing individual MCMV genes (gB, gH, IE1; controls: saline and replication deficient adenovirus without MCMV inserts). Mice were evaluated for MCMV-specific antibodies, T-cell responses, germinal center formation, and protection against a lethal MCMV challenge. Retrograde perfusion with tcMCMV or adenovirus expressed MCMV proteins induced a 2- to 6-fold increase in systemic and mucosal MCMV-specific antibodies, a 3- to 6-fold increase in GC marker expression, and protection against a lethal systemic challenge, as evidenced by up to 80% increased survival, decreased splenic pathology, and decreased viral titers from 106 pfu to undetectable levels. Thus, a focused salivary gland immunization via a physiological route with a protein antigen induced systemic and mucosal protective immune responses. Therefore, salivary gland immunization can serve as an alternative mucosal route for administering vaccines, which is directly applicable for use in humans.—Liu, G., Zhang, F., Wang, R., London, L., London, S. D. Protective MCMV immunity by vaccination of the salivary gland via Wharton's duct: replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus expressing individual MCMV genes elicits protection similar to that of MCMV.

Y chromosome abnormalities are frequently associated with male infertility. Men with ring Y chromosomes can present with sexual infantilism, ambiguous genitalia, hypospadias, or azoospermia. AZF microdeletions can result in spermatogenic defects in such patients. Here, we report an unusual karyotype of 45,X/46,X,r(Y)/46,X,dic r(Y) in an azoospermic man. However, the reason for this patient's azoospermia is not an AZF microdeletion but might be the abnormal structure of the r(Y) chromosome, the 45,X cell line, mosaicism of the 3 cell lines, or another unknown cause. In such cases, if the couple wishes to reproduce, cytogenetic, molecular and fluorescent in situ hybridization evaluations should be performed, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis should be used together with assisted reproductive technology.

Summary Azoospermia factor (AZF) microdeletions are the most frequent genetic cause of male infertility after Klinefelter's syndrome. Although some assisted reproductive techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) have been successfully introduced to clinical treatment for infertile males, the AZF microdeletions might be transmitted from infertile fathers to their male offspring during these procedures. Thus, it is important to carefully evaluate AZF microdeletions in infertile males before assisted reproductive techniques are performed. In this article, we aimed to investigate the frequencies of AZF microdeletions in 137 infertile males with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia from Jilin province of China and analyse the relationship between the levels of reproductive hormones and AZF microdeletions. Result analysis showed that AZF microdeletions were present in 8 (8.70%) azoospermic males and 3 (6.67%) severely oligozoospermic males. The most frequent microdeletions were detected in the AZFc region, followed by AZFb + c, AZFb and AZFa. And there was no significant correlation between the AZF microdeletion and the levels of reproductive hormones. These findings reinforce the necessity of AZF microdeletion testing among infertile males prior to employment of assisted reproduction techniques in Jilin province of China.

Knowledge of genes influencing longitudinal patterns may offer information about predicting disease progression. We developed a systematic procedure for testing association between SNP genotypes and longitudinal phenotypes. We evaluated false positive rates and statistical power to localize genes for disease progression. We used genome-wide SNP data from the Framingham Heart Study. With longitudinal data from two real studies unrelated to Framingham, we estimated three trajectory curves from each study. We performed simulations by randomly selecting 500 individuals. In each simulation replicate, we assigned each individual to one of the three trajectory groups based on the underlying hypothesis (null or alternative), and generated corresponding longitudinal data. Individual Bayesian posterior probabilities (BPPs) for belonging to a specific trajectory curve were estimated. These BPPs were treated as a quantitative trait and tested (using the Wald test) for genome-wide association. Empirical false positive rates and power were calculated. Our method maintained the expected false positive rate for all simulation models. Also, our method achieved high empirical power for most simulations. Our work presents a method for disease progression gene mapping. This method is potentially clinically significant as it may allow doctors to predict disease progression based on genotype and determine treatment accordingly.

In this paper, an extensible optical access network architecture is proposed on the basis of multiple tangent single-fiber rings. With the proposed architecture, both multistage protections and data aggregation can be realized. Optical line terminal and remote nodes RNs can automatically switch to protection mode to overcome fiber failure occurring in both main ring MR and sub-rings SRs. The RNs, which are designed as tangent points, can realize wavelengths adding and dropping between MR and SRs, and they also can realize the network expansion conveniently and smoothly through adding more wavelengths. So, it is a good selection for next-generation large-scale access networks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can posttranscriptionally regulate gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs. During miRNA biogenesis, the star strand (miRNA*) is generally degraded to a low level in the cells. However, certain miRNA* express abundantly and can be recruited into the silencing complex to regulate gene expression. Most miRNAs function as suppressive regulators on gene expression. Group B coxsackieviruses (CVB) are the major pathogens of human viral myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. CVB genome is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA. Our previous study shows that miR-342-5p can suppress CVB biogenesis by targeting its 2C-coding sequence. In this study, we found that the miR-10a duplex could significantly up-regulate the biosynthesis of CVB type 3 (CVB3). Further study showed that it was the miR-10a star strand (miR-10a*) that augmented CVB3 biosynthesis. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that the miR-10a* target was located in the nt6818–nt6941 sequence of the viral 3D-coding region. MiR-10a* was detectable in the cardiac tissues of suckling Balb/c mice, suggesting that miR-10a* may impact CVB3 replication during its cardiac infection. Taken together, these data for the first time show that miRNA* can positively modulate gene expression. MiR-10a* might be involved in the CVB3 cardiac pathogenesis.

Due to the retreat of sea ice coverage in the Arctic Ocean, increasing wave intensity is becoming a significant concern for coastal erosion and offshore operations. In order to better assist environmental protection and human activities in the Arctic, a predictive model is needed for wave conditions in the ice-covered seas. Recently, a continuum viscoelastic model has been developed to describe the wave propagation characteristics in all types of ice cover. However, this model is not ready to be integrated into wave models until sufficient validation and parameterization is completed. In this paper, theoretical results are presented to demonstrate the complexity of the problem. Additional study needed to complete the theoretical model is discussed. A conceptual experiment is described as a validation and parameterization plan.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by diffuse alveolar damage usually secondary to an intense host inflammatory response of the lung to a pulmonary or extrapulmonary infectious or non-infectious insult often leading to the development of intra-alveolar and interstitial fibrosis. Curcumin, the principal curcumoid of the popular Indian spice turmeric, has been demonstrated as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in a broad spectrum of diseases. Using our well-established model of reovirus 1/L-induced acute viral pneumonia, which displays many of the characteristics of the human ALI/ARDS, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of curcumin. Female CBA/J mice were treated with curcumin (50 mg/kg) 5 days prior to intranasal inoculation with 10(7)pfu reovirus 1/L and daily, thereafter. Mice were evaluated for key features associated with ALI/ARDS. Administration of curcumin significantly modulated inflammation and fibrosis, as revealed by histological and biochemical analysis. The expression of IL-6, IL-10, IFNγ, and MCP-1, key chemokines/cytokines implicated in the development of ALI/ARDS, from both the inflammatory infiltrate and whole lung tissue were modulated by curcumin potentially through a reduction in the phosphorylated form of NFκB p65. While the expression of TGFß1 was not modulated by curcumin, TGFß Receptor II, which is required for TGFß signaling, was significantly reduced. In addition, curcumin also significantly inhibited the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and Tenascin-C, key markers of myofibroblast activation. This data strongly supports a role for curcumin in modulating the pathogenesis of viral-induced ALI/ARDS in a pre-clinical model potentially manifested through the alteration of inflammation and myofibroblast differentiation.

Molecular imaging techniques are becoming increasingly important in biomedical research and potentially in clinical practice. We present a continuous-terahertz (THz)-wave molecular imaging system for biomedical applications, in which an infrared (IR) laser is integrated into a 0.2-THz reflection-mode continuous-THz-wave imaging system to induce surface plasmon polaritons on the nanoparticles and further improve the intensity of the reflected signal from the water around the nanoparticles. A strong and rapid increment of the reflected THz signal in the nanoparticle solution upon the IR laser irradiation is demonstrated, using either gold or silver nanoparticles. This low-cost, simple, and stable continuous-THz-wave molecular imaging system is suitable for miniaturization and practical imaging applications; in particular, it shows great promise for cancer diagnosis and nanoparticle drug-delivery monitoring.

Using in situ electric-field-modulated anisotropic magnetoresistance measurement, a large reversible and nonvolatile in-plane rotation of magnetic easy axis of ~35° between the positive and negative electrical poling states is demonstrated in Co40Fe40B20/(001)-cut Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.25PbTiO3 (PMN-PT). The specific magnetoelectric coupling mechanism therein is experimentally verified to be related to the synchronous in-plane strain rotation induced by 109° ferroelastic domain switching in the (001)-cut PMN-PT substrate.

We investigated whether the presence of Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) microdeletions impacts upon the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using fresh ejaculated spermatozoa. Sixteen oligozoospermia patients with Y chromosome AZFb or AZFc microdeletions and undergoing ICSI cycles between March 2013 and November 2014 were studied. Twenty-six infertile men with normal Y chromosomes and also undergoing IVF/ICSI in the same time period were used as controls. A retrospective case-control study approach was used. Among the 16 cases, 12 (75%, 12/16) had deletions of AZFc markers (sY152, sY254 and sY255), one (6.25%, 1/16) had a deletion of sY152, and two (12.5%, 2/16) had deletions of sY152, sY254, sY255 and sY157. AZFb microdeletions were found in one patient (6.25%, 1/16). There were no significant differences between groups for cleaved embryo rate, high-grade embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and delivery rate. The clinical outcomes of ICSI for oligozoospermic patients with Y chromosome AZF microdeletion are comparable to those of infertile patients with normal Y chromosomes. Our findings indicate that ICSI should be offered to patients with an AZFc deletion and that oligozoospermia patients with AZFb microdeletions are likely to father children.

TPS4140Background: Tumors can hijack the PD-1 pathway to suppress immune control. Overexpression of the PD-1 ligand PD-L1 in esophageal cancer may be associated with a poor prognosis. Pembrolizumab (pembro) is a monoclonal antibody that can reinstate the antitumor autoimmune response by blocking the PD-1–ligand interaction. It demonstrated antitumor activity (ORR, 30.4%; DOR, 40 weeks) and was well tolerated in patients with PD-L1+advanced esophageal cancer (phase 1b KEYNOTE-028). The open-label, randomized, phase 3 KEYNOTE-181 trial (NCT02564263) will compare the tumor response to pembro relative to single-agent chemotherapy in previously treated advanced/metastatic (a/m) esophageal cancer. Methods: Key eligibility criteria include age ≥ 18 years, a/m adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus or Siewert type I adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), measurable disease, documented PD during/after first-line therapy, ECOG PS 0-1, no active autoimmune disease or CNS metastases...

Coxsackievirus B (CVB) belongs to Enterovirus genus within the Picornaviridae family, and it is one of the most common causative pathogens of viral myocarditis in young adults. The pathogenesis of myocarditis caused by CVB has not been completely elucidated. In CVB infection, autophagy is manipulated to facilitate viral replication. Here we report that protein 2B, one of the non-structural proteins of CVB3, possesses autophagy-inducing capability. The autophagy-inducing motif of protein 2B was identified by the generation of truncated 2B and site-directed mutagenesis. The expression of 2B alone was sufficient to induce the formation of autophagosomes in HeLa cells, while truncated 2B containing the two hydrophobic regions of the protein also induced autophagy. In addition, we demonstrated that a single amino acid substitution (56V→A) in the stem loop in between the two hydrophobic regions of protein 2B abolished the formation of autophagosomes. Moreover, we found that 2B and truncated 2B with autophagy-inducting capability were co-localized with LC3-II. This study indicates that protein 2B relies on its transmembrane hydrophobic regions to induce the formation of autophagosomes, while 56 valine residue in the stem loop of protein 2B might exert critical structural influence on its two hydrophobic regions. These results may provide new insight for understanding the molecular mechanism of autophagy triggered by CVB infection.

The crystalline phases and domain configuration in the morphotropic phase boundary composition Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.34PbTiO3 (PMN-0.34PT) single crystal have been investigated by synchrotron-based X-ray 3D Reciprocal Space Mapping (3D-RSM) and Piezoresponse Force Microscopy. The coexistence of tetragonal (T) and monoclinic MC phases in this PMN-0.34PT single crystal is confirmed. The affiliation of each diffraction spot in the 3D-RSM was identified with the assistance of qualitative simulation. Most importantly, the twinning structure between different domains in such a mixed phase PMN-PT crystal is firmly clarified, and the spatial distribution of different twin domains is demonstrated. In addition, the lattice parameters of T and MC phases in PMN-0.34PT single crystal as well as the tilting angles of crystal lattices caused by the interfacial lattice mismatch are determined.

We present a novel contrast-enhanced continuous-terahertz-wave imaging modality based on magnetic induction heating of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs), which yields a highly sensitive increment in the reflection terahertz (THz) signal in SPIO solution upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field. In the differential and relative refection change focal-plane images before and after alternating magnetic field exposure, a dramatic contrast is demonstrated between water with and without SPIOs. This low-cost, simple, and stable contrast-enhanced continuous-THz-wave imaging system is suitable for miniaturization and real-time imaging application.

TPS787 Background: A subset of advanced colorectal cancers (CRC) is characterized by mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency leading to a microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) phenotype, which is characterized by a high mutational burden and lymphocytic infiltrates. Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal anti–PD-1 antibody designed to block the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. In the phase II KEYNOTE-016 study, pembrolizumab provided an ORR of 62% in patients (pts) with progressive MMR-deficient metastatic CRC vs 0% in pts with MMR-proficient CRC. The multicenter, phase II KEYNOTE-164 trial (NCT02460198) will evaluate the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in pts with previously treated, advanced MSI-H CRC. Methods: Key eligibility criteria include age ≥ 18 y; advanced CRC; MSI-H phenotype evidenced by ≥ 2 allelic shifts using a PCR-based assay or lack of expression of ≥ 1 MMR protein (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) by IHC; prior treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, bevacizumab, and, if KRAS and NRAS wild type, cetuximab or panitumumab; ECOG PS 0-1; no active autoimmune disease or brain metastases; and no prior anticancer therapy within 2 wk of study treatment. Pembrolizumab 200 mg Q3W will be administered for 35 cycles or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, pt withdrawal, or investigator decision. Clinically stable pts with RECIST-defined progression may continue pembrolizumab until a scan performed ≥ 4 wk later confirms progression. Pts who complete all 35 cycles or who discontinue pembrolizumab following a complete response and experience progression may be eligible for 1 y of pembrolizumab retreatment. Response will be evaluated every 9 wk per RECIST v1.1 by central review and per RECIST adapted for immunotherapy response patterns. AEs will be assessed throughout treatment and for 30 d thereafter (up to 90 d for serious AEs) and graded per NCI CTCAE v4.0. Pts will be followed for survival every 2 mo. ORR per RECIST v1.1 by central review is the primary end point; secondary end points include PFS, OS, disease control rate, and duration of response. Enrollment is ongoing and will continue until ~60 pts have enrolled. Clinical trial information: NCT02460198.

A single needle-electrode plasma jet driven by a home-made microsecond pulse power supply is studied. The electrical characteristics and optical emissions of the plasma jets driven by positive- and negative-polarity pulses are compared. With the same magnitude of applied voltage, the plasma jet driven by positive pulses shows a higher discharge current, a higher optical emission intensity and travels to a longer distance. The temporal-spatially resolved He (706.5 nm), N2 (337.1 nm) and (391.4 nm) emissions behave differently in the plasma jets driven by different polarity pulses: They appear to be discrete emission packets in the positive plasma jet, but continuous emission in the negative plasma jet (under the time resolution in this study). The emission front propagates at a faster speed in the positive plasma jet than in the negative plasma jet. The different behavior of the plasma jets is attributed to the electric field distribution under different polarity pulses.

A direct-current, atmospheric-pressure air cold plasma microjet (PMJ) was applied to disinfect Salmonella directly deposited on fresh fruit and vegetable slices. Effective inactivation was achieved on sliced fruit and vegetables after 1 s plasma treatment. The physiochemical properties of the slices, such as water content, color parameters, and nutritional content were monitored before and after plasma treatment. It was found that the physiochemical properties changes caused by the plasma were within an acceptable range. Reactive oxygen species, which are believed to be the major bactericidal agents in the plasma, were detected by electron spin resonance spectroscopy and optical emission spectroscopy.

Cytogenetic anomalies are an important cause of male infertility. The rate of chromosomal rearrangement ranges from 10–15 % in azoospermic males [1, 2]. Y;autosome translocations can be found in both fertile and sterile males, depending on the Y chromosome breakpoint and/or the autosome involved [3, 4]. It is generally assumed that fertile males have a Y chromosome breakpoint at Yq12, the genetically inert heterochromatic block, whereas the Y chromosome breakpoint in sterile males is in the distal Yq11 euchromatic region that contains the azoospermia factor (AZF) locus [5]. To date, there have been only five cases reported of a balanced reciprocal (Y;16) translocation associated with male infertility. Here, we present molecular and cytogenetic characterization of a de novo Y;16 translocation with breakpoints at Yp11 and 16q11 in an adult azoospermic male.

Summary form only given. A direct current atmospheric pressure cold plasma jet was used to inactivate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) suspended in a liquid. Three types of gases, pure argon (99.999%), argon with 2% oxygen, and argon with 2% oxygen and 10% nitrogen were used as operating gases respectively. The inactivation efficacies for the plasma jets operating in the three gases decrease from Ar/O 2 (2%) to Ar/O 2 (2%)/N2(10%) to pure Ar. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES), electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) were employed to identify and monitor the reactive species in the plasma-liquid system for the three operating gases and revealed the presence of O, 1O 2 , OH, NO, H 2 O 2 , O 3 , and NO 3 −/NO 2 − as well as Cu (Cu+/Cu2+). The S. aureus inactivation results indicate that atomic oxygen is the key inactivation agent here, while other species play a lesser role in the inactivation progress studied here.

Summary form only given. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry is the most direct and sensitive method for detecting certain reactive oxygen species (ROS)1. By ESR diagnosis, plasma-water reactions can be elucidated, which is meaningful for guiding its clinical application.

A novel sensing system has been designed for Cu(2+) ion detection based on the quenched fluorescence (FL) signal of branched poly(ethylenimine) (BPEI)-functionalized carbon quantum dots (CQDs). Cu(2+) ions can be captured by the amino groups of the BPEI-CQDs to form an absorbent complex at the surface of CQDs, resulting in a strong quenching of the CQDs' FL via an inner filter effect. Herein, we have demonstrated that this facile methodology can offer a rapid, reliable, and selective detection of Cu(2+) with a detection limit as low as 6 nM and a dynamic range from 10 to 1100 nM. Furthermore, the detection results for Cu(2+) ions in a river water sample obtained by this sensing system agreed well with that by inductively couple plasma mass spectrometry, suggesting the potential application of this sensing system.

We investigated the frequency and types of Y-chromosome microdeletions and chromosomal anomalies in non-obstructive azoospermic and severely oligozoospermic infertile males in northeastern China. The sample consisted of 519 infertile males (456 azoospermic, 63 severely oligozoospermic). PCR assays for Y-chromosome microdeletions and chromosome analysis were performed on all patients and controls. Array-comparative genomic hybridization was performed for three patients with chromosomal anomalies. Fifty-nine of 519 patients (11.37%) had Y-chromosome microdeletions. Microdeletions were found in 11.18% (51/456) of the non-obstructive azoospermic patients and in 12.7% (8/63) of the severely oligozoospermic patients. Eleven of 51 non-obstructive azoospermic patients with Y-chromosome microdeletions had multiple segmental deletions in the AZFb+c regions; four of these patients had chromosomal anomalies. Our sample from northeastern China had a higher frequency of microdeletions among severely oligozoospermic than among non-obstructive azoospermic males.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. Elevated expression of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been found in patients suffering from breast cancer. We previously obtained a high-affinity bFGF-binding peptide (named P7) from a phage-display random heptapeptide library. In this study, we show that P7 peptides significantly inhibits the proliferation of the bFGF-stimulated MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Additional experiments revealed that the mechanisms of the P7 peptide inhibition of the cell proliferation of breast cancer cells stimulated with bFGF in vitro involved cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, blockade of the activation of Erk and P38 cascades and the upregulation of the expression of the growth inhibitor, proliferation-associated protein 2G4. These results suggest that the bFGF-binding peptide may have therapeutic potential in breast cancer therapy.

Although it has been known that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is involved in tumor progression, few studies addressed the role of bFGF in hematopoietic system malignancies including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). An elevated level of bFGF was recently found in CML patients, and bFGF was considered to play an important role in stimulating the growth of leukemia cells. Suppression of the mitogenic activity of bFGF may contribute to CML therapy. We have previously obtained a novel bFGF-binding peptide (named P7) with strong inhibitory activity against bFGF-induced cell proliferation. In this study, we investigated the effects of P7 on the proliferation of K562 cells derived from CML. The results demonstrated that P7 inhibited bFGF-stimulated proliferation, arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, repressed the activation of MAP kinase, reversed the effects of bFGF on cell membrane ultrastructure, and caused significant changes in the expression of proteins related to proliferation. Our results suggested that the bFGF-binding peptide may have a potential antitumor effect on CML from the point of view of targeting bFGF.

To detect the frequency and types of chromosomal anomalies with non-obstructive azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia in Northeast China, and to compare the frequencies with other regions of China and the world. To investigate the general characteristics of this population.Eighty-one men with non-obstructive azoospermia and 54 men with severe oligozoospermia were recruited. Karyotype analyses were performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes using standard G-banding. Measurements of follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, prolactin, and inhibin B were obtained.The frequency of chromosomal anomalies for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (17.28%) was comparable with studies from Europe, Africa, Asia, and other regions of China. However, the frequency for patients with severe oligozoospermia (9.26%) was slightly higher than reported from other Asian countries. The infertile men were more likely than the fertile to smoke and consume alcohol, and to have significantly lower levels of inhibin B.For infertile men in Northeast China, chromosome analysis is a necessary part of routine genetic testing, and the contributing effects of high smoking and alcohol consumption rates of this population should be discussed during genetic counseling.

S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), one of the water-soluble organosulfur garlic derivatives, has been demonstrated as a suppressive agent against some tumors. The effects of SAMC on the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) under in vitro and in vivo conditions were evaluated here. The viabilities and migrations of CRC cells SW480, SW620, Caco-2 treated with SAMC were measured by MTT, scratch-wound, and transwell assays. The in vivo anticancer effect of SAMC against luciferase-expressing SW620 xenografts in mice was determined by bioluminescence imaging and histopathology observation. The apoptosis of SAMC-treated CRC cells was examined by Western blotting. The results demonstrate that SAMC could effectively suppress the growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro. The anticancer effect of SAMC was related to the decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis as well as necrosis of cancer cells. Oral administration of SAMC in the quantity/concentration used had no apparent toxic side effect on the vital organs of the experimental mice. Taken together, the proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells can be significantly suppressed by SAMC treatment under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. SAMC may thus be a promising candidate for CRC chemotherapy.

Despite the emergence of the pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus in 2009, seasonal H3N2 viruses continue to co-circulate in the population, and may even predominate in the coming influenza season. We describe a specific minor groove binder Taqman assay for H3N2 viruses with a detection limit of 16.5 standard DNA copies.

[1] A viscoelastic model is proposed to describe the propagation of gravity waves into various types of ice cover. The ice-ocean system is modeled as a homogeneous viscoelastic fluid overlying an inviscid layer. Both layers have finite thickness. The viscosity is imagined to originate from the frazil ice or ice floes much smaller than the wavelength, and the elasticity from ice floes which are relatively large compared to the wavelength. A compact form of the dispersion relation is obtained. Under proper limiting conditions this dispersion relation can be reduced to several previously established models including the mass loading model, the viscous layer model and the thin elastic plate model. The full dispersion relation contains several propagating wave modes under the ice cover. The following two criteria are used to select the dominant wave mode: (1) wave number is the closest to the open water value and (2) attenuation rate is the least among all modes. The modes selected from those criteria coincide with the ones discussed in previous studies, which are shown to be limiting cases in small or large elasticity regimes of the present model. In the intermediate elasticity regime, however, it appears that there are three wave modes with similar wavelengths and attenuation rates. Implications of this intermediate elasticity range remain to be seen. The general viscoelastic model bridges the gap among existing models. It also provides a unified tool for wave-ice modelers to parameterize the polar regions populated with various types of ice cover.

Dermatophytes are the most common aetiological agents, which invade into keratinized tissues (skin, hair, nails) of humans and animals causing dermatophytosis (also known as ringworm or tinea). Swimming pools, fitness centers, barber shops, beauty parlors, saunas and steam baths are common places to pick up superficial fungal infections. Mycotic infections have become more important because of their tendency for chronic progression and the tendency of deep-site or systemic infection. The presence of non-albican species, which are resistant to normal antifungal agents, has been raising in recent years, for -among other reasons- the frequent prophylactic use of antifungal chemicals.

Summary form only given. Aqueous environments are susceptible to contamination by bacteria, protozoa and viruses, which are the root cause of various illnesses. These contaminations are usually treated by chemical methods. Recently, attempts have been made to inactivate bacteria in water with non-thermal plasmas using various approaches, e.g., a pulsed streamer discharge plasma or a gliding arc discharge plasma. A direct-current, cold, atmospheric-pressure He/O2 plasma microjet (PMJ) sustained in a quasi-steady gas cavity in the liquid phase was used here to inactivate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, suspended in a liquid). Effective inactivation (>98%) was achieved within the first 6 minutes of the PMJ treatment. The inactivation of the bacteria was verified by surface morphology examination (SEM) and by a LIVE/DEAD Baclight bacterial viability test (fluorescence microscopy). The overall pH and temperature of the liquid were observed to change from 7.5 to 6.2 and from 22°C to 30°C, respectively. A high concentration of OH was detected in the liquid by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. End-on optical emission spectroscopy showed strong oxygen emission from the water.

Recently, a few attempts have been reported to inactivate bacteria in aqueous environments. Although effective inactivation of bacteria in their vegetative state (suspended in water) by non-thermal plasmas in or near the water has been reported, few studies have observed effective inactivation of bacterial spores.

Formocresol and calcium hydroxide are commonly used as the clinical disinfectant of root canals. Although they have strong chemical disinfection properties, their cytotoxic effects have always been a concern. E. faecalis, which is responsible for root canal failure, can also cause life-threatening infections in humans, especially in the nosocomial (hospital) environment, where naturally high levels of antibiotic-resistance towards E. faecalis are found and contribute to its pathogenicity.

Molecular-based techniques for detecting influenza viruses have become an integral component of human and animal surveillance programs in the last two decades. The recent pandemic of the swine-origin influenza A virus (H1N1) and the continuing circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H5N1) further stress the need for rapid and accurate identification and subtyping of influenza viruses for surveillance, outbreak management, diagnosis and treatment. There has been remarkable progress on the detection and molecular characterization of influenza virus infections in clinical, mammalian, domestic poultry and wild bird samples in recent years. The application of these techniques, including reverse transcriptase-PCR, real-time PCR, microarrays and other nucleic acid sequencing-based amplifications, have greatly enhanced the capability for surveillance and characterization of influenza viruses.

To investigate the frequencies of AZF microdeletions and chromosomal abnormalities in infertile men from Northeastern China. Moreover, to compare the prevalence of these abnormalities with other countries and regions in the world.305 infertile men were enrolled. A complete semen analysis and reproductive hormones were measured according to standard methods. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using nine specific sequence-tagged sites (STS) were used to detect AZF microdeletions. Karyotype analyses were performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes with standard G-banding.Of the 305 infertile men, 28 (9.2%) had AZF microdeletions and 26 (8.5%) had chromosomal abnormalities. The most frequent microdeletions were in the AZFc+d, followed by AZFc, AZFb+c+d and AZFa. A total of 19 patients (82.6%) had Klinefelter's syndrome (47, XXY) in the azoospermic group.The freqencies of AZF microdeletions and chromosomal abnormalities in infertile men from Northeastern China were comparable with infertile men from other countries and regions. However, there was a slightly higher prevalence rate of AZF microdeletions in oligozoospermic patients than reported in previous studies.