Search

The dynamic geological and climatological history of Southeast Asia has spawned a complex array of ecosystems and 12 of the 37 known cat species, making it the most felid-rich region in the world. To examine the evolutionary histories of these poorly studied fauna, we compared phylogeography of six species (leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis, fishing cat P. viverrinus, Asiatic golden cat Pardofelis temminckii, marbled cat P. marmorata, tiger Panthera tigris and leopard P. pardus) by sequencing over 5 kb of DNA each from 445 specimens at multiple loci of mtDNA, Y and X chromosomes. All species except the leopard displayed significant phylogenetic partitions between Indochina and Sundaland, with the central Thai-Malay Peninsula serving as the biogeographic boundary. Concordant mtDNA and nuclear DNA genealogies revealed deep Indochinese-Sundaic divergences around 2 MYA in both P. bengalensis and P. marmorata comparable to previously described interspecific distances within Felidae. The divergence coincided with serial sea level rises during the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene, and was probably reinforced by repeated isolation events associated with environmental changes throughout the Pleistocene. Indochinese-Sundaic differentiations within P. tigris and P. temminckii were more recent at 72-108 and 250-1570 kya, respectively. Overall, these results illuminate unexpected, deep vicariance events in Southeast Asian felids and provide compelling evidence of species-level distinction between the Indochinese and Sundaic populations in the leopard cat and marbled cat. Broader sampling and further molecular and morphometric analyses of these species will be instrumental in defining conservation units and effectively preserving Southeast Asian biodiversity., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Premna microphylla turcz leaves (PMTL) have been used for preparing a "green tofu" by Chinese for a long history. Chemical composition analysis indicated alcohol insoluble solids (AIS) of PMTL contained high amount of pectin. Water, ammonium oxalate, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide were used to extract different pectic fractions sequentially. Ammonium oxalate was found to be the most effective extracting agent, reflecting on a high yield (20.61%) and a significant change of morphology of AIS. The resulted oxalate-soluble pectin (OXSP) showed high galacturonic acid content (76.15%) and average molecular weight (980.67kDa), low neutral sugar content (6.41%) and degree of methoxylation (14.90%). All of the characteristics have contributed excellent gelling and thickening properties of OXSP. These results may allow an improved use of PMTL as a resource of low-methoxyl pectin, and observation of the morphology of residues can be helpful for evaluating the efficiency of extracting agents., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Myocardial necrosis occurs frequently in elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and is associated with subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). This study assessed the protective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in patients undergoing successful drug-eluting stent implantation with normal baseline troponin values., Methods: We analyzed 205 participants with normal baseline troponin values undergoing successful coronary stent implantation. Subjects were randomized to 2 groups: The RIPC group (n = 101), whose members received RIPC (created by three 5-minute inflations of a pneumatic medical tourniquet cuff to 200 mm Hg around the upper arm, interspersed with 5-minute intervals of reperfusion) < 2 hours before the PCI procedure, and the control group (n = 104)., Results: The primary outcomes were high sensitive cardiac troponin I (hscTnI) levels and incidence of myocardial infarction (MI 4a, defined as hscTnI > 0.20 ng/mL) at 16 hours after the PCI procedure. The median hscTnI at 16 hours after PCI was lower in the RIPC group compared with the unpreconditioned, control group (0.11 vs 0.21 ng/mL; P < 0.01). The incidence of MI 4a was lower in the RIPC group compared with the control group (39% vs 54%, P < 0.05). Index of renal function showed no difference between the 2 groups at 16 hours after PCI (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: RIPC reduced post-PCI TnI release and incidence of MI 4a in patients undergoing elective coronary stent implantation., (Copyright © 2013 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The white tiger, an elusive Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) variant with white fur and dark stripes, has fascinated humans for centuries ever since its discovery in the jungles of India. Many white tigers in captivity are inbred in order to maintain this autosomal recessive trait and consequently suffer some health problems, leading to the controversial speculation that the white tiger mutation is perhaps a genetic defect. However, the genetic basis of this phenotype remains unknown. Here, we conducted genome-wide association mapping with restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) in a pedigree of 16 captive tigers segregating at the putative white locus, followed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of the three parents. Validation in 130 unrelated tigers identified the causative mutation to be an amino acid change (A477V) in the transporter protein SLC45A2. Three-dimensional homology modeling suggests that the substitution may partially block the transporter channel cavity and thus affect melanogenesis. We demonstrate the feasibility of combining RAD-seq and WGS to rapidly map exotic variants in nonmodel organisms. Our results identify the basis of the longstanding white tiger mystery as the same gene underlying color variation in human, horse, and chicken and highlight its significance as part of the species' natural polymorphism that is viable in the wild., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals and humans with a worldwide distribution. Bats are reservoirs for an increasing number of emerging zoonotic viruses, such as henipaviruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). However, little is known of T. gondii infection in bats. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in bats in China. A total of 217 serum samples from 5 species of bats were collected between April, 2010, and August, 2011, from 4 provinces in China. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined using the modified agglutination test (MAT, 1:25 or higher). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 26.5% (18/68) Megaderma lyra, 13.6% (12/88) Rousettus leschenaulti, 13.6% (3/22) Cynopterus sphinx, 20% (4/20) Vespertilio superaus, and 15.8% (3/19) Pipistrellus javanicus. Antibody titers ranged from 1:25 to 1:400, with titers of 1:200 detected in 4 of the 5 bat species. The present study suggests the likely occurrence of T. gondii infection in bats in China, and these bats are new putative hosts for T. gondii, which may pose a threat to human health.

Bovine β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) was conjugated with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) by Maillard reaction to investigate the relationship among antigenicity, functional properties, and conformational changes of β-LG. When comparing the antigenicity of β-LG conjugated with FOS at different ratios, the lowest antigenicity of β-LG was observed at a ratio of 1:4, which was about 7 times lower than that of the control β-LG. Thus, the ratio of 1:4 was chosen to conjugate β-LG with FOS, and the functional properties and conformational changes of β-LG-FOS conjugates were investigated. The functional properties (solubility, emulsifying ability, and emulsion stability) of β-LG were enhanced after conjugation with FOS. Furthermore, the molecular weight of β-LG increased from 18.4 to 19.9 kDa after conjugation with FOS, as evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Partial unfolding of β-LG occurred after conjugation with FOS, as reflected by the quenching of fluorescence, the red-shift of fluorescence spectra, and the increase of β-strands, which may contribute to the decrease in antigenicity and the improvement of functional properties., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Avian chlamydiosis is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci (Cp. psittaci) and major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Cp. psittaci is an excellent vaccine candidate. In this study, the MOMP gene was expressed in rice callus by the Agrobacterium tumefaciens vector. The production of protein in transgenic rice seeds was confirmed and quantified by Western-blot and ELISA, the results demonstrating that the antigen was expressed stably. The transgenic rice seeds expressing the MOMP protein were administered by the oral route to BALB/c mice, which developed MOMP-specific serum IgG and fecal IgA antibodies and a splenocyte MOMP-specific proliferative response and significant levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and TGF-β production. Immunization with MOMP transgenic seeds induced partial protection (50%) against a lethal challenge with the highly virulent Cp. psittaci 6BC strain. Lung function after challenge was less affected compared non-MOMP immunized animals. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using transgenic rice seeds as an oral vaccine to generate protective immunity and reduce the lung lesions in mice against virulent Cp. psittaci 6BC strain. This finding has implications for further development of an oral vaccine against avian chlamydiosis., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Tigers and their close relatives (Panthera) are some of the world's most endangered species. Here we report the de novo assembly of an Amur tiger whole-genome sequence as well as the genomic sequences of a white Bengal tiger, African lion, white African lion and snow leopard. Through comparative genetic analyses of these genomes, we find genetic signatures that may reflect molecular adaptations consistent with the big cats' hypercarnivorous diet and muscle strength. We report a snow leopard-specific genetic determinant in EGLN1 (Met39>Lys39), which is likely to be associated with adaptation to high altitude. We also detect a TYR260G>A mutation likely responsible for the white lion coat colour. Tiger and cat genomes show similar repeat composition and an appreciably conserved synteny. Genomic data from the five big cats provide an invaluable resource for resolving easily identifiable phenotypes evident in very close, but distinct, species.

Objective: To establish and assess the high-birth-weight offspring model of the diabetic rat induced by stueptozotocin, and the long-term metabolic impact of maternal hyperglycemia of those offsprings., Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ, 25 mg/kg) was given to Wistar rats (G group, n = 14) once intraperitoneally to induce maternal hyperglycemia model (blood glucose between 10 - 20 mmol/L), and there still had a number of rats defined as severe hyperglycemia model group (SG group, n = 5). The Control group (C group, n = 7) were given the same volume citrate buffer solution. The body weight and blood glucose were recorded, and the lavaging glucose tolerance test (LGTT) was performed by a glucose meter in the gestation. The offsprings were corresponding allocated into 2 groups, and the birth weight were recorded. All the offsprings were observated body weight, blood glucose blood pressure (male rats only), and so on., Results: (1) The blood glucose of G group (16.8 ± 5.4 mmol/L) and SG group (20.5 ± 5.6 mmol/L) were increased significantly as compared with C group (7.0 ± 1.4 mmol/L) 5 days after the model was established (P < 0.01); and the average blood glucose of G group (16.6 ± 3.4 mmol/L) and SG group (23.8 ± 1.5 mmol/L) increased too as comparede with C group (5.8 ± 1.1 mmol/L), the difference was significance according to statistics (P < 0.01). (2) According to the LGTT result, which operationed on generation day 4 and day 10, the blood glucose of every time point of G group were increased significantly as compared with C group (P < 0.01). (3) The male and female birth weight of G group was remarkably higher than the C group and the SG group (P < 0.05), and the blood glucose of SG/G/C group was (6.5 ± 1.2) mmol/L, (4.1 ± 0.8) mmol/L, (4.1 ± 0.8) mmol/L respectively, according to the statistics results, the difference between SG group and G/C group respectively both remarkable (P < 0.05). (4) The body weight, Lee's index, fat weight, and the fat weight of mass ratio in C group mother rats after lactation presented dressed compared with the SG group (P < 0.05), and so as to the G group compared with the SG group (P < 0.05). (5) In the female offsprings of G group, the birth weight was remarkably increased compared with the C group (P < 0.05); the body weight of the female offsprings presented an increased trend compared with the C group since the 12 weeks, but had no statistical significance; there were significant differences of body weight between G group and C group since 15 weeks (P < 0.05), and the trend kept up until 26 weeks; in the male offsprings of G group, the body weight on birth day and 4 weeks had a marked rise compared with the C group (P < 0.05); and from then on, the body weight of the male offsprings presented an increased trend compared with the C group, but had no statistical significance until 26 weeks (P > 0.05). (6) In G group, the blood glucose on 30 min and 60 min of LGTT in female offsprings were increased than the C group since 20 weeks (P < 0.05); the blood glucose of LGTT (30 min) still had a marked rise until 24 weeks (P < 0.05); in G group, the blood glucose on 30 min of LGTT in male offsprings was remarkably increased than the C group since 16 weeks (P < 0.05) ; the blood glucose of LGTT (30 min) still had a marked rise until 24 weeks (P < 0.05). (7) The blood pressure of male offsprings in G group had a marked rise on 12 weeks compared with the C group (P < 0.05); from then on the blood pressure of G group kept up a rise trend until 26 weeks, but had no statistical significance (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: The diabetic high-birth-weight rat model could be duplicated with STZ (25 mg/kg) once intrapertoneally on the first day of gestation, which were observed some evidently metabolic changes in weight, glucose tolerance and blood pressure. These results could represent an forward step in the clinical study of human gestational diabetes mellitus and their macrosomia babies, which may suffer some metabolic disease in their later life.

In current study, a water-soluble polysaccharide (GP-I), with a molecular mass of 33 kDa, was purified from Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis suggested that it was composed of Glc, Gal, Man, Rha and Ara with a ratio of 5.3: 4.2: 3.0: 0.7: 0.8. The GP-I (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 μg/ml) was found to have significant anti-proliferative effects on HaCat cells in a dose-dependent manner, as measured by MTT assay. On the contrary, Trypan blue exclusion experiment indicated that GP-I had no cytotoxicity to HaCat cells. Moreover, the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in GP-I treated cells was also observed, indicating apoptosis in HaCat cells. Besides, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a vital pro-inflammatory cytokine in psoriasis, in the supernatant of HaCat cells was dramatically reduced by GP-I. Collectively, these findings suggested that GP-I was a promising agent to be developed for psoriasis treatment in clinical therapy., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Our previous research indicated that dynamic high-pressure microfluidization (DHPM) had a significant effect on the antigenicity of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG). In this study, aggregation and conformational changes subjected to DHPM (0.1-160 MPa) were investigated in relation to antigenicity. When DHPM pressure increased from 0.1 to 80 MPa, disaggregation of β-LG samples and partial unfolding of the molecule were accompanied by an increase in β-LG antigenicity, which was reflected in the decrease of particle size, increase of free sulfhydryl (SH) contents and β-strands contents, and slight exposure of aromatic amino acid residues. At pressures above 80 MPa, the reaggregation of β-LG may contribute to the decrease in antigenicity, which was reflected by an increase in particle size, the formation of aggregates, a decrease of in SH and β-strands contents, and slight changes in aromatic amino acid residues. Aggregation and conformational changes of β-LG under DHPM was related to its antigenicity., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Two acidic polysaccharides (GP-B1 and GP-C1) were obtained from Gynostemma pentaphyllum. The molecular weights (Mw) of the two fractions were 79 kDa for GP-B1 and 126 kDa for GP-C1. GP-B1 was composed of Gal, Ara, Man, Rha, Xyl, Glc, GalA and GlcA in a molar ration of 3.5:3.2:0.6:0.9:0.3:0.5:0.6:0.4. GP-C1 consisted of Gal, Ara, Man, Rha, Glc, and GlcA in the proportions of 2.1:1.0:0.3:0.5:0.4:0.9. Among them, GP-B1 treatment had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of melanoma B16 in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile GP-B1 could increase the relative spleen weight and stimulate the splenocyte proliferation alone or combined with ConA. Moreover, GP-B1 treatment induced an evident increase in the level of serum TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-12 and a reduction for IL-10 production. These results indicate that the antitumor effects of GP-B1 are associated with immunostimulation., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Vinca alkaloids are clinically used to inhibit the growth of malignancy by interfering with microtubule polymerization. The purpose of this study was to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying growth inhibition as well as apoptosis in vinca alkaloid-treated lung adenocarcinoma cells. Consistent with nocodazole, treatment with vinorelbine (VNR) caused mitotic prometaphase arrest in a time-dependent manner, accompanied by cell apoptosis, dependent on both dose and time. VNR sequentially induced mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) loss and caspase-dependent apoptosis following myeloid cell leukemia (Mcl) 1 downregulation. Prolonged activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was required for vinca alkaloid- and nocodazole-induced apoptosis but not cell cycle arrest. Vinca alkaloids and nocodazole caused glutathione/reactive oxygen species (ROS) imbalance, and inhibiting ROS prevented prolonged JNK activation, decreased Mcl-1 levels, MTP loss, and apoptosis. Notably, cell size and granularity were enlarged in stimulated cells; unexpectedly, many ROS-producing mitochondria were accumulated followed by aberrant JNK-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction. Unlike cisplatin, which causes DNA damage in each phase of the cell cycle, VNR and nocodazole induced aberrant JNK-regulated DNA damage in prometaphase; however, inhibiting ATM (ataxia telangiectasia, mutated) and ATR (ATM and Rad3-related) did not reverse mitotic arrest or apoptosis. These results demonstrate an essential role of ROS in vinca alkaloid-induced aberrant JNK-mediated Mcl-1 downregulation and DNA damage followed by mitochondrial dysfunction-related apoptosis but not mitotic arrest., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To study the roles of advanced glycation end products and its receptor on fetal brain injury of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rats., Methods: Twenty one adult pregnant Wistar rats were administered streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally to induce GDM rats model. The fourteen pregnant rats were divided into two groups according to the fasting glucose on the 3(rd) day of pregnancy:severe GDM group with the fasting glucose > 16.7 mmol/L and mild GDM group with the fasting glucose between 6.7 - 16.7 mmol/L. Another seven pregnant rats were chosen as the severe GDM and intervention with micronutrient group, receiving gavage with micronutrient during the whole pregnancy. Five control rats received the same volume of citric acid buffer. All the pregnant rats were tested fasting glucose from the tail vein and their weight on the pregnant day 3, 13 and 19. Maternal serum levels of AGE were measured by ELISA and RAGE levels in the embryonic brain tissues were tested by immunohistochemistry., Results: (1) There was no statistically significant difference of pre-pregnancy fasting glucose level among all groups (P > 0.05). The fasting glucose levels on the 3(rd) day and the mean fasting glucouse level of pregnancy in the severe GDM group and the severe GDM and intervention with micronutrient group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). And there was no significant difference between the severe GDM group and the severe GDM and intervention with micronutrient group (P > 0.05). (2) The serum AGE levels in the severe GDM group and the mild GDM group were (1037 ± 38) ng/L and (880 ± 34) ng/L respectively, with no significant difference (P > 0.05). The serum AGE levels in the control group and the severe GDM and intervention with micronutrient group were (857 ± 32) ng/L and (988 ± 37) ng/L, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The serum AGE levels in the severe GDM and intervention with micronutrient group and in the mild GDM group had no significant difference (P > 0.05). (3) The serum AGE levels in the severe GDM group, mild GDM group and the control group were positively associated with the mean glucose level of pregnancy (r = 0.603, P < 0.05) and the grlucose on the 3(rd) day of pregnancy (r = 0.704, P < 0.05). (4) The fetal brain nerve cell number and morphology in the control group were normal. While in the mild GDM group fetal brain nerve cells decreased, the proliferation and swelling of glial cells were seen. In the severe GDM group and the severe GDM and intervention with micronutrient group, the fetal brain cells furtherly reduced, and large vacuole around the cells, deformation and debris of the cells were seen. Glial scar formation was visible in some fetal brain tissues. There was a few RAGE expression in the control fetal brain tissues. In the mild GDM group and the severe GDM group, RAGE expression increased significantly. And the RAGE expression intensity in the severe GDM and intervention with micronutrient group was between the severe and the mild GDM groups., Conclusions: (1) Abnormal fetal brain development of GDM rats was associated with the increase of maternal serum AGE and the enhancement of RAGE expression in fetal brain tissues, which suggested that AGE/RAGE pathway may play an important role in the fetal brain injury of GDM rats. (2) Micronutrients can reduce the brain damage of GDM fetuses.

Graph visualization has been widely used to understand and present both global structural and local adjacency information in relational data sets (e.g., transportation networks, citation networks, or social networks). Graphs with dense edges, however, are difficult to visualize because fast layout and good clarity are not always easily achieved. When the number of edges is large, edge bundling can be used to improve the clarity, but in many cases, the edges could be still too cluttered to permit correct interpretation of the relations between nodes. In this paper, we present an ambiguity-free edge-bundling method especially for improving local detailed view of a complex graph. Our method makes more efficient use of display space and supports detail-on-demand viewing through an interactive interface. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method with public coauthorship network data.

The ORC (origin recognition complex) binds to the DNA replication origin and recruits other replication factors to form the pre-replication complex. The cDNA and genomic sequences of all six subunits of ORC in Bombyx mori (BmORC1-6) were determined by RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) and bioinformatic analysis. The conserved domains were identified in BmOrc1p-6p and the C-terminal of BmOrc6p features a short sequence that may be specific for Lepidoptera. As in other organisms, each of the six BmORC subunits had evolved individually from ancestral genes in early eukaryotes. During embryo development, the six genes were co-regulated, but different ratios of the abundance of mRNAs were observed in 13 tissues of the fifth instar day-6 larvae. Infection by BmNPV (B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus) initially decreased and then increased the abundance of BmORC. We suggest that some of the BmOrc proteins may have additional functions and that BmOrc proteins participate in the replication of BmNPV.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Interpreting the molecular interactions in Chinese herbal medicine will help to understand the molecular mechanisms of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and predict the new pharmacological effects of TCM. Yet, we still lack a method which could integrate the concerned pieces of parsed knowledge about TCM., Materials and Methods: To solve the problem, a new method named TCM grammar systems was proposed in the present article. The possibility to study the interactions of TCM at the molecular level using TCM grammar systems was explored using Herba Ephedrae Decoction (HED) as an example., Results: A platform was established based on the formalism of TCM grammar systems. The related molecular network of Herba Ephedrae Decoction (HED) can be extracted automatically. The molecular network indicates that Beta2 adrenergic receptor, Glucocorticoid receptor and Interleukin12 are the relatively important targets for the anti-anaphylaxis asthma function of HED. Moreover, the anti-anaphylaxis asthma function of HED is also related with suppressing inflammation process. The results show the feasibility using TCM grammar systems to interpret the molecular mechanism of TCM. Although the results obtained depend on the database absolutely, recombination of existing knowledge in this method provides new insight for interpreting the molecular mechanism of TCM., Conclusions: TCM grammar systems could aid the interpretation of the molecular interactions in TCM to some extent. Moreover, it might be useful to predict the new pharmacological effects of TCM. The method is an in silico technology. In association with the experimental techniques, this method will play an important role in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of TCM., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

First-principles calculations of the second-order optical response functions and the dielectric functions of urea [CO(NH(2))(2)] and some of its derivatives such as monomethylurea (H(2)NCONHCH(3), MMU), and N,N'-dimethylurea (H(3)CHNCONHCH(3), DMU) crystals are performed. On the basis of the density functional theory (DFT) in the local-density approximation (LDA), the highly accurate full-potential projected augmented wave (FP-PAW) method was used to obtain the electronic structure. Over a wide frequency range (0.0-10.0 eV), the dielectric constants and second-harmonic generation (SHG) susceptibilities of the urea crystal family have been obtained, and the results are in good agreement with the experimental values. The origin of the linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the urea crystal family has been analyzed by coupling the calculated electronic structure and optical spectrum. The prominent spectra of χ((2)) are successfully correlated with the dielectric function ε(ω) in terms of single-photon and double-photon resonances. The virtual electron (VE) and virtual hole (VH) processes have also been performed for the urea crystal family. From the research into the electron deformation density, crystal configuration, substitutional group, and so forth, it is found that the origin of the SHG of the urea crystal family is the charge transfer due to the strong "(̀)push-pull" effect along the hydrogen bond, which favors a head-to-tail arrangement of the molecules and enhances the SHG response. The electron-donating substitutional group supplies more electrons to the electron-accepting group, and helps to form large dipoles in molecules. The influence on the NLO properties of the local symmetry of the substitutional group is also discussed in detail.

The utility of molecular genetic approaches in conservation of endangered taxa is now commonly recognized. Over the past decade, conservation genetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA sequencing and microsatellite genotyping have provided powerful tools to resolve taxonomy uncertainty of tiger subspecies, to define conservation units, to reconstruct phylogeography and demographic history, to examine the genetic ancestry of extinct subspecies, to assess population genetic status non-invasively, and to verify genetic background of captive tigers worldwide. The genetic status of tiger subspecies and populations and implications for developing strategies for the survival of this charismatic species both in situ and ex situ are discussed., (© 2010 ISZS, Blackwell Publishing and IOZ/CAS.)

Objective: To explore the ultrasound characteristics of intramural pregnancy and evaluate its diagnostic value., Methods: Intramural pregnancy was diagnosed by endoluminal ultrasonography and confirmed by surgery and pathological examination in 6 patients. The position of the gestational sac, ultrasound findings, distribution of color Doppler flow signals were observed and analyzed together with their surgical and pathological results based on literature review., Results: There were three types of ultrasound characteristics: gestational cyst type, mass type and uterine rupture type. The gestational cyst type or mass type presented with an empty uterus and a gestational sac or mixed mass was found in the myometrium, which can be separated from the endometrium. The sac or mass did not communicate with the uterine cavity, and abundant blood flow was observed about the sac or in the mass, while massive hemoperitoneum was found in the uterine rupture type., Conclusion: Endoluminal ultrasound is of high value in the diagnosis of intramural pregnancy.

Experimental evidence shows that small Cu(2)O nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic or paramagnetic properties, allowing for the promising possibility to recycle the catalyst Cu(2)O easily in wastewater treatment. In this paper, theoretical calculation studying the magnetic property of copper/oxide clusters is reported. A series of Cu(m)O(n) ((m, n) = (4, 1); (4, 2); (4, 5); (16, 15); (28, 15); (44, 15); (28, 27)) clusters were investigated using generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the Hubbard U (GGA+U) method within density functional theory (DFT). It is found that the electronic structures of bulk Cu(2)O calculated by the GGA and GGA+U are similar. The structures of Cu(m)O(n) ((m, n) = (4, 1); (4, 2); (4, 5)) are all planar. For the bulk-product Cu(m)O(n) ((m, n) = (16, 15); (28, 15); (44, 15); (28, 27)), O atoms prefer to be the outermost atoms. We classified two types of clusters on the basis of their O to Cu atomic ratios. One is O-rich clusters, i.e., Cu(4)O(5), Cu(16)O(15), and Cu(28)O(27). The other is O-poor clusters, i.e., Cu(4)O, Cu(4)O(2), Cu(28)O(15), and Cu(44)O(15). The calculation results show that the O-rich clusters have longer average Cu-Cu bonds and larger binding energy than those of the O-poor ones. More interestingly, the former are magnetic and give ferromagnetic ordering while the latter are nonmagnetic. The hydrogenation of O-terminated clusters can improve its stability but suppress its magnetism. The study may be extremely useful for the potential applications of Cu(2)O nanoparticles in the catalysis and semiconductor fields.

Seoul virus (SEOV) is one of the four hantaviruses known to cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The medium genome segment encodes the Gn/Gc glycoproteins of SEOV, which form the major structural part of the virus envelope. Gc and/or Gn are the candidate antigens of hantavirus for induction of a highly immunogenic response for hantavirus vaccine. In this study, the immune response induced by a replication-competent recombinant canine adenovirus type 2 expressing the Gc protein of SEOV was evaluated in BALB/c mice. Sera from immunized mice contained neutralizing antibodies that could specifically recognize SEOV and neutralize its infectivity in vitro. Moreover, the recombinant virus induced complete protection against an intensive infectious challenge with approximately 1000 50 % infective doses for SEOV strain CC-2. Protective-level neutralizing antibodies were maintained for at least 20 weeks. This recombinant virus is therefore a potential alternative to the inactivated vaccine.

HX straight-wire appliance (HX-SWA) is designed and adjusted by doctors of Orthodontic Department, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University. It is a set of appliance that is constructed according to normal occlusion features of the Chinese people, including the prescription of tip, torque, in/out, counter-tip, counter-rotation and overcorrection in brackets and buccal tubes. Some ingredients of the appliance are different from that of the most popular Roth straight-wire appliance in the world wide. Over a period of the last 10 years, doctors in our hospital kept on summarizing treatment experience with HX-SWA, which will help more doctors promote practice and results in orthodontic clinic.

Epitaxial orthorhombic La(0.5)Lu(0.5)Ni(0.5)Mn(0.5)O(3) (LLNMO) thin films deposited on Nb:SrTiO(3) (NSTO) substrates are prepared by pulsed laser deposition and their ferroelectricity and magnetism are investigated using various techniques. It is revealed that the as-prepared thin films are ferromagnetic (FM) insulators. The FM transition occurring at ∼ 125 K is evidenced by the well defined hysteresis at low temperature, with a saturated magnetic moment as high as 1.8 µ(B)/f.u. at ∼ 5 K. A reversible ferroelectric polarization of ∼ 0.2 µC cm(-2) below ∼ 140 K is also observed. The magnetism can be understood by the FM ordering associated with a partially ordered major Ni(2 +)-Mn(4 +) plus minor Mn(3+)-Ni(3+) configuration, while the ferroelectricity is argued to originate from the A-site disordering of La(3+) and Lu(3+).

The competition between quantum fluctuations and the antiferroelectric state in Sr(0.8)Ca(0.2)Ti(1-x)Ru(x)O(3) is investigated by measuring the low-temperature dielectric permittivity and by Raman spectroscopy. We demonstrate the significant impact of quantum fluctuations on the stability of the antiferroelectric polar order. It is revealed that the structural phase transitions can be modified by the quantum fluctuations, enhancing the stability of the high-symmetry phase and suppressing the antiferroelectric transitions. More importantly, a quantum antiferroelectric state, exhibiting similar behavior as the quantum ferroelectric state in terms of dielectric response, is identified. In addition, the effect of quantum fluctuations on the increasing permittivity at low temperature is also discussed.

Objective: To investigate the role of tazarotene induced gene-2 (TIG2) in psoriasis vulgaris., Methods: TIG2 protein and mRNA expressions in normal tissues, psoriatic lesions and uninvolved skin tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively., Results: TIG2 protein and mRNA were expressed in all the layers of normal and uninvolved epidermis. TIG2 expression was detected in the upper layers of the stratum spinosum of the marginal region of the psoriatic lesions, but not in the central area of the lesions. TIG2 expression was significantly lower in the basal layers of the central area of the paoriasis than that in the normal skin and uninvolved tissues (P < 0.01), and also lower in the marginal regions of the lesions (P < 0.01).The suprabasal layers of the marginal region in the lesion showed significantly lower TIG2 expression than the central area of the lesion (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: TIG2 may maintain the normal differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes and implicate in the pathogenesis and development of psoriasis vulgaris.

First-principles calculations of two second-order optical response functions as well as the dielectric function for 4-nitro-4(')-methylbenzylidene aniline are performed. Specifically, we evaluate the dielectric function and the second-harmonic generation (SHG) response coefficient over a wide frequency range. Electronic structure obtained from the full-potential projected augmented wave method is adopted in the calculation of optical properties. The calculated results of the refractive indices and the SHG are in good agreement with the experimental values. The linear and nonlinear optical spectra are analyzed and the origins of the peaks in the spectra are discussed in terms of the calculated electronic structure. It is found that the origin of the large nonlinear optical susceptibility is the charge transfer due to the strong "push-pull" effect. The study of the contributions of different transitions to the SHG coefficients shows that the virtual electron process is main. The contribution to the largest component chi(11) ((2)) of the virtual hole process is about 30% of the total static limit of the SHG coefficient. The prominent features in the spectrum of chi(11) ((2)) are successfully correlated with the features of the linear dielectric function epsilon(omega) in terms of single-photon and two-photon resonances.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the maximum binding (Bmax) and affinity Kd value changes of acetylcholine receptor (n-AchR) on rat's superficial masseter muscles after functional mandibular advancement., Methods: Forty 5-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The mimic functional appliances were only used in experimental groups, and the rats of two groups were killed after 1, 3, 7, 14 days. Radio-ligand binding assay (RBA) was applied to determine the Bmax and Kd value of n-AchR on the superficial masseter muscles., Results: The Bmax of n-AchR in experimental groups was higher than that in the control groups at all time points, and the differences had statistical significance. The Kd value of n-AchR was higher in experimental group than that in control groups in 1, 3, 7 days, while Kd value in experimental group of n-AchR was lower than that in control groups in 14 days. The differences had statistical significance in 7 and 14 days, but the differences had no statistical significance in 1 and 3 days., Conclusion: The functional orthopedics can increase the Bmax and affinity of n-AchR on rapid growing rat's superficial masseter muscles.

Objective: To investigate the alteration of retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha) mRNA level in normal human keratinocytes after acitretin and/or NB-UVB irradiation treatment., Methods: After a 12-hour incubation with 10(-7)-10(-6) mol/L acitretin and/or following 50-100 mJ/cm2 NB-UVB irradiation in normal human keratinocytes, RXRalpha mRNA expression was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR., Results: The expression of RXRalpha mRNA was obviously decreased by NB-UVB irradiation, but not by acitretion single treatment. When combining acitretin treatment with NB-UVB irradiation, greater decreased RXRalpha mRNA expression was observed than that of single treatment., Conclusion: Narrow-band UVB irradiation treatment can decrease RXRalpha mRNA expression, but not acitretin single treatment. Combining treatment with both can produce synergistic inhibition effects.

Objective: To study the mutation in RH120480 fragment of RUNX3 gene among the Chinese patients with keloid., Methods: 20 samples of keloids were collected with each patient's venous blood sample as normal control group. The genomic DNA was extracted from each sample. RH120480 fragment of RUNX3 gene was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The amplification products were analyzed by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Some fragments were sequenced directly and then compared with the GenBank data., Results: By DHPLC, the results of all the blood samples showed single chromatographic peak indicating homoduplexes, meanwhile the results of keloid tissue samples showed double peak indicating heteroduplexes. Through gene sequencing, 19 cases showed gene mutation among the 20 samples of keloid. The mutation incidence was 95%. Two mutation sites were detected including base A absence in 96th sites and base C insert in 279th sites. The base A absence rate was 90% (18/20) in keloid group, and 10% (2/20) in control group. The base C insert mutation rate was 95% (19/20) in keloid group, and 0% (0/20) in control group. There was significant difference in the mutation rate between two groups on the two mutation sites., Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between the RH120480 fragment of RUNX3 gene mutation and Keloid. RUNX3 gene could be possibly a scar suppressor gene (SSG).

Tigers (Panthera tigris) are disappearing rapidly from the wild, from over 100,000 in the 1900s to as few as 3000. Javan (P.t. sondaica), Bali (P.t. balica), and Caspian (P.t. virgata) subspecies are extinct, whereas the South China tiger (P.t. amoyensis) persists only in zoos. By contrast, captive tigers are flourishing, with 15,000-20,000 individuals worldwide, outnumbering their wild relatives five to seven times. We assessed subspecies genetic ancestry of 105 captive tigers from 14 countries and regions by using Bayesian analysis and diagnostic genetic markers defined by a prior analysis of 134 voucher tigers of significant genetic distinctiveness. We assigned 49 tigers to one of five subspecies (Bengal P.t. tigris, Sumatran P.t. sumatrae, Indochinese P.t. corbetti, Amur P.t. altaica, and Malayan P.t. jacksoni tigers) and determined 52 had admixed subspecies origins. The tested captive tigers retain appreciable genomic diversity unobserved in their wild counterparts, perhaps a consequence of large population size, century-long introduction of new founders, and managed-breeding strategies to retain genetic variability. Assessment of verified subspecies ancestry offers a powerful tool that, if applied to tigers of uncertain background, may considerably increase the number of purebred tigers suitable for conservation management.

Objective: To identify the genetic alterations in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP)., Methods: Comparative genomic hybridization was applied to investigate the genomic imbalance (the gain or loss of genetic material) in 7 cases of NSCLP., Results: It showed that the loss of chromosome DNA copies happened in chromosome 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20, 22 and the gain of chromosome DNA copies happened in chromosome 5, 15, 18, 19. Conclusions 13q had a high frequency (71.4%) of chromosome loss., Conclusions: Abnormal chromosome DNA copies happen in all the patients with NSCLP. Most of the patients have chromosome DNA copies loss. It suggests that loss of inhibitory gene may be related to the NSCLP. The related inhibitory gene may locate in 13q.

Objective: To investigate the effect of 5F from Pteris semipinnate L on the growth of human pathological scar in nude mice., Methods: 5F from Pteris semipinnate L was administered at different doses in nude mouse models bearing human pathological scars. The morphology, histology, tumor growth factor-beta1 and type I collagen content of the scar tissues were examined after the administration., Results: Administration of 5F significantly reduced the volume of the implanted pathological scars in the nude mouse models, and histologically, the scar tissue exhibited a transition to the normal scar architecture with decreased TGF-beta1 and type I collagen content., Conclusion: 5F could effectively inhibit the growth of pathological scars in nude mice.

Objective: To investigate the changes in cell proliferation and retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARgamma) mRNA expression in normal human keratinocytes after acitretin treatment and/or narrow-band ultraviolet-B irradiation., Methods: Normal human keratinocytes were exposed to irradiation with 100 mJ/cm square NB-UVB and/or subsequent 12-hour incubation with 1x10(-6) mol/L acitretin, and the expression of RARgamma mRNA in the cells was examined using RT-PCR and real-time quantitative RT-PCR., Results: A 0.9- and a 2.3-fold increase in RARgamma mRNA expression was induced in the cells by exposure to 100 mJ/cm square NB-UVB and 10(-6) mol/L acitretin, respectively, and the expression was synergistically enhanced by 2.8-fold after their combined treatment., Conclusion: Upregulated expression of RARgamma mRNA can be associated with keratinocyte growth inhibition after treatment with acitretin and NB-UVB irradiation.

Little attention has been given to the effect of interactions between different cryogenic parameters on the viability of cryopreserved algae. Gametophytes of Laminaria japonica were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen by two-step cooling, and interactions were tested for optimizing the cooling protocol and improving freeze-tolerance. UNOVA of a general linear model suggested that interactions between both cooling rate and holding time and between holding temperature and holding time significantly affected the survival of thawed gametophytes. Based on the magnitude of effect, the importance order of factors was found to be: holding temperature, holding time, cooling rate, cooling rate x holding temperature, holding temperature x holding time. UNOVA also suggested significant main effects of pre-culture conditions and sex on survival of thawed gametophytes. Under the optimal procedure, post-thaw survivals obtained were 84 percent for male and 69 percent for female gametophytes. Male gametophytes were observed to be more tolerant to the whole procedure of cryopreservation than females. Following thawing viable gametophytes could grow asexually or give rise to morphologically normal sporophytes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 1 pter-36.21 of keloid in order to locate the deletion areas probably harboring scar suppressor genes., Methods: Using polymerase chain reaction ( PCR )-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, 25 samples of keloid tissues and peripheral blood were analyzed., Results: 15 out of 25 samples of keloid tissues exhibited LOH in at least one microsatellite locus. There were deletions at more than one locus of one keloid tissue. No MSI was found. The frequency of LOH was remarkably higher in the keloid tissues (n = 25, 15, 60%) than in the normal control samples (n = 25, 1, 4%). The frequency of LOH in D1S243, D1S468, D1S507 and D1S199 was as following: (n= 25, 7, 28%), (n =25, 10, 40%), (n = 25, 13, 52%) and (n= 25, 3, 12%). The frequency of LOH in D1S243, D1S468, D1S507 were statistically significant., Conclusion: The most common LOH occurred at D1S243-D1S468-D1S507 might imply the existence of potential tumor suppressor gene of a subset of keloid , while MSI on 1 pter-36.21 may not a crucial event.

Y chromosome haplotyping based on microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has proved to be a powerful tool for population genetic studies of humans. However, the promise of the approach is hampered in the majority of nonhuman mammals by the lack of Y-specific polymorphic markers. We were able to identify new male-specific polymorphisms in the domestic cat Felis catus and 6 additional Felidae species with a combination of molecular genetic and cytogenetic approaches including 1) identifying domestic cat male-specific microsatellites from markers generated from a male cat microsatellite-enriched genomic library, a flow-sorted Y cosmid library, or a Y-specific cat bacteria artificial chromosome (BAC) clone, (2) constructing microsatellite-enriched libraries from flow-sorted Y chromosomes isolated directly from focal wildcat species, and (3) screening Y chromosome conserved anchored tagged sequences primers in Felidae species. Forty-one male-specific microsatellites were identified, but only 6 were single-copy loci, consistent with the repetitive nature of the Y chromosome. Nucleotide diversity (pi) of Y-linked intron sequences (2.1 kbp) was in the range of 0 (tiger) to 9.95 x 10(-4) (marbled cat), and the number of SNPs ranged from none in the tiger to 7 in the Asian leopard cat. The Y haplotyping system described here, consisting of 4 introns (SMCY3, SMCY7, UTY11, and DBY7) and 1 polymorphic microsatellite (SMCY-STR), represents the first available markers for tracking intraspecific male lineage polymorphisms in Felidae species and promises to provide significant insights to evolutionary and population genetic studies of the species.

Objective: Tooth eruption requires the presence of the dental follicle (DF) around the unerupted tooth. This study is to investigate programmed cell death on human dental follicle cells and changes of programmed cell death under different hydrostatic pressures: 0, 50 and 100 kPa., Methods: Human dental follicles from third mandibular molars were surgically removed from adolescents who need for orthodontics treatment after informed content, then trypsinized and cultured. Human dental follicle cells were divided into three groups according to different hydrostatic pressures: 0, 50 and 100 kPa and their programmed cell death were labeled by using TdT-medi-ated-dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL)., Results: Dental follicle cells cultured were elongate shape and exhibited fibroblastic characteristics. Compared with 0 kPa, programmed cell death cells on human dental follicle cells were increased 0.23% and 31.65% under 50 kPa and 100 kPa hydrostatic pressures respectively. 100 kPa group increased significantly (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: It suggested that programmed cell death occured in human dental follicle cells cultured in vitro and was influenced by different hydrostatic pressures. Hydrostatic pressure may improve tooth erup-tion through dental follicle.

Objective: To screen and identify differentially expressed genes between a fertile patient and another infertile patient who belonged to a large Chinese pedigree affected with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS)., Methods: We constructed the forward and reversed subtracted libraries using genital skin fibroblasts (GSF), which were obtained from the fertile patient MJ and infertile patient ZGJ, as tester respectively. Candidate clones were screened with colony in situ hybridization, dot blot, and Southern blot analysis step by step and conformed with Northern blot analysis. The potential positive clones were sequenced and the homology of the sequences was analyzed., Results: The forward and reversed subtracted libraries containing differentially expressed pattern of two GSF cell lines were constructed. Two positive clones identified by Northern blot were obtained in the reversed subtracted library. Eleven candidate clones from the two libraries that failed to hybridize with both RNA populations were obtained simultaneously, which might represent differentially expressed low abundance transcripts. Sequencing results and homology analysis demonstrated that the two positive clones were significantly homologous with the genes of autotaxin-t and calcium binding protein calcyclin (S100A6), respectively., Conclusions: Two positive clones and eleven clones showing no hybridization signals may represent differentially expressed genes between the two GSFs. This finding may be useful to elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to phenotypic variation and preserved fertility of the AIS pedigree.

Objective: To investigate the effects of substance P on cultured rat osteoclasts., Methods: Neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor expression in osteoclasts was examined by immunohitochemical method, and changes of bone resorption activity caused by substance P and NK1 receptor antagonists were detected by pit formation assay., Results: Immunoreactivity for NK1 receptor was distributed in the cytoplasm of osteoclasts. The average of pit formation areas significantly increased with addition of substance P (10(-7)-10(-4) mol/L) (P < 0.05), but the number of pitformations did not change (P > 0.05). NK1 receptor antagonists inhibited the enhancement of the bone resorption by substance P addition., Conclusion: The findings suggested that substance P may stimulate osteoclasts and result in bone resorption by the mediation of NK1 receptor.

Translocation of cymtDNA into the nuclear genome, also referred to as numt, has been reported in many species, including several closely related to the domestic cat (Felis catus). We describe the recent transposition of 12,536 bp of the 17 kb mitochondrial genome into the nucleus of the common ancestor of the five Panthera genus species: tiger, P. tigris; snow leopard, P. uncia; jaguar, P. onca; leopard, P. pardus; and lion, P. leo. This nuclear integration, representing 74% of the mitochondrial genome, is one of the largest to be reported in eukaryotes. The Panthera genus numt differs from the numt previously described in the Felis genus in: (1) chromosomal location (F2-telomeric region vs. D2-centromeric region), (2) gene make up (from the ND5 to the ATP8 vs. from the CR to the COII), (3) size (12.5 vs. 7.9 kb), and (4) structure (single monomer vs. tandemly repeated in Felis). These distinctions indicate that the origin of this large numt fragment in the nuclear genome of the Panthera species is an independent insertion from that of the domestic cat lineage, which has been further supported by phylogenetic analyses. The tiger cymtDNA shared around 90% sequence identity with the homologous numt sequence, suggesting an origin for the Panthera numt at around 3.5 million years ago, prior to the radiation of the five extant Panthera species.

Objective: To investgate whether the expression of osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) depended on the stage of osteoblastic differentiation from rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC)., Methods: BMSC (4 passage) were selected for osteogenic differentiation by treated with osteogenic supplements (OS). Cells were harvested by day 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 respectively after osteogenic inducement. In each experiment, control and OS-treated cells were processed in parallel. ODF and ICAM-1 mRNA were analyzed by semiquantitave RT-PCR assay., Results: Expression of ODF was enhanced with osteogenic differentiation guadully. whereas, expression of ICAM-1 was activated at OS-treated day 6, then keeping at a stable level., Conclusion: This study indicated that BMSC undergoing osteogenic inducement was an ideal model for studying the differentiation and maturation of osteoblasts. During the early stage of differentiation along osteoblasts from stem cells to osteocytes, BMSC or osteoprogenitor react somewhat differently from osteoblasts, suggesting the ability of osteoblasts to regulating differentiation and maturation of osteoclasts have been improved with osteogenic culture.

Objective: To investigate the function of basic fibroblastic growth factor on the survival of fat transplantation., Methods: Basic fibroblastic growth factor was used in pearl fat graft transplantation on experimental animal models. Microvessels densities both on experimental sides and control sides were quantitatively researched in various periods. The growth course of vessels was observed., Results: Microvessels can be observed clearly. The Microvessels densities both on experimental sides and control sides raised gradually. The density reached highest in 14 days on experimental side and in 28 days on control side, and fell down slightly later. The densities on every experimental sides were higher than that on control sides., Conclusions: Basic fibroblastic growth factor can effectually accelerate the growth of blood vessels in pearl fat graft.

Objective: To study the bracket placement and arch wire bending based on ethnic differences and individual differences of normal occlusion., Methods: The prominence, tip, torque, upper first molar offset of crown and arch form between Chinese and Caucasian normal occlusion were compared., Results: The results showed the ethnic differences of prominence, tip, torque, upper first molar offset of crown and arch form between Chinese and Caucasian normal occlusion. The placement of bracket was influenced by the crown morphology., Conclusion: The adjustments of the bracket placement and arch wire bending with Edgewise and pre-adjusted appliance are necessary to adapt to ethnic difference and individual difference.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in China. The long-term survival rate of patients with HCC after prevention and management remains unsatisfactory. In order to provide a novel strategy to cure HCC, we investigated the effects of antisense oligonucleotides of PKC-alpha on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line HepG2 in vitro., Methods: The human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was cultured and subcultured in RPMI1640 medium in vitro. PKC-alpha antisense oligonucleotides(asODN) of different concentrations with a random sequence as a control were transfected into HepG2 cells by lipofectin(LP). The cell growth index (GI) and the clone formation rate of HepG2 were detected by MTT colorimetric assay and soft agar assay, respectively. The apoptosis rate of HepG2 treated with PKC-alpha asODN was assayed by flow cytometry(FCM). The results were analyzed by SPSS 10.0 software., Results: The GI of HepG2 transfected by PKC-alpha asODN with concentrations ranging from 0.10 micromol to 1.00 micromol were lower significantly than those of control groups (P<0.05). The clone formation rates of HepG2 transfected by PKC-alpha asODN from 0.05 micromol to 1.00 micromol were lower significantly than those of the control groups (P<0.01), and there was a dose-dependent relationship among them. The apoptosis rates of HepG2 treated with PKC-alpha asODN from 0.50 micromol to 1.00 micromol were significantly higher than those of the control groups., Conclusion: PKC-alpha asODN could inhibit the growth and proliferation of HepG2 and induce its apoptosis by blocking the cell signal transduction related to PKC-alpha in vitro, and may be potentially used in the prevention and management of recurrent and metastatic HCC.