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Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of dual-energy spectral CT with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR) for reducing contrast medium dose in CT portal venography (CTPV). Methods: This prospective study was institutional review bo ard-approved, and w ritte n informed consent was ob tained from all patients. 50 patients undergoing abdominal CT were randomized to 2 groups: Group A (n = 25), using spectral CT and 350 mgl kg-1 contrast injection protocol; Group B (n = 25), using standard 120 kVp and 500 mgl kg -1 contrast. Spectral CT images at 60 keV and standard 120-kVp images were both reconstructed with 50% ASiR. CT number and contrast to- noise ratio (CNR) for intrahepatic and extrahepatic portal veins were measured. The maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume-rendering (VR) images were used for subjective evaluation. These two kinds of results were statistically analyzed. Results: CNR values for the intrahepatic portal vein of the 60-keV spectral images (4.2 ±1.1) were higher than those of 120-kVp images (3.0 ±2.1) (p = 0.03) and were the same for the extrahepatic portal vein (5.9 ± 1.4 vs 5.9 ± 1.6, p = 0.90). The portal vein and left and right branches in the 60-keV spectral images had higher CT number and lower standard deviation than the 120-kVp images (P < 0.05). Radiation dose (dose-length product and effective dose) and subjective image quality were similar for the two groups, while the spectral CT group required 25% less iodine dose (23.1 ± 3.2 g vs 30.5 ± 5.0 g). Conclusion: The 60-keV spectral CT images with ASiR allow 25% reduction in the iodine dose while providing better or equal image quality as the standard 120-kVp images in portal venography with comparable radiation dose. Advances in knowledge: Compared with conventional 120-kVp CT, the use of 60-keV spectral CT images provides 25% contrast dose reduction with similar image quality in CTPV. Compared with conventional 120-kVp CT, the use of 60-keV spectral CT images with ASiR algorithm improves CNR values for the intrahepatic portal vein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of action of roof plate-specific spondin1 (Rspo1) in the apoptosis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Methods: Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs was identified by Alizarin Red and Oil Red O staining, respectively. BMSC surface markers (cluster of differentiation 29 [CD29], CD90, and CD45) were detected using flow cytometry. BMSCs were transfected with an adenoviral vector encoding Rspo1 (BMSCs-Rspo1 group). The expression levels of Rspo1 gene and Rspo1 protein in the BMSCs-Rspo1 group and the two control groups (untransfected BMSCs group and BMSCs-green fluorescent protein [GFP] group) were analyzed and compared by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The occurrence of apoptosis in the three groups was detected by flow cytometry and acridine orange-ethidium bromide (AO-EB) double dyeing. The activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was evaluated by measuring the expression levels of the key proteins of the pathway (β-catenin, c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK], and phospho-JNK). Results: Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was confirmed in cultured BMSCs by the positive expression of CD29 and CD90 and the negative expression of CD45. Significantly increased expression levels of Rspo1 protein in the BMSCs-Rspo1 group compared to those in the BMSCs (0.60 ± 0.05 vs. 0.13 ± 0.02; t=95.007, P=0.001) and BMSCs-GFP groups (0.60 ± 0.05 vs. 0.10 ± 0.02; t=104.842, P=0.001) were observed. The apoptotic rate was significantly lower in the BMSCs-Rspo1 group compared with those in the BMSCs group ([24.06 ± 2.37]% vs. [40.87 ± 2.82]%; t = 49.872, P = 0.002) and the BMSCs-GFP group ([24.06 ± 2.37]% vs. [42.34 ± 0.26]%; t = 62.358, P = 0.001). In addition, compared to the BMSCs group, the protein expression levels of β-catenin (2.67 ± 0.19 vs. 1.14 ± 0.14; t = −9.217, P = 0.000) and JNK (1.87 ± 0.17 vs. 0.61 ± 0.07; t = −22.289, P = 0.000) were increased in the BMSCs-Rspo1 group. Compared to the BMSCs-GFP group, the protein expression levels of β-catenin (2.67 ± 0.19 vs. 1.44 ± 0.14; t = −5.692, P = 0.000) and JNK (1.87 ± 0.17 vs. 0.53 ± 0.06; t = −10.589, P = 0.000) were also upregulated in the BMSCs-Rspo1 group. Moreover, the protein expression levels of phospho-JNK were increased in the BMSCs-Rspo1 group compared to those in the BMSCs group (1.89 ± 0.10 vs. 0.63 ± 0.09; t = −8.975, P = 0.001) and the BMSCs-GFP group (1.89 ± 0.10 vs. 0.69 ± 0.08; t = −9.483, P = 0.001). Conclusion: The Wnt/β-catenin pathway could play a vital role in the Rspo1-mediated inhibition of apoptosis in BMSCs. Keywords: Rspo1, Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, Apoptosis, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Freshwater green algae, Chlorella, have heavy cell walls and their size usually exceeds the lower limits of limb size of herbivorous Daphnia (Cladocera). According to the optimal foraging theory, we speculated that Daphnia would graze more exposed and relatively large Clamydomonas rather than Chlorella, and this process would lead to small-sized Chlorella becoming a superior competitor in the presence of Daphnia. We used Daphnia magna, Clamydomonas sajao and Chlorella pyrenoidosa to test this hypothesis. Our grazing experiments showed that Daphnia preferred C. sajao to C. pyrenoidosa, regardless of the concentration and relative abundance of these two algae. The decrease in relative abundance of high-quality Clamydomonas in Clamydomonas-Chlorella assemblages did not diminish the grazing efficiency of Daphnia on this algal species, but increased selectivity of low-quality Chlorella. However, when the concentration of Clamydomonas was extremely high, the grazing of Daphnia on Clamydomonas decreased. In competition experiments, we observed that the presence of Clamydomonas restrained the growth potential of Chlorella; however, the introduction of herbivorous Daphnia into the competing environment weakened this influence and to some extent enhanced the growth ability of Chlorella. Moreover, we also observed that the intensity of herbivory, imposed by different densities of Daphnia, had an obvious influence on the competition outcome between Clamydomonas and Chlorella. At the highest intensity of herbivory (10 Daphnia), C. sajao was eliminated from the culture medium whereas C. pyrenoidosa could persist, but at low cell density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial strain improvement plays a central role in the commercial development of microbial fermentation processes. The strain of Serratia marcescens ECU1010, a wild-type lipase-producer capable of stereospecific synthesis of a Diltiazem precursor, was subjected to physical mutation involving treatment by UV-irradiation for 30 s. A mutant strain, no. UV-01, showed enhanced lipase production, but lost the capability of producing red pigment (prodigiosin). The variant strain UV-01 had a 2.3-fold higher activity than the wild type and was stable in its enzyme production for ten serial transfers. For reduction of the fermentation medium cost, dried powder of corn steep liquor was used as an inexpensive substitute for beef extract in the medium. Dextrin as an organic carbon source and Tween-80 as an important element were further optimized, respectively. The high primary biodegradation of the Tween-80 by S. marcescens ECU1010 and its variant demonstrated their potential ability of degrading alkyl polyethoxylates to remove harmful nonionic surfactants from polluted effluents and streams. The optimal cultivation time for lipase biosynthesis was 24 h. These optimized compositions resulted in an economic production of lipase by S. marcescens ECU1010 var. UV-01, with a dramatically reduced cost (1/8-1/7 of the initial one) which is more suitable for industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel amperometric nitric oxide sensor with a wide linear range, low detection limit and fast response time was developed. The sensor was fabricated using a poly-brilliant cresyl blue (PBCB)/Nafion film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The PBCB on the working GCE surface dramatically improves the oxidation response of nitric oxide and lowers the required potential for the two-step oxidation of NO. Otherwise, Nafion coated onto the film electrode surface does not only improve the selectivity of the sensor, but also further lowers the active energy of the direct three-electron oxidation of NO to nitrate. The effect of the preanodic time and the film thickness of the electropolymerization on the nitric oxide response as well as the volume of Nafion coated onto the surface and the potential for amperometric detection were optimized. This novel sensor has been applied to the determination of NO released from rat liver cells, and the result is satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coordination of unsaturated [In(amine)]3+ onto indium telluride structure, where the complex ion has higher positive charge, not only forms an organic-inorganic hybrid polymeric structure, but also offers an indium telluride with positive charge. Based on this strategy, cationic networks of metal chalcogenide may be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, {[Cu(C6H3N2O4)2]·2C3H7NO} n, each copper(II) center is surrounded by two N atoms, two bridging carboxyl­ate O atoms from two pyrazine-2,3-di­carboxyl­ate anions, and two bridging carboxyl­ate O atoms of two pyrazine-2,3-di­carboxyl­ate anions from neighboring units, forming an elongated CuN2O4 octahedron. The [Cu(C6H3N2O4)2] blocks, with the copper(II) cation located on a center of inversion, are connected together by four μ-carboxyl­ate bridges, creating a one-dimensional intersecting double chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of a modified topical formalin irrigation method in refractory hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis (CRP)., Methods: Patients with CRP who did not respond to previous medical treatments and presented with grade II-III rectal bleeding according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were enrolled. Patients with anorectal strictures, deep ulcerations, and fistulas were excluded. All patients underwent flexible endoscopic evaluation before treatment. Patient demographics and clinical data, including primary tumor, radiotherapy and previous treatment options, were collected. Patients received topical 4% formalin irrigation in a clasp-knife position under spinal epidural anesthesia in the operating room. Remission of rectal bleeding and related complications were recorded. Defecation, remission of bleeding, and other symptoms were investigated at follow-up. Endoscopic findings in patients with rectovaginal fistulas were analyzed., Results: Twenty-four patients (19 female, 5 male) with a mean age of 61.5 ± 9.5 years were enrolled. The mean time from the end of radiotherapy to the onset of bleeding was 11.1 ± 9.0 mo (range: 2-24 mo). Six patients (25.0%) were blood transfusion dependent. The median preoperative Vienna Rectoscopy Score (VRS) was 3 points. Nineteen patients (79.2%) received only one course of topical formalin irrigation, and five (20.8%) required a second course. No side effects were observed. One month after treatment, bleeding cessation was complete in five patients and obvious in 14; the effectiveness rate was 79.1% (19/24). For long-term efficacy, 5/16, 1/9 and 0/6 patients complained of persistent bleeding at 1, 2 and 5 years after treatment, respectively. Three rectovaginal fistulas were found at 1 mo, 3 mo and 2 years after treatment. Univariate analysis showed associations of higher endoscopic VRS and ulceration score with risk of developing rectovaginal fistula., Conclusion: Modified formalin irrigation is an effective and safe method for hemorrhagic CRP, but should be performed cautiously in patients with a high endoscopic VRS.