Search

Background. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment always attain a low cumulative pregnancy rate disaccording with the satisfactory number of oocytes.Objective. We aim to evaluate the status of coagulation and fibrinolytic system in PCOS patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) process.Method. Of the 97 women, 30 patients with PCOS composed the study group; 67 women of child-bearing age with normal endocrine function composed the control group. All participants underwent GnRH agonist standard long protocol, and plasma HCY, FVIII, FX, and D-dimer levels as well as hormone parameters were measured at day of full downregulation, hCG priming, and embryos transfer.Results. On day of full downregulation, FX levels were significantly higher in PCOS group (P<0.01). On hCG priming day, FX and estrogen levels in PCOS group were higher than in the control group and FVIII levels were significantly lower on day of embryos transfer whereas FX and E2 levels were significantly higher in PCOS group.Conclusion. Hypercoagulable state during peri-implantation phase would probably lead to poor microcirculation of endometrium and be one of the most important disadvantages of successful implantation and subsequent clinical pregnancy.

To compare the short-term and long-term outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between transradial intervention (TRI) and transfemoral intervention (TFI) in elderly patients.From January 2005 to December 2010, 488 consecutive elderly patients ( ≥ 80 years old) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into TRI group (n = 235, PCIs were performed trans-radial approach) and TFI group (n = 253, PCIs were performed trans-femoral approach). Efficacy and safety data were compared between the two groups.There were no differences in success rate of stenting, procedure time, contrast amount, rates of contrast-induced nephropathy, major adverse cardiovascular events during hospitalization, at one year follow up and at two years follow up. Lower vascular complications were associated with TRI approach[ 17.9% (42/253) vs. 26.9% (68/253) , P0.05], especially in TIMI major bleeding ratio [1.3% (3/235) vs. 4.7% (12/253) , P0.05], TIMI minor bleeding [5.1% (12/235) vs. 15.8% (40/253) , P0.01], and time lying in bed [3.6 (2.8-4.2)h vs. 24.4 (24.0-25.1)h, P0.01] and hospitalization [3.0 (3.0-4.0)d vs. 5.0 (5.0-6.0)d, P0.01], and higher rates of crossover approach were associated with TRI [11.5% (27/235) vs. 2.0(5/253) , P0.01].TRI is as feasible, safe and effective as TFI in elderly patients during short-term and long-term follow up, and TRI is associated with higher rates of crossover approach.

Aurora kinases are overexpressed in large numbers of tumors and considered as potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we found that the Aurora kinases inhibitors MK-0457 (MK) and ZM447439 (ZM) induced polyploidization in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines. The level of glycolytic metabolism was significantly increased in the polyploidy cells, which were sensitive to glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), suggesting that polyploidy cells might be eliminated by metabolism deprivation. Indeed, inhibition of mTOR pathway by mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin and PP242) or 2DG promoted not only apoptosis but also autophagy in the polyploidy cells induced by Aurora inhibitors. Mechanically, PP242 or2DGdecreased the level of glucose uptake and lactate production in polyploidy cells as well as the expression of p62/SQSTM1. Moreover, knockdown of p62/SQSTM1 sensitized cells to the Aurora inhibitor whereas overexpression of p62/SQSTM1 reduced drug efficacy. Thus, our results revealed that inhibition of mTOR pathway decreased the glycolytic metabolism of the polyploidy cells, and increased the efficacy of Aurora kinases inhibitors, providing a novel approach of combination treatment in AML. Mol Cancer Res; 11(11); 1326–36. ©2013 AACR.

In order to detect wheat quality rapidly and nondestructively, NIR wheat quality quick detection system was developed on the base of grating technology. To test accuracy, repeatability and stability of this self-made system, Bruker MPA spectroscopy was selected as target analyzer and 56 wheat samples were analyzed by building and validating PLS calibration models. In the 4 models of the self-made system, the coefficient of determination R2 is 92.38%, 93.48%, 93.16% and 94.44%; root mean square error of cross validation RMSECV = 0.405, 0.374, 0.383, 0.346; ratio of performance to standard deviate RPD = 3.62, 3.39, 3.82, 4.24, respectively. And evaluating indicators of validating results in the 4 models are as follows: R2 = 96.97%, 94.22%, 96.62% and 96.34%; Root mean square error of prediction RMSEP = 0.221, 0.305, 0.233 and 0.243 respectively. The model of MPA spectroscopy gave an R2 of 95.99%, a RMSECV of 0.293, RPD of 5 and validation results are R2 of 98.31%, RMSEP of 0.165, respectively. The results show that the models of self-made instrument have good prediction performance, stability and repeatability, and wavelength and absorbance of the obtained spectra have a good repeatability. The prediction effect of single spectrum is not ideal, but it can be improved by using average spectrum of repeated acquisition. NIR wheat quality quick detection system can detect wheat quality with good performance.

How to rapidly determine synthesized pigments or dyes adulterated in natural pigments is a difficult problem for food analysts. Natural paprika red is widely used in foods because of its coloration and pharmaceutical effect, but it is sometimes adulterated with Sudan dyes for its poor stability under light or heat treatment. In the present paper, the macro-fingerprint characteristic of infrared spectroscopy was utilized to identify Sudan dyes adulterated in paprika red. The strong peaks at 1 621, 1 500 and 751 cm(-1) in FTIR spectra and at the fingerprint region of 753, 684 and 496 cm(-1) in the secondary deriative FTIR spectra were remarkable characteristics for Sudan dyes adulterated in paprika red, of which the limit of determination was about 1%.

In the title compound, C11H13N3O2, the 1,2,3-triazole ring and the phenol ring form a dihedral angle of 55.46 (5)°. In the crystal, inversion-related molecules associate through pairs of hydroxy–phenol O—H...O hydrogen bonds, giving centrosymmetric cyclic dimers [graph setR22(18)]. These dimers are linked into infinite chains along [001], giving an overall two-dimensional network structure parallel to thebcplane through hydroxy O—H...N and triazole C—H...N hydrogen bonds.

Hepatitis B spliced protein (HBSP) encoded by a 2.2 kb singly spliced hepatitis B virus (HBV) pre-genomic RNA (spliced between positions 2447 and 489 nt) is involved in the pathogenesis of HBV infection, whereas the exact mechanism is far from being fully elucidated. In this study, a yeast two-hybrid system using HBSP as bait was employed to screen binding partners for HBSP from a human liver cDNA library. The interaction between HBSP and fibrinogen γ chain (FGG) was further confirmed in vitro using a GST pull-down assay and confirmed in vivo using a mammalian two-hybrid assay and co-immunoprecipitation. It was identified that this interaction is mediated by the N terminal 47 amino acid residues of HBSP. HBSP could inhibit fibrin polymerization, factor XIIIa-mediated fibrin cross-linking, adhesion of platelets to fibrinogen and ADP-stimulated platelet aggregation. However, the interaction-mediating fragment 1-47 of HBSP is not sufficient for the inhibitory activity on fibrinogen function. The findings suggested that HBSP may participate in the hemostatic abnormality in patients with HBV-related liver diseases.

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in combination with small dose of clozapine on clinical symptoms of refractory schizophrenia patients so as to evaluate its validity and security.Eighty schizophrenia patients were randomized into medication group and EA + medication group (n=40/group). Patients of medication group were treated with conventional oral administration of clozapine (50-100 mg/d to 200-500 mg/d, for 8 weeks) and those of EA + medication group treated by EA of Baihui(GV 20) and bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and oral administration of clozapine (50 mg/d to 100-150 mg/d). EA was given to the patients, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Scores of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and the Untoward Effect Symptom Scale (TESS) were used to assess the therapeutic effect.Following treatment, PANSS scores for positive symptoms and the common psychiatric symptoms of the medication and EA + medication groups all decreased evidently from the 2rd week on (P0.05, P0.01), and those of the negative symptoms reduced obviously from the 4th week on (P0.05). Comparison between two groups showed no significant differences in PANSS scores for positive and negative symptoms and the common psychiatric symptoms after the treatment (P0.05). But TESS score of EA+ medication group was evidently lower than that of medication group (P0.01), suggesting an apparently fewer untoward effects in EA + medication group. Of the two 40 cases in medication and EA+ medication groups, 6 (15%) and 5 (12.5%) were cured, 8 and 8 (20%) experienced marked improvement in their symptoms, 17 (42.5%) and 16 (40%) had an improvement, 9 (22.5%) and 11 (27.5%) failed, with the effective rates being 77.5% and 72.5% separately.Both medication and EA+ medication can improve refractory schizophrenia patients'clinical symptoms, but the later has fewer untoward effects.

Microwave-assisted extract process for flavonoids from ginger (FG) was studied. Influences of concentration of extracting agent, microwave power, material ratio and irradiation time on the extraction were investigated. From orthogonal experiments the optimum extracting parameters were determined as follows: microwave power, 640W, concentration of alcohol, 80%, the materials ratio, 1:30 (W: V) and irradiation time, 25s. Under this optimal condition, the yield of flavonoids was 16.97 mg/g. In this study, the antioxidant activity of FG was evaluated by various methods with BHT and ascorbic acid as control standards. Antioxidant experiments showed that FG exhibited a strong DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation activity, and antioxidant activity increased with increasing concentration.

In this paper, based on the principle of agent technology, the architecture of Internet Intelligent Tutoring System (IITS) based on MAS (Multi-Agent System) and Data-mining technology is designed, and a model of data-mining agent which can provide individual tutoring service is constructed, the applications of data-mining technology on IITS is discussed. These will guide to develop the IITS with high flexibility and individual features.

Water source heat pump is the device which can transform low level heat energy to high level heat energy. It suits to using in thermal power plants, and can effectively make use of the waste heat of circulating water and flue gas, consequently the loss of heat could be reduced and the efficiency of coal could be increased, it has the prominent benefit of energy-saving and environmental protection and other integrative benefit. The work principle, function, merit and several applied schemes are introduced.

Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most common of the panniculitides, and is associated with many underlying etiological conditions. Herein, we report a case of EN with probable association with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and review previous reports in the English literature. Since hepatitis B is still an endemic infection in Taiwan, EN related to HBV may not be as uncommon as in developed countries. The incidence and pathogenesis of EN associated with HBV demand further investigation.

To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor(TLR) 2 and TLR4 in pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis(AD) and the effect of topical tacrolimus ointment on expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in lesional AD skin.Immunohistochemistry was employed to study the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in normal skin and lesional AD skin before and after using topical tacrolimus ointment.The basal keratinocytes in normal skin constitutively expressed TLR2 and TLR4. In contrast, lesional epidermis from 9 patients with acute AD overexpressed TLR2 and TLR4 on the whole epidermis keratinocytes with membranous and cytoplasmic staining pattern. After using topical tacrolimus ointment for three weeks, TLR2 and TLR4 were expressed on basal and suprabasal keratinocytes with membranous and cytoplasmic staining pattern.These data suggest that TLR2 and TLR4 expressed by epidermal keratinocytes constitute part of the innate immune system of the skin, and increased TLR2 and TLR4 expression may be related to the skin innate immuno-inflammatory response in atopic dermatitis. Topical tacrolimus may directly or indirectly inhibit or down-regulate TLR2 and TLR4 expression in KC and inhibit skin innate immuno-inflammatory response related to TLR-NFkappaB signal transduction and regulation in atopic dermatitis.

BackgroundThe roles of mitochondria in energy metabolism, the generation of ROS, aging, and the initiation of apoptosis have implicated their importance in tumorigenesis. In this study we aim to establish the mutation spectrum and to understand the role of somatic mtDNA mutations in esophageal cancer.MethodsThe entire mitochondrial genome was screened for somatic mutations in 20 pairs (18 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, one adenosquamous carcinoma and one adenocarcinoma) of tumor/surrounding normal tissue of esophageal cancers, using temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE), followed by direct DNA sequencing to identify the mutations.ResultsFourteen somatic mtDNA mutations were identified in 55% (11/20) of tumors analyzed, including 2 novel missense mutations and a frameshift mutation in ND4L, ATP6 subunit, and ND4 genes respectively. Nine mutations (64%) were in the D-loop region. Numerous germline variations were found, at least 10 of them were novel and five were missense mutations, some of them occurred in evolutionarily conserved domains. Using real-time quantitative PCR analysis, the mtDNA content was found to increase in some tumors and decrease in others. Analysis of molecular and other clinicopathological findings does not reveal significant correlation between somatic mtDNA mutations and mtDNA content, or between mtDNA content and metastatic status.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that somatic mtDNA mutations in esophageal cancers are frequent. Some missense and frameshift mutations may play an important role in the tumorigenesis of esophageal carcinoma. More extensive biochemical and molecular studies will be necessary to determine the pathological significance of these somatic mutations.

The interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) a nd umbelliferone, an active component of Chinese herbs, with or without metal ions was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) and UV. The experimental results showed that the umbelliferone molecules inserted into the hydrophobic pockets of BSA and quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA by forming umbelliferone-BSA complex. The mechanism of fluorescence quenching was confirmed combining by both static quenching and nonradiative energy transferring. It was discovered that the apparent association constant (K(A)) increases in the presence of Cu2+ and Zn2+, whereas the spatial-distance (r) between umbelliferone molecule and fluorescent amino acid residues of the BSA and the binding sites (n) of umbelliferone molecules on BSA have no obviously change. Binding of umbelliferone molecules to BSA was a spontaneous supramolecular interaction in which entropy increased and Gibbs free energy decreaed. The interaction of the umbelliferone-BSA was driven mainly by electrostatic force which was enhanced by Cu2+ and Zn2+, thus the contribution of AH to AG increased in the presence of metal ions.

To explore the status of heteroplasmy and homoplasmy of Mitochondrial DNA somatic mutations in different tumors. DNA from 149 tumors and corresponding normal tissues were extracted and entire mitochondrial genome was amplified using 32 pairs of overlapping primers. The somatic mutations were screened by temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis and their heteroplasmic statute were identified by sequencing. The results showed that the incidence rate of heteroplasmy of mitochondrial DNA somatic mutations varies in different tumors. There is a high rate of heteroplasmic mutation in oral cancer (65%) and esophageal cancer (64%), followed by breast cancer (45%). The frequency of four transfer types is Hm (homoplasmy)--Hm (heteroplasmy)Hm--HtHt--HmHt--Ht. The main transfer forms of transition and transversion mutations are Hm--Hm and Hm--Ht respectively. Heteroplasmy is a common phenomenon in mitochondrial DNA somatic mutations of human tumors.

To explore the inheritable character in essential hypertension and to evaluate the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations of the D-loop region in the pathogenesis of hypertension, the entire genome of the D-loop region from the hypertensive and the normotensive (20 cases, each) was amplified using 3 pairs of overlapping primers and followed by sequencing. We reconstructed the Neighbor-Joining tree and analyzed the mtDNA variations in the D-loop region. The results exhibited that one clustering branch harbored some hypertensive, who had significantly higher frequency and density of mtDNA variations (both P0.01), especially the polymorphisms of np152T-C, np182C-T, np189A-G, np247G-A, np16187C-T, np16189T-C, np16264C-T, np16270C-T and np16311T-C. This study suggested that there was an aggregative phenomenon in some hypertensive. The genotypes of np152C, np182T, np247A, np16187T, np16189C, np16264T, np16270T and np16311C may be potential genetic markers for susceptibility to hypertension.

To investigate the role of nuclear factor kappaB (Rel/NF-kappaB) in pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis(AD) and the effect of topical 0.1%(mass fraction) or 0.03%(mass fraction) tacrolimus ointment on expression of NF-kappaB in lesional AD skin.Immunohistochemistry has been employed to study the expression of NF-kappaB in normal skin and lesional AD skin before and after using topical tacrolimus ointment.The expressions of NF-kappaBp50 and NF-kappaBp65 were scattering or negative in normal keratinocytes. NF-kappaBp50 was overexpressed on nuclear of basal and suprabasal keratinocytes in 9 cases of AD, NF-kappaBp65 was overexpressed in cytoplasm and perinuclear of basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. After using topical tacrolimus ointment for three weeks , nuclear NF-kappaBp50 expressed on basal and suprabasal keratinocytes were lost and NF-kappaBp50 was expressed sparsely on basal keratinocytes cytoplasm or nuclear. NF-kappaBp65 was expressed sparsely on basal and suprabasal keratinocytes cytoplasm.These data suggest that increased NF-kappaB activity may represent the basis of initiation or maintenance of the skin inflammatory response in atopic dermatitis. Topical tacrolimus may directly or indirectly inhibit NF-kappaB nuclear expression in keratinocytes and inhibit skin innate immuno-inflammatory response in atopic dermatitis that related to NF-kappaB.

To identify the clinical features and the outcome of patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI).One hundred and eight consecutive patients with AMI were included in this retrospective analysis. The characteristics, management, and outcome of patients with AMI were compared between patients with cardiogenic shock (group A, n=11) and without cardiogenic shock (group B, n=9).There was no difference in the age and other characteristics including proportion of women, diabetics, prior myocardial infarction and the position of myocardial infarction. The levels of peak creatine kinase and troponin I were (31979.7+/-22271.1)nmol x s(-1) x L(-1) and (90.7+/-61.1) microg/L respectively in group A, they were higher than those in group B (17795.2+/-14979.7)nmol.s-1.L-1 and (39.9+/-52.1) microg/L, respectively (both P0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower in group A than that in group B (0.46+/-0.12 vs. 0.55+/-0.12, P0.05). Patients in group A had a higher proportion of pump failure, arrhythmia and pneumonia (64% vs. 14%, P0.001; 55% vs. 21 %, P0.05; and 46% vs. 12%, P0.01, respectively) than those in group B. In addition, in group A patients often underwent thrombolysis of urokinase, coronary angiography and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (46% vs. 18%, 73% vs. 26% and 36% vs. 4%, all P0.05, respectively). There was no difference in in-hospital mortality between group A and group B (0 vs. 4%, P0.05).Shock patients more likely have pump failure, arrhythmia, and pneumonia and more often underwent intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. If cardiogenic shock complicating AMI is managed with rapid evaluation and prompt initiation of supportive measures and definitive therapy, outcomes can be improved.

The title thiacalix[4]arene derivative, C36H34Br2O8S4, adopts an unusual pinched cone conformation with the propoxy-substituted benzene rings inclined inward [forming a dihedral angle of 33.4 (1)°] and with the brominated benzene rings bent outward, making a dihedral angle of 66.1 (1)°. In the crystal, the molecules form chains along [001] via C—H...S hydrogen bonds and S...S contacts [S...S = 3.492 (3) Å]. The chains are associated into bilayers through C—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating an R22(10) motif.

The effectiveness of safety belt usage in reducing mortality and morbidity among traffic crash victims has been well established. Population safety belt usage rates have been increasing from 11% in 1980 to 68% in 1995, as measured by observational surveys sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Safety incentive grants from NHTSA to the States with higher than average usage rates are expected to total $500 million during 1999-2003. In this paper, longitudinal annual motor vehicle-related fatality levels are analyzed by state to estimate the effect of the population safety belt usage rate on traffic fatality rates in the presence of known confounders such as alcohol use and youthful drivers. Consideration of alternative models applied to 14 years of data shows that the population safety belt usage rate (at least, at the current rates) is associated with little or no effect on reducing fatality rates. On the other hand, higher safety belt usage rates arising from states with primary enforcement laws tend to suggest reductions in fatality rates. Such results call into question the NHTSA policy of basing incentive programs on overall safety belt usage rates.

In the title compound, C30H26Br2O4S4, the thiacalix[4]arene unit adopts a pinched cone conformation, with one of the ether-substituted rings bent towards the calix cavity and the two phenolic rings bent outwards. The phenyl rings make dihedral angles of 27.12 (9), 36.71 (10), 75.04 (8), and 76.01 (7)° with the virtual plane defined by the four bridging S atoms. The two opposite ether-substituted rings are almost parallel to each other, with an interplanar anagle of 2.99 (12)°, while the two phenolic rings are nearly perpendicular to each other, making a dihedral angle of 74.52 (11)° and a Br...Br distance of 13.17 (2) Å. Two intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds between the OH groups and the same ether O atom stabilize the cone conformation. In the crystal, two different chains of molecules, one with alternating and the other with tail-to-tail orientations, are formed by intermolecular offset-face-to-face π–π stacking interactions with distances of 3.606 (3) to 4.488 (4) Å between the centroids of the aromatic rings.

The salt gland in Tamarix is a complex of eight cells composed of two inner, vacuolate, collecting cells and six outer, densely cytoplasmic, secretory cells. The secretory cells are completely enclosed by a cuticular layer except along part of the walls between the collecting cells and the inner secretory cell. This non-cuticularized wall region is termed the transfusion are (RUHLAND, 1915) and numerous plasmodesmata connect the inner secretory cells with the collecting cells in this area. Plasmodesmata also connect the collecting cells with the adjacent mesophyll cells.There are numerous mitochondria in the secretory cells and in different glands they show wide variation in form. In some glands wall protuberances extend into the secretory cells forming a labyrinth-like structure; however, in other glands the protuberances are not extensively developed. Numerous small vacuoles are found in some glands and these generally are distributed around the periphery of the secretory cells in association with the wall protuberances. Further, an unusual structure or interfacial apparatus is located along the anticlinal walls of the inner secretory cells. The general structure of the gland including the cuticular encasement, connecting plasmodesmata, interfacial apparatus, and variations in mitochondria, vacuoles, and wall structures are discussed in relation to general glandular function.

Background The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases in chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers who often have concomitant increase in the levels of benzo[alpha]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide(±) (BPDE)-DNA adduct in liver tissues, suggesting a possible co-carcinogenesis of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and benzo[alpha]pyrene in HCC; however the exact mechanisms involved are unclear. Methods The interaction between hepatitis B spliced protein (HBSP) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) was confirmed using GST pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation and mammalian two-hybrid assay; the effects of HBSP on mEH-mediated B[alpha]P metabolism was examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); and the influences of HBSP on B[alpha]P carcinogenicity were evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth and tumor xenograft. Results HBSP could interact with mEH in vitro and in vivo, and this interaction was mediated by the N terminal 47 amino acid residues of HBSP. HBSP could greatly enhance the hydrolysis activity of mEH in cell-free mouse liver microsomes, thus accelerating the metabolism of benzo[alpha]pyrene to produce more ultimate carcinnogen, BPDE, and this effect of HBSP requires the intact HBSP molecule. Expression of HBSP significantly increased the formation of BPDE-DNA adduct in benzo[alpha]pyrene-treated Huh-7 hepatoma cells, and this enhancement was blocked by knockdown of mEH. HBSP could enhance the cell proliferation, accelerate the G1/S transition, and promote cell transformation and tumorigenesis of B[alpha]P-treated Huh-7 hepatoma cells. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that HBSP could promote carcinogenic effects of B[alpha]P by interacting with mEH and enhancing its hydrolysis activity.