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Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of malignant death in Taiwan because it often remains undetected until later stages of the disease. In this study, we designed an oral form nano-particle to encapsulate 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA) to improve the detection of colorectal cancer cells in vivo. The nano-particle should escape from bacteria uptake in the gastrointestinal tract which seriously interferes the results of endoscopic observation. In this study, chitosan was mixed with sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and 5-ALA to prepare chitosan nano-particles (CN) and 5-ALA loaded chitosan nano-particles (CNA) by adding different pH values and concentrations of 5-ALA solution. The average particle size and zeta-potential of CN and CNA were measured by the Zetasizer-3000. The results revealed that particle size with different zeta-potential could be manipulated just by 5-ALA concentrations and pH values. CNA particles prepared at pH 7.4 and pH 9 of 5-ALA solutions with a concentration higher than 0.5 mg/ml showed a promising loading efficiency of up to 75% and an optimum average particle size of 100 nm. The zeta-potential for CNA was over 30 mV that kept the nano-particle stable without aggregation when stored in suspension solution. Fluorescence microscope examination showed that CNA could be engulfed by Caco-2 colon cancer cells but showed no evidence of being taken up by Escherichia coli. This result implies that CNA could exclude the influence of normal flora inside the gut and serves as an adequate tool for fluorescent endoscopic detection of colorectal cancer cells in vivo.

Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging and antioxidative capability in detached leaves of the wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Landsberg erecta (Ler) and in three mutants deficient in anthocyanin biosynthesis (tt3, tt4 and tt3tt4) were investigated under photooxidation stress induced by methyl viologen (5 μm) in the light. In comparison with the wild-type (WT) plant, photooxidation resulted in significant decreases in the contents of total phenolics and flavonoid, total antioxidative capability and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F v /F m , qP, Φ PSII , NPQ and ETR) as determined by chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, and in an increase in cell-membrane leakiness in the three anthocyanin mutants. The sequence of sensitivity to photooxidation in the leaves of the four phenotypes were tt3tt4 (deficient in both chalcone synthase locus (CHS) and dihydroflavonol 4-reductase locus (DFR)) > tt4 (deficient in CHS) > tt3 (deficient in DFR) > WT. The results demonstrate that anthocyanins might, along with other antioxidants, protect the photosynthetic apparatus against photooxidative damage. An interesting phenomenon was observed over the 270 min of the photooxidative treatment, that is, fluorescence imaging revealed that qP, Φ PSII and ETR appeared in three phases (fall → partial recovery → rapid fall). This was considered to be a modulation of reversible deactivation in PSII to cope with the moderate oxidative stress in the first two stages of short-term treatment (<150 min), followed finally by damage to PSII under severe oxidative stress with prolonged treatment.

Because of the lack of membrane binding subunit, type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are not very toxic to cells unless action is taken to allow for toxin internalization to the cytosol. To overcome the potential barriers that greatly hinder the cellular uptake and intracellular release of saporin, a type I RIP, we used generation 4 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer as the carrier to improve its endocytic uptake, passive tumor targeting, and implemented the photochemical internalization (PCI) technology to facilitate its cytosolic release. Our results showed that the cellular uptake of saporin was increased after conjugation with the PAMAM dendrimer and the cytotoxic effect was improved by more than 1 order of magnitude. The cytotoxicity of free saporin and PAMAM-saporin was further enhanced by the PCI technology. PCI changed the mechanism of cellular uptake of free saporin and then caused more saporin entering into the cells. After the PCI treatment, PAMAM-saporin was not only internalized into the cytosol but also efficiently entered the nuclei. Our results indicated that conjugating to PAMAM dendrimer is a possible approach to enhance the cellular uptake of saporin. PCI is a promising technology to significantly enhance the cytotoxicity of both free saporin and PAMAM-saporin. Combining both polymer conjugation and PCI approaches may improve the efficacy of RIPs in cancer therapy.

Amphiphilic 4-armed star-shaped chlorin-core diblock copolymers based on methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) and poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) were synthesized and characterized in this study. The synthesized photosensitizer-centered amphiphilic star block copolymer that forms assembled micelle-like structures can be used in a photodynamic therapy (PDT)-functionalized drug delivery system. Moreover, the hydrophobic chemotherapeutic agent, paclitaxel, can be trapped in the hydrophobic inner core of micelles. In our results, the star-polymer-formed micelle exhibited efficient singlet oxygen generation, whereas the hydrophobic photosensitizer failed due to aggregation in aqueous solution. The chlorin-core micelle without paclitaxel loading exhibited obvious phototoxicity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells with 7J/cm2 or 14J/cm2 light irradiation at a chlorin concentration of 125microg/ml. After paclitaxel loading, the size of micelle increased from 71.4nm to 103.2nm. Surprisingly, these micelles were found to improve the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel significantly in MCF-7 cells after irradiation through a synergistic effect evaluated by median effect analysis. This functionalized micellar delivery system is a potential dual carrier for the synergistic combination of photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.

Objective: To investigate the relationship of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D to microvessel density (MVD), microlymphatic vessel density (MLVD), and lymph node metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma., Methods: Fresh specimens of lung adenocarcinoma were collected form 48 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, 28 males and 20 females, aged 35 - 78, during operation. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of VEGF-D, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of VEGF-D, CD34 (marker of MVD), and VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 (marker of MLV)., Results: The expression of VEGF-D mRNA in the lung cancer was significantly higher than that in the normal lung tissue, and the expression of VEGF-D protein in the cancerous invasive edge was significantly higher than that in the center of cancerous tissues. Twenty-one of the 29 lung adenocarcinoma patients at stages III - IV were VEGF-D positive, a proportion significantly higher than that of the patients at stages I - II (7/19, P = 0.015). The MLVD of the VEGF-D positive group was 10.25 +/- 2.50, significantly higher than that of the VEGF-D negative group (6.8 +/- 2.2, P < 0.01). Twenty-three of the 28 VEGF-D positive patients showed lymph node metastasis, a proportion significantly higher than that of the VEGF-D negative group (9/20, P = 0.012)., Conclusion: VEGF-D is related with the lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma, but not with angiogenesis.

Development of controllable and non-toxic gene transfection systems is a core issue in gene therapy. Photochemical internalization, an innovative strategy in cytosolic release, provides us with an opportunity to develop a light-inducible gene delivery system. In this study, a novel photochemical internalization (PCI)-mediated gene delivery system was synthesized by surface modification of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers via 5,10,15-tri(4-acetamidophenyl)-20-mono(4-carboxyl-phenyl)porphyrin (TAMCPP) conjugated to the generation 4 PAMAM dendrimer (G4). This water-soluble PAMAM-TAMCPP conjugate was characterized for cell viability, phototoxicity, DNA complexation, and in vitro transfection activity. The results show that TAMCPP conjugation did not increase the cytotoxicity of the PAMAM dendrimer below 20 microM, but significantly induced cell death after suitable irradiation. Under almost non-toxic G4-TAMCPP-mediated PCI treatment, the expression of green fluorescent protein determined by flow cytometry could be markedly enhanced in HeLa cells. Therefore, the G4-TAMCPP conjugate had an inducible and effective gene transfection activity, and showed considerable potential as a bimodal biomaterial for PCI-mediated gene therapy.

By adding different concentrations (5%-25%) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) into Hoagland solution to simulate a gradient of drought stress, the photosynthetic characteristics and drought resistance of Jatropha curcas L. seedlings were investigated. The results showed that when treated with lower concentrations (< or = 15%) of PEG, the photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci) of the seedlings decreased with increasing PEG concentration, while the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters optimal/maximal quantum yield of PS II (Fv/Fm) decreased slightly and minimal fluorescence (Fo) was almost unaltered. The certain reduction of actual photochemical efficiency of PS II in the light (Phi(PS II)), coefficient of photochemical quenching (qP), and apparent electron transport rate (ETR) was associated with a significant increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), whereas as the PEG concentration was increased to higher than 15%, Ci increased remarkably, Pn, Gs, and WUE had a sustained decrease, while Fv/Fm, Phi(PS II), qP and ETR decreased more significantly, Fo increased rapidly, and NPQ decreased. The reduction of Pn under low concentration PEG was mainly due to stomatal limitation, while that under high PEG concentration was referred to the combination of non-stomatal and stomatal limitation. When the PEG concentration was lower than 20%, Pn decreased but photosynthetic structure was not damaged. The recovery of PS II activity and the survival of plant were found after the severe drought stress was removed 15 days later. It was concluded that Jatropha curcas had stronger tolerance to drought stress.

Lung cancer is the most malignant cancer today; in order to develop an effective drug delivery system for lung cancer therapy, gelatin nanoparticles (GPs) were modified with NeutrAvidin(FITC)-biotinylated epidermal growth factor (EGF) to form EGF receptor (EGFR)-seeking nanoparticles (GP-Av-bEGF). Aerosol droplets of the GP-Av-bEGF were generated by using a nebulizer and were delivered to mice model of lung cancer via aerosol delivery. Analysis of the aerosol size revealed that 99% of the nanoparticles after nebulization had a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) within the suitable range (0.5-5 microm) for lower airway deposition. The safety of inhaled nanoparticles was examined by lung edema and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assay. There's no finding suggestive of acute lung inflammation following inhalation. The fluorescence images obtained from live mice showed that the GP-Av-bEGF could target the cancerous lungs in a more specific manner. Fluorescence analysis of the organs revealed that the GP-Av-bEGF was mainly distributed in cancerous lungs. In contrast, nanoparticle accumulation was lower in normal lungs. The histological results indicated that the fluorescent GP-Av-bEGF was colocalized with the anti-EGFR-immunostain due to EGFR binding. The results of this study revealed that GP-Av-bEGF could target to the EGFR-overexpression cancer cells in vivo and may prove to be beneficial drug carriers when administered by simple aerosol delivery for the treatment of lung cancer.

EKG may be difficult to perform in the elderly. Tremors may induce an EKG pattern suggestive of torsade de pointe. Unexpected good clinical tolerance and appropriate analysis of the EKG allow to correct the diagnosis.

The aim of this study was to design, implement and evaluate disease outcomes at a regional hospital- based case management program of care for patients with type 2 diabetes. A medical team and practice guidelines were established in line with the health insurance strategy of Taiwan's Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care for Diabetes (2003 edition). Also, a set of self-care booklets was designed suitable for use by the subject group. The study was prospective and followed the patients from enrollment to one year. Patient outcomes were determined based on laboratory examinations and recorded self-care behavior. Data were collected at enrollment and over 4 follow-up times within a one year period. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used for repeated measurements and adjustments of the effects of specific prognostic factors. Sixty subjects diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (mean duration 3.25 years) were recruited. All participants were married with a mean age of 52.5 years. A majority (58.3%) was male and 65% were ethnic Hakka. Self-care knowledge and behavior accomplishment rates were: taking medications by oneself, 91.3% (knowing medicines, 25.4%); hypoglycemia management, 23.3%; monitoring blood sugar, 46.7%; exercise, 35.8%; diet management, 51.7% and foot care, 92.8%. Significantly improved ADA diabetes care standard items included HbA1C (p< .0001), fasting glucose (p< .01) and triglycerides (p< .05). The study incorporated evidence-based guidelines, public health insurance strategies and self-care booklets into a protocol to provide comprehensive care. The implemented diabetes program achieved diabetes care goals and improved patient self-care.

The value of intrinsic chlorophyll fluorescence polarization, and the intensity in emission spectrum were investigated in leaf segments of Alocasia macrorrhiza under several stress conditions including different temperatures (25-50 degrees C), various concentrations of NaCl (0-250 mM), methyl viologen (MV, 0-25 microM), SDS (0-1.0%) and NaHSO(3) (0-80 microM). Fluorescence emission spectrum of leaves at wavelength regions of 500-800 nm was monitored by excitation at 436 nm. The value of fluorescence polarization (P value), as result of energy transfer and mutual orientation between chlorophyll molecules, was determined by excitation at 436 nm and emission at 685 nm. The results showed that elevated temperature and concentrations of salt (NaCl), photooxidant (MV), surfactant (SDS) and simulated SO(2) (NaHSO(3)) treatments all induced a reduction of fluorescence polarization to various degrees. However, alteration of the fluorescence spectrum and emission intensity of F(685) and F(731) depended on the individual treatment. Increase in temperature and concentration of NaHSO(3) enhanced fluorescence intensity mainly at F(685), while an increase in MV concentration led to a decrease at both F(685) and F(731). On the contrary, NaCl and SDS did not cause remarkable change in fluorescence spectrum. Among different treatments, the negative correlation between polarization and fluorescence intensity was found with NaHSO(3) treatments only. We concluded that P value being measured with intrinsic chlorophyll fluorescence as probe in leaves is a susceptible indicator responding to changes in environmental conditions. The alteration of P value and fluorescence intensity might not always be shown a functional relation pattern. The possible reasons of differed response to various treatments were discussed.

Coupling anticancer drugs to synthetic polymers is a promising approach to improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects of these drugs. The pH-activated polymer has been demonstrated to be a successful drug delivery vehicle system, whereas the photochemical internalization (PCI) was invented for site-specific delivery of membrane impermeable macromolecules from endocytic vesicles into the cytosol. In this study, doxorubicin (DOX) was conjugated to polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers via pH-sensitive and -insensitive linkers and was combined with different PCI strategies to evaluate the cytotoxic effects. Our results showed that both PCI strategies significantly improved the cytotoxicity of free DOX on Ca9-22 cells at higher concentrations. The 'light after' PCI treatment was efficient in releasing DOX from the PAMAM-hyd-DOX conjugates, resulted in more nuclear accumulation of DOX and more cell death through synergistic effects. On the other hand, antagonism was observed when 'light before' PCI combined with PAMAM-hyd-DOX conjugate. The distribution of PAMAM-amide-DOX was mainly cytosolic with or without PCI treatments. Both PCI strategies failed to improve the cytotoxicity of PAMAM-amide-DOX conjugates. Our results provide invaluable information in the future design of drug-polymer complexes for multi-modality cancer treatments.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of different immunotherapeutic strategies of loading dendritic cells (DCs) with the antigen of the Ewing sarcoma in vitro and in vivo., Methods: DCs were either electrofused with the whole Ewing sarcoma cells A673, pulsed with lysates of the tumor cell or modified with the characteristic EWS/FLI1 gene. Then we assessed the capacity of the stimulated cytoxicity T lymphocyte (CTLs) by the parameter of the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secreted and the cytotoxicity to the A673. In vivo experiment, the human IgG serum concentrations of the SCID mice were measured to determine the mouse human immune system reconstitution, and the growths of the inoculated tumor were measured to assess the anti-tumor effect., Results: The data revealed that various DC-based strategies could induce specific immune responses to the tumor, with the hybrids showing superiority to the other strategies while there were no significant differences between the sets of the gene modified DCs and non-manipulated DCs in the cytotoxicity assay to A673 cells. Moreover, there were no significant differences among the sets of the gene modified DCs, lysate pulsed DCs and non-manipulated in vivo anti-tumor effect about the tumor volume on the SCID mice., Conclusion: The Ewing sarcoma had good responses to the DC-based immunotherapy and based on this experiment, we could also conclude that the product of electrofusion may be an optimal strategy for immunotherapy of Ewing sarcoma.

Introduction: Pseudoachalasia mimics primary achalasia and can provoke serious complications in the elderly., Case Record: A 84 years-old woman had dysphagia with recurrent pneumonia. Pseudoachalasia related to a multifocal primitive amyloidosis was diagnosed. Treatment with botulinum toxin injection during a gastric fibroscopy resulted in clinical improvement, still notable 15 months later., Discussion: Botulinum toxin injection may be a useful tool in treatment of pseudoachalasia due to amyloidosis.

Background: When aligning several hundreds or thousands of sequences, such as epidemic virus sequences or homologous/orthologous sequences of some big gene families, to reconstruct the epidemiological history or their phylogenies, how to analyze and visualize the alignment results of many sequences has become a new challenge for computational biologists. Although there are several tools available for visualization of very long sequence alignments, few of them are applicable to the alignments of many sequences., Results: A multiple-logo alignment visualization tool, called Phylo-mLogo, is presented in this paper. Phylo-mLogo calculates the variabilities and homogeneities of alignment sequences by base frequencies or entropies. Different from the traditional representations of sequence logos, Phylo-mLogo not only displays the global logo patterns of the whole alignment of multiple sequences, but also demonstrates their local homologous logos for each clade hierarchically. In addition, Phylo-mLogo also allows the user to focus only on the analysis of some important, structurally or functionally constrained sites in the alignment selected by the user or by built-in automatic calculation., Conclusion: With Phylo-mLogo, the user can symbolically and hierarchically visualize hundreds of aligned sequences simultaneously and easily check the changes of their amino acid sites when analyzing many homologous/orthologous or influenza virus sequences. More information of Phylo-mLogo can be found at URL http://biocomp.iis.sinica.edu.tw/phylomlogo.

Aim: Evaluation of tongue movements during swallowing with a computer-aided, M-mode ultrasonography system in combination with a cushioning device., Subjects and Method: Motion pattern and activity duration of the tongue dorsum during swallowing were investigated in 55 volunteers., Results: The duration, amplitude and pattern of tongue movements during swallowing differed interindividually, whereas they were reproduced well intra-individually. We thus observed three characteristic variations in phases I and IIIb and two in phases IIb and IIIa. The movement pattern in phase IIa and in the rest phase was uniform., Conclusions: M-mode ultrasonography provides valid information on tongue movements without any side-effects and is thus a useful tool in the diagnosis and research of tongue functions in orthodontics and dentistry.

In the present study, both electron spin resonance (ESR) and chemical detection confirmed that lutein [extracted from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)], the most abundant xanthophyll in thylakoids of chloroplasts, could serve as an antioxidant to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro. Lutein exhibited a greater capacity for scavenging hydroxyl (OH · ) and superoxide (O 2 · - ) radicals than β-carotene at the same concentration, whereas the opposite trend was observed in the capacity for scavenging singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ). The capacity of lutein for scavenging ROS from high to low is OH · > O 2 · - under severe stress. This hypothesis is consistent with our previous report that the lut2 (lutein-deficient) Arabidopsis mutant is more susceptible to damage than the npq1 (lutein-replete but violaxanthin de-epoxidase-deficient) Arabidopsis mutant under severe stress during exposure to high light intensity at low temperature (Peng and Gilmore 2003).1 O 2 . We hypothesise that lutein plays an important photoprotective role in scavenging O 2 · - and OH · under severe stress. This hypothesis is consistent with our previous report that the lut2 (lutein-deficient) Arabidopsis mutant is more susceptible to damage than the npq1 (lutein-replete but violaxanthin de-epoxidase-deficient) Arabidopsis mutant under severe stress during exposure to high light intensity at low temperature (Peng and Gilmore 2003).

This paper covers an image acquisition & processing system of the capsule-style endoscope. Images sent by the endoscope are compressed and encoded with the digital signal processor (DSP) saving data in HD into PC for analyzing and processing in the image browser workstation.

A patient with a unilateral horizontally impacted upper left canine and first premolar was treated orthodontically. The use of a double archwire technique achieved the desired treatment goals. We discuss the problems associated with impacted maxillary canines and first premolars and the biomechanical interventions used for this patient.

The portable gastrointestinal wireless endoscope image receiver is developed and based on TMS320C6211 DSP. It can receive and demodulate the modulated signal which is transmitted from the camera-capsule, and then output the video signal. The synchronizing signals offered by SAA7114H are made best of and are used to design the time logic circuit. The fitful video signal can be collected under the control of the time logic circuit. The circuit can automatically get rid of useless blank data and only collect effective and good-quality video signals, and storage them in CF card. In addition, the image signal can be processed and compressed by DSP, and thus the data storage space and the data- analyzing time can be saved.

Background: Deluged by the rate and complexity of completed genomic sequences, the need to align longer sequences becomes more urgent, and many more tools have thus been developed. In the initial stage of genomic sequence analysis, a biologist is usually faced with the questions of how to choose the best tool to align sequences of interest and how to analyze and visualize the alignment results, and then with the question of whether poorly aligned regions produced by the tool are indeed not homologous or are just results due to inappropriate alignment tools or scoring systems used. Although several systematic evaluations of multiple sequence alignment (MSA) programs have been proposed, they may not provide a standard-bearer for most biologists because those poorly aligned regions in these evaluations are never discussed. Thus, a tool that allows cross comparison of the alignment results obtained by different tools simultaneously could help a biologist evaluate their correctness and accuracy., Results: In this paper, we present a versatile alignment visualization system, called SinicView, (for Sequence-aligning INnovative and Interactive Comparison VIEWer), which allows the user to efficiently compare and evaluate assorted nucleotide alignment results obtained by different tools. SinicView calculates similarity of the alignment outputs under a fixed window using the sum-of-pairs method and provides scoring profiles of each set of aligned sequences. The user can visually compare alignment results either in graphic scoring profiles or in plain text format of the aligned nucleotides along with the annotations information. We illustrate the capabilities of our visualization system by comparing alignment results obtained by MLAGAN, MAVID, and MULTIZ, respectively., Conclusion: With SinicView, users can use their own data sequences to compare various alignment tools or scoring systems and select the most suitable one to perform alignment in the initial stage of sequence analysis.

The swallowable camera-capsule,described in the aper, 11 mm in diameter and 30 mm in length , contains a CMOS image sensor, an optical system, a battery, a light source, a transmitter, a antenna and so on. The CMOS image sensor and its driving circuit can be miniaturized with MEMS technology. Image signal can be transmitted by analog or digital way. Image signal can be wirelessly transmitted through serial data interface. Finally, the processing technics of the capsule's crust is introduced.

Objective: To detect gene mutations associated with autosomal dominant congenital stationary night blindness(ADCSNB) in a large Chinese family., Methods: Genomic DNAs were extracted from peripheral blood samples of 16 affected and 14 unaffected family members. According to 5 missense mutations in 3 genes reported previously, 4 pairs of primers were designed and corresponding exons containing the five mutation sites were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Amplified products were purified and sequenced by MegaBACE1000 capillary array electrophoresis DNA sequencer. Full field electroretinogram (ERG, ISCEV) of patients was recorded and analyzed by Roland Consult System., Results: Dark-adapted ERG showed a-wave was normal, but b-wave of the patients was markedly decreased. None of the five missense mutations were detected in 16 affected and 14 unaffected family members., Conclusion: The molecular pathogenesis of ADCSNB in this family does not involve point mutations or deletions of these five sites, which indicates the heterogeneity of ADCSNB.

The capsule-style micro-system is a hot spot of minimally-invasive medical instruments. Progresses of some typical capsule-style micro-systems, such as the wireless endoscope, site specific delivery capsule (SSDC), alimentary tract sampling capsule, PH capsule, etc. are introduced here in detail. The research activities in China and the developing trend of capsule-style micro-systems are discussed too.

One possible path towards understanding the biological function of a target protein is through the discovery of how it interfaces within protein-protein interaction networks. The goal of this study was to create a virtual protein-protein interaction model using the concepts of orthologous conservation (or interologs) to elucidate the interacting networks of a particular target protein. POINT (the prediction of interactome database) is a functional database for the prediction of the human protein-protein interactome based on available orthologous interactome datasets. POINT integrates several publicly accessible databases, with emphasis placed on the extraction of a large quantity of mouse, fruit fly, worm and yeast protein-protein interactions datasets from the Database of Interacting Proteins (DIP), followed by conversion of them into a predicted human interactome. In addition, protein-protein interactions require both temporal synchronicity and precise spatial proximity. POINT therefore also incorporates correlated mRNA expression clusters obtained from cell cycle microarray databases and subcellular localization from Gene Ontology to further pinpoint the likelihood of biological relevance of each predicted interacting sets of protein partners.

By means of PCR and direct sequencing, all 51 exons and their neighbouring intronic sequences of the COL4A5 gene were analyzed to detect mutations in 17 members from a Chinese family with X-linked Alport syndrome(XLAS). At the position 2240 in exon 26, a single-base deletion(2240deIC) is found in all male patients, and a heterozygous deletion is found in all female patients, whereas no mutation is found in normal and 80 control individuals. Meanwhile, the corresponding PCR products of female patients are cloned and sequenced to confirm the results. It is concluded that the 2240deIC mutation is the underlying cause of XLAS in this family,not a polymorphism. Furthermore,this single-base deletion mutation in COL4A5 gene is first reported in X-linked Alport syndrome.

Many studies have proved that tongue thrusting plays a significant role in the etiology of some orofacial deformities. To learn more about the relationship between tongue function and the form of orofacial structures, it is important to recognize patients with abnormal swallowing patterns. A cushion scanning technique in combination with M-mode ultrasound was applied to measure and compare tongue movements between mature swallowing and tongue-thrust swallowing. Forty subjects with a mature swallowing pattern (23 female, 17 male, aged 21.8 +/- 6.1 years) and 15 subjects with a tongue-thrust swallowing pattern (8 female, 7 male, aged 13.6 +/- 6.6 years) were included in this study. Duration, range, speed, and reproducibility for each of the swallowing subphases were calculated and compared. Tongue-thrust swallowers had a longer late transport phase than mature swallowers (P <.0009), and the tongue speed was faster in the early final phase (P <.05) compared with mature swallowers. Distinctly different movements can be positively differentiated with the method used.

The influence of suspended clay/solid particles on organic-coagulant reactions during water chlorination was investigated by analyses of total product formation potential (TPFP) and disinfection by-product (DBP) distribution as a function of exchanged clay cation, coagulant organic polymer, and reaction time. Montmorillonite clays appeared to act as a catalytic center where the reaction between adsorbed polymer and disinfectant (chlorine) was mediated closely by the exchanged clay cation. The transition-metal cations in clays catalyzed more effectively than other cations the reactions between a coagulant polymer and chlorine, forming a large number of volatile DBPs. The relative catalytic effects of clays/solids followed the order Ti-Mont > Fe-Mont > Cu-Mont > Mn-Mont > Ca-Mont > Na-Mont > quartz > talc. The effects of coagulant polymers on TPFP follow the order nonionic polymer > anionic polymer > cationic polymer. The catalytic role of the clay cation was further confirmed by the observed inhibition in DBP formation when strong chelating agents (o-phenanthroline and ethylenediamine) were added to the clay suspension. Moreover, in the presence of clays, total DBPs increased appreciably when either the reaction time or the amount of the added clay or coagulant polymer increased. For volatile DBPs, the formation of halogenated methanes was usually time-dependent, with chloroform and dichloromethane showing the greatest dependence.

The concentration of homocysteine (Hcy) rises rapidly after the collection of blood. This feature requires blood to be collected into the anticoagulants EDTA or heparin and the plasma to then be immediately separated; alternatively, the blood may be kept on ice and centrifuged within 1 hour. The use of chemical preservatives has been proposed as a means of stabilising Hcy levels in whole blood after collection. The objective of this study was to determine whether the commonly available fluoride-oxalate (Fl-Ox) and sodium citrate (Na-Cit) containers could stabilise Hcy levels in blood. Our results showed that when blood was collected into potassium EDTA (K-EDTA) tubes, Hcy levels rose from initial levels, on standing at room temperature (approximately 25 degrees C), by an average of 21% after 3 hours and 32% after 5 hours. The initial Hcy levels of blood collected into Fl-Ox and Na-Cit containers, however, were lower, at averages of 89% and 91%, respectively, compared to that of the same samples when collected into K-EDTA tubes. Hcy in these samples subsequently rose on standing, and after 5 hours was, on the average, 10 and 13% higher, respectively, compared with the initial levels in K-EDTA tubes. We conclude that Fl-Ox and Na-Cit do not stabilise Hcy in blood after collection and should not be used as preservatives.

In order to investigate the difference in tongue movement between visceral (infantile) and somatic (mature) swallowing patterns, 12 visceral (seven females, five males) and 14 somatic (eight females, six males) swallowers were examined with the B+M-mode ultrasound technique. Movements of the tongue tip and submental musculature during swallowing were recorded on video cassette and evaluated with a personal computer. The results demonstrated that the tongue dorsal surface, which was thought to be ideal for observing tongue function, was not suitable for differentiating between visceral and somatic swallowing patterns. Conversely, the movements of the genioglossus muscle were found to be identical within groups but significantly different (P < 0.01) from each other between the two swallowing patterns. Therefore, the genioglossus muscle can serve as a reliable means for differentiating between visceral and somatic swallowers.

Objective: To investigate the changes of plasma fibrinolysis system and the effect of captopril in patients with high altitude pulmonary edema., Methods: The plasma levels of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were measured before and after treatment in the captopril-group (group A, 35 cases) and the routine-group (group B, 37 cases) of patients with HAPE, while 20 healthy volunteers served as the control (group C)., Results: The plasma level of tPA was (0.40 +/- 0.14) x 10(3) IU/L in group A vs (0.39 +/- 0.19) x 10(3) IU/L in group B before treatment, and (0.58 +/- 0.13) x 10(3) IU/L vs (0.49 +/- 0.16) x 10(3) IU/L after treatment, and (0.59 +/- 0.17) x 10(3) IU/L in group C. The differences were significant both before and after treatment between group A and group B (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). While PAI-1 was (6.6 +/- 1.8) x 10(3) AU/L in group A vs (6.6 +/- 1.6) x 10(3) AU/L in group B before treatment, and (4.9 +/- 1.5) x 10(3) AU/L vs (5.8 +/- 1.7) x 10(3) AU/L after treatment, and (4.9 +/- 1.3) x 10(3) AU/L in group C. The differences were significant both before and after treatment between group A and group B (P < 0.01, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Patients with HAPE may present a disturbance of the fibrinolysis system, which could be reversed by captopril.

Objectives: We sought to apply B- + M-mode ultrasonography in combination with the cushion-scanning technique (CST) in quantitative analysis of tongue movement during vowel articulation., Study Design and Setting: Twenty normal persons (10 women and 10 men) were enrolled in this study. Each individual was asked to enunciate 5 vowels:/e/, /i/, /aI/, /o/, and /ju/. A noninvasive diagnostic technique, computer-assisted B-mode plus M-mode ultrasonography, was used in combination with the CST to assess their tongue movement. The sonographic signals were recorded on a video recorder and then transferred to a personal computer via a frame grabber for digital assessment., Results: M-mode images show an amplitude-time diagram, whereas B-mode images reveal midsagittal tongue configuration. The ranges of tongue movement in midsagittal plane in male speakers during production of the vowels /e/, /i/, /aI/, /o/, and /ju/ were 8.29 +/- 1.76, 4.00 +/- 0.78, 13.82 +/- 2.86, 14.05 +/- 1.63, and 6.72 +/- 1.66 mm, respectively; for female speakers, the averages were 7.19 +/- 0.92, 3.36 +/- 1.31, 12.74 +/- 2.16, 12.86 +/- 2.18, and 7.11 +/- 2.09 mm, respectively., Conclusions: The computer-assisted B-mode plus M-mode ultrasonography in combination with the CST provides a standardized and quantifiable ultrasonographic examination for the clinical investigation of tongue movement during vowel articulation. In our study group, there was no difference in the thickness of tongue or the range of tongue movement in midsagittal plane during articulation of the selected vowels between males and females. Further exploration can be extended in the field of speech research by this valuable tool.

To understand the role of the tongue in the development of occlusion, we examined the relationship between tongue movements during swallowing and dentofacial morphology with ultrasonography, cephalometric radiography, and dental casts. Duration, magnitude, and speed of tongue movements were measured in 112 healthy adult volunteers and compared with their dentofacial morphology with a simple correlation analysis. The results showed that the movements of tongue during swallowing are related to dentofacial morphology, especially in the motion magnitude of the early final phase (phase IIIa), but that few correlations are found when analyzing the duration and the speed of swallowing. The results also showed that the intermaxillary vertical dimension is significantly and positively correlated with the motion magnitude of the tongue movements. Furthermore, we found that arch length increased with prolonged duration of swallowing. This study showed that the computer-aided B+M mode of ultrasonography combined with the cushion-scanning technique is a valuable tool for investigating the relationship between tongue movements during swallowing and dentofacial morphology.

This study compared the response to methyl viologen (MV)-induced photooxidation in wild-type barley (wt), and both its chlorina f104-nuclear gene mutant (that restricts Chl a and b synthesis) and its f2-nuclear gene mutant (that inhibits all Chl b synthesis). Without MV, the f2 mutant showed the highest sensitivity to high light, with Fv/Fm being reduced by 80% after 80 min of irradiation. There was little difference in response to high light without MV between f104 and wt. After vacuum infiltration with 100 μM MV and exposure to high light, f104 exhibited the highest sensitivity while f2 was the most tolerant to the photooxidation effects. 77K fluorescence spectral analysis indicated that PSII of f104 was especially damaged, as evidenced by the appearance of a new Chl a emission band around 700 nm at the expense of the F685 and F695 bands from the PSII core-inner antenna. With MV, chlorophyll degraded more rapidly in f104 than in either f2 or wt. During MV treatment, zeaxanthin content increased significantly during the initial period of exposure (0-20 min) in all strains, but decreased sharply in f104 after longer exposure time (20-80 min). β-Carotene, on a chlorophyll basis, was not much changed under high light without MV, but with MV it decreased significantly, mostly in f104, intermediately in f2 and least in wt. We conclude that the light-sensitive chlorosis phenotype of f104 is exacerbated by MV-induced photooxidation.

We have developed a novel silicon microchannel system for the research of the red blood cell rheology and deformation. Recurring to many kinds of information technologies and advanced test means such as the electronic microscope, the image acquisition system and the computer processing system and by using the up-to-date Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) technology, a new measuring system of red bood cell deformation is designed based on the chip and a model using the silicon microchannel to simulate capillary vessel network. It provides a real-time collection and anaysis of data which include image, speed, flow parameter, and so on. It provides printing, storage of the analysis results and patients' database management.

The present study was designated to determine the elastic properties of the periodontal ligament (PDL) in human subjects. A maxillary central incisor was experimentally translated so that stress or strain could be uniformly distributed in the PDL by applying a single force passing through the center of resistance. Displacements were measured under different magnitudes of load using a magnet-magnetic sensing system. From the load-displacement relations, Young's modulus of the PDL was calculated. The values determined were approximately 0.12 MPa under load ranging from 0 to 0.5 N, 0.25 MPa within the range of 0.5-1.0 N, 0.44 MPa under load 1.0-1.5 N, and between 0.69 and 0.96 MPa with 1.5-2.0 N. The values of Young's moduli increased almost exponentially with the increment of load due to a non-linear elasticity of the PDL.

Previous ultrasonographic studies on tongue functions were limited by the possibility of artifacts caused by movement of the submental area during function. Consequently, tongue movements were misinterpreted. A dynamic tongue imaging technique, the cushion-scanning technique, was used to overcome this problem. Later, swallowing was investigated and divided into five phases using cushion-scanning technique-aided M-mode ultrasonograms. In this study, cushion-scanning technique in combination with the B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography was applied to investigate and measure the tongue movement during swallowing in 55 normal persons. The average duration, range of motion and speed of swallowing were found to be 2.43 s, 24.06 mm, and 10.34 mm/s, respectively. The computer-aided B-mode plus M-mode ultrasonography in combination with the cushion-scanning technique is a valuable tool for study of tongue functions.

A force measurement device has been designed to monitor the mechanical properties of fracture site with external fixation. Forces are measured through electric resistance strain gauges mounted on fixation framework and the measurement results are displayed on an LCD screen. The device features a force range of 0-10 kg with linearity and repeatability less than 1% and accuracy less than 0.1 kg.

Rationale and Objectives: We describe the cushion scanning technique (CST), which solves common difficulties encountered during ultrasound investigations of swallowing. These problems arise when the transducer is held in direct contact with the submental area. Some of these problems include movements of the ultrasound transducer during swallowing and compression of the submental region, which causes abnormal swallowing patterns., Methods: To compare ultrasound images produced with the conventional hand-held transducer-skin coupling scanning technique with the CST, we studied five participants with no clinical signs of tongue dysfunction. All tongue movements were recorded by real-time B+M-mode sonography., Results: Images produced with the hand-held transducer were found to be unstable because the transducer moved during swallowing, thereby changing the scanning section. By contrast, the transducer and the participant's head remained in a constant position throughout the CST trial. There was no obvious compression of the submental muscles., Conclusion: The CST allows for a better intraindividual reproducibility of the swallowing pattern and for a more standardized and objective ultrasound examination than the hand-held transducer-skin coupling scanning technique.

A cushion device and B+M mode ultrasonography technique were used in 30 healthy volunteers to study tongue movement during swallowing. M-mode images show an amplitude-time diagram, in which the entire tongue movement during swallowing can be easily scrutinized. The different tongue movements during swallowing result in several turning points on the graph of the M-mode sonogram, which divide the oral swallowing phase into five subphases (I, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IIIb). Based on this new classification of swallowing, the tongue movements of the participants were interpreted and classified.

If the home-made cushioning appliance presented here is placed during ultrasonic examinations between the submental region and the probe head, then the problems caused by probe head movement and pressure on the submental region, as have been encountered in the past, can be solved. The use of such a cushioning appliance makes possible a more accurate B-mode ultrasonic evaluation of tongue function. The prevailing method and the cushioning method presented here were studied on 50 test patients. Comparison of the 2 methods revealed that in fact the use of the cushioning method prevented movement in the ultrasonic probe and also its use hardly impaired the patient's ability to swallow. We therefore recommend that this cushioning method be routinely applied during ultrasonic examinations of tongue function.

Two spontaneous outgrowing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-carrying lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), CG2 and CG3, have been established from bone marrow cells of myeloid leukemia patients. CG2 was derived from a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMMoL) and who has a 45 XO karyotype. CG3 was derived from a patient with juvenile chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and who carries a hypotetraploid karyotype, 91XXYY. Both CG2 and CG3 cells carry the same type of translocation; t(1;19)(q23;p13). Both cell lines are of an early B cell lineage as shown by their reactivities with monoclonal antibodies OKIa, B1, B2 and B4. The combination of horizontal discontinuous agarose slab gel and Southern hybridization results show CG2 and CG3 cells are of monoclonal origin and harbor episomal EBV genomes. Approximately 50 EBV genome equivalents were contained in CG2 and CG3 cells. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrate the expression of EBV-encoded antigen (EBNA) in almost all cells of these two lines. The expression of EA and VCA is only observed in a small percentage of cells and cannot be induced by treatment with TPA and SB. Therefore, CG2 and CG3 cells are probably nonproducer cell lines for EBV. The serum samples from both patients have been shown to contain elevated IgG antibody titers to EBV antigens. Both cells are found to be nontumorigenic in nude mice. These cells may provide an important tool in analyzing molecular epidemiological aspects of EBV infections in diseases such as CMMoL and juvenile CML.

In order to evaluate right and left ventricular stretch receptors without concomitantly stimulating those of the contralateral ventricle, 12 dogs were placed on total cardiopulmonary bypass. Balloons connected to compliant reservoirs were introduced into the right and left ventricles. Changes in systemic, gracilis muscle, and paw perfusion pressure at a constant flow were used as indices of systemic, muscle, and cutaneous vascular resistance. To induce left ventricular stretch, the balloon in that chanber was rapidly inflated from a mean pressure of 1.33 kPa (10 mmHg) to a mean pressure of 7.32 kPa (55 mmHg) for 15s (6.00 kPa [45mmHg] increment). For right ventricular stretch, the pressure was increased from 0.67 to 4.00 kPa (5 to 30 mmHg) for 30 s (3.34 kPa [25 mmHg] increment). Both left and right ventricular stretch produced a significant fall in systemic (-4.92 kPa [-37 mmHg], -36%) and gracilis muscle (-5.59 kPa [-42 mmHg], -30%) perfusion pressure, with only minimal changes in cutaneous vascular resistance (-0.80 kPa [-6 mmHg], -4%). This reflex was found to be vagally mediated, to have a low threshold for stimulation (left ventricle, 0.67 kPa [5 mmHg] increment; right ventricle, 1.33 kPa [10 mmHg] increment), and to have a neurogenic sympathetic alpha-adrenergic efferent limb. The low threshold for stimulation suggests that these reflexes may play a physiological role with changes in body position and may be important in such pathological conditions as semilunar valvular stenosis and myocardial infarction.