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A new withanolide (1), physagulide P, together with five known withanolides (2–6), was isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis angulata L. The structure of new compound was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic techniques, including 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS. The activity screening indicated that compound 1 showed significant cytotoxicities against the human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63, HepG-2 hepatoma cells and breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 with the IC50 value of 3.50, 4.22 and 15.74 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary chitooligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on peripheral leukocyte count, head kidney leukocyte phagocytic rate, phagocytic index, respiratory burst activity, serum lysozyme activity, and immune protection in Paralichthys olivaceus . A total of 300 flounder with an average body weight of 80–100 g were randomly assigned into four dietary groups: (I) basic diet (control), basic diet containing (II) 0.5% COS, and (III) 1% COS, fed continuously for 28 d, and (IV) basic diet containing 1% COS fed in 14 d intervals. Continuous feeding of 0.5% and 1% COS diets for 28 d significantly increased the number of peripheral leukocytes, head kidney leukocyte phagocytic rate, phagocytic index, respiratory burst activity, and serum lysozyme activity ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). After a 10 d Edwardsiella tarda challenge, the immune protection rates in the 0.5% and 1% COS groups were 30% and 60%, respectively. No control fish survived the E. tarda challenge treatment. Most immune indices were slightly lower after removal of COS from the diet for 14 d, but all immune indices were observed to recover after another 14 d of COS supplementation. This study demonstrates that supplementation of a basic diet with COS enhances the non-specific immune response and improves survival rates following infection with E. tarda in P. olivaceus . An optimized interval feeding strategy with diets containing 1% COS may have potential applications in the prevention of disease in aquacultured P. olivaceus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siganus oramin l -amino acid oxidase is a novel natural protein (named SR-LAAO) isolated from serum of the rabbitfish ( S. oramin ), which showed antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and had a lethal effect on the parasites Cryptocaryon irritans , Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis . In order to test whether recombinant SR-LAAO (rSR-LAAO) produced by the eukaryotic expression system also has antimicrobial activity, the yeast Pichia pastoris was used as the expression host to obtain rSR-LAAO in vitro. Crude rSR-LAAO produced by P. pastoris integrated with the SR-LAAO gene had antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as shown by inhibition zone assay of the antibacterial spectrum on agar plates. The average diameter of the inhibition zone of crude rSR-LAAO against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae was 1.040 ± 0.045 cm and 1.209 ± 0.085 cm, respectively. For the Gram-negative bacteria Aeromonas sobria , Escherichia coli , Vibrio alginolyticus , Vibrio cholera and Photobacterium damselae subsp . piscicida , the average diameter of inhibition zone was 1.291 ± 0.089 cm, 0.943 ± 0.061 cm, 0.756 ± 0.057 cm, 0.834 ± 0.023 cm and 1.211 ± 0.026 cm, respectively. These results were obtained at the logarithmic growth phase of S. agalactiae and A. sobria cell suspensions after incubation with 0.5 mg/mL crude rSR-LAAO for 24 h. The final bacterial growth rate was decreased significantly. The relative inhibition rate can reach 50% compared to crude products from P. pastoris integrated with an empty vector at the same concentration of protein. The antimicrobial activity of crude rSR-LAAO was likely associated with H 2 O 2 formation, because its inhibition zones were disturbed significantly by catalase. Scanning electron microscopy results showed crude rSR-LAAO-treated bacterial surfaces became rough and particles were attached, cell walls were retracted and cell membranes were ruptured. Together, the results of this study indicated rSR-LAAO from the P. pastori s expression system is a potential antibiotic for application as a therapeutic agent against bacterial diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motion control of a high precision coplanar XY-stage is very important to the performance of the nano-positioning control system. A prototype micro-coordinate measuring machine (Micro-CMM) has been developed by the authors' group. This system is constructed by a high precision coplanar stage that conforms to Abbe principle, a Z-ram equipped with a touch scan probe and mounted on a pagoda bridge. In this paper, an improved coplanar stage is presented. The miniature laser interferometer based on Michelson principle is developed for precise displacement feedback in each axis and the software for the coplanar stage based on BPNN (Back Propagation Neural Network) in association with the PID control has been developed. Experiment results show that, calibrated by a commercial laser interferometer, the positioning accuracy is proved within 20 nm with a standard deviation less than 15 nm for the travel length of 20 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanent disruptions of gastrointestinal function are very common sequel of spinal cord injury (SCI). When motor and sensory nervous integrity are severely affected, neurogenic gastrointestinal dysfunction is an inevitable consequence. Autonomic nervous system miss function has significantly diminished or lost sensory sensations followed with incomplete evacuation of stool from the rectal vault, immobility, and reduced anal sphincter tone all of those predisposing to increased risk of fecal incontinence (FI). The FI is, beside paralysis of extremities, one of the symptoms most profoundly affecting quality of life (QOL) in patients with SCI. We are reviewing current perspectives in management of SCI, discussing some pathophysiology mechanisms which could be addressed and pointing toward actual practical concepts in use for evaluation and improvements necessary to sustain SCI patients QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with peripheral nerve injuries, especially severe injury, often face poor nerve regeneration and incompletely functional recovery, even after surgical nerve repair. Current researches have extensively focused on the new approaches for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. This review summarizes treatments of peripheral nerve injures, from conventional suturing method, to conduit coaptation with stem cell and growth factor, and review the developments of research and clinical application of these therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel antimicrobial and antiparasitic protein (APP/SR-LAAO) isolated from serum of the rabbitfish (Siganus oramin) was confirmed to be lethal to Cryptocaryon irritans, an important marine parasitic ciliate that causes marine white spot disease in a variety of wild and cultured fish. In this study, a recombinant SR-LAAO (rSR-LAAO) was expressed on a large scale in Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami™(DE3)pLysS cells. rSR-LAAO was expressed as an inactive form in the inclusion bodies. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that after purification, refolding and ultrafiltration, rSR-LAAO had a significantly cytotoxic effect on C. irritans theronts. Using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, we found that theronts rapidly became weakly motile, cilia became detached, cells became rounded, membranes eventually lysed in different cell positions and cytoplasmic contents leaked out of the cell. These results suggested the recombinant SR-LAAO was significantly lethal to C. irritans and the death process of the parasite incubated with rSR-LAAO was remarkably similar compared to the SR-LAAO group as reported earlier. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

solid phase extraction method is presented for the selective preconcentration and/or separation of trace Pb(II) on multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified with 2-aminobenzothiazole. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used for detection. The effects of pH, shaking time, sample flow rate and volume, elution condition and interfering ions were examined using batch and column procedures. An enrichment factor of 100 was accomplished. Common other ions do not interfere in both the separation and determination. The maximum adsorption capacity of the sorbent at optimum conditions is 60.3 mg g of Pb(II), the detection limit (3σ) is 0.27 ng mL, and the relative standard deviation is 1.6% ( n = 8). The method was validated using a certified reference material, and has been applied to the determination of trace Pb(II) in water samples with satisfactory results. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

method was established for the preconcentration of trace concentrations of Er(III) ion using activated carbon modified with benzoyl hydrazine. Parameters affecting solid-phase extraction such as pH value, shaking time, flow rate, sample volume were systematically studied. At a pH of 3.0, the maximum static adsorption capacity of the sorbent is 59.8 mg g for Er(III), and the time for quantitative adsorption (>95%) is as short as 2 min. The adsorbed Er(III) was quantitatively eluted with 2 mL of 1.0 M hydrochloric acid and then determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The limit of detection (3σ) is 73 ng g, and the relative standard deviation is <2.0% ( n = 8). The method was validated by analyzing certified reference materials and successfully applied to the determination of trace Er(III) in environmental samples. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A refraction dual-axis optoelectronic level which could detect the dual-axis tilt angle is proposed and the mathematical model of the level is established. • A double-layer liquid refraction principle is used to improve the level's sensitivity. • The parallel-light paths are adopted to avoid interference from reflected light. • The dual-axis optoelectronic level is designed and tested. To satisfy the requirements of precision angle measurement and machine leveling, a high-sensitivity dual-axis optoelectronic level using double-layer liquid refraction is proposed in this paper. Silicone oil, with a constant horizontal surface, is used as a reference. A double-layer liquid refraction principle is used to improve the level's sensitivity. An autocollimator is used as a detector of two-dimensional angle. Parallel-light paths are adopted to avoid interference from reflected light. When the level has a tilt angle, the light spot on the quadrant photodiode of the autocollimator is bound to shift. The sensitivity model of the level was established, and the level was designed and tested. Experimental results revealed that the level has a resolution of 0.05 arcsec, a range of ± 150 arcsec, a repeatability of 0.4 arcsec, and a stability of ± 0.2 arcsec. It can be used to measure tilt with a high-precision requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the above article , in Table VI, the unit of “displacement” should be corrected from “mm” to “ $\mu$ m.” The displacement measurement experiments were carried out on a 600-mm-long guide rail; however, we forgot to convert the unit in Table VI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]