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To explore whether sense of mastery can mediate the relationship between social support and illness perception in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were at the "Blanking Period."A cross-sectional design.405 patients with AF who were at the "Blanking Period" in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were recruited; they completed a set of questionnaires, including the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Personal Mastery Scale and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire.Social support and sense of mastery were both adversely connected to illness perception. The indirect effect of social support on illness perception through sense of mastery was negative, accounting for 86.04% of the total effect.During the "Blanking Period," better social support and sense of mastery contribute to a positive illness perception of AF patients. Social support also can influence patients' illness perception indirectly via the mediator of sense of mastery.

In the current study, via using a mixed-ligand approach, a new Zn(II)-containing metal–organic structure (MOF), whose chemical formula is [[Zn3(μ3-cpboda)2(1,4-bib)5(H2O)2]·DMF]n (1, H3cpboda = 3,3′-((5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene)bis(oxy))dibenzoic acid, 1,4-bib = 1,4-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene)), has formed in the present of solvothermal environment and determined by single-crystal X-ray and elemental analysis (EA). Fluorescence measurements prove that complex 1 shows quick, hypersensitive, and high-selective luminescence quenching responses to 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) under aqueous solution condition. The treatment activity of the compound combined with ginsenoside on sepsis mice was measured and the related principle was detected in the meantime. The molecular docking simulation shows that both the carboxyl and five-membered ring containing nitrogen groups have the activities to the protein, which could explain the experimental observations.

Dysohonin A (1), a meroditerpenoid incorporating an unprecedented 6,15,6-fused heterotricyclic ring system, along with three new biogenetically related meroditerpenoids dysohonins B–D (2–4) were isolated from Dysoxylum hongkongense. Their structures with absolute configurations were well established by a combined method. The plausible biosynthetic pathways of 1–4 were proposed. All the compounds exhibited PTP1B inhibitory activities.

In this study, mesoporous Cu and N co-doped TiO2 crystals were synthesized with Cu and N co-doped titania xerogel by solvothermal treatment in different alcohols and the characteristics of Cu and N co-doped TiO2 were investigated with XRD, SEM, UV-vis and N2 sorption analysis. Results indicated that different alcohols facilitated formation and stability of pure anatase phase. The photocatalytic activity of samples was evaluated by the photocatalytic oxidation of acetone under visible light.The extraordinary photocatalytic performance of the Cu and N co-doped TiO2 crystals were synthesized with titania xerogel by solvothermal treatment in ethyl alcohol. This enhanced photoactivity is related to the bandgap narrowing, good dispersibility, the smaller pores and the larger specific area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.24.4.18568

Three new ring B-seco limonoids, ciliatonoids A-C (1-3), were isolated from Toona ciliate and structurally characterized by spectroscopic data, X-ray crystallography, and electronic circular dichroism analysis. Ciliatonoids A and B feature an unprecedented limonoid architecture, while ciliatonoid C belongs to a rare class of limonoids. Biological evaluation showed that compound 3 exhibited modest activities against the tested tumor cell lines.

This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic value of common inflammatory markers with regard to fever of unknown origin (FUO). We investigated 383 patients who were hospitalized with FUO at the Henan Province People's hospital between January 2009 and June 2015. Of all the cases, infectious diseases accounted for 33.9%, neoplasms for 21.1%, collagen vascular diseases for 25.1%, miscellaneous diseases for 4.7%, and no diagnosis for 15.1%. Patients in the neoplasm group were older than those in the infectious disease, collagen vascular disease, and miscellaneous disease groups (p = 0.006, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.001, respectively). The duration of fever before admission of patients in the neoplasm and collagen vascular disease group was longer than that of patients in the infectious disease group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.007, respectively). The diagnostic time after admission of patients from the neoplasm and collagen vascular disease groups was longer than that for patients from the infectious disease group (both p < 0.0001). Serum ferritin levels of patients in the infectious disease group were lower than those of patients in the neoplasm and collagen vascular disease groups (p = 0.029 and p = 0.032, respectively), while serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in the infectious disease group was higher than that in the neoplasm and collagen vascular disease groups (p = 0.016 and p = 0.007, respectively). Therefore, FUO remains a clinical problem in China and serum ferritin and PCT may be useful in discriminating infectious from non-infectious causes (neoplasms and collagen vascular diseases) in patients with FUO.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess risk factors for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) after immunoprophylaxis. METHODS: Risk factors for MTCT were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model. PATIENTS: We enrolled 256 mother-child pairs with positive maternal hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) between January 2010 and June 2013. All children received passive-active immunization after birth. The children were tested for HBsAg at birth and 6-12 months and/or 1-3 years of age. RESULTS: Among 256 children, 10 (3.9%) developed HBV infection, all of whom were born to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers with a high HBV DNA level (median, 7.36; range, 6.75-8.00 log10 IU/mL). A total of 20 mothers received antiviral treatment during pregnancy. The maternal viral load decreased from an average of 7.16 to 3.08 log10 IU/mL (p

Summary: Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from islet β cells is mediated by KATP channels. However, the role of non-KATP K+ channels in insulin secretion is largely unknown. Here, we show that a non-KATP K+ channel, KCNH6, plays a key role in insulin secretion and glucose hemostasis in humans and mice. KCNH6 p.P235L heterozygous mutation co-separated with diabetes in a four-generation pedigree. Kcnh6 knockout (KO) or Kcnh6 p.P235L knockin (KI) mice had a phenotype characterized by changing from hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinemia to hyperglycemia with insulin deficiency. Islets from the young KO mice had increased intracellular calcium concentration and increased insulin secretion. However, islets from the adult KO mice not only had increased intracellular calcium levels but also had remarkable ER stress and apoptosis, associated with loss of β cell mass and decreased insulin secretion. Therefore, dysfunction of KCNH6 causes overstimulation of insulin secretion in the short term and β cell failure in the long term. : Yang et al. show that KCNH6 plays a key role in insulin secretion and glucose hemostasis in humans and mice. Dysfunction of KCNH6 results in a hyperinsulinemia phenotype in the short term and hypoinsulinemia and diabetes in the long term. Keywords: maturity-onset diabetes of the young, MODY, monogenic diabetes, type 2 diabetes, islet, insulin secretion, KCNH6, KCNH2, KATP, Cas9

This paper discusses the acoustic-structural coupling analysis of muffler in which the method of the finite element is used to solve the differential equations. Firstly, according to the symmetry of muffler, by using coordinate transformation the sound field problem is converted from three-dimensional to two-dimensional problem. Secondly, by using Galerkin method derives finite element equations of discrete plane sound field unit. Then the cell boundary conditions and residuals are analyzed which included acoustic-structural coupling border. The unit matrix equations are set to plane acoustic finite element matrix equation. Finally, the design of the finite element method coupled equations of solid sound is designed. A theoretical foundation is established for muffler acoustic-structural coupling characteristic analysis.

The dynamic model of micro piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters is established using the theory of strain gradient, the model reflects the effect of the scale of the micro system.The expression of the output voltage is gotten through solving the model, and then the parameters are simulated, the results of simulation accord with the experimental data

For a wide range of applications of gearbox system,starting in gear box system vibration mechanism and the analysis of vibration transmission path,this paper establishes a analysis model of gearbox elastic coupling system.Analyzes energy transfer characteristic of the complex coupling structure of gearbox system based on admittance theory.From the perspective of energy distribution,analyzes of the characteristics of energy distribution of the different parameters and different structural arrangement.

Mechanical arm plays an important role in the mechanical systems, which is widely implemented in many engineering areas. Nowadays, the flexible manipulator attracts wide attention due to its flexibility. In this paper, implemented considering the complex configuration of the flexible manipulator system, especially the flexibility of flexible mechanical arms and joints, the dynamic model is established by using mechanical admittance and transfer matrix method. In this model, the compound vibration displacement of flexible manipulator is defined as evaluation index. Taking the double flexible mechanical arm as an example, the internal structure parameters and the influence of external configuration of the terminal compound vibration displacement are analyzed respectively.

Problems of estimation of vibration isolation effectiveness are discussed based on vibratory power flow analysis, and a new insertion loss character — power flow insertion loss is proposed for evaluation of isolation efficiency. Spectra characteristics of the power flow insertion loss and their relationship with transmitted power flow and vibration level difference are investigated through numerical simulation. And in consideration of the inconvenience of practical testing of insertion loss and power flow, an attempt is made to set up numerical correspondence between power flow insertion loss and the current widely applied vibration level difference measurement, through theoretical analysis and experiments.

A model reference adaptive modeling method of ball screw feed system is proposed. Using a low-level system with excellent dynamic characteristics as the reference model and ball screw feed system as the controlled object, this paper establishes model reference adaptive system by Narendra program, achieving exact match between the adjustable system and the reference model through experiment and deriving the low-level model of the ball screw feed system. Then taking the X axis of X-Y work table as an example, a second-order model of the ball screw feed system is established by this method. When 40000 pulse signals are input into the model and the ball screw feed system in 160s respectively, the output error between the two is within ± 0.005mm, thus testifying the higher accuracy of the model obtained.

The multistage strength degradation theory, which has recently emerged from studies on the material and structural behaviour of concrete, provides a clear description of the mechanism of fatigue. According to this theory, fatigue is caused by the sporadic sudden change of cracking behaviour in a system under cyclic loading, leading to intermittent strength reduction of the system and its eventual failure. As metal is the main engineering material plagued most by fatigue failure, this newly-established theory needs to be experimentally verified on metal, which is the aim of this study. The obtained test results present strong experimental evidence for the existence of multistage strength degradation processes in metals under cyclic loading, and the strength degradation is clearly triggered by the abrupt change of cracking behaviour. These tests confirm the relevance of the multistage strength degradation theory on metal fatigue, and the engineering implications of the study are discussed.

The hepatitis B virus(HBV) polymerase rtA181T mutation is selected during long-term antiviral therapy. As the polymerase gene completely overlaps with the envelope (S) gene, HBV rtA181T mutation also carries sW172 mutations. In this study, we investigated whether there were biological differences between rtA181T/sW172* (coding truncated HBsAg) and rtA181T/sW172L (coding substituted HBsAg) mutants. In cell experiments, a slight decline of viral replication was observed in both two mutants as compared to wild-type strains, but the levels of supernatant HBsAg and HBV DNA in rtA181T/sW172* were significantly lower than those in rtA181T/sW172L transfected cells. In animal experiments, we were amazed to find that viral replication in rtA181T/sW172* mutant increased and maintained significantly longer than that in rtA181T/sW172L mutant, while no significant difference was observed between rtA181T/sW172L and wild-type strains. Compared with wild-type strains, there were intracellular accumulations of HBsAg and HBcAg in rtA181/sW172* but none in rtA181/sW172L mutant strains. Importantly, we also found that truncated HBsAg could increase the activity of HBV core promoter, but substituted HBsAg could not. In summary, the characteristics of above two rtA181T mutants mentioned above were significantly different, and it is necessary and important for us to distinguish sW172* truncated mutation from sW172L substituted mutation.

The template Contrast several methods applied in bridge deformation monitoring method, expounding the advantages and disadvantages of each method simple and clearly, providing guiding significance for practical engineering of bridge deformation monitoring.

We developed an improved solution culture technique that enabled clear and comprehensive observation of dynamic root hair infection by Plasmodiophora brassicae. Brassica oleracea seedlings were sown directly into 10 mL centrifuge tubes containing half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution. Seedlings were fastened in 1 cm thick foam in the tube top and tubes were wrapped with black tape to block light and prevent algal growth. Maximal root hair infection was observed under conditions of pH 5.5, temperature of 20 to 25 °C, and an inoculation concentration of 1 × 107 spores/mL. Infection efficiency was obviously higher in fresh nutrient. Under optimum infection conditions, plasmodia were found in the root hair 4 days after inoculation (DAI), with some undergoing cleavage and developing into round zoosporangia 3 days later. At ten DAI, the number of root hairs containing zoosporangia per root reached 208, and the cytoplasm within the zoosporangia began to cleave and form incipient zoospores. Most zoosporangia released the zoospores and became diaphanous at ten DAI. Root hairs became swollen during the experimental trial and small galls appeared clearly on the root at 20 DAI. In addition, sectioned specimens showed that some cortical cells contained resting spores. We sequentially tested the germination of the resting spores in tubes from 1 to 11 DAI and the temporal dynamics of germination corresponding to the infection. Zoosporangia were found in epidermal cells at the same time as in the root hair.

In this paper, a new robust adaptive neural dynamic surface control is proposed for a class of time-varying delay nonlinear systems preceded by backlash-like hysteresis. Compared with the present schemes of dealing with time-varying delay and hysteresis input, the main advantages of the proposed scheme are that the prespecified transient and steady state performance of tracking error can be guaranteed for the first time when using DSC to deal with the time-varing delays; the computational burden can be greatly reduced and the explosion of complexity problem inherent in backstepping control can be eliminated. It is proved that the new scheme can guarantee all the closed-loop signals semi-globally uniformly ultimate bounded. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed scheme.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlrodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been shown to induce cleft palate through growth factor and receptor expression changes during palatogenesis. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that can regulate gene expressions and may be involved in TCDD-induced cleft palate. In this study, we investigated the effects of TCDD on the global and CpG DNA methylation status and the expression levels of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) in palate tissue of fetal mice. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were administered with corn oil or TCDD 28 μg/kg at gestation day 10.5(GD10.5), and sacrificed at GD13.5, 14.5, 15.5. Fetal palates were collected for molecular analysis. Global DNA methylation status was detected by Methylamp™ Global DNA Methylation Quantification Ultra Kit. The expression of DNA methyltransferases were examined by quantitative real-time PCR(q-PCR). Methylation Specific PCR (MSP) was performed to analyze CpG methylation status of Dnmts. We found that the global DNA methylation level and the expression of Dnmt3a were higher at GD13.5 in the TCDD group. The methylation level of CpG site 2 in the promoter region of Dnmt3a in the control group was higher than that of the TCDD group at GD13.5. The low CpG methylation level of Dnmt3a at GD13.5 which causes the up-expression of Dnmt3a may induce global hypermethylation in fetal palate tissue. The aberrant global methylation status at GD13.5 may be the cause of palate malformation in fetal mice induced by TCDD.

There is a widespread interest in defining factors and mechanisms that stimulate proliferation of pancreatic islet β-cells. Pregnancy is a special period when the pancreatic islet displays a highly reproducible physiological proliferation. However, the molecular mechanism of β-cell proliferation during pregnancy is unclear. Here, we used cDNA expression array to explore gene expression profiles of islet at various stages of pregnancy in rats. Differentially expressed genes related to islet proliferation were screened by bioinformatics methods, and further verified by real-time PCR, RT-PCR, and Western blotting. Compared with control group, expressions of hundreds of genes were changed during pregnancy. The differentially expressed genes related to islet proliferation were mainly distributed in three groups: genes involved in transcription regulator activity, genes involved in apoptosis or tumor, and genes for Wnt signaling pathway. Among these genes, expressions of Nupr1, Atf3, Btg2, β-catenin, and c-Myc mRNA were up-regulated during pregnancy. A prominent expression of Nupr1 and Atf3 protein was observed in islets on day 10.5 of pregnancy, i.e., with earlier time phases than proliferation peak. Moreover, we found that prolactin (PRL) can increase the proliferation of β-cell in vitro, which is accompanied by up-regulation of Atf3 and Nupr1, indicating that they may play a crucial role in PRL-induced pancreatic β-cell growth. In conclusion, our results suggest that the transcription factor Nupr1, Atf3, and Wnt pathway may play an important role in adaptive proliferation of pancreatic islets during pregnancy in rats.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a complex congenital disorder characterized by intestinal obstructions caused by the absence of the intestinal ganglion cells of the nerve plexuses in variable lengths of the digestive tract. This study investigated a possible role of the RET proto-oncogene in sporadic HSCR patients in the Han Chinese population. Our results indicated that rs1800858, rs1800860, rs1800863, and rs2075912, located in exons 2, 7, 15, and intron 19 of RET, are strongly associated with the disease (P < 0.01), with rs1800860 and rs1800863 playing a protective role in the pathogenesis of HSCR in the Chinese population. We also showed that the haplotype consisting of four SNPs is significantly associated with HSCR. We did not find a significant difference in the CA-repeat in intron 5 of RET between cases and controls. Our study provided further evidence that the RET gene is involved in the susceptibility to HSCR in the Han Chinese population.

The microstructures and magnetic properties of nickel ferrite synthesized by coprecipitation and sol–gel methods are comparatively studied. The coprecipitation-derived samples have Fe/Ni ratios differing from their raw materials because of the precipitation washing process. The stoichiometric metal cations (Fe/Ni=2.0) in the xerogel facilitated the nucleation and growth of nickel ferrite nanocrystallites at lower calcination temperature in sol–gel method. The samples consist of nickel ferrite nanocrystallites, and have superparamagnetic properties at room temperature.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection is established as a clinical therapy for delayed healing or disunion of bone fractures. In the present study, the effects of staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection in combination with ascorbic acid (SEC-AA) on the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their influences on the mineralization of osteoblasts were investigated. SEC-AA treatment induced increased levels of alkaline phosphatase activity in MSCs and increased numbers of alizarin red-stained calcified nodules, indicating enhanced differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts. The findings demonstrated that SEC-AA promoted the differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts and accelerated the cytopoiesis of osteoblasts. Our data provide a cytological model for bone fracture therapy aimed at shortening the time required for healing and improving the clinical outcome, and also provide a theoretical basis for inducible differentiation of MSCs, mineralization of osteoblasts and reconstruction of bone tissues.

Chronic low-grade inflammation characterized by adipose tissue macrophage accumulation and abnormal cytokine production is a key feature of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Adipose-tissue-derived monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, induced by cytokines, has been shown to play an essential role in the early events during macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue. In this study we investigated the effects of resveratrol upon both tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a-induced MCP-1 gene expression and its underlying signaling pathways in 3T3-L1 adipoctyes. Resveratrol was found to inhibit TNF-a-induced MCP-1 secretion and gene transcription, as well as promoter activity, which based on down-regulation of TNF-a-induced MCP-1 transcription. Nuclear factor (NF)-jB was determined to play a major role in the TNF-a-induced MCP-1 expression. Further analysis showed that resveratrol inhibited DNA binding activity of the NF-jB complex and subsequently suppressed NF-jB transcriptional activity in TNF-a-stimulated cells. Finally, the inhibition of MCP-1 may represent a novel mechanism of resveratrol in preventing obesity-related pathologies. 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Aim: To investigate the activity and expression of neutral ceramidase (N-CDase) in the insulin-secreting cell line INS-1 and its role in the cellular response to cytokines. Methods: HPLC, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to detect the activity and expression of N-CDase in INS-1 cells treated with a cytokine mixture (5 ng/mL interleukin-1β, 10 ng/mL TNF-α, and 50 ng/mL interferon-γ). The expression and activity of N-CDase in the INS-1 cells were specifically inhibited using N-CDase-siRNA transfection. Annexin V-fluorescein-isothiocyanate/propidium iodide flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis in the INS-1 cells. Results: The INS-1 cells exhibited some basal N-CDase activity, and cytokines induced a time-dependent delay in the activation of N-CDase. As a result, the activation of N-CDase was first detectable at 8 h after stimulation. It peaked at 16 h and remained elevated at 24 h. Cytokines also upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of N-CDase in the INS-1 cells. Furthermore, when N-CDase activity was inhibited by RNA interference, cytokine-induced apoptosis in the INS-1 cells was markedly increased. Conclusion: The N-CDase pathway is active in INS-1 cells, and the chronic activation of N-CDase is involved in the pathological response of β-cells to cytokines, potentially providing protection against cytokine toxicity.

Magnesium ferrite particles consisting of nanocrystallites were synthesized by sol–gel and coprecipitation methods. Their mean crystalline size increased with increasing calcination temperature. At the same calcination temperature, the sol–gel-derived sample always had bigger mean crystalline size than the coprecipitation-derived sample, implying that the sol–gel method facilitated the formation of magnesium ferrite crystallites. Most of the sol–gel-derived magnesium ferrite particles had a lamellar structure consisting of nanocrystallites, which were probably derived from the porous dried gel precursor. The magnesium ferrite particles had superparamagnetic properties at 27 °C, and their saturation magnetization increased with increasing size.

Objective To investigate the effects of gene therapy with IL-10 on PTg-induced proliferation of splenocytes and Th1 cytokine production from PTg-stimulated splenocytes. Methods EAT rats were divided into four groups: group A (PBS+PLL), group B (pORF+PLL), group C (pORFmIL10+PLL), and group D (pORFmIL10+MEM). The substances mixed with lipofectamine were injected into the thyroid tissues of rats on the 18th dday after immunization. The rats were sacrificed at the 8th week. In vitro proliferative responses to ConA and different concentration of PTg were measured by culturing 4×105 splenocytes pulsed with 18.5KBq of [ 3 H] thymidine for the final 12h and then harvested for liquid scintillation counting. In vitro splenocytes were cultured with PTg (25 mg/L). Th1 cytokine IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2 were detected by ELISA. Results The proliferative response to PTg was suppressed in group C, compared with that of group A and B ( P P P P Conclusion IL-10 gene transmission in thyroid tissues could inhibit PTg specific proliferation of splenocytes from EAT rats and the secretion of Th1 cytokines from PTg-stimulated splenocytes.

Three limonoids, trichiconin A (1) possessing a new carbon skeleton of a rearranged A,B-ring system and trichiconins B (2) and C (3) featuring an unprecedented A,B,D-seco skeleton, were isolated from the twigs of Trichilia connaroides. The carbon scaffold of trichiconin A is designated as trichiconane. Their structures with absolute stereochemistry were determined by spectroscopic data, X-ray crystallography, and CD analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 showed modest anti-HIV activities.

The effects of two kinds of representative catalysts, Ni/Al2O3 and HZSM-5 zeolite, were investigated in the CO2 reforming of CH4 via corona plasma reactions at atmospheric pressure. The catalysts showed little effect on the conversions of CH4 and CO2, and we propose that rapid free-radical processes play a main role during the plasma reactions. However, although a high-voltage electric field was used to initiate the corona discharges and many discharged particles were present within the plasma, which possibly affected the properties of the solid catalysts, Ni/Al2O3 and HZSM-5 zeolite exhibited catalytic selectivity and activity in the reactions. When the catalysts were used in the reactions, the H2/CO ratios in the products were modified, and more hydrocarbons and oxygenates were formed. It was found that a small amount of phenol was directly synthesized in the plasma reactions when HZSM-5 zeolite was used. Thermogravimetric analyses revealed that the coke depositing over the different catalysts was of di...

Three limonoids, trichiconin A (1) possessing a new carbon skeleton of a rearranged A,B-ring system and trichiconins B (2) and C (3) featuring an unprecedented A,B,D-seco skeleton, were isolated from the twigs of Trichilia connaroides. The carbon scaffold of trichiconin A is designated as trichiconane. Their structures with absolute stereochemistry were determined by spectroscopic data, X-ray crystallography, and CD analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 showed modest anti-HIV activities.

Eighteen new diterpenoids, named eurifoloids A–R (1–18), including ingenane (1 and 2), abietane (3–7), isopimarane (8–12), and ent-atisane (13–18) types, along with four known analogues were isolated from Euphorbia neriifolia. Eurifoloid M (13) represents a rare class of ent-atisane-type norditerpenoid. Eurifoloids E (5) and F (6) exhibited significant anti-HIV activities, with EC50 values of 3.58 ± 0.31 (SI = 8.6) and 7.40 ± 0.94 μM (SI = 10.3), respectively.

Fourteen new diterpenoids including clerodane (1–12), labdane (13), and norlabdane (14) types, as well as nine known analogues were isolated from the aerial parts of Croton laui. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and that of crotonolide H (11) was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Crotonolide A (1) exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against two tumor cell lines, HL-60 (human premyelocytic leukemia, IC50 9.42 μM) and P-388 (murine leukemia, IC50 7.45 μM), and crotonolide G (10) displayed significant antibacterial activity against a panel of Gram-positive bacteria.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the difference of intolerance to food between southern and northern middle-aged Chinese, and furthermore analyze its association with eating habits in both study population.ELISA was applied to determine the serum concentrations of specific IgG of 14 food anaphylactogen in 1568 healthy subjects from totally 9 districts in both southern and northern China. Life style questionnaire was also applied to investigate the daily intake of six categorizes of food associated with food intolerance.45.8% of all subjects were found to be intolerant to certain food. 62.3% of subjects from southern China and 40.4% of subjects from northern China were found to be intolerant to certain food, the difference between southern and northern Chinese was statistically significant. Top three foods intolerant by southern Chinese were crab, egg, and cold fish, while top three food intolerant by northern Chinese were egg, crab, and milk. The differences of intolerance to crab, cold fish, soy bean, rice, and tomato between southern and northern Chinese were statistically significant. Investigation on eating habits revealed that cereals and fish were the major food consumed by subjects in our study. There was no certain association between food intolerance and eating habits.Considering that there are differences between southern and northern Chinese, southern and northern Chinese should pay attention to their daily food in order to avoid food allergy.

To investigate the effective clinical diagnosis and treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) by examining the allergens and dietary habits of the patients.A total of 347 patients from Lanzhou area were sampled between April 2010 and March 2012. Free point skin prick test were performed to analyze the allergens. SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data.Among 347 patients, 266 (76.7%) were found to be positive in the skin test. Major aeroallergens were Artemisia pollen (38.0%, 132 cases), house dust mite (35.4%, 123 cases), and Dermatophagoides farinae (30.3%, 105 cases).The major aeroallergens in Lanzhou with AR were artemisia pollen and mite.

To reveal the clinical significance of B7-H3 costimulatory molecule in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients by analyzing membranous B7-H3 (mB7-H3) and soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) expressions.We collected peripheral blood samples of 35 MG patients and 44 health controls (HC) and detected the expression of mB7-H3 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using flow cytometry. ELISA was performed to analyze the levels of sB7-H3 in plasma samples from MG patients and HC.There was no significant difference in the expressions of mB7-H3 on T lymphocytes, monocytes or B cells between MG patients and HC. However, the level of sB7-H3 from MG patients was (2.166±0.958) ng/mL, significantly lower than that from HC (3.379±0.768) ng/mL. The level of sB7-H3 in general MG (GMG) patients (1.664±0.699) ng/mL was lower than that in ocular MG (OMG) patients (2.396±0.985) ng/mL. In MG patients complicated with abnormal thymus, the level of sB7-H3 was (1.593±0.441) ng/mL, also lower than that in MG patients with normal thymus (2.364±1.014) ng/mL. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between the levels of sB7-H3 and QMGS in MG patients (r=-0.4189, P=0.012), but sB7-H3 was not associated with mB7-H3 in MG patients.In MG patients, down-regulation of sB7-H3 is finely correlated to the severity of the disease. Its different expression levels in various types of MG patients indicate that this costimulatory molecule may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of MG.

To study methylation of Id4 gene and demethylation effect of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in Raji cells.Human Burkitt's Raji lymphoma cells were cultared and treated with ATO at different concentrations and different time points. Methylated degree of Id4 gene was detected by methylation specificity polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR), Id4 mRNA expression in Raji cell by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the growth of cell by MTT assay, and cell apoptosis and cycle distribution by Flow Cytometry (FCM).(1) The Id4 gene exhaustive methylation in control group, and hypermethylation in experimental group were reversed by ATO in a dose-dependent manner. (2) Id4 mRNA expression in Raji cells treated with ATO for 48 h increased gradually with ATO concentration increasing in experimental group. (3) Raji cell growth inhibited rates after different concentrations of ATO treatment for 24, 48, 72 h were 12.15% ∼ 92.17% in the experimental group (P0.05). (4) Apoptosis peak emerged after ATO treatment for 48 hours in experimental group, while a much lower apoptosis in control group. (5) After ATO treatment for 48 h in experiment group, the cells were arrested at G(0)/G(1) phase in a dose-dependent manner.Id4 gene presents exhaustive methylation in Raji cells. ATO can reverse the hypermethylation of Id4 gene and recover the expression of Id4 mRNA. Hypermethylation of Id4 gene is one of the reasons of Raji cells malignant proliferations.

Epidemiological studies have linked intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) to the metabolic diseases, consisting of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity and coronary artery disease, during adult life. To determine the internal relationship between IUGR and islet β cell function and insulin sensitivity, we established the IUGR model by maternal nutrition restriction during mid- to late-gestation. Glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test (ITT) in vivo and glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) test in vitro were performed at different stages in IUGR and normal groups. Body weight, pancreas weight and pancreas/body weight of IUGR rats were much lower than those in normal group before 3 weeks of age. While the growth of IUGR rats accelerated after 3 weeks, pancreas weight and pancreas/body weight remained lower till 15 weeks of age. In the newborns, the fasting glucose and insulin levels of IUGR rats were both lower than those of controls, whereas glucose levels at 120 and 180 min after glucose load were significantly higher in IUGR group. Between 3 and 15 weeks of age, both the fasting glucose and insulin levels were elevated and the glucose tolerance was impaired with time in IUGR rats. At age 15 weeks, the area under curve of insulin (AUCi) after glucose load in IUGR rats elevated markedly. Meanwhile, the stimulating index of islets in IUGR group during GSIS test at age 15 weeks was significantly lower than that of controls. ITT showed no significant difference in two groups before 7 weeks of age. However, in 15-week-old IUGR rats, there was a markedly blunted glycemic response to insulin load compared with normal group. These findings demonstrate that IUGR rats had both impaired pancreatic development and deteriorated glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, which would be the internal causes why they were prone to develop type 2 diabetes.

Hypothyroidism is often related with increased blood pressure, yet, gender-specific associations between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and hypertension have not been previously assessed. We conducted a large-scale, cross-sectional study from six districts of Jiangsu Province to investigate the association of SCH and blood pressure in female and male adults. In the studied population, 4725 participants (3034 women and 1691 men) aged 20-60 years were included. The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in males as compared to females (37.34% vs. 27.39%, P 0.05), while the prevalence of SCH was much higher in women (9.36% vs. 5.32%, P 0.05). Furthermore, the hypertension rate was significantly higher in female SCH group compared to euthyroid (EUT) group(P 0.05), while no significant differences were observed between the two groups in male participants(P 0.05). After adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI), SCH was an independent predictor for increased SBP (OR = 1.47, 95%CI 1.08-1.99, P = 0.015) and elevated pulse pressure (OR = 1.45, 95%CI 1.05-1.99, P = 0.024) in females, and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was significantly higher in female hypertensive group as compared to normotensive group (2.09 vs. 1.92 mIU/l, P = 0.0004). In male participants, SCH was not independently correlated with blood pressure, and no significant difference in TSH levels between hypertensive and normotensive groups was observed (1.74 vs. 1.66 mIU/l, P = 0.12). We concluded that SCH is an independent predictor of increased SBP and pulse pressure in females. Thus, thyroid function may influence blood pressure to a greater extent in females compared to males.

Background Hirschsprung disease (HSCR, OMIM 142623) is a complex congenital disorder characterized by intestinal obstructions caused by the absence of the intestinal ganglion cells of the nerve plexuses in variable lengths of the digestive tract. The PHOX2B gene is involved in neurogenesis and disruption of Phox2b in mice results in a HSCR-like phenotype. The first association study of the PHOX2B gene with HSCR derived from Chinese population in Hong Kong; here, we address the question of whether PHOX2B acts as a predisposing factor in HSCR pathogenesis in Chinese population in mainland. Methods To investigate the contribution of PHOX2B to the HSCR phenotype, polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing were used to screen PHOX2B coding regions and intron/exon boundaries for mutations and polymorphisms in 102 patients with HSCR and 96 ethnically matched controls, in Han Chinese populations of Southeastern China. Results In this study, we genotyped 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (including 1 novel SNP) located within the PHOX2B gene. Statistically significant differences were found for c.701 A > G and IVS2 + 100 A > G, and the log-additive model was accepted as the best inheritance model (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-2.87) for IVS2 + 100 A > G. We also showed that the haplotype-A G A N composed of 4 SNPs exhibited significant association with the disease ( P = .03); this haplotype was more frequently observed in cases than in controls (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.11-4.82). Conclusions Our study provided further evidence that the PHOX2B gene is involved in the susceptibility to HSCR in the Han Chinese population. Our findings are in accordance with the involvement of PHOX2B in the signaling pathways governing the development of enteric neurons.