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Choline metabolite trimethylamine-oxide (TMAO) can cause cognitive impairments with neuron loss, damage of synapses and synaptic plasticity by repressing mTOR signalling.

Helical flows of generalized Maxwell fluid is researched between two infinite co-axial circular cylinders. The velocity field and the adequate shear stress corresponding to the flow of a Maxwell fluid with fractional derivative model, between two infinite coaxial cylinders, are determined by means of the Laplace and finite Hankel transforms. The first solutions that have been obtained, presented under integral and series form in terms of the generalized G- and R-functions, satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions. The similar solutions for ordinary Maxwell and Newtonian fluid can be also obtained as the limit of the solution of generalized Maxwell fluid.

Brain microvascular endothelial cells are essential components of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that acts as a selective physical barrier and plays protective roles in maintaining brain homeostasis. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), isolated from

In this paper, we consider the unsteady rotating flow of the generalized Maxwell fluid with fractional derivative model between two infinite straight circular cylinders, where the flow is due to an infinite straight circular cylinder rotating and oscillating pressure gradient. The velocity field is determined by means of the combine of the Laplace and finite Hankel transforms. The analytic solutions of the velocity and the shear stress are presented by series form in terms of the generalized G and R functions. The similar solutions can be also obtained for ordinary Maxwell and Newtonian fluids as limiting cases.

We evaluated an immunochromatographic strip for the detection of avian avulavirus 1 (Newcastle disease virus, NDV) based on a high-affinity monoclonal antibody (mAb) that specifically recognizes the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein. The anti-HN mAb was labeled with colloidal gold as the detector. A chicken anti-NDV polyclonal antibody and staphylococcal protein A (SPA) were blotted on the nitrocellulose membrane for the test and control lines, respectively. The strip specifically recognized the NDV antigen with no cross-reactivity to other viruses that were examined. Furthermore, it specifically recognized a variety of NDV isolates, including virulent and attenuated strains. These results were confirmed using hemagglutination (HA) and RT-PCR assays. The NDV detection strip detected 104.9 EID50 viruses/0.1 mL in the NDV-infected sample, which is comparable to the classical HA test (105.2 EID50/0.1 mL). Following experimental infection, NDV was detected using the detection strip in infected tissues as early as 36 h after experimental infection and prior to development of clinical signs and appearance of gross anatomic lesions. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the NDV detection strip for NDV infection were 83.3% and 100%, respectively, as confirmed by RT-PCR.

The present work is to analyze the HPLC fingerprints of mulberry-sourced materials(Mori Ramulus, Mori Folium, Muri Cortex, Mori Fructus) using the fingerprint division total statistical moment method and information entropy, and to study the diffe-rences of the chemical components and the overall characteristics of the imprinting template in different parts of mulberry-sourced medicinal materials, so as to provide the basis for finding the effective substances in response toquot;homologous and different effectquot; of mulberry(Morus alba). The fingerprints of 24 batches of mulberry-related materials, such as Mori Ramulus, Mori Folium, Muri Cortex, Mori Fructus, were established, and the similarities and differences of the fingerprints were analyzed by calculating the division total statistical moment parameters and information entropy. The AUC_T, MCRT_T, VCRT_T and H values of 24 batches of mulberry-sourced materials were less than 0.05, with significant difference. Among them, all samples showed absorption peaks within 3-11, and 20-24 min, indicating that the four types had the identical or similar chemical composition in the same time period. After 34 min, none of the four types showed absorption peaks. Greater VCRT_T value of the fingerprints of the four kinds was observed at the retention time ranges of 3-4, 16-18, 25-27, and 31-32 min, indicating that the components of the four kinds were significantly different in these time periods; and VCRT_T value of the mulberry was significantly higher than that of the other three kinds of medicinal materials at the retention time windows of 3-4 and 15-17 min; the VCRT_T value of the mulberry white skin was significantly higher at the time windows of 8-10 and 28-30 min; the VCRT_T value of all four kinds was significantly higher within 21-23 min, indicating that the four herbs contain the same or similar components in the chromatogram during this period, but there may be significant differences between the content and the proportion. In addition, the information entropy of mulberry branches is the largest at 7-12, 23-27 min, and that of mulberry fruits is the largest at 2-8 min, which indicates that the components of mulberry branches and mulberry fruits respond greatly in the corresponding period of time, which is also the main peak period of their chemical components. For the chemical components and corresponding efficacy here. The results showed that there are significant differences in the components and contents of mulberry-sourced medicinal materials. The division total statistical moment and information entropy of the total amount of segments can be used to analyze the differences in the components ofquot;homology and different effectsquot;, which could provide a more comprehensive analysis method for the determination of quality markers.

Patients with AML may show ABO blood typing discrepancy, and the expression levels of the ABO antigens may show some alterations with the disease progression. To better understand this phenomenon, the blood samples of 25 AML patients and 25 healthy blood donors were examined. The serological ABO blood types of the patients were determined in different AML stages, and gene sequencing was performed to identify the precise ABO genotypes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out to detect the transcription levels of the antigens. The genotyping result showed that there were 4 patients with genotype A1O, 5 patients with B1O, and 16 patients with A1B1. RT-PCR results indicated that the transcription levels of the ABO gene in 76% (19/25) of the patients were significantly lower compared with those in controls (p

Previous research showed that a lectin from the mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus, designed LSL, bound to Sepharose and could be eluted by lactose. In this study, by taking advantage of the strong affinity of LSL-tag for Sepharose, we developed a single-step purification method for LSL-tagged fusion proteins. We utilized unmodified Sepharose-4B as a specific adsorbent and 0.2 M lactose solution as an elution buffer. Fusion proteins of LSL-tag and porcine circovirus capsid protein, designated LSL-Cap was recovered with purity of 90 ± 4%, and yield of 87 ± 3% from crude extract of recombinant Escherichia coli. To enable the remove of LSL-tag, tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease recognition sequence was placed downstream of LSL-tag in the expression vector, and LSL-tagged TEV protease, designated LSL-TEV, was also expressed in E. coli., and was recovered with purity of 82 ± 5%, and yield of 85 ± 2% from crude extract of recombinant E. coli. After digestion of LSL-tagged recombinant proteins with LSL-TEV, the LSL tag and LSL-TEV can be easily removed by passing the digested products through the Sepharose column. It is of worthy noting that the Sepharose can be reused after washing with PBS. The LSL affinity purification method enables rapid and inexpensive purification of LSL-tagged fusion proteins and scale-up production of native proteins.

Marek's disease virus serotype 1 (MDV-1) is an important oncogenic α-herpesvirus that induces immunosuppressive and rapid-onset T-cell lymphomatous disease in poultry commonly referred to as Marek's disease (MD). As an excellent biomodel for the study of virally-induced cancers in natural hosts, MDV-1 encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) have been previously demonstrated with the potential roles to act as critical regulators in virus replication, latency, pathogenesis and especially in oncogenesis. Similar to the oncogenic γ-herpesvirus Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), miR-M4-5p, the cellular microRNA-155 (miR-155) ortholog encoded by MDV-1, is also involved in MD oncogenesis. In lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from MDV-induced T-cell lymphomas, miR-M4-5p has been shown to be highly expressed and participate in inducing MD lymphomagenesis by regulating multiple signal pathways. Herein we report the new identification of the host WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) as a biological target for miR-M4-5p. Further experiments revealed that as a critical oncomiRNA, miR-M4-5p promotes the proliferations of both chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) and MSB-1 cells via suppressing cell apoptosis by targeting WWOX, a well-known tumor suppressor. Our data presents a novel insight in elucidating the regulatory mechanisms mediated by the viral analog of miR-155 that potentially contribute to MD tumorigenesis.

The ancient dragon Materia Medica, Compendium of Materia Medica and other works recorded that the main effect of ginseng is tonifying qi. It is reported that the main active ingredient of ginseng is ginsenoside. Modern studies have found that ginseng mono saponins are effective for cardiovascular related diseases. This paper preliminary clarified the efficacy of traditional ginseng-nourishing qi and cardiovascular disease through the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) inheritance auxiliary platform and integration platform of association of pharmacology. With the help of TCM inheritance auxiliary platform-analysis of "Chinese medicine database", Chinese medicine treatment of modern diseases that ginseng rules, so the traditional effect associated with modern medicine and pharmacology; application integration platform enrichment analysis on the target of drug and gene function, metabolic pathway, to further explore the molecular mechanism of ginseng in the treatment of coronary heart disease, aimed at mining the molecular mechanism of ginseng in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Chinese medicine containing ginseng 307 prescriptions, 87 kinds of disease indications, western medicine disease Chinese medicine therapy for ginseng main coronary heart disease; analysis of molecular mechanism of ginseng pharmacology integration platform for the treatment of coronary heart disease. Ginsenosides（Ra₁, Ra₂, Rb₁, Rb₂, Rg₁, Ro) bind these targets, PRKAA1, PRKAA2, NDUFA4, COX5B, UQCRC1, affect chemokines, non-alcoholic fatty liver, gonadotropin, carbon metabolism, glucose metabolism and other pathways to treat coronary heart disease indirectly. The molecular mechanism of Panax ginseng's multi-component, multi-target and synergistic action is preliminarily elucidated in this paper.

The effect of Chinese medicine (CM) compound prescription is the combined action results of single herbs based on the basic theory of Chinese medicine, and its function embodies the characteristics of multi components, multi targets and comprehensive effects. It is difficult to study the therapeutic material, establish quality standards or determine Q-marker, so we can't strictly monitor the quality of the whole process of CM. The identification of Q-marker has a profound influence on the whole process of the pharmaceutical engineering of CM. The scattered effect of CM multi-components is regarded as the integral action of the parent nucleus group by the metabolic rule of co-network compatibility and rainbow potential (CCRP). The rule can be used to communicate the individual components and macro components, to reveal the metabolism of CM in organism body and basic law of information exchange, thus revealing the action law of CM on human body. Through the systematic analysis of the Q-marker's guidance to the development of CM and its relationship with the metabolic rule of CCRP, we try to provide some ideas for the identification of Q-marker.

Background People with a new colostomy encounter many difficulties as they struggle to adjust to their ostomies. Nurse telephone follow-up is a convenient way to ensure continuity of care. There is a paucity of studies testing if nurse telephone follow-up can enhance adjustment of postdischarged colostomy patients. Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of enterostomal nurse telephone follow-up on the adjustment levels of discharged colostomy patients. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial. Participants (n = 103) who had undergone colostomy operations in China were recruited and randomly assigned to the study or control group. Both the study and control groups received routine discharge care, whereas the study group received 2-3 nurse telephone calls in the follow-up period. The outcome measures included Ostomy Adjustment Scale, Stoma Self-efficacy Scale, satisfaction with care, and stoma complications. Results Results of this study indicated that participants in the study group had significantly better ostomy adjustment, higher stoma self-efficacy, higher satisfaction with care, and less stoma complications compared with those in the control group. Conclusions This study provided evidence to support that enterostomal nurse telephone follow-up can improve patient ostomy adjustment level and other related outcomes. Implication for practice Nurse telephone follow-up is an effective intervention to support the adjustment of stoma patients after hospital discharge.

Nitrogen mineralization, a main way that soil organic nitrogen converts to mineral nitrogen, is one of the key processes in soil nitrogen cycle. The mineral nitrogen has an important role in plant growth in the growing season. It has been widely accepted that soil freezing in winter can kill a number of microorganisms, weakening soil nitrogen mineralization. However, more and more recent studies have documented that soil microorganisms still have high activity during the deep freezing period, and obvious nitrogen mineralization in winter. Seasonal freeze–thaw cycle is a common phenomenon in the subalpine/alpine forest region, which may have a strong effect on soil ecological processes. Furthermore, the changing pattern of seasonal freeze–thaw cycles might have a significant influence on soil nitrogen mineralization in this region in the scenarios of global warming. As yet, little attention has been given to nitrogen mineralization of soil organic layer as affected by changed seasonal freeze–thaw pattern, although the increasing studies have demonstrated that winter warming might give strong effects on the litter decomposition and microbial activity in the subalpine/alpine forest regions. Therefore, a method of intact soil core incubation in combination with natural environmental gradient was employed by transferring forest soils from 3582 m ( A 1 ) of altitude to 3298 m ( A 2 ) of altitude and 3023 m ( A 3 ) of altitude in the subalpine/alpine forests of western Sichuan, respectively. The amounts and rates of net nitrogen mineralization in soil organic layer were measured. The incubation period included the growing season and the freeze–thaw season from May 24, 2010 to April 19, 2011. The results suggested that significant net nitrogen mineralization was only observed in soil organic layer at low altitude ( A 3 ) during the whole incubation period. Forest soils at higher altitudes ( A 1 and A 2 ) showed obvious soil nitrogen immobilization. In comparison with the growing season which showed remarkable nitrogen immobilization characteristic, the freeze–thaw season showed obvious nitrogen mineralization at lower altitudes ( A 2 and A 3 ). In contrast, the nitrogen immobilization amounts at high altitude ( A 1 ) in freeze–thaw period were less than those in the growing season. Besides, the maximum of net nitrogen mineralization amounts and rates at high altitude ( A 1 ) in soil organic layer mainly occurred in the late stage of growing season and the onset of freezing, soil nitrogen mineralization at the middle altitude ( A 2 ) mainly occurred in the onset of freezing and the deep freezing period, while the highest amount and rate of net nitrogen mineralization at low altitude ( A 3 ) occurred in the early stage of thawing and the late stage of growing season. Furthermore, the amount and rate of soil net nitrogen mineralization during the freeze–thaw season were increasing with the decrease of altitude, which correlated with soil freeze–thaw cycle and freezing process at different altitudes. These results indicated that increasing soil temperature in the future could not only significantly enhance soil nitrogen mineralization in the freeze–thaw season, but also improve soil nitrogen mineralization by increasing freeze–thaw cycle times and shortening freeze–thaw period. However, the processes were significantly influenced by soil micro-environment of subalpine/alpine forest regions.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a most common liver malignancy. The objective of this study was to prepare silybin nanoparticles (NPs) and optimize the prepared nanoparticles using central composite rotatable design-response surface methodology.HCC was induced in rats by supplementing 100 mg/L of diethylnitrosamine (DENA) in drinking water for 8 weeks. Saline, silybin 30 mg/kg body weight and nanoformulation of silybin equivalent to silybin dose were administered orally to 3 groups of 6 animals each. Anticancer activity was evaluated by counting the liver nodules, and HE staining analysis of tissue sections.The results showed that silybin NPs under optimized conditions gave rise to the entrapment efficiency (EE) of 88%, drug loading (DL) of 15%, mean diameter of 216 nm of the NPs prepared and zeta potential value of -15 mV. In rats treated with silybin NPs, the number of neoplastic nodules was significantly lower, the animals did not exhibit decrease in mean body weight, the number of liver nodules was reduced by93% with significantly high localization in the liver.Orally administered silybin NPs showed improved efficacy and safety compared to silybin for the treatment of HCC in rats.

The molecular connectivity index was adopted to explore the characteristics of supramolecular imprinting template of herbs distributed to liver meridian, in order to provide scientific basis for traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs) distributed to liver meridian. In this paper, with "12th five-year plan" national planning textbooks Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chemistry of Traditional Chinese Medicine as the blueprint, literatures and TCMSP sub-databases in TCM pharmacology of northwest science and technology university of agriculture and forestry were retrieved to collect and summarize active constituents of TCM distributed to liver meridian, and calculate the molecular connectivity index. The average molecular connectivity index of ingredients distributed to liver meridian was 9.47, which was close to flavonoid glycosides' (9.17±2.11) and terpenes (9.30±3.62). Therefore, it is inferred that template molecule of liver meridian is similar to physicochemical property of flavonoid glycosides and terpenes, which could be best matched with imprinting template of liver meridian.

CdTe/CdS/ZnS core-shell-shell (CSS) quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized in aqueous solution via water-bathing combined hydrothermal method using L-cysteine (L-Cys) as a stabilizer. This method possesses both the advantages of water-bathing and hydrothermal methods, and thus can prepare CSS QDs with markedly reduced synthesis time than previously reported methods. The as-prepared QDs display a higher fluorescent intensity than bare CdTe or CdTe/CdS. After co-cultured with yeast at different growth phase, the as-prepared L-Cys capped CdTe/CdS/ZnS QDs showed much less toxicity than the other CdTe or CdTe/CdS QDs. Our results demonstrate that the CSS QD would have a promising potential in fields of bio-labeling and cell imaging.

Mangroves play an important role for removing nutrients, heavy metals, and other pollutants in wetland ecosystems. This study investigated the physiological responses of a mangrove plant (i.e., Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham) to different wastewater pollution levels. Four different treatments, namely three concentration levels (i.e., normal, five-time-greater than normal, and ten-time-greater than normal) of wastewaters and one control (i.e., salted water), were used to grow the mangrove plants. Results showed that the height and biomass of the plant increased with wastewater pollution levels. No significant differences in root and catalase activities were observed among different treatments, whereas the increases in peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were attributed to the need for detoxification. In general, leaf chlorophyll content increased with wastewater pollution levels due to the increase in nutrient contents.

Mangrove wetlands are important in the removal of nutrients, heavy metals, and organic pollutants from wastewater within estuarine systems due to the presence of oxidized and reduced conditions, periodic flooding by incoming and outgoing tides, and high clay and organic matter content. This study investigated the removal efficiency of nutrients and heavy metals from wastewater by the mangrove Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham in a simulated wetland. Eight different treatments, namely, three concentration levels of wastewaters, with and without planting of the mangrove species, and one control (with salted water) each for both with and without planting of the mangrove species, were employed in this study. Results showed that the amounts of total mangrove biomass from different treatments were in the following order: PL-TW (planted with ten times higher-than-normal wastewater concentration) > PL-FW (planted with five times higher-than-normal wastewater concentration) > PL-SW (planted with normal wastewater concentration) > PL-NW (planted with no wastewater), whereas the magnitude of the heavy metal contents in the biomass was in the following order: Cu > Pb > Cd > Zn. Very good linear correlations existed between the biomass and the nutrients or heavy metals. The Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham species had its own selectivity for uptake of heavy metals regardless of the initial heavy metal contents and was more effective in the removal of nutrients than heavy metals. Our study suggested that mangrove wetlands with Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham species had great potential for the removal of nutrients and heavy metals in coastal areas.

As there are many differences between Chinese culture and the Western cultures, such as history, religion, tradition, philosophy and geography, there are significant factors in the aspects of language and words. As for this, people start to learn about the languages of each other and understand the meanings of the words. At this time, the translation has become the most important method of the communication of cultures between China and West. The aim of translation is not only to translate the literal meaning but also the cultures in words. Translators help readers know the relationship and meanings between the source language and the translated language from the points of skills and methods of translation. It can make them know Chinese culture and Western cultures and promote cultural fusion deeply. In this thesis, the author discusses how to eliminate cultural conflicts, absorb, accept and fuse the culture of each other from the perspective of translation. Then, it can make translation more effective and it will increase the interflow and fusion. We conclude the development of Chinese and western culture and fusion from the methods and skills of translation. At the same time, we can neutralize the conflict between the cultures through translation. Index Terms - translation; cultural fusion; alienation; domes- tication.

A novel copper-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles is described and a reaction mechanism is also proposed.

The present study focuses on two Holocene sediment boreholes in Taihu Lake, sunk to examine the lake sediment including sedimentary texture and structure, microfossils, magnetic susceptibility and radiocarbon-dated Holocene stratigraphy. Results demonstrate that the early Taihu Lake area consisted primarily of West Taihu Lake depression and a low floodplain in the East Taihu Lake area. No hydraulic connection existed between the two sectors during the early Holocene when sea level stood at lower level. Core sediments, microfossil and magnetic evidence records that West Taihu Lake began to be inundated by brackish water prior to 6000 years ago, while East Taihu Lake still remained a freshwater setting. After 6000 B.P., a further rise in freshwater table in response to sea-level fluctuation progressively drowned the entire lake, coalescing the two parts after 4600–3500 B.P. Our coring revealed that the lacustrine sediment began to form in West Taihu Lake as early as 11,000 years ago, while it happened much later (only after 5700 B.P.) to form in East Taihu Lake. High sedimentation rates (0.42–0.35 mm/year) in lacustrine deposits of West Taihu Lake occurred between ~11,000 and 5000 B.P. In contrast, the high sedimentation rates (1.54 mm/year) in East Taihu Lake occurred only within a very short time period, from ~6500 to 5500 B.P. Since then, sedimentation rates have decelerated to a very low value (

A novel and efficient procedure for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles has been developed in this work. The polysubsituted pyrroles were synthesized directly from terminal alkenes, amines and β-keto esters through cross-coupling–cyclization–oxidation in the presence of a catalytic amount of cuprous chloride. This method provides a one-pot synthesis route from terminal alkenes to polysubstituted pyrroles for the first time and opens a new area in cuprous catalysis.

To explore the clinical efficacy of endoscopic repairing pediatric blowout fracture of orbital floor with autologous bone fragment.A total of 12 cases with blowout fractures of orbital floor between March 2010 and June 2012 at Third Hospital of HeBei Medical University were reviewed. They underwent nasal endoscopic reconstruction of autologous bone fragment in situ. Medicinal biomaterial glue was used for fixation. A 6-month follow-up was performed and the therapeutic efficacies of anatomic and functional recovery were evaluated.No further vision loss or infection occurred postoperatively. Diplopia disappeared over a period of 3 days to 6 months. At 3 months post-operation, diplopia vanished completely (n = 9), and peripheral vision diplopia persisted (n = 3). Only 1 case had still peripheral vision diplopia at 6 months. Enophthalmos: ≥ 2 mm (n = 1), 1 mm (n = 3) for one week after surgery and only 1 mm (n = 1) at one month follow-up. Passive traction test was negative in all cases and computed tomograph (CT) revealed no bone redislocation postoperatively.Endoscopic repair of pediatric blowout fracture of orbital floor with autologous bone fragment in situ is both effective and safe.

To determine the cut-off value for coagulation factor Ⅷ activity (FⅧ:C) to von Willebrand factor antigen (vWFAg) ratio which can classify obligatory carriers of hemophilia A and normal females, and assess its feasibility to diagnose suspected carriers in affected families through comparison with the method of gene diagnosis.FⅧ:C assay was carried out by a one-stage method in both obligatory carriers and normal females. vWF antigen was measured with ELISA assay. The FⅧ:C/vWF ratio was calculated. Statistic analysis was carried out to determine the cut-off value which can classify the two groups. The ratio was then used to diagnose suspected carriers from families affected with hemophilia A. The results were compared with that by long distance polymerase chain reaction, genetic linkage analysis and/or direct sequencing.The FⅧ:C/vWFAg value for 90.6% of obligatory carriers was under 0.82. Should 0.82 be selected as the cut-off value to diagnose the 42 suspected carriers, most of them can be readily diagnosed. The results were all in agreement with that of genetic analysis.Cut-off value of FⅧ:C/vWFAg may be used for initial diagnose of the suspected carriers from families affected with hemophilia A. The method is quite convenient and reliable.

German universities of applied science and technology (FH is the abbreviated form to Fachhochschule) are the new kind of institutions of higher learning to cultivate advanced applied talents in Germany. This essay first introduces the teaching concept, the training goal, the curriculum system, talents evaluation mode, the construction of teachers' team and internal teaching methods of FH applied talents training program then directs at the existing problems of newly established colleges and universities in cultivating applied talents, finally puts forward several proposals to the cultivation of applied talents in our country's local colleges and universities.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)) is a key modulator of dendritic cells (DCs) function, and cornea-derived transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β(2)) promotes the generation of phenotypically and functionally immature DCs. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate whether PGE(2) is involved in the suppressive effect on DCs maturation mediated by corneal stroma cells (CSCs) and whether PGE(2) and TGF-β(2) have additive effects in this immunosuppressive mechanism.Bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs), splenic T cells and CSCs culture supernatant were obtained from mice via various protocols. After that, the level of PGE(2) in CSCs culture supernatant was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Then, immature BM-DCs pretreated by E-prostanoid 2 receptor antagonist AH6809 or dimethyl sulfoxide were induced to mature in the presence of lipopolysaccharide, with or without CSCs culture supernatant. In parallel experiments, neutralizing TGF-β(2) antibody or normal goat IgG was added into the supernatant. Next, the cellular surface markers for DCs maturation, including CD80, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII), were analyzed by flow cytometry; the capability of stimulating the proliferation of T lymphocytes was evaluated by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions and the function of endocytosis was assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran uptake.Higher concentration of PGE(2) was detected in CSCs culture supernatant than in the fresh medium. In addition, compared with control group, after treated with the supernatant in the mature stage, BM-DCs displayed lower expression of CD80, CD86 and MHC II, lower T cell stimulatory capacity and higher endocytosis function. However, after the application of AH6809, BM-DCs partially regained T cell stimulatory capacity and expression of CD86 and MHC II, but partially lost endocytic activity. Moreover, after the application of AH6809 and neutralizing TGF-β(2) antibody, the result of statistical analysis indicated that there was a statistical difference of interaction in the expression of MHC II and T cell stimulatory capacity.PGE(2) contributes to the suppressive effect on BM-DCs maturation mediated by CSCs in vitro, and PGE(2) and TGF-β(2) have additive effects on the immunosuppression of BM-DCs.

Seasonal freeze-thaw cycle and its change pattern under the scenarios of climate warming might exert strong effects on the soil nitrogen mineralization in alpine forests. In this paper, intact soil cores were collected from the subalpine/alpine forests along an altitudinal gradient in west Sichuan, and an incubation test was conducted to study the soil net nitrogen mineralization rate and the amount of soil mineralized nitrogen in the forests during growth season and seasonal freeze-thaw period under simulated scenarios of global warming. In the test soils, the NH(4+)-N and NO(3-)-N contents both showed a clear tendency of decreased in the period from growth season to the onset stage of freezing, increased at deep freezing stage, and decreased again at the early stage of thawing. The soil net nitrogen mineralization rate and the amount of soil mineralized nitrogen were significantly lower in freeze-thaw period than in growth season, and the soil inorganic nitrogen was obviously immobilized. The soil nitrogen immobilization was stronger at middle altitudes but weaker at high altitudes, as compared with that at low altitudes, possibly due to the variation of soil temperature and its induced different freeze-thaw cycle. During growth period, the soil net nitrogen mineralization rate and the amount of soil mineralized nitrogen showed an obvious increasing trend with the decrease of altitude, and the soil nitrogen mineralization was the strongest at low altitudes, implying that under the scenarios of climate warming, the increase of soil temperature promoted the soil nitrogen mineralization during growth season, and affected the soil nitrogen mineralization rate by increasing the frequency of freeze-thaw cycle and shortening the time period of freeze-thaw. Soil micro-environment could also affect the soil nitrogen mineralization in alpine forest regions.

In the present work, CdS quantum dots (QDs) were successfully biosynthesized at room temperature by using saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast as a carrier. Fluorescence emission spectra, ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis) absorption spectra, and inverted fluorescence microscope images confirmed that saccharomyces cerevisiae can be used to biosynthesize CdS QDs. The as-prepared CdS QDs show the fluorescence emission peak at 443 nm and emit blue-green fluorescence under UV light (with excitation at 365 nm). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was applied to characterize the as-prepared CdS QDs and the TEM results showed that the as-prepared CdS QDs had the structure of hexagonal wurtzite. Fluorescence emission spectrum and UV/Vis absorption spectrum were used as the performance indicatiors to study the effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast incubation times, reactant Cd2+ concentrations and reaction times on CdS QDs synthesis. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast grown in early stable phase can get the highest fluorescence intensity of CdS QDs when they were co-cultured with 0.5 mmol x L(-1) of Cd2+ with 24 h incubation time. Furthermore, much more CdS QDs can be obtained by changing the culture medium during the synthesis process.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum spirochete bacterium. The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), interacting with human leukocyte antigens (HLA), regulate the activations of natural killer (NK) cells and certain T-cell subsets in response to microbe infection. The objective of this study was to explore whether KIR and HLA-C gene polymorphisms were associated with syphilis in a Chinese Han population. Polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) method was used to genotype KIR and HLA-C genes in 231 syphilis patients and 247 healthy controls. Framework genes KIR2DL4, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3 and KIR3DP1 were present in all individuals. The frequencies of KIR2DS3 and KIR3DS1 were higher in syphilis patients than in healthy controls (p = 0.030 and p = 0.038, respectively), while the frequency of KIR2DS5 was higher in healthy controls than in syphilis patients (p = 0.015; OR = 0.575). The homozygote for HLA-C1 allele (HLA-C1C1) was more common in controls compared with syphilis patients (p = 0.030; OR = 0.667). The frequency of individuals with HLA-C1C1 and KIR2DL3 genotype was higher in control group relative to syphilis patient group (p = 0.018; OR = 0.647). These data indicated that KIR2DS3 and KIR3DS1 were more prevalent in syphilis patients than in controls, and that KIR2DS5, HLA-C1C1 and HLA-C1C1-KIR2DL3 were more prevalent in controls than in syphilis patients, respectively. These will require further investigation using functional studies.

Plant is an important role in biogeochemical cycle of Hg. The aim of this study is to ascertain Hg accumulation in several kinds of mangrove plants, and to discuss relationship among Hg concentrations in mangrove plants and different Hg speciation in sediments. Contents of total mercury (THg) in mangrove plants and sediments were determined. Hg speciation was determined with a modified Tessier's method. Contents of THg of the mangrove plants were in the range of 817.5-3 197.6 ng/g. In detail, Hg concentration was (1 579.4 +/- 1 326.8) ng/g in Kandelia candel, (2 115.1 +/- 1 892.3) ng/g in Aegiceras corniculatum, (2 159.3 +/- 1 678.7) ng/g in Avicennia marina, (2 566.5 +/- 821.6) ng/g in Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, (2 104.3 +/- 1 661.8) ng/g in Excoecaria agallocha, (3 197.6 +/- 2 782.8) ng/g in Sonneratia apetala, (817.5 +/- 632.3) ng/g in Acanthus ilicifolius, (1 801.8 +/- 1 255.4) ng/g in Rhizophora. stylosa, respectively. There are obvious interspecific variation, and organic variation in THg contents of mangrove plants, which is closely related to environment and physiological characteristics of mangrove plants. Enrichment of THg in mangrove plants was inhomogeneous, following the order of Sonneratia apetalaBruguiera gymnorrhizaAvicennia marinaAegiceras corniculatumExcoecaria agallochaRhizophora stylosaKandelia candelAcanthus ilicifolius. Mercury exists mainly in volatile form in most mangrove wetlands, but mainly in the form of residue in sediments from Shenzhen mangrove wetlands. Significantly positive correlations were found among Hg concentrations in leaves and stems of Sonneratia apetala and volatile Hg, exchangeable Hg of sediments. Significantly positive correlations were also found among Hg concentrations in leaves of Excoecaria agallocha and volatile Hg, exchangeable Hg of sediments. But, there is no significant correlation between Hg concentrations of most mangrove plants and different Hg speciation in sediments. It showed that plants assimilate Hg from different sources, such as water, sediment and air, and that Hg assimilated by plants could transfer among different plant organics.

Monodisperse NaYF4 : Yb, Er upconversion fluorescent nanoparticles were firstly synthesized via a co-precipitation method in the presence of diethylenetriamine pentoacetic acid (DTPA). The nanoparticles were characterized by using of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), fluorescence (FL) spectrum, and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analysis. The as-prepared nanoparticles were uniform, and their size could be controlled in a range of 20 to 120 nm by varying the amount of DTPA. During the precipitation reaction, DTPA molecules could form a complex with the rare earth ions, and then the rare earth ions were released slowly to react with F- ions, which slowed down the speed of the reaction. In addition, DTPA molecules could also be capped on surface of the growing nanoparticles, which prevented the nanoparticles from aggregation. After annealing, the nanoparticles were transformed from cubic phase to hexagonal phase, and their upconversion fluorescence intensity was enhanced remarkably. The synthesis conditions including the amount of chelating agents and temperature for annealing, which showed great influence on the size, phase and upconversion fluorescence intensity of the nanoparticles, were also discussed. It was confirmed by XRD and TG-DSC analysis that the presence of DTPA suppressed the cubic-to-hexagonal phase transition of the nanoparticles. However, while the small nanoparticles were obtained with well control, the annealed crystals synthesized by adding DTPA could still emit strong fluorescence under a low exciting power, which could well fulfill the demand for bio-labeling. These nanoparticles are envisioned to find potential applications in biological detections.

To investigate the surgical techniques of divided nevus of the eyelids with different locations and sizes.Retrospective observational case series. Thirty cases (30 eyes) of divided nevus of the eyelids in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from July 1997 to November 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. There were three different surgical methods. Excision of the nevus and direct suture after excision in 3 cases. Excision of the nevus and free skin graft transplantation in 5 cases. Excision of the nevus and transfer of skin flap, which included a two stages reconstruction, was performed in 22 cases. The upper or lower eyelid was treated first and another eyelid was treated after three months. Lacrimal punctum and lacrimal canaliculus were excised if they were involved in 8 cases among 22 cases.The mean follow-up time was 60 months (ranging from 2 years to 11 years). Only one case recurred after two years during follow-up and was excised after five years. Pathologic examination indicated malignant transformation. Excision with histopathological control was performed and the nevus did not recur during follow-up time. Recurrence or malignant transformation did not occur in other cases. Aesthetical results of skin flap transplantation were better than skin graft transplantation.The results of two stages reconstruction and transfer of skin flap after excision of the divided nevus are better than free skin graft transplantation. Close observation is required after excision of the divided nevus for early detection of malignant transformation.

Surficial sediment samples were collected from main mangrove wetlands of China, mercury, pH, salinity, organic matters, grain size, Fe/Hg, Mn/Hg were analyzed. Mercury content ranges from 2.3 to 903.6 ng x g(-1), with a average of (197 +/- 137.6) ng x g(-1). Compared with local background level, serious Hg pollution with high Hg content was found in 7 areas, including Luoyangqiao [(467.5 +/- 68.8) ng x g(-1)], Fugong [(438.2 +/- 147.0) ng x g(-1)], Ewan [(264.3 +/- 89.2) ng x g(-1)], Yaojiayu [(125.4 +/- 27.1) ng x g(-1)], Fujian Province; Sanya [(164.8 +/- 143.9) ng x g(-1)], Dongzhaigang [(314.1 +/- 335.7) ng x g(-1)], Hainan Province, Shenzhen [(179.9 +/- 7.7) ng x g(-1)], Guangdong Province. Hg content was similar with background value in the other 6 areas, including Yunxiao [(63.3 +/- 43.9)ng x g(-1)], Fujian Province; Gaoqiao [(178.6 +/- 127.0) ng x g(-1)], Guangdong Province; Daguansha [(26.1 +/- 18.8) ng x g(-1)], Shankou [(73.8 +/- 21.1) ng x g(-1)], Beilun estuary [(117.8 +/- 51.4) ng x g(-1)], Qinzhou Bay [(147.5 +/- 107.6) ng x g(-1)], Guangxi Autonomous Region. Discrepancy of total Hg concentrations in mangrove wetlands is due to many environmental factors and human activities. Parameters such as grain size, pH, organic matter, Fe/Hg, Mn/Hg are significantly correlated with total Hg respectively. Clay and Fe/Hg are obvious factors influencing total Hg concentration. Impact of environmental factors on mercury can be showed by regression equation.

To better understand the neutrophil activation and protease imbalance in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis.Pediatric patients with RSV bronchiolitis were collected, 11 with the Lowell scoresor = 10 (severe group), and 19 with the Lowell scores10 (mild group). 20 RSV bronchiolitis patients in convalescent group, 24 patients with bacterial pneumonia, and 15 patients as control group. The percentages of neutrophils were detected. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of neutrophil elastase (NE) and interleukin (IL)-8, and the elastase inhibition capacity (EIC)/free neutrophil elastase activity were detected by colorimetry. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of alpha(1) antitrypsin (alpha(1)AT).The neutrophil percentage, the NE and IL-8 concentration of the RSV bronchiolitis group (0.528, 6.39 x 10(7) kg/L and 13.62 x 10(9) kg/L)were all significantly higher than those of the control (0.074, 2.53 x 10(7) kg/L and 2.64 x 10(9) kg/L) and convalescent groups (0.306, 1.23 x 10(7) kg/L and 5.95 x 10(9) kg/L, all P0.05). The neutrophil percentage and IL-8 concentration of the convalescent group were both significantly higher than those of the control group (both P0.05). Increased expression of alpha(1)AT in RSV bronchiolitis was found when compared with convalescent infants (0.49 vs 0.09, P0.05). The free elastase activity level of the bronchiolitis group was 6/30, not different with 7/24 of pneumonia group, and it was only one in convalescent infants.Mass of neutrophil aggregation and activation exist in RSV bronchiolitis, as well as protease system imbalance, and may play an important role in the inflammatory response and pathogenesis of RSV bronchiolitis.

To investigate the clinical characteristics of moderate and severe Marcus-Gunn jaw winking synkinesis and it surgical management.Thirty-three patients with Marcus-Gunn syndrome were enrolled from 1997 to 2003 in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center. The clinical characteristics were analyzed based on the records. Unilateral levator excision and frontalis flap suspension were performed for the correction of ptosis and the results were analyzed.The follow-up period varied from 1 to 6 years. Sixteen patients were male and 17 were female. The left eye was involved in 22 patients and the right eye in 11 patients. There was no family history. The amount of ptosis in each patient was more than 2 mm. At the end of observation, good results were achieved for ptosis correction in 26 (87%) of 30 patients, fair results in 3 (10%) patients.The ptosis of patients with moderate and severe Marcus-Gunn syndrome needs to be treated surgically. Unilateral frontalis flap suspension combined levator excision can correct ptosis very well for patients with moderate and severe Marcus-Gunn syndrome.