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Background: Postoperative urinary tract infection is a common complication that not only significantly prolongs the hospital stay and amplifies the economic burden on patients, but also affects their quality of life and prognosis. This study aimed to investigate risk factors and distribution of pathogenic bacteria in urinary tract infections among bladder cancer patients who underwent cutaneous ureterostomy following radical cystectomy. Methods: A total of 137 bladder cancer patients, who underwent cutaneous ureterostomy after radical cystectomy at our hospital from November 2018 to October 2022, were enrolled in this retrospective study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the risk factors associated with postoperative urinary tract infection and the distribution of pathogenic bacteria among the infected patients. Results: The results of both univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that age, proficiency in ostomy knowledge, frequency of ureteral stent tube replacement, ureteral stent tube dislodgement, urine immersion at the outer end of the ureteral stent tube, and the interval of ostomy bag replacement were independent risk factors for urinary tract infection after radical cystectomy and cutaneous ureterostomy in bladder cancer patients. A total of 55 pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 52 patients with infections. Predominantly, these were gram-negative bacteria (34 strains, 61.8%), with Proteus mirabilis having the highest proportion. Conclusion: Urinary tract infections after radical cystectomy and cutaneous ureterostomy predominantly involve gram-negative bacteria. This is correlated with factors such as the age of bladder cancer patients, the level of nursing education, the duration of ureteral stent tubes and ostomy bag usage, as well as issues related to impaired urine drainage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the performance of the FibroTouch‐based ultrasound attenuation parameter (UAP) for assessing hepatic steatosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF) as the reference standard. Methods: This prospective, cross‐sectional study included 275 individuals in the training group and 110 individuals in the validation group, all of whom completed a standardized research visit, laboratory tests, MRI‐PDFF, and UAP measurements over 1 month. Pearson correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman analysis were used to assess the agreement between UAP and MRI‐PDFF for the detection of hepatic steatosis. The diagnostic value of UAP was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUROC). Confounding factors to UAP performance were identified by ROC curves and regression analyses. Results: The AUROC of UAP for detecting MRI‐PDFF at ≥5%, ≥10%, and ≥20% were 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92–0.97), 0.86 (95% CI 0.81–0.90), and 0.90 (95% CI 0.86–0.93), respectively, and their optimal thresholds were 259, 274, and 295 dB/m, respectively. The UAP measurements had higher diagnostic accuracy in participants with lower waist circumference (≤90 cm for men and ≤80 cm for women) compared to those with higher waist circumference (AUROC values: 0.97 vs 0.84, P < 0.05). Bland–Altman analysis showed good agreement between UAP and MRI‐PDFF (bias 0.00021). According to established regression analyses, hepatic steatosis could be accurately diagnosed using UAP estimation. Conclusions: FibroTouch‐UAP has a high diagnostic potential for hepatic steatosis in NAFLD patients and helps clinical assessment and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructural evolution and the high-temperature tensile properties of a novel Nb-Ti-N alloyed austenitic heat-resistant cast steel were investigated during the isothermal aging at 900 °C for up to 1000 h. The mechanisms of enhancing strength-ductility synergy and the high-temperature tensile fracture behaviors after the aging process were analyzed in detail through tensile tests at 900 °C. Obtained results show that the high-density dislocation regions and the Cr segregation, formed around the intragranular primary (Nb,Ti)(C,N), provided numerous nucleation sites for submicron-sized secondary M 23 C 6 precipitates. The density of secondary M 23 C 6 significantly increased, while the coarsening rate was notably reduced during the aging process. Simultaneously, the uniform dispersed precipitation of nano-sized secondary (Nb,Ti)C was promoted by massive dislocations, which exhibited high resistance to coarsening during long-term aging. The improvement of high-temperature strength was attributed to the precipitation strengthening effects induced by the submicron-sized M 23 C 6 and nano-sized (Nb,Ti)C particles. Additionally, the enhancement of ductility during aging was mainly due to the more effective stress transmission and the ameliorated interface relationship between primary (Nb,Ti)(C,N) and austenitic matrix, which was facilitated by the abundant precipitation of secondary phases. The current findings indicate that high-density dislocations constructed by the intragranular primary (Nb,Ti)(C,N) induce the extensive dispersion of secondary strengthening phases, which enhanced both ultimate tensile strength of 158 MPa and elongation of 45.3% at 900 °C after isothermal aging for 1000 h. • High-density dislocations are constructed by the intragranular primary (Nb,Ti)(C,N). • High-density dislocations provide nucleation sites and induce the extensive dispersion of secondary M 23 C 6 and (Nb,Ti)C. • The secondary M 23 C 6 and (Nb,Ti)C obstruct the movement of dislocations and enhance the high-temperature strength. • The enhancement of ductility was due to the more effective stress transmission and the ameliorated interface relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based expression systems have emerged as promising avenues for the production of recombinant N -linked glycoproteins. This review offers insights into the evolution and progress of plant glycoengineering. It delves into the distinctive features of plant-derived N -glycans, the diverse range of plant hosts employed for glycoprotein synthesis, and the advancements in glycoengineering strategies aimed at generating glycoproteins with N -glycan structures akin to those produced in mammalian cell lines. Furthermore, alternative strategies for augmenting glycoengineering efforts and the current spectrum of applications for plant-produced N -glycan recombinant proteins are examined, underscoring their potential significance in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. • Plant-based expression systems are promising for producing recombinant N -linked glycoproteins. • Review explores plant glycoengineering history and recent advances in innovative vectors. • Hosts like Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 cells, are investigated. • Significant progress in optimizing glycoengineering strategies for mammalian-like glycosylation. • Review highlights biopharmaceutical manufacturing using glycoengineered plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: β-1,4-endoglucanase (EG) is one of the three types of cellulases used in cellulose saccharification during lignocellulosic biofuel/biomaterial production. GsCelA is an EG secreted by the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus sp. 70PC53 isolated from rice straw compost in southern Taiwan. This enzyme belongs to glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5) with a TIM-barrel structure common among all members of this family. GsCelA exhibits excellent lignocellulolytic activity and thermostability. In the course of investigating the regulation of this enzyme, it was fortuitously discovered that GsCelA undergoes a novel self-truncation/activation process that appears to be common among GH5 enzymes. Results: Three diverse Gram-positive bacterial GH5 EGs, but not a GH12 EG, undergo an unexpected self-truncation process by removing a part of their C-terminal region. This unique process has been studied in detail with GsCelA. The purified recombinant GsCelA was capable of removing a 53-amino-acid peptide from the C-terminus. Natural or engineered GsCelA truncated variants, with up to 60-amino-acid deletion from the C-terminus, exhibited higher specific activity and thermostability than the full-length enzyme. Interestingly, the C-terminal part that is removed in this self-truncation process is capable of binding to cellulosic substrates of EGs. The protein truncation, which is pH and temperature dependent, occurred between amino acids 315 and 316, but removal of these two amino acids did not stop the process. Furthermore, mutations of E142A and E231A, which are essential for EG activity, did not affect the protein self-truncation process. Conversely, two single amino acid substitution mutations affected the self-truncation activity without much impact on EG activities. In Geobacillus sp. 70PC53, the full-length GsCelA was first synthesized in the cell but progressively transformed into the truncated form and eventually secreted. The GsCelA self-truncation was not affected by standard protease inhibitors, but could be suppressed by EDTA and EGTA and enhanced by certain divalent ions, such as Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cu2+. Conclusions: This study reveals novel insights into the strategy of Gram-positive bacteria for directing their GH5 EGs to the substrate, and then releasing the catalytic part for enhanced activity via a spontaneous self-truncation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Callose, a linear (1,3)-β-glucan, is an indispensable carbohydrate polymer required for plant growth and development. Advances in biochemical, genetic, and genomic tools, along with specific antibodies, have significantly enhanced our understanding of callose biosynthesis. As additional components of the callose synthase machinery emerge, the elucidation of molecular biosynthetic mechanisms is expected to follow. Short-term objectives involve defining the stoichiometry and turnover rates of callose synthase subunits. Long-term goals include generating recombinant callose synthases to elucidate their biochemical properties and molecular mechanisms, potentially culminating in the determination of callose synthase three-dimensional structure. This review delves into the structures and intricate molecular processes underlying callose biosynthesis, emphasizing regulatory elements and assembly mechanisms. [Display omitted] • Highlighting the critical role of callose biosynthesis in plant growth and defense. • Reviewing the composition of callose synthase complexes and the current understanding of callose assembly mechanisms. • Exploring genes encoding callose synthase and regulatory elements across various plant developmental stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four Trichiurus species, T. japonicus, T. lepturus, T. nanhaiensis, and T. brevis, from the coasts of the China Seas, have been identified and their entire mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been sequenced by next-generation sequencing technology. A comparative analysis of five mitogenomes was conducted, including the mitogenome of T. gangeticus. The mitogenomes contained 16.568-16.840 bp and encoded 36 typical mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding, 2 ribosomal RNA-coding, and 21 transfer RNA-coding genes) and two typical noncoding control regions. Although tRNAPro is absent from Trichiurus mitogenomes, when compared with the 22 tRNAs reported in other vertebrates, the gene arrangements in the mitogenomes of the studied species are consistent with those in most teleost mitogenomes. The full-length sequences and protein-coding genes (PCGs) in the mitogenomes of the five species had obvious AT biases and negative GC skew values. Our study indicate that the specimens in the Indian Ocean are neither T. lepturus nor T. nanhaiensis but they are T. gangeticus; the Trichiurus species composition in the Indian Ocean is totally different from that in Pacific and Atlantic oceans; there are at least two Trichiurus species in Indian Ocean; and the worldwide systematics and diversity of the genus Trichiurus need to be reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This current research is aimed at assessing clinical efficacy and prognosis of three-dimensional (3D) printing assisted patient-specific instrument (PSI) osteotomy guide in precise osteotomy of adult talipes equinovarus (ATE). Methods. We included a total of 27 patients of ATE malformation (including 12 males and 15 females) from June 2014 to June 2018 in the current research. The patients were divided into the routine group (n = 12) and 3D printing group (n = 15) based on different operative methods. The parameters, including the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, complications, time to obtain bony fusion, functional outcomes based on American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and International Congenital Clubfoot Study group (ICFSG) scoring systems between the two groups were observed and recorded regularly. Results. The 3D printing group exhibits superiorities in shorter operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, higher rate of excellent, and good outcomes presented by ICFSG score at last follow-up (P < 0.001 , P < 0.001 , P = 0.019) than the routine group. However, there was no significant difference exhibited in the AOFAS score at the last follow-up and total rate of complications between the two groups (P = 0.136 , P = 0.291). Conclusion. Operation assisted by 3D printing PSI osteotomy guide for correcting the ATE malformation is novel and feasible, which might be an effective method to polish up the precise osteotomy of ATE malformation and enhance the clinical efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcal pyruvate oxidase (SpxB) is a hydrogen peroxide‐generating enzyme and plays a critical role in Streptococcus sanguinis interspecies interactions, but less is known about its biochemistry. We examined SpxB subcellular localization using protein fractionation and microscopy and found SpxB to be primarily cytoplasmic, but a small portion is also membrane associated. Potential post‐translational modifications of SpxB were determined using coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Two mutant strains were constructed to further validate the presence of predicted site‐specific post‐translational modifications. These site mutated SpxB proteins exhibited reduced solubility in vivo, which likely contributes to the observed phenotypic changes in colony morphology, bacterial growth, and H2O2 production. Overall, our data suggest that SpxB post‐translational modifications likely play a major role to regulate SpxB function in S. sanguinis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: β-Glucosidases are essential for cellulose hydrolysis by catalyzing the final cellulolytic degradation of cello-oligomers and cellobiose to glucose. D2-BGL is a fungal glycoside hydrolase family 3 (GH3) β-glucosidase isolated from Chaetomella raphigera with high substrate affinity, and is an efficient β-glucosidase supplement to Trichoderma reesei cellulase mixtures for the saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass. Results: We have carried out error-prone PCR to further increase catalytic efficiency of wild-type (WT) D2-BGL. Three mutants, each with substitution of two amino acids on D2-BGL, exhibited increased activity in a preliminary mutant screening in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Effects of single amino acid replacements on catalysis efficiency and enzyme production have been investigated by subsequent expression in Pichia pastoris. Substitution F256M resulted in enhancing the tolerance to substrate inhibition and specific activity, and substitution D224G resulted in increasing the production of recombinant enzyme. The best D2-BGL mutant generated, Mut M, was constructed by combining beneficial mutations D224G, F256M and Y260D. Expression of Mut M in Pichia pastoris resulted in 2.7-fold higher production of recombinant protein, higher Vmax and greater substrate inhibition tolerance towards cellobiose relative to wild-type enzyme. Surprisingly, Mut M overexpression induced the ER unfolded protein response to a level lower than that with WT D2 overexpression in P. pastoris. When combined with the T. reesei cellulase preparation Celluclast 1.5L, Mut M hydrolyzed acid-pretreated sugarcane bagasse more efficiently than WT D2. Conclusions: D2-BGL mutant Mut M was generated successfully by following directed evolution approach. Mut M carries three mutations that are not reported in other directed evolution studies of GH3 β-glucosidases, and this mutant exhibited greater tolerance to substrate inhibition and higher Vmax than wild-type enzyme. Besides the enhanced specific activity, Mut M also exhibited a higher protein titer than WT D2 when it was overexpressed in P. pastoris. Our study demonstrates that both catalytic efficiency and productivity of a cellulolytic enzyme can be enhanced via protein engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the effects of different urate-lowering agents on testicular functions in men with gout in a clinical setting. Methods: In this prospective cohort study (Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT04213534), a total of 49 male patients aged 18–45 years with gout were enrolled. They were divided into three groups and received treatment with either allopurinol, febuxostat or benzbromarone for a duration of 3 months. Semen parameters, reproductive hormones and biochemical assessments were evaluated at baseline, month 1, and month 3. Results: Overall, 40 individuals (81.6%) completed the follow-up visits. In allopurinol group, there were no significant differences in semen parameters from baseline to month 3. Most of sperm parameters in febuxostat group did not show notable changes, except for a decrease in sperm motility at month 3(33.6%, [22.9–54.3] vs 48.4%, [27.4–67.6], p = 0.033). However, the total motile sperm count did not differ significantly after febuxostat treatment. Surprisingly, administration of benzbromarone resulted in improved sperm concentration (37.19 M/mL, [29.6–69.92] vs 58.5 M/mL, [49.8–116.6], p = 0.001). There were no significant changes observed in sperm DNA integrity and reproductive hormones in the three groups from baseline to month 3. The incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly among the three groups as well. Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate that urate-lowering agents, allopurinol and febuxostat, do not have clinically relevant negative effects on sperm quality and reproductive hormones in men with gout, and benzbromarone presents improving sperm concentration. Results provide important preliminary guidance for the development of reproductive health management guidelines for patients RCID with gout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Worldwide, smoking is a major public health problem, with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) affecting both smokers, and passive smokers, including children. Despite ETS also describing secondhand, and thirdhand smoke (SHS, and THS respectively), the health effects of exposure to passive smoking via these sources are not fully understood, particularly in children. Although cotinine, the primary proximate metabolite of nicotine, has been widely used as a biomarker of ETS exposure, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), the metabolite of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), provides a uniquely important contribution, both as a biomarker of exposure, and as a specific risk indicator for pulmonary carcinogenesis. Methods We used LC-MS/MS to study NNK metabolites, cotinine, and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (a biomarker of oxidative stress), in the urine of 110 non-smoking adults (age range: 23–62) and 101 children (age range: 9–11), exposed to ETS. Results In our study of passive smoking adults, and children exposed to ETS, we showed that although the children had a similar urinary level of cotinine compared to the adults, the children had approximately two times higher levels of urinary total NNAL (P = 0.002), and free NNAL (P = 0.01), than adults. The children also had three times lower ability to detoxify NNK than adults (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the children showed 1.5 times higher ratio of total NNAL/cotinine than adults (P = 0.01), implying that THS is another important source of ETS in this population. Furthermore, ETS exposure in children appeared to lead to an increase in levels of oxidative stress. Conclusions Taken together, our results demonstrate that, in children, THS may play an important role in the ETS exposure, and that children are at particular risk of ETS-induced health effects. Highlights • Children had a significantly lower ability to detoxify NNK than adults. • Urinary total NNAL:cotinine ratio could inform on the ETS exposure source. • In children, THS might be a more important source of NNK exposure than SHS. • Children have a higher risk of ETS health effects, e.g., oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous study demonstrated that gypenosides produced antidepressant-like effects in mice exposed to chronic mild stress in a brain-derived neurotrophic factor-dependent manner. However, whether other mechanisms are involved in the antidepressant-like effects of gypenosides is not clear. miR-124 is one of the most abundant microRNAs in the hippocampus, and its dysregulation is related to the pathophysiology of depression. The glucocorticoid receptor is dysfunctional in depression, and it is a direct target of miR-124. Therefore, the present study used corticosterone-induced mice as a model to evaluate the role of miR-124 on the antidepressant-like effects of gypenosides. miR-124 agomir was intracerebrally injected prior to administration of gypenosides and corticosterone injection. Sucrose preference and forced swimming tests were performed 21 days later. Proteins related to glucocorticoid receptors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tyrosine receptor kinase B signaling in the hippocampus were evaluated. Our results demonstrated that gypenosides reversed the chronic corticosterone injection-induced decreased sucrose preference and increased immobility time. In contrast, this effect was antagonized by miR-124 injection. In addition, gypenosides increased glucocorticoid receptor and tyrosine receptor kinase B expression in the hippocampus, which activated brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling. miR-124 also blocked these effects. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that a reduction in miR-124 was required for the antidepressant-like effects of gypenosides induced by chronic corticosterone injection in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To investigate the efficacy and safety of technetium‐99 conjugated with methylene diphosphonate (99Tc‐MDP, Yunke Pharmaceutical industry) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: A total of 120 patients with active RA were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (receiving oral meloxicam tablets); Group B (receiving intravenous drip of 99TC‐MDP); Group C (receiving combination treatment of intravenous drip of 99Tc‐MDP and oral meloxicam tablets). The main clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 14 days of therapy. Results: After 14 days of treatment, American College of Rheumatology 20 response was 15.62%, 34.04% and 48.78% in the three groups, respectively. The incidence of adverse events in three groups were 3.13%, 8.51% and 9.76% respectly, and has no significant difference. In addition, biochemical markers of bone metabolism including bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and dickkopf‐1 (DKK‐1), all improved in the three groups, although more significant in Group B than Group A, and more significant in the combination group than monotherapy groups. Conclusion: 99Tc‐MDP has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of active RA patients; the benefit was more remarkable when 99Tc‐MDP was combined with NSAIDs. 99Tc‐MDP may also have potential to improve bone metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) has been shown to be involved in early observations of depression. MicroRNA-124-3p (miR-124) is the most abundant microRNA in the brain. Previous studies have shown that miR-124 plays a major role in depression. Here we showed that miR-124 directly targeted glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in HEK 293 cells. In addition, inhibition of miR-124 by its antagomir (2 nmol/every two days) could reverse the decrease of sucrose preference and the increase of immobility time in mice exposed to chronic corticosterone (CORT, 40 mg/kg) injection. Moreover, these effects on behavioral improvement were coupled to the activation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), TrkB, ERK, and CREB, as well as the induction of synaptogenesis and neuronal proliferation. Altogether, our study suggests that miR-124 can be served as a biomarker for depression and a novel target for drug development, and demonstrates that inhibition of miR-124 may be a strategy for treating depression by activating BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway in the hippocampus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel 1D organic–inorganic hybrid phase transition material {[(C4H4N2)Co(H2O)4]SO4·2H2O}n (1) was prepared and characterized. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that 1 underwent a reversible phase transition at 181.3 K. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed transition from a room temperature phase with the space group C2/c to a low temperature phase with the space group P21/c. The SO42− anions, located in the free cavities formed by vertically staggered [(C4H4N2)Co(H2O)4]n2+ chains, are dynamically disordered in the room temperature phase. The disorder–order transition of SO42− anions and the distortion of [(C4H4N2)Co(H2O)4]2+ chains with the decrease of temperature synergistically drove the phase transition. The step-like dielectric anomaly makes 1 a promising switchable dielectric material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic–inorganic hybrid compound 1,4-butyldiammonium hexaaquadicadmium(II) trisulfate (C4H14N2)[Cd2(H2O)6(SO4)3] (1) was synthesized by the reaction of 3CdSO4·8H2O with 1,4-butanediamine in sulfuric acid aqueous solution. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicate that 1 undergoes a reversible phase transition at 243.4 K with a thermal hysteresis of 3.3 K. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data disclose that the phase transition is from the room-temperature phase with the space group C2/c to the low-temperature phase with the space group P1 with the Aizu notation of 2/mF1. The structural phase transition of 1 is ascribed to the coupling of disorder–order transformations of the flexible 1,4-butyldiammonium cation and a sulfate anion and reorientation of the cation. The temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity demonstrates a step-like change in the range 200–260 K, which makes (C4H14N2)[Cd2(H2O)6(SO4)3] a promising switchable dielectric material. The results could offer an avenue to design switchable dielectric materials through the synergistic effect of disorder–order transitions and reorientation motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Gypenosides have been reported to produce neuroprotective effects and increase monoamine neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Objective: Considering that depression is involved in monoamine reduction, this study evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of gypenosides in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Methods: The sucrose preference test and forced swimming test were performed after administration of gypenosides (at 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its downstream targets were analyzed by western blot. Additionally, hippocampal neuronal proliferation was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: Four-week treatment with fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) and gypenosides (at either 50 or 100 mg/kg) increased sucrose preference and decreased the immobility time in mice exposed to CUMS. In addition, gypenosides (at either 50 or 100 mg/kg) also increased BDNF expression and neuronal proliferation in the hippocampus of CUMS animals. Further, we showed that treating CUMS mice with K252a, which is an inhibitor of the BDNF receptor TrkB, blocked the effects of gypenosides (100 mg/kg), including behavioral improvements, neuronal proliferation, and up-regulation of p-TrkB, p-ERK, and p-Akt proteins. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that gypenosides exhibit antidepressant-like effects in mice, which may be mediated by activation of the BDNF-ERK/Akt signaling pathway in the hippocampus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acteoside and flavonoids as important natural products have pharmacological activities in Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch., which is of great economic significance for leading to efforts to enhance the productions. Coumarate: coenzyme A (CoA) ligases (4CLs) in higher plants could play pivotal roles in branching points at which the metabolic fluxes are directed to either the acteoside or flavonoids biosynthetic pathways. To investigate the molecular regulation in acteoside and flavonoids biosynthesis, the study identified and characterized two Rehmannia glutinosa 4CL genes (Rg4CL1 and Rg4CL2) by in silico and experimental analysis, revealing a 53.35–81.68 % protein sequence identity with equivalents from other plants, two highly conserved sequence motifs and subcellular localization to the cytosol. Phylogenetic and enzyme kinetic analyses indicated that Rg4CL1 belonged to Class I of this enzyme family, and was the highest activity towards caffeic acid, while Rg4CL2 grouped with Class II and efficiently catalyzed p -coumaric acid and cinnamic acid. The overexpression of Rg4CL1 and Rg4CL2 in Rehmannia glutinosa significantly increased acteoside and flavonoids productions, especially the acteoside accumulation from the Rg4CL1 overexpression lines and flavonoids accumulation from the Rg4CL2 overexpression lines. The results revealed that the Rg4CLs are involved in acteoside and flavonoids biosynthesis, especially, Rg4CL1 and Rg4CL2 may preferentially be responsible for the flux diversions towards acteoside and flavonoids biosynthesis, respectively. The study is the first to elucidate the molecular function of the Rg4CL isoforms in the biosynthetic pathways of acteoside and flavonoids, providing insights into the increase of natural active products from the phenylpropanoid pathway in Rehmannia glutinosa. [Display omitted] • Two Rg4CL genes was identified in Rehmannia glutinosa. • The Rg4CLs in vitro exhibited different substrate preferences. • Overexpression of the Rg4CLs increased acteoside and flavonoids productions. • The Rg4CLs ' regulation had preferences in acteoside and flavonoids biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbial assembly in cold arid deserts is under dispute, while its possible constraints on n -alkane proxies have been posited without direct evidence. To further explore their underlying mechanisms, we analyzed the 16S rRNA data along two salinity and one precipitation gradient from the Junggar Basin of northwest China. The null-model phylogenetic composition analysis shows homogeneous selection of deterministic processes assembled prokaryotic (dominated by bacterial) communities, while stochastic processes dominated the archaeal community assembly. Multivariate linear regression analyses show precipitation-related variables and salinity are leading predictors of the prokaryotic beta diversity in the low- and high-salinity settings, respectively, but can only explain limited variance, while reliable predictors for alpha diversity are lacking along different gradients. We suggest instead of previously reported a primary one, multiple competing environmental variables assembled the prokaryotic communities. Further comparison with n -alkane proxies reveals multiple species could have potentially contributed to, but not controlled the previously reported negative n -alkane ACL (Average Chain Length)-salinity correlation in high-salinity soils, while the reported positive n -alkane CPI (Carbon Preference Index)-precipitation correlation is attributed to precipitation-regulated combined plant-biome input in low-salinity settings. This provided the first direct microbial evidence validating CPI's application in paleo-vegetation/precipitation reconstruction in low-salinity dry land settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fluorescence-based sensor that combines the merits of quantum dots (QDs) and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was first fabricated on a glass substrate via a sol–gel route. Some of the key performance factors, including silane selection, substrate etching, the reaction times of glass silanization and sol–gel polymerization, and the times and methods used for template stripping and loading, were discussed and determined. After fabricating the sensor on either a 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) or a 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (MPS) modified glass substrate, APS showed a much better performance than MPS as both the capping reagent of QDs and the functional monomer of tetracycline-templated MIPs. The APS-QDs on APS-modified glass had a higher imprinted factor (IF = 5.6), a lower LOD (2.1 μM, 3σ), and a more stable signal (2.8%, n = 10 at 70 μM) than those on the MPS-modified glass (IF = 5.2, LOD = 6.5 μM, stability = 6.2%). Furthermore, the recoveries of tetracycline (70 μM) from BSA (133 μg/mL) and FBS (0.66 ppt) by the APS-modified glass were 98% (RSD = 3.5%, n = 5) and 97% (RSD = 5.7%), respectively. For the MPS-modified glass, recoveries of 95% (RSD = 7.2%) and 89% (RSD = 8.7%) were observed at 67 μg/mL of BSA and 0.33 ppt of FBS, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inorganic–organic hybrid compound, (C3H12N2)2[Cu(H2O)4(SO4)2](HSO4)2 (1), was synthesized by slow evaporation based on 1,3-propanediamine as the template. Differential scanning calorimetry measurement showed that compound 1 underwent a reversible phase transition at 277 K with a hysteresis width of 3 K. The temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity also confirmed the phase transition. Single crystal X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the disorder–order transformation of the C atoms in the (C3H12N2)2+ cation may drive the structural phase transition. The dielectric permittivity of 1 can be switched between two states, which will be used in switchable dielectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major causative agent of neonatal meningitis due to its ability to efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and enter the central nervous system (CNS). It has been demonstrated that GBS can invade human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMEC), a primary component of the BBB; however, the mechanism of intracellular survival and trafficking is unclear. We previously identified a two component regulatory system, CiaR/H, which promotes GBS intracellular survival in hBMEC. Here we show that a GBS strain deficient in the response regulator, CiaR, localized more frequently with Rab5, Rab7 and LAMP1 positive vesicles. Further, lysosomes isolated from hBMEC contained fewer viable bacteria following initial infection with the ΔciaR mutant compared to the WT strain. To characterize the contribution of CiaR-regulated genes, we constructed isogenic mutant strains lacking the two most down-regulated genes in the CiaR-deficient mutant, SAN_2180 and SAN_0039. These genes contributed to bacterial uptake and intracellular survival. Furthermore, competition experiments in mice showed that WT GBS had a significant survival advantage over the Δ2180 and Δ0039 mutants in the bloodstream and brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sulfur-containing reagents dithizone, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol, 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone, 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol, and 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN) were first examined with respect to their stabilizing effect on CdTe nanocrystals. The indicator TAN was found to best passivate the surface of CdTe NCs if added during synthesis of the NCs at 100 °C. These NCs (referred to as NC-1) have an emission that peaks at 430 nm, and a quantum yield (QY) of 25 %. If, however, TAN-capped particles are prepared in presence of an ionic liquid at room temperature, the QY of such nanocrystals (referred to as NC-2) is increased by 80 % and the emission peak is shifted to 460 nm. The NC-1 particles bind Ag(I), Pb(II), Hg(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), and Cu(II) in phosphate buffer of pH 6.5 while NC-2 particles bind Cu(II) only. Binding of metal ions is associated with a drop in fluorescence intensity. In case of NC-1, quenching is observed in the 23.3 nM to 23.3 μM Cu(II) concentration range with detection limit of 0.5 nM. In case of NC-2, quenching occurs in the 233 nM to 233 μM Cu(II) concentration range with detection limit of 5.0 nM. The method was applied to the determination of Cu(II) in spiked biosamples, and recoveries of Cu(II) (at a 233 nM level) in BSA and fetal bovine serum using NC-2 are 95 % and 92 %. This is better than the recoveries from the same media with NC-1 (70 % and 32 %). These findings demonstrate that the NC-2 material is superior in terms of selectivity and stability but inferior in terms of detection limit. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of nosocomial infection. Traditionally, the presence of white blood cells and microorganisms in the urine provides objective evidence for UTI diagnosis. Here, we describe the use of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to measure the nitrite and nitrate levels in urine and investigate the potential of this method for UTI diagnosis. LC–MS/MS analysis was performed in positive electrospray ionization mode. After adding 15 N-labeled internal standards and derivatizing with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN), the urinary nitrite content was directly analyzed by LC–MS/MS, whereas the urinary nitrate was first reduced to nitrite before derivatization and LC–MS/MS analysis. The derivatization of nitrite and enzymatic reduction of nitrate were optimized. This method was then applied to 241 healthy subjects and 73 UTI patients. Optimization tests revealed that 1 mL of crude urine required at least 6.25 μmol of DAN to completely derivatize nitrite and 2.5 U of nitrate reductase to completely reduce nitrate to nitrite. Urinary analysis showed that the urinary concentration of nitrite and the nitrite/nitrate ratio were higher in UTI patients than in healthy subjects. Compared with the dipstick-based urinary nitrite test and using LC–MS/MS to determine the nitrite concentration (sensitivity: 23–25%), the nitrite/nitrate ratio was significantly more sensitive (95%) and exhibited a satisfactory specificity (91%) in the screening of UTIs. Taken together, the nitrite/nitrate ratio, which reflects the reducing ability of pathogenic bacteria, could be a better method for the diagnosis of UTIs that is not subject to variations in urine specimen quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is aimed at comparing the efficacy and safety of loxoprofen sodium hydrogel patch (LX-P) with loxoprofen sodium tablet (LX-T) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). One hundred sixty-nine patients were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, non-inferiority trial of LX-P. Patients were randomly assigned to either LX-P or LX-T groups for a 4-week treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with an overall improvement of ≥50 %, and the secondary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with an improvement of ≥25 % from baseline in each of the seven main symptoms. The non-inferiority trial was based on a power of 80 % and significance level of 2.5 % with a non-inferiority margin of −10 %. In both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses, LX-P was as effective as LX-T in regard to the primary endpoint. In the ITT analysis, the difference between the two groups was 12.6 % [95 % confidence interval, −1.7 to 26.9 %]. No significant differences were found between the two groups in any of the secondary efficacy outcomes. A lower incidence of adverse events was observed in LX-P group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. No serious adverse events were reported in the LX-P group, whereas one case was reported in LX-T group. Based on the present study, topical loxoprofen patch was non-inferior to oral loxoprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactivenitrogen species (RNS) can modify proteins at tyrosineand tryptophan residues, and they are involved in the pathogenesisof various human diseases. In this study, we present the first liquidchromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based methodthat enables the simultaneous measurement of urinary 3-nitrotyrosine(3-NTYR) and its metabolite 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (NHPA).After the addition of stable isotope-labeled internal standards, urinesamples were purified and enriched using manual solid-phase extraction(SPE) and HPLC fractionation followed by online SPE LC-MS/MS analysis.The limits of quantification in urine were 3.1 and 2.5 pg/mL for 3-NTYRand NHPA, respectively. Inter- and intraday imprecision was <15%.The mean relative recoveries of 3-NTYR and NHPA in urine were 89–98%and 90–98%, respectively. We further applied this method to65 urinary samples from healthy subjects. Urinary samples were alsoanalyzed for N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) as wellas oxidative and methylated DNA lesions, namely, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine(8-oxoGua), 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo), N7-methylguanine (N7-MeG), and N3-methyladenine(N3-MeA), using reported LC-MS/MS methods. Urinary 3-NTYR and NHPAlevels were measured at concentrations of 63.2 ± 51.5 and 77.4± 60.8 pg/mL, respectively. Urinary 3-NTYR and NHPA levels werehighly correlated with each other and with 8-oxoGua and 8-oxodGuo.Our findings demonstrated that a relationship exists between oxidativeand nitrative stress. However, 3-NTYR and NHPA were correlated withN7-MeG and N3-MeA but not with NDMA, suggesting that NDMA may notbe a representative biomarker of N-nitroso compoundsthat are induced by RNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amphoteric drug molecule tetracycline, which contains groups with p Ka 3.4-9.9, was used as a template for conjugating molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and as a quencher for CdTe quantum dot (QD) fluorescence. Two MIP-QD composites were synthesized by a sol-gel method using a silicon-based monomer and a monomer linker between the MIP and QD, i.e., tetraethoxylsilane/3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (MPS) and tetraethoxylsilane/3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). Another MIP-QD composite was synthesized by the chain-growth polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and an allyl mercaptan linker. The prepared MIP-QDs were characterized by FTIR and SEM and utilized at 0.33mg/mL to determine the tetracycline content in phosphate buffers (pH 7.4, 50mM) through the Perrin and Stern-Volmer models of quenching fluorometry. The Perrin model was applied to tetracycline concentrations of 7.4µM-0.37mM for MIP-MPS-QD, 7.4µM-0.12mM for MIP-APS-QD, and 7.4µM-0.10mM for MIP-MAA-QD (R2=0.9988, 0.9978, and 0.9931, respectively). The Stern-Volmer model was applied to tetracycline concentrations of 0.12-0.37mM for MIP-APS-QD (R2=0.9983) and 0.10-0.37mM for MIP-MAA-QD (R2=0.9970). The detection limits were 0.45µM, 0.54µM, and 0.50µM for MIP-MPS-QD, MIP-APS-QD, and MIP-MAA-QD, respectively. Equilibrium times, differences between imprinted and nonimprinted polymers, and MIP-QD quenching mechanisms were discussed. Finally, specificity studies demonstrated that MIP-MAA-QD exhibited optimal recoveries of 96% from bovine serum albumin (n=5, RSD=3.6%) and 91% from fetal bovine serum (n=5, RSD=4.8%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epigenetic changes include the addition of a methyl group to the 5' carbon of the cytosine ring, known as DNA methylation, which results in the generation of the fifth DNA base, namely 5-methylcytosine. During active or passive demethylation, an intermediate modified base is formed, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. We have currently quantified 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in the liver and brain of mice treated with cocaine or heroin, using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Our results show that global 5-methylcytosine levels are not affected by heroin or cocaine administration, neither in the liver nor in the brain. However, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels are reduced in the liver following cocaine administration, while they are not affected by cocaine in the brain or by heroin administration in the liver and the brain. Elucidation of the epigenetic phenomena that takes place with respect to drug abuse and addiction, via quantitative analysis of different modified bases, may enable a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and may lead to more personalized and effective treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdTe quantum dots capped with thioglycolic acid (TGA) display a strong turn-on fluorescence response if exposed to solutions of cysteine (Cys). In order to exploit this effect, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for Cys was covalently linked to the QDs via allyl mercaptan. The resulting nanomaterials (QDs, MIP-coated QDs, and nonimprint-coated QDs) were characterized by FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption of Cys was studied in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) with respect to equilibration times (5, 15, and 40 min, respectively), binding constants [2.98, 2.42, and 0.96 (×10 M)], and Langmuir isotherms (R = 0.9995, 0.9999, and 0.9983) in the Cys concentration range between 3.33 μM to 500 μM. The method has a detection limit of 0.85 μM (3σ, blank, for n = 10). The selectivity of the MIP-coated QDs for Cys over 19 other amino acids is similar to that of bare QDs, but MIP-QDs afford better recoveries of Cys from solutions also containing bovine serum albumin (90 %) and fetal bovine serum (97 %), respectively, when compared to the recoveries that are obtained with bare (non-imprinted) QDs (135 % and 120 %). This is probably due to the fact that the outer MIP shell largely reduces protein wrapping, dot aggregation, and matrix inclusion. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total sample-preparation and analysis time of 50 min is required for the high-throughput method of hair analysis proposed in this paper. The method is applicable to analysis of drugs commonly used in Asia, and their metabolites-methamphetamine (MA), amphetamine (AMP), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), ketamine (K), norketamine (NK), dehydronorketamine (DHNK), 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM), morphine (MOR), and codeine (COD). Cut and weighed hair (10 mg) was incubated for 3 min with methanol-trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) during microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) at 700 W. The incubation solution was evaporated, the residue was reconstituted in deionized water-methanol, 99:1 ( v/ v), and 20 μL was injected on to a core-shell column (50 × 4.6 mm, 2.6 μm particle size) for liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS-MS) analysis. Gradient elution separation was performed in 8 min at a flow rate of 1 mL min. No signal interfering with any of the analytes was found in fourteen blank hair samples from different sources. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.5 pg mg and 2.0 pg mg, respectively, for MA, AMP, MDMA, MDA, K, NK, and DHNK, and 2.0 pg mg and 5.0 pg mg, respectively, for 6-AM, MOR and COD. The linear range was between the LOQ and 1000 pg mg, and the correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.999. Investigation of matrix effects revealed that all the analytes were suppressed by less than 20 % and the standard deviation (SD) was always less than 7 %. Recovery was always greater than 90 % and the SD for each compound was less than 6 %. Precision and accuracy for each analyte were within 15 %. Eight authentic hair specimens from known drug abusers were successfully analyzed. Compared with traditional overnight incubation methods, the rapid 3-min extraction time achieved similar or greater extraction yields. Sample preparation by MAE was a reliable procedure for extraction of the analytes from hair but substantially simpler and faster than other methods. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Fibromyalgia ( FM) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. It is a less frequently diagnosed disease in China, thus Chinese rheumatologists may have lower awareness of FM compared with colleagues in Western countries. The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions of FM in Chinese rheumatologists and analyze their therapeutic approach in clinical practice. Method An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among a nationwide sample of Chinese rheumatologists at the 15th National Rheumatology Conference in 2010. The 20-question survey included questions regarding background, work experience, perceptions of diagnosis and behaviors of treatment related to FM. Continuing medical education ( CME) information was also collected in the survey. Results Seven hundred and seven rheumatologists responded to the questionnaire, a response rate of 60%. Less than one-fifth of the respondents were experienced in dealing with FM. Although most of the respondents regarded FM as a distinct pathological entity, nearly 30% of Chinese rheumatologists believed that FM was only a psychological disorder. The respondents recognized some of the FM-related symptoms, but had limited knowledge on the diagnostic criteria. Eighty percent of the respondents declared they had difficulties in treating FM patients. However, nearly all (90.8%) respondents believed that the prognosis of FM patients was usually benign. Our data also showed that most Chinese rheumatologists were eager for CME on FM. Conclusion The awareness and perception of FM are still low among Chinese rheumatologists. CME on FM is needed for improving the quality of health care in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A hydrophilic ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EMIDCA), was used as a medium for the synthesis of highly luminescent CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) capped with thioglycolic acid (TGA). The synthesis was performed for 8h at 130°C, was similar to nanocrystal preparation in an aqueous medium, and used safe, low-cost inorganic salts as precursors. After the reaction, the photoluminescence quantum yield of the CdTe NCs (NCIL-130) prepared in EMIDCA was significantly higher than that of the nanocrystals prepared in water (NCw) at 100°C (86% vs. 35%). Moreover, the emission wavelength and particle size of NCIL-130 were smaller than NCw (450nm vs. 540nm and 4.0nm vs. 5.2nm, respectively). The activation of NCIL-130 was successful due to the coordinated action of two ligands, EMIDCA and TGA, in the primary steps of the NC formation pathway. An increase or decrease in the synthesis temperature, to 160°C or 100°C, respectively, was detrimental to the luminescence quality. However, the quenching effect of Hg2+ on the fluorescence signals of the NCIL-130 was distinctively unique, whereas certain interfering ions, such as Pb2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Ag+, and Cu2+, could also quench the emission of the NCw. Based on the Perrin model, the quenching signals of NCw and NCIL-130 were well correlated with the Hg2+ concentrations in the phosphate buffer (pH 7.5, 50mM). In comparison with the NCw, the NCIL-130 had a high tolerance of the interfering ions coexisting with the Hg2+ analyte, high recovery of Hg2+ spiked in the BSA- or FBS-containing medium, and high stability of fluorescence quenching signals between trials and days. The NCIL-130 nanocrystals can potentially be used to develop a probe system for the determination of Hg2+ in physiological samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Areca nut is a carcinogen to humans and has been stronglyassociated with oral premalignant and malignant diseases. Previousstudies speculated the presence of unknown direct-acting mutagenspresent in aqueous extracts of areca nut. We hypothesized whetherany direct-acting alkylating agents are present in areca nut and itscommercial products. In this study, calf thymus DNA was treated withfour different aqueous extracts obtained from unripe and ripe arecanuts or their commercial products, namely, pan masala(without tobacco) and gutkha(with tobacco). ThreeN-alkylated purines including N7-methylguanine (N7-MeG), N3-methyladenine (N3-MeA), and N7-ethylguanine(N7-EtG) were detected using sensitive and specific isotope-dilutionliquid chromatography–tandem-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)methods. The results showed that four types of aqueous extracts significantlyinduced the formation of N7-MeG and N3-MeA in a linear dose–responsemanner. Extracts from unripe areca nut exhibited higher methylatingpotency than those of ripe areca nut, while gutkhahad higher methylating potency than pan masala.Meanwhile, gutkhamade with areca nut and tobacco,was the only extract found to induce the formation of N7-EtG. Overall,this study first demonstrated that the presence of direct-acting alkylatingagents in areca nut and its commercial products exist at a level thatis able to cause significant DNA damage. Our findings may provideanother mechanistic rationale for areca nut-mediated oral carcinogenesisand also highlight the importance and necessity of the identificationof these direct-acting alkylating agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen and synthesis gas (syngas) can be produced from steam reforming (SR) of coke oven gas (COG). When the reforming gas is used for indirect reduction (IR) of iron oxides in blast furnaces (BFs), carbon dioxide emissions can be lessened. Motivated from utilizing hydrogen and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in ironmaking, the reaction phenomena of SR of COG are investigated thermodynamically. Low-temperature and high-temperature IR of iron oxides using reforming gas as a feedstock is also analyzed. With appropriate operating conditions, the maximum H 2 and syngas yields are 3.5 and 4.2 mol (mol fuel) −1 , respectively. Two different reforming gases are employed to reduce iron oxides. When the reforming gas/hematite ( R / H ) molar ratio is no less than 1, Fe 2 O 3 conversion is always higher than 98.5%, whether low-temperature or high-temperature IR is carried out. This reveals that COG possesses the potential as a reducing agent in BFs. The reactions of IR from the two reforming gases are almost identical, implying that the operation of SR from COG for producing hydrogen or syngas and reducing iron oxides in BFs is flexible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hydrogen and synthesis gas (syngas) can be produced from steam reforming (SR) of coke oven gas (COG). When the reforming gas is used for indirect reduction (IR) of iron oxides in blast furnaces (BFs), carbon dioxide emissions can be lessened. Motivated from utilizing hydrogen and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in ironmaking, the reaction phenomena of SR of COG are investigated thermodynamically. Low-temperature and high-temperature IR of iron oxides using reforming gas as a feedstock is also analyzed. With appropriate operating conditions, the maximum H2 and syngas yields are 3.5 and 4.2 mol (mol fuel)−1, respectively. Two different reforming gases are employed to reduce iron oxides. When the reforming gas/hematite (R/H) molar ratio is no less than 1, Fe2O3 conversion is always higher than 98.5%, whether low-temperature or high-temperature IR is carried out. This reveals that COG possesses the potential as a reducing agent in BFs. The reactions of IR from the two reforming gases are almost identical, implying that the operation of SR from COG for producing hydrogen or syngas and reducing iron oxides in BFs is flexible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Virulence-attenuating viruses (hypoviruses) of the filamentous fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, the causative agent of chestnut blight, have become a premier model for understanding the molecular biology of mycoviruses. However, a major gap exists in current understanding of structure and function of the untranslated regions (UTRs) of the hypovirus RNA genome, despite considerable evidence that secondary and tertiary UTR structure plays a crucial role in the control of translation and genome replication in other systems. In this study we have used structure prediction software coupled with RNase digestion studies to develop validated structural models for the 5′ UTRs of the two best-characterized members of the Hypoviridae, CHV1-EP713 and CHV1-Euro7. These two hypovirus strains exhibit significant variation in virulence attenuation despite sharing >90% sequence identity. Our models reveal highly structured regions in the 5′ UTR of both strains, with numerous stem-loops suggestive of internal ribosome entry sites. However, considerable differences in the size and complexity of structural elements exist between the two strains. These data will guide future, mutagenesis-based studies of the structural requirements for hypovirus genome replication and translation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Blast furnace (BF) is a large-scale reactor for producing hot metal where coke and coal are consumed as reducing agent and fuel, respectively. As a result, a large amount of CO2 is liberated into the atmosphere. The blast furnace gas (BFG) and coke oven gas (COG) from the ironmaking process can be used for H2 production in association with carbon capture and storage (CCS), thereby reducing CO2 emissions. In this study thermodynamic analyses are performed to evaluate the feasibility of H2 production from BFG and COG. Through the water gas shift reaction (WGSR) of BFG, almost all CO contained in BFG can be converted for H2 production if the steam/CO (S/C) ratio is no less than unity and the temperature is at 200 °C, regardless of whether CO2 is captured or not. The maximum H2 production from WGSR is around 0.21Nm3 (Nm3 BFG)−1. Regarding H2 production from COG, a two-stage reaction of partial oxidation (POX) followed by WGSR is carried out. It is found the proper conditions for syngas formation from the POX of COG is at the oxygen/fuel (O/F) ratio of 0.5 and the temperature range of 1000–1750 °C where the maximum syngas yield is 2.83 mol (mol hydrocarbons)−1. When WGSR is subsequently applied, the maximum H2 production from the two-stage reaction can reach 0.83Nm3 (Nm3 COG)−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Reaction characteristics of hydrogen production from a one-stage reaction and a two-stage reaction are studied and compared with each other in the present study, by means of thermodynamic analyses. In the one-stage reaction, the autothermal reforming (ATR) of methane is considered. In the two-stage reaction, it is featured by the partial oxidation of methane (POM) followed by a water gas shift reaction (WGSR) where the temperatures of POM and WGSR are individually controlled. The results indicate that the reaction temperature of ATR plays an important role in determining H2 yield. Meanwhile, the conditions of higher steam/methane (S/C) ratio and lower oxygen/methane (O/C) ratio in association with a higher reaction temperature have a trend to increase H2 yield. When O/C ≤ 0.125, the coking behavior may be exhibited. In regard to the two-stage reaction, it is found that the methane conversion is always high in POM, regardless of what the reaction temperature is. When the O/C ratio is smaller than 0.5, H2 is generated from the partial oxidation and thermal decomposition of methane, causing solid carbon deposition. Following the performance of WGSR, it suggests that the H2 yield of the two-stage reaction is significantly affected by the reaction temperature of WGSR. This reflects that the temperature of WGSR is the key factor in producing H2. When methane, oxygen and steam are in the stoichiometric ratio (i.e. 1:0.5:1), the maximum H2 yield from ATR is 2.25 which occurs at 800 °C. In contrast, the maximum H2 yield of the two-stage reaction is 2.89 with the WGSR temperature of 200 °C. Accordingly, it reveals that the two-stage reaction is a recommended fuel processing method for hydrogen production because of its higher H2 yield and flexible operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A highly sensitive quantitative method based on LC-MS/MS was developed to simultaneously and directly measure 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoGua) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) in urine. It was found that 8-oxoGua could be artifactually generated from 8-oxodGuo during the ionization process by both in-source thermolysis and collisionally induced dissociation. Our method applied a two-stage wash procedure in the online solid-phase extraction system that not only eliminated ion suppression but also prevented artifactual interference with 8-oxoGua by 8-oxodGuo by eluting the analytes individually. With the use of isotope internal standards, the detection limits of 8-oxoGua and 8-oxodGuo were estimated to be 30 and 3.5 fmol, respectively. The 8-oxoGua stability under common storage conditions was first investigated. Dissolved 8-oxoGua in NaOH (pH 12) was quite fragile and stable for only <1 day at room temperature. When pH and temperature were reduced, the 8-oxoGua stability at −20°C was significantly increased to ∼87 days in water (pH ∼7) and ∼112 days when diluted in 5% methanol. This method was further applied to measure urinary samples of healthy subjects. A molar ratio of 8-oxoGua to 8-oxodGuo of ∼4.6 was found, supporting the hypothesis that oxidatively damaged DNA is primarily repaired by the base excision repair pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Oroxylin A is a flavonoid isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Our previous work demonstrated that the anti-tumor activity of oroxylin A was mainly attributed to its apoptosis inducing effect in cells. The present study explores the exact molecular mechanism of oroxylin A-induced apoptosis in tumor cells. We showed that oroxylin A-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells was achieved through mitochondrial pathway. We also investigated which mitochondrial channels, PTP or MAC or both, were involved in the permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane after treatment with oroxylin A. The results showed that oroxylin A-induced apoptosis in a PTP-independent manner; therefore, we focused our attention on MAC. As Bax is an essential constituent of MAC in certain systems, we examined the activation, subcellular location, oligomeric structure of Bax in HepG2 cells treated with oroxylin A. Moreover, our results showed that overexpression of Bcl-2 inhibited oroxylin A-induced apoptosis. In summary, we have demonstrated that opening of MAC, but not PTP, played a key role in oroxylin A-induced activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in HepG2 cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Utilization of supercritical fluids (SCFs) is studied here on the premises of a saving of hazardous organic solvents and of the specification for stripping the photoresist (PR) on metallization layers, which is one of the integrated circuit processing modules. By using factorial experimental designs with five factors and four level ranges, this research focuses on determining an optimized recipe with high stripping efficiency and to determine the stripping mechanism. In the case of PR on an aluminum layer, the initial use of the pulse flow mode could increase the extraction ratio remarkably when compared to the conventional continuous flow mode. Based on the limitation of a total volume of 30mL purging SCF-CO2 for economical considerations, the optimum conditions can be summarized as follows: 120°C, oven temperature; 350atm, CO2 pressure; 0.2mL of ethylacetate spiking to SCF-CO2; 2.0min, static equilibrium time; and five cycles of dynamic flow pausing. A recovery of 94.6% (n =3, RSD=6.5%) was obtained, while the diffusion of stripped PR from substrate matrix prevailed over the dissolution of binding PR into the SCF medium. In the case of copper, the optimum parameters in a pause flow mode were 140°C, oven temperature; 500atm, CO2 pressure; 0.75mL, ethylacetate spiking volume; 5.0min, static time; and six cycles of flow pausing. These extreme parameters still did not produce an SCF environment suitable for diffusion or dissolution mass transfer, and thus a recovery of 76.2% (n =3, RSD=7.5%) was only obtained. Removing PR coated on a Cu layer was harder than that on an Al layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tobacco smoke contains many carcinogens which can lead to DNA methylation. Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are detoxifying enzymes, and the effects of the genes GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 on cigarette smoke-induced methylated adducts have not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the association of the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes and N7-methylguanine (N7-MeG) adducts in smokers. Urinary N7-MeG concentrations were measured by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in 112 smokers and 89 non-smokers, and GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Smokers had higher N7-MeG concentrations than did non-smokers (3238±305ng/mg creatinine [standard error] vs. 2386±153ng/mg creatinine; P =0.01). Higher N7-MeG concentrations were observed with the GSTM1 null genotype than with the GSTM1 non-null genotype (3230±292ng/mg creatinine vs. 2336±153ng/mg creatinine; P =0.007), particularly in smokers (3775±483ng/mg creatinine vs. 2468±228ng/mg creatinine; P =0.02). However, the GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotypes were not associated with urinary N7-MeG concentrations. Therefore, the susceptible GSTM1 genotype may modulate the concentrations of N7-MeG adducts in the DNA of smokers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Here we simultaneously measured N7-alkylguanines and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in liver of small fish, respectively, to assess the time course of the formation and removal of alkylation and oxidative damage to DNA caused by N-nitrosodialkylamines. Mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) were killed at various times during (4 days) and post-exposure (16 days) to N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) alone or their combination with concentrations of 10 and 50mg/l. The modified guanine adducts were sensitively and selectively quantitated by isotope-dilution LC–MS/MS methods. During exposure, N7-methylguanine (N7-MeG) and N7-ethylguanine (N7-EtG) in liver DNA increased with the duration and dose of N-nitrosodialkylamine exposure, while 8-oxodG was dose-dependently induced within 1 day. It was found that NDMA formed substantially more N7-alkylated guanines and 8-oxodG than NDEA on the basis of adducts formed per micromolar concentration, suggesting that NDMA can be more easily bioactivated than NDEA to form reactive alkylating agents with the concomitant formation of oxygen radicals. After cessation of exposure, N7-alkylguanines remained elevated for 1 day and then gradually decreased over time but still higher than the background levels, even at day 16 (half-lives of 7–8 days). However, 8-oxodG was excised quickly from liver DNA and returned to the background level within 4 days post-exposure (half-lives less than 2 days). Taken together, this study firstly demonstrated that in addition to alkylation, N-nitrosodialkylamines can concurrently cause oxidative damage to DNA in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents research which focused on the presence of CCR6 allele variants in Chinese patients with lupus nephritis. Topics covered include the genetic etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Also mentioned is the frequency of A allele in lupus nephritis patients in some areas in China.

Abstract: Chemical kinetic models of high-temperature and low-temperature water gas shift reactions (WGSRs) are established in the present study, in accordance with experimental measurements. The reactions are simulated to aid in recognizing the detailed phenomena of the WGSRs. In the developed models, the effects of both the reaction temperature and the steam/CO ratio are taken into account. It is found that the predictions in terms of the conducted models agree with the experimental results very well. When the high-temperature shift reaction (HTSR) and the low-temperature shift reaction (LTSR) in catalyst beds are examined, the CO conversion near the wall is always higher than that along the centerline of the reactor or surrounding it. This is a result of slower velocity or longer residence time of the reactants in the vicinity of the wall. Meanwhile, by virtue of the higher CO concentration at the entrance of the catalyst bed, the intensity of the WGSR is significant nearby and it decays rapidly downstream. When a HTSR and a LTSR are connected together, the CO conversion is nearly completed if the reaction temperature of the LTSR is fixed at 200°C and no matter what temperature of the HTSR is. It follows that a HTSR followed by a LTSR in series is a recommended method in industry for the operation of hydrogen generation. The simulations have provided a detailed and useful insight into the reaction phenomena of the catalytic WGSRs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: SiC:H organic-like thin films are deposited on Ti50Ni50 shape memory alloy by asymmetric bipolar DC-pulsed plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) in the gas mixture of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDSN) and Ar at room temperature. The deposition rate of the plasma-polymerized HMDSN (PPHMDSN) thin film is faster than that of RF process and the PPHMDSN thin films not only enhance the corrosion resistance but make the corrosion current density decay four orders. The surface morphology of the films is very smooth and uniform and the root mean square of surface roughness is in the range between 3 and 5 nm. The organic-like thin films containing peroxides or free radicals can be grafted with polymer acrylamide (AAm) which can improve the biocompatibility of TiNi shape memory alloy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A highly sensitive quantitative method based on LC–MS/MS was developed to directly measure 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and 2′-deoxyguanosine (dG) in crude DNA hydrolysates. With the use of isotopic internal standards and online solid-phase extraction (SPE), this method has overcome the artifactual response often observed during electrospray ionization by optimizing the washing conditions of online SPE to remove excess dG and allows 8-oxodG and dG to be accurately and simultaneously monitored by mass spectrometry. The detection limit of this method was estimated as 1.8 fmol for 8-oxodG. With this method, we further investigated the artifactual oxidation that occurred during concentration and purification of the DNA hydrolysates, commonly used before sample analysis. Our results demonstrated that drying under vacuum or purification with C18 cartridges led to a significant increase in the measured 8-oxodG by 6.8–30 8-oxodG/106 dG. The artifactual formation of 8-oxodG can be reduced only by adding desferrioxamine (DFO) and not 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO). However, DFO still failed to offer complete protection against oxidation during DNA hydrolysate concentration and purification. Therefore, to effectively prevent the artifacts formed during workup, the simplest approach is to use a direct measurement method involving an online enrichment/purification technique as proposed in this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4/C powder of pure olivine phase can be prepared with the duplex process of spray pyrolysis synthesis (at 450 ∘C) and subsequent heat treatment (at 700 ∘C for 2, 4 and 8 h). From scanning electron microscopy observation with corresponding elemental mapping images of iron, phosphorous and magnesium, it could be found that the LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4 powders are covered with fine pyrolyzed carbon. Raman spectra indicate that the phase of carbon with higher electronic conductive phase is predominant when prolonged subsequent heat treatment is carried out. The carbon coatings on the LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4 surface can improve the conductivity of the LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4 powder (3.8×10−5 S cm−1) to about a factor of ∼104 higher than the conductivity of LiFePO4. The stability and cycle life of a charge/discharge cycle test of lithium ion secondary batteries are also enhanced. The results indicate that the LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4 powder, prepared at a pyrolysis temperature of 450 ∘C and with post-heat-treatment at 700 ∘C for 8 h, exhibits a specific initial discharge capacity of about 132 mA h g−1 at C/10 rate, 105 mA h g−1 at 1C, and 87 mA h g−1 at 5C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The poor conductivity, resulting from the low lithium-ion diffusion rate and low electronic conductivity in the LiFePO4 phase, has posed a bottleneck for commercial applications. Well-crystallized LiFePO4-based powders with vanadium addition were synthesized with solution method. The synthesized powders are coated with carbon. The powder containing the well-mixed LiFePO4 and Li3V2(PO4)3 phases (LFVP) with narrow distributed particle size ranging between 0.5 and 2.5μm exhibits improved electrochemical performance. The small particle size and the presence of the electronically conductive mixed phases can be the reasons why the cells containing LFVP exhibit the high discharge capacity of about 100mAhg−1 at 10C, whereas the samples with single phase, such as LiFePO4 and Li3V2(PO4)3, have the discharge capacity less than 80Ahg−1 at the same rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]