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ABSTRACT: Two spring wheat varieties Ningchun 4 and Chinese Spring with good and poor resistance to abiotic stress, respectively, were used to investigate proteomic changes in the developing grains under drought stress by a comparative proteomics approach. A total of 152 protein spots showed at least twofold differences in abundance on two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) maps, of which 28 and 68 protein spots were identified by MALDI-TOF and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry, respectively. Of the 96 identified protein spots, six different expression patterns were found and they were involved in stress/defense/detoxification, carbohydrate metabolism, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, storage proteins and some other important functions. Comparative proteomic analysis revealed that under the drought conditions the decreased degree of ascorbate peroxidases was more significant in Chinese Spring than in Ningchun 4 during grain development whereas translationally controlled tumor protein, which was significantly upregulated at 14 DAF, was present in Ningchun 4 and absent in Chinese Spring. The Rubisco large subunit displayed an upregulated expression pattern in Ningchun 4. In addition, two drought-tolerant proteins, triosephosphate isomerase and oxygen-evolving complex showed B and F type expression patterns in Chinese Spring, but D and B types in Ningchun 4, respectively. These differentially expressed proteins might be responsible for the stronger drought resistance of Ningchun 4 compared to Chinese Spring.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 11/2011; 402(3):1297-313. · 3.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In choosing web services with quality of service (QoS), the reputation attribute of QoS is very important for users to obtain reliable services in service selection. However, existing approaches rely on feedback ratings, which usually lead to the subjectivity and unfairness of reputation measure. The authors propose a reputation measure approach for web services. The approach employs three phases (i.e. feedback checking, feedback adjustment and malicious feedback detection) to enhance the reputation measure accuracy. A user survey form was first established to check the feedback ratings from these users who are lacking in feedback ability. Then the feedback ratings are adjusted with different user feedback preferences by calculating feedback similarity. Finally, the authors detect malicious feedback ratings by adopting cumulative sum method. Simulation results show that the proposed approach is effective and can greatly improve service selection process in service-oriented business applications.
IET Software 11/2011; · 0.33 Impact Factor
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BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 08/2011; 118(9):1141-2; author reply 1142. · 3.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Inhibition of microglial over-reaction and the inflammatory processes may represent a therapeutic target to alleviate the progression of neurological diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. Scutellarin is the major active component of Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz, a herbal medicine in treatment of cerebrovascular diseases for a long time in the Orient. In this study, we explored the mechanisms of neuroprotection by Scutellarin, particularly its anti-inflammatory effects in microglia. We observed that Scutellarin inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of proinflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppressed LPS-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNFα, and IL-1β mRNA expression in rat primary microglia or BV-2 mouse microglial cell line. Scutellarin inhibited LPS-induced nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). It repressed the LPS-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 phosphorylation without affecting the activity of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase. Moreover, Scutellarin also inhibited interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced NO production, iNOS mRNA expression and transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 1α (STAT1α) activation. Concomitantly, conditioned media from Scutellarin pretreated BV-2 cells significantly reduced neurotoxicity compared with conditioned media from LPS treated alone. Together, the present study reported the anti-inflammatory activity of Scutellarin in microglial cells along with their underlying molecular mechanisms, and suggested Scutellarin might have therapeutic potential for various microglia mediated neuroinflammation.
Neuroscience 06/2011; 185:150-60. · 3.38 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The biological properties of the lanthanides, primarily based on their similarity to calcium, have been the basis for research into potential therapeutic applications of lanthanides since the early part of the twentieth century. Up to date, cerium nitrate has been used as a topical cream with silver sulfadiazene for the treatment of burn wounds. A lanthanide texaphyrin complex (motexafin gadolinium) has been evaluated through Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer. Lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenol) as a phosphate binder has been approved for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in renal dialysis patients in both the USA and Europe. This review will highlight therapeutic applications of the lanthanides for burn wounds, cancer, hyperphosphatemia, immune function, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents and osteoporosis, and discuss their future potential in the medical fields.
Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 06/2011; 11(8):678-94. · 2.53 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Zinc has a crucial role in the biology of p53 in that p53 binds to DNA through a structurally complex domain stabilized by zinc atom. The p53 negative regulator MDM2 protein also carries a C-terminal RING domain that coordinates two zinc atoms, which are responsible for p53 nuclear export and proteasomal degradation. In this clinically translatable study, we explored the critical role of zinc on p53 reactivation by MDM2 inhibitor, MI-219, in colon and breast cancer cells. ZnCl(2) enhanced MI-219 activity (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), apoptosis and colony formation), and chelation of zinc not only blocked the activity of MI-219, but also suppressed reactivation of the p53 and its downstream effector molecules p21(WAF1) and Bax. N,N,N'N'-tetrakis(-)[2-pyridylmethyl]-ethylenediamine (TPEN), a specific zinc chelator, but not 1,2-bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (Bapta-AM), a calcium chelator, blocked MI-219-induced apoptosis. Nuclear localization is a prerequisite for proper functioning of p53 and our results confirm that TPEN, and not Bapta-AM, could abrogate p53 nuclear localization and it interfered with p53 transcriptional activation. Addition of zinc suppressed the known p53 feedback MDM2 activation, which could be restored by TPEN. Co-immunoprecipitation studies verified that MI-219-mediated MDM2-p53 disruption could be suppressed by TPEN and restored by zinc. As such, single-agent therapies that target MDM2 inhibition, without supplemental zinc, may not be optimal in certain patients owing to the less recognized mild zinc deficiency among the 'at-risk population' as in the elderly who are more prone to cancers. Therefore, use of supplemental zinc with MI-219 will benefit the overall efficacy of MIs and this potent combination warrants further investigation.
Oncogene 01/2011; 30(1):117-26. · 6.37 Impact Factor
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L Dai,
L Cheng,
X Zhang,
Q Jiang,
S Zhang, S Wang,
Y Li,
X Chen,
T DU,
Y Yang,
H Tian,
P Fan,
N Yan,
Y Wei,
H Deng
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ABSTRACT: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays an important role in the tumor formation and metastasis. In this study, short hairpin RNA targeting STAT3 was cloned into pGenesil-2 plasmid vector and the effects of STAT3 silencing in 4T1 breast cancer cells were analyzed both in vitro and in vivo. Forty-eight hours after transfecting with pSi-STAT3, the expression level of STAT3, the upstream regulator and downstream targets were measured using Western blot. Moreover, the effects of pSi-STAT3 on migration and invasion in 4T1 cells were tested using wound-healing and tube formation assay. Furthermore, 4T1 subcutaneous mice model was used to evaluate the effects of pSi-STAT3 on tumor growth and metastasis. Proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis in tumor tissues and lung metastases were measured by PCNA, TUNEL, and CD31 immunostaining, respectively. Our results indicated that siRNA targeting STAT3 could significantly silence STAT3 expression in 4T1 breast cancer cells and result in inhibition of 4T1 breast cells migration and HUVECs tube formation. In vivo, pSi-STAT3 delayed tumor growth (pknockdown of STAT3 by plasmid-based siRNA might be a potential therapy against breast cancer.
Neoplasma 01/2011; 58(6):538-47. · 1.44 Impact Factor
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Petroleum Science and Technology 01/2011; 29(7):715-727. · 0.34 Impact Factor
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M Zhu,
Y Li,
Q Xia, S Wang,
Y Qiu,
M Che,
H Dai,
J Qian,
Z Ni,
J Axelsson,
Y Yan
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ABSTRACT: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In an evaluation of Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria in liver transplanted patients, we retrospectively analyzed the usefulness of these criteria to predict survival of 193 consecutive patients at a single center who underwent primary OLT for clinical parameters and peak AKI. Postoperative AKI according to AKIN occurred in 60.1% of the patients, namely, stages 1, 2, and 3 in 30%, 13% and 17.1% respectively. Using multivariate logistic regression, AKIN stage 1 and 2 AKI were independently associated with the pre-OLT Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and age, while stage 3 AKI was independently associated with MELD and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores. The 28-day and 1-year mortality post-OLT of AKI patients were 15.5% and 25.9% respectively compared with 0% and 3.9% among non-AKI patients (P < .05 for both). The survival rates of non-AKI and stages 1, 2, and 3 AKI subjects were 96%, 85.5%, 84%, and 45.3%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed independent risk factors for mortality during the first year after transplantation to include post-OLT AKI (12.1; P < .05), post-OLT infection (HR 4.7; P < .01), pre-OLT hypertension (HR 4.4; P < .01) hazard ratio [HR] and post-OLT APACHE II ≥10 (HR 3.6; P < .05). We concluded that AKI as defined by the AKIN criteria is a major complication of OLT linked to a poor outcomes. It remains to be evaluated whether aggressive perioperative therapy to prevent AKI can improve survival among OLT patients.
Transplantation Proceedings 11/2010; 42(9):3634-8. · 1.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) is one of the high performance electric propulsion devices for future interplanetary applications. Helicon sources can produce high-density plasmas with high-ionization efficiency suitable for VASIMR, which usually use two electromagnets to produce the required magnetic field configuration. How to optimal design the solenoids and how to create the requisite B-field are the key factors to affect the characteristics and performance of the helicon plasma. In this paper, the magnets were designed and fabricated, and an experimental helicon source was presented. Two solenoids situated around the cylindrical quartz tube were used to create an expanding magnetic field of about 250 G in the center decreasing to a few tens of Gauss in the downstream diffusion region. The antenna was powered by a radio-frequency (RF) system of 13.56 MHz, which maximum changeable power is 500 W. Our helicon device was installed with vacuum chamber that is pumped down to a base pressure of about 0.001 Pa using cryopumps. Langmuir probe is mounted on to measure the plasma parameters. It is found that, when increasing the radio-frequency power or varying the magnetic field, both the plasma density and operating mode of helicon-wave ion are also changed. Permanent magnets (PM) and High temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets are also considered to use in the helicon source, and relative analyses are discussed. The details of further research are to investigate the relationship that the applied magnets affect on the efficiency and performance of the helicon plasma.
IEEE Transactions on Appiled Superconductivity 07/2010; · 1.04 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the relationship between CYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms and the pharmacokinetics of tramadol in Chinese volunteers.
A gene chip was established for determining CYP2D6 genotype. Forty adult healthy Chinese subjects were categorized as: group 1, CYP2D6*1/*1; group 2, CYP2D6*2/*2; group 3, CYP2D6*2/*10; group 4, CYP2D6*10/*10. After oral administration of 100 mg tramadol, plasma and urine samples were collected over a 32-h period.
The main pharmacokinetic parameters of tramadol and its metabolite O-demethyltramadol (M(1)) in groups 1 and 2 were not significantly different. However, they were significantly different between groups 3 and 1, groups 4 and 1 and groups 4 and 3.
CYP2D6*2 does not alter the pharmacokinetics of tramadol, whereas CYP2D6*10 did with homozygotes showing a more pronounced reduction than heterozygotes. The 32-h metabolic ratio of tramadol to M(1) were (mean +/- SD) 2.05 +/- 1.01, 2.13 +/- 0.83, 4.24 +/- 2.75 and 6.85 +/- 2.78, respectively, in CYP2D6*1/*1, CYP2D6*2/*2, CYP2D6*2/*10 and CYP2D6*10/*10 subjects, respectively.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics 04/2010; 35(2):239-47. · 1.57 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A novel miniature antenna design for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications is presented. The proposed compact antenna is achieved by exploiting a quasi-self-complementary structure along with a tapered radiating slot. The optimal design of this type of antenna can offer an ultra-wide 10 dB impedance bandwidth with reasonable radiation properties. It also exhibits very small dimensions, 19 à 16 mm in physical size, and 0.19 ¿ in electrical size. Good agreement is obtained between simulated and measured antenna characteristics.
Electronics Letters 02/2010; · 0.96 Impact Factor
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P Liu,
J Li,
X Yang,
Y Shen,
Y Zhu, S Wang,
Z Wu,
X Liu,
G An,
W Ji,
W Gao
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ABSTRACT: Several previous studies have demonstrated that some helminth infections can inhibit allergic reactions, but the examination on the effect of live Schistosoma japonicum (SJ) infection on allergic inflammation remains limited. The aim of this study was to examine the effect and mechanism of chronic SJ infection on airway allergic inflammation in a murine model. The data showed that chronic SJ infection suppressed airway eosinophilia, mucus production and antigen-specific IgE responses induced by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge. Cytokine production analysis showed that chronic SJ infection reduced allergen-driven interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 production, but had no significant effect on IFN-gamma production. More importantly, we found that the adoptive transfer of dendritic cells (DCs) from SJ-infected mice dramatically decreased airway allergic inflammation in the recipients, which was associated with significant decrease of IL-4/IL-5 production and increase of IL-10 production. The results suggest that SJ infection may inhibit the development of allergy and that DCs may be involved in the process of helminth infection-mediated modulation of allergic inflammation.
Parasite Immunology 01/2010; 32(1):57-66. · 2.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Fixed appliance orthodontic treatment may affect local saliva secretion; however, there is limited information available about this respect in the literature. Understanding how fixed appliance orthodontic treatment affects local saliva secretion could provide insight on possible contributions of salivary changes towards decalcification. In this study, we found that during the first month of fixed orthodontic treatment, the whole saliva flow rate, upper labial saliva flow rate and concentrations of whole saliva sodium and chlorine increased significantly, while the concentrations of calcium, phosphorous and potassium in whole saliva decreased. However, all these were in normal levels after 3 months. This study demonstrated that saliva flow rate was increased and saliva electrolytes were changed at early stage when placing fixed orthodontic appliances, which was considered due to increased mechanosensation.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 10/2009; 36(11):781-5. · 1.53 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Frequency doubling of a focused Gaussian beam involves phase mismatching due to beam divergence. The conversion efficiency was calculated by integration second-harmonic (SH) field along the energy flow propagation path. The resulting SH field spatial distribution was discussed. We demonstrated the generation of blue light in critically type-I phase-matched LiB<sub>3</sub>O<sub>5</sub> by frequency doubling of a diode-pumped electrooptic Q -switched Nd:GSAG laser at room temperature. Pulsed blue light with 8-mJ energy and 300-ns pulse duration at 471 nm was generated with 19-mJ incident radiation at 10 Hz. The maximum conversion efficiency was 42%. The experimental results agree well with our calculations.
IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics 08/2009; · 1.88 Impact Factor
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Animal Genetics 04/2009; 40(4):575. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium affecting 14 patients in a 20-bed intensive care unit (ICU) between September 2006 and August 2007 (incidence: 3.56 cases per 1000 ICU patient days). Eighteen isolates of vanA type E. faecium were analysed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, which showed 14 types overall. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) identified eight different sequence types (STs) (ST78, ST117, ST203, ST316, ST362, ST363, ST364 and ST365), including four new types (ST362, ST363, ST364 and ST365) and 17 strains belonged to clonal complexes CC17. Sixteen of these carried the esp gene. Eighteen Tn1546-like elements encoding vanA-type VRE were classified into three types (types I to III) and all of them contained both IS1216V and IS1542 insertions. Vancomycin resistance of 14 vanA type E. faecium isolates was transferred at a frequency of 1.3 x 10(-6) to 6.4 x 10(-5) between E. faecium strains during filter mating. Our findings indicate that conjugative dissemination of Tn1546-like elements among CC17 E. faecium occurred during the outbreak in this ICU.
The Journal of hospital infection 04/2009; 72(2):147-54. · 3.01 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tobacco smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis and osteoporosis. Nicotine is a major component of tobacco, and has been reported to inhibit proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a mineralized tissue-specific protein expressed by differentiated osteoblasts that appears to function in the initial mineralization of bone. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of nicotine on bone metabolism.
We used rat osteobast-like UMR106 and ROS 17/2.8 cells and rat stromal bone marrow RBMC-D8 cells. To determine the molecular basis of the transcriptional regulation of the BSP gene by nicotine, we conducted Northern hybridization, transient transfection analyses with chimeric constructs of the BSP gene promoter linked to a luciferase reporter gene and gel mobility shift assays.
Nicotine (250 microg/mL) decreased the BSP mRNA levels at 12 and 24 h in UMR106 and ROS 17/2.8 cells. From transient transfection assays using various sized BSP promoter-luciferase constructs, nicotine decreased the luciferase activities of the construct, including the promoter sequence nucleotides -116 to +60, in UMR106 and RBMC-D8 cells. Nicotine decreased the nuclear protein binding to the cAMP response element (CRE), fibroblast growth factor 2 response element (FRE) and homeodomain protein-binding site (HOX) at 12 and 24 h.
This study indicates that nicotine suppresses BSP transcription mediated through CRE, FRE and HOX elements in the proximal promoter of the rat BSP gene.
Journal of Periodontal Research 12/2008; 44(5):657-63. · 1.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment in an animal model of vascular anomalies together with the energy efficiency relationship after varying exposure times and energy levels.
Hainanhui cockscombs were irradiated using a CZP therapeutic apparatus with an optimal focus over different time periods. The changes in cuticular tissue of the cockscombs and the vascular regions were analyzed by TTC dye, H & E staining, light microscopy, and Doppler ultrasound. The rectal temperatures, weight, water and food consumption of the cocks were also measured during the whole experiment.
H&E staining of the tissues and combs demonstrated similar histological findings, including vessel content, and thickness of the cuticular layers (ds). There were appreciable changes to the cockscombs after doses of 2.6 w x 200 s and 3.6 w x 120 s of HIFU exposure, with 100 % effectiveness and 0.00 % and 37.50 % irreversible damage, respectively. There were no differences with regard to water consumption, weight, rectal temperature and foraging levels monitored pre- and post-HIFU administration of the two doses.
HIFU exposure is effective in destroying the vascular targeted anomaly with no skin burns, bleeding, large vessel ruptures or other complications. HIFU is feasible, noninvasive and safe for the treatment of vascular anomalies, but clinical trials are necessary.
European Journal of Pediatric Surgery 10/2008; 18(5):328-33. · 0.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Impaired methylation of T-cell DNA is thought to contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. However, it is unknown whether T-cell hypomethylation is a factor in other, less severe, forms of lupus erythematosus such as subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE).
To investigate global DNA methylation and the expression of genes that regulate methylation in T cells of patients with SCLE.
We quantified global methylcytosine levels in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from 12 patients with SCLE and nine healthy controls. mRNA levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), methylated CpG binding proteins (MBDs) and CD11a were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
CD4+ T-cell DNA from patients with SCLE was hypomethylated relative to controls (P = 0.002). DNMT1 and DNMT3a mRNA levels were significantly lower in CD4+ T cells from SCLE patients than in controls (P = 0.027 and P = 0.004, respectively). Relative to controls, MBD1, MBD3 and MBD4 mRNA levels were significantly higher in SCLE CD4+ cells (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively), whereas MECP2 and MBD4 mRNA expression were significantly increased in SCLE CD8+ T cells (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). DNMT1 expression positively correlated with CD4+ T-cell DNA methylation within our SCLE patient cohort (r = 0.590, P = 0.044). CD11a mRNA expression was significantly increased in SCLE CD4+ T cells relative to controls (P = 0.044) and negatively correlated with DNA methylation (r = -0.669, P = 0.049).
These data suggest that aberrant regulation of DNA methylation in CD4+ T cells is associated with the development of SCLE.
British Journal of Dermatology 09/2008; 159(4):827-33. · 3.67 Impact Factor
