Different binding properties of two general-odorant binding proteins in Athetis lepigone with sex pheromones, host plant volatiles and insecticides.

Athetis lepigone (Alep) is a polyphagous pest native to Europe and Asia that has experienced major outbreaks in the summer maize area of China since 2011 and has shown evidence of resistance to some insecticides. Insect olfaction is crucial for recognition of sex pheromones, host plant volatiles and even insecticides, in which two general-odorant binding proteins (GOBPs) play important roles. To elucidate the functions of GOBPs in A. lepigone, we first expressed the two AlepGOBP proteins in the E. coli expression system. Then, the results of fluorescence competitive binding assays demonstrated that the high binding affinity of AlepGOBP2 with sex pheromones [(Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7-12:Ac), Ki = 0.65 µM; (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac), Ki = 0.83 µM], two maize plant volatiles [Ocimene, Ki = 9.63 µM; (E)-ß-Farnesene, Ki = 4.76 µM] and two insecticides (Chlorpyrifos Ki =5.61 µM; Phoxim, Ki = 4.38 µM). However, AlepGOBP1 could only bind Ocimene (Ki = 13.0 µM) and two insecticides (Chlorpyrifos Ki =4.46 µM; Phoxim, Ki = 3.27 µM). These results clearly suggest that AlepGOBP1 and AlepGOBP2 differentiate among odorants and other ligands. The molecular docking results further revealed different key residues involved in the ligand binding of AlepGOBPs. In summary, this study provides a foundation for exploring the olfactory mechanism of A. lepigone and identified two potential target genes for the development of highly effective insecticides in the future.

Circulating tumor DNA detectable in early- and late-stage colorectal cancer patients.

Characterization, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancers (CRC) is difficult due to limited biopsy information, impracticality of repeated biopsies, and cancer biomarker fallibility. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has recently been investigated as a non-invasive way to gain representative gene mutations in tumors, in addition to monitoring disease progression and response to treatment. We analyzed ctDNA mutations and concentrations in 47 early- and late-stage CRC patients using a targetted sequencing approach using a panel that covers 50 cancer-related genes. ctDNA mutations in 37 genes were identified in 93.6% of the patients (n=47). The results showed that TP53, PIK3CA, APC, and EGFR were the most frequently mutated genes. Stage IV patients had significantly higher ctDNA concentration than Stage I patients, and increased ctDNA concentration correlated with increased tumor size. Additionally, ctDNA detection was found to be a greater predictor of disease when compared with five known commonly used tumor biomarkers. The present study supports the use of ctDNA as a liquid biopsy to gain clinical tumor information that may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment and improve CRC patient prognosis.

Rapid and Large-Scale Synthesis of IRMOF-3 by Electrochemistry Method with Enhanced Fluorescence Detection Performance for TNP.

Rapid and large-scale synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) materials is of great significance for their practical applications. For the first time, we have electrochemically synthesized IRMOF-3 at room temperature by applying a voltage to a zinc electrode immersed in electrolyte containing 2-aminoterephthalic acid (NH2-H2BDC). The reaction conditions, including the ratio of solvent (electrolyte), the applied voltage, and different reaction times, were investigated and optimized. The degree of crystallinity and nanomorphology of the synthesized IRMOF-3 can be controlled by changing the reaction conditions. More importantly, we demonstrated that the electrochemical synthesis strategy can rapidly obtain nanoscale IRMOF-3 with high crystallinity on a gram scale. In addition, in comparison with the product of solvothermal synthesis, the electrochemically synthesized nanoscale IRMOF-3 exhibits improved fluorescent detection ability to 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) with a detection limit of about 0.1 ppm.

Association of depression with inflammation in hospitalized patients of myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between depression and inflammatory markers in patients admitted to the hospital for myocardial infarction. METHODS: Inflammatory cytokines, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assessed in a group of 75 depressed participants (score of ≥ 12) and compared to a control group of 75 nondepressed participants (score < 12), all who had been admitted to the hospital for myocardial infarction. The presence of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Beck Depressive Symptoms Inventory II Scale (BDI-II). RESULTS: Depressed myocardial infarction participants had significantly greater levels of TNF-α (t = 2.070, P < 0.05) compared with control myocardial infarction participants. The BDI-II score was positively correlated with TNF-α levels (r = 0.222, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the presence of depressive symptoms is positively associated with TNF-α levels among patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction.

Molecular structure and vibrational bands and 13C chemical shift assignments of both enmein-type diterpenoids by DFT study.

We report here theoretical and experimental studies on the molecular structure and vibrational and NMR spectra of both natural enmein type diterpenoids molecule (6, 7-seco-ent-kaurenes enmein type), isolated from the leaves of Isodon japonica (Burm.f.) Hara var. galaucocalyx (maxin) Hara. The optimized geometry, total energy, NMR chemical shifts and vibrational wavenumbers of epinodosinol and epinodosin have been determined using B3LYP method with 6-311G (d,p) basis set. A complete vibrational assignment is provided for the observed IR spectra of studied compounds. The calculated wavenumbers and 13C c.s. are in an excellent agreement with the experimental values. Quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G (d,p) level of theory have been carried out on studied compounds to obtain a set of molecular electronic properties (MEP,HOMO, LUMO and gap energies ΔEg). Electrostatic potential surfaces have been mapped over the electron density isosurfaces to obtain information about the size, shape, charge density distribution and chemical reactivity of the molecules.

[Study on the axial strain sensor of birefringence photonic crystal fiber loop mirror based on the absolute integral of the monitoring peak].

In the present paper, the theoretical expression of the wavelength change and the axial strain of birefringence fiber loop mirror is developed. The theoretical result shows that the axial strain sensitivity of birefringence photonic crystal fiber loop mirror is much lower than conventional birefringence fiber loop mirror. It is difficult to measure the axial strain by monitoring the wavelength change of birefringence photonic crystal fiber loop mirror, and it is easy to cause the measurement error because the output spectrum is not perfectly smooth. The different strain spectrum of birefringence photonic crystal fiber loop mirror was measured experimentally by an optical spectrum analyzer. The measured spectrum was analysed. The results show that the absolute integral of the monitoring peak decreases with increasing strain and the absolute integral is linear versus strain. Based on the above results, it is proposed that the axial strain can be measured by monitoring the absolute integral of the monitoring peak in this paper. The absolute integral of the monitoring peak is a comprehensive index which can indicate the light intensity of different wavelength. This method of monitoring the absolute integral of the monitoring peak to measure the axial strain can not only overcome the difficulty of monitoring the wavelength change of birefringence photonic crystal fiber loop mirror, but also reduce the measurement error caused by the unsmooth output spectrum.

Comparison of long-term immunogenicity (23 years) of 10 µg and 20 µg doses of hepatitis B vaccine in healthy children.

To compare the long-term immunogenicity and seroprotection rates in healthy children following 23 years of vaccination with 10 µg or 20 µg doses of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine, we revisited all participants from our previous randomized controlled trial. At year 23, 81 participants were tested for HBV serological markers and HBV-DNA, and a booster dose was given to those with anti-HBs titer < 10 mIU/mL. After eliminating the interference of a Year 11 booster dose and vaccines received outside of the trial, around 50% of participants still maintained anti-HBs titers ≥ 10 mIU/mL in both 10 µg and 20 µg groups (p > 0.05). The peak immune response of vaccination (anti-HBs antibody levels at 12 mo after 1st vaccine dose) and Year 11 anti-HBs levels were significantly associated with Year 23 seroprotection rates. Most of the participants in both groups, regardless of their prior immune status, developed a rapid and robust anamnestic antibody response after the booster dose at year 23. No case of clinically significant HBV infection was observed during the entire study period of 23 y with only one transient HBsAg seroconversion in 10 µg vaccine group. We concluded that seroprotection provided by 10µg or 20 µg doses of hepatitis B vaccine persists for 23 years in more than half of vaccinated individuals in highly HBV-endemic areas, irrespective of 10 µg or 20 µg vaccine doses. Future studies with larger sample sizes comparing long-term efficacy of various doses of plasma-derived and recombinant HBV vaccines are recommended.

Characterization, cloning, and heterologous expression of a subtilisin-like serine protease gene VlPr1 from Verticillium lecanii.

The entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii is a well-known biocontrol agent. V. lecanii produces subtilisin-like serine protease (Pr1), which is important in the biological control activity of some insect pests by degrading insect cuticles. In this study, a subtilisin-like serine protease gene VlPr1 was cloned from the fungus and the VlPr1 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli. The VlPr1 gene contains an open reading frame (ORF) interrupted by three short introns, and encodes a protein of 379 amino acids. Protein sequence analysis revealed high homology with subtilisin serine proteases. The molecular mass of the protease was 38 kDa, and the serine protease exhibited its maximal activity at 40°C and pH 9.0. Protease activity was also affected by Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) concentration. The protease showed inhibitory activity against several plant pathogens, especially towards Fusarium moniliforme.

Antibody levels and immune memory 23 years after primary plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccination: results of a randomized placebo-controlled trial cohort from China where endemicity is high.

The duration of protection of hepatitis B vaccine remains incompletely understood. To assess the long-term protection provided by a primary vaccine series, the current study again recruited all subjects of a previous randomized placebo-controlled trial cohort 23 years after vaccination. Two hundred and sixty-one healthy children aged 5-9 years living in a highly HBV-endemic country were enrolled in the primary trial and received three doses of plasma-derived vaccine or placebo. The primary placebo receivers who did not receive any immunization against hepatitis B were used as non-vaccinated controls in the current study. After eliminating the interference of an early booster dose and vaccines outside the study, 48.1% (39/81) vaccinees still maintained anti-HBs titers ≥ 10 mI U/mL at Year 23, higher than 34.7% (26/75) in non-vaccinated controls (P=0.088). 75-100% of vaccinees with anti-HBs titer <10 mI U/mL at Year 23 in different sub-groups divided according to early immune backgrounds developed a rapid and robust antibody anamnestic response after a booster dose, highly significantly different from non-vaccinated controls who received the same dose of vaccine (7.5%, P<0.01). No case of clinically significant HBV infection was found in the primary cohort during the whole 23 years, but 10 transient HBsAg seroconversions in the primary placebo group and one in the primary vaccine group were determined. Anti-HBc positive rate obviously tended to be lower in vaccinees compared with non-vaccinated controls at Year 23. These results suggest a persisting immune memory and certain protection for 23 years after primary vaccination in children living in highly HBV-endemic areas. Clinically insignificant infections, which cannot be avoided and may often occur in vaccinees, play a positive role in the maintaining of immunity to HBV. Booster doses should be unnecessary for more than 20 years after a full primary immunization in children (as catch-up vaccination) and, also likely, in newborns living in highly HBV-endemic areas.

[Effect of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine 23(rd) year after a full course of vaccination in healthy young children].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-HBs persistence and the long term preventive efficacy after vaccination 23 years with plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine. METHODS: The study consisted of 261 children who were 5 - 9 years aged, from two primary schools in two townships of Xi'an. 126 children were randomly selected as vaccine group, and 135 children in control group. These children were followed up again in 2009. Excluding self-inoculation, the vaccine and control groups were 81 and 75, who was used to ask to recall details of their experience for vaccination and liver-related illnesses during past twelve years. Individuals who had anti-HBs titers less 10 mIU/ml, HBsAg, anti-HBc and HBV-DNA all were negative, were given a booster dose vaccine and retest for anti-HBs titer after one month. RESULTS: After eliminated the interference of an early booster dose and vaccination outside the study, the positive rate of anti-HBs was 48.1% (39/81) in the vaccine group at year 23, higher than 34.7% (26/75) in control group. At year 23 after primary vaccination, 84.0% (21/25) individuals in the vaccine group whose anti-HBs and anti-HBc both are negative showed a stronger anamnestic response after received a booster dose, while 7.5% (3/40) in the control group. At year 23 after primary vaccination, none clinical case of hepatitis B was found among 194 individuals. However, anti-HBc positive rate in the vaccine group was 16.0% (13/81), while the rate in the control group was 30.7% (23/75) (χ(2) = 4.687, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: At 23 years after implemented a full course of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine, the recipients of vaccine were maintained anti-HBs at a high level or strong immunological memory.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of universal childhood hepatitis A vaccination in China.

The socioeconomic improvement has impacted hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection with a shift from high to intermediate endemicity in many parts of China. The first China-developed inactivated hepatitis A vaccine, with significantly low price, was licensed in 2002, prompting us to evaluate whether universal childhood vaccination is advisable now in China. We considered vaccination scheduled at ages 12 and 18 months for all healthy children, and assumed that a single cohort was enrolled in 2005. A Markov model was used to predict hepatitis A outcomes and costs. Vaccination was compared with no vaccination, and the cost-effectiveness of vaccination was evaluated from the health system and the societal perspectives. The analysis was run separately in five regions (covering all the 31 provinces of Mainland China) defined by anti-HAV prevalence (around 50%, 50-69%, 70-79%, 80-89% and 90%-). The study projects that with the Chinese low-cost vaccine, vaccination could gain quality adjusted life years (QALYs) through the whole country and save health system or societal costs in the lowest, lower, intermediate and higher infection regions. Vaccination should also be cost-effective in the highest infection region because of low additional costs per QALY gained. However, vaccination would increase the probability of death due to hepatitis A in the highest and higher infection regions by 38 and 37 per million enrolled, respectively, and as vaccine protection loss increases the risk would also occur in intermediate and lower infection regions. The trend that the lower infection level the region has, the more cost-effective vaccination would be is obvious. Sensitivity analyses prove that our conclusions are robust. Considering the potential risk of vaccination, as well as unbalanced socioeconomic developments and significant differences in HAV infection through the whole country, the study suggests that universal childhood hepatitis A vaccination should be first administrated in provinces with the lowest infection level. With knowledge accumulation and further evaluations, the zone of immunization would be considered to be expanded gradually from provinces with lower infection level to those with higher.

[Analysis of clinical manifestations of subheath status in a medical college of Guangdong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical manifestation of subhealth status in teachers and medical staff. METHODS: An on-the-spot investigation was conducted in 891 personnel of a medical college using a self-designed subhealth questionnaire. The diagnostic criteria for subhealth status were formulated on the basis of literature review and expert counseling. The results were analyzed by frequency analysis and multiple-factor logistic analyses. RESULTS: The total subhealth incidence was 57.2 %, and the clinical manifestations included many symptoms of the body, psychology and society. Multiple-factor logistic analysis revealed the most common clinical manifestations of subhealth status including ademonia, weariness, insomnia, waist and back pain, frequent sighs, eye dryness, inattention, irritability, foot and hand coldness, vulnerability to common cold etc. CONCLUSION: The clinical manifestations of sub-health status complex.

[Evaluation of the questionnaire for subhealth status survey based on the symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the questionnaire we designed for subhealth status survey based on the symptoms described in traditional Chinese medicine. METHOD: By on-the-spot investigation, the recovery rate of the questionnaires was 96.3% and the response rate of the items was 97.2%. RESULTS: Internal consistency reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was high (0.9274-0.9676), and each item was closely associated with its related factors (with Spearman coefficient mostly above 0.6 except for that for bodily symptoms in female). Factor loading was approximately consistent with the structure and content of the questionnaire. CONCLUSION: This subhealth status questionnaire can be reliable and effective.

[A five-year observation on efficacy of revaccination in children of non-response to hepatitis B vaccine].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of revaccination in non-responder children to primary hepatitis B (HB) vaccination and to compare the efficacy of low-dose intradermal inoculation to that of routine-dose intramuscular inoculation. METHODS: 40 healthy non-responder children to primary HB vaccination identified by screening were given a three-dose revaccination randomly by intramuscular (n = 17, 10 microg per dose) or intradermal route (n = 23, 2 microg per dose) since September, 1999, and their blood specimens were collected regularly for testing for HB virus markers up to five years. Another 80 responder children to primary HB vaccination were also followed-up as controls without revaccination. By the end of five-year follow-up, HBsAg-specific lymphocyte response was investigated in vitro, and a booster dose (5 microg) was given to those with negative conversion of anti-HBs and their anamnestic responses were evaluated 12-14 days later. RESULTS: Serum anti-HBs did not reach 10 IU/L only in one of 40 non-responder children, who received intradermal revaccination. In the fifth year after revaccination, 50% of the non-responder children who received intramuscular revaccination still maintained anti-HBs of > or = 10 IU/L, though the rate was significantly lower than 85% in controls. Following the booster dose, a robust anamnestic response was developed in all of 8 intramuscular revaccinees and 11 controls but 16 of 18 intradermal revaccinees, who lost anti-HBs of > or = 10 IU/L over time, and geometric mean titers of anti-HBs climbed to 208, 105, and 549 IU/L, respectively. Secretions of HBsAg-specific interleukin-2 and -5 could be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples of more than 70% of non-responder children. Person-year infection rates of HB virus were 8.9% (8/89.9 person-years) for intradermal revaccinees, significantly higher than 3.6% (12/337.2 person-years) in controls, and 4.3% (3/70.2 person-years) for intramuscular revaccinees, approximating to that of controls, based on positive conversion of anti-HBc. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dose intramuscular revaccination did play an important immune protection for non-responder children to primary HB vaccination, but its efficacy could not reach the level of primary vaccination in responders. Low-dose intradermal inoculation was not as effective as route-dose intramuscular inoculation with the same doses in revaccination for non-responder children to primary HB vaccination.

Hepatitis B revaccination in healthy non-responder Chinese children: five-year follow-up of immune response and immunologic memory.

To assess persistence of anti-HBs and immunologic memory of non-responders after revaccination, 40 healthy non-responder children were given a three-dose recombinant hepatitis B vaccine revaccination randomly by intramuscular (10 microg per dose) or intradermal (2 microg per dose) route and followed up to five years. All 17 intramuscular and 22 of 23 intradermal children developed a seroprotective antibody response (anti-HBs>or=10 mIU/mL) after revaccination. Children of intramuscular group had significantly higher seroprotection rates and anti-HBs geometric mean titers than the intradermal group. At year 5, 50% of children in intramuscular group, but only 18.2% of intradermal group still maintained seroprotection (P=0.075). By the end of follow-up, a booster dose (5 microg) was given to those who had lost seroprotection. All the eight intramuscular children developed an anamnestic response with increase of anti-HBs level by 215 times, but two of the 18 intradermal children failed to produce seroprotective level. Three-routine-dose intramuscular revaccination was significantly more effective than low-dose intradermal revaccination with the same number of injections. No child seroconverted to HBsAg, and 11 had transient infections indicated by seroconversion to anti-HBc. These results demonstrated that non-responders could benefit from three doses intramuscular revaccination not only in high proportion of anti-HBs conversion but also in long-term persistence of seroprotection, and more importantly in preservation of the immunologic memory years after loss of protective anti-HBs.

[Expressions of hTERT, p53, c-erbB-2 and Bcl-2 in colonic adenocarcinoma mouse models with liver metastases: effects of classical traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for promoting circulation and removing blood stasis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of classical traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions that function to promote blood circulation and removing blood stasis on the metastatic behavior of malignant tumors, and explore the possible mechanisms of such effects. METHODS: BALB/c mouse models of colonic adenocarcinoma with liver metastases were established by intrasplenic injection of colonic adenocarcinoma cells (CT26) to receive treatment with the three representative classical circulation-promoting and blood stasis-removing prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine, namely Guizhifuling pills, Didang Tang and Danshenyin, respectively. The expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), p53, c-erbB-2 and Bcl-2 were detected in the mouse models with different treatments and in normal control mice. RESULTS: Tumor metastases of various degrees were observed in the mice after inoculation of the tumor cells. The expressions of hTERT, p53, c-erbB-2 and Bcl-2 in the models receiving treatment with either Didang Tang or Guizhifuling pills differed significantly from those of the untreated model group (P<0.05), whereas between Danshenyin group and the model group, only the expression of hTERT showed significant difference. CONCLUSION: Didang Tang and Guizhifuling pills can reduce the expressions of hTERT, p53, c- erbB-2 and Bcl-2, while Danshenyin can only reduce the expression of hTERT without similar effects on the other 3 oncogenes. Such inhibitory effects of the prescriptions on hTERT and the oncogenes might explain their actions to inhibit malignant tumor metastasis, which can be related to performance of the prescriptions in promoting circulation by removing blood stasis.

[The introduction of complementary food of children under the age of three years in Tibet of China].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the feeding status of Tibetan children aged below three years old. METHODS: Cross-sectional study and randomly sampling were used. The information on complementary food was obtained through the recollection from mother of the child. Data of complementary food of Tibet children was compared with those of the children from the surveys of nine cities in China and 40 poor counties in western China. RESULTS: One thousand six hundred and fifty-five children were studied. The findings indicated that the age of introduction of Zanba (a kind food of mixture of highland barley flour and butter) was 1.98 months after birth and the age of introduction of egg and meat was about 8 - 9 months. Boys were fed with Zanba earlier than girls but there was no significant difference in the introduction of other complementary food between sexes. Urban children were introduced with complementary food earlier than rural children, and children in the agricultural region earlier than those in the pasturing region. The proportion of no introduction of any complementary food by the age of 4 months was about 10.6% for urban children, but 21.7% for rural children while 14.2% for children in the agricultural region and 30.9% for children in the pasturing region. The proportion of no introduction of complementary food was 11.5% for Tibetan children compared with 45.2% for the children of 40 poor counties in western China. The proportions of introduction of the following complementary foods were 89.1% for Zanba, 22.1% for egg, 29.1% for fresh milk, 23.5% for meat, 17.5% for vegetable, 0.75% for bean products, 1.03% for fish and 3.35% for chicken respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The main complementary foods for Tibetan children included Zanba, milk, mutton and beef. There was a small amount of vegetable in diet. The introduction of bean, chicken and fish was not common. Early and monotony seemed to be the character of introduction of complementary food for Tibetan children. Improving introduction of complementary food is important in enhancing the nutritional status of Tibetan children.

[Study on the hemoglobin levels of children under the age of three years and the prevalence of anemia at high altitude in Tibet of China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the hemoglobin status of children under the age of three years and the prevalence of anemia at high altitude. METHODS: Cross-sectional study and randomly sampling were used. Blood was collected on tip of finger and the level of hemoglobin was measured using B-Hemoglobin photometer. We adjusted the hemoglobin based on altitude, using three methods of CDC, Direen's and Dallman's and then estimated the prevalence of anemia. RESULTS: (1) 1 127 children were examined. The findings indicated that the average hemoglobin was about 120 g/L. There was no significant difference for Hb between boys and girls. Urban children had a higher hemoglobin level (123.3 g/L) than rural children (119.9 g/L). Analysis of covariance indicated that, after controlling the factor of altitude, the mean content of hemoglobin of rural children was lower than that of urban children and hemoglobin varied among districts. (2) Different method used for correction of hemoglobin caused different prevalence rates of anemia but they were higher than un-corrected prevalences: 90.4% for CDC method, 72.3% for Dirren's method and 65.0% for Dallman's method respectively. CONCLUSION: Higher altitude seemed to affect the levels of hemoglobin significantly. The prevalence of anemia in children might be higher, but current hemoglobin correction methods might not be suitable for correcting hemoglobin of Tibetan children. So we suggested that it was imperative to establish a relationship between altitude and hemoglobin of Tibetan children.