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1.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi ; 103(24): 1860-1863, 2023 Jun 27.
Article in Zh | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37271586

ABSTRACT

The current study aimed to evaluate the early efficacy in infants with isolated non-syndromic sagittal synostosis who underwent minimally invasive endoscopic-assisted surgery. The clinical data of infants with isolated non-syndromic sagittal synostosis who were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery of the Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and underwent endoscopic-assisted surgery from October 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All the infants underwent minimally invasive endoscopic-assisted surgery, and were treated with supine sleeping position after surgery. Computer-aided reconstruction technique was used to reconstruct and measure the thin-slice CT scan images of the head before and 3 months after surgery, and the differences in cranial index (CI), cranial cavity volume and angle drawn between the cranial vertex, nasion, and opisthocranion (VNO angle) of preoperative and postoperative groups were analyzed. A total of 103 infants were included in the final analysis, including 85 males and 18 females. The age at surgery was (2.1±0.8) months, and the weight was (6.1±0.9) kg. The postoperative CI was (84±6)%, which increased obviously compared with the pre-operation [(70±5)%] (P<0.001). The cranial volume of post-operation was (947±130) cm³, which was larger than that of the pre-operation [(748±104) cm³] (P<0.001). The VNO angle after surgery was (45±4)°, which showed a significant reduction compared with the pre-operation [(55±4)°] (P<0.001). The correction of head shape was satisfactory. For the treatment of sagittal synostosis in infants, minimally invasive endoscopic-assisted surgery is safe and effective, and in the case of switching from an auxiliary helmet to a supine position, the postoperative correction efficacy of head shape is better.


Subject(s)
Craniosynostoses , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Craniosynostoses/surgery , Craniotomy/methods , Endoscopy/methods , Retrospective Studies , Skull/surgery , Treatment Outcome
2.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol ; 32(8): 1343-1351, 2018 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29222958

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide a pooled estimate of the prevalence and odds of depression in patients with vitiligo. METHODS: A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane library databases was conducted. The proportions and mean questionnaire values for depression were pooled according to different evaluation methods. In controlled studies, odds ratio and standardized mean differences compared depression in vitiligo patients with healthy controls. RESULTS: One thousand nine hundred and sixty-five patients were identified from 20 eligible cohorts to be included in the present meta-analysis review. Sample sizes ranged from 30 to 308 for each analysis. The pooled prevalence of depression across 17 unique populations (n = 1711) was 29% (95% CI 20-39). The prevalence of clinical depression was 8% (95% CI 2%-14%) using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV or International Classification of Diseases codes-10, and the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 33% (95% CI 23%-44%) using validated screening inventory and rating scales. Patient with vitiligo was 4.96 times more likely to display depression compared with controls. Subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of depression in Asian and female patients with vitiligo was significantly higher than that in Caucasian and male ones. The pooled prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher (56%, 95% CI 0.5-0.62), and the heterogeneity was lowering cases with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) questionnaire when compared with other questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis review indicates that the prevalence of depression is high in patients with vitiligo. The HDRS questionnaire may be the most sensitive tool for testing the depressive symptoms among patients with vitiligo.


Subject(s)
Depression/epidemiology , Vitiligo/psychology , Asian People/statistics & numerical data , Case-Control Studies , Depression/ethnology , Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Humans , International Classification of Diseases , Odds Ratio , Prevalence , Sex Factors , White People/statistics & numerical data
3.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis ; 36(4): 713-719, 2017 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27988814

ABSTRACT

Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the pregnancy metabolic diseases. Since Gut microbiota play important roles in the hosts' metabolism, it is necessary to investigate the gut microbiota in PE patients, so that some intestinal dysbiosis might be detected as a biomarker for PE early diagnosis or as a target for intervention. One hundred subjects were categorized into four groups: 26 PE patients in late pregnancy, healthy individuals in early, middle, and late pregnancy (26/24/24 women). Gut microbiota were analyzed by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rDNA gene using Illuminal MiSeq. Data were analyzed by multivariate statistics. Bacteroidetes was the dominant bacterium (47.57-52.35%) in the pregnant women in South China. Tenericutes increased while Verrucomicrobia almost disappeared in late pregnancy. In the PE patients, there was an overall increase in pathogenic bacteria, Clostridium perfringens (p = 0.03) and Bulleidia moorei (p = 0.00) but a reduction in probiotic bacteria Coprococcus catus (p = 0.03). Our research suggests that there is a significant structural shift of the gut microbiota in PE patients, which might be associated with the occurrence and development of the disease. However, further studies are required to understand the underlying mechanisms.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology , Microbiota , Pre-Eclampsia/microbiology , Adult , China , DNA, Bacterial/chemistry , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Young Adult
4.
Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi ; 39(4): 256-262, 2017 Apr 23.
Article in Zh | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28550664

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the synergistic lethal effect and mechanism of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and aclacinomycin (ACM) on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line KG-1a. Methods: Colony-forming assay was used to detect the proliferation of KG-1a cells treated with different concentration of ATO and ACM. Compusyn software was used to analyze the synergistic effect of ATO and ACM. Flow cytometry and Wright's staining were used to analyze the apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells induced by combined treatment of ATO and ACM. Western blot was used to determine the expression of proteins associated with apoptosis. Results: The cytotoxicity of arsenic trioxide or aclacinomycin alone was in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells treated with both 0.4 µmol/L ATO and 10 nmol/L ACM was (34.5±3.1)%, significantly higher than (7.6±1.1)% of 0.4 µmol/L ATO treatment or (18.7±2.3) % of 10 nmol/L ACM treatment alone (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells treated with both 1.5 µmol/L ATO and 37.5 nmol/L ACM was (52.5±4.7)%, significantly higher than (19.1±3.2)% of 1.5 µmol/L ATO treatment or (27.7±2.2)% of 37.5 nmol/L ACM treatment alone (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells treated with both 3.0 µmol/L ATO and 75 nmol/L ACM was (61.3±4.5)%, significantly higher than (29.5±2.5)% of 3.0 µmol/L ATO treatment or (28.6±3.4) % of 75 nmol/L ACM treatment alone (P<0.05). In addition, the result of Wright's staining showed that combined treatment of ATO and ACM induced a more apparent phenotype of apoptosis when compared with single agent treatment. Compusyn software analysis showed that the combination index (CI) value of combined treatment group was less than 1, which indicated the synergistic effect of these two agents. Conclusions: Combined treatment of ATO and ACM shows a synergistic lethal effect on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line KG-1a via activating the apoptotic pathway, which inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis.


Subject(s)
Aclarubicin/analogs & derivatives , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology , Arsenicals/pharmacology , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology , Oxides/pharmacology , Aclarubicin/pharmacology , Apoptosis , Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/metabolism , Arsenic Trioxide , Cell Cycle , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Drug Synergism , Humans , Tumor Stem Cell Assay
5.
Phys Rev Lett ; 116(10): 106101, 2016 Mar 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27015492

ABSTRACT

The strong interaction at an interface between a substrate and thin film leads to epitaxy and provides a means of inducing structural changes in the epitaxial film. These induced material phases often exhibit technologically relevant electronic, magnetic, and functional properties. The 2×1 surface of a Ge(001) substrate applies a unique type of epitaxial constraint on thin films of the perovskite oxide BaTiO_{3} where a change in bonding and symmetry at the interface leads to a non-bulk-like crystal structure of the BaTiO_{3}. While the complex crystal structure is predicted using first-principles theory, it is further shown that the details of the structure are a consequence of hidden phases found in the bulk elastic response of the BaTiO_{3} induced by the symmetry of forces exerted by the germanium substrate.

7.
Epidemiol Infect ; 143(3): 663-72, 2015 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24831493

ABSTRACT

Little is known about HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) in newly diagnosed HIV-infected adults in eastern China where the HIV epidemic is spreading predominantly through sexual contact. During 2008-2011, newly HIV-diagnosed adults in Taizhou prefecture, Zhejiang province in eastern China were examined for HIVDR by amplifying and sequencing the HIV-1 pol gene. Of 447 genotyped participants, 53·7% were infected with CRF01_AE, 20·1% with CRF07_BC, 12·5% with subtype B, and 11·6% with CRF08_BC. Most of the participants had one or more minor genetic mutations in the pol gene that are associated with HIVDR. Twelve (2·7%) participants met the standard guidelines of having low to high HIVDR, suggesting that the prevalence of HIVDR in newly HIV-diagnosed adults was low in the study area and current antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens are likely to remain effective. However, given high frequency of minor HIVDR in HIV patients and the scaling up of ART programmes in China, larger HIVDR surveillance programmes are needed.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistance, Viral , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1/drug effects , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , China/epidemiology , Female , Genotype , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/transmission , HIV-1/classification , HIV-1/genetics , HIV-1/isolation & purification , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mutation, Missense , Prevalence , Rural Population , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Young Adult , pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics
8.
Genet Mol Res ; 14(2): 3625-32, 2015 Apr 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25966131

ABSTRACT

In this paper, homologous cloning methods were used to clone the soybean GmMEKK gene, which possesses a high degree of similarity to Arabidopsis thaliana AtMEKK1. AtMEKK1 is formed by 595 amino acids, and its secondary structure is formed by 38 irregular curls, 24 α helix, 14 ß, with S-TKc domain, transmembrane domain and does not have membrane spanning domain and signal peptide. GmMEKK-GFP subcellular localization fusion and prokaryotic expression vectors were generated and it was revealed that GmMEKK encodes a highly conserved 66.8-kDa nuclear protein that is expressed in soybean roots, stem floral pieces, and leaves. A real-time quantitative PCR analysis of GmMEKK under different abiotic stresses revealed that the expression level of GmMEKK increased under drought and low phosphorus and nitrogen conditions. Taken together, these data suggest that GmMEKK may play an important role in the soybean abiotic stress response.


Subject(s)
Cloning, Molecular/methods , Glycine max/genetics , MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/genetics , Plant Proteins/genetics , Droughts , Exons , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/genetics , Introns , MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/metabolism , Nitrogen/pharmacology , Phosphorus/pharmacology , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plants, Genetically Modified , Glycine max/metabolism
9.
Neuroimage ; 89: 262-70, 2014 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24321559

ABSTRACT

In the present study, we describe a fingerprinting approach to analyze the time evolution of the MR signal and retrieve quantitative information about the microvascular network. We used a Gradient Echo Sampling of the Free Induction Decay and Spin Echo (GESFIDE) sequence and defined a fingerprint as the ratio of signals acquired pre- and post-injection of an iron-based contrast agent. We then simulated the same experiment with an advanced numerical tool that takes a virtual voxel containing blood vessels as input, then computes microscopic magnetic fields and water diffusion effects, and eventually derives the expected MR signal evolution. The parameter inputs of the simulations (cerebral blood volume [CBV], mean vessel radius [R], and blood oxygen saturation [SO2]) were varied to obtain a dictionary of all possible signal evolutions. The best fit between the observed fingerprint and the dictionary was then determined by using least square minimization. This approach was evaluated in 5 normal subjects and the results were compared to those obtained by using more conventional MR methods, steady-state contrast imaging for CBV and R and a global measure of oxygenation obtained from the superior sagittal sinus for SO2. The fingerprinting method enabled the creation of high-resolution parametric maps of the microvascular network showing expected contrast and fine details. Numerical values in gray matter (CBV=3.1±0.7%, R=12.6±2.4µm, SO2=59.5±4.7%) are consistent with literature reports and correlated with conventional MR approaches. SO2 values in white matter (53.0±4.0%) were slightly lower than expected. Numerous improvements can easily be made and the method should be useful to study brain pathologies.


Subject(s)
Brain/blood supply , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Adult , Blood Volume Determination , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Theoretical , Oxygen
10.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 28(2): 203-11, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25001653

ABSTRACT

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrinology disease with heterogeneous phenotype. Environmental factors are thought to be involved in the development of PCOS. The present study aimed to explore the potential environmental risk factors of PCOS. A cross-sectional study and stratified population-based case-control study were carried out. Pre-designed questionnaires were prepared, including questions about medication history, contact history of endocrine disruptors (EDs), environment and habituation. Fasting blood was collected for measurement of sex hormone, glucose and insulin. Matched logistic regression analysis was used to find the potential independent risk factor of PCOS. One thousand eight hundred fifty-four participants (aged 12-44 years) were analyzed in the cross-sectional investigation. One hundred sixty-nine PCOS patients and 338 matched controls were compared. PCOS patients were more frequent than controls in eating plastic-packaged food (p=0.001), contacting pesticide (p=0.021), eating fruit with pericarp (p=0.001), living beside a garbage heap (p=0.001), working at an acid plant (p=0.028), taking Chinese patent drugs (p=0.001), smoking (p=0.028) and drinking alcohol (p=0.001). However, PCOS patients were less likely to use kitchen ventilators (p=0.002), eat canned food (p=0.049), contact decorated materials, use skin care products (p=0.01) and cosmetics (p=0.027). No difference was found in taking antiepileptic drugs (p=0.93). Eating plastic-packaged food (p=0.001, OR=44.449), eating fruit with pericarp (p=0.03, OR=5.7) and drinking alcohol (p=0.001, OR=29.632) were found to be the independent risk factors for PCOS. The existence of an association between EDs and PCOS was proved. Plastic-packaged food, fruit with pericarp and drinking alcohol should be avoided as possible as we can. However, the causal relationships among these factors and PCOS should be proved by further research.


Subject(s)
Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , Adolescent , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Chemical Industry , Child , China , Cosmetics/adverse effects , Female , Fruit/adverse effects , Gonadal Steroid Hormones , Humans , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Pesticides/adverse effects , Pilot Projects , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/blood , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/epidemiology , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/etiology , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires
11.
J Helminthol ; 88(2): 189-95, 2014 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23347576

ABSTRACT

Coproantigen test kits for Echinococcus spp. worms in dogs, designed for commercial use, were obtained from three different Chinese producers, and were compared with a laboratory kit using reagents from New Zealand. None of the three producers would provide details of their test validation. From a known set of dog faeces obtained at necropsy from infected and uninfected dogs, and from faeces collected from dogs necropsied in the field, results differed between the kits. For field material, the Tiankang kit showed the best specificity but lacked sensitivity. The Combined kit showed best sensitivity but lacked specificity. Results for the Haitai kit were intermediate. With samples from experimentally infected dogs, both the Haitai and Combined kits lacked sensitivity. Kits will need to be validated by the user before they can be relied on to predict progress in Echinococcus spp. control in China or in other countries.


Subject(s)
Antigens, Helminth/analysis , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Echinococcosis/veterinary , Echinococcus/isolation & purification , Feces/parasitology , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic , Animals , China/epidemiology , Dogs , Echinococcosis/diagnosis , Echinococcosis/epidemiology , Sensitivity and Specificity , Veterinary Medicine/methods
12.
Rev Sci Instrum ; 94(9)2023 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37671952

ABSTRACT

A retroreflector array, composed of a cluster of small retroreflectors, is experimentally studied for application to a Michelson-type interferometer system in the fusion plasma experiment. Such a new-type reflector has the potential to be a vital and effective tool at a spatially limited location, such as on the vacuum chamber wall of plasma experimental devices. To investigate the effect of retroreflector array on the reflected beam properties, a tabletop experiment is performed with the retroreflector array composed of 4 mm corner-cube retroreflectors and with a 320-GHz (λ ∼ 0.937 mm) submillimeter wave source. An imaging camera is utilized to measure the submillimeter wave beam profile and is scanned perpendicularly to the beam propagation direction if necessary. The experimental result exhibits a diffraction effect on the reflected beam, resulting in the emergence of discrete peaks on the reflected beam profile, as predicted in the past numerical study; however, the most reflected beam power converges on the one reflected into the incident direction, resulting from a property as a retroreflector. Furthermore, the dependence of the reflected beam on the incident beam angle is characterized while fixing the detector position, and the retroreflection beam intensity is found to vary due to the diffraction effect. Such an undesired variation of beam intensity induced by the diffraction can be suppressed with a focusing lens placed in front of the detector in the practical application to an interferometer.

13.
Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao ; 42(3): 399-404, 2022 Mar 20.
Article in Zh | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35426804

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the mutations in transcription regulatory sequences (TRSs) of coronaviruss (CoV) to provide the basis for exploring the patterns of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and outbreak. METHODS: A combined evolutionary and molecular functional analysis of all sets of publicly available genomic data of viruses was performed. RESULTS: A leader transcription regulatory sequence (TRS-L) usually comprises the first 60-70 nts of the 5' UTR in a CoV genome, and the body transcription regulatory sequences (TRS-Bs) are located immediately upstream of the genes other than ORF1a and 1b. In each CoV genome, the TRS-L and TRS-Bs share a specific consensus sequence, namely the TRS motif. Any changes of nucleotide residues in the TRS motifs are defined as TRS motif mutations. Mutations in the TRS-L or multiple TRS-Bs result in superattenuated variants. The spread of super-attenuated variants may cause an increase in asymptomatic or mild infections, prolonged incubation periods and a decreased detection rate of the viruses, thus posing new challenges to SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control. The super-attenuated variants also increase their possibility of long-term coexistence with humans. The Delta variant is significantly different from all the previous variants and may lead to a large-scale transmission. The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) with TRS motif mutation has already appeared and shown signs of spreading in Singapore, which, and even the Southeast Asia, may become the new epicenter of the next wave of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. CONCLUSION: TRS motif mutation will occur in all variants of SARS-CoV-2 and may result in super-attenuated variants. Only super-attenuated variants with TRS motif mutations will eventually lose the abilities of cross-species transmission and causing outbreaks.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mutation , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/virology , Genome, Viral , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/genetics
14.
J Dent Res ; 101(10): 1190-1197, 2022 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35411824

ABSTRACT

Emerging evidence suggests that growth factors are crucial in regenerative endodontic therapy. To achieve the desired effects, the systematic administration of supraphysiologic concentrations of exogenous growth factors is commonly performed, but this is usually associated with high costs, technique, and safety issues. Here, we describe a novel biomaterial that can manipulate endogenous growth factors without the need for adding exogenous growth factors. Transforming growth factor ß1 binding peptide (TGFp) was grafted onto the surface of a neutral pH phytic acid-derived bioactive glass (PSC) to synthesize modified bioactive glass (PSC-TGFp). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis results demonstrated that the TGFp was successfully grafted to the surface of the PSC. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction showed that PSC-TGFp possessed good in vitro bioactivity. After soaking in simulated body fluid for 24 h, hydroxyapatite formed on the surface of PSC-TGFp. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that PSC-TGFp could capture endogenous transforming growth factor ß1 from dentin matrix-extracted proteins (DMEP) and release it slowly over 21 d. Cytologic experiments revealed that PSC-TGFp after adsorbing DMEP could enhance the adhesion, migration, viability, and odontogenic differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla. The results highlight that PSC-TGFp may be a promising biomaterial to manipulate endogenous growth factors for regenerative endodontic therapy in the future.


Subject(s)
Odontogenesis , Transforming Growth Factor beta1 , Biocompatible Materials/pharmacology , Cell Differentiation , Ceramics , Peptides
15.
Rev Sci Instrum ; 93(11): 113519, 2022 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36461432

ABSTRACT

A new 320 GHz solid-state source interferometer is installed in the Heliotron J helical device to explore the physics of high-density plasmas (ne > 2-3 × 1019 m-3, typically) realized with advanced fueling techniques. This interferometry system is of the Michelson type and is based on the heterodyne principle, with two independent solid-state sources that can deliver an output power of up to 50 mW. A high time resolution measurement of <1 µs can be derived by tuning the frequency of one source in the frequency range of 312-324 GHz on the new system, which can realize the fluctuation measurement. We successfully measured the line-averaged electron density in high-density plasma experiments. The measured density agreed well with a microwave interferometer measurement using a different viewing chord, demonstrating that the new system can be used for routine diagnostics of electron density in Heliotron J.

16.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 14204, 2022 Aug 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35987922

ABSTRACT

Understanding pellet ablation physics is crucial to realizing efficient fueling into a high temperature plasma for the steady state operation of ITER and future fusion reactors. Here we report the first observation of the formation of fluctuation structures in the pellet plasmoid during the pellet ablation process by a fast camera in a medium-sized fusion device, Heliotron J. The fluctuation has a normalized fluctuation level of ~ 15% and propagates around the moving pellet across the magnetic field. By comparing the fluctuation structures with the shape of magnetic field lines calculated with the field line tracing code, we successfully reconstruct the spatio-temporal structure of the fluctuations during the pellet ablation process. The fluctuations are located at the locations displaced toroidally from the pellet and propagate in the cross-field direction around the pellet axis along the field line, indicating a three-dimensional behavior and structure of fluctuations. The fluctuation would be driven by a strong inhomogeneity formed around the pellet and invoke the relaxation of the gradient through a cross-field transport induced by the fluctuations, which could affect the pellet ablation and pellet fueling processes. Such fluctuations can be ubiquitously present at the inhomogeneity formed around a pellet in the pellet ablation process in fusion devices.

17.
Clin Exp Immunol ; 166(2): 281-90, 2011 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21985374

ABSTRACT

Mechanisms associated with the progression of simple steatosis to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain undefined. Regulatory T cells (T(regs)) play a critical role in regulating inflammatory processes in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and because T helper type 17 (Th17) functionally oppose T(reg)-mediated responses, this study focused on characterizing the role of Th17 cells using a NAFLD mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were fed either a normal diet (ND) or high fat (HF) diet for 8 weeks. Mice in the HF group had a significantly higher frequency of liver Th17 cells compared to ND-fed mice. Neutralization of interleukin (IL)-17 in HF mice ameliorated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury reflected by decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and reduced inflammatory cell infiltrates in the liver. In vitro, HepG2 cells cultured in the presence of free fatty acids (FFA; oleic acid and palmitic acid) for 24 h and IL-17 developed steatosis via insulin-signalling pathway interference. IL-17 and FFAs synergized to induce IL-6 production by HepG2 cells and murine primary hepatocytes which, in combination with transforming growth factor (TGF-ß), expanded Th17 cells. It is likely that a similar process occurs in NASH patients, as there were significant levels of IL-17(+) cell infiltrates in NASH patient livers. The hepatic expression of Th17 cell-related genes [retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma (ROR)γt, IL-17, IL-21 and IL-23] was also increased significantly in NASH patients compared to healthy controls. Th17 cells and IL-17 were associated with hepatic steatosis and proinflammatory response in NAFLD and facilitated the transition from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis. Strategies designed to alter the balance between Th17 cells and T(regs) should be explored as a means of preventing progression to NASH and advanced liver diseases in NAFLD patients.


Subject(s)
Fatty Liver/immunology , Interleukin-17/immunology , Liver/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Th17 Cells/immunology , Alanine Transaminase/blood , Animals , Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood , Cells, Cultured , Diet, High-Fat , Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay , Fatty Acids/pharmacology , Fatty Liver/genetics , Fatty Liver/metabolism , Fatty Liver/pathology , Gene Expression Regulation , Hep G2 Cells , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Humans , Insulin/metabolism , Interleukin-6/biosynthesis , Lipopolysaccharides/immunology , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease , Signal Transduction , Transforming Growth Factor beta/pharmacology
18.
Opt Express ; 19(2): 1310-23, 2011 Jan 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21263672

ABSTRACT

The lateral shifts from a slab of lossy chiral metamaterial are predicted for both perpendicular and parallel components of the reflected field, when the transverse electric (TE)-polarized incident wave is applied. By introducing different chirality parameter, the lateral shifts can be large positive or negative near the pseudo-Brewster angle. It is found that the lateral shifts from the negative chiral slab are affected by the angle of incidence and the chirality parameter. In the presence of inevitable loss of the chiral slab, the enhanced lateral shifts will be decreased, and the pseudo-Brewster angle will disappear correspondingly. For the negative chiral slab with loss which is invisible for the right circularly polarized (RCP) wave, we find that the loss of the chiral slab will lead to the fluctuation of the lateral shift with respect to the thickness of the chiral slab.The validity of the stationary-phase analysis is demonstrated by numerical simulations of a Gaussian-shaped beam.


Subject(s)
Manufactured Materials , Models, Theoretical , Refractometry/methods , Computer Simulation , Light , Scattering, Radiation
19.
Connect Tissue Res ; 52(1): 18-24, 2011 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21117898

ABSTRACT

Fibrillar collagens form the structural basis of organs and tissues including the vasculature, bone, and tendon. They are also dynamic, organizational scaffolds that present binding and recognition sites for ligands, cells, and platelets. We interpret recently published X-ray diffraction findings and use atomic force microscopy data to illustrate the significance of new insights into the functional organization of the collagen fibril. These data indicate that collagen's most crucial functional domains localize primarily to the overlap region, comprising a constellation of sites we call the "master control region." Moreover, the collagen's most exposed aspect contains its most stable part-the C-terminal region that controls collagen assembly, cross-linking, and blood clotting. Hidden beneath the fibril surface exists a constellation of "cryptic" sequences poised to promote hemostasis and cell-collagen interactions in tissue injury and regeneration. These findings begin to address several important, and previously unresolved, questions: How functional domains are organized in the fibril, which domains are accessible, and which require proteolysis or structural trauma to become exposed? Here we speculate as to how collagen fibrillar organization impacts molecular processes relating to tissue growth, development, and repair.


Subject(s)
Fibrillar Collagens/chemistry , Fibrillar Collagens/metabolism , Hemostasis , Animals , Binding Sites , Fibrillar Collagens/ultrastructure , Lampreys , Ligands , Microscopy, Atomic Force , Protein Stability , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Rats , Surface Properties
20.
J Appl Microbiol ; 111(3): 652-62, 2011 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21699632

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To determine the global transcriptional response of Bacillus subtilis to an antimicrobial agent, xenocoumacin 1 (Xcn1). METHODS AND RESULTS: Subinhibitory concentration of Xcn1 applied to B. subtilis was measured according to Hutter's method for determining optimal concentrations. cDNA microarray technology was used to study the global transcriptional response of B. subtilis to Xcn1. Real-time RT-PCR was employed to verify alterations in the transcript levels of six genes. The subinhibitory concentration was determined to be 1 µg ml(-1). The microarray data demonstrated that Xcn1 treatment of B. subtilis led to more than a 2.0-fold up-regulation of 480 genes and more than a 2.0-fold down-regulation of 479 genes (q ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The transcriptional responses of B. subtilis to Xcn1 were determined, and several processes were affected by Xcn1. Additionally, cluster analysis of gene expression profiles after treatment with Xcn1 or 37 previously studied antibiotics indicated that Xcn1 has similar mechanisms of action to protein synthesis inhibitors. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These microarray data showed alterations of gene expression in B. subtilis after exposure to Xcn1. From the results, we identified various processes affected by Xcn1. This study provides a whole-genome perspective to elucidate the action of Xcn1 as a potential antimicrobial agent.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacillus subtilis/drug effects , Bacillus subtilis/genetics , Benzopyrans/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/metabolism , Bacillus subtilis/metabolism , Cluster Analysis , Down-Regulation/drug effects , Gene Expression Profiling , Genes, Bacterial , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Protein Synthesis Inhibitors/metabolism , Protein Synthesis Inhibitors/pharmacology , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Up-Regulation/drug effects
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