Preparation of Expoxy-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles for Immobilization of Glycerol Dehydrogenase.

Immobilization of glycerol dehydrogenase (GDH) from Serratia marcescens H30 onto epoxy functional magnetic nanoparticles by covalent attachment was carried out. The optimal immobilization conditions were obtained as follows: enzyme/support 6.08 mg/g, temperature 25 °C, pH 7.0 and time 8 h. Under these conditions, a high immobilization yield above 90% was obtained. The characterization of the immobilized GDH indicated that enhanced pH and thermal stability were achieved. Kinetic parameters Km of free and immobilized GDH were determined as 10.35 mM and 15.76 mM, respectively. The immobilized GDH retained about 85% initial activity after ten cycles. These results suggested that GDH immobilized onto magnetic nanoparticles is a simple and efficient way for preparation of stable enzyme. And the immobilized GDH has potential applications in the production of DHA.

Effects of the long-term consumption of hydrogen-rich water on the antioxidant activity and the gut flora in female juvenile soccer players from Suzhou, China.

Expending a considerable amount of physical energy inevitably leads to fatigue during both training and competition in football. An increasing number of experimental findings have confirmed the relationship between the generation and clearance of free radicals, fatigue, and exercise injury. Recently, hydrogen was identified as a new selective antioxidant with potential beneficial applications in sports. The present study evaluated the effect of 2-month consumption of hydrogen-rich water on the gut flora in juvenile female soccer players from Suzhou. As demonstrated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and 16S rDNA sequence analysis of stool samples, the consumption of hydrogen-rich water for two months significantly reduced serum malondialdehyde, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α levels; then significantly increased serum superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity levels and haemoglobin levels of whole blood. Furthermore, the consumption of hydrogen-rich water improved the diversity and abundance of the gut flora in athletes. All examined indices, including the shannon, sobs, ace, and chao indices, were higher in the control group than those proposed to result from hydrogen-rich water consumption prior to the trial, but these indices were all reversed and were higher than those in the controls after the 2-month intervention. Nevertheless, there were some differences in the gut flora components of these two groups before the trial, whereas there were no significant changes in the gut flora composition during the trial period. Thus, the consumption of hydrogen-rich water for two months might play a role modulating in the gut flora of athletes based on its selective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the Suzhou Sports School (approved number: SSS-EC150903).

Application of AFP whole blood one-step rapid detection kit in screening for HCC in Qidong.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a big problem in China where the Hepatitis B (HBV) infection patients are near to 120 million. Early screening and diagnosis is the key to reduce the incidence and mortality of HCC. Serum AFP detection is the main methods for diagnosis, recurrent monitoring and therapeutic evaluation of primary HCC. Hepatitis patients should detect the AFP at least once every six months to help early diagnosis of HCC. Unfortunately, most hepatitis and other liver disease patients do not test their AFP regularly. Therefore, a rapid, convenient detect kit for AFP is necessary for the hepatitis patients to test AFP at home by themselves. It will be very helpful to the HCC early screening and early diagnosis. We screened 859 individuals who were HBsAg positive and had high risk of HCC in Qidong by using two different kits, AFP one-step rapid detection kit (Shanghai Outdo Biotech) and AFP Diagnostics ELISA kit (Zhengzhou Autobio Diagnostics), and compared the results. As a result, the positive accordance rate and the negative accordance rate of AFP one-step rapid detection kit and the Autobio ELISA kit were 95.65% (22/23) and 99.40% (831/836), respectively. The total diagnose accordance rate reached up to 99.30% (853/859). The screening results showed a high accordance rate of two methods. It is so meaningful to achieve home-test and improve HCC early screening and diagnosis by using AFP one-step rapid detection kit.

Surface Modification of Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) Magnetic Nanoparticles for Immobilization of Lipase.

Magnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles were prepared through hydrothermal method and coated with silica on the surface to obtain Fe3O4@SiO2 core­shell nanoparticles. After modification with different functional groups including aldehyde, amine and diimide, the nanoparticles were used as carrier for covalent immobilization of lipase. The nanoparticles with aldehyde groups showed highest immobilization yield (52.8%) and efficiency (86.5%). And the immobilization conditions including pH, temperature and the concentration of enzyme were optimized. After immobilization, the K m of lipase was altered from 2.3 to 3.2 mM. The thermal stability and pH stability were enhanced by immobilization at the investigated conditions: pH 5.0­8.0 and temperature 30­70 °C. After 10 batches conversion of 4-Nitrophenyl palmitate into p-Nitrophenol, the immobilized lipase retained over 75% of the original activity. Compared with the commercial lipase Novozym435, the immobilized lipase showed better stability and higher catalytic efficiency. These results demonstrate that the immobilized lipase on the modified Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles has enhanced stability and reusability, which make lipase of potential interest in a number of industrial applications.

Immobilization of Lipase by Adsorption Onto Magnetic Nanoparticles in Organic Solvents.

In order to improve the performance of lipase in organic solvents, a simple immobilization method was developed by adsorption of lipase onto Fe3O4@ SiO2magnetic nanoparticles in organic solvent. Among the solvents tested, toluene was found to be the most effective solvent for the immobilization. A maximum immobilization yield of 97% and relative activity of 124% were achieved in toluene at 30 °C. The optimal temperature, enzyme loading and water activity were 30 °C, 1.25 mg/mg support and 0.48 aw, respectively. The residual activity of immobilized lipase was 67% after 10 cycles of use. The advantages of the immobilized lipase including easy recovery, high stability, and enhanced activity of immobilized lipase in organic solvents show potential industrial applications in anhydrous solvents.

Immobilization of dehydrogenase onto epoxy-functionalized nanoparticles for synthesis of (R)-mandelic acid.

Epoxy functionalized magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles were successfully prepared and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The prepared nanoparticles were used for immobilization of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by covalent attachment. The optimal immobilization conditions were obtained as follows: enzyme/support 4.49mg/g, pH 8.0, buffer concentration 0.05M, time 12h and temperature 30°C. Under these conditions, a high immobilization yield and efficiency of above 92% were obtained after the optimization. Broad pH tolerance and high thermostability were achieved by the immobilization. The immobilized ADH retained about 84% initial activity after five cycles. Kinetic parameters Vmax and Km of free and immobilized ADH were determined as 56.72µM/min, 44.27µM/min and 11.54mM, 31.32mM, respectively. (R)-mandelic acid synthesis with the immobilized ADH was carried out, and the yield of (R)-mandelic acid was as high as 64%. These results indicate that the ADH immobilized onto epoxy-functionalized nanoparticles is an efficient and simple way for preparation of stable ADH, and the immobilized ADH has potential applications in the production of (R)-mandelic acid.

Fetus in fetu: From Prenatal Sonographic Diagnosis to Postnatal Confirmation.

A case of prenatal sonographic diagnosis of fetus in fetu is described. Postnatal laparotomy was performed and the diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination.

Congenital Ewing's Sarcoma/Peripheral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET) are small round cell malignancies that develop in soft tissue and bone. They very rarely affect newborns. A diagnosis of EWS/pPNET depends mainly on immunohistochemistry and molecular/genetic assays. Since these tumors are highly aggressive, patient prognosis is typically very poor, and treatment remains a challenge. Here, we report a 13-day-old newborn diagnosed with congenital EWS/pPNET and describe its treatment.

Preparation Fe3O4@chitosan magnetic particles for covalent immobilization of lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus.

Magnetic Fe3O4@chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by a simple in situ co-precipitation method and characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The prepared Fe3O4@chitosan nanoparticles were used for covalent immobilization of lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus by chemical conjugation after electrostatic entrapment (CCEE). The optimal immobilization conditions were obtained as follows: enzyme/support 19.8 mg/g, pH 5.0, time 4h and temperature 30 °C. Under these conditions, a high immobilization efficiency of 75% and a protein loading of 16.8 mg/g-support were obtained. Broad pH tolerance and high thermostability could be achieved by immobilization. The immobilized lipase retained 70% initial activity after ten cycles. Kinetic parameters Vmax and Km of free and immobilized lipase were determined as 5.72 mM/min, 2.26 mM/min and 21.25 mM, 28.73 mM, respectively. Ascorbyl palmitate synthesis with immobilized lipase was carried out in tert-butanol at 50 °C, and the conversion of ascorbic acid was obtained higher than 50%. These results showed that the immobilization of lipase onto magnetic chitosan nanoparticles by the method of CCEE is an efficient and simple way for preparation of stable lipase.

[Efficacy of yindan xinnaotong soft capsule on cerebral infarction reconvalescents of static blood blocking collaterals syndrome: a randomized controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsule (YXSC) on cerebral infarction (CI) reconvalescents of static blood blocking collaterals syndrome (SBBCS). METHODS: Totally 118 CI reconvalescents of SBBCS were randomly assigned to the test group (treated by YXSC) and the control group [treated by Naoxintong Capsule (NC)], 59 in each group. The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. Changes of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Chinese medical syndrome scores, and serum lipid indices were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the patient proportion of improving activities of daily life by more than or equal to 75 score was elevated (80.7% vs 62.5%; P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment in the same group, the NIHSS score decreased at post-treatment 4, 8, and 12 weeks in the two groups (P < 0.05). The patient proportion of dropped NIHSS score by more than or equal to 5 score was lowered (80.7% vs 57.14%), and the total effective rate of improving Chinese medical syndromes was superior in the test group after 12-week treatment (89.47% vs 71.43%, all P < 0.05). After 12-week treatment there was no statistical difference in the patient proportion of lowering mRS lower than or equal to 2 or blood lipids between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: YXSC showed certain effect in improving activities of daily life, attenuating the neurological impairment, and elevating the total effective rate of improving Chinese medical syndromes in CI patients in the recovery stage.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin suppresses the apoptosis of decidual gamma-delta T cells via regulation of the signal transduction and activation of transcription 3/caspase-3 signaling pathway.

PROBLEM: To investigate whether thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) regulates the apoptosis of decidual γδ T cells and to elucidate the mechanism. METHOD OF STUDY: Primary human decidual γδ T cells were treated with TSLP only or TSLP combined with different signaling inhibitors (STAT3, STAT5, AKT, and ERK). The levels of signal transduction and activation of transcription 3 (STAT3) tyrosine phosphorylation and caspase3 expression were determined using Western blot analysis, and the apoptosis of decidual γδ T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The proportions of γδ T cells in the peripheral circulation and in decidual CD3(+) cell population in women with normal pregnancy were higher than the proportions of γδ T cells in either non-pregnant control or miscarriage. Decidual γδ T cells co-expressed the TSLP receptors (TSLPR) and IL-7Rα, and the expression of TSLPR in decidual γδ T cells was higher than that in decidual CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells. Treatment with TSLP significantly suppressed the apoptosis of decidual γδ T cells and enhanced STAT3 phosphorylation. Moreover, STAT3, and not other inhibitors, completely abrogated the anti-apoptotic effect and expression of caspase3 in decidual γδ T cells induced by recombinant human TSLP. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TSLP may down-regulate caspase3 expression through activation of the STAT3 pathway, thereby suppressing the apoptosis of decidual γδ T cells.

4-Amino-8-cyclo-pent-yloxy-7-meth-oxy-2H-chromen-2-one monohydrate.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(15)H(17)NO(4)·H(2)O, contains two organic mol-ecules with marginal differences between them and two water molecules. The chromine rings in both mol-ecules are essentially planar, with maximum deviations of 0.012 (2) and 0.060 (2) Å. The five-membered cyclo-pentane rings adopt envelope conformations in both mol-ecules. In the crystal, the components are linked by N-H⋯O, O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, resulting in a three-dimensional network.

[Etiologic factors of erectile dysfunction in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of erectile dysfunction (ED) with blood vessel-, nerve- and androgen-related factors in young and middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in order to provide some clinical evidence for early prevention and treatment of ED. METHODS: We divided 53 male T2DM patients under 50 years into an ED group (IIEF-5 score < or = 21, n = 28) and a non-ED (NED) group (IIEF-5 score > or = 22, n = 25). We detected the levels of blood lipid, glucose, total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), sulfate dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S), calculated free testosterone (cFT), and examined the complications of macroangiopathy (MA), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and compared the above indicators between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, diabetes duration, body mass index, blood pressure, and blood lipid and glucose levels (P > 0.05). The incidence rate of DR was significantly higher in the ED than in the NED group (39.3% vs 4.0%, P < 0.05), but no statistically significant differences were found in the levels of TT, cFT, SHBG and DHEA-S and the incidence rates of MA and DPN between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of ED is closely related to DR in young and middle-aged men with T2DM. Therefore particular attention should be paid to the erectile function of T2DM patients with DR as early as possible.

4-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoro-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine.

The five-membered ring of the title compound, C(11)H(9)ClF(3)N(3), is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.002 Å) and the phenyl-ene ring is aligned at 44.8 (1)°. The N atom of the amino substituent shows a pyramidal geometry and is a hydrogen-bond donor to a Cl atom and to a ring N atom, which together generate a layer motif.

A versatile strategy for divergent and diastereoselective synthesis of natural product-like polyhydroxylated indolizidines.

A general and versatile method for the divergent and diastereoselective synthesis of polyhydroxylated indolizidines has been established. The annulation reactions of a readily available enantiopure dihydroxylated cyclic secondary enamine with alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylates including methyl acrylate, methyl crotonate, methyl 2-hexenoate, allenoate, and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and with malonyl chloride produced hexahydro- or tetrahydro-5-indolizinone-8-carboxylates in high yields. The resulting 5-indolizinone derivatives were converted into diverse polyhydroxylated indolizidines in good yields through practical hydrogenation and reduction reactions.