A binary pulsar in a 53-minute orbit.

Spider pulsars are neutron stars that have a companion star in a close orbit. The companion star sheds material to the neutron star, spinning it up to millisecond rotation periods, while the orbit shortens to hours. The companion is eventually ablated and destroyed by the pulsar wind and radiation1,2. Spider pulsars are key for studying the evolutionary link between accreting X-ray pulsars and isolated millisecond pulsars, pulsar irradiation effects and the birth of massive neutron stars3-6. Black widow pulsars in extremely compact orbits (as short as 62 minutes7) have companions with masses much smaller than 0.1 M⊙. They may have evolved from redback pulsars with companion masses of about 0.1-0.4 M⊙ and orbital periods of less than 1 day8. If this is true, then there should be a population of millisecond pulsars with moderate-mass companions and very short orbital periods9, but, hitherto, no such system was known. Here we report radio observations of the binary millisecond pulsar PSR J1953+1844 (M71E) that show it to have an orbital period of 53.3 minutes and a companion with a mass of around 0.07 M⊙. It is a faint X-ray source and located 2.5 arcminutes from the centre of the globular cluster M71.

[Gender differences of genetic etiology in the incidence of major depressive disorder among Han freshmen].

Objective: To analyze the gender differences of genetic etiology in the incidence of major depression disorder among Han freshmen. Methods: A 1-year follow-up survey was carried out among 8 079 Han freshmen from Jining, Rizhao and Weifang without lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD) at baseline (April to October 2018) and 4 828 venous blood samples were also collected. After extracting DNA, Sequenom Mass Array time-of-flight mass spectrometry biochip technology was used to detect the genotypes of 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) MDD-related loci. Logistic regression was used for univariate analysis. Generalized multifactor dimension reduction was used to analyze gene-gene interactions. Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) 3.0 was used for MDD diagnosis. Results: The 1-year incidence of MDD among Han freshmen was 2.23% (95%CI: 1.91%-2.60%) and the gender difference of incidence between males (1.97%, 95%CI: 1.52%-2.56%) and females (2.39%, 95%CI: 1.98%-2.90%) was not statistically significant (P>0.05). AG genotype of rs768705 (nearby gene: TMEM161B) was a risk factor for MDD (OR=1.98, 95%CI: 1.24-2.83). The TC genotype of rs17727765 (nearby gene: CRYBA1) was only a risk factor for MDD in males (OR=9.61, 95%CI: 2.04-45.30). An 8-loci interaction model (PMFBP1, OLFM4, LHPP, ENOX1, TMEM161B, SPPL3, FBXL4 and L3MBTL2) could predict MDD in women with an accuracy rate of 60.05%. No effective prediction model was found for MDD in men. Conclusions: There might be gender differences in the genetic etiology of MDD. Further researches on the genetic causes of MDD in men should be explored.

No pulsed radio emission during a bursting phase of a Galactic magnetar.

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-duration radio transients of unknown physical origin observed at extragalactic distances1-3. It has long been speculated that magnetars are the engine powering repeating bursts from FRB sources4-13, but no convincing evidence has been collected so far14. Recently, the Galactic magnetar SRG 1935+2154 entered an active phase by emitting intense soft γ-ray bursts15. One FRB-like event with two peaks (FRB 200428) and a luminosity slightly lower than the faintest extragalactic FRBs was detected from the source, in association with a soft γ-ray/hard-X-ray flare18-21. Here we report an eight-hour targeted radio observational campaign comprising four sessions and assisted by multi-wavelength (optical and hard-X-ray) data. During the third session, 29 soft-γ-ray repeater (SGR) bursts were detected in γ-ray energies. Throughout the observing period, we detected no single dispersed pulsed emission coincident with the arrivals of SGR bursts, but unfortunately we were not observing when the FRB was detected. The non-detection places a fluence upper limit that is eight orders of magnitude lower than the fluence of FRB 200428. Our results suggest that FRB-SGR burst associations are rare. FRBs may be highly relativistic and geometrically beamed, or FRB-like events associated with SGR bursts may have narrow spectra and characteristic frequencies outside the observed band. It is also possible that the physical conditions required to achieve coherent radiation in SGR bursts are difficult to satisfy, and that only under extreme conditions could an FRB be associated with an SGR burst.

Diverse polarization angle swings from a repeating fast radio burst source.

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-duration radio transients1,2 of unknown origin. Two possible mechanisms that could generate extremely coherent emission from FRBs invoke neutron star magnetospheres3-5 or relativistic shocks far from the central energy source6-8. Detailed polarization observations may help us to understand the emission mechanism. However, the available FRB polarization data have been perplexing, because they show a host of polarimetric properties, including either a constant polarization angle during each burst for some repeaters9,10 or variable polarization angles in some other apparently one-off events11,12. Here we report observations of 15 bursts from FRB 180301 and find various polarization angle swings in seven of them. The diversity of the polarization angle features of these bursts is consistent with a magnetospheric origin of the radio emission, and disfavours the radiation models invoking relativistic shocks.

[Microsurgical management of petroclival meningiomas combined trans-subtemporal and suboccipital retrosigmoid keyhole approach].

OBJECTIVE: With the development of modern skull base minimally invasive technology mature and neural radio surgery techniques, it is necessary to re-examine the therapeutic strategy for the treatment of petroclival meningiomas. To sum up the operative experience and methods in microsurgical resection of petroclival meningiomas by the combining trans-subtemporal and suboccipital retrosigmoid keyhole approach. To explore the minimally invasive operation approach of petroclival meningiomas, to raise the removal degree and to improve the postoperative result using this approach. METHODS: The clinical data of the consecutive 21 patients with the petroclival meningiomas were reviewed retrospectively. The method, degree of tumor resection,techniques of the combining keyhole approach, Karnofsky performance score (KPS) before and after operation were also analyzed. The neuronavigation guided operation was performed in 9 cases, and 12 cases were operated in the neuroelectrophysiological monitoring. RESULTS: Total excision of the tumor resection (Simpson, I-II levels) was conducted in 18 cases (85.7%, 18/21), and 3 patients underwent close resection (Simpson III level, 14.3%, 3/21). Postoperative three-dimensional CT showed good lock bone flap restoration; Postoperative pathology confirmed meningioma. Postoperative cranial nerve dysfunction or new original nerve dysfunction were aggravated in 5 cases (23.8%) , including transient trochlear nerve (3 cases), abducent nerve (1 case), and the motor branch of trigeminal nerve paralysis (1 case). Abducent nerve paralysis (1 case) appeared, with hearing impairment. After the 3-month follow-up, 11 cases had the same KPS aspreoperation, 7 cases improved, and 3 cases not improved. The KPS score was 77.14±23.12 on average, and there was no statistically significant difference compared with that before operation (P>0.05). The postoperative follow-up for half a year showed fluent speaking and writing in 19 cases (KPS 70 or higher), and general recovery in 2 cases (KPS<70). The postoperative follow-up for 3-29 months showed no tumor recurrence or progress. CONCLUSION: The combining trans-subtemporal and suboccipital retrosigmoid keyhole approach is simple, safe, and minimally invasive, and an ideal operation approach of petroclival meningioma. To master the operation skills and the intraoperative matters needing attention in the operation, is favorable to improve the resection rate and curative effect.

Analysis of the association between plasma PCSK9 and Lp(a) in Han Chinese.

PURPOSE: It has been reported that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors can significantly reduce lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], and the mechanism for Lp(a) reduction remains unclear. Recently an interesting clinical research with a small sample showed a positive correlation between plasma PCSK9 and Lp(a) levels in diabetes. Here we aimed to use a relatively large sample to investigate whether such an association exists in Han Chinese. METHODS: A total of 783 inpatients were consecutively enrolled and composed of 172 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 611 non-T2DM subjects. Plasma PCSK9 level was measured by ELISA, and its association with Lp(a) was assayed by Spearman's correlation and multiple regression. Clinical and biochemical parameters were determined in all subjects studied. RESULTS: No significant differences in PCSK9 and Lp(a) levels were found between T2DM and non-T2DM patients. PCSK9 level was not related to Lp(a) level either in T2DM or non-T2DM group in bivariate correlation and multiple linear regression analysis. Additionally, no association between the levels of PCSK9 and Lp(a) was found in well, poorly controlled T2DM patients or in T2DM patients with or without coronary artery disease (CAD). Besides, no difference was found among the PCSK9 values across tertiles of Lp(a) level. CONCLUSION: We found no association of plasma PCSK9 levels with Lp(a) level in Han Chinese with or without T2DM, suggesting that Lp(a) reduction by PCSK9 inhibitors may not be achieved simply through PCSK9 pathway at least in Chinese.

[Microsurgical management of petroclival meningiomas combined trans-subtemporal and suboccipital retrosigmoid keyhole approach].

OBJECTIVE: With the development of modern skull base minimally invasive technology mature and neural radio surgery techniques, it is necessary to re-examine the therapeutic strategy for the treatment of petroclival meningiomas. To sum up the operative experience and methods in microsurgical resection of petroclival meningiomas by the combining trans-subtemporal and suboccipital retrosigmoid keyhole approach. To explore the minimally invasive operation approach of petroclival meningiomas, to raise the removal degree and to improve the postoperative result using this approach. METHODS: The clinical data of the consecutive 21 patients with the petroclival meningiomas were reviewed retrospectively. The method, degree of tumor resection,techniques of the combining keyhole approach, Karnofsky performance score (KPS) before and after operation were also analyzed. The neuronavigation guided operation was performed in 9 cases, and 12 cases were operated in the neuroelectrophysiological monitoring. RESULTS: Total excision of the tumor resection (Simpson, I-II levels) was conducted in 18 cases (85.7%, 18/21), and 3 patients underwent close resection (Simpson III level, 14.3%, 3/21). Postoperative three-dimensional CT showed good lock bone flap restoration; Postoperative pathology confirmed meningioma. Postoperative cranial nerve dysfunction or new original nerve dysfunction were aggravated in 5 cases (23.8%) , including transient trochlear nerve (3 cases), abducent nerve (1 case), and the motor branch of trigeminal nerve paralysis (1 case). Abducent nerve paralysis (1 case) appeared, with hearing impairment. After the 3-month follow-up, 11 cases had the same KPS aspreoperation, 7 cases improved, and 3 cases not improved. The KPS score was 77.14±23.12 on average, and there was no statistically significant difference compared with that before operation (P>0.05). The postoperative follow-up for half a year showed fluent speaking and writing in 19 cases (KPS 70 or higher), and general recovery in 2 cases (KPS<70). The postoperative follow-up for 3-29 months showed no tumor recurrence or progress. CONCLUSION: The combining trans-subtemporal and suboccipital retrosigmoid keyhole approach is simple, safe, and minimally invasive, and an ideal operation approach of petroclival meningioma. To master the operation skills and the intraoperative matters needing attention in the operation, is favorable to improve the resection rate and curative effect.

Red mud (RM)-Induced enhancement of iron plaque formation reduces arsenic and metal accumulation in two wetland plant species.

Human activities have resulted in arsenic (As) and heavy metals accumulation in paddy soils in China. Phytoremediation has been suggested as an effective and low-cost method to clean up contaminated soils. A combined soil-sand pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of red mud (RM) supply on iron plaque formation and As and heavy metal accumulation in two wetland plant species (Cyperus alternifolius Rottb., Echinodorus amazonicus Rataj), using As and heavy metals polluted paddy soil combined with three rates of RM application (0, 2%, 5%). The results showed that RM supply significantly decreased As and heavy metals accumulation in shoots of the two plants due to the decrease of As and heavy metal availability and the enhancement of the formation of iron plaque on the root surface and in the rhizosphere. Both wetland plants supplied with RM tended to have more Fe plaque, higher As and heavy metals on roots and in their rhizospheres, and were more tolerant of As and heavy metal toxicity. The results suggest that RM-induced enhancement of the formation of iron plaque on the root surface and in the rhizosphere of wetland plants may be significant for remediation of soils contaminated with As and heavy metals.

Neuroprotective effects of Bcl-2 overexpression on nerve cells of rats with acute cerebral infarction.

We aimed to investigate the influence of lentiviral-mediated Bcl-2 overexpression in cerebral tissues of rats with acute cerebral infarction. Forty-five rats were randomly divided into sham, model, and treatment groups. The sham and model groups were administered a control lentiviral vector via the intracranial arteries 10 days before surgery, while the treatment group received lentivirus encoding a Bcl-2 overexpression vector. We induced cerebral artery infarction using a suture-occlusion method and analyzed the cerebral expression levels of apoptosis-related genes (caspase-3, Bax), total cerebral apoptosis, range of cerebral tissue infarction, and changes in nerve cell function after 72 h. The Bcl-2-encoding lentivirus was well expressed in rat cerebral tissues. The treatment group had significantly higher expression levels of Bcl-2 than the other two groups. After cerebral infarction, the model group had significantly increased expression levels of caspase-3 and Bax protein in cerebral tissues than the sham (P < 0.05). Expression of these apoptosis-related proteins in the treatment group was obviously lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05), but significantly higher than in the sham group (P < 0.05). Compared to sham, neuronal apoptosis levels and infarction range of cerebral tissues was increased in the model and treatment groups; however, these values in the treatment group were significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05). Importantly, the treatment group had significantly decreased neurological impairment scores (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Bcl-2 over-expression can decrease neuronal apoptosis in rat cerebral tissue, and thus is neuroprotective after cerebral ischemia.

Relation of resistin to proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 levels in coronary artery disease patients with different nutritional status.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of resistin with proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels, another novel regulator of atherosclerosis, in the condition of coronary artery disease (CAD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled a total of 356 consecutive stable CAD patients who were not treated with lipid-lowering drugs in the present study. The baseline clinical characteristics were collected. Plasma PCSK9 and resistin levels were determined by ELISA. The relationship between plasma PCSK9 and resistin levels was investigated. RESULTS: Overall, plasma resistin exhibited a positive nonparametric correlation with PCSK9 levels (r = 0.123, p = 0.02). When the patients were classified into groups based on body mass index (BMI), the resistin correlated significantly to the PCSK9 levels in patients with BMI < 25 kg/m(2) (r = 0.162, p = 0.026) but not in patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) (r = 0.087, p = 0.205). Multivariate regression analysis corroborated the relation between the PCSK9 and an elevated resistin level in patients with BMI < 25 kg/m(2) independently of traditional parameters including age, sex, BMI, smoking, family history of CAD, systolic blood pressure, glucose, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, white blood cell, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, and high-sensitive C-reactive protein. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma resistin was positively related to PCSK9 levels in CAD patients with normal weight, suggesting that the circulating resistin might represent a link with PCSK9 level variations in CAD progression of normal body weight.

Association of plasma small dense LDL cholesterol with PCSK9 levels in patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a novel regulator of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism. Recently, small dense LDL (sdLDL) particles have been suggested to be a very atherogenic subspecies of LDL. To date, the association of sdLDL with PCSK9 is still unclear. The aim of the present study is to determine the association of sdLDL, as assayed by sdLDL-cholesterol (sdLDL-C), with PCSK9 in a cohort of subjects undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety consecutive subjects were enrolled and classified into stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and non-CAD group. LDL separation was performed by Lipoprint System: 7 LDL subfractions were obtained and LDL score (% sdLDL) was calculated. The plasma PCSK9 levels were measured by ELISA. The data indicated that PCSK9 levels were significantly increased by sdLDL-C quartiles (p = 0.028). In age- and sex-adjusted analysis plasma sdLDL-C was positively correlated with PCSK9 levels (r = 0.157, p < 0.01). To rule out the confounding effect of dyslipidemia, we performed the analysis in subjects with and without dyslipidemia separately. Interestingly, the positive correlation of sdLDL-C with PCSK9 was only significant in patients with dyslipidemia and stable CAD (r = 0.177, p < 0.01). In a model adjusting for traditional risk factors including dyslipidemia, PCSK9 was an independent predictor of high sdLDL-C in CAD group (OR = 12.919, 95% CI 1.427-116.952) but not in non-CAD group. CONCLUSION: This study firstly demonstrated that plasma sdLDL-C was positively related to PCSK9 in patients with stable CAD, suggesting an interaction between sdLDL-C and PCSK9 in atherosclerotic coronary disease.

PU.1 antisense lncRNA against its mRNA translation promotes adipogenesis in porcine preadipocytes.

Antisense long non-coding RNAs (AS lncRNAs) play important roles in refined regulation of animal gene expression. However, their functions and molecular mechanisms for domestic animal adipogenesis are largely unknown. Here, we found a novel AS lncRNA transcribed from the porcine PU.1 gene (also known as SPI1) by strand-specific RT-PCR. Results showed that PU.1 AS lncRNA was expressed and generally lower than the level of PU.1 mRNA in porcine subcutaneous adipose, heart, liver, spleen, lympha, skeletal muscle and kidney tissues. We further found that the levels of PU.1 mRNA and PU.1 protein were significantly lower in subcutaneous and intermuscular adipose than in mesenteric and greater omentum adipose, whereas the levels of PU.1 AS lncRNA showed no difference in porcine adipose tissues from four different parts of the body. During porcine adipogenesis, levels of PU.1 mRNA increased at day 2 and then gradually decreased. Meanwhile, PU.1 AS lncRNA exhibited an expression trend similar to PU.1 mRNA but sharply decreased after day 2. Interestingly, PU.1 protein level rose during differentiation. In addition, at day 6 after differentiation, knockdown of endogenous PU.1 promoted adipogenesis, whereas knockdown of endogenous PU.1 AS lncRNA had the opposite effect. Moreover, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) were significantly upregulated in the PU.1 shRNA treatment group (P < 0.05), whereas they were downregulated in the PU.1 AS shRNA treatment group (P < 0.05). Adipose triglyceride lipase [ATGL; also known as patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2 (PNPLA2)] and hormone-sensitive lipase [HSL; also known as lipase, hormone-sensitive (LIPE)] contrasted with PPARG and FASN. Finally, the PU.1 mRNA/PU.1 AS lncRNA duplex was detected by an endogenous ribonuclease protection assay combined with RT-PCR. Based on the above results, we suggest that PU.1 AS lncRNA (vs. its mRNA translation) promotes adipogenesis through the formation of a sense-antisense RNA duplex with PU.1 mRNA.

Decreased functional connectivity between the mediodorsal thalamus and default mode network in patients with disorders of consciousness.

BACKGROUND: Interactions between the thalamus and the cortex play an important role in consciousness. The thalamus as a homogenous structure is less strongly connected with the default mode network (DMN) in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC), but the roles of specific thalamic nuclei are not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional connectivity between individual thalamic nuclei and the DMN in DOC patients. METHODS: Nine DOC patients and nine age-matched healthy controls were scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at resting state. Data-driven independent component analysis and hypothesis-driven region of interest-based correlation analysis were performed. RESULTS: In comparison with healthy controls, DOC patients had significantly decreased functional connectivity between the mediodorsal thalamus and brain areas within the DMN, including the medial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus. Patients and controls did not show significant differences in functional connectivity in other thalamic nuclei. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that functional connections between the mediodorsal thalamus and the DMN may play important roles in the pathogenesis of DOC.

Non-Markovian response of ultrafast coherent electronic ring currents in chiral aromatic molecules in a condensed phase.

Results of a theoretical study on non-Markov response for femtosecond laser-driven coherent ring currents in chiral aromatic molecules embedded in a condensed phase are presented. Coherent ring currents are generated by coherent excitation of a pair of quasi-degenerated π-electronic excited states. The coherent electronic dynamical behaviors are strongly influenced by interactions between the electronic system and phonon bath in a condensed phase. Here, the bath correlation time is not instantaneous but should be taken to be a finite time in ultrashort time-resolved experiments. In such a case, Markov approximation breaks down. A hierarchical master equation approach for an improved semiclassical Drude dissipation model was adopted to examine the non-Markov effects on ultrafast coherent electronic ring currents of (P)-2,2'-biphenol in a condensed phase. Time evolution of the coherent ring current derived in the hierarchical master equation approach was calculated and compared with those in the Drude model in the Markov approximation and in the static limit. The results show how non-Markovian behaviors in quantum beat signals of ring currents depend on the Drude bath damping constant. Effects of temperatures on ultrafast coherent electronic ring currents are also clarified.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on hemichannel pannexin-1 and neural plasticity in rat model of cerebral infarction.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) on hemichannel pannexin-1 (PX1) in cortical neurons and neural plasticity, and explore the optimal time window of TDCS therapy after stroke. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=90) were randomly assigned to sham operation, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and TDCS groups, and underwent sham operation, unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) electrocoagulation, and unilateral MCA electrocoagulation plus TDCS (daily anodal and cathodal 10 Hz, 0.1 mA TDCS for 30 min beginning day 1 after stroke), respectively. Motor function was assessed using the beam walking test (BWT), and density of dendritic spines (DS) and PX1 mRNA expression were compared among groups on days 3, 7, and 14 after stroke. Effects of PX1 blockage on DS in hippocampal neurons after hypoxia-ischemia were observed. TDCS significantly improved motor function on days 7 and 14 after stroke as indicated by reduced BWT scores compared with the MCAO group. The density of DS was decreased after stroke; the TDCS group had increased DS density compared with the MCAO group on days 3, 7, and 14 (all P<0.0001). Cerebral infarction induced increased PX1 mRNA expression on days 3, 7, and 14 (P<0.0001), and the peak PX1 mRNA expression was observed on day 7. TDCS did not decrease the up-regulated PX1 mRNA expression after stroke on day 3, but did reduce the increased post-stroke PX1 mRNA expression on days 7 and 14 (P<0.0001). TDCS increased the DS density after stroke, indicating that it may promote neural plasticity after stroke. TDCS intervention from day 7 to day 14 after stroke demonstrated motor function improvement and can down-regulate the elevated PX1 mRNA expression after stroke.

Suppression of Frizzled-2-mediated Wnt/Ca²âº signaling significantly attenuates intracellular calcium accumulation in vitro and in a rat model of traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can dramatically increase levels of intracellular calcium (Ca²âº). The association between Wnt5a/Frizzled-2 (wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site family member 5a/Fzd2) signaling and Ca²âº cellular homeostasis in lower vertebrates has been well documented. However, little is known about Wnt5a/Fzd2 signaling in mammalian nerve cells, or whether Ca²âº accumulation after TBI is mediated through this pathway. We hypothesized that an activated Wnt5a/Fzd2 pathway following TBI may play a role in Ca²âº overloading. To elucidate the influence of Fzd2 and the Wnt5a signal transduction pathway on an increase in intracellular Ca²âº, we assessed the expression of Wnt5a/Fzd2 in rat hippocampal cells both in vitro and in vivo. We found that transfection of the rat Fzd2 gene in rat neonatal hippocampal astrocytes significantly increased gene expressions of both Wnt5a and Fzd2 by fourfold when compared to non-transfected cells (P<0.01 in both cases). Expressions of the proteins Wnt5a and Fzd2 were significantly increased approximately two- and threefold, respectively, when compared to non-transfected control cells (P<0.01 in both cases). Moreover, intracellular Ca²âº, as manifested by the fluorescent intensity of the intracellular Ca²âº indicator Fluo-3/AM, was significantly increased by 1.75-fold (P<0.01). The blocking of Fzd2 signaling using Stealth RNAi markedly inhibited the elevated gene and protein expression of Wnt5a in the transfected cells by two- and fourfold, respectively (P<0.01), and suppressed intracellular Ca²âº by 1.5-fold (P<0.01). Furthermore, in vivo, we demonstrated that TBI-induced dramatic upregulation of gene and protein expression of Wnt5a/Fzd2 by two- and fivefold (P<0.01) in injured hippocampi, and intracellular Ca²âº increased in isolated injured hippocampal cells. Whereas, the in vivo blocking of Fzd2 signaling by hippocampal delivery of Stealth RNAi and Invivofectamine significantly suppressed the increased gene and protein expression of Wnt5a and Fzd2 induced by TBI by 1- to 3.5-fold (P<0.01) and also inhibited Ca²âº accumulation by 1.5-fold (P<0.01). These findings demonstrated that the Wnt5a/Fzd2 signaling pathway contributed to increasing intracellular Ca²âº in nerve cells under physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, our findings provide evidence that specifically expressed components of this signal pathway, such as Wnt5a and Fzd2, are potential therapeutic targets following brain trauma.

Alkaline extracellular reduction: isolation and characterization of an alkaliphilic and halotolerant bacterium, Bacillus pseudofirmus MC02.

AIMS: To isolate an alkaliphilic bacterium and to investigate its ability of extracellular reduction. METHODS AND RESULTS: An alkaliphilic and halotolerant humus-reducing anaerobe, Bacillus pseudofirmus MC02, was successfully isolated from a pH 10·0 microbial fuel cell. To examine its ability of extracellular reduction, AQDS (anthraquinone-2, 6-disulfonae), humic acids (HA) and Fe(III) oxides were chosen as representative electron acceptors. All the experiments were conducted in a pH 9·5 carbonate buffer. The results are as follows: (i) Sucrose, lactate, glucose and glycerol were the favourable electron donors for AQDS reduction by the strain MC02; (ii) The strain had the ability of reducing HA in the presence of sucrose; (iii) It could effectively reduce Fe(III) oxides coupled with sucrose fermentation when AQDS was added as electron shuttle and its Fe(III) reducing capacity ranked as: lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) > goethite (α-FeOOH) > haematite(α-Fe(2) O(3) ); (iv) The strain could decolourize azo dye Orange I. CONCLUSIONS: Bacillus pseudofirmus MC02 was capable of extracellular reduction in AQDS, HA and Fe(III) oxides, and it can be used for decolourizing azo dye (Orange I) in alkaline conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of an alkaliphlic strain of B. pseudofirmus capable of extracellular reduction in AQDS, HA, Fe(III) oxides and decolourization of Orange I. This study could provide valuable information on alkaline biotransformation in the printing and dyeing wastewater and saline-alkali soil.

Anemia prevalence among pregnant women and birth weight in five areas in China.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the current prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in different areas of China and the association with birth weight and educational level. METHODS: A total of 6,413 women aged 24-37 in the third trimester of pregnancy from five areas were randomly selected from all gravidas who gave birth in the hospitals from 1999 to 2003. Blood hemoglobin concentration (Hb) was measured by the cyanomethemoglobin method; Hb <110 g/l was considered as anemia. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anemia was 58.6%, ranging from 48.1 to 70.5% in the five areas. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of anemia between women who have mental jobs and those who have physical jobs (52.3 vs. 61.1%, p < 0.01). The prevalence of anemia depended on the level of education: with 52.9, 62.4 and 66.5%, for college, secondary school and primary education, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.005). Results showed that higher birth weight was associated with Hb concentrations ranging from 90 to 140 g/l, whereas lower birth weight occurred below 80 g/l and above 140 g/l Hb. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anemia in Chinese pregnant women was high both in rural areas and towns. Area of residence, education level and type of job influenced the prevalence of anemia. Low maternal Hb concentrations influenced birth weight.

Design and benchtop validation of a handheld integrated dynamic breast imaging system for noninvasive characterization of suspicious breast lesions.

We have developed a portable, handheld, integrated, dynamic breast imaging system that integrates a near infrared tissue oximeter, clinical ultrasound, and two pressure sensors for noninvasive detection of pressure-induced structural and functional dynamics of suspicious breast lesions. A series of benchtop tests were conducted to validate multiple performance characteristics of the integrated dynamic near infrared/ultrasound breast imaging system (idNIRUS), including the reconstruction of the absorptive heterogeneities and the generation of the dynamic compression stimuli. In absorptive heterogeneity testing, we reconstructed the absorption coefficients of transparent polypropylene tubing circulated with a skim milk-India ink mixture and embedded in a gel wax tissue simulating phantom. High linear correlations (R(2) greater than 0.989) were observed between the reconstructed and the measured absorption coefficients of the embedded tubing. In dynamic compression testing, five volunteer operators generated ten successive compression sessions by compressing the idNIRUS imager on a breast self examination wearable model following the computer simulated pressure profile. The manually generated pressure profiles demonstrated an accuracy of 95.7% and operator-dependent variation of less than 5%. The results of the current benchtop tests will help to optimize the most appropriate testing conditions for our future planned clinical trial.

Atomic structure of PDE4: insights into phosphodiesterase mechanism and specificity.

Cyclic nucleotides are second messengers that are essential in vision, muscle contraction, neurotransmission, exocytosis, cell growth, and differentiation. These molecules are degraded by a family of enzymes known as phosphodiesterases, which serve a critical function by regulating the intracellular concentration of cyclic nucleotides. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of the catalytic domain of phosphodiesterase 4B2B to 1.77 angstrom resolution. The active site has been identified and contains a cluster of two metal atoms. The structure suggests the mechanism of action and basis for specificity and will provide a framework for structure-assisted drug design for members of the phosphodiesterase family.