New 2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromone derivatives from agarwood originating from Aquilaria sinensis.

Two new dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, aquilasinenones L and M (1 and 2), and one new monomer analogue, 5S, 6 R, 7S, 8 R-tetrahydroxy-[2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]- 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone (3), together with two known compounds, were isolated from the artificial agarwood originating from Aquilaria sinensis. Compound 1 was the first structure found with C8-O-C4"' linkage among 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone dimers. Their structures were unambiguously elucidated based on 1 D and 2 D NMR spectroscopy, as well as by comparison with the literature. The absolute configuration was determined by ECD calculation. None of the compounds exhibited acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.

GPU acceleration of Darwin read overlapper for de novo assembly of long DNA reads.

BACKGROUND: In Overlap-Layout-Consensus (OLC) based de novo assembly, all reads must be compared with every other read to find overlaps. This makes the process rather slow and limits the practicality of using de novo assembly methods at a large scale in the field. Darwin is a fast and accurate read overlapper that can be used for de novo assembly of state-of-the-art third generation long DNA reads. Darwin is designed to be hardware-friendly and can be accelerated on specialized computer system hardware to achieve higher performance. RESULTS: This work accelerates Darwin on GPUs. Using real Pacbio data, our GPU implementation on Tesla K40 has shown a speedup of 109x vs 8 CPU threads of an Intel Xeon machine and 24x vs 64 threads of IBM Power8 machine. The GPU implementation supports both linear and affine gap, scoring model. The results show that the GPU implementation can achieve the same high speedup for different scoring schemes. CONCLUSIONS: The GPU implementation proposed in this work shows significant improvement in performance compared to the CPU version, thereby making it accessible for utilization as a practical read overlapper in a DNA assembly pipeline. Furthermore, our GPU acceleration can also be used for performing fast Smith-Waterman alignment between long DNA reads. GPU hardware has become commonly available in the field today, making the proposed acceleration accessible to a larger public. The implementation is available at https://github.com/Tongdongq/darwin-gpu .

The relationship between calcium (water) density and age distribution in adult women with spectral CT: initial result compared to bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

BACKGROUND: Calcium (water) density (DCa(Wa)) of gemstone spectral imaging by spectral computed tomography (CT) is a new method of evaluating bone structures. PURPOSE: To investigate age-related change of DCa(Wa) of a chosen lumbar vertebra in adult women with spectral CT and the correlation between the DCa(Wa) and bone mineral density (BMD) of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 305 adult women underwent spectral CT, 127 of whom simultaneously underwent DXA. All the patients were divided into 11 subgroups based on age. DCa(Wa) and BMD were measured at the second lumbar vertebra on the calcium (water)-based material decomposition images of spectral CT and DXA, respectively. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for the difference of the measurements among adjacent age subgroups. Pearson correlation was used to assess the association between age and DCa(Wa), age and BMD, as well as DCa(Wa) and BMD. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between DCa(Wa) and age (r = -0.719) as well as BMD and age(r = -0.851). The mean DCa(Wa) of L2 vertebral body was significantly different between the 40-44- and 45-49-, 45-49- and 50-54-, 55-59- and 60-64-, 65-69- and 70-74-year-old age subgroups. BMD was significantly different between the 35-39- and 40-44-, 45-49- and 50-54-, and 65-69- and 70-74-year-old age subgroups. There was a significant positive correlation between DCa(Wa) and BMD. CONCLUSIONS: The DCa(Wa) of lumbar vertebra by spectral CT demonstrated similar age distribution as BMD of DXA and could be used as a method of measuring the vertebral bone mineral density in adult women.

[Pharmacodynamic mechanism of modified Ganlu Yaoyu San intreatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on MAPK signaling pathway].

According to the findings, modified Ganlu Yaoyu San has a good anti-inflammatory activity, and can significantly alleviate the degree of arthritis. Its therapeutic effect for rheumatoid arthritis may be related to the regulation of MAPK pathway of synovial cells. In the study, the rat adjuvant arthritis(AA) model was established to further investigate the pharmacodynamic mechanism for regulating MAPK pathway of synovial cells. Enzyme-linked immune assay was used to determine the serum TNF-α level of AA rats administered with drug for two weeks, synovial tissue protein kinases ERK1/2 and p38 content were determined by immunohistochemistry, synovial tissue JNK1, ERK1, p38 gene(mRNA) expression were detected with fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-PCR) method. According to the results, after administration for two weeks, the levels of serum TNF-α of AA rat was significantly decreased(P<0.05). After administration for four weeks, the protein expressions of p38 and ERK1/2 in synovial tissue were reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01), the gene expressions of JNK1, p38 and ERK1 in knee joint synovial tissue were reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In conclusion, modified Ganlu Yaoyu San can effectively treat rheumatoid arthritis. Its mechanism might be related to the reduction of TNF-α levels in serum, protein expression of p38 and ERK1/2 in synovial tissue, and JNK1, p38 and ERK1 gene expressions, and regulation of MAPK pathway.

[Action mechanism of total flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides in treatment of myocardial ischemia based on network pharmacology].

In this study, a network pharmacological screening method was adopted to further study the active ingredients and action mechanism of total flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides(TFH) for the treatment of myocardial ischemia. Firstly TCMSP database and PubChem database were searched, and then the data were combined with oral bioavailability and drug analysis to screen flavonoids of H.rhamnoides compounds. Then predictive analysis was conducted for the 7 screened compounds by ChemMapper server.The obtained potential targets were imported into MAS 3.0. Database, and KEGG database was also used for targets analysis and pathway analysis. Finally Cystoscope 3.3.0 software was used to draw "compounds-targets-pathway" network diagram. Virtual experiments predicted 68 potential targets and 60 signaling pathways, and 31 targets and 23 pathways of them were directly or indirectly associated with myocardial ischemia. The results showed that TFH played a synergistic rolemainly through the regulation of calcium signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway and gap junction signaling pathway, which was consistent with literature reports. These results indicated that it can enhance heart function, protect vascular endothelial cells, and fight against myocardial ischemia probably by regulating platelet aggregation, lipid metabolism, inflammation and other processes.

[Medication rules for prescriptions containing Pterocephali Herba based on data mining].

This study was aimed to discuss and analyze the medication rules for prescriptions containing Pterocephali Herba in Chinese Medical Encyclopedia - Tibetan Medicine, Tibetan Medicine Prescription Modern Research and Clinical Application, and Interpretation of Common Tibetan Medicines based on the collection of Pterocephali Herba and by using the "Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support system(V2.0.1)",with the use of association rules, apriori algorithm and other data mining methods. The frequency of single drug, the frequency of drug combination, the association rule and the combination of core drugs were analyzed. Through collection of the prescriptions, a total of 215 prescriptions were included, involving a total of 376 herbs. Through the "frequency statistics", the prescriptions containing Pterocephali Herba were commonly used to treat cold fever, distemper virus and arthritis. The highest frequently (frequency≥15) used drugs were Corydalis Herba, Lagotidis Herba, and Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, et al. The most frequently used drug combinations were "Pterocephali Herba, Corydalis Herba","Pterocephali Herba, Lagotidis Herba", and "Pterocephali Herba, Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix" et al. The prescriptions containing Pterocephali Herba were used to primarily treat disease for Tourette syndrome caused by the dampness heat toxin, fever, arthritis etc, such as pestilent toxicity, pneumonia and influenza, rheumatoid arthritis etc. The drugs in the prescriptions mostly had the effects of heat-clearing and detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, dispelling wind and dampness, often in compatible use with heat-clearing drugs. The drug use was concentrated and reflected the clear thought of prescription statutes.

[A new sesquiterpene from Chinese agarwood induced by artificial holing].

In order to study the chemical constituents of n-butanol fraction of ethanol extract from Chinese agarwood induced by artificial holing, various chromatographic techniques were carried out to isolate compounds, and the structures of compounds were determined through a combined analysis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic evidence. Seven compounds were obtained and identified as selina-3,11-dien-9,15-diol (1), aquilarone D (2), 5α,6ß,7α,8ß-tetrahydroxy-2-[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone (3), 6,7-dimethoxy-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone (4), syringin (5), methyl (Z)-p-coumarate (6), and 4'-methoxycinnamic acid (7), among which compound 1 was a new compound and compounds 5-7 were isolated from agarwood for the first time. The bioactivity assay results concluded that compounds 6 and 7 showed certain nematicidal activity against Panagrellus redivivus, and compounds 4, 6 and 7 exhibited cytotoxicity against BEL-7402, SGC-7901 and A549 carcinoma cell lines.

A benchmark for evaluation of algorithms for identification of cellular correlates of clinical outcomes.

The Flow Cytometry: Critical Assessment of Population Identification Methods (FlowCAP) challenges were established to compare the performance of computational methods for identifying cell populations in multidimensional flow cytometry data. Here we report the results of FlowCAP-IV where algorithms from seven different research groups predicted the time to progression to AIDS among a cohort of 384 HIV+ subjects, using antigen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples analyzed with a 14-color staining panel. Two approaches (FlowReMi.1 and flowDensity-flowType-RchyOptimyx) provided statistically significant predictive value in the blinded test set. Manual validation of submitted results indicated that unbiased analysis of single cell phenotypes could reveal unexpected cell types that correlated with outcomes of interest in high dimensional flow cytometry datasets.

Overexpression of hSNF2H in glioma promotes cell proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance through its interaction with Rsf-1.

hSNF2H partners with Rsf-1 to compose the Rsf complex to regulate gene expression. Recent studies indicated that hSNF2H was overexpressed in several human cancers. However, its expression pattern and biological mechanism in glioma remain unexplored. In this study, we found that hSNF2H was overexpressed in 32 % of glioma specimens. hSNF2H overexpression correlated with advanced tumor grade (p = 0.0338) and Rsf-1 positivity in glioma tissues (p = 0.016). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown was performed in A172 and U87 cell lines. MTT, colony formation assay, and cell cycle analysis showed that knockdown of hSNF2H inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation ability, and cell cycle transition. Matrigel invasion assay showed that hSNF2H depletion inhibited invasive ability of glioma cells. In addition, we demonstrated that hSNF2H depletion decreased temozolomide resistance of A172 and U87 cell lines and increased temozolomide induced apoptosis. Furthermore, hSNF2H depletion decreased cyclin D1, cyclin E, p-Rb, MMP2, cIAP1, Bcl-2 expression, and phosphorylation of IκBα and p65, suggesting hSNF2H regulates apoptosis through NF-κB pathway. Immunoprecipitation showed that hSNF2H could interact with Rsf-1 in both cell lines. To validate the involvement of Rsf-1, we checked the change of its downstream targets in Rsf-1 depleted cells. In Rsf-1 depleted cells, changes of cyclin E, Bcl-2, and p-IκBα were not significant using hSNF2H siRNA treatment. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that hSNF2H was overexpressed in human gliomas and contributed to glioma proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance through regulation of cyclin E and NF-κB pathway, which is dependent on its interaction with Rsf-1.

Urchin-Like Amorphous Ni2B Alloys: Efficient Antibacterial Materials and Catalysts for Hydrous Hydrazine Decomposition to Produce H2.

Urchin-like amorphous Ni2B alloys were successfully prepared for the first time from a mixture of Ni(NH3)6(2+) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) via a solution plasma process (SPP). The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), selected-area electron diffraction patterns (SAED) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. In the performance test, the obtained Ni-B urchins showed great antibacterial activities, comparable with those of amikacin and kanamycin, especially towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Meanwhile, the magnetic properties of Ni-B urchins are enhanced in comparison with those of conventional Ni-B. During hydrous hydrazine (N2H4) decomposition, the dehydrogenation performance of Ni-B urchins is superior to those of Raney Ni and conventional Ni-B. The enhanced catalytic performance of Ni-B urchins is attributed to their high surface area of active species nickel and the enhanced intrinsic activity resulting from their unique structure.

Relationship between hepatitis B virus infection and chronic kidney disease in Asian populations: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: We searched Embase, Grateful Med, Ovid, PubMed, and the China Biological Medicine Database. A meta-analysis was performed to assess whether HBV infection plays an independent impact on the development of CKD in the general population. Relative risks of CKD (defined as reduced glomerular filtration rate or proteinuria) according to HBsAg serologic status were studied. RESULTS: Six eligible clinical studies (189,709 individuals in total) were included in the analysis. There was no association between HBsAg seropositive status and prevalence of CKD, the summary estimate for adjusted relative risk (RR) was 1.16 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.78, 1.71; p = .46) according to the random-effects model, and between studies heterogeneity was noted (p values by Q test <0.001). Also, there were no significant associations between positive HBV serologic status and low eGFR (adjusted relative risk, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.72, 1.26; p = .72) or proteinuria (adjusted relative risk, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83, 1.20; p = .99). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis shows that there was no association between exposure to HBV and the risk of developing CKD in Asian populations.

gEM/GANN: A multivariate computational strategy for auto-characterizing relationships between cellular and clinical phenotypes and predicting disease progression time using high-dimensional flow cytometry data.

The dramatic increase in the complexity of flow cytometric datasets requires new computational approaches that can maximize the amount of information derived and overcome the limitations of traditional gating strategies. Herein, we present a multivariate computational analysis of the HIV-infected flow cytometry datasets that were provided as part of the FlowCAP-IV Challenge using unsupervised and supervised learning techniques. Out of 383 samples (stimulated and unstimulated), 191 samples were used as a training set (34 individuals whose disease did not progress, and 157 individuals whose disease did progress). Using the results from the training set, the participants in the Challenge were then asked to predict the condition and progression time of the remaining individuals (45 "nonprogressors" and 147 "progressors"). To achieve this, we first scaled down data resolution and then excluded doublet cells from the analysis using Expectation Maximization approaches. We then standardized all samples into histograms and used Genetic Algorithm-Neural Network to extract feature sets from the datasets, the reliability of which were examined using WEKA-implemented classifiers. The selected feature set resulted in a high sensitivity and specificity for the discrimination of progressors and nonprogressors in the training set (average True Positive Rate = 1.00 and average False Positive Rate = 0.033). The capacity of the feature set to predict real-time survival time was better when using data from the "unstimulated" training set (r = 0.825). The P-values and 95% confidence interval log-rank ratios between actual and predicted survival time in the test set were 0.682 and 0.9542 ± 0.24 for the unstimulated dataset, and 0.4451 and 0.9173 ± 0.23 for the stimulated dataset. Our analytic strategy has demonstrated a promising capacity to extract useful information from complex flow cytometry datasets, despite a significance imbalance and variation between the training and test sets.

Recent advances in clay mineral-containing nanocomposite hydrogels.

Clay mineral-containing nanocomposite hydrogels have been proven to have exceptional composition, properties, and applications, and consequently have attracted a significant amount of research effort over the past few years. The objective of this paper is to summarize and evaluate scientific advances in clay mineral-containing nanocomposite hydrogels in terms of their specific preparation, formation mechanisms, properties, and applications, and to identify the prevailing challenges and future directions in the field. The state-of-the-art of existing technologies and insights into the exfoliation of layered clay minerals, in particular montmorillonite and LAPONITE®, are discussed first. The formation and structural characteristics of polymer/clay nanocomposite hydrogels made from in situ free radical polymerization, supramolecular assembly, and freezing-thawing cycles are then examined. Studies indicate that additional hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, coordination bonds, hydrophobic interaction, and even covalent bonds could occur between the clay mineral nanoplatelets and polymer chains, thereby leading to the formation of unique three-dimensional networks. Accordingly, the hydrogels exhibit exceptional optical and mechanical properties, swelling-deswelling behavior, and stimuli-responsiveness, reflecting the remarkable effects of clay minerals. With the pivotal roles of clay minerals in clay mineral-containing nanocomposite hydrogels, the nanocomposite hydrogels possess great potential as superabsorbents, drug vehicles, tissue scaffolds, wound dressing, and biosensors. Future studies should lay emphasis on the formation mechanisms with in-depth insights into interfacial interactions, the tactical functionalization of clay minerals and polymers for desired properties, and expanding of their applications.

Magnetic resonance imaging of temporomandibular joint: morphometric study of asymptomatic volunteers.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the best suited magnetic resonance imaging scanning plane, scanning sequence, and imaging modality for the evaluation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and quantitatively assess the relationship of articular disk position to condyle position. METHODS: One hundred four TMJs in 52 symptom-free heads were examined by magnetic resonance imaging. The best scanning plane, scanning sequence, and scanning parameter were determined according to the imaging time and image quality. Bilateral symmetry of the articular disk and mandibular condyle was measured by using the automatic measurement of 3.0-T GE Excite Signa MR scanner. RESULTS: Fast spin-echo sequence, oblique sagittal imaging plane, and proton density imaging were the best suited scanning sequence, scanning planes, and imaging modality, respectively. The thicknesses of the anterior and posterior bands and for the intermediate zone were not statistically different for both sides. The posterior band of the disk was found to originate in an area adjacent to the 12-o'clock position of the condyle (± 5 degrees), whereas the anterior band of the disk originated adjacent to 1-o'clock position (28 ± 6 degrees). The anteroposterior diameter and mediolateral diameter of the condylar processes were not statistically different for both sides. The axial condylar angle between the plane of the greatest mediolateral diameter of the condylar processes and the midsagittal plane were also not statistically different for both sides. CONCLUSIONS: The magnetic resonance images can depict clearly major regional anatomic structures and position in the TMJ, which can be used in the early diagnosis for the TMJ disorder.

miR-638 suppresses cell proliferation in gastric cancer by targeting Sp2.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs play important roles in the development and progression of various cancers. Recent studies have shown that miR-638 was downregulated in several tumors; however, its role in gastric cancer (GC) has not been investigated in detail. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of miR-638 and to elucidate its regulatory mechanism in GC. METHODS: The expression levels of miR-638 and specificity protein 2 (Sp2) were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting in GC. After pcDNA6.2-GW/EmGFP-miR-638 vector, miR-638 inhibitor and Sp2-siRNA transfection, the AGS cell proliferation was investigated by MTT assay and cell cycle, and apoptosis was detected using the Annexin V/PI. In addition, the regulation of Sp2 by miR-638 was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR, Western blot and luciferase reporter assays; cyclin D1 expression was measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: The expression of miR-638 is dramatically down-regulated and Sp2 expression is remarkably up-regulated in GC tissues. Luciferase assays revealed that miR-638 inhibited Sp2 expression by targeting the 3'-UTR of Sp2 mRNA. Overexpression of miR-638 and Sp2-siRNA reduced Sp2 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in vitro, and inhibition of miR-638 increased Sp2 expression. Moreover, we found that miR-638 overexpression and Sp2-siRNA markedly suppressed cell proliferation with decreasing expression of cyclin D1 and inducing G1-phase cell-cycle arrest in vitro; inhibition of miR-638 significantly promoted cell proliferation by increasing expression of cyclin D1 and leading more cells into the S and G2/M phase. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that miR-638 suppressed GC cell proliferation by targeting Sp2 with influence on the expression of cyclin D1. We suggest that miR-638 might be a candidate predictor or an anticancer therapeutic target for GC patients.

N6-methyladenosine in myeloid cells: a novel regulatory factor for inflammation-related diseases.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most abundant epitranscriptomic modifications on eukaryotic mRNA. Evidence has highlighted that m6A is altered in response to inflammation-related factors and it is closely associated with various inflammation-related diseases. Multiple subpopulations of myeloid cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, and granulocytes, are crucial for the regulating of immune process in inflammation-related diseases. Recent studies have revealed that m6A plays an important regulatory role in the functional of multiple myeloid cells. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the function of m6A modification in myeloid cells from the perspective of myeloid cell production, activation, polarization, and migration. Furthermore, we discuss how m6A-mediated myeloid cell function affects the progression of inflammation-related diseases, including autoimmune diseases, chronic metabolic diseases, and malignant tumors. Finally, we discuss the challenges encountered in the study of m6A in myeloid cells, intended to provide a new direction for the study of the pathogenesis of inflammation-related diseases.

Propofol increases expression of basic fibroblast growth factor after transient cerebral ischemia in rats.

Anesthetics such as propofol can provide neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia. However, the underlying mechanism of this beneficial effect is not clear. Therefore, we subjected male Sprague-Dawley rats to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion and investigated how post-ischemic administration of propofol affected neurologic outcome and the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). After 2 h of ischemia, just before reperfusion, the animals were randomly assigned to receive either propofol (20 mg kg(-1) h(-1)) or vehicle (10 % intralipid, 2 ml kg(-1) h(-1)) intravenously for 4 h. Neurologic scores, infarct volume, and brain water content were measured at different time points after reperfusion. mRNA level of bFGF was measured by real-time PCR, and the protein expression level of bFGF was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. At 6, 24, 72 h, and 7 days of reperfusion, infarct volume was significantly reduced in the propofol-treated group compared to that in the vehicle-treated group (all P < 0.05). Propofol post-treatment also attenuated brain water content at 24 and 72 h and reduced neurologic deficit score at 72 h and 7 days of reperfusion (all P < 0.05). Additionally, in the peri-infarct area, bFGF mRNA and protein expression were elevated at 6, 24, and 72 h of reperfusion compared to that in the vehicle-treated group (all P < 0.05). These results show that post-ischemic administration of propofol provides neural protection from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. This protection may be related to an early increase in the expression of bFGF.

[Association between ESR1 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with schizophrenia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene with schizophrenia. METHODS: Three SNPs (rs2234693, rs9340799 and rs3798759) were determined in 333 schizophrenic patients and 315 healthy subjects with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Allelic and genotypic frequencies and particular haplotypes were compared between the two groups using Chi-square test. RESULTS: The allelic and genotypic frequencies of rs2234693 and rs9340799 showed no significant difference between the two groups (P U+003E 0.05). However, a significant difference was detected in the frequencies of rs3798759 G allele and GG genotype between the two groups (P U+003C 0.01). Single factor analysis stratified by sex also found that frequencies of rs3798759 GG and TG genotypes and G allele were significantly higher in female schizophrenia patients compared with healthy females (P U+003C 0.05). Haplotypes C-A-G and C-G-G were more common in schizophrenia group (P U+003C 0.05). CONCLUSION: polymorphisms of rs3798759 may be a risk factor for female patients with schizophrenia, and haplotypes C-A-G and C-G-G may be risk factors for schizophrenia.

The 'analysis of gene expression and biomarkers for point-of-care decision support in Sepsis' study; temporal clinical parameter analysis and validation of early diagnostic biomarker signatures for severe inflammation andsepsis-SIRS discrimination.

Introduction: Early diagnosis of sepsis and discrimination from SIRS is crucial for clinicians to provide appropriate care, management and treatment to critically ill patients. We describe identification of mRNA biomarkers from peripheral blood leukocytes, able to identify severe, systemic inflammation (irrespective of origin) and differentiate Sepsis from SIRS, in adult patients within a multi-center clinical study. Methods: Participants were recruited in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) from multiple UK hospitals, including fifty-nine patients with abdominal sepsis, eighty-four patients with pulmonary sepsis, forty-two SIRS patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OOHCA), sampled at four time points, in addition to thirty healthy control donors. Multiple clinical parameters were measured, including SOFA score, with many differences observed between SIRS and sepsis groups. Differential gene expression analyses were performed using microarray hybridization and data analyzed using a combination of parametric and non-parametric statistical tools. Results: Nineteen high-performance, differentially expressed mRNA biomarkers were identified between control and combined SIRS/Sepsis groups (FC>20.0, p<0.05), termed 'indicators of inflammation' (I°I), including CD177, FAM20A and OLAH. Best-performing minimal signatures e.g. FAM20A/OLAH showed good accuracy for determination of severe, systemic inflammation (AUC>0.99). Twenty entities, termed 'SIRS or Sepsis' (S°S) biomarkers, were differentially expressed between sepsis and SIRS (FC>2·0, p-value<0.05). Discussion: The best performing signature for discriminating sepsis from SIRS was CMTM5/CETP/PLA2G7/MIA/MPP3 (AUC=0.9758). The I°I and S°S signatures performed variably in other independent gene expression datasets, this may be due to technical variation in the study/assay platform.

Catalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fine chemicals and fuels.

Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant and bio-renewable resource with great potential for sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. This critical review provides insights into the state-of the-art accomplishments in the chemocatalytic technologies to generate fuels and value-added chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass, with an emphasis on its major component, cellulose. Catalytic hydrolysis, solvolysis, liquefaction, pyrolysis, gasification, hydrogenolysis and hydrogenation are the major processes presently studied. Regarding catalytic hydrolysis, the acid catalysts cover inorganic or organic acids and various solid acids such as sulfonated carbon, zeolites, heteropolyacids and oxides. Liquefaction and fast pyrolysis of cellulose are primarily conducted over catalysts with proper acidity/basicity. Gasification is typically conducted over supported noble metal catalysts. Reaction conditions, solvents and catalysts are the prime factors that affect the yield and composition of the target products. Most of processes yield a complex mixture, leading to problematic upgrading and separation. An emerging technique is to integrate hydrolysis, liquefaction or pyrolysis with hydrogenation over multifunctional solid catalysts to convert lignocellulosic biomass to value-added fine chemicals and bio-hydrocarbon fuels. And the promising catalysts might be supported transition metal catalysts and zeolite-related materials. There still exist technological barriers that need to be overcome (229 references).