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In this study, the subcritical butane extraction process of fenugreek seed oil was optimized using response surface methodology with a Box-Behnken design. The optimum conditions for extracted oil from fenugreek seed was as follows: extraction temperature of 43.24 °C, extraction time of 32.80 min, and particle size of 0.26 mm. No significant differences were found between the experimental and predicted values. The physical and chemical properties of the oil showed that the oil could be used as edible oil. Fatty acid composition of oils obtained by subcritical butane under the optimum conditions and by accelerated solvent extraction showed negligible difference. The oils were rich in linoleic acid (42.71%-42.80%), linolenic acid (26.03%-26.15%), and oleic acid (14.24%-14.40%). The results revealed that the proposed method was feasible, and this essay shows the way to exploit fenugreek seeds by subcritical butane extraction under the scope of edible oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Open reduction and plate fixation is the standard operative treatment for displaced midshaft clavicle fracture. However, sometimes it is difficult to achieve anatomic reduction by open reduction technique in cases with comminution. Methods: We describe a novel technique using a real-size three dimensionally (3D)-printed clavicle model as a preoperative and intraoperative tool for minimally invasive plating of displaced comminuted midshaft clavicle fractures. A computed tomography (CT) scan is taken of both clavicles in patients with a unilateral displaced comminuted midshaft clavicle fracture. Both clavicles are 3D printed into a real-size clavicle model. Using the mirror imaging technique, the uninjured side clavicle is 3D printed into the opposite side model to produce a suitable replica of the fractured side clavicle pre-injury. Results: The 3D-printed fractured clavicle model allows the surgeon to observe and manipulate accurate anatomical replicas of the fractured bone to assist in fracture reduction prior to surgery. The 3D-printed uninjured clavicle model can be utilized as a template to select the anatomically precontoured locking plate which best fits the model. The plate can be inserted through a small incision and fixed with locking screws without exposing the fracture site. Seven comminuted clavicle fractures treated with this technique achieved good bone union. Conclusions: This technique can be used for a unilateral displaced comminuted midshaft clavicle fracture when it is difficult to achieve anatomic reduction by open reduction technique. Level of evidence V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the colloidal silver particles chemically deposited into polymer film. Enhancement on surface through Raman scattering spectra for surface analysis; Measurement on liquid crystal films; Characterization on the adsorbed species.

Background. We aimed to construct the lncRNA-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and distinguish feature lncRNAs associated with tendinopathy. Methods. We downloaded the gene profile of GSE26051 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), including 23 normal samples and 23 diseased tendons. Differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) were identified, and functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and further analyzed by module mining. Moreover, a ceRNA regulatory network was constructed based on the identified lncRNA–mRNA coexpression relationship pairs and miRNA–mRNA regulation pairs. Results. We identified 1117 DEmRNAs and 57 DElncRNAs from the GEO data. The downregulated DEmRNAs were particularly associated with muscle contraction and muscle filament, while the upregulated ones were linked to extracellular matrix organization and cell adhesion. From the PPI network, 11 modules were extracted. Genes in MCODE 2 (such as TPM4) were significantly involved in cardiomyopathy, and genes in MCODE 4 (such as COL4A3 and COL4A4) were involved in focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The ceRNA network contained 7 lncRNAs (MIR133A1HG, LINC01405, PRKCQ-AS1, C10orf71-AS1, MBNL1-AS1, HOTAIRM1, and DNM3OS), 63 mRNAs, and 41 miRNAs. Downregulated lncRNA MIR133A1HG could competitively bind with hsa-miR-659-3p and hsa-miR-218-1-3p to regulate the TPM3. Meanwhile, MIR133A1HG could competitively bind with hsa-miR-1179 to regulate the COL4A3. Downregulated C10orf71-AS1 could competitively bind with hsa-miR-130a-5p to regulate the COL4A4. Conclusions. Seven important lncRNAs, particularly MIR133A1HG and C10orf71-AS1, were found associated with tendinopathy according to the lncRNA-associated ceRNA network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water availability is the most influential factor affecting plant carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope composition in arid and semi-arid environments. However, there are potential differences among locations and/or species in the sensitivity of plant δ13C and δ15N to variation in precipitation, which are important for using stable isotope signatures to extract paleovegetation and paleo-climate information. We measured δ13C and δ15N of plant and soil organic matter (SOM) samples collected from 64 locations across a precipitation gradient with an isotherm in northern China. δ13C and δ15N for both C3 and C4 plants decreased significantly with increasing mean annual precipitation (MAP). The sensitivity of δ13C to MAP in C3 plants (-0.660.07%/100 mm) was twice as high as that in C4 plants (-0.3±0.08%/100 mm). Species differences in the sensitivity of plant δ13C and δ15N to MAP were not observed among three main dominant plants. SOM became depleted in 13C with increasing MAP, while no significant correlations existed between δ15N of SOM and MAP. We conclude that water availability is the primary environmental factor controlling the variability of plant δ13C and δ15N and soil δ13C in the studied arid and semi-arid regions. Carbon isotope composition is useful for tracing environmental precipitation changes. Plant nitrogen isotope composition can reflect relative openness of ecosystem nitrogen cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the protection of ginsenoside Rg3 against oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SK-NSH cells. 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (20(R)-Rg3) and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (20(S)-Rg3) were prepared by the method of chemical degradation and column chromatography, and the structure of the two compounds was characterized by ¹H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. MTT assay and LDH leakage assay were used to determine the cell viability and the oxidative stress cellular model was established by means of H2O2 (600 µM for 4 h).We also investigated the changes of intracellular MDA content, SOD activity, and ROS formation after the treatment of ginsenoside Rg3 for 20 h. The results indicated that both 20 (R)-Rg3 and 20 (S)-Rg3 had obvious protection against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in SK-N-SH cells. Moreover, 20(R)-Rg3 exhibited better antioxidant activity than 20(S)-Rg3 in vitro. These findings are expected to provide some implication for further research and application of ginsenoside Rg3 in neuroprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the research "SARS-CoV Infection in a Restaurant From Palm Civet," conducted by Ming Wang and Meiying Yan et al. The SARS epidemic emerged in 2003 in 6 municipalities in Guangdong, China. Epidemiologic investigations showed that SARS patients were linked with the restaurant serving palm civets as food in the winter of 2003-2004. The genome sequence analysis data suggest that cases of SARS in Guangzhou in 2003-2004 were caused by SARS-associated coronavirus of animal origin.