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A rapid, on-site, and accurate SARS-CoV-2 detection method is crucial for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. However, such an ideal screening technology has not yet been developed for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we have developed a deep learning-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy technique for the sensitive, rapid, and on-site detection of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in the throat swabs or sputum from 30 confirmed COVID-19 patients. A Raman database based on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was established from experiments and theoretical calculations. The corresponding biochemical foundation for this method is also discussed. The deep learning model could predict the SARS-CoV-2 antigen with an identification accuracy of 87.7%. These results suggested that this method has great potential for the diagnosis, monitoring, and control of SARS-CoV-2 worldwide.

Background Increasing evidence has suggested that autophagy may play a resistant role during photodynamic therapy (PDT). The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is tightly involved in cell proliferation and autophagy. In this study, we aimed to determine the influence of 5-Ethylamino-9-diethylaminobenzo[a]phenoselenazinium (EtNBSe) mediated PDT (EtNBSe-PDT) on autophagy, proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human NPC cell line (HNE-1 cells), and further explore the underlying crosstalk between them. Methods Cell viability and proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. Autophagy and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was analyzed by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results It was revealed that EtNBSe-PDT significantly impeded the viability and proliferation of HNE-1 cells. Meanwhile EtNBSe-PDT could notably induce autophagy in HNE-1 cells accompanied with the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway activator Wnt agonist was found to partially counteract the inhibitory proliferation of HNE-1 cells and suppress the autophagy induced by EtNBSe-PDT. In addition, pretreatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or Wnt agonist showed the potential in enhancing the cytotoxic effect of EtNBSe-PDT (cell survival from 50.71 ± 4.16% to 24.53 ± 4.27% and from 52.64 ± 3.54% to 35.74 ± 4.27% respectively). Conclusion Taken together, this study demonstrated that EtNBSe-PDT suppressed viability and proliferation, and induced autophagy of HNE-1 cells via downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The autophagy further constituted the cytoprotective mechanisms involved in HNE-1 cells, which suggested that the combination of EtNBSe-PDT and autophagy inhibitors may be a promising strategy for the treatment of human NPC.

Sodium nitrite is a preservative used in processed meat which can react with compounds found in the meat to form carcinogenic products.Research has shown that the mesocarp (the middle layer of the peel) of some citrus fruits is able to reduce the nitrite content of processed meat when incorporated in the meat during the manufacturing process. Hence, we investigated the effectiveness of the mesocarp of Durian (Durio zibethinus), Lemon (Citrus limon), Pomelo (Citrus maxima) and Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) in reducing nitrite content. In our experiment, fruit mesocarp was mixed with processed chicken sausages. The concentration of sodium nitrite in the sausages was measured before and after the mixing. The type of mesocarp, mesocarp concentration and duration of reaction between the mesocarp and sausages were varied in our experiments. The mesocarp concentrations we used were 5% and 10%, while the duration of reaction was 1 day and 1 week. We found that at 10% concentration of mesocarp and after 1 week of reaction, lemon was the most effective at reducing residual nitrite content, followed by durian, pomelo and sweet orange.

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of low-dose ionizing radiation (IR) induced apoptosis of undifferentiated spermatogonia in vivo and in vitro . Methods: Following 50 mGy IR, testicular tissues were collected from the adult DBA/2 mice at 1, 2 and 24 h; mice in the control group received pseudo-irradiation. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining and TUNEL were performed to assess DNA damage and apoptosis, respectively, in the irradiated testicular tissues. Furthermore, the spermatogonia were also irradiated in vitro , and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blotting. TUNEL and flow cytometry were applied to assess cell apoptosis. Results: γH2AX (a marker of DNA damage) was up-regulated in the seminiferous tubules at 1 and 2 h after IR, but it was reduced following the DNA repair. This was consistent with the finding that apoptosis of germline cells was present in the seminiferous tubules after IR, especially at 1 h (IF and TUNEL). Apoptosis was also present in the PLZF(+) spermatogonia, particularly at 1 h after IR. Apoptotic cells decreased with the increase in DNA repair time after IR. Moreover, the caspase-3 protein was expressed in the undifferentiated spermatogonia following IR. The expression of caspase-3, P53, Ku70 and DNA-PKcs in the cultured spermatogonia was also up-regulated following IR in vitro , but their expression decreased gradually over time after IR, which was supported by the findings from flow cytometry, and the apoptosis of spermatogonia peaked at 24 h post IR. Conclusions: IR may induce the apoptosis of spermatogonia at early stage in vivo , but the apoptosis of spermatogonia secondary to IR occurs at a relatively later time point (24 h) in vitro mainly. The apoptosis of spermatogonia is improved over time after IR.

The newly discovered giant Dahutang W–Cu–Mo deposit in the central part of the Jiangnan Orogen hosts an estimated resource of 1.1 million tons (Mt) of WO3, plus a proven resource of 0.65 Mt Cu and 0.08 Mt Mo. The Dahutang deposit is temporally and spatially associated with the Late Mesozoic S-type granites emplaced into the Neoproterozoic Jiuling granodiorite batholith and the Shuangqiaoshan Group. Based on petrographic observations, eight hydrothermal alteration/mineralization stages have been recognized, comprising pegmatitic (Stage I), potassic alteration (Stage II), albite alteration (Stage III), greisenization and main mineralization (Stage IV), polymetallic sulfide mineralization (Stage V), late scheelite mineralization (Stage VI), carbonate alteration (Stage VII) and supergene alteration (Stage VIII). Stage IV can be further divided into the early greisenization (Stage IV-A), the main wolframite mineralization (Stage IV-B) and the main scheelite mineralization (Stage IV-C). Fluid inclusion and H–O isotope analyses on nine Stage IV to VII ore/gangue minerals (wolframite, cassiterite, scheelite, sphalerite, fluorapatite, fluorite, quartz, calcite and chlorite) suggest the presence of an early W and a late Cu–Mo ore-forming fluid system. The early ore-forming fluids belong to a medium to high temperature (200°–420 °C), low salinity H2O–NaCl–CaCl2 system. This primary magmatic-hydrothermal fluid (δ18Ofluid = 5.4 to 8.8‰ and δD = −102 to −75‰) was likely exsolved from the Late Jurassic granites at Dahutang. Wolframite and scheelite coexist closely with fluorapatite and fluorite, respectively, indicating that the volatile-rich fluids at Dahutang were also rich in tungsten, fluorine and phosphorous. Tungsten was likely transported as tungstate species (e.g., WO42− and HWO4−), oxygen fluorine complexes (e.g., [WO2F4]2−, [WO3F2]2−) and phosphorous heteropolytungstate (e.g., [P(W12O40)]3−) in the fluids. Fluorapatite and wolframite may have precipitated first when the temperature dropped from 400° to 320 °C (along with pH increase) at an estimated depth of 7.8 km. This was likely followed by the extensive scheelite mineralization (with fluorite precipitation) that formed huge disseminated/veinlet-type W orebodies when the temperature further dropped to 200 °C (along with pH increase). After the W mineralization, extensive Cu–Mo polymetallic mineralization and the associated sericite-chlorite alterations may have formed by the granite porphyry and/or muscovite granite emplacement. The late ore-forming fluids belong to a medium to high temperature (200°–360 °C), low salinity H2O–NaCl–CaCl2 system. Molybdenum was likely transported mainly as Mo complexes (e.g., H2MoO4/MoO42−), and copper as Cu–Cl complexes. Molybdenite and chalcopyrite may have begun to precipitate when the fluids ascended and the temperature dropped to 330 °C. Meteoric water incursion may have then occurred (δ18Ofluid = 1.9–6.9‰ and δD = −99 to −68‰) and further cooled the fluid system to 250 °C, forming large Cu–Mo orebodies.

In-situ tension test in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to study the fracture process of aluminium, as well as the real-time crack formation process and atomic-scale results of crack tip propagation were captured. The experimental results show that multiple Frank-Read dislocation sources are formed in the crystal thinning area at the front of the crack, and the nanocrack nucleates on the dislocation loops emitted by the dislocation source. The perfect dislocations that were continuously emitted from the crack tip slip and decompose in the crystal, resulting in the relative rotation of the crystal to form a twin boundary. After the perfect dislocation decomposition, a part of the residual dislocation formed a dislocation wall at the twin boundary to form a subgrain boundary, and the other part formed a stacking fault, and then the residual dislocation dragged the stacking fault to slip at the twin boundary.

BACKGROUND Leptocarpin (LTC) has drawn much attention for suppressing tumor growth or reducing inflammation. However, the effect of LTC on osteosarcoma has rarely been reported. Our object was to determine whether LTC suppresses MG63 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and whether type-1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) is one of the targets in LTC suppressing osteosarcoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cytotoxicity of LTC was performed by use of a cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8). RNA interference (RNAi) or pEABE-bleo IGF-1R plasmid were used for silencing or overexpressing IGF-1R, Western blot (WB) analysis was used for IGF-1R expression, CCK-8 for proliferation, and transwell assay for migration and invasion. RESULTS LTC (23.533 μM) treatment for 48 h was taken as the 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50), which significantly (P

Balanites aegyptiaca: “desert date” is endemic to dry land areas. The plant is commonly grown in arid regions of Africa, Middle East and southern Asia and is traditionally used for several purposes although the nutritional significance of its fruits as food is not well investigated. To assess the nutritional properties of desert date, 1.5 kg of desert date fruits were pealed, soaked in 3 L distilled water for 36 h, sieved and the filtered juice as the fresh extract (FED) a portion of which was boiled for 10 min forming the boiled extract (CED). The antioxidant properties of the desert date juice were evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-icrylhydrazyl DPPH and superoxide anion radical methods. Furthermore, the sensory evaluation and chemical composition of the desert date juice were also analyzed. Both FED and CED exhibited high antioxidant activity of 85.28 and 81.82% with DPPH and a significant superoxide anion radical concentration of 5 mg/mL. Both FED and CED contained relatively small amount of vitamin C (0.0966 and 0.0744 mg/mL). Boiling of desert date juice showed some significant effect (p

Annexin V, a protein with high affinity to phosphatidylserine (PS) in a calcium dependent manner, has been widely used to probe apoptosis. Annexin V in inhibiting engulfment of apoptotic cells by macrophages had been reported to increase the immunogenicity of tumor cells undergoing apoptosis. However, far less is known about its multiple properties, especially in cancer therapies. Here we found that Annexin V had a good anti-tumor activity in murine melanomaxenograft model. Treatment with Annexin V showed significant reduction in tumor size and remarkable tumor necrosis areas. The serum level of VEGF was downregualted by Annexin V both in normal mice and mice bearing tumor, suggesting that its new role on impeding tumor angiogenesis. In Silico analysis using Oncomine database, we also found the negative correlation of AnnexinV and VEGF both in skin and melanoma. The decreased Annexin V expression shows linearity relation with the elevated VEGF expression. These data provided a possibility that Annexin V can be used as a novel angiogenesis inhibitor in tumor therapy.

Background Topical corticosteroids are currently employed to reduce established airway inflammation; their prophylactic use might help limit cellular damage against harmful stimuli. Objectives To determine the effects of a prophylactic topical application of budesonide (BD) on an in vivo nasal epithelium injury model induced by trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Methods C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to intranasal TCA topical application. Three groups received topical intranasal BD, saline solution, or no intervention prior to a single topical exposure to TCA. Controls were not exposed to TCA. Whole nasal cavity coronal sections were analyzed at 1, 3, and 6 days postinjury at tissue and cellular levels using histopathological analysis, immunofluorescent staining, and fresh tissue RNA microarray analysis. Results Prophylactic topical corticosteroid exposure protected the nasal epithelium from acute damage, maintaining epithelial thickness and cell survival. Six days following TCA exposure, epithelial and cellular changes were less pronounced on the BD-treated group compared to all exposure groups. The microarray analysis was used to evaluate the gene transcripts in all treatment groups. Ciliary tip protein, Sentan, and submucosal protein S100b were identified as potential factors in epithelial airway protection; immunofluorescent staining corroborated their presence and location within the respiratory epithelium. Conclusion Topical corticosteroid treatment to the nasal epithelium can mitigate several of the early deleterious effects of acute epithelial damage in experimental airway injuries caused by TCA. These findings suggest a novel, direct cytoprotective effect of corticosteroids on the nasal epithelium, and the potential of expanding the use of prophylactic periprocedural topical corticosteroids for respiratory epithelial tissues.

The carbonation rate of reinforced concrete is influenced by three parameters, namely temperature, relative humidity, and concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the surroundings. As knowledge of the service lifespan of reinforced concrete is crucial in terms of corrosion, the carbonation process is important to study, and high-performance durable reinforced concretes can be produced to prolong the effects of corrosion. To examine carbonation resistance, accelerated carbonation testing was conducted in accordance with the standards of BS 1881-210:2013. In this study, 10&ndash, 30% of micro palm oil fuel ash (mPOFA) and 0.5&ndash, 1.5% of nano-POFA (nPOFA) were incorporated into concrete mixtures to determine the optimum amount for achieving the highest carbonation resistance after 28 days water curing and accelerated CO2 conditions up to 70 days of exposure. The effect of carbonation on concrete specimens with the inclusion of mPOFA and nPOFA was investigated. The carbonation depth was identified by phenolphthalein solution. The highest carbonation resistance of concrete was found after the inclusion of 10% mPOFA and 0.5% nPOFA, while the lowest carbonation resistance was found after the inclusion of 30% mPOFA and 1.5% nPOFA.

The study presents δ65Cu and δ97Mo isotope values from cogenetic chalcopyrite and molybdenite found in veins and breccias of the Dahutang W-Cu-Mo ore field in China. The samples span a 3–4 km range. Both isotopes show a significant degree of fractionation. Cu isotope values in the chalcopyrite range from −0.31‰ to +1.48‰, and Mo isotope values in the molybdenite range from −0.03‰ to +1.06‰. For the cogenetic sulfide veined samples, a negative slope relationship exists between δ65Cu and δ97Mo values, which suggest a similar fluid history. Rayleigh distillation models the vein samples' change in isotope values. The breccia samples do not fall on the trend, thus indicating a different source mineralization event. Measured fluid inclusion and δD and δ18O data from cogenetic quartz indicate changes in temperature, and mixing of fluids do not appear to cause the isotopic shifts measure. Related equilibrium processes associated with the partitioning of metal between the vapor-fluid in the hydrothermal system could be the probable cause for the relationship seen between the two isotope systems.

The present study aims to examine the effect of low-dose ionizing irradiation on DNA double strand breaks (DSB) in mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and reveal the underlying pathways for the DNA repair for DSB in SSCs. Eighteen one-month-old mice were divided into 6 groups and sacrificed separately at 45 minutes, 2 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after 0.1Gy X-ray irradiation (mice without receiving ionizing irradiation served as control). After perfusion fixation, testes were removed, sectioned, and followed by staining of γH2AX, 53BP1, Caspase 3, and promyelocytic leukemia zinc-finger (PLZF) for analysis among the different groups. The staining was observed by immunofluorescence visualized by confocal laser scanning. After low-dose irradiation, only 53BP1, but not Caspase3 or γH2AX was upregulated in PLZF positive SSCs within 45 minutes. The expression level of 53BP1 gradually decreased 24 hours after irradiation. Moreover, low-dose irradiation had no effect on the cell number and apoptotic status of SSCs. However other spermatogenic cells highly expressed γH2AX shortly after irradiation which was dramatically reduced following the events of DNA repair. It appears that low-dose ionizing irradiation may cause the DNA DSB of mouse spermatogenic cells. 53BP1, but not γH2AX, is involved in the DNA repair for DSB in SSCs. Our data indicates that 53BP1 plays an important role in the pathophysiological repair of DNA DSB in SSCs. This may open a new avenue to understanding the mechanisms of DNA repair of SSCs and male infertility.

Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) is a major threat to rice production in China. Insecticides are a key component of typical pest management schemes, but few studies have quantitatively identified insecticide control failures due to insecticide resistance. Therefore, we measured the susceptibility of eight populations to thirteen insecticides by the rice dipping method in 2018 and further evaluated the likelihood of control failure in this study. The results showed that S. furcifera had high levels of S. furcifera resistance to buprofezin (RR = 76.42–160.14-fold), chlorpyrifos (RR = 93.50–219.90-fold), and pymetrozine (RR > 469.30-fold) and low to moderate levels of resistance to nitenpyram (RR = 1.50–10.21-fold), clothianidin (RR = 3.72–20.43-fold), thiamethoxam (RR = 2.88–19.95-fold), imidacloprid (RR = 4.05–31.81-fold), dinotefuran (RR = 4.55–25.98-fold), isoprocarb (RR = 2.55–15.71-fold), and etofenprox (RR = 5.63–17.74-fold). S. furcifera remained susceptible to cycloxaprid (resistance ratio, RR = 0.56–1.82-fold), triflumezopyrim (RR = 0.77–3.23-fold) and sulfoxaflor (RR = 2.28–4.32-fold). Pymetrozine, isoprocarb and etofenprox were determined to be at risk of control failures if the minimum recommended concentration is applied to manage this pest. Furthermore, significant correlations were found among the logarithms of the median lethal concentration (LC50) values of thirteen insecticides. Additionally, the activities of esterases in field populations of S. furcifera were significantly positively correlated with the logarithm of the LC50 values of triflumezopyrim, nitenpyram and clothianidin. The results of this survey offer an important basis for producing effective and useful strategies to manage insecticide resistance in S. furcifera.

l- to d-residue isomerization is a post-translational modification (PTM) present in neuropeptides, peptide hormones, and peptide toxins from several animals. In most cases, the d-residue is critical for the biological function of the resulting d-amino acid-containing peptide (DAACP). Here, we provide an example in native neuropeptides in which the DAACP and its all-l-amino acid epimer are both active at their newly identified receptor in vitro and at a neuronal target associated with feeding behavior. On the basis of sequence similarity to a known DAACP from cone snail venom, we hypothesized that allatotropin-related peptide (ATRP), a neuropeptide from the neuroscience model organism Aplysia californica, may form multiple diastereomers in the Aplysia central nervous system. We determined that ATRP exists as a d-amino acid-containing peptide (d2-ATRP) and identified a specific G protein-coupled receptor as an ATRP receptor. Interestingly, unlike many previously reported DAACPs and their all-l-residue analogs, both l-ATRP and d2-ATRP were potent agonists of this receptor and active in electrophysiological experiments. Finally, d2-ATRP was much more stable than its all-l-residue counterpart in Aplysia plasma, suggesting that in the case of ATRP, the primary role of the l- to d-residue isomerization may be to protect this peptide from aminopeptidase activity in the extracellular space. Our results indicate that l- to d-residue isomerization can occur even in an all-l-residue peptide with a known biological activity and that in some cases, this PTM may help modulate peptide signal lifetime in the extracellular space rather than activity at the cognate receptor.

When individual neurons in a circuit contain multiple neuropeptides, these peptides can target different sets of follower neurons. This endows the circuit with a certain degree of flexibility. Here we identified a novel family of peptides, the Aplysia SPTR-Gene Family-Derived peptides (apSPTR-GF-DPs). We demonstrated apSPTR-GF-DPs, particularly apSPTR-GF-DP2, are expressed in the Aplysia CNS using immunohistochemistry and MALDI-TOF MS. Furthermore, apSPTR-GF-DP2 is present in single projection neurons, e.g., in the cerebral-buccal interneuron-12 (CBI-12). Previous studies have demonstrated that CBI-12 contains two other peptides, FCAP/CP2. In addition, CBI-12 and CP2 promote shortening of the protraction phase of motor programs. Here, we demonstrate that FCAP shortens protraction. Moreover, we show that apSPTR-GF-DP2 also shortens protraction. Surprisingly, apSPTR-GF-DP2 does not increase the excitability of retraction interneuron B64. B64 terminates protraction and is modulated by FCAP/CP2 and CBI-12. Instead, we show that apSPTR-GF-DP2 and CBI-12 increase B20 excitability and B20 activity can shorten protraction. Taken together, these data indicate that different CBI-12 peptides target different sets of pattern-generating interneurons to exert similar modulatory actions. These findings provide the first definitive evidence for SPTR-GF's role in modulation of feeding, and a form of molecular degeneracy by multiple peptide cotransmitters in single identified neurons.

The present study was designed to detect DNA repair response through the homologous recombination pathway in mouse spermatogonial stem cells. Mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs) were obtained from the adult DBA/2 mouse testes by MACS sorting. mSSCs and mice animals were divided into four groups (30 min, 2, 24 h, control) and treated with ionizing irradiation while the control group received pseudo-irradiation. Proteins involved in the homologous recombination pathway (γH2AX, ATM, RAD51, CtIP, and RPA2) were assessed in mSSCs both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the non-homologous end-joining or homologous recombination (NHEJ/HR) reporter plasmids were transfected into mSSCs to assess NHEJ/HR pathway activity after DNA double-strand break (DSB). γH2AX, a classical DNA DSB marker, was absent in mSSCs both in vivo and in vitro after DSB repair, but was highly expressed in other tissue stem cells. In addition, ATM and phosphorylated ATM (p-ATM) were involved in DNA damage response (DDR) in mSSCs. p-ATM foci were overexpressed immediately after irradiation (30 min and 2 h), but gradually decreased over the repair time. The HR pathway-related proteins, CtIP and RPA2 were negatively regulated after treatment in Western blot (WB). NHEJ/HR reporter plasmid transfection indicated that the HR pathway played a minor role in mSSCs during DDR, consistent with the WB findings. This study demonstrates that mSSCs may have a unique response to DNA damage since crucial proteins involved in HR pathway were negatively regulated after DSB. In addition, the expression level of p-ATM, but not γH2AX, was increased after DSB, suggesting that DNA damage repair in mSSCs might be a γH2AX-independent response. Furthermore, the HR pathway may play a minor role during DDR in mSSCs.

Background A component of primary innate defense of the nasal mucosa against inhaled pathogens includes continuous, low-level release of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into luminal secretions. Epidemiologically, an association exists between poor air quality and increased prevalence of sinonasal disease. To understand the effects of particulate matter (PM) in nasal mucosa, we studied the release of H2O2 and interleukin 8 (IL-8) after PM exposure. Methods Human nasal specimens were collected from surgery and cultured in serum-free growth medium. Cell integrity and recovery during culture was monitored by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into the medium. Cultures were exposed to PM for 24 hours in the presence/absence of diphenyleneiodonium sulfate (DPI; a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate [NADPH] oxidase inhibitor). Luminex cytokine and Amplex-Red H2O2 assays were performed. Results LDH levels dropped rapidly within 2 days, indicative of stabilization and cell recovery after harvest. All cultures released H2O2 into the medium. Exposure to PM (20 μg/cm2) increased H2O2 levels significantly (94.6 ± 7.7 nM) compared to untreated controls (55.8 ± 4.0 nM; p = 0.001). PM-induced H2O2 production was partially inhibited by DPI (80.1 ± 3.8nM), indicating that cellular NADPH oxidase may be a primary source of H2O2 production. Exposure to PM increased IL-8 levels in a dose-dependent fashion (control = 2301 ± 412 MFI; 20 μg/cm2 = 5002 ± 1327 MFI; 40 μg/cm2 = 8219 ± 1090 MFI; p = 0.022). Conclusion PM increases the quantity of H2O2 released by nasal epithelial cells, indicating that PM can contribute to oxidative stress in part by activating a normal cellular defense mechanism. Exposure to PM resulted in elevated IL-8 levels and mucin production in explants. Efforts to reduce airborne PM may lead to reduced H2O2 and mucin production in sinonasal epithelium.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic bacterial strain, designated SL15-1T, was isolated from desert soil which was sampled from the rhizosphere of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, Hangjin Banner, Ordos, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SL15-1T was clustered with Kribbella strains, sharing the highest similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence (96.97 %) with Kribbella sandramycini DSM 15626T. Strain SL15-1T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unknown phospholipid, an unknown lipid and two unknown aminophospholipids as the major polar lipids. MK-9(H4) was the predominant menaquinone, while anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c and iso-C14 : 0 were the major cellular fatty acids. Its genomic DNA G+C content was 65.3 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed the discrimination of strain SL15-1T from its phylogenetic relatives. Kribbella deserti sp. nov. is therefore proposed with strain SL15-1T (=CGMCC 1.15906T=KCTC 39825T) as the type strain.

Background New epithelial cells are generated through the proliferation and differentiation of resident progenitor cells in the nasal cavity. In several upper airway diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis, self-renewing progenitor cells may be functionally defective, or compromised in their ability, to regenerate cells that maintain normal mucociliary clearance. Herein, we describe our early work to define and characterize a rare population of human nasal epithelial putative progenitors. Methods Single-cell suspensions of human ethmoid sinus tissues were prepared following endoscopic sinus surgery. Cell surface antibodies were analyzed as candidate markers for detecting progenitor cells. A panel of antibodies, including epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM, epithelial cells), CD45 (hematopoietic cells), nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR/CD271), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1/CD54), and integrin-α6 (ITGA6/CD49f) were used to resolve epithelial progenitor candidates by high-dimensional flow cytometry and the gating technique of fluorescence minus one (FMO) controls. Results A rare population of approximately 0.06% of total ethmoid cells was discriminated as EpCAM−CD45−NGFR+ICAM1+ by surface markers. Use of ITGA6 was excluded based on FMO control analysis. This lineage-negative population was purified to 99% homogeneity by cell sorting and analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Sorted cells were subsequently confirmed to uniformly express the transcription factor p63. Upon in vitro culture, lineage-negative clonal cells were confirmed to spontaneously differentiate into epithelial lineage-positive cells. Conclusion Using the NGFR and ICAM1 cellular coordinates, we have identified a promising population of native human nasal epithelial progenitor cells that require more formal investigation for their role in upper airway regeneration.

Background The airway epithelium generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a first line of defense. Dual oxidases (DUOX1 and DUOX2) are the H2O2-producing isoforms of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase family in the airway epithelium. The purpose of this study was to explore the molecular expression, function, and regulation of DUOXs in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

To determine if statins induce anti-inflammatory effects in upper airway inflammation. Mediators of innate and adaptive immunity regulate airway inflammation. Release of these mediators involves enzymatic conversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids into biologically active mediators, which can be blocked by statins. Although upper airway inflammation and chronic sinusitis occur in millions of patients with asthma worldwide, the anti-inflammatory effects of statins in upper airway inflammation have not been previously studied.Laboratory research.Tertiary referral center.Analysis of sinus tissues collected from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis revealed suppression of highly expressed inflammatory mediators in patients who were found to be on statins, suggesting that statins may induce anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the authors performed an in vitro study to determine if these anti-inflammatory effects were induced by statins. Cultured primary human airway epithelial cells were exposed to ambient air pollution particulates (PM) to trigger the inflammation, with and without statins, and the expression of inflammatory mediators was analyzed.The authors found that expression of CCL5, CCL11, and IL13RA was suppressed in patients on statins. In vitro exposure to PM enhanced the expression of these mediators, while pretreatment with statins completely blocked these effects. Furthermore, the effects of statins were blocked by inhibition of the statin pathway using isopentenyl-5-pyrophosphate. Statins did not have any significant effect on the viability of normal cells.Statins induce anti-inflammatory effects in human airway epithelial inflammation. Statins may play a role in the treatment and prevention of chronic rhinosinusitis and pulmonary exacerbation of obstructive airway diseases.

Using phosphoric acid as the catalyst and glucose as substrate, microwave-assisted solid-phase bioactive oligosaccharide synthesis was studied. The optimum reaction conditions were that microwave power output of 800 W, microwave irradiation time 10 min, adding 30% water to initiate reaction, adding 10% heteropoly acid A as the catalyst. The yield ratio of product was 76.56%. The product was characterized with HPLC. The component and proportion of synthetic oligosaccharides included glucose 49.25%, maltose 10.10%, isomaltose 21.78%, maltotriose 2.15%, panose 10.08%, isomaltotriose 5.16%, tetrasaccharide and pentasaccharides 1.61%. Free radical scavenging test demonstrated that synthetic oligosaccharides possessed property of scavenging oxygen and hydroxyl free radical.

1. The current experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) and zinc methionine (Zn-Met) on growth and their effect on plasma growth hormone (GH) concentration, growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mRNA expression in mice. 2. Ninety male KunMing (KM) mice were randomly divided into three treatments. The control group was fed on a basal diet containing 11.67 mg/kg of zinc. The ZnSO4 group and Zn-Met group were fed on the diets supplemented with ZnSO4 or Zn-Met at 30 mg/kg (containing zinc of 40.05 and 40.75 mg/kg, respectively). The mice were offered the test diets for 10 days. Weight gains and food intake were measured at the end of the experiment, zinc contents in liver and serum were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry; GH was determined by radioimmunoassay, the levels of GHR and IGF-I mRNA were determined with reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction. 3. Both ZnSO4 and Zn-Met enhanced weight gain and food intake in the mice, Zn-Met improved the growth and food intake more effectively than ZnSO4 did (P0.05). The both forms of zinc had no effect on GH and the level of GHR mRNA expression (P0.05) and they up-regulated the expression of IGF-I mRNA (P0.05). As compared to ZnSO4, Zn-Met enhanced the level of IGF-I mRNA significantly (P0.05). 4. Both ZnSO4 and Zn-Met had no effect on plasma GH and the expression of GHR mRNA, but they enhanced the expression of IGF-I mRNA. Zinc methionine enhanced the weight gain and up-regulated IGF-I mRNA expression more effectively than ZnSO4.

Long-standing pharmacological evidence supports a role of alpha-noradrenergic receptors in regulating LH release, yet little is known of the action of these receptors on LHRH neurons at the cellular level. We conducted a series of studies aimed at examining the effects of alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade on LH secretion and the cellular activation of LHRH neurons on proestrus. Our initial study used an irreversible alpha-receptor blocker, phenoxybenzamine (alpha1alpha2). A group of proestrous rats were treated with phenoxybenzamine at doses of 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, or 2, 10 and 20 mg/kg, intravenously, and compared with vehicle injected controls. Phenoxybenzamine administered intraperitoneally did not completely block the LH surge in all animals, whereas all intravenous doses consistently blocked the LH surge. cFos activation of LHRH neurons, on the other hand, was either unaffected or only slightly reduced by phenoxybenzamine treatment intraperitoneally. The effects of intravenous phenoxybenzamine were different, in that at all dose levels phenoxybenzamine completely blocked the LH surge and reduced by approximately half, the cFos activation in LHRH neurons (independent of dose). The effects of intravenous phenoxybenzamine could be mimicked by substitution of prazosin (an alpha1 antagonist, 4 mg/kg), but not idazoxan (an alpha2 antagonist, 1 mg/kg), administered intravenously at 11.00 h and 13.00 h on proestrus. These data provide evidence that noradrenergic systems operating through alpha1-receptors in the neuronal chain leading to the LH surge, while critical for the release of LHRH at the time of an LH surge, are not responsible for the cFos transcriptional changes in LHRH neurons that accompany the natural LH surge.

Rare earth doped silica glass can be used as the central material of optical fiber, which can be applied to the fiber laser. It becomes a focus in the field of laser materials. Compared with different kinds of rare earth elements, ytterbium is regarded as a promising laser nuclear fusion material due to its simple level structure, strong energy conversion efficiency, long fluorescent lifetime, etc. Nowadays, the usual fabrication method of optical fiber preform is the chemical vapor deposition (CVD). However, the preform made by CVD has low doping concentration, few kinds of doping elements, low homogeneity and hard-to-make into optical fiber of large core diameter. To solve these problems, a noble method, which is called non-chemical vapor deposition (Non-CVD), is developed. Sol-Gel method is a kind of Non-CVD, which can perfectly solve the inhomogeneity in material. The glass has harmonious component since the whole process is at a liquid level.Sol-Gel method is a liquid phase synthesis method. The raw materials, including TEOS, absolute ethyl alcohol, ammonium hydroxide and deionized water, are uniformly mixed and become gel from sol through the hydrolysis and condensation. AlCl3 and YbCl36H2O are also added as the dopants. After that, heat the gel and let the hydroxyl and organic release, then we will be able to obtain the SiO2-doped powder. Combining with the laser melting technology, the ytterbium doped silica glass is made. It is known from the DSC-TG curve of xerogel that during the heating process, water and organic are expelled from the system. It needs a holding period at 500 ℃ to ensure that the water and organic are expelled adequately. Moreover, the FTIR spectrum shows that after high temperature treatment the OH- concentration in the xerogel decreases dramatically. The physical and spectrum properties of ytterbium doped silica glass are also tested. The Yb-doped silica glass which shows the amorphous state has good optical properties. The absorption spectrum and fluorescence spectrum demonstrate the typical absorption peak and emission peak of Yb3+, respectively. The density and refractive index of the glass are 2.409 g/cm3 and 1.462, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime () of the silica glass is 0.88 ms, the corresponding emission cross-section (emi) is 0.54 pm2, and the gain coefficient (emi) is 0.48 pm2m. In conclusion, the Yb-doped silica glass is successfully prepared by the Sol-Gel method combined with laser melting technology, which possesses good physical and optical properties. This work is meaningful for preparing high-performance Yb-doped fiber, and even for developing the high power laser.

Many gas reservoirs with high H2S content have been found in China, such as Luojiazhai Gas Field and Puguang Gas Field, and they play an important role in China's natural gas industry. However, there are a series of serious problems in production of these gas reservoirs, such as H2S poison, strong corrosion, and sulfur deposition. Therefore, it is important to gas flowing theory study on gas reservoirs with high H2S content. This paper discusses sour gas flow and sulfur deposition. Based on the experimental work and aerodynamics gas-solid flow theory, three-dimensional multi-component mathematical model for sour gas reservoir is developed. In the model, factors of affecting sulfur particle deposition has been studied, including gas flow rate, initial H2S concentration and formation permeability.

Tandem repeat expansion is responsible for the Repeat Expansion Diseases, a group of human genetic disorders that includes Fragile X syndrome (FXS). FXS results from expansion of a premutation (PM) allele having 55-200 CGG.CCG-repeats in the 5' UTR of the FMR1 gene. The mechanism of expansion is unknown. We have treated FX PM mice with potassium bromate (KBrO(3)), a potent DNA oxidizing agent. We then monitored the germline and somatic expansion frequency in the progeny of these animals. We show here that KBrO(3) increased both the level of 8-oxoG in the oocytes of treated animals and the germline expansion frequency. Our data thus suggest that oxidative damage may be a factor that could affect expansion risk in humans.

We studied the effects of airborne particulate matters (PM) on cystic fibrosis (CF) epithelium. We noted that PM enhanced human CF bronchial epithelial apoptosis, activated caspase-9 and PARP-1; and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Mitochondrial inhibitors (4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′disulfonic acid, rotenone and thenoyltrifluoroacetone) blocked PM-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis. PM upregulated pro-apoptotic Bad, Bax, p53 and p21; and enhanced mitochondrial localization of Bax. The anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Mcl-1 and Xiap remained unchanged; however, overexpression of Bcl-xl blocked PM-induced apoptosis. Accordingly, we provide the evidence that PM enhances oxidative stress and mitochondrial signaling mediated apoptosis via the modulation of Bcl family proteins in CF.

An efficient and convenient purifying procedure for recombinant peptide was established. Thereby, the aimed antimicrobial peptide T1 containing the conservative sequences derived from cecropin was successfully expressed and purified. The composition of amino acid of the purified peptide T1 was consistent with that of theoretical design. The significant antimicrobial activity of T1 against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was demonstrated, suggesting that the conservative sequences in cecropin play an important role in the antimicrobial mechanism and that antimicrobial peptide T1 has the potential to be used as the food preservative.

In this paper the effects of chemical structure and microwave power on the GC-MIP elemental response of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and bromine are investigated using alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, polynuclear aromatic and alcohol homologs, mixtures of saturated and nonsaturated hydrocarbons, mixtures of oxygen-containing compounds, and various chlorohydrocarbons and bromohydrocarbons as testing compounds

Thin oxidized copper films in various thickness values are deposited onto quartz glass substrates by electron beam evaporation. The ellipsometry parameters and transmittance in a wavelength range of 300 nm-1000 nm are collected by a spectroscopic ellipsometer and a spectrophotometer respectively. The effective thickness and optical constants, i.e., refractive index n and extinction coefficient k, are accurately determined by using newly developed ellipsometry combined with transmittance iteration method. It is found that the effective thickness determined by this method is close to the physical thickness and has obvious difference from the mass thickness for very thin film due to variable density of film. Furthermore, the thickness dependence of optical constants of thin oxidized Cu films is analyzed.

The effect of the structure of a compound on the determination of its empirical formula was investigated with alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, mixtures of alkanes and alkenes, mixtures of alkenes and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorohydrocarbons and bromohydrocarbons as test samples. For homologous hydrocarbons, any member can be used as a reference compound and its structure has no effect on the determination of empirical formulae. For a mixture containing nonhomologues, such as alkenes and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, the structure of the reference compound used has a significant effect on the result of the determination of empirical formulae. For halogenated hydrocarbons, it is necessary for the reference compound to have a similar structure (similar carbon-hydrogen skeleton and similar number of halogen atoms) to those of the test compounds.

Two Chinese-built gas chromatography-microwave-induced plasma emission spectrometry (GC-MIP-ES) systems (Model SG-1) and one imported system (Model MPD-850) were used at the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Academia Sinica (LICP), the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Academia Sinica (SIOC) and the Research Institute of the Shanghai Petroleum Refinery of the Gao Qiao Petrochemical Corporation (SPR). A diverse range of research applications (such as basic chemical reactions, industrial chemical analyses and methodological studies) were investigated at these three institutes. Various selected examples are cited to demonstrate the characteristics of the GC-MIP-ES system.