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We investigate the global asymptotic stability for positive solutions to a class of general symmetric rational difference equations and prove that the unique positive equilibrium 1 of the general symmetric rational difference equations is globally asymptotically stable. As a special case of our result, we solve the conjecture raised by Berenhaut, Foley and Stević ['The global attractivity of the rational difference equation yn = (yn-k+yn-m)/(1+yn-kyn-m)', Appl. Math. Lett. 20 (2007), 54-58]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dopamine (DA) and its D2 receptor (R) are involved in cognition, reward processing, and drug addiction. However, their roles in sleep-wake regulation remain unclear. Herein we investigated the role of D2R in sleep-wake regulation by using D2R knock-out (KO) mice and pharmacological manipulation. Compared with WT mice, D2R KO mice exhibited a significant decrease in wakefulness, with a concomitant increase in non-rapid eye movement (non-REM, NREM) and REM sleep and a drastic decrease in the low-frequency (0.75-2 Hz) electroencephalogram delta power of NREM sleep, especially during the first 4 h after lights off. The KO mice had decreased mean episode duration and increased episode numbers of wake and NREM sleep, many stage transitions between wakefulness and NREM sleep during the dark period, suggesting the instability of the wake stage in these D2R KO mice. When the KO mice were subjected to a cage change or an intraperitoneal saline injection, the latency to sleep in the KO mice decreased to half of the level for WT mice. The D2R antagonist raclopride mimicked these effects in WT mice. When GBR12909, a dopamine transport inhibitor, was administered intraperitoneally, it induced wakefulness in WT mice in a dose-dependent manner, but its arousal effect was attenuated to one-third in the D2R KO mice. However, these 2 genotypes showed an identical response in terms of sleep rebound after 2, 4, and 6 h of sleep deprivation. These results indicate that D2R plays an essential role in the maintenance of wakefulness, but not in homeostatic regulation of NREM sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welan gum is a microbial polysaccharide produced by Alcaligenes sp. CGMCC2428 that has d-glucose, d-glucuronic acid, d-glucose, and l-rhamnose as the main structural unit. The biosynthetic pathway of sugar nucleotides essential for producing welan gum in this strain was established in the following ways: (1) the detection of the presence of several intermediates and key enzymes; (2) the analysis of the response upon addition of precursors to the culture medium; (3) the correlation of the activities between several key enzymes with the yields of welan gum. With addition of 200-μM glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate, the production of welan gum was improved by 18%. The activities of phosphoglucomutase, phosphomannose isomerase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, and dTDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, correlated well with the yields of welan gum. According to these findings, the biosynthetic pathway was proposed to involve the metabolism of glucose via two discrete systems. The first involves conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate, with further reactions producing glucose-1-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate, which are metabolized to the nucleotide sugar precursors of welan gum. The second system involves metabolism of glucose to synthesize the basic structural skeleton of the cell via central metabolic pathways, including the Entner–Doudoroff pathway, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel two-dimensional heterometallic iodoplumbate, [Pb3I10Cu4(phen)2] n (phen=1,10-phenanthroline) constructed from [Pb3I10]4− iodoplumbate chains and [Cu2I4(phen)]2− entities has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. The solid compound exhibits an intriguing semiconducting property with E g =2.62eV. The thermochromic behavior of the compound has been also studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new 2-D inorganic–organic hybrid constructed from mixed-valence Cu(I/II) ions and mixed ligands, (H3sip=5-sulfoisophthalic acid, bipy=4,4′-bipyridine), has been synthesized and characterized by IR, TGA, XPS, EPR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Two different kinds of chains in the compound constructed from [CuO4] planar squares and [CuN2O] triangulars, respectively, further interconnect together to give rise to an interesting 2-D layer framework. The compound exhibits strong yellow emission at 445nm excited by 378nm in the solid state at room temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using first-principles calculations, this paper systematically investigates the structural, elastic, and electronic properties of ReN4. The calculated positive eigenvalues of the elastic constant matrix show that the orthorhombic Pbca structure of ReN4 is elastically stable. The calculated band structure indicates that ReN4 is metallic. Compared with the synthesized superhard material WB4, it finds that ReN4 exhibits larger bulk and shear moduli as well as a smaller Poisson's ratio. In addition, the elastic constant c44 of ReN4 is larger than all the known 5d transition metal nitrides and borides. This combination of properties makes it an ideal candidate for a superhard material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we investigate strain effects induced by the deposition of gate dielectrics on the valence band structures in Si (110) nanowire via the simulation of strain distribution and the calculation of a generalized 6x6k*p strained valence band. The nanowire is surrounded by the gate dielectric. Our simulation indicates that the strain of the amorphous SiO2 insulator is negligible without considering temperature factors. On the other hand, the thermal residual strain in a nanowire with amorphous SiO2 insulator which has negligible lattice misfit strain pushes the valence subbands upwards by chemical vapour deposition and downwards by thermal oxidation treatment. In contrast with the strain of the amorphous SiO2 insulator, the strain of the HfO2 gate insulator in Si (110) nanowire pushes the valence subbands upwards remarkably. The thermal residual strain by HfO2 insulator contributes to the up-shifting tendency. Our simulation results for valence band shifting and warping in Si nanowires can provide useful guidance for further nanowire device design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of the most common environmental endocrine disrupters with mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist properties. The toxicity of BPA has been extensively evaluated in a variety of tests in rodents, including developmental and reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity. The objective of the present study is to evaluate whether or not perinatal maternal exposure to BPA at 0.05, 0.5, 5, 50, and 200 mg/kg/d affects N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) subunits NR1, NR2A, 2B, estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), and aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom) protein expressions of hippocampus in male rat offspring during postnatal development. Western-blotting analyses showed that perinatal exposure to BPA significantly affected the expression of NMDAR subunits. At the lower doses of 0.05 to 50 mg/kg/d, BPA concentration dependently inhibited the expression of NMDAR subunits. However, at the higher dose (200 mg/kg/d), the effects of BPA on these subunits were different, with a stronger inhibition of NR1 expression and a slighter inhibition of NR2A, 2B expression when compared with those at the lower dosage of BPA. In addition, perinatal exposure to BPA inhibited the expression of ERβ protein, but increased P450arom protein expression in a concentration-dependent manner, especially during the early postnatal period (the first 1–3 postnatal weeks). No significant influence of BPA on P450arom was observed at postnatal week 8. These data suggest that environmental BPA exposure may affect the development of the brain, enhancing the local biosynthesis of estrogen in the brain, inhibiting ERβ and NMDAR expressions. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:176–181. © 2009 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) has been increasing in China in recent years. The aim of this study is to estimate and compare the prevalence of MS among Chinese adults in Shanghai, one of the most economic developed areas in China, using definitions proposed by World Health Organization (WHO), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (modified ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF).Methods: This cross-sectional study included 5,584 adults at age 20-79 randomly selected from Pudong New Area of Shanghai, China, through a three-stage sampling. All participants were interviewed in-person between April and July of 2008 to collect information on demographic and lifestyle characteristics. At the interview, anthropometry and blood pressure were measured and bio-specimens were collected.Results: The prevalence estimates for the MS increased with age for each definition in men and women, but the estimates varied greatly between the definitions and by sex. The prevalence of the MS was higher in men (20.2%) than in women (18.7%) using WHO definition but this sex difference was reversed when using the modified ATP III (28.4% for men vs. 35.1% for women) and the IDF (15.9% for men vs. 26.7% for women) criteria. The most common metabolic disorder in this population was dyslipidaemia, regardless of the definition used. Substantial agreement, estimated using the kappa statistic, was found between the modified ATP III and IDF definition, whereas the lowest agreement was observed between the WHO and ATP III criteria.Conclusions: The MS is highly prevalent among Chinese adults in Pudong New Area of Shanghai and the most prevalent component was dyslipidemia. These findings underscore the importance of prevention and control efforts for the MS in this area and the need for a unified predictive definition for the syndrome for use by clinical practitioners and public health agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on several genome-wide association (GWA) studies of osteoporosis, which were discussed at the 31st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). The meeting was held from September 11-15, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The studies presented at the meeting were regarding genetic mechanisms of osteoporosis, gene-gene interaction, and epigenetics.

Prolamins are seed storage proteins in cereals and represent an important source of essential amino acids for feed and food. Genes encoding these proteins resulted from dispersed and tandem amplification. While previous studies have concentrated on protein sequences from different grass species, we now can add a new perspective to their relationships by asking how their genes are shared by ancestry and copied in different lineages of the same family of species. These differences are derived from alignment of chromosomal regions, where collinearity is used to identify prolamin genes in syntenic positions, also called orthologous gene copies. New or paralogous gene copies are inserted in tandem or new locations of the same genome. More importantly, one can detect the loss of older genes. We analyzed chromosomal intervals containing prolamin genes from rice, sorghum, wheat, barley, and Brachypodium, representing different subfamilies of the Poaceae. The Poaceae commonly known as the grasses includes three major subfamilies, the Ehrhartoideae (rice), Pooideae (wheat, barley, and Brachypodium), and Panicoideae (millets, maize, sorghum, and switchgrass). Based on chromosomal position and sequence divergence, it becomes possible to infer the order of gene amplification events. Furthermore, the loss of older genes in different subfamilies seems to permit a faster pace of divergence of paralogous genes. Change in protein structure affects their physical properties, subcellular location, and amino acid composition. On the other hand, regulatory sequence elements and corresponding transcriptional activators of new gene copies are more conserved than coding sequences, consistent with the tissue-specific expression of these genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project studied the lowering blood lipids effect in atherosclerotic ApoE-deficient mice. Group A mice (n = 6), fed with a normal diet, served as the negative control. The experimental groups used mice fed with a high cholesterol diet (HCD) for eight weeks, and then selected for inclusion in the study on the basis of high blood lipid levels and the formation of atherosclerotic lesion plaque, which was indicated by an ultrasound biomicroscopy test. Eighteen mice met the selection criteria (atherosclerotic mice with high blood lipid levels) and these were randomly assigned into three groups B, C and D (n = 6). Group B fed with a HCD, served as the positive control. The intervention Group C was fed with HCD and Simvastatin. The intervention Group D was fed with a HCD and Hawthorn fruit compound (HFC includes Hawthorn and Kiwi fruit extract) for eight weeks. The results showed that after feeding on a HCD, Group B had significantly higher blood lipid levels compared to Group A and this confirmed the validity of Group A and Group B controls in this study. The results also showed that compared to Group B, in both Group C and D, there was a significant reduction in triglyceride and in the ratio between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and serum cholesterol. Moreover a reduction of LDL-C was evident in Group D, whereas a similar effect did not occur in Group C. The results indicate that HFC can be considered for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and prevention of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-adaptation is widely used to probe whether different stimuli share common neural mechanisms. For example, that adaptation to second-order stimuli usually produces little aftereffect on first-order stimuli has been interpreted as reflecting their separate processing. However, such results appear to contradict the cue-invariant responses of many visual cells. We tested the novel hypothesis that the null aftereffect arises from the large difference in the backgrounds of first- and second-order stimuli. We created second-order faces with happy and sad facial expressions specified solely by local directions of moving random dots on a static-dot background, without any luminance-defined form cues. As expected, adaptation to such a second-order face did not produce a facial-expression aftereffect on the first-order faces. However, consistent with our hypothesis, simply adding static random dots to the first-order faces to render their backgrounds more similar to that of the adapting motion face led to a significant aftereffect. This background similarity effect also occurred between different types of first-order stimuli: real-face adaptation transferred to cartoon faces only when noise with correlation statistics of real faces or natural images was added to the cartoon faces. These findings suggest the following: (1) statistical similarities between the featureless backgrounds of the adapting and test stimuli can influence aftereffects, as in contingent adaptation; (2) weak or null cross-adaptation aftereffects should be interpreted with caution; and (3) luminance- and motion-direction-defined forms, and local features and global statistics, converge in the representation of faces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal behavior and decomposition reaction kinetics of 2-nitroimino-5-nitro-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (NNHT) were investigated by TG–DTG and DSC under atmospheric pressure and flowing nitrogen gas conditions. The results show that the thermal decomposition process of NNHT has two mass loss stages. The exothermic decomposition reaction mechanism obeys chemical reaction rule. The kinetic parameters of the reaction are E a =131.77kJmol−1, lg(A/s−1)=12.56, respectively. The kinetic equation can be expressed as: . The critical temperature of thermal explosion of NNHT obtained from the peak temperature (T p) is T bp =467.22K. The entropy of activation (ΔS ≠), enthalpy of activation (ΔH ≠), and free energy of activation (ΔG ≠) of the reaction are −7.978Jmol−1 K−1, 127.99kJmol−1 and 131.62kJmol−1, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An unprecedented chiral metal–organic framework has been constructed based on diethyl 2,2′-(1H,1′H-2,2′-biimidazole-1,1′-diyl)diacetate ligand, in which the original chirality derives from the configurational effect of a flexible ligand and transfers to the whole network through interweaving three kinds of single-helical chains. Moreover, it possesses a novel four-connected (32.72.82)(3.4.73.8)2topology. In addition, compound 1also exhibits strong blue photoluminescence in the solid state at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioactive elements in Chinese therapeutic foods and herbs that are frequently consumed by people in both the East and West are analyzed. These elements in their appropriate dosage range are considered to be beneficial to health. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) were applied to determine the concentrations of various elements. Twenty-two Chinese therapeutic foods and herbs, resourced from the traditional high therapeutic quality areas or provinces were selected. Bioactive analysis focused on Lanthanum (La), Strontium (Sr), Zinc (Zn) and Selenium (Se), especially in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia and its associate disorders. The higher elemental concentration herbs, La in: Rhizoma Gastrodiae Elatae, Fructus Crataegi and Herba Hedyotidis Diffusae. Sr in: Radix Puerariae and Folium Ginkgo Biloba. Zn in: Flos Carthami Tinctorii and Fructus Crataegi. Se in: Flos Lonicerae Japonicae and Portulaca Oleracea. The results mainly showed that Chinese herbs which are also therapeutic foods may be used as nutritional supplements for preventing and treating elemental deficiency, e.g., hyperlipidemia. More attention in this regard should be paid to herbs that contain La and are traditionally used for regulating cardiovascular disorders. The knowledge of the effects and concentrations of bioactive elements in foods and herbs could guide the selection of Chinese herbs in clinical practice in conjunction with traditional Chinese medicine theories. Further studies should also be considered in relation to Sr, Zn and blood regulating herbs, which could prove to be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of parthenolide (PAR) on proliferation and apoptosis in gastric cancer cell line SGC7901. METHODS: Human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 cells were incubated with various concentration of PAR. After various periods of incubation, the proliferation of SGC7901 cells was assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was measured by the annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate fluoresceine isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) double labeled staining method and the morphology of the cell was observed under a fluorescent microscope. Mitochondrial potential was measured by flow cytometry after Rhodamine 123 staining. The expressions of cytochrome C and the Bcl-2 family of proteins, including Bcl-2, Bax, Bid and tBid were measured by Western blot. Caspase 3 and 8 activities were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Treatment with PAR induced apoptosis as confirmed by annexin V-FITC/PI assay. PAR-induced apoptosis was associated with intracellular events including the decline of mitochondrial potential, increased release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria, decreased expression of Bcl-2, increased expression of Bax, Bid and tBid and activation of caspase 3 and 8. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that possibly via activation of the mitochondrial pathway, PAR causes mitochondrial damage leading to the release of cytochrome C and by regulating the expression of the Bcl-2 family of proteins and activating caspases which leads to results in apoptotic cell death in SGC7901 cells. Our results might be helpful in formulating new therapeutic approaches using Chinese herbal medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the study conducted regarding the role of progesterone receptor (PGR) gene in endometrial cancer risk development in China. The study which collected DNA samples and information from Shanghai Endometrial Cancer Study aims to determine the association of PGR with the cancer risk in the Chinese population. The result shows that the gene is associated with the risk due to the polymorphism in the PGR region.

Phytic acid (PA, myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexa kisphosphate) is important to the nutritional quality of cereal and legume seeds. PA and its salts with micronutrient cations, such as iron and zinc, cannot be digested by humans and non-ruminant animals, and hence may affect food/feed nutritional value and cause P pollution of groundwater from animal waste. We previously developed a set of low phytic acid (LPA) rice mutant lines with the aim of increasing the nutritional quality of rice. Two of these lines, Os-lpa-XS110-2 (homozygous non-lethal) Os-lpa-XS110-3 (homozygous lethal), contain two mutant alleles of a LPA gene (hereafter XS-lpa2-1 and XS-lpa2-2, respectively). In this study, we mapped the XS-lpa2-1 gene to a region on chromosome 3 between microsatellite markers RM14360 and RM1332, where the rice orthologue ( OsMRP5) of the maize lpa1 gene is located. Sequence analysis of the OsMRP5 gene revealed a single base pair change (C/G–T/A transition) in the sixth exon of XS-lpa2-1 and a 5-bp deletion in the first exon of XS-lpa2-2. OsMRP5 is expressed in both vegetative tissues and developing seeds, and the two mutations do not change the level of RNA transcription. A T-DNA insertion line, 4A-02500, in which OsMRP5 was disrupted, also showed the same high inorganic phosphorus phenotype as Os-lpa-XS110-3 and appeared to be homozygous lethal. PA is significantly reduced in Os-lpa-XS110-2 (~20%) and in 4A-02500 (~90%) seeds compared with their wild type lines, and no PA was detected in Os-lpa-XS110-3 using HPLC analysis. This evidence indicates that the OsMRP5 gene plays an important role in PA metabolism in rice seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  We reviewed the clinical results of the past 7 years in order to investigate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in nonunions of long bone fracture. Sixty-nine patients with 69 nonunions (22 femora, 28 tibiae, 13 humeri, 5 radii, and 1 ulna) were treated with extracorporeal shock waves. The technical parameters were 6,000 to 10,000 impulses at 28 kV (0.62 mJ/mm2 energy flux density) for the femur and tibia, 4,000 impulses at 24 kV for the humerus (0.56 mJ/mm2 energy flux density), and 3,000 impulses at 24 kV (0.56 mJ/mm2 energy flux density) for the radius and ulna. Sixty-six patients were followed up. The total successful rate of bony union was 75.4%. ESWT was successful in hypertrophic nonunions and seemed to have no evident effect in atrophic nonunions. We believe that extracorporeal shock wave therapy may be a good choice for nonunions of long bone fracture especially in hypertrophic nonunions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Testosterone is one of the most common doping drugs abused by athletes. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a sensitive and simple method to monitor testosterone and its epimer epitestosterone. An off-line immunoaffinity extraction followed by capillary electrophoresis for simultaneous determination of testosterone and epitestosterone has been described in this paper. Anti-epitestosterone monoclonal antibody which is specific to both testosterone and epitestosterone had been prepared and immobilized on a Sepharose 4B stationary phase. The immunoaffinity column was used for sample cleanup, extraction and preconcentration. After elution and reconstitution, testosterone and epitestosterone in the sample were separated and quantified by micellar electrokinetic chromatography(MEKC) using the borate buffer (200mM borate, pH 8.7) containing 40mM sodium cholate as a chiral selector. The immunoaffinity column was evaluated in different parameters such as the retention mechanism, selectivity, binding capacity, elution protocol, and reusability. The separation of these two compounds by MEKC was also optimized. Limit of detection for testosterone and epitestosterone were 5 and 23ngmL−1, respectively. It was satisfactory to apply this method to analyze testosterone and epitestosterone in spiked urine sample with the recoveries from 78% to 109%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An immunoaffinity capillary column has been made with poly (2-vinyl-4, 4-dimethylazlactone-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) (VDA-co-HEMA-co-EDMA) monolith as a support for the immobilized antibody. The monolith is prepared by UV-initiated in situ polymerization, followed by immobilizing anti-testosterone polyclonal antibody through the rapid reaction with VDA. Fluorescence labeled testosterone at C3 is designed as a tracer to estimate the extraction ability of this immunoaffinity column, and to optimize the immunoextraction process, such as washing, eluting, incubation and injection. The performance in a more realistic application is then demonstrated successfully for the rapid extraction of testosterone (T) by competitive immunoassay and on-line laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. This immunoaffinity monolith is easily prepared, with high mechanical strength and low flow resistance. It is a satisfactory material as an immunoextractor to detect small molecular compounds specifically and rapidly with high sensitivity (sub ng/mL level). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we rigorously establish an existence theorem of periodic solutions for the competition of Lotka–Volterra dynamic systems with a time delay and diffusion on time scales. It is shown that the existence of periodic solutions depend on the parameters of the model. It is also shown that a known result in the literature can can carry over quite easily to its discrete counterpart, and a much more accurate result can be obtained when studying the dynamic system on time scales. Moreover, one example is given to illustrate the result obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article, we consider a delayed predator-prey dynamic system with type IV functional responses on time scales. Sufficient criteria for the existence of at least two periodic solutions are established by using the well-known continuation theorem due to Mawhin. An example is given to illustrate the main result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we present a KKM type theorem, some coincidence theorems in -spaces and a collective fixed-point theorem for a family of set-valued mappings defined on the product space of locally -spaces. As applications, some intersection theorems and minimax theorems are proved. Our results improve and generalize some recent results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

NAD+-dependent sorbitol dehydrogenase (NAD-SDH, EC 1.1.1.14), a key enzyme in sorbitol metabolism, plays an important role in regulating sink strength and determining the quality of apple fruit. Understanding the tissue and subcellular localization of NAD-SDH is helpful for understanding sorbitol metabolism in the apple. In this study, two NAD-SDH cDNA sequences were isolated from apple fruits (Malus domestica Borkh cv. Starkrimson) and named MdSDH5 and MdSDH6. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that NAD-SDH is distributed in both the flesh and the vascular tissue of the fruit, and the vascular tissue and mesophyll tissue in the young and old leaves, indicating that it is a ubiquitous protein expressed in both sink and source organs. Immunogold electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that NAD-SDH is localized mainly in the cytoplasm and chloroplast of the fruit and leaves. The chloroplast localization of NAD-SDH was confirmed by the transient expression of MdSDH5-GFP and MdSDH6-GFP in the mesophyll protoplast of Arabidopsis. NAD-SDH was also found in electron opaque deposits of vacuoles in young and mature leaves. These data show that NAD-SDH has different subcellular localizations in fruit and leaves, indicating that it might play a different role in sorbitol metabolism in different tissues of apple. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract  1-(4-Aminoantipyrine)-3-tosylurea (H2L) and its three lanthanide (III) complexes, M(H2L)3 3NO3 [where M = Nd(III), Sm(III) and Eu(III)], have been synthesized and characterized. In addition, the DNA-binding properties of the three complexes have been investigated by UV–vis (ultraviolet and visible) absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and viscosity measurements. Results suggest that the three complexes bind to DNA via a groove binding mode. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity (superoxide and hydroxyl radical) of the metal complexes was determined by using spectrophotometer methods in vitro. These complexes were found to possess potent antioxidant activity and be better than standard antioxidants like vitamin C and mannitol. Absorption spectra of the complex 3 inTris-HCl buffer upon addition of calf-thymus DNA. [complex]=1×10-5 M, [DNA]=(0-1) ×10-5 M. Arrow shows the absorbance changing upon increasing DNA concentrations. Inset: plots of [DNA]/(εa – εf) versus [DNA] for the titration of DNA with the complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric inorganic/organic composite nanoparticles with anisotropic surface functionalities represent a new approach for creating smart materials, requiring the selective introduction of chemical groups to dual components of composite, respectively. Here, we report the synthesis of snowman-like asymmetric silica/polystyrene heterostructure with anisotropic functionalities via a chemical method, creating nanostructure possibly offering two-sided biologic accessibility through the chemical groups. Carboxyl group was introduced to polystyrene component of the snowman-like composites by miniemulsion polymerization of monomer on local surface of silica particles. Moreover, amino group was then grafted to remained silica surface through facile surface modification of the composite nanoparticles. The asymmetric shape of these composites was confirmed by TEM characterization. Moreover, characteristics of anisotropic surface functionalities were indicated by Zeta potential measurement and confocal laser microscopy after being labeled with fluorescent dyes. This structure could find potential use as carriers for biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the asymptotic behavior of a probability density function for the sum of any two lognormally distributed random variables that are nontrivially correlated. We show that both the left and right tails can be approximated by some simple functions. Furthermore, the same techniques are applied to determine the tail probability density function for a ratio statistic, and for a sum with more than two lognormally distributed random variables under some stricter conditions. The results yield new insights into the problem of characterization for a sum of lognormally distributed random variables and demonstrate that there is a need to revisit many existing approximation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptotia is the fourth most common congenital auricular deformity, and it is more prevalent among Asians. A number of techniques for its correction have been introduced, and relatively favourable results have been achieved. We describe our experience with a technique for its correction using the square flap method designed on the temporal scalp and skin over the auricle. From 2001 to 2006 a total of 19 examples in 12 patients were treated. Seven patients had bilateral, and five had unilateral, cryptotia. Traction was applied to the upper part of the auricle to draw it away from the scalp, and the square flap method, consisting of two triangular flaps and one square flap, were designed on the temporal scalp and skin over the auricle. After the skin had been incised, the three flaps were freed completely, and the abnormal insertion of the auricular intrinsic muscles was detached. The flaps were then transposed, advanced, and sutured. There were no problems of viability in any patient, and all healed well. The follow-up period was 3 months to 2 years, with relatively favourable results. Function and appearance were satisfactory in all patients. The length of the helix was extended, and it was possible to increase the width of the upper part of the auricle. This technique is indicated in cases of mild to moderate cryptotia, and has many advantages, including simple and easy design, provision of enough skin for the upper and posterior portions of the auricle, sufficient depth of the auriculocephalic sulcus, and no additional skin grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A magnetic beads based immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis method for total Immunoglobulin E quantification in serum has been developed. The method combines speed, automation ability, and minimal sample consumption. Only 1μL of serum is required while the whole immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis method is performed in less than 50 min. The concomitant use of online immunocapture, transient isotachophoresis, and laser-induced fluorescence detection provides a sensitivity in the low picomolar range and a highly linear fluorescence response over 4 orders of magnitude (IgE concentration ranging from 2.4 to 2400 ng/mL). After validation with a reference material, the method has been successfully applied to the quantification of total IgEs in patient sera. The results compared well with classical ImmunoCap data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary  Thermoplastic biodegradable composites based on ramie fibre (RF) and a poly(l-lactic acid)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLLA-PCL) matrix was manufactured using the in situ polymerization method. In order to improve the compatibility and strengthen the interface in natural fibre composite materials, the RF was firstly treated by coupling agents. Then the RF reinforced thermoplastic PLLA-PCL composite was prepared by in situ polymerization of PLLA oligomer with NCO-terminated PCL prepolymer. The effect of fibre length and fibre content on tensile strength and impact strength of this natural-fibre-reinforced biodegradable composite (PLLA-PCL/RF) was discussed, including the influence of the use of silane coupling agent (KH550) for improved interfacial adhesion. The results showed that the tensile strength and impact strength of PLLA-PCL/RF were highest when the RF length was 5-6mm, RF content was 45% and with KH550 as surface treatment agent of RF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel tetrahydrobenzo[ b ]thiophen-2-yl)urea derivatives were designed and synthesized. • Tetrahydrobenzo[ b ]thiophen-2-yl)urea derivatives significantly increased α-glucosidase inhibition. • The most potent compounds 8r and 8s showed non-toxicity towards LO2 and HepG2 cells. • Compound 8r showed promising in vivo anti-hyperglycaemic activity. α-Glucosidase inhibitors, which can inhibit the digestion of carbohydrates into glucose, are one of important groups of anti-type 2 diabetic drugs. In the present study, we report our effort on the discovery and optimization of α-glucosidase inhibitors with tetrahydrobenzo[ b ]thiophen-2-yl)urea core. Screening of an in-house library revealed a moderated α-glucosidase inhibitors, 5a , and then the following structural optimization was performed to obtain more efficient derivatives. Most of these derivatives showed increased inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase than the parental compound 5a (IC 50 of 26.71 ± 1.80 μM) and the positive control acarbose (IC 50 of 258.53 ± 1.27 μM). Among them, compounds 8r (IC 50 = 0.59 ± 0.02 μM) and 8s (IC 50 = 0.65 ± 0.03 μM) were the most potent inhibitors, and showed selectivity over α-amylase. The direct binding of both compounds with α-glucosidase was confirmed by fluorescence quenching experiments. Kinetics study revealed that these compounds were non-competitive inhibitors, which was consistent with the molecular docking results that compounds 8r and 8s showed high preference to bind to the allosteric site instead of the active site of α-glucosidase. In addition, compounds 8r and 8s were not toxic (IC 50 > 100 μM) towards LO2 and HepG2 cells. Finally, the in vivo anti-hyperglycaemic activity assay results indicated that compounds 8r could significantly decrease the level of plasma glucose and improve glucose tolerance in SD rats treated with sucrose. The present study provided the tetrahydrobenzo[ b ]thiophen-2-yl)urea chemotype for developing novel α-glucosidase inhibitors against type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belt and Road initiatives (BRI) transportation infrastructural development project started a new bilateral relationship amongst countries and acquired an important position to contribute to tourism and sustainable development goals (SDGs) 2030. The SDG1 (Poverty alleviation) and SDG 15 (Environmental protection) are globally highly challenging goals. Therefore, the current study using an integrative conceptual model addresses the fundamental role of BRI in achieving SDG 1 and SDG 15 in the presence of tourism development (TD) as a mediating variable. Based on stakeholder theory, using subjective analysis, the present study examines residents' perception of the BRI transportation infrastructural development, tourism development, SDG 1, and SDG 15. Using a self-administered questionnaire, collected a sample of 800 questionnaires data. The structural equation modelling analysis (SEM) indicated that the residents' perceive that the BRI transportation infrastructural development as a catalyst positively contributing to achieving SDG 1; however, it negatively correlates with SDG15. Besides, residents' perception of tourism development partially mediates between BRI transportation infrastructural development and SDG1 and SDG15. The study contributes to stakeholder theory and understanding residents' perceptions that may help key stakeholders in future policy and planning. • Residents' perception of transportation infrastructural development positively(negatively) correlates with SDG1(SDG15). • Perception of tourism development partially mediates between transportation infrastructural development and SDG1. • Perception of tourism development partially mediates between transportation infrastructural development and SDG15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zea mays, commonly known as corn, is perhaps the most greatly produced crop in terms of tonnage and a major food, feed, and biofuel resource. Here we analyzed its prolamin gene family, encoding the major seed storage proteins, as a model for gene evolution by syntenic alignments with sorghum and rice, two genomes that have been sequenced recently. Because a high-density gene map has been constructed for maize inbred B73, all prolamin gene copies can be identified in their chromosomal context. Alignment of respective chromosomal regions of these species via conserved genes allow us to identify the pedigree of prolamin gene copies in space and time. Its youngest and largest gene family, the alpha prolamins, arose about 22-26 million years ago (Mya) after the split of the Panicoideae (including maize, sorghum, and millet) from the Pooideae (including wheat, barley, and oats) and Otyzoideae (rice). The first dispersal of alpha prolamin gene copies occurred before the split of the progenitors of maize and sorghum about 11.9 Mya. One of the two progenitors of maize gained a new alpha zein locus, absent in the other lineage, to form a nonduplicated locus in maize after allotetraplodization about 4.8 Mya. But dispersed copies gave rise to tandem duplications through uneven expansion and gene silencing of this gene family in maize and sorghum, possibly because of maize's greater recombination and mutation rates resulting from its diploidization process. Interestingly, new gene loci in maize represent junctions of ancestral chromosome fragments and sites of new centromeres in sorghum and rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative analyses of the sequence of entire genomes have shown that gene duplications, chromosomal segmental duplications, or even whole genome duplications (WGD) have played prominent roles in the evolution of many eukaryotic species. Here, we used the ancient duplication of a well known transcription factor in maize, encoded by the Opaque-2 (O2) locus, to examine the general features of divergences of chromosomal segmental duplications in a lineage-specific manner. We took advantage of contiguous chromosomal sequence information in rice (Oryza sativa, Nipponbare), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, Btx623), and maize (Zea mays, B73) that were aligned by conserved gene order (synteny). This analysis showed that the maize O2 locus is contained within a 1.25 million base-pair (Mb) segment on chromosome 7, which was duplicated ≈56 million years ago (mya) before the split of rice and maize 50 mya. The duplicated region on chromosome 1 is only half the size and contains the maize OHP gene, which does not restore the o2 mutation although it encodes a protein with the same DNA and protein binding properties in endosperm. The segmental duplication is not only found in rice, but also in sorghum, which split from maize 11.9 mya. A detailed analysis of the duplicated regions provided examples for complex rearrangements including deletions, duplications, conversions, inversions, and translocations. Furthermore, the rice and sorghum genomes appeared to be more stable than the maize genome, probably because maize underwent allotetraploidization and then diploidization. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: We present some sufficient conditions for the existence of positive periodic solutions of a class of neutral impulsive delay differential system. When our results applied to the differential system without impulse a known result in the literature is corrected. Moreover, one example is given to illustrate the results obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Adaptation is ubiquitous in sensory processing. Although sensory processing is hierarchical, with neurons at higher levels exhibiting greater degrees of tuning complexity and invariance than those at lower levels, few experimental or theoretical studies address how adaptation at one hierarchical level affects processing at others. Nevertheless, this issue is critical for understanding cortical coding and computation. Therefore, we examined whether perception of high-level facial expressions can be affected by adaptation to low-level curves (i.e., the shape of a mouth). After adapting to a concave curve, subjects more frequently perceived faces as happy, and after adapting to a convex curve, subjects more frequently perceived faces as sad. We observed this multilevel aftereffect with both cartoon and real test faces when the adapting curve and the mouths of the test faces had the same location. However, when we placed the adapting curve 0.2° below the test faces, the effect disappeared. Surprisingly, this positional specificity held even when real faces, instead of curves, were the adapting stimuli, suggesting that it is a general property for facial-expression after effects. We also studied the converse question of whether face adaptation affects curvature judgments, and found such effects after adapting to a cartoon face, but not a real face. Our results suggest that there is a local component in facial-expression representation, in addition to holistic representations emphasized in previous studies. By showing that adaptation can propagate up the cortical hierarchy, our findings also challenge existing functional accounts of adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Chronic glomerulonephritides associated with psoriasis vulgaris have been reported in the literature. However, because of the limited number of cases and the lack of specific histological findings, the existence of psoriatic nephropathy remains controversial. This study was performed to investigate the clinical and morphological characteristics of renal involvement in psoriasis vulgaris. Methods: We studied retrospectively 11 patients with psoriasis vulgaris. All patients had nephritic urinary sediments and underwent percutaneous renal biopsy between January 1997 and December 2006. To fulfill the criteria for the study, none of them had any other discernible chronic disease as a second cause of nephropathy, except for long-standing psoriasis vulgaris. Results: Of the 11 patients, 2 (18%) had impaired renal function and 9 (82%) presented with hematuria. Proteinuria was noted in all patients. Their mean peak ESR was 28.3 ± 29.1 mm/1st h. Renal biopsy specimens revealed common histological features of slight-to-moderate mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, with (73%) or without IgA depositions in the mesangial area. Inflammation and vascular lesions were unremarkable in the biopsy specimens. Conclusion: The results from this study demonstrate that mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with or without IgA deposits might be the major morphological pattern associated with psoriasis vulgaris. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, we present a theorem for existence and uniqueness of almost periodic solutions for logistic equations with infinite delay. Our result improves some recent results. Moreover, an open question raised by G. Seifert is answered completely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we consider a logistic delay equation with a linear delay harvesting term of the following form: in both cases when and . We present some results on the boundedness and positiveness of the solutions of this equation without the condition that is upper bounded by some constant which is necessary to the corresponding results in [L. Berezansky, E. Braverman, L. Idels, Delay differential logistic equation with harvesting, Math. Comput. Modelling 40 (2004) 1509–1525], and our results extend these known results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of all treatments for fingertip amputation is to reconstruct the defects and meet the patient's needs. Sometimes an easy and versatile one-step procedure is needed. Between July 2005 and June 2006, 23 patients with amputated fingertips were treated with the linguiform rotation flap. It is a rotation advancement flap with the pedicle and a skin bridge usually on the volar side near the margin of the stump, and is based on one of the neurovascular bundles, the dorsal branches of the palmar digital arteries, the dorsal digital arteries, and the network among them. The follow-up period was 3 months to 1.5 years (mean 7.5 months), with relatively good results. The linguiform flap can be used for amputations at any level from the nailfold to the proximal interphalangeal joint to cover the exposed bone and tendon. The technique is simple and safe, and provides good protective padding. It is a good alternative for the reconstruction of fingertip amputations, particularly transverse, dorsal, and lateral oblique ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the prevalence of hematuria or proteinuria in school children in Shanghai and to evaluate the screening methods, we conducted urine screening in more than 40,000 school children between 2003 and 2005. Children were tested with dipsticks read manually (method A) or dipsticks read by machines (method B) combined with a sulfosalicylic acid test or microscopy. Some children were tested once, and others who had abnormal results in the first screening were tested again 2 weeks later. The prevalence of urine abnormalities in the first screening was more than 5.00% and of the second screening about 1.00%. Either method B or testing two urine samples for each child had higher specificity. As to the direct cost, that of screening twice with method A was lower than just screening once with method B. So using method A to screen twice for each child was not only convenient and economical, but also could reduce the false positive rate effectively. More than 10 months of follow-up diagnosed two cases of IgA nephropathy. Asymptomatic chronic renal diseases in school children could be detected through school urine screening. For Shanghai, China, screening twice using method A might be the best choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a numerically efficient method to evaluate uncoded bit-error rate for arbitrary two-dimensional constellation and nonuniform signaling in fading channels. Compared to the bounding techniques, treating the problem at the same level of generality, the proposed method is shown to be more accurate (by construction) and numerically more efficient: for moderate constellation size, the complexity reduction may reach two orders of magnitude. The operation of the proposed method is illustrated with numerical examples obtained in Nakagami-m fading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the physical activity patterns and their correlates among Chinese men in Shanghai, China. The study describes the patterns of physical activity and their interrelations and associations with individual socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men living in Shanghai. The research evaluated physical activity patterns and their association with socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors in the Shanghai Men's Health Study, a cohort of 61,582 Chinese men ages 40 to 74 living in eight communities of urban Shanghai, China.

Heavily doped narrow gap semiconductors with complex crystal structures are prime candidates for thermoelectric materials. The arsenides Re3(Ge,As)7are new examples with promising thermoelectric properties, comparable with the isostructural Mo3Sb5.4Te1.6, a competitive high-temperature material. Various doping levels may be achieved by using different Ge/As ratios. Re3(Ge,As)7was prepared by heating the elements in the desired ratios in evacuated silica tubes between 600 and 800 °C. Re3GeAs6crystallizes in the cubic Ir3Ge7type, space group Imm, with a8.73202(8) Å. It exhibits high Seebeck coefficient, high electrical conductivity, and reasonably low thermal conductivity. Moreover, the thermoelectric figure-of-merit ZT TS2/ increases rapidly with increasing temperature, as desired for high-temperature thermoelectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors demonstrate expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its hydroxylases in the endometrium and ovaries of women with and without endometriosis and endometrial or ovarian cancer. Immunohistochemistry showed strong staining of the VDR in endometriosis and endometrial cancer, with the most intense staining in epithelial cells. The VDR mRNA was significantly increased in patients with endometrial and ovarian cancer compared to the control group. There was a significantly higher 1α-hydroxylase expression in the endometrium of patients with endometriosis compared to healthy controls. The observed differences in VDR and 1α-hydroxylase mRNA levels were maintained at the protein level. The authors found no differences in 25-OH vitamin D levels between the serum of patients with endometriosis (25.7 ± 2.1 ng/mL, n = 46) and healthy controls (22.6 ± 2.0 ng/mL, n = 33, P = .31). They hypothesize that vitamin D might influence the local activity of immune cells and cytokines thought to play important pathogenic roles in the development and maintenance of endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sister-chromatid cohesion, the process of pairing replicated chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis, is mediated through the essential cohesin complex and a number of nonessential cohesion genes, hut the specific roles of these nonessential genes in sister-chromatid cohesion remain to be clarified. We analyzed sister-chromatid cohesion in double mutants of rnrc1Δ, tof1Δ, and csm3Δ and identified additive cohesion defects that indicated the existence of at least two pathways that contribute to sister-chromatid cohesion. To understand the relationship of other nonessential cohesion genes with respect to these two pathways, pairwise combinations of deletion and temperature-sensitive alleles were tested for cohesion defects. These data defined two cohesion pathways, one containing CSM3, TOF1, CTF4, and CHL1, and the second containing MRC1, CTF18, CTF8, and DCC1. Furthermore, we found that the nonessential genes are not important for the maintenance of cohesion at G2/M. Thus, our data suggest that nonessential cohesion genes make critical redundant contributions to the establishment of sister-chromatid cohesion and define two cohesion pathways, thereby establishing a framework for understanding the role of nonessential genes in sister-chromatid cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A liquid chromatographic (LC)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of stilbenes, diethylstilbestrol (DES), hexestrol (HEX), and dienoestrol (DEN) in animal tissue. Sample clean-up and analyte enrichment was performed by automated solid-phase extraction (ASPE) with a silica gel cartridge. Detection capabilities (CCβ) related to the transition products of lowest abundance for the method were 0.04–0.45ngg−1 in tissue and were achieved using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in negative mode. The use of an internal standard in combination with the simplified sample preparation led to a sensitive and reliable analytical method. The recovery level of the method was 84–108% for DES and DEN between 0.5 and 5ngg−1, and 59–87% for HEX between 0.25 and 2.5ngg−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]