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The synthesis of aromatic azo compounds from anilines and nitrobenzene usually requires environmentally unfriendly transition metal catalysts. Here, we propose that azobenzene oligomers are formed in surface-enhanced Raman experiments assisted by surface plasmon resonance. The photocatalytic polymerization of p-dinitrobenzene (DNB) and p-phenylenediamine (PDA) to the corresponding azo-like oligomers on silver surfaces is studied by the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory. First, the normal Raman and surface Raman spectra of DNB and PDA are simulated and measured. The simulated normal Raman spectra are in good agreement with their solid-state Raman spectra. However, the simulated surface Raman spectra of DNB-Ag10 and PDA-Ag10 complexes are significantly different from the experimental surface-enhanced Raman spectra. We propose that DNBs has a reductive coupling and PDAs undergo an oxidative coupling reaction during SERS experiments. Secondly, the Raman spectra of the possible NN coupling oligomers of DNB and PDA are simulated. They are compared with the SERS spectra of DNB and PDA adsorbed on silver surfaces. Especially, the Raman spectra of p, p′-dinitroazobenzene and p, p′-diaminoazobenzene are in good agreement with the SERS spectra of DNB and PDA adsorbed on silver surface. Finally, two reaction mechanisms are proposed to explain the surface photocatalysis of DNB and PDA. In the solution, the nitro group of DNB can be reduced by the excited hot electrons. DNBs are then converted to p, p′-dinitroazobenzene through multiple proton and electron transfers. In the air and in the presence of O2, O2 is firstly activated through surface plasmon resonance. PDAs are then converted to p, p′-diaminoazobenzene by the generated active oxygen species. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acorssocheilus beijiangensis is an endemic south China stream-dwelling cyprinid species. Its complete mitochondrial genome is 16,596 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes (ranging from 67 bp in tRNACys to 76 bp in tRNALeu and tRNALys), two rRNA genes (959 bp in 12S rRNA and 1683 bp in 16S rRNA), and one control region (937 bp). Its overall base composition is A: 31.1%, C: 27.9%, G: 16.2%, and T: 124.8%. The complete mitogenome of the Chinese barred species of Cyprinidae could provide a basic data for further phylogenetics analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome ofGnathopogon taenielluswas first determined in this study. It is 16,596 bp in length, contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and one control region in the typical vertebrate gene order and transcriptional direction. There are total of 29 bp short overlaps and 34 bp non-coding intergenic spacers were found in the mitogenome. Overall nucleotide base composition of light strand is 29.3% A, 25.8% C, 17.9% G and 27.0% T. Two start codons (ATG and GTG) and two stop codons (TAG and TAA/T) were used in the protein-coding genes. The origin of light strand replication (OL) was identified between tRNAAsnand tRNACysgenes and could fold a hairpin structure. The nucleotide composition of control region is 31.8% A, 20.9% C, 14.0% G and 33.3% T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are the target of β-lactam antibiotics (the major treatment for Streptococcus pneumoniae infections), and mutations in PBPs are considered as a primary mechanism for the development of β-lactam resistance in S. pneumoniae. This study was conducted to investigate the mutations in the PBPs of clinical S. pneumoniae isolates in Hangzhou, China, in correlation with β-lactam resistance. Results showed that 19F was the predominant serotype (7/27) and 14 of the S. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to both penicillin G and cephalosporin. Genotyping results suggested that β-lactam-resistant isolates primarily exhibited single-site mutations in both the STMK and SRNVP motifs of pbp1a in combination with double-site mutations in the STMK motif of pbp2x, which might be the primary mechanisms underlying the β-lactam resistance of the isolates in this study., (Copyright © 2018 The Editorial Board of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. Published by China CDC. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the significance in prevention of nosocomial infection of the testing of the associated contagious parameters of blood recipients before transfusion., Methods: A retrospective analysis was adopted, 44 968 pre-transfusion patients were tested the serum hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), antibody against T. pallidum (anti-TP) and antibody against human immunodeficiency virus(anti-HIV)., Results: The total positive rate was 22.41%. Positive rate of HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-TP were 20. 67% (9294/44 968) , 0.33% (148/ 44 968) and 1.65% (9741/44968), respectively; anti-HIV was positive in 39 patients, 23 cases coinfection of the other three indicators at least one positive in 39 cases of anti-HIV-positive blood recipients, of which was mostly observed T. pallidum; co-infection of HBV, HCV and/or TP were 117 cases, and were mostly observed between HBV and HCV, HCV and TP; for HBV infection the department of digestive medicine was prevalent(Chi2>or=83.0, P <0.01)., Conclusion: Part of blood recipients before admission had been infected with a contagious disease. The testing of the associated contagious parameters of blood recipients before transfusion is not only useful for both of the hospital and the patients, but also more important to ensure safe blood transfusion, decrease medial dissatisfaction and to prevent nosocomial infection.

Objective: To explore the expression of protein kinase C (PKC) and the regulatory effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the lung and the visceral sensory afferent system (C(7)-T(5) spinal ganglia and the corresponding posterior horn of the spinal cord) of asthmatic guinea pigs., Methods: Forty guinea pigs were divided to four groups, a saline control group (group A, n = 8), a provocation alone control group (group B, n = 8), an asthmatic group (group C, n = 12) and an anti-NGF group (group D, n = 12). The alterations of PKC immunoreactivity were investigated by means of immunohistochemistry in the C(7)-T(5) spinal ganglia and the corresponding posterior horn of the spinal cord of all groups. The expressions of NGF and PKC were investigated by Western blot in the lung, C(7)-T(5) spinal ganglia and the corresponding posterior horn of the spinal cord of all groups. The results were analyzed by the Luzex-F real time image analysis system and the gel imaging analysis system respectively., Results: (1) Immunohistochemistry results: The absorbency (A) values of PKC were 0.102 +/- 0.009, 0.113 +/- 0.009, 0.106 +/- 0.005 and 0.116 +/- 0.007 in the C(7)-T(5) spinal ganglia and the corresponding posterior horn of the spinal cord of group A and group B respectively. There was no significant difference between group A and group B (P > 0.05). The A values of PKC were 0.215 +/- 0.014 and 0.176 +/- 0.010 respectively in the C(7)-T(5) spinal ganglia and the corresponding posterior horn of the spinal cord of group C, which were significantly different compared with group A (P < 0.01). The A values of PKC were 0.140 +/- 0.008 and 0.130 +/- 0.011 respectively in the C(7)-T(5) spinal ganglia and the corresponding posterior horn of the spinal cord of group D, which were significantly different compared with group C (P < 0.01). (2) Western blot results: Compared with group A (the relative A values were 0.51 +/- 0.02, 0.43 +/- 0.01 and 0.92 +/- 0.02 respectively) and group B, the expression of PKC (the relative A values were 1.51 +/- 0.01, 1.40 +/- 0.03 and 2.22 +/- 0.02 respectively) increased markedly in the lung, C(7)-T(5) spinal ganglia and the corresponding posterior horn of the spinal cord of group C; however, the expression of PKC of group D (the relative A values were 0.80 +/- 0.03, 0.83 +/- 0.01 and 1.12 +/- 0.02 respectively) decreased markedly in comparison with group C., Conclusion: The present results indicate that PKC might be involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, and NGF can upregulate the expression of PKC.