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Objectives The aim of this study was to identify serum proteins with differential concentrations between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and HBsAg asymptomatic carriers among individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) with basal core promoter (BCP) double mutations (A1762T, G1764A). Methods iTRAQ and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify differentially expressed protein, and an ELISA test was used for the validation test. Results The total number of proteins identified was 1,125, of which 239 showed statistically significant differences in their expression. The relative concentrations of serum dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (DLD), which showed the most significant correlation with liver diseases and infection, were significantly lower in HCC patients than asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and individuals negative for HBsAg. However, only the difference between HCC patients with BCP double mutations and HBsAg-negative individuals could be confirmed by ELISA. Meanwhile, we found that the concentrations of serum DLD in those infected with HBV with BCP double mutations were significantly lower than in individuals with the wild-type BCP. However, the difference in the concentrations of serum DLD between individuals with wild-type BCP and those negative for HBsAg was not significant. Conclusions HBV with BCP double mutations are associated with lower concentrations of serum DLD.

By analyzing the interface information of CBTC and computer interlocking, the process of train control was abstracted as a closed-loop control model based on communication mode of train-to-train. Considering the whole fail-safe of the integrated signal system, designed four operating modes that would have strong compatibility. Through software simulation, the model tested its the validation and the integration proved its feasibility. The results indicate that this kind of integration can be available in the signal system of urban rail transit.

Highlights • The annual incidence rate of the basal core promoter (BCP) double mutations is 3.8%. • The incidence rate tends to decrease with age and the peak appeared early in the life. • Nucleotide (nt) 1762 is the favoured site of the first mutation. • Viruses with a single mutation at nt 1762 or 1764 are more prone to develop double mutations., Cross-sectional analyses showed that the prevalence of basal core promoter (BCP) double mutations (nt 1762T, 1764A) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) gradually increases with age. We aimed to determine the incidence rate of the mutations over 10 years. Study subjects were selected from the Long An cohort established in 2004, including 59 with HBV with single mutations at nt 1762 or 1764 in the BCP and 342 with wild type BCP sequences at baseline. Their serum samples for analysis were obtained at the 3rd and 10th annual visits, respectively. The results showed that the annual incidence rate of BCP double mutations is 3.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–6.2) and tends to decrease with age. The peak incidence is in the 30–34 years age-group. The incidence rate in HBeAg positive individuals (5.5%) is significantly higher than in those without HBeAg (3.4%) (P

Testification of TLR2 gene in C57BL/6 J mice by PCR. a PCR amplified products (499 bp) for TLR2 wild type. b PCR amplified products (334 bp) for TLR2 mutant. The data showed half samples of all. N, PCR no DNA template controls; M, 100 bp DNA ladder. (PDF 41 kb)

Primers used in PCR and qRT-PCR assays. (DOCX 14Â kb)

Objective: The WNT signaling pathway effector gene TCF7L2 has been associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, it remains unclear how this gene affects diabetic pathogenesis. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of Tcf7l2 haploinsufficiency on metabolic phenotypes in mice.Experimental Design: Tcf7l2 knockout (Tcf7l-/-) mice were generated. Because of the early mortality of Tcf7l2-/- mice, we characterized the metabolic phenotypes of heterozygous Tcf7l2+/- mice in comparison to the wild-type controls. The mice were fed a normal chow diet or a high fat diet (HFD) for 9 weeks.Results: The Tcf7l2+/- mice showed significant differences from the wild-type mice with regards to body weight, fasting glucose and insulin levels. Tcf7l2+/- mice displayed improved glucose tolerance. In the liver of Tcf7l2+/- mice fed on the HFD, reduced lipogenesis and hepatic triglyceride levels were observed when compared with those of wild-type mice. Furthermore, the Tcf7l2+/- mice fed on the HFD exhibited decreased peripheral fat deposition. Immunohistochemistry in mouse pancreatic islets showed that endogenous expression of Tcf7l2 was upregulated in the wild-type mice, but not in the Tcf7l2+/- mice, after feeding with the HFD. However, the haploinsufficiency of Tcf7l2 in mouse pancreatic islets resulted in little changes in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.Conclusion: These results suggest that decreased expression of Tcf7l2 confers reduction of diabetic susceptibility in mice via regulation on the metabolism of glucose and lipid.

A lactose-specific lectin (named Arachis hypogaea L Lectin (AHL)) was purified from the seed of the peanut Arachis hypogaea L. by single-step affinity chromatography using lactose-coupled agarose. AHL showed strong hemagglutinating activity to human A/B/O erythrocytes (RBC) treated with neuraminidase. The results of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-TOF MS) analysis indicated that the protein AHL shared high homology with the peanut lectin chain A protein (gi|1942899). The AHL has binding activity to some Gram-negative bacteria and fungi spores which caused disease in peanut. Transcripts of AHL were detected in different peanut tissues, and the expression profile of the AHL gene changed in different parts of the plants. The variation in the mRNA transcript level in seeds was quantitated by real-time polymerase chain reaction during different growth periods. The expression profile of the AHL gene changed greatly in samples collected in different days after pegging. We explored the variation in AHL mRNA expression in six cultivars of peanut; the expression level observed in Lu Hua 12 was the highest. The data we described can provide us with clues to know more properties about peanut seed lectins at the biology chemistry and molecular biology level.

In Western countries, the epidemiology of esophageal cancer has changed considerably over the past decades with a rise in the ratio of adenocarcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma. Although the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux is increasing in Asia, the prevalences of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) have remained low in most Asian countries. The Asian Barrett's Consortium recently conducted a review of published studies on BE from Asia to assess the current status of BE research in Asia, and to recommend potential areas for future BE research in the region. Differences in study design, enrolled population, and endoscopic biopsy protocols used have led to substantial variability in the reported BE prevalence (0.06% to 19.9%) across Asia. In particular, some Japanese studies used diagnostic criteria that differed considerably from what was used in most Asian studies. As in Western countries, increased age, male sex, tobacco smoking, reflux symptoms, and erosive esophagitis have been found to be risk factors for BE in several case-control studies from Asia. The Prague C and M criteria, developed to provide better interobserver reliability in diagnosis and grading of BE, are currently under extensive evaluation in the Asian population. There is a need for standardized protocols for endoscopic and histopathologic diagnosis before initiating collaborative projects to identify etiologic determinants of BE and its ensuing malignant transformation. At present, data regarding the management and long-term outcome of BE are extremely limited in Asia. More studies of BE in this geographic area are warranted.

This report focuses on the preparation of a peanut protein–polyvinyl alcohol composite fiber from solution in [EMIM]Ac ionic liquid. SEM revealed that the protein is distributed across the surface and interior of the composite fiber, and the prepared composite fiber possessed excellent mechanical properties.