Growth and characterization of ceria thin films and Ce-doped γ-Al2O3 nanowires using sol-gel techniques

γ-Al(2)O(3) is a well known catalyst support. The addition of Ce to γ-Al(2)O(3) is known to beneficially retard the phase transformation of γ-Al(2)O(3) to α-Al(2)O(3) and stabilize the γ-pore structure. In this work, Ce-doped γ-Al(2)O(3) nanowires have been prepared by a novel method employing an anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) template in a 0.01 M cerium nitrate solution, assisted by urea hydrolysis. Calcination at 500 °C for 6 h resulted in the crystallization of the Ce-doped AlOOH gel to form Ce-doped γ-Al(2)O(3) nanowires. Ce(3+) ions within the nanowires were present at a concentration of < 1 at.%. On the template surface, a nanocrystalline CeO(2) thin film was deposited with a cubic fluorite structure and a crystallite size of 6-7 nm. Characterization of the nanowires and thin films was performed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. The nanowire formation mechanism and urea hydrolysis kinetics are discussed in terms of the pH evolution during the reaction. The Ce-doped γ-Al(2)O(3) nanowires are likely to find useful applications in catalysis and this novel method can be exploited further for doping alumina nanowires with other rare earth elements.

Transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells alleviates lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease, which, despite the advances in immunosuppressive medical therapies, remains potentially fatal in some patients, especially in treatment-refractory patients. This study found that transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) has the same therapeutic effect as transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), which has been reported to be efficient in treating SLE-related symptoms in MRL/lpr mice. Multi-treatment (at the 18th, 19th, and 20th weeks of age) of 1 × 10(6) UC-MSCs was able to decrease the levels of 24-h proteinuria, serum creatinine, and anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody, and the extent of renal injury such as crescent formation in MRL/lpr mice. A lower, but still significant, reduction in these parameters was also observed in mice receiving a single dose of UC-MSCs (at the 18th week). UC-MSCs treatment also inhibited expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) expression in a similar fashion. UC-MSCs labeled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) were found in the lungs and kidneys 1 week post infusion. In addition, after 11 weeks post UC-MSCs infusion, human cells were found in kidney of UC-MSCs-treated mice. These findings indicated that UC-MSCs transplantation might be a potentially promising approach in the treatment of lupus nephritis, possibly by inhibiting MCP-1 and HMGB-1 production.

Detecting positive selection in the budding yeast genome

Available abundant genomic data allows us to study the evolution of the yeast genome at a fine scale. In this study, we examined the adaptive evolution of coding and promoter regions in three Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. First, using a maximum-likelihood approach, we identified 76 positively selected genes (PSG) whose coding regions likely have undergone positive selection in the recent past. These genes show significant bias in terms of biological function and they show over-representation of charged amino acids at positively selected sites. Next, using recent data on yeast transcription-start sites to define core-promoter regions, we identified 31 positively selected promoters, and their corresponding genes are significantly enriched in transmembrane transporter function. We found PSG show no correlation with promoter adaption or expression variation, suggesting that positive selection on coding regions and positive selection on promoter regions are not coupled. Together, our study provides insights into the evolution of S. cerevisiae strains from different environments.

Impact of hypertension on health-related quality of life in a population-based study in Shanghai, China

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hypertension and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a general representative Chinese population, and to explore the impacts of comorbidity on people with hypertension.

STUDY DESIGN

Population-based cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire survey including demographic questions and the Mandarin version of 36-item Short Form (SF-36) was conducted in a general population in Shanghai, China. In total, 1034 subjects participated. The SF-36 dimension scores of hypertensive subjects were compared with those of normotensive subjects. Independent association of hypertension with each quality-of-life domain was analysed using a multiple linear regression model, so were the effects of comorbidity on the HRQL of hypertensive subjects.

RESULTS

Nine hundred and nineteen respondents were included in the analysis, and 16.97% reported hypertension. Respondents with hypertension scored lower than those without hypertension in at least five SF-36 dimensions. The dimension of role limitations due to physical problems was the most affected, whereas the mental health dimension was the least affected. Hypertensive subjects with comorbidity experienced lower SF-36 scores than hypertensive subjects without comorbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertension markedly impairs quality of life in terms of both physical and mental health. Comorbidity further deteriorates HRQL among people with hypertension. The findings suggest that people with hypertension represent a vulnerable population, and it is important to prevent and treat comorbidity of hypertension.

Growth hormone stimulation of serum insulin concentration in cattle: nutritional dependency and potential mechanisms

Previous studies on the effect of growth hormone (GH) on serum insulin concentration in cattle had generated seemingly conflicting results, and little was known about the mechanism by which GH affects serum insulin concentration in cattle, if it does. In this study, we determined whether the effect of GH on serum insulin concentration in cattle could be affected by the nutritional levels of the animal and whether GH increased serum insulin concentration in cattle by directly stimulating insulin release or insulin gene expression in the pancreatic islets. Administration of recombinant bovine GH increased serum insulin concentration in nonlactating, nonpregnant beef cows fed a daily concentrate meal in addition to ad libitum hay, but it had no effect in those cows fed hay only. Both GH treatments for 1 and 24h increased insulin concentrations in cultures of pancreatic islets isolated from growing cattle. Growth hormone treatment for 24h increased insulin mRNA expression in cultured bovine pancreatic islets. Growth hormone treatment for 16h increased reporter gene expression directed by a approximately 1,500-bp bovine insulin gene promoter in a rat insulin-producing beta cell line. Taken together, these results suggest that exogenous GH can increase serum insulin concentration in cattle, but this effect depends on the nutritional levels of fed cattle, and that GH increases serum insulin concentration in cattle by stimulating both insulin release and insulin gene expression in the pancreatic islets.

Identification and characterization of the bovine G protein-coupled receptor GPR41 and GPR43 genes

Volatile fatty acids (VFA), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, are not only a primary source of energy, but also regulate rumen development, insulin and glucagon secretion, and other physiological processes in cattle and sheep. The mechanism underlying the regulatory effects of VFA is unknown. Recent "reverse pharmacology" studies identified human G protein-coupled receptors GPR41 and GPR43 as receptors for short-chain fatty acids. It is possible that proteins similar to human GPR41 and GPR43 mediate the regulatory effects of VFA in cattle. In this study, we determined first, whether the bovine genome contains genes similar to the human GPR41 and GPR43 genes; second, whether and where these genes are expressed in cattle; and third, if the proteins encoded by these genes can be activated by acetate, propionate, and butyrate. A search of GenBank revealed bovine genomic sequences and expressed sequence tags highly similar to the human GPR41 and GPR43 DNA and cDNA sequences. The protein-coding and 5' untranslated regions of the bovine GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA were cloned and sequenced from spleen tissue. Based on these sequences, the bovine GPR41 gene contains 3 exons and its transcription is initiated at 2 leader exons, generating 2 GPR41 mRNA variants differing in the 5' untranslated region. The bovine GPR43 gene contains 2 exons and transcription of this gene is initiated from a single start site. The amino acid sequences deduced from the bovine GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA sequences are more than 75% identical to those of the human GPR41 and GPR43 and are predicted to encode 7 transmembrane domains, typical of G protein-coupled receptors. Both bovine GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA were detected in a variety of tissues including rumen and pancreas. In a cell system, interaction of the overexpressed bovine GPR41 or GPR43 protein with acetate, propionate, or butyrate inhibited luciferase reporter expression from a cyclic AMP-responsive promoter, suggesting that the bovine GPR41 and GPR43 proteins couple to Galpha(i/11). In total, these results demonstrate that the bovine genome encodes functional GPR41 and GPR43 genes and suggest that GPR41 and GPR43 may play a role in the regulatory effects of VFA in cattle.

Treatment of cooling tower blowdown water containing silica, calcium and magnesium by electrocoagulation

This research investigated the effectiveness of electrocoagulation using iron and aluminium electrodes for treating cooling tower blowdown (CTB) waters containing dissolved silica (Si(OH)(4)), Ca(2 + ) and Mg(2 + ). The removal of each target species was measured as a function of the coagulant dose in simulated CTB waters with initial pH values of 5, 7, and 9. Experiments were also performed to investigate the effect of antiscaling compounds and coagulation aids on hardness ion removal. Both iron and aluminum electrodes were effective at removing dissolved silica. For coagulant doses < or =3 mM, silica removal was a linear function of the coagulant dose, with 0.4 to 0.5 moles of silica removed per mole of iron or aluminium. Iron electrodes were only 30% as effective at removing Ca(2 + ) and Mg(2 + ) as compared to silica. There was no measurable removal of hardness ions by aluminium electrodes in the absence of organic additives. Phosphonate based antiscaling compounds were uniformly effective at increasing the removal of Ca(2 + ) and Mg(2 + ) by both iron and aluminium electrodes. Cationic and amphoteric polymers used as coagulation aids were also effective at increasing hardness ion removal.

Prevalence of, and factors associated with, gastroesophageal reflux disease: a population-based study in Shanghai, China

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in China is lower than that in the Western countries, but appears to be increasing. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the prevalence of GERD in Shanghai, China, and to explore which population characteristics where associated with GERD. A sample of 1200 adult inhabitants of Shanghai, selected using randomized, stratified, multi-stage sampling, completed Mandarin translations of the Reflux Disease Questionnaire and GERD Impact Scale. Potential risk factors for GERD were examined by nested case-control analysis, using Cochran-Armitage trend testing and logistic regression analysis. The response rate was 86.2%; 919 responses were suitable for analysis. The prevalence of GERD, defined as heartburn and/or regurgitation of any frequency during the previous week, was 6.2% in Shanghai. Obesity and urban dwelling were associated with GERD (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.3-9.3; and odds ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.2-10.4, respectively). The prevalence of GERD in Shanghai agreed with previous Chinese studies. GERD in Shanghai was associated with obesity and residency in an urban environment.

Comparison of various blood compartments and reporting units for the detection and quantification of Epstein-Barr virus in peripheral blood

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with a broad spectrum of disease. While quantification of EBV nucleic acid in the peripheral blood has been demonstrated to be useful for diagnosis and patient care, the optimal sample type and reporting format for such testing remain uncertain. Using quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR), we evaluated EBV in whole blood (WB), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and plasma in 249 samples from 122 patients. In WB and PBMC, results were reported both in viral copies/ml and in copies/microg of total DNA. Trendings of quantitative values over time among the different sample types were compared. The sensitivities of QRT-PCR using WB and that using PBMC did not differ significantly (P = 0.33), and both were more sensitive than plasma alone (P < 0.0001). EBV viral load results from WB and PBMC paired sample types also showed a significant correlation (P < 0.05), as did results reported in copies/ml and copies/microg DNA for both WB and PBMC (R2 > 0.93). EBV viral loads detected using WB and PBMC trended very closely for the few patients who had multiple positive samples available for analysis. WB and PBMC show comparable sensitivities and a close quantitative correlation when assayed for EBV by QRT-PCR. The close correlation between copies/ml and copies/microg DNA also suggests that normalization to cell number or genomic DNA in cellular specimens may not be necessary.

15. RISKS, CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SEXUAL HEALTH PROMOTION

International students are the 4th most revenue raising industry in Australia brining in $6 billion in 2006. December 2006 reports show 383 818 international students were enrolled across Australia with 61�019 in Queensland. The vast majority of students come from Asian countries with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and STIs combined with minimal sexual health knowledge. Through workshops and discussion groups with international students they have been identified as a high risk in relation to sexual health problems due to their lack of sexual health knowledge, their tendency to engage in risk behaviour without adequate knowledge of risks, consequences and protection mechanisms. As a result, sexual health issues are increasingly presenting to professionals working directly with international students and health services in claims related to pregnancy, abortion rates, sexual assault, rape and reports of international students from high risk countries found to be HIV+. Further, international students reported receiving no information prior to arrival and on arrival of risk behaviour, safety issues, health or laws in Australia. In order to promote safe sex behaviour among international students we have formulated various strategies to raise awareness of international students, from print material on arrival, to information stalls at O-week, intermittent workshops for international students, student leaders and professionals working directly with international students. The feedback from the students is very positive and new strategies are being developed to target students facing language barriers. Our program findings demonstrate that the international student population is a high risk group facing sexual health issues where increased education and support must occur to prevent and reduce sexual health related problems.

In vitro antiretroviral activity and in vitro toxicity profile of SPD754, a new deoxycytidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection

SPD754 (AVX754) is a deoxycytidine analogue nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) in clinical development. These studies characterized the in vitro activity of SPD754 against NRTI-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and non-clade B HIV-1 isolates, its activity in combination with other antiretrovirals, and its potential myelotoxicity and mitochondrial toxicity. SPD754 was tested against 50 clinical HIV-1 isolates (5 wild-type isolates and 45 NRTI-resistant isolates) in MT-4 cells using the Antivirogram assay. SPD754 susceptibility was reduced 1.2- to 2.2-fold against isolates resistant to zidovudine (M41L, T215Y/F, plus a median of three additional nucleoside analogue mutations [NAMs]) and/or lamivudine (M184V) and was reduced 1.3- to 2.8-fold against isolates resistant to abacavir (L74V, Y115F, and M184V plus one other NAM) or stavudine (V75T/M, M41L, T215F/Y, and four other NAMs). Insertions at amino acid position 69 and Q151M mutations (with or without M184V) reduced SPD754 susceptibility 5.2-fold and 14- to 16-fold, respectively (these changes gave values comparable to or less than the corresponding values for zidovudine, lamivudine, abacavir, and didanosine). SPD754 showed similar activity against isolates of group M HIV-1 clades, including A/G, B, C, D, A(E), D/F, F, and H. SPD754 showed additive effects in combination with other NRTIs, tenofovir, nevirapine, or saquinavir. SPD754 had no significant effects on cell viability or mitochondrial DNA in HepG2 or MT-4 cells during 28-day exposure at concentrations up to 200 microM. SPD754 showed a low potential for myelotoxicity against human bone marrow. In vitro, SPD754 retained activity against most NRTI-resistant HIV-1 clinical isolates and showed a low propensity to cause myelotoxicity and mitochondrial toxicity.

Preparation and characterization of EP-liposomes and Span 40-niosomes

Clotrimazole, an imidazole derivative antifungal agent, has been widely used for the treatment of mycotic infections of the genitourinary tract. In order to develop alternative formulations for the vaginal administration of clotrimazole which would provide sustained and controlled release of the appropriate drug for local vaginal therapy, liposomes/niosomes were evaluated as delivery vehicles. To optimize the preparation of the liposomes/niosomes with regard to size and entrapment efficiency, multilamellar liposomes/ niosomes containing the drug were prepared by a lipid hydration method. The liposomes/niosomes thus prepared were evaluated for their stability as drug-loaded liposomes/niosomes in simulated vaginal fluid at 37 +/- 1 degrees C. The two vesicle systems were also evaluated with regard to rat and rabbit vaginal irritation.

Type II collagen and aggrecan mRNA expressions in rabbit condyle following disc displacement

The aim of this investigation was to study the remodelling of cartilage in the mandibular condyle following disc displacement (DD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Forty adult Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. The right joints of 28 of the 40 rabbits had their discs surgically displaced. Four of the 28 were killed at 4 days or 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of aggrecan and type II collagen in cartilages were measured using in situ hybridization techniques. Results showed that aggrecan mRNA expression reduced in the first week after DD. The expression began to recover after 4 weeks and reached a normal level after 6 weeks. Type II collagen mRNA expression reduced from 4 weeks and the expression recovered after 8 weeks. This suggests that the chondrocyte reacting to the displacement of the TMJ disc, alters its matrix gene expression patterns and it is may be the cause of the shape changes of TMJ after DD.

Multiplexed, real-time PCR for quantitative detection of human adenovirus

Adenovirus infection is becoming increasingly recognized as a cause of morbidity and mortality in the immunosuppressed patient population. While early detection and quantitation of adenovirus in peripheral blood has been suggested as a means of directing and monitoring antiviral therapy in these patients, few methods have been published, particularly with respect to viral quantitation. A multiplexed real-time PCR assay was developed that can quantitatively detect a wide range of known serotypes of human adenovirus, including all of subgroups A to C. This assay was compared to a qualitative, Southern blot-based PCR assay by using 45 peripheral blood specimens from 16 patients. There was 100% concordance between the two tests in terms of qualitative results. The real-time assay detected adenovirus in patient samples at levels from <200 to 266,681 copies/ml of blood. By using control viral samples, sensitivity was demonstrated to less than 10 copies of viral genome per reaction and quantitative linearity was demonstrated from 10 to 10(6) copies of input viral DNA. Equivalent sensitivity and linearity were demonstrated for 15 different reference serotypes of adenovirus. Eleven other viral serotypes have complete target region sequence homology to one or more of the strains tested. No cross-reactivity was noted with other commonly isolated viral species. Sequence analysis showed no significant homology with any other human pathogens (bacterial or viral). This assay allows rapid, sensitive, and specific quantitation of adenovirus and may have a significant impact on the care of immunocompromised patients at risk for disseminated viral infection.

[Evaluation of immunochromatographic test in the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax]

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of immunochromatographic test(ICT) in detecting Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in malaria endemic areas.

METHODS

ICT was used to detect P. falciparum and P. vivax among patients with fever in the outpatient clinics by comparason with thick blood smear method.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of ICT to detect P. falciparum and P. vivax was 96.7% and 90.4%, respectively. The specificity of ICT was 98.6%, and the coincidence rate was 94.7%. There is no cross reaction between P. falciparum and P. vivax.

CONCLUSION

ICT could detect P. falciparum and P. vivax simutaneously, being more rapid and simple than blood smear method.

[A pilot study on malaria control by using a new strategy of combining strengthening infection source treatment and health education in mountainous areas of Hainan province]

AIM

To explore a new malaria control strategy that fits current epiodemiological condition and coincides with modern medicine model and the principle of cost-benefit.

METHODS

The new strategy highlights the risk villages and risk population as the focal point and integrates health education with behavioral intervention. The main anti-malaria measures consists of carrying out health education in risk villages, giving mass drug administrations in risk population staying overnight in the mountain, following up malaria cases for implementing radical cure, but without using traditional residual spraying or impregnating bednets with insecticides.

RESULTS

After having adopted the new strategy and taken the control measures, the people's knowledge about malaria increased to a higher level and the indices of malaria reduced to a lower level. The rate of bednet-using in the population was increased from 26.8% to 72.6%. The annual parasite incidence (API) of malaria was declined from 3.5% in 1994 to 1.1% in 1996 and 0.8% in 1997, and the API of falciparum malaria was declined from 1.0% to 0.3% and 0.3% respectively in the townships at the same time. The parasite rate(PR) of malaria was declined from 7.2% in May, 1995 to 2.1% in November, 1996 and 1.2% in October, 1997 and the PR of falciparum malaria was declined from 1.2% in May, 1995 to 0.1% in October, 1997. The proportion of villages without malaria cases was increased from 18.6% in 1994 to 54.2% in 1997, and the number of risk villages with a malaria incidence above 5% was reduced from 14 to 2 at the same time. The ratio of cost/benefit was 1:2.4 in 1995-1996 and 1:4.4 in 1997, showing a better economic benefit.

CONCLUSION

The expectant result has been obtained, thereby providing new experience for the malaria control in the mountainous areas of Hainan Province.