A practical design equation for accurate quantification of CRRT filter design factors and convection effects

Considering the increasing clinical need for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), further improvement in therapeutic efficacy has become an important focus for researchers. Here, we designed nine CRRT filters with various combinations of hollow fiber packing density (PD) and housing shape (effective hollow fiber length (L) and inner housing diameter (D) ratio (L/D ratio)) to evaluate the clearance of middle molecular uremic toxins (MMs) via simulation of an in vitro continuous veno-venous hemodialysis treatment model. We also used Doppler ultrasonography to measure the maximum internal filtration flow rate (Q_IF-Max) as an aid; this approach facilitated an exploration of the impacts of various design factors on convection effects, while revealing the mechanisms influencing MM removal performance. Furthermore, we constructed a multiple linear regression model of design factors and Q_IF-Max, then conducted experimental verification. Finally, we proposed an accurate and practical design equation to quantify the design factors influencing CRRT filters and convection effects: QIF-Max=4.749×ND2+2.293×LD-34.775, where N/D² and L/D affect Q_IF-Max by 15.0% and 85.0%, respectively. This design equation was able to effectively quantify the convection effects of CRRT filters with different design factors, thereby predicting MM removal performance; this convenient design equation can support the development of CRRT-related products.

Effects of hollow fiber packing density and housing shape on the albumin filtration performance of CRRT filters

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has become the most commonly used acute blood purification therapy for critically ill patients. As a key point of extracorporeal blood circulation, the CRRT filter plays a decisive role in therapeutic efficacy. However, few in vitro studies have been conducted on CRRT filters, particularly concerning the effects of design factors on filter effectiveness and safety profile; no comprehensive evaluation system has been established. Here, we designed nine CRRT filters with various combinations of hollow fiber packing density (PD) and housing shape (effective hollow fiber length (L) and inner housing diameter (D) ratio (L/D ratio)) and introduced a high-frequency sampling pressure monitor to accurately monitor small changes in transmembrane pressure (TMP) and ultrafiltration rate (UFR) over time. We also used concentration polarization mass transfer resistance (R_c), change in sieving coefficient (S) of albumin over time, and amount of albumin removed (M_fld) to investigate the effects of two design factors on albumin filtration performance and analyze the mechanism of protein filtration performance over time, thereby establishing a comprehensive in vitro evaluation system to explore the safety profile of CRRT filters. Our results showed that the nine CRRT filters designed with different combinations of PD (50%, 55%, and 60%) and L/D ratio (2.9, 5.3, and 9.3) were able to maintain stability in terms of hemodynamics and water permeability; the lowest M_fld was PD = 60% and L/D ratio = 9.3, which indicates that design factor optimization can effectively control albumin filtration, thereby improving the safety profile of CRRT filters.

Mussel-inspired polysaccharide-based sponges for hemostasis and bacteria infected wound healing

Effective bleeding control and wound protecting from infection play critical roles in the tissue healing process. However, local hemostats are not involved in the whole healing processes to promote the final healing efficiency. Here, a multi-functional mussel-inspired polysaccharide-based sponge with hemostatic, antibacterial and adhesive properties was fabricated via cryopolymerization of oxidized dextran (OD), carboxymethyl chitosan (CC) and polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs), followed by lyophilization. Combining with the adsorbed thrombin, the sponges yielded a considerably lower amount of blood than the commercially available hemostatic dressings. Benefiting from the high photo-thermal transition efficiency of PDA-NPs, the sponges exhibited excellent antibacterial activity to both gram positive and negative bacteria. Owing to the rapid hemostatic activity and effective infection resistance, the sponges illustrated the significantly acceleratory wound healing efficiency compared with the control group. The thrombin-loaded OD/CC-PDA polysaccharide-based sponge has great potential for future clinical use as wound dressing.

The taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of two epibiotic colonial peritrich ciliates (Ciliophora, Peritrichia)

Two colonial sessilid peritrichs, Epistylis qingdaoensis n. sp. and Carchesium cyclopidarum Nenninger, 1948, were isolated from a marine crustacean and a freshwater mayfly, respectively. Morphological characters for each species were revealed by in vivo observations and silver staining methods. Epistylis qingdaoensis n. sp. is characterized by the apperance of the colony which is up to 250 μm high and usually contains fewer than eight zooids, the single-layered peristomial lip, the conspicuously conical peristomial disc, and the structure of infundibular polykinety 3 which comprises three isometric ciliary rows. Carchesium cyclopidarum is recognized by the colony height of about 600 μm, the small zooid size of 35-50 × 20-30 μm, and the low number of silverlines. Phylogenetic analyses based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences were performed to reveal their evolutionary relationships. Surprisingly, neither species clustered with its congeners. Epistylis qingdaoensis n. sp. nested within a clade of Zoothamnium species that was sister to a clade comprising core Epistylis species and several Zoothamnium species. Carchesium cyclopidarum nested within a clade comprising solitary peritrichs and was distantly related to the type species of Carchesium, C. polypinum. These findings imply for the first time that Carchesium is non-monophyletic.

Effect of hollow fiber packing density and housing shape on the solute removal performance of CRRT filters for acute blood purification

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has a good therapeutic effect in a variety of diseases, such as acute kidney injury. CRRT filters should feature small membrane surface area, excellent water permeability and solute removal performance for long-term use. Solute removal performance depends on the physicochemical structure of the dialysis membrane as well as on the housing design. On the basis of the same hollow fiber membrane, optimizing the housing design can maximize the performance of the dialysis membrane. In this article, we experimentally demonstrated the influence of hollow fiber packing density (PD) and housing shape (effective hollow fiber length (L) and inner housing diameter (D) ratio (L/D ratio)) on the performance of CRRT filters. In each continuous hemodialysis mode and post-diluted continuous hemodiafiltration mode, we tested nine CRRT filters with the same high-flux membrane but with different PDs (50%, 55%, and 60%) and L/D ratios (2.9, 5.3, and 9.3), and we evaluated the effect of different combinations of the two design factors on solute clearance. Our results showed that unlike with the clearance of small molecular weight solutes, the clearance of medium molecular weight solute was obviously affected by PD and L/D ratio, and the design providing the best removal of medium molecular solutes among the nine experiments was PD = 60% and L/D ratio = 9.3. This article will help address the lack of research on CRRT filter housing design as well as lead to the development of higher performance filters for acute blood purification.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Dileptid Ciliate Genus Paradileptus (Protista: Ciliophora), With a Brief Review and Redescriptions of Two Species Isolated From a Wetland in Northern China

Members of the genus Paradileptus are apex predators in microbial food webs. They are often encountered in freshwater biotopes and have been used in research on water quality monitoring and ecology. Nevertheless, our understanding of the biodiversity of Paradileptus, especially its ecological and genetic diversities, is very poor which hinders our ability to understand the ecosystem services it provides. The present study gives a detailed account of two Chinese populations of Paradileptus elephantinus and P. conicus including their living morphology, infraciliature, and molecular phylogenies based on 18S, 5.8S, and ITS ribosomal DNA sequences. The phylogenetic relationships between these two species and other rhynchostomatians are investigated. We also explore the potential contribution of differentiation of the proboscis (e.g., extrusomes, dorsal brush, and differentiated kineties) to niche partitioning and speciation in Paradileptus. The global distribution of Paradileptus is summarized based on published data. Finally, a key to the identification of the valid species of Paradileptus is provided.

Redescription and molecular characterization of two Trichodina species (Ciliophora, Peritrichia, Mobilida) from freshwater fish in China

During an investigation of parasitic ciliates in northern China, two Trichodina species, T. acuta Lom, 1970 and T. nigra Lom, 1960, were isolated from the freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758. The morphology of each species was investigated based on dry silver nitrate-stained specimens. In addition, the molecular phylogeny of each was analyzed based on small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequence data. Trichodina acuta can be distinguished from its congeners by the undefined periphery of the central circle, the distinct gap between the rays and the central circle, and the distinctly sickle-shaped blades. Trichodina nigra is a cosmopolitan ciliate and is characterized by its densely linked denticles, broad, rounded spatula-shaped blades, robust central parts, and well developed rays. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that T. acuta and T. nigra nest within different clades, supporting the assertion that the GC content of SSU rDNA sequences could reflect evolutionary relationships among Trichodina species.

A high stem to leaf ratio reduced rainfall use efficiency under altered rainfall patterns in a semi-arid grassland in northeast China

Rainfall use efficiency (RUE) is crucial for understanding the changes in grassland productivity due to variations in future rainfall patterns. Recently, numerous studies have been conducted on the relationship between RUE and the amount of rainfall, but there has been little research on the influence of rainfall distribution and the interactive effect of rainfall amounts and distribution on RUE. Here, a simulated rainfall experiment was conducted to evaluate the impacts of rainfall amount (average rainfall amount (R0), 334 mm; decreased (R-) and increased (R+) rainfall amounts, 233 mm and 434 mm, respectively) and dry intervals (comprising 6-day, 9-day, 12-day, 15-day, 18-day and 21-day intervals between rainfall) on productivity and RUE in Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel., a dominant grass of the Eastern Eurasian Steppe. Our results showed that (1) for biomass production and RUE, moderate extension of dry intervals was conducive to enhancing total biomass production and RUE. The peak values of total biomass and RUE appeared during the 15-day interval for R-, and the 18-day interval for R0 and R+. (2) For biomass allocation, extension of dry intervals decreased the stem to leaf ratio (S/L) and the root to shoot ratio (R/S). (3) Further, the S/L ratio was significantly negatively correlated with RUE. These results suggest that variations in rainfall patterns can alter the RUE by changing the S/L ratio, and finally influence biomass production in L. chinensis. These findings have important implications for understanding and predicting the effect of future climate change on productivity in semi-arid grassland.

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of three Epistylis species found in freshwater habitats in China, including the description of E. foissneri n. sp. (Ciliophora, Peritrichia)

The peritrich genus Epistylis is speciose, however many species lack complete morphological description based on modern criteria and/or molecular data. In the present study, one new species, i.e., E. foissneri n. sp., and two morphologically similar species, i.e., E. hentscheli Kahl, 1935 and E. vaginula Stokes, 1884, collected from freshwater habitats in China, were studied. Epistylis foissneri n. sp. is characterized by its extremely slender zooids encased in a gelatinous sheath, symmetrically dichotomously branched stalk, trochal band located at mid-body, contractile vacuole located on dorsal wall of infundibulum, infundibular polykinety 3 (P3) composed of three equal-length rows that terminate above infundibular polykinety 1 (P1), 105-110 silverlines between the peristome and the trochal band, and about 110 silverlines between the trochal band and the scopula. Epistylis hentscheli is characterized by its asymmetric pyriform zooids (average length ca. 160 μm in vivo), dichotomously branched stalk with transverse striations on the surface of the upper portion, P3 three-rowed and terminating slightly above P1, 60-75 silverlines between the peristome and the trochal band, and 55-90 silverlines between the trochal band and the scopula. Epistylis vaginula is characterized by its elongated body shape (about 100 μm in length in vivo), dichotomously branched and smooth stalk, P3 three-rowed and terminating above P1, 80-100 silverlines between the peristome and the trochal band, and 45-80 silverlines between the trochal band and the scopula. The small subunit ribosomal DNA gene (SSU rDNA) of these three species was sequenced and supported the validity of each. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA sequence data revealed that all three morphospecies group with other congeners within the major clade of Epistylis.

Plant grafting relieves asymmetry of jasmonic acid response induced by wounding between scion and rootstock in tomato hypocotyl

Plant grafting is a sequential wound healing process. However, whether wounding induces a different jasmonic acid (JA) response within half a day (12 h) after grafting or non-grafting remains unclear. Using the tomato hypocotyl grafting method, we show that grafting alleviates the asymmetrical accumulation of JA and jasmonic acid isoleucine conjugate (JA-Ile) in scion and rootstock caused by wounding, and from 2 h after tomato micrografting, grafting obviously restored the level of JA-Ile in the scion and rootstock. Meanwhile, five JA-related genes, SlLOX11, SlAOS, SlCOI1, SlLAPA and SlJA2L, are detected and show significant changes in transcriptional expression patterns within 12 h of grafting, from asymmetrical to symmetrical, when the expression of 30 JA- and defense-related genes were analyzed. The results indicated that grafting alleviates the asymmetrical JA and defense response between scion and rootstock of the tomato hypocotyl within 12 h as induced by wounding. Moreover, we demonstrate that in the very early hours after grafting, JA-related genes may be involved in a molecular mechanism that changes asymmetrical expression as induced by wounding between scion and rootstock, thereby promoting wound healing and grafting success.

0200 Trait Mindfulness Moderates the Within-Person Relationship Between Sleep and Pain in Nurses

Introduction

Sleep and pain have a bidirectional relationship in clinical populations; however, we know less about the daily association in non-clinical but potentially vulnerable populations. Nurses are prone to poor sleep and pain symptoms due to work schedules and occupational stress. Implications from mindfulness-based interventions suggest that mindfulness may play a role in improving sleep and subsequently, reducing pain. The current study examined the within-person relationship between sleep and pain in nurses, and whether trait mindfulness moderates the relationship.

Methods

Participants were 60 nurses employed at a cancer hospital (Mage=35.35±11.83, 32% reported pain). For 14 consecutive days, ecological momentary assessment collected participants’ sleep characteristics, pain symptoms (i.e., chest pain, headaches, upset stomach, and other pain), and pain interference with daily activities. Trait mindfulness was measured using the 15-item Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Multilevel modeling decomposed variances at the between- and within-person levels.

Results

At the between-person level, after controlling for sociodemographic covariates, more frequent insomnia symptoms (β=0.35) or lower sleep sufficiency (β=-0.19) were associated with more pain symptoms (ps<.05). Inversely, individuals with more pain symptoms reported lower sleep sufficiency (β=-0.41, p<.05). At the within-person level, after nights with poorer sleep quality (β=-0.08, p<.01), lower sleep sufficiency (β=-0.08, p<.01), or shorter sleep duration (β =-0.03, p<.05), participants reported more pain symptoms the following day. There were significant interactions of mindfulness with (a) sleep sufficiency predicting pain interference and (b) sleep duration predicting number of pain symptoms, such that the adverse associations of less sufficient and shorter sleep with more pain were more apparent in those with lower mindfulness than those with higher mindfulness.

Conclusion

Although there was a bidirectional association between sleep and pain at the between-person level, sleep was more likely to be the predictor of pain at the within-person level in oncology nurses. The significant moderation by mindfulness suggest that promoting mindfulness among nurses, prone to having poor sleep and pain, may reduce the adverse impact of poor sleep on daily pain.

Support

This work was supported, in part, by the University of South Florida College of Behavioral & Community Sciences Internal Grant Program (PI: Lee, Grant No. 0134930).

0149 Nightly Sleep Characteristics are Associated with Next-Day Mindfulness

Introduction

Previous research shows that insufficient and poor sleep is associated with perceiving more stressors the following day. Sleep may also be associated with daily mindfulness, a state in which one is highly aware and focused on the present moment without evaluating or judging that moment. The association between high mindfulness and better sleep is well-established; yet, less is known about the temporal directionality between sleep and mindfulness. This study examined whether nightly sleep predicts next-day mindfulness, and vice versa.

Methods

Participants were 60 middle-aged adults working as a full-time nurse at a cancer hospital (Mage=35.35±11.83). Using ecological momentary assessments for 14 days, we asked participants about their previous night’s sleep upon waking and participants completed the 5-item state Mindful Attention Awareness Scale an average of 3 times/day. Multilevel modeling examined variance at the between- and within-person levels and tested two temporal directions simultaneously: better sleep predicting mindfulness and mindfulness predicting better sleep.

Results

Daily mindfulness, sleep duration, sleep sufficiency, and sleep quality displayed 34%, 85%, 82%, and 85% within-person variation, respectively. At the within-person level, daily mindfulness was greater on days following longer than usual sleep duration (B=0.39hrs or 23min, p<.01) and greater than usual sleep sufficiency (B=0.26, p<.001). The within-person link between sleep sufficiency and mindfulness remained even after controlling for the strong association of workdays with less sleep sufficiency. Conversely, mindfulness was not predictive of sleep outcomes. At the between-person level, participants who had greater sleep sufficiency and higher sleep quality overall reported greater mindfulness. These associations remained after adjusting for sociodemographics, dayshift vs. nightshift, and workdays vs. non-work days.

Conclusion

Sufficient sleep duration and perceived sleep sufficiency may be antecedents of how mindful individuals are the following day. Future analyses will test whether the daily link between sleep and mindfulness contributes to health outcomes.

Support

This work was supported, in part, by the University of South Florida College of Behavioral & Community Sciences Internal Grant Program (PI: Lee, Grant No. 0134930).

0341 Preliminary Effects of a Music Intervention on Actigraphy-Measured Sleep Among Older Adults with Dementia

Introduction

Music may benefit sleep and daytime alertness by decreasing stress, increasing attention, and potentially, slowing the progression of dementia. This study examined preliminary effects of a group-based music intervention on sleep health among older adults with dementia.

Methods

Participants were older adults with dementia living in an assisted living facility (n=9; Mage=80.11; Mrange=63−89 years). Cohort 1 (n=4) received the intervention in the morning and cohort 2 (n=5) received the intervention in the afternoon. Participants completed a 4-week intervention protocol (12 sessions) along with a one-week actigraphy sleep assessment before and after the intervention. Informed by sleep literature, we constructed a composite sleep health score encompassing Regularity, Satisfaction or quality, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency, and Duration (higher scores indicating more daily sleep problems). Using descriptive statistics and multilevel modeling, we evaluated preliminary effects of the intervention on overall sleep health and each of the sleep dimensions.

Results

Six out of nine participants exhibited a decrease in overall sleep problems at post-intervention. All 4 participants in cohort 1 showed improvement in overall sleep health at post-intervention. Specifically, in cohort 1, participants exhibited a decline in nightly sleep problems, decreased daytime nap duration, and number of naps. In contrast, while two out of five participants in cohort 2 exhibited improvement in overall sleep health, the remainder of the participants exhibited no improvement in daily sleep problems, especially in nap domains. Across cohorts, those younger in age, with vascular dementia, lower weight, and not taking sleep or hypertension related medications tended to respond better to the intervention.

Conclusion

Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility and potential benefit of a group-based music intervention in improving overall sleep health among older patients with dementia. Implications for conducting community-based non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep and daytime functioning among older adults with dementia will be discussed.

Support

This work was supported, in part, by the Florida Department of Health Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Award (PI: Meng, Grant #9AZ28).

Surface charge regulation of reverse osmosis membrane for anti-silica and organic fouling

Dissolved silica and organic matter are major foulants in reverse osmosis (RO) in brackish water treatment. Though the mechanism of inorganic and organic fouling has been clear, combined silica-organic fouling-resistant membrane have been poorly investigated. In this study, we fabricated membranes with different surface charge. More negatively surface charged membrane (-COOH), acrylic acid (AA) membrane was fabricated through redox free radical grafting method. Ethylamine (EA) and ethylenediamine (ED) membranes with neutral or less negative surface charge were fabricated through -CH3 or -NH2 functional groups grafting. The surface modified membranes were characterized in terms of physicochemical properties and antifouling performance. Compared with the pristine membrane, all the modified membranes possessed better salt rejection without sacrificing water permeability. The AA membrane also showed better antifouling property and higher water flux recovery after physical rinsing. On the other hand, fouling on the EA and ED membranes were aggravated. Unlike the gel-like foulant structure on the EA and ED membrane surfaces, the AA membrane presented more disordered granular structure. Analysis of fouling layer has also proved that there was less silica scaling and organic foulants on the AA membrane surface. Despite the outstanding hydrophilicity of the AA membrane, its antifouling property was mainly attributed to the more negative surface charge, according to regression between flux decline and membrane characteristics. Importantly, we proposed that electrostatic interaction was the dominant fouling mechanism in the combined silica-organic fouling. With more negative surface charge, the AA membrane was prone to prevent foulants from depositing and aggravating, so as to mitigate membrane fouling. Our research provides a simple and practical approach to RO membrane fabrication for anti-inorganic and organic.

Plant molecular responses to the elevated ambient temperatures expected under global climate change

Environmental temperatures affect plant distribution, growth, and development. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that global temperatures will rise by at least 1.5°C by the end of this century. Global temperature changes have already had a discernable impact on agriculture, phenology, and ecosystems. At the molecular level, extensive literature exists on the mechanism controlling plant responses to high temperature stress. However, few studies have focused on the molecular mechanisms behind plant responses to mild increases in ambient temperature. Previous research has found that moderately higher ambient temperatures can induce hypocotyl elongation and early flowering. Recent evidence demonstrates roles for the phytohormones auxin and ethylene in adaptive growth of plant roots to slightly higher ambient temperatures.

ELS1, a novel MATE transporter related to leaf senescence and iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana

The multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) transporters mediate the coupled exchange of organic substrates and monovalent cations have been recently implicated in various plant biological activities. In this work, we isolated a dominant mutant from an Arabidopsis activation-tagging mutant pool. This mutant exhibits pleiotropic phenotype including early flowering, dwarf and bushy architecture, minified lateral organs and early leaf senescence, and is therefore designated early leaf senescence 1-Dominaint (els1-D). Genotyping assays showed that els1-D is a gain-of-function mutant of a novel MATE transporter gene, ELS1, which encodes a close homolog of the previously reported ADP1, BCD1 and DTX50. Further investigations revealed that the overexpression of ELS1 reduces iron content in els1-D, and the accelerated senescence of the detached els1-D leaves can be recovered by exogenous iron supply. In addition, we also found that ELS1 is an iron responsive gene. Based on these findings, we proposed that ELS1 is related to leaf senescence and iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis.

Identification of potential cargo proteins of transportin protein AtTRN1 in Arabidopsis thaliana

We identified 23 novel proteins that can interact with At TRN1. These proteins are potential candidates of At TRN1 cargo proteins, which will facilitate our comprehending of At TRN1 functions in Arabidopsis. Tranportin 1 (TRN1) carries out the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of many proteins, thereby ensuring that each of them is delivered to the right compartment for its proper function. These cargo proteins involved in lots of important processes, such as alternative pre-mRNA splicing, transcriptional regulation, and protein translation. Current understanding of cargo proteins transported by Arabidopsis thaliana transportin 1 (AtTRN1) is limited. Here, first we employed the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening to identify proteins that can interact with AtTRN1 in Arabidopsis, and 12 novel proteins were found. Searching for PY-NLS motif in these 12 proteins suggested that no typical PY-NLS motif was present. We next investigated the specific motifs that will mediate the interactions in these sequences, and found that thirteen truncated fragments interacted with AtTRN1, containing 8 acidic and 5 basic fragments, respectively. We also searched the Arabidopsis proteome for homologs of cargo proteins of yeast Kapl04p and mammalian Kapβ2, and PY-NLS motif-containing proteins. Among these proteins, 11 were identified to interact with AtTRN1. The interactions between all the 23 proteins and AtTRN1 were confirmed by both Y2H and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. Our results show that AtTRN1 recognizes a broad spectrum of proteins having diverse functions, which will potentially be the cargoes of AtTRN1. Taken together, these results demonstrate the feasibility and potential power of these methods to identify cargo proteins of AtTRN1, and represent a primary and significant step in interpretation of AtTRN1 functionalities.

Effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on LXRα and CYP7α1 gene expression, liver enzyme activities and fat metabolism in ducks

1. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7α1) mRNA levels, protein enzymatic activities and fat metabolism in Cherry Valley Pekin ducks. 2. A total of 750 one-day-old Cherry Valley Pekin ducks were randomly divided into 5 groups with three replicates of 50 ducks each in a completely randomised experiment. Each group was fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0, 500, 1000, 1500 or 2000 mg probiotics/kg. 3. Body rate and feed conversion ratio were highest and abdominal subcutaneous fat % was lowest at 1000 mg probiotic/kg. 4. The mRNA levels of LXRα and CYP7α1 in liver tissue was estimated by RT-PCR; serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations were measured by ELISA. 5. The expression levels and enzyme activity of LXRα and CYP7α1 increased in conjunction with decreases in TG and TC concentrations following probiotic supplementation to a maximum at 1000 mg probiotics/kg and decreased thereafter. 6. It is concluded that dietary probiotics can enhance LXRα and CYP7α1 enzyme activities in the liver and reduce lipid concentrations and fat deposition in ducks.

Bio-inspired laminated graphite nanosheets/copper composites

Bio-inspired laminated graphite nanosheets/copper composites with modified mechanical properties.

Establish and verify TSH reference intervals using optimized statistical method by analyzing laboratory-stored data

OBJECTIVE

To establish reference intervals using an optimized statistical method by collecting available laboratory data of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and then to verify with the laboratory-present reference intervals.

METHODS

TSH RIs of the total population and different races, genders, age, source of sample are established through improved Hoffmann and Katayev's method with TSH test results data from Jan 2010 to April 2012 were collected, and finally conduct comparative verification with the laboratory present RIs.

RESULTS

According to the improved method, we get various RIs of different sample populations. On comparing with the laboratory current RI (0.270-4.200 mIU/L) most reference change values (RCV) were within acceptable limits. Only lower limit of Han male, Uygur male and out-patient male populations outwith acceptable limits. On excluding the different values, finally, the new RI by the optimized statistical method is 0.233-4.979 mIU/L. Because the new RI expanded the current RI and was not different from the current RI, it was indicated that new RI could be used to verify the laboratory current RIs and seen as the current RI's confidence interval (CI).

INFERENCE

TSH RIs established by optimized Hoffmann's and Katayev's methods is viable and can be used to verify RIs provided by manufacturers or other laboratories.

Overexpression of small heat shock protein LimHSP16.45 in Arabidopsis enhances tolerance to abiotic stresses

Small heat shock proteins (smHSPs) play important and extensive roles in plant defenses against abiotic stresses. We cloned a gene for a smHSP from the David Lily (Lilium davidii (E. H. Wilson) Raffill var. Willmottiae), which we named LimHSP16.45 based on its protein molecular weight. Its expression was induced by many kinds of abiotic stresses in both the lily and transgenic plants of Arabidopsis. Heterologous expression enhanced cell viability of the latter under high temperatures, high salt, and oxidative stress, and heat shock granules (HSGs) formed under heat or salinity treatment. Assays of enzymes showed that LimHSP16.45 overexpression was related to greater activity by superoxide dismutase and catalase in transgenic lines. Therefore, we conclude that heterologous expression can protect plants against abiotic stresses by preventing irreversible protein aggregation, and by scavenging cellular reactive oxygen species.

Demonstration of a polymorphism in the gene ERCC1 by two DNA sequencing methods

New methodology is important to the advancement of biomedical science. We recently described a polymorphism within exon IV of the ERCC1 gene, which is associated with an approximate 50% decrease in codon usage in some biological systems. In this report we show that this polymorphism can be readily demonstrated by standard manual DNA sequencing, and by a recently developed methodology which relies on spectrophotometric principles. The major advantage of this new methodology is that several-fold more samples can be assessed per unit time, at reduced cost.

Platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer tissues show differences in the relationships between mRNA levels of p53, ERCC1 and XPA

We investigated the association between p53 mRNA expression and clinically relevant surrogates of nucleotide excision repair (ERCC1 and XPA) in 28 ovarian cancer specimens. We observed that platinum-resistant tumors showed higher mRNA levels of p53, ERCC1, and XPA than platinum-sensitive tumors; mRNA expression patterns in responders differed substantially from nonresponders; and p53 expression showed a strong correlation with the expression of ERCC1, and of XPA in platinum-sensitive tumor tissues, but not with platinum-resistant tumors. 47% of the mutations from p53 sequence analysis were not related to clinical response to chemotherapy. We conclude that the p53 influence on DNA repair in human malignancy may vary substantially from tumor to tumor, and that such differences are not necessarily related to the mutational status of p53.

Small heat shock protein LimHSP16.45 protects pollen mother cells and tapetal cells against extreme temperatures during late zygotene to pachytene stages of meiotic prophase I in David Lily

Plant meiotic prophase I is a complicated process involving the late zygotene and pachytene stages, both crucial for completing synapsis and recombination. Using David Lily (Lilium davidii var. Willmottiae) as our research material, we performed suppression subtractive hybridization to construct EST library of anthers at various stages of development by the pollen mother cells. From this library, we identified small heat shock protein LimHSP16.45 was highly expressed during the late zygotene to pachytene stages. Our results also showed that LimHSP16.45 was almost specifically expressed in the anther compared with the root, stem, or leaf, and in situ expression of LimHSP16.45 mRNAs showed strong signals in the pollen mother cells and tapetal cells. LimHSP16.45 could be induced by heat and cold in lily anthers, and its ectopic expression enhanced the viability of E. coli cells under both high and low temperatures. In vitro, it acted as molecular chaperone and could help luciferase refolding after heat shock stress. All of these data suggest that LimHSP16.45, working as molecular chaperone, possibly protects pollen mother cells and tapetal cells against extreme temperatures during late zygotene to pachytene stages of meiotic prophase I in David Lily.

Preparation of cell-enclosing microcapsules through photopolymerization of methacrylated alginate solution triggered by irradiation with visible light

A photopolymerizable, methacrylated alginate was synthesized by conjugating methacryloyl groups to the side chains of alginate. Cell-enclosing microcapsules were subsequently prepared by the photopolymerization of cell-suspending methacrylated alginate droplets triggered by irradiation with visible light. Cells enclosed by this method remained alive in the microcapsules for at least 2 weeks.

[The modification and variants of histone]

The modification of histone plays a crucial role in regulating chromatin states that conserve transcription programs and provide a mechanism for chromatin states to be maintained as cells proliferate. A large number of factors and protein complexes are now known to be involved in regulating the dynamic states of the modification and variants of histone. A fraction of histones are nonallelic variants that have specific expression localization, and species-distribution patterns. Here we discuss recent progress in understanding how histone variants lead to changes in chromatin structure and dynamics to carry out specific functions.

Quercetin induces cell-cycle G1 arrest through elevating Cdk inhibitors p21 and p27 in human hepatoma cell line (HepG2)

Quercetin is a flavonoid ubiquitously found in nature. The therapeutic effect of quercetin on human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) was evaluated in this study. Various groups were incubated with different doses of quercetin for 12-, 24-, 48- and 72-h time duration and compared with control groups. Dose- and time-dependent inhibition in HepG2 proliferation was found with quercetin treatment. At 48 h of incubation, 61.78% of the cells were arrested at G(1) phase with 25 microM/l quercetin while 89.62% were arrested at G(1) phase with 50 microM/l quercetin. Furthermore, the results indicate that quercetin increased the content of Cdk inhibitor p21 protein, which was correlated with the elevation in p53 levels during 12 h of incubation. In addition, quercetin also increased the level of Cdk inhibitor p27 protein during 24 h of incubation. From our results it can be concluded that quercetin blocks cell cycle progression at G(1) phase and exerts its growth-inhibitory effect through the increase of Cdk inhibitors p21 and p27 and tumor suppressor p53 in HepG2.

Biocompatibility of subsieve-size capsules versus conventional-size microcapsules

Biocompatibility of cell-enclosing capsules, defined as suppression of pericapsular cellular reactions, is one of the factors governing the success of enclosed cell transplantation in in vivo cell therapy. Agarose capsules of subsieve size, less than 100 microm in diameter, and conventional size, approximately 300-1,000 microm in diameter, were implanted into the peritoneal cavity and epididymal fat pads of mice and rats, respectively, to determine the effect of a reduction in diameter to subsieve size. The degree of cellular reaction to the subsieve-size capsules was much lower than that of the conventional-size microcapsules, independent of implantation site. The frequency of overgrown subsieve-size capsules retrieved from the peritoneal cavities was less than 5% in contrast to approximately 20% for capsules 387 microm in diameter. In addition, no increase in floating cells, which are generated through capsule stimulation, was observed in the peritoneal cavity only with subsieve-size capsules. From these results, we concluded that subsieve-size capsules are more biocompatible than microcapsules of conventional size.

Acousto-optic, point receiver hydrophone probe for operation up to 100 MHz

This work describes the results of initial evaluation of a wideband acousto-optic hydrophone probe designed to operate as point receiver in the frequency range up to 100 MHz. The hydrophone was implemented as a tapered fiber optic (FO) probe sensor with a tip diameter of approximately 7 microm. Such small physical dimensions of the sensor eliminate the need for spatial averaging corrections so that true pressure-time (p-t) waveforms can be faithfully recorded. The theoretical considerations that predicted the FO probe sensitivity to be equal to 4.3 mV/MPa are presented along with a brief description of the manufacturing process. The calibration results that verified the theoretically predicted sensitivity are also presented along with a brief description of the improvements being currently implemented to increase this sensitivity level by approximately 20 dB. The results of preliminary measurements indicate that the fiber optic probes will exhibit a uniform frequency response and a zero phase shift in the frequency range considered. These features might be very useful in rapid complex calibration i.e. determining both magnitude and phase response of other hydrophones by the substitution method. Also, because of their robust design and linearity, these fiber optic hydrophones could also meet the challenges posed by high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and other therapeutic applications. Overall, the outcome of this work shows that when fully developed, the FO probes will be well suited for high frequency measurements of ultrasound fields and will be able to complement the data collected by the current finite aperture piezoelectric PVDF hydrophones.

Subsieve-size agarose capsules enclosing ifosfamide-activating cells: a strategy toward chemotherapeutic targeting to tumors

Localized activation of the prodrug ifosfamide in or close to tumors by implanting encapsulated ifosfamide-activating cells is an efficacious strategy for tumor therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of subsieve-size agarose capsules for enclosing the cells in this application. Compared with many conventional microcapsules, subsieve-size agarose capsules are about one-tenth the size and have both higher mechanical stability and allow better molecular exchangeability than other systems. Cells that have been genetically modified to express cytochrome P450 2B1 enzyme were encapsulated in subsieve-size agarose capsules of ∼90 μm in diameter and implanted into preformed tumors in nude mice. Living cells were detected for >1 month after encapsulation in vitro and showed enzymatic activity (i.e., they were able to activate ifosfamide). More significant regression of preformed tumors was observed in the recipients implanted with cell-enclosing capsules compared with those implanted with empty capsules. These results suggest that the strategy of using subsieve-size agarose capsules enclosing cytochrome P450 2B1–expressing cells is feasible for tumor therapy by chemotherapeutic targeting in combination with ifosfamide administration.

Vagus nerve stimulation therapy: A research update

Over the past 5 years, and especially within the last year, there has been a rapid expansion of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)-related preclinical research, as well as clinical studies in indications other than epilepsy. The research advances in understanding VNS are occurring in the midst of a blossoming of other forms of therapeutic brain stimulation, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS). In general, improved understanding of the neurobiological effects of VNS therapy as a function of the different use parameters (frequency, intensity, pulse width, duration, dose) is beginning to guide clinical use and help determine which diseases, in addition to epilepsy, VNS might treat.

Signal-to-noise analysis for detection sensitivity of small absorbing heterogeneity in turbid media with single-source and dual-interfering-source

Previous studies have suggested that the phased-array detection can achieve high sensitivity in detecting and localizing inhomogeneities embedded in turbid media by illuminating with dual interfering sources. In this paper, we analyze the sensitivity of single-source and dual-interfering-source (phased array) systems with signal-to-noise ratio criteria. Analytical solutions are presented to investigate the sensitivity of detection using different degrees of absorption perturbation by varying the size and contrast of the object under similar configurations for single- and dual-source systems. The results suggest that dual-source configuration can provide higher detection sensitivity. The relation between the amplitude and phase signals for both systems is also analyzed using a vector model. The results can be helpful for optimizing the experimental design by combining the advantages of both single- and dual-source systems in object detection and localization.

[Analysis of environmental gradient and community of forest-swamp ecotone in Changbai mountains]

This paper discussed the change pattern between environmental gradients and community structure, productivity and plant diversity of forest-swamp ecotones, and the mechanism forming those community's traits, which could supply a theoretical basis for conserving and managing the biological resources of ecotonal communities. By setting up sample belts along the environmental gradients on three kinds of ecotones between forests and swamps in Changbai Mountains and through investigating initial data and establishing regression models, the authors studied the dynamic pattern of species composition, diameter class and age class of dominant species, plant diversity, community productivity of forest-swamp ecotone communities with environmental gradients. The results showed that the distribution patterns of community structure characteristics, plant diversity and community productivity were consistent with the changes of environmental gradients of forest-swamp ecotones. Along the environmental gradient from swamp to forest, the displace of dominant species happened, and the species number increased by positive exponent. The diameter distribution of trees decreased by inverse curve, and the age class of trees was suited to cubic distribution. The plant diversity increased by quadratic, and the community biomass increased by cubic power curve along the environmental gradients. The above-mentioned results suggested that the relationships between communities and environmental gradients were closely related.

Association between the level of ERCC-1 expression and the repair of cisplatin-induced DNA damage in human ovarian cancer cells

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is responsible for the repair of platinum-DNA lesions. ERCC-1 is a critical gene within the NER pathway, and cells without a functional ERCC-1 do not repair cisplatin-caused DNA damage. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the relationship between the expression of ERCC-1 and the repair of cisplatin-induced DNA adducts in human ovarian cancer cells in vitro. One hour exposure of MCAS cells to cisplatin yielded an approximately two-fold increment in the levels of ERCC-1 mRNA and ERCC-1 protein, as determined, respectively, by Northern and Western blottings. In addition, nuclear run-on assay showed that ERCC-1 gene transcription rate was increased to about the same extent as steady-state ERCC-1 mRNA and protein, in response to cisplatin treatment. However, the levels of ERCC-1 mRNA, ERCC-1 protein, and ERCC-1 transcript in MCAS cells are two-fold lower than those in A2780/CP70 cells, as previously reported. Furthermore, the repair of cisplatin-DNA adducts in MCAS cells, as measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, is also nearly two-fold less than that in A2780/CP70 cells, indicating a strong association between the level of ERCC-1 expression and the activity of excision repair in these two human ovarian tumor cell lines. These results suggest that ERCC-1 may be a useful marker to monitor the repair of platinum-DNA damage in tumor cells, and further highlight that potential pharmacological approaches which specifically inhibit ERCC-1 expression may increase cellular sensitivity to cisplatin.

Comparison of two human ovarian carcinoma cell lines (A2780/CP70 and MCAS) that are equally resistant to platinum, but differ at codon 118 of the ERCC1 gene

ERCC1 is an essential gene within the nucleotide excision repair process. We studied two human ovarian carcinoma cell lines for cisplatin resistance, which differed with respect to ERCC1. The A2780/CP70 cell line has been extensively studied previously, and has the wild-type ERCC1 sequence. The MCAS cell line has a recently described ERCC1 polymorphism at codon 118, which is associated with an approximate 50% reduction in codon usage. These cells did not differ with respect to p53 sequence nor p53 mRNA induction following cisplatin exposure. The induction of ERCC1 mRNA was markedly reduced in MCAS cells as compared to A2780/CP70 cells. At the IC50 cisplatin dose for each cell line, MCAS cells were less proficient at cisplatin-DNA adduct repair than A2780/CP70 cells. In absolute terms, A2780/CP70 cells repaired 3-fold as much adduct (2.7 pg/microgram DNA over 6 h vs 0.86 pg/microgram DNA); and when expressed in terms of the maximal DNA adduct load, A2780/CP70 cells repaired 50% more adduct than MCAS cells. MCAS cells had increased cytosolic inactivation of drug at the IC50 dose level, which has been previously suggested to be a compensatory cellular response for reduced DNA repair capacity. These data suggest the possibility that this specific ERCC1 polymorphism, may be associated with reduced DNA repair capacity in human ovarian cancer cells. This association may be effected through a reduction in peak production of ERCC1 mRNA, and a consequent reduction in the translation of ERCC1 mRNA into protein.

[Wetland ecosystems formation and its protection in Yellow River Delta]

Site investigation, satellite photo analysis and historic material analysis show that the vast neonatal wetlands in Yellow River Delta were created by high concentration sediment of the river and the land-sea evolution. Affected by the regional climate, landform, geological deposition, soil, vegetation and their interactions, the wetlands covered 4.5 x 10(5) hm2, 6.84 x 10(4) hm2 of which were artificial wetlands. The wetland ecosystems changed with the waving of the Yellow River Mouth and the land development in the Delta area. From ocean to land, the sublittoral aquatic wetland, eulittoral wetland, eplittoral salt wetland, bulrush-quitch wetland, meadow wetland and land agroecosystem were developed. The wetland ecosystems had abundant biological resources, including 1524 wild animals, 300 birds and 1040 fishes, which were changed recently by the oil development and affected by the interruption of Yellow River. Wetland protection should be strengthened in resources utilization.

Cisplatin and phorbol ester independently induce ERCC-1 protein in human ovarian carcinoma cells

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the DNA repair pathway by which cisplatin-induced damage is removed from DNA in human cells. ERCC-1 is one of the essential proteins in NER, and is essential for life. Enhanced ERCC-1 expression has been associated with clinical and cellular resistance to cisplatin. We therefore carried out this study to investigate the effect of cisplatin on ERCC-1 protein expression in A2780/CP70 human ovarian cancer cells. Western blot analysis showed that ERCC-1 protein levels were increased to more than 3 times control after a 1 h cisplatin exposure to A2780/CP70 cells in culture. This increase was time- and concentration-dependent. The effect of cisplatin was maximal at 40 mM and peaked 24-48 h after exposure to the drug. These results extend our previous observations that ERCC-1 mRNA expression is induced by cisplatin in this system. TPA, a known AP-1 activator and tumor-promoting phorbol ester, also induced ERCC-1 protein to the same extent as cisplatin, but did not synergize with cisplatin in this regard. These findings suggest that ERCC-1 gene up-regulation in these cells can result through a DNA damage-response pathway, or through the induction of AP-1 activity, independent of the occurrence of DNA damage.

Alternative splicing of ERCC1 and cisplatin-DNA adduct repair in human tumor cell lines

Alternative splicing is a common natural tool for the inhibition of function of full length gene products. We explored whether there was evidence that alternative splicing of ERCC1 may serve such a function for nucleotide excision repair. The ratio of alternatively spliced species to full length species was assessed for the protein and/or for the mRNA, for a series of human cell lines and tissues. This ratio was plotted against the amount of cisplatin-DNA adduct repair in each cell line (n=9), as measured by atomic absorbance spectrometry. As the percentage of alternatively spliced protein and/or mRNA increased, the amount of cisplatin-DNA adduct that was repaired was reduced. This inverse relationship was associated with a substantial amount of scatter (r=0.635), particularly at low levels of repair. These data demonstrate an association between alternative splicing of ERCC1, and reduction in cellular capability to repair cisplatin-DNA adduct.

A nucleotide polymorphism in ERCC1 in human ovarian cancer cell lines and tumor tissues

We studied the DNA sequence of the entire coding region of ERCC1 gene, in five cell lines established from human ovarian cancer (A2780, A2780/CP70, MCAS, OVCAR-3, SK-OV-3), 29 human ovarian cancer tumor tissue specimens, one human T-lymphocyte cell line (H9), and non-malignant human ovary tissue (NHO). Samples were assayed by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequence analyses. A silent mutation at codon 118 (site for restriction endonuclease MaeII) in exon 4 of the gene was detected in MCAS, OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3 cells, and NHO. This mutation was a C-->T transition, that codes for the same amino acid: asparagine. This transition converts a common codon usage (AAC) to an infrequent codon usage (AAT), whereas frequency of use is reduced two-fold. This base change was associated with a detectable band shift on SSCP analysis. For the 29 ovarian cancer specimens, the same base change was observed in 15 tumor samples and was associated with the same band shift in exon 4. Cells and tumor tissue specimens that did not contain the C-->T transition, did not show the band shift in exon 4. Our data suggest that this alteration at codon 118 within the ERCC1 gene, may exist in platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer tissues.