Many fields,such as neuroscience,are experiencing the vast prolife ration of cellular data,underscoring the need fo r organizing and interpreting large datasets.A popular approach partitions data into manageable subse...Many fields,such as neuroscience,are experiencing the vast prolife ration of cellular data,underscoring the need fo r organizing and interpreting large datasets.A popular approach partitions data into manageable subsets via hierarchical clustering,but objective methods to determine the appropriate classification granularity are missing.We recently introduced a technique to systematically identify when to stop subdividing clusters based on the fundamental principle that cells must differ more between than within clusters.Here we present the corresponding protocol to classify cellular datasets by combining datadriven unsupervised hierarchical clustering with statistical testing.These general-purpose functions are applicable to any cellular dataset that can be organized as two-dimensional matrices of numerical values,including molecula r,physiological,and anatomical datasets.We demonstrate the protocol using cellular data from the Janelia MouseLight project to chara cterize morphological aspects of neurons.展开更多
As an optical processor,a diffractive deep neural network(D2NN)utilizes engineered diffractive surfaces designed through machine learning to perform all-optical information processing,completing its tasks at the speed...As an optical processor,a diffractive deep neural network(D2NN)utilizes engineered diffractive surfaces designed through machine learning to perform all-optical information processing,completing its tasks at the speed of light propagation through thin optical layers.With sufficient degrees of freedom,D2NNs can perform arbitrary complex-valued linear transformations using spatially coherent light.Similarly,D2NNs can also perform arbitrary linear intensity transformations with spatially incoherent illumination;however,under spatially incoherent light,these transformations are nonnegative,acting on diffraction-limited optical intensity patterns at the input field of view.Here,we expand the use of spatially incoherent D2NNs to complex-valued information processing for executing arbitrary complex-valued linear transformations using spatially incoherent light.Through simulations,we show that as the number of optimized diffractive features increases beyond a threshold dictated by the multiplication of the input and output space-bandwidth products,a spatially incoherent diffractive visual processor can approximate any complex-valued linear transformation and be used for all-optical image encryption using incoherent illumination.The findings are important for the all-optical processing of information under natural light using various forms of diffractive surface-based optical processors.展开更多
Neurodegeneration is a catastrophic process that develops progressive damage leading to functional andstructural loss of the cells of the nervous system and is among the biggest unavoidable problems of our age.Animalm...Neurodegeneration is a catastrophic process that develops progressive damage leading to functional andstructural loss of the cells of the nervous system and is among the biggest unavoidable problems of our age.Animalmodels do not reflect the pathophysiology observed in humans due to distinct differences between the neuralpathways,gene expression patterns,neuronal plasticity,and other disease-related mechanisms in animals andhumans.Classical in vitro cell culture models are also not sufficient for pre-clinical drug testing in reflecting thecomplex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.Today,modern,engineered techniques are applied to developmulticellular,intricate in vitro models and to create the closest microenvironment simulating biological,biochemical,and mechanical characteristics of the in vivo degenerating tissue.In THIS review,the capabilities and shortcomings ofscaffold-based and scaffold-free techniques,organoids,and microfluidic models that best reflect neurodegeneration invitro in the biomimetic framework are discussed.展开更多
Produced water(PW)from oil and gas exploration adversely affects aquatic life and living organisms,necessitating treatment before discharge to meet effluent permissible limits.This study first used activated sludge to...Produced water(PW)from oil and gas exploration adversely affects aquatic life and living organisms,necessitating treatment before discharge to meet effluent permissible limits.This study first used activated sludge to pretreat PW in a sequential batch reactor(SBR).The pretreated PW then entered a 13 L photobioreactor(PBR)containing Scenedesmus obliquus microalgae culture.Initially,10%of the PW mixed with 90%microalgae culture in the PBR.After the exponential growth of the microalgae,an additional 25%of PW was added to the PBR without extra nutrients.This study reported the growth performance of microalgae in the PBR as well as the reduction in effluent’s total organic carbon(TOC),total dissolved solids(TDS),electrical conductivity(EC),and heavy metals content.The results demonstrated removal efficiencies of 64%for TOC,49.8%for TDS,and 49.1%for EC.The results also showed reductions in barium,iron,and manganese in the effluent by 95,76,and 52%,respectively.展开更多
Chlorella residues are currently underutilized. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the nutritional components of Chlorella residue, and investigated its potential use as an organic fertilizer/bio-stimulant. Composi...Chlorella residues are currently underutilized. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the nutritional components of Chlorella residue, and investigated its potential use as an organic fertilizer/bio-stimulant. Composition analyses revealed that the Chlorella residue contained a substantial amount of nitrogen (97,910 mg/kg), and significant quantities of secondary macronutrients, such as calcium (4300 mg/kg) and magnesium (9700 mg/kg), and micronutrients, such as iron (1850 mg/L) and manganese (359 mg/kg). The application of Chlorella residue to soil resulted in increased soil bacterial biomass. When Chlorella residue was added to the soil at a rate of 0.5% or 1.0% (w/w), the fresh weights of Brassica rapa and Spinacia oleracea were significantly increased. Furthermore, the application of Chlorella residue to the soil of B. rapa suppressed the reduction of the microbiome caused by clubroot disease and decreased the clubroot disease index. Therefore, Chlorella residue can be included in organic fertilizers that effectively improve soil nutrient contents, promote plant growth, and reduce the incidence of disease.展开更多
Objective and Impact Statement:Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)is a critical protein in cancer cell growth that signifies the aggressiveness of breast cancer(BC)and helps predict its prognosis.Here,we in...Objective and Impact Statement:Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)is a critical protein in cancer cell growth that signifies the aggressiveness of breast cancer(BC)and helps predict its prognosis.Here,we introduce a deep learning-based approach utilizing pyramid sampling for the automated classification of HER2 status in immunohistochemically(IHC)stained BC tissue images.Introduction:Accurate assessment of IHC-stained tissue slides for HER2 expression levels is essential for both treatment guidance and understanding of cancer mechanisms.Nevertheless,the traditional workflow of manual examination by board-certified pathologists encounters challenges,including inter-and intra-observer inconsistency and extended turnaround times.Methods:Our deep learning-based method analyzes morphological features at various spatial scales,efficiently managing the computational load and facilitating a detailed examination of cellular and larger-scale tissue-level details.Results:This approach addresses the tissue heterogeneity of HER2 expression by providing a comprehensive view,leading to a blind testing classification accuracy of 84.70%,on a dataset of 523 core images from tissue microarrays.Conclusion:This automated system,proving reliable as an adjunct pathology tool,has the potential to enhance diagnostic precision and evaluation speed,and might substantially impact cancer treatment planning.展开更多
Neurite outgrowth inhibitor A(Nogo-A)is a major player in neural development and regeneration and the target of clinical trials aiming at promoting the regeneration of the central nervous system upon traumatic and isc...Neurite outgrowth inhibitor A(Nogo-A)is a major player in neural development and regeneration and the target of clinical trials aiming at promoting the regeneration of the central nervous system upon traumatic and ischemic injury.In this work,we investigated the functions of Nogo-A during tooth development to determine its role in dental physiology and pathology.Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques,we showed that Nogo-A is highly expressed in the developing mouse teeth and,most specifically,in the ameloblasts that are responsible for the formation of enamel.Using both Nogo-A knockout and K14-Cre;Nogo-A fl/fltransgenic mice,we showed that Nogo-A deletion in the dental epithelium leads to the formation of defective enamel.This phenotype is associated with overexpression of a set of specific genes involved in ameloblast differentiation and enamel matrix production,such as amelogenin,ameloblastin and enamelin.By characterising the interactome of Nogo-A in the dental epithelium of wild-type and mutant animals,we found that Nogo-A directly interacts with molecules important for regulating gene expression,and its deletion disturbs their cellular localisation.Furthermore,we demonstrated that inhibition of the intracellular,but not cell-surface,Nogo-A is responsible for gene expression modulation in ameloblasts.Taken together,these results reveal an unexpected function for Nogo-A in tooth enamel formation by regulating gene expression and cytodifferentiation events.展开更多
It has been reported that there is an interaction between Benzo[a]pyrene （BaP）, a widespread carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, and tributyltin （TBT）, an organometal used as an antifouling biocide. This...It has been reported that there is an interaction between Benzo[a]pyrene （BaP）, a widespread carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, and tributyltin （TBT）, an organometal used as an antifouling biocide. This study was therefore designed to examine the potential in vivo influence of BaP, TBT and their mixture on splenic antioxidant defense systems of Sebastiscus marmoratus. The fish were exposed to water containing environmentally relevant concentrations of BaP, TBT and their mixture. Spleens were collected for biochemical analysis after exposure for 7, 25, 50 d and after recovery for 7, 20 d. Cotreatment with BaP and TBT for 7 d potentiated the induction of glutathione peroxidase （GPx） activity by BaP or TBT alone. The cotreatment for 25 and 50 d resulted in inhibition of GPx activity, which was similar to the effect of TBT. Splenic glutathione S-transferase （GST） activities were significantly elevated in S. marmoratus exposed to BaP starting from 7 d and remained high up to 25 d. However, no further activity change was found with prolonged exposure. Cotreatment of BaP and TBT primarily inhibited the GST activity, which was similar to the effect of TBT. Cotreatment with BaP and TBT for 25 or 50 d potentiated the depletion of GSH （glutathione） by BaP or TBT alone. MDA （malondialdehyde） contents in spleen of S. marmoratus were not significantly altered compared with the control during the test period. Spleen, as an immune organ, is sensitive to exposure of BaP or TBT. It should have an effective mechanism to counteract oxidative damage. Antioxidative defense systems in spleen of S. marmoratus should be considered as potential biomarkers. Short-term exposure of BaP or TBT could result in induction of antioxidant defense system. A significant decrease of these indices, such as GSH, GST, GPx might indicate more severe contamination.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the effect of a Chinese medicine, Kaiyu Qingwei Jianji （KYQWJJ） used for diabetic treatment, on the morphometry and residual strain distribution of the small intestine in streptozotocin （STZ） ...AIM： To investigate the effect of a Chinese medicine, Kaiyu Qingwei Jianji （KYQWJJ） used for diabetic treatment, on the morphometry and residual strain distribution of the small intestine in streptozotocin （STZ） -induced diabetic rats. Correlation analysis was also performed between the opening angle and residual strain with the blood glucose level. METHODS： Forty-two male Wistar rats weighing 220-240 g were included in this study. Thirty-two STZ- induced diabetic rats were subdivided into four groups （n = 8 in each group）, i.e. diabetic control group （DM）; high dose of KYQWJJ （T1, 36g/kg per day）; low dose of KYQWJJ （T2, 17 g/kg per day） and Gliclazide （T3, 50 mg/kg per day）. Another ten rats were used as nondiabetic control （CON）. The medicines were poured directly into stomach lumen by gastric lavage twice daily. The rats of CON and DM groups were only poured the physiological saline. Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were measured. Experimental period was 35 d. At the end of experiment, three 5-cm long segments were harvested from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Three rings of 1-2 mm in length for no-load and zero-stress state tests were cut from the middle of different segments. The morphometric data, such as the circumferential length, the wall thickness and the opening angle were measured from the digitized images of intestinal segments in the no-load state and zerostress state. The residual strain was computed from the morphometry data. Furthermore, the linear regression analysis was performed between blood glucose level with morphometric and biomechanical data in the different intestinal segments. RESULTS： The blood glucose level of DM group was consistent 4-fold to 5-fold higher than those in CON group during the experiment （16.89 ± 1.11 vs 3.44 ± 0.15 mmol/L, P 〈 0.001）. The blood glucose level in the T1 （16.89 ± 1.11 vs 11.08 ± 2.67 mmol/L, P 〈 0.01） and T3 groups （16.89 ± 1.11 vs 13.54 ± 1.73 mmol/L, P 〈 0.05）, but not in T2 group （P 〉 0.05） was significantly lower than those in DM group. The plasma insulin levels of DM, T1, T2 and T3 groups were significantly lower than those in CON group （10.98 ± 1.02, 12.52 ± 1.42,13.54 ± 1.56,10.96 ± 0.96 vs 17.84 ± 2.34 pmol/L respectively, P 〈 0.05）, but no significantly difference among the groups with exception of CON group. The wet weight/cm and total wall thickness of duodenum, jejunum and ileum in DM group were significantly higher than those in CON group （wet weight （g/cm）： duodenum 0.209 ± 0.012 vs 0.166 ± 0.010, jejunum 0.149 ± 0.008 vs 0.121 ± 0.004, ileum 0.134 ± 0.013 vs 0.112 ± 0.007; Wall thickness （mm）： duodenum 0.849 ± 0.027 vs 0.710 ± 0.026, jejunum 0.7259 ± 0.034 vs 0.627 ± 0.025, ileum 0.532 ± 0.023 vs 0.470 ± 0.010, all P 〈 0.05）, T1 and T3 treatment could partly restore change of wall thickness, but T2 could not. The opening angle and absolute value of inner and outer residual stain were significantly smaller in duodenal segment （188 ± 11 degrees, -0.31 ± 0.02 and 0.35 ± 0.03 vs 259 ± 15 degrees, -0.40 ± 0.02 and 0.43 ± 0.05） and larger in jejunal （215 ± 20 degrees, -0.30 ± 0.03 and 0.36 ± 0.06 vs 172 ± 19 degrees, -0.25 ± 0.02 and 0.27 ± 0.02） and ileal segments （183 ± 20 degrees, -0.28 ± 0.01 and 0.34 ± 0.05 vs 153 ± 14 degrees, -0.23 ± 0.03 and 0.29 ± 0.04） in DM group than in CON group （P 〈 0.01）. TI and T3 treatment could partly restore this biomechanical alteration, but strong effect was found in T1 treatment （duodenum 243 ± 14 degrees, -0.36 ± 0.02 and 0.42 ± 0.06, jejunum 180 ± 15 degrees, -0.26 ± 0.03 and 0.30 ± 0.06 and ileum 163 ± 17 degrees, -0.23 ± 0.03 and 0.30 ± 0.05, compared with DM, P 〈 0.05）. The linear association was found between the glucose level with most morphometric and biomechanical data. CONCLUSION： KYQWJJ （high dose） treatment could partly restore the changes of blood glucose level and the remodeling of morphometry and residual strain of small intestine in diabetic rats. The linear regression analysis demonstrated that the effect of KYQWJJ on intestinal opening angle and residual strain is partially through its effect on the blood glucose level.展开更多
The non-edible crude rice bran oil was extracted from white rice bran, and then was catalyzed by immobilized lipase for biodiesel production in this study. The effects of water content, oil/methanol molar ratio, tempe...The non-edible crude rice bran oil was extracted from white rice bran, and then was catalyzed by immobilized lipase for biodiesel production in this study. The effects of water content, oil/methanol molar ratio, temperature, enzyme amount, solvent,number of methanol added times and two-step methanolysis by using Candida sp. 99-125 as catalyst were investigated. The optimal conditions for processing 1 g rice bran oil were: 0.2 g immobilized lipase, 2 ml n-hexane as solvent, 20% water based on the rice bran oil mass, temperature of 40 °C and two-step addition of methanol. As a result, the fatty acid methyl esters yield was 87.4%. The immobilized lipase was proved to be stable when it was used repeatedly for 7 cycles.展开更多
The antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of two spice extracts and their combination on raw chicken meat during storage for 15 days at 4◦C were studied.Raw chicken meat was treated with BHT(positive control),rosemary...The antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of two spice extracts and their combination on raw chicken meat during storage for 15 days at 4◦C were studied.Raw chicken meat was treated with BHT(positive control),rosemary(RO),cloves(CL),and their combination,and the results were compared to those obtained for raw chicken meat without any additive(negative control).The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of spice extracts were determined.The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of rosemary was lower than those of cloves.Cloves exhibited a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than that of rosemary.However,the ferrous ion-chelating effect of rosemary was significantly higher than that of cloves.The pH,instrumental colour(CIE L*,a*,b*),total viable counts(TVC),lactic acid bacteria(LAB)counts,Enterobacteriaceae counts,Pseudomonas spp.counts and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS)were determined at 3-day intervals over a period of 15 days.The bacterial counts of T-RO-CL samples were lower than those of control samples during storage.T-RO-CL samples maintained significantly(P<0.05)higher L*,a*and b*values during storage.The TBARS values of T-RO-CL samples were the lowest among the samples.These results demonstrate that spice extracts are highly effective against microbial growth and lipid oxidation and show potential as a natural antioxidant in raw chicken meats.展开更多
The demand for biomaterials that promote the repair,replacement,or restoration of hard and soft tissues continues to grow as the population ages.Traditionally,smart biomaterials have been thought as those that respond...The demand for biomaterials that promote the repair,replacement,or restoration of hard and soft tissues continues to grow as the population ages.Traditionally,smart biomaterials have been thought as those that respond to stimuli.However,the continuous evolution of the field warrants a fresh look at the concept of smartness of biomaterials.This review presents a redefinition of the term“Smart Biomaterial”and discusses recent advances in and applications of smart biomaterials for hard tissue restoration and regeneration.To clarify the use of the term“smart biomaterials”,we propose four degrees of smartness according to the level of interaction of the biomaterials with the bio-environment and the biological/cellular responses they elicit,defining these materials as inert,active,responsive,and autonomous.Then,we present an up-to-date survey of applications of smart biomaterials for hard tissues,based on the materials’responses(external and internal stimuli)and their use as immune-modulatory biomaterials.Finally,we discuss the limitations and obstacles to the translation from basic research(bench)to clinical utilization that is required for the development of clinically relevant applications of these technologies.展开更多
As a new mutagenetic method, low-energy ion implantation has been used widely in many research areas in recent years. In order to obtain some industrial strains with high xylanase yield, the wild type strain Aspergill...As a new mutagenetic method, low-energy ion implantation has been used widely in many research areas in recent years. In order to obtain some industrial strains with high xylanase yield, the wild type strain Aspergillus niger A3 was mutated by means of nitrogen ions implantation （10 keV, 2.6× 10^14 ～ 1.56 × 10^15 ions/cm^2） and a mutant N212 was isolated subsequently. However, it was found that the initial screening means of the high-yielding xylanase strains such as transparent halos was unfit for first screening. Compared with that of the wild type strain, xylanase production of the mutant N212 was increased from 320 IU/ml to 610 IU/ml, and the optimum fermentation temperature was increased from 28 ℃ to 30 ℃.展开更多
The unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina is well adapted to salt stress and contains compounds（including β-carotene and vitamins） with potential commercial value.A large transcriptome database of D.salina durin...The unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina is well adapted to salt stress and contains compounds（including β-carotene and vitamins） with potential commercial value.A large transcriptome database of D.salina during the adjustment, exponential and stationary growth phases was generated using a high throughput sequencing platform.We characterized the metabolic processes in D.salina with a focus on valuable metabolites, with the aim of manipulating D.salina to achieve greater economic value in large-scale production through a bioengineering strategy.Gene expression profiles under salt stress verified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction（qPCR） implied that salt can regulate the expression of key genes.This study generated a substantial fraction of D.salina transcriptional sequences for the entire growth cycle, providing a basis for the discovery of novel genes.This first full-scale transcriptome study of D.salina establishes a foundation for further comparative genomic studies.展开更多
Hydrothermal reactions of biphenyl-2,3,3A,5A-tetracarboxylic acid（H4bptc） with cobalt salt in the presence of 1,4-bis（2-pyridylmethyl）piperazin（bpmp） afforded one novel coordination polymer, namely, [Co（H2bptc...Hydrothermal reactions of biphenyl-2,3,3A,5A-tetracarboxylic acid（H4bptc） with cobalt salt in the presence of 1,4-bis（2-pyridylmethyl）piperazin（bpmp） afforded one novel coordination polymer, namely, [Co（H2bptc）（bpmp）0.5（H2O）]n（1）. Its structure was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and TG analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P21/c with a = 11.4839（11）, b = 16.6690（16）, c = 11.5559（11） A, V = 2201.8（4） A3, Mr = 539.35, Dc = 1.627 g/cm^3, μ（MoK α） = 0.841 mm-1, F（000） = 1108, Z = 4, the final R = 0.0309 and w R = 0.0705 for 4090 observed reflections（I 2σ（I））. Complex 1 displays a one-dimensional（1D） chain bridged by bpmp. Two carboxylic groups of H4 bptc ligand adopt μ01-η1：η1 and μ1-η1：η coordination modes to bridge adjacent Co（Ⅱ） ions together with bpmp ligand to give alternately arranged left- and right-handed helical chains. In addition, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that complex 1 shows weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co（Ⅱ） ions.展开更多
An assessment with assistance of DNA barcoding was conducted on green macroalgae in coastal zone around Qingdao, China, during the period of April- December, 2011. Three markers were applied in molecular discriminatio...An assessment with assistance of DNA barcoding was conducted on green macroalgae in coastal zone around Qingdao, China, during the period of April- December, 2011. Three markers were applied in molecular discrimination, including the plastid elongation factor tufA gene, the internal transcribed spacer(ITS) region of the ribosomal cistron and rubisco large subunit gene 3' regions(rbcL-3P). DNA barcoding discriminated 8 species, excluding species of genus Cladophora and Bryopsis due to failures in amplification. We ascertained and corrected 4 species identified by morphological methods for effectively assisting the classification. The gene tufA presented more advantages as an appropriate DNA marker with the strongest amplification success rate and species discrimination power than the other two genes. The poorest sequencing success largely handicapped the application of ITS. Samples identified by tufA and rbcL as Ulva flexuosa were clustered into the clade of U. prolifera by ITS in the neighbor-joining tree. Confusion with discrimination of the complex of U. linza, U. procera and U. prolifera(as the LPP complex) still existed for the three DNA markers. Based on our results, rbcL is recommended as a preferred marker for assisting tufA to discriminate green macroalgae. In distinguishing green-tide-forming Ulva species, the free-floating sample collected from the green tide in 2011 was proved to be identical with U. prolifera in Yellow Sea for ITS and rbcL genes. This study presents a preliminary survey of green macroalgae distributed in the coastal area around Qingdao, and proves that DNA barcoding is a powerful tool for taxonomy of green macroalgae.展开更多
This paper reviews some of the nanoindentation research that has been done on teeth and discusses the usefulness of this technique in studying the structure-property-function relationship at the micro and nanometer sc...This paper reviews some of the nanoindentation research that has been done on teeth and discusses the usefulness of this technique in studying the structure-property-function relationship at the micro and nanometer scale. In particular, examples on the use of nanoindentation technique in investigating the effects of cleansing and bleaching agents as well as drinks on the micro- and nanostructures and mechanical properties of teeth are highlighted. Although nanoindentation on teeth is a relatively new area of research, it provides an excellent way of probing and relating the structures and mechanical properties of teeth at the submicron and nanometer scales that were previously not possible but which can now greatly benefit dental research. For example, a nanoindenter with a high resolution imaging capability can help to elucidate the mechanisms with which certain diseases can damage and compromise the structural integrity of teeth at the micro- and nanometer scale. With this information, clinicians and researchers can then work towards how best to tackle these problems or even preventing them.展开更多
Extracellular polysaccharide from Tremella aurantialba (TEP) significantly inhibited H2O2-induced haemolysis of RBCs, significantly decreased the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) produced in mice liver homogenates as a...Extracellular polysaccharide from Tremella aurantialba (TEP) significantly inhibited H2O2-induced haemolysis of RBCs, significantly decreased the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) produced in mice liver homogenates as a result of autoxidation, and inhibited VitC-Fe2+-induced swelling of liver mitochondria.展开更多
A total of 142 specimens of Ceramiales （Rhodophyta） were collected each month from October 2011 to November 2012 in the intertidal zone of the northwestern Yellow Sea. These specimens covered 21 species, 14 genera, ...A total of 142 specimens of Ceramiales （Rhodophyta） were collected each month from October 2011 to November 2012 in the intertidal zone of the northwestern Yellow Sea. These specimens covered 21 species, 14 genera, and four families. Cluster analyses show that the specimens had a high diversity for the three DNA markers, namely, partial large subunit rRNA gene （LSU）, universal plastid amplicon （UPA）, and partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene （COl）. No intraspecific divergence was found in our collection for these markers, except for a 1-3 bp divergence in the COI of Ceramium kondoi, Syrnphyocladia latiuscula, and Neosiphoniajaponica. Because short DNA markers were used, the phylogenetic relationships of higher taxonomic levels were hard to evaluate with poor branch support. More than half species of our collection failed to find their matched sequences owing to shortage information of DNA barcodes for macroalgae in GenBank or BOLD （Barcode of Life Data） Systems. Three specimens were presumed as Heterosiphonia crispella by cluster analyses on DNA barcodes assisted by morphological identification, which was the first record in the investigated area, implying that it might he a cryptic or invasive species in the coastal area of northwestern Yellow Sea. In the neighbor-joining trees of all three DNA markers, Heterosiphonia japonica converged with Dasya spp. and was distant from the other Heterosiphonia spp., implying that H.japonica had affinities to the genus Dasya. The LSU and UPA markers amplified and sequenced easier than the COI marker across the Ceramiales species, but the COI had a higher ability to discriminate between species.展开更多
Objective: To investigate and compare the antileishmanial effects of CAPE and(CAPE)PLGA NPs on Leishmania infantum(L.infantum) promastigotes and amastigotes in vitro,Methods: Efficacies of CAPE,(CAPE)PLGA NPs and free...Objective: To investigate and compare the antileishmanial effects of CAPE and(CAPE)PLGA NPs on Leishmania infantum(L.infantum) promastigotes and amastigotes in vitro,Methods: Efficacies of CAPE,(CAPE)PLGA NPs and free PLGA nanoparticles(NPs) on promastigotes were evaluated using MTT and promastigote count assays,and their anti-amastigote effects were determined via infection index analysis,Griess reaction was also performed to calculate nitric oxide production of macrophages exposed to investigated molecules,Results: It was determined that CAPE and(CAPE)PLGA NPs demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on L.infantum promastigotes and amastigotes,while free NPs did not exhibit any meaningful antileishmanial effectiveness,The IC50 values of CAPE for L.infantum promastigotes and amastigotes were assessed as(51.0±0.8) and(19.0±1.4) μg/m L,respectively(P<0.05),On the other side,it was revealed that(CAPE)PLGA NPs had superior antileishmanial activity on both forms of parasites since its IC50 values for L.infantum promastigotes and amastigotes were(32.0±1.3) and(8.0±0.9) μg/m L,respectively(P<0.05),It was also determined that both agents strongly stimulated nitric oxide production of macrophages,Conclusions: The obtained results show that(CAPE)PLGA NPs have a great potential to be especially used in treatment of visceral leishmaniasis; however,in vivo antileishmanial screening of these molecules should be performed in the near future.展开更多
基金supported in part by NIH grants R01NS39600,U01MH114829RF1MH128693(to GAA)。
文摘Many fields,such as neuroscience,are experiencing the vast prolife ration of cellular data,underscoring the need fo r organizing and interpreting large datasets.A popular approach partitions data into manageable subsets via hierarchical clustering,but objective methods to determine the appropriate classification granularity are missing.We recently introduced a technique to systematically identify when to stop subdividing clusters based on the fundamental principle that cells must differ more between than within clusters.Here we present the corresponding protocol to classify cellular datasets by combining datadriven unsupervised hierarchical clustering with statistical testing.These general-purpose functions are applicable to any cellular dataset that can be organized as two-dimensional matrices of numerical values,including molecula r,physiological,and anatomical datasets.We demonstrate the protocol using cellular data from the Janelia MouseLight project to chara cterize morphological aspects of neurons.
基金support of the U.S.Department of Energy (DOE),Office of Basic Energy Sciences,Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering under Award#DE-SC0023088.
文摘As an optical processor,a diffractive deep neural network(D2NN)utilizes engineered diffractive surfaces designed through machine learning to perform all-optical information processing,completing its tasks at the speed of light propagation through thin optical layers.With sufficient degrees of freedom,D2NNs can perform arbitrary complex-valued linear transformations using spatially coherent light.Similarly,D2NNs can also perform arbitrary linear intensity transformations with spatially incoherent illumination;however,under spatially incoherent light,these transformations are nonnegative,acting on diffraction-limited optical intensity patterns at the input field of view.Here,we expand the use of spatially incoherent D2NNs to complex-valued information processing for executing arbitrary complex-valued linear transformations using spatially incoherent light.Through simulations,we show that as the number of optimized diffractive features increases beyond a threshold dictated by the multiplication of the input and output space-bandwidth products,a spatially incoherent diffractive visual processor can approximate any complex-valued linear transformation and be used for all-optical image encryption using incoherent illumination.The findings are important for the all-optical processing of information under natural light using various forms of diffractive surface-based optical processors.
文摘Neurodegeneration is a catastrophic process that develops progressive damage leading to functional andstructural loss of the cells of the nervous system and is among the biggest unavoidable problems of our age.Animalmodels do not reflect the pathophysiology observed in humans due to distinct differences between the neuralpathways,gene expression patterns,neuronal plasticity,and other disease-related mechanisms in animals andhumans.Classical in vitro cell culture models are also not sufficient for pre-clinical drug testing in reflecting thecomplex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.Today,modern,engineered techniques are applied to developmulticellular,intricate in vitro models and to create the closest microenvironment simulating biological,biochemical,and mechanical characteristics of the in vivo degenerating tissue.In THIS review,the capabilities and shortcomings ofscaffold-based and scaffold-free techniques,organoids,and microfluidic models that best reflect neurodegeneration invitro in the biomimetic framework are discussed.
基金Membranes and Water Security IRC,KFUPM.Funding no.INMW2304。
文摘Produced water(PW)from oil and gas exploration adversely affects aquatic life and living organisms,necessitating treatment before discharge to meet effluent permissible limits.This study first used activated sludge to pretreat PW in a sequential batch reactor(SBR).The pretreated PW then entered a 13 L photobioreactor(PBR)containing Scenedesmus obliquus microalgae culture.Initially,10%of the PW mixed with 90%microalgae culture in the PBR.After the exponential growth of the microalgae,an additional 25%of PW was added to the PBR without extra nutrients.This study reported the growth performance of microalgae in the PBR as well as the reduction in effluent’s total organic carbon(TOC),total dissolved solids(TDS),electrical conductivity(EC),and heavy metals content.The results demonstrated removal efficiencies of 64%for TOC,49.8%for TDS,and 49.1%for EC.The results also showed reductions in barium,iron,and manganese in the effluent by 95,76,and 52%,respectively.
文摘Chlorella residues are currently underutilized. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the nutritional components of Chlorella residue, and investigated its potential use as an organic fertilizer/bio-stimulant. Composition analyses revealed that the Chlorella residue contained a substantial amount of nitrogen (97,910 mg/kg), and significant quantities of secondary macronutrients, such as calcium (4300 mg/kg) and magnesium (9700 mg/kg), and micronutrients, such as iron (1850 mg/L) and manganese (359 mg/kg). The application of Chlorella residue to soil resulted in increased soil bacterial biomass. When Chlorella residue was added to the soil at a rate of 0.5% or 1.0% (w/w), the fresh weights of Brassica rapa and Spinacia oleracea were significantly increased. Furthermore, the application of Chlorella residue to the soil of B. rapa suppressed the reduction of the microbiome caused by clubroot disease and decreased the clubroot disease index. Therefore, Chlorella residue can be included in organic fertilizers that effectively improve soil nutrient contents, promote plant growth, and reduce the incidence of disease.
基金supported by the NSF Biophotonics Program(to A.O.)the NIH National Center for Interventional Biophotonic Technologies(P41 to A.O.).
文摘Objective and Impact Statement:Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)is a critical protein in cancer cell growth that signifies the aggressiveness of breast cancer(BC)and helps predict its prognosis.Here,we introduce a deep learning-based approach utilizing pyramid sampling for the automated classification of HER2 status in immunohistochemically(IHC)stained BC tissue images.Introduction:Accurate assessment of IHC-stained tissue slides for HER2 expression levels is essential for both treatment guidance and understanding of cancer mechanisms.Nevertheless,the traditional workflow of manual examination by board-certified pathologists encounters challenges,including inter-and intra-observer inconsistency and extended turnaround times.Methods:Our deep learning-based method analyzes morphological features at various spatial scales,efficiently managing the computational load and facilitating a detailed examination of cellular and larger-scale tissue-level details.Results:This approach addresses the tissue heterogeneity of HER2 expression by providing a comprehensive view,leading to a blind testing classification accuracy of 84.70%,on a dataset of 523 core images from tissue microarrays.Conclusion:This automated system,proving reliable as an adjunct pathology tool,has the potential to enhance diagnostic precision and evaluation speed,and might substantially impact cancer treatment planning.
基金supported by institutional funds from the University of Zurich(T.A.M)and from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation(C.C.)by additional competitive funds from the Swiss National Science Foundation(SNSF+2 种基金research grant 31003A_179389)(T.A.M.)from the Swiss Dental Association(SSOresearch grant 313-19)(T.A.M.,P.P.)。
文摘Neurite outgrowth inhibitor A(Nogo-A)is a major player in neural development and regeneration and the target of clinical trials aiming at promoting the regeneration of the central nervous system upon traumatic and ischemic injury.In this work,we investigated the functions of Nogo-A during tooth development to determine its role in dental physiology and pathology.Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques,we showed that Nogo-A is highly expressed in the developing mouse teeth and,most specifically,in the ameloblasts that are responsible for the formation of enamel.Using both Nogo-A knockout and K14-Cre;Nogo-A fl/fltransgenic mice,we showed that Nogo-A deletion in the dental epithelium leads to the formation of defective enamel.This phenotype is associated with overexpression of a set of specific genes involved in ameloblast differentiation and enamel matrix production,such as amelogenin,ameloblastin and enamelin.By characterising the interactome of Nogo-A in the dental epithelium of wild-type and mutant animals,we found that Nogo-A directly interacts with molecules important for regulating gene expression,and its deletion disturbs their cellular localisation.Furthermore,we demonstrated that inhibition of the intracellular,but not cell-surface,Nogo-A is responsible for gene expression modulation in ameloblasts.Taken together,these results reveal an unexpected function for Nogo-A in tooth enamel formation by regulating gene expression and cytodifferentiation events.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.20447001, 40476049)the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China(No. D0410007).
文摘It has been reported that there is an interaction between Benzo[a]pyrene （BaP）, a widespread carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, and tributyltin （TBT）, an organometal used as an antifouling biocide. This study was therefore designed to examine the potential in vivo influence of BaP, TBT and their mixture on splenic antioxidant defense systems of Sebastiscus marmoratus. The fish were exposed to water containing environmentally relevant concentrations of BaP, TBT and their mixture. Spleens were collected for biochemical analysis after exposure for 7, 25, 50 d and after recovery for 7, 20 d. Cotreatment with BaP and TBT for 7 d potentiated the induction of glutathione peroxidase （GPx） activity by BaP or TBT alone. The cotreatment for 25 and 50 d resulted in inhibition of GPx activity, which was similar to the effect of TBT. Splenic glutathione S-transferase （GST） activities were significantly elevated in S. marmoratus exposed to BaP starting from 7 d and remained high up to 25 d. However, no further activity change was found with prolonged exposure. Cotreatment of BaP and TBT primarily inhibited the GST activity, which was similar to the effect of TBT. Cotreatment with BaP and TBT for 25 or 50 d potentiated the depletion of GSH （glutathione） by BaP or TBT alone. MDA （malondialdehyde） contents in spleen of S. marmoratus were not significantly altered compared with the control during the test period. Spleen, as an immune organ, is sensitive to exposure of BaP or TBT. It should have an effective mechanism to counteract oxidative damage. Antioxidative defense systems in spleen of S. marmoratus should be considered as potential biomarkers. Short-term exposure of BaP or TBT could result in induction of antioxidant defense system. A significant decrease of these indices, such as GSH, GST, GPx might indicate more severe contamination.
文摘AIM： To investigate the effect of a Chinese medicine, Kaiyu Qingwei Jianji （KYQWJJ） used for diabetic treatment, on the morphometry and residual strain distribution of the small intestine in streptozotocin （STZ） -induced diabetic rats. Correlation analysis was also performed between the opening angle and residual strain with the blood glucose level. METHODS： Forty-two male Wistar rats weighing 220-240 g were included in this study. Thirty-two STZ- induced diabetic rats were subdivided into four groups （n = 8 in each group）, i.e. diabetic control group （DM）; high dose of KYQWJJ （T1, 36g/kg per day）; low dose of KYQWJJ （T2, 17 g/kg per day） and Gliclazide （T3, 50 mg/kg per day）. Another ten rats were used as nondiabetic control （CON）. The medicines were poured directly into stomach lumen by gastric lavage twice daily. The rats of CON and DM groups were only poured the physiological saline. Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were measured. Experimental period was 35 d. At the end of experiment, three 5-cm long segments were harvested from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Three rings of 1-2 mm in length for no-load and zero-stress state tests were cut from the middle of different segments. The morphometric data, such as the circumferential length, the wall thickness and the opening angle were measured from the digitized images of intestinal segments in the no-load state and zerostress state. The residual strain was computed from the morphometry data. Furthermore, the linear regression analysis was performed between blood glucose level with morphometric and biomechanical data in the different intestinal segments. RESULTS： The blood glucose level of DM group was consistent 4-fold to 5-fold higher than those in CON group during the experiment （16.89 ± 1.11 vs 3.44 ± 0.15 mmol/L, P 〈 0.001）. The blood glucose level in the T1 （16.89 ± 1.11 vs 11.08 ± 2.67 mmol/L, P 〈 0.01） and T3 groups （16.89 ± 1.11 vs 13.54 ± 1.73 mmol/L, P 〈 0.05）, but not in T2 group （P 〉 0.05） was significantly lower than those in DM group. The plasma insulin levels of DM, T1, T2 and T3 groups were significantly lower than those in CON group （10.98 ± 1.02, 12.52 ± 1.42,13.54 ± 1.56,10.96 ± 0.96 vs 17.84 ± 2.34 pmol/L respectively, P 〈 0.05）, but no significantly difference among the groups with exception of CON group. The wet weight/cm and total wall thickness of duodenum, jejunum and ileum in DM group were significantly higher than those in CON group （wet weight （g/cm）： duodenum 0.209 ± 0.012 vs 0.166 ± 0.010, jejunum 0.149 ± 0.008 vs 0.121 ± 0.004, ileum 0.134 ± 0.013 vs 0.112 ± 0.007; Wall thickness （mm）： duodenum 0.849 ± 0.027 vs 0.710 ± 0.026, jejunum 0.7259 ± 0.034 vs 0.627 ± 0.025, ileum 0.532 ± 0.023 vs 0.470 ± 0.010, all P 〈 0.05）, T1 and T3 treatment could partly restore change of wall thickness, but T2 could not. The opening angle and absolute value of inner and outer residual stain were significantly smaller in duodenal segment （188 ± 11 degrees, -0.31 ± 0.02 and 0.35 ± 0.03 vs 259 ± 15 degrees, -0.40 ± 0.02 and 0.43 ± 0.05） and larger in jejunal （215 ± 20 degrees, -0.30 ± 0.03 and 0.36 ± 0.06 vs 172 ± 19 degrees, -0.25 ± 0.02 and 0.27 ± 0.02） and ileal segments （183 ± 20 degrees, -0.28 ± 0.01 and 0.34 ± 0.05 vs 153 ± 14 degrees, -0.23 ± 0.03 and 0.29 ± 0.04） in DM group than in CON group （P 〈 0.01）. TI and T3 treatment could partly restore this biomechanical alteration, but strong effect was found in T1 treatment （duodenum 243 ± 14 degrees, -0.36 ± 0.02 and 0.42 ± 0.06, jejunum 180 ± 15 degrees, -0.26 ± 0.03 and 0.30 ± 0.06 and ileum 163 ± 17 degrees, -0.23 ± 0.03 and 0.30 ± 0.05, compared with DM, P 〈 0.05）. The linear association was found between the glucose level with most morphometric and biomechanical data. CONCLUSION： KYQWJJ （high dose） treatment could partly restore the changes of blood glucose level and the remodeling of morphometry and residual strain of small intestine in diabetic rats. The linear regression analysis demonstrated that the effect of KYQWJJ on intestinal opening angle and residual strain is partially through its effect on the blood glucose level.
基金Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (2006AA020101, 2007AA10Z360,2009AA03Z232)Key Projects in the National Science & Technology Pillar Program during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan Period (2008BA163B07)
文摘The non-edible crude rice bran oil was extracted from white rice bran, and then was catalyzed by immobilized lipase for biodiesel production in this study. The effects of water content, oil/methanol molar ratio, temperature, enzyme amount, solvent,number of methanol added times and two-step methanolysis by using Candida sp. 99-125 as catalyst were investigated. The optimal conditions for processing 1 g rice bran oil were: 0.2 g immobilized lipase, 2 ml n-hexane as solvent, 20% water based on the rice bran oil mass, temperature of 40 °C and two-step addition of methanol. As a result, the fatty acid methyl esters yield was 87.4%. The immobilized lipase was proved to be stable when it was used repeatedly for 7 cycles.
文摘The antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of two spice extracts and their combination on raw chicken meat during storage for 15 days at 4◦C were studied.Raw chicken meat was treated with BHT(positive control),rosemary(RO),cloves(CL),and their combination,and the results were compared to those obtained for raw chicken meat without any additive(negative control).The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of spice extracts were determined.The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of rosemary was lower than those of cloves.Cloves exhibited a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than that of rosemary.However,the ferrous ion-chelating effect of rosemary was significantly higher than that of cloves.The pH,instrumental colour(CIE L*,a*,b*),total viable counts(TVC),lactic acid bacteria(LAB)counts,Enterobacteriaceae counts,Pseudomonas spp.counts and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS)were determined at 3-day intervals over a period of 15 days.The bacterial counts of T-RO-CL samples were lower than those of control samples during storage.T-RO-CL samples maintained significantly(P<0.05)higher L*,a*and b*values during storage.The TBARS values of T-RO-CL samples were the lowest among the samples.These results demonstrate that spice extracts are highly effective against microbial growth and lipid oxidation and show potential as a natural antioxidant in raw chicken meats.
基金support from a bridge grant from the Temple Office of the Vice President for Research(OVPR).
文摘The demand for biomaterials that promote the repair,replacement,or restoration of hard and soft tissues continues to grow as the population ages.Traditionally,smart biomaterials have been thought as those that respond to stimuli.However,the continuous evolution of the field warrants a fresh look at the concept of smartness of biomaterials.This review presents a redefinition of the term“Smart Biomaterial”and discusses recent advances in and applications of smart biomaterials for hard tissue restoration and regeneration.To clarify the use of the term“smart biomaterials”,we propose four degrees of smartness according to the level of interaction of the biomaterials with the bio-environment and the biological/cellular responses they elicit,defining these materials as inert,active,responsive,and autonomous.Then,we present an up-to-date survey of applications of smart biomaterials for hard tissues,based on the materials’responses(external and internal stimuli)and their use as immune-modulatory biomaterials.Finally,we discuss the limitations and obstacles to the translation from basic research(bench)to clinical utilization that is required for the development of clinically relevant applications of these technologies.
基金the National Key Technologies R & D Program of China during the 10th Five-Year Plan(No.2001BA302B)
文摘As a new mutagenetic method, low-energy ion implantation has been used widely in many research areas in recent years. In order to obtain some industrial strains with high xylanase yield, the wild type strain Aspergillus niger A3 was mutated by means of nitrogen ions implantation （10 keV, 2.6× 10^14 ～ 1.56 × 10^15 ions/cm^2） and a mutant N212 was isolated subsequently. However, it was found that the initial screening means of the high-yielding xylanase strains such as transparent halos was unfit for first screening. Compared with that of the wild type strain, xylanase production of the mutant N212 was increased from 320 IU/ml to 610 IU/ml, and the optimum fermentation temperature was increased from 28 ℃ to 30 ℃.
基金Project supported by the National High-Tech R&D Program(863)of China(No.2007AA09Z449)
文摘The unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina is well adapted to salt stress and contains compounds（including β-carotene and vitamins） with potential commercial value.A large transcriptome database of D.salina during the adjustment, exponential and stationary growth phases was generated using a high throughput sequencing platform.We characterized the metabolic processes in D.salina with a focus on valuable metabolites, with the aim of manipulating D.salina to achieve greater economic value in large-scale production through a bioengineering strategy.Gene expression profiles under salt stress verified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction（qPCR） implied that salt can regulate the expression of key genes.This study generated a substantial fraction of D.salina transcriptional sequences for the entire growth cycle, providing a basis for the discovery of novel genes.This first full-scale transcriptome study of D.salina establishes a foundation for further comparative genomic studies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21273101 and 21302082)the Foundation of the Program for Backbone Teachers in Universities of Henan Province(No.2012GGJS158)
文摘Hydrothermal reactions of biphenyl-2,3,3A,5A-tetracarboxylic acid（H4bptc） with cobalt salt in the presence of 1,4-bis（2-pyridylmethyl）piperazin（bpmp） afforded one novel coordination polymer, namely, [Co（H2bptc）（bpmp）0.5（H2O）]n（1）. Its structure was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and TG analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P21/c with a = 11.4839（11）, b = 16.6690（16）, c = 11.5559（11） A, V = 2201.8（4） A3, Mr = 539.35, Dc = 1.627 g/cm^3, μ（MoK α） = 0.841 mm-1, F（000） = 1108, Z = 4, the final R = 0.0309 and w R = 0.0705 for 4090 observed reflections（I 2σ（I））. Complex 1 displays a one-dimensional（1D） chain bridged by bpmp. Two carboxylic groups of H4 bptc ligand adopt μ01-η1：η1 and μ1-η1：η coordination modes to bridge adjacent Co（Ⅱ） ions together with bpmp ligand to give alternately arranged left- and right-handed helical chains. In addition, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that complex 1 shows weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co（Ⅱ） ions.
基金supported by the Public Science and Technology Research Funds Projects of Ocean(201105021 and 201305030)National Natural Science Foundation China(41276137)+1 种基金Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation,China(ZR2011CM 018)Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Program,China(09-2-5-3-hy)
文摘An assessment with assistance of DNA barcoding was conducted on green macroalgae in coastal zone around Qingdao, China, during the period of April- December, 2011. Three markers were applied in molecular discrimination, including the plastid elongation factor tufA gene, the internal transcribed spacer(ITS) region of the ribosomal cistron and rubisco large subunit gene 3' regions(rbcL-3P). DNA barcoding discriminated 8 species, excluding species of genus Cladophora and Bryopsis due to failures in amplification. We ascertained and corrected 4 species identified by morphological methods for effectively assisting the classification. The gene tufA presented more advantages as an appropriate DNA marker with the strongest amplification success rate and species discrimination power than the other two genes. The poorest sequencing success largely handicapped the application of ITS. Samples identified by tufA and rbcL as Ulva flexuosa were clustered into the clade of U. prolifera by ITS in the neighbor-joining tree. Confusion with discrimination of the complex of U. linza, U. procera and U. prolifera(as the LPP complex) still existed for the three DNA markers. Based on our results, rbcL is recommended as a preferred marker for assisting tufA to discriminate green macroalgae. In distinguishing green-tide-forming Ulva species, the free-floating sample collected from the green tide in 2011 was proved to be identical with U. prolifera in Yellow Sea for ITS and rbcL genes. This study presents a preliminary survey of green macroalgae distributed in the coastal area around Qingdao, and proves that DNA barcoding is a powerful tool for taxonomy of green macroalgae.
文摘This paper reviews some of the nanoindentation research that has been done on teeth and discusses the usefulness of this technique in studying the structure-property-function relationship at the micro and nanometer scale. In particular, examples on the use of nanoindentation technique in investigating the effects of cleansing and bleaching agents as well as drinks on the micro- and nanostructures and mechanical properties of teeth are highlighted. Although nanoindentation on teeth is a relatively new area of research, it provides an excellent way of probing and relating the structures and mechanical properties of teeth at the submicron and nanometer scales that were previously not possible but which can now greatly benefit dental research. For example, a nanoindenter with a high resolution imaging capability can help to elucidate the mechanisms with which certain diseases can damage and compromise the structural integrity of teeth at the micro- and nanometer scale. With this information, clinicians and researchers can then work towards how best to tackle these problems or even preventing them.
文摘Extracellular polysaccharide from Tremella aurantialba (TEP) significantly inhibited H2O2-induced haemolysis of RBCs, significantly decreased the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) produced in mice liver homogenates as a result of autoxidation, and inhibited VitC-Fe2+-induced swelling of liver mitochondria.
基金Supported by the Public Science and Technology Research Funds Projects of Ocean(Nos.201105021,201305030)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41276137)
文摘A total of 142 specimens of Ceramiales （Rhodophyta） were collected each month from October 2011 to November 2012 in the intertidal zone of the northwestern Yellow Sea. These specimens covered 21 species, 14 genera, and four families. Cluster analyses show that the specimens had a high diversity for the three DNA markers, namely, partial large subunit rRNA gene （LSU）, universal plastid amplicon （UPA）, and partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene （COl）. No intraspecific divergence was found in our collection for these markers, except for a 1-3 bp divergence in the COI of Ceramium kondoi, Syrnphyocladia latiuscula, and Neosiphoniajaponica. Because short DNA markers were used, the phylogenetic relationships of higher taxonomic levels were hard to evaluate with poor branch support. More than half species of our collection failed to find their matched sequences owing to shortage information of DNA barcodes for macroalgae in GenBank or BOLD （Barcode of Life Data） Systems. Three specimens were presumed as Heterosiphonia crispella by cluster analyses on DNA barcodes assisted by morphological identification, which was the first record in the investigated area, implying that it might he a cryptic or invasive species in the coastal area of northwestern Yellow Sea. In the neighbor-joining trees of all three DNA markers, Heterosiphonia japonica converged with Dasya spp. and was distant from the other Heterosiphonia spp., implying that H.japonica had affinities to the genus Dasya. The LSU and UPA markers amplified and sequenced easier than the COI marker across the Ceramiales species, but the COI had a higher ability to discriminate between species.
基金supported by Yildiz Technical University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Department with Project NO.2014-07-04-GEP02
文摘Objective: To investigate and compare the antileishmanial effects of CAPE and(CAPE)PLGA NPs on Leishmania infantum(L.infantum) promastigotes and amastigotes in vitro,Methods: Efficacies of CAPE,(CAPE)PLGA NPs and free PLGA nanoparticles(NPs) on promastigotes were evaluated using MTT and promastigote count assays,and their anti-amastigote effects were determined via infection index analysis,Griess reaction was also performed to calculate nitric oxide production of macrophages exposed to investigated molecules,Results: It was determined that CAPE and(CAPE)PLGA NPs demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on L.infantum promastigotes and amastigotes,while free NPs did not exhibit any meaningful antileishmanial effectiveness,The IC50 values of CAPE for L.infantum promastigotes and amastigotes were assessed as(51.0±0.8) and(19.0±1.4) μg/m L,respectively(P<0.05),On the other side,it was revealed that(CAPE)PLGA NPs had superior antileishmanial activity on both forms of parasites since its IC50 values for L.infantum promastigotes and amastigotes were(32.0±1.3) and(8.0±0.9) μg/m L,respectively(P<0.05),It was also determined that both agents strongly stimulated nitric oxide production of macrophages,Conclusions: The obtained results show that(CAPE)PLGA NPs have a great potential to be especially used in treatment of visceral leishmaniasis; however,in vivo antileishmanial screening of these molecules should be performed in the near future.
