Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers (Poaceae) root extract induces apoptotic cell death via the cyclin D1 pathway in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo

Purpose: To investigate the activity of Cynodon dactylon root extract as a potential anticancer agent.Methods: Human nasopharyngeal carcinoma HNK-1 cells were treated with ethanol extract of C. dactylon roots. After treatment with C. dactylon root extract, cells were assessed for their cytotoxicity, metabolic status, apoptosis and cell cycle progression. The anticancer activity of the extract was also determined in vivo using a mouse model.Results: C. dactylon extract exhibited significant cytotoxicity and arrested cell cycle in HNK-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) data revealed that it also induced apoptotic cell death. Rb phosphorylation and mRNA levels of cyclin E were significantly reduced. Moreover, C. dactylon extract caused a significant reduction in tumor size and volume in vivo.Conclusion: C. dactylon root extract induces apoptosis in nasopharyngeal cancer cells via cyclin D1 pathway and inhibits tumor growth in vivo.Keywords: Cynodon dactylon, Anticancer, Cyclin D1 pathway, Apoptosis, Nasopharyngeal carcinom

NASA-Approved Rotary Bioreactor Enhances Proliferation of Human Epidermal Stem Cells and Supports Formation of 3D Epidermis-Like Structure

The skin is susceptible to different injuries and diseases. One major obstacle in skin tissue engineering is how to develop functional three-dimensional (3D) substitute for damaged skin. Previous studies have proved a 3D dynamic simulated microgravity (SMG) culture system as a “stimulatory” environment for the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. Here, we employed the NASA-approved rotary bioreactor to investigate the proliferation and differentiation of human epidermal stem cells (hEpSCs). hEpSCs were isolated from children foreskins and enriched by collecting epidermal stem cell colonies. Cytodex-3 micro-carriers and hEpSCs were co-cultured in the rotary bioreactor and 6-well dish for 15 days. The result showed that hEpSCs cultured in rotary bioreactor exhibited enhanced proliferation and viability surpassing those cultured in static conditions. Additionally, immunostaining analysis confirmed higher percentage of ki67 positive cells in rotary bioreactor compared with the static culture. In contrast, comparing with static culture, cells in the rotary bioreactor displayed a low expression of involucrin at day 10. Histological analysis revealed that cells cultured in rotary bioreactor aggregated on the micro-carriers and formed multilayer 3D epidermis structures. In conclusion, our research suggests that NASA-approved rotary bioreactor can support the proliferation of hEpSCs and provide a strategy to form multilayer epidermis structure

Mesorhizobium septentrionale sp nov and Mesorhizobium temperatum sp nov., isolated from Astragalus adsurgens growing in the northern regions of China

Ninety-five rhizobial strains isolated from Astragalus adsurgens growing in the northern regions of China were classified into three main groups, candidate species 1, 11 and 111, based on a polyphasic approach. Comparative analysis of full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences of representative strains showed that candidate species I and 11 were Mesorhizobium, while candidate species 111, which consisted of non-nodulating strains, was closely related to Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The phylogenetic relationships of the three candidate species and some related strains were also confirmed by the sequencing of glnA genes, which were used as an alternative chromosomal marker. The DNA-DNA relatedness was between 11.3 and 47-1 % among representative strains of candidate species I and 11 and the type strains of defined Mesorhizobium species. Candidate III had DNA relatedness of between 4(.)3 and 25(.)2 % with type strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rubi. Two novel species are proposed to accommodate candidate species I and 11, Mesorhizobium septentrionale sp. nov. (type strain, SIDW014(T) =CCBAU 11014(T) = HAMBI 2582(T)) and Mesorhizobium temperatum sp. nov. (type strain, SIDW018(T) = CCBAU 11018(T) =HAMBI 2583(T)), respectively. At least two distinct nodA sequences were identified among the strains. The numerically dominant nodA sequence type was most similar to that from the Mesorhizobium tianshanense type strain and was identified in strains belonging to the two novel species as well as other, as yet, undefined genome types. Host range studies indicate that the different nodA sequences correlate with different host ranges. Further comparative studies with the defined Agrobacterium species are needed to clarify the taxonomic identity of candidate species 111

Probing the nature of high- z short GRB 090426 with its early optical and X-ray afterglows

GRB 090426 is a short-duration burst detected by Swift (  s in the observer frame and  s in the burst frame at z = 2.609 ). Its host galaxy properties and some gamma-ray-related correlations are analogous to those seen in long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are believed to be of a massive star origin (so-called Type II GRBs). We present the results of its early optical observations with the 0.8-m Tsinghua University–National Astronomical Observatory of China Telescope (TNT) at Xinglong Observatory and the 1-m LOAO telescope at Mt Lemmon Optical Astronomy Observatory in Arizona. Our well-sampled optical afterglow light curve covers from to 10 4  s after the GRB trigger. It shows two shallow decay episodes that are likely due to energy injection, which end at and 7100 s, respectively. The decay slopes after the injection phases are consistent with each other ( ). The X-ray afterglow light curve appears to trace the optical, although the second energy-injection phase was missed due to visibility constraints introduced by the Swift orbit. The X-ray spectral index is without temporal evolution. Its decay slope is consistent with the prediction of the forward shock model. Both X-ray and optical emission are consistent with being in the same spectral regime above the cooling frequency ( ). The fact that is below the optical band from the very early epoch of the observation provides a constraint on the burst environment, which is similar to that seen in classical long-duration GRBs. We therefore suggest that death of a massive star is the possible progenitor of this short burst.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/79209/1/j.1365-2966.2010.17419.x.pd

Probing the Nature of High-z Short GRB 090426 with Its Early Optical and X-ray Afterglows

GRB 090426 is a short duration burst detected by Swift ($T_{90}\sim 1.28$ s in the observer frame, and $T_{90}\sim 0.33$ s in the burst frame at $z=2.609$). Its host galaxy properties and some $\gamma$-ray related correlations are analogous to those seen in long duration GRBs, which are believed to be of a massive-star origin (so-called Type II GRBs). We present the results of its early optical observations with the 0.8-m TNT telescope at Xinglong observatory, and the 1-m LOAO telescope at Mt. Lemmon Optical Astronomy Observatory in Arizona. Our well-sampled optical afterglow lightcurve covers from $\sim 90$ seconds to $\sim 10^4$ seconds post the GRB trigger. It shows two shallow decay episodes that are likely due to energy injection, which end at $\sim 230$ seconds and $\sim 7100$ seconds, respectively. The decay slopes post the injection phases are consistent with each other ($\alpha\simeq 1.22$). The X-ray afterglow lightcurve appears to trace the optical, although the second energy injection phase was missed due to visibility constraints introduced by the {\em Swift} orbit. The X-ray spectral index is $\beta_X\sim 1.0$ without temporal evolution. Its decay slope is consistent with the prediction of the forward shock model. Both X-ray and optical emission is consistent with being in the same spectral regime above the cooling frequency ($\nu_c$). The fact that $\nu_c$ is below the optical band from the very early epoch of the observation provides a constraint on the burst environment, which is similar to that seen in classical long duration GRBs. We therefore suggest that death of a massive star is the possible progenitor of this short burst.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figures, 2 tables, revised version, MNRAS, in pres

The LAMOST Survey of Background Quasars in the Vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum Galaxies -- II. Results from the Commissioning Observations and the Pilot Surveys

We present new quasars discovered in the vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies with the LAMOST during the 2010 and 2011 observational seasons. Quasar candidates are selected based on the available SDSS, KPNO 4 m telescope, XSTPS optical, and WISE near infrared photometric data. We present 509 new quasars discovered in a stripe of ~135 sq. deg from M31 to M33 along the Giant Stellar Stream in the 2011 pilot survey datasets, and also 17 new quasars discovered in an area of ~100 sq. deg that covers the central region and the southeastern halo of M31 in the 2010 commissioning datasets. These 526 new quasars have i magnitudes ranging from 15.5 to 20.0, redshifts from 0.1 to 3.2. They represent a significant increase of the number of identified quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33. There are now 26, 62 and 139 known quasars in this region of the sky with i magnitudes brighter than 17.0, 17.5 and 18.0 respectively, of which 5, 20 and 75 are newly-discovered. These bright quasars provide an invaluable collection with which to probe the kinematics and chemistry of the ISM/IGM in the Local Group of galaxies. A total of 93 quasars are now known with locations within 2.5 deg of M31, of which 73 are newly discovered. Tens of quasars are now known to be located behind the Giant Stellar Stream, and hundreds behind the extended halo and its associated substructures of M31. The much enlarged sample of known quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33 can potentially be utilized to construct a perfect astrometric reference frame to measure the minute PMs of M31 and M33, along with the PMs of substructures associated with the Local Group of galaxies. Those PMs are some of the most fundamental properties of the Local Group.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures, AJ accepte

A huge-amplitude white-light superflare on a L0 brown dwarf discovered by GWAC survey

White-light superflares from ultra cool stars are thought to be resulted from magnetic reconnection, but the magnetic dynamics in a fully convective star is not clear yet. In this paper, we report a stellar superflare detected with the Ground Wide Angle Camera (GWAC), along with rapid follow-ups with the F60A, Xinglong 2.16m and LCOGT telescopes. The effective temperature of the counterpart is estimated to be $2200\pm50$K by the BT-Settl model, corresponding to a spectral type of L0. The $R-$band light curve can be modeled as a sum of three exponential decay components, where the impulsive component contributes a fraction of 23\% of the total energy, while the gradual and the shallower decay phases emit 42\% and 35\% of the total energy, respectively. The strong and variable Balmer narrow emission lines indicate the large amplitude flare is resulted from magnetic activity. The bolometric energy released is about $6.4\times10^{33}$ ergs, equivalent to an energy release in a duration of 143.7 hours at its quiescent level. The amplitude of $\Delta R=-8.6$mag ( or $\Delta V=-11.2$ mag), placing it one of the highest amplitudes of any ultra cool star recorded with excellent temporal resolution. We argue that a stellar flare with such rapidly decaying and huge amplitude at distances greater than 1 kpc may be false positive in searching for counterparts of catastrophic events such as gravitational wave events or gamma-ray bursts, which are valuable in time-domain astronomy and should be given more attention.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, MNRAS accepte

Probing the nature of high-z short GRB 090426 with its early optical and X-ray afterglows MNRAS 410

ABSTRACT GRB 090426 is a short-duration burst detected by Swift (T 90 ∼ 1.28 s in the observer frame and T 90 ∼ 0.33 s in the burst frame at z = 2.609). Its host galaxy properties and some gamma-rayrelated correlations are analogous to those seen in long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are believed to be of a massive star origin (so-called Type II GRBs). We present the results of its early optical observations with the 0.8-m Tsinghua University-National Astronomical Observatory of China Telescope (TNT) at Xinglong Observatory and the 1-m LOAO telescope at Mt Lemmon Optical Astronomy Observatory in Arizona. Our wellsampled optical afterglow light curve covers from ∼90 to 10 4 s after the GRB trigger. It shows two shallow decay episodes that are likely due to energy injection, which end at ∼230 and 7100 s, respectively. The decay slopes after the injection phases are consistent with each other (α 1.22). The X-ray afterglow light curve appears to trace the optical, although the second energy-injection phase was missed due to visibility constraints introduced by the Swift orbit. The X-ray spectral index is β X ∼ 1.0 without temporal evolution. Its decay slope is consistent with the prediction of the forward shock model. Both X-ray and optical emission are consistent with being in the same spectral regime above the cooling frequency (ν c ). The fact that ν c is below the optical band from the very early epoch of the observation provides a constraint on the burst environment, which is similar to that seen in classical long-duration GRBs. We therefore suggest that death of a massive star is the possible progenitor of this short burst

بررسی حیطه‌های موجود در فرم‌های ارزشیابی از دیدگاه دانشجویان در دانشگاه علوم پزشکی زنجان در سال تحصیلی 86- 87

زمینه و هدف: ارزشیابی استادان متداول‌ترین روش جهت سنجش کیفیت آموزش می‌باشد. دانشجویان بیش از دست‌اندرکاران در جریان روند آموزش قرار‌دارند بنابراین با نظرخواهی از آنان دیدگاه کاملی برای مسئولین در مورد نقاط قوت و ضعف استادان به‌دست می‌آید. هدف از این پژوهش بررسی حیطه‌های موجود در فرم‌های ارزشیابی از دیدگاه دانشجویان در دانشکده‌های پزشکی، پیراپزشکی و پرستاری و مامایی می‌باشد. روش بررسی: این تحقیق به صورت توصیفی انجام گرفت. 1683 برگ ارزشیابی دانشجویان از استادان هیأت علمی (73 نفر) مربوط به دانشکده‌های پزشکی، پیراپزشکی و پرستاری- مامایی بررسی شد. پرسش‌نامه‌ی دانشجویان پزشکی حاوی 15 سؤوال و دانشجویان پیراپزشکی و پرستاری مامایی 21 سؤوال بود که بر اساس مقیاس لیکرات از حیطه‌های مختلف مقرراتی، علمی و آموزشی، نظارتی و نگرشی تشکیل شده بود. نمرات سؤوالات از نمره‌ی 100 محاسبه شد، نمرات بالاتر بیانگر عملکرد مطلوب‌تراستادان می‌باشد. تجزیه و تحلیل داده‌ها به‌صورت آمار توصیفی با نرم‌افزار SPSS انجام شد. یافته‌ها: نتایج نشان داد مقایسه در سطوح کلی بین دانشکده‌ها، دانشکده‌ی پیراپزشکی با میانگین کل و انحراف معیار 61/3 ±50/85 نسبت به سایر دانشکده‌ها برتری دارد. دانشکده‌ی پیراپزشکی در حیطه‌ی مقرراتی با میانگین و انحراف معیار 89/3±01/91، دانشکده‌ی پزشکی در حیطه‌ی نگرشی با میانگین و انحراف معیار 45/5±48/90 و دانشکده‌ی پرستاری مامایی در حیطه‌ی مقرراتی با میانگین و انحراف معیار 25/4±34/88 بیشترین امتیاز را داشتند. نتیجه‌نهایی نشان می‌دهد، حیطه‌ی علمی و آموزشی نسبت به سایر حیطه‌ها در سطح پایین‌تر می‌باشد. نتایج حیطه‌ها (علمی و آموزشی، نظارتی و نگرشی) بین دانشکده‌ها معنی‌دار می‌باشد (0001/0=P). نتیجه‌گیری: به نظر می‌رسد با برنامه‌ریزی جهت برگزاری کارگاه‌های آموزشی، روش تدریس و تحقیق جهت ارتقای آموزش استادان، اعطا‌ی فرصت مطالعاتی و تشویق انجام کارهای تحقیقاتی و پژوهشی گام مؤثری جهت ارتقای سطح علمی و بالاخره عملکرد بالای استادان خواهد بود