CD51/CD61+ Endothelial Microparticles Decrease in Diabetes Patients with Hypertension

Backgrounds: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension are commonly co-occurred and both diseases are related to endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are shed from endothelial cells and can be found in condition of endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the circulating endothelial MPs (CD51/CD61+) levels in T2DM patients with or without hypertension and the correlation between endothelial MPs and clinical parameters. Methods and Results: 20 healthy control, 16 T2DM patients without hypertension and 11 T2DM patients with hypertension were recruited. CD51/CD61+ EMPs from all subjects were analyzed by flow cytometry. We found that, in the group of T2DM patients with hypertension, the absolute median number of CD51/CD61+EMPs was significantly decreased, compared with that in the healthy control and T2DM without hypertension groups. Furthermore, we conducted receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis to examine the accuracy of CD51/CD61+EMPs in the discrimination  between T2DM patients with hypertension and healthy control, showing the accuracy was 76.4%. In addition, we also found that the accuracy of CD51/CD61+EMPs was 83.5% in the discrimination between T2DM patients with hypertension or without hypertension Conclusion: These findings identify CD51/CD61+EMPs as a potential biomarker to monitor endothelial dysfunction in T2DM patients with hypertension

苦碟子联合低分子肝素钙治疗急性脑梗死疗效观察

Objective:  to evaluate combinative effect of Kudiezi Injection and low molecular weight heparin calcium in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Methods:  72 cases of acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into two groups, the treatment group of 36 cases were treated with the combination of Kudiezi Injection and low molecular heparin calcium; the other 36 cases in the control group were treated with the combination of Xuesaitong injection and low molecular weight heparin calcium. The degree of neurological deficit score and clinical outcome were respectively evaluated before and after treatment. Results:  There are significant differences between the treatment group and the control group in results efficiency. Conclusion:  It can improve the curative effect and the prognosis of the patients in the acute stage of cerebral infarction in the combinative treatment of Kudiezi Injection and low molecular weight heparin.目的 评价苦碟子注射液联合低分子肝素钙治疗急性脑梗死的临床效果及护理方法。方法 将72例急性脑梗死患者随机分为两组，治疗组36例用苦碟子联合低分子肝素钙治疗；对照组36例用血塞通注射液联合低分子肝素钙治疗。治疗前后分别进行神经功能缺损程度评分以及临床疗效评定[5]。结果 治疗组显效率与对照组比较差异有非常显著性(P=0.009)。结论 对急性期脑梗死患者在常规治疗基础上加用苦碟子及低分子肝素钙可显著提高疗效，改善患者预后。

The expression of PLK-1 in cervical carcinoma: a possible target for enhancing chemosensitivity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Polo-like kinase-1 (PLK-1) is reported to be upregulated in a variety of human tumors and is implicated in cell proliferation and survival. However, its importance in cervical carcinoma has not yet been fully elucidated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined PLK-1 expression in cervical carcinoma tissues using immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, we blocked PLK-1 expression in HeLa cells using specific siRNA and detected the cell cycle, cell proliferation and chemosensitivity using western blotting, MTT and flow cytometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We provide evidence that expression of PLK-1 exists in human cervical carcinoma tissues and establish an association with tumor size. Furthermore, we show that PLK-1 knockdown by transfection of siRNA induces accumulation of HeLa cells in the G2/M cell cycle phase and enhances cisplatin-induced apoptosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicate that PLK-1 production in HeLa cells might be critical in determining whether cells survive or undergo apoptosis. Therefore, targeting PLK-1 might be a promising strategy for enhancing sensitivity to chemotherapeutic reagents in cervical carcinoma.</p

{N,N-Dimethyl-N′-[phen­yl(2-pyrid­yl)methyl­ene]ethane-1,2-diamine-κ3 N,N′,N′′}dithio­cyanato-κN,κS-copper(II)

In the title complex, [Cu(NCS)2(C16H19N3)], the CuII atom is coordinated by a total of four N atoms; three from one tridentate Schiff base ligand and one from one of the NCS− ions. The S atom from the other NCS− ion completes the distorted square-pyramidal coordination

Gene expression profile analysis of tobacco leaf trichomes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leaf trichomes of <it>Nicotiana tabacum </it>are distinguished by their large size, high density, and superior secretion ability. They contribute to plant defense response against biotic and abiotic stress, and also influence leaf aroma and smoke flavor. However, there is limited genomic information about trichomes of this non-model plant species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have characterized <it>Nicotiana tabacum </it>leaf trichome gene expression using two approaches. In the first, a trichome cDNA library was randomly sequenced, and 2831 unique genes were obtained. The most highly abundant transcript was ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO). Among the related sequences, most encoded enzymes involved in primary metabolism. Secondary metabolism related genes, such as isoprenoid and flavonoid biosynthesis-related, were also identified. In the second approach, a cDNA microarray prepared from these 2831 clones was used to compare gene expression levels in trichome and leaf. There were 438 differentially expressed genes between trichome and leaves-minus-trichomes. Of these, 207 highly expressed genes in tobacco trichomes were enriched in second metabolic processes, defense responses, and the metabolism regulation categories. The expression of selected unigenes was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis, some of which were specifically expressed in trichomes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The expression feature of leaf trichomes in <it>Nicotiana tabacum </it>indicates their metabolic activity and potential importance in stress resistance. Sequences predominantly expressed in trichomes will facilitate gene-mining and metabolism control of plant trichome.</p

Bis(N′-benzoyl­pyridine-4-carbohydrazide)(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II) dinitrate

In the title complex, [Cu(C13H11N3O2)2(C12H8N2)](NO3)2, the CuII atom (site symmetry 2) is coordinated by four N atoms from one 1,10-phenanthroline and two hydrazine ligands, respectively. The hydrazine ligands coordinate to the CuIIatom by a pyridine N atom. These four atoms form a slightly distorted square-planar N4 donor set. In the packing, two additional Cu⋯O inter­actions occur [Cu⋯O = 2.462 (2) Å], resulting in a typical Jahn–Teller-distorted octahedral environment around the Cu atom. N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds result in a three-dimensional network. The O atoms of the anion are disordered over two positions in a 0.68 (2):0.32 (2) ratio

Hábitos alimenticios de Calanus sinicus (Crustacea: Copepoda) durante primavera y otoño en el mar Bohai, investigados mediante un índice de herbivoría

Pigment ingestion rate (PIR) and egg production rate (EPR) of the dominant copepod Calanus sinicus, as well as chlorophyll-a concentration and phytoplankton assemblages were measured in the Bohai Sea, North China in June 1997, October 1998 and May 1999. A herbivore index (H) was also calculated as the carbon specific ratio of PIR and EPR, in order to investigate its feeding habits in the spring and autumn phytoplankton bloom respectively. On average, chlorophyll-a concentration was relatively similar (1-1.34 mg m-3) in the three cruises, but PIR was quite different. It was 3.24 µg C female-1 d-1 in October, equivalent to one half of the PIR for June and one third of the PIR for May. Average EPR was highest in May, and quite similar during the other two months. According to H values, herbivorous feeding contributed 100% of the egg production of C. sinicus in June, 82.5% in May, but only 47.8% in October. It is possible that omnivorous feeding of C. sinicus in October was induced by a prevalence of large-sized diatoms and sufficient non-phytoplankton food resources during the autumn bloom period.La tasa de ingestión de pigmentos (PIR) y la tasa de producción de huevos (EPR) del copépodo dominante Calanus sinicus ha sido determinada, conjuntamente con la concentración de clorofila- a y la composición del fitoplancton, en el mar de Bohai, norte de China, en junio 1997, octubre 1998 y mayo 1999. Para investigar los hábitos alimenticios durante los blooms de fitoplancton de primavera y otoño se ha determinado un índice de herbivoría (H), calculado como el cociente de las tasas específicas PIR y EPR en carbono. En promedio, la concentración de clorofila-a fue relativamente similar (1-1,34 mg m-3) en las tres campañas oceanográficas. Pero los valores de PIR difirieron bastante, variando desde 3,24 μg C hembra-1 d-1 en octubre a valores un medio y un tercio de dicho valor, respectivamente, en junio y mayo. Los valores promedio de EPR fueron máximos en mayo, y bastante similares durante los otros dos meses. Según los valores del índice H obtenidos, la herbivoría contribuyó un 100% en la producción de huevos de C. sinicus en junio y un 82,5% en mayo, mientras que sólo explicó un 47,8% de la producción de huevos en octubre. este estudio sugiere que la alimentación omnivora de C. sinicus en octubre fue inducida por la prevalencia de diatomeas de gran tamaño y la presencia suficiente de alimento no fitoplanctónico durante el periodo del bloom otoñal.

Aqua[N-(2,5-dihydroxybenzyl)imino­diacetato]copper(II)

The title complex, [Cu(C11H11NO6)(H2O)], contains a CuII atom in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The metal centre is coordinated in the basal sites by one water mol­ecule and two carboxyl­ate O atoms and one N atom of the tetra­dentate ligand [Cu—O range, 1.9376 (11)–1.9541 (12), Cu—N, 1.9929 (12) Å] while the apical site is occupied by a hydro­quinone O donor atom [Cu—O, 2.3746 (12) Å]. Inter­molecular hydrogen bonding inter­actions involving both hydro­quinone hydr­oxy groups and the coordinated water as donors give a three-dimensional framework structure

Variational-based data assimilation to simulate sediment concentration in the Lower Yellow River, China

The heavy sediment load of the Yellow River makes it difficult to simulate sediment concentration using classic numerical models. In this paper, on the basis of the classic one-dimensional numerical model of open channel flow, a variational-based data assimilation method is introduced to improve the simulation accuracy of sediment concentration and to estimate parameters in sediment carrying capacity. In this method, a cost function is introduced first to determine the difference between the sediment concentration distributions and available field observations. A one-dimensional suspended sediment transport equation, assumed as a constraint, is integrated into the cost function. An adjoint equation of the data assimilation system is used to solve the minimum problem of the cost function. Field data observed from the Yellow River in 2013 are used to test the proposed method. When running the numerical model with the data assimilation method, errors between the calculations and the observations are analyzed. Results show that (1) the data assimilation system can improve the prediction accuracy of suspended sediment concentration; (2) the variational inverse data assimilation is an effective way to estimate the model parameters, which are poorly known in previous research; and (3) although the available observations are limited to two cross sections located in the central portion of the study reach, the variational-based data assimilation system has a positive effect on the simulated results in the portion of the model domain in which no observations are available

The value of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy after extubation in patients with acute respiratory failure

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy after extubation in patients with acute respiratory failure. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled pilot trial was conducted between January 2013 and December 2014. Sixty enrolled patients were randomized immediately after extubation into either a high-flow nasal cannula group (n=30) or an air entrainment mask group (n=30) at a fixed inspired oxygen fraction (40%). The success rate of oxygen therapy, respiratory and hemodynamic parameters and subjective discomfort (using a visual analogue scale) were assessed at 24h after extubation. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable at extubation. A total of 46 patients were successfully treated including 27 patients in the high-flow nasal cannula group and 19 patients in the air entrainment mask group. Compared to the air entrainment mask group, the success rate of oxygen therapy and the partial pressure of arterial oxygen were significantly higher and the respiratory rate was lower in the high-flow nasal cannula group. In addition, less discomfort related to interface displacement and airway dryness was observed in the high-flow nasal cannula group than in the air entrainment mask group. CONCLUSIONS: At a fixed inspired oxygen fraction, the application of a high-flow nasal cannula after extubation achieves a higher success rate of oxygen therapy and less discomfort at 24h than an air entrainment mask in patients with acute respiratory failure