JcCBF2 gene from Jatropha curcas improves freezing tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana during the early stage of stress.

High chilling-susceptibility is becoming the bottleneck for cultivation and commercialization of Jatropha curcas L. For insights to chilling resistance ability of this plant species, a cold response transcription factor, JcCBF2, was cloned and studied. It codes a 26 kDa protein, which contains all conserved motifs unique to the C-repeat binding factor (CBF) family and has high similarity to CBFs of Ricinus communis and Populus.

Generation of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against a conformational epitope of human adenovirus type 7 (HAdv-7) incorporated in capsid encoded in a HAdv-3-based vector.

The generation of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) by epitope-based immunization is difficult because the immunogenicity of simple peptides is poor and T cells must be potently stimulated and immunological memory elicited. A strategy in which antigen is incorporated into the adenoviral capsid protein has been used previously to develop antibody responses against several vaccine targets and may offer a solution to this problem. In this study, we used a similar strategy to develop HAdv-7-neutralizing MAbs using rAdMHE3 virions into which hexon hypervariable region 5 (HVR5) of adenovirus type 7 (HAdv-7) was incorporated.

Intricate internal rotation surface and fundamental infrared transitions of the n-propyl radical.

The potential energy surface for methylene hindered internal rotation is examined for the n-propyl radical, a molecule fundamental to combustion chemistry. Six stationary points are identified, and four of them are unique: 1, 2, TS1, and TS2. The remaining two structures 1' and TS1' are mirror images with respect to 1 and TS1.

Dynamic changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D during pregnancy and lack of effect on thyroid parameters.

Background & Aims: To explore vitamin D status and its dynamic changes during pregnancy in women living in Northeast China. The association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and serum calcium, phosphate and parathyroid hormone was studied. Because vitamin D deficiency or thyroid dysfunction/autoimmunity during pregnancy may lead to similar adverse events, the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and thyroid parameters was investigated.

Sustained high levels of serum leptin rather than IL-6 observed in patients with postpartum thyroiditis during their first postpartum year.

The purpose of the study is to explore the roles of leptin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) during the first postpartum year in the occurrence and development of postpartum thyroiditis (PPT). We retrospectively collected serum samples from 57 PPT patients consisting of 34 overt PPT (O-PPT) and 23 subclinical PPT (S-PPT) in addition to 37 healthy postpartum women at four postpartum time points, i.e.

The remarkable [ReH9]2- dianion: molecular structure and vibrational frequencies.

The equilibrium geometries and vibrational frequencies of the extraordinary [ReH9](2-) dianion (D3h symmetry) are investigated using Hartree-Fock (HF) theory, coupled cluster theory with single and double excitations (CCSD), and coupled cluster theory with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)]. The new generation of energy-consistent relativistic pseudopotentials and correlation consistent basis sets [cc-pVXZ-PP (Re) and cc-pVXZ (H) (X = D, T, Q)] are used. Anharmonicity was considered using second-order vibrational perturbation theory.

Assessment of thyroid function during first-trimester pregnancy: what is the rational upper limit of serum TSH during the first trimester in Chinese pregnant women?

Context: Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) proposed that the upper limit of the TSH reference range should be 2.5 mIU/L in first trimester, but the reported ranges in China are significantly higher.

Objective: Our objective was to establish a rational reference range of serum TSH for diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism in the first trimester of pregnant women in China.

Functions of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase family in Ganoderma lucidum: an essential role in ganoderic acid biosynthesis regulation, hyphal branching, fruiting body development, and oxidative-stress resistance.

Ganoderma lucidum has drawn worldwide interest with regard to its secondary metabolism and pharmaceutical activity. However, the development of such research has been limited because of a lack of basic biological knowledge. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (Nox) have recently been highlighted because of the many important biological roles in plants and animals; however, the exact functions of Nox are still not fully understood in fungi.

Epitope mapping and characterization of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against human adenovirus type 3.

Human adenovirus serotype 3 (HAdV-3) has occurred as a global epidemic in recent years causing serious diseases such as pneumonia in pediatric and adult patients. Development of reliable diagnostic reagents and identification of neutralizing epitopes is important for the surveillance and control of infection. In this study, a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (MAb) MAb 1B6 was generated using the HAdV-3 virion.

Dual-index evaluation of character changes in Panax ginseng C. A. Mey stored in different conditions.

Panax ginseng C. A. Mey has been used as a traditional medicine and functional food in Asia for thousands of years for its improvement of human immunity and metabolism and its antitumor and antifatigue activities.

[Study on chemical constituents of Nigella glandulifera].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Nigella glandulifera.

Methods: Compounds were isolated and purified from extracts of Nigella glandulifera by extraction and different kinds of column chromatography. Their structures were determined on the basis of the physicochemical properties and spectral analysis.

[Chemical constituents from Pachysandra terminalis].

To study chemical constituents from Pachysandra terminalis. By repeated column chromatography, including silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40, and preparative HPLC, four new (14) and one known (5) compounds were isolated and purified. On the basis of spectral data analysis, the structure of isolated compounds were elucidated as follow: 2-methyl-3-methylenepentane-1, 2, 5-triol (1), 4-methyl-3-methylenepentane-1, 2, 5-triol (2), 4-methyl-3-methylenepentane-1, 2, 5-triol-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), 4-methyl-3-methylenep- entane-1, 2, 5-triol-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), (7S, 8R, 8' R)-(+)-lariciresinol-9-O-beta-D-glucopyrano-side (5).

Evaluation on Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, Antitumor, and Antioxidant Potential of Total Saponins from Nigella glandulifera Seeds.

Nigella glandulifera seeds are used as a spice or remedy for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate analgesic (writhing test), anti-inflammatory (ear-induced edema, vascular permeability test), antioxidant, and antitumor activities of total saponins from this plant (TSN). TSN (6, 12, and 24 mg/kg) were exhibited analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.

Electric field induced orientation-selective unzipping of zigzag carbon nanotubes upon oxidation.

The mechanism of electric field induced orientation-selective unzipping of carbon nanotubes into carbon nanoribbons upon oxidation is studied based on first-principles calculations. Under a controlled external electric field, the initial sparse O atoms are ordered to attack the transverse C-C bonds along a certain side of the carbon nanotube instead of a random site. In addition, the next O atoms tend to follow each initial O atom and stand on the adjacent transverse C-C bonds on this side, sequentially and automatically leading to a linear epoxy chain.

The pattern of thyroid function of subclinical hypothyroid women with levothyroxine treatment during pregnancy.

In this study, we researched the pattern of thyroid function of subclinical hypothyroid (SCH) women with levothyroxine (LT4) throughout pregnancy and determined the optimal dosages of LT4 for such women. 56 SCH pregnant women were followed regularly prospectively. They were divided into three groups: group A (n = 29.

Immunomodulatory effects of crude phenylethanoid glycosides from Ligustrum purpurascens.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ligustrum purpurascens, named as "Ku ding cha", has been used as a kind of functional tea in southern China for about two thousand years, which has the effects on diuresis, anti-hypertension, weight-loss and anti-inflammation.

The Aim Of The Study: This study was aimed to investigate the immune enhancement effects of the crude phenylethanoid glycosides (CPGs) from Ligustrum. Purpurascens on mice and analyze the chemical profiles of phenylethanoid glycosides in the CPGs.

[Expression of structural protein VP1 of enterovirus 71 in E.coli and preparation of anti-VP1 monoclonal antibodies].

Aim: To express recombinant structural protein VP1 of enterovirus 71 (EV71) in E.coli and prepare anti-VP1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

Methods: With P1 gene as a template, EV71 VP1 gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into the expression vector pET-32a(+).

Protective role of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in the mucosal injury and epithelial barrier disruption in DSS-induced acute colitis in mice.

Background: Intestinal hyper-permeability plays a critical role in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by affecting the penetration of pathogens, toxic compounds and macromolecules. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], the active form of vitamin D, has been shown to be an important regulator of IBD and recent epidemiology suggests that patients with IBD have an impaired vitamin D status. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible protective effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on mucosal injury and epithelial barrier disruption on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis model.

Cytotoxic ceramides and glycerides from the roots of Livistona chinensis.

A 70% ethanol extract of the roots of Livistona chinensis has been investigated, led to the isolation of 13 compounds, including a new ceramide, (2S,3S,4R,9Z)-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxytricosanoylamino]-9-octadecene-1,3,4-triol (2), a new glycosyl ceramide, 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S,4R,9Z)-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxydocosanoylamino]-9-octadecene-1,3,4-triol (3), three new monoacylglycerols, 1-(34-hydroxytetratriacontanoyl)-sn-glycerol (9), 1-[nonadeca-(9Z,12Z)-dienoyl]-sn-glycerol (10), and 1-[12-hydroxypentatriaconta-(13E,15Z)-dienoyl]-sn-glycerol (11), a new diacylglycerol, 1-(heptadeca-6Z,9Z-dienoyl)-3-(octadeca-6Z,9Z,12Z-trienoyl)-sn-glycerol (12), as well as a new diacylglycerol aminoglycoside, 1-octadecanoyl-2-nonadecanoyl-3-O-(6-amino-6-deoxy)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-sn-glycerol (13). The structures of new compounds were elucidated, based on spectroscopic, zymologic and chemical methods. Among the compounds tested, compounds 3, 4 and 13 showed significantly antiproliferative effects against the human tumor cell lines (K562, HL-60, HepG2, and CNE-1) with the IC₅₀ of 10-65 μM.

(E)-1-[2-Hy-droxy-4,6-bis-(meth-oxy-meth-oxy)phen-yl]-3-[3-meth-oxy-4-(meth-oxy-meth-oxy)phen-yl]prop-2-en-1-one.

The title compound, C(22)H(26)O(9), crystallizes with two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit in which the dihedral angles between the two benzene rings are 21.4 (2) and 5.1 (2)°.

Advanced research on acteoside for chemistry and bioactivities.

Acteoside is one kind of phenylethanoid glycoside, which has shown a lot of biological activities. This article reviewed the study progress of acteoside, such as distribution, preparation, identification, and bioactivities.

Prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection in China.

Objective: To explore the correlation between anti-thyroid autoantibodies and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: We collected 462 samples with positive thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and/or thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb). Matched for age and gender, 380 subjects with negative TPOAb and TgAb were selected as controls.

The prevalence of thyroid disorders during early pregnancy in China: the benefits of universal screening in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Context: Maternal thyroid disorders during early pregnancy can influence pregnancy outcome and fetal development. The recent Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline recommends a case-finding approach in which pregnant women who are at high risk for developing thyroid disease are tested.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to use the first trimester-specific reference intervals of thyroid-related hormones to explore the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction during early pregnancy and to analyze effectiveness of different screening strategies.

[Phenol constituents of Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activity].

Objective: To study the phenol constituents from Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activities.

Method: Constituent isolation and purification was carried by repeated column chromatography (silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40 and preparative HPLC), and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. DPPH method was used to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity of the isolated compounds.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activity].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activity.

Methods: Chemical constituents were isolated by repeated column chromatography (silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40C and preparative HPLC). The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis.