Lactobacillus mudanjiangensis sp. nov., Lactobacillus songhuajiangensis sp. nov. and Lactobacillus nenjiangensis sp. nov., isolated from Chinese traditional pickle and sourdough.

Three Gram-stain-positive bacterial strains, 11050(T), 7-19(T) and 11102(T), were isolated from traditional pickle and sourdough in Heilongjiang Province, China. These bacteria were characterized by a polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, pheS gene sequence analysis, rpoA gene sequence analysis, dnaK gene sequence analysis, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis, determination of DNA G+C content, DNA-DNA hybridization and an analysis of phenotypic features. Strain 11050(T) belonged to the Lactobacillus plantarum species group and shared 98.

Clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics of triple- negative breast cancer (TNBC) in Chinese patients: a retrospective study.

Aims: To determine the clinical, pathological and prognostic features associated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods: Clinical and histologic data of 21,749 breast cancer patients who were treated at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between July 2002 and December 2011 were collected. Patients were divided into two groups: those with TNBC and those with other types of breast cancer.

[Impact of NF-kappaB inhibitor on STAT3 translocation in PC-3 prostate cancer cell line].

Objective: To observe the changes in the expressions of STAT3 and NF-KB in PC-3 cells after IL-6 stimulation and to verify the effects of the NF-KB inhibitor caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the expressions of p-STAT3 and IL-6 in the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line.

Methods: PC-3 prostate cancer cells were treated with IL-6 at 20 ng/ml for 5, 10, 20, 30 and 45 min. The protein and mRNA expressions of STAT3 and NF-kappaB were measured by Western blot and real time PCR, respectively, and the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry.

Age at menarche and risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: Various observational studies have focused on the relationship between menarcheal age and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the association is still controversial because of inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess this issue from epidemiological studies.

Lactobacillus heilongjiangensis sp. nov., isolated from Chinese pickle.

A Gram-stain-positive bacterial strain, S4-3(T), was isolated from traditional pickle in Heilongjiang Province, China. The bacterium was characterized by a polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, pheS gene sequence analysis, rpoA gene sequence analysis, dnaK gene sequence analysis, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis, determination of DNA G+C content, DNA-DNA hybridization and an analysis of phenotypic features. Strain S4-3(T) showed 97.

Colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for citrate based on a rhodamine and Pb2+ complex in aqueous solution.

In this paper we unveil a novel rhodamine compound based fluorescent chemosensor (1-Pb(2+)) for colormetric and fluorescent detection of citrate in aqueous solution. This is the first fluorescent chemosensor for citrate based on rhodamine compound. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for citrate indicates that the method can detect citrate in aqueous solution by both color changes and fluorescent changes with long emission wavelength.

Porous iron molybdate nanorods: in situ diffusion synthesis and low-temperature H2S gas sensing.

In the paper, we developed an in situ diffusion growth method to fabricate porous Fe2(MoO4)3 nanorods. The average diameter and the length of the porous nanorods were 200 nm and 1.2-4 μm, respectively.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Chinese sleeper, Perccottus glenii.

Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii) belongs to the largest vertebrate order, Perciformes. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of P. glenii was determined to be 16,487 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 2 ribosomal RNA genes.

[Effects of bone morphogenetic protein-7 therapy on E3 ubiquitin ligase expression in mouse liver with experimentally induced fibrosis].

Objective: This study explored the dynamic expression of the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase gene, Arkadia, in response to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in a mouse model and investigated the differential expression that occurs following treatment with the anti-fibrotic bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7).

Methods: Thirty healthy male imprinting control region (ICR) mice were randomly assigned to three groups: normal (control; n = 6), CCl4-induced model group (model; n = 18), and CCl4-induced model with BMP-7 treatment group (treatment; n = 6). The model group was further divided into three subgroups (n = 6 each) for analysis at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after fibrosis induction.

[Effects of elevated atmospheric ozone concentration on flag leaf photosynthetic pigment contents of wheat].

By using a free-air controlled enrichment (FACE) system, this paper studied the effects of elevated atmospheric ozone (O3) concentration (150% of ambient O3) on the flag leaf photosynthetic pigment contents of wheat varieties Yannong 19, Yangmai 16, Jiaxin 002, Yangmai 15, and Yangfumai 2. For the test varieties, no significant differences were observed in the flag leaf chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll (a+b), and carotenoid contents between treatments elevated O3 concentration and ambient O3 at booting and anthesis stages, but the photosynthetic pigment contents in treatment elevated O3 concentration all decreased after anthesis, with a significant decrease of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and chlorophyll (a+b) contents, which indicated that elevated O3 had minor effects on the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments but accelerated their decline process. Different wheat varieties had genetic difference in the responses of flag leaf photosynthetic pigment contents to elevated O3, among which, Yangmai 15 and Jiaxin 002 had better tolerance to ozone stress.

Quaternary nanocomposites consisting of graphene, Fe3O4@Fe core@shell, and ZnO nanoparticles: synthesis and excellent electromagnetic absorption properties.

This paper presents for the first time a successful synthesis of quaternary nanocomposites consisting of graphene, Fe(3)O(4)@Fe core/shell nanopariticles, and ZnO nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy measurements show that the diameter of the Fe(3)O(4)@Fe core/shell nanoparitcles is about 18 nm, the Fe(3)O(4) shell's thickness is about 5 nm, and the diameter of ZnO nanoparticles is in range of 2-10 nm. The measured electromagnetic parameters show that the absorption bandwidth with reflection loss less than -20 dB is up to 7.

Allicin ameliorates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis through enhancing of Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathways.

Aim: To evaluate the protective effects of allicin on Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into 3 groups:1)sham group (saline)(n = 12), 2) Ang II group(n = 9), 3) allicin group (Ang II + allicin)(n = 9). They received infusions of either saline or Ang II (250 ng/kg body weight per min) through mini-osmotic pumps implanted subcutaneously for 2 weeks and given a diet containing 180 mg/kg/day of allicin for 8 consecutive weeks.

[Impacts of elevated atmospheric ozone concentration on flag leaf microscopic structure of wheat: a field study with FACE system].

By using FACE (Free-Air Controlled Environment)-ozone system, a field plot experiment was conducted in 2008-2009 to study the effects of elevated ozone (O3) concentration on the flag leaf microscopic structure, chlorophyll content, and grain weight of wheat. Two treatments were installed, i. e.

(Acetyl-acetonato-κ(2)O,O')bis-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(4-fluoro-phen-yl)pyrazin-2-yl]phenyl-κ(2)N(1),C(1)}iridium(III).

In the title complex, [Ir(C(16)H(9)F(2)N(2))(2)(C(5)H(7)O(2))], the Ir(III) atom, lying on a twofold rotation axis, is hexa-coordinated in a distorted octa-hedral geometry by two C,N-bidentate 5-fluoro-2-[3-(4-fluoro-phen-yl)pyrazin-2-yl]phenyl ligands and one O,O'-bidentate acetyl-acetonate ligand. The dihedral angles between the benzene rings and the pyrazine ring are 14.66 (8) and 49.

Decreased skin-mediated detoxification contributes to oxidative stress and insulin resistance.

The skin, the body's largest organ, plays an important role in the biotransformation/detoxification and elimination of xenobiotics and endogenous toxic substances, but its role in oxidative stress and insulin resistance is unclear. We investigated the relationship between skin detoxification and oxidative stress/insulin resistance by examining burn-induced changes in nicotinamide degradation. Rats were divided into four groups: sham-operated, sham-nicotinamide, burn, and burn-nicotinamide.

A fluorescent pH chemosensor based on functionalized naphthalimide in aqueous solution.

The synthesis of functionalized naphthalimide (compound 1) and its application for the preparation of pH chemosensor was described. The fluorescence enhancement of compound 1 with the increase of hydrogen ion concentration is based on the hindering of photo-induced electron transfer (PET) from aliphatic amine group to the naphthalimide. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods based on naphthalimide for the measurement of pH indicated that the method can be applied in aqueous solutions rather than organic solutions.

Bilirubin induces auditory neuropathy in neonatal guinea pigs via auditory nerve fiber damage.

Bilirubin can cause temporary or permanent sensorineural deafness in newborn babies with hyperbilirubinemia. However, the underlying targets and physiological effects of bilirubin-induced damage in the peripheral auditory system are unclear. Using cochlear functional assays and electron microscopy imaging of the inner ear in neonatal guinea pigs, we show here that bilirubin exposure resulted in threshold elevation in both compound action potential (CAP) and auditory brainstem response (ABR), which was apparent at 1 hr and peaked 8 hr after drug administration.

Interaction between taurine and GABA(A)/glycine receptors in neurons of the rat anteroventral cochlear nucleus.

Taurine, one of the most abundant endogenous amino acids in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), is involved in neural development and many physiological functions. In this study, the interaction between taurine and GABA(A)/glycine receptors was investigated in young rat (P13-P15) anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) neurons using the whole-cell patch-clamp method. We found that taurine at low (0.

[Decreased skin function may be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome].

The metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, is closely related to environmental and lifestyle risk factors. Increasing evidence suggests that environmental risk factors may involve an increase in xenobiotic exposure, for example due to environmental toxins, medications, high meat intake, food additives and supplements; while lifestyle risk factors, such as sedentary lifestyles, may involve a decrease in the detoxification and elimination of xenobiotics. The skin, the body's largest organ, plays a distinct role in the detoxification and elimination of xenobiotics and the body lipid homeostasis, which is affected by sedentary lifestyle and physical activity, as well as by ambient temperature.

Minocycline cannot protect neurons against bilirubin-induced hyperexcitation in the ventral cochlear nucleus.

Excitotoxicity has been suggested to play an important role in many central nervous system diseases, particularly in bilirubin encephalopathy. Minocycline treatment has been proposed to be one of the most promising potential therapies for excitotoxicity-induced neurological disorders. However, some key questions, such as the electrophysiological effect of minocycline on neuronal excitability and hyperexcitation in pathological conditions, require clarification.

1-(2,4-Dichloro-phen-yl)-5-(2-nitro-anilino)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile.

In the title compound, C(16)H(9)Cl(2)N(5)O(2), the folded mol-ecular conformation is characterized by a dihedral angle between the two benzene rings of 74.03 (5)°. An intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond is observed between the H atom of the amide group and a nitro-group O atom.

(Acetyl-acetonato-κO,O')bis-[2-(5-methyl-3-phenyl-pyrazin-2-yl-κN)phen-yl-κC]iridium(III).

In the title complex, [Ir(C(17)H(13)N(2))(2)(C(5)H(7)O(2))], the Ir(III) atom is hexa-coordinated in a distorted octa-hedral geometry by two C,N-bidentate 2-(5-methyl-3-phenyl-pyrazin-2-yl)phenyl (mdpp) ligands and one O,O-bidentate acetyl-acetonate ligand. The dihedral angles between the phenyl rings and the pyrazine ring are 9.56 (14) and 58.

Allicin ameliorates cognitive deficits ageing-induced learning and memory deficits through enhancing of Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathways.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that learning and memory abilities in the course of normal aging cognitive abilities tend to decline and Nrf2 expression appears to decline with aging. So, Nrf2 pathway has been identified as a promising therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. The organosulfur compounds, allicin can activate Nrf2, because it has an electrophilic center, which can serve as an attack site for nucleophiles, such as specific protein sulfhydryl groups present on Keap1.