Growth, Physiological, and Photosynthetic Responses of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge Seedlings Under Various Degrees of Salinity.

Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge is priced for its medical and energetic values. The species also plays a key role in stabilizing ecologically fragile areas exposed to excess soil salinity. In this study, the effects of salinity on the growth, physiological, and photosynthetic parameters of X. sorbifolium Bunge were investigated. The X. sorbifolium seedlings were subjected to five salt treatments: 0 (control, CK), 70, 140, 210, and 280 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. NaCl caused a decrease in plant height, specific leaf area, biomass, and root parameters. Leaf wilting and shedding and changes in root morphology, such as root length, root surface area, and root tips were observed. This study found that X. sorbifolium is tolerant to high salinity. Compared with the CK group, even if the concentration of NaCl was higher than 210 mM, the increase of the relative conductivity was also slow, while intercellular CO2 concentration had a similar trend. Moreover, NaCl stress caused an increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble proteins, and proline. Among the enzymes in the plant, the catalase (CAT) activity increases first and decreased with the increase in the intensity of NaCl stress, but the salt treatment had no significant effect on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The peroxidase (POD) showed an increasing trend under salt stress. It was found that the photosynthesis of X. sorbifolium was notably impacted by saline stress. NaCl toxicity induced a noticeable influence on leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (E), and water use efficiency (Wue). As salt concentration increased, the content of chlorophyll decreased. It can be found that a low concentration of NaCl induced the increase of photosynthetic capacity but a high-intensity exposure to stress resulted in the reduction of photosynthetic efficiency and SOD activity, which had a positive correlation. In summary, salt-induced ionic stress primarily controlled root morphology, osmotic adjustment, and enzyme activities of salt-treated X. sorbifolium leaves, whereas the low salt load could, in fact, promote the growth of roots.

Melanocyte spheroids are formed by repetitive long-term trypsinization.

BACKGROUND: Autologous melanocyte transplantation plays an important role in the treatment of vitiligo. OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have indicated that, compared with melanocytes growing in monolayers, melanocyte spheroids have a better survival in growth factor- and serum-deprived conditions. METHODS: Melanocyte spheroids were obtained from human epidermis by repetitive long-term trypsinization and maintained an aggregated morphology for a short period in certain conditions. RESULTS: Melanocyte spheroids were capable of growing into normal dendritic melanocytes in monolayer when they were harvested and reinoculated in 24-well plates. Immunohistochemical analysis of the melanocyte spheroids revealed that they were positive for HMB45, a melanosome-specific marker. No melanomas occurred when melanocyte spheroids were transplanted into mice. CONCLUSION: Our study provides a promising approach for melanocyte transplantation to treat vitiligo.

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Epidermal Keratinocytes.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) play an important role in cell replacement therapy. Several studies have shown that keratinocytes are promising reprogrammed cells. We easily and efficiently enriched epidermal stem cells by attaching them for a limited time in culture dishes. Individual epidermal cells enriched in stem cells, which showed strong immunostaining for K15, were obtained and generated iPSCs within 10 days after transfection with lentiviruses encoding 4 transcription factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and NANOG). Immunofluorescent staining showed that those iPSCs expressed SOX2, OCT4, NANOG, and SSEA3 (a specific marker of embryonic stem cells). The embryoid bodies generated from those iPSCs stained positively for OCT4 and NANOG and also with the CDy1 dye that is specific for stem cells. When the iPSCs were subcutaneously injected into 4-week-old BALB/c nude mice, teratoma developed at the inoculation site. The iPSCs also demonstrated reduced DNA methylation compared with the original cells and could be induced to differentiate into adipocytes (mesodermal), hepatocytes (endodermal), and neural cells (ectodermal) in vitro. Our research provides an easy and efficient method for producing iPSCs from keratinocytes, which has important applications in cell replacement therapy.

Muse Cells Derived from Dermal Tissues Can Differentiate into Melanocytes.

The objective of the authors has been to obtain multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring cells (Muse cells) from primary cultures of dermal fibroblasts, identify their pluripotency, and detect their ability to differentiate into melanocytes. The distribution of SSEA-3-positive cells in human scalp skin was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and the distribution of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and SSEA-3-positive cells was determined by immunofluorescence staining. The expression levels of Sox2, Oct4, hKlf4, and Nanog mRNAs and proteins in Muse cells were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses and Western blots, respectively. These Muse cells differentiated into melanocytes in differentiation medium. The SSEA-3-positive cells were scattered in the basement membrane zone and the dermis, with comparatively more in the sebaceous glands, vascular and sweat glands, as well as the outer root sheath of hair follicles, the dermal papillae, and the hair bulbs. Muse cells, which have the ability to self-renew, were obtained from scalp dermal fibroblasts by flow cytometry sorting with an anti-SSEA-3 antibody. The results of RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression levels of Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Klf4 mRNAs and proteins in Muse cells were significantly different from their parental dermal fibroblasts. Muse cells differentiated into melanocytes when cultured in melanocyte differentiation medium, and the Muse cell-derived melanocytes expressed the melanocyte-specific marker HMB45. Muse cells could be obtained by flow cytometry from primary cultures of scalp dermal fibroblasts, which possessed the ability of pluripotency and self-renewal, and could differentiate into melanocytes in vitro.

Muse Cells, a New Type of Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived from Human Fibroblasts.

A new type of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that expresses stage-specific embryonic antigen 3 (SSEA-3) and the mesenchymal cell marker CD105 are known as multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells. Studies have shown that stem cells in suspension cultures are more likely to generate embryoid body-like stem cell spheres and maintain an undifferentiated phenotype and pluripotency. We separated Muse cells derived from human dermal fibroblasts by long-term trypsin incubation (LTT) through suspension cultures in methylcellulose. The Muse cells obtained expressed several pluripotency markers, including Nanog, Oct4, Sox2, and SSEA-3, and could differentiate in vitro into cells of the three germ layers, such as hepatocytes (endodermal), neural cells (ectodermal) and adipocytes, and osteocytes (mesodermal cells). These cells showed a low level of DNA methylation and a high nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. Our study provides an innovative and exciting platform for exploring the potential cell-based therapy of various human diseases using Muse cells as well as their great possibility for regenerative medicine.

Three paraneoplastic signs in the same patient with gastric adenocarcinoma.

This is the report of a 76-year-old male with typical lesions of acanthosis nigricans maligna (ANM), florid cutaneous papillomatosis (FCP), and tripe palms (TP) for 2 years. He did not have any gastrointestinal complaints. Pathologic findings of skin supported the diagnosis of ANM. Because gastric adenocarcinoma is the most common neoplasm associated with these paraneoplastic dermatoses, further tests were carried out. Endoscopic examination was performed and an adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction was confirmed. Meanwhile, multiple small polyps in the middle and the lower thirds of the esophagus were observed. The patient was referred for further evaluation and subsequent surgical resection of the tumor.Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a hyperkeratotic mucocutaneous eruption of heterogenous etiology, which is characterized by hyperpigmentation, velvety cutaneous thickening, intensified skin markings, and development of verrucous excrescences typically involving the intertriginous areas. AN is classified into benign and malignant forms on the basis of clinical associations. Malignant acanthosis nigricans (MAN) tends to be extensive and involves mucosal surfaces, mostly in elderly people. Florid cutaneous papillomatosis (FCP), also known as the Schwartz-Burgess syndrome, is characterized by the rapid appearance of multiple verrucous lesions that are clinically indistinguishable from common warts [1]. Tripe palms (TP) is characterized by diffuse, yellowish palmar hyperkeratosis, with enhancement of the epidermal ridges on the hands (dermatoglyphics), resembling intestinal villosities [1]. The association of these three paraneoplastic dermatoses (FCP, ANM and TP) in the same patient has been reported. Herein, we report an elderly male with three paraneoplastic dermatoses for two years. On the initial presentation, he did not report any systemic complaints; diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of a gastric adenocarcinoma.

[Development of studies on bioeffects of ultrasound-acupuncture therapy and its underlying mechanism].

The so-called ultrasound acupuncture is a therapeutic approach for clinical problems and health care by applying the ultrasound energy to the acupoints of the human body directly or indirectly. It has been applied in clinic for about 30 years since 1980s. In the present paper, the authors review the development of both experimental and clinical researches in the past 30 years. Its clinical application includes allergic rhinitis, local pain, mastitis, angina pectoris of coronary heart disease, stroke, etc. Regarding the researches on the underlying mechanism of ultrasound and ultrasound acupuncture, the authors make a summary from 1) bioeffects (thermal and nonthermal effects) of ultrasound intervention; 2) cell lysis and nonlysis effects of ultrasound intervention; and 3) effects of ultrasound acupuncture on the degranulation of mast cells. Based on the idea that "inflammatory reaction caused by mast cell degranulation is one of the initial factors of acupuncture for inducing therapeutic effects", bioeffects including cellular changes, especially mast cell degranulation caused by ultrasound stimulation, are thought to be the main possible mechanisms underlying the favorable efficacy of ultrasound acupuncture intervention. However, the ultrasound metrology and the specific superiority of ultrasound acupuncture remain unknown up to now.

4-Bromo-2-({4-[(hy-droxy-imino)-meth-yl]phen-yl}imino-meth-yl)phenol.

In the title compound, C(14)H(11)BrN(2)O(2), the mean planes of the two benzene rings are almost parallel to each other, making a dihedral angle of 4.09 (1)°. An intra-molecular O-H⋯N hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, inter-molecular O-H⋯N and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into a chain-like supra-molecular structure.

Synthesis, structure and spectroscopic properties of two new trinuclear nickel(II) clusters possessing solvent effect.

Two solvent-induced trinuclear nickel(II) clusters, [{NiL(CH(3)OH)}(2)(OAc)(2)Ni].2CH(3)OH (I) and [{NiL(C(2)H(5)OH)}(2)(OAc)(2)Ni].2C(2)H(5)OH (II), have been synthesized by the reaction of a new Salen-type bisoxime chelating ligand of 5,5'-di(N,N'-diethylamino)-2,2'-[(1,3-propylene)dioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol (H(2)L) with nickel(II) acetate tetrahydrate in different solvents. Clusters I and II were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, UV-vis absorption spectra, TG-DTA and X-ray diffraction methods. In clusters I (or II), there are two ligand moieties (which provide N(2)O(2) donors), two acetate ions, two coordinated methanol (or ethanol) molecules and two crystallizing methanol (or ethanol) molecules, which result in the formation of three slightly distorted octahedral geometries around Ni(II) ions. Interestingly, nickel(II) ions in the structures of clusters I and II are all six-coordinated geometry, but clusters I and II are grown up in different solvent. Right because of this, solvent effect cause to their different crystal structures.

[Logistic regression analysis on therapeutic effect of acupuncture on neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis and factors influencing therapeutic effect].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the main factors influencing the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis, so as to provide references for further increasing the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. METHODS: One hundred and six cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 53 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with routine acupuncture at Dazhui (GV 14), Jingbailao (Ex-HN 15) and Jianzhongshu (SI 15); and the control group was treated with sham acupuncture at 1 cm lateral to Bailao (Ex-HN 15) and Jianzhongshu (SI 15). The needles were retained for 20 min in the two groups and infrared radiation was used for adjuvant treatment in this period. Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) was used to assess the patients' quality of life before and after the treatment. The potential influential factors were analyzed by Logistic regression. RESULTS: The effective rate was 75.5% in the observation group and 52.8% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The Logistic regression analysis indicated that the therapeutic effect in the observation group was superior to the control group (OR = 2.670), and both the attack frequency and duration of the neck pain will influence the therapeutic effect (OR = 1.055 and OR = 2.446). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture has a better therapeutic effect on neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis, and patient's clinical history about attack frequency and duration of neck pain are factors influencing clinical therapeutic effect.

[Multiple myeloma: past, present and future--editorial].

Multiple myeloma is a neoplasm of mature and immature plasma cells, it remains an incurable disease using conventional chemotherapy and increasing aggressive approaches. In recent years, due to the better understanding of myeloma biology, genetics and tumor formation, there are lots of new active drugs or combinational chemotherapy regimens having been developed, such as proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents etc, they are more effective than conventional chemotherapy. This article summarizes the recent advances with the new options for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

[Determination of trace elements hg and Rh in gelatin by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry--applying MSF model to improve the precision and detection limit].

Using ICP-AES, the method was developed to quantitatively determine the trace elements Hg and Rh in gelatin for the first time. The unknown samplers were processed with the wet digestion method. Multiple trace elements in gelatin could be quantitatively determined by ICP-AES at the same time. Applying the MSF model, the method to correct the spectral interference and the background was discussed. The result's precision and detection limit could be greatly improved by MSF model. The results of the experiment showed that the method features high accuracy, rapidity, high performance and a wide linear dynamic range, and the results were very satisfactory.

Effects of formaldehyde inhalation on lung of rats.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze protein changes in the lung of Wistar rats exposed to gaseous formaldehyde (FA) at 32-37 mg/m3 for 4 h/day for 15 days using proteomics technique. METHODS: Lung samples were solubilized and separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and gel patterns were scanned and analyzed for detection of differently expressed protein spots. These protein spots were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS and NCBInr protein database searching. RESULTS: Four proteins were altered significantly in 32-37 mg/m3 FA group, with 3 proteins up-regulated, 1 protein down-regulated. The 4 proteins were identified as aldose reductase, LIM protein, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and chloride intracellular channel 3. CONCLUSION: The four proteins are related to cell proliferation induced by FA and defense reaction of anti-oxidation. Proteomics is a powerful tool in research of environmental health, and has prospects in search for protein markers for disease diagnosis and monitoring.

Thermodynamic and kinetic size limit of nanowire growth.

The universal models of nucleation thermodynamics and growth kinetics were established for nanowire growth upon metal-catalyst-assisted thermal chemical vapor transport on the basis of vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism. The thermodynamic and kinetic size limit of nanowire growth was deduced from the proposed model. Theoretical predictions are in agreement with experimental data.

[The effects of DNA damage induced by acetaldehyde].

The effects of DNA damage induced by the typical environmental pollutant acetaldehyde were studied with single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). The results showed that acetaldehyde not only could cause DNA strand breakage but also DNA-DNA, DNA-protein crosslinks of lymphocytes of human peripheral blood. The reaction of acetaldehyde with DNA in vitro was weak, but the oxidative ability was enhanced and the reaction could produce a number of 8-OHdG adducts mediated by the Fe2+. The animal experiment shows that acetaldehyde can cause the oxidative DNA damage of rat lung tissues, which suggests that acetaldehyde have the potential genotoxicity and its chemical mechanism is relative to the crosslinks and oxidation with DNA.

[Effects of 2450 MHz microwave on long-term potentiation of hippocampus and lipofuscin contents in rat brain].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of the effects of microwave on learning and memory. METHOD: Long-term potentiation (LTP) of hippocampus induced potential and lipofuscin content in rat brain were studied. After irradiated by a 2450 MHz microwave, rats hippocampus induced potential in vivo was recorded and lipofuscin content in the brain was measured by fluorospectrophotometry. RESULT: Continuous microwave with 10-25 mW/cm2 intensity could inhibit the amplitude of the population spike (PS) of weak and strong stimuli induced LTP with an intensity-effect relationship. At 25 mW/cm2, lipofuscin content was significantly higher than control and 10 mW/cm2 group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Continuous microwave with 10-25 mW/cm2 intensity impairs learning and memory by restraining hippocampus LTP and brain lipofuscin content.

[Effects of microwave irradiation on ATPase activity and voltage dependent ion channel of rat hippocampus cell membrane].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of microwave irradiation on hippocampus cell. METHOD: Changes of ATPase activity and voltage dependent ion channel of hippocampus cell membrane were observed in mice exposed to 2 450 MHz microwave irradiation of 10 mW/cm2 from a physical therapy machine. Histochemical method and patch clamp method were used to determine the activity of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase and voltage dependent Na+, K+, Ca2+ channels respectively. RESULT: 1) Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity of microwave irradiated mice showed no significant change as compared with the control, but the activity of Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase decreased significantly (P< 0.05); 2) In microwave irradiated mice, Na+, K+, Ca2+, current inducement rate in hippocampus neuron decreased significantly, the membrane voltage of Na+ current peak shifted to depolarization, and the attenuation rate of Na+ current and current A inducement rate decreased significantly as compared with control mice. CONCLUSION: Irradiation of 2 450 MHz microwave at a doze of 10 mW/cm2 was not fatal to mice hippocampus cell. But Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase activity of hippocampal cell membrane and voltage dependent Na+, K+, Ca2+ ion channel of hippocampal nervous were affected which would affect study and memory.

[The expression and imprinting status of insulin-like growth factor 2 gene in colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the imprinting status and expression level of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene in colorectal cancer and to provide a clue for the mechanism of carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer. METHODS: The expression levels of IGF2 in the paired colorectal cancer and adjacent normal tissue were examined and compared by use of semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The imprinting status of IGF2 was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism. The relationships between the expression level of IGF2, its imprinting status, and the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer were analyzed. RESULTS: IGF2 was overexpressed in 82.4% (28/34) of colorectal cancer tissues which was significantly higher than those of the matched normal tissues (P<0.01, t=3.01). 87.5% (14/16) of colorectal cancer showed loss of imprinting(LOI), while 71.4%(10/14) of normal tissues also displayed LOI of IGF2. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of IGF2 was found to play an important role in carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer. LOI of IGF2 may be a prophase manifestation of colorectal cancer.