Retraction of: application of food-specific IgG antibody detection in allergy dermatosis

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1515/med-2015-0067.].

Paired observation on light-cured composite resin and nano-composite resin in dental caries repair

To compare the value of light-cured composite resin with that of nano-composite resin in dental caries repair. 88 patients taking dental caries repair in our hospital from May 2014 to April 2015 were selected, and divided into observation group and control group by coin method with 44 patients in each group. Nano-composite resin was used in observation group, while light-cured composite resin in control group. Then, the occurrence rates of odontohyperesthesia, aesthetic satisfaction with dental caries repair and complications were compared between two groups by visual analogue scale (VAS). The occurrence rate of odontohyperesthesia in observation group is significantly lower than that in control group (9.09% (4/44) vs 31.82% (14/44), 6.82% (3/44) vs 22.73% (10/44), 2.27% (1/44) vs 13.64% (6/44)) with difference of statistical significance (P<0.05) 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after repair. VAS score of patients in observation is significantly lower than that in control group ((2.78±0.56) scores vs (5.22±0.76) scores, (2.02±0.35) scores vs (4.32±0.57) scores, (1.12±0.14) scores vs (2.41±0.43) scores) 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after repair. Moreover, the difference in comparison of interactive effects between two groups, between different time points, and between groups at different time points has statistical significance (P<0.05). Nano-composite resin can lower the occurrence rate of odontohyperesthesia in dental caries repair, reduce the pain of patients, and improve the satisfaction of patients with tooth appearance.

Rapid propidium monoazide cPCR assay for exclusive quantification of viable Salmonella spp. cells

Combination of pretreatment with propidium monoazide by competitive polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) was evaluated to enumerate the viability of Salmonella spp. The results showed that PMA treatment was effective in preventing the cPCR detection of target sequences from non- viable cells. In less than 5 hrs, this method generated a signal from viable but nonculturable (VBNC) Salmonella spp. The standard culture method gave approximately 1-2 log(10)cfu ml(-1) less as compared to the PMA-cPCR results. These results provided evidence to support the VBNC state, whereas, the viable cells failed to be cultured by SCM. The proposed method did not detect DNA from dead Salmonella spp. but recognizes the infectious potential of the VBNC state and is thereby, able to assess the effect of control strategies and provide trustworthy data for risk assessment.

Geographical distribution of persistent organic pollutants in the environment: A review

The sources, distribution, transformation, toxicity and accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems have attracted global concern and attention over the last several decades. Although, POPs are toxic, degrade slowly and have a tendency to accumulate in the food chain, they are still widely used worldwide in many fields, such as industrial and agricultural activities. In addition, discharge of POPs into waterways may lead to serious health-related and environmental problems. This review provides an overview of the continental distributions of many types of POPs and the health risks associated with the exposure to POPs in daily life. This review also discusses the distribution of POPs in Malaysia, and the future work that will be conducted in the Klang River, one of the basins subjected to pollution due to development and urbanization.

Hydrodynamic analysis of rigid and flexible pectoral fins

Numerical study on unsteady hydrodynamic characteristics of rigid and flexible pectoral fins in viscous flow-field was performed in the present study. The effect of key kinematical parameters on the propulsion performance was analyzed. The propulsion mechanism was explored by evolution of wake vortices. Computational results revealed that optimal combination for investigated parameters was U = 4C, Φ(FLA) = 45°, ΔΦ(FL) = 60° and α(0) = 0.2. Wake vortices were shed from two edges of fin and fin tip and convect downstream as well as laterally. For flexible pectoral fin, the shedding time was delayed and shed wake vortices keep longer time near the fin that led to difference in variation amplitude of hydrodynamics as compared to rigid fin. The hydrodynamic performance of flexible fin was superior to that of rigid fin for low incoming velocity. However, the opposite situation occured for high incoming velocity.

Sorption of tetracycline, oxytetracycline and tylosin to eight surface sediments of Taihu Lake

The objective of the present study is to investigate the mechanism of tetracyclines and macrolieds absorption on Taihu Lake sediments. In the study, batch technique was used to study the adsorptive behavior of three pharmaceutical antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline and tylosin) from several sediments of Taihu Lake, Zhushan Bay, Western Lakeshore, Lake Center, Southern Lakeshore, East Tai Lake, Eastern Lakeshore, Gonghu Bay and Meiliang Bay. The eight sediments showed extraordinarily high absorption affinity for all the tested antibiotics. However, especially the sediments of East Tai Lake was exceptional. The observed sorbent to solution distribution coefficient (K(d), 1 kg(-1)) was 10(2)-10(4) . The sediment of East Tai Lake showed highest organic carbon content and cation exchange capacity. A remarkably strong sorption of antibiotics to the sediment of East Tai Lake can be attributed to the cation exchange and complexation reactions between the functional groups of antibiotics and the respective charged and polar sites of the sorbents. The sorption affinity of tetracycline and oxytetracycline from the eight sediments was higher than tylosin. Tetracycline and oxytetracycline had multiple polar and ionizable functional groups. In the study within the tested pH, the zwitterion speciation is predominated; therefore, the sorption interaction (cation exchange and surface complexation) between tetracycline and sediments was expected stronger than tylosin.

Application of bioenzymatic soil stabilization in comparison to macadam in the construction of transport infrastructure

uver ninety percent or roaas anc nignways are pavea witn aspnait as it is less expensive, iexime and easy to construct and repair in comparison to concrete. The increasing effect of climatic change and cost of construction materials have forced to consider environment friendly methods to build roads. One economically feasible solution for achieving these objectives is use of enzyme soil stabilization. Use of bioenzymes is known to improve the stability of aggregates and soil materials in the roadways and other pavement structures. The present study was designed to introduce environment friendly TerraZyme to increase engineering qualities of soil for road construction. Soil classification and earth work characteristics were analyzed for two soil types representing pulverized local and transported soil with and without TerraZyme. Obtained results confirmed that treatment with TerraZyme increased engineering characteristics as indicated by increase in CBR values from 10.47 to 16.28 with 55 % improvement, increase of 4.28 % and 2.20 % in dry density and decrease of 18.13 % and 6.17 % in moisture content for untreated and treated soils, respectively. TerraZyme constructed roads will be effective for cost saving upto 15-20 % and maintenance cost reduction of60 % as compared to normal water bound Macadam road.

Natural cures for breast cancer treatment

For centuries, herbs and plants have been used for medicinal purposes and as food as well. This review concerns about different types of plants that retain the immune stimulating and anti-tumor properties. Large variety of active phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, ligands, polyphenolics, terpenoids, sulfides, lignans and plant sterols has been identified in different types of herbs. These phytochemicals have different mechanisms of action. They either stimulate the protective enzyme like glutathione transferase or prevent the cell proliferation. This review has centered on the biochemical properties of Allium sativum, Echinacea, Curcuma longa, Arctium lappa, Camellia sinensis, Panax ginseng and Flax seed. Extracts and juices of Withania somnifera, Amoora rohituka, Dysoxylum binectariferum and Vaccinium macrocarpon, respectively also used as anti-breast cancer. The volatile oils and extracts of these herbs and plants inhibit the synthesis of mevalonate that lessen the tumor growth and cholesterol synthesis.

Analgesic effect and possible mechanism of SCH772984 intrathecal injection on rats with bone cancer pain

This study is to establish a model of rat tibial osteocarcinoma pain, intrathecally inject specific ERK1/2 inhibitors SCH772984, observe the analgesic effect, and discuss the influence of ERK-P90RSK-Fos signal path in bone cancer pain. Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Establish a bone cancer pain model after putting the intrathecal tube 5d and determine the rats' mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) after tube 5d; 40 SD rats with intrathecal tube back 5d were randomly divided into 5 groups. Sham Group receives no medication, the other four respectively receive 5% DMSO 10 μl, SCH 0.1, 1.0, 10 μg (SCH dissolved in 10 μl 5% DMSO) intrathecally. Determine the rats' mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) before and after giving medication 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 h, and 2 min spontaneous paw withdrawal. Western blot and immuno-fluorescence determine the expression condition of spinal cord dorsal horn of p-ERK, p-p90RSK and Fos protein. Intrathecal injection of SCH772984 has analgesic effects on rats with bone cancer pain, and the effects enhance with increasing dose; intrathecal injection of SCH772984 10 μg could greatly reduce the expression of spinal dorsal horn Fos protein. Injecting walker 256 tumor cells into rats' tibia could cause behavior changes, such as idiopathic pain sensitivity and pain; the intrathecal tube almost has no effect on motor function of rats; ERK1/2 is involved in bone cancer pain, and intrathecal injection of ERK1/2 specific inhibitors SCH772984 10 μg may effectively relieve bone cancer pain.

Diagnosis of Genus Helicobacter through a hemi-nested PCR assay of 16S rRNA

The present study aimed to establish a genus-specific PCR-based assay to detect helicobacters using 16S rRNA gene as the target template. We designed the hemi-nested primers based on sequences of 16S rRNA gene of 34 types of Helicobacter species. The inclusivity, sensitivity, and specificity of the PCR assay using these primers were examined in three different models, comprising feces simulated samples, BLAB/c mice infection model and clinic patients samples. The detection sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter hepaticus and Helicobacter bilis strains from feces simulated samples was all 102 CFU/ml. We successfully detected H. hepaticus and H. bilis in the liver, cecum and feces of experimentally infected mice. H. pylori was successfully detected in the feces samples from 3 patients infected with H. pylori while not in the feces samples from 3 healthy human. However, the C97/C05–C97/C98 PCR assay detected H. pylori in the 2 positive samples. Due to the PCR assay’s excellent inclusivity, high sensitivity and specificity it may be used to detect the presence of Helicobacters.

Interaction of exposure concentration and duration in determining the apoptosis of testis in rats after cigarette smoke inhalation

The effects of differences in smoke concentration and exposure duration in Sprague Dawley rats to determine variation in type and severity of the testis apoptosis were evaluated. The daily dosages were 10, 20 and 30 non-filter cigarettes for a period of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks. Mainstream smoke exposure suppressed body weight gain in all regimens. A dose-related increase in plasma nicotine concentration was observed in smoke-exposed groups for 4, 6, 8 and 12 week regimens. Histopathological examination of the exposed groups showed disturbances in the stages of spermatogenesis, tubules atrophying and these appeared to be dose-related. Cytoplasmic caspase-3 immunostaining was detected both in Sertoli cells and germ cells in smoke-exposure groups. An increase in TUNEL-positive cells of testicular cells was observed after 6 weeks of cigarette exposure. The results indicate that cigarette exposure concentration and duration have interaction effect to induce apoptosis in the rat testes.

Antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antitumor activities of essential oil of Agastache rugosa from Xinjiang, China

In the study, we evaluated chemical composition and antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antitumor activities of essential oils from dried leaf essential oil of leaf and flower of Agastache rugosa for the first time. Essential oil of leaf and flower was evaluated with GC and GC–MS methods, and the essential oil of flower revealed the presence of 21 components, whose major compounds were pulegone (34.1%), estragole (29.5%), and p-Menthan-3-one (19.2%). 26 components from essential oil of leaf were identified, the major compounds were p-Menthan-3-one (48.8%) and estragole (20.8%). At the same time, essential oil of leaf, there is a very effective antimicrobial activity with MIC ranging from 9.4 to 42 μg ml⁻¹ and potential antibiofilm, antitumor activities for essential oils of flower and leaf essential oil of leaf. The study highlighted the diversity in two different parts of A. rugosa grown in Xinjiang region and other places, which have different active constituents. Our results showed that this native plant may be a good candidate for further biological and pharmacological investigations.

Prevalence and pattern of dyslipidemia in hyperglycemic patients and its associated factors among Pakistani population

In diabetes mellitus dyslipidemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In type 2 diabetes mellitus early detection and treatment of dyslipidemia can avoid risk for cardiovascular disorder. The present study was carried to determine the prevalence and pattern of hyperlipidemia in patients with hyperglycemia. The cross sectional study was done in different laboratories of Pakistan, the laboratories served patients referred from different government and private hospitals between July 2014 and June 2015. All known cases of diabetes mellitus were evaluated for their lipid profile. Totally 200 diabetic patients were included in the study in which 120 (60%) were males and 80 (40%) were females. Prevalence of dyslipidemia among diabetic males was 97.18% while for females 87.15%. Among dyslipidemic male the proportion with mixed dyslipidemic patients was 17.5%, combined two parameters dyslipidemia was 47.5% and isolated single parameter dyslipidemia was 35%. In females these proportions in mixed, combined two parameters and isolated single parameter were 16.25%, 51.25% and 32.5%, respectively. Majority of hyperglycemic patients were dyslipidemic. The most prevalent pattern among male was combined dyslipidemia with high triglycerides (TG) and low High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and in female it was high Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and low HDL. The most prevalent lipid abnormality in our study was low HDL followed by high TG.

The recognition of multi-class protein folds by adding average chemical shifts of secondary structure elements

The recognition of protein folds is an important step in the prediction of protein structure and function. Recently, an increasing number of researchers have sought to improve the methods for protein fold recognition. Following the construction of a dataset consisting of 27 protein fold classes by Ding and Dubchak in 2001, prediction algorithms, parameters and the construction of new datasets have improved for the prediction of protein folds. In this study, we reorganized a dataset consisting of 76-fold classes constructed by Liu et al. and used the values of the increment of diversity, average chemical shifts of secondary structure elements and secondary structure motifs as feature parameters in the recognition of multi-class protein folds. With the combined feature vector as the input parameter for the Random Forests algorithm and ensemble classification strategy, we propose a novel method to identify the 76 protein fold classes. The overall accuracy of the test dataset using an independent test was 66.69%; when the training and test sets were combined, with 5-fold cross-validation, the overall accuracy was 73.43%. This method was further used to predict the test dataset and the corresponding structural classification of the first 27-protein fold class dataset, resulting in overall accuracies of 79.66% and 93.40%, respectively. Moreover, when the training set and test sets were combined, the accuracy using 5-fold cross-validation was 81.21%. Additionally, this approach resulted in improved prediction results using the 27-protein fold class dataset constructed by Ding and Dubchak.

Review on antibacterial characteristics of bridge engineering biomaterials

This review summarizes the research on timber construction materials used in bridge construction. It focuses on the application of antiseptic treatments and the use of timber engineering materials in decks and bridges. This review also provides an overview on the future research and prospects of engineered timber materials.

Effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Dilong on Airway Remodeling in Rats with OVA-induced-Asthma

The present study focuses on the effects and suggests possible mechanisms of the traditional Chinese medicine Dilong as compared to dexamethasone on lower respiratory tract remodeling in rats with asthma. The number of leukocytes and eosinophils in blood from the inferior vena cava and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted. Lung tissues underwent hematoxylin and eosin staining. The thickness of the basement membrane and smooth muscle or the airways, and the ratio of inner to outer diameter of the airway wall were measured. Levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metallopeptidase 9/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-9/TIMP-1), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and c-Myc(mRNA) were evaluated. Results indicate that treatment with Dilong decreased the number of eosinophils in blood and BALF, decreased levels of TGF-β1, MMP-9/TIMP-1, uPA, PAI-1 and c-Myc, and ameliorated the thickening of airway walls, airway basement membrane and airway smooth muscle. Co-treatment with dexamethasone was found to intensity these effects. The cellularity of eosinophils and thickness of the airway basement membrane and smooth muscle were positively correlated with levels of TGF- 1, uPA, and c-Myc. Treatment with Dilong, either alone or in combination with dexamethasone, could inhibit and partly reverse airway remodeling in rats with asthma at an early stage.

Characterization of particle shape, zeta potential, loading efficiency and outdoor stability for chitosan-ricinoleic acid loaded with rotenone

Carboxymethyl chitosan grafted with ricinoleic acid (CMC-g-RA), an amphiphilic drug carrier, was synthetized, loaded with rotenone (Rot), and characterized for particles shape, zeta potential, loading efficiency and outdoor stability. Results show that as the ratio of carrier to drug increased, the formulation exhibited monodisperse nanoparticles negative surface charge. The loading efficiency of the formulation was up to 68%. The outdoor test also indicated that the formulation with the higher loading efficiency prevented Rot degradation in natural environments.

Remediation of deltamethrin contaminated cotton fields: residual and adsorption assessment

Pakistan occupies a significant global position in the growing of high quality cotton. The extensive application of pesticides on agricultural products leads to environmental risk due to toxic residues in air, water and soil. This study examined the chemodynamic effect of Deltamethrin on cotton fields. Samples were collected from the cotton fields of D.G. Khan, Pakistan and analyzed for heavy metal speciation patterns. Batch experiments were administered in order to study the adsorption of Deltamethrin in cotton fields. The effect of different factors including pH, adsorbate dose, and adsorbent mass on adsorption were studied. It was observed that in general, adsorption increased with increases in the mass of adsorbate, although the trends were irregular. Residual fractions of deltamethrin in the soil and water of cotton fields were analyzed to assess concentrations of xenobiotics bound to soil particles. Results indicated that such residues are significantly higher in soil samples due to high Koc in comparison to water, indicating the former is an efficient degradation agent. Results from the batch experiment resulted in 95% removal with alkaline pH and an adsorbent-adsorbate ratio of 250:1. These results may be used to environment friendly resource management policies.

Construction of a Genetic Linkage Map and QTL Analysis of Fruit-related Traits in an F1 Red Fuji x Hongrou Apple Hybrid

A genetic linkage map of the apple, composed of 175 SSR and 105 SRAP markers, has been constructed using 110 F1 individuals obtained from a cross between the ‘Red Fuji’ Malus domestica and ‘Hongrou’ Malus sieversii cultivars, which have relatively high levels of DNA marker polymorphism and differ remarkably in fruit-related traits. The linkage map comprised 17 linkage groups, covering 1299.67 cM with an average marker distance of 4.6 cM between adjacent markers, or approximately 91% of Malus genome. Linkage groups were well populated and, although marker density ranged from 2.1 to 9.5 cM, just 10 gaps of more than 15 cM were observed. Moreover, just 12.5% of markers displayed segregation distortion. The present genetic linkage map was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting fruit-related traits. 23 QTLs for ten fruit traits were detected by multiple interval mapping: 3 QTLs for Vc content, One QTL for single fruit weight, 2 QTLs for peel-phenols content, 2 QTLs for flesh-hardness, 2 QTLs for diameter, 6 QTLs for acid content, 1 QTL for sugar content, 2 QTLs for soluble solids content, 2 QTLs for flesh-phenols and 2 QTLs for brittleness. These QTLs were located on linkage groups C1, C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, C9, C10, C14 and C17, respectively. The phenotypic variations exhibited by each QTL ranged from 2% to 72%, and their LOD values varied from 2.03 to 8.93, of which five QTLs were major effect genes (R2 ≥ 10%). The tight linkage markers (*me2em7-460f, *MS01a03-180m, *me1em6-307m, *CH05c06-102f, *me1em8-423f) would be helpful to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of apple domestication and breeding in the future.

Identification of residual non-biodegradable organic compounds in wastewater effluent after two-stage biochemical treatment

The main non-biodegradable compounds (soluble microbial product – SMP) of wastewater from the Maotai aromatic factories, located in the Chishui river region, were analyzed by UV spectroscopy, and by solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, after a two-stage biochemical treatment. The UV-Vis spectra revealed that the wastewater contained two double-bonds in conjugated systems (conjugated diene or α, β- unsaturated ketone, etc.) and simple non-conjugated chromophores containing n electrons from carbonyl groups or the like. The residual organic non-biodegradable substances were identified using SPE-GC/MS analysis as complex polymers containing hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl functional groups with multiple connections to either benzene rings or heterocyclic rings. As these compounds are difficult to remove by conventional biochemical treatments, our findings provide a scientific basis for the design of efficient new strategies to remove SMP from wastewater.

Microbial stress response to heavy metals in the environment

Heavy metal contamination is a global environmental issue as it poses a significant threat to public health, and exposure to metals above a certain threshold level can cause deleterious effects in all living organisms including microbes.

Artificial Plant Root System Growth for Distributed Optimization: Models and Emergent Behaviors

Plant root foraging exhibits complex behaviors analogous to those of animals, including the adaptability to continuous changes in soil environments. In this work, we adapt the optimality principles in the study of plant root foraging behavior to create one possible bio-inspired optimization framework for solving complex engineering problems. This provides us with novel models of plant root foraging behavior and with new methods for global optimization. This framework is instantiated as a new search paradigm, which combines the root tip growth, branching, random walk, and death. We perform a comprehensive simulation to demonstrate that the proposed model accurately reflects the characteristics of natural plant root systems. In order to be able to climb the noise-filled gradients of nutrients in soil, the foraging behaviors of root systems are social and cooperative, and analogous to animal foraging behaviors.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of two weevils, Eucryptorrhynchus chinensis and E. brandti: conserved genome arrangement in Curculionidae and deficiency of tRNA-Ile gene

The weevils Eucryptorrhynchus chinensis and Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), are two of the most important pests of the tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima, which is found throughout China. In this study, the complete mitogenomes of the two weevils have been sequenced using Illumina HiSeqTM 2000. The mitogenomes of E. chinensis and E. brandti are 15,628bp and 15,597bp long with A+T contents of 77.7% and 76.6%, respectively. Both species have typical circular mitochondrial genomes that encode 36 genes. Except the deficiency of tRNA-Ile, the gene composition and order of E. chinensis and E. brandti are identical to the inferred ancestral gene arrangement of insects. In both mitochondrial genomes, the start codons for COI and ND1 are AAT and TTG, respectively. A5bp motif (TACTA) is detected in intergenic region between the tRNA-Ser (UCN) and ND1 genes. The ATP8/ATP6 and ND4L/ND4 gene pairs appear to overlap four or seven nucleotides (ATAA/ATGATAA) in different reading frames. The complete sequences of AT-rich region have two regions including tandem repeats. The study identifies useful genetic markers for studying the population genetics, molecular identification and phylogeographics of Eucryptorrhynchus weevils. The features of the mitochondrial genomes are expected to be valuable in