Hymenobacter kanuolensis sp. nov., a novel radiation-resistant bacterium

A Gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, red-pigmented, radiation-resistant, aerobic bacterium designated T-3(T) was isolated from a soil sample from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Tibet, China, after exposure to 10 kGy gamma radiation. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences indicated that this isolate represented a novel member of the genus Hymenobacter. Sequence identities of the 16S rRNA gene of strain T-3(T) with the type strains of species of the genus Hymenobacter with validly published names range from 89% to 97%, and the most closely related species is Hymenobacter psychrotolerans Tibet-IIU11(T) (97%). The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain T-3(T) and H. psychrotolerans is 59.10%. The major fatty acids of strain T-3(T) were iso-C(15 : 0) (27.66%), summed feature 4 (iso-C(17 : 1)I and/or anteiso-C(17 : 1)B, 15.84%), anteiso-C(15 : 0) (14.08%) and summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or C(16 : 1)ω6c, 12.38%). The major menaquinone of strain T-3(T) was MK-7. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) was predominant in the polar lipid profile. The G+C content of the DNA of strain T-3(T) was 69.17 mol%. On the basis of the results of the polyphasic characterization presented in this study, it is concluded that strain T-3(T) represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter kanuolensis is proposed. The type strain is T-3(T) ( = ACCC 05760(T) = KCTC 32407(T)).

Diagnostic value of cytological and microbiological methods in cryptococcal meningitis

The aim of this study was to investigate diagnostic methods for cryptococcal meningitis (CM). A retrospective analysis was conducted for 31 patients with CM confirmed by etiologic detection of cerebrospinal fluid in our hospital in the past 5 years. Nineteen cases in 31 patients were confirmed with CM in the first diagnosis, with a misdiagnosis rate of 38.7%. The positive rates of cryptococcus detection in cerebrospinal fluid with May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG)-, ink-, and Alcian blue-staining methods were 86.9, 70.9, and 80.6%, respectively. The misdiagnosis rate of CM is high during the early stage of disease. The total positive rate of cryptococcus diagnosis using the MGG-staining method was significantly higher than that using the ink-staining method. These results are important for diagnosing CM.

DDX3X regulates cell survival and cell cycle during mouse early embryonic development

DDX3X is a highly conserved DEAD-box RNA helicase that participates in RNA transcription, RNA splicing, and mRNA transport, translation, and nucleo-cytoplasmic transport. It is highly expressed in metaphase II (MII) oocytes and is the predominant DDX3 variant in the ovary and embryo. However, whether it is important in mouse early embryo development remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the function of DDX3X in early embryogenesis by cytoplasmic microinjection with its siRNA in zygotes or single blastomeres of 2-cell embryos. Our results showed that knockdown of Ddx3x in zygote cytoplasm led to dramatically diminished blastocyst formation, reduced cell numbers, and an increase in the number of apoptotic cells in blastocysts. Meanwhile, there was an accumulation of p53 in RNAi blastocysts. In addition, the ratio of cell cycle arrest during 2-cell to 4-cell transition increased following microinjection of Ddx3x siRNA into single blastomeres of 2-cell embryos compared with control. These results suggest that Ddx3x is an essential gene associated with cell survival and cell cycle control in mouse early embryos, and thus plays key roles in normal embryo development.

3D inpatient dose reconstruction from the PET-CT imaging of 90Y microspheres for metastatic cancer to the liver: feasibility study

PURPOSE

The introduction of radioembolization with microspheres represents a significant step forward in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease to the liver. This technique uses semiempirical formulae based on body surface area or liver and target volumes to calculate the required total activity for a given patient. However, this treatment modality lacks extremely important information, which is the three-dimensional (3D) dose delivered by microspheres to different organs after their administration. The absence of this information dramatically limits the clinical efficacy of this modality, specifically the predictive power of the treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a 3D dose calculation technique that is based on the PET imaging of the infused microspheres.

METHODS

The Fluka Monte Carlo code was used to calculate the voxel dose kernel for 90Y source with voxel size equal to that of the PET scan. The measured PET activity distribution was converted to total activity distribution for the subsequent convolution with the voxel dose kernel to obtain the 3D dose distribution. In addition, dose-volume histograms were generated to analyze the dose to the tumor and critical structures.

RESULTS

The 3D inpatient dose distribution can be reconstructed from the PET data of a patient scanned after the infusion of microspheres. A total of seven patients have been analyzed so far using the proposed reconstruction method. Four patients underwent treatment with SIR-Spheres for liver metastases from colorectal cancer and three patients were treated with Therasphere for hepatocellular cancer. A total of 14 target tumors were contoured on post-treatment PET-CT scans for dosimetric evaluation. Mean prescription activity was 1.7 GBq (range: 0.58-3.8 GBq). The resulting mean maximum measured dose to targets was 167 Gy (range: 71-311 Gy). Mean minimum dose to 70% of target (D70) was 68 Gy (range: 25-155 Gy). Mean minimum dose to 90% of target (D90) was 53 Gy (range: 13-125 Gy).

CONCLUSIONS

A three-dimensional inpatient dose reconstruction method has been developed that is based on the PET/CT data of a patient treated with 90Y microspheres. It allows for a complete description of the absorbed dose by the tumor and critical structures. It represents the first step in building predictive models for treatment outcomes for patients receiving this therapeutic modality as well as it allows for better analysis of patients' dose response and will ultimately improve future treatment administration.

Halomonas huangheensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a saline–alkali soil

A novel, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile and moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain BJGMM-B45T, was isolated from a saline–alkali soil collected from Shandong Province, China. Growth of strain BJGMM-B45T occurred at 10–45 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 5.0–12.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) on Luria–Bertani agar medium with 1–20 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 7–10 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-9. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, summed feature 3, C12 : 0 3-OH and C12 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 57.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain BJGMM-B45T belonged to the genus Halomonas in the class Gammaproteobacteria . The closest relatives were Halomonas cupida DSM 4740T (98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Halomonas denitrificans M29T (97.8 %). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain BJGMM-B45T and Halomonas cupida CGMCC 1.2312T and Halomonas denitrificans DSM 18045T were 57.0 and 58.9 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic features, strain BJGMM-B45T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halomonas , for which the name Halomonas huangheensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BJGMM-B45T ( = ACCC 05850T = KCTC 32409T).

Polypyrrole-enveloped Pd and Fe3O4 nanoparticle binary hollow and bowl-like superstructures as recyclable catalysts for industrial wastewater treatment

Metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are promising catalysts for dye degradation in wastewater treatment despite the challenges of NP recovery and recycling. In this study, water-dispersible NP superstructures with spherical morphology were constructed from hydrophobic Pd and Fe3O4 NPs by virtue of the oil droplets in an oil-in-water microemulsion as templates. Control of the evaporation rate of organic solvents in the oil droplets produces solid, hollow, and bowl-like superstructures. The component Fe3O4 and in particular Pd NPs can catalyze H2O2 degradation to create hydroxyl radicals and therewith degrade various dyes, and the magnetic Fe3O4 NPs also permit recycling of the superstructures with a magnet. Because the hollow and bowl-like superstructures increase the contact area of the NPs with their surroundings in comparison to solid superstructures, the catalytic activity is greatly enhanced. To improve the structural stability, the superstructures were further enveloped with a thin polypyrrole (PPy) shell, which does not weaken the catalytic activity. Because the current method is facile and feasible to create recyclable catalysts, it will promote the practicability of NP catalysts in treating industrial polluted water.

Molecular analysis of interactions between dendrimers and asymmetric membranes at different transport stages

Studying dendrimer-biomembrane interactions is important for understanding drug and gene delivery. In this study, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the behaviors of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers (G4 and G5) as they interacted with asymmetric membranes from different sides of the bilayer, thus mimicking different dendrimer transport stages. The G4 dendrimer could insert into the membrane during an equilibrated state, and the G5 dendrimer could induce pore formation in the membrane when the dendrimers interacted with the outer side (outer interactions) of an asymmetric membrane [with 10% dipalmitoyl phosphatidylserine (DPPS) in the inner leaflet of the membrane]. During the interaction with the inner side of the asymmetric membrane (inner interactions), the G4 and G5 dendrimers only adsorbed onto the membrane. As the membrane asymmetry increased (e.g., increased DPPS percentage in the inner leaflet of the membrane), the G4 and G5 dendrimers penetrated deeper into the membrane during the outer interactions and the G4 and G5 dendrimers were adsorbed more tightly onto the membrane for the inner interactions. When the DPPS content reached 50%, the G4 dendrimer could completely penetrate through the membrane from the outer side to the inner side. Our study provides molecular understanding and reference information about different dendrimer transport stages during drug and gene delivery.

DNA aptamer-based surface plasmon resonance sensing of human C-reactive protein

DNA aptamers for CRP were selected and investigated using SPR technology, which will be of benefit for constructing CRP sensors.

Silver(i)-catalyzed annulation for the regioselective synthesis of N-imino-γ-carbolinium ylides from hydrazones of indole-3-carbonyl derivatives and propargylic alcohols

A regioselective efficient synthetic approach to N-imino-γ-carbolinium ylides via AgOTf-catalyzed iminoannulation from indole derivatives and propargylic alcohols has been developed.

High resolution melting analysis: a rapid screening and typing tool for common β-thalassemia mutation in Chinese population

β-thalassemia is a common inherited disorder worldwide including southern China, and at least 45 distinct β-thalassemia mutations have been identified in China. High-resolution melting (HRM) assay was recently introduced as a rapid, inexpensive and effective method for genotyping. However, there was no systemic study on the diagnostic capability of HRM to identify β-thalassemia. Here, we used an improved HRM method to screen and type 12 common β-thalassemia mutations in Chinese, and the rapidity and reliability of this method was investigated. The whole PCR and HRM procedure could be completed in 40 min. The heterozygous mutations and 4 kinds of homozygous mutations could be readily differentiated from the melting curve except c.-78A>G heterozygote and c.-79A>G heterozygote. The diagnostic reliability of this HRM assay was evaluated on 756 pre-typed genomic DNA samples and 50 cases of blood spots on filter paper, which were collected from seven high prevalent provinces in southern China. If c.-78A>G heterozygote and c.-79A>G heterozygote were classified into the same group (c.-78&79 A>G heterozygote), the HRM method was in complete concordance with the reference method (reverse dot blot/DNA-sequencing). In a conclusion, the HRM method appears to be an accurate and sensitive method for the rapid screening and identification of β-thalassemia mutations. In the future, we suggest this technology to be used in neonatal blood spot screening program. It could enlarge the coverage of β-thalassemia screening program in China. At the same time, its value should be confirmed in prospectively clinical and epidemiological studies.

Selective synthesis of 4-(sulfonyl)-methyl-1H-pyrazoles and (E)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles from N-allenic sulfonylhydrazones

Selective synthesis of 4-(sulfonyl)-methyl-1H-pyrazoles and (E)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles from N-allenic sulfonylhydrazones with sulfonyl group migrations has been developed.

Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of telcagepant in the treatment of acute migraine: a meta-analysis

Although triptans are widely used for treating acute migraine, they are contraindicated or not effective in a large proportion of patients. Hence, alternative treatments are needed. Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists, such as telcagepant, have been under investigation as a treatment for acute migraine. A meta-analysis of the efficacy of telcagepant vs. placebo and triptans (zolmitriptan or rizatriptan) was performed. Randomized controlled trials were indentified from databases using the following search terms: migraine; calcitonin gene-related peptide; calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists; efficacy; safety, and telcagepant. The primary outcome measure was pain freedom 2 hours after first treatment. The secondary outcome measure was pain relief 2 hours after first treatment. Eight trials were included in the meta-analysis (telcagepant = 4011 participants). The difference in pain freedom at 2 hours significantly favored telcagepant over placebo (odds ratio = 2.70, 95% confidence interval = 2.27-3.21, P < 0.001) and triptans over telcagepant (odds ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval = 0.56-0.83, P < 0.001). The difference in pain relief at 2 hours significantly favored telcagepant over placebo (odds ratio = 2.48, 95% confidence interval = 2.18-2.81, P < 0.001). The difference in pain relief at 2 hours did not significantly favor telcagepant over triptans or vice versa (odds ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval = 0.57-1.01, P = 0.061). These findings indicate that telcagepant can be effective for treating acute migraine. Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists represent a potentially important alternative means of treating acute migraine.

Oligonucleotide-linked gold nanoparticle aggregates for enhanced sensitivity in lateral flow assays

Lateral flow assays (LFAs) as rapid analytical techniques promise to be widely used in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics because of their affordability and simplicity. However, LFAs still suffer from low sensitivity in detection of various biomarkers, e.g., nucleic acids. In this study, we developed a simple and general one-step signal amplification strategy, which employed oligonucleotide-linked gold nanoparticle (AuNP) aggregates to enhance the sensitivity in nucleic acid lateral flow (NALF) assays. Using a nucleic acid sequence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) as a model analyte, we observed that the detection limit of the developed NALF assay was 0.1 nM, which was improved by 2.5-fold compared with that of a non-signal amplification approach. The methodology described here could be used to detect a broad range of nucleic acids, and the general signal amplification approach could be potentially adopted in other types of LFAs.

Aligned nano-porous microwave exfoliated graphite oxide ionic actuators with high strain and elastic energy density

A high-density aligned nanoporous activated microwave exfoliated graphite oxide (aMEGO) ionic actuator is studied. Before applying an external electric field, the cations and anions are randomly distributed in the composite. After applying the electric field, ions ingress in between the aligned aMEGO sheets through the nanopores to compensate the charges on the electrodes, resulting in the separation of neighboring sheets and unidirectional electro actuation.