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Konoshita T, Ichikawa M, Kimura T, Sato S, Fujii M, Makino Y, Wakahara S, Miyamori I, Svensson M, Cederholm J, Eliasson B, Zethelius B, Gudbjornsdottir S, Porrini E, Ruggenenti P, Motterlini N, Perna A, Parvanova Ilieva A, Petrov Iliev I, Dodesini AR, Bossi A, Sampietro G, Capitoni E, Gaspari F, Rubis N, Gherardi G, Ene-Iordache B, Remuzzi G, Tsuda A, Ishimura E, Ohno Y, Ichii M, Nakatani S, Mori K, Inaba M, Ge Y, Xie H, LI S, Jin B, Hou J, Zhang H, Shi M, Liu Z, Simone S, Cariello M, Vavallo A, Loverre A, Ranieri E, Battaglia M, Ditonno P, Gesualdo L, Grandaliano G, Pertosa G. Diabetes clinical studies. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfs203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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77
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Yin S, Jin B, Zhong W, Lu Y, Zhang Y, Shao Y, Liu H. Solids Holdup of High Flux Circulating Fluidized Bed at Elevated Pressure. Chem Eng Technol 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201100486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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78
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Madaeva IM, Berdina ON, Kolesnikova LI, Wan LY, Xie MX, Lv Q, Wang XF, Deng Y, Jin B, Li YQ, Xiang FX, Li ZJ, Dispo S, Lee N, Lau JYW, Lau K, Yan B. P109 * Predictive role of erectile dysfunction in the development of coronary heart disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Eur Heart J Suppl 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/sur031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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79
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Ren B, Zhong W, Jin B, Yuan Z, Lu Y. Modeling of Gas-Particle Turbulent Flow in Spout-Fluid Bed by Computational Fluid Dynamics with Discrete Element Method. Chem Eng Technol 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201100338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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80
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Chen YT, Chiu R, Lee P, Beneck D, Jin B, Old LJ. Chromosome X-encoded cancer/testis antigens show distinctive expression patterns in developing gonads and in testicular seminoma. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:3232-43. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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81
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Jin B, Huang MNL. Construction of p-optimal exact designs with minimum experimental run size for a linear log contrast model in mixture experiments. Biometrika 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/biomet/asr014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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82
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Teng Y, Liu W, Qu X, Zhou L, Zhang L, Zhang J, Zhao M, Yu P, Jin B, Luo Y, Shi J, Liu Y. Clinical significances of pAkt and pErk1/2 in patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.e21026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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83
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Jin B, Ni H, Geshang Q, Li Y, Shen W, Shi H. HLA-DR4 antigen and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy susceptibility: a meta-analysis involving 11,761 subjects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 77:107-11. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2010.01589.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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84
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Jin B, Wang L, Wang J, Teng NJ, He XD, Mu XJ, Wang YL. The structure and roles of sterile flowers in Viburnum macrocephalum f. keteleeri (Adoxaceae). PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2010; 12:853-62. [PMID: 21040300 DOI: 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2009.00298.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The formation and ecological roles of sterile flowers in flowering plants are interesting issues in floral biology and evolution. Here, we investigated the morphological and anatomical characteristics of both fertile and sterile flowers of Viburnum macrocephalum f. keteleeri, a self-incompatible and insect-pollinated shrub, during different developmental stages of flowers. In addition, pollinator visitation rates and fruit set were determined in intact inflorescences and those with sterile flowers removed. The results indicate that sterile and fertile flowers were developmentally similar during early developmental stages, and that development of the flower types diverged about 15 days before flowering. In addition, pollinator visitation rates, number of pollen grains on stigmas and fruit set were significantly higher in inflorescences with sterile flowers than those without sterile flowers. The results suggest that sterile flowers of this species evolved from fertile flowers under long-term selective pressure, and play a crucial role in enhancing reproductive success through effectively attracting pollinators to the plant and thus enhancing fruit set.
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85
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Tan B, Peng R, Li H, Jin B, Chu S, Long X. Molecular Design And Properties Prediction Of Cyclotetramethylene Tetranitramine (Hmx) Derivatives With Amido Groups. J STRUCT CHEM+ 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10947-010-0091-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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86
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Macquarrie KTB, Mayer KU, Jin B, Spiessl SM. The importance of conceptual models in the reactive transport simulation of oxygen ingress in sparsely fractured crystalline rock. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2010; 112:64-76. [PMID: 19926162 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2009.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2009] [Revised: 07/31/2009] [Accepted: 10/23/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Redox evolution in sparsely fractured crystalline rocks is a key, and largely unresolved, issue when assessing the geochemical suitability of deep geological repositories for nuclear waste. Redox zonation created by the influx of oxygenated waters has previously been simulated using reactive transport models that have incorporated a variety of processes, resulting in predictions for the depth of oxygen penetration that may vary greatly. An assessment and direct comparison of the various underlying conceptual models are therefore needed. In this work a reactive transport model that considers multiple processes in an integrated manner is used to investigate the ingress of oxygen for both single fracture and fracture zone scenarios. It is shown that the depth of dissolved oxygen migration is greatly influenced by the a priori assumptions that are made in the conceptual models. For example, the ability of oxygen to access and react with minerals in the rock matrix may be of paramount importance for single fracture conceptual models. For fracture zone systems, the abundance and reactivity of minerals within the fractures and thin matrix slabs between the fractures appear to provide key controls on O(2) attenuation. The findings point to the need for improved understanding of the coupling between the key transport-reaction feedbacks to determine which conceptual models are most suitable and to provide guidance for which parameters should be targeted in field and laboratory investigations.
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87
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Jin B, Wang D, Lewandowski R, Ryu R, Sato K, Larson A, Ragin A, Mulcahy M, Kulik L, Salem R, Omary R. Abstract No. 270: Validation of a subjective angiographic chemoembolization endpoint scale by comparison with quantitative 4D TRIP-MR imaging. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2009.12.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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88
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Hua X, Wang W, Yin W, He Q, Jin B, Li J, Chen J, Fu C. Phylogeographical analysis of an estuarine fish, Salanx ariakensis (Osmeridae: Salanginae) in the north-western Pacific. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2009; 75:354-367. [PMID: 20738543 DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02323.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
This study extended the geographic coverage of a previous study to explore population genetic structure and demographic history in the Ariake icefish Salanx ariakensis from three populations of continental coastlines and one island population in the north-western Pacific based on a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The S. ariakensis showed high genetic diversity and strong genetic structure. Phylogenetic analysis showed a shallow gene tree with no clear phylogeographical structure. Contiguous range expansion and restricted gene flow were inferred to be main population events by nested-clade analysis. Significant genetic differentiations between populations could be attributable to negligible gene flow by coalescent analysis. High nucleotide diversity of each population was due to geographic mixing of heterogenous haplotypes during lowering sea levels of the Pleistocene. These findings indicate that cycles of geographic isolation and secondary contact happened in the Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles shaping genetic structure and population demography of S. ariakensis.
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89
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Wang W, Liu C, Jin B, Hu S, Liu X, Jiang X, Zhang Z, Zhu M. Alleviating the Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of Donor Liver by Transfection of Exogenous hTERT Genes. Transplant Proc 2009; 41:1499-503. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.03.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2007] [Revised: 02/19/2009] [Accepted: 03/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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90
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Stoch SA, Zajic S, Stone J, Miller DL, Van Dyck K, Gutierrez MJ, De Decker M, Liu L, Liu Q, Scott BB, Panebianco D, Jin B, Duong LT, Gottesdiener K, Wagner JA. Effect of the cathepsin K inhibitor odanacatib on bone resorption biomarkers in healthy postmenopausal women: two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase I studies. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2009; 86:175-82. [PMID: 19421185 DOI: 10.1038/clpt.2009.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of cathepsin K (CatK) is a potential new treatment for osteoporosis. In two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase I studies, postmenopausal female subjects received odanacatib (ODN), an orally active, potent, and selective CatK inhibitor, once weekly for 3 weeks or once daily for 21 days. Bone turnover biomarkers, safety monitoring, and plasma ODN concentrations were assessed. These studies showed ODN to be well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis revealed a long half-life (t(1/2); 66-93 h) consistent with once-weekly dosing. Pronounced reductions in C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (approximately 62%) and N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen normalized to creatinine (NTx/Cr) (approximately 62%) at trough (C(168 h)) were seen following weekly administration. Robust reductions in CTx (up to 81%) and NTx/Cr (up to 81%) were seen following daily administration. ODN exhibits robust and sustained suppression of bone resorption biomarkers (CTx and NTx/Cr) at weekly doses > or = 25 mg and daily doses > or = 2.5 mg.
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91
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Wenning LA, Petry AS, Kost JT, Jin B, Breidinger SA, DeLepeleire I, Carlini EJ, Young S, Rushmore T, Wagner F, Lunde NM, Bieberdorf F, Greenberg H, Stone JA, Wagner JA, Iwamoto M. Pharmacokinetics of raltegravir in individuals with UGT1A1 polymorphisms. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2009; 85:623-7. [PMID: 19279563 DOI: 10.1038/clpt.2009.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Raltegravir is a human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) integrase strand transfer inhibitor metabolized by glucuronidation via UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1). In this study, 30 subjects with a UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype (associated with decreased activity of UGT1A1) and 27 UGT1A1*1/*1 control subjects (matched by race, age, gender, and body mass index) received a single 400-mg dose of raltegravir after fasting. No serious adverse experiences were reported, and there were no discontinuations due to adverse experiences. The geometric mean ratio (GMR) (UGT1A1*28/*28 to UGT1A1*1/*1) and 90% confidence interval (CI) were 1.41 (0.96, 2.09) for raltegravir area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)), 1.40 (0.86, 2.28) for maximum plasma concentration (C(max)), and 1.91 (1.43, 2.55) for concentration at the 12-h time point (C(12 h)). No clinically important differences in time to maximum concentration (T(max)) or half-life were observed. Plasma concentrations of raltegravir are modestly higher in individuals with the UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype than in those with the UGT1A1*1/*1 genotype. This increase is not clinically significant, and therefore no dose adjustment of raltegravir is required for individuals with the UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype.
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92
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Gong J, Zhu C, Zhuang R, Song C, Li Q, Xu Z, Wei Y, Yang K, Yang A, Chen L, Jin B. Establishment of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system for determining soluble CD96 and its application in the measurement of sCD96 in patients with viral hepatitis B and hepatic cirrhosis. Clin Exp Immunol 2008; 155:207-15. [PMID: 19040604 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2008.03829.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
CD96, previously named T cell activation increased late expression (Tactile), is a transmembrane molecule that functions as an activated receptor on natural killer cells. It is well known that many transmembrane molecules have soluble forms, which were either shed from the cell surface or spliced at mRNA level. In many cases, the levels of soluble forms in the circulation could be used as biomarkers of lymphocyte activation in bacterial or virus infection, tumour, transplantation and autoimmune disease. To investigate whether CD96 could be released into the sera and the possible biological function of soluble hCD96 (sCD96), we generated and characterized five clones of anti-hCD96 mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and developed a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system based on two anti-hCD96 mAbs with different epitope specificities. Using this ELISA system, sCD96 in serum samples from 99 healthy individuals could be detected. Furthermore, we found that the level of sCD96 in serum samples from patients with chronic viral hepatitis B or classes B and C of hepatic cirrhosis classified using the Child-Pugh score was much higher (P < 0.001 versus healthy individuals; P = 0.006 versus healthy individuals respectively) than that from healthy individuals (0.98 ng/ml). Our study demonstrates for the first time that sCD96 existed in sera, and suggests that sCD96 may be used as a serous marker for some diseases such as chronic viral hepatitis B infection or hepatic cirrhosis in classes B and C. The level of sCD96 in patients' serum may have some relationship with a chronic inflammatory reaction.
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93
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Zhang Z, Jin B, Kelly J. Effects of Cultivation Parameters on the Morphology ofRhizopus arrhizus and the Lactic Acid Production in a Bubble Column Reactor. Eng Life Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200700002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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94
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Wang K, Hu S, Jiang X, Zhu M, Jin B. Liver transplantation for patient with variant hepatic artery arising from right renal artery: a case report. Transplant Proc 2007; 39:1716-7. [PMID: 17580230 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2006.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2006] [Accepted: 11/01/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities of recipient or donor vascular structures are common and associated with reconstructive difficulties in liver transplantation. A patient with a variant hepatic artery arising from right renal artery underwent modified piggyback liver transplantation in our center. The donor hepatic artery was anastomosed end-to-side to the recipient's middle colic artery. Graft function has remained excellent more than 1 year postoperatively.
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95
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Wang X, Hoefel D, Saint C, Monis P, Jin B. The isolation and microbial community analysis of hydrogen producing bacteria from activated sludge. J Appl Microbiol 2007; 103:1415-23. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2007.03370.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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96
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Jin B, Kusanagi K, Ueda M, Edashige K, Kasai M. 122 INTRACELLULAR ICE FORMATION IN VITRIFIED MOUSE MORULAE DURING WARMING. Reprod Fertil Dev 2007. [DOI: 10.1071/rdv19n1ab122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitrification is an ice-free cryopreservation method. However, ice can form during warming if the concentration of cryoprotectant is insufficient. For the best use of vitrified embryos, it is important to know the condition in which intracellular ice (ICI) is formed, since ICI is fatal to the cell. So, we tried to estimate the conditions in which ICI forms in vitrified embryos during warming. Compacted morulae were obtained from ICR mice. Vitrification solutions were prepared by diluting ethylene glycol (EG) with FS solution (PB1 medium containing 30% Ficoll and 0.5 M sucrose) at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% (EFS10, EFS20, EFS30, EFS40, and EFS50, respectively). Morulae were treated with the solutions for 30, 60, or 120 s at 25�C, loaded in a straw, and vitrified using liquid nitrogen. The sample was warmed by various methods. The survival of embryos was assessed by their ability to develop to expanded blastocysts in culture. The difference in survival was analyzed by the chi-square test. In addition, the morphology of damaged embryos was examined to estimate the type of injury. It was confirmed that 20% or more EG was necessary to prevent the formation of extracellular ice during cooling without embryos. In the rapid warming protocol (control), in which vitrified samples were directly immersed in 25�C water, high embryonic survival was obtained with EFS30 (79–88%) and EFS40 (96–99%), but not with EFS20 (12–45%) and EFS50 (0–14%). This suggests that embryos vitrified with EFS20 were injured by ICI, whereas those vitrified with EFS50 were injured by the chemical toxicity of the solution. When embryos vitrified with EFS30 and EFS40 were warmed slowly by holding the straw in air at 25�C for 120 s, the survival rate decreased significantly (44–64%), probably because the cytoplasm of the embryos that had vitrified in a state of supercooling devitrified during slow warming. To estimate the condition in which ICI forms, embryos vitrified with EFS30 and EFS40 were kept at intermediate temperatures for various times before being warmed in 25�C water. Compared with control, survival rates decreased significantly by keeping samples for 3 min at -80�C (27–65%), -60�C (16–39%), -40�C (6–26%), or -20�C (33–46%). These results suggest that ICI forms at a wide range of temperatures between -80�C and -20�C, but more likely forms at temperatures between -60�C and -40�C. When the holding time was prolonged to 1 h and 24 h, the survival decreased further (0–58% and 0–14%, respectively). This shows that ICI forms not only quickly but also slowly at an intermediate temperature. From the morphological examination, embryos that should be injured by ICI swelled at recovery in PB1 medium and collapsed in culture, whereas those that should be injured by the toxicity of solution underwent decompaction after culture. This observation reinforces our supposition that slowly warmed embryos are injured by ICI.
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97
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Bai P, Li YB, Zhou XP, Song XH, Yuan WA, Yan J, Jin B, Zhang J, Hou YP, Wu J. Allele frequencies for two STR loci GATA31 E08 and DXS6809 in Chinese population. J Forensic Sci 2005; 50:1491. [PMID: 16382852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
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98
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Song C, Jin B. TRAIL (CD253), a new member of the TNF superfamily. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2005; 19:73-7. [PMID: 16178278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
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99
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van Leeuwen JH, Hu Z, Yi T, Pometto ALIII, Jin B. Kinetic Model for Selective Cultivation of Microfungi in a Microscreen Process for Food Processing Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Production. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1002/abio.200390036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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100
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Wilén BM, Jin B, Lant P. Relationship between flocculation of activated sludge and composition of extracellular polymeric substances. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2003; 47:95-103. [PMID: 12926675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Activated sludge flocs are a flocculated mass of microorganisms, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and adsorbed organic and inorganic material. The structure of the floc is very heterogeneous and flocs with very different properties and morphologies may occur, depending on the conditions in the activated sludge treatment plant and wastewater composition. Present thinking suggest that cations, such as calcium, create cationic bridges with EPS excreted by the bacteria and thereby hold the various floc constituents together. However, due to the complex and heterogeneous nature of activated sludge, the mechanisms have neither been thoroughly investigated nor successfully quantified. A better understanding and description of the biological flocculation process is necessary in order to establish more efficient operational strategies. The main aim of this study was to get a comprehensive and unique insight into the floc properties of activated sludge and to assess the relative impact of chemical and physical parameters. A variety of sludges from full scale treatment plants with different settling properties were characterised. The interrelationships between floc parameters such as composition of EPS, surface properties and floc structure, and their effect on the flocculation and separation properties were assessed. The results indicate that the EPS, both in terms of quantity and quality, are very important for the floc properties of the activated sludge. However, presence of filaments may alter the physical properties of the flocs considerably. The EPS showed positive correlations to sludge volume index (SVI) if only sludges with low or moderate numbers of filaments were included. The surface properties were more affected by the composition of the EPS than by the number of filaments. The EPS showed positive correlation to negative surface charge and a negative correlation to relative hydrophobicity and flocculation ability. The negative correlation between flocculation ability and amount of EPS was surprising. The shear sensitivity, measured as degree of erosion of flocs when subjected to shear, was more affected by floc size and number of filaments than amount of EPS.
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