Discrimination of Panax ginseng from counterfeits using single nucleotide polymorphism: A focused review

Discrimination of plant species, cultivars, and landraces is challenging because plants have high phenotypic and genotypic resemblance. Panax ginseng is commonly referred to as Korean ginseng, which contains saponins with high efficacy on cells, and has been reported to be worth billions in agroeconomic value. Korean ginseng's increasing global agroeconomic value includes additional species and cultivars that are not Korean ginseng but have physical characteristics close to it. This almost unidentifiable physical characteristic of Korean ginseng-like species is discriminated via molecular markers. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), found across the plant species in abundance, is a valuable tool in the molecular mapping of genes and distinguishing a plant species from adulterants. Differentiating the composition of genes in species is quite evident, but the varieties and landraces have fewer differences in addition to single nucleotide mismatch. Especially in the exon region, there exist both favorable and adverse effects on species. With the aforementioned ideas in discriminating ginseng based on molecular markers, SNP has proven reliable and convenient, with advanced markers available. This article provides the simplest cost-effective guidelines for experiments in a traditional laboratory setting to get hands-on SNP marker analysis. Hence, the current review provides detailed up-to-date information about the discrimination of Panax ginseng exclusively based on SNP adding with a straightforward method explained which can be followed to perform the analysis.

Enhanced adsorption capacity and selectivity towards strontium ions in aqueous systems by sulfonation of CO2 derived porous carbon

Sulfonated porous carbon (PC-SO₃H) shows enhanced Sr²⁺ adsorption performance in terms of removal capacity, kinetics, and selectivity.

Elucidating the relative roles of ammonia oxidizing and heterotrophic bacteria during the biotransformation of 17α-Ethinylestradiol and Trimethoprim

The biological fate of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2; 500 ng/L to 1 mg/L) and trimethoprim (TMP; 1 μg/L to 1 mg/L) was evaluated with flow through reactors containing an ammonia oxidizing bacterial (AOB) culture, two enriched heterotrophic cultures devoid of nitrifier activity, and nitrifying activated sludge (NAS) cultures. AOBs biotransformed EE2 but not TMP, whereas heterotrophs mineralized EE2, biotransformed TMP, and mineralized EE2-derived metabolites generated by AOBs. Kinetic bioassays showed that AOBs biotransformed EE2 five times faster than heterotrophs. The basal expression of heterotrophic dioxygenase enzymes was sufficient to achieve the high degree of transformation observed at EE2 and TMP concentrations ≤ 1 mg/L, and enhanced enzyme expression was not necessary. The importance of AOBs in removing EE2 and TMP was evaluated further by performing NAS experiments at lower feed concentrations (500-1000 ng/L). EE2 removal slowed markedly after AOBs were inhibited, while TMP removal was not affected by AOB inhibition. Two key EE2 metabolites formed by AOB and heterotrophic laboratory-scale chemostats were also found in independent laboratory-scale mixed culture bioreactors; one of these, sulfo-EE2, was largely resistant to further biodegradation. AOBs and heterotrophs may cooperatively enhance the reliability of treatment systems where efficient removal of EE2 is desired.

Preparation of A12O3-ZrO2 Composites by Adjustment of Surface Chemical Behavior

Aqueous colloidal routes for processing binary suspensions containing Al 2 O 3 and ZrO2 were designed and tested in order to achieve homogeneous microstructures. Effects of particle size and size ratio of each component, pH, and electrolyte concentration of composite suspensions on sedimentation, green density, and ZrO2 distribution in sintered microstructures were examined. The pH conditions for inhibiting differential sedimentation without impairing green density were optimized. Overall suspension and coagulation behavior for these composite systems were explained using the DLVO approach. Optimum balance of colloidal and gravitational forces occurred when the secondary minimum heterocoagulation was maximized.

Synthesis of Cu-CNT nanocomposite powder by ball milling

In this paper, to improve the poor wettability between the Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and metal matrix, the mechanical alloying (MA) technique by the ball milling method was employed. Also, the CNTs were pre-coated to improve the agglomeration of the CNTs with copper powder. The main aim of this work is the fabrication of Cu-CNT nanocomposite powder using the MA by ball milling. The as-received dendritic copper powders change their shape sequentially to flaky, disk-typed particles and finally, to globular type particles. Also, the tendency of globular formation was prominent in the milled Cu-Cu coated MWNTs (multi-walled carbon nanotubes) powder and the grain size of the sintered Cu coated MWNTs specimen decreased more than that of the pure copper specimen. Finally, the homogeneous Cu-CNT nanocomposite intermetallic particles having fine grains was produced by the MA method of ball milling.

Fabrication of epitaxial nanostructured ferroelectrics and investigation of their domain structures

Nanostructured ferroelectrics are important objects for studies on ferroelectric size effects as well as for applications to memory devices with ultra-high memory density. In the present article, we introduce several approaches for the synthesis of confined ferroelectrics with sizes in and below the hundreds of nanometer range, including top-down processes like e-beam lithography, self-assembly methods like chemical solution deposition, and growth by pulsed laser deposition using stencil masks. Furthermore, the ferroelectric domain structure of part of these nanostructures is investigated by means of synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and its contribution to the ferroelectric properties is discussed.

Phase I trial of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1 and weekly irinotecan in locally advanced rectal cancer

14543

Background: S-1 is a novel, orally administered 5-FU analogue and is known of radiosensitizer. The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility and efficacy of S-1 in combination with weekly irionotecan with concurrent pelvic radiotherapy (RT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Methods: Clinical stage T3–4 or N+(on MRI) rectal adenocarcinoma patients received weekly irinotecan 40mg/m2(day1,8,15,22,29) and S-1 at dose levels of 40, 50, 60 and 70mg/m2 (5days a week from day 1 to 38) according to phase I methodology. Concurrently conventional RT was given at daily fractions of 1.8 Gy on 5 days a week for a total dose of 50.4 (45 + 5.4)Gy. Surgery was performed 4–8 weeks following completion of chemoradiation. Results: A total 16 patients (10M/7F, median age 46 years, ECOG PS0–1) were enrolled between August 2005 and July 2006. One pt withdrew the consent during CCRT. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred at 50mg/m2 of S-1 in one of six pts (G4 cerebral infarction). At dose of 60, 70mg/m2 of S-1, no DLT occurred. G3/4 toxicties were rare. Fifthteen pts underwent surgery and R0 resection was achieved in 13 pts. Four pts (25.0%) had a pathological complete response. Conclusions: The recommended dose (RD) for further study is S-1 70mg/m2 with irinotecan and radiotherapy. Neoadjuvant S-1/irinotecan/RT is feasible and well tolerated. Phase II trial is being conducted.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

cis Expression of DC-SIGN allows for more efficient entry of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses via CD4 and a coreceptor

DC-SIGN is a C-type lectin expressed on dendritic cells and restricted macrophage populations in vivo that binds gp120 and acts in trans to enable efficient infection of T cells by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We report here that DC-SIGN, when expressed in cis with CD4 and coreceptors, allowed more efficient infection by both HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strains, although the extent varied from 2- to 40-fold, depending on the virus strain. Expression of DC-SIGN on target cells did not alleviate the requirement for CD4 or coreceptor for viral entry. Stable expression of DC-SIGN on multiple lymphoid lines enabled more efficient entry and replication of R5X4 and X4 viruses. Thus, 10- and 100-fold less 89.6 (R5/X4) and NL4-3 (X4), respectively, were required to achieve productive replication in DC-SIGN-transduced Jurkat cells when compared to the parental cell line. In addition, DC-SIGN expression on T-cell lines that express very low levels of CCR5 enabled entry and replication of R5 viruses in a CCR5-dependent manner, a property not exhibited by the parental cell lines. Therefore, DC-SIGN expression can boost virus infection in cis and can expand viral tropism without affecting coreceptor preference. In addition, coexpression of DC-SIGN enabled some viruses to use alternate coreceptors like STRL33 to infect cells, whereas in its absence, infection was not observed. Immunohistochemical and confocal microscopy data indicated that DC-SIGN was coexpressed and colocalized with CD4 and CCR5 on alveolar macrophages, underscoring the physiological significance of these cis enhancement effects.

Reducing the deleterious effects of intrauterine CO2 during fetoscopic surgery

The fetoscopic approach to fetal intervention is a promising minimally invasive technique for correcting congenital anomalies in utero. However, expansion of the amniotic cavity with CO2 to visualize the fetus causes fetal hypercarbia and acidosis. We assessed whether maternal hyperventilation during intrauterine CO2 insufflation could attenuate the fetal hypercarbic acidosis. Seven fetal lambs of 105 +/- 2 days (mean +/- SEM) gestation (term = 145 days) were instrumented with a carotid arterial catheter in utero. After 7 +/- 1 days of recovery, fetoscopic exposure was obtained with intrauterine insufflation of CO2 at 10 mmHg of intraamniotic pressure. After 30 min, the ewe was hyperventilated at a mean respiratory rate of 23/min for 30 min under continuous insufflation. The uterus was then deflated and following 1 hr of stabilization, and the same protocol of CO2 pneumometrium was repeated. Fetal and maternal arterial blood was sampled at baseline and at 15 min intervals. Fetal PaCO2 increased during 30 min of CO2 insufflation (50.8 +/- 2.8 vs. 72.3 +/- 5.0 mmHg, P < 0.01); however, this change was reversed (to 51.5 +/- 3.0 mmHg, P < 0.01) by 30 min of maternal hyperventilation. The fetus developed acidosis after 30 min of CO2 pneumometrium (pH 7.350 +/- 0.012 vs. 7.236 +/- 0.026, P < 0.01); this was also reversed (to 7.366 +/- 0.019, P < 0.01) by maternal hyperventilation. These results were reproducible during the second CO2 insufflation challenge. Fetal hypercarbic acidosis during fetoscopy with CO2 insufflation is reduced by maternal hyperventilation.

Seat-belt injuries to the left common carotid artery and left internal carotid artery

Seat-belt injuries to the neck in a traffic accident or any trauma to the neck in other situations can cause tearing of the inner surface of the carotid arteries and lead to the formation of a fresh thrombus, or can cause partial to complete transection of the carotid arteries.

Fatal in utero salicylism

An aspirin overdose by an eight-month primigravida proved to be the mechanism of death for the fetus. Clinical progress of the mother and postmortem concentrations of salicylate in the fetus are listed exhibiting the fetal survival time of about 18 to 20 h post ingestion by the mother.

Traumatic pulmonary arteriovenous fistula due to shotgun wound to the chest

Acquired or congenital pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas are rare. The pulmonary arteriovenous fistula may be either acquired or congenital in origin, the latter being much more frequent than the former. The congenital origin usually combines with other vascular anomaly. Acquired origin has been reported in cases of metastatic carcinoma of the thyroid gland, pulmonary schistosomiasis, and long-standing hepatic cirrhosis.