Abstract Anthocyanin/polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan composite membrane was prepared by solution casting method using chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as matrix and natural pigment anthocyanin as filler. The structures of the composite films were characterized by Uv-visible reflectance spectrum (UV-VIS), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of adding anthocyanins on the physical properties, water resistance, degradation, antibacterial properties and pH responsiveness of the films were investigated. The experimental results showed that the prepared anthocyanin/polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan composite indicator films show color changes from pink to purple to blue and then to yellow-green when the pH value ranges from 2 to 14. The total color difference ΔE value is greater than 12. The antibacterial properties and other properties of the composite film can enhance by adding anthocyanin. The tensile strength of anthocyanin/polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan film is more than 70 MPa, which is larger than that of polyvinyl film and polyvinyl alcohol/chitosanfilm. The film has excellent physical, antibacterial properties and obvious pH response performance, making it ideal for food packaging.

ABSTRACT Objective: This meta-analysis is the first to evaluate the associations of circulating and dietary intake of vitamin D with risk of risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Our findings showed that higher circulating vitamin D level and dietary vitamin D intake were associated with a reduced risk of RCC. The possible explanation might be attributed to the anti-inflammatory effect, inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing cell differentiation and apoptosis. Materials and Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus databases from their inception points through December 2018 for observational studies. The pooled relative risks (RRs) with corresponding 95% CIs were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects models. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was employed to assess the quality of the included studies. Results: A total of 9 publications were included in this meta-analysis. An overall analysis of the highest versus lowest intake levels revealed that circulating vitamin D level was protectively associated with risk of RCC 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64-0.89, P=0.001), with no evidence of heterogeneity (I2=38.8%, P=0.162). In addition, dietary vitamin D intake was associated with a reduced risk of RCC (RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 75-0.99, P=0.030). Statistical heterogeneity was not identified (I2=28.8%, P=0.199). Subgroup analyses results showed the gender differences, and the associations were significant in results with women participants (RR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.55-0.88) and case-control studies (RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67-0.95). Conclusion: Higher circulating vitamin D level and higher dietary vitamin D intake both might be associated with a reduced risk of RCC. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials are required in the future to confirm our results.

RESUMEN Un deslizamiento de tierra catastrófico afectó el Monte Fugui, de la localidad Diexi, en el condado Mao de la provincia china de Sichuan, a las 05:38:58 hora local del 24 de junio de 2017. Este deslizamiento enterró la población de Xinmo, causó 83 muertos y significó enormes pérdidas de propiedades. La masa del deslizamiento se desprendió en lo alto de la montaña, se continuó cargando y se acumuló en la parte alta de la pendiente. Seguidamente, la masa del deslizamiento se transformó en una avalancha de detritos. Esta fue una cadena típica de un desastre ocasionado por una avalancha de detritos que comenzó por un deslizamiento en lo alto de la montañana. El volumen total, la diferencia de elevación y la distancia horizontal del deslizamiento fueron de 1637.6 χ 104 m3, 1200 m, and 2800 m. En este trabajo se identificó el mecanismo de formación del deslizamiento de Xinmo con base en un estudio de campo geológico y con el apoyo de satélites de teledetección. Los autores simularon numéricamente las características del desastre en la zona fuente, en la zona de la avalancha y en la zona de acumulación. Todo el proceso del deslizamiento de Xinmo fue estudiado comparativamente con el programa DAN-W, que analiza dinámicas de deslizamiento, y múltiples modelos reológicos. Los resultados del estudio indican que el modelo friccional simuló favorablemente las características del movimiento en varias fases del deslizamiento de Xinmo. Este movimiento duró por lo menos 120 segundos, y tuvo una velocidad máxima de movimiento de 74 m/s. Además, el modelo friccional y sus parámetros se pueden usar en estudios similares para investigar los efectos dinámicos de un movimiento de tierra en la parte alta de una montaña.

ABSTRACT A catastrophic landslide hit Mount Fugui, Diexi Township, Mao County, Sichuan Province, at 05:38:58 on June 24, 2017. This landslide buried Xinmo Village, caused 83 deaths, and resulted in enormous losses of life and property. The landslide mass cut out and slid from a high position, loaded continuously, and accumulated at the top of the slope body. Subsequently, the landslide mass was transformed into avalanche debris. This process was a typical chain disaster of avalanche debris triggered by a ridge-top landslide. The total volume, elevation difference, and horizontal distance of the landslide were 1637.6 χ 104 m3, 1200 m, and 2800 m. In this research, the disaster-formation mechanism of the Xinmo Landslide was identified based on a geological field survey and remote sensing satellites. The disaster characteristics of the landslide source zone, debris avalanche zone, and accumulation zone were then numerically simulated. The entire process of the Xinmo Landslide movement was comparatively studied using DAN-W, a dynamic landslide software program, and multiple rheological models. The research findings indicated that the frictional model favorably simulated the movement characteristics of various phases of the Xinmo Landslide. This landslide lasted approximately 120 s, and it had a maximum velocity of movement of 74 m/s. Therefore, the frictional model and its parameters can be used in similar studies to investigate the dynamic disaster effects of ridge-top rock landslides.

Abstract As the main signal for the maternal recognition in ruminants, interferon-tau (IFNT) stimulates expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in uterus and many extrauterine tissues. However, it is unclear that early pregnancy induces expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), myxovirusresistance 1 (Mx1), interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and ubiquitin activating enzyme E1-like protein (UBE1L) in maternal thymus. In this study, ovine thymuses were sampled on day 16 of the estrous cycle and on days 13, 16 and 25 of gestation, and the expression of STAT1, Mx1, IP-10 and UBE1L was detected by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that the expression of STAT1 and IP-10 reached peaks on day 16 of pregnancy, and expression of Mx1 was enhanced on day 25 of pregnancy, and STAT1 protein was located in the epithelial reticular cells, capillaries and thymic corpuscles. However, expression of UBE1L was declined during early pregnancy. In conclusion, early pregnancy influences expression of STAT1, Mx1, IP-10 and UBE1L in maternal thymus, which may participate in regulation of maternal immune tolerance during early pregnancy in sheep.

Resumo Introdução: A rinite alérgica é uma doença inflamatória crônica que afeta um a cada seis indivíduos. A rinite alérgica perene é responsável por 40% dos casos de rinite alérgica. A ciclesonida é um dos corticosteroides intranasais mais novos para o tratamento dessa condição clínica. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia e segurança da ciclesonida no tratamento da rinite alérgica perene. Método: Uma busca foi feita nos bancos de dados Pubmed, Scientific Citation Index, Embase e Clinical Trial Registries por ensaios clínicos randomizados e Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials por estudos controlados randomizados que comparassem ciclesonida com placebo no tratamento da rinite alérgica perene. Resultados: Oito estudos foram incluídos. Em comparação com os grupos placebo, os grupos ciclesonida mostraram diminuição significante no escore do Reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (DM = −0,56; IC 95%: −0,72 a −0,39, p < 0,00001) com heterogeneidade (p = 0,19, I2 = 24%), do Instantaneous Total Nasal Symptom Score (DM = −0,57; IC95%: −0,75 a −0,39, p < 0,00001) com heterogeneidade (p = 0,34, I2 = 11%). Um efeito significante no escore do Reflective Nasal Symptom Score Subtotal (DM = −0,15; IC 95%: −0,18 a −0,13, p < 0,00001) com heterogeneidade (p = 0,12, I2 = 24%) também foi demonstrado. O escore do Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire score (RQLQs) (DM = −0,27; IC 95%: −0,39 a −0,15, p < 0,00001) com heterogeneidade (p = 0,58, I2 = 0%) também foi significantemente reduzido no tratamento com ciclesonida. Além disso, a diferença em relação aos eventos adversos emergentes do tratamento entre os dois grupos não foi significante. Conclusão: A ciclesonida pode melhorar a rinite alérgica perene sem aumentar os eventos adversos. Esse fármaco pode ser outra opção valiosa para a rinite alérgica perene no futuro.

Abstract Introduction: Allergic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory disease which affects 1 out of 6 individuals. Perennial allergic rhinitis accounts for 40% of AR cases. Ciclesonide is one of the relatively new intranasal steroid for allergic rhinitis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ciclesonide in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Methods: We searched Pubmed, Scientific Citation Index, Embase, Clinical Trial Registries for randomized controlled trials and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to find out the randomized controlled Trial comparing ciclesonide with placebo for PAR. Results: Eight studies were included. In comparison with placebo groups, ciclesonide groups significantly decreased Reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (MD = −0.56; 95% CI −0.72 to 0.39, p < 0.00001) with heterogeneity (p = 0.19, I2 = 24%), Instantaneous Total Nasal Symptom Score (MD = −0.57; 95% CI −0.75 to −0.39, p < 0.00001) with heterogeneity (p = 0.34, I2 = 11%). A significant effect for Reflective Nasal Symptom Score Subtotal (MD = −0.15; 95% CI −0.18 to −0.13, p < 0.00001) with heterogeneity (p = 0.12, I2 = 24%) was also demonstrated. Rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire score (RQLQs) (MD = −0.27; 95% CI −0.39 to −0.15, p < 0.00001) with heterogeneity (p = 0.58, I 2 = 0%) in the treatment of ciclesonide was also significantly reduced. In addition, the difference in Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events between the two groups was not significant. Conclusion: Ciclesonide can improve perennial allergic rhinitis without increasing adverse events. Ciclesonide may be another valuable choice for perennial allergic rhinitis in the future.

ABSTRACT Anaerobic digestion is important for the management of livestock manure with high ammonia level. Although ammonia effects on anaerobic digestion have been comprehensively studied, the molecular mechanism underlying ammonia inhibition still remains elusive. In this study, based on metatranscriptomic analysis, the transcriptional profile of microbial community in anaerobic digestion under low (1500 mg L-1) and high NH4 + (5000 mg L-1) concentrations, respectively, were revealed. The results showed that high NH4 + concentrations significantly inhibited methane production but facilitated the accumulations of volatile fatty acids. The expression of methanogenic pathway was significantly inhibited by high NH4 + concentration but most of the other pathways were not significantly affected. Furthermore, the expressions of methanogenic genes which encode acetyl-CoA decarbonylase and methyl-coenzyme M reductase were significantly inhibited by high NH4 + concentration. The inhibition of the co-expressions of the genes which encode acetyl-CoA decarbonylase was observed. Some genes involved in the pathways of aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and ribosome were highly expressed under high NH4 + concentration. Consequently, the ammonia inhibition on anaerobic digestion mainly focused on methanogenic process by suppressing the expressions of genes which encode acetyl-CoA decarbonylase and methyl-coenzyme M reductase. This study improved the accuracy and depth of understanding ammonia inhibition on anaerobic digestion.

ABSTRACT It is difficult for humans to recognize recessive diseases in navel oranges. Therefore, deep neural networks are applied to plant disease identification. To improve the feature extraction ability of convolutional neural networks, the Parameter Exponential Nonlinear Activation Unit (PENLU) is proposed to replace the activated function of the neural network. This function not only adds multiple parameters but also brings better generalization ability to the neural network. In addition, the proposed function parameters can be updated by the inverse Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) algorithm, which has unparalleled advantages over the existing activated functions. The Residual Network (ResNet), improved by PENLU, is applied to navel orange lesion recognition and achieves the most advanced accuracy compared with traditional lesion recognition methods. It is worth mentioning that the data set of navel orange leaf images proposed in this paper will provide samples for subsequent research. The code and model are available at the website https://github.com/xncaffe/caffe_penlu.

Several microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in many cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). However, the role and molecular mechanism of miR-3129 in GC is largely unknown. We aimed to explore the function and the underlying molecular mechanism of miR-3129 in GC. Cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues were collected from 50 patients with GC, and the expression of miR-3129 was detected by RT-qPCR. The expression of miR-3129 and pRb in human GC cell line SCG7091 was altered by transient transfection. Thereafter, MTT and flow cytometry assays were used to analyze cell viability and cell cycle. The expression of cyclin E, CDK2, CDK2 inhibitors (p16 and 21), and pRb were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. A significant up-regulation of miR-3129 was observed in GC tissues compared to adjacent tissues. Overexpression of miR-3129 significantly improved cell viability after 4 days of post-transfection. Flow cytometry assay results showed that the miR-3129 overexpression arrested more SGC7901 cells at S phase. Moreover, overexpression of miR-3129 down-regulated the expression of CDK2 inhibitors while it up-regulated the expression levels of cyclin E, CDK2, and pRb. Interestingly, we found that pRb inhibition reversed the effect of miR-3129 inhibitor on cell proliferation in SGC7901 cells, increased cell viability, reduced cells at G0/1 phase, and modulated the expression of proliferation-related factors. Our results revealed that miR-3129 functioned as an oncogene through positive regulation of pRb and may prove to be a promising option for molecular therapy of GC.

In order to develop new-typed multifunctional composite nanofibers, PANI/Fe3O4/PVP flexible bifunctional composite nanofibers with simultaneous electrical conduction and magnetism have been successfully fabricated via a facile electrospinning technology. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) is used as a matrix to construct composite nanofibers containing different amounts of polyaniline (PANI) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs). The bifunctional composite nanofibers simultaneously possess excellent electrical conductivity and magnetic properties. The electrical conductivity reaches up to the order of 10-3 S · cm-1. The electrical conductivity and saturation magnetization of the composite nanofibers can be respectively tuned by adding various amounts of PANI and Fe3O4 NPs. The obtained electricity-magnetism bifunctional composite nanofibers are expected to possess many potential applications in areas such as electromagnetic interference shielding, special coating, microwave absorption, molecular electronics and future nanomechanics. More importantly, the design concept and construct technique are of universal significance to fabricate other bifunctional one-dimensional nanostructures.

摘要目的 旨在评估初级医疗质量在中国实行卫生系统改革的两个特大城市中发生的变化。方法 我们针对 2011 年和 2013 年在上海以及 2012 年和 2013 年在深圳就诊于社区卫生中心的患者开展了一项多阶段、分层、随机式的面对面调查。通过评估工具对初级医疗的质量进行了衡量。基于多元线性回归的双重差分法分析用于对比在控制了潜在的混杂因素后,一段时间内发生的变化。结果 3214 名参与者中的大多数人 (2721) 都将社区卫生中心作为自己常规就诊的医疗机构,这些都包括在我们的分析中。上海和深圳的初级医疗质量的总均分在基准值上很相似。在深圳,所有参与者和低收入人群的总均分已分别降低了 0.922(95% CI:0.629 至 1.215)和 1.203(95% CI:0.397 至 2.009)。然而在上海,总均分却有所提高,这种情况包括在第一线就诊渠道利用率、持续性、信息协调性和全面性方面的分值提高。结论上海的初级医疗质量有所提高,而深圳并非如此。这可能是因为,在上海实行按人头付费并依据当地卫生工作重点提供服务,促使患者与全科医生之间保持长期有益的关系。

RésuméObjectif Évaluer les changements dans la qualité des soins de santé primaires, dans deux mégapoles chinoises, après l'introduction de réformes dans le système de santé en Chine.Méthodes Nous avons réalisé des enquêtes en face à face aléatoires stratifiées à plusieurs degrés auprès des patients des centres de santé communautaires de Shanghai en 2011 et 2013 et de Shenzhen en 2012 et 2013. La qualité des soins de santé primaires a été mesurée à l'aide d'un outil d'évaluation. Des analyses de l'écart des différences basées sur des régressions linéaires multiples ont été réalisées afin de comparer les changements survenus au fil du temps, après contrôle des facteurs de confusion potentiels.Résultats Sur les 3 214 participants, la majorité (2 721 personnes) a indiqué fréquenter régulièrement le centre de santé communautaire et a été incluse dans notre analyse. Au départ, les scores totaux moyens attribués à la qualité des soins primaires ont été similaires à Shanghai et à Shenzhen. À Shenzhen, les scores totaux moyens attribués par tous les participants et par les participants à faible revenu ont respectivement baissé de 0,922 (IC 95 % : de 0,629 à 1,215) et de 1,203 (IC 95% : de 0,397 à 2,009). À Shanghai, en revanche, les scores totaux moyens ont progressé, notamment avec l'amélioration des scores associés aux critères " utilisation de premier recours ", " continuité ", " coordination de l'information " et " exhaustivité ".Conclusion La qualité des soins primaires s'est améliorée à Shanghai mais pas à Shenzhen. Cela est peut-être lié au fait qu'à Shanghai, les relations bénéfiques de longue date instaurées entre les patients et les généralistes ont été soutenues par des paiements par capitation et par la fourniture de services adaptés aux priorités de santé locales.

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AbstractObjective To assess changes in the quality of primary care in two megacities following the introduction of health system reforms in China.Methods We conducted multistage stratified random face-to-face surveys of patients visiting community health centres in Shanghai in 2011 and 2013, and Shenzhen in 2012 and 2013. Quality of primary care was measured using an assessment tool. Difference-in-difference analyses based on multiple linear regressions were used to compare the changes over time, after controlling for potential confounders.Findings Most (2721) of the 3214 participants used a community health centre as their regular source of care and were included in our analyses. The mean total scores for quality of primary care were similar for Shanghai and Shenzhen at baseline. In Shenzhen, the mean total scores for all participants and those on low incomes had worsened by 0.922 (95% CI: 0.629 to 1.215) and 1.203 (95% CI: 0.397 to 2.009), respectively. In Shanghai, however, there were improvements in the mean total scores which included increases in the scores for first-contact utilization, continuity, coordination of information and comprehensiveness.Conclusion The quality of primary care improved in Shanghai but not in Shenzhen. This may be because, in Shanghai, beneficial long-term relationships between patients and general practitioners were supported by capitation payments and the provision of services tailored to the local health priorities.

ملخصالغرض تقييم التغيرات في جودة الرعاية الصحية الأولية في اثنتين من المدن الكبرى في أعقاب إدخال إصلاحات على النظام الصحي في الصين.الطريقة أجرينا مسوحات عشوائية متطبِّقة متعددة المراحل وجهًا لوجه للمرضى الذين يترددون على المراكز الصحية المجتمعية في شانغهاي في عاميّ 2011 و2013، وشنجن في عاميّ 2012 و2013. وقد تم قياس جودة الرعاية الصحية الأولية باستخدام أداة للتقييم. تم استخدام أسلوب الاختلافات في الفارق المستند إلى التحوفات الخطية المتعددة لمقارنة التغيرات بمرور الوقت، بعد ضبط المتغيرات المحيّرة المحتملة.النتائج استخدم معظم المشاركين البالغ عددهم (2721) من أصل 3214 مشاركًا المراكز الصحية المجتمعية كمصدر منتظم للرعاية وتم تضمينهم في التحليل الذي أجريناه. وكانت الأحراز الكلية الوسطية لجودة الرعاية الصحية الأولية مشابهة لشانغهاي وشنجن عند خط الأساس. في شنجن، ساءت متوسط الأحراز الكلية لجميع المشاركين والأشخاص ذوي الدخل المنخفض بنسبة تبلغ 0.922 (بنسبة أرجحية مقدارها 95%: 0.629 إلى 1.215) و1.203 (بنسبة أرجحية مقدارها 95%: 0.397 إلى 2.009)، على التوالي. أما في شانغهاي، فقد كانت هناك تحسينات في متوسط الأحراز الكلية والتي تضمنت زيادات في أحراز الانتفاع للاتصال الأول، والاستمرارية، وتنسيق المعلومات وشموليتها.الاستنتاج لقد تحسنت جودة الرعاية الصحية الأولية في شانغهاي لكنها لم تتحسن في شنجن. ويمكن تفسير ذلك بأنه في شنغهاي، تم دعم علاقات مفيدة طويلة الأمد بين المرضى والممارسين العموميين من خلال دفع الأجرة على الفرد وتوفير خدمات توضع تبعًا لأولويات الصحة المحلية.

ResumenObjetivo Evaluar los cambios en la calidad de la atención primaria en dos megaciudades tras la introducción de las reformas del sistema sanitario en China.Métodos Se llevaron a cabo encuestas cara a cara aleatorias y estratificadas en varias etapas a pacientes que visitaron los centros sanitarios comunitarios de Shanghai en 2011 y 2013 y de Shenzhen en 2012 y 2013. La calidad de la atención primaria se midió utilizando una herramienta de evaluación. Los análisis de diferencias en diferencias basados en regresiones lineales múltiples se utilizaron para comparar los cambios a lo largo del tiempo tras haber controlado los posibles factores de confusión.Resultados La mayoría (2.721) de los 3.214 participantes utilizaban un centro sanitario comunitario como su fuente regular de atención primaria y fueron incluidos en nuestros análisis. Las puntuaciones medias totales de la calidad de la atención primaria eran similares para Shanghai y Shenzhen al inicio del estudio. En Shenzhen, las puntuaciones medias totales de todos los participantes y de aquellos con bajos ingresos había empeorado en un 0,922 (IC del 95%: de 0,629 a 1,215) y un 1,203 (IC del 95: de 0,397 a 2,009), respectivamente. Sin embargo, en Shanghai hubo mejoras en las puntuaciones medias totales, incluidos incrementos en las puntuaciones de la utilización de primer contacto, la continuidad, la coordinación de la información y la exhaustividad.Conclusión La calidad de la atención primaria mejoró en Shanghai pero no en Shenzhen. Esto se puede deber a que en Shanghai, las relaciones beneficiosas a largo plazo entre los pacientes y los médicos generales estaban respaldadas por pagos de capitación y la prestación de servicios adaptados a las prioridades sanitarias locales.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a novel phytoestrogen, α-Zearalanol, on Alzheimer's disease-related memory impairment and neuronal oxidation in ovariectomized mice. METHODS: Female C57/BL6 mice were ovariectomized or received sham operations and treatment with equivalent doses of 17β-estradiol or α-Zearalanol for 8 weeks. Their spatial learning and memory were analyzed using the Morris water maze test. The antioxidant enzyme activities and reactive oxygen species generation, neuronal DNA oxidation, and MutT homolog 1 expression in the hippocampus were measured. RESULTS: Treatment with 17β-estradiol or α-Zearalanol significantly improved spatial learning and memory performance in ovariectomized mice. In addition, 17β-estradiol and α-Zearalanol attenuated the decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities and increased reactive oxygen species production in ovariectomized mice. The findings indicated a significant elevation in hippocampi neuronal DNA oxidation and reduction in MutT homolog 1 expression in estrogen-deficient mice, but supplementation with 17β-estradiol or α-Zearalanol efficaciously ameliorated this situation. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that α-Zearalanol is potentially beneficial for improving memory impairments and neuronal oxidation damage in a manner similar to that of 17β-estradiol. Therefore, the compound may be a potential therapeutic agent that can ameliorate neurodegenerative disorders related to estrogen deficiency.

Foi desenvolvida uma nova abordagem de extração no ponto nuvem assistida por cossurfactantes ultrassônicos-termostáticos (CUS-CPE), combinada à cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e detecção por ultavioleta (CLAE-UV), para a análise de glicocorticoides (dipropionato de beclometasona (BD), butirato de hidrocortisona (HB) e fenilpropionato de nandrolona (NPP)) em amostras de urina humana. Neste estudo, quatro sistemas de extração diferentes no ponto nuvem (CPE) são discutidos, incluindo ácido nonanoico DC-193, sulfato de sódio DC-193, ácido láurico DC-193 e o clássico sulfato de Triton X-100. Entre eles, sulfato de sódio DC-193 e Triton X-100 têm sido estudados nos últimos anos. Comparando com os dois primeiros sistemas, o ácido nonanoico DC-193 teve um ponto nuvem (CP) mais baixo, pouca absorbância UV e provocou danos menores à coluna de três glicocorticoides na mesma concentração de agente tensoativo, necessária como processo de pré-concentração, prévio à CLAE. Diagramas de fase foram usados para estudar os comportamentos de cavitação e transferência de massa das duas fases em micelas de agente tensoativo de silicone orgânico do tipo poliéter, dimeticona PEG-12 (DC-193). Os volumes da fase rica em agentes tensoativos obtidos foram muito pequenos (o fator de enriquecimento (EF) foi 35), o qual é muito menor e apresenta uma fase de separação mais rápida do que para Triton X-100 na mesma concentração de agente tensoativo. A linearidade foi investigada entre 1 e 350 ng mL-1. Os limites de detecção (LOD) estimados foram 1,29 para BD, 2,67 para HB e 3,33 ng mL-1 para NPP, respectivamente. O sistema proposto é rápido e eficiente, com recuperação dos três glicocorticoides superior a 85%, o que é similar ou melhor do que os dados relatados na literatura. O método mostrou-se seletivo, linear, preciso e reprodutível, tendo sido aplicado com sucesso na análise de glicocorticoides em amostras de urina humana.

A novel approach, cosurfactants ultrasonic-thermostatic-assisted cloud point extraction (CUS-CPE) combined with high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) is developed for the analysis of glucocorticoids (beclometasone dipropionate (BD), hydrocortisone butyrate (HB) and nandrolone phenylpropionate (NPP)) in human urine samples. In this study, four different cloud point extraction (CPE) systems are discussed, including DC-193-nonanoic acid, DC-193-sodium sulfate, DC-193-lauric acid and the classic Triton X-100 sulfate systems. Among them, DC-193-sodium sulfate and the classic Triton X-100 sulfate systems has been studied in the past few years. Comparing with the first two systems, DC-193-nonanoic acid system had a lower cloud point (CP), little UV absorbance and it is less damaging to the column of three glucocorticoids in same surfactant concentration which was required for application as a pre-concentration process prior to HPLC. Phase diagrams were used to study the cavitation and mass transfer behaviors of the two phases on micelles of polyether type organic silicon surfactant, PEG-12 dimethicone (DC-193).The volumes of surfactant-rich phase obtained were very small (the enrichment factor (EF) was 35), which was much smaller and had a quick phase separating speed than that of Triton X-100 in the same surfactant concentration. Linearity was investigated from 1 to 350 ng mL-1. The limits of detection (LOD) thus estimated were 1.29 for BD, 2.67 for HB and 3.33 ng mL-1 for NPP, respectively. In proposed CPE step is rapid and effective to obtain recovery of three glucocorticoids higher than 85%, which is similar or better than literature reported data. The method was shown to be selective, linear, precise and reproducible and successfully applied for the analysis of glucocorticoids in human urine samples.

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) are a class of enzymes that catalyze the reversible oxidation of alcohols to corresponding aldehydes or ketones, by using either nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), as coenzymes. In this study, a short-chain ADH gene was identified in Bombyx mori by 5'-RACE PCR. This is the first time the coding region of BmADH has been cloned, expressed, purified and then characterized. The cDNA fragment encoding the BmADH protein was amplified from a pool of silkworm cDNAs by PCR, and then cloned into E. coli expression vector pET-30a(+). The recombinant His-tagged BmADH protein was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3), and then purified by metal chelating affinity chromatography. The soluble recombinant BmADH, produced at low-growth temperature, was instrumental in catalyzing the ethanol-dependent reduction of NAD+, thereby indicating ethanol as one of the substrates of BmADH.