A novel drug delivery system of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded Zein in situ gel for interstitial chemotherapy was investigated in this study. The possible mechanisms of drug release were described according to morphological analysis by optical microscopy and scanning electronic microscope (SEM). In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity studies showed that DOX-loaded Zein in situ gel was superior to DOX solution. Local pharmacokinetics in tumor tissue was studied by quantitative analysis with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) combined with microdialysis technology. A pharmacokinetics mathematical model of DOX-loaded Zein in situ gel in tumors was then built.

BACKGROUND: Kelp (Saccharina japonica) has been intensively cultured in China for almost a century. Its genetic improvement is comparable with that of rice. However, the development of its molecular tools is extremely limited, thus its genes, genetics and genomics. Kelp performs an alternative life cycle during which sporophyte generation alternates with gametophyte generation. The gametophytes of kelp can be cloned and crossed. Due to these characteristics, kelp may serve as a reference for the biological and genetic studies of Volvox, mosses and ferns.; RESULTS: We constructed a high density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) linkage map for kelp by restriction site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing. In total, 4,994 SNP-containing physical (tag-defined) RAD loci were mapped on 31 linkage groups. The map expanded a total genetic distance of 1,782.75cM, covering 98.66% of the expected (1,806.94cM). The length of RAD tags (85bp) was extended to 400-500bp with Miseq method, offering us an easiness of developing SNP chips and shifting SNP genotyping to a high throughput track. The number of linkage groups was in accordance with the documented with cytological methods. In addition, we identified a set of microsatellites (99 in total) from the extended RAD tags. A gametophyte sex determining locus was mapped on linkage group 2 in a window about 9.0cM in width, which was 2.66cM up to marker_40567 and 6.42cM down to marker_23595.; CONCLUSIONS: A high density SNP linkage map was constructed for kelp, an intensively cultured brown alga in China. The RAD tags were also extended so that a SNP chip could be developed. In addition, a set of microsatellites were identified among mapped loci, and a gametophyte sex determining locus was mapped. This map will facilitate the genetic studies of kelp including for example the evaluation of germplasm and the decipherment of the genetic bases of economic traits.=20

Peptidoglycan recognition receptor proteins (PGRPs), a group of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), can recognize peptidoglycan (PGN) of the bacteria cell wall and play an important role in host immune defense against pathogen infection. They are highly structurally conserved through evolution, but with different function in innate immunity between invertebrates and vertebrates. In teleost fish, several PGRPs have been characterized recently. They have both amidase activity and bactericidal activity and are involved in indirectly killing bacteria and regulating multiple signaling pathways. However, the knowledge of PGRPs in mucosal immunity of teleost fish is still limited. In this study, we identified a PGRPs gene (SmPGRP2) of turbot and investigated its expression patterns in mucosal tissues after challenge with Gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus iniae and Gram-negative bacteria Vibrio anguillarum. Phylogenetic analysis showed the strongest relationship of turbot PGRP to halibut, which was consistent with their phylogenetic relationships. In addition, SmPGRP2 was ubiquitously expressed in turbot tissues, and constitutive expression levels were higher in classical immune tissues (including liver, spleen, and head-kidney) than mucosal tissues (intestine, gill and skin). After bacterial challenge, the expression of SmPGRP2 was induced and showed a general trend of up-regulation in mucosal tissues, except in intestine following V. anguillarum infection. These different expression patterns varied depending on both pathogen and tissue type, suggesting its distinct roles in the host immune response to bacterial pathogen. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A simulation procedure is demonstrated, which can be used to determine the interface energy of cell membrane. To obtain the interface energy between cell membranes, it is needed to be investigated based on reliable information that induces the recent requests of the advanced computational simulation technology. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can provide information on studying the interface between two objects. MD simulation represents an ideal tool for studying the interfacial properties. In this study, the biological membrane of cells has been modeled to calculate the interface energy between them. The calculated interface energy is verified with the reported experimental evidence. The consistent and sound simulation results suggest the substantial potential of the suggested approach in estimating various kinds of biological properties and characterizing the biological phenomena.

Fluidic resonators with integrated microchannels (hollow resonators) are attractive for mass, density, and volume measurements of single micro/nanoparticles and cells, yet their widespread use is limited by the complexity of their fabrication. Here we report a simple and cost-effective approach for fabricating hollow microtube resonators. A prestructured silicon wafer is annealed at high temperature under a controlled atmosphere to form self-assembled buried cavities. The interiors of these cavities are oxidized to produce thin oxide tubes, following which the surrounding silicon material is selectively etched away to suspend the oxide tubes. This simple three-step process easily produces hollow microtube resonators. We report another innovation in the capping glass wafer where we integrate fluidic access channels and getter materials along with residual gas suction channels. Combined together, only five photolithographic steps and one bonding step are required to fabricate vacuum-packaged hollow microtube resonators that exhibit quality factors as high as similar to 13 000. We take one step further to explore additionally attractive features including the ability to tune the device responsivity, changing the resonator material, and scaling down the, resonator size. The resonator wall thickness of similar to 120 nm and the channel hydraulic diameter of similar to 60 nm are demonstrated solely by conventional microfabrication approaches. The unique characteristics of this new fabrication process facilitate the widespread use of hollow microtube resonators, their translation between diverse research fields, and the production of commercially viable devices.

Cancer-cell invasion is a complex biological process involving cell migration through the extracellular matrix, which is driven by haptotaxis, and the interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding matrix. In this paper, a three-dimensional haptotaxis model that simulates the migration of a cancer cell population, including cell-cell adhesion and cell-matrix adhesion, is proposed. We employ a diffuse interface model that incorporates the mechanism of haptotaxis and the interface energy of cancer cells as well as that between cancer cells and the matrix. The semi-implicit Fourier spectral scheme is applied for high efficiency and numerical stability. The simulations systematically reveal the dynamics of cancer-cell migration and the effect of interface energy on the invasion of cancer cells. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3562183]

Saccharina japonica is an important cultured marine brown alga and it has been the subject of intensive genetic improvement during its domestication and farming. However, there are limited credible and effective sex markers to identify the sex of gametophytes and sporophytes derived from normal hybridization or monogenesis. In the present study, the transcriptomic and genomic sequences of S. japonica were screened by 15 sex-determining region (SDR) genes from a model brown alga (Ectocarpus), and six cDNA sequences and their corresponding genomic sequences were identified. Thirteen primer pairs were designed from the coding region of six genomic sequences and subsequently tested on gametophytes of S. japonica. From these regions, four novel male-specific markers were developed, which derived from S. japonica genomic sequences JXRI01001736 and JXRI01002827, corresponding to a male-specific SDR gene and a gametologue SDR gene in Ectocarpus, respectively. In addition, an existing female marker (M_68_58_2) for Macrocystis pyrifera and Undaria pinnatifida, derived from the Ectocarpus SDR gene, could also be used as a female-specific marker for S. japonica. The results of the present study not only demonstrate an important new tool to determine the sex of gametophytes and distinguish between diploid sporophytes and partheno-sporophytes in breeding programmes but also provide insight into the sex-determination system for S. japonica, including the identification of sex chromosomes, SDR, and SDR genes and evolution of sex chromosomes.

Owing to their good solubility and film-forming properties, phenolic acid-g-chitosan derivatives can be used for preservation of fruits and vegetables. However, the chemical synthesis used for the preparation of these derivatives poses a great challenge to food safety. In this study, a method involving horseradish peroxidase catalysis was used to prepare a gallic acid-g-chitosan derivative. The grafting mechanism was studied. Then, the derivative's ability to scavenge free radicals and its preserving application in cherry tomatoes were evaluated. The results indicated that the reaction for horseradish peroxidase catalysis occurred between the amino group of chitosan and the carboxyl group of gallic acid. After enzymatic grafting, the gallic acid-g-chitosan derivative possessed excellent antioxidant abilities in scavenging DPPH, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals. When the derivative was used for the preservation of cherry tomatoes, the results showed that it could effectively protect the ascorbate-glutathione cycle and antioxidant enzyme system of cherry tomatoes and inhibit enzymatic browning. In addition, since this derivative delayed the postharvest senescence of cherry tomatoes, the aroma compounds remain relatively constant throughout the storage period.

Dongfang no. 6, an intraspecific hybrid of kelp (Saccharina japonica) which was high in yield and had a high stress tolerance and was suitable for processing, was bred by crossing scientifically selected parental gametophyte clones. The sporophyte of the hybrid was raised by crossing a female gametophyte clone isolated from a Korean ecotype of S. japonica (Korean kelp) with a male gametophyte clone isolated from Lianza no. 1, a variety of S. japonica bred through continuous selection. The culture performance, stress tolerance, and suitability for processing of the hybrid and two commercial controls were compared for a period lasting 5 years (2009-2013). It was found that the hybrid was fast in growth, tolerant to high seawater temperature, resistant to strong solar irradiation, late in maturing time, and high in processed product yield. The percentage of salting processed product of the hybrid was 17.5 and 15.4 % higher than those of control 1 and 2, respectively. The yield of salting processed product of the hybrid increased by 24.2 and 38.8 % over control 1 and 2, respectively. The yield of air drying processed product of the hybrid increased by 109.4 and 88.1 % over control 1 and 2, respectively. The breeding of Dongfang no. 6 demonstrated that crossing gametophyte clones in combination with selecting desirable hybrids are highly effective for breeding kelp hybrids with high-culture performance and suitability for processing.

BackgroundRobotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can benefit both patients and surgeons. However, the learning curve for robotically assisted procedures can be long and the total system costs are high. Therefore, there is considerable interest in new methods and lower cost controllers for a surgical robotic system. MethodsIn this study, a knife-master and a forceps-master, shaped similarly to a surgical knife and forceps, were developed as input devices for control of a master-slave surgical robotic system. In addition, a safety strategy was developed to eliminate the master-slave orientation difference and stabilize the surgical system. ResultsMaster-slave tracking experiments and a ring-and-bar experiment showed that the safety tracking strategy could ensure that the robot system moved stably without any tremor in the tracking motion. Subjects could manipulate the surgical tool to achieve the master-slave operation with less training compared to a mechanical master. ConclusionsDirect manipulation of the small, light and low-cost surgical tools to control a robotic system is a possible operating mode. Surgeons can operate the robotic system in their own familiar way, without long training. The main potential safety issues can be solved by the proposed safety control strategy. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A number of studies suggest that Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in caveolae interacts with neighboring membrane proteins and organizes cytosolic cascades of signaling proteins to send messages to intracellular organelles in different tissues, mostly in cardiac myocytes. Low concentration of ouabain binding to Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activates Src/epidermal growth factor receptor complex to initiate multiple signal pathways, which include PLC/IP3/CICR, PI3K, reactive oxygen species (ROS), PLC/DG/PKC/Raf/MEK/ERK1/2, and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK1/2 pathways. In cardiac myocytes, the resulting downstream events include the induction of some early response proto-oncogenes, activation of transcription factors, activator protein-1, and nuclear factor-kappa B, the regulation of a number of cardiac growth-related genes, and the stimulation of protein synthesis and myocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis. Conversely, several factors acting through signal pathways, such as protein kinases, Ca(2+), ROS, etc., can modulate the activity of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase.

Saccharina japonica is a brown macroalga that has been commercially cultivated in China for almost a century. As a natural raw material, it is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, and it may potentially be useful for biofuel production. However, little is known about the genes involved in carbohydrate biosynthesis, and their regulation is less understood. In this study, the analysis of growth traits and alginate and mannitol contents suggested that sporophyte development could be divided into four stages. Accordingly, we performed transcriptome analysis of the S. japonica sporophyte. In total, 589 million clean reads were generated, and 4,514 novel genes were identified. Gene expression analysis revealed that 2,542 genes were differentially expressed. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these genes were significantly enriched in "Carbon metabolism," "Photosynthesis," and "Photosynthesis-antenna proteins" pathways, which are important for metabolism of various carbohydrates during sporophyte development. Systematic analysis identified the genes encoding enzymes for the biosynthesis of cell wall carbohydrates (including alginate, fucoidan, and cellulose) and cytoplasm storage carbohydrates (mannitol, laminarin, and trehalose). Among them, some key genes associated with carbohydrate content were further identified based on detailed expression profiling, representing good candidates for further functional studies. This study provides a global view of the carbohydrate metabolism process and an important resource for functional genomics studies in S. japonica. The results obtained lay the basis for elucidating the molecular mechanism of carbohydrate biosynthesis and for genetic breeding of carbohydrates-related traits in kelp.

It has been shown that combined liver-kidney normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) is able to better maintain the circuit's biochemical milieu. Nevertheless, whether the combined perfusion is superior to liver perfusion alone in protecting livers from donation after circulatory death (DCD) is unclear. We aimed to test the hypothesis and explored the mechanisms. Livers from 15 DCD pig donors were subjected to either static cold storage (group A), liver-alone NMP (group B), or combined liver-kidney NMP (group C). Livers were preserved for 6 hours and reperfused ex vivo for 2 hours to simulate transplantation or were transplanted in situ. During perfusion, group C showed an improved acid-base and biochemical environment in the circuit over group B. After reperfusion, the architecture of the liver grafts was best preserved in group C, followed by group B, then group A, as shown by the histology and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling staining of both hepatocytes and biliary epithelium. Ki-67 staining showed substantial hepatocyte proliferation and biliary epithelial regeneration after perfusion in group B and group C. Group C produced more bile in the reperfusion phase than those in group A and group B, with more physiological bile composition and less severe biliary epithelium injury. Von Willebrand factor-positive endothelial cells and E-selectin expression decreased in both group B and group C. Combined liver-kidney NMP not only produced more adenosine triphosphate, protected the nitric oxide signaling pathway, but also diminished oxidative stress (high mobility group box-1 protein and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine levels) and inflammatory cytokine (IL6 and IL8) release when compared with liver-alone NMP and CS. In addition, the 7-day survival rate of liver transplant recipients was higher in group C than that in groups A and B. In conclusion, combined liver-kidney NMP can better protect DCD livers from warm ischemia and reperfusion injury probably by maintaining the stability of the internal environment and by abolishing oxidative stress injury. Liver Transplantation 24 67-79 2018 AASLD. =C2=A9 2017 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.