The analysis of DNA microarry data is one of the most important things for functional genomics research. The matrix representation of microarray data and its successive 'optimal' incisional hyperplanes is a useful platform for developing optimization algorithms to determine the optimal partitioning of pairwise proximity matrix representing completely connected and weighted graph. We developed Deterministic Annealing (DA) approach to determine the successive optimal binary partitioning. DA algorithm demonstrated good performance with the ability to find the 'globally optimal' binary partitions. In addition, the objects that have not been clustered at small non-zero temperature, are considered to be very sensitive to even small randomness, and can be used to estimate the reliability of the clustering.
Cluster Analysis ; DNA* ; Gene Expression* ; Genomics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis*

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become a significant threat to public health. Although broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy is the primary treatment option for CDI, its use has evident limitations. Probiotics have been proved to be effective in the treatment of CDI and are a promising therapeutic option for CDI. In this study, 4 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), namely, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR5), Lactococ-cuslactis (SL3), Bifidobacterium breve (BR3), and Bifidobacterium lactis (BL3) were evaluated for their anti-C. difficile activity. Co-culture incubation of C. difficile (106 and 1010 CFU/ml) with each strain of LAB indicated that SL3 possessed the highest antimicrobial activity over a 24-hr period. The cell-free supernatants of the 4 LAB strains exhibited MIC50 values between 0.424 mg/ml (SL3) and 1.318 (BR3) mg/ml. These results may provide a basis for alternative therapies for the treatment of C. difficile-associated gut disorders.
Bacteria ; Bifidobacterium ; Clostridium ; Clostridium difficile ; Coculture Techniques ; Complementary Therapies ; Lactic Acid ; Lactobacillus rhamnosus ; Probiotics ; Public Health ; Pyridines ; Sprains and Strains ; Thiazoles

OBJECTIVETo establish the HPLC chromatographic fingerprint of Kumu injection and to simultaneously determine the contents of three beta-carboline alkaloids, comprehensively evaluating the immanent quality of Kumu injection.

METHODThe chromatographic analysis was performed on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 ( 4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with the gradient elution solvent system composed of methanol and 30 mmol x L(-1) aqueous ammonium acetate (adjusted with glacial acetic acid to pH 4.5). Similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine (2004 A) was used in data analysis.

RESULTSixteen co-possessing peaks were selected as the fingerprints of Kumu injection, and 7 peaks were identified by chemical reference substances. There were good similarities between the standard fingerprint chromatogram and each fingerprint chromatogram from the eleven samples for their similarity coefficients were not less than 0.9. Three kinds of beta-carboline alkaloids were separated well. The correlation coefficients were 0.999 9. The linear ranges of three components were 0.020 0-0.300 0, 0.102 0-1.530 0, 0.015 2-0. 228 0 microg, respectively, and the average recoveries ranged were from 99.5% to 102%.

CONCLUSIONThe method of fingerprint combined with quantitative analysis is sensitive, selective, and provide scientific basis for quality control of Kumu Injection.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; Carbolines ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Injections ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; Picrasma ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

No abstract available.
Glomerular Filtration Rate*

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans ; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon* ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

Using tree shrew as an animal model, our previous studies have demonstrated synergistic effects of aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) and human hepatitis B virus (HHBV) in the induction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we have examined expression of p53 gene in HCCs induced by AFB(1) with or without HHBV infection in tree shrews. Avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemical method with human p53-CM1 polyclonal antibody has been used to detect p53 expression in serial sections of paraffin-embedded liver and HCC tissues. Five out of 9 animals with HCCs (55.6%) induced by AFB(1) with HHBV infection and 2/3 animals with HCCs (66.7%) induced by AFB(1) alone expressed the p53 protein. Out of 18 HCCs examined, expression of p53 protein was observed in 9/10 moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs (0/8). None of the well differentiated HCCs (0/8) expressed p53 (0%). Similarly, no p53 expression was observed in either non-tumorous or hyperplastic liver tissues or nodules. These results suggest that p53 expression associated with p53 mutation is a late event occurring probably during tumor progression in AFB(1) and HHBV induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the tree shrew. This report is the first example of an experimental animal model where combination of human HBV and AFB(1)-induced HCCs demonstrate p53 expression.
Aflatoxin B1* ; Aflatoxins* ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Genes, p53* ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans* ; Liver ; Models, Animal ; Tupaiidae*

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery has been performed in over 75,000 people worldwide, and has been shown to be an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, tremor, dystonia, epilepsy, depression, Tourette's syndrome, and obsessive compulsive disorder. We review current and emerging evidence for the role of DBS in the management of a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions, and discuss the technical and practical aspects of performing DBS surgery. In the future, evolution of DBS technology may depend on several key areas, including better scientific understanding of its underlying mechanism of action, advances in high-spatial resolution imaging and development of novel electrophysiological and neurotransmitter microsensor systems. Such developments could form the basis of an intelligent closed-loop DBS system with feedback-guided neuromodulation to optimize both electrode placement and therapeutic efficacy.
Brain ; Deep Brain Stimulation ; Depression ; Dystonia ; Electrodes ; Epilepsy ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ; Parkinson Disease ; Tourette Syndrome ; Tremor

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery has been performed in over 75,000 people worldwide, and has been shown to be an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, tremor, dystonia, epilepsy, depression, Tourette's syndrome, and obsessive compulsive disorder. We review current and emerging evidence for the role of DBS in the management of a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions, and discuss the technical and practical aspects of performing DBS surgery. In the future, evolution of DBS technology may depend on several key areas, including better scientific understanding of its underlying mechanism of action, advances in high-spatial resolution imaging and development of novel electrophysiological and neurotransmitter microsensor systems. Such developments could form the basis of an intelligent closed-loop DBS system with feedback-guided neuromodulation to optimize both electrode placement and therapeutic efficacy.
Brain ; Deep Brain Stimulation ; Depression ; Dystonia ; Electrodes ; Epilepsy ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ; Parkinson Disease ; Tourette Syndrome ; Tremor

The effect of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced enzyme altered hepatic foci has been examined in young male Fischer rats given AIN-76A diet. A single i.p. dose of AFB1 (0.2 mg/kg body wt) was given to rats 24 h after partial hepatectomy. Two weeks later, CCl4 (0.8 ml/kg body wt) was injected i.p. once a week for 9 weeks. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose of CCl4 and glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) positive hepatic foci were analyzed by immunohistochemical and histochemical methods, respectively. Ten weeks after AFB1 dosing, treatment with CCl4 increased the number of AFB1-induced enzyme altered foci several fold and produced a ten to twenty-fold increase in area and volume. GST-P was more sensitive than GGT in detecting AFB1-induced enzyme altered foci. Treatment with AFB1 or CCl4 produced mild hepatic fibrosis in zones 1 and 3 respectively, whereas both treatments produced severe fibrosis in zones 1 to 3 areas. Treatment with CCl4 after AFB1 dosing lowered hepatic GSH levels by 20% and increased lipid peroxidation by 40%. It appears that CCl4, by being an effective enhancer of AFB1-induced enzyme altered hepatic foci in the rat, may mimic cirrhosis observed in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
Aflatoxin B1/pharmacology* ; Animal ; Carbon Tetrachloride/pharmacology* ; Drug Synergism ; Fibrosis/chemically induced ; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/chemically induced* ; Male ; Rats ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase/metabolism*