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Background: Epigenetic alteration plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL). Histone methyltransferase (HMT) KMT2D is an epigenetic regulator that plays different roles in different tumors, but its role and mechanism in ENKTL are still unclear. Methods: We performed immunohistochemical staining of 112 ENKTL formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. Then, we constructed KMT2D knockdown cell lines and conducted research on cell biological behavior. Finally, to further investigate KMT2D-mediated downstream genes, ChIP-seq and ChIP -qPCR was performed. Results: The low expression of KMT2D was related to a decreased abundance in histone H3 lysine 4 mono- and trimethylation (H3K4me1/3). In KMT2D knockdown YT and NK-YS cells, cell proliferation was faster (P < 0.05), apoptosis was decreased (P < 0.05), the abundance of S phase cells was increased (P < 0.05), and the level of H3K4me1 was decreased. Notably, ChIP-seq revealed two crucial genes and pathways downregulated by KMT2D. Conclusions: KMT2D is a tumor suppressor gene that mediates H3K4me1 and influences ENKTL proliferation and apoptosis by regulating the cell cycle. Moreover, in ENKTL, serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 (SGK1) and suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS1) are downstream genes of KMT2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the clinical features, prognosis, and treatment of advanced-stage non-nasal type extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL). This real-world study retrospectively reviewed 56 newly diagnosed advanced-stage non-nasal type ENKTCL patients from two large-scale Chinese cancer centers in the last 10–15 years and screened 139 newly diagnosed advanced-stage nasal type ENKTCLs admitted during the same period for comparison. The non-nasal type ENKTCLs exhibited significantly higher Ki-67 expression levels compared to nasal type disease (P = 0.011). With a median follow-up duration of 75.03 months, the non-nasal group showed slightly inferior survival outcomes without statistically significant differences compared to the nasal group (median overall survival (OS): 14.57 vs. 21.53 months, 5-year OS: 28.0% vs. 38.5%, P = 0.120). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score ≥ 2 (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.18, P = 0.039) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) elevation (HR = 2.44, P = 0.012) were significantly correlated with worse OS in the non-nasal group. First-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy regimens showed a trend toward slightly improved efficacy and survival outcomes compared to non-gemcitabine-based ones in the present cohort of non-nasal ENKTCLs (objective response rate: 91.7% vs. 63.6%, P = 0.144; complete response rate: 50.0% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.502; median progression-free survival: 10.43 vs. 3.40 months, P = 0.106; median OS: 25.13 vs. 9.30 months, P = 0.125), which requires further validation in larger sample size studies. Advanced-stage non-nasal type patients could achieve comparable prognosis with nasal cases after rational therapy. The modified nomogram-revised index (including age, ECOG score, and LDH) and modified international prognostic index (including age, ECOG score, LDH, and number of extranodal involvement) functioned effectively for prognostic stratification in non-nasal type ENKTCLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) with hepatosplenic involvement is rare, accounting for approximately 0.2% of ENKTL cases. The clinicopathologic features of ENKTL with hepatosplenic involvement are still poorly understood. Seven cases of ENKTL with hepatosplenic involvement were investigated retrospectively by clinical features, pathology, immunophenotype, genotype, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status, and survival analysis. The median age was 36 years; three patients (3/7) had a history of primary nasal ENKTL. Six cases (6/7) presented liver or spleen structures that were replaced by neoplasms, and the neoplastic cells displayed diffuse infiltration; one case (1/7) displayed neoplastic cells scattered in hepatic sinuses and portal areas. The cellular morphology and immunohistochemical features were similar to those of ENKTL involving other sites. Follow-up data were available in five of the seven patients. All five patients received first-line chemotherapy based on L-asparaginase. Three patients died, and two were still alive by the last follow-up. The median overall survival (OS) was 21 months. ENKTL with hepatosplenic involvement is rare, regardless of whether it is initial or secondary. There are two histopathologic patterns of ENKTL with hepatosplenic involvement, and L-asparaginase-based chemotherapy combined with AHSCT might yield good efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benggang is a special type of soil erosion, which widely distributes in the granite residual soil area of southern China. Owing to the influence of local climate and topography, shallow cracks having different morphological characteristics are easily formed on the slope surface. These shallow cracks damage the surface structure of the slope and accelerate water infiltration, making it easier to cause severe soil and water loss. However, the mechanism of Benggang process is still unclear, especially for slopes with different shallow crack characteristics. In this study, granite residual soil was collected from Benngang erosion area in Yudu County, Jiangxi Province, southern China. Three experimental treatments with slope surface crack rates of 0%, 5.23%, and 11.70% were performed. Simultaneous monitoring of moisture content and soil temperature in the slope were carried out during rainfall, and the characteristics of preferential flow were monitored with different crack rates. Morphological development and evolution process of Benggang with different crack rates were studied. Results show that high surface crack rate of the shallow surface on the slope accelerated the development of shallow gully erosion, leading to premature occurrence of gully erosion. As the shallow crack rate increased from 0% to 5.23% and 11.70%, the width-depth ratio of the rills at the slope bottom increased from 0.69 to 1.02 and 1.16, respectively. At the same time, a correlation between moisture and temperature data was observed for the process of water-heat coupled migration. The upper soil temperature of slope decreased quickly due to preferential flow. The simultaneous monitoring of soil moisture and temperature can effectively track preferential flow and indicate the water movement. Temperature data was a more sensitive indicator of the seepage paths of preferential flow compared to moisture data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Large stocks of many kinds of zinc smelting solid waste have been generated; moreover, the disposal process consumes high amounts of energy and takes low output rate of metal resources, which seriously endangers regional ecological environment and human health. The purpose of this study is to compare the environmental impact of the production process of zinc in the "traditional smelting mode" and the "solid waste synergism mode"; to further investigate the efficiency of material utilization, resource recovery, and carbon reduction in the two modes; and to provide expectations and suggestions for reducing environmental risks. Methods: This study focuses on a typical zinc smelting enterprise in China, with the help of SimaPro 9.0 software, to compare and analyze the differences in direct, indirect, and overall environmental impacts between the "traditional mode" and the "synergism mode," with a focus on the production and waste disposal processes. At the same time, the potential environmental burdens and carbon emission levels that could be reduced by solid waste co-processing are further investigated. Results and discussion: The results show that although the environmental burden of "the acid production from flue gas" is slightly higher in the synergism mode than the traditional mode, the environmental burden caused by all other processes is reduced by more than 20% and the energy consumption is reduced by 20.6–21.4% with the synergism mode. For the waste residue disposal process, the recovery rate of valuable components, such as Zn, Cd, and In, increased approximately 30% compared with the traditional mode, and the total environmental burden is reduced nearly onefold. In addition, the "concentrate + slag" smelting method has reduced zinc concentrate consumption per unit of zinc product by 26.7% and cut carbon emissions by 57.3%. Conclusions: Solid waste co-processing can effectively reduce the stockpiling of waste residues and perform secondary recovery of metal resources. Enhancing the solid waste collaborative utilization level can greatly reduce environmental risks and realize resource recycling for nonferrous industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P53 prognostic cut-off values differ between studies of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and its immunohistochemistry (IHC) interpretation is still based on semiquantitative estimation, which might be inaccurate. This study aimed to investigate the optimal cut-off value for p53 in predicting prognosis of patients with MCL and the possible use of computer image analysis to identify the positive rate of p53. We calculated p53 positive rate using QuPath software and compared it with the data obtained by manual counting and semiquantitative estimation. Survival curves were generated by using the Youden index and the Kaplan-Meier method. The chi-squared (χ2) test was used to compare MIPI, Ann Arbor stage, and cell morphology with p53. Spearman rank correlation test and Bland-Altman analysis were used to compare manual counting, computer image analysis and semiquantitative estimation, as well as the consistency between different observers. The optimal cut-off value of p53 for predicting prognosis was 20% in MCL patients. Patients with p53 ≥ 20% had a significantly worse overall survival (OS) than those with p53 < 20% (P < 0.0001). MCL patients with MIPI intermediate to high risk, Ann Arbor stage III-IV, and blastoid/pleomorphic variant cell morphology had more p53 ≥ 20%. There was a strong correlation between computer image analysis and manual counting of p53 from the same areas in MCL tissues (Spearman's rho = 0.966, P < 0.0001). The results of computer analysis are completely consistent between observers, and computer image analysis of Ki-67 can predict the prognosis of MCL patients. MCL patients with p53 ≥ 20% had a shorter OS and a tendency for MIPI intermediate to high risk, Ann Arbor stage III-IV, and blastoid/pleomorphic variant. Computer image analysis could determine the actual positive rate of p53 and Ki-67 and is a more attractive alternative than semiquantitative estimation in MCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHLH) with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection can mimic chronic active EBV infection of T- and NK-cell type (CAEBV-T/NK) in its clinical manifestation and pathomorphology. FHLH with genetic susceptibility to EBV has not been previously reported. The development of FHLH in conjunction with EBV infection is rare and needs further investigation to understand and characterize it. We report a rare case of FHLH with EBV infection that mimicked CAEBV-T/NK, but progressed to childhood aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL). The patient is in clinical remission following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Our reported case suggests that patients with FHLH and EBV infection, especially those with symptoms similar to those of CAEBV-T/NK, may rapidly progress to ANKL or other neoplastic diseases. Therefore, we must be aware of these cases to ensure that patients are diagnosed correctly so they can be treated appropriately and in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant literature has documented the positive effects of off-farm work and non-wood forest products on economic welfare. However, little empirical evidence has been provided on the combination of participating in both of the aforementioned income diversification strategies (IDS) and an assessment of the correlation with economic welfare. This study aims to fulfill the knowledge gap by identifying the determinants of IDS and empirically assessing the association between the IDS and household welfare and resource allocation of forestry farm households in China. Using a unique survey data of 3099 forestry farm households from seven provinces of China, a recently-developed multi-valued treatment effect model was estimated to address the potential selectivity bias. The empirical results show that household size, labor force, forestland size, farmland size, access to the forestland property certificate, human capital of the household head, and regional heterogeneity are associated with the IDS decisions. Farm households that participate in IDS have a higher value of forestry income, agricultural income, off-farm income, consumption, savings, and lower odds of relative poverty compared with their counterparts without IDS participation. The improvement in economic performance, as a result of IDS, is possible because of an efficient reallocation of family resources and a high likelihood of receiving government financial and technical support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interstitial pneumonia (IP) is a lethal complication in lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy. A total of 2212 consecutive patients diagnosed with lymphoma between 2009 and 2014 were enrolled in the present study. IP was defined as diffuse pulmonary interstitial infiltrate found on computed tomography scans. IP was observed in 106 patients. Of these, 23 patients were excluded from the study. Finally, 83 patients with IP were included in this study. The incidence of IP was 3.9% (7/287) in Hodgkin lymphoma and 2.4% (76/1925) in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (P = 0.210). The median number of chemotherapy cycles before IP was 3. The median time from the cessation of chemotherapy to IP was 17 days. Eighty-two (98.8%) patients recovered after the treatment with glucocorticoids. Sixty-six (79.5%) patients had a delay in chemotherapy, and 14 (16.9%) patients had premature termination of chemotherapy. Sixty-nine patients were re-treated with chemotherapy after remission from IP, of which 22 (31.9%) experienced IP recurrence. The incidence of IP recurrence was significantly higher in patients re-treated with a similar regimen than in those re-treated with an alternative regimen (65.4 vs. 11.6%, P < 0.001). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, B symptoms and a history of drug allergies were identified as risk factors for IP. In conclusion, IP is a life-threatening complication in lymphoma patients. Glucocorticoid therapy with continuous monitoring of chest radiographic changes may be a favourable strategy for treating IP. However, IP may recur, especially in patients re-treated with a similar chemotherapy regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbial fuel cell, which can convert the chemical energy of organic matter into electricity via the catalytic action of microorganisms, is a novel environmentally friendly technology for wastewater treatment and energy generation. The electrical energy generated by the microbial fuel cell can be used as an alternative to a traditional external power source required to extract copper via electrolytic treatment. A dual-chamber microbial fuel cell (DMFC) for the treatment of copper slag sulfuric acid leach liquor was constructed. The electrogenesis performance of the DMFC and its ability to extract copper from the copper slag leachate were investigated. The results demonstrated that the maximum voltage was 540 mV when the DMFC achieved steady-state operation. The removal rate of copper ions was greater than 80.0%, and the maximum value was 92.1%. Moreover, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the cathodal products. The results showed that the product deposited onto the cathode was copper and that its morphology was similar to that of the electrolytic copper powder. The DMFC can generate electricity and recover copper from copper slag simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Level of adenosine, an endogenous astrocyte-based neuromodulator, is primarily regulated by adenosine P1 receptors. This study assessed expression of adenosine P1 receptors, ADORA1 (adenosine A receptor) and ADORA2A (adenosine A receptor) and their association with glioma development and epilepsy in glioma patients. Expression of ADORA1/ADORA2A was assessed immunohistochemically in 65 surgically removed glioma tissue and 21 peri-tumor tissues and 8 cases of normal brain tissues obtained from hematoma patients with cerebral trauma. Immunofluorescence, Western blot, and qRT-PCR were also used to verify immunohistochemical data. Adenosine P1 receptor ADORA1 and ADORA2A proteins were localized in the cell membrane and cytoplasm and ADORA1/ADORA2A immunoreactivity was significantly stronger in glioma and peri-tumor tissues that contained infiltrating tumor cells than in normal brain tissues ( p < 0.05). The World Health Organization (WHO) grade III gliomas expressed even higher level of ADORA1 and ADORA2A. Western blot and qRT-PCR confirmed immunohistochemical data. Moreover, higher levels of ADORA1 and ADORA2A expression occurred in high-grade gliomas, in which incidence of epilepsy were lower ( p < 0.05). In contrast, a lower level of ADORA1/ADORA2A expression was found in peri-tumor tissues with tumor cell presence from patients with epilepsy compared to patients without epilepsy ( p < 0.05). The data from the current study indicates that dysregulation in ADORA1/ADORA2A expression was associated with glioma development, whereas low level of ADORA1/ADORA2A expression could increase susceptibility of tumor-associated epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new water-soluble derivative of heptaplatin, cis-{Pt(II)[(4 R,5 R)-4,5-bis(aminomethyl)-2-isopropyl-1,3-dioxolane](3-acetoxyl-cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylato)} has been synthesized, characterized by elemental analysis, MS, IR, and H, C NMR, and evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity in four human cancer cell lines. The stability of the derivative in water was also investigated by monitoring the changes of H NMR in DO. The results reveal that the new derivative has good solubility and stability in water and also shows high anticancer activity against gastric cancer cells, ovarian cancer cells, and colon cancer cells. Therefore, it is worthy of further evaluation for in vivo antitumor activity and toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium fluoride and high specific area silica were synthesized by using sodium hexafluorosilicate (NaSiF) and sodium carbonate decahydrate (NaCO·10HO). The influencing factors of react temperature, contact time, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and molar ratio of NaSiF to NaCO·10HO were investigated. The optimum process involves the reaction of 0.075 mol NaSiF and 150 mL, 0.225 mol NaCO·10HO (molar ratio of 1:3) at 85 °C for 90 min, and 2.0×10 mol sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as additive. The results show that the purities of SiO and NaF at extraction yields of 96.5% and 98.0% are 91.0% and 98.6%, respectively. The obtained SiO were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared ray (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC-TGA), N absorption/desorption (BET) and laser particle size analyzer. The result demonstrates that SiO particles have a high BET surface area of 103 m/g, and a mean grain size of 985 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forkhead box protein P1 (FOXP1) expression resulted from chromosome translocation was found in MALT lymphoma, and its nuclear expression in diffuse large B cell lymphoma has been believed to be a poor prognostic factor. In our study, FOXP1 expression was investigated in its relationship to the occurrence of large tumor cells, clinical features, and prognosis in a series of 115 MALT lymphomas divided into two groups with or without the large tumor cells. All cases were morphologically reviewed, and FOXP1 expression was detected both in mRNA and protein levels by real-time PCR, immunochemical staining, and Western blot hybridization. All available clinical data were collected. In the MALT lymphoma with large cells, FOXP1 expression was higher at both mRNA ( P = 0.008) and protein ( P = 0.000) levels than that in group without large cells, and most large tumor cells showed FOXP1 positivity. It was also found that cases beyond Ann Arbor stage I have a higher FOXP1 expression rate than cases in stage I ( P = 0.01), moreover, FOXP1-positive group has more plasmacytic differentiation ( P = 0.025), deeper filtrating depth in digestive tract ( P = 0.039), and a higher Ki67 proliferation index ( P = 0.022). However, no statistical significance was identified in the involved anatomic sites and prognosis. Our data demonstrated the close relationship between FOXP1 nuclear expression and the occurrence of large tumor cells in MALT lymphoma, which suggested the possibility of large cell transformation of FOXP1-positive cases. And FOXP1 positivity was associated with enhanced invasion and proliferation ability of tumor cells. In the thyroid cases, the FOXP1 positivity showed a poorer prognosis ( P = 0.043), but the significance was not found in the overall survival analysis ( P = 0.1123). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lg c-pH diagram of the CaCl-Ca(OH)-HO system and its two subsystems at 298.15 K are constructed according to the theory of thermodynamic equilibrium. The interaction characteristics between the solubility of CaCl and Ca(OH) can be found out from the diagrams. CaCl·6HO (s), Ca(OH)(s) and solution coexist when the pH value of solution is about 10.8. CaCl with the minimum solubility of 1 682.4 g/L is in equilibrium with solution when the pH value is lower than 9.4, and Ca(OH) with the minimum solubility of 2.749 g/L is in equilibrium with solution at the pH value over 12.1, which provides a theoretical basis for the treatment and reuse of calcium chloride mother liquor for collocating lime cream which is the precipitant in the process of synthesizing magnesium hydroxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new iridium (III) acetylacetonate complexes with an axial bipyridine ligand were synthesised via the direct reaction of [bis(acac-O,O′)(acac-C)Ir(HO)] and the corresponding bipyridine, and their molecular structures were determined by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The bipyridine used was di-2-pyridylketone, 2,2′-bipyridine and 2,2′-bipyridylamine, respectively. The results revealed that only mononuclear iridium complexes were obtained, although bipyridine has two N coordinate atoms, probably due to the great steric hindrance existing around the coordinate sphere if two bis(acac-O,O′)(acac-C)Ir units were bridged by bipyridine. All these complexes are coordinated in one axial direction by bipyridine as a mono-dentate ligand in a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unexpected complex, triammine(oxalato)platinum(II) in which oxalate anion acts as a monodentate ligand, was isolated in the process of recrystallizing [Pt(NH)](CO). The complex was presumably formed via the loss of one ammonia molecule from [Pt(NH)](CO), followed by the binding of oxalate from the outer coordination sphere. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study revealed that the Pt(II) atom was coordinated on a distorted square by three N atoms of the ammine molecules and one O atom of the oxalate ligand. The crystal packing was stabilized by moderate to strong hydrogen bonds formed between ammine, water molecules and O atoms of oxalate with d(N···O) in the range of 2.84(2)-3.29(2) Å, and d(O···O) in the range of 2.86(2)-3.37(2) Å. The complex underwent thermal decomposition at 200-231 °C in the nitrogen atmosphere, giving rise to Pt, NH and CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mast cell sarcoma is a rare disease characterized by localized, but destructive and rapid, growth of the tumor, high risk of distant metastasis, possibility of a leukemic phase, and poor prognosis. We report successful treatment of uterine mast cell sarcoma with imatinib in a 39-year-old woman who presented with abdominal distention and massive ascites. Routine treatment, such as combined chemotherapy, had little effect. We administered imatinib to the patient and achieved a good response in the absence of c-kit mutation, BCR/ABL, and FIP1L1-PDGFRα. Our results indicate that imatinib is of potential use in the treatment of mast cell sarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to assess the effect of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETSS) of hemorrhagic pituitary macroadenoma (HPMA). Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 52 cases with HPMA collected from the Xijing Hospital from April 1995 to April 2009. There were 39 males and 13 females, ranging in age from 18 to 79 years (average 51.6 years). Patients presented with headache or acute ophthalmological symptoms after adenoma hemorrhage. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhage in all cases. Twenty-eight adenomas showed marked suprasellar extension, 19 showed moderate extension, and another 5 showed slight extension. All patients were promptly treated by emergency EETSS, usually within 24 h after hospitalization. Results: Total removal of tumor was achieved in 46 cases (88.5%), and subtotal removal in 6 cases (11.5%). Postoperative radiotherapy and reoperation of the tumor were required in five patients with either residual or relapsed tumors. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 93 months (mean 41.6 months) for 43 cases. Visual acuity and visual field recovery and improvement was recorded in 92.1% and 94.3% of patients who had preoperative visual symptoms, respectively. Conclusions: The majority of macroadenomas are hemorrhagic, and they often occur in middle-aged, male subjects. Detection by imaging in the setting of pituitary apoplexy accurately predicts the nature of the apoplectic process and helps to guide the type and timing of surgery. Early EETSS is the most effective therapy and significantly improves visual outcomes and systemic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant gliomas display over-expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2. However, expression levels of the EphA2 ligand, EphrinA1, have not been fully elucidated. Seventy-eight patients with primary gliomas were included in this study who underwent surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. The expression of EphA2 and EphrinA1 in tumors was assessed by immunohistochemistry and was statistically analyzed in combination with the follow-up data of patients. EphA2 was highly expressed in most malignant gliomas, but EphrinA1 was expressed at low levels in these tumors. The increased EphA2 expression is associated with higher-grade histology and poor patient prognosis. Contrary to this, the increased EphrinA1 expression is associated with lower-grade histology, but not associated with poor patient prognosis. Moreover, patients with tumors positive for EphA2 and negative for EphrinA1 had significantly shorter overall and progression-free survival than patients with tumors positive for both EphA2 and EphrinA1, negative for both EphA2 and EphrinA1, or negative for EphA2 and positive for EphrinA1. RNAi-mediated suppression of endogenous EphA2 in human glioblastoma multiforme cells resulted in increased EphrinA1 levels, as well as decreased cell viability, anchorage independence and in vitro invasion, and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, suppression of EphA2 resulted in delayed tumor growth in mice xenografts. Together, these data indicate that up-regulation of EphA2 and down-regulation of Ephrina1 may correlate with poor prognosis for patients with high-grade glioma. EphA2 suppression partially reversed the aggressive phenotypes of malignant gliomas, possibly through up-regulating EphrinA1 expression, which may help explain how EphA2 modulates the malignant progression of gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dirhodium tetraoctanoate ( 1), without any exogenous axial ligands, has been obtained in crystalline form by slow evaporation from ethanol. The molecules are linked by axially ligating each other to form infinite chains, which is similar to the only other two structurally characterized rhodium(II) carboxylates, Rh2(O2CCF3)4 and Rh2(O2CC3H7)4, which also lack exogenous axial ligands. The infinite chains of 1 are cleaved by strong donor solvents such as pyridine to produce the corresponding pyridine adduct ( 2). Both the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, MS, IR and NMR spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel mixed NH3/NH2OH platinum(II) complex cis-[Pt(NH3)(NH2OH)Cl2] was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FAB-MS, FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. This complex was determined to have a good water-solubility and satisfactory stability. The pertinent complex was evaluated for its in vitro cytotoxicity against 3AO, HCT-116, LNcap, A549/ATCC and SGC-7901 human carcinoma cell lines. It shows appreciable cytotoxic activity that is comparable with cisplatin and is much more active than carboplatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SM54111 [cis-3, 5-diisopropylsalylic cyclohexanodiaminoplatinum (II), Saliplatin] is a novel platinum compound with encouraging anticancer effect. In order to get more useful information in multiple species for the security evaluation, dosage design, and drug delivery design, its pharmacokinetic behaviors in rats after intravenous administration were investigated in this study. Based on its pharmacokinetics in plasma, the distribution of SM54111 in heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, adipose, testicle, or ovaries of rats sampled at 0.5 h, 1 h, and 3 h after intravenous administration were determined utilizing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Its amounts in urine and feces were determined at 8 sampling times till 96 h as well. It was proved that SM54111 fitted open two-compartment model in rats, with wide distribution in tissues and slow excretion. Its reasonable pharmacokinetic properties in rats make this novel platinum compound worthy of further research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative study on the activity and kinectic properties of acid phosphatase (ACPase) of three soils amended with Hg and Cu at constant temperature and humidity was carried out. The results indicated that the inhibition on ACPase of the three sample soils by Hg and Cu varied with the content of soil organic matter and pH, where, Soil 1 was the most seriously contaminated due to its lowest content of organic matter and the lowest pH among three samples, Soil 2 took the second place, and Soil 3 was the least contaminated. Except Soil 3, the activity of soil ACPase tended to increase along with the contact time under the same type and the same concentration of heavy metal. In particular the V max values of ACPase in all three samples decreased with increasing Hg and Cu concentration, whereas the K m values were affected weakly. According to the change of V max and K m values, Cu and Hg had the same inhibition effect on soil ACPase. Both of them may be a type of compound of non-competitive and anti-competitive inhibition. Statistic analyses indicated that activities of soil ACPase and V max values could serve as bioindicator to partially denote the heavy metal Hg and Cu contamination degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium supported by CeSnO has been prepared by an impregnation method, and used for low temperature carbon monoxide oxidation. They were characterized by means of XRD and H-TPR techniques. For PdO/CeSnO catalyst, three reduction peaks (α, β and γ) are observed. The β peak contributes to the reduction of PdO species and Sn species on the surface of CeSnO; β peak to the reduction of bulk SnO and surface Ceand the γ peak to the reduction of bulk CeO. The increase of Pd loading from 0 to 0.75% enhances oxidation of CO, further increase of the Pd content affects the catalytic activity but slightly. XRD and TPR results show that highly dispersed Pd on the surface of the support is the active species for CO oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Ag-Mn complex oxides was prepared by co-precipitation method and used for carbon monoxide oxidation. The catalysts were characterized by means of XRD and H-TPR techniques. A synergistic interaction between silver oxide and manganese oxide is responsible for the high activity of carbon monoxide oxidation at low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of arranging N unit length weights on a line segment of length N, given a target center of gravity on this line segment, is examined under the assumption that the only information we have about the weights is their order, i.e., a ≥ a ≥ ... ≥ a. Lower bounds on worst case performance of algorithms for this problem are developed, and algorithms (permutations) which come close to achieving these bounds are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For an ordered set P let P denote the set of all isotone self-maps on P, that is, all maps f from P to P such that x≥ y implies f( x)≥ f( y), and let Aut ( P) the set of all automorphisms on P, that is, all bijective isotone self-maps in P. We establish an inequality relating ¦ P¦ and ¦ Aut( P)¦ in terms of the irreducibles of P. As a straightforward corollary, we show that Rival and Rutkowski's automorphism conjecture is true for lattices. It is also true for ordered sets with top and bottom whose covering graphs are planar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]