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Despite recent therapy advances and a better understanding of colon cancer biology, it remains one of the major causes of death. The cancer stem cells, associated with the progression, metastasis, and recurrence of colon cancer, play a major role in promoting the development of tumour and are found to be chemo resistant. The stroma of the tumour, which makes up the bulk of the tumour mass, is composed of the tumour microenvironment. With the advent of theranostic and the development of personalised medicine, miRNAs are becoming increasingly important in the context of colon malignancies. A holistic understanding of the regulatory roles of miRNAs in cancer cells and cancer stem cells will allow us to design effective strategies to regulate miRNAs, which could lead to improved clinical translation and creating a potent colon cancer treatment strategy. In this review paper, we briefly discuss the history of miRNA as well as the mechanisms of miRNA and cancer stem cells that contribute to the tumour growth, apoptosis, and advancement of colon cancer. The usefulness of miRNA in colorectal cancer theranostic is further concisely reviewed. We conclude by holding a stance in addressing the prospects and possibilities for miRNA by the disclosure of recent theranostic approaches aimed at eradicating cancer stem cells and enhancing overall cancer treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to estimations, approximately about 15% of couples worldwide suffer from infertility, in which individuals with azoospermia or oocyte abnormalities cannot be treated with assisted reproductive technology. The skin-derived stem cells (SDSCs) differentiation into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) is one of the major breakthroughs in the field of stem cells intervention for infertility treatment in recent years. However, the cellular origin of SDSCs and their dynamic changes in transcription profile during differentiation into PGCLCs in vitro remain largely undissected. Here, the results of single-cell RNA sequencing indicated that porcine SDSCs are mainly derived from multipotent dermal fibroblast progenitors (MDFPs), which are regulated by growth factors (EGF/bFGF). Importantly, porcine SDSCs exhibit pluripotency for differentiating into three germ layers and can effectively differentiate into PGCLCs through complex transcriptional regulation involving histone modification. Moreover, this study also highlights that porcine SDSC-derived PGCLCs specification exhibit conservation with the human primordial germ cells lineage and that its proliferation is mediated by the MAPK signaling pathway. Our findings provide substantial novel insights into the field of regenerative medicine in which stem cells differentiate into germ cells in vitro, as well as potential therapeutic effects in individuals with azoospermia and/or defective oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemically-crosslinked composite hydrogel based on acylated xylan and silanized graphene oxide was prepared via free radical polymerization as a novel adsorbent for the removal of Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution. The chemical structures and morphologies of the silanized graphene oxide and acylated xylan as well as the prepared hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR, XPS, SEM and TEM. The swelling ratios of the prepared hydrogels were determined, and the results showed that the chemically-crosslinked hydrogel was pH-sensitive, and the swelling kinetics of the hydrogels followed Schott second-order kinetic. The optimum pH for the adsorption of Cu2+ ions onto the chemically-crosslinked composite hydrogel was found at the value of 5 and the maximum adsorption amount of Cu2+ ions was evaluated to be 228 mg/g. The adsorption isotherm accorded with the Freundlich model, and the pseudo-second order kinetic model was suitable to describe the adsorption process. The study of adsorption thermodynamics indicated that the adsorption of Cu2+ ions onto the chemically-crosslinked composite hydrogel was endothermal and spontaneous, and the adsorption amount rose with an increase in temperature. In addition, higher desorption percentages of Cu2+ ions from the used hydrogel were also achieved (77.3% after recycling for 6 times). All obtained results indicated that the prepared chemically-crosslinked hydrogel is promising for water treatment and collection of metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlCoCrFeNi2.1 eutectic high entropy alloy (EHEA) has attracted significant interest among researchers due to unprecedented mechanical properties compared with single-phase solid solution high entropy alloys; however, the high content of cobalt element limits its engineering applications. In this paper, the mechanical and corrosion behaviors of cost-effective AlCrFeNi3.1 and AlCrFe2Ni2.1 HEAs were systematically studied by tensile tests and electrochemical methods; meanwhile, the results were compared with AlCoCrFeNi2.1 EHEA. The results indicated that all the studied HEAs showed dual phase microstructure composed of FCC and BCC/B2 phases. Due to the hetero-deformation induced strengthening, all the studied HEAs showed an excellent combination of strength and ductility with fracture strength over 1 GPa and fracture strain exceeding 17%, indicating that substituting the cobalt element of AlCoCrFeNi2.1 EHEA by nickel or iron element is feasible from the perspective of mechanical properties. As for the corrosion behaviors in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, AlCrFeNi3.1 HEA exhibited the best corrosion resistance due to the high volume fraction of the corrosion resistant FCC phases and low Al/Cr ratio of BCC/B2 phases, while AlCrFe2Ni2.1 HEA showed the worst corrosion resistance owing to the high Al/Cr ratio of BCC/B2 phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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K416B Ni-based superalloy with high W content has good high temperature properties and low cost, which has a great development potential. To investigate the room temperature tensile property and the deformation feature of K416B superalloy, tensile testing at room temperature was carried out, and optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the deformation and damage mechanisms. Results show that the main room temperature tensile deformation features of the K416B nickel-based superalloy are dislocations slipping in the matrix and shearing into γ′ phase. The <110> super-dislocations shearing into γ′ phase can form the anti-phase boundary two coupled (a/2)<110> partial-dislocations or decompose into the configuration of two (a/3)<112> partial dislocations plus stacking fault. In the later stage of tensile testing, the slip-lines with different orientations are activated in the grain, causing the stress concentration in the regions of block carbide or the porosity, and cracks initiate and propagate along these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meiosis is one of the most finely orchestrated events during gametogenesis with distinct developmental patterns in males and females. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process remain not well known. Here, we report detailed transcriptome analyses of cell populations present in the mouse female gonadal ridges (E11.5) and the embryonic ovaries from E12.5 to E14.5 using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA seq). These periods correspond with the initiation and progression of meiosis throughout the first stage of prophase I. We identified 13 transcriptionally distinct cell populations and 7 transcriptionally distinct germ cell subclusters that correspond to mitotic (3 clusters) and meiotic (4 clusters) germ cells. By analysing cluster-specific gene expression profiles, we found four cell clusters correspond to different cell stages en route to meiosis and characterized their detailed transcriptome dynamics. Our scRNA seq analysis here represents a new important resource for deciphering the molecular pathways driving female meiosis initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A kind of Ni–Cr–Fe–B–Si system amorphous alloy was used as interlayer in transient liquid-phase bonding (TLP bonding) of polycrystalline superalloy K465. The bonding behavior, microstructure feature and the tensile properties of the joints were investigated. There are B-rich phase and Si-rich phase formed in the center of the seam after bonding at 1210 °C for 30 min. The isothermal solidification is complete after bonding at 1210 °C for 4 h. The relationship of the average width of the remnant eutectic zone and bonding time at 1210 °C is nonlinear. The tensile strength of the bonded joint at room temperature and 900 °C is comparable to that of K465 alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, carboxymethyl xylan was synthesized from wheat straw xylan and then pH/temperature dual-responsive hydrogels based on the carboxymethyl xylan (CMX) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) were firstly synthesized through semi-interpenetrating polymer network synthetic route. The temperature-responsive behavior was investigated by swelling experiment and DSC test, showing that the CMX content played an important role in the phase transition, and the CMX-PNIPAm hydrogel had higher pH sensitivity compared with PNIPAm hydrogel. The CMX content and the interconnected pore structure within the network improved the swelling, and the CMX-PNIPAm hydrogels had a high de-swelling rate. Addition of AAc in the hydrogels can improve pH sensitivity but decrease temperature sensitivity. The excellent swelling reversibility in response to temperature was verified through the oscillatory experiments of swelling and de-swelling. It is expected that the CMX-PNIPAm hydrogels could be used in biomedical fields as an intelligent material, especially for drug delivery.Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to find the best treatments for enhancing the ration of insertion of a desired gene construct (pEGFP-N1) onto the sperm of buffalo as the first step for the production of transgenic buffalo using sperm mediated gene transfer (SMGT). The tested conditions were plasmid DNA concentration, sperm concentration, transfecting agent concentration: Dimethyle sulphoxide (DMSO) and time of transfection. The study proved that the best conditions for producing transgenic embryos were incubation sperm solution its concentration is 10 7 /ml sperm with 3% DMSO: with 20 µg/ml from the linarized DNA, for 15 min at 4 °C are the best conditions to produce transgenic buffalo embryo using sperm mediated gene transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meiotic initiation of mammalian oogonia is a critical step during the development of primordial germ cells (PGCs) to mature oocytes. In this study, a systematic investigation of epigenetic modifications and DAZL gene expression during oogonia meiotic entry were performed. We found that the expression of DAZL was epigenetically regulated by DNA methylation of CpG islands within its promoter region. During meiotic entry, a continuously increasing level of 5hmC, a stable epigenetic marker usually associated with the activation of gene expression, was observed from 11.5 to 16.5 dpc (days post coitum). Meanwhile trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone3 (H3K27me3), usually associated with repression of gene expression, had a sustainable increase from 12.5 to 16.5 dpc. Finally, by equally dividing the ovaries into three regions representing the anterior, the middle, and the posterior of the ovary and performing immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR on the individual regions, we provided further evidences that the meiotic entry and progression of female germ cells is in an anterior to posterior pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presented a novel process for production of furfural by hydrothermal degradation of corncob over biochar catalyst, in which it was prepared with the recycling degradation solution and lignocellulosic solid residues. The biochar catalyst was papered by lignocellulose residues and concentrated saccharide solution, and then impregnated in 0.5 mol/L sulphuric acid at room temperature for 24 h assisted by the ultrasonic vibration. In the system of recycling, 8.8 % lignocellulose residues and 100 % concentrated saccharide solution from corncob hydrolysis have been recycled. Hydrolysis of corncob was carried out at 180 °C for duration of 170 min over the biochar catalyst. The experimental results have shown that the furfural yield of up to 37.75 % and overall corncob conversion rate of 62.00 % could be achieved under optimum operating conditions for the catalysts preparation and the corncob hydrolysis. It is believed that the acid density of 4.27 mmol/g of biochar catalyst makes the SOH groups cleave β-1,4 glycosidic linkages effectively and hydrolyze the cellulose and hemicellulose to water-soluble sugars, as well as to facilitate dehydration of xylose to give the product of furfural. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Methods: CEUS images of 93 patients were evaluated to observe new vessels within CAPs. Microembolic signals (MES) were detected using transcranial Doppler (TCD). Thirty-four patients with hyperechoic plaques were evaluated as the control group. Results: Eighty percent (75/93) of plaques showed contrast enhancement on CEUS, including 50.7 % (38/75) of hypoechoic plaques and 49.3 % (37/75) of mixed echoic plaques. No plaques in the control group showed enhancement on CEUS. With TCD, 35.5 % (33/93) of patients were positive for MES. Plaques with grade 2 or 3 enhancement on CEUS had a higher positive rate for MES. Forty-one patients with grade 2 or 3 enhancement on CEUS presented with fresh infarctions confirmed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conclusions: In conclusion, grade 2 or 3 contrast enhancement observed on CEUS indicated vulnerable plaques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scavenger receptor, CD163, is a macrophage-specific marker. Recent studies have shown that CD163 expression in breast and rectal cancer cells is associated with poor prognosis. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between CD163 expression as a macrophage trait in cancer cells, and macrophage infiltration and its clinical significance in colorectal cancer. Immunostaining of CD163 and macrophage infiltration were evaluated in paraffin-embedded specimens, earlier analyzed for CD31, D2-40 and S-phase fraction, from primary tumors and normal colorectal mucosa of 75 patients with colorectal carcinoma. The outcomes were analyzed in relation to clinical-pathological data. CD163 expression was positive in cancer cells in 20 % of colorectal cancer patients and was related to advanced tumor stages ( P = 0.008) and unfavorable prognosis ( p = 0.001). High macrophage infiltration was related to shorter survival and positive CD163 expression in tumor cells. The prognostic impact of macrophage infiltration was independent of tumor stage and CD163 expression in cancer cells ( p = 0.034). The expression of macrophage phenotype in colorectal cancer cells is associated with macrophage density in tumor stroma and lower survival rates. Macrophage infiltration has an independent prognostic impact on mortality in colorectal cancer. In accordance with previous experimental studies, these findings provide new insights into the role of macrophages in colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prodrug capecitabine (Xeloda) has been an important drug for treatment for gastrointestinal cancer (GI-cancer). This study explores the efficacy of continuous metronomic Xeloda, as well as tolerability and best response during treatment. Patients ( n = 35) with stage IV GI-cancer were included in the study and were divided into two groups; upper ( n = 13) and lower ( n = 22) GI-cancer. All patients were given continuous metronomic Xeloda (500 mg × 2). Best response was measured by radiological and clinical examination including laboratory results. Standard RECIST criteria were used. Median age was 66 (range 29-86). Those patients who received first and second line had the longest duration of treatment. For patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer, metronomic capecitabine (Xeloda) may be beneficial both as far as tumor control and quality of life is concerned. In this pilot study, palliation for more than 2 years is observed for 6 of the 35 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasized rectal cancer has long been considered incurable. During recent years, the treatment of rectal cancer patients has been improved, and nowadays, a subgroup of patients might even be cured. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal timing of treatment in a multimodal therapy schedule in order to see whether the addition of bevacizumab (Avastin) to conventional chemotherapy was effective. The study included 39 patients with metastatic rectal cancer between 2009 and 2011, and three were excluded due to the lack of metastases or lack of follow-up information. The remaining 36 patients were divided into groups by treatment intention. The group with curative intention received mainly oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) in combination with capecitabine (Xeloda) with or without bevacizumab (Avastin) for 2 months followed by preoperative radiotherapy (RT) and surgery. Palliative patients had very different treatments depending on their needs of palliation. The median survival time for patients with curative intention was 31 months and for the palliative patients 12 months. Four of the patients (11 %) with curative intention were considered cured at the end of follow-up. The response to chemotherapy after 2-month treatment is a good prognostic sign for which patients can be cured. Long-lasting palliation can be obtained with this treatment schedule. The main side effects were gastrointestinal events, including bowel perforation, neuropathy, thrombo-embolic disease and reduced general condition. All side effects are known, and the treatment is considered tolerable. We conclude that a good treatment schedule would be oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) in combination with capecitabine (Xeloda) with or without bevacizumab (Avastin) for 2 months, followed by preoperative RT and surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Currently, little is known regarding the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β (PPAR β) in the vascular endothelial cells (VECs) of colorectal cancers (CRCs). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of PPAR β expression in the VECs of CRCs in terms of the prognosis and clinicopathological features of CRC patients.Design: The expression and localization of PPAR β in the primary cancers and the matched normal mucosal samples of 141 Swedish CRC patients were analyzed in terms of its correlation with clinicopathological features and the expression of angiogenesis-related genes. This study also included 92 Chinese CRC patients.Results: PPAR β was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm and was significantly downregulated in the VECs of CRC compared to that of the normal mucosa. The low expression levels of PPAR β in the VECs of CRC were statistically correlated with enhanced differentiation, early staging and favorable overall survival and were associated with the increased expression of VEGF and D2-40. The patients exhibiting elevated expression of PPAR β in CRC cells but reduced expression in VECs exhibited more favorable survival compared with the other patients, whereas the patients with reduced expression of PPAR β in CRC cells but increased expression in VECs exhibited less favorable prognosis.Conclusions: PPAR β might play a tumor suppressor role in CRC cells in contrast to a tumor promoter role in the VECs of CRCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in the pathogenesis of colon cancer is not understood thoroughly. Previous studies from our group have shown that the expression levels of MMP-7 were highly elevated in colorectal cancer patient specimens and were correlated with Dukes Staging, histological differentiation grade and CEA level. The goal of this study was to investigate the cellular impact of MMP-7 in colon cancer. In this study, we used the SW480 colon cancer cell lines of MMP-7 knockdown by lentivirus-mediated RNA interference as a model system to investigate the impact of MMP-7 on cell proliferation and sensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and X-ray irradiation (IR). Cell proliferation and sensitivity to 5-FU and IR were measured by MTT assay and colony formation assay. Cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry. We showed that the down regulation of MMP-7 inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation and sensitizes tumour cells to 5-FU and IR ( P < 0.05). Decreased MMP-7 expression in SW480 cells by RNA interference triggered cell cycle arrest at G1 phase ( P < 0.05). Down regulation of MMP-7 may inhibit the cell proliferation of colon cancer cells and increase tumour cells sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. RNAi-mediated silencing of MMP-7 may represent a powerful therapeutic approach for controlling human colorectal cancer growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies from our laboratory identified a number of miRNAs that were aberrantly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue. However, their diagnostic and prognostic value in serum has not been fully evaluated. In the present study, we measured the levels of five miRNAs (miR-21, miR-31, miR-92a, miR-18a, and miR-106a) in serum samples from 200 CRC patients, 50 advanced adenoma patients, and 80 healthy controls by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In our study, the levels of miR-21 and miR-92a in patients with CRC and advanced adenoma were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (all P < 0.05). MiR-21 yielded an area under the receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.802 and miR-92a yielded an AUC of 0.786 in discriminating CRCs from the controls. Additionally, miR-21 and miR-92a yielded an AUC of 0.709 and 0.701, respectively, in discriminating advanced adenomas from the controls. Combined ROC analyses using both miRNAs, revealed an elevated AUC of 0.847 in discriminating CRCs, and an AUC of 0.722 in discriminating advanced adenomas from the controls. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, high miR-92a expression in CRC was independently associated with poor survival ( P = 0.03; hazard ratio 4.36; 95 % confidence interval = 1.64-11.57). No significant difference was observed in the levels of miR-18a, miR-31, and miR-106a among CRC, advanced adenoma, and control samples. In summary, our data indicate that miR-21 and miR-92a serum levels have potential value for early detection of CRC. Furthermore, miR-92a has prognostic value in CRC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic transcription factor 3 (BTF3) is a general RNA polymerase II transcription factor and is also involved in apoptosis regulation. Increasing evidence shows that BTF3 is aberrantly expressed in several kinds of malignancies, but there is no study to analyze BTF3 expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Applying immunohistochemistry, we detected BTF3 in CRCs ( n = 156), the corresponding distant ( n = 42), adjacent normal mucosa ( n = 96), lymph node metastases ( n = 35), and analyzed its relationships with clinicopathological and biological variables. Our results showed that BTF3 staining significantly increased from distant or adjacent normal mucosa to primary CRCs ( p < 0.0001) or metastases ( p = 0.002 and p < 0.0001). BTF3 was higher in distal cancers than in proximal cancers (57 % vs. 39 %, p = 0.041). It also showed stronger staining in primary CRCs stage I and II than that in stage III and IV (64 % vs. 35 %, p = 0.0004), or metastases (64 % vs. 29 %, p = 0.004). Cancers with better differentiation had a higher expression than those with worse differentiation (56 % vs. 37 %, p = 0.031). There were positive correlations of BTF3 expression with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), RAD50, MRE11, NBS1, and AEG-1 ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, BTF3 overexpression may be an early event in CRC development and could be useful biomarker for the early stage of CRCs. BTF3 has positive correlations with NF-κB, RAD50, MRE11, NBS1 and AEG-1, and might influence complex signal pathways in CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antiapoptotic factor Livin has been considered critical for tumor progression and poor prognosis for variant types of tumors. However, there are only limited reports regarding its expression and biological functions in colon cancer. Here, we examined Livin expression in four colon cancer cell lines (HCT116, RKO, KM12C, and SW620) in the presence or absence of cisplatin that was used as a model reagent. We found the different response to cisplatin was related to endogenous Livin expression level. From among a panel of apoptosis-related factors (p53, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, BAX, and survivin), the expression of Livin was upregulated after cisplatin treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Both immunocytochemistry and nuclear cytoplasmic fractionation indicated Livin remained in the cytoplasm after treatment with cisplatin. In an attempt to explore the mechanism, we found the elevated expression of Livin was not due to the decreased degradation by proteosome but was enhanced at the mRNA level. Besides, cisplatin treatment activated the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway as shown by increased phosphorylation of Akt1, mTOR, S6K, and 4E-BP1, together with the elevated Livin. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 inhibited both the phosphorylation of mTOR and upregulation of Livin. The stable overexpression of Livin inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and led to resistance to cisplatin, while the knockdown of Livin by siRNA rendered colon cancer cells more sensitive to cisplatin. Our study, along with others, highlighted the potential of Livin for cancer therapy in colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Recently, microRNA-124 (miR-124) has been demonstrated as a potential tumor suppressor in several types of cancers. However, the role of miR-124 in colorectal cancer remains unclear. This study was aimed at investigating the clinicopathological significance of miR-124 expression in colorectal cancer. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to analyze miR-124 expression in 96 colorectal cancers and individual-matched normal mucosa samples. The expression of miR-124 was assessed for associations with clinicopathological characteristics using chi-square test. The survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The influence of each variable on survival was examined by the Cox multivariate regression analysis. Results: The miR-124 expression was significantly downregulated in colorectal cancer compared to normal mucosa ( P = 0.001). In colorectal cancer, miR-124 decreased expression correlated significantly with the grade of differentiation ( P = 0.021). Univariate survival analysis showed that the downregulated miR-124 was significantly correlated with worse prognosis, both in terms of overall survival ( P = 0.017) and disease-free survival (DFS) ( P = 0.014). Further, the downregulated miR-124 was demonstrated as a prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio, HR = 4.634; 95 % confidence interval, CI, 1.731-12.404; P = 0.002) and DFS (HR = 4.533, 95 % CI 1.733-11.856, P = 0.002), independently of gender, age, location, maximum tumor size, depth of invasion, differentiation, and TNM stage. Conclusions: MiR-124 may play a certain role in the development of colorectal cancer. The downregulation expression of miR-124 is an independent prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleoporin88 (Nup88) has been shown to be overexpressed in a wide variety of malignancies including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, no study about serum Nup88 in human CRC was reported. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the level of serum Nup88 protein and its relationships with clinicopathological variables in CRC. The serum concentration of Nup88 protein was determined by a quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 118 pre-operative serum samples, 66 post-operative and 96 healthy controls. Among the patients, the levels of CEA ( n = 91) and CA19-9 ( n = 87) in the pre-operative serum were measured, and DNA sequencing was performed in 12 CRCs and 2 samples from non-cancerous colon tissue. In the same patients, the level of pre-operative serum Nup88 was significantly higher than that of post-operative Nup88 ( P = 0.021). Furthermore, the level of pre-operative Nup88 was positively related to the depth of tumor invasion ( P = 0.002) and advanced stage ( P = 0.001). The level of pre-operative Nup88 in the left colon tended to be higher than that in the right colon and the rectum ( P = 0.063). DNA sequencing results showed that there were two single nucleotide polymorphisms, distributed in exon 6 (NM_002532.3:c.1044G>A (ACG-ACA, Thr → Thr) and exon 10 (NM_002532.3:c.1389A>T, CCA-CCT, Pro → Pro). Serum Nup88 might be a candidate for a new biomarker implicated in the development and aggressiveness of CRCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HRAS gene encodes a protein with a molecular weight of 21 kDa (P21) called H-Ras that is involved primarily in regulating cell growth, division and apoptosis. Through a process known as signal transduction, the H-Ras protein relays signals from outside of the cell to the cell's nucleus. These signals instruct the cell to grow or divide. HRAS is in the Ras family of oncogenes. When mutated, oncogenes have the potential to cause normal cells to become cancerous cells. Considering the upsurge of evidences that abnormality in CpG methylation of the oncogene promoter region can cause cancer, we want to understand the relationships between the methylation status of the HRAS promoter region and bladder cancer. To investigate the methylation pattern of HRAS gene transcriptional regulation region (TRR), bisulfite-sequencing PCR-based sequencing analysis was performed among 15 bladder cancer tissues and 5 normal bladder tissues. Analysis of HRAS gene TRR methylation showed that the methylation level of HRAS has clinical relevance ( P = 0.0049, by unpaired Student's t test) with bladder cancer. Furthermore, the unpaired Student's t test analysis showed the extremely significant relationship between tumor and normal at CpG site of the 3rd ( P < 0.0001), 28th ( P = 0.0006), and significant association between tumor and methylation at CpG site of the 12th ( P = 0.0024). Abnormal methylation of the HRAS gene may be an early event during urocystic tumorigenesis and may be further used as a cancer biomarker in bladder tissue for early diagnosis and a potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic environmental toxin widely used for the production of plastics. Frequent human exposure to this chemical has been proposed to be a potential public health risk. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of BPA on germ cell cyst breakdown and primordial follicle formation. Pregnant mice were treated with BPA at doses of 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 mg/kg body weight/day from 12.5 day postcoitum. BPA was delivered orally to pregnant female mice. A dose-response relationship was observed with increased BPA exposure level associated with more oocytes in germ cell cyst and less primordial follicle at postnatal day 3 ( P < 0.01). Progression to meiosis prophase I of oocytes was delayed in the 0.08 mg/kg bw/day treated group ( P < 0.01). Decreased mRNA expression of specific meiotic genes including Stra8, Dmc1, Rec8 and Scp3 were observed. In conclusion, BPA exposure can affect the formation of primordial follicle by inhibiting meiotic progression of oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oncogene Akt1 plays a pivotal role in regulating growth factor-associated cell survival. The activity of Akt must be carefully regulated as it has been reported that an increase in Akt signaling is frequently associated with cancer. Phosphorylated Akt, as the constitutively activated form of Akt, has been observed in many kinds of cancer, but the clinical relevance of the (DNA) methylation profile of Akt1 in cancer is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the methylation level of Akt1 in bladder cancer tissues and their clinical significance. Methylation of the oncogene Akt1 transcriptional regulation region (TRR) was detected using bisulfite-specific (BSP) PCR-based sequencing analysis in cases of bladder cancer and the normal tissues, including 15 bladder cancer tissues, and five normal bladder tissues. BSP cloning-based sequencing analysis was also performed in selected cases. Clinicopathological data from the cancer patients were collected and analyzed. Analysis of Akt1 gene TRR methylation showed decreased methylation level in bladder cancer than normal. Methylation level of Akt1 has clinical relevance ( P = 0.0043 by unpaired student's t test) with bladder cancer. Abnormal methylation of the Akt1 gene may be an early event during urocystic tumorigenesis and should be further evaluated as a tumorigenesis marker for early detection of bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The NF-κB transcription factor protein family has diverse cellular and biological functions, and posttranslational modification is important to regulate these functions. An important site of phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 subunit is at serine-536 (phospho-Ser536-p65), and this phosphorylation is involved in regulation of transcriptional activity, nuclear localization, and protein stability. Patients and Methods: In this study, we investigated expression of phospho-Ser536-p65 in colorectal cancers and its relationships with clinicopathological factors. The expression of phospho-Ser536-p65 was examined by immunohistochemistry in 203 primary colorectal cancers, 156 normal mucosa specimens, and 18 metastases in the lymph nodes. Results: The expression of phospho-Ser536-p65 increased from normal mucosa to primary tumor ( p < 0.0001). Further, the increased expression of phospho-Ser536-p65 in the cytoplasm of the primary tumors correlated with worse survival of the patients independently of gender, age, tumor location, stage, and differentiation ( p = 0.04; hazard ratio, 1.89; 95% CI 1.03-3.47). Conclusion: The NF-κB p65 subunit phosphorylated at serine-536 is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic additive used to harden polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin, is ubiquitous in our everyday environment. Many studies have indicated detrimental effects of BPA on the mammalian reproductive abilities. This study is aimed to test the potential effects of BPA on methylation of imprinted genes during oocyte growth and meiotic maturation in CD-1 mice. Our results demonstrated that BPA exposure resulted in hypomethylation of imprinted gene Igf2r and Peg3 during oocyte growth, and enhanced estrogen receptor (ER) expression at the levels of mRNA and protein. The relationship between ER expression and imprinted gene hypomethylation was substantiated using an ER inhibitor, ICI182780. In addition, BPA promoted the primordial to primary follicle transition, thereby speeding up the depletion of the primordial follicle pool, and suppressed the meiotic maturation of oocytes because of abnormal spindle assembling in meiosis I. In conclusion, neonatal exposure to BPA inhibits methylation of imprinted genes during oogenesis via the ER signaling pathway in CD-1 mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: To date, the association between special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1) and colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been reported. This study was aimed at investigating the expression and potential role of SATB1 in human rectal cancers. Methods: Ninety-three paired samples of rectal cancer and distant normal rectal tissue were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the correlations between SATB1 expression and clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. The expression profiles of SATB1 were also investigated in a panel of five human colon carcinoma cell lines. Results: The general level of SATB1 mRNA in rectal cancer tissues was statistically significantly higher than that in normal mucosa ( P = 0.043). The rate of positive SATB1 protein expression in rectal cancers (44.1%) was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (25.8%) by IHC analysis ( P = 0.009). Overexpression of SATB1 mRNA was more predominant in patients with earlier onset of rectal cancer ( P = 0.033). SATB1 expression correlated with invasive depth and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage at both protein and mRNA levels ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, SATB1 expression in the poorly metastatic KM12C cells was significantly lower than the highly metastatic KM12SM and KM12L4A cells and higher than the HCT116 and SW480 cells ( P = 0.001). These results were further confirmed by Western blotting. Conclusion: Our results indicate that SATB1 may play an important role in the progression of human rectal cancer, which represents a possible new mechanism underlying CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of caspase-10 mRNA expression in stage II colorectal cancer. Methods: Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze caspase-10 expression in cancer tissue and corresponding normal mucosa from 120 patients with stage II colorectal cancer. Variables were analyzed by Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Survival was evaluated with method of Kaplan-Meier. Multivariate analysis was performed with Cox's proportional hazards model. Results: The expression of caspase-10 mRNA was found to be downregulated in cancer tissue compared to normal mucosa ( P = 0.001). Poorly differentiated cancer showed lower mRNA expression than cancer with greater differentiation ( P = 0.031). Univariate survival curves, estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier, defined a significant association between caspase-10 expression and both overall survival ( P = 0.012) and disease-free survival ( P = 0.021). A multivariate analysis, performed by Cox's proportional hazards regression model, confirmed that a low caspase-10 expression was the only significant factor to predict poor prognosis in patients with stage II colorectal cancer. Conclusion: Our data indicate that caspase-10 expression, measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, is a possible prognostic factor in patients with stage II colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether SPARCL1 played an essential role in tumor initiation, formation and progression of colorectal carcinomas. In this study, we examined expression of SPARCL1 protein in the normal colorectal mucosa, adjacent normal mucosa and primary and lymph node metastases from colorectal cancer patients. In matched patients, we found that SPARCL1 was negative in the distant normal colorectal mucosa, weakly expressed in the adjacent normal mucosa, strongly expressed in primary colorectal adenocarcinomas and slightly expressed in their lymph node metastases. A similar pattern was observed in the SPARCL1 expression from our series of non-matched colorectal cancer patients. The strongest expression and highest frequency of the SPARCL1 protein were found in the primary cancers. Interestingly, in the primary tumors, the frequency of SPARCL1 expression was significantly increased from the Dukes' A to Dukes' B tumors and then decreased gradually from the Dukes' B to C and D tumors. There was no difference in the intensity of SPARCL1 expression between the central areas and invasion margins of the primary tumors. Moreover, the SPARCL1 protein was more strongly expressed in the highly differentiated tumors than the lower differentiated ones. The patients with positive expression of SPARCL1 in their tumors had worse prognosis than the patients with SPARCL1-negative ones, even after the analyses by Multivariate and Interaction method. Expression of SPARCL1 protein might be a valuable biomarker for early diagnosis in colorectal cancers and further predicting patients' prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recrystallization behavior of a single crystal nickel-base superalloy was investigated by shot peening and subsequent annealing. Two kinds of recrystallization microstructures, which are intensively dependent on the annealing temperature, are shown in the nickel-base superalloy after shot peening and subsequent annealing. Surface recrystallized grains are obtained when the superalloy is annealed at solution treatment temperature. The nucleation of recrystallization originates from the dendritic core, where rapid dissolution of γ′ particles occurs. Cellular recrystallization is observed after annealing at lower temperatures. Cellular structures induced by high diffusivity of the moving boundary and more γ′ particles dissolution led by residual stress are developed from the surface region. Recrystallized kinetics of the shot-peened alloy annealed at 1050°C accords with the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov equation. The low Avrami exponent is caused by the inhomogeneous distribution of stored energy, the decreasing of stored energy during recovery, and the strong resistance of boundary migration by γ′ particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

pRb2/p130 plays a key role in cell proliferation and is a considerable progress about expression patterns of pRb2/p130 in number of malignancies. However, pRb2/p130 expression and its significance in rectal cancer remain unknown. The purpose of the present study was to investigate pRb2/p130 protein patterns and their correlations with clinicopathological and biological factors in rectal cancer patients with or without preoperative radiotherapy (RT). pRb2/p130 protein was examined by immunohistochemistry in 130 primary tumors, along with the corresponding 61 distant normal mucosa specimens, 85 adjacent normal mucosa specimens, 34 lymph node metastases, and 93 primary tumor biopsies from rectal cancer patients who participated in a Swedish clinical trial of preoperative RT. The pRb2/p130 protein was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. In nonradiated cases, the lack of pRb2/p130 was related to advanced tumor–node–metastases stage, poorer differentiation, weak fibrosis, less inflammatory infiltration, higher Ki-67, and positive Cox-2 expression ( p < 0.05). In radiated cases, the lack of pRb2/p130 was related to nonstaining of Cox-2 and survivin ( p < 0.05). pRb2/p130 protein in primary tumors tended to be increased after RT (27% vs 16%, p = 0.07). pRb2/p130 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm rather than in the nucleus in rectal cancer. After RT, pRb2/p130 protein seems to be increased in primary tumors, and further the relationship of the pRb2/p130 with the clinicopathological and biological variables changed compared to the nonradiated cases. However, we did not find that the pRb2/p130 was directly related to RT, tumor recurrence, and patients' survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: It was the aim of this study to investigate Nup88 expression in normal colorectal mucosa, adenoma, adenocarcinoma and lymph node metastasis, as well as the relationship between Nup88 expression and clinicopathological features. Methods: Nup88 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 84 normal mucosa samples, 32 adenomas, 181 primary adenocarcinomas, and 18 lymph node metastases from colorectal tumour patients. Results: Nup88 expression was observed in normal epithelial and tumour cells. The frequency of strong Nup88 expression was increased from normal mucosa or adenoma to primary tumour and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the expression between normal mucosa and adenoma (p = 0.41). The frequency of strong Nup88 expression was higher in ulcerated tumours (40%) than in polypoid/large fungating tumours (23%; p = 0.048). The frequency of strong Nup88 expression was significantly different among tumours with good (21%), moderate (42%) and poor differentiation (48%; p = 0.01). Nup88 expression was not related to the patients’ gender, age, tumour location, size, histological type, invasive depth, lymph node status and Dukes stage (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that Nup88 may play a role during the development, aggressiveness and differentiation of colorectal tumours. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electromagnetic microactuator with two stable positions is presented. The actuator consists of a cantilever beam with two free ends, a torsional beam with two fixed ends, planar coils and permanent magnets. The cantilever beam has two stable positions due to the use of permanent magnets. With electromagnetic actuation arising from the planar coils, the cantilever beam will switch from one stable position to the other. Mechanical and magnetic analysis are carried out on the actuator, and the device with a size of 2.2 mm×2.5 mm is fabricated with the UV-LIGA technology. The test results show that a current pulse with an amplitude of 70 mA is needed for actuator’s switching between the two stable states, and the switching time is no more than 6 ms. Displacement of the end of cantilever is about 15 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periploca sepium, Salix psammophila and Tamarix spp. make up an important part of the local vegetation in the sandland of China. This paper described a novel method on modification of the three shrub fibers as oil sorbents. Natural and modified fibers were chemically studied by non-destructive methods, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and cross-polarization nuclear magnetic resonance (CP-MAS 13C-NMR). The results show that during the reaction with acetic anhydride under mild conditions, the use of N-bromoscciniamide (NBS) catalyst resulted in a high weight percent gain (WPG). The acetylation of P. sepium fiber gave rise to the highest WPG (20.0%) compared with S. psammophila and Tamarix spp. fiber. IR and CP-MAS 13C-NMR analysis elaborates the chemical features of natural and acetylated willow fiber in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]