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To investigate the effects of an Aurora kinase B inhibitor (ZM447439) on the cervical cancer cell line SiHa and chemotherapy of cisplatin (cDDP). Detected Aurora-B protein in different tissues of the cervix by immunohistochemistry and then analyzed the relationship between Aurora B protein and clinical parameters of cervical cancer. The effect and synergistic effect of ZM447439 and cDDP on proliferation of SiHa cells was tested by MTT. The changes of cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Aurora-B, histone H3 phosphorylation (H3-P) protein, human papillomavirus16 E6 (HPV16E6) and BCL-2, P53, VEGF protein were detected by Western blot. The positive rate of Aurora-B expression was the highest in cervical cancer and had no significant correlation with clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and age. ZM447439 can reduce the number of SiHa cells, increase the volume of cells and lead to apoptosis. The growth of SiHa cells treated with ZM447439, cDDP and the combination of both was inhibited in dose- and time-dependent manners. The inhibition rate of the combined treatment is significantly higher than that of two other single drug groups ( P < 0.05). The synergistic effect is observed in the combined therapy. S-phase arrest and early apoptosis has become more evident in the combined treatment. ZM447439 significantly inhibited the expression of Aurora-B and H3-P protein ( P < 0.05). ZM447439, cDDP and the combination of both reduced the expression of HPV16E6 and BCL-2 protein, raised P53 protein expression ( P < 0.05), whose effects were more obvious in the combined therapy. cDDP could also reduce VEGF protein expression, but ZM447439 could not. Our results suggest that Aurora-B may represent a valid target in cervical squamous carcinoma and has a synergistic effect with cDDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The expression of Dkk-3, as a number of the Dkk family was different in different cancer. Because Dkk-3 encodes a secreted protein, we investigated whether the Dkk-3 protein is secreted into the sera of patients with gynecological cancer. Material & Methods: The levels of Dkk-3 protein were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the sera of 104 patients with gynecological cancer: 36 with ovarian, 40 with cervical and 28 with endometrial cancers. Results: The serum levels of Dkk-3 protein in patients with ovarian cancer [25.54 (7.99) pg/mL] was lower than in normal individuals [42.08 (14.89) pg/mL] ( P = 0.000). But serum levels of Dkk-3 protein in patients with cervical [166.39 (300.68) pg/mL] ( P = 0.013) and endometrial cancers [73.64 (23.36) pg/mL] ( P = 0.000) were higher than in normal individuals. The serum levels of Dkk-3 protein were associated with clinical stage in patients with cervical and endometrial cancers. In patients with ovarian cancer, the serum levels of Dkk-3 protein were associated with lymphatic metastasis. In patients with cervical cancer, the serum levels of Dkk-3 protein were associated with tumor diameters. Conclusion: Dkk-3 protein detection using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as molecular markers can contribute to detection and diagnosis of gynecological cancer, especially for ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) and its relationships with other biological and chemical properties were studied on loess soil with an 11-year long-term fertilization experiment. The results indicated that inorganic fertilizers (F) improved soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), and MBP levels and F plus maize stalk (SNPK) improved MBC and MBN. Manuring markedly increased soil MBC, MBN, and MBP levels. Fertilization decreased the ratios of MBC/MBN, MBC/MBP, and MBN/MBP. Microbial biomass phosphorus was positively and linearly correlated with MBC, MBN, organic carbon (SOC), total phosphorus (TP), water-soluble P, and Olsen P but negatively correlated with soil pH. Microbial biomass phosphorus constituted 2% of TP on control (CK) and inorganic fertilizer treatments and 12% on manure plots. Microbial biomass phosphorus to Olsen P ratios were 50% on CK, F, and SNPK and 80% on manure treatments. Measurements of MBP in soil containing high Olsen P were subject to analytical problems of unknown reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat, rice, and maize collectively provide the bulk of energy and protein to the human diet worldwide. Over the last seven decades, China increased 5.8-fold the aggregated production of the three cereals, but further gains are required to meet the predicted demand of 776 Mt. by 2030. Here, we report the rate of genetic gain in yield of 0.65% year-1 for wheat between 1937 and 2012, 0.69% year-1 for rice between 1934 and 2011, and 0.77% year-1 for maize between 1950 and 2014 in China. National farm yield in the same periods increased 1.38% year-1 for wheat, 1.15% year-1 for rice and 1.32% year-1 for maize. Hence, genetic improvement (G) accounted for 47%-60% of the increase in farm yield, with improved management (M) and G × M interaction accounting for the balance. The absolute rate of genetic gain (kg ha-1 year-1) was proportional to environmental potential. Genetic gain in nitrogen utilization efficiency (yield per unit nitrogen uptake) was significant for all three crops and was achieved at the expense in grain N concentration that decreased at 0.19% year-1 in rice and 0.47% year-1 in maize. To guarantee future food security and environmental sustainability, breeding and agronomic efforts need to increase the rate of gain in yield and revert the declining trends in grain protein by improving nitrogen uptake and nitrogen harvest index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]