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Objectives: To assess the association between polymorphism in the interleukin (IL)-10 promoter region of 1082 G/A and the risk of cervical cancer and/or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), using meta-analysis., Methods: The electronic literature databases PubMed®, Embase®, Web of Science, CBMdisc and CNKI were searched for relevant studies. The strength of association between IL-10 gene -1082 G/A polymorphism and cervical cancer and/or CIN was measured using pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals in four genetic models: allelic model (A allele versus G allele); additive model (A/A versus G/G); recessive model (A/A versus G/A+G/G); dominant model (A/A+G/A versus G/G)., Results: Eight studies involving 1983 cases and 1618 controls were identified and included in the meta-analysis. No significant associations were found between IL-10 gene -1082 G/A polymorphism and cervical cancer and/or CIN in any of the genetic models., Conclusions: IL-10 gene -1082 G/A polymorphism does not appear to be associated with the risk of cervical cancer and/or CIN., (© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

Objective: ARHI is a maternally imprinted tumor suppressor gene that is responsible for initiating programmed cell death and inhibiting cancer cell growth. However, the influence of ARHI on epithelial ovarian cancer cell death and the underlying mechanisms behind how ARHI regulates cancer cells still require further studies., Methods: Epithelial ovarian cancer cells TOV112D and ES-2 were used in this in vitro study. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy activities were compared in TOV112D and ES-2 cells transfected with ARHI vectors or control vectors. Bcl-2 siRNA was transfected into TOV112D cells to investigate the roles of Bcl-2 played in regulating apoptosis and autophagy., Results: ARHI expression was reduced in TOV112D and ES-2 cells compared with normal epithelial ovarian cells (NOE095 and HOSEpiC). Overexpressed ARHI inhibited cancer cell proliferation, whereas induced forced cell apoptosis and excessive formation of autophagosomes inhibited promoted cell death. Furthermore, we found that Bcl-2 expression moderately declined in response to ARHI overexpressing in ES-2 and TOV112D cells; meanwhile, more apoptotic cells and higher LC3 level presented after silence of Bcl-2 in TOV112D cells. Reduced Bcl-2-Beclin 1 complex were observed in ARHI overexpressing cells. Moreover, modulation of ARHI to Bcl-2 expression could be ascribed partially to the activation of PI3k/AKT pathway. The addition of LY294002 enabled to suppress Bcl-2 expression and cell proliferation., Conclusions: The silence of ARHI expression in vitro seems to accelerate the malignant transformation of healthy ovarian cells by restraining apoptosis and autophagy. The overexpressed ARHI in TOV112D cancer cells suppresses the activation of PI3K/AKT and reduces the expression of Bcl-2, leading to enhanced cell apoptosis and autophagic cancer cell death.

The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) causes devastating losses to agricultural crops world-wide and is considered to be an economically important pest. Little is known about the digestive enzymes such as serine proteases (SPs) in B. dorsalis, which are important both for energy supply and mitigation of fitness cost associated with insecticide tolerance. In this study, we identified five SP genes in the midgut of B. dorsalis, and the alignments of their deduced amino acid sequences revealed the presence of motifs conserved in the SP superfamily. Phylogenetic analyses with known SPs from other insect species suggested that three of them were trypsin-like proteases. Analyses of the expression profiles among the different developmental stages showed that all five genes were most abundant in larvae than in other stages. When larvae were continuously fed on diet containing 0.33 μg/g β-Cypermethrin, expression of all five genes were upregulated in the midgut but the larval development was delayed. Biochemical assays were consistent with the increased protease activity exhibited by SPs in the midgut after treatment with β-Cypermethrin. Taken together, these findings provide evidence for the hypothesis that enhanced SP activity may play an indirect role in relieving the toxicity stress of insecticide in B. dorsalis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of secondary left-sided portal hypertension (LSPH) on the radical operation rate of patients with pancreatic cancer and systemically evaluate the prognosis of patients with LSPH secondary to pancreatic cancer after radical surgery., Materials and Methods: The data of patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent laparotomy over a 15-year period in Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA Air Force General Hospital from Jan. 1, 1997, to Jun. 30, 2012 was retrospectively reviewed., Results: A total of 362 patients with pancreatic cancer after laparotomy were selected, including 73 with LSPH and 289 without LSPH. Thirty-five patients with LSPH (47.9%) and 147 without non-LSPH (50.9%) respectively underwent radical operations. No significant difference was found between these two groups regarding the total resection rate and stratified radical resection rate according to different pathological types and cancer locations. The mean and median survival time of patients after radical operation in LSPH group were 13.9 ± 1.3 months and 14.8 months, respectively, while those in non-LSPH group were 22.6 ± 1.4 months and 18.4 months, respectively(P<0.05)., Conclusions: Radical operations for pancreatic cancer and secondary LSPH are safe and effective. Because high-grade malignancy and poor prognosis are closely associated, the decision for radical surgery should be made more meticulously for the patients with pancreatic cancer.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that play a critical role to activate immune response. They may be targeted for immunomodulation by microbes, including probiotics. In this study, chicken bone marrow dendrite cells (chi-BMDCs) were stimulated with lipopolysachride (LPS), Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb), Bacillus subtilis B10 (Bs), co-culture of Sb + Bs and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as a control group (Ctr) at 3, 6, and 12 h intervals. Results revealed that treatment groups modulated the phenotype and biological functions of chi-BMDCs. Scan electron microscopy showed attachment of probiotics on the surface of chi-BMDCs. Additionally transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed efficiently engulfing and degradation of probiotics. Gene expression levels of MHC-II, CD40, CD80 and CD86 up-regulated in stimulated groups. Furthermore, toll-like receptors TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, and chicken specific TLR15 expressions were improved and downstream associated factors MyD88, TRAF6, TAB1, and NFκ-B mRNA levels increased in all treatment groups as compared to control. Surprisingly, NFκ-B response was noted significant higher in LPS treatment among all groups. Moreover, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-4, TGF-β, and IL-10 production levels were found higher, and lower concentration of INF-γ and IL-8 were observed in Sb, Bs, and Sb + Bs treatment groups. In contrast, LPS groups showed prominent increase in IL-12, INF-γ, and IL-8 concentration levels as compared to control group. Altogether, these results emphasize a potentially important role of Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus subtilis B10 in modulating immunological functions of chi-BMDCs by targeting specific toll like receptors (TLRs) and associated factors. The role of probiotics on chi-BMDCs functionality in a non-mammalian species have been presented for the first time., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Essential hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and the early-diagnosis is very important for the prevention of essential hypertension. Previously, we found that Pin1, the only known enzyme isomerizing pSer/pThr-Pro motifs in proteins, may gradually become inactive under conditions of stress such as intracellular acidification and fever. Interestingly, essential hypertension and the dysfunction of Pin1 often synchronously occur with the increasing age. Recent evidence indicates that Pin1 primarily increases the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO) in multiple ways, significantly promoting the relaxation response of blood vessels and preventing the elevation of blood pressure. Further, the inhibition of Pin1 results in significantly increased blood pressure in rats. So, we hypothesized and evaluated the potential of Pin1 to be a new early-diagnostic biomarker as well as a therapeutic drug for essential hypertension. The unique activity of Pin1 and some epidemiological and experimental data evidence that the decreased activity of Pin1 may be closely associated with the development of essential hypertension. The factors that may impact the activity of Pin1 and correlate with the risk of essential hypertension were also discussed. These findings indicate that Pin1 plays a key and permanent role in efficiently preventing the development of essential hypertension, and that Pin1 may be a promising early-diagnostic biomarker as well as an effective therapeutic drug for the early-diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of essential hypertension, potentially decreasing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To analyze the composition of the Chinese herbal medicine Sanjie Zhentong Capsule (SJZTC) and test the therapeutic efficacy of each component in a rat model of endometriosis., Methods: A rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) method coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS) has been developed for the analysis of SJZTC. Two main ingredients, Drac(h)onis sanguis and saponin, were tested in the endometriosis model. Sixty Lewis female rats were in the estrous cycle stage when endometriosis was experimentally initiated by peritoneal implantation of endometrial tissue. Four weeks later, a second laparotomy was performed and implant volumes were measured. After that, the implanted rats were randomized into five study groups: control group (treatment with saline), anastrozole group (treatment with anastrole, 18 μg per day), loureirin A group (treated with loureirin A, 97.2 mg), ginsenoside Re group (treated with ginsenoside Re, 64.8 mg), and SJZTC groups (treated with SJZTC, 86.4 mg) administered once a day for 4 weeks via gastric gavage. After four weeks of treatment, a third laparotomy was performed, implant volumes were re-measured, and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were tested., Results: A total of 38 compounds including, both the target and unknown compounds, were rapidly predicted in the capsule extract by the developed method. Compared with the control group, the anastrozole group, loureirin A group, ginsenoside Re group, and SJZTC treated group showed smaller implant volumes, as well as lower levels of VEGF and TNF-α in the peritoneal focus (P < 0.01 for all comparisons). Furthermore, parameters in the groups treated with SJZTC, loureirin A and ginsenoside Re were significantly better than the control group and the anastrozole group. These results indicate that SJZTC and its two main components are effective in reducing the development of endometriosis., (Copyright © 2013 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A new molecular mechanism is proposed to explain the opposite effects of fever on cancers and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The proposal is based on the experimental discovery that the fever stress interferes the structure and the activity of Pin1, which plays uniquely opposite roles in the pathogenesis of cancers and AD. Pin1 is the only known cis-trans isomerase that specifically isomerizes the pSer/pThr-Pro motifs in proteins, facilitating kinds of signaling pathways. The up-regulation of Pin1 can amplify multiple oncogenic signaling pathways, resulting in cancers, while the down-regulation of Pin1 can cause many pathological characteristics of AD. Recently, we found that Pin1 is sensitive to heat treatment, and heating can gradually damage both of the structure and the function of Pin1. So, we hypothesize that the fever stress, which is usually induced by febrile diseases or hyperthermia treatment, may lead to the damaged structure of Pin1 and the decreased activity of it in vivo, resulting in the decreased risk of cancers and the increased risk of AD. Numerous epidemiological and experimental researches on cancers and AD support the hypothesis. The hypothesis not only provides new insights into the opposite effects of fever on cancers and AD, but also gives new clues for understanding the interacting effects of the environmental and the genetic factors in the complicated pathogenesis of cancers and AD., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

ARHI is a Ras-related imprinted tumor-suppressor gene that inhibits cancer cell growth and motility. ARHI is downregulated in the majority of ovarian cancer cells, and promoter methylation is considered to be associated with its loss of expression. however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the specific functions of ARHI and its methylation in ovarian cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, we examined the possible role of acetylated STAT3 in modulating the expression of ARHI and its methylation. In accordance with the majority of previous studies, reduced ARHI expression was found in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues and cancer cell lines as indicated by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. In addition, CpG islands I and II within ARHI promoter regions were partially methylated or hypermethylated in cancer cell lines (SKOV-3 and HO-8910) as analyzed by pyrosequencing assays, resulting in enhanced proliferation of the cancer cells. This proliferation was reversed by the administration of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Subsequently, we demonstrated that STAT3 acetylation was increased in HO-8910 cells, and the methylation status of CpG I was altered in response to the acetylation of STAT3 using western blotting. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and IP analysis indicated that acetylated STAT3 bound to the ARHI promoter and recruited DNA methyltransferase 1 for genetic modification. In conclusion, acetylated STAT3-induced promoter gene methylation accounts for the loss of ARHI expression and cancer cell proliferation.

Because of the proposed importance of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase (COX) decrease in Alzheimer's disease (AD) , the protective effect of Shenwu capsule on mitochondrial deficiency model rats and its pharmacological mechanism were investigated in present study. Rats were administered with azide at 1 mg . kg-1 . h-1 subcutaneously via an Alzet minipump for 30 days. Tweny-four hours after the operation, the rats were administered intragastrically by Shenwu capsule with the dose of 0. 45, 0. 9 and 1. 8 g . kg-1 . d-1 for one month. Then learning-memory ability was determined by the watermaze test and passive avoidance tests. The activity of choline-acetyl-transfertase(ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in hippocampus and cortex of rats were measured by radiochemical method and hydroxylamine colorimetry separately. M-cholinergic receptor binding ability (M-binding) was assayed by radio binding. Chronic infusion of sodium azide via minipump induced learning-memory deficiency of rats. Both ChAT activity and M-binding decreased in hippocampus and cortex of model rats, however, the activity of AChE increased in hippocampus and was not affected at the cortex. As the result, the cholinergic function of the brain decreased in model rats. Shenwu capsule significantly improved learning and memory ability and the mechanism may be related with the improved cholinergic function in model brain: ChAT activity and M-binding significantly increased in Shenwu treated groups compared with model group; and the increased activity of AChE in hippocampus returned to normal. Mitochondria, especially mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase, may play the key role in the early event of AD. Chronic, partial in vivo inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase in rats provides a suitable model mimicking several aspects of AD. Shenwu capsule indicate effectiveness in AD-like mitochondrial deficiency model rats, so it would be applied in the treatment of AD.

Chiral diols with three contiguous stereocenters were synthesized by a highly enantioselective ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic α,α'-disubstituted cycloketones involving dynamic kinetic resolution. This new catalytic asymmetric method provides a concise route to the alkaloid (+)-γ-lycorane., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Aim. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cornel iridoid glycoside (CIG) on tau hyperphosphorylation induced by wortmannin (WT) and GF-109203X (GFX) and the underlying mechanisms. Methods. Human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells were preincubated with CIG (50, 100, and 200 µg/ml, resp.) for 24 h and then exposed to 10 µM WT and 10 µM GFX for 3 h after washing out CIG. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the microtubular cytoskeleton of the cultured cells. Western blotting was used to measure the phosphorylation level of tau protein, glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (GSK-3 β ), and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). The activity of PP2A was detected by a biochemical assay. Results. Preincubation of CIG significantly attenuated the WT/GFX-induced tau hyperphosphorylation at the sites of Thr205, Thr212, Ser214, Thr217, Ser396, and PHF-1 and improved the damage of morphology and microtubular cytoskeleton of the cells. CIG did not prevent the decrease in p-AKT-ser473 and p-GSK-3 β -ser9 induced by WT/GFX. However, CIG significantly elevated the activity of PP2A by reducing the demethylation of PP2A catalytic subunit (PP2Ac) at Leu309 and the ratio of PME-1/LCMT in the WT/GFX-treated cells. The results suggest that CIG may be beneficial to the treatment of AD.

Objective: To investigate the value of detection of fetal cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) in maternal plasma in the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities., Methods: The plasma from 3200 gravidas (singleton with 20.3 ± 3.8 gestational weeks) was collected from April 1(st) 2011 to May 30(th) 2012. They were divided into 3 groups: (1) To tally 1720 cases were included in the high-risk serological screening group, in which women were younger than 35 years and got high-risk results in serological screening; (2) To tally 1310 cases were included in the advanced age group, in which women's age was more than 35 years; (3) To tally 170 cases were included in the supplementary group, in which women were younger than 35 years and got low-risk results in serological screening, or women who didn't take serological screening tests. All the 3030 gravidas in group 1 and 2 didn't take invasive prenatal diagnosis because of fear of abortion or short of prenatal diagnosis. Cff-DNA were detected by next generation sequencing in Shenzhen BGI Genomics Center for clinical laboratory. Amniocentesis and karyotype analysis were provided to the positive cases and women with negative results were followed-up by telephone., Results: (1) The 3200 cases took cff-DNA detection, and 31 cases got positive results, including 27 cases of trisomy 21 and 4 cases of trisomy 18. Sixteen cases of trisomy 21 and 1 case of trisomy 18 were in the high-risk serological screening group. 7 cases of trisomy 21 and 2 cases of trisomy 18 were in the advanced age group. Four cases of trisomy 21 and 1 case of trisomy 18 were in the supplementary group. (2) And the 84% (26/31) cff-DNA detecting positive cases received amniocentesis. In the 27 trisomy 21 positive cases, 23 received amniocentesis and got karyotype of 47XN, +21, with the diagnostic accordance rate of 100%. In the 4 cases who didn't take karyotype analysis, fetal anomaly (ventricular septal defect, dextrocardia and choroid plexus cyst) was found in 1 case before 20 gestational weeks; intrauterine fetal demise happened in 1 case before getting the result; 2 other cases who already had healthy children took abortion in the local hospital without taking amniocentesis. In the 4 trisomy 18 positive cases, 3 took amniocentesis, 2 of which were trisomy 18 and took abortion, the other was chimera (46, XN/47, XN, +18) with only 2% cells of trisomy 18, with no malformation found after delivery. Hypoevolutism (3 weeks less than gestational week), general hydropsy and intrauterine fetal demise happened before the other case took amniocentesis. (3) Follow up of cff-DNA negative cases:until May 30(th) 2012, no Down's baby was found in the 1230 cases with cff-DNA test negative results., Conclusions: (1) The non-invasive fetal trisomy test (NIFTY) by next generation sequencing is a safe, accurate and high throughput method for the prenatal diagnosis of trisomy-21. (2) Use NIFTY as a further screening for pregnant women with high-risk serological screening results could lower invasive prenatal diagnosis rate. (3) Cases with positive NIFTY test results should receive amniocentesis and karyotype analysis to confirm the diagnosis before abortion.

A continuous cotton-like carbon nanotube fiber yarn, consisting of multiple threads of high purity double walled carbon nanotubes, was fabricated in a horizontal CVD gas flow reactor with water vapor densification by the direct chemical vapor deposition spinning process. The water vapor interaction leads to homogeneous shrinking of the CNT sock-like assembly in the gas flow. This allows well controlled continuous winding of the dense thread inside the reactor. The CNT yarn is quite thick (1-3 mm), has a highly porous structure (99%) while being mechanically strong and electrically conductive. The water vapor interaction leads to homogeneous oxidation of the CNTs, offering the yarn oxygen-functionalized surfaces. The unique structure and surface of the CNT yarn provide it multiple processing advantages and properties. It can be mechanically engineered into a dense yarn, infiltrated with polymers to form a composite and mixed with other yarns to form a blend, as demonstrated in this research. Therefore, this CNT yarn can be used as a "basic yarn" for various CNT based structural and functional applications.

An electrically conductive and electrochemically active composite paper of graphene nanosheet (GNS) coated cellulose fibres was fabricated via a simple paper-making process of dispersing chemically synthesized GNS into a cellulose pulp, followed by infiltration. The GNS nanosheet was deposited onto the cellulose fibers, forming a coating, during infiltration. It forms a continuous network through a bridge of interconnected cellulose fibres at small GNS loadings (3.2 wt%). The GNS/cellulose paper is as flexible and mechanically tough as the pure cellulose paper. The electrical measurements show the composite paper has a sheet resistance of 1063 Ω□(-1) and a conductivity of 11.6 S m(-1). The application of the composite paper as a flexible double layer supercapacitor in an organic electrolyte (LiPF(6)) displays a high capacity of 252 F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1) with respect to GNS. Moreover, the paper can be used as the anode in a lithium battery, showing distinct charge and discharge performances. The simple process for synthesising the GNS functionalized cellulose papers is attractive for the development of high performance papers for electrical, electrochemical and multifunctional applications.

In order to understand the genetic difference and phylogenic relationship within and among the Fusarium species in Section Martiella, the genetic diversity of 21 Fusarium strains in the section was examined by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR). Fifteen selected ISSR primers were adopted to do amplification, and a total of 239 bands were amplified, among which, 230 (96.2%) were polymorphic, with an average of 15.3 polymorphic bands per primer. The genetic similarity ranged from 0.494 to 0.933, with an average of 0.640. All the test strains were clustered into two groups at genetic similarity of 0.593. The strains 1-17 were grouped into IG-I, belonging to Fusarium solani and F. solani var. coeruleum, while the strains 18-21 were grouped into IG-II, belonging to F. ventricosum. All the 21 strains could be entirely distinguished at genetic similarity of 0. 933. The SSR loci in the Fusarium genomes were rich in polymorphism. The ISSR grouping had definite correlation with the species classification, but less correlation with the geographic origin of the strains. Within the same ISSR groups, there existed definite correlation between the genetic similarity and the geographic origin of the strains. Within the same species collected from the same regions and same host plants, there existed definite genetic difference among the strains of the same species.

Transparent luminescent bulk nanocomposites of polysiloxane (PSO) embedded with semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) have been fabricated by the direct dispersion of CdS NCs in alkyl-(poly)siloxane (APS) followed by co-polymerization. The non-polar characteristics of the APS precursor are compatible with the CdS NC surface (oleylamine), which allows the direct dispersion of the CdS NCs without the need of any surfactant exchange. Chemical crosslinking of the NC-APS dispersion via hydrosilylation between Si-H and the vinyl group in APS immobilizes the CdS NCs in the polysiloxane network. Net-shaped three-dimensional bulk transparent polysiloxane/CdS NC composites were obtained by liquid casting of the NC-precursor dispersion and chemical crosslinking. The PSO/CdS NC composites show visible luminescence under ultraviolet excitation and the luminescent color is tunable from blue to red by controlling the NC concentration in the composite. Photoluminescence spectral analyses reveal the origin of the luminescence as being from the defect emission of the CdS NCs (550-900 nm) and an emission from the PSO matrix (380-550 nm). The luminescent spectra covered a wide range from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared region. The luminescence of the PSO/CdS NC nanocomposites was stable without any apparent degradation after exposure to air for a long time. This simple direct dispersion process is feasible for the fabrication of luminescent nanocomposites with useful optical properties for potential applications in optics and photoelectron devices.

Although human amniotic fluid is an attractive source of multipotent stem cells, the potential of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) to differentiate into hepatic cells has not been extensively evaluated. In this study, we examined whether human AFSCs can differentiate into a hepatic cell lineage in vitro and in vivo. After being treated with cytokines (fibroblast growth factor 4, basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and oncostatin), AFSCs developed a morphology similar to that of hepatocytes. RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analysis showed that the treated AFSCs expressed the hepatocyte-specific markers albumin, cytokeratin 18, and alpha-fetoprotein. The differentiated cells also developed hepatocyte-specific functions, i.e., they secreted albumin, absorbed indocyanine green, and stored glycogen. When transplanted into CCl(4)-injured immunodeficient mice, undifferentiated AFSCs were integrated into the liver tissue, and they expressed markers characteristic of mature human hepatocytes. Although integration of AFSCs into the liver was limited (0.1-0.3% of hepatocytes), histological analysis showed that the recipient mice recovered more rapidly from CCl(4) injury than CCl(4)-injured mice that did not receive AFSCs. AFSCs can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro and in vivo and can represent an easily accessible source of progenitor cells for hepatocyte regeneration and liver cell transplantation.

Controlled placement of carbon nanotubes is important for carbon-based nanodevice assembly. However, it is difficult to manipulate individual nanotubes because of their extremely small dimensions. Ultra-fine tubes are often in the form of bundles and are hard to efficiently move on a surface due to the strong adhesion among themselves and between the tubes and the substrate. This paper presents a novel manipulation approach of individual double-walled carbon nanotubes encased in a thick amorphous carbon shell. With an atomic force microscope, we are able to freely displace the nanotubes within a casing shell, and unpack it from the shell on a silicon surface. The theoretical analysis demonstrates that the unpacking process is determined by the difference of the static friction between the shell and the substrate and the resistance force between the shell and the embedded nanotube.

Deformation mechanisms of carbon nanotube (CNT) fibres under tensile loading are studied by means of in situ Raman spectroscopy to detect the CNT deformation and stress distributions in the fibres. The G' band in the Raman spectrum responds distinctly to the tensile stress in Raman shift, width and intensity. The G' band changes with the tensile deformation of the fibre at different stages, namely elastic deformation, strengthening and damage-fracture. It is deduced that the individual CNTs only deform elastically without obvious damage or bond breaking. The yield and fracture of fibres can be due to the slippage among the CNTs.

Objective: To establish the genetic test technique of trisomy 21 concurrently conducts with prenatal diagnosis for hereditary hearing loss., Methods: Fifty-four pregnant women who underwent prenatal diagnosis for hearing loss of their fetuses in Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from March 2009 to May 2010 were enrolled in this study. All probands from the deaf families have confirmed the causative mutation for hearing loss in Genetic Testing Center in Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital. The mean age of 54 pregnant women is 31 years at pregnancy of 18 - 26 weeks, 5 cases > pregnancy of 23 weeks, 9 cases ≥ 35 years. All subjects did not conduct the serologic tests for trisomy 21 before. Fifteen to twenty ml amniotic fluid was drawn from 49 cases at pregnancy of 18 - 23 weeks and 5 cases > pregnancy of 23 weeks. One to two ml umbilical blood was drawn from 5 cases > pregnancy of 23 weeks. For 9 cases ≥ 35 years, amniotic fluid cell culture and karyotyping analysis were conducted concurrently. A multiple quantitative fluorescent (QF) PCR and six microsatellite markers were applied to diagnosis trisomy 21. The samples with peaks of 1:1:1 or 2:1 at two microsatellite markers can be diagnosed as trisomy 21., Results: (1) Fifty-four fetuses were successfully conducted prenatal genetic diagnosis for hearing loss (included GJB2 and SLC26A4). Ten fetuses copied the exactly same genotypes as the probands. The other 44 cases fetuses did not copy the same genotypes as the probands and won't develop hearing loss. The hearing test showed normal hearing for the neonates. (2) All the 54 fetuses were excluded of trisomy 21 by QF-PCR and were verified after birth. Five fetuses with advanced maternal age were performed karyotyping analysis and showed normal. The diagnostic results of QF-PCR can be obtained in 1-3 days without misdiagnosed., Conclusions: QF-PCR is an efficient, rapid and accurate technique for detection of trisomy 21 without increasing sample amount. It can be used for fetuses who were undertaken hearing loss gene test or other prenatal gene test.

Objective: To investigate the expression of the anti-oncogene ARHI in the endometriotic tissue and explore its clinical significance., Methods: A semiquantitative analysis of the expression of ARHI mRNA and protein in the ectopic and eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis was conducted using RT-PCR and Western blotting in comparison with that in the endometrium of women without endometriosis. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were performed for semi qualitative analysis and localization of ARHI expression., Results: The expression levels of ARHI mRNA and protein differed significantly between the groups. ARHI was expressed at significantly higher levels in ectopic endometrium than in eutopic and normal endometrium (P<0.005), but showed no significant difference between the latter two tissues (Pgt;0.05). The positivity rate ARHI DNA was 97.3% in the endometrium of women without endometriosis, 100% in the ectopic endometrium and 93.8% in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. immunohistochemistry showed an ARHI positivity of 93.2% in the endometrium of women without endometriosis, 100% in the ectopic endometrium and 92.3% in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. The expression patterns of ARHI DNA and protein were consistent. Immunohistochemistry in 5 cases of malignant endometriosis showed negative ARHI expression in 4 cases and weak positivity in 1 case., Conclusion: ARHI expressions are present in the endometrium and up-regulated in ectopic endometrium, whereas in the ectopic endometrium of patients with malignant endometriosis its expression is often negative, suggesting a role of ARHI in infertility and tumorigenesis of endometriosis.

Two previous studies have reported that pu-erh tea contains a high level of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and has several physiological functions. However, two other researchers have demonstrated that the GABA content of several pu-erh teas was low. Due to the high value and health benefits of GABA, analysis of mass-produced pu-erh tea is necessary to determine whether it is actually enriched with GABA. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of GABA in tea, the results of which were verified by amino acid analysis using an Amino Acid Analyzer (AAA). A total of 114 samples of various types of Chinese tea, including 62 pu-erh teas, 13 green teas, 8 oolong teas, 8 black teas, 3 white teas, 4 GABA teas, and 16 process samples from two industrial fermentations of pu-erh tea (including the raw material and the first to seventh turnings), were analyzed using HPLC. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the GABA content in pu-erh tea was significantly lower than that in other types of tea (p < 0.05) and that the GABA content decreased during industrial fermentation of pu-erh tea (p < 0.05). This mass analysis and comparison suggested GABA was not a major bioactive constituent and resolved the disagreement GABA content in pu-erh tea. In addition, the GABA content in white tea was found to be significantly higher than that in the other types of tea (p < 0.05), leading to the possibility of producing GABA-enriched white tea.

In this study we have established a technique of multiple quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) for prenatal diagnosis of common chromosomal abnormality using multiple short tandem repeat markers (STR-marker) on chromosomes 21 and 18 with the DNA samples from 20 cases of Down's syndrome, 3 cases of trisomy 18 and 40 cases normal controls. The technique established was applied in prenatal diagnosis in 165 clinical cases and 4 cases of newborn infants with digestive tract obstruction. The result this technique was compared with the results of karyotyping. Four cases of trisomy 21 and 1 case of trisomy 18 were identified among 169 samples, which was completely concordant with the results of karyotyping. All clinical samples were diagnosed in 1-3 days without misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. Five cases were diagnosed by QF-PCR only due to the failure of karyotyping. Twenty-two cases of fetuses with structure malformation indicated by B-ultrasonography were subjected to karyotyping. One case of 45, X and 1 case of 47, XXY were identified. In conclusion, QF-PCR technique is rapid and accurate for the detection of trisomy 21 and trisomy 18. It is suitable for prenatal diagnosis of common chromosomal abnormality for pregnant women with advanced ages who were identified as having a high risk by serum screening. QF-PCR technique combined with karyotyping can provide better service for clinical demanding of prenatal diagnosis.

Because the activation of telomerase is a relatively early event in the progression of cervical carcinogenesis, the expression of the human telomerase RNA gene, TERC, has the potential to serve as a biomarker for both the diagnosis and prognosis of cervical neoplasias. In total, 83 research centers participated in the study, and 7786 patients were enrolled. TERC amplification was detected using a dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe set, and these results were compared with cytological and histological results, testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA (n = 2316 for the HPV DNA test), as well as patient age. TERC amplification was found to be increased in more advanced cases of cervical carcinogenesis. Moreover, a Youden's index value and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were also calculated for samples with TERC amplification and found to be higher than the same values calculated for both cytology and high-risk HPV analyses of the same samples. With regard to cytological ASCUS and LSIL findings, the combination of HPV + TERC testing showed the potential to provide effective triaging to detect CIN2(+). Therefore, TERC amplification represents a valuable genetic biomarker, which in combination with an evaluation of cytology or HPV testing, can achieve higher sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing high-grade cervical lesions and invasive cancers from low-grade lesions compared with conventional methods.

Objective: To culture rabbit endometrial cells by using sex steroids to provide adequate seeding cells for endometrium reconstruction and uterine tissue engineering., Design: Prospective experimental study., Setting: Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Academy of Military Medical Sciences., Animal(s): New Zealand rabbit and Kunming white strain mice., Intervention(s): Rabbits were primed with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and hCG. Endometrial cells were cultured with E(2) and P(4) of different concentrations. The endometrium was reconstructed by using endometrial cells as seeding cells and collagen-basement membrane matrix as scaffolds., Main Outcome Measure(s): Assay with 93-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometric analysis, hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining, and developmental rate of embryos., Result(s): The expression patterns of estrogen receptor and P receptor of rabbit endometrium were different before and after treatment with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin-hCG. One hundred nanomolar E(2) with 10 nmol/L P(4) facilitated the proliferation of epithelial cells whereas 100 nmol/L P(4) facilitated that of stromal cells. The epithelial cells could be stable if cultured for seven or eight passages. Cells in the epithelial layer of the reconstructed endometrium were cytokeratin positive. Some showed columnar morphology akin to the luminal epithelium in vivo. Reconstructed endometrium could improve the developmental rate and quality of one-cell mice embryos., Conclusion(s): Rabbit endometrial cells could be cultured with a long-standing proliferation capability by sex steroids and applied in uterine tissue engineering. Reconstructed endometrium with proliferated endometrial cells was akin to native endometrium in structure and function., (Copyright 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A novel brush-like electrode based on carbon nanotube (CNT) nano-yarn fiber has been designed for electrochemical biosensor applications and its efficacy as an enzymatic glucose biosensor demonstrated. The CNT nano-yarn fiber was spun directly from a chemical-vapor-deposition (CVD) gas flow reaction using a mixture of ethanol and acetone as the carbon source and an iron nano-catalyst. The fiber, 28 microm in diameter, was made of bundles of double walled CNTs (DWNTs) concentrically compacted into multiple layers forming a nano-porous network structure. Cyclic voltammetry study revealed a superior electrocatalytic activity for CNT fiber compared to the traditional Pt-Ir coil electrode. The electrode end tip of the CNT fiber was freeze-fractured to obtain a unique brush-like nano-structure resembling a scale-down electrical 'flex', where glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme was immobilized using glutaraldehyde crosslinking in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). An outer epoxy-polyurethane (EPU) layer was used as semi-permeable membrane. The sensor function was tested against a standard reference electrode. The sensitivities, linear detection range and linearity for detecting glucose for the miniature CNT fiber electrode were better than that reported for a Pt-Ir coil electrode. Thermal annealing of the CNT fiber at 250 degrees C for 30 min prior to fabrication of the sensor resulted in a 7.5 fold increase in glucose sensitivity. The as-spun CNT fiber based glucose biosensor was shown to be stable for up to 70 days. In addition, gold coating of the electrode connecting end of the CNT fiber resulted in extending the glucose detection limit to 25 microM. To conclude, superior efficiency of CNT fiber for glucose biosensing was demonstrated compared to a traditional Pt-Ir sensor.

Objective: To establish a diagnostic model of endometriosis by analyzing serum peptidome patterns in patients with endometriosis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS)., Methods: Serum samples from 21 endometriosis patients and 29 healthy control subjects were analyzed using MALDI-TOF-MS and Clinprotools 2.0 software to establish the diagnostic model of endometriosis, which was validated using the serum samples from 10 endometriosis patients and 15 healthy controls., Results: Eighteen statistically significant peptide peaks were obtained with the m/z value ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 (P<0.01). Among the peaks, 12 were down-regulated and 6 up-regulated. The sensitivity and specificity of the model was 90.9% and 100.0%, respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 96.2%., Conclusion: This model shows the feasibility of using MALDI-TOF-MS and Clinprotools software to identify the biomarkers of endometriosis.

Objective: To discuss the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) upon matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in the atherosclerotic processes in rabbit carotid., Methods: The atherosclerotic models were generated in vitro by injuring rabbit internal carotid with arterial canal balloon. These rabbits were divided into 3 groups (15 mg/kg NAC, 30 mg/kg NAC and control group) and treated for 8 weeks. HE staining and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the plaque formation and the distribution of MMPs and ox-LDL. ELISA was used to detect the level of ox-LDL. And the protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rabbit venous blood were detected by SDS PAGE zymography. The mRNA level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by RT-PCR and electrophoresis., Results: As compared with the control group, NAC (15 mg/kg) group had a reduction of neointima of arterial lumen [(1.79 +/- 0.24) vs (2.78 +/- 0.17) mm2]. A decrease of endothelial thickness [(0.16 +/- 0.01) vs (0.24 +/- 0.02) mm2] and an increase of vascular cavity transverse [(0.58 +/- 0.10) vs (0.33 +/- 0.1) mm2] (P < 0.05) were observed. At week 8, the oxLDL levels decreased by 16% in NAC (30 mg/kg) group [(30.5 +/- 1.2) vs (36.2 +/- 1.8) mmol/L] (P < 0.01). Serum levels of pro-MMP-2, MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 decreased markedly [INT/mm2: (311 +/- 19, 208 +/- 8, 283 +/- 7 vs 619 +/- 17, 574 +/- 8, 564 +/- 10) respectively, P < 0.01] in NAC (30 mg/kg) group. The levels of mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were (2.4 +/- 0.4, 2.8 +/- 0.2) vs (3.4 +/- 0.3, 3.7 +/- 0.5) respectively (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: NAC inhibits the atherosclerotic formation, suppresses the levels of ox-LDL, MMP-9 and MMP-2 and downgrades the expression of matrix metalloproteinase mRNA.

Objective: To investigate the effects of different culture conditions on the isolation and expansion of stem cells from second-trimester amniotic fluids., Methods: Amniotic fluids were obtained from 15 pregnant women undergone amniocenteses for medical indications between 16 - 24 gestation weeks by transabdominal amniocenteses from September 2007 to June 2008. Amniotic fluids (10 - 20 ml) samples were collected and each was cultured under different conditions or groups. (1) Low-glucose DMEM (LD) medium supplemented with 10% of fetal bovine serum (group of 10%FBS); (2) LD medium with 20% of FBS (group of 20%FBS); (3) LD medium with 15% of FBS and 4 ng/ml of basic fibroblast growth factor (group of bFGF); (4) LD medium with 10% of FBS as well as the culture plate coated with gelatin (group of gelatin). The effects of different conditions were evaluated by comparing the number of primary colonies, the cell morphology and the ability of expansion. The isolated stem cells were identified by flow cytometry, RT-PCR and differentiation ability to adipocyte., Results: (1) The success rates of primary culture of the group of 10%FBS, 20%FBS, bFGF and gelatin were 60%, 73%, 73% and 60% respectively (P > 0.05). The numbers of colonies were 0.9 +/- 0.5, 2.6 +/- 1.5, 2.9 +/- 1.5, 1.1 +/- 0.8 (P < 0.01 when group of 10%FBS and gelatin compared with group of 20%FBS and bFGF); among the primary colonies, fibroblast-like colonies accounted for 46%, 49%, 64%, 44% respectively (P > 0.05). (2) The second passage cells obtained from all of these four groups could differentiate into adipocyte after induction. (3) In the group of bFGF, stem cells were isolated from 5 samples and expanded to nearly 10(7) cells after 5 passages (P < 0.01 compared with other groups). (4) Karyotype were normal in all samples. (5) Stem cells from bFGF group showed positive expression of SSEA-4, Oct-4 and Nanog gene detected by flow cytometry and RT-PCR., Conclusion: Stem cells can be isolated from second-trimester amniotic fluids; moderate serum concentration and supplementation of bFGF can improve the efficiency of isolation and expansion of amniotic fluid of stem cells.

Cell surface glycosylation patterns are markers of cell type and status. However, the mechanisms regulating surface glycosylation patterns remain unknown. Using a panel of carbohydrate markers, we have shown that cell surface sialylation and fucosylation are upregulated in L1-transfected embryonic stem cells (L1-ESCs). Consistently, the mRNA levels of sialyltransferase ST6Gal1 and ST3Gal4, and fucosyltransferase FUT9 were significantly increased in L1-transfected ESCs. Activation of L1 signaling promoted cell survival and inhibited cell proliferation. ShRNAs knocking down FUT9, ST6Gal1 and ST3Gal4 blocked these effects. A phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) inhibitor and shRNA reduced ST6Gal1, ST3Gal4 and FUT9 mRNA levels in the L1-ESCs. Thus, embryonic stem cell surface sialylation and fucosylation are regulated via PLCgamma by L1, with which they cooperate to modulate cell survival and proliferation.

Objective: To investigate the distribution of ER isoforms in endometriosis and eutopic endometrium., Methods: Tissue samples of patients with ovarian endometriosis, treated in People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2004 to December 2006, were retrieved. A total of 60 cases of ovarian endometriotic cysts with their corresponding eutopic endometrium (30 cases of proliferation phase and 30 of secretary phase eutopic endometrium) and 30 cases of normal endometrium (15 proliferative and 15 secretary phase endometrial samples respectively) were included. Expressions of ERalpha and ERbeta were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and the expression ratio was statistically analyzed by using SPSS 12.0 software., Results: Expressions of both ERalpha and ERbeta in epithelial cells were positively correlated with that of the stromal cells. The expression of ERalpha in eutopic endometrium (73.3% in epithelium and 76.7% in stroma) was significantly higher than that in ovarian endometriotic cysts (43.3% in epithelium and 46.7% in stroma), or normal control (56.7% in epithelium and 50.0% in stroma, respectively, each P < 0.05. However, the expression of ERbeta (90.0% in epithelium and 76.7% in stroma) was higher in ovarian endometriotic cysts than that in the eutopic endometrium (68.0% in epithelium and 63.3% in stroma respectively, P < 0.05), and ERbeta expression in eutopic endometrium was higher than that in the normal control endometrium (36.7% in epithelium and 26.7% in stroma, respectively, P < 0.05). The expressions of both ERalpha and ERbeta changed periodically in eutopic and normal endometrium, whereas ERalpha and ERbeta level were less variable in the ectopic endometrium. The expression of ERbeta was statistically higher than that of ERalpha (P < 0.05) in ectopic endometrium, whereas no significant difference was seen between the two isoforms in the eutopic or normal endometrium., Conclusions: Both ERalpha and ERbeta have higher expression levels in eutopic endometrium of patients with ovarian endometriotic cysts. ERbeta is predominantly expressed in endometriotic cysts, where the expression of ERalpha is limited. The different distribution of ERalpha and ERbeta may play an important role in the development of ovarian endometriosis.

Objective: To study the effects of lipid rafts on cell signal transmembrane transduction mediated by c-Met., Methods: After HepG2Cells were treated with MbCD to disrupt the lipid rafts and were treated with artificial recombination hepatocyte growth factor to activate c-Met, the activities of PLCr1/PKC, PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways in HepG2 cells were analyzed using Western blot., Results: (1) After disruption of lipid rafts with MbCD, phosphorylation of PLCr1 decreased by 35% (P = 0.022); the content of PLCr in the cytoplasm increased by 1.75 fold (P = 0.017); PLCr1 conjugated with membrane decreased by 30% (P = 0.037). (2) The content of PKB in the cytosol decreased by 38% (P = 0.028), and the phosphorylation level of PKB conjugated with membrane decreased by 14% (P = 0.041). At the same time, PDK translocation from cytosol to the plasma membrane and its activation were inhibited by treatment with MbCD. (3) Treatment with MbCD had no significant effect on ErK/MAPK, p38/MAPK and JNK/MAPK signaling pathways., Conclusion: Disruption of lipid rafts with MbCD inhibits the activation of PLCr1/PKC and PI3K/PKB signaling pathways by HGF/cMet, but has no effect on MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective: To evaluate the biological safety of compound galvano-ceramic bridge by measuring the consistency of released nickel ion of the galvano-form slices cohered with Ni-Cr alloy slice specimens which were immersed in artificial saliva., Methods: Specimens were divided into five groups with four tests and one control. Test specimens were made into the structure like rectangle sandwich that one side of Ni-Cr alloy was cohered to the center surface of galvano golden base of 0.2 mm and another side was fused porcelain with the thickness of 0.3 mm (group A), 0.5 mm (group B), 1.0 mm (group C), and 0.3 mm (group D). And the Ni-Cr alloys were totally embedded in galvano golden base and firing porcelain. Naked Ni-Cr alloy was taken as control. Group D was immersed into acid artificial saliva (AS) with high fluoride, while others were in acid AS at 37 degrees C for 120 h. Then the consistency of released nickel ion in the solution was measured with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES)., Results: Nickel ions detected in the artificial saliva for the groups A, B, C, and D in acid AS with or without high fluoride were all under 0.005 mg/L Significant differences were found between each test group and the control [(0.65 +/- 0.45) mg/L]., Conclusions: Galvano-ceramic bridge, Ni-Cr alloy bridge with fused porcelain and golden base, shows biological safety responsible for the consistency of released nickel ion.

Background: Cell surface glycosylation patterns are markers of cell type and status. However, the mechanisms regulating surface glycosylation patterns remain unknown., Methodology/principal Findings: Using a panel of carbohydrate surface markers, we have shown that cell surface sialylation and fucosylation were downregulated in L1(-/y) neurons versus L1(+/y) neurons. Consistently, mRNA levels of sialyltransferase ST6Gal1, and fucosyltransferase FUT9 were significantly reduced in L1(-/y) neurons. Moreover, treatment of L1(+/y) neurons with L1 antibodies, triggering signal transduction downstream of L1, led to an increase in cell surface sialylation and fucosylation compared to rat IgG-treated cells. ShRNAs for both ST6Gal1 and FUT9 blocked L1 antibody-mediated enhancement of neurite outgrowth, cell survival and migration. A phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) inhibitor and shRNA, as well as an Erk inhibitor, reduced ST6Gal1 and FUT9 mRNA levels and inhibited effects of L1 on neurite outgrowth and cell survival., Conclusions: Neuronal surface sialylation and fucosylation are regulated via PLCgamma by L1, modulating neurite outgrowth, cell survival and migration.

Background: Direct and indirect evidences have suggested that angiogenesis is a prerequisite for the development of endometriosis. Aiming at offering experimental evidences for anti-angiogenesis therapy, we transplanted the eutopic endometrium from patient with endometriosis into the severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) mice, to evaluate the effect of the endostatin on the growth and angiogenesis of the established endometriosis lesions in SCID mice model., Methods: Eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis was transplanted into the SCID mice. The mice were randomized into treatment (n = 10) and control groups (n = 10). Two weeks after the implantation of endometrium fragment, the treatment group was injected with recombinant human endostatin YH-16 into the peritoneal cavity (2 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)), whereas the control group received equivalent volume of PBS (200 microl/d). The volume of endometriotic lesions in SCID mice was measured every three days, and all the treatment lasted for 14 days. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine microvessel density (MVD) and the expression of VEGF. The results were analyzed by t test and chi(2) test to value the treating effect., Results: Compared with the control group, growth of endometriosis lesion was reduced in the mice treated with YH-16. Statistically significant differences in the volume and weight of the ectopic lesions were observed between the treatment and the control groups (P < 0.05). Microscopical examination showed that after being treated with YH-16, the volume of the endometrial tissues decreased, the glands depauperated, and the glandular epithelium partially degenerated. Necrotic debris was observed in the endometrial stroma. MVD and expression of VEGF in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Recombinant human endostatin affects the maintenance and growth of endometriotic tissues by inhibiting angiogenesis and reducing the expression of VEGF in ectopic lesion. The angiostatic agent may be promising as a therapy for endometriosis.

Objectives: To explore the mechanism of CBRH-7919 cell proliferation inhibition by transfecting phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase 2 gene (PEMT2)., Methods: The effects of PEMT2 transfection on phosphorylation and translocation from cytosol to plasma membrane of PLC gamma 1 in cells were studied using SDS-PAGE and Western blot techniques. The phosphorylation and activity of c-Met were determined., Results: After transfection of pemt2, the PLC gamma 1 and phosphorylated PLC gamma 1 conjugated with plasma membrane were decreased by 45% and 27% of that of control cells respectively, and the phosphorylated c-Met was decreased to 32% of that of control cells., Conclusion: Transfection of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase 2 gene can inhibit the phosphorylation and translocation from cytosol to plasma membrane of PLC gamma 1 in cells. At the same time, the autophosphorylation of c-Met was decreased, which suggests that transfection of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase 2 gene can downregulate the c-Met/PLC gamma 1 signaling pathway in CBRH-7919 cells.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of cell proliferation inhibition by transfecting phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase 2 gene (PEMT2)., Methods: The expression and translocation of different isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) in cells were observed with immunocytochemistry and Western blot techniques. The content of diacylglycerol (DAG) was analyzed with high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) technique., Results: Transfection of PEMT2 can inhibit the expression of cPKC alpha, but obviously promotes the expression and translocation from cytosol to plasma membrane of cPKC beta2. At the same time, the content of DAG was decreased in the transfected cells. Expression and translocation of other PKC isoforms were not changed by PEMT2 transfection., Conclusion: Effects of overexpression of PEMT2 on the expression and translocation of different PKC isoforms might be related to the mechanism of cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induced by transfecting PEMT2.

We report on the mechanical properties of fibers consisting of pure carbon nanotube fibers directly spun from an aerogel formed during synthesis by chemical vapor deposition. The continuous withdrawal of product from the gas phase imparts a high commercial potential to the process, either for the production of particularly strong fibers or for the economic production of bulk quantities of carbon nanotubes. Tensile tests were performed on fibers produced from the dissociation of three different hydrocarbons, namely, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and hexane, with a range of iron (catalyst) concentrations. The conditions were chosen to lie within the range known to enable satisfactory continuous spinning, the iron concentration being varied within this range. Increasing proportions of single wall nanotubes were found as the iron concentration was decreased, conditions which also produced fibers of best strength and stiffness. The maximum tensile strength obtained was 1.46 GPa (equivalent to 0.70 N/tex assuming a density of 2.1 g/cm(3)). The experiments indicate that significant improvements in the mechanical properties can be accomplished by optimizing the process conditions.

Objective: To evaluate the changes in the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cervical cancer over the past 50 years, and explore appropriate treatment corresponding to these changes., Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 1557 patients with invasive cervical cancer treated between January, 1955 and December, 2004 were retrospectively analyzed., Results and Conclusions: The average age of cervical cancer onset gradually decreased over the past 50 years, from 56.27+/-8.45 in 1955-1964 to 43.81+/-8.9 years in 1995-2004, whereas the ratio of young (< or =35 years old) patients rose from 3.42% to 24.91%. The ratio of early clinical stage (stages I-II) and non-squamous cancer also steadily increased (P<0.05, respectively). The tumor stage, pathological type and rate of lymph node metastasis were all significantly different among different age groups (P<0.05). In particular, the young (< or =35 years old) group had evidently higher ratios of non-squamous and advanced stage (III-IV) cancers with a higher rate of lymphatic metastasis in comparison with other age groups (P<0.01, respectively). Because of the changes in epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cervical cancer, it is necessary to modify the conventional treatment regimens and explore reasonable therapy corresponding to these changes. Preservation of reproductive endocrine function ought to be fully considered in cervical cancer treatment in women at childbearing age. Neoadjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy is an useful method for cervical cancer treatment at present.

Objective: To explore the potential use of integrin av beta3 (Lm609) monoclonal antibody against ectopic lesion and microvessel angiogenesis of human endometriosis xenografts in SCID mice., Methods: The endometrial tissues from endometriosis patients were inoculated subcutaneously into SCID mouse, which were treated with Lm609, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, twice a week, for 3 weeks. The mice were sacrificed and immunohistochemical staining was employed to determine the microvessel density (MVD) and expression of integrin av beta3 in the lesion tissues., Results: Lm609 inhibited the growth of the ectopic lesion. The lesion weighted 0.82+/-0.09 g in the treated group versus 0.51+/-0.93 g in the control group (P<0.05). The MVDs of the treated and control groups were 31.2+/-4.4 and 14.4+/-1.8 respectively (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Lm609 can inhibit the growth of ectopic lesion by reducing angiogenesis in SCID mouse.

Objective: To study the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (c-Met) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis., Methods: In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry method was used to examine HGF mRNA and protein expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrium obtained from 54 women in reproductive age with endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy and histological examination (including 28 cases of stages I/II and 26 of stages III/IV) and from the endometrium of 24 healthy fertile women., Results: In patients with endometriosis, the positivity rate of HGF/c-Met expression was similar in the eutopic and ectopic endometria, but the number of positive cells and expression intensity were much higher in ectopic endometrium. The positive expression rate varied little between the proliferative and secretory stages of the endometrium. Compare with the healthy controls, patients with endometriosis of stages I/II and III/IV had significantly elevated positivity rate of HGF and c-Met expressions in either eutopic and ectopic endometrium, but without significant difference between the two patient groups (P<0.01). The rate of strong c-Met protein expression was significantly higher in III/IV endometriosis than in the controls, without statistical difference between other groups., Conclusion: The expressions of HGF and c-met gene are correlated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis, which is preceded by eventful changes in the biological behavior of the eutopic endometrium.

Many routes have been developed for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes, but their assembly into continuous fibers has been achieved only through postprocessing methods. We spun fibers and ribbons of carbon nanotubes directly from the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis zone of a furnace using a liquid source of carbon and an iron nanocatalyst. This process was realized through the appropriate choice of reactants, control of the reaction conditions, and continuous withdrawal of the product with a rotating spindle used in various geometries. This direct spinning from a CVD reaction zone is extendable to other types of fiber and to the spin coating of rotating objects in general.

Objective: To establish animal models of endometriosis in rhesus monkeys and study the invasion mechanism of endometriosis., Methods: Five female healthy rhesus monkeys with regular menstrual cycles were selected, of whom 4 were used for endometriosis model establishment and 1 for control. During the period of days 8-15 of menstruation, or 3-5 days after the midcycle estrogen peak, the endometrium was implanted into the pelvic cavity other than the uterus in the experimental group, and in the control group, the greater omentum was implanted instead. Exploratory laparotomy or laparoscopy was performed during the period between days 8 and 15 of menstruation in the second and the fourth month respectively after the implantation for observing the occurrence of endometriosis., Results: In the experimental group, the implanted endometrium survived in the receptor site in 3 monkeys, 2 of whom were found to have chocolate cyst after the operation. Laparoscopy was again performed in the 2 monkeys with endometriosis 4 months after the operation, showing pelvic adhesion and growth of ectopic endometrium similar to the changes as observed two months after the operation. In comparison with the control, deteriorated mental states and dietary changes, along with body weight losses, occurred in the 3 models of endometriosis, and 2 of them later died of intussusception., Conclusions: Animal models of endometriosis can be established successfully in rhesus monkeys on the basis of the implantation theory, which, however, is influenced by individual differences between the animals. Heredity is an important factor in pathogenesis of endometriosis, and ectopic growth of the endometrium may severely impact the body function.

Scatter factor (hepatocyte growth factor, SF/HGF) is a multifunctional polypeptide growth factor that plays an important role in tumor proliferation, angiogenesis and invasiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of HGF in endometriosis and their relationship. Peritoneal fluid and serum samples of 126 women of reproductive age receiving laparoscopy (72 with endometriosis and 54 without endometriosis) were obtained and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure HGF concentrations. The results revealed that the concentrations of HGF were significantly elevated in women with endometriosis stages I/II and III/IV as compared with HGF level in the control group (peritoneal fluid levels of 0.337+/-0.065, 0.458+/-0.160, 0.915+/-0.113, P<0.001; serum level of 0.335+/-0.663, 0.456+/-0.151, 0.907+/-0.170, P<0.001 respectively). A positive correlation was found between peritoneal fluid and serum levels of HGF, which varied little with phases of the menstrual cycle. Comparisons of the women in the same menstrual cycle between the three groups revealed that increased levels of HGF in patients with advanced endometriosis were not attributed to the cycle phase. Our results indicated that the degree of endometriosis was positively correlated with HGF concentration in peritoneal fluid and serum. Therefore, the detection of serum HGF concentration may be useful in classifying endometriosis, and may also help in selecting the optimal treatment methods.

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase 2 (PEMT2) is an isoform of PEMT that converts phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine in mammalian liver. Overexpression of PEMT2 led to inhibition of proliferation of hepatoma cells [J. Biol. Chem. 269 (1994) 24531]. The present study aims to unravel the molecular mechanism of the reduced proliferation, especially the signaling transducer proteins involved in this process. Thus, we chose PI3K/Akt pathway that is initiated by growth factors and leads to cell survival and proliferation. Rat hepatoma CBRH-7919 cells transfected with pemt2-cDNA showed that: (1) signaling proteins including c-Met, PDGF receptor, PI3K, Akt and Bcl-2 all had reduced expression as shown by Western blotting studies; (2) flow cytometric and DNA ladder assays showed that 22.9% of the pemt2-transfected cells were undergoing apoptosis; (3) the activity of Akt was decreased as shown by Western blotting using antibody directed against p-Akt (Thr308); (4) wortmannin and PD98059, inhibitors of PI3K and MEK, respectively, both inhibited Akt activity, indicating that PI3K and MAPK pathways were merging at Akt in CBRH-7919 cells. The above results suggest that overexpression of PEMT2 strongly downregulated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway at multiple sites and induced apoptosis. This, at least partly, explains the molecular mechanism of impaired proliferation induced by pemt2 transfection.