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Background: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an important extracellular signal transmitter and intracellular second messenger in body fluids. It can be detected in the ascitic fluid of patients with ovarian cancer. Increasing evidence shows that LPA can stimulate cancer cell proliferation and promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Our study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of LPA in differentiating between malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) and benign pleural effusions (BPEs) and to evaluate the association between the level of LPA in MPE and the prognosis of lung cancer patients., Patients and Methods: The level of LPA in the pleural effusions (PEs) of 123 patients (94 MPE, 29 BPE) with lung cancer was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The performance of LPA was analyzed by standard Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis methods, using the area under the curve (AUC) as a measure of accuracy. Overall survival (OS) curves and progression-free survival (PFS) curves were based on the Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival differences between subgroups were analyzed using the log-rank or Breslow test (SPSS software). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess whether LPA independently predicted lung cancer survival., Results: The levels of LPA differed significantly between MPE (22.08±8.72 µg/L) and BPE (14.61±5.12 µg/L) (P<0.05). Using a cutoff point of 18.93 µg/L, LPA had a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 83% to distinguish MPEs from BPEs with an AUC of 0.769±0.045 (SE) (P=0.000) (95% CI, 0.68-0.857). In the three pathological types of lung cancer patients with MPE, there were no significant associations between LPA levels and the length of PFS and OS (P=0.58 and 0.186, respectively). Interestingly, in the patients with MPE caused by lung adenocarcinoma there were significant associations between the LPA levels and the PFS and OS (P=0.018 and 0.026, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that the LPA level was an independent prognostic factor for PFS in lung adenocarcinoma., Conclusions: Our results indicate that LPA can be used as a new biomarker for the diagnosis of MPE caused by lung cancer and that higher levels of LPA are related to shorter PFS in adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Objectives: Frequent outbreaks of dengue are considered to be associated with an increased risk for endemicity of the disease. The occurrence of a large number of indigenous dengue cases in consecutive years indicates the possibility of a changing dengue epidemic pattern in Guangdong, China., Methods: To have a clear understanding of the current dengue epidemic, a retrospective study of epidemiological profile, serological response, and virological features of dengue infections from 2005-2011 was conducted. Case data were collected from the National Notifiable Infectious Diseases Reporting Network. Serum samples were collected and prepared for serological verification and etiological confirmation. Incidence, temporal and spatial distribution, and the clinical manifestation of dengue infections were analyzed. Pearson's Chi-Square test was used to compare incidences between different age groups. A seroprevalence survey was implemented in local healthy inhabitants to obtain the overall positive rate for the specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody against dengue virus (DENV)., Results: The overall annual incidence rate was 1.87/100000. A significant difference was found in age-specific incidence (Pearson's Chi-Square value 498.008, P<0.001). Children under 5 years of age had the lowest incidence of 0.28/100000. The vast majority of cases presented with a mild manifestation typical to dengue fever. The overall seroprevalence of dengue IgG antibody in local populations was 2.43% (range 0.28%-5.42%). DENV-1 was the predominant serotype in circulation through the years, while all 4 serotypes were identified in indigenous patients from different outbreak localities since 2009., Conclusions: A gradual change in the epidemic pattern of dengue infection has been observed in recent years in Guangdong. With the endemic nature of dengue infections, the transition from a monotypic to a multitypic circulation of dengue virus in the last several years will have an important bearing on the prevention and control of dengue in the province and in the neighboring districts.

(+)-Paeoveitol and (-)-paeoveitol, a pair of new norditerpene enantiomers, were isolated from the root of Paeonia veitchii. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined on the basis of extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra, crystal X-ray diffraction, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). A possible biogenesis involving two molecules of paeoniflorin was postulated.

Degradation of toluene in a gas by non-thermal plasma with a ferroelectric catalyst was studied at normal temperature and atmospheric pressure. Spontaneous polarization material (BaTiO3) and photocatalyst (TiO2) were added into plasma system simultively. Toluene degradation efficiency and specific energy density during the discharge process were investigated. Furthermore, byproducts and degradation mechanisms of toluene were also investigated. The toluene degradation efficiency increased when non-thermal plasma technology was combined with the catalyst. The toluene degradation efficiencies of the different catalysts tested were in the following order: BaTiO3/TiO2>BaTiO3>TiO2>no catalyst. A mass ratio of 2.38:1 was optimum for the BaTiO3 and TiO2 catalyst. The outlet gas was analyzed by gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the main compounds detected were CO2, H2O, O3 and benzene ring derivatives., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) has various complicated causes, and more and more researches are focused on its etiology. Genetic factors are the most common risk factors of RSA; immune factors, infection factors, male factors and female factors play an important role; environmental pollution and some other unknown factors may also be conspirators. This article presents an overview on the possible risk factors of RSA.

Background: The high recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after potentially curative treatment determines the long-term prognosis., Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjuvant therapies in patients with HCC who have undergone hepatic resection, transplantation or locoregional ablation therapy., Methods: Several databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) fulfilling the predefined selection criteria. Meta-analyses were performed to estimate the effects of adjuvant therapies of any modality on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS)., Results: Eight adjuvant modalities were identified from 27 eligible RCTs conducted predominantly in Asian populations comparing adjuvant with no adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy, internal radiation and heparanase inhibitor PI-88 therapy failed to improve RFS or OS, while interferon (IFN) therapy yielded significant survival results. The findings of adjuvant vitamin analogue therapy required further examination. Adjuvant adoptive immunotherapy conferred significant benefit for RFS but not for OS. Although cancer vaccine therapy and radioimmunotherapy may improve survival after radical surgery, the results were from single, small-scale trials. Severe side effects were observed in the studies of adjuvant chemotherapy and of IFN therapy., Conclusions: Adjuvant IFN therapy can improve both RFS and OS; however, the benefits of using this agent should be weighed against its side effects. Combination of systemic and transhepatic arterial chemotherapy is not recommended for HCC after potentially curative treatment. Other adjuvant therapies produce limited success for survival. Additional RCTs with proper design are required to establish the role of adjuvant therapies for HCC.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of biased constitution patients treated by auricular point therapy on the basis of "preventive treatment" theory., Methods: By means of self-control, 1477 cases of biased constitution were regulated by auricular point sticking therapy or acupuncture, and follow-up and statistical analysis were conducted to observe the efficacy., Results: There were 322 markedly effective patients, 914 effective patients, 241 failed patients and the total effective rate was 83.7% (1236/1477)., Conclusion: The comprehensive auricular treatment which is easy to operate and acceptable for patients has obvious effect in biased constitution patients. As a new direction of the "preventive treatment" theory, it can be promoted to be a new intervention way of health care.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Bidens pilosa var. radiata., Methods: The constituents were separated and purified with silica gel column, and identified by physicochemical properties and spectral methods., Results: Ten compounds were separated and identified as friedelin (1), n-tridecane (2), friedelinol (3), beta-sitosterol (4), 21 a-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one (5), stigmasterol (6), lupeol (7), stigmasterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), eleosanole acid (9), friedelin-3beta-ol-27-oic acid (10)., Conclusion: Ten compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.

The Flow Inject Drop Luminescence Sensor (FIDLS) is featured by advantages such as high precision and work simplification over typical luminescent spectrometers. With the FIDLS system, this study is the first to examine the sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) inducing room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of 9-bromophenanthrene (BrP). Among the factors that influenced phosphorescence, the injection speed of the FIDLS was optimized at 5.0 mL h(-1). A solvent content of 1.0% or less was selected to avoid RTP quenching. When samples were placed at temperatures higher than room temperature (e.g., 303 K), the standing time of the sample decreased. The minimum detectable level of BrP was 8.0 × 10(-10) mol L(-1), and BrP RTP reached its maximum intensity at a BrP concentration of 1.0 × 10(-5) mol L(-1). The optimal clathrate concentration of NaDC was 4.9 × 10(-3) mol L(-1), which was also the critical micelle concentration. We found that NaDC primary micelles gradually formed, but that secondary micelles formed and decomposed at a considerably faster rate. Fluorescence and absorbance tests demonstrated the coordination reactions of BrP with Cr(6+) and Fe(3+), indicating the potential application of BrP as a fluorescence probe., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Progesterone, as a female hormone, plays an important role in the physiological function and pregnancy maintenance in women. Recent studies show that progesterone and its receptor are also involved in male reproduction, and its receptor mRNA exists in male sexual glands. It is believed that progesterone, binding to its receptor, can regulate spermatogenesis and improve the fertilization of sperm, while the sperm from those with oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratospermia or unexplained infertility exhibit a low fertility due to the deficient expression of the progesterone receptor and insensitive reaction to progesterone. This review focuses on the progress in the studies of progesterone and its receptor in male reproduction.

Lab diagnostics plays an important role in Chinese medicine (CM) microscopic syndrome differentiation owe to its properties such as microcosmic, objectivity, and quantitation. It is not replaceable in identifying dormant syndrome. Besides, it plays important roles in studying the essence of CM syndromes, the modeling of CM syndromes, the microscopic classification of CM syndromes, and the typing of CM syndromes. Therefore, lab diagnostic indices are important indices for microscopic syndrome differentiation. Microscopic syndrome differentiation deduced from laboratory diagnostics has become beneficial complement for macroscopic syndrome differentiation. It will promote the formation of a brand new syndrome differentiation subject and the development of microscopic syndrome differentiation.

Methadone is used worldwide for the treatment of heroin addiction; however, fatal poisonings are increasingly reported. The prevalence of CYP2B6 and μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene variations were examined between a postmortem population where the deaths were associated with methadone and a live nondrug-using control population using Taqman™ SNP Genotyping assays. The CYP2B6*6 allele was higher in the postmortem population, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.92). The CYP2B6 T750C promoter variation was similar in frequency for both populations. Linkage between T750C and CYP2B6*6 was identified for both populations (P < 0.01). The prevalence of the OPRM1 A118G variation was significantly higher in the control population (P = 0.0046), which might indicate a protective mechanism against opioid toxicity. Individual susceptibility to methadone may be determined by screening for CYP2B6*6.

Natural products inhibiting fatty acid synthase (FAS) are appearing as potential therapeutic agents to treat cancer and obesity. The bioassay-guided chemical investigation of the hulls of Nephelium lappaceum L. resulted in the isolation of ten compounds (1-10) mainly including flavonoids and oleane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, in which all of the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Additionally, compounds 8 and 9 were new hederagenin derivatives and were elucidated as hederagenin 3-O-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-α-l-arabinofuranosyl)-(1→3)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-l-arabinopyranoside and hederagenin 3-O-(3-O-acetyl-α-l-arabinofuranosyl)-(1→3)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-l-arabinopyranoside, respectively. All these isolates were evaluated for inhibitory activities of FAS, which showed these isolates had inhibitory activity against FAS with IC(50) values ranging from 6.69 to 204.40 μM, comparable to the known FAS inhibitor EGCG (IC(50)=51.97 μM). The study indicates that the hulls of Nephelium lappaceum L. could be considered as potential sources of promising FAS inhibitors and the oleane-type triterpene oligoglycosides could be considered as another type of natural FAS inhibitors., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the natural infection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Guangdong Province, and to provide the scientific evidence for control measures., Methods: The investigation was carried out in 56 villages of 28 towns of 28 counties/districts in East Guangdong, West Guangdong, the mountain area of North Guangdong and Peal River Delta of the Province from 2005 to 2010. The rodents were captured with live trap and the species identified. Angiostrongylus cantonensis adult worms were collected from the hearts and lungs of rodents, examined, counted and the sex of worms identified., Results: The rodents were captured from 2005 to 2010, belonged to 2 orders, 2 families (subfamily), 4 genera and 10 species. Seven species of the rodents were found infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis in all 28 counties/districts. Totally 5 820 rats were examined and 496 infected ones were identified, with a mean infection rate of 8.52%. The infection rate of rodents was highest in the Peal River Delta, reaching 9.8% (205/2084) (chi2=15.25, P<0.01). Rattus norvegicus had the highest infection rate of 16.9% (310/1 835) (chi2=240.91, P<0.01). The mean intensity of infection was 6.1 worms/rat. 1 125 female and 1064 male worms were found respectively (chi2=1.75, P>0.05)., Conclusion: Natural infection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rodents has been found in all the 56 villages selected from the 4 regions of Guangdong Province.

The integrative medicine concepts were analyzed from a brand-new view angle of lab diagnostics. The microcosmic, objective, early diagnostic, dynamic, and multi-point features of lab diagnostics can be integrated respectively with the macroscopic concept, experience, prevention ahead of disease attack, constant changing concept, and the wholism in Chinese medicine. The concept of integrative medicine in the lab diagnostics is of far-reaching significance in the clinics, research, and teaching of Chinese medicine, as well as the discipline construction of integrative medicine diagnostics. In addition, the complementarity and compatibility of Chinese medicine and lab diagnostics are studied.

The largest proportion of methadone-associated deaths occurs during the drug induction phase. We analysed methadone-related fatalities for gene variations linked with methadone action. A significant association between high methadone concentrations and the CYP2B6*6 allele characteristic of the slow metabolizer phenotype was identified. We suggest that the risk of methadone fatality may be predetermined in part by the CYP2B6*6 allele. A significant correlation was also observed between post-mortem benzodiazepine concentrations and the OPRM1 A118G allele GA in methadone-related fatalities. Screening for these susceptibility variations prior to methadone prescription could assist in reducing the potential for serious adverse effects.

Natural inhibitors of fatty acid synthase (FAS) are emerging as potential therapeutic agents to treat cancer and obesity. The bioassay-guided chemical investigation of the hulls of Garcinia mangostana led to the isolation of 13 phenolic compounds (1-13) mainly including xanthone and benzophenone, in which compounds 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 were isolated from this plant for the first time and compound 9 was a new natural product. These isolates possess strong inhibitory activity of FAS with the IC(50) values ranging from 1.24 to 91.07 μM. The study indicates that two types of natural products, xanthones and benzophenones, could be considered as promising FAS inhibitors., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A nano-structured TiO(2) thin film immobilized on glass springs was prepared by the sol-gel method, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Acetone, toluene and p-xylene were chosen as common VOCs for a photocatalytic degradation study of both mixed and pure gases using the TiO(2) thin film. Addition of hydrogen peroxide promoted activation of the catalyst during acetone degradation. The effects of gas flow rate and UV light wavelength were investigated with the pure gases. Gas flow rate greatly influenced the degradation. The highest degradation rates were 77.7% (at 3 L/min) for acetone, 61.9% (at 3 L/min) for toluene, and 55% (at 7 L/min) for p-xylene. A UV light wavelength of 254 nm provided greater degradation of the VOCs than 365 nm UV light. The degradation rates of p-xylene and acetone in the gas mixture were lower than those of pure p-xylene and acetone. The opposite trend was observed for toluene. Acetone, both in the mixed gas and pure, had the highest degradation efficiency. Acetone, toluene and p-xylene degradation followed Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics.

Methadone is a medication valued for its effectiveness in the treatment of heroin addiction; however, many fatal poisonings associated with its use have been reported over the years. We have examined the association between CYP2B6 and micro-opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene variations and apparent susceptibility to methadone poisoning. Genomic DNA was extracted from postmortem whole blood of 40 individuals whose deaths were attributed to methadone poisoning. The presence of CYP2B6*4,*9, and *6 alleles and the OPRM1 A118G variant was determined by SNP genotyping. CYP2B6 *4, *9, and *6 alleles were found to be associated with higher postmortem methadone concentrations in blood (P < or = 0.05). OPRM1 A118G was also associated with higher postmortem methadone concentrations in blood but not to a level of statistical significance (P = 0.39). In these methadone-related deaths, OPRM1 118GA was associated with higher postmortem benzodiazepine concentrations (P = 0.04), a finding not associated with morphine-related deaths. The risk of a methadone-related fatality during treatment may be evaluated in part by screening for CYP2B6*6 and A118G.

Toxicity of commercial cypermethrin on the growth of three marine microalgal species, Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae), Scrippsiella trochoidea (Dinophyceae) and Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae) was separately investigated by 96 h and 24 d growth tests. The growth was stimulated at low concentrations and inhibited under high concentrations; however, overcompensation was observed at the late period of exposure under high concentrations in 24 d growth tests. The highest stimulation rates were obtained at concentration of 5 microg/L. The 24 h SC10 values were 0.91, 4.17 and 20.4 microg/L for S. costatum, S. trochoidea and C. marina, respectively. The 96 h IC50 values were 75.3, 227 and 114 microg/L for the three species, respectively. Results suggest that cypermethrin level used for sea lice controlling exert a stimulative effect on phytoplankton growth, and might result in the succession of phytoplankton community structure due to different sensitivity of species., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Taking the soil in Zhangwu County of Liaoning Province as test object, a comparative study was made to understand the composition of soil exchangeable base under traditional tillage and 6-year conservation tillage (no-tillage plus straw mulch). Comparing with traditional tillage, conservation tillage increased the total amount of exchangeable base (SEB) and the contents of exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg in top (0-15 cm) soil, suggesting its positive effect in increasing soil nutrient holding capacity and buffering ability. This effect had a close relationship with the changes of soil organic matter and clay contents, according to correlation analysis. In addition, the K/SEB and Ca/Mg ratios were higher, while the (Ca+Mg)/SEB, Ca/K, and Mg/K ratios were lower under conservation tillage than under traditional tillage, illustrating that the effects of conservation tillage on soil exchangeable base were mainly presented in the relative enrichment of soil exchangeable Ca and K, especially K. Conservation tillage increased the stratification ratio (0-5 cm/5-15 cm and 0-5 cm/15-30 cm) of soil exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg, and SEB, suggesting the increase of the vertical variability of SEB in plough layer.

Destruction of formaldehyde by means of NaNO2 ferro-electric packed bed dielectric barrier discharge plasma in a coaxial cylindrical reactor was carried out at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The difference among four kinds of NaNO2 ferro-electric reactors was compared in terms of specific energy density (SED), energy yield (EY), and HCHO decomposition. In addition, by-products during the decomposition of HCHO and destruction mechanism were also investigated. The removal efficiency of HCHO increased by means of NaNO2 DBD plasma significantly and enhanced with increasing SED distinctly. More amount of NaNO2 contributed to higher HCHO removal efficiency in the reactors. Reactor C had the highest HCHO removal efficiency among the reactors. As an important by-product, ozone concentration increased with higher SED. The possible main products in the outlet effluent were CO, CO(2) and H(2)O., ((c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To construct the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed1-C3/LOC51255 and investigate the subcellular localization of LOC51255 protein in HePG2 cell line., Methods: The cDNA of LOC51255 was amplified from the recombinant plasmid pET28b/LOC51255 by PCR. The aim gene fragment LOC51255 from pMD18-T/LOC51255 was subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed1-C3. The recombinant plasmid pDsRed1-C3/LOC51255 was identificated by BamH I/Xho I double digestion and sequence analysis, and then transfected into HePG2 cell line by lipofectamine 2000. The expression of LOC51255 protein and its subcellular localization were detected by fluorescence microscope., Results: The construction of the recombinant plasmid pDsRed1-C3/LOC51255 was proved by restriction enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing. Its red fluorescent protein was mainly detected in the cytoplasm of HePG2 cell line., Conclusion: The eukaryotic expression plasmid pDsRed1-C3/LOC51255 has been successfully constructed and expressed in the HepG2 cell line. LOC51255 protein has been proved to be located in the cytoplasm of HePG2 cell line. Our research will help further studies on the function of human gene LOC51255.

We have successfully synthesized large-scale crystalline boron nanowire bundles (BNBs) by chemical vapor deposition method. Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles were used as catalysts spreading on ceramic substrate during the reaction process. The bundles consisted of many thin boron nanowires with a mean diameter of about 25nm and a length of several micrometers. In addition, boron nanowires are single crystals with an alpha-tetragonal structure and grow along [001] orientation. These nanowires have a surface electron affinity of 3.76eV and a work function of 4.54eV. A turn-on field of 5.1V/mum and a threshold field of 10.5V/mum were found in the nanowire bundles, and stable field emission was recorded at the same time.

Objective: To investigate the CT scan findings of primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PPNHL) and their relation to pathological features., Methods: The CT scan findings of 17 PPNHL cases confirmed pathologically from August 1992 to June 2007 were analyzed in relation to their pathological foundation., Result: In 17 cases the CT findings showed: 1) Five were single mass or nodule, including 3 with air-bronchograms, 1 with straddling-lobe distribution and 3 with slight enhancement; 2) One was multi-nodules with air-bronchograms; 3) Six were consolidation with air bronchogram,including 3 with straddling-lobe distribution and 3 with slight enhancement; 4) Five were combined changes, including 5 with air-bronchograms, 2 with straddling-lobe distribution and 4 with slight enhancement. The CT features of PPNHL corresponded to their pathological process and pathological features., Conclusion: Primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma should be considered when CT scan shows variety of images found in one patient, middle lobe of right lung involved, air-bronchograms and straddling-lobe distribution in consolidation with slight enhancement.

In order to elucidate the regulation functions of salicylic acid (SA) on the photosynthesis of cucumber under low temperature and light intensity, the seedlings of cucumber 'Jinyou 3' under low temperature and light intensity were foliar-sprayed with different concentration SA, and the leaf gas exchange parameters, photochemical efficiency, MDA content, and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured. The results showed that under low temperature and light intensity, the leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), actual photochemical efficiency of PS II (PhiPSII), and maximal photochemical efficiency of PS II (Fv/Fm) of the seedlings all decreased but the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) increased, suggesting that nonstomatal limitation was the main cause of the decrease of Pn under low temperature and light intensity stress. Low temperature and light intensity also led to the increase of leaf malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the decrease of catalase (CAT) activity, and the decrease after an initial increase of peroxidase (POD) activity. However, foliar-spraying 0.5-2.5 mmol x L(-1) of SA before the stress increased the leaf Pn, Gs, Tr, PhiPSII, Fv/Fm, and activities of SOD, POD and CAT while decreased the Ci and MDA content, suggesting that SA could regulate the leaf photosynthetic functions of cucumber seedlings, and enhance the seedlings resistance against low temperature and light intensity. The optimum concentration of SA for the foliar-spraying was 1 mmol x L(-1).

Objective: To identify the differentially expressed proteins in the serum of patients with cervical cancer for use as the biomarkers for early diagnosis of cervical cancer., Methods: Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) with weak cationic chips (CM10) was used to examine the serum samples of 24 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma and 25 age-matched healthy women. The protein fingerprints were obtained, and bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed proteins in the serum of the patients., Results: Fifty-two differentially expressed proteins were detected in the serum of cervical cancer patients (P<10(-5)), among which 6 proteins with mass/charge ratio of 4173.77, 5903.09, 6087.12, 10716.9, 6109.61 and 3397.41, respectively, showed lowered expression in the serum of cervical cancer patients. Two diagnostic models for cervical cancer were generated using software, including one consisting of the 4173.77(M/Z) protein with the diagnostic specificity of 96% and sensitivity of 75% for cervical cancer and the other consisting of 3 proteins at 5335.81(M/Z), 7562.99(M/Z), and 9287.89(M/Z) with specificity of 91.67% and sensitivity of 96.0%., Conclusion: Cervical cancer patients show different serum protein expression profile from healthy women. The 6 differential proteins identified may serve as specific serum biomarkers in close relation to the origin and progression of cervical cancer.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of imported cases of dengue fever in Guangdong province (GD) and in Hong Kong (HK) during 2004-2006 to provide evidence for further cooperation in the prevention and control programs on dengue fever in the two places., Methods: Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on data obtained from dengue fever surveillance and reporting network in GD and from Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, HK., Results: Both from GD and HK 44 and 93 imported cases of Dengue fever were reported during 2004-2006. Most patients from GD acquired their infection from Singapore (13 cases), Indonesia (9 cases) or Cambodia (6 cases) while patients in HK mainly were imported from Indonesia (31 cases), the Philippines (16 cases) and Thailand (15 cases). The peak seasons of the two places were both from July to September. During the non-peak season period, the number of cases in Hong Kong was higher than that in Guangdong. Male/ female ratio was 1.2:1 in GD and 1.1:1 in HK. Age of patients in GD appeared to range from 6-80 years, with 63.6% (28/44) of them aged 20-39 years. 40.9% (18/44) of the cases were engaged in business, services, housework or unemployed. Those cases in HK were between 10-72 years of age, with 63.6% (28/ 44) of them aged 20-39 years while 47.3% (44/93) of the patients were with the occupation of business, services and industry. More cases in GD had a onset of disease before entering the border (27:17) than the cases in HK (35:57). The average time interval between onset and diagnosis were 7 and 9 days for GD and HK respectively., Conclusion: Frequent travel between Southeast Asia in summer among the working class appeared to be the main factor, causing imported cases of dengue fever in GD and HK. It is crucial to provide health education targeted at these high risk groups in order to prevent importation of dengue fever in the two areas.

The study on the vertical distribution and latitudinal differentiation of soil total and organic phosphorus (P) down to 100 cm depth in maize belt farmlands of Northeast China showed that in Hailun and Harbin of Heilongjiang Province, Gongzhuling of Jilin Province, and Dashiqiao of Liaoning Province, soil total P decreased with soil depth, being significant higher in 0-40 cm than in 40-100 cm (P < 0.01). In Dehui of Jilin Province and in Changtu and Shenyang of Liaoning Province, soil total P was relatively lower in 40-60 cm, but no significant difference was observed among different layers. Soil organic P was significantly higher in 0-20 cm than below 20 cm (P < 0.05). Soil total and organic P increased with increasing latitude (P < 0.05). The differences in climate conditions and soil types were considered as the main reasons induced the latitudinal differentiation of soil P. Soil total and organic P were significantly correlated with soil organic carbon (P < 0.01), indicating that soil organic matter was one of the most important factors affecting the soil P content and its distribution in maize belt farmlands of Northeast China.

The interaction between pharmaceutical and protein is an important pharmacokinetic characteristic. Most kinds of drugs must reach the receptor to perform the pharmacological function by plasma. Albumins can serve as a depot protein and a transport protein for numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. It is of great significance to investigate the binding interaction between albumin and drugs, since it can not only help understand the transportation and distribution of drugs but also elucidate the mechanism. Under the physiological condition of body, the interaction between levofloxacin (LVFX) and bovine serum albumin (BAS) was investigated by fluorescence spectra and ultraviolet absorbance (UV) spectra based on liquid drop. The experimental results showed that LVFX quenches the fluorescence of BAS by forming a LVFX-BSA complex. According to Lineweaver-Burk equation, the apparent binding constants (K(LB)) between LVFX and BSA were 1.694 9 x 10(5) L x mol(-1) (291 K) and 2.881 0 x 10(5) L x mol(-1) (310 K), and the binding sites (n) were 0.884 9 (291 K) and 0.808 9 (310 K). Thermodynamic parameters could be evaluated from the thermodynamic second law, with deltaH (enthalpy) being 20.94 kJ mol(-1) and deltaS (entropy) being 172.1 J x mol(-1). According to the relation between thermodynamic parameters and the interaction force, LVFX depended principally on the hydrophobic interaction to bind with BSA. The results showed that the quenching belonged to static fluorescence quenching with non-radiation energy transfer happening within single molecule. The binding locality was an area 2.68 nm away from tryptonphan residue-212 in BAS according to Forster's non-radiation energy transfer mechanism. The conformational changes of BSA were evaluated by measuring the synchronous fluorescence intensity of protein amino acid residues, both before and after the addition of LVFX. A slightly stronger blue-shift of tryptophan fluorescence upon the addition of drug was observed, and the emission maximum of tyrosine kept its position. It was suggested that the environments of tryptophan residues in pure albumin solution are relatively polar. Binding of LVFX changes the environments to apolar ones. The shift in polarity is brought about by confirmation changes due to the interaction between albumin and ligand molecule.

Background & Objective: Upward (local growth and invasion of the base of skull), downward (distant metastasis) and mixed progressing types of nasopharygeal carcinoma (NPC) have been observed when the disease progress to middle-late stage. The upward and downward progressing types are evidently different in clinical symptom, therapy strategy and prognosis. Identification of the molecular differences between them is very important for molecular classification, prognostic prediction and research on neoplasia and development of NPC. This study was to discover the genes differentially expressed in upward and downward progressing types of NPC., Methods: An oligo gene chip containing 21 300 genes was used to detect the genes differentially expressed between upward and downward progressing types of NPC. One of the differentially expressed genes detected was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)., Results: Seventeen genes were differentially expressed between upward and downward progressing types of NPC. The expression of SELB, Clorf29, GLE1L and FLJ20989 genes were up-regulated and the expression of 1D12A, ASPN, DCN, PRO2219, LRDD, DIO2, ULBP2, PRO3073, IGVH3, IGVH4, IGLJ3, PRO0943 and AK057247 genes were down-regulated in the upward progressing type as compared with those in the downward progressing type. The difference of gene expression was ranged from 2.30 to 4.23 folds. The high expression rate of DIO2 gene was significantly higher in downward progressing type than in upward progressing type (90.0% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.020)., Conclusions: The gene expression patterns are significantly different between upward and downward progressing types of NPC. The expression of DIO2 gene is higher in the downward progressing type than in upward progressing type, which may be closely related to the metastasis potential of NPC.

A comparative study was made on the profile distribution of exchangeable Ca and Mg and Ca/Mg ratio at the depth of 0-150 cm in an aquic brown soil under four land use patterns, i. e., paddy field, maize field, fallow field, and woodland. The results showed that less difference was observed in the soil exchangeable Ca content and storage among different land use patterns. For soil exchangeable Mg, it was significantly higher in woodland than in paddy field, and its storage was in the sequence of woodland > maize field > fallow field > paddy field (P <0.05). The exchangeable Ca/Mg ratio tended to decrease with soil depth, and was significantly lower in paddy field than in other three land use patterns in the soil layers below 40 cm (P <0.05). The preferential retention of Mg in soil ecosystem, soil management practices, and plant characteristics, e. g., biomass cycling rate, biomass above- and below-ground allocation, root distribution, and maximum rooting depth) might play important roles in shaping soil exchangeable Ca and Mg profiles and in reconstructing soil exchangeable Ca and Mg pools.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of topical DMSO and intralesional hyaluronidase administration, used alone or in combination, on skin injury due to vinorelbine extravasation in rats., Methods: Skin injury due to vinorelbine extravasation was induced in the lower extremities of 30 SD rats, which were treated subsequently with topical DMSO, intralesional hyaluronidase, their combination, topical saline, and intralesional saline, with the rats without any treatment as the control. The wound area on 1, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30 days and the time of healing were observed and compared., Results: The wound area on 1, 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 days were significantly smaller in topical DMSO group than in topical saline and control groups (P<0.05), and so in intralesional hyaluronidase group than in intralesional saline and control groups (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between single agent (hyaluronidase and DMSO) treatment group and the combined treatment group. The healing time was significantly shorter in topical DMSO and intralesional hyaluronidase groups than in topical and intralesional saline groups and control group ( 24.9-/+3.2 and 21.9-/+3.0 days vs 29.8-/+2.6, 28.6-/+4.1 and 30.6-/+3.0 days, P<0.01), but comparable between the two single agent groups and combined treatment group (23.3-/+3.8 days)., Conclusion: Intralesional hyaluronidase and topical DMSO application are effective therapies for skin damage due to vinorelbine extravasation, and their combination does not improve the therapeutic effect.

Objective: To explore the inhibitory effect of garlic oil on cyclin E expression in gastric adenocarcinoma cells., Methods: Human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC7901 cells were cultured routinely and the expressions of transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are detected by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. The SGC7901 cells were also cultured with RPMI 1640 without calf serum for 48 h, followed by further culture with RPMI 1640 in the presence of 2.5% calf serum before treatment with TGFalpha, garlic oil, or their combination, and cyclin E expression of the cells was then detected by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry., Results: The positivity rates of TGFalpha and EGFR expressions were 46.80% and 57.78 % respectively in SGC7901 cells cultured routinely for 48 h. The positivity rate of cyclin E expression was increased by 7.06% (P<0.001) in SGC7901 cells treated with 30 microg/L TGFalpha for 5 h, decreased by 11.75% (P<0.001) following a 5-hour treatment with 10% garlic oil, and decreased further by 17.11% (Plt;0.001) after treatment with both 30 microg/L TGFalpha and 10% garlic oil for 5 h., Conclusions: The gastric adenocarcinoma SGC7901 cells express TGFalpha and EGFR and possess TGFalpha autocrine and paracrine loops to promote cell proliferation. Garlic oil inhibits cyclin E expression in routinely cultured SGC7901 cells and also in TGFalpha-treated ones, suggesting that garlic oil can inhibit the TGFalpha autocrine and paracrine loops, which can be one of the pathways of garlic oil to inhibit cancer cell proliferation.

The characteristic absorption bands disappear and the shortest band at approximately 244 nm in cyclohexane or 282 nm in toluene remained only with long smoothing tail as C60 reacts adequately with aliphatic amines under sunlight radiation at approximately 40 degrees C. Simultaneously, fluorescence emission shifts from a weak band initially at longer wavelength to another strong one finally at shorter wavelength. The results might imply that the pi-conjugation system of C60 parent molecule is isolated into smaller separated parts. Therefore, some possible isolation models associated with observed experimental results are designed under some reasonable assumptive conditions.

Objective: To investigate the ultrasonographic features of obstructive azoospermia and to evaluate transrectal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the disease., Methods: We performed transrectal ultrasonography for 248 patients with obstructive azoospermia, observed the sonographic features of the prostate gland, seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct., Results: The average volume of the prostate gland of the studied group was 13.2 ml. A total of 111 cases showed normal sonographic features, 39 cases bilateral seminal vesicle defect, 33 cases bilateral seminal vesicle aplasia, 23 cases unilateral seminal vesicle defect and contralateral seminal vesicle aplasia, 28 cases bilateral and 14 cases unilateral seminal vesicle dilatation. Of the 42 cases of seminal vesicle dilatation, 18 had ejaculatory duct dilatation and 17 had cysts in the midline of the prostate., Conclusion: Obstructive azoospermia varies in kind. Transrectal ultrasonography can reveal the details of the prostate, seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct and help to classify obstructive azoospermia and determine the location of the lesion.

Background & Objective: Docetaxel extravasating into the surrounding tissues may lead to severe skin damage. No guideline for handling docetaxel extravasation has been proposed till now. This study was to explore the efficacy of chitosan and hyaluronidase on skin damage caused by docetaxel extravasation in a rat model., Methods: A docetaxel extravasation model was established in both lower extremities of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into 6 groups and received chitosan embrocation, hyaluronidase injection, hyaluronidase injection plus chitosan embrocation, saline embrocation, or saline injection, or received no treatment as control. The occurrence rate and extent of skin damage, and the healing time were observed and compared., Results: The occurrence rate of skin damage was significantly lower in hyaluronidase group and hyaluronidase plus chitosan group than in chitosan group, saline embrocation group, saline injection group, and control group (30% and 20% vs. 90%, 100%, 90% and 100%, P<0.05). The healing time was significantly shorter in hyaluronidase group and hyaluronidase plus chitosan group than in chitosan group, saline embrocation group, saline injection group, and control group [(12.00+/-3.00) days and (9.50+/-2.12) days vs. (18.33+/-2.00) days, (23.70+/-2.41) days, (18.44+/-2.01) days and (25.70+/-2.26) days, P<0.01], and was significantly shorter in chitosan group than in saline embrocation group and control group (P<0.01)., Conclusions: Hyaluronidase alone or hyaluronidase plus chitosan could decrease the occurrence rate of skin damage caused by docetaxel extravasation in rats, and shorten the healing time. Chitosan embrocation can improve the damage healing, but cannot decrease the occurrence rate of skin damage.

Self-incompatibility (SI) is an important intraspecific reproductive barrier in flowering plants. To identify the S-alleles of Chinese pear species (Pyrus pyrifolia, P. bretschneideri, P. ussuriensis and P. sinkiangenis etc.), S-RNase-specific PCR amplification, sequence analyses and field pollination tests were performed using two cultivars 'Jingxiang' and 'Esu' of P. bretschneideri as materials. Two new S-RNase genes were identified from the two cultivars. They were 1,122 bp and 1,058 bp in length, and designated as S37-RNase (GenBank accession no. DQ839238) and S38-RNase (GenBank accession no. DQ839239). By comparison of their deduced amino acid sequences with those of S1-to S36-alleles of Oriental pear, it can be seen that both the two new S-alleles had their conserved regions C1 and C2, but their hypervariable regions (HV) were quite different from those of the others. S37 showed a higher similarity (96%) to S38 in the amino acid sequences deduced from them, whereas both of them displayed the highest similarity (98%) to S15 and the lowest (63%) to S32. The two S-alleles had introns of 786 bp and 723 bp, respectively, similar in size to that of S15 (777 bp). Finally, the S-genotypes of 'Jinxiang' and 'Esu' were unambiguously determined as S34S37 and S15S38, respectively.

The endothelin A receptor (ET(A)R) autocrine pathway is overexpressed in many malignancies, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this tumor, ET(A)R expression is an independent determinant of survival and a robust independent predictor of distant metastasis. To evaluate whether ET(A)R represents a new target in NPC treatment, we tested the therapeutic role of ET(A)R in NPC. Cell proliferation was inhibited by the ET(A)R-selective antagonist ABT-627 in two ET(A)R-positive NPC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Proliferation of ET(A)R-negative NPC cells was not decreased. ET(A)R blockade also resulted in sensitization to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis. In nude mice, ABT-627 inhibited the growth of NPC cell xenografts. Combined treatment of ABT-627 with the cytotoxic drug cisplatin or 5-fluorouracil produced additive antitumor effects. The antitumor activity of ABT-627 was demonstrated finally on an experimental lung metastasis by a reduction in the number of tumors. These results support the rationale of combining ABT-627 with current standard chemotherapy to further improve the therapeutic ratio in the treatment of NPC.

Objective: To construct a function model that can be used in the diagnosis bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia, and to develop a diagram allowing the judgement of bladder outlet for patients with different detrusor contractility, especially with impaired one., Methods: Urodynamic and clinical data of 131 men were analyzed retrospectively. By Logistic analysis, a function model was constructed. Based on the model, a diagram allowing the evaluation of bladder outlet was drawn. The cutoff point for diagnosing BOO with the function model and the curve was confirmed by ROC curve analysis., Results: The function model (BOOI) was obtained by the formula 5.03 x residual fraction + 0.04 x PdetatQmax - 0.20 x Qmax - 0.91 + alpha (alpha = 0 for those with low pressure-low flow on P-FS, alpha = 1.42 for high pressure-low flow, alpha = -7.30 for high pressure-high flow). The cutoff point for BOOI diagnosing BOO was 0.36. When validated, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 85.7%, 91.7%, 96.0% and 73.3% respectively., Conclusion: The BOOI, with an easy calculation mode, could predict the probability of BOO. The sensitivity and specificity of the criterion for the diagnosis of BOO were satisfactory. The curve we drew could help to differentiate the obstructed men with low pressure-low flow and thus benefit them by surgical relief of their obstruction.

Objective: To explore the effect of transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) on the expression of cyclin E and D1 in gastric carcinoma cells., Methods: Human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC7901 cells were cultured routinely and synchronized at G(0)/G(1) phase in serum-free RPMI-1640. The percentage of the cells at G(0)/G(1) phase was detected by propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry (FCM), and the synchronized cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 2.5% calf serum and treated with 10, 30, and 50 microg/L TGFalpha for 5 h. The expression of cyclin E and D1 in SGC7901 cells was detected by immunofluorescent staining and FCM., Results: The percentage of the cells at G(0)/G(1) phase increased from 54% in routine culture to 72% in the serum-free RPMI-1640 culture. TGFalpha treatment of the cells synchronized at G(0)/G(1) phase induced significant increment of cyclin E and D1 expressions (P<0.001), and at the dose of TGFalpha of 50 microg/L, their expressions increased by 25.18% and 27.52%, respectively (P<0.001)., Conclusion: TGFalpha can increase the expression of cyclin E and D1 in gastric carcinoma cells to promote their cell cycle progress.

The crystalline nanoparticles can be assembled by 3-bromo- and 3-iodo-carbazole (3-BrC and 3-IC) based on the halogen-halogen interaction in suspension aqueous solutions. As the colloid-like suspension was dropped onto film the particles further aggregate as rod-like structures with size of 3 microm in length and 1 microm in width. The halogen-halogen interaction are well proved by single crystal X-ray data, and the data reveal that each bromine atom interacts with the neighboring two, and each iodine atom interacts with the neighboring five and I-I interaction is stronger than that of Br-Br. Both 3-BrC and 3-IC can emit novel self-protective room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in the range of 480 to near 800 nm at the excitation of 338 nm, and 3-BrC shows additionally the delayed fluorescence emission from 350 to 480 nm, both possessing the charge-transfer character caused by halogenations. RTP decay possesses the bi-exponential property and RTP lifetimes are 3.37, 31.16 ms (with ethanol) and 1.52, 30.83 ms (with THF) for 3-BrC or 3.53, 14.95 ms (with ethanol) and 1.68 ms, 13.74 ms (with THF) for 3-IC, showing " heavier atom ", I, makes intersystem crossing rate k(ISC) from both S1 to T1 and T1 to S(0) faster. For the results, the detection limits of 3-BrC and 3-IC can reach 2.4 x 10(-7) and 9.0 x 10(-8)mol L(-1), respectively, with wider linear range and higher precision compared with other systems.

The interaction of a water-soluble ABA type of dumbbell-shaped polyethyleniminated copolymers (D400(EI)8) with H2PtCl6 in aqueous medium is studied by means of UV-visible absorption spectra, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From TEM images of the stained polymer, it is evident that the spherical and well-structured polymer micelles are formed by the introduction of H2PtCl6, and totally nonstructured micelles are formed from D400(EI)8 itself. These findings coincide with the results obtained from DLS measurements, where the narrowly distributed polymer aggregates are remarkably observed. Moreover, it is directly evidenced from TEM that the reduced Pt(0) nanoparticles are embedded in the polyethylenimine (PEI) block at the exterior of micelles, whereas the polyoxypropylene (PPO) block is surrounded by the PEI block. Additionally, the resulting Pt(0) colloids are very stable for at least 4 months.

The chemical-covalent polyether-siloxane hybrids (EDS) doped with various amounts of LiClO4 salt were characterized by FT-IR, DSC, TGA, and solid-state NMR spectra as well as impedance measurements. These observations indicate that different types of complexes by the interactions of Li+ and ClO4- ions are formed within the hybrid host, and the formation of transient cross-links between Li+ ions and ether oxygens results in the increase in T(g) of polyether segments and the decrease in thermal stability of hybrid electrolyte. Initially a cation complexation dominated by the oxirane-cleaved cross-link site and PEO block is present, and after the salt-doped level of O/Li+ = 20, the complexation through the PPO block becomes more prominent. Moreover, a significant degree of ionic association is examined in the polymer-salt complexes at higher salt uptakes. A VTF-like temperature dependence of ionic conductivity is observed in all of the investigated salt concentrations, implying that the diffusion of charge carrier is assisted by the segmental motions of the polymer chains. The behavior of ion transport in these hybrid electrolytes is further correlated with the interactions between ions and polymer host.

The ascomycete Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen in immunocompromised patients . Its ability to change morphology, from yeast to filamentous forms, in response to host environmental cues is important for virulence . Filamentation is mediated by second messengers such as cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) synthesized by adenylyl cyclase . The distantly related basidiomycete Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that predominantly infects the central nervous system in immunocompromised patients . Similar to the morphological change in C. albicans, capsule biosynthesis in C. neoformans, a major virulence attribute, is also dependent upon adenylyl cyclase activity . Here we demonstrate that physiological concentrations of CO2/HCO3- induce filamentation in C. albicans by direct stimulation of cyclase activity. Furthermore, we show that CO2/HCO3- equilibration by carbonic anhydrase is essential for pathogenesis of C. albicans in niches where the available CO2 is limited. We also demonstrate that adenylyl cyclase from C. neoformans is sensitive to physiological concentrations of CO2/HCO3-. These data demonstrate that the link between cAMP signaling and CO2/HCO3- sensing is conserved in fungi and reveal CO2 sensing to be an important mediator of fungal pathogenesis. Novel therapeutic agents could target this pathway at several levels to control fungal infections.

Two genes, gusB and gusC, from a natural fecal isolate of Escherichia coli are shown to encode proteins responsible for transport of beta-glucuronides with synthetic [(14)C]phenyl-1-thio-beta-d-glucuronide as the substrate. These genes are located in the gus operon downstream of the gusA gene on the E. coli genome, and their expression is induced by a variety of beta-d-glucuronides. Measurements of transport in right-side-out subcellular vesicles show the system has the characteristics of secondary active transport energized by the respiration-generated proton motive force. When the genes were cloned together downstream of the tac operator-promoter in the plasmid pTTQ18 expression vector, transport activity was increased considerably with isopropylthiogalactopyranoside as the inducer. Amplified expression of the GusB and GusC proteins enabled visualization and identification by N-terminal sequencing of both proteins, which migrated at ca. 32 kDa and 44 kDa, respectively. Separate expression of the GusB protein showed that it is essential for glucuronide transport and is located in the inner membrane, while the GusC protein does not catalyze transport but assists in an as yet unknown manner and is located in the outer membrane. The output of glucuronides as waste by mammals and uptake for nutrition by gut bacteria or reabsorption by the mammalian host is discussed.

The genomic sequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses from human and palm civet of the 2003/2004 outbreak in the city of Guangzhou, China, were nearly identical. Phylogenetic analysis suggested an independent viral invasion from animal to human in this new episode. Combining all existing data but excluding singletons, we identified 202 single-nucleotide variations. Among them, 17 are polymorphic in palm civets only. The ratio of nonsynonymous/synonymous nucleotide substitution in palm civets collected 1 yr apart from different geographic locations is very high, suggesting a rapid evolving process of viral proteins in civet as well, much like their adaptation in the human host in the early 2002-2003 epidemic. Major genetic variations in some critical genes, particularly the Spike gene, seemed essential for the transition from animal-to-human transmission to human-to-human transmission, which eventually caused the first severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak of 2002/2003.