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Objective: To investigate the abnormalities of iron metabolism parameters, the prevalence and risk factors of iron overload and clinical characteristics of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS). Methods: Retrospective investigation was used to observe abnormal iron metabolism parameters and clinical characteristics of newly diagnosed 94 MDS patients in our center from June 2015 to March 2016. Results: Of 94 patients, 71(75.53%)had a hemoglobin level of less than 100 g/L at diagnosis. Iron overload was observed in 52(55.32%)of 94 MDS patients, in which a higher prevalence of iron overload was observed in low risk groups(IPSS low/Int-1 risk groups)than higher risk groups(Int-2/high risk groups). Higher levels of serum iron(SI)[36.5(8.5-64.7)mmol/L vs 25.2(3.7-45.3)mmol/L, P <0.01], transferrin saturation(TSAT)[43.5(12.2-77.2)% vs 53.4(14.8-97.5)%, P <0.01]and serum ferritin(SF)were observed in iron overload group. No differences of labile cellular iron(LCI)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were observed between two groups( P =0.88, P =0.06). As the results of clinical complication of iron overload, alanine aminotransferase(ALT)[25(3-158)U/L vs 16(5-80)U/L, P =0.03]and type B natriuretic peptide precursor(proBNP)[190(6-4281)ng/L vs 84(12-2 275)ng/L, P = 0.05]levels were increased in iron overload group. There was no significant difference in iron metabolism parameters between patients with refractory anemia(RARS)and non RARS patients( P >0.05). Both frequency and volume of RBC transfusion had a significant effect on all iron metabolism parameters(SI, TSAT and SF)( P <0.01)except LCI and ROS. Excluded the patients with history of blood transfusion and SF levels over 1 000 μg/L, higher levels of LCI were mainly observed in dysplastic erythropoiesis and increased bone marrow erythroblasts ratio groups( P <0.01, P <0.05). Conclusion: The main cause of iron overload in MDS is chronic transfusion therapy. Both frequency and intensity of transfusion regimen have a main effect on iron metabolism parameters. LCI levels are mainly increased in newly diagnosed patients with the abnormalities of iron metabolism and have a stronger association with dysplastic erythropoiesis and increased bone marrow erythroblasts ratio. As the toxic fraction of iron and its negative impact on MDS, iron overload monitoring and chelation treatment decision can also be supported by LCI.

Landscape connectivity is considered as an extraordinarily important factor affecting various ecological processes. The least cost path (LCP) on the basis of minimum cumulative resis-tance model (MCRM) may provide a more efficient approach to identify functional connectivity in heterogeneous landscapes, and is already adopted by the research of landscape functional connecti-vity assessment and ecological corridor simulation. Connectivity model on circuit theory (CMCT) replaced the edges in the graph theory with resistors, cost distance with resistance distance to measure the functional connectivity in heterogeneous landscapes. By means of Linkage Mapper tool and Circuitscape software, the simulated landscape generated from SIMMAP 2.0 software was viewed as the study object in this article, aimed at exploring how to integrate MCRM with CMCT to identify ecological corridors and relative importance of landscape factors. The results showed that two models had their individual advantages and mutual complement. MCRM could effectively identify least cost corridors among habitats. CMCT could effectively identify important landscape factor and pinch point, which had important influence on landscape connectivity. We also found that the position of pinch point was not affected by corridor width, which had obvious advantage in the research of identifying the importance of corridors. The integrated method could provide certain scientific basis for regional ecological protection planning and ecological corridor design.

Little is known about the association between parity and the risk of ovarian cysts. The aim of this study was to examine the association between parity and the risk of ovarian cysts among a population of Chinese women. A total of 20 502 women aged 45-86 years from the Dongfeng-Tongji Cohort study completed baseline questionnaires, medical examination and provided baseline blood samples. Participants were categorized into four groups according to parity (one, two, three, and four or more live births). Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between parity and the risk of ovarian cysts. The prevalence of ovarian cysts in the study population was 4.0% (816/20 502). Increasing parity was associated with decreasing risk of ovarian cysts without adjustment for any covariates and after age-adjusted model (P<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, women who had had four or more live births had lower risk of ovarian cysts (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.27-0.96) compared with women who had had one live birth. There was a consistent but non-significant decreased risk of ovarian cysts for women who had had two, and three live births (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.68-1.05) and (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.59-1.20) respectively compared with women who had had one live birth. It was concluded that higher parity was associated with decreasing risk of ovarian cysts in this population of Chinese women. These findings could be helpful in decision making in clinical practice for gynecologists when evaluating women suspected to have ovarian cysts.

Feedback imaging-guided precise photodynamic therapy (PDT) can facilitate the development of personalized medicine. In this work, a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based theranostic probe was fabricated for simultaneous tumor targeting PDT and ratiometric imaging of the therapeutic effect. The theranostic probe (designated as P-PpIX) was comprised of a targeting moiety, a caspase-3 responsive linker, a FRET fluorophore pair and a photosensitizer. It was found that P-PpIX exhibited low intrinsic background fluorescence due to the high FRET quenching efficiency. The Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) targeting moiety allowed P-PpIX to selectively accumulate in αvβ3 integrin overexpressed tumor cells. Upon photo irradiation, the PDT effect of P-PpIX could induce cell death with apoptosis related mechanism, and the activated caspase-3 would subsequently cleave the Asp-Glu-Val-Asp (DEVD) peptide sequence to terminate the intramolecular FRET process. The activated caspase-3 expression and the real time therapeutic efficacy could be precisely assessed in situ by the fluorescence intensity ratio of the released 5(6)-carboxylfluorescein (FAM, reporter fluorescence) and protoporphyrin IX (PpIX, internal reference fluorescence). This novel ratiometric theranostic probe could provide the real-time feedback for precise PDT., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Radiotherapy and adjuvant cisplatin chemotherapy are the mainstream approaches in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). These have been shown to effectively improve the outcome and reduce tumor recurrence. However, radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistance during the course of treatment has become more common recently, resulting in the failure of NPC therapy. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies or adjuvant drugs are urgently needed. The current study was designed to look for new treatment strategies or auxiliary drugs in the treatment of NPC. Two human NPC cell lines, HNE1 and HNE1/DDP, were used to examine the relationship between endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell resistance to ionizing radiation (IR) and cisplatin (DDP). Cell proliferation was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Meanwhile, propidium iodide (PI) staining and PI/Annexin V staining were used to observe cell apoptosis. Finally, western blot was used to detect the endogenous expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and other apoptosis-related proteins. GRP78 small interference RNA was transfected using Lipofectamine 2000. Compared with HNE1/DDP, IR and DDP increased the cell apoptosis and inhibited the cell proliferation of HNE1. Inhibition of GRP78 can reverse IR and DDP resistance in NPC cells by PI/Annexin V staining. Knockdown of GRP78 upregulates the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and downregulates the expression of antiapoptotic proteins. These results indicate that HNE1 is more sensitive to DDP and IR than HNE1/DDP. Knockdown GRP78 can reverse IR and DDP resistance in NPC cells. Inhibition of GRP78 gives us a new target to overcome resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy of NPC cells. Thus, this study should be further explored in vivo and assessed for possible clinical applications.

Saline-alkaline stress, caused by high levels of harmful carbonate salts and high soil pH, is a major abiotic stress that affects crop productivity. Alfalfa is a widely cultivated perennial forage legume with some tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, especially to saline-alkaline stress. To elucidate the mechanism underlying plant saline-alkaline tolerance, we conducted transcriptome analysis of whole alfalfa seedlings treated with saline-alkaline solutions for 0 day (control), 1 day (short-term treatment), and 7 days (long-term treatment) using ion torrent sequencing technology. A transcriptome database dataset of 53,853 unigenes was generated, and 2,286 and 2,233 genes were differentially expressed in the short-term and long-term treatment, respectively. Gene ontology analysis revealed 14 highly enriched pathways and demonstrated the differential response of metabolic pathways between the short-term and long-term treatment. The expression levels of 109 and 96 transcription factors were significantly altered significantly after 1 day and 7 days of treatment, respectively. Specific responses of peroxidase, flavonoids, and the light pathway component indicated that the antioxidant capacity was one of the central mechanisms of saline-alkaline stress tolerance response in alfalfa. Among the 18 differentially expressed genes examined by real time PCR, the expression levels of eight genes, including inositol transporter, DNA binding protein, raffinose synthase, ferritin, aldo/keto reductase, glutathione S-transferase, xyloglucan endotrans glucosylase, and a NAC transcription factor, exhibited different patterns in response to saline and alkaline stress. The expression levels of the NAC transcription factor and glutathione S-transferase were altered significantly under saline stress and saline-alkaline stress; they were upregulated under saline-alkaline stress and downregulated under salt stress. Physiology assays showed an increased concentration of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde and a decreased content of chlorophyll, indicating that anti-oxidation and detoxification play an important role in response to saline-alkaline stress. Overall, the transcriptome analysis provided novel insights into the saline-alkaline stress tolerance response mechanisms in alfalfa.

Background: In Singapore, the obesity prevalence is disproportionately higher in the Asian-Indians and Malays than the Chinese. Lower resting energy expenditure (REE) may be a contributory factor., Objective: We explored the association between ethnicity and REE in Chinese, Asian-Indian and Malay men living in Singapore and determined the influence of body composition, mass/volume of high metabolic rate organs, represented by brain volume and trunk fat-free mass (FFM), and physical activity on ethnic differences., Design: Two hundred and forty-four men from Singapore (n=100 Chinese, 70 Asian-Indians and 74 Malays), aged 21-40 years and body mass index of 18.5-30.0 kg m(-2), were recruited in this cross-sectional study. REE was assessed by indirect calorimetry and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Brain volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Physical activity was assessed by the Singapore Prospective Study Program Physical Activity Questionnaire., Results: REE was significantly lower in Asian-Indians compared with that in Chinese after adjusting for body weight. FFM (total, trunk and limb) and total fat mass were important predictors of REE across all ethnic groups. Brain volume was positively associated with REE only in Malays. Moderate and vigorous physical activity was positively associated with REE only in Asian-Indians and Malays. The difference in REE between Asian-Indians and Chinese was attenuated but remained statistically significant after adjustment for total FFM (59±20 kcal per day), fat mass (67±20 kcal per day) and brain volume (54±22 kcal per day). The association between REE and ethnicity was no longer statistically significant after total FFM was replaced by trunk FFM (which includes heart, liver, kidney and spleen) but not when it was replaced by limb FFM (skeletal muscle)., Conclusions: We have demonstrated a lower REE in Asian-Indians compared with Chinese who may contribute to the higher rates of obesity in the former. This difference could be accounted for by differences in metabolically active organs.

The disease symptoms recognized as 'Anthracnose' are caused by Colletotrichum spp. and lead to large-scale strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duchesne) losses worldwide in terms of both quality and production. Little is known regarding the mechanisms underlying the genetic variations in the strawberry-Colletotrichum spp. interaction. In this work, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (C. gloeosporioides) infection was characterized in two varieties exhibiting different susceptibilities, and the involvement of salicylic acid (SA) was examined. Light microscopic observation showed that C. gloeosporioides conidia germinated earlier and faster on the leaf surface of the susceptible cultivar compared with the less-susceptible cultivar. Several PR genes were differentially expressed, with higher-amplitude changes observed in the less-susceptible cultivar. The less-susceptible cultivar contained a higher level of basal SA, and the SA levels increased rapidly upon infection, followed by a sharp decrease before the necrotrophic phase. External SA pretreatment reduced susceptibility and elevated the internal SA levels in both varieties, which were sharply reduced in the susceptible cultivar upon inoculation. The less-susceptible cultivar also displayed a more sensitive and marked increase in the transcripts of NB-LRR genes to C. gloeosporioides, and SA pretreatment differentially induced transcript accumulation in the two varieties during infection. Furthermore, SA directly inhibited the germination of C. gloeosporioides conidia; NB-LRR transcript accumulation in response to SA pretreatment was both dose- and cultivar-dependent. The results demonstrate that the less-susceptible cultivar showed reduced conidia germination. The contribution of SA might involve microbial isolate-specific sensitivity to SA, cultivar/tissue-specific SA homeostasis and signaling, and the sensitivity of R genes and the related defense network to SA and pathogens.

Objective: To understand the source of knowledge on schistosomiasis prevention and control and the acceptable degree on different propagation patterns of population in Jingjiang City after schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted, so as to provide the evidence for the production of suitable materials for health education., Methods: The permanent residents, floating population as well as the primary school students in Grade 5 and 6 in riverside regions in Jingjiang City were selected as the investigation objects, the information propagation condition and the knowledge source, and the expected propagation patterns were investigated by questionnaires., Results: The popularizing rates on the television, computer and mobile phone of the villagers were 99.81%, 84.16% and 87.78%, respectively. Both the two investigated schools had the independent TV network, broadcast and multimedia, and all the computer classroom could connected to Internet. The main sources on schistosomiasis control of permanent residents and floating population were folders and the exhibition board (62.0% and 40.5% respectively), the substantial material (42.0% and 33.5% respectively) and TV (40.5% and 36.0% respectively), while those of the students were video CD (100%), substantial material (99.5%) and folders and the exhibition boards (84.2%). The propagation ways with high acceptable degrees among the residents and floating population were substantial material, folders and the exhibition boards and short messages by mobile phone, while those among the students were video CD, substantial material, folders and the exhibition boards., Conclusion: The material on health education should be targeted to the demands of the different populations and their condition of information propagation, in addition, the Internet material should be developed and the communicational channels should be broaden.

The DNA-binding one zinc finger (Dof) family is a classic plant-specific zinc-finger transcription factor family, which is involved in many important processes, including seed maturation and germination, plant growth and development, and light responses. Investigation of the Medicago truncatula genome revealed 42 putative Dof genes, each of which holds one Dof domain. These genes were classified into four groups based on phylogenetic analysis, which are similar to the groups reported for Arabidopsis and rice. Based on genome duplication analysis, it was found that the MtDof genes were distributed on all chromosomes and had expanded through tandem gene duplication and segmental duplication events. Two main duplication regions were identified, one from tandem duplication and another from segmental duplication. By analyzing high-throughput sequencing data from M. truncatula, we found that most of the MtDof genes showed specific expression patterns in different tissues. According to cis-regulatory element analysis, these MtDof genes are regulated by different cis-acting motifs, which are important for the functional divergence of the MtDof genes in different processes. Thus, using genome-wide identification, evolution, and expression pattern analysis of the Dof genes in M. truncatula, our study provides valuable information for understanding the potential function of the Dof genes in regulating the growth and development of M. truncatula.

Vascular injury after chronic hypoxia leads to endothelial injury and structural damage to tight junctions (TJs), thereby resulting in a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, attenuating hypoxia-induced damage has great significance for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the endothelial protection conferred by tongxinluo (TXL), a traditional Chinese medicinal compound, is related to its regulation of TJ protein expression. In vivo, we found that TXL could promote hypoxia-induced angiogenesis in lung and liver tissue. In vitro, we found that CoCl2 treatment significantly reduced the expression of the TJ proteins occludin, claudin-1, VE-cadherin, and beta-catenin in cultured human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. TXL pretreatment abrogated the CoCl2-induced downregulation of these TJ proteins. Conversely, overexpression of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) inhibited the expression of TJ proteins in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells, an effect that was reversed by TXL pretreatment. Further experiments showed that TXL could promote endothelial cell proliferation by increasing KLF4 phosphorylation, thereby reversing the effect of KLF4 on the expression of TJ proteins. These findings provide a new molecular mechanism for the TXL-induced increase in TJ protein expression.

Drought stress is a key environmental factor limiting the growth and productivity of plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological responses of Camptotheca acuminata (C. acuminata) to different drought stresses and compare the drought tolerance between the provenances Kunming (KM) and Nanchang (NC), which are naturally distributed in different rainfall zones with annual rainfalls of 1000-1100 mm and 1600-1700 mm, respectively. We determined relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content [Chl(a+b)], net photosynthesis (Pn), gas exchange parameters, relative leakage conductivity (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities of C. acuminata seedlings under both moderate (50% of maximum field capacity) and severe drought stress (30% of maximum field capacity). As the degree of water stress increased, RWC, Chl(a+b) content, Pn, stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr) and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) values decreased, but water use efficiency (WUE), REC, MDA content and SOD and POD activities increased in provenances KM and NC. Under moderate and severe drought stress, provenance KM had higher RWC, Chl(a+b), Pn, WUE, SOD, and POD and lower Gs, Tr, Ci, and REC in leaves than provenance NC. The results indicated that provenance KM may maintain stronger drought tolerance via improvements in water-retention capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and membrane integrity.

The regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is an important issue because it has major implications for the prevention of pathological vascular conditions. Using microRNA array screen, we found the expression levels of 200 unique miRNAs in hyperplasic tissues. Among them, miR-200c expression substantially was down-regulated. The objective of this work was to assess the function of miR-200c and SUMOylated Krϋppel-like transcription factor 4 (KLF4) in the regulation of VSMC proliferation in both cultured cells and animal models of balloon injury. Under basal conditions, we found that miR-200c inhibited the expression of KLF4 and the SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9. Upon PDGF-BB treatment, Ubc9 interacted with and promoted the SUMOylation of KLF4, which allowed the recruitment of transcriptional corepressors (e.g., nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) and HDAC2) to the miR-200c promoter. The reduction in miR-200c levels led to increased target gene expression (e.g., Ubc9 and KLF4), which further repressed miR-200c levels and accelerated VSMC proliferation. These results demonstrate that induction of a miR-200c-SUMOylated KLF4 feedback loop is a significant aspect of the PDGF-BB proliferative response in VSMCs and that targeting Ubc9 represents a novel approach for the prevention of restenosis., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of age-related dementia, and the most urgent problem is that it is currently incurable. Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide is believed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of AD. We previously reported that an Aβ N-terminal amino acid targeting monoclonal antibody (MAb), A8, inhibits Aβ fibril formation and has potential as an immunotherapy for AD based on a mouse model. To further study the underlying mechanisms, we tested our hypothesis that the single chain fragment variable (scFv) without the Fc fragment is capable of regulating either Aβ aggregation or disaggregation in vitro. Here, a model of cell-free Aβ "on-pathway" aggregation was established and identified using PCR, Western blot, ELISA, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thioflavin T (ThT) binding analyses. His-tagged A8 scFvs was cloned and solubly expressed in baculovirus. Our data demonstrated that the Ni-NTA agarose affinity-purified A8 scFv inhibited the forward reaction of "on-pathway" aggregation and Aβ fibril maturation. The effect of A8 scFv on Aβ fibrillogenesis was markedly more significant when administered at the start of the Aβ folding reaction. Furthermore, the results also showed that pre-formed Aβ fibrils could be disaggregated via incubation with purified A8 scFv, which suggested that A8 scFv is involved in the reverse reaction of Aβ aggregation. Therefore, A8 scFv was capable of both inhibiting fibrillogenesis and disaggregating matured fibrils. Our present study provides valuable insight into the regulators of ultrastructural dynamics of cell-free "on-pathway" Aβ aggregation and will assist in the development of therapeutic strategies for AD.

In the gas concentration detection process using the characteristic spectrum absorption method, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the gas concentration, it often has to use the high-quality narrowband modulated laser and modulate wavelength to align with the characteristic absorption peaks of measured gas. But by this way, the cost of the laser and system requirements will be greatly increased. To use the existing portable, low-cost semiconductor laser conditions, at the same time it can obtain higher precision, conversion window differential absorption optical structure and the algorithm of differential characteristic absorption ratio was designed. Selection reason of position of the wavelength characteristic was analyzed, and steps to implement the processing algorithm were given. Systematically utilizing the combination method of conversion window and absorption gas chamber, by the method for calculating the ratio of the light intensity response, the light intensity from non-characteristic absorption peak position was divided out. So it achieved a similar detecting effect was achieved that used a narrow-band laser aligned to the feature absorption peak position. Experiments adopted MW-IR-1650 infrared laser, type SSM17-2 stepper motor control module, C30659 infrared detectors, and other devices. In the experiments, different concentrations of methane gas were tested, and experimental results show that the relative error of measurement was less than 2.0% within the range from 200 to 5000 ppm. In summary, it's proved that the system has high accuracy and stability.

Objective: To study the effects of perinatal recurrent infection on the brain development in immature mice., Methods: Six pregnant C57BL6 mice were randomly assigned to three groups: intrauterine infection, perinatal recurrent infection and control. The intrauterine infection group was intraperitoneally injected with LPS (0.5 mg/kg) on the 18th day of pregnancy. The perinatal recurrent infection group was injected with LPS (0.5 mg/kg) on the 18th day of pregnancy and their offsprings were intraperitoneally injected with the same dose of LPS daily from postnatal day 3 to 12. The control group was administered with normal saline at the same time points as the recurrent infection group. The short-time neurobehaviors were assessed on postnatal day 13. The mice were then sacrificed to measure brain weights and neuropathological changes using cresyl violet staining. Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of TNF-α, Caspase-3 and myelin basic protein (MBP)., Results: The brain weights of the recurrent infection group were significantly lower than the control and intrauterine infection groups (P<0.05) and the recurrent infection group displayed significant neuropathological changes. Perinatal recurrent infection resulted in increased expression levels of TNF-α and Caspase-3, and decreased expression level of MBP compared with the intrauterine infection and control groups (P<0.01). The neurobehavior test showed that the recurrent infection group used longer time in gait reflex, right reflex and geotaxis reflex compared with the control and intrauterine infection groups on postnatal day 13 (P<0.05)., Conclusions: Perinatal recurrent infection may exacerbate inflammatory response and cell death in the immature brain, which may be one of the important factors for perinatal brain injury.

A total of 90 precipitation samples were collected from individual precipitation events at the Qilian Alpine Ecology & Hydrology Research Station (Hulugou Station, 30 degrees 47'N, 90 degrees 58'E; 3 260 m a. s. l) located in the central Qilian Mountains from August 2012 to November 2013. All samples were analyzed for major cations (Na, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+), anions (Cl- , NO3- and SO4(2-)) and conductivity. Precipitation EC values ranged from 2.26 to 482 μS x cm(-1) with an average value of 41.9 μS x cm(-1). The precipitation was of SO4(2-) -Mg(2+) -Ca2+ type, which contributed > 70% to the total ionic concentration. The same as the precipitation alkalinity, precipitation events occurred around summer showed lower concentrations, while it had higher concentrations in winter and spring with little precipitation and larger wind speed. Enrichment factor (EF), correlation and factor analysis indicated that regional crustal aerosols and species from central Asian and northwestern China arid regions brought by the westerly circulation were the major sources for these ions, some dust from human pollution were the secondary sources, and the contribution of sea salt was the least due to the long distance transport. These characteristics could be also confirmed by the correlation between ionic concentrations and metrological data in the study region. It is also interesting that the precipitation chemistry was different under the different atmospheric circulation: the monsoon precipitation, the interaction precipitation events ( influenced both by monsoon and westerly) and the westerly precipitation.

Objective: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumour in children and adolescents. Despite aggressive therapy, survival outcomes remain unsatisfactory, especially for patients with metastatic disease or patients with a poor chemotherapy response. Previous study founds inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase type II (IMPDH2) was an independent prognostic factor and observed frequent IMPDH2 overexpression in osteosarcoma patients with poor response to chemotherapy. In the present work, we provide evidence for direct involvement of IMPDH2 in the development of radioresistance and chemoresistance., Materials and Methods: The expression of IMPDH2 was examined in OS cells. Stable cell lines overexpressing IMPDH2 and IMPDH2 knock-down cells were generated using the osteosarcoma cell line. The stable transfected cells, alone or in combination with cisplatin or γ-irradiation, was used to treat OS cells. The growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of IMPDH2 in vitro and in vivo were examined., Results: Overexpression of IMPDH2 in IMPDH2 poor-expressed U2OS cells induced strong cisplatin chemoresistance and γ-irradiation radioresistance through inhibition of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of IMPDH2 in IMPDH2 rich-expressed Saos-2 cells resulted in significant chemosensitivity and γ-irradiation radiosensitivity through inducing of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo., Conclusions: IMPDH2 is directly involved in the development of chemoresistance and radioresistance in osteosarcoma cells, suggesting that targeting of IMPDH2 by shRNA in combination with chemotherapy and γ-irradiation might be a promising means of overcoming chemoresistance and radioresistance in osteosarcomas with high IMPDH2 expression.

Despite considerable efficacy of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treatment, other non-APL leukemias, such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), are less sensitive to As2O3 treatment. However, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Here we show that relative As2O3-resistant K562 cells have significantly lower ROS levels than As2O3-sensitive NB4 cells. We compared the expression of several antioxidant enzymes in these two cell lines and found that peroxiredoxin 1/2/6 and catalase are expressed at high levels in K562 cells. We further investigated the possible role of peroxirdoxin 1/2/6 and catalase in determining the cellular sensitivity to As2O3. Interestingly, knockdown of peroxiredoxin 1/2/6 did not increase the susceptibility of K562 cells to As2O3. On the contrary, knockdown of catalase markedly enhanced As2O3-induced apoptosis. In addition, we provide evidence that overexpression of BCR/ABL cannot increase the expression of PRDX 1/2/6 and catalase. The current study reveals that the functional role of antioxidant enzymes is cellular context and treatment agents dependent; targeting catalase may represent a novel strategy to improve the efficacy of As2O3 in CML treatment.

Unclassified renal cell carcinoma (URCC) is a rare variant of RCC, accounting for only 3-5% of all cases. Studies on the molecular genetics of URCC are limited, and hence, we report on 2 cases of URCC analyzed using comparative genome hybridization (CGH) and the genome-wide human exon GeneChip technique to identify the genomic alterations of URCC. Both URCC patients (mean age, 72 years) presented at an advanced stage and died within 30 months post-surgery. Histologically, the URCCs were composed of undifferentiated, multinucleated, giant cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunostaining revealed that both URCC cases had strong p53 protein expression and partial expression of cluster of differentiation-10 and cytokeratin. The CGH profiles showed chromosomal imbalances in both URCC cases: gains were observed in chromosomes 1p11-12, 1q12-13, 2q20-23, 3q22-23, 8p12, and 16q11-15, whereas losses were detected on chromosomes 1q22-23, 3p12-22, 5p30-ter, 6p, 11q, 16q18-22, 17p12-14, and 20p. Compared with 18 normal renal tissues, 40 mutated genes were detected in the URCC tissues, including 32 missense and 8 silent mutations. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the missense mutation genes were involved in 11 different biological processes and pathways, including cell cycle regulation, lipid localization and transport, neuropeptide signaling, organic ether metabolism, and ATP-binding cassette transporter signaling. Our findings indicate that URCC may be a highly aggressive cancer, and the genetic alterations identified herein may provide clues regarding the tumorigenesis of URCC and serve as a basis for the development of targeted therapies against URCC in the future.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of the third generation chemotherapy agents on relapsed post-surgery and advanced pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC)., Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 32 PSC patients. Their treatment modalities and survival rate, as well as risk factors associated with the survival rate including gender, age, location and size of tumor, relapse, initial diagnosis of stage, pathologic subtypes and smoking history were analysed., Results: All of the 32 PSC patients received chemotherapy with gemcitabine combined with cisplatin (GP) or paclitaxel combined with cisplatin (TP). They had a median of 14 months overall survive (OS) and 5 months progress-free survive (PFS). The remission rate was 21.9%. An initial stage IV diagnosis and a larger than 6 cm tumor in diameter were independent factors associated with poor prognosis., Conclusion: The efficacy of TP and GP chemotherapy on patients with relapsed post-surgery and advanced PSC is comparable with that reported by other researchers. An initial stage IV diagnosis and a larger than 6 cm tumor in diameter are predictors of poor prognosis.

Objectives: To evaluate prenatal imaging diagnosis of agenesis of corpus callosum and to investigate the relationship between ACC and chromosomal abnormalities., Methods: Forty singleton pregnancies diagnosed ACC prenatally in Southern Medical University,Nanfang Hospital,General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of PLA and Shenzhen Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital from 2007 to 2012 were recruited. The correlation between ACC and chromosomal abnormalities, the consistence of sonographic characteristics and MRI diagnosis were analyzed retrospectively., Results: (1) Among the 40 cases, 15 (38%, 15/40) were diagnosed isolated ACC, while 25 (63%, 25/40) were non-isolated ACC.In the non-isolated ACC cases, 18 (72%) had central nervous system abnormalities, including cerebellar vermis hypoplasia,Dandy-Walker syndrome, cerebellar cyst, holoprosencephaly, etc.Extra-CNS abnormalities were identified in 16 cases, including 5 cardiac abnormalities, 3 facial abnormalities, 2 congenital anomalies of urinary system, 1 limb skeletal abnormality and 5 other congenital anomalies.(2) In the 40 cases, 3 were chromosomal polymorphisms, including 2 cases of 46,XX, 1qh+ and 1 case of 46,XY, 13cenh+. Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 4 cases, including trisomy13, trisomy18, trisomy 21 and 47,XYY.(3) 36 cases(90%, 36/40) diagnosed by ultrasound were consistent with MRI, while 4 cases were different with MRI.37 pregnancies were terminated, in which 28 cases were confirmed by fetal autopsy.3 cases continued pregnancy and ACC was confirmed by postnatal MRI.(4) 25 non-isolated ACC and 12 isolated ACC pregnancies were terminated. Among the 3 isolated ACC cases that continued pregnancy, 2 were term delivery and 1 was premature delivery. All of them were confirmed by postnatal MRI.No mental or growth retardation was found during follow-up., Conclusion: MRI was prior to detect cases with non-isolated ACC and could be a supplementary method in the diagnosis and classification of ACC. Compared with isolated ACC, non-isolated ACC had a higher incidence of chromosomal abnormalities.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the leading malignancy in Huaian, China. Recently, emerging studies have suggested that an aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression signature exists in ESCC. However, there is discordant information available on specific miRNA expression in patients from different regions. In this study, we identified 12 miRNAs that are differentially expressed in patients with ESCC from Huaian, China. Among these miRNAs that displayed unique miRNA expression signatures, miR-1, miR-29c, miR-100, miR-133a, miR-133b, miR-143, miR-145, and miR-195 were downregulated, and miR-7, miR-21, miR-223, and miR-1246 were upregulated in cancerous tissue compared with the adjacent normal tissue. Bioinformatics analyses identified the major biological processes and signaling pathways that are targeted by these differentially expressed miRNAs. Accordingly, miR-29c, miR-100, miR-133a, and miR-133b were found to be involved in invasion and metastasis of ESCC, and miR-7 and miR-21 were found to be related to the differentiation of ESCC. Thus, our data present new evidence for the important roles of miRNAs in ESCC.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with deficits in executive function similar to that found in schizophrenia (SZ). However, very few studies have examined whether a specific component of executive function, namely, semantic inhibition, is differentially impaired in BD and SZ. The present study reports the results of a meta-analysis of performance on a theory-driven test of semantic inhibition, namely, the Hayling Sentence Completion Test (HSCT), in patients with BD and SZ, and to examine differential group impairments. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software package was used to calculate the mean effect sizes for group differences on different measures of HSCT. A total of 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Effect sizes for six HSCT measures were calculated. These included: Total Latency of Task A, Total Latency of Task B, Suppression Time, Total Error of Task B, Type A Error of Task B, and Type B Error of Task B. When compared with healthy controls, medium-to-large effect sizes were observed in both groups for each HSCT measure. Interestingly, the effect sizes for BD and SZ groups were comparable. These results suggest that patients with SZ and patients with BD are impaired in both task initiation and task inhibition of executive function and these impairments are similar in magnitude for both disorders., (© 2013.)

Objective: To investigate the correlation of ZNF217 gene expression with the biological behavior of human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells., Methods: The expression of ZNF217 in ovarian carcinoma cell lines was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The biological behaviors of the transfectants were investigated by MTT, in vitro Boyden chamber and in vivo invasion assay, respectively., Results: RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that transfection of ZNF217 into the HO-8910 cells significantly increased their proliferation along with markedly enhanced in vitro and in vivo invasion and metastatic abilities. MTT assay showed that the proliferation ability of pEGFP-N1-ZNF217/HO-8910 cells was significantly higher than that of pEGFP-N1/HO-8910 cells and HO-8910 cells (P < 0.001). The Boyden chamber assay showed that the numbers of migrating pEGFP-N1-ZNF217/HO-8910, pEGFP-N1/HO-8910 and HO-8910 cells were (141.25 ± 13.91) cells/200×field, (82.50 ± 11.73) cells/200×field and (81.75 ± 12.12)cells/200×field, with a significant difference between them (F = 29.247, P < 0.001). The nude mouse experiment showed that the in vivo tumor formation ability of pEGFP-N1-ZNF217/HO-8910 cells was significantly higher than that of pEGFP-N1/HO-8910 cells (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: ZNF217 gene plays an important role in the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer. ZNF217 gene expression may be a useful marker indicating invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer.

The removal of aggravating factors is important to reduce the severity of infantile eczema, but there are few studies on the assessment and identification of the aggravating factors in infantile eczema. Parents of children with infantile eczema ages 1 to 10 months (N = 250) were recruited. Parents were required to complete a questionnaire. Two hundred forty-two (96.8%) children had skin dryness, 80% bathed with soap or shower gel, 82% often perspired, 84.8% wore tight-fitting clothes, 80.8% dressed in five layers of thick clothing, 85.6% were in contact with wool or feathers, and 59.2% were exposed to sunlight (>20 minutes/day). Eczema severity was greater after vaccination in 20%. Two hundred thirty-five mothers avoided eating potential food allergens (e.g., milk, egg whites, and fish), but this failed to improve the severity of symptoms in 93.6% of the children. Thirty patients had Neocate as a substitute for cow's milk, which resulted in symptom severity improvement in 10%. Thirty children were given food allergens, which exacerbated symptoms in 13.3%. One hundred twenty-eight (51.2%) of the children were treated with corticosteroid ointment; 62.5% had the ointment applied for only 2 to 3 days, and 6.2% had the corticosteroid ointment applied to weeping lesions. The vast majority of parents did not know about the aggravating factors for infantile eczema. The results demonstrated a strong need for educational programs to help parents understand and control infantile eczema., (© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To investigate the role of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and its products cytotoxin-associated protein (Cag A), vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) in childhood acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (aITP), to evaluate the effect of Hp on their clinical outcome., Methods: Subjects were enrolled according to case-control design, including 184 aITP children and 154 healthy controls. They were inquired for demographic characteristics, the risk factors regarding Hp infection and ITP through a uniformed questionnaire. Patients with Hp infection were diagnosed by combined detection of serum Hp antibodies and stool antigens. CagA and VacA proteins were tested by ELISA method. In addition, clinical data and follow-up data of aITP children were collected. Non-conditional logistic regression and t test were applied for statistical analysis., Results: (1) The prevalence of Hp infection in aITP children and controls were 41.30% and 35.71%, respectively. No association between Hp infection and children aITP was found with OR of 1.170 (95%CI: 0.7163 - 1.673) after adjusting for confounding variables. (2) No statistical differences regarding initial platelet counts, megakaryocytes counts and the constituent ratio were found between the aITP children with and without Hp infection (P > 0.05). (3) No differences regarding initial platelet counts were found between aITP children with and without the expression of CagA (P > 0.05). The follow-up data showed that 32.88% of aITP children with Hp infection, as well as 29.70% of aITP children without Hp infection developed into cITP. No association between Hp infection and development to cITP was found with adjusted OR 1.171 (95%CI: 0.555 - 2.11 2)., Conclusions: The results didn't suggest that Hp is unlikely to play a role in the onset of childhood aITP, and in the development of aITP to cITP.

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of applying sewage sludge on the chemical form distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in soil and the transfer and accumulation of the heavy metals in soil-plant (ryegrass) system. With the application of sewage sludge, the contents of bioavailable Cd and Zn in soil increased significantly but that of bioavailable Pb in soil had a significant decrease, and the content of residual form Pb in soil increased by 33.3% -74.5%, compared with CK. When the application rate of sewage sludge was 50% (M/M) of soil, the contents of exchangeable and reducible Cu in soil only occupied 0.7% and 0.2% of the total Cu respectively. The application of sewage sludge promoted the Cd, Cu and Zn absorption while inhibited the Pb absorption by ryegrass. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the Cd, Zn and Cu contents in ryegrass were positively correlated with the reducible Cd and Zn and oxidizable Cu contents in soil, respectively, and Pb content in ryegrass was highly correlated with the soil exchangeable and oxidizable Pb contents. After planting ryegrass, the oxidizable Cd and Cu in rhizosphere soil were transformed into exchangeable Cd and residual form Cu, respectively, the exchangeable and reducible Zn transformed into oxidizable Zn, whereas the bioavailability of Pb was less affected.

Aim: To explore the relationship between obesity and difficult-to-treat asthma by observing the expressions of leptin receptor (OB-R), interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) and glucocorticoid receptor-β (GR-β) in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) of obese rats with asthma., Methods: Sixty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, 2 groups with normal weight: control group (group A), asthmatic group (group B), and 2 groups with obesity: control group (group C), asthmatic group (group D). The trachea smooth muscle was obtained from the rats of each group, and ASMCs were isolated, purified, and cultured in vitro. Then the expression of OB-R mRNA was measured by RT-PCR, and the levels of IRF-1 and GR-β proteins were measured by Western blotting., Results: The expression of OB-R mRNA in airway smooth muscle cells in group B, C and D were higher than that in group A, while it in group D was significantly higher than group B and C. What's more, the levels of IRF-1 and GR-β proteins increased in group B, C and D as compared with group A, and were significantly higher in group D than in group B and C, respectively., Conclusion: The increased expressions of OB-R, IRF-1 and GR-β in ASMCs of obese rats with asthma may play a role in the onset of obese asthma and glucocorticoid resistance.

Praseodymium nitrate was used as additives in preparing anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) films to improve its performance. AAO films were prepared by anodization method from a 15 vol. % H2SO4 solution with added praseodymium nitrate. The effects of Pr concentration and anodization voltage on the thickness and microhardness of AAO film were investigated, respectively. The oxide barrier layer of AAO film was removed with the method of combining etching of 5 vol. % H3PO4 solution with ultrasonic wave. treatment The effects of etching time and treating time with ultrasonic wave on the oxide barrier layer of AAO film were investigated respectively. The AAO films were characterized with EDAX and SEM techniques respectively. AAO film prepared in 15 vol. % H2SO4 solution with praseodymium nitrate added showed higher thickness and microhardness. The thickness of AAO films increased with the increase in anodization voltage, while the microhardness of AAO films decreased with the increase in anodization voltage in 19-23 V. When anodization voltage is 23 V, the thickness and microhardness of AAO film prepared in 15 vol. % H2SO4 + 0.4 Pr g x L(-1) mixture solution are as high as 162 microm and 275.1 HV respectively, which are 8.0% and 22.4% higher than that of film prepared in 15 vol. % H2SO4 solution (150 microm and 224.8 HV). The oxide barrier layer of AAO film was removed by combining etching in 5 vol. % H3PO4 solution for 13 min with ultrasonic wave treatment for 10 min, forming through-hole AAO film. The flocks of surface of the etched AAO film are Al2O3.

The controlled-release tablets of sasanquasaponin (SQS)-casein were prepared by using SQS, casein and guar gum as the main drug and accessory materials respectively. The method of determination of SQS in the controlled-release tablets of SQS-casein, and the effects of release media on the release rate and IR spectra of the controlled-release tablets of SQS-casein were studied, respectively. The release rate curve of the controlled-release tablets of SQS-casein was fitted as zero order, one order and Higuchi equation. The recovery was 98.59% when the content of SQS in the controlled-release tablets of SQS-casein in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8) as release media was determined with chromogenic reaction of vanillin- sulfuric acid. The release rates are 23.80%, 51.26% and 94.77% at release times 3, 6 and 12 h, respectively in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8) as release media. The controlled-release tablets of SQS-casein release SQS by slowness and constant in 12 h. The chemical bonds are formed among SQS, casein and guar gum.

Background: Steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is the most common cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Clinically, 21-OHD is categorized into saltwasting, simple-virilizing (SV), and non-classical (NC) forms. It is well recognized that a good correlation exists between genotype and clinical phenotype of CAH., Aim: The aim of this study was to identify CYP21A2 gene mutations in 2 Chinese patients with SV CAH along with their parents and other family members., Study Design and Results: By direct sequencing the CYP21A2 gene, a novel mutation, P459H, was detected in 1 patient; and a previously described uncharacterized mutation, R483W, was found in another patient. The 21-hydroxylase activities were determined by measuring the converting rate of progesterone to 11-deoxycorticosterone in COS-7 cells overexpressed with these mutated proteins. Our results revealed significantly reduced enzyme activity in both mutants: residual activity of P459H and R483W towards progesterone was 6.8%±2.1 and 2.9%±1.5, respectively compared to that of the wild type. We also demonstrated the loss of 21-hydroxylase activities using a three-dimensional model of CYP21A2., Conclusion: Both R483W and P459H mutations are confirmed to be related to NC CAH by in vitro functional study, with phenotype variance of R483W in Tunisian and Chinese patients. This study will aid in predicting disease severity and in facilitating family genetic counseling.

Objectives: To explore the roles of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and hemoglobin A(2) (HbA(2)) in the laboratory screening of thalassemia, and to find optimal screening modality for different conditions., Methods: From September 2008 to May 2011, 1384 subjects underwent thalassemia screening at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Nanfang Hospital. Of them, 1036 cases were diagnosed with thalassemia (408 α-thalassemia, 608 β-thalassemia, and 20 αβ compound thalassemia, thalassemia group) and 348 without thalassemia, non-thalassemia group. All subjects were screened respectively for MCV, MCH and HbA(2). Analyses were performed in all subjects to assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy respectively associated with MCV, MCH and HbA(2) alone, combination of MCV and MCH, and combination of MCV, MCH and HbA(2)., Results: (1) In the thalassemia group, the sensitivity of MCV alone was 92.9% (379/408) for α thalassemia, 99.3% (604/608) for β thalassemia and 100.0% (20/20) for αβ compound thalassemia. In the non-thalassemia group, the specificity of MCV alone was 75.0% (261/348). (2) In the thalassemia group, the sensitivity of MCH alone was 92.9% (379/408) in α thalassemia, 99.0% (602/608) in β thalassemia and 100.0% (20/20) in αβ compound thalassemia. In the non-thalassemia group, the specificity of MCH alone was 72.7% (253/348). (3) The sensitivity of Hb A(2) alone was 67.4% (275/408) for α thalassemia, 97.5% (593/608) for β thalassemia, and 100% (20/20) for αβ compound thalassemia while it's specificity was 72.4% (252/348) in the non-thalassemia group. (4) With positive indexes of MCV, MCH and MCV + MCH, when HbA(2) > 3.5% it had a high value in β-thalassemia screening, but when HbA(2) < 2.5% it had little value in α-thalassemia screening. (5) As a single marker, MCV and MCH had better sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnosis accuracy than HbA(2). MCV + MCH was the best for overall screening, but for β thalassemia screening, MCV + MCH + HbA(2) was the best., Conclusions: MCV and MCH are suitable for epidemic screening in a large population, physical examination and premarital check-up. Hb electrophoresis and thalassemia gene diagnosis are recommended for subjects with positive MCV and MCH indexes. Diagnoses of α and β-thalassemia gene are recommended for pregnant women with positive MCV and MCH indexes.

Background: Prior meta-analyses indicated that people with schizophrenia show impairment in trait hedonic capacity but retain their state hedonic experience (valence) in laboratory-based assessments. Little is known about what is the extent of differences for state positive emotional experience (especially arousal) between people with schizophrenia and healthy controls. It is also not clear whether negative symptoms and gender effect contribute to the variance of positive affect., Methods and Findings: The current meta-analysis examined 21 studies assessing state arousal experience, 40 studies measuring state valence experience, and 47 studies assessing trait hedonic capacity in schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia demonstrated significant impairment in trait hedonic capacity (Cohen's d = 0.81). However, patients and controls did not statistically differ in state hedonic (valence) as well as exciting (arousal) experience to positive stimuli (Cohen's d = -0.24 to 0.06). They also reported experiencing relatively robust state aversion and calmness to positive stimuli compared with controls (Cohen's d = 0.75, 0.56, respectively). Negative symptoms and gender contributed to the variance of findings in positive affect, especially trait hedonic capacity in schizophrenia., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that schizophrenia patients have no deficit in state positive emotional experience but impairment in "noncurrent" hedonic capacity, which may be mediated by negative symptoms and gender effect.

Green tea polyphenols, (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), all showed antioxidative effect in liposomes for lipid oxidation initiated in the lipid phase (antioxidant efficiency EC > EGCG > ECG > EGC) or in the aqueous phase (EC ≫ EGC > EGCG > ECG) as monitored by the formation of conjugated dienes. For initiation in the lipid phase, β-carotene, itself active as an antioxidant, showed antagonism with the polyphenols (EC > ECG > EGCG > EGC). The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC EGC > EGCG > ECG > EC) correlates with the lowest phenol O-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) as calculated by density functional theory (DFT). Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used to assess the reducing power of the phenolic hydroxyls in corroboration with DFT calculations. For homogeneous (1:9 v/v methanol/chloroform) solution, the β-carotene radical cation reacted readily with each of the polyphenol monoanions (but not with the neutral polyphenols) with a rate approaching the diffusion limit for EC as studied by laser flash photolysis at 25 °C monitoring the radical cation at 950 nm. The rate constant did not correlate with polyphenol HOMO/LUMO energy gap (DFT calculations), and β-carotene was not regenerated by an electron transfer reaction (monitored at 500 nm). It is suggested that the β-carotene radical cation is rather reacting with the tea polyphenols through addition, as further evidenced by steady-state absorption spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), in effect preventing regeneration of β-carotene as an active lipid phase antioxidant and leading to the observed antagonism.

Objective: To identify and explore the prognostic risk factors of the hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS)., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 50 childhood patients with HPS who were admitted to our hospital between 2007 and 2011. All their medical records were reviewed and analyzed. For each patient, demographic, laboratory data and outcome information were collected. The patients were divided into deceased or survived groups based on the follow-up results. Comparative analysis of the data was done by using independent-samples test and logistic multiple and univariate regression., Results: Among the 50 HPS patients, 30 were male and 20 female, age ranged from 3 months to 10 years. Reduction of serum albumin, cholinesterase and natural killer (NK) cells was found in the forty-six patients. The laboratory features showed an elevation of serum ferritin with hypofibrinogenemia and hypertriglyceridemia in most of the patients. Forty of patients had hemophagocyte in bone marrow at diagnosis of HPS. The positive serum EBV-IgM was found in thirty-five patients.During the observation period, 25 of 37 patients (67.6%) died, while 13 of whom died within a month after hospitalization. The deceased patients were more likely to have lower albumin, cholinesterase, NK cells level and more prolonged active partial thromboplastin time than the survived patients (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of illness > 1 month, albumin level < 25 g/L, cholinesterase level < 2000 U/L, NK cell level 0-3% and positive EBV-IgM were related with the prognosis significantly (P < 0.05 for all comparisons)., Conclusion: This study revealed that duration of illness > 1 month, decreases in albumin, NK cell and cholinesterase, and positive EBV-IgM were the risk factors related to mortality in children.

Objective: To assess the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis of common chromosome number aberration in spontaneously aborted fetuses., Method: A total of 100 spontaneously aborted fetuses were analyzed by G-banding and by FISH to test chromosome number aberration mainly for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, and the results of FISH test was assessed according to those by G-banding test., Results: FISH results were well consistent with those by G-banding test. FISH test identified trisomy in 32 samples and polyploidy in 7 samples. Two samples with cell culture failure were found to have trisomy 16 by FISH. Discrepancies in the results between the two tests occurred in 3 samples, but the results of FISH were verified by other methods. Kappa test between FISH technology and G-banding showed a good consistency between FISH and karyotyping (P<0.05)., Conclusion: FISH is an effective and rapid method for detecting chromosome number aberration in spontaneously aborted fetuses, and the combination of FISH and karyotyping provides more reliable diagnostic evidence.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of combination of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue and pioglitazone, an insulin sensitizer, on diabetic db/db mice., Methods: Thirty-five 8-week old male db/db mice were divided into control group (n = 8), pioglitazone group (n = 9), liraglutide group (n = 9) and combined therapeutic group (n = 9), which was given normal saline 0.1 ml, 2/d, pioglitazone 24 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (feed contained 0.02% pioglitazone) + normal saline 0.1 ml, 2/d, liraglutide 300 mg/kg, 2/d, and pioglitazone 20 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (feed contained 0.02% pioglitazone) + liraglutide 300 mg/kg, 2/d, respectively. Liraglutide were given at 8:00 and 16:00 via subcutaneous injection after having been diluted with sterilized normal saline. Effect on glucose, lipid metabolism and islet β-cell preservation were assessed after 4 weeks. Oneway ANOVA was adopted for statistical analysis., Results: Combination therapy displayed promising anti-hyperglycemic [glycosylated hemoglobin A1c: (4.5 ± 0.6)% vs. (7.3 ± 0.4)%, P < 0.001]. Glucose tolerance were improved assessed by area under curve (AUC) of glucose by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) [(1814 ± 91) mmol×min×L(-1) vs. (4042 ± 183) mmol×min×L(-1), P < 0.001]; insulin release response to glucose were also preserved as AUC of insulin by IPGTT was higher [(1639 ± 372) µg×min×L(-1) vs.(834 ± 201) µg×min×L(-1)]. Combination therapy also reduced circulated free fatty acids and TG [(202.0 ± 20.4) µmol/L vs. (272.5 ± 21.7) µmol/L, (0.81 ± 0.28) mmol/L vs. (1.35 ± 0.21) mmol/L], and increased plasma adiponectin [(16.7 ± 2.0) mg/L vs. (10.2 ± 1.8) mg/L]. All P value < 0.05. Islet immunohistochemistry showed that combination therapy significantly increased insulin positive area were [(59.5 ± 1.5)% vs. (22.4 ± 1.5)%] and ratio of Brdu positive β-cells was three folds than vehicle-treated mice [(2.4 ± 0.5)% vs. (0.8 ± 0.3)%], both greater than each single treatment. Combined therapy significantly improved islet β cell/α cell distribution, which led to islet recovery., Conclusions: Combined therapy improves glucose and lipid metabolism, preserves islet β-cell function and stimulates β-cell proliferation, greater than either liraglutide or pioglitazone treatment alone.

Electronic transport properties of carbon dumbbells, a new type of carbon hybrid nanostructures formed by connecting carbon atomic chains to two fullerenes C(60), are investigated by using nonequilibrium Green's functions in combination with the density-functional theory. Specifically, the transport properties as a function of the carbon chain length n are examined. An obvious metal-insulator-like oscillation has been achieved with the increase of the carbon chain length. When n is even, the device behaves as a metal. In contrast, when n is odd, it behaves as an insulator. It is quite different to the carbon chains directly sandwiched between metallic leads where the low conductance states are observed for even n while the high conductance states are observed for odd n. Such a difference arises from the screening effect of C(60)s., (© 2011 American Institute of Physics)

Cr-La coating (dc) and Cr-La coating (pulse) were prepared by electrodeposition method of direct current and pulsating current respectively. The Cr-La coating (dc) and Cr-La coating (pulse) were characterized with ICP-AES, EDAX, XRD and SEM techniques, respectively. Cr-La coating(dc) was amorphous. There were crystalline La and CrC in Cr-La coating (pulse). The microhardness of the Cr-La coating(dc) and Cr-La coating (pulse) were as high as 860.3 and 930.2 HV respectively, which were higher 11.15% and 20.18% higher than that of the Cr coating (774.0 HV). The wear weight losses of Cr-La coating(dc) and Cr-La coating(pulse) were 1.29 and 2.25 times lower than that of Cr coating, respectively. The friction coefficient of Cr coating, Cr-La coating(dc) and Cr-La coating(pulse) were 0. 884, 0. 640 and 0. 648 respectively. The properties of wear weight loss and microhardness of coatings were improved with pulsating current. The wear weight loss and microhardness of Cr-La coating(pulse) were lower 1.75 time lower and higher 8.13% higher than that of the Cr-La coating(dc), respectively.

Objective: To assess the value of multiprobe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel in the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)., Methods: The multiprobe AML/MDS panel comprising 8 different FISH probes for AML1/ETO transfusion gene, PML-RARα transfusion gene, CBFβ/MYH11 transfusion gene, MLL breakapart, P53 deletion, Del(5q), -7/Del(7q), and Del(20q) was tested in 40 cases of AML, and the results were compared with those by conventional cytogenetic G-banding (CCG) test., Results: With multiprobe FISH panel, 22 of the 40 AML cases were found to carry 7 types of cytogenetic abnormalities, namely AML1/ETO transfusion gene, PML-RARα transfusion gene, MLL breakapart, P53 deletion, Del(5q), -7/Del(7q) and trisomy 8. The positive ratio of the multiprobe FISH was 57.5%. CCG only identified 8 cases with the corresponding cytogenetic abnormalities and 3 cases with other cytogenetic abnormalities, and the positive ratio was only 27.50%., Conclusion: Mutiprobe FISH panel is more rapid, accurate and effective than CCG in the diagnosis of AML.

The current study aimed to determine whether there is a specific neurocognitive deficit in individuals with schizotypal personality features. One hundred and fifty-nine healthy participants and 62 schizotypal individuals completed a comprehensive battery of cognitive tests. The cognitive functions captured by the battery could be reduced to 6 factors. Significant difference was found between participants with schizotypal features and healthy controls in allocation, verbal memory and marginally in working memory. Schizotypal traits tended to correlate with some of the cognitive factors, especially allocation, verbal memory and working memory., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To evaluate the value of multiprobe Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel in detection of the common cytogenetic abnormalities in acute myeloidleukemia( AML). And to investigate its association with clinical diagnosis, chemotherapy and prognosis., Methods: Using the multiprobe AML/MDS panel designed to detect upto eight different FISH probes, which was for AML1/ETO transfusion gene, PML-RARα transfusion gene, CBFβ/MYH11 transfusion gene, MLL breakapart, P53 deletion,Del(5q), Del(7q), Del(20q), 40 cases of AML were investigated. The conventional karyotype analysis and the in-formation about the treatment responses were also used for assessing., Results: 22 of the 40 AML cases were found to carry 7 types of cytogenetic abnormalities by multiprobe FISH panel including AML1/ETO transfusion gene, PML-RARa transfusion gene, MLL breakapart, P53 deletion, Del (5q), Del7q and trisomy 8. However conventional karyotype analysis only discovered 11 cases with the corresponding cytogenetic abnormalities, the positive ratio was 57.5% in multiprobe FISH panel higher than that in karyotype analysis (27.50%). Patiens with AML1/ETO or PML-RARa transfusion gene are easily to reach CR in the first induction chemotherapy, while the Del(7q), MLL breakapart, complex cytogenetic abnormalities may indicate poor prognosis., Conclusion: Mutiprobe FISH panel is more rapid, accurate and effective for detecting the common cytogenetic abnormalities in AML, compared with the conventional karyotype analysis and common FISH analysis.

Objective: To examine the validation and reliability of the distress thermometer (DT) recommended by National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in Chinese cancer patients., Methods: A total of 574 Chinese cancer patients from Beijing Cancer Hospital completed the detection of DT, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and Area Under the Curve (AUC) were used to analyze the validation relative to HADS and SCL-90. The patients with DT≥4 and whose distress caused by emotional problems were interviewed with the MiNi International Neuro-psychiatric Interview (MINI) (Chinese Version 5.0). This version was used to analyze cancer patients' psychological and Psychiatric symptoms during the cancer process; 3. Another 106 cancer patients in rehabilitation stage and stable condition were asked to fill in DT two times, at the base time and after 7-10 days., Results: Data of ROC indicates that a DT cutoff score of 4 yielded AUC of 0.80 with a optimal sensitivity (0.80) and specificity (0.70) relative to HADS, and AUC of 0.83 with the greatest sensitivity (0.87) and specificity (0.72) against SCL-90. The DT also has acceptable test-retest reliability (r=0.800, P=0.000); According to the interview results, the most common psychiatric problems cancer patients have adjustment disorder, depression, and anxiety., Conclusion: The data suggest that DT has acceptable overall accuracy and reliability as a screening tool for testing distress severity and specific problems causing distress in Chinese cancer patients. It is worth being used in oncology clinic, the rapid screening and interview could help caregivers to identify psychological and psychiatric problems of cancer patients and provide useful information for further treatment.

In higher plants, DREB1/CBF-type transcription factors play an important role in tolerance to low temperatures, drought, and high-salt stress. These transcription factors bind to CRT/DRE elements in promoter regions of target genes, regulating their expression. In this study, we cloned and characterized a novel gene encoding a DREB1 transcription factor from dwarf apple, Malus baccata (GenBank accession number: EF582842). Expression of MbDREB1 was induced by cold, drought, and salt stress, and also in response to exogenous ABA. Subcellular localization analyses revealed that MbDREB1 localizes in the nucleus. A yeast activity assay demonstrated that the MbDREB1 gene encodes a transcription activator, which specifically binds to DRE/CRT elements. Compared with wild-type plants, transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing MbDREB1 showed increased tolerance to low temperature, drought, and salt stresses. Analysis of the MbDREB1 promoter revealed an ABA-responsive element (ABRE), an inducer of CBF expression 1 (ICE1)-like binding site, two MYB recognition sites, and three stress-inducible GT-1 boxes. GUS activities driven by the MbDREB1 promoter in transgenic Arabidopsis increased in response to ABA, cold temperature, drought, and salt treatments. Interestingly, the expression of both ABA-independent and ABA-dependent stress-induced genes (COR15a and rd29B, respectively) was activated under normal growth conditions in Arabidopsis overexpressing MbDREB1. These results suggest that MbDREB1 functions as a transcription factor and increases plant tolerance to low temperature, drought, and salt stress via both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent pathways.

This study was purposed to explore the feasibility of simultaneous analysis of telomere length and cell surface antigen by multicolor Flow-FISH to assess minimal residual disease (MRD) in leukemia. The telomere length in 34 leukemia patients versus 20 normal controls was compared by using Flow-FISH, and the relationship between telomere length and therapeutic effect and prognosis was analyzed preliminarily. As for those patients with follow-up samples, the changes of telomere length combined with surface antigen in different courses of disease were observed by multicolor Flow-FISH. The results indicated that the telomere length of de novo patients was significantly shorter than that of controls except the patients in chronic myeloid leukemia-chronic phase (CML-CP). The shorter telomere, the lower complete remission (CR) rates were observed in acute leukemia cases and the shorter duration of CP before onset of blast phase (BP) occurred in CML cases. The acute leukemia patients showed longer telomere and fewer cells expressed the related antigen after CR. The telomere length of cases with continued CR remained at normal level during remission, and there was no increased expression of the specific antigen. However, the telomere of relapsed cases shortened again after relapse with elevated specific antigen expression. In the relapsed cases, the telomere of related antigen positive cells shortened ahead of telomere length change of the whole cells and morphologic change of bone marrow cells. It is concluded that analysis of telomere length by flow-FISH manifests the significance for monitoring disease conditions, estimating prognosis and guiding therapy in all kinds of leukemia. The simultaneous analysis of telomere length and cell surface antigen by multicolor flow-FISH may monitor abnormal clone or clonal evolution to predict recurrence more sensitively and specifically, and may provide a promising and widely applicable method for monitoring MRD in leukemia.

Objective: To analysis the relationship between gestational age and perinatal outcomes in patients complicated with early onset severe preeclampsia., Methods: Retrospective study was conducted on clinical documents of 221 patients with early onset severe preeclampsia (< 34 weeks) who delivered after 28 gestational weeks in Peking University First Hospital from July 1999 to June 2009. Patients were divided into three groups based on gestational weeks at delivery: group I (n = 81) delivered at 28 - 31 weeks(+6), group II (n = 78) at 32 - 33 weeks(+6) and group III (n = 62) after 34 weeks. The clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes were compared among those three groups., Results: (1) Outcome of neonates: Among 221 neonates, 13 neonates lost follow-up, including 9 in group I, 3 in group II, 1 in group III. The incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of 26% (19/72) in group I were significantly higher than 7% (5/75) in group II and 10% (6/61) in group III (P < 0.05). The neonatal mortality rate of (43%, 31/72) in group I were significantly higher than 3% (2/61) in group III and 28% (21/75) in group II (P < 0.05). The incidence of maternal complications showed no statistical difference among three groups. (2) Neonatal death analysis: all neonatal death were due to parents' give up, including 26% (8/31) in group I, 67% (14/21) in group II and 1/2 in group III, which reached statistical difference (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The incidence of neonatal RDS in mother with early onset severe preeclampsia was decreased if delivered after 32 weeks, and the perinatal mortality was remarkably decreased if delivered after 34 weeks. Therefore, the perinatal survival rate in women with early onset severe preeclampsia can be improved by minimizing the impact of social factors.

The title compound, [Ag(NCS)(C(25)H(22)P(2))](n), contains two Ag(+) ions, two thio-cyanate ions and two bis-(diphenyl-phosphino)methane (dppm) ligands in the asymmetric unit. One of the thiocyanate ions bridges the two Ag(+) ions in a μ(2)-mode from its S atom and the two dppm ligands bridge the silver ions in a μ(1),μ(1) mode. The remaining SCN(-) ion bridges the binuclear units via its N and S atoms, generating a one-dimensional polymer propagating in [01]: the resulting AgP(2)SN and AgP(2)S(2) coordination geometries could be described as distorted tetra-hedral.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a newly discovered homolog of ACE whose actions oppose those of angiotensin II (AngII). However, the underlying mechanisms by which ACE2 effectively suppresses early atherosclerotic lesions remain poorly understood. Here, we show, both in vitro and in vivo, that ACE2 inhibited the development of early atherosclerotic lesions by suppressing the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and improving endothelial function. In a relatively large cohort animal study (66 rabbits), aortic segments transfected by Ad-ACE2 showed significantly attenuated fatty streak formation, neointimal macrophage infiltration, and alleviation of impaired endothelial function. Segments also showed decreased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, which led to the delayed onset of atherosclerotic lesions. At the cellular level, ACE2 significantly modulated AngII-induced growth and migration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and VSMCs. The antiatherosclerotic effect of ACE2 involved down-regulation of the ERK-p38, JAK-STAT, and AngII-ROS-NF-kappaB signaling pathways and up-regulation of the PI3K-Akt pathway. These findings revealed the molecular mechanisms of the antiatherosclerotic activity of ACE2 and suggested that modulation of ACE2 could offer a therapeutic option for treating atherosclerosis.