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To investigate the expression of casein kinase 2β (ck2β) in colorectal cancer in relation to the metastatic ability of the cancer cells.The expression of ck2β in 46 normal colorectal mucosa, 20 colorectal adenomas and 66 colorectal cancers were detected immunohistochemically. In colorectal cancer cells, Ck2β protein expression was knockdown by RNA interference using ck2β-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and the interference efficiency was assessed by Western blotting. The effect of ck2β gene knockdown on the proliferation of the colorectal cancer cells was tested with colony formation assay, and the changes in the invasive ability of the cells were observed using Transwell chamber assay.Negative or weak ck2β expression was detected in normal colorectal mucosa, with nuclear positivity in 8.7% and cytoplasmic positivity in 13.0% of the cases. Colorectal adenomas showed moderate ck2β expression, with 60% cases showing positivity in the cell nuclei and 40% in the cytoplasm. In colorectal cancers, significantly stronger expression of ck2β was found than that in colorectal adenomas and normal colorectal mucosa (P0.05), and 75.8% cases showed positivity in the cell nuclei and 62.1% showed cytoplasmic positivity; the expression of ck2β protein in colorectal cancers with lymph node metastasis was even higher (P0.05). Ck2β knockdown obviously inhibited the proliferation and invasiveness of colorectal cancer cells in vitro.The high expression of ck2β in colorectal cancer is closely correlated to the carcinogenesis and metastasis of the tumor.

The conventional method of anatomical right hemihepatectomy (ARHH) requires hilus dissection. We report a method without hilus dissection to minimize intraoperative bleeding.We retrospectively evaluated data of 107 patients who received ARHH involving ligation of corresponding inflow and outflow vessels (LCIOV) without hilus dissection between January 2000 and October 2008. Results were compared to those of patients who underwent non-anatomical right hemihepatectomies (NARHH).The two groups had similar gender and age (both, P0.05). The LCIOV group had a higher percentage of patients without intrahepatic metastases (94.6% vs 80.3%, P=0.003). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesion size (9.3 vs 10.2, P=0.023), durations of inferior vena cava occlusion (4 vs 4.7, P0.001) and portal triad occlusion (7 vs 11, P0.001), blood loss (430 vs 580 mL, P=0.001), transfusion volume (300 vs 520 mL, P0.001), and measures of postoperative liver function (e.g. maximum aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) of the LCIOV group were also significantly less than the NARHH group. Larger hepatic cavernous hemangiomas (HCH) lesion size (16.2 vs 13.0, P0.001), longer operative time (168 vs 154 min, P=0.017), and a lower percentage of patients with inferior vena cava occlusion (17.8% vs 35.2%, P=0.001), pleural effusions (19.3% vs 30.9%, P=0.042), and blood transfusions (10.3% vs 75.0%, P0.001) were found in the LCIOV group.The reported method is a safe and bloodless technique for right hemihepatectomy in select patients.

On July 6, 2010, the parents of a patient with confirmed measles reported several suspected measles patients with fever and rash in their village. An investigation was carried out to verify and understand the cause of the outbreak.Several suspected cases had an onset of fever and rash in this and other neighboring villages during June 1 to August 3, 2010. A confirmed case was a suspected case with measles-specific IgM identified in the serum. We conducted door-to-door visits and searched the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System to identify cases, also conducted a retrospective cohort study among migrant children aged 8 months-14 years to identify risk factors related to measles.We identified 19 measles cases (17 confirmed case, 2 suspected cases) in the village, and all of them were migrants. Children aged 1-2 years had the highest attack rate (13%). The primary case-patient had onset on the day she arrived in this village (June 4, 2010). Caretakers from an unlicensed private clinic were providing service in the village but did not report the outbreak to the public health authority. The outbreak was identified only after receiving a report from the parents of one of the patients, by that time the outbreak had lasted for one month. The measles vaccine coverage rate was 81% among the 315 migrant children aged 8 months-14 years. Among the 61 unvaccinated children, those who reportedly being contacted a measles patient had a higher attack rate (14/16, 88%) than those who did not (2/45, 4.4%) (Relative risk = 20, Fisher's exact 95% confidence interval: 5.7-94).The low measles vaccine coverage among migrant children and lack of measures taken on the incident, timely isolation diagnosis/reporting by the caretakers from the unlicensed private clinic etc. had contributed to this prolonged outbreak. Measures need to be taken to improve the immunization services for migrant populations and to enhance measles surveillance programs in the area.

To evaluate the value of human fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP) in predicting myocardial ischemia and injury in the perioperative period of cardiac surgery, we observed the dynamic changes of h-FABP in perioperative period of patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and ventricular septal defects repairing surgery, and evaluated the relationship of h-FABP and ischemia modified albumin (IMA), CK-MB, cTnI.Patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (n=30) and ventricular septal defect repairing (n=30) surgery between February 2008 and December 2008 were included in this study. Venous blood sample was obtained at preoperative, aortic clamping, aortic unclamping of 10 min, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h for the measurements of h-FABP, IMA, cTnI and CK-MB.h-FABP and IMA changed in the same way at various examined time points, h-FABP changes also paralleled cTnI and CK-MB changes, h-FABP peaked early during myocardial ischemia and injury and returned to baseline level at 2 h post myocardial ischemia and injury. Linear correlation analysis showed that the peak value of h-FABP was positively correlated with IMA, CK-MB and cTnI in both CABG group (r = 0.948, 0.964 and 0.961, P0.05) and in the VSD group (r = 0.986, 0.978 and 0.957).h-FABP is an early diagnostic parameter reflecting perioperative myocardial ischemia and injury in cardiac surgery. Quantitative h-FABP monitoring could predict the severity of myocardial ischemia and injury early during cardiac surgery.

To evaluate the effect of ossicular reconstruction with partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) in patients with tympanosclerosis.The data of 31 cases of tympanosclerosis treated between 1992 and 2009 were reviewed. Of the 31 patients, 17 (17 ears) underwent ossicular reconstruction with porous macromolecular polyethylene PORP, and 14 (14 ears) with bioceramic PORP. All the patients were followed up for 3-24 months.Significant improvement was found in postoperative speech frequency (500, 1000, 2000 Hz) pure tone average (PTA) and air-bone gap (ABG) (P0.05) after the treatments without statistically significant differences between the two groups (P0.05).Porous macromolecular polyethylene and bioceramic are valuable ossicular prosthesis for tympanosclerosis.

To evaluate the effect of cemented long stem bipolar prosthetic prosthesis in the management of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly.A retrospective analysis of 23 elderly cases of uncemented long-stem prosthetic replacement for unstable intertrochanteric fractures was conducted. Of the 23 elderly patients, 6 had type IIA fracture by Evans-Jenson classification, 11 had type IIB fractures, and 6 had type III fractures.One patient died due to severe respiratory failure during the follow-up period. The patients were followed up for 6 to 10 months (mean 15 months), and no dislocation, infection, loosening or sinking of the prosthesis was found in the followed-up cases with a Harris score reaching 84.8.Cemented long-stem bipolar prosthetic prosthesis replacement is effective for management of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly.

Based on the analysis of shortcomings of commonly used mechanical equipment fault location methods, the paper brought out the method of applying Genetic Algorithm (GA) to solve fault probability of constitute components of mechanical equipments. Aiming at problems of easily local optimum and slow evolution that inherent by standard GA, the paper introduced energy entropy and pseudo-gradient into annealing selection and neighborhood search of GA, so as to take full advantage of effective information of current population and systems information to speed calculation. The material fault location example of some type mechanical equipment verifies that the improved GA can effectively solve the fault location problem of large scale mechanical equipments, the global optimization performance of which is superior to standard GA.

Adult workers in honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies exhibit plasticity in hormonally regulated, age-based division of labor by altering their pattern of behavioral development in response to changes in colony conditions. One form of this plasticity is precocious development: levels of juvenile hormone increase prematurely and bees begin foraging as much as 2 weeks earlier than average. We used two experimental paradigms inspired by developmental biology to study how bees obtain information on changing colony needs that results in precocious foraging. An analog of "cell culture," with bees reared outside of colonies in different sized groups, revealed that worker-worker interactions exert quantitative effects on endocrine and behavioral development. "Transplants" of older bees to colonies otherwise lacking foragers demonstrated that worker-worker interactions also affect behavioral development in whole colonies. These results provide insights to a long-standing problem in the biology of social insects and further highlight similarities in the integration of activity that exist between individuals in insect colonies and cells in metazoans.

Three experiments were performed to determine the role of juvenile hormone (JH) in worker reproduction in queenless colonies of honey bees. In Experiment 1, egg-laying workers had low hemolymph titers of JH, as did bees engaged in brood care, while foragers had significantly higher titers. Experiment 2 confirmed these findings by demonstrating that laying workers have significantly lower rates of JH biosynthesis than foragers do. In Experiment 3, ovary development was inhibited slightly by application of the JH analog methoprene to 1-day-old bees, but was not affected by application to older bees, at least some already displaying egg-laying behavior. These results, which are consistent with earlier findings for queen honey bees, are contrary to a common model of insect reproduction, in which elevated JH titers trigger ovary development, which then leads to oviposition. Previous experiments have demonstrated that JH regulates nonreproductive behavior in workers that is associated with colony division of labor; perhaps this function is incompatible with a traditional role for JH in reproduction.

To evaluate long-term outcomes of minor liver resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) of Bismuth-Corlette type III.From January 1997 to December 2007, the clinical data of 91 patients with Bismuth-Corlette type III HC underwent hepatectomy were collected and analyzed retrospectively.There were 60 patients underwent minor hepatectomy, and 31 undergoing major hepatectomy. Hepaticojejunostomy was made conventionally in an end-to-side fashion in the patients undergoing major liver resection, and a new technique of hepaticojejunostomy used in the patients undergoing minor liver resection. That was the anterior edges of bile duct stumps which were not sutured after suturing of posterior edges. Instead of, the anterior edge of jejunum loop to the remnant liver on the top of the bile duct stumps were sutured with intermittent "U" sutures. In all patients, in-hospital mortality rate was 0 and rate of bile leakage was only 2.1%. The actual 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 91.6% and 87.0%, 61.6% and 62.0%, 31.6% and 33.0%, respectively (P0.05).Minor liver resection for the selected patients with HC of Bismuth-Corlette type III according to our criteria achieved better long-term outcomes. A new hepaticojejunostomy used in the patients undergoing minor liver resection is a safe and effective method.

In the present article, the method of high pressure microwave digestion and hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (HG-AFS) was used for the determination of total arsenic and mercury in fucoidans, and the detecting conditions were optimized, including instrument working parameters, such as atomic temperature, lamp current, high voltage of PMT etc, and the conditions of hydride generation, such as the acid concentration of loading fluid, speed of carrying gas, the concentration of KBH4 etc. The result shows that there are good linear relations between fluorescence intensity and the concentrations of arsenic and mercury where their concentrations are 0-200 microg x L(-1) and 2.0-10.0 microg x L(-1), respectively, and the related coefficient of arsenic is 0. 999 9 and that of mercury's is 0. 999 8. The blanks of samples were detected constantly (n = 10), and the detection limit of this method is 0.173 ng x kg(-1) for total arsenic and 0.012 2 ng x kg(-1) for mercury. In order to do precise analysis, the samples were detected constantly (n = 8), and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of arsenic and mercury are 1.09% and 1.69%, severally. The quantitative arsenic and mercury were added into the samples before they were digested, and the recovery range is 93.31%-100.9% for arsenic and 91.21%-106.1% for mercury. The contents of total arsenic and mercury in fucoidans before desalted by ultrafiltration are 2.78 mg and 0.125 mg x kg(-1), respectively. Nevertheless, the contents of total arsenic and mercury in fucoidans desalted by ultrafiltration are 2.26 mg x kg(-1) and 0.119 mg x kg(-1), severally.

The amounts of total selenium and Se-species including organic and inorganic selenium in vegetables were measured with the method of hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The instrumental parameters and analytical conditions were optimized. In order to obtain the maximum fluorescence signal, the effects of the concentrations of HCI and KBH4 in carrier solution, the concentrations of HCl and HNO3 in sample medium, and the interference from foreign ion (Cu) on the signal were mainly investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limit estimated with 3-fold standard deviation by 11 replicates of procedure blank was 0.35 ng x g(-1). The recovery tested by adding standards ranged from 97.6% to 101%. After being digested with HNO3 by microwave, selenium in several kinds of vegetables was measured. The results indicated that the total amounts of Se in the vegetable samples were low except straw mushroom, in which the content of Se was 0.151 microg x g(-1) (dry weight). In addition, the species of organic selenium were the main existing forms in vegetables.

Honey bee larvae are frequently inspected and, sometimes, provided with food by adult workers, but the stimuli that elicit the important task of food provisioning have never been investigated. Larvae with their food experimentally deprived received more frequent inspection and feeding visits from nurse bees than normally fed larvae, suggesting that there could be a “hunger signal.” Food-deprived larvae with artificially supplied larval food received the same rate of feeding visits from nurse bees as did normally fed larvae but still received more inspection visits. These results suggest that stimuli eliciting feeding are different from those for inspection. They also support the hypothesis that worker bees deposit food in a larval cell only when the quantity of food is below a certain minimum threshold that is perceived during larval inspections. A model is presented regarding the stimuli from larvae that result in worker feeding behavior.

The visitation pattern by worker honey bees to cells in the brood nest was monitored on an artificially created brood pattern consisting of about one-fourth brood cells evenly distributed among empty cells. The majority (63 %) of the observed workers selectively entered larval cells. In contrast, some workers avoided egg cells when presented a choice of egg vs empty cells. The results suggest that larvae produce a general signal indicating their presence to worker bees. Eggs also seem to produce a signal, which is perceived to be different from the one from larvae.

In the adult worker honey bee (Apis mellifera L.), increases in the haemolymph titre of juvenile hormone underlie behavioural development, from nest duties to foraging. However, the physiological basis of juvenile hormone titre regulation was unknown. Using a radiochemical assay for juvenile hormone biosynthesis in vitro, we demonstrate that differences in juvenile hormone titres among bees performing different age-dependent tasks are a consequence of changes in rates of hormone synthesis by the corpora allata. Rates of juvenile hormone biosynthesis were low in newly emerged bees, 7–9-day-old nurse bees, and 14–15-day-old bees collected from the nest periphery, and high in foragers. Rates of biosynthesis were highly correlated with haemolymph titres of juvenile hormone measured in the same individuals. Corpora allata contained mostly methyl farnesoate, the immediate precursor of juvenile hormone, and released principally juvenile hormone III into the incubation medium, indicating no appreciable hormone storage. We also report similarities and differences in parameters of juvenile hormone biosynthesis between nurse bees and foragers that were found during the course of a detailed characterization of the radiochemical assay for adult worker honey bees. These results, coupled with the fact that it is possible to measure rates of juvenile hormone biosynthesis from individual bees, indicate that the radiochemical assay will be useful in further studies of hormonal regulation of bee behaviour.

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Thus, a number of technical modifications regarding the pancreato-enteric anastomosis after PD have been proposed to reduce POPF rate. Until now, there is no consensus on which is the best. This study presents a new technique of the end-to-end invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy with two to three transpancreatic U-sutures and evaluates its safety and reliability.From 2002 to 2007, 88 patients (54 men and 34 women) underwent an invaginated end-to-end pancreaticojejunostomy with two to three transpancreatic U-sutures after PD. The mean age was 52.4 years (range, 26-74 years). The diseases of the all patients were malignant.In all patients of this study, two transpancreatic U-sutures were performed in 59 and three U-sutures in 29. The median duration of surgery was 3.8 h (range 3-6.5) and the median time to perform pancreaticojejunostomy was 13.3 min (range 8-25). The median blood loss was 750 ml (range 300-1,800), 36 patients needed transfusion and the median blood transfusion was 380 mL (range 200-1,200). Overall morbidity occurred in 15 patients (17.0%). Only two patients (2.2%) had grade A of POPF and no patient had grade B and grade C of POPF. No operative death occurred.An invaginated end-to-end pancreaticojejunostomy with two to three transpancreatic U-sutures is simple, rapid, safe, and reliable technique, even in some patients with soft pancreas and small pancreatic duct.

With the wide application of nanoscaled particles, the risk of human exposure to these particles has been markedly increased. However, knowledge about their safety falls far behind the utility of these nanoparticles. Here we have analyzed the activation of brain microglia and astrocytes, which are sensitive to changes of brain environment after peripheral exposure to nanoscaled aluminum oxide suspension. Sprague-Dawley rats (six rats per treatment) were intraperitoneally injected once every second day for 30 or 60 days with nanoscaled aluminum oxide (NSAO; 1 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg), non-nanoscaled aluminum oxide (nNSAO, 1 mg/kg), or vehicle (saline). After 60 days' exposure the numbers of ED1 + , GFAP + , and nestin + cells in cortex and hippocampus were significantly higher in NSAO-treated rats than nNSAO- or vehicle-treated rats; thus, compared with nNSAO, NSAO has potential effects on the innate immune system of rat brain. This should be considered when evaluating the toxicological effects of nanosized particles. From the Clinical Editor Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with nanosized aluminum oxide, (NSAO); non-nanoscaled aluminum oxide, or vehicle (saline). The numbers of ED1+, GFAP+, and nestin+ cells in cortex and hippocampus were significantly higher in NSAO-treated rats than nNSAO- or vehicle-treated rats; thus, NSAO has potential effects on the innate immune system of rat brain.

Loss of T-cadherin expression has been reported in a number of human cancers. We previously reported that T-cadherin re-expression suppressed cell growth and motility in glioma. Here, we report that the T-cadherin expression was significantly decreased in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to adjacent normal liver. In addition, T-cadherin expression in HCC with metastasis was significantly lower than in HCC without metastasis. To determine the mechanism underlying the reduced T-cadherin expression in HCC, we examined T-cadherin promoter methylation. We found that methylation of the T-cadherin promoter was present in 40% of HCC, but absent in all adjacent liver tissues. In the HCC with T-cadherin promoter methylation, the T-cadherin expression was significantly decreased compared to HCC without methylation. To provide a functional link between T-cadherin promoter methylation and T-cadherin growth regulation, we used the HepG2 hepatoma cell line that exhibits T-cadherin promoter methylation. Treatment of HepG2 cells with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine resulted in increased T-cadherin expression and reduced cell proliferation. These results demonstrate that the T-cadherin down-regulation by promoter methylation is associated with the development and progression of HCC, and suggest that T-cadherin is an important tumor suppressor in liver cancer.

With hydride generation-cold atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS), the method of determining trace mercury species in water and soil samples in Jimei, Xiamen city, China was established. The content of inorganic mercury in water was measured by sample direct injection, while the total mercury was measured after digestion with the reagents of KBrO3-KBr. The soil samples were digested with microwave for total mercury measurement. Sequential extraction procedure was carried out for determining different mercuric species in soil samples. The results indicated that the mercury concentration of wastewater from chemical laboratory exceeded the limit of the integrated wastewater discharge standard of China (GB 8978-1996). It is one of the serious pollution sources of mercury in environment. The mercury contents from soil samples including the sideward soil of highway, the sea sediment and the garden soil were under the limits of relative national standards of China. However, attention should be paid to the accumulation of mercury in garden soil due to the artificial pollution. Meanwhile, the average recoveries for water and soil samples tested with adding standards were 93.7% and 93.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, the detection limits estimated with 3-fold standard deviation were 0.000 8 microg x L(-1) for water and 0.072 3 microg x kg(-1) for soil, respectively. The results indicated that the established method, with the merits of high sensitivity and precision, was suitable for the measurement of trace mercury species in environmental samples.

SummaryThe hypopharyngeal glands (HGs) are important protein-producing food glands in worker honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). A simple in vivo method is described for estimating HG activity. Radioactive 14C-L-leucine (0·1 μCi in 1 μl) is injected directly into the haemocoele of honeybees, and is subsequently incorporated into the HGs during protein synthesis. After 2 h incubation, the amount of radioactive leucine incorporated by the gland is measured and serves as an indicator of synthetic activity in the glands. The technique has been used successfully to reveal gland activity differences in bees from hives with and without brood. This technique is simple, fast, and reliable. Its advantages and disadvantages compared with the in vitro assay method of Brouwers (1982) are also discussed.

1. 1. About 95% of the specific binding (defined by atropine) of the muscarinic ACh receptor antagonist [ 3 H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate occurred in the low speed pellet (5500 g , 10 min) of whole bulb mite homogenates and was heat sensitive, linear with tissue concentration and saturable. Rosenthal analysis indicated that [ 3 H]QNB was binding with high affinity ( K d 474 pM) to a single class of low density ( B max 202 fmol g −1 ) binding sites; the Hill coefficient was 1.0. 2. 2. Kinetic studies revealed that binding was rapid and reversible, with association ( K +1 ) and dissociation ( k −1 ) rate constants of 7.8 × 10 5 sec −1 M −1 and 3.1 × 10 −4 sec −1 , respectively. The K d from kinetic data ( k −1 k −1 ) was 414 pM. 3. 3. Muscarinic drugs generally were much more potent than were nicotinic drugs as inhibitors of [ 3 H]QNB binding, and muscarinic antagonists generally were more potent than were agonists. 4. 4. Binding was stereoselective because R (−)QNB was about 10,000 times more potent than S( + )-QNB, and dexetimide was about 1000 times more potent than its enantiomer levetimide as inhibitors of [ 3 H]QNB binding. 5. 5. Pirenzepine, a selective antagonist of mammalian M-1 muscarinic receptors was very effective in protecting against [ 3 H]QNB binding, whereas methoctramine, a selective antagonist of M-2 muscarinic receptors, was much less effective. 6. 6. Altogether these data suggest that the specific binding of [ 3 H]QNB is most likely to a popoulation of putative muscarinic ACh receptors, probably of the M-1 subtype.

To establish two-dimensional electrophoresis profiles from human esophageal cancer tissue and paired normal esophageal tissue and identify differentially expressed proteins to identify the molecular markers for early-stage diagnosis.The total proteins of human esophageal cancer tissue and paired normal esophageal tissue were separated by immobilized pH gradient-based two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The 6 differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The peptide mass fingerprintings (PMF) were identified by database searching. Six differentially expressed proteins were validated by RT-PCR.The well-resolved, reproducible 2-DE patterns of esophageal cancer tissue and esophageal normal tissue were established. Using MALDI-TOF-MS technology, 6 differential protein spots were identified. Among them, the expressions of squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 (SCCA1b), KRT4 and annexin A1 were downregulated and triosephosphate isomerase (TPI1), heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) were upregulated in esophageal cancer tissues.The identification of differential expressed proteins in human esophageal cancer and normal tissue will be helpful for screening the biomarker for early-stage diagnosis.

Liver regeneration occurs through hepatocytes after acute liver injury. However, severe liver injury activates bipotential oval cells from canals of Hering which can differentiate into hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells. Most models of oval cell activation have employed potential carcinogens to inhibit hepatocyte replication in the face of a regenerative stimulus. Oval cells must be able to withstand the toxic milieu of the damaged liver. ATP binding cassette transporters are cytoprotective efflux pumps that may contribute to the protection of these cells. The aim of this study was to determine the ABC transporter expressions in hepatic oval cells.A rat model was established by feeding 2-acetylaminofluorene combined with partial hepatectomy to activate hepatic oval cells. Oval cells were isolated and purified using selective enzymatic digestion and density gradient centrifugation from the heterogeneous hepatic cell population. The expressions of ABC transporter gene, including MDR1, MRP1 and Bcrp1, in isolated hepatic oval cells and hepatocytes were measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and those in rat liver tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry.Compared to those in the rat hepatocytes, mRNA expressions of the genes encoding MDR1, MRP1 and Bcrp1 were increased up to 9-, 1.5- and 13.8-folds in hepatic oval cells. Immunohistochemical staining of rat liver slides demonstrated that the expression of MDR1 proteins was found around periportal areas, and Bcrp1 protein was found located on cell membranes.Hepatic oval cells express high levels of the ABC transporter gene that may have cytoprotective functions during severe hepatotoxicity.

To investigate the effects of lipiodol-hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (lipi-nHAP) on the growth, necrosis, apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis of hepatic tumor.Ultrasound-emulsification was used to make lipi-nHAP Eighty New Zealand white rabbits underwent implantation of carcinoma cells of the line VX2 into the left lobe of liver. Two weeks later the rabbits underwent catheterization into the gastroduodenal artery so that, and then the rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups to receive infusion via the hepatic artery of different drugs: physiological saline (Group A), lipiodol (Group B), adriamycin + lipiodol (Group C), and lipi-nHAP (Group D). Seven and 14 days after the treatment the size of tumor was observed by spiral CT scan, and the volume and growth rate of tumor were calculated. Two weeks after the treatment 8 rabbits from each group were killed and their liver tumors were taken out and the survival rates of remaining rabbits were observed. The necrosis rate of the liver tumor was assessed by measuring the area of the tumor and the necrosis. The apoptotic rate was examined by TUNEL method. Mcrovessel density (MVD) was examined by immunohistochemistry anti-CD31 antibody. Anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) monoclonal antibody was used to detect the expression of PCNA so as to calculate the proliferation index of the cells.The tumor volume and growth rate of Group D 7 and 14 days after treatment were both significantly lower than those of other groups (all P0.05) and the necrosis rate and apoptotic index of Group D were both significantly higher than those of other groups (all P0.05). The values of MVD were higher in Groups C and D compared with those of Group A. Compared with those in other groups, the values of MVD and expression level of PCNA were significantly lower in group D (all P0.05). The survival time of Group D was longer than those of other groups (all P0.05).lipi-nHAP can suppress the growth of tumor, increase the tumor's necrosis rate and apoptotic index, inhibit the development of neovascularization, decrease the expression level of PCNA of residual tumor, and prolong the surviving time of the animals with hepatic tumor. It may become an effective embolization material to treat liver cancer.

To improve Bayesian reconstruction of positron-emission tomography (PET) images by devising a novel coupled feedback (CF) iterative model.The CF iterative algorithm was applied to update the noisy detected emission sinogram data using the latest reconstructed image in the iterative process of PET reconstruction. The relevant operations included linear filtering, wiener filtering, and projection of the reconstructed images. The sinogram data used in the study was obtained from simulated phantom data.The experiments and corresponding visional and quantitative comparisons showed that the new method had better performance than the traditional Bayesian reconstruction of PET images for improvement of the PET images.The proposed sinogram-correcting method allows improvement on the original measurement data, and is applicable for PET image reconstruction or other reconstruction tasks with high noise level.

We investigated if increasing propofol's dosage to augment its antioxidant capacity during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) could confer cardiac protection. Fifty-four coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients were randomly assigned to small-dose propofol (Group P; n = 18), large-dose propofol (Group HiP; n = 18), or isoflurane Group (Group I; n = 18). After the induction, anesthesia was maintained with an inspired concentration of isoflurane 1%-3.5% (Group I) or a continuous infusion of propofol 60 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) (Group P) throughout the surgery. In Group HiP, this dose of propofol was increased to 120 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 10 min before the onset of CPB until 15 min after aortic unclamping and then decreased to 60 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) until the end of surgery. The duration of aortic cross-clamping was 83 +/- 24, 88 +/- 22, and 81 +/- 20 min in Group P, Group HiP, and Group I, respectively (P > 0.1). Plasma malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, was significantly lower at 8 h after CPB, and Troponin I was lower at 24 h after CPB in Group HiP compared with Group P and Group I (P < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in inotropic requirements for separation from CPB in Group HiP compared with Group I. Postoperative systemic vascular resistance was significantly reduced in Group HiP as compared with Group I. Mean cardiac index was significantly higher at 24 h after CPB in Group HiP compared with Group P and Group I (P < 0.05) (Group I, 2.2 +/- 0.1; Group P, 2.3 +/- 0.2; and Group HiP, 2.8 +/- 0.3 L x min(-1) x m(-2), respectively). The duration of intensive care unit stay was significantly shorter in Group Hi-P compared with Group I. We conclude that administration of a large dose of propofol during CPB attenuates postoperative myocardial cellular damage as compared with isoflurane or small-dose propofol anesthesia.

To investigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) combined with Chinese medicine, Extractum trametes robiniophila murr in human hepatic cancer cells.HepG2 cell line resistant to adriamycin (HepG2/ADR) was induced step by step. The effects of TRAIL (100 ng/L) combined with Extractum trametes robiniophila murr (1.0 g/L) promoting apoptosis in HepG2 or HepG2/ADM were analyzed. The proliferation was observed by MTT assay and the apoptosis of cells was also observed by flow cytometry.HepG2/ADM was confirmed resisting to ADM. The treatment of TRAIL (100 ng/L) combined with Extractum trametes robiniophila murr (1.0 g/L) showed significant inhibitory effects on the growth of both HepG2 and HepG2/ADM, and the percentage of apoptosis was increased compared with other groups within 24 to 72 h.Extractum trametes robiniophila murr dramatically augmented the sensitivity of both HepG2 and HepG2/ADM to TRAIL, but only has slightly killing effects on L02. TRAIL combined with Chinese medicine treatment could be a safe and attractive strategy to drug-resistant/TRAIL-resistant tumor cells.

Mercury is one of the important pollutants that threaten people health greatly in environment. The purpose of this paper was to determine mercury distribution and mercury binding proteins in different tissues of rat fed orally with mercuric chloride by ICP-MS and SEC-UV-ICP-MS. The result showed that liver and kidney induced large amount of metallothioneins that was found to bind to mercury, copper and zinc after mercury intake in stomach and intestines. The metallothioneins induced may be prior to combine the mercury so that it would decrease mercury binding with the other proteins that would disable their normal function.

To investigate the effect of antisense cDNA of cyclin D1 on the cyclin D1 gene expression and cell proliferation of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells in vitro.Plasmids containing cyclin D1 antisense cDNA were constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells. Their effects on cell proliferation were examined by MTT method, RT-PCR, immunohistochemical means, and flow cytometry.Cyclin D1 antisense cDNA significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells. The inhibition peaked at 48 hour after transfection by MTT method. RT-PCR analysis showed that cyclin D1 antisense cDNA down-regulated cyclin D1 at the mRNA levels. Expression level of cyclin D1 protein was also decreased as shown by immunohistochemical studies. Cell-cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that transfected HepG2 cells were arrested at the G1 phase of the cell cycle.Our data suggest that cyclin D1 antisense cDNA could specifically inhibit the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein and regulate cell cycle and cell proliferation of HepG2 cells. Cyclin D1 antisense cDNA may serve as a potential antitumor strategy in regulating cell-cyclin treating advanced HCCs.

Hepatic veins remain patent during complete inflow occlusion (CIO) and bleeding from them may continue. Occlusion of the inferior vena cava (ICV) during CIO may reduce blood loss from hepatic veins. This study was designed to compare the overall outcomes after application of CIO with or without occlusion of the ICV below the liver in complex mesohepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with cirrhosis. One hundred and eighteen (118) patients were randomly assigned to CIO or a modified technique of hepatic vascular exclusion (MTHVE). Hemodynamic parameters were evaluated and the amount of blood loss, measurement of liver enzymes, and postoperative progress were recorded. Blood loss during liver transection in CIO groups was significantly greater than that in MTHVE group (P=0.046). Thus, incidence of blood transfusion was significantly greater in patients of the CIO group (P=0.041). There were no significant differences in liver enzyme changes, bilirubin, or morbidity in the postoperative period between the two groups. CIO with occlusion of the ICV below the liver is a safe, effective, and feasible technique during mesohepatectomy in HCC patients with cirrhosis. Excellent results were obtained with minimized bleeding, limited hepatic function damage, and low rate of postoperative complications.

To evaluate the effects of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with or without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on inflammatory response and myocardial injury.Sixty patients undergoing elective CABG were randomly divided into CABG with CPB group (CCABG, 30 cases) and CABG without CPB group (OPCABG, 30 cases). Blood samples were collected from central vein to assay interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) and troponin I (cTnI) before operation and 2, 8, 24, as well as 48 hours after operation, and all clinical data of the patients were recorded accordingly.After operation, the contents of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, CK-MB and cTnI were significantly higher in CCABG group than those before operation and those in OPCABG group, while most of these parameters showed little change in OPCABG group both in operative or postoperative period.The results suggest that OPCABG may provide better myocardial protection and less systemic inflammatory response than CCABG.

To investigate the change in plasma free 15-F2t-isoprostane fn(15-F(2t)-IsoP) concentration and its relationship with postoperative cardiac function of smoking patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Sixty patients with coronary artery heart disease were divided into smoking group [n=30, age 54-69 years old, American Heart Association (AHA)II-III] and non-smoking group(n=30, age 58-70 years old, ASA II-III). All the patients were scheduled for CABG under combination anesthesia with isoflurane and fentanyl and conventional cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood samples were drawn from the central vein to measure 15-F(2t)-IsoP at the following time points: before operation (T0); 30 minutes after aortic clamping for cardiopulmonary bypass(T1); 10 and 30 minutes after aortic declamping(T2,T3).There was no statistical difference in 15-F(2t)-IsoP between two groups at T0, but contents of 15-F(2t)-IsoP in the two groups was increased markedly at T1, compared to those at T0 (P0.05 and P0.01 for smoking and non-smoking groups, respectively), and the degree of increase of 15-F(2t)-IsoP in smoking group was significantly higher than that in non-smoking group(P0.05). During reperfusion period (at T2,T3), the rate of lowering of 15-F(2t)-IsoP in smoking group was slower than that in non-smoking group(P0.05), and moreover, these patients needed more inotropic support than those in non-smoking group.Smoking patients have weaker anti-oxidation capability during CABG, therefore they have higher incidence of low cardiac function.

Surgery remains the most effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While resection and liver transplantation achieve the best outcomes in patients with small HCC, controversy surrounds treatment of large HCC, HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus, and HCC with hypersplenism. From January 1988 to December 2002, 2,102 patients with large HCC underwent hepatectomy in our hospital. The traditional resection method was used on 959 patients, after which the improved new method was used on 1,143 patients. Meanwhile, from January 1990 until December 2003, hepatic resection ± thrombectomie has been performed in 438 patients with HCC and portal vein tumor thrombus. Among them, 286 patients showed portal vein tumor thrombus located in the primary and secondary branch of the main portal vein (group A), and 152 patients showed portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) involved in the main portal vein (group B). Additionally, out of 204 HCC patients with cirrhotic hypersplenism, 94 patients had hepatectomy and splenectomy, and 100 patients had only hepatectomy without hospital death. The 3- and 5-year survival after resection of large HCCs (over 5 cm) with improved new method in China was between 50.7 and 58.8% and 27.9 and 38.7%, respectively. Tumor recurrence in the liver within 1 year after hepatic resection + thrombectomie was detected in 45% of group A and in 78.8% in group B. The cumulative 5-year overall survival rates were 18.1% for group A and 0% for group B. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival in HCC plus portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) was 58.7, 22.7, and 18.1%. The hepatectomy/splenectomy group had a 5-year tumor-free survival rate of 37.2% and the hepatectomy group alone had 27.2%. The new resection methods, hepatic resection + thrombectomy and hepatectomy + splenectomy, are very effective treatments for large HCC, HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus, and HCC with hypersplenism, respectively. Local treatment modalities, e.g. percutaneous ethanol injection, cryosurgery, and radiofrequency ablation as well as microwave coagulation are used in patients with poor liver function in small and large HCCs.

To prepare and characterize the heavy metal reference material of radix salvia planted in Zhongjiang, Sichuan province under the good agricultural procedure (GAP).After being prepared, the reference material was digested with 65% HNO3 and H2O2 by microwave-assisted oven systems, and the heavy metals in Radix salvia reference material were accurately determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).The measuring method was validated by running certificated reference materials, including bush twigs and leaves (GBW07602) and tea twigs and leaves (GBW07605) under the same conditions. The recoveries of the elements mostly ranged from 90% to 110%, and the RSD was within 5%. The measurement of radix salvia reference material was carried out by different laboratories with ICP-MS and by several time intervals in one year for the stability. The results showed that the concentration of the heavy metals provided were accurate and the reference material was stable.The reference material is suitable to be the criterions of heavy metals for radix salvia in the qualities controlling, and is also suitable to be the criterion of poisonous heavy metals of other herbs in the administration of GAP.

To analyse retrospectively the variation of plasma 15-F2t-isoprostane concentration during cardiac surgery and the relation with early myocardial dysfunction following normothemic cardiac surgery.Thirty patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery using normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and warm intermittent blood, crystalloid cardioplegia were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups treated with (group II) or without (group I) positive inotropic drugs. Central venous blood was sampled at baseline, 30 minutes after global myocardial ischemia, 10, 30 and 120 minutes after aortic declamping (reperfusion). Plasma free 15-F2t-isoprostane was measured with enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using a highly specific rabbit 15-F2t-isoprostane antibody. Cardiac index (CI) was monitored intraoperatively and up to 6 hours following surgery.Plasma free 15-F2t-isoprostane increased significantly during ischemia, remained elevating at 10 minutes after reperfusion (P0.05 vs. baseline) and began to decline at 30 minutes after reperfusion in the whole population. 15-F2t-isoprostane underwent exponential decay and returned to baseline at 30 minutes after reperfusion in group I that did not need any postoperative inotropic support. In contrast, 15-F2t-isoprostane further increased upon reperfusion and remained significantly higher than baseline at 30 minutes after reperfusion (P0.05) in group II that needed two or more inotropes to maintain CI greater than 2.2 L x min(-1) x m(-2). Postoperative CI was significantly inversely correlated with the percentage change in plasma free 15-F2t-isoprostane concentration from 10 to 30 minutes after reperfusion (r=-0.95, P0.01).It shows a close relationship between free plasma concentrations of 15-F2t-isoprostane and early postoperative cardiac function following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

A right single lung transplantation was performed in a 17-year-old female patient with end-stage cystoid pulmonary fibrosis and without cardiopulmonary bypass in June 2003. The donor lung was perfused with cold UW solution with a cold ischemic time of 280 min. The patient weaned from ventilator on the next day of operation (18 h later) and was able to walk at the fourth day postoperatively. Immunosuppression included methylprednisolone used before FK 506, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone dosed after operation. The patient remains well a month after operation with significant improvement of the lung function and enjoys normal life.

Previous molecular analyses of human astrocytomas have identified many genetic changes associated with astrocytoma formation and progression. In an effort to identify novel gene expression changes associated with astrocytoma formation, which might reveal new potential targets for glioma therapeutic drug design, we used the B8-RAS-transgenic mouse astrocytoma model. Using multiplex gene expression profiling, we found that growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) RNA and protein expression were lost in select human and mouse glioma cell lines. In this study, we demonstrate that re-expression of GAP43 in deficient C6 glioma cells results in growth suppression in clonogenic assays, as well as in multiple independently derived C6 glioma cell lines in vitro. GAP43-expressing C6 cells also exhibit reduced tumor growth as s.c. explants in immunocompromised mice in vivo. In addition, GAP43-expressing C6 clones demonstrate impaired cell motility and increased homophilic aggregation. GAP43 re-expression is also associated with reduced mitogen-activated protein kinase and AKT activation in C6 cells, suggesting that GAP43 functions as a novel glioma growth suppressor by modulating mitogenic signaling pathways.

The effects of the social environment and age on juvenile hormone (JH) and reproduction were investigated by measuring ovarian development, hemolymph levels of JH III, and rates of JH biosynthesis from the same individual bumble bees (Bombus terrestris). Differences in social environment were associated with differences in rates of JH biosynthesis, JH titer and ovarian development. Young queenless workers had a higher rate of JH biosynthesis, JH titer and ovarian development than queenright (QR) workers of similar age. Dominant workers in QR colonies had a higher rate of JH biosynthesis, JH titer and ovarian development than low ranked workers of similar size. There was a positive correlation between JH titer and ovarian development, but no correlation between rate of JH biosynthesis and ovarian development or between JH biosynthesis and JH titer. Both JH titer and rate of JH biosynthesis increased with age from emergence to 3 days of age, but 6-day-old workers, egg-laying workers, and actively reproducing queens had high JH titers and highly developed ovaries but low rates of JH biosynthesis. These results show that reproduction in B. terrestris is strongly affected by the social environment and the influence of the environment on reproduction is mediated by JH. Our data also indicate that the rate of JH biosynthesis measured in vitro is not a reliable indicator of JH titer or ovarian development in B. terrestris; possible reasons are discussed.

To report our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of a child with pleuropulmonary blastoma, which frequently gives rise to misdiagnosis and whose early diagnosis and proper treatment is the key element to ensure a favorable clinical result.

To evaluate the effect of thymectomy in the treatment of late-onset myasthenia gravis (MG) in the elderly.Twenty-three such cases receiving thymectomy were followed up.MG was more frequent in male patients in the elderly, with generalized MG more prevalent that was often complicated by thymoma and myasthenia crisis. The total effective rate of the surgical intervention was 43.5 %.Thymectomy is applicable in late-onset MG in the elderly in spite of the fact that its effect is not as good as that in younger patients.

The development of malignant gliomas (astrocytomas) involves the accumulation of multiple genetic changes, including mutations in the p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) cell cycle regulatory pathways. One Rb pathway alteration seen in high-grade astrocytomas is amplification of cyclin dependent kinase-4 (CDK4). To define the function of CDK4 amplification/overexpression in astrocytoma pathogenesis, we generated three transgenic mouse lines that overexpress human CDK4 (hCDK4) in astrocytes using the human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter. GFAP-hCDK4 mice do not develop brain tumors, but exhibit a small increase in astrocyte number. Cultured astrocytes from these mice do not demonstrate a cell-autonomous growth advantage in vitro and lack properties of transformed cells. To determine whether cdk4 overexpression provides a cooperative growth advantage in vitro, CDK4-overexpressing C6 glioma cell lines were generated and found to exhibit increased cell growth. In addition, GFAP-hCDK4; p53+/- as well as p53+/-; Rb+/- mice exhibited increased numbers of astrocytes compared to GFAP-hCDK4, p53+/-, or Rb+/- mice in vivo. No cooperative effect was observed with GFAP-hCDK4; Rb+/- mice. These results support the hypothesis that cdk4 overexpression alone is not sufficient for astrocytoma formation, but can provide a cooperative growth advantage in concert with genetic alterations in the p53 pathway.