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Inconel 625 + WC composite coatings were prepared on the surface of 2Cr13 steel by laser cladding. The microstructure, microhardness and corrosion resistance of the composite coatings with different WC contents were investigated in detail. The results show that the phase compositions of the composite coatings are mainly γ-(Ni, Fe) and various carbides. The content of WC has a significant effect on the microstructure of the cladding layers. When the WC content is 10 wt% and 15 wt%, the cladding layer has developed columnar dendrites. However, the 20 wt% WC coating is mainly composed of cellular dendrites and columnar dendrites. With the increase in WC content, the average hardness of the composite coating gradually increases. The average hardness of 20 wt% WC coating is the highest (HV1 536.98), which is a factor of 2.64 greater than that of the 2Cr13 steel matrix. Electrochemical results show that all the composite coatings have better corrosion resistance than 2Cr13 steel in 0.5 mol·L−1 HCl solution. The composite coating with 10 wt% WC has the best corrosion resistance, its corrosion potential (Ecorr) is 0.78806 V higher than that of 2Cr13 steel, and the corrosion current density (Icorr) is only 0.86% that of 2Cr13 steel.

FeCoCrNiAlMox (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, molar ratio) alloy coatings were prepared on 2Cr13 steel substrates by wide-beam laser cladding, aiming to investigate the effects of different Mo addition amounts on the microstructure, phase composition, microhardness, and corrosion resistance of the coatings. The results show that all the coatings are of good quality without cracks or pores. Due to the dilution of the substrate, the actual composition of the coatings deviates from the designed composition to different degrees. The main constituent phase of different coatings was body-centered cubic solid solutions, which does not change with increasing Mo content. The middle part of the Mo0, Mo0.75, and Mo1.0 coatings consists of columnar crystal and Cr-rich needle-like precipitates, but the middle part of Mo0.25 and Mo0.5 coatings has a typical dendrite structure. There is not much difference in the alloy composition between dendrite and interdendrite, and the hardness and corrosion resistance of Mo0.25 and Mo0.5 coatings are basically the same. Among the coatings investigated in our study, the Mo1.0 coating has the greatest hardness and best corrosion resistance in 0.5 mol/L HCl solution.

Ultrasonic pretreatments were applied to lotus seeds at acoustic energy densities of 0.29, 0.40, and 0.51 W mL−1 for 10 min. After pretreatments, lotus seeds were subjected to microwave vac...

Recent breakthroughs in isotope-labeling and pulse sequence techniques have enabled the NMR characterization of large protein systems with molecular masses of hundreds of kilodaltons. NMR studies of a great variety of large proteins have provided unique insights into the binding, dynamic, and allosteric mechanisms. Here we present a brief summary of these developments by highlighting few cases that exemplify the uniqueness of NMR in providing atomic resolution information into key dynamic processes and structures of protein complexes with high degree of flexibility.

Catch and release Chaperones are essential for proper protein folding inside cells, but their interactions with client proteins are difficult to study because they are dynamic. Jiang et al. used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to look at how the chaperones Hsp70 and Hsp40 work together in the client binding and release cycle. Hsp40 alters the folding properties of the client protein, perhaps unfolding a non-native state, by binding dynamically through multiple binding sites. Hsp70 binding to Hsp40 displaces the unfolded client. The released protein may either fold to its native state, or be rebound for another chaperone cycle. Science , this issue p. 1313

To investigate the clinical significance of tissue factor (TF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression on peripheral blood CD14 positive monocytes in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).The expressions of TF and VEGF on peripheral CD14The expression levels of TF and VEGF on peripheral CD14The paripheral blood CD14

The microstructure changes of acrylate spray-on waterproof material in alkaline groundwater environment were tentatively studied with X-ray microscopy (XRM), and the validity of deciding the failure of the material was explored in paper. Regarded NaOH solution with pH=12 as corrosive medium, after the immersion in the alkaline solution, spray-on waterproof material was scanned with XRM, and the structure was characterized with some indexes such as porosity and pore connectivity. The results show that when the waterproof material is immersed in alkaline solution for some time, the surface of the material becomes uneven, the overall porosity falls and the pore connectivity rises. It is feasible to study on the failure of waterproof material in underground engineering with XRM.

Molecular recognition is integral to biological function and frequently involves preferred binding of a molecule to one of several exchanging ligand conformations in solution. In such a process the bound structure can be selected from the ensemble of interconverting ligands a priori (conformational selection, CS) or may form once the ligand is bound (induced fit, IF). Here we focus on the ubiquitous and conserved Hsp70 chaperone which oversees the integrity of the cellular proteome through its ATP-dependent interaction with client proteins. We directly quantify the flux along CS and IF pathways using solution NMR spectroscopy that exploits a methyl TROSY effect and selective isotope-labeling methodologies. Our measurements establish that both bacterial and human Hsp70 chaperones interact with clients by selecting the unfolded state from a pre-existing array of interconverting structures, suggesting a conserved mode of client recognition among Hsp70s and highlighting the importance of molecular dynamics in this recognition event., eLife digest Proteins are the workhorses of a cell and are involved in almost all biological processes. Newly made proteins need to ‘fold’ into precise three-dimensional shapes in order to carry out their roles. However, proteins sometimes fold incorrectly or unfold. These protein forms are not able to work effectively and in some cases may even cause diseases. Chaperone proteins help other proteins to fold correctly and are found in living organisms ranging in complexity from bacteria to humans. There are many different types of chaperones that play different roles inside cells. One, called Hsp70, binds to proteins that are incorrectly folded to help them to mature into their correct structures. However, it was not clear whether Hsp70 can also associate with the mature, correctly folded form of the proteins. A technique called Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy can distinguish between mature, unfolded and chaperone-bound forms of the same protein. Sekhar et al. therefore used NMR to investigate which forms of a protein Hsp70 binds to. This revealed that both the bacterial and human versions of the Hsp70 chaperone interact only with unfolded proteins. The results presented by Sekhar et al. also explain why Hsp70 does not disrupt the routine workings of the cell: because it does not bind to mature forms of proteins. These observations extend our understanding of how chaperones assist in folding proteins, and fit into a broader research theme exploring how proteins recognize one another. It will now be interesting to see whether the same mechanism holds for more complex forms of proteins, such as aggregates, or larger protein structures with regions of both folded and unfolded elements.

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a rare anomaly that mandates surgical intervention. Patients with EA often have complicated medical courses due to both esophageal anomalies and related comorbidities. Although several prognostic classification systems have been developed to decrease the mortality rate in EA, most systems focus only on the influence of the major anomaly, and external risk factors that could be influenced by the neonatal caregivers to a certain extent are not included. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in neonates with EA and develop a scoring model to predict mortality. In total, 198 infants with EA who were treated with surgical intervention at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between March 2004 and June 2016 were included. The demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory testing, and outcomes during hospitalization were analyzed retrospectively. A predictive scoring model was developed according to the regression coefficients of the risk factors. The mortality rate was 18.1% (36/198). In the univariate analysis, higher incidences of prematurity, low birth weight, long gap, anastomotic leak, respiratory failure, postoperative sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, pneumothorax, and septic shock were found in the nonsurvivor group than in the survivor group (P

To explore the clinicopathologic features, differential diagnosis and therapy of myeloid sarcoma.The clinical data including clinical manifestations, laboratorial tests, histopathologicical examination, immunohistochemistry and clinical prognosis of 10 patients with myeloid sarcoma were analyzed retrospectively. Among 10 patients, 5 male and 5 female, aged 23 to 71 years old (median = 36 years).2 cases of myeloid sarcoma were secondary from chronic myeloid leukemia, and 1 cases of myeloid sarcoma occurred after the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation due to acute myeloid leukemia, and the others lacked the anamnesis of malignancies. The neoplasms occurred at bone, brain, skin, breast, epididymis, uterine cervix, small intestine, ovary and lymph nodes. Microscopically, the tumor cells were round or oval, which infiltrated diffusely or arranged in single-file. The cytoplasm was scarce and immature eosinophils were scattered. The nuclei were round, oval or focally irregular, and the mitosis was visible. The neoplasms were positive for MPO, CD34, CD43, CD45, CD99 and CD117 by immunohistochemical staining. 4 patients progressed into acute myeloid leukemia from 2 to 10 months after the diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma. All of them achieved complete remission after inductive chemotherapy, but 3 patients relapsed from 3 to 12 months after remission and only survived for 14 to 23 months. 4 patients were treated by using chemotherapy before bone marrow abnormality, and with the disease-free survival for 1 to 48 months.Myeloid sarcoma needs to be distinguished from lymphoblastic lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms and so on. The diagnosis and differential diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma are dependent on the pathological and immunohisto-chemical features. The chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation of acute myeloid leukemia are the main methods for treatment of myeloid sarcoma.

Monascus vinegar is one of the most famous and popular Chinese vinegars. The present study identified 60 volatile compounds, 23 amino acids, and seven organic acids during the traditional brewing of Monascus vinegar. Acetic acid, alanine, alcohols, esters, lactic acid, and valine were the predominant metabolic compounds found during the fermentation process. Komagataeibacter medellinensis, Lactobacillus acetotolerans, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, Sterigmatomyces halophilus, and Yarrowia lipolytica were the dominant microorganisms during the traditional brewing of Monascus vinegar. Furthermore, based on Spearman's correlation analysis, K. medellinensis showed a positive correlation with acetic acid, acetoin, benzaldehyde, phenethyl acetate, 4-ethylphenol, proline, threonine, and isoleucine. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was positively associated with the production of acetoin, benzeneacetaldehyde, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, proline, threonine, and isoleucine. Bacillus velezensis and Yarrowia lipolytica were positively correlated with esters and alcohols, implying that these microorganisms might make a significant contribution to the flavor of vinegar. These findings demonstrated that some microorganisms may play important roles in improving the aromatic quality of Monascus vinegar.

SummaryHuntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomally dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of polyglutamine (polyQ) in the huntingtin (Htt) protein. Htt yeast two-hybrid protein B (HYPB/SETD2), a histone methyltransferase, directly interacts with Htt and is involved in HD pathology. Using NMR techniques, we characterized a polyproline (polyP) stretch at the C terminus of HYPB, which directly interacts with the following WW domain and leads this domain predominantly to be in a closed conformational state. The solution structure shows that the polyP stretch extends from the back and binds to the WW core domain in a typical binding mode. This autoinhibitory structure regulates interaction between the WW domain of HYPB and the proline-rich region (PRR) of Htt, as evidenced by NMR and immunofluorescence techniques. This work provides structural and mechanistic insights into the intramolecular regulation of the WW domain in Htt-interacting partners and will be helpful for understanding the pathology of HD.

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) has become a widely used tool to examine microbial community structure. However, when DGGE is applied to evaluate the fungal community of traditional fermentation starters, the choice of hypervariable ribosomal RNA gene regions is still controversial. In the current study, several previously published fungal PCR primer sets were compared and evaluated using PCR-DGGE, with the purpose of screening a suitable primer set to study the fungal community of traditional fermentation starters for Hong Qu glutinous rice wine. Firstly, different primer sets were used to amplify different hypervariable regions from pure fungal cultures. Except NS1/FR1+ and ITS1fGC/ITS4, other primer sets (NL1+/LS2R, NL3A/NL4GC, FF390/FR1+, NS1/GCFung, NS3+/YM951r and ITS1fGC/ITS2r) amplified the target DNA sequences successfully. Secondly, the selected primer sets were further evaluated based on their resolution to distinguish different fungal cultures through DGGE fingerprints. Three primer sets (NL1+/LS2R, NS1/GCFung and ITS1fGC/ITS2r) were finally selected for investigating the fungal community structure of different traditional fermentation starters for Hong Qu glutinous rice wine. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region amplified by ITS1fGC/ITS2r, which is more hypervariable than the 18S rRNA gene and 26S rRNA gene, provides an excellent tool to separate amplification products of different fungal species. Results indicated that PCR-DGGE profile using ITS1fGC/ITS2r showed more abundant fungal species than that using NL1+/LS2R and NS1/GCFung. Therefore, ITS1fGC/ITS2r is the most suitable primer set for PCR-DGGE analysis of fungal community structure in traditional fermentation starters for Hong Qu glutinous rice wine. DGGE profiles based on ITS1fGC/ITS2r revealed the presence of twenty-four fungal species in traditional fermentation starter. A significant difference of fungal community can be observed directly from DGGE fingerprints and principal component analysis. The statistical analysis results based on the band intensities of fungal DGGE profile showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, Rhizopus oryzae, Monascus purpureus and Aspergillus niger were the dominant fungal species. In conclusion, the comparison of several primer sets for fungal PCR-DGGE would be useful to enrich our knowledge of the fungal community structures associated with traditional fermentation starters, which may facilitate the development of better starter cultures for manufacturing Chinese Hong Qu glutinous rice wine.

TDP-43 (TAR DNA binding protein of 43kDa) and its C-terminal fragments are thought to be linked to the pathologies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Here, we demonstrate that the aggregates or inclusions formed by its 35-kDa fragment (namely TDP-35) sequester full-length TDP-43 into cytoplasmic inclusions; and this sequestration is mediated by binding with RNA that is enriched in the cytoplasmic inclusions. RNA recognition motif 1 (RRM1) of TDP-43/TDP-35 plays a dominant role in nucleic-acid binding; mutation in this moiety abrogates formation of the TDP-35 inclusions and its RNA-assisted association with TDP-43. Thus, TDP-35 is able to sequester TDP-43 from nuclear localization into cytoplasmic inclusions, and RNA binding plays an essential role in this process.

Case-based reasoning (CBR) embodied in die and mold NC machining will extend the application of knowledge-based system by utilizing previous cases and experience. However, redundant features may not only dramatically increase the case memory, but also make the case retrieval algorithm more complicated. Additionally, traditional methods of feature weighting limit the development of CBR methodology. This paper presents a novel methodology to apply fuzzy similarity-based Rough Set algorithm in feature weighting and reduction for CBR system. The algorithm is used in tool selection for die and mold NC machining. The proposed method does not need to discretize continuous or real-valued features included in cases, from which can effectively reduce information loss. The weight of feature ai is computed based on the difference of its dependency defined as γ A − γ A − { a i } , which also represents the significance of the corresponding feature. If the difference is equal to 0, the feature is considered to be redundant and should be removed. Finally, a case study is also implemented to prove the proposed method.

Expansion of polyglutamine (polyQ) tract may cause protein misfolding and aggregation that lead to cytotoxicity and neurodegeneration, but the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. We applied ataxin-3 (Atx3), a polyQ tract-containing protein, as a model to study sequestration of normal cellular proteins. We found that the aggregates formed by polyQ-expanded Atx3 sequester its interacting partners, such as P97/VCP and ubiquitin conjugates, into the protein inclusions through specific interactions both in vitro and in cells. Moreover, this specific sequestration impairs the normal cellular function of P97 in down-regulating neddylation. However, expansion of polyQ tract in Atx3 does not alter the conformation of its surrounding regions and the interaction affinities with the interacting partners, although it indeed facilitates misfolding and aggregation of the Atx3 protein. Thus, we propose a loss-of-function pathology for polyQ diseases that sequestration of the cellular essential proteins via specific interactions into inclusions by the polyQ aggregates causes dysfunction of the corresponding proteins, and consequently leads to neurodegeneration.

Ataxin-7 (Atx7) is a component of the nuclear transcription co-activator complex; its polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion may cause nuclear accumulation and recruit numerous proteins to the intranuclear inclusion bodies. Full-length R85 (R85FL) is such a protein sequestered by polyQ-expanded Atx7. Here, we report that Atx7 specifically interacts with the third SH3 domain (SH3C) of R85FL through its second portion of proline-rich region (PRR). NMR structural analysis of the SH3C domain and its complex with PRR revealed that SH3C contains a large negatively charged surface for binding with the RRTR motif of Atx7. Microscopy imaging demonstrated that sequestration of R85FL by the polyQ-expanded Atx7 in cell is mediated by this specific SH3C–PRR interaction, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia 7.

TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a nuclear factor functioning in RNA processing. It was also reported that TDP-43 aggregates are deposited in motor neurons implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin (FTLD-U). To understand the mechanism underlying the inclusion body formation and possible functional alteration of TDP-43, we studied TDP-43 and its fragments and their effects on RNA processing in vitro and in cell models. We have identified a hydrophobic sequence in the C-terminus that is critical for the TDP-43 aggregation and inclusion formation. The synthetic peptide with this sequence forms an α-helical structure in solution but easily transforms into β-sheet structure. The inclusions formed by the C-terminal 35-kDa fragment (TDP-35) can recruit full-length TDP-43 to cytoplasmic deposition from functionally nuclear localization. TDP-35, rather than TDP-43 and the C-terminal 25-kDa fragment, is prone to aggregation in vitro, and it can further serve as a seed to facilitate aggregation of full-length TDP-43. This suggests that fragmentation of TDP-43 leads to cellular redistribution, inclusion body formation, and altered RNA processing, which are implicated in the molecular pathogenesis of ALS and FTLD.

To explore the values of tissue factor (TF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions on peripheral CD14+ monocytes in disease assessment, prognosis, and short-term efficacy evaluation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients.TF and VEGF expressions on CD14+monocytes in 47 NHL patients (disease group) before chemotherapy and after 4 chemotherapy cycles and in 30 healthy subjects (control group) were detected by flow cytometry, and the potential relationship among TF, VEGF, International Prognostic Index (IPI), and short-term efficacy were analyzed.TF and VEGF expressions on CD14 + monocytes in disease group were significantly higher than those in control group ( all P0. 01) and positive correlation was showed between them (r = 0. 708, P = 0.00). TF and VEGF expressions in Ann Arbor stage III and IV (n = 22 and 19) , symptomatic (n = 22) , lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased (n = 21) , Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score 2-4 (n = 12) and extranodal lesions1 (n = 16) groups were significantly higher than those in Ann Arbor stage II (an = 6) , asymptomatic (an =25) , LDH normal (n = 26) , ECOG score 0-1 ( n = 35) and extranodal lesions ~1 ( na = 31) groups, respectively (all P0.05). The expressions of TF and VEGF on CD14 + monocytes in high-risk (n = 7) or high-middle-risk (n = 11) groups were significantly increased compared with low-risk (n = 15) or low-middle-risk(n = 14) groups, respectively (all P0. 01). TF and VEGF expressions in non-remission group before chemotherapy (n = 11) were both obviously higher than those in remission group (an = 36, all P0. 01) , and after chemotherapy their expressions in remission group were significantly lower than those before chemotherapy (all P0. 01) , while such significant changes were not observed in the non-remission group ( all P0. 05).The high expressions of TF and VEGF on peripheral CD14 + monocytes can be useful markers in dis-ease assessment, prognosis evaluation and short-term efficacy observation of NHL patients.

Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal inherited disorder that causes the deterioration of brain cells. The polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion of huntingtin (Htt) is implicated in the pathogenesis of HD via interaction with an RNA splicing factor, Htt yeast two-hybrid protein A/forming-binding protein 11 (HYPA/FBP11). Besides the pathogenic polyQ expansion, Htt also contains a proline-rich region (PRR) located exactly in the C terminus to the polyQ tract. However, how the polyQ expansion influences the PRR-mediated protein interaction and how this abnormal interaction leads to the biological consequence remain elusive. Our NMR structural analysis indicates that the PRR motif of Htt cooperatively interacts with the tandem WW domains of HYPA through domain chaperoning effect of WW1 on WW2. The polyQ-expanded Htt sequesters HYPA to the cytosolic location and then significantly reduces the efficiency of pre-mRNA splicing. We propose that the toxic gain-of-function of the polyQ-expanded Htt that causes dysfunction of cellular RNA processing contributes to the pathogenesis of HD.

TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a nuclear factor functioning in RNA processing. It is also a major deposited protein in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin (FTLD-U). To understand the mechanism underlying the inclusion body formation and possible functional alteration, we studied some TDP-43 fragments and their effects on RNA processing in cell models. The results show that the 35-kDa fragment of TDP-43 (namely TDP-35, residues 90-414), but not TDP-25A (184-414), is capable of forming cytoplasmic inclusion bodies and altering pre-mRNA splicing. The inclusions formed by TDP-35 can also recruit full-length TDP-43 to cytoplasmic deposition from functionally nuclear localization. The in vitro studies demonstrate that TDP-35, rather than TDP-43 and TDP-25A, is prone to aggregation, and it further serves as a seed to facilitate aggregation of full-length TDP-43. This suggests that fragmentation of TDP-43 leads to cellular redistribution, inclusion body formation, and altered RNA processing, which are implicated in the molecular pathogenesis of ALS and FTLD.

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide but effective treatments are limited. Strategies to enhance neurovascular remodeling following stroke provide promising opportunities to improve tissue repair and functional recovery. We have previously demonstrated that whisker activity promotes central angiogenesis in rodent models of whisker-barrel cortex stroke. However, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of neurovascular plasticity by peripheral stimulation are not well-defined. Here, we report that angiogenesis and neurogenesis occur concurrently after cerebral ischemia and whisker stimulation in mice. We show that neuroblasts expressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) migrate along the vessels. Blocking VEGFR2 with the selective inhibitor SU5416 (semaxinib) attenuates ischemia-induced regenerative responses and completely prevents whisker stimulation-induced neurovascular remodeling. These results suggest that VEGFR2-mediated signaling plays an important role in promoting post-ischemia neurovascular remodeling and provides a link between angiogenesis and neurogenesis.

The study was aimed to investigate the clinical significance of coagulation function changes in lymphoma patients and to analyze the relationship between their changes and international prognostic index (IPI). The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB) were detected by magnetic bead method in 75 lymphoma patients and 20 healthy persons. The dehydrogenase (LDH) level was detected by rate method in all lymphoma patients and healthy persons. The results showed that (1) the APTT and FIB more obviously increased in lymphoma patients which displayed as hyperfibrinogenemia, as compared with control group (p0.05, p0.01); no obvious changes of coagulation indexes presented in patients with different ages and extranodal lesions (p0.05, p0.01). (2) APTT and FIB levels in stage III and IV patients were much higher than those in the stage II (p0.05 and0.01), and FIB level in stage IV group was significantly higher than those in the stage III (p0.05). FIB level in symptomatic group was significantly higher than that in asymptomatic group (p0.01). (3) APTT and FIB in increased LDH group were obviously higher than those in control group (p0.05, p0.01). Furthermore, FIB in increased LDH group was higher than that in normal LDH group (p0.05). FIB in performance status (PS) 2 - 4 groups increased significantly as compared with those in PS 0-1 group (p0.01). (4)FIB levels in the low-middle-risk, high-middle-risk and high-risk groups were significantly higher than those in control group (p0.01), while FIB levels in high-middle-risk and high-risk groups were higher than those in low-risk group (p0.05). (5) the number of FIB increased patients in symptomatic group, increased LDH group, PS 2 - 4 group and Ann Arbor stage III-IV group were much higher than those in counterparts (p0.05 or 0.01).There were positive correlations between FIB and LDH level, PS grades, Ann Arbor stages as well as risk grades respectively (p0.05 or 0.01). It is concluded that lymphoma patients usually accompany with hyperfibrinogenemia which may be influenced by Ann Arbor stage, systemic symptom, LDH level and PS grade. FIB is supposed to be an effective indication of prognosis in lymphoma patients.

To investigate the expressions and significances of Survivin and Smac in ovarian mucinous tumors.A total of 55 paraffin-embedded specimens of primary ovarian mucinous tumors were collected. SABC was used to detect protein expression of Survivin and Smac genes. Immunoelectron microscopy using colloidal gold labeling was performed to determine the subcellular localization and patterns of Smac protein expression.(1) The cytoplasmic expression rates of survivin in benign, borderline and malignant ovarian mucinous tumors were 2/20, 12/15 and 20/20 respectively, which presents an improving trend.There were significant differences of survivin expression between benign vs. borderline lesions (P0.01), and benign vs. malignant tumors (P0.01). The nuclear expression rates of survivin in benign, borderline and malignant ovarian mucinous tumors were 1/20, 6/15 and 5/20, respectively, which presents a.declining trend.There was significant difference of survivin expression between benign vs. borderline tumors (P0.05). The positive expression rates of Smac among the three groups were 19/20, 9/15 and 3/20, respectively. There was significant difference among the three groups (P0.01 or0.05). There was a negative correlation between Survivin and Smac (r = -0.153, P0.01). (2) Colloidal gold labeling study demonstrated that mitochondrion intramembranous storage of Smac granules in the three groups were 24.1 ± 7.2, 11.1 ± 1.9 and 5.2 ± 1.7, respectively, and there were significant differences among the three groups (P0.01 or0.05). The extramemebranous Smac granules were 4.7 ± 3.0, 2.9 ± 1.0 and 1.7 ± 1.3, although without significant difference among the three groups (P0.05).With the malignant development of ovarian mucinous tumors, the expressions of Survivin are up-regulated, and the expressions of Smac are down-regulated. Smac proteins exist mainly in an inactive intramembranous storage form inside of mitochondria.

This study was purposed to explore the expressions of platelet-activated markers PAC-1 and CD62p in peripheral blood of malignant lymphoma patients and the influence of dipyridamole on their expression. 32 lymphoma patients were divided into simple chemotherapy group (simple group) and chemotherapy plus dipyridamole group (combined group) randomly, and 15 healthy peoples were selected as control group. The dipyridamole of 100 mg/day was given to the patients in combined group. The expression levels of PAC-1, CD62p and fibrinogen (Fib) were detected by flow cytometry and magnetic bead method on day 0, 3, 7 and 14 of chemotherapy respectively. The results showed that the levels of PAC-1, CD62p and Fib in lymphoma patients were significantly higher than those in control group (p0.01, 0.05), moreover there was positive correlation between levels of PAC-1 and Fib (r = 0.549, p0.01). PAC-1 expression on day 0 and 3 of chemotherapy in simple group was higher than that on day 14 (p0.05, 0.01) and CD62p expression on day 3 of chemotherapy was higher than that on day 0, 7 and 14 (p0.05, 0.01). PAC-1 expression in combined group on day 14 of chemotherapy was lower than than on day 0 and 3 (p0.05, 0.01), and CD62p on day 14 was lower than that on day 3 of chemotherapy (p0.05); PAC-1 and CD62p expressions in combined group on day 3, 7 and 14 of chemotherapy were decreased than those in simple group, but Fib level was not changed significantly. It is concluded that the patients with malignant lymphoma usually accompany with platelet activation and hyperfibrinogenemia in peripheral blood. Applying dipyridamole routine dosage in chemotherapy can efficiently restrain platelet activation.

Ubiquitin (Ub) is an essential modifier conserved in all eukaryotes from yeast to human. Phospholipase A(2)-activating protein (PLAA), a mammalian homolog of yeast DOA1/UFD3, has been proposed to be able to bind with Ub, which plays important roles in endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation, vesicle formation, and DNA damage response. We have identified a core domain from the PLAA family ubiquitin-binding region of human PLAA (residues 386-465, namely PFUC) that can bind Ub and elucidated its solution structure and Ub-binding mode by NMR approaches. The PFUC domain possesses equal population of two conformers in solution by cis/trans-isomerization, whereas the two isomers exhibit almost equivalent Ub binding abilities. This domain structure takes a novel fold consisting of four beta-strands and two alpha-helices, and the Ub-binding site on PFUC locates in the surface of alpha2-helix, which is to some extent analogous to those of UBA, CUE, and UIM domains. This study provides structural basis and biochemical information for Ub recognition of the novel PFU domain from a PLAA family protein that may connect ubiquitination and degradation in endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation.