Heat stress induces epithelial plasticity and cell migration independent of heat shock factor 1.

Current cancer therapies including cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation and hyperthermic therapy induce acute proteotoxic stress in tumour cells. A major challenge to cancer therapeutic efficacy is the recurrence of therapy-resistant tumours and how to overcome their emergence. The current study examines the concept that tumour cell exposure to acute proteotoxic stress results in the acquisition of a more advanced and aggressive cancer cell phenotype.

[Bioinformatic research of the family of PEX11, peroxisome proliferous factor in fungus].

The family members of PEX11 are key factors involved in regulation of peroxisome proliferation. Sixty-six PEX11p candidates of PEX11 gene family from 26 representative fungal species were obtained and analyzed by bioinformatic strategies. In most filamentous fungi, 2 or 3 potential PEX11ps were found, in contrast with 1 or 2 in yeast species.

Wnt signaling induces proliferation of sensory precursors in the postnatal mouse cochlea.

Inner ear hair cells are specialized sensory cells essential for auditory function. Previous studies have shown that the sensory epithelium is postmitotic, but it harbors cells that can behave as progenitor cells in vitro, including the ability to form new hair cells. Lgr5, a Wnt target gene, marks distinct supporting cell types in the neonatal cochlea.

Intrinsic regenerative potential of murine cochlear supporting cells.

The lack of cochlear regenerative potential is the main cause for the permanence of hearing loss. Albeit quiescent in vivo, dissociated non-sensory cells from the neonatal cochlea proliferate and show ability to generate hair cell-like cells in vitro. Only a few non-sensory cell-derived colonies, however, give rise to hair cell-like cells, suggesting that sensory progenitor cells are a subpopulation of proliferating non-sensory cells.

Tumor epidermal growth factor receptor and EGFR PY1068 are independent prognostic indicators for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: To assess the prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) molecular characteristics of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Patients And Methods: HNSCC tumors from patients prospectively enrolled in either an Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) study and treated with surgery without an EGFR-targeted agent (N = 154) or enrolled in a chemoradiation trial involving the EGFR-targeted antibody cetuximab (N = 39) were evaluated for EGFR gene amplification by FISH and EGFR protein by immunohistochemical staining. Fresh-frozen tumors (EDRN) were also evaluated for EGFR protein and site-specific phosphorylation at Y992 and Y1068 using reverse-phase protein array (n = 67).

[Effects of elevated CO2 concentration on the quality of agricultural products: a review].

The increasing concentration of atmospheric CO2 and the nutritional quality of human diets are the two important issues we are facing. At present, the atmospheric CO2 concentration is about 380 micromol mol(-1), and to be reached 550 micromol mol(-1) by 2050. A great deal of researches indicated that the quality of agricultural products is not only determined by inherited genes, but also affected by the crop growth environmental conditions.

Isolating LacZ-expressing cells from mouse inner ear tissues using flow cytometry.

Isolation of specific cell types allows one to analyze rare cell populations such as stem/progenitor cells. Such an approach to studying inner ear tissues presents a unique challenge because of the paucity of cells of interest and few transgenic reporter mouse models. Here, we describe a protocol using fluorescence-conjugated probes to selectively label LacZ-positive cells from the neonatal cochleae.

Striking denervation of neuromuscular junctions without lumbar motoneuron loss in geriatric mouse muscle.

Reasons for the progressive age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, namely sarcopenia, are complex. Few studies describe sarcopenia in mice, although this species is the mammalian model of choice for genetic intervention and development of pharmaceutical interventions for muscle degeneration. One factor, important to sarcopenia-associated neuromuscular change, is myofibre denervation.

Analysis of Pax7 expressing myogenic cells in zebrafish muscle development, injury, and models of disease.

The transcription factor Pax7 is a marker and regulator of muscle progenitors and satellite cells that contribute to the embryonic development and postembryonic growth of skeletal muscle in vertebrates, as well as to its repair and regeneration. Here, we identify Pax7(+ve) myogenic cells in the zebrafish and characterize their behavior in postembryonic stages. Mononucleate Pax7(+ve) cells can first be found associated with myofibers at 72 hours post fertilization (hpf).

Prdm1a and miR-499 act sequentially to restrict Sox6 activity to the fast-twitch muscle lineage in the zebrafish embryo.

Sox6 has been proposed to play a conserved role in vertebrate skeletal muscle fibre type specification. In zebrafish, sox6 transcription is repressed in slow-twitch progenitors by the Prdm1a transcription factor. Here we identify sox6 cis-regulatory sequences that drive fast-twitch-specific expression in a Prdm1a-dependent manner.

[Preliminary study on relationship between multi-drug resistance-associated protein 4 and radiosensitivity of rectal cancer].

Objective: To explore the correlation between multi-drug resistance-associated protein 4(MRP4) and the sensitivity of rectal cancer to radiation.

Methods: A total of 95 patients with advanced rectal cancer and received radiation therapy between January 2000 and January 2009. MRP4 and P53 protein expression in the paraffin-embedded specimen were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Responses of root hair development to elevated CO2.

This review highlights a potential signaling pathway of CO2-dependent stimulation in root hair development. Elevated CO2 firstly increases the carbohydrates production, which triggers the auxin or ethylene responsive signal transduction pathways and subsequently stimulates the generation of intracellular nitric oxide (NO). The NO acts on target Ca2+ and ion channels and induces activation of MAPK.

Congenital choristomas of the oral cavity in children.

Objectives/hypothesis: To review our institutional experience with oral cavity choristomas in children.

Study Design: Retrospective case series and medical record review.

Methods: Medical records including clinic notes, operative reports, radiologic studies, and pathology specimens were reviewed.

A Pid3 allele from rice cultivar Gumei2 confers resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae.

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases. Using map-based strategy and in silico approach we isolated a new rice (Oryza sativa L.) blast resistance allele of Pid3, designated Pi25, from a stable blast resistance cultivar Gumei2.

A new specialization in astrocytes: glutamate- and ammonia-induced nuclear size changes.

We observed nuclear swelling in glutamate (Glu)-treated astrocytes that was concomitant with but independent of astrocytic cell swelling. We confirmed Glu-induced nuclear swelling with nuclei isolated from astrocytes. Ammonia is metabolically related to Glu and could induce a nuclear swelling in intact astrocytes but shrinkage in isolated nuclei.

[Analysis of risk factors associated with lymph node metastasis and prognosis of T1-2 colorectal cancer].

Objective: To investigate factors associated with lymph node metastasis and prognosis in patients with T1-2 colorectal cancer.

Methods: Patients with pT1-2 colorectal cancer between January 1999 to January 2005 were included. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic analysis were performed to evaluate risk factors associated with lymph node metastasis.

Dynamic expression of Lgr5, a Wnt target gene, in the developing and mature mouse cochlea.

The Wnt signaling pathway is a recurring theme in tissue development and homeostasis. Its specific roles during inner ear development are just emerging, but few studies have characterized Wnt target genes. Lgr5, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family, is a Wnt target in the gastrointestinal and integumentary systems.

[Hemodynamics and aortic tension induced by two septic shock models in rats].

Objective: To compare the ventricular-dynamic parameters and thoracic aorta tension induced by two septic shock models in rats.

Methods: Septic shock models were induced by cecal ligation or puncture (CLP) and intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. The carotid artery was cannulated and connected to a pressure transducer to determine mean arterial blood pressure (MABP).

[Retrograde percutaneous recanalization of chronic total occlusion of the coronary arteries via epicardial coronary collateral artery in 5 patients].

Objective: to explore the feasibility of percutaneous recanalization by retrograde approach via epicardial collaterals.

Methods: retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via epicardial collaterals was performed in 5 patients with previously failed antegrade PCI from April 2009 to November 2009. 7 F guiding catheters were engaged in donor artery.

[Lymph node metastasis and its risk factors in T1-2 staging invasive rectal carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the lymph node metastasis and its risk factors in T1-2 staging invasive rectal carcinoma.

Methods: The data of 1116 patients with rectal cancer treated with total mesorectal excision (TME) technique from January 2000 to April 2009 was analyzed retrospectively. The clinicopathological factors analyzed included gender, age, primary symptom type, number of symptoms, duration of symptom, synchronous polyps, preoperative serum carcino-embryonic antigen level, preoperative serum CA19-9 level, the distance of tumor from the anal verge, tumor size, tumor morphological type, tumor circumferential extent, tumor differentiation and tumor T staging.

Preparation and luminescence properties of Lu(2)O(3):Eu(3+) nanofibers by sol-gel/electrospinning process.

One-dimensional Lu(2)O(3):Eu(3+) nanofibers have been prepared by a combination method of sol-gel process and electrospinning technology. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL), and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra were used to characterize the samples. The XRD, FT-IR and TG-DTA results show that Lu(2)O(3):Eu(3+) samples crystallize at 900 degrees C.

Theoretical studies of EPR spectra and defect structure for Er3+ center in lithium niobate.

The optical and EPR spectra of octahedral Er(3+) center in LiNbO(3) have been studied by diagonalizing 364 x 364 complete energy matrices. The new set of crystal-field parameters that can well account for the Stark levels and EPR parameters have been obtained for Er(3+) ions in LiNbO(3). Simultaneously, by simulating the most reliable six-order parameter B(60) obtained, we have presented the evidence that the Er(3+) ions do not occupy the actual Li(+) site, but have a displacement along the C(3)-axis away from the Li(+) center by about 0.

Insecticide resistance profiles and synergism in field populations of the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) from Singapore.

The resistance profiles of 22 field-collected populations of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae), from various localities in Singapore were determined by topical bioassay against novel and conventional insecticides from six classes: (1) pyrethroid (beta-cyfluthrin, deltamethrin), (2) carbamate (propoxur), (3) organophosphate (chlorpyrifos), (4) phenyl pyrazole (fipronil), (5) neonicotinoid (imidacloprid), and (6) oxadiazine (indoxacarb). Compared with a laboratory susceptible strain, resistance levels ranged from 3.

Facile and controllable synthesis of monodisperse CaF2 and CaF2:Ce3+/Tb3+ hollow spheres as efficient luminescent materials and smart drug carriers.

Highly uniform and well-dispersed CaF(2) hollow spheres with tunable particle size (300-930 nm) have been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process. Their shells are composed of numerous nanocrystals (about 40 nm in diameter). The morphology and size of the CaF(2) products are strongly dependent on experimental parameters such as reaction time, pH value, and organic additives.

Preparation and characterization of upconversion luminescent NaYF4:Yb, Er (Tm)/PS bulk transparent nanocomposites through in situ polymerization.

The in situ polymerization method was applied to synthesize bulk nanocomposites consisting of hydrophobic NaYF(4):Yb, Er (Tm) nanoparticles as the filler and polystyrene (PS) as the host material. The oleic acid stabilized NaYF(4):Yb, Er (Tm) nanoparticles and NaYF(4):Yb, Er (Tm)/PS nanocomposites have been well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), upconversion photoluminescence spectra and luminescence decays. The well-crystallized NaYF(4):Yb, Er (Tm) nanoparticles are spherical with a mean diameter of 40 nm.