piR-823, a novel non-coding small RNA, demonstrates in vitro and in vivo tumor suppressive activity in human gastric cancer cells.

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), new non-coding small RNAs, are association with chromatin organization, messenger RNA stability and genome structure. However, the roles of piRNA in carcinogenesis are not clearly defined. By using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technology, we found that the expression level of piR-823 in gastric cancer tissues was significant lower than that in non-cancerous tissues.

Impaired alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor trafficking and function by mutant huntingtin.

Emerging evidence from studies of Huntington disease (HD) pathophysiology suggests that huntingtin (htt) and its associated protein HAP1 participate in intracellular trafficking and synaptic function. However, it is largely unknown whether AMPA receptor trafficking, which is crucial for controlling the efficacy of synaptic excitation, is affected by the mutant huntingtin with polyglutamine expansion (polyQ-htt). In this study, we found that expressing polyQ-htt in neuronal cultures significantly decreased the amplitude and frequency of AMPAR-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC), while expressing wild-type huntingtin (WT-htt) increased mEPSC.

piRNA, the new non-coding RNA, is aberrantly expressed in human cancer cells.

Background: Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a novel class of non-coding single strand RNAs. They are involved in germline development, in silencing of selfish DNA elements, and in maintaining germline DNA integrity. The relationship between piRNAs and carcinogenesis has not been shown yet.

[Chiral separation of pitavastatin calcium enantiomers by capillary zone electrophoresis].

A method of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been established for the chiral separation of pitavastatin calcium enantiomers. Several parameters, such as the running voltage, the composition and the pH value of the running buffer, the types of additive and so on, were evaluated. The optimal separation conditions were as follows: capillary, 53 cm (45 cm effective length, 50 microm); running buffer, 80 mmol/L Tris-HCl, pH 3.

Preparation and characterization of temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide) monolith for HPLC.

A temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide) [poly(NIPAAm-co-BIS)] monolith was prepared via a free-radical polymerization technique using an aqueous redox initiator in solution at -12°C. The effect of the % T (total monomer concentration/100 mL) and % C (cross-linker concentration/100 mL) on the visual form was investigated. The effect of the porogen on the pore structure was characterized by SEM.

Hopx and Hdac2 interact to modulate Gata4 acetylation and embryonic cardiac myocyte proliferation.

Regulation of chromatin structure via histone modification has recently received intense attention. Here, we demonstrate that the chromatin-modifying enzyme histone deacetylase 2 (Hdac2) functions with a small homeodomain factor, Hopx, to mediate deacetylation of Gata4, which is expressed by cardiac progenitor cells and plays critical roles in the regulation of cardiogenesis. In the absence of Hopx and Hdac2 in mouse embryos, Gata4 hyperacetylation is associated with a marked increase in cardiac myocyte proliferation, upregulation of Gata4 target genes, and perinatal lethality.

Selection of Reference Genes in Transcription Analysis of Gene Expression of the Mandarin Fish, Siniperca chuasti.

At present, transcription analysis of gene expression commonly uses housekeeping genes as control for normalization. In this study, the expression levels of three housekeeping genes including GAPDH, beta-actin, and 18S rRNA in six tissues and five developmental stages of the Mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi were assayed with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Differences in expression levels were analyzed using geNorm program.

The Chinese version of the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP): validity and reliability.

The Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) is a 100-point single-item rating scale that assesses four important domains of patients with mental disorders. This study was designed to examine the validity and reliability of a Chinese version of the PSP. The study was conducted in a sample of 157 patients with schizophrenia (confirmed by DSM-IV-TR criteria, SCID-P interview).

Detection of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood from patients with gastric cancer using microRNA as a marker.

Recently, the detection of occult cancer cells in peripheral blood has received a great deal of attention regarding the prediction of postoperative cancer recurrence and for novel strategies of adjuvant therapy. The aim of this study was to establish a new molecular diagnostic method of detecting circulating tumor cells. Gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells in 2 ml blood from healthy volunteers were serially diluted.

Palm oil mill effluent treatment using a two-stage microbial fuel cells system integrated with immobilized biological aerated filters.

An integrated system of two-stage microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and immobilized biological aerated filters (I-BAFs) was used to treat palm oil mill effluent (POME) at laboratory scale. By replacing the conventional two-stage up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) with a newly proposed upflow membrane-less microbial fuel cell (UML-MFC) in the integrated system, significant improvements on NH(3)-N removal were observed and direct electricity generation implemented in both MFC1 and MFC2. Moreover, the coupled iron-carbon micro-electrolysis in the cathode of MFC2 further enhanced treatment efficiency of organic compounds.

[Comparison of postural control between normal and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder boys].

Objective: To examine postural control between normal and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) boys, and compare the development characters.

Methods: In the study, 146 ADHD boys and 84 normal boys participated, ages being between 7 and 12 years. Balance Master was used to assess posture control.

Genetic characterization reveals no role for the reported ABA receptor, GCR2, in ABA control of seed germination and early seedling development in Arabidopsis.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is perceived by several different types of receptors in plant cells. At the cell surface, the ABA signal is proposed to be perceived by GCR2, which mediates ABA responses in seed germination, early seedling development and stomatal movement. GCR2 was also proposed to be a seven-transmembrane (7TM) G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR).

Interaction of soy food and tea consumption with CYP19A1 genetic polymorphisms in the development of endometrial cancer.

Certain polyphenols inhibit the activity of aromatase, a critical enzyme in estrogen synthesis that is coded by the CYP19A1 gene. Consumption of polyphenol-rich foods and beverages, thus, may interact with CYP19A1 genetic polymorphisms in the development of endometrial cancer. The authors tested this hypothesis in the Shanghai Endometrial Cancer Study (1997-2003), a population-based case-control study of 1,204 endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 controls.

[Expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B and PTEN protein in ovarian epithelial cancer].

Objective: To analyze the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (pAKT) and PTEN protein in ovarian epithelial cancer and to investigate the correlations between their expression and prognosis of ovarian epithelial cancers.

Methods: Expression of pAKT and PTEN in 12 normal ovarian tissues, 20 benign tumors, 12 borderline tumors and 80 cases of ovarian epithelial cancers were detected by immunohistochemical method, and their correlations were analyzed.

Results: The positive expression of pAKT in normal ovarian and benign tumor tissues were significantly lower than that in ovarian epithelial cancers (8%, 10% vs 55%; P < 0.

[Motor coordination function of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (review)].

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are both childhood disorders identified in the DSM-IV. Studies investigating ADHD have found that around half of ADHD cases also have motor problems severe enough to be diagnosed as DCD. Further, children initially diagnosed as DCD have also been found to meet moderate to severe diagnosis for ADHD.

[Multicenter phase II study of modified FOLFIRI regimen in the advanced colorectal cancer patient refractory to fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified FOLFIRI regimen in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients refractory to fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin.

Methods: The modified FOLFIRI regimen consisted of intravenous infusion of irinotecan 180 mg/m2 d1 + LV 200 mg/m2 dl + 5-Fu 400 mg/m2 bolus dl plus 46-hour intravenous infusion of 5-Fu 2.4 g/m2, every 2 weeks as one cycle.

[Study on relative bioavailability of ferulic acid of combination Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Cortex Cinnamomi in mice].

Objective: To study the phamacokinetics and relative bioavailability of combination Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Cortex Cinnamomi.

Method: The content of ferulic acid in plasma was determined directly by HPLC after oral administration of Cortex Cinnamomi in combination individually with Radix Angelicae Sinensis. The plasma concentration-time curve were plotted.

Oral contraceptive and IUD use and endometrial cancer: a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China.

Oral contraceptive (OC) and intrauterine device (IUD) use have been shown to be protective factors for endometrial cancer in several epidemiological studies; however, few studies have been conducted in Chinese populations. We evaluated the association between OC and IUD use and endometrial cancer risk in a population-based case-control study among Chinese women in Shanghai, China. The study included 1,204 newly diagnosed endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 age frequency-matched healthy controls.

Cloning of black carp beta-actin gene and primarily detecting the function of its promoter region.

A 3 338 bp DNA fragment including the open reading frame and 5'-flanking region of beta-actin gene for black carp genome was obtained through PCR amplification. Analysis of the sequencing results indicated the ORF of black carp beta-actin gene encoding a 375 amino acid protein that shares a high degree of conservation to other known actins. The black carp beta-actin sequence showed 100% identity to common carp, grass carp, and zebrafish, 99.

Weight history and risk of endometrial cancer among Chinese women.

Background: Adult obesity is a well-established risk factor for endometrial cancer. However, little is known about the association of endometrial cancer risk with body size early in life and weight change during adulthood. We investigated whether women with greater early-age body size or with greater weight change during adulthood have an increased risk of endometrial cancer.

In vitro expression and antibody preparation of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) GH.

The cDNA fragment encoding the mature polypeptide of growth hormone (GH) for the black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) was PCR amplified and subcloned into pET-28a. The recombinant expression plasmid pET-bcGH was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3) and fusion polypeptide containing a 6xHis-tag at the N-terminus was expressed after IPTG induction.

[Study on enhancing bioavailability of paeoniflorin by combined use with Chinese herbs for inner-warming].

Objective: To study the influence of Chinese herbs for inner-warming on the bioavailability of paeoniflorin (PF) and its mechanism.

Methods: Chinese herbs (pepper fruit, evodia fruit, cassia bark, fennel fruit and prickly-ash peel) were separately used in combination with PF for gastrogavage to mice. Reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the plasma concentration of PF in mice after medication.

AtGLB1 enhances the tolerance of Arabidopsis to hydrogen peroxide stress.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a widespread molecule plays an important role in plant stress responses. Here, we showed that an Arabidopsis line overexpressing hemoglobin 1 (AtGLB1) can enhance its tolerance to severe hypoxic stress. In our research, Arabidopsis lines with different hemoglobin levels were employed to study the relationship between H2O2 level and the tolerance to hypoxic stress.

Effect of adiposity and fat distribution on endometrial cancer risk in Shanghai women.

The authors conducted a population-based case-control study of 832 endometrial cancer cases and 846 frequency-matched controls in Shanghai, China (1997-2001), to examine the association of overall adiposity and body fat distribution with disease risk. Overall adiposity was estimated using weight and body mass index (BMI); upper body fat distribution was evaluated using waist circumference and waist:hip ratio. Overall and upper-body obesity were both associated with an elevated risk of endometrial cancer.

Physical activity and risk of endometrial cancer: a report from the Shanghai endometrial cancer study.

We evaluated the type and amount of physical activity associated with risk of endometrial cancer. In this population-based case-control study, in-person interviews were completed among 832 incident endometrial cancer cases and 846 age-matched controls. Physical activity from exercise, household activities, and transportation was assessed in adolescence and adulthood, as was lifetime occupational activity.