[Association of CD133 and endothelin-converting enzyme expressions with prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the expression of tumor stem cell marker CD133 and endothelin-converting enzymes (ECE) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and their association with NSCLC lymphoid metastasis.

Methods: CD133 and ECE expressions was detected immunohistochemically in the specimens from 77 patients with NSCLC, and the association of CD133 and ECE expressions with the tumor size, histological type, differentiation, lymphoid metastasis, and prognosis of NSCLC was analyzed.

Results: The positive expression rate of CD133 and ECE was 51.

Direct evidence for interaction between lead ions and kidney DNA from silver crucian carp.

A direct interaction of lead (Pb) with kidney DNA from silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) has been systematically studied in vitro using multi-techniques, including UV-vis absorption, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism spectral methods and gel electrophoresis. We find that Pb is bound with four oxygen or nitrogen atoms of DNA in its fresh shell at the distances of 2.64 A.

[Expression of Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH 3 domain binding protein and osteopontin in esophageal squamous carcinoma and their effects on prognosis].

Objective: To investigate the expressions and significances of Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH 3 domain binding protein(G3BP) and osteopontin (OPN) proteins in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESC).

Methods: The expressions of G3BP and OPN proteins in 80 cases of ESC were detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationships between the 2 protein expression and tumor size, differentiation degree, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and prognosis of ESC were also explored.

Regulative mechanism of Ce3+ relieves DNA damage caused by Cd2+ in the kidney of silver crucian carp.

The mechanism of Cd2+ on the DNA cleavage and Ce3+ on the DNA repair in the kidney of silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) is investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis methods and assaying biochemical indexes. It proves that Cd2+ induces the classical laddering degradation of DNA in vivo, but DNA cleavage is repaired after injecting with a low Ce3+ concentration under various Cd2+ concentrations. The DNA cleavage caused by Cd2+ is the result of the activation of deoxyribonuclease (DNase) and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Cd2+ destroys the antioxidant system, which diminishes the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, and the increase of the lipid peroxidation (LPO) level.

[Expressions of RhoC and osteopontin in esophageal squamous carcinoma and association with the patients' prognosis].

Objective: To investigate the expressions of RhoC and osteopontin (OPN) protein in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESC) and their association with the biological behavior of ESC.

Methods: The expressions of RhoC and OPN protein were detected in 80 ESC cases by immunohistochemistry.

Results: The positive expression rate of RhoC was 66.

[Long-acting injectable microspheres of glucagon-like peptide-1].

Aim: To prepare glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) loaded long-acting injectable microspheres and to evaluate their in vitro release behavior as well as its pharmacodynamics.

Methods: GLP-1 loaded microspheres were prepared with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as carrier materials by dowble emulsion (W/O/W) method. Physical and chemical characteristics of microspheres, such as mean diameter, morphology and drug loading were evaluated.

[Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor C and matrix metalloproteinases-2 and prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) proteins and its relationship with the biological behaviors of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins in 42 cases of NSCLC tissues. The relationship of VEGF-C and MMP-2 expressions was analyzed with the tumor size, lymphatic vessel density (LVD), histological type, differentiation, clinical recurrence, lymph node metastasis and patients' survival time.

Mechanism of nano-anatase TiO2 on promoting photosynthetic carbon reaction of spinach: inducing complex of rubisco-rubisco activase.

Having a photocatalyzed characteristic, our previous research had proved that nano-anatase TiO2 is closely related to the photosynthesis of spinach. It could not only improve the light absorbance and the transformation from light energy to electron energy and to active chemical energy but also promote carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation of spinach. However, the mechanism of carbon reaction promoted by nano-anatase TiO2 remains largely unclear.

Long-term effects of mid-dose ursodeoxycholic acid in primary biliary cirrhosis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment on survival and liver histological progression of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term efficacy of mid-dose UDCA treatment for PBC.

Methods: Electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Cochrane controlled trials register, Science Citation Index, and PUBMED (updated to Nov 2005), and manual bibliographical searches were conducted.

Regulatory protein that inhibits both synthesis and use of the target protein controls flagellar phase variation in Salmonella enterica.

Flagellin is a major surface antigen for many bacterial species. The pathogen Salmonella enterica switches between two alternative, antigenic forms of its flagellin filament protein, either type B or C. This switching (flagellar phase variation) is achieved by stochastic inversion of a promoter that produces both type B flagellin (FljB) and an inhibitor (FljA) of type C flagellin formation.

In situ localization and substrate specificity of earthworm protease-II and protease-III-1 from Eisenia fetida.

Recently, the function in fibrinolysis of earthworm proteases has been studied. In our experiments, earthworm protease-II (EfP-II) and earthworm protease-III-1 (EfP-III-1) were isolated and purified from Eisenia fetida. As shown by the assay of sections of the earthworm on fibrin plates, the enzymic activity was mainly detected around the clitellum.

Influences of nano-anatase TiO2 on the nitrogen metabolism of growing spinach.

Previous research showed that nano-TiO2 could significantly promote photosynthesis and greatly improve growth of spinach, but we also speculated that an increase of spinach growth by nano-TiO2 treatment might be closely related to the change of nitrogen metabolism. The effects of nanoanatase TiO2 on the nitrogen metabolism of growing spinach were studied by treating them with nano-anatase TiO2. The results showed that nano-anatase TiO2 treatment could obviously increase the activities of nitrate reductase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamine synthase, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase during the growing stage.

Interaction mechanism between Cd2+ ions and DNA from the kidney of the silver crucian carp.

Cadmium is one of the most toxic heavy metals and is known to accumulate in freshwater food chains. The underlying mechanism for its genotoxicity has not been investigated for any freshwater fish. It has, however, been suggested that cadmium-induced carcinogenesis might involve either direct or indirect interaction of Cd2+ with DNA.

Effect of Nd3+ ion on carboxylation activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase of spinach.

Neodymium (Nd), as a member of rare earth elements, proved to enhance the photosynthesis rate and organic substance accumulation of spinach through the increase in carboxylation activity of Rubisco. Although the oxygenase activity of spinach Rubisco was slightly changed with the Nd(3+) treatment, the specific factor of Rubisco was greatly increased. It was partially due to the promotion of Rubisco activase (R-A) activity but mainly to the formation of Rubisco-Rubisco activase super-complex, a heavier molecular mass protein (about 1200kD) comprising both Rubisco and Rubisco activase.

[Expression of estrogen and progesterone receptor subtypes in human endometrial carcinoma tissues].

Objective: To investigate the expressions of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) subtypes in human endometrial carcinoma tissues.

Methods: Thirty samples of normal endometrial tissue and 66 endometrial carcinomas were investigated using western blot assays and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results: (1) Both ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA were significantly increased in endometrial carcinoma compared with that in normal endometrium tissues.

Prevention by Ce3+ of DNA destruction caused by Hg2+ in fish intestine.

The interactions between Hg2+, Ce3+, and the mixture of Ce3+ and Hg2+, and DNA from fish intestine in vitro were investigated by using absorption spectrum and fluorescence emission spectrum. The ultraviolet absorption spectra indicated that the addition of Hg2+, Ce3+, and the mixture of Ce3+ and Hg2+ to DNA generated an obviously hypochromic effect. Meanwhile, the peak of DNA at 205.

Effect of nano-TiO2 on photochemical reaction of chloroplasts of spinach.

The effects of nano-TiO2 (rutile) on the photochemical reaction of chloroplasts of spinach were studied. The results showed that when spinach was treated with 0.25% nano-TiO2, the Hill reaction, such as the reduction rate of FeCy, and the rate of evolution oxygen of chloroplasts was accelerated and noncyclic photophosphorylation (nc-PSP) activity of chloroplasts was higher than cyclic photophosphorylation (c-PSP) activity, the chloroplast coupling was improved and activities of Mg2+-ATPase and chloroplast coupling factor I (CF1)-ATPase on the thylakoid membranes were obviously activated.

Influences of nano-TiO2 on the chloroplast aging of spinach under light.

The effects of nano-TiO2 (rutile) on the chloroplast aging of spinach under light were studied. The results showed that when the chloroplasts were illuminated for 1, 5, and 10 min with 500 micromol/cm2/min light intensity, respectively, the evolution oxygen rate was rapidly increased; when the chloroplasts were treated for 20, 30, and 40 min with 500 micromol/cm2/min light intensity, respectively, the evolution oxygen rate was gradually decreased. While spinach was treated with 0.

Cancer incidence among refinery and petrochemical employees in Louisiana, 1983-1999.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of cancer among employees at two petrochemical facilities in south Louisiana, and to compare their cancer rates to those of the general population of south Louisiana.

Methods: Records on 4639 active and former employees and retirees from the two plants were linked to the Louisiana Tumor Registry (LTR) database by LTR staff to ascertain incident cases of cancer. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were then calculated using the south Louisiana population as the comparison and adjusted for age, race, and time period.

Influence of peptide conformation on oligosaccharide binding characteristics--a study using apamin-based chimeric peptide.

Interactions between proteins and heparin play a crucial role in most of the cellular process. Unraveling the forces that govern the formation of these complexes is vital for understanding the specificities involved in these biomolecular events. In the present study, a detailed analysis has been undertaken to evaluate the effect(s) of peptide conformation on heparin-binding, using a chimeric peptide, apaK6--a chimera of a highly stable neurotoxic peptide from honey-bee venom and a de novo designed lysine-rich peptide.

A nascent polypeptide domain that can regulate translation elongation.

The evolutionarily conserved fungal arginine attenuator peptide (AAP), as a nascent peptide, stalls the translating ribosome in response to the presence of a high concentration of the amino acid arginine. Here we examine whether the AAP maintains regulatory function in fungal, plant, and animal cell-free translation systems when placed as a domain near the N terminus or internally within a large polypeptide. Pulse-chase analyses of the radiolabeled polypeptides synthesized in these systems indicated that wild-type AAP functions at either position to stall polypeptide synthesis in response to arginine.

Efficient use of strong light for high photosynthetic productivity: interrelationships between the optical path, the optimal population density and cell-growth inhibition.

The interrelationships between the optical path in flat plate reactors and photosynthetic productivity were elucidated. In preliminary works, a great surge in photosynthetic productivity was attained in flat plate photoreactors with an ultra short (e.g.

[An epidemiologic investigation of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease among students aged 5-18 in west area of Sichuan Province].

Objective: To study the incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its epidemiologic features and the prevalence rate of rheumatic heart disease in west area of Sichuan province.

Methods: By using disease surveillance program, an epidemiologic investigation of ARF was performed from June 1992 to June 1995 and an annual screening survey was carried out among 46,595 students aged 5-18 in 1993 and 1994.

Results: The annual incidence of ARF was 12.