Thermal ethane activation by bare [V₂O₅]⁺ and [Nb₂O₅]⁺ cluster cations: on the origin of their different reactivities.

The gas-phase reactivity of [V2O5](+) and [Nb2O5](+) towards ethane has been investigated by means of mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The two metal oxides give rise to the formation of quite different reaction products; for example, the direct room-temperature conversions C2H6→C2H5OH or C2H6→CH3CHO are brought about solely by [V2O5](+). In distinct contrast, for the couple [Nb2O5](+)/C2H6, one observes only single and double hydrogen-atom abstraction from the hydrocarbon.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors arising in the pancreas: the first case report in Asia and a review of the 14 total reported cases in the world.

Objective: To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the pancreas based on our case and all the cases in the world.

Methods: The first case of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the pancreas in Asia was preliminarily reported by our group in 2006. The patient underwent three operations for the primary tumor and recurrences over 41 months prior to the patient's death in November 2007.

Improvement of nutritional support strategies after surgery for benign liver tumor through nutritional risk screening: a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical study.

Objective: The rising of individualized therapy requires nutritional risk screening has become a major topic for each particular disease, yet most of the screenings were for malignancies, less for benign diseases. There is no report on the screening of patients with benign liver tumors postoperatively. We aim to evaluate the nutritional support strategies post operation for benign liver tumors through nutritional risk screening.

Powerful 67 fs Kerr-lens mode-locked prismless Yb:KGW oscillator.

We report on the generation of 67 fs pulses from a diode pumped Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:KGW bulk laser. The average output power reached 3 W, corresponding to >38 nJ of pulse energy and >570 kW of peak power. The mode locking was initiated by a semiconductor saturable absorber.

[Correlative study between length of first metatarsal and transfer metatarsalgia after osteotomy of first metatarsal].

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the length of first metatarsal, hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal 1-2 angle (IMA1-2), plantar appearance, sesamoid position and postoperative 2-5 transfer metatarsalgia.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 375 cases (626 feet) undergoing osteotomy of first metatarsal with mini-incision. All cases were examined radiographically via weight-bearing and lateral views.

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct.

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a variant of bile duct carcinoma that is characterized by intraductal growth and better outcomes compared with common cholangiocarcinoma. IPNBs are mainly found in patients from Far Eastern areas, where hepatolithiasis and clonorchiasis are endemic. According to the immunohistochemical profiles of the mucin core proteins, IPNBs are classified into four types: pancreaticobiliary, intestinal, gastric, and oncocytic.

A newly-found pattern of social relationships among adults within one-male units of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxenalla) in the Qinling Mountains, China.

Group living provides various advantages to individuals in regards to protection avoidance, intergroup competition, productive success and social information. Stable one-male units (OMUs) consist of relationships between the adult females and the resident male as well as the relationships among adult females. Based on continuous observation of a reproductive group of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains, we analyzed the relationships among adult individual dyads within 4 OMUs.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of alpha-fetoprotein-negative small hepatic lesions.

Objective: We examined 103 cases over the last five years and discussed diagnosis and treatment of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative small hepatic lesions.

Background: Small hepatic lesions (less than 2 cm in diameter) usually have no typical imaging characteristics and therefore are difficult to diagnose, especially when AFP tests provide a negative result.

Methods: A total of 103 patients with AFP-negative small hepatic lesions from January 2003 to December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.

Phase II trial of temozolomide plus concurrent whole-brain radiation followed by TNV regimen as adjuvant therapy for patients with newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma.

Background: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma limited to the CNS. Treatment of PCNSL with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based chemotherapy and whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is associated with high rates of relapse and severe treatment-related neurotoxicity.

Aim: To report our experience of treating newly diagnosed PCNSL with temozolomide, nedaplatin, and vincristine (TNV), as the replacement of HD-MTX, in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Fiber Bragg grating-based plane strain monitoring of aerostat envelope structures.

A theoretical analysis of fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based plane strain monitoring of aerostat envelope structures is presented. Plane strain analysis of FBG-based aerostat envelope structures is much more complex than the case along the axis of the optical fiber because the effect of transverse stress on the FBG should be taken into consideration. To achieve accurate strain measurement of the aerostat envelope, a theoretical model is set up by using two perpendicular fibers in the monitoring.

A novel PTEN gene promoter mutation and untypical Cowden syndrome.

Cowden syndrome (CS), an autosomal dominant disorder, is one of a spectrum of clinical disorders that have been linked to germline mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene. Although 70-80% of patients with CS have an identifiable germline PTEN mutation, the clinical diagnosis presents many challenges because of the phenotypic and genotypic variations. In the present study, we sequenced the exons and the promoter of PTEN gene, mutations and variations in the promoter and exons were identified, and a PTEN protein expression negative region was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Electrospinning-thermal treatment synthesis: a general strategy to decorate highly porous nanotubes on both internal and external side-walls with metal oxide/noble metal nanoparticles.

The hybrid structure of nanoparticle-decorated highly porous nanotubes combines the advantages of large specific surface areas of nanoparticles and anisotropic properties of highly porous nanotubes, which is desirable for many applications, including batteries, photoelectrochemical water splitting, and catalysis. Here, we report a novel emulsion electrospinning-thermal treatment method to synthesize the nanoparticles deposited on both side walls of nanotubes with two unique characteristics: (1) large loading amount of nanoparticles per highly porous nanotubes (with the morphology of nanoparticles); (2) intimate contact between nanoparticles and highly porous nanotubes. Both features are advantageous for the above applications that involve both surface reactions and charge transportation processes.

Identification of recurrence related microRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive human cancers with a high frequency of post-surgical recurrence. It is very critical to diagnose HCC recurrence at an early stage for a better therapeutic treatment. In this study, we examined the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling in tumor tissues obtained from early and late recurrent HCC patients post-resection, using a microarray assay.

Geological events play a larger role than Pleistocene climatic fluctuations in driving the genetic structure of Quasipaa boulengeri (Anura: Dicroglossidae).

Paleoclimatic and paleogeological events have been identified as being the two main drivers of genetic structuring in extant organisms. We used a montane stream-dwelling frog, Quasipaa boulengeri, to explore the relative roles played by these drivers on species in southern China, a region needing thorough studies. We detected four major matrilines, and no broadly distributed haplotypes occurred.

[Enhanced cellulase production of Penicillium decumbens by knocking out CreB encoding a deubiquitination enzyme].

Penicillium decumbens T. is an important filamentous fungus for the production of cellulases to effectively degrade lignocellulose for second generation biofuel production. In order to enhance the capability of Penicillium decumbens to produce cellulases, we constructed a creB (a deubiquitinating enzyme encoding gene) deletion cassette, and generated a creB knockout strain with homologous double crossover recombination.

Inhibition of human aldose reductase-like protein (AKR1B10) by α- and γ-mangostins, major components of pericarps of mangosteen.

A human member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily, AKR1B10, was recently identified as both diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in the treatment of several types of cancer. In this study, we have examined AKR1B10 inhibition by five xanthone derivatives, components of pericarps of mangosteen, of which α- and γ-mangostins show potential anti-cancer properties. Among the five xanthones, γ-mangostin was found to be the most potent competitive inhibitor (inhibition constant, 5.

The role and clinical implications of microRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is common and one of the most aggressive of all human cancers. Recent studies have indicated that miRNAs, a class of small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, directly contribute to HCC by targeting many critical regulatory genes. Several miRNAs are involved in hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus replication and virus-induced changes, whereas others participate in multiple intracellular signaling pathways that modulate apoptosis, cell cycle checkpoints, and growth-factor-stimulated responses.

Theoretical study on cyclopropanation of endo-dicyclopentadiene with zinc carbenoids: effects of solvent and (ICH2)2Zn.

A computational study using a hybrid DFT method (M06) on the cyclopropanation of endo-dicyclopentadiene with Simmons-Smith zinc carbenoids is reported. Each channel proceeds via the methylene-transfer mechanism with a reactant complex (RC) and subsquently a asynchronous transition state (TS). The channels with monomeric IZnCH(2)I attacking the double bonds from the exo-face have a much lower barrier (about 16.

Analysis of strain transfer of six-layer surface-bonded fiber Bragg gratings.

A theoretical analysis of strain transfer of six-layer surface-bonded fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) subjected to uniform axial stress is presented. The proposed six-layer structure consists of optical fiber, protective coating, adhesive layer, substrate layer, outer adhesive layer, and host material, which is different from the four-layer case of common acknowledgement. A theoretical formula of strain transfer rate from host material to optical fiber is established to provide an accurate theoretical prediction.

Graphene-based composite materials beneficial to wound healing.

We use electrospinning to prepare chitosan-PVA nanofibers containing graphene. The nanofibers can be directly used in wound healing: graphene, as an antibacterial material, can be beneficial for this. A possible antibacterial mechanism for graphene is presented.

Novel oxoisoaporphine-based inhibitors of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase-induced beta-amyloid aggregation.

A series of novel oxoisoaporphine-based inhibitors (10-aminoalkylamino-1-azabenzanthrone Ar-NH(CH(2))(n)NR(1)R(2)) of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has been designed, synthesized, and tested for their ability to inhibit AChE, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and AChE-induced β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation. The synthetic compounds exhibited high AChE inhibitory activity with IC(50) values in the submicromolar range in most cases. Non-competitive binding mode was found for these derivatives by the graphical analysis of steady-state inhibition data.

Osteoid osteoma of the patella: report of two cases.

Osteoid osteoma is very rarely located in the patella, and can represent a significant diagnostic challenge, resulting in a delay of treatment. Patients with osteoid osteoma of the patella often present with knee pain that is also a typical symptom of trauma or of other diseases such as arthritis, which are much more common than osteoid osteoma. We present two young male patients diagnosed with osteoid osteoma of the patella.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of caffeic acid phenethyl ester-based inhibitors targeting a selectivity pocket in the active site of human aldo-keto reductase 1B10.

Inhibitors of a human aldo-keto reductase, AKR1B10, are regarded as promising therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, but those with both high potency and selectivity compared to the structurally similar aldose reductase (AKR1B1) have not been reported. In this study, we have found that, among honeybee propolis products, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) inhibited AKR1B10 (IC(50) = 80 nM) with 7-fold selectivity over AKR1B1. Based on a model of docked CAPE in AKR1B10, its derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory potency.