Grade classification of neuroepithelial tumors using high-resolution magic-angle spinning proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and pattern recognition.

Clinical data have shown that survival rates vary considerably among brain tumor patients, according to the type and grade of the tumor. Metabolite profiles of intact tumor tissues measured with high-resolution magic-angle spinning proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HRMAS (1)H NMRS) can provide important information on tumor biology and metabolism. These metabolic fingerprints can then be used for tumor classification and grading, with great potential value for tumor diagnosis.

[Characterizing effects of solvent specific morus alba components on rat platelet aggregation, vascular tension and macrophage nitrite production].

Objective: To study the effects of different solvent extractions of Mori Ramulus on platelet aggregation, vascular tension, and nitrite production from macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharides and interferon-gamma.

Method: The components of Mori Ramulus were extracted by EtoAc, n-BuOH and chloroform respectively. Platelet aggregation was induced by ADP, arachidonic acid and collagen in vitro; nitrite production of activated macrophages was measured by Griess assay, and the vasodilatory effects of three extractions were investigated by isometric tension changes of aortic rings.

Effects of aqueous environment and surface defects on Arg-Gly-Asp peptide adsorption on titanium oxide surfaces investigated by molecular dynamics simulation.

The interactions between Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides and titanium oxide (TiO(2) ) surfaces are of considerable interest to medical technological and fundamental researchers. In the present study, a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was used to study the interfacial interaction between RGD and TiO(2) at an atomistic level. Four important factors affecting RGD adsorption were considered: the initial configuration of the RGD, the crystal structure of the TiO(2) materials, the presence of surface defects, and a water environment.

The theoretical and experimental study on dicalcium phosphate dehydrate loading with protocatechuic aldehyde.

The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO(4) x 2H(2)O, DCPD) and Protocatechuic aldehyde (C(7)H(6)O(3), Pca), which is the water-soluble constituents of Chinese Medicine, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bunge (SMB), by calculating the absorption energy through molecular dynamics simulation. Furthermore, the effects of functional groups of Pca and temperature on Pca adsorbed by DCPD are calculated respectively. DCPD/Pca and DCPD were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG).

The effects of hydroxyl groups on Ca adsorption on rutile surfaces: a first-principles study.

Hydroxyl groups on titanium surfaces have been believed to play an important role in absorbing Ca in solution, which is crucial in the formation of bioactive calcium phosphates both in vitro and in vivo. CASTEP, a first-principles density functional theory (DFT) code, was employed to investigate Ca adsorption on various rutile (110) surfaces in order to clarify how hydroxyl groups effect Ca adsorption. The surfaces modeled in the present study include a bare rutile (110) surface, a hydroxylated rutile (110) surface, an oxidized rutile (110) surface, and a rutile (110) surface bonded with mixed OH groups and water.

RNA modulators of complex phenotypes in mammalian cells.

RNA-mediated gene silencing, in the form of RNA interference (RNAi) or microRNAs (miRNAs) has provided novel tools for gene discovery and validation in mammalian cells. Here, we report on the construction and application of a random small RNA expression library for use in identifying small interfering RNA (siRNA) effectors that can modify complex cellular phenotypes in mammalian cells. The library is based in a retroviral vector and uses convergent promoters to produce unique small complementary RNAs.

Molecular dynamics simulations on the interaction between polymers and hydroxyapatite with and without coupling agents.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to study hydroxyapatite/biopolymer interface interactions in composites for biomedical applications. The study analyzed the binding energies between hydroxyapatite (HA) and three polymers: polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) and polylactic acid (PLA). The interactions of polymers on HA crystallographic planes (001), (100) and (110) were simulated.

Superantigens and the expression of T-cell receptor repertoire in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Conclusions: Staphylococcal exotoxins (SEs), acting as superantigens, activate the beta variable chains of T-cell receptors (TCRVbeta) with subsequent massive proliferation and corresponding excursion of gene spectra, thereby contributing to the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Objectives: To demonstrate the presence of SEs in sinonasal mucosa, and determine the effect of superantigens on the T cells expressing the target of superantigen, i.e.

Molecular dynamics simulation of RGD peptide adsorption on titanium oxide surfaces.

Peptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence is a ubiquitous adhesive motif found in various bone extracellular matrix proteins and is crucial in the biomaterial surface/interface reaction. This study analyzed the adsorption of RGD on different titanium oxide surfaces with molecular dynamics simulation. The simulation results indicate that the RGD peptide binds strongly with anatase (001) and rutile (010).

The role of superantigens in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Recent reports suggest that staphylococcal exotoxins, acting as superantigens, activate T cells with subsequent massive proliferation, thereby contributing to the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The objectives of this study are (1) to demonstrate directly the presence of staphylococcal exotoxins in nasal mucosa and sinonasal polyp tissue, and (2) provide indirect evidence of the effect of superantigens on the T cells expressing the target of superantigen, i.e.

[Expression of glucocorticoid receptor alpha and beta in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp].

Objective: To detect the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) alpha and beta in nasal polyps, and analyze the possible relationship between over-expression of GR beta and steroid insensitivity.

Methods: The expression of GR alpha and GR beta was examined by immunohistochemical SP method in the specimens from 17 patients with recurring nasal polyp, 18 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyp (CRSwNP), and 12 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyp (CRSsNP) that did not recur during follow-up for 1.5 - 2 years.

[Relationship between Staphylococcal superantigens and the dominant expression of T-cell receptor V beta gene in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp].

Objective: To analyse the relationship between superantigens produced by Staphylococcus aureus and the mRNA expression of T-cell receptor V beta region (TCR Vbeta), and to investigate the possible role of Staphylococcal superantigens in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.

Methods: Sinonasal mucus and polyp/mucosa tissue were obtained from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (22 patients with bilateral nasal polyps, 15 without nasal polyps) and 12 normal subjects as comparative negative controls. Mucus specimens were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Staphylococcal exotoxins,and analyzed for the expression of TCR Vbeta genes using the technique of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Alkanethiol monolayers at reduced and oxidized zinc surfaces with corrosion protection: a sum frequency generation and electrochemistry investigation.

In this work, octadecanethiol (ODT) was demonstrated to form ordered monolayers at either electrochemically reduced or oxidized Zn surfaces, by means of sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The SFG spectra of ODT-modified Zn electrodes featured three methyl group resonances in the C-H vibrational region (2800-3100 cm(-1)). A significant decrease in interfacial capacitance and an increase in charge-transfer resistance were observed in EIS measurement after ODT modification.

Preparation of alkanethiol monolayers on mild steel surfaces studied with sum frequency generation and electrochemistry.

An n-alkanethiol, octadecanethiol (ODT), monolayer was successfully prepared onto an oxide-free mild steel (MS) surface under cathodic polarization in a 0.1 M LiCl/CH(3)OH solution containing 1 mM ODT. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance (EIS) and sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy were applied to study and characterize the adsorption of ODT at a MS surface.

[The study of 11 cases of chordoma in the skull base or neck].

Objective: To study the clinical manifestation, histopathological types, radiological characteristics, surgical methods and the prospective efficacy of chordoma in the skull base and neck.

Method: Analyzed the characteristics about eleven patients with chordoma in the skull base or neck that we had treated in our department from 1985 to 2003 and introduced a case of a huge chordoma in the neck. All of the patients were treated by surgery.

[The expression and significance of Fas/FasL in nasal polyps tissue].

Objective: To explore the induction and control effect of Fas/FasL system in the occurrence and evolution of nasal polyps tissue.

Method: Nasal polyps samples of 40 cases and 5 healthy adults were examined for the genic expressions of factors Fas and FasL by using the method of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Result: The results indicated that the expressions of FasL in nasal polyps was high, and the expressions of Fas was low.

[Transnasal optic nerve decompression for optic nerve injury].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, techniques and advantages of the treatment of optic nerve injury by intranasal endoscopic surgery.

Method: This retrospective study presents the results of 39 cases (40 optic nerves) of indirect optic neuropathy where surgical decompression represented the primary mode of treatment within 2-18 days after trauma. The surgery is performed using the transethmoidal or trans-sphenoid technique.

[The maxillary swing approach to resect the tumors in the skull base and the paranasopharyngeal space].

Objective: To determine the best approach to resecting the tumors in paranasopharyngeal space and skull base.

Method: Through a Weber-Ferguson-Longmire incision,the whole maxilla was freed from bony connections and swung laterally while remaining attached to the masseter muscle and the cheek flap. Then the skull base and paranasopharyngeal space was exposed.

[The role of biomarkers CK7, Vim and P53 in the development of subtypes of endometrial carcinoma].

Objective: Analyzing the protein expression of biomarkers CK7, Vim, and P53 to investigate their possible pathogenic roles in the development of variant subtypes of endometrial carcinoma.

Methods: Biomarkers CK7, Vim, and P53 were immunohistochemistry-stained among 131 endometrial carcinoma specimens including 93 endometroid, 8 adenoacanthoma, and 32 rare subtypes of adenosquamas carcinoma, clean cell carcinoma, and papillary carcinoma, which had been confirmed clinically and pathologically, and studied statistically with Fisher test and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) Test.

Results: Positive correlation was demonstrated among CK7, Vim, and P53 expression levels.

[The relationship between tumor angiogenesis and cellular proliferation activity in nasal inverted papilloma].

Objective: To investigate the expression of CD34 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and to study the relationship between tumor angiogenesis and cellular proliferation activity in nasal inverted papilloma (NIP).

Method: The expression of CD34 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were detected in 30 cases of NIP, 16 cases of nasal polyps (NP) and 11 cases of nasal squamous cell carcinoma (NSCC) with immunohistochemical S-P method and the tumor angiogenesis (as assessed by MVD) and cellular proliferation activity (as assessed by PCNA labeling index, PCNA-LI) was evaluated.

Result: A significant difference in CD34 expression was found among the three diseases above mentioned.

Binding affinity to and dependence on some opioids in Sf9 insect cells expressing human mu-opioid receptor.

Aim: To investigate the receptor binding affinity and naloxone-precipitated cAMP overshoot of dihydroetorphine, fentanyl, heroin, and pethidine in Sf9 insect cells expressing human mu-opioid receptor (Sf9-mu cells).

Methods: Competitive binding assay of [3H]ohmefentanyl was used to reveal the affinity for mu-opioid receptor in Sf9-mu cells. [3H]cAMP RIA was used to determine cAMP level.

Suppression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference by l-12-chloroscoulerine, a novel dopamine receptor ligand.

The effect of l-12-chloroscoulerine (l-CSL), a novel ligand with dual dopamine D1 receptor agonistic and D2 receptor antagonistic actions, on the development of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) was investigated in mice. Morphine (10 mg/kg)-induced place preference was dose dependently suppressed by coadministration of l-CSL (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg), which induced neither place preference nor place aversion when administered alone at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 (0.

Opioid activity of C8813, a novel and potent opioid analgesic.

Compound trans-4-(p-bromophenyl)-4-(dimethylamino)-1-(2-thiophen-2-yl-ethyl)-cyclohexanol (C8813), structurally unrelated to morphine, is a novel analgesic. The present study examined the antinociception, opioid receptor selectivity and in vitro activity of C8813. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated using mouse hot plate and acetic acid writhing tests.