[Involvement of store-operated calcium channels and receptor-operated calcium channels in Ca(2+)-sensing receptor-evoked extracellular Ca(2+) influx and NO generation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells].

This paper aims to investigate the effect of store-operated calcium channels (SOC) and receptor-operated calcium channels (ROC) on Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaR)-induced extracellular Ca(2+) influx and nitric oxide (NO) generation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). SOC blocker, non-selective cation channel blocker, ROC agonist and ROC blocker were used separately and combined. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) was measured by Fura-2/AM loading.

[Metronomic chemotherapy combined with dendritic cell vaccine inhibits VEGF secretion].

Background And Objective: The survival rate of lung cancer is low, thus new methods for treating this form of cancer must be explored. This study applies immune therapy with metronomic chemotherapy to observe the effect of combined therapy on suppressing tumor.

Methods: Mice were inoculated with Lewis lung carcinoma cells.

A prospective study of the efficacy of a combination of autologous dendritic cells, cytokine-induced killer cells, and chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Dendritic cells (DC) play a crucial role in the induction of an effective antitumor immune response. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, a subset of T lymphocytes, have the capacity to eliminate cancer cells. This study was to evaluate the correlation between the frequency of DC/CIK immunotherapies following regular chemotherapy, the time-to-progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS) of advanced non-small lung cancer patients.

Reduction of HBV replication prolongs the early immunological response to IFNα therapy.

Background & Aims: The interaction between HBV replication and immune modulatory effects mediated by IFNα therapy is not well understood. We characterized the impact of HBV DNA replication on the early IFNα-induced immunomodulatory mechanisms.

Methods: We interrogated the transcriptional, serum cytokine/chemokine and cellular immune profiles of 28 patients with HBeAg+ chronic HBV infection (CHB) randomly assigned to one of 4 treatment cohorts (untreated n=5, weekly dosing of 360 μg Pegasys [PegIFNα] n=11, daily dose of 300 mg Viread [tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, TDF] n=6, or a combination of both n=6).

RG7212 anti-TWEAK mAb inhibits tumor growth through inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and survival signaling and by enhancing the host antitumor immune response.

Purpose: To explore the role of TWEAK in tumor growth and antitumor immune response and the activity and mechanism of RG7212, an antagonistic anti-TWEAK antibody, in tumor models.

Experimental Design: TWEAK-induced signaling and gene expression were explored in tumor cell lines and inhibition of these effects and antitumor efficacy with RG7212 treatment was assessed in human tumor xenograft-, patient-derived xenograft, and syngeneic tumor models and phase I patients. Genetic features correlated with antitumor activity were characterized.

Self-catalytic crystal growth, formation mechanism, and optical properties of indium tin oxide nanostructures.

In-Sn-O nanostructures with rectangular cross-sectional rod-like, sword-like, and bowling pin-like morphologies were successfully synthesized through self-catalytic growth. Mixed metallic In and Sn powders were used as source materials, and no catalyst layer was pre-coated on the substrates. The distance between the substrate and the source materials affected the size of the Sn-rich alloy particles during crystal growth in a quartz tube.

Ultrasensitive and recyclable SERS substrate based on Au-decorated Si nanowire arrays.

Metallic nanoparticle (NP) decorated silicon nanowire (SiNW) heterostructures show significant promise in enhanced optical and opto-electrical properties due to the coupling of surface plasmon to nanowires. Here, recyclable Au-decorated silicon nanowire arrays (Au-SiNWAs) as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates were successfully fabricated by a simple galvanic displacement reaction. The influence of different average size and aggregation level of Au NPs on SERS activity was explored.

Prevalence, awareness, medication, control, and risk factors associated with hypertension in Bai ethnic group in rural China: the Yunnan Minority Eye Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and their associated factors among Bai ethnic population in the rural China.

Methods: A population-based survey was conducted in 2010 with a randomly cluster sampling in rural communities in Dali, southwest China. A total of 2133 adults aged 50 or above were interviewed, and their blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference were measured.

Nanoscale crystal imperfection-induced characterization changes of manganite nanolayers with various crystallographic textures.

(La,Sr)MnO3 (LSMO) nanolayers with various crystallographic textures were grown on the sapphire substrate with and without In2O3 epitaxial buffering. The LSMO nanolayer with In2O3 epitaxial buffering has a (110) preferred orientation. However, the nanolayer without buffering shows a highly (100)-oriented texture.

NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) C609T polymorphism and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: No clear consensus has been reached on the

Nad(p)h: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene C609T polymorphism and lung cancer risk. We performed a meta-analysis to summarize the possible association. We conducted a computer retrieval of PubMed and Embase databases prior to May 2013.

Genetic evidence of an East Asian origin and paleolithic northward migration of Y-chromosome haplogroup N.

The Y-chromosome haplogroup N-M231 (Hg N) is distributed widely in eastern and central Asia, Siberia, as well as in eastern and northern Europe. Previous studies suggested a counterclockwise prehistoric migration of Hg N from eastern Asia to eastern and northern Europe. However, the root of this Y chromosome lineage and its detailed dispersal pattern across eastern Asia are still unclear.

[Analysis of the endoplasmic reticulum stress in non-ablative skin rejuvenation using Q-switched 1064nm Nd:YAG laser].

Objective: To study the effect of Q-switched 1 064 nm Nd:YAG laser treatment on the proliferation of dermal collagen and expression of immunoglobulin binding protein/glucose related protein 78 (BiP/GRP78) in rats' skin and the mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Methods: Dorsal skin of 25 Wistar rats was divided into two parts equally after hair removal. Q-switched 1 064nm Nd:YAG laser was applied to treat rats' dorsal skin for 4 times at an interval of 2 days in the experiment part.

Evaluation of autologous serum skin test and skin prick test reactivity to house dust mite in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common skin disorder with etiology that is not well understood.

Methods: In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of autologous serum skin test (ASST) and skin prick testing (SPT) to house dust mite (HDM) in 862 CSU cases in China. Clinical features, courses and treatment responses were also recorded.

Genetic evidence of paleolithic colonization and neolithic expansion of modern humans on the tibetan plateau.

Tibetans live on the highest plateau in the world, their current population size is approximately 5 million, and most of them live at an altitude exceeding 3,500 m. Therefore, the Tibetan Plateau is a remarkable area for cultural and biological studies of human population history. However, the chronological profile of the Tibetan Plateau's colonization remains an unsolved question of human prehistory.

Graphene-based materials: fabrication, characterization and application for the decontamination of wastewater and wastegas and hydrogen storage/generation.

Graphene, as an ideal two-dimensional material and single-atom layer of graphite, has attracted exploding interests in multidisciplinary research because of its unique structure and exceptional physicochemical properties. Especially, graphene-based materials offer a wide range of potentialities for environmental remediation and energy applications. This review shows an extensive overview of the main principles and the recent synthetic technologies about designing and fabricating various innovative graphene-based materials.

[Effect of kurarinol on peripheral blood CTL surface PD-1 expression of patients with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To explore the anti-viral mechanism of kurarinol through studying its influence on cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) surface program death receptor-1 (PD-1) expression of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: 69 cases of CHB, HBV DNA > or = 10(4) copies/ml, HBeAg positive, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2 x upper limit of normal value(ULN).69 cases were randomly divided into two groups:34 cases in treatment group,600 mg of kurarinol glucose injection was used for intravenous dripping, once a day, one month later, 200 mg of kurarinol capsule was used orally,three times a day and 200 mg of silybin meglumine tablet was used orally, three times a day.

[Current approach on various methods of detection glaucomatous visual field progression].

Visual field is critical to evaluation of glaucoma progression. Various methods of detection of progression were used in clinical practice, but none of them is received as an ideal standard. It is very difficult to choose a method to distinguish progressive glaucomatous visual field loss from test variability.

Using modified whole-mount hybridization to study expression in zebrafish.

In this study, we cloned the myeloperoxidase () gene of zebrafish and prepared a digoxigenin-labeled RNA probe to investigate gene expression in zebrafish during embryonic development by whole-mount hybridization (WISH). The earliest expression was detected in cells of the intermediate cell mass (ICM) at 18 h post-fertilization (hpf). It was detected 1 to 2 h later in cells in the rostral blood island (RBI) and strong signals were observed in the anterior ICM.

Relationship between HBV genotypes B, C and follicular helper T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B and its significance.

Background: Clinical observations have shown that patients infected with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C versus genotype B had a higher load of the virus, more serious illness, and poorer responses to antiviral therapy and prognosis. However, the disparity between the two has not been clarified.

Objectives: To explore possible relationship between HBV genotypes B and C and peripheral blood follicular helper T cells (Tfh) and its significance in treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Prevalence and outcomes of cataract surgery in adult rural Chinese populations of the Bai nationality in Dali: the Yunnan minority eye study.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and visual acuity (VA) outcomes of cataract surgery in adults of the Bai Nationality populations in rural China.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey (from randomly selected block groups) of Chinese Bai Nationality aged ≥50 years in southwestern China. Presenting visual acuity (PVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded and a detailed eye examination was carried out.

MYCN transgenic zebrafish model with the characterization of acute myeloid leukemia and altered hematopoiesis.

Background: Amplification of MYCN (N-Myc) oncogene has been reported as a frequent event and a poor prognostic marker in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The molecular mechanisms and transcriptional networks by which MYCN exerts its influence in AML are largely unknown.

Methodology/principal Findings: We introduced murine MYCN gene into embryonic zebrafish through a heat-shock promoter and established the stable germline Tg(MYCN:HSE:EGFP) zebrafish.

Laparoscopic treatment of endometrial cancer: systematic review.

The objective of this review was to assess the efficacy and safety of laparoscopy compared with laparotomy for treatment of endometrial cancer. Trials were identified by searching the Cochrane Gynecological Cancer Collaborative Review Group Trial Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, BIOSIS Previews, the China Biological Medicine Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Whole Article Database, Wan Fang Data, and VIP Information, from January 1991 to May 2012, as well as the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library, issue 5, 2012). We also hand searched unpublished and gray literature, reference lists of identified studies, gynecologic cancer handbooks, and conference abstracts.

Crystal synthesis and effects of epitaxial perovskite manganite underlayer conditions on characteristics of ZnO nanostructured heterostructures.

This study presents the synthesis of high-density aligned wurtzite ZnO nanostructures using thermal evaporation on perovskite (La,Sr)MnO3(LSMO) epitaxy to form a heterostructure without the assistance of metallic catalysis. LSMO epitaxial films are RF-sputtered with various crystal qualities to examine the correlation between the interface and electrical characteristics of the heterostructures. The ZnO nanostructures-LSMO epitaxial heterostructures show electrical rectifying behavior without inserting an ultrathin insulating layer at the hetero-interface.

A comparison of Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser and intense pulsed light in the nonablative rejuvenation on rat model.

Background And Objective: A variety of laser and IPL treatments with continued progress have been applied for nonablative skin rejuvenation; however, the complete understanding of working mechanisms and clinical appliance strategy is not clear.

Materials And Methods: The rats were divided into three groups and irradiated with Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser and IPL. Image analysis, chemical colorimetry method, and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) were used to detect the dermal thickness, hydroxyproline, and the expression of III procollagen mRNA, respectively, at sequential time points following irradiation.

Linear measurements of healthy adults' coronal section of hippocampus on brain magnetic resonance imaging.

To figure out hippocampal anatomy features, which can be used as reference in determination of hippocampus-related disease, we rebuilt 3-dimensional brain models with magnetic resonance imaging; then, we chose 1 coronal section of the hippocampus and took 22 linear measurements of each section in 74 healthy adults. In each section, we took paired sample T test for the left and right measurements comparison, independent sample T test for sex difference comparison, and correlation analysis for relationships between age and other measurements. For the left and right comparison, 9 measurements have no significant difference (P > 0.