The metabolism of proline, a stress substrate, modulates carcinogenic pathways.

The resurgence of interest in tumor metabolism has led investigators to emphasize the metabolism of proline as a "stress substrate" and to suggest this pathway as a potential anti-tumor target. Proline oxidase, a.k.

Diaqua-sodium(I) perchlorate bis-[μ-2-(carboxyl-atomethyl-imino-meth-yl)phenolato]bis-[(3-methyl-pyridine)copper(II)].

In the title compound, [Na(H(2)O)(2)]ClO(4)·[Cu(2)(C(9)H(7)NO(3))(2)(C(6)H(7)N)(2)], the Cu(II) atom is coordinated by one N atom and two O atoms from a tridentate N-salicylideneglycinate Schiff base dianion and one N atom from a 3-methyl-pyridine ligand. Longer Cu⋯O contacts [2.680 (2) Å] complete an approximate square-based pyramidal coordination geometry around Cu(II), forming a dimeric complex across a centre of inversion.

Extracellular matrix and HIF-1 signaling: the role of prolidase.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays an important role in stress-responsive gene expression. Although primarily sensitive to hypoxia, HIF-1 signaling can be regulated by a number of stress factors including metabolic stress, growth factors and molecules present in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Degradation of ECM by metalloproteinases (MMP) is important for tumor progression, invasion and metastasis.

Subwavelength discrete solitons in nonlinear metamaterials.

We present the first study of subwavelength discrete solitons in nonlinear metamaterials: nanoscaled periodic structures consisting of metal and nonlinear dielectric slabs. The solitons supported by such media result from a balance between tunneling of surface plasmon modes and nonlinear self-trapping. The dynamics in such systems, arising from the threefold interplay between periodicity, nonlinearity, and surface plasmon polaritons, is substantially different from that in conventional nonlinear dielectric waveguide arrays.

[Surgical treatment of giant coronary artery aneurysm].

Objective: To discuss the clinical features and surgical treatments of giant coronary artery aneurysm (CAA).

Methods: From July 1996 to October 2004, 6 giant CAA patients were underwent surgery at Fuwai hospital. Three cases were underwent CAA resection, 2 concomitant coronary bypass, 3 reconstruction.

[The pharmacokinetics of FK506 and its nanoparticles in aqueous humor of rabbits].

Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of FK506 and its nanoparticles in aqueous humor of rabbits applied with eye drops or subconjunctiva injections.

Methods: 42 New Zealand albino rabbits were divided into 2 groups. (1) Nanoparticle solution containing 10 microg FK506 was injected into subconjunctiva or dropped on conjunctival sac of rabbits (68 eyes in 34 cases).

Effects of intrathecally administerd NaV1. 8 antisense oligonucleotide on the expression of sodium channel mRNA in dorsal root ganglion.

Neuropathic pain has been hypothesized to be the result of aberrant expression and function of sodium channels at the site of injury. To investigate the effects of NaV1. 8 antisense oligonucleotide on the expression of sodium channel mRNA in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in chronic neuropathic pain.

[One-stage total thoracoabdominal aorta replacement with four branch vessel prosthesis under deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and subsection circulatory arrest].

Objective: To summarize the experience in one-stage total thoracoabdominal aorta replacement with four branch vessel prosthesis under deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and subsection circulatory arrest.

Methods: From August 2003 to May 2005 38 patients with thoracoabdominal aortic disease, including severe extensive thoracoabdominal aorta of Crawford II type (n = 4), chronic Stanford type B dissecting aneurysm (n = 24), chronic Stanford type A dissecting aneurysm (n = 5), and Marfan's syndrome with chronic Stanford type B dissecting aneurysm (n = 5), 25 males and 13 females, aged 40 +/- 9 (22-58), underwent one-stage total thoracoabdominal aorta replacement with four branch vessel prosthesis under deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and subsection circulatory arrest.

Results: Two patients died during the early post-operational period with a mortality of 5.

[Management of corneo-conjunctival malignant melanoma with "no touch technique" surgical excision and corneoscleral lamellar keratoplasty].

Objective: To study the management of "no touch technique" surgical excision and corneoscleral lamellar keratoplasty in the treatment of corneo-conjunctival malignant melanoma.

Methods: Surgical excision for corneo-conjunctival malignant melanoma in six cases, from October 1989 to January 2004 in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, were performed. The entire tumors were removed in one piece without touching the tumor (no touch technique).

[Clinical experience of simultaneous aortic operation and coronary artery bypass grafting].

Objective: To summarized the experience of simultaneous aortic operation and coronary artery bypass.

Methods: Between November 1997 and September 2004, thirty-six patients who underwent combined aortic operation and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were reviewed with a mean age of (57 +/- 12) years (range 31 to 75). Nineteen patients were suffered from aortic dissection.

Should the "elephant trunk" be skeletonized? Total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation for Stanford type A aortic dissection.

Objectives: To eliminate the residual false lumen in the descending thoracic aorta and improve long-term outcomes of surgical intervention for Stanford type A aortic dissection, we performed the skeletonized "elephant trunk" procedure in the ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement combined with transaortic stented graft implantation into the descending aorta for both acute and chronic type A aortic dissection, and the short-term results were compared.

Methods: Between April 2003 and November 2004, 60 consecutive patients (mean age, 53 +/- 16.7; approximate range, 28-78 years) with acute (n = 36) or chronic (n = 24) type A aortic dissection underwent this procedure.

[Dexterously use four branch vessel prosthesis on aortic surgery].

Objective: To review the experience of various positions aortic replacement by four branch prosthesis vessel.

Methods: From August 2003 to May 2005, we finished aortic procedures with four branch prosthesis vessel for 142 patients, aged (44 +/- 12) (22-78) years, weighted (72 +/- 20) kg (49-130 kg). We performed ascending aorta and total aortic arch replacement for 85 cases during right axillary artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass and selected antegrade cerebral perfusion.

[The application of modified classification of the aortic dissection].

Objective: To determine the indication, optimal operative procedures, plan and the estimation of the prognosis depending on the subtype of aortic dissection defined by the extension and extent of dissection.

Methods: The outcome of 708 patients with aortic dissection between January 1994 and December 2004 was analyzed. Among them 477 patients suffered from Stanford type A aortic dissection were treated.

Nitric oxide regulates prolidase activity by serine/threonine phosphorylation.

Prolidase [E.C. 3.

Surgical treatment of giant coronary artery aneurysm.

Objective: Giant coronary artery aneurysm is an extremely uncommon disease. Most previous reports have involved only single cases. This report describes 6 patients with giant coronary artery aneurysm, examines its causes, and aims to establish the optimal surgical strategies for this exceptional and rare pathology.

MnSOD inhibits proline oxidase-induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Proline oxidase (POX), localized on inner mitochondrial membranes, is encoded by a p53-induced gene and metabolically participates in p53-induced apoptosis. Previously, we showed that POX catalyzed the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We and others have demonstrated that overexpression of POX, independent of p53, causes apoptotic cell death in a variety of cancer cells.

AP-1 blockade in breast cancer cells causes cell cycle arrest by suppressing G1 cyclin expression and reducing cyclin-dependent kinase activity.

The AP-1 transcription factor is a central component of signal transduction pathways in many cells, although the exact role of AP-1 in controlling cell growth and malignant transformation is unknown. We have previously shown that AP-1 complexes are activated by peptide and steroid growth factors in both normal and malignant breast cells, and that blocking AP-1 by overexpressing a dominant-negative form of cJun (cJun-DN, TAM67) inhibits breast cancer cell growth both in vivo and in vitro. We hypothesized that TAM67 inhibits cell growth by altering the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, thus causing a cell cycle block.

Polyoma enhancer activator 3, an ets transcription factor, mediates the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 by nitric oxide in colorectal cancer cells.

Abundant evidence supports the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colorectal cancer. Nitric oxide (NO), a pro-inflammatory signaling factor, may regulate COX-2 expression and activity thereby linking hyper-inflammatory states to cancer susceptibility. Previously we showed that NO induced COX-2 expression.

Inhibition of AP-1 transcription factor causes blockade of multiple signal transduction pathways and inhibits breast cancer growth.

AP-1 transcription factors play a critical role in signal transduction pathways in many cells. We have investigated the role of AP-1 in controlling proliferative signals in breast cells, and have previously shown that AP-1 complexes are activated by peptide and steroid growth factors in both normal and malignant breast cells. In this study, we investigated the role of AP-1 in transducing proliferative signals induced by peptide and steroid growth factors.

[Effect of FK506 eye-drop combined with keratoplasty on recurrent Mooren's ulcer].

Objective: To observe the effect of FK506 eye-drop combined with keratoplasty on recurrent Mooren's ulcer.

Methods: 9 cases (15 eyes) of recurrent Mooren's ulcer were treated with topical FK506 eye-drop combined with keratoplasty. Of the 15 eyes, two of Mooren's ulcer smaller than half circle of the limbus were treated with 0.