The Effect of Polyacrylate Emulsion Coating with Unmodified and Modified Nano-TiO on Weathering Resistance of Untreated and Heat-Treated Wood.

In this research, the influence of titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles and their modifications on the weathering resistance of untreated and heat-treated wood was studied. The wood samples were coated with polyacrylate waterborne emulsion coatings that contain nano-TiO in the amount of 0.75 wt.

Environmentally Friendly UV-Protective Polyacrylate/TiO Nanocoatings.

The development of coatings that maintain the attractive natural appearance of wood while providing ultraviolet (UV) protection is extremely important for the widespread use of wood products. In this study, the influence of different types (powder form and aqueous dispersions) of TiO in an amount of 1.0 wt% by monomer weight on the properties of environmentally friendly polyacrylate (PA)/TiO emulsions prepared by ex situ and in situ polymerization, as well as on the UV-protective properties of the coating films, was investigated.

Epigenome alterations in aortic valve stenosis and its related left ventricular hypertrophy.

Aortic valve stenosis is the most common cardiac valve disease, and with current trends in the population demographics, its prevalence is likely to rise, thus posing a major health and economic burden facing the worldwide societies. Over the past decade, it has become more than clear that our traditional genetic views do not sufficiently explain the well-known link between AS, proatherogenic risk factors, flow-induced mechanical forces, and disease-prone environmental influences. Recent breakthroughs in the field of epigenetics offer us a new perspective on gene regulation, which has broadened our perspective on etiology of aortic stenosis and other aortic valve diseases.

Brain metastases from lung cancer show increased expression of DVL1, DVL3 and beta-catenin and down-regulation of E-cadherin.

The susceptibility of brain to secondary formation from lung cancer primaries is a well-known phenomenon. In contrast, the molecular basis for invasion and metastasis to the brain is largely unknown. In the present study, 31 brain metastases that originated from primary lung carcinomas were analyzed regarding over expression of Dishevelled-1 (DVL1), Dishevelled-3 (DVL3), E-cadherin (CDH1) and beta-catenin (CTNNB1).

Expression of secreted frizzled-related protein 1 and 3, T-cell factor 1 and lymphoid enhancer factor 1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Frequency and mortality of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are increasing for decades. However, the molecular background of RCC tumorigenesis is still poorly understood. In current study we investigated the expression of TCF/LEF and SFRP family members (SFRP1 and SFRP3) to gain a better understanding of biological signaling pathways responsible for epidemiology and clinical parameters of clear cell RCC (cRCC).

Frequency of loss of heterozygosity of the NF2 gene in schwannomas from Croatian patients.

Aim: To identify gross deletions in the NF2 gene in a panel of schwannomas from Croatian patients in order to establish their frequencies in Croatian population.

Methods: Changes of the NF2 gene were tested by polymerase chain reaction/loss of heterozygosity (LOH) using two microsatellite markers, D22S444 and D22S929.

Results: The analysis with both markers demonstrated that 43.

Brain metastases exhibit gross deletions of the APC gene.

Candidate genes involved in metastasis to the brain require investigation. In the present study, the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene was analyzed in a set of human brain metastases. Gross deletions of the APC gene were tested by polymerase chain reaction/loss of heterozygosity (LOH) using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method performed by the use of MspI and RsaI genetic markers inside exon 15 and exon 11.

Molecular alterations of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in brain metastases.

The molecular mechanisms and candidate genes involved in metastasis to the brain need elucidation. In the present study brain metastases were analyzed regarding changes of E-cadherin (CDH1) and beta-catenin (CTNNB1). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the CDH1 gene was detected in 42.

Genetic and protein changes of E-cadherin in meningiomas.

Purpose: The molecular mechanisms and candidate genes involved in development of meningiomas still needs investigation and elucidation.

Methods: In the present study 60 meningiomas were analyzed regarding changes of tumor suppressor gene E-cadherin (CDH1), a component of adherens junction and an indirect modulator of the wnt signaling. Gene instability was tested by polymerase chain reaction/loss of heterozygosity (LOH) method.

Report on mutation in exon 15 of the APC gene in a case of brain metastasis.

The study analyzes exon 15 of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) in a 49-year-old male patient with brain metastasis. The primary site was lung carcinoma. PCR method and direct DNA sequencing of the metastasis and autologous lymphocyte samples identified the presence of a somatic mutation.

Changes of AXIN-1 and beta-catenin in neuroepithelial brain tumors.

In the present study changes of components of Wnt signaling pathway--axin (AXIN1) and beta-catenin (CTNNB1) in a sample of 72 neuroepithelial brain tumors were investigated. AXIN-1 gene was tested by PCR/loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Immunostaining and image analysis revealed the quantity and localization of relevant proteins.

Meningiomas exhibit loss of heterozygosity of the APC gene.

The molecular mechanisms and candidate genes involved in development of meningiomas still need investigation and elucidation. In the present study 33 meningiomas were analyzed regarding genetic changes of tumor suppressor gene Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a component of the wnt signaling. Gene instability was tested by polymerase chain reaction/loss of heterozygosity (LOH) using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) method.