Micro-ribonucleic acid expression profiling and bioinformatic target gene analyses in laryngeal carcinoma.

Abnormal expression of micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) might be clinically valuable as a biomarker or treatment target in the early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of tumors. However, little is known concerning abnormal miRNA expression of laryngeal carcinoma, one of the most commonly encountered head and neck tumors. Microarray analysis was used to obtain miRNA-expression profiles of ten pairs of freshly frozen laryngeal carcinoma tissue and surrounding normal tissue specimens.

Gemcitabine-induced pancreatic cancer cell death is associated with MST1/cyclophilin D mitochondrial complexation.

The pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains the most aggressive human malignancy with an extremely low 5-year overall survival. Postoperative gemcitabine could significantly delay recurrence after complete resection of pancreatic cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.

Lead poisoning influences TCR-related gene expression patterns in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes of exposed workers.

Previous studies have shown that occupational lead (Pb) exposure might influence human T-lymphocyte function, including such as changes in T-cell receptor (TCR) Vβ and Vγ repertoire and in expression of the TCRζ gene. Thus, the study here further investigated expression of TCRζ-related factors and the FcεRIγ gene (whose product has a functional role complementary to the TCRζ chain) and the Elf-1 gene whose product is involved in regulation of TCR expression. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to measure expression of TCRζ, FcεRIγ, and Elf-1 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from 17 Pb-exposed workers.

Enhanced removal of contaminant using the biological film, anoxic-anaerobic-aerobic and electro-coagulation process applied to high-load sewage treatment.

In order to explore a new treatment process applying to decentralized domestic sewage treatment, and enhance removal of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), a novel system integrating anoxic-anaerobic-aerobic (reversed A2O) and electro-coagulation (EC) process was studied, and complex biological media (CMB) was used as suspended carrier for biofilm development. In this work, TN, TP and COD removal performance were investigated with consideration of three major factors, hydraulic retention time (HRT), organic loading rate (OLR) and sludge recycle ratio (SRR). Results showed that (1) The optimum HRT was between 8 and 12 h.

Characterization of microbial community structure in a hybrid biofilm-activated sludge reactor for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

The microbial communities in a hybrid biofilm-activated sludge reactor (HY) for nitrogen and phosphorus removal were characterized by 16S rRNA-based clone libraries and phylogenetic analysis. The hybrid reactor removed over 90% of COD, 92% of total nitrogen (TN) and 95% of total phosphorus (TP) from the municipal wastewater, respectively. The mean removal rates of COD, TN, and TP in the conventional suspended activated sludge reactor were above 80%, 80% and 94%, respectively.

Characteristics of A20 gene polymorphisms in T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia.

A20 is a repressor of NF-κB and was recently shown to be frequently inactivated by deletions or mutations in several types of lymphomas including T-cell lymphoma. Little is known about the characteristics of A20 mutations in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). In this study, we analyzed A20 polymorphisms and characterized their features in 11 cases with T-ALL, 30 samples from healthy Chinese individuals, and 3 cells lines including CCRF-CEM, Molt-4, and Toledo cells.

Greenhouse gas emissions from landfill leachate treatment plants: a comparison of young and aged landfill.

With limited assessment, leachate treatment of a specified landfill is considered to be a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In our study, the cumulative GHG emitted from the storage ponds and process configurations that manage fresh or aged landfill leachate were investigated. Our results showed that strong CH4 emissions were observed from the fresh leachate storage pond, with the fluxes values (2219-26,489 mg Cm(-2)h(-1)) extremely higher than those of N2O (0.

Fenpropathrin biodegradation pathway in Bacillus sp. DG-02 and its potential for bioremediation of pyrethroid-contaminated soils.

The widely used insecticide fenpropathrin in agriculture has become a public concern because of its heavy environmental contamination and toxic effects on mammals, yet little is known about the kinetic and metabolic behaviors of this pesticide. This study reports the degradation kinetics and metabolic pathway of fenpropathrin in Bacillus sp. DG-02, previously isolated from the pyrethroid-manufacturing wastewater treatment system.

Diffusible signal factor (DSF) quorum sensing signal and structurally related molecules enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of antibiotics against some bacterial pathogens.

Background: Extensive use of antibiotics has fostered the emergence of superbugs that are resistant to multidrugs, which becomes a great healthcare and public concern. Previous studies showed that quorum sensing signal DSF (diffusible signal factor) not only modulates bacterial antibiotic resistance through intraspecies signaling, but also affects bacterial antibiotic tolerance through interspecies communication. These findings motivate us to exploit the possibility of using DSF and its structurally related molecules as adjuvants to influence antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial pathogens.

Efficacy assessment of newly developed open-window intervention needles for the treatment of cystic thyroid nodules that cannot be aspirated.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a novel open-window needle aspiration method and evaluate its efficacy in drainage and sclerotherapy of cystic thyroid nodules that cannot be aspirated with an 18-gauge needle.

Methods: Two rectangular windows 5.0 mm in length and 1.

Combination of AZD2281 (Olaparib) and GX15-070 (Obatoclax) results in synergistic antitumor activities in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer.

In this study, we explored the antitumor activities of the PARP inhibitor AZD2281 (Olaparib) and the pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor GX15-070 (Obatoclax) in six pancreatic cancer cell lines. While both agents were able to cause growth arrest and limited apoptosis, the combination of the two was able to synergistically cause growth arrest and non-apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, in an in vivo xenograft model, the combination caused substantially increased tumor necrosis compared to either treatment alone.

Long-term effect of temperature on N2O emission from the denitrifying activated sludge.

The long-term effect of various temperature (4°C, 12°C, 20°C, 25°C and 34°C) on nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from lab-scale denitrifying activated sludge was studied in terms of activation energy, abundance of functional gene nosZ and its transcription. Results showed that temperature had a positive effect on N2O emissions as well as the maximum biomass-specific reduction rates of N2O and NO3(-), ranging from 0.006% to 0.

Foxp3 gene expression in oral lichen planus: a clinicopathological study.

CD4+CD25+ Forkhead‑box protein 3 (Foxp3+) regulatory T cells are important in oral lichen planus (OLP). The present study aimed to investigate Foxp3 expression in CD4+CD25+ T cells of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and oral lesions in patients diagnosed with OLP, who were grouped as OLP subtype, duration and relapse. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry, Foxp3 expression levels in explants of oral lesions and CD4+CD25+ T cells from 32 patients with OLP were measured and compared, with 10 healthy subjects as the control group.

Changes in electrical response function and myosin heavy chain isoforms following denervation and reinnervation of bilateral posterior cricoarytenoid muscles in dogs.

Conclusions: Both electrical response function and mRNA expression of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) types 2X, 1, and Neonatal of bilateral posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle changed after denervation or reinnervation in canines.

Objectives: There is a need to investigate the electrical response function MyHC alteration of denervation or reinnervation in the bilateral PCA muscle of large animals.

Methods: MyHC isoforms expression profile and PCA muscle function outcome were detected by real-time reverse transcribed-polymerase chain reaction and muscle response to functional electrical stimulation, 9 weeks after denervation and reinnervation with ansa-recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis in dogs.

Distribution and clonality of the vα and vβ T-cell receptor repertoire of regulatory T cells in leukemia patients with and without graft versus host disease.

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the main complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Recent data indicated that regulatory T (Treg) cells might relate to GVHD, and such functions might be mediated by certain T-cell receptor (TCR) subfamily of Treg cells. Thus, we analyzed the distribution and clonality of the TCR Vα and Vβ repertoire of Treg cells from leukemia patients with and without GVHD after allo-HSCT.

Increased miR-449a expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues is inversely correlated with serum carcinoembryonic antigen.

Previously, microRNA-449a (miR-449a) has been shown to be involved in various types of cancer. However, its role in colorectal carcinoma remains unknown. The present study found that miR-449a expression was significantly increased in cultured colorectal carcinoma cells and cancer tissues obtained from 24 patients diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma, compared with the normal colorectal cells and the adjacent non-tumor tissues.

Interactions between hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable emulsion polymers and sodium dodecyl sulfate probed by fluorescence and rheology.

The interactions between a pyrene-labeled hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable emulsion (Py-HASE) polymer and the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in aqueous solution were investigated with a fluorometer, a rheometer, and a combination of both instruments to probe the fluorescence of the polymer while the solution was being sheared. Different amounts of SDS were added to two solutions with Py-HASE concentrations of 8 and 57 g/L. The pyrene monomer and excimer decays of the Py-HASE solutions were acquired and globally fitted according to the fluorescence blob model (FBM) and the model free (MF) analysis.

[Clinical survey and analysis of allergic rhinitis patients' allergens in Guangdong developed and developing regions].

Objective: To survey and analyze the allergic rhinitis patients' allergens in developed region of Pearl River Delta and developing region out of Pearl River Delta in Guangdong.

Method: Sixteen standard allergens were adopted for skin prick test and correlation factors were studied on 858 cases suspected allergic rhinitis from developed region of Pearl River Delta and developing region out of Pearl River Delta. Two regions patients sorts of allergen and their detection rate were compared, and the relationship between allergen positive rate and age, gender, body weight, family history was analyzed.

The TCR γδ repertoire and relative gene expression characteristics of T-ALL cases with biclonal malignant Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cells.

Despite significant improvement in our understanding of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) biology and pathogenesis, many questions remain unanswered. In previous studies, we found a T-ALL case with two malignant T-cell clones with Vδ1Dδ2Dδ3Jδ1 and Vδ2Dδ3Jδ2 rearrangements. In this study, we further characterized T-ALL cases with two malignant clones containing Vδ1Dδ3Jδ1 and Vδ2Dδ1Jδ1 rearrangements using fine-tiling array comparative genomic hybridization, ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LM-PCR), sequencing, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.

The role of PD-1 and PD-L1 in T-cell immune suppression in patients with hematological malignancies.

T-cell activation and dysfunction relies on direct and modulated receptors. Based on their functional outcome, co-signaling molecules can be divided as co-stimulators and co-inhibitors, which positively and negatively control the priming, growth, differentiation and functional maturation of a T-cell response. We are beginning to understand the power of co-inhibitors in the context of lymphocyte homeostasis and the pathogenesis of leukemia, which involves several newly described co-inhibitory pathways, including the programmed death-1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) pathway.

Coffee and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: brewing evidence for hepatoprotection?

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Several studies consistently show that coffee drinkers with chronic liver disease have a reduced risk of cirrhosis and a lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma regardless of primary etiology. With the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide, there is renewed interest in the effect of coffee intake on NAFLD severity and positive clinical outcomes.

The Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection Decreases with Older Age in Atrophic Gastritis.

The clinical pathological characteristics of 3969 adult patients with chronic atrophic gastritis were retrospectively studied. The positivity of intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia in atrophic gastric specimens increased with age; however, H. pylori positivity and inflammatory activity decreased significantly with increased age.

Cis-2-dodecenoic acid signal modulates virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa through interference with quorum sensing systems and T3SS.

Background: Cis-2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) is well known for its important functions in intraspecies signaling in Burkholderia cenocepacia. Previous work has also established an important role of BDSF in interspecies and inter-kingdom communications. It was identified that BDSF modulates virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Monooxygenase, a novel beta-cypermethrin degrading enzyme from Streptomyces sp.

The widely used insecticide beta-cypermethrin has become a public concern because of its environmental contamination and toxic effects on mammals. In this study, a novel beta-cypermethrin degrading enzyme designated as CMO was purified to apparent homogeneity from a Streptomyces sp. isolate capable of utilizing beta-cypermethrin as a growth substrate.

[Aspartate-ornithine granules in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a multiple-dose parallel controlled clinical trial].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of aspartate-ornithine granules in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: Seventy-two patients with NASH were included in this multiple-dose parallel controlled clinical trial and received a 12-week course of aspartate-ornithine granule treatment at either high-dose (6 g bid po; n = 38) or low-dose (3 g bid po; n = 34). Clinical efficacy was assessed by monitoring data from urinalysis, serologic tests (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and triglyceride (TG)), and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan.