[Determination of fluorescent whitening agents in disposable sanitary products by high performance liquid chromatography].

A method for the determination of four fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) (FWA 357, FWA 220, FWA 204 and FWA 113) in disposable sanitary products by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed. The sample was extracted with a 20 mL ultrapure water by sonication for 30 min at 80 °C. The HPLC method was performed on an SB Phenyl column (250 mm x 4.

Inhibition of colorectal cancer stem cell survival and invasive potential by hsa-miR-140-5p mediated suppression of Smad2 and autophagy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third highest mortality cancer in the United States and frequently metastasizes to liver and lung. Smad2 is a key element downstream of the TGF-β signaling pathway to regulate cancer metastasis by promoting epithelial to mesenchymal transition and maintaining the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype. In this study, we show that hsa-miR-140-5p directly targets Smad2 and overexpression of hsa-miR-140-5p in CRC cell lines decreases Smad2 expression levels, leading decreased cell invasion and proliferation, and increasing cell cycle arrest.

A large malignant thymomas of the anterior mediastinum.

The surgical treatment of large malignant thymomas of the anterior mediastinum is associated with a high risk. Recently, a patient with a large malignant thymoma of the anterior mediastinum was treated with surgery, and the outcome is satisfactory. The diagnosis of such tumors is mostly based on the chest X-ray and CT scans, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Dissecting the roles of Ephrin-A3 in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor by TALENs.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma for which effective treatments have not yet been established due to poor understanding of its pathogenesis. Our previous study indicated that miR-210-mediated Ephrin-A3 (EFNA3) promotion of proliferation and invasion of MPNST cells plays an important role in MPNST tumorigenesis and progression. The purpose of the present study was to further investigate the roles of EFNA3 in MPNST.

[Infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome treated with acupuncture and clomiphene: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To explore the best therapy for infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: One hundred and twenty patients were randomized into three groups, a clomi-phene group (group A), an acupuncture-moxibustion + Chinese medicine group (group B) and a clomiphene + acupuncture-moxibustion+ Chinese medicine group (group C), 40 cases in each one. In the group A, since the 5th day of menstruation, clomiphene was prescribed for oral administration.

Occurrences and behaviors of naphthenic acids in a petroleum refinery wastewater treatment plant.

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are one class of compounds in wastewaters from petroleum industries that are known to cause toxic effects, and their removal from oilfield wastewater is an important challenge for remediation of large volumes of petrochemical effluents. The present study investigated occurrences and behaviors of total NAs and aromatic NAs in a refinery wastewater treatment plant, located in north China, which combined physicochemical and biological processes. Concentrations of total NAs were semiquantified to be 113-392 μg/L in wastewater from all the treatment units, and the percentages of aromatic NAs in total NAs was estimated to be 2.

Redo coronary artery bypass grafting: on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting revascularization techniques.

Objective: To analyze the short-term outcomes of redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using on-pump and off-pump CABG techniques.

Methods: From January 2003 to August 2013, non-randomized 80 patients were treated with redo CABG in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital. Among these patients, 40 underwent on-pump CABG technique (redo-ONCAB group) and 40 underwent off-pump CABG technique (redo-OPCAB group).

Anisometry anterior cruciate ligament sport injury mechanism study: a finite element model with optimization method.

ACL damage is one the most frequent causes of knee injuries and thus has long been the focus of research in biomechanics and sports medicine. Due to the anisometric geometry and functional complexity of the ACL in the knee joint, it is usually difficult to experimentally study the biomechanics of ACLs. Anatomically ACL geometry was obtained from both MR images and anatomical observations.

LLY-507, a Cell-active, Potent, and Selective Inhibitor of Protein-lysine Methyltransferase SMYD2.

SMYD2 is a lysine methyltransferase that catalyzes the monomethylation of several protein substrates including p53. SMYD2 is overexpressed in a significant percentage of esophageal squamous primary carcinomas, and that overexpression correlates with poor patient survival. However, the mechanism(s) by which SMYD2 promotes oncogenesis is not understood.

Survival of proper hepatic artery lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer: implications for D2 lymphadenectomy.

Background And Aims: There is a discrepancy between the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) guidelines (7th edition) and the Japanese treatment guidelines (3rd edition) with regard to the extent of D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer. In the AJCC, hepatic artery station (No.12a) lymph node (LN) metastasis is classified as distant metastasis, whereas in the Japanese guidelines, this classified is regional metastasis.

PIK3R1 negatively regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stem-like phenotype of renal cancer cells through the AKT/GSK3β/CTNNB1 signaling pathway.

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway has been identified as an important pathway in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We have reported a nonsense mutation in PIK3R1, which encodes the regulatory subunit of PI3K, in a metastatic RCC (mRCC), while the mutation was absent in the corresponding primary RCC (pRCC). To identify the function of PIK3R1 in RCC, we examined its expression in normal kidney, pRCC and mRCC by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Excess of rare variants in genes that are key epigenetic regulators of spermatogenesis in the patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), a severe form of male infertility, is often suspected to be linked to currently undefined genetic abnormalities. To explore the genetic basis of this condition, we successfully sequenced ~650 infertility-related genes in 757 NOA patients and 709 fertile males. We evaluated the contributions of rare variants to the etiology of NOA by identifying individual genes showing nominal associations and testing the genetic burden of a given biological process as a whole.

Inhibition of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth by a novel small molecular inhibitor of EGFR.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a therapeutic target (oncotarget) in NSCLC. Using in vitro EGFR kinase activity system, we identified a novel small molecule, WB-308, as an inhibitor of EGFR. WB-308 decreased NSCLC cell proliferation and colony formation, by causing G2/M arrest and apoptosis.

[Isolation and identification of electrochemically active microorganism from micro-aerobic environment].

Extracellular electron transfer of electrochemically active microorganism plays vital role in biogeochemical cycling of metals and carbon and in biosynthesis of bioenergy. Compared to anaerobic anode, micro-aerobic anode captures more energy from microbial fuel cell. However, most of previous researches focused on functioning bacteria in anaerobic anode, functioning bacteria in micro-aerobic anode was rarely studied.

Refractory left pleural effusion in an older patient: Atypical presentation of colorectal carcinoma.

The current study reports the case of a 60-year-old male that presented with a four-month history of recurrent chest pain. Chest X-ray examination revealed a left-sided pleural effusion. A closed thoracic drainage procedure was performed, but the chest pain relapsed shortly afterwards.

Influence of ultrasonic waves on the removal of different oil components from oily sludge.

Ultrasonic technology is a promising tool for washing oily sludge to recover oil. In this study, the influence of ultrasonic conditions on the removal of different oil components from oily sludge was investigated to optimize ultrasonic washing technology. Among the three frequencies (25, 50 and 100 kHz) applied, ultrasonic washing at 25 kHz exhibited the best performance in terms of oil extraction rate and efficiency.

microRNA-143 is associated with the survival of ALDH1+CD133+ osteosarcoma cells and the chemoresistance of osteosarcoma.

This study investigated the role of miR-143 in the chemoresistance of osteosarcoma tumor cells and the associated mechanisms. Real-time PCR was used to measure miR-143 levels. Western blot was used to detect protein expression.

[Effects of electroacupuncture with branch-foundation acupoint combination on the pituitary-target gland axis in aging rats with yang deficiency].

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with branch-foundation acupoint combination on the indices regarding pituitary-target gland axis in aging rats with yang deficiency, so as to explore its regulating mechanism on aging rats with yang deficiency.

Methods: Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, an EA group and an EA control group, 10 rats in each group. Except the normal control group, the rats in the rest 3 groups were all treated with subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 40 d, followed by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone for 7 d to establish aging model with yang deficiency.

A mechanical refractory period of chondrocytes after dynamic hydrostatic pressure.

Purpose: Mechanical stimulation, a crucial factor for maintaining the cartilaginous phenotype and promoting the chondrogenesis, has been widely used in autologous chondrocyte transplantation. This study was designed to investigate a novel concept of mechanical refractory period of chondrocytes after dynamic hydrostatic pressure (dHP).

Materials And Methods: dHP protocols (0.

Engraftable neural crest stem cells derived from cynomolgus monkey embryonic stem cells.

Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs), a population of multipotent cells that migrate extensively and give rise to diverse derivatives, including peripheral and enteric neurons and glia, craniofacial cartilage and bone, melanocytes and smooth muscle, have great potential for regenerative medicine. Non-human primates provide optimal models for the development of stem cell therapies. Here, we describe the first derivation of NCSCs from cynomolgus monkey embryonic stem cells (CmESCs) at the neural rosette stage.

Proximal gastric cancer: lymph node metastatic patterns according to different T stages dictate surgical approach.

Background: As a common form of gastric cancer migration, lymph node metastasis largely affects the surgical treatment and prognosis of gastric cancer. Surgery is the fundamental curative option for gastric cancer that varies depending on different stages. The study aimed to compare the clinicopathological characteristics and lymph node metastatic patterns in patients of proximal gastric cancer with different T stages and investigate a reasonable radical gastrectomy approach in terms of the range of lymphadenectomy for proximal gastric cancer.

Sternal reconstruction of deep sternal wound infections following median sternotomy by single-stage muscle flaps transposition.

Objective: To assess clinical effectiveness of using bilateral pectoralis major or plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps in treating deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following median sternotomy.

Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2013, 19 patients with DSWI after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery were admitted to our hospital, including 14 males (73.7%) and 5 females (26.

Identification of a novel EXT1 mutation in patients with hereditary multiple exostosis by exome sequencing.

Hereditary multiple exostosis (HME) is an autosomal inherited skeletal disease whose etiology is not fully understood. To further understand the genetic spectrum of the disease, we analyzed a five-generation Chinese family with HME that have observable inheritance. Exome sequencing was performed on three HME individuals and three unaffected individuals from the family.

Global gene expression profiling identifies ALDH2, CCNE1 and SMAD3 as potential prognostic markers in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Background: Current knowledge about the molecular properties and prognostic markers of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is sparse and often based on bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC), which is thought to share common risk factors with UTUC. However, studies have suggested that differences exist regarding tumor behavior and molecular biology of these cancers, comprehensive investigations are needed to guide the clinical management of UTUC. In recent years, massively parallel sequencing has allowed insights into the biology of many cancers, and molecular prognostic markers based on this approach are rapidly emerging.