Polyimide covalent organic frameworks bearing star-shaped electron-deficient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon building blocks: molecular innovations for energy conversion and storage.

Polyimide covalent organic frameworks (PI-COFs) are outstanding functional materials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage owing to their integrated advantages of the high electroactive feature of polyimides and the periodic porous structure of COFs. Nevertheless, only anhydride monomers with symmetry are generally used, and limited selectivity of electron-deficient monomers has become a major obstacle in the development of materials. The introduction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a very effective method to regulate the structure-activity relationship of PI-COFs due to their excellent stability and electrical properties.

Brain uptake of a non-radioactive pseudo-carrier and its effect on the biodistribution of [(18)F]AV-133 in mouse brain.

Introduction: 9-[(18)F]Fluoropropyl-(+)-dihydrotetrabenazine ([(18)F]AV-133) is a new PET imaging agent targeting vesicular monoamine transporter type II (VMAT2). To shorten the preparation of [(18)F]AV-133 and to make it more widely available, a simple and rapid purification method using solid-phase extraction (SPE) instead of high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed. The SPE method produced doses containing the non-radioactive pseudo-carrier 9-hydroxypropyl-(+)-dihydrotetrabenazine (AV-149).

Mapping the target localization and biodistribution of non-radiolabeled VMAT2 ligands in rat brain.

Imaging targeting vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) alterations is a sensitive tool for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Our group has reported several novel 2-amino-DTBZ derivatives as potential VMAT2 imaging agents. The objective of this paper is to develop a non-radiolabeled methodology to screen the candidate compounds for accelerating the drug discovery process.

Correlation between expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and cervical lymph node metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objectives: We evaluated the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and studied their relationship with cervical lymph node metastasis.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of EMMPRIN and MMP-2 in specimens from patients with chronic nasopharyngitis (CN), nonmetastastic NPC (NM-NPC), and lymph node-metastatic NPC (LNM-NPC).

Results: The rates of positive EMMPRIN expression in CN, NM-NPC, and LNM-NPC were 13.

Potential role of minichromosome maintenance protein 2 as a screening biomarker in esophageal cancer high-risk population in China.

Minichromosome maintenance proteins are novel proliferative markers that have been proposed as diagnostic markers in many cancers. We evaluated the potential role of minichromosome maintenance protein 2 as a screening biomarker and compared it with proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67 in a population survey of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 299 esophageal samples from a high-risk region in China, including 171 from an endoscopy population survey, 30 from brushing cytology, and 98 from surgery and autopsy, underwent immunostaining with minichromosome maintenance protein 2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and Ki67 antibodies.

Image analysis of DNA content and nuclear morphometry for predicting radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the relationship among nuclear DNA content, nuclear morphology, clinical response, and radiosensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the suitability of image cytometric analysis of DNA content and nuclear morphology for predicting radiosensitivity of NPC prior to radiotherapy.

Study Design: Nuclear DNA content and morphology features were detected by image cytometric analysis in 51 biopsy specimens of NPC prior to radiotherapy. The radiotherapeutic effect experienced by the NPC patients was classified as CR (complete response [i.

Autophagy and endocytosis in the amnion.

To search for the origin of nutrition in the amnion, we focused attention on both endocytotic and autophagic pathways. Using ultrastructural and biochemical methods, we examined 20 human amnions at term gestation. The uptake of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used for the detection of endocytosis.

Analysis of basement membrane structure and inflammation during the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the Chinese Chaoshan high risk region.

Background & Aims: To investigate relationships between basement membrane structure, inflammation, beta1 integrin expression, activation of ERK/MAPK signaling pathways, and cell proliferation in esophageal mucosa at various stages during the evolution of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: Three tissue arrays were made of 228 tissue cores from 428 surgically-resected specimens. The arrays included 26 samples of normal epithelium, 28 with hyperplasia, 18 with dysplasia, 27 with carcinoma in situ and 129 with invasive carcinoma.

[Effects of selenium and B-27 supplements on viability and differentiation of neural stem cell in newborn rat].

Objective: To assess how trace element selenium and B27 supplements affect the neural stem cell (NSc) differentiation in vitro.

Methods: The development and differentiation of NSc from the newborn rat were observed with primary culture and subculture during treating by sodium-selenite, and selenium-methyl-cysteine (SMC). The immunocytochemistry techniques were used to identify the NSc and mature protein expression with neuron marker beta-tubulin, astrocyte marker GFAP, and oligodendrocyte marker CNPase.

Detection of HSV and EBV in esophageal carcinomas from a high-incidence area in Shantou China.

An association between viral infection, particularly the human papillomavirus, and the development of esophageal carcinoma (EC) has been reported. However, reports concerning the relationship between herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with EC are few. There are geographic variations in infection rates.

Prognostic and clinicopathological features of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, gamma-catenin and cyclin D1 expression in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aim: To investigate the expression of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, gamma-catenin and cyclin D(1) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and analyze their interrelationship with clinicopathological variables and their effects on prognosis.

Methods: Expression of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, gamma-catenin and cyclin D(1) was determined by EnVision or SABC immunohistochemical technique in patients with ESCC consecutively, their correlation with clinical characteristics was evaluated and analyzed by univariate analysis.

Results: The reduced expression rate of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin and gamma-catenin was 88.

Clinicopathologic analysis of esophageal and cardiac cancers and survey of molecular expression on tissue arrays in Chaoshan littoral of China.

Aim: To investigate clinical and pathologic data of esophageal carcinoma (EC) and cardiac carcinoma (CC) among residents in Chaoshan region of China.

Methods: Clinical and pathologic data of 9 650 patients with EC and 4 173 patients with CC in the Chaoshan population were collected and analyzed. Moreover, Chaoshan esophageal carcinoma tissue arrays were made for high-throughput study.

Correlation between expression of human telomerase subunits and telomerase activity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aim: To investigate telomerase activity and hTERT, TP-1 expression and their relationships in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: Telomerase activity was measured in 60 ESCC tissues using telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay by silver staining. In situ hybridization was used for detecting hTERT and TP-1mRNA.

The inhibition of growth and angiogenesis in heterotransplanted esophageal carcinoma via intratumoral injection of arsenic trioxide.

To investigate the antitumor action of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) by intratumoral injection into solid tumors, tumor growth inhibition (TGI) and angiogenesis of heterotransplanted esophageal carcinoma in mice was carried out. The cultured human esophageal carcinoma cells were inoculated into both laterals of the abdominal wall of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. When both lateral tumors had grown to about 10x8x5 mm(3), the right tumors were treated with an intratumoral injection of As2O3 in dosage of 1, 5 and 10 microg per day, respectively, for 10 days sequentially.

Upregulated expression of Ezrin and invasive phenotype in malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells.

Aim: To investigate the correlation between ezrin expression and invasive phenotype formation in malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells.

Methods: The experimental cell line employed in the present study was originated form the progressive induction of a human embryonic esophageal epithelial cell line (SHEE) by the E6E7 genes of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 18. The cells at the 35(th) passage after induction called SHEEIMM were in a state of immortalized phase and used as the control, while that of the 85(th) passage denominated as SHEEMT represented the status of cells that were malignantly transformed.

Effects of selenium and iodine on c-fos and c-jun mRNA and their protein expressions in cultured rat hippocampus cells.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of selenium (Se) and iodine (I) for expressions of c-fos and c-jun mRNA and their proteins in cultured rat hippocampus cells in selenium- and iodine-containing medium. With cultured rat hippocampus cells, the different doses of Se and I were added into the medium. The expressions of c-fos/c-jun in cultured rat hippocampus cells (1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, and 10 d) were studied by using both in situ hybridization histochemistry and SABC immunohistochemistry techniques.

Effects of selenium and iodine on the expression of c-fos and c-jun mRNA and their proteins in cultured rat hippocampus neurons.

Objective: To study the effect of selenium (Se) and iodine (I) and the compound of both on the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun mRNA and their protein expression in the cultured rat hippocampus neurons.

Methods: Using the technique of serum free hippocampus neuron culture, different doses of Se and I and Se + I compound were added into the medium. The expression of the mRNA of c-fos, c-jun in hippocampus neurons cultured for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 d were studied using both in situ hybridization and SABC immunohistochemical technique.

Relationship between Egr-1 gene expression and apoptosis in esophageal carcinoma and precancerous lesions.

Aim: To study the expression of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1 gene) and Bcl-X/(L) protein and its relationship with the cell apoptosis in human esophageal carcinoma (EC) and precancerous lesions.

Methods: In situ hybridization(ISH), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and TUNEL method were used respectively to detect Egr-1mRNA, Egr-1 protein, apoptosis related-protein Bcl-X/(L) and cell apoptosis in situ from 66 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and their upper cut edge and paracancerous mucosa.

Results: Egr-1 gene in situ hybridization, Bcl-X/(L) immunohistochemistry positive products were located in the cytoplasm, while Egr-1 immunohistochemistry and TUNEL positive signal were located in the nuclei.

[The promoter effects of sodium butyrate on the malignant transformation of the immortalized esophageal epithelium induced by human papillomavirus].

Objective: Study on the promoter effects of sodium butyrate in high or low dosages on carcinogenesis process, based on the immortalization of human fetal esophageal epithelium induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) 18E(6)E(7) genes.

Methods: The immortalized esophageal epithelium SHEE was treated with high concentration of the sodium butyrate (80 mmol/L) and then with low concentration (5 mmol/L) for 8 weeks respectively. The cells were cultured continuously without sodium butyrate for 14 weeks.

Morphometric analysis of AgNORs in nonkeratinizing carcinoma and adjacent normal epithelia in the nasopharynx.

Objective: To evaluate the proliferative activity of different types of nonkeratinizing carcinoma and adjacent normal epithelia in the nasopharynx by the quantitative assessment of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) proteins.

Study Design: Silver staining of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) was applied to 70 paraffin sections of nonkeratinizing carcinoma in nasopharyngeal biopsies. Fifty-four of the 70 cases had differentiated nonkeratinizing carcinoma (DNC), and the remaining 16 had undifferentiated carcinoma (UC).