Targeting Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress: Potential Neuroprotective Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious central nervous system (CNS) injury disease related to hypoxia-ischemia and inflammation. It is characterized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, oxidative damage to nerve cells, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria serve as the primary cellular origin of ROS, wherein the electron transfer chain complexes within oxidative phosphorylation frequently encounter electron leakage.

Expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and connective tissue growth factor in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Objective: To investigate the presence of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods: This study was conducted from May to December 2009. Fifty patients with POP that underwent vaginal hysterectomy in the Department of Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, Wuhan, China were enrolled in this study.

Mesh erosion after pelvic reconstructive surgeries.

Objective: To report our experience on the erosion of polypropylene mesh used in pelvic reconstructive surgeries, and to discuss the pathological changes of mesh erosion.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 128 patients receiving pelvic reconstructive surgeries with polypropylene mesh from May 2006 to May 2009 in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, China. Data regarding patient demographics, operation notes, and follow up were collected.

Supramolecule-regulated photophysics of oligo(p-phenyleneethynylene)-based rod-coil block copolymers: effect of molecular architecture.

Three new topology-varied rod-coil block copolymers, comprising the same oligo(p-phenyleneethynylene) (OPE) rod components and the same coil components, were synthesized by atom-transfer radical polymerization. Their photophysical properties were systematically studied and compared in consideration of their solid-state structures and self-assembly abilities. These copolymers have similar intrinsic photophysical properties to the OPE rods, as reflected in dilute solution.

A facile route to semiconductor nanocrystal-semiconducting polymer complex using amine-functionalized rod-coil triblock copolymer as multidentate ligand.

A facile strategy affording an intimate nanocomplex of an amine-containing rod-coil triblock copolymer poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate)-poly(fluorene)-poly(2-(dimethyl amino) ethylmethacrylate) and CdSe nanocrystals is presented. Ligand exchange is observed by (31)P NMR. TEM and UV-vis absorption results indicate the CdSe NCs have a good dispersion in the conjugated polymer.

Aberrant expression of T-cell-associated markers CD4 and CD7 on B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

By multiparameter flow cytometry, the T-cell-associated markers CD4 and CD7 were aberrantly coexpressed on a case of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The CLL had an immunophenotype: CD19+, CD20+, CD79b+, CD5+, CD23+, FMC7+, kappa+, CD4+, and CD7+. Molecular analysis confirmed clonal rearrangement of the immunoglobin heavy chain genes and a germline configuration of the T-cell receptor genes.

Analysis of PTEN deletions and mutations in multiple myeloma.

Clonal plasma cells from patients with multiple myeloma (MM), plasma cell leukemia (PCL) and human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs) were analyzed for deletions/mutations of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN. By interphase-FISH, hemizygous PTEN deletions were detected in 4 (5.6%) of 71 MM patients, 2 (20%) of 10 PCLs, and 2 (20%) of 10 HMCLs.

Identification of cell lineages involved by t(15;17) in acute promyelocytic leukemia by combined fluorescence activated cell sorting and FISH.

Bone marrow cells from five patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with t(15;17) were studied by a combination of fluorescence activated cell sorting and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to establish the cell lineage involvement of t(15;17). Interphase FISH demonstrated that the fusion gene (PML/RARA) was present in almost all abnormal promyelocytes. In one case, the translocation was demonstrated in both CD34+ and CD34- APL cells.

Immunohistochemistry accurately predicts FGFR3 aberrant expression and t(4;14) in multiple myeloma.

The t(4;14) translocation detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is an independent prognostic factor for an adverse outcome of multiple myeloma (MM). Because t(4;14) uniquely results in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) expression, decalcified, paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsies were immunostained for FGFR3, and its expression was correlated with the t(4;14) status. FISH detected t(4;14) in 16 (19%) of 85 MM patient specimens, and immunocytochemistry detected aberrant FGFR3 expression in 13 (15%).

Manipulating supramolecular self-assembly via tailoring pendant group size of linear vinyl polymers.

In a series of poly[di(alkyl) vinylterephthalates] (PDAVTs) synthesized via radical polymerization, fine-tuning the size and shape of the side groups manipulated the supramolecular self-assembly and led to control over the formations between amorphous and 2D ordered hexagonal phases. To introduce the 2D long-range ordered structure, the size of the ester side groups at the 2- and 5-positions of the phenyl rings laterally attached to the backbones had to be in the range of propyl/isopropyl to hexyl. The relatively extended backbones observed in these polymers were attributed to steric effects from the side groups.