Single-step conjugation of antibodies to quantum dots for labeling cell surface receptors in mammalian cells.

Labeling of cell surface receptors in living cells can be achieved using antibody-conjugated semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). The inherent photostable property of QDs can be exploited for understanding the arrangement and distribution of receptors in the plasma membrane. We describe herein methods that allow conjugation of antibodies to QDs in a single step without the formation of side products.

Organophosphorus acid anhydrolase bio-template for the synthesis of CdS quantum dots.

A direct conjugation of organophosphorus acid anhydrolase (OPAA) with CdS quantum dots was prepared via arrested precipitation within the enzyme matrix. The bio-conjugate was found not only to retain enzyme conformational structure but also to retain enzyme activity and be effective at detecting diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) at the micro molar level.

Aromatic aldehyde and hydrazine activated peptide coated quantum dots for easy bioconjugation and live cell imaging.

We present a robust scheme for preparation of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and cognate partners in a conjugation ready format. Our approach is based on bis-aryl hydrazone bond formation mediated by aromatic aldehyde and hydrazinonicotinate acetone hydrazone (HyNic) activated peptide coated quantum dots. We demonstrate controlled preparation of antibody--QD bioconjugates for specific targeting of endogenous epidermal growth factor receptors in breast cancer cells and for single QD tracking of transmembrane proteins via an extracellular epitope.

Determination of the size of quantum dots by fluorescence spectroscopy.

There has been a lack of quick, simple and reliable methods for determination of nanoparticle size. An investigation of the size of hydrophobic (CdSe) and hydrophilic (CdSe/ZnS) quantum dots was performed by using the maximum position of the corresponding fluorescence spectrum. It has been found that fluorescence spectroscopy is a simple and reliable methodology to estimate the size of both quantum dot types.

Downregulation of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 by RNAi enhances 5-fluorouracil response in pancreatic cancer.

Background/aims: Human Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporters 1 (hENT1) gene is involving in mediating nucleosides and nucleoside analog drugs across the plasma membrane, and may affect the chemotherapeutical efficacy. We explored the relationship between hENT1 expression and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) response in pancreatic cancer cell line.

Methodology: A siRNA expression vector (pSilencer4.

[Emergency colonoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of acute colorectal obstruction].

Objective: To assess the application value of emergency colonoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of acute colorectal obstruction.

Methods: A total of 459 patients with acute colorectal obstruction received emergent colonoscopy from July 2002 to July 2010. The safety and effective rates were analyzed.

Imaging of partial right double vena cava with ureter crossing through its split, confirmed at surgery.

A complex development process occurs during the embryogenesis of the inferior vena cava (IVC), such as the formation of several anastomoses between three paired embryonic veins, which may result in a wide range of congenital abnormalities of the IVC. We report a case, not described before, of partial double right IVC with a circumcaval ureter crossing through the divide in the IVC.

Procarcinogenic effects of cyclosporine A are mediated through the activation of TAK1/TAB1 signaling pathway.

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an immunosuppressive drug commonly used for maintaining chronic immune suppression in organ transplant recipients. It is known that patients receiving CsA manifest increased growth of aggressive non-melanoma skin cancers. However, the underlying mechanism by which CsA augments tumor growth is not fully understood.

Cyclosporine a mediates pathogenesis of aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma by augmenting epithelial-mesenchymal transition: role of TGFβ signaling pathway.

Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) develop multiple aggressive and metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). Yet, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Employing a variety of immune-compromised murine models, immunoblotting, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques, we show that human squamous xenograft tumors in nude mice grow faster and become significantly larger in size following treatment with the immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporine A (CsA).

Involvement of caveolin in probucol-induced reduction in hERG plasma-membrane expression.

The human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the pore-forming subunit of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Kr)) important for cardiac repolarization. Dysfunction of the hERG channel causes long QT syndrome (LQTS). Although diverse compounds reduce the hERG current (I(hERG)) by blocking the channel, probucol, a cholesterol-lowering drug that causes LQTS, reduces I(hERG) by decreasing plasma-membrane hERG protein expression.

Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) in the pathogenesis of UVB-induced murine basal cell carcinoma.

LKB1, a known tumor suppressor, is mutated in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS). It is responsible for the enhanced cancer risk in patients with PJS. Dysregulation of LKB1-dependent signaling also occurs in various epithelial cancers.

The role of monoubiquitination in endocytic degradation of human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels under low K+ conditions.

A reduction in extracellular K(+) concentration ([K(+)](o)) causes cardiac arrhythmias and triggers internalization of the cardiac rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel (I(Kr)) encoded by the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG). We investigated the role of ubiquitin (Ub) in endocytic degradation of hERG channels stably expressed in HEK cells. Under low K(+) conditions, UbKO, a lysine-less mutant Ub that only supports monoubiquitination, preferentially interacted and selectively enhanced degradation of the mature hERG channels.

National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2007 outpatient department summary.

Objectives: This report describes ambulatory care visits to hospital outpatient departments (OPDs) in the United States. Statistics are presented on selected hospital, patient, and visit characteristics. Selected trends in OPD utilization from 1997 through 2007, as well as items new to the 2007 survey, are presented.

[Experimental study on selective hepatic lobectomy using nitinol alloy net blocker of biliary intrahepatic duct].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and possible mechanism of non traditional hepatic lobectomy using nitinol alloy net blocker of biliary intrahepatic duct.

Methods: Biliary intrahepatic ducts of the experimental pigs were blocked with and without dissepiment blockers. The histological changes and expressions of TGF-betal and TIMP-1 in the livers were compared.

National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2007 emergency department summary.

Objective: This report presents data on U.S. emergency department (ED) visits in 2007, with statistics on hospital, patient, and visit characteristics.

Targeting wild-type and mutant p53 with small molecule CP-31398 blocks the growth of rhabdomyosarcoma by inducing reactive oxygen species-dependent apoptosis.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common soft-tissue sarcoma of childhood in need of more effective therapeutic options. The expression of p53 in RMS is heterogeneous such that some tumors are wild-type whereas others are p53 mutant. The small molecule CP-31398 modulates both the wild-type and the mutant p53 proteins.

Involvement of caveolin in low K+-induced endocytic degradation of cell-surface human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels.

Reduction in the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K(+) channel current (I(Kr)) due to either mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) or drug block causes inherited or drug-induced long QT syndrome. A reduction in extracellular K(+) concentration ([K(+)](o)) exacerbates long QT syndrome. Recently, we demonstrated that lowering [K(+)](o) promotes degradation of I(Kr) in rabbit ventricular myocytes and of the hERG channel stably expressed in HEK 293 cells.

[Molecular typing on Leptospira interrogans isolates from Jiangxi province, by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis].

Objective: To perform a molecular epidemiological investigation on the types of Leptospira interrogans isolates from leptospirosis patients and animal hosts in Jiangxi province, using a pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Methods: The extracted chromosomal DNA from leptospiral isolates were digested with restriction endonuclease Not I and the DNA segments were separated by using PFGE. By BiOnurerics V4.

[A retrospective survival analysis of with pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the survival rate after pulmonary resection for metastatic colorectal cancer(CRC).

Methods: Clinical data of 77 patients with pulmonary metastasis from CRC between January 2005 and October 2008 in the Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: There were 38 patients with synchronous pulmonary metastasis, of whom 2 underwent resection for pulmonary metastasis.

Quantitative videofluoroscopic analysis of penetration-aspiration in post-stroke patients.

Background: Dysphagia is a common complication of stroke and is a potential cause for aspiration and malnutrition and is also associated with poor outcome. Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) is the most objective method for evaluation of swallowing disorders.

Aim: To investigate the incidence and characteristics of penetration-aspiration in post-stroke patients, and to study the relationship between penetration-aspiration and kinematic parameters of swallow.

Extracellular K+ is a prerequisite for the function and plasma membrane stability of HERG channels.

Rationale: The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) encodes the pore-forming subunits of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel (I(Kr)) that is important for cardiac repolarization. Dysfunction of HERG causes long QT syndrome (LQTS) which can lead to sudden cardiac death. We previously showed that a reduction in extracellular K(+) concentration ([K(+)](o)) prolongs QT intervals in intact rabbits, and decreases the cell surface density of I(Kr) in rabbit ventricular myocytes and of the HERG channel expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells.

Ocular manifestations of Alport syndrome.

Aim: To analyze the clinical manifestation of Alport syndrome, especially the ocular features.

Methods: The physical, ophthalmologic and audiologic examination results of thirty-two patients with Alport syndrome were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Thirty (93.