Phase diagram of the triangular extended Hubbard model.

We study the extended Hubbard model on the triangular lattice as a function of filling and interaction strength. The complex interplay of kinetic frustration and strong interactions on the triangular lattice leads to exotic phases where long-range charge order, antiferromagnetic order, and metallic conductivity can coexist. Variational Monte Carlo simulations show that three kinds of ordered metallic states are stable as a function of nearest neighbor interaction and filling.

Immunization interventions to interrupt hepatitis B virus mother-to-child transmission: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: This study aimed to determine the clinical efficacy of various immune interventions on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Methods: We retrieved different immune strategies on how to prevent MTCT reported in the literature from Chinese and English electronic databases from the viewpoint of intrauterine and extrauterine prevention. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) methods were used.

Oridonin phosphate-induced autophagy effectively enhances cell apoptosis of human breast cancer cells.

Oridonin is an active diterpenoid, which was extracted from traditional Chinese herbs and had been widely used in clinical treatment nowadays. Oridonin phosphate is one of the derivatives of oridonin. In the present study, we explored its anti-tumor effect and investigated the molecular mechanism of oridonin phosphate in breast cancer cell lines.

Health risks of metals in contaminated farmland soils and spring wheat irrigated with Yellow River water in Baotou, China.

The consumption of water and food crops contaminated with metals is a major food chain route for human exposure. We investigated the health risks of metals in Yellow River (YR) water, farmland soil and spring wheat in the Baotou region, northern China. Data indicated that long-term irrigation with polluted YR water led to metal accumulation in local farmland soil and spring wheat.

Incidence and prognostic impact of high-risk HPV tumor infection in cervical esophageal carcinoma.

Background: Cervical esophageal carcinoma (CEC) is an uncommon malignancy. Limited data supports the use of definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) as primary treatment. Furthermore, the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) tumor infection in CEC remains unknown.

Overexpression of B7-H3 in CD14+ monocytes is associated with renal cell carcinoma progression.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is well known as a typical hypervascular tumor and has a high mortality rate. Tumor-induced angiogenesis is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. It also plays an important role in the development and progression of RCC.

Expression of SOX9 and CDX2 in nongoblet columnar-lined esophagus predicts the detection of Barrett's esophagus during follow-up.

The diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus in the United States requires both endoscopically evident columnar-lined esophagus and the presence of goblet cells by histology. Currently, there is no consensus on how patients with nongoblet columnar-lined esophagus should be followed. In this study, we investigated whether biomarkers can be used to predict the detection of goblet cells in follow-up biopsies.

Resistive index of prostatic capsular arteries as a predictor of prostate cancer in patients undergoing initial prostate biopsy.

To evaluate the value of resistive index (RI) of prostatic capsular arteries in diagnosis and evaluation of prostate cancer (PCa) in Chinese patients undergoing initial prostate biopsy. A total of 532 consecutive patients undergoing prostate biopsy were enrolled in this study. RI was measured on the largest transverse section of prostate for each individual.

Analysis of gene expression provides insights into the mechanism of cadmium tolerance in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans plays a critical role in metal solubilization in the biomining industry, and occupies an ecological niche characterized by high acidity and high concentrations of toxic heavy metal ions. In order to investigate the possible metal resistance mechanism, the cellular distribution of cadmium was tested. The result indicated that Cd(2+) entered the cells upon initial exposure resulting in increased intracellular concentrations, followed by its excretion from the cells during subsequent growth and adaptation.

[Effect of temperature on the structure of CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 nanocrystalline glass-ceramics studied by Raman spectroscopy].

In the present paper, nanocrystalline glass-ceramic of CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system was produced by melting method. The CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 nanocrystalline glass-ceramic was measured by Raman spectroscopy in the temperature range from -190 to 310 degrees C in order to study the effect of temperature on the structure of this system nanocrystalline glass-ceramics. The results showed that different non-bridge oxygen bond silicon-oxygen tetrahedron structural unit changes are not consistent with rising temperature.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization of chromosome 17 polysomy in breast cancer using thin tissue sections causes the loss of CEP17 and HER2 signals.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 gene) and chromosome 17 polysomy are associated with breast cancer prognosis, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. HER2 gene analysis using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 4-µm sections assuming a nuclear diameter of 6 µm caused the loss of genetic DNA. Using intact whole nuclei FISH (WNFISH) and thin tissue section FISH (TTFISH), 109 cases of invasive breast cancer were examined to observe correlations among HER2 gene amplification, CEP17 polysomy and the HER2/CEP17 ratio.

Integrated air stream micromixer for performing bioanalytical assays on a plastic chip.

This paper describes the design, functioning and use of an integrated mixer that relies on air flux to agitate microliter entities of fluid in an embedded microfluidic cavity. The system was fabricated from multiple layers of a thermoplastic elastomer and features circuits for both liquid and air supply along with pneumatic valves for process control. Internally-dyed polymer particles have been used to visualize flow within the fluid phase during agitation.

Evaluation of chromosome 17 polysomy in breast cancer by FISH analysis of whole nuclei, and its clinicopathological significance.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification and overexpression are associated with poor prognosis and resistance to cytotoxic drugs in patients with breast cancer. Increases in the number of HER2 gene copies have been shown to be associated with chromosome 17 polysomy. The use of whole, intact nuclei for fluorescence hybridization (FISH) assay improves the accuracy of the results.

Interactive effects of cadmium and pyrene on contaminant removal from co-contaminated sediment planted with mangrove Kandelia obovata (S., L.) Yong seedlings.

The interactive effects of cadmium (Cd) and pyrene (Pyr) on contaminant removal from co-contaminated sediment planted with Kandelia obovata were investigated by a pot experiment. We found that dry weight of plant was significantly decreased under high level of Cd-Pyr combined stress. High Pyr caused the increase of Cd toxicity to K.

[The predictive value of plasma cystatin C for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome treated with percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To evaluate the prognosis value of plasma cystatin C in predicting adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS).

Methods: A total of 277 patients (212 male, mean age 59 ± 12 years) with NSTEACS underwent successful PCI. The patients were then divided into MACE group and non-MACE group.

Slit2N and Robo4 regulate lymphangiogenesis through the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 pathway.

Background: Signaling through vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF–C) and VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) plays a central role in lymphangiogenesis and the metastasis of several cancers via the lymphatics. Recently, the Slit2/Robo4 pathway has been recognized as a modulator of vascular permeability and integrity. Signaling via the Robo receptor inhibits VEGF-mediated effects; however, its effects on lymphatic endothelial cell function have not been well characterized.

Efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of an enterovirus 71 vaccine in China.

Background: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major causative agents of outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease or herpangina worldwide. This phase 3 trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of an EV71 vaccine.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in which 10,007 healthy infants and young children (6 to 35 months of age) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive two intramuscular doses of either EV71 vaccine or placebo, 28 days apart.

A direct competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for progesterone using monoclonal antibody.

A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with monoclonal antibody (MAb) was diagnosed with progesterone (P) level of human serum. In high concentrations and large amounts of displacer effect, this monoclonal antibody (MAb) can retain biological activity so that it can be specially combined with progesterone. Under conditions of the existing displaced agent, monoclonal antibody 11F8(3)H5 can maintain high specificity and affinity and can specifically bind progesterone in serum.

Epidemiology of zoonotic hepatitis E: a community-based surveillance study in a rural population in China.

Background: Hepatitis E is caused by two viral genotype groups: human types and zoonotic types. Current understanding of the epidemiology of the zoonotic hepatitis E disease is founded largely on hospital-based studies.

Methods: The epidemiology of hepatitis E was investigated in a community-based surveillance study conducted over one year in a rural city in eastern China with a registered population of 400,162.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with autoimmune pancreatitis-like histologic and immunohistochemical features.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) often manifests as a mass lesion causing obstructive jaundice, clinically mimicking pancreatic carcinoma. A diagnosis of AIP may obviate the need for surgical resection, as most patients respond to steroid treatment. However, it is not clear whether these 2 conditions can coexist.

E-cadherin gene promoter hypermethylation may contribute to the risk of bladder cancer among Asian populations.

There are increasing scientific evidences suggesting that E-cadherin gene promoter hypermethylation may contribute to the development and progression of bladder cancer, but existing studies have yielded inconclusive results. This meta-analysis aims to assess the role of E-cadherin promoter hypermethylation in bladder carcinogenesis. We conducted an extensive literature search for relevant studies on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases from their inception through May 1st, 2013.

[Changes in epidermal growth factor concentrations in neonates with late-onset breast milk jaundice after stopping breast feeding].

Objective: To investigate the changes in epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations in infants' serum and breast milk in neonates with late-onset breast milk jaundice after stopping breast feeding.

Methods: Thirty full-term infants with late-onset breast milk jaundice were included in the study. Infants' serum and breast milk were collected before and 72 hours after stopping breast feeding, and the total bilirubin and EGF concentrations in infants' serum and EGF concentration in breast milk were measured respectively.

RABL6A, a novel RAB-like protein, controls centrosome amplification and chromosome instability in primary fibroblasts.

RABL6A (RAB-like 6 isoform A) is a novel protein that was originally identified based on its association with the Alternative Reading Frame (ARF) tumor suppressor. ARF acts through multiple p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways to prevent cancer. How RABL6A functions, to what extent it depends on ARF and p53 activity, and its importance in normal cell biology are entirely unknown.

RABL6A Promotes Oxaliplatin Resistance in Tumor Cells and Is a New Marker of Survival for Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by early recurrence following pancreatectomy, rapid progression, and chemoresistance. Novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed to both stratify patients for clinical trials and select patients for adjuvant therapy regimens. This study sought to determine the biological significance of RABL6A (RAB, member RAS oncogene family-like protein 6 isoform A), a novel pancreatic protein, in PDAC.