Curcumin, a potential inhibitor of up-regulation of TNF-alpha and IL-6 induced by palmitate in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through NF-kappaB and JNK pathway.

Objective: To investigate the attenuating effect of curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound derived from dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the pro-inflammatory insulin-resistant state in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Methods: Glucose uptake rate was determined with the [3H] 2-deoxyglucose uptake method. Expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by quantitative RT-PCR analysis and ELISA.

Hybrid nanoimprint-soft lithography with sub-15 nm resolution.

We developed a hybrid nanoimprint-soft lithography technique with sub-15 nm resolution. It is capable of patterning both flat and curved substrates. The key component of the technology is the mold, which consists of rigid features on an elastic poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) support.

Nanoscale optical field localization by resonantly focused plasmons.

We experimentally demonstrate use of plasmonic resonant phenomena combined with strong field localization to enhance efficiency of confining optical fields in a Si waveguide. Our approach utilizes a plasmonic resonant nano-focusing-antenna (RNFA), that simultaneously supports several focusing mechanisms in a single nanostructure, integrated with a lossless Si waveguide utilized with silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, to achieve a sub-diffraction limited focusing with a nanoscale (deeply subwavelength) spot size. The metallic RNFA effectively converts an incoming propagating waveguide mode to a localized resonant plasmon mode in an ultrasmall volume in all 3 dimensions.

Matrix Factorization Techniques for Analysis of Imaging Mass Spectrometry Data.

Imaging mass spectrometry is a method for understanding the molecular distribution in a two-dimensional sample. This method is effective for a wide range of molecules, but generates a large amount of data. It is difficult to extract important information from these large datasets manually and automated methods for discovering important spatial and spectral features are needed.

[Detection of Skp2 mRNA gene expression using fluorogenic probe quantitative RT-PCR method in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: The current study was designed to examine the expression of Skp2 gene in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and to investigate the role of Skp2 gene in tumorigenesis and progression of LSCC.

Method: FQ-PCR method was used to examined the expression of Skp2 gene in 40 LSCC and 10 normal laryngeal mucosa tissues, and relationship between its expression and clinical biological factors of patients with LSCC was analyzed.

Result: The median copy number of Skp2 mRNA expression in LSCC was 6622.

Low-energy electron diffraction and induced damage in hydrated DNA.

Elastic scattering of 5-30 eV electrons within the B-DNA 5'-CCGGCGCCGG-3' and A-DNA 5'-CGCGAATTCGCG-3' DNA sequences is calculated using the separable representation of a free-space electron propagator and a curved wave multiple scattering formalism. The disorder brought about by the surrounding water and helical base stacking leads to a featureless amplitude buildup of elastically scattered electrons on the sugar and phosphate groups for all energies between 5 and 30 eV. However, some constructive interference features arising from diffraction are revealed when examining the structural waters within the major groove.

[Treatment of advanced maxillary sinus squamous carcinoma: an analysis of 92 cases].

Background & Objective: There is no satisfactory treatment for advanced maxillary sinus squamous carcinoma. The treatment strategy is controversial. This study aimed to explore a rational treatment for advanced maxillary sinus squamous carcinoma.

Co-administration of berberine and plant stanols synergistically reduces plasma cholesterol in rats.

The objective of the present study was to determine the beneficial effects and the safety of oral administration of the combination of berberine (BBR) and plant stanols (PS) on plasma lipid profiles in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Four groups of animals were fed a cornstarch-casein-sucrose-based high-cholesterol (2%, w:w) and high-fat (27.5%) diet.

[Efficacy of pulmicort suspension plus salbutamol and ipratropium bromide for management of acute asthma exacerbation in children: a comparative study].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 3 commonly used protocols for management of acute exacerbation of asthma in children.

Methods: Totally 113 asthmatic children were randomized into 3 groups. In group A (53 cases), the children were treated with inhalation of nebulized budesonide suspension plus salbutamol and ipratropium bromide twice daily for 5 days; in group B (41 cases), budesonide plus salbutamol and ipratropium aerosol was administered, and in group C (29 cases), dexathmisone plus aminophylline injection was given once daily for 5 days.

[Detection of serum Th1 and Th2 cytokines and its significance in neonates with cytomegalovirus pneumonia].

Objective: To investigate changes in the levels of Th2 cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4), Th1 cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and TNF-alpha in serum of newborn infants with cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia.

Methods: Twenty-five neonatal cases who were positive for serum IgM antibody to CMV by ELISA were divided into IVIG intervention group and ganciclovir intervention group, and 15 healthy neonates were enrolled into the control group. The levels of IL-4, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha were detected by using double antibody ELISA for the control group and the intervention groups at the beginning and end of treatment.

Imaging MALDI mass spectrometry using an oscillating capillary nebulizer matrix coating system and its application to analysis of lipids in brain from a mouse model of Tay-Sachs/Sandhoff disease.

The quality of tissue imaging by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) depends on the effectiveness of the matrix deposition, especially for lipids that may dissolve in the solvent used for the matrix application. This article describes the use of an oscillating capillary nebulizer (OCN) to spray small droplets of matrix aerosol onto the sample surface for improved matrix homogeneity, reduced crystal size, and controlled solvent effects. This system was then applied to the analysis of histological slices of brains from mice with homozygous disruption of the hexb gene (hexb-/-), a model of Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease, versus the functionally normal heterozygote (hexb+/-) by imaging MALDI-MS.

Extraordinary acoustic transmission through a 1D grating with very narrow apertures.

Recently, there has been an increased interest in studying extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) through subwavelength aperture arrays perforated in a metallic film. In this Letter, we report that the transmission of an incident acoustic wave through a one-dimensional acoustic grating can also be drastically enhanced. This extraordinary acoustic transmission (EAT) has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally, showing that the coupling between the diffractive wave and the wave-guide mode plays an important role in EAT.

[Effects of BCG-PSN injection on immune and lung function of asthmatic children complicated with allergic rhinitis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of polysaccharide nucleic acid of BCG (BCG-PSN) injection on immune and pulmonary function in asthmatic children complicated with allergic rhinitis.

Methods: Thirty-seven cases were separated at random into two groups, the BCG-PSN group (17 cases) was treated with BCG-PSN plus inhaled glucocortisteriods, and the control group (20 cases) was treated with inhaled glucocortisteriods only. The children in both groups were followed up for 6 months to record their lung function, allergic rhinitis scores, frequency of asthmatic attacks and respiratory infection.

[Immunoregulants improves the prognosis of infants with wheezing].

Objective: To assess the value of immunoregulants in improving the prognosis of infants with wheezing.

Methods: Forty-three infants with wheezing with given oxygen support, injection or inhalation of glucocorticosteroids or bronchodilatator to relieve the symptoms. Of these infants, 24 received immunoregulant treatment with bronchovaxom at the daily dose of 3.

Structure-specific, quantitative methods for analysis of sphingolipids by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: "inside-out" sphingolipidomics.

Due to the large number of highly bioactive subspecies, elucidation of the roles of sphingolipids in cell structure, signaling, and function is beginning to require that one perform structure-specific and quantitative (i.e., "sphingolipidomic") analysis of all individual subspecies, or at least of those are relevant to the biologic system of interest.

Negative birefraction of acoustic waves in a sonic crystal.

Optical birefringence and dichroism are classical and important effects originating from two independent polarizations of optical waves in anisotropic crystals. Furthermore, the distinct dispersion relations of transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarized electromagnetic waves in photonic crystals can lead to birefringence more easily. However, it is impossible for acoustic waves in the fluid to show such a birefringence because only the longitudinal mode exists.

[Effect of leukotriene receptor antagonist on the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in sera of infants with respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia].

Objective: To investigate the effects of leukotriene receptor antagonist on the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and the serum cysteinyl leukotrenes (CysLTs) in infants and young children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia.

Methods: Thirty-seven infants and young children with RSV pneumonia were divided into two groups after discharge. The cases in group 1 (n=24) were treated with a leukotriene receptor antagonist, Singulair 4 mg once daily for 12 weeks; the cases in group 2 (n=13) were treated with budesonide aerosol 200 ug once or twice daily for 12 weeks.

[Prognostic analysis of moderate tongue squamous cell carcinoma cases and the value of induction chemotherapy].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of induction chemotherapy on the patients with moderate tongue squamous cell carcinoma and to investigate the factors that influence prognosis of these patients.

Methods: One hundred and twenty two patients with moderate tongue squamous cell carcinoma (stage II-III, T2-3 N0/T1-3N1), treated from Jan. 1990 to Dec.

[Comparison of primary tongue carcinoma with second primary tongue carcinoma after radiotherapy for nasopharynx cancer].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of second primary tumor of tongue (SPTr) after nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPCR) treated with radiotherapy.

Methods: Clinical data of 53 patients with SP7T after NPCR (group A) and 252 patients with primary tongue carcinoma (group B) were analyzed retrospectively with regard to clinical characteristics and survival rate (Kaplan-Meier); and multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards model.

Results: There was no significant difference between group A and group B ( P > 0.

[Treatment and prognosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the treatment model and the factors that influence survival of the patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC).

Methods: The clinical data of all patients with ATC in our hospital from May. 1970 to May.

[Treatment and prognostic analysis of 92 cases with advanced mobile tongue squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To compare the results of different treatment modalities for the advanced tongue squamous cell carcinoma and investigate the factors that influence its prognosis.

Methods: Ninety-two patients with advanced tongue squamous cell carcinoma without distant metastasis, treated in our hospital from Jan. 1990 to Dec.

Analysis of organoselenium and organic acid metabolites by laser desorption single photon ionization mass spectrometry.

A method for analyzing organoselenium and organic acid metabolites using laser desorption from graphite surfaces coupled to vacuum ultraviolet single photon ionization mass spectrometry (LD/SPI MS) is described. The 1-10-fmol sensitivity and linear dynamic range allows quantitative detection of selenomethionine, trimethylselenonium ion, methylselenogalactosamine, and 1beta-methylseleno-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine in complex biological samples such as human urine. In addition, common urinary metabolites such as tartronic, glutaric, orotic, uric, suberic, and hydroxyhippuric acids, are readily detected.

[Association of polymorphism of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 Q89R, A1330V with bone mineral density in premenopausal northern Chinese women].

Objective: To investigate the association of lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) gene Q89R, A1330V polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal Northern Chinese women.

Methods: 283 unrelated healthy residents of Han nationality in Harbin, aged 20 - 50, were selected. All subjects completed a food frequency questionnaire administered by a trained dietitian to estimate dietary calcium intakes, and were measured values of biochemical and hormone, such as the level of serum calcium, serum phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, 25 (OH) D3, 1, 25 (OH)2D3.

[Multivariate survival analysis in patient with laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas].

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the most important factors affecting the prognosis of the patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Method: The expression of S-phase kinase associated protein 2(Skp2), p27, E-cadherin (E-cad) and alpha-catenin (alpha-cat) in 79 cases of LSCC and 10 cases of adjacent normal laryngeal mucosa tissues were evaluated by SP immunohistochemistry methods, 12 clinicopathological factors affecting the prognosis of LSCC were analyzed using univariate model and multivariate regression model.

Result: (1) The overexpression rate of Skp2 was significantly higher in LSCC (53.

Water adsorption and desorption on ultra-low friction sulfur-doped hydrogenated carbon films.

Water adsorption on hydrogenated carbon film surfaces can drastically affect friction behaviour. In this work, we investigate water adsorption and desorption properties of sulfur-doped hydrogenated films, which we have observed to retain ultra-low friction properties of hydrogenated carbon films in humid air. Water adsorption studies using a quartz crystal microbalance show that there is an almost threefold reduction in equilibrium water coverage at room temperature on hydrogenated carbon films doped with 5 at.