Effects of partner proteins on BCA2 RING ligase activity.

Background: BCA2 is an E3 ligase linked with hormone responsive breast cancers. We have demonstrated previously that the RING E3 ligase BCA2 has autoubiquitination activity and is a very unstable protein. Previously, only Rab7, tetherin, ubiquitin and UBC9 were known to directly interact with BCA2.

[Analysis of genetic variation in rice paddy landraces across 30 years as revealed by microsatellite DNA markers].

To reveal the genetic variation of rice paddy landraces across 30 years, we compared the genetic variation of between 6 paddy rice landraces grown in Yuanyang Hani's terraced fields in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province in the 1970s (past-grown landraces) and 6 paired ones that have been grown during the past decade (current-grown landraces) using 60 SSR markers. The results showed that one to four alleles were amplified in 60 loci and 159 alleles in all the landraces tested. The number of alleles from the current-grown landraces decreased by 7 alleles compared to the past-grown landraces.

IGFBP7 reduces breast tumor growth by induction of senescence and apoptosis pathways.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) has been shown to be a tumor suppressor in a variety of cancers. We previously have shown that IGFBP7 expression is inversely correlated with disease progression and poor outcome in breast cancer. Overexpression of IGFBP7 in MDA-MB-468, a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line, resulted in inhibition of growth and migration.

Left ventricular diverticulum associated with neovascularization in an adult.

We present a case of congenital left ventricular diverticulum, associated with neovascularization involving the distal segments of all the coronary arteries. There were no other thoraco-abdominal or cardiac anomalies. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ventricular diverticulum associated with neovascularization in an adult.

[Prognostic analysis of middle and lower rectal cancer with different degrees of infiltration in mesorectum].

Objective: To study the relationship between tumor infiltration in mesorectum and prognosis of middle and lower rectal cancer.

Methods: 49 patients with middle and lower rectal cancer underwent total mesorectal excision. Specimens were obtained during operation and underwent large slice pathologic technique to observe the degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum and circumferential resection margin.

[Study on the tumor infiltration in mesorectum of rectal cancer by spiral computed tomography and histopathology].

Objective: To evaluate the value of spiral computed tomography in the preoperative assessment of the degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum and circumferential resection margin status of rectal cancer compared with large tissue slice technique.

Methods: Fifty-seven patients with rectal cancer diagnosed by fiber colonoscopy and pathology from March 2007 to December 2007 underwent preoperative 64-layers spiral CT examination. The degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum and circumferential resection margin status were evaluated.

A human bone NOD/SCID mouse model to distinguish metastatic potential in primary breast cancers.

In this study, we created a clinically relevant model using NOD/SCID mice engrafted with human bone fragments in both right and left flanks, and show that the human bone implants are viable and functional for more than 6 mo. To investigate the growth and metastatic behavior of breast cancer, human primary breast tumor specimens were transplanted into human bone grafts under only the right flanks of the human-bone NOD/SCID mice. Some of the engrafted tumors proliferated extensively with massive neo-vascularization and also metastasized to the initially tumor-free left flank bone grafts.

Breast cancer metastasis in a human bone NOD/SCID mouse model.

A major dilemma facing patients with breast cancer is how to decide between over treating indolent tumors and failing to adequately treat aggressive, potentially lethal cancers. Determination of the metastatic potential of a patient's breast cancer would clearly help guide those treatment decisions. Breast cancer commonly spreads to bone in 70% of women with advanced disease.

Expression of TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion in prostate cancer cells is an important prognostic factor for cancer progression.

The prostate-specific gene, TMPRSS2, is fused with the transcription factor gene, ERG in a high proportion of prostate cancers. However, the clinical significance of TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion among prostate cancer patients is unknown. We assayed for the presence of the TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion product among 26 patients who underwent surgery for clinically localized prostate cancer using RT-PCR and direct DNA sequencing, and evaluated its prognostic significance.

Extension splint for trigger thumb in children.

Sixty-two reducible trigger thumbs in 50 children with age from 0 to 4 years (mean, 1 year 11 months) were reviewed to study the effect of splinting. Thirty-one thumbs in 24 children received splinting for a mean of 11.7 weeks.

[Erythropoietin administration protects retina against light-induced retinal degeneration].

Objective: To study whether recombinant human erythropoietin can pass through mice blood-retina barrier and the protective role in light-induced damage in retina.

Methods: After the injection of rHEPO, the content of rHEPO in 24 BALB/c mice retina was examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 24 BALB/c mice were used to establish a light-induced damaged model, the difference of retina in rHEPO group and control group was compared using light microscope and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL).

[The expression of cluster of differentiation 44 variant 6 and fibronectin in lacrimal gland tumors].

Objective: To investigate the expression of cluster of differentiation 44 variant 6 (CD44V6) and fibronectin (FN) in lacrimal gland tumors.

Methods: Strept Avidin-Biotin Complex (SABC) immunohistochemistry method was used to study the expression of CD44V6 and FN in 49 cases of lacrimal gland tumors.

Results: In benign lacrimal gland tumors, the CD44V6 and FN positive rates were 30.

Catalytic oxidation of organic compounds in incineration flue gas by a commercial palladium catalyst.

The object of this study is to investigate the effect of different operation conditions on the catalytic oxidation of trace organic compounds [i.e., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX); and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] in incineration flue gas.

A Cre recombinase transgene with mosaic, widespread tamoxifen-inducible action.

Cre-mediated site-specific recombination allows conditional transgene expression or gene knockouts in mice. Inducible Cre recombination systems have been developed to bypass initial embryonic lethal phenotypes and provide access to later embryonic or adult phenotypes. We have produced Cre transgenic mice in which excision is tamoxifen inducible and occurs in a widespread mosaic pattern.