Diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG laser at 1338 nm.

In this Letter, a high-power diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG laser emitting at 1338 nm is described. The output characteristics of the laser using the different output couplers for both the cw mode and the Q-switched mode have been studied. With a pumping power of 555 W, the average output power decreases from 70 W at 50 kHz to 55 W (slope efficiency 21.

Inhibition of forkhead box O1 protects pancreatic beta-cells against dexamethasone-induced dysfunction.

Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1) is a key transcription regulator of insulin/IGF-I signaling pathway, and its activity can be increased by dexamethasone (DEX) in several cell types. However, the role of FoxO1 in DEX-induced pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction has not been fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether FoxO1 could mediate DEX-induced beta-cell dysfunction and the possible underlying mechanisms in pancreatic beta-cell line RINm5F cells and primary rat islet.

Immunohistochemical localization of sortilin and p75(NTR) in normal and ischemic rat retina.

In our previous study, we found the increased expression of p75(NTR) and sortilin by Western blotting in ischemic retina induced by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Cell specific expression of sortilin and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) was now characterized in normal and ischemic rat retina induced by elevated IOP by double-labeling immunochemistry. Two patterns of sortilin staining in normal retina were identified: punctate and consistent.

[A clinical study of Palodent posterior teeth matrix system].

Objective: To set up a clinical evaluation method for the matrix system, and compare two matrix systems, Palodent and circumferential, by this method.

Methods: 101 molars and premolars with class II cavities, which were suitable for resin filling without shift and incline of the adjacent teeth, were randomly divided into study group (Palodent) and control group (circumferential). There were 79 single cavities and 22 paired cavities.

Early detection of breast cancer through population-based mammographic screening in Asian women: a comparison study between screen-detected and symptomatic breast cancers.

The first nation-wide mammographic screening program in Asia, BreastScreen Singapore (BSS), was launched in Singapore in January 2002. This study compared the presentation and results of screen-detected breast cancers with symptomatic breast cancers in two affiliated high-volume institutions, one of which was an assessment centre for BSS. The medical records of patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer at the Department of General Surgery, Singapore General Hospital and the Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, during the period January 2002 to December 2003 were reviewed.

A20 overexpression inhibits low shear flow-induced CD14-positive monocyte recruitment to endothelial cells.

Objective: To determine if A20, a zinc finger protein that mediates the inflammatory response, affects monocyte-endothelial cell-cell interactions induced by low shear flow.

Methods: Primary cultured endothelial cells (EC) were transfected with an A20 expression vector, and the VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and IL-8 mRNA, and protein expression levels in A20-transfected EC lysates were checked by PCR array and ELISA, respectively. CD14-positive monocyte migration toward and adhesion to EC were measured using a parallel plate flow chamber.

Heterologous expression and purification of Vibrio proteolyticus (Aeromonas proteolytica) aminopeptidase: a rapid protocol.

Metalloaminopeptidases (mAPs) are enzymes that are involved in HIV infectivity, tumor growth and metastasis, angiogenesis, and bacterial infection. Investigation of structure-function relationships in mAPs is a prerequisite to rational design of anti-mAP chemotherapeutics. The most intensively studied member of the biomedically important dinuclear mAPs is the prototypical secreted Vibrio proteolyticus di-zinc aminopeptidase (VpAP).

MTDH activation by 8q22 genomic gain promotes chemoresistance and metastasis of poor-prognosis breast cancer.

Targeted therapy for metastatic diseases relies on the identification of functionally important metastasis genes from a large number of random genetic alterations. Here we use a computational algorithm to map minimal recurrent genomic alterations associated with poor-prognosis breast cancer. 8q22 genomic gain was identified by this approach and validated in an extensive collection of breast tumor samples.

Preparative argentation reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography.

In this study, a preparative chromatography method named preparative argentation reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (Ag-RP-HPLC) was developed by adding silver ion to the mobile phase of preparative HPLC. Firstly, an analytical Ag-RP-HPLC method was developed, and the effects of silver content and acid content in the mobile phase on the column efficiency were studied. Based on the method of linear amplification, a preparative Ag-RP-HPLC technique with optimized separation conditions was developed.

Determination of trace food-derived hazardous compounds in Chinese cooked foods using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

Gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) with a triple quadrupole analyzer (QqQ) was applied for the first time to the determination of trace food-derived hazardous compounds in food samples. Thirteen heterocyclic amines were confirmed and quantified by the developed sensitive method. The method includes a solid-phase extraction procedure with a polystyrene copolymer cartridge (LiChrolut EN), followed by a derivatization reaction with N,N-dimethylformamide di-tert-butylacetal.

[Engineering and expression of sequence-specific DNA-binding zinc finger protein].

This experiment was aimed to create A20 gene site-specific zinc finger DNA-binding protein. The sequence of A20 gene promoter was analyzed with bioinformatics means and submitted to ZF Tools Server at TSRI. Using the database of the web site, we determined the A20 gene valid target sites and designed the amino acid sequence of zinc finger protein predicted to be bound to the target site.

Distribution of gemcitabine pathway genotypes in ethnic Asians and their association with outcome in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Objective: Pharmacogenetics suggests variants of genes involved in gemcitabine pharmacology could be useful markers for predicting inter-ethnic and inter-patient outcomes from treatment with the agent. Here, we have characterized the distribution of variants of genes involved in gemcitabine pharmacology in ethnic Asian populations and their association with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient outcome.

Methods: All genes involved in gemcitabine transport, metabolism and activity were screened for suitable variants for analysis using publications and public databases.

Design of a zinc finger protein binding a sequence upstream of the A20 gene.

Background: Artificial transcription factors (ATFs) are composed of DNA-binding and functional domains. These domains can be fused together to create proteins that can bind a chosen DNA sequence. To construct a valid ATF, it is necessary to design suitable DNA-binding and functional domains.

Anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol on TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 expression in adipocytes.

Chronic low-grade inflammation characterized by adipose tissue macrophage accumulation and abnormal cytokine production is a key feature of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Adipose-tissue-derived monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, induced by cytokines, has been shown to play an essential role in the early events during macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue. In this study we investigated the effects of resveratrol upon both tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced MCP-1 gene expression and its underlying signaling pathways in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

[Screening method for multi herbicide and insecticide residues in soybeans using high performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry].

A new multi-residue methodology using liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) for the quantitative analysis of pesticides has been developed. The analytical performance of the method was evaluated by screening herbicide and insecticide residues in 10 kinds of imported soybeans. The accurate mass was obtained in different spiking levels (from 0.

Clinical validation of a customized multiple signature microarray for breast cancer.

Purpose: Current histopathologic systems for classifying breast tumors require evaluation of multiple variables and are often associated with significant interobserver variability. Recent studies suggest that gene expression profiles may represent a promising alternative for clinical cancer classification. Here, we investigated the use of a customized microarray as a potential tool for clinical practice.

Accurate screening for synthetic preservatives in beverage using high performance liquid chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

In this study, liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/TOF-MS) is applied to qualitation and quantitation of 18 synthetic preservatives in beverage. The identification by HPLC/TOF-MS is accomplished with the accurate mass (the subsequent generated empirical formula) of the protonated molecules [M+H]+ or the deprotonated molecules [M-H]-, along with the accurate mass of their main fragment ions. In order to obtain sufficient sensitivity for quantitation purposes (using the protonated or deprotonated molecule) and additional qualitative mass spectrum information provided by the fragments ions, segment program of fragmentor voltages is designed in positive and negative ion mode, respectively.

Quantitative image analysis of intra-tumoral bFGF level as a molecular marker of paclitaxel resistance.

Background: The role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in chemoresistance is controversial; some studies showed a relationship between higher bFGF level and chemoresistance while other studies showed the opposite finding. The goal of the present study was to quantify bFGF levels in archived tumor tissues, and to determine its relationship with chemosensitivity.

Methods: We established an image analysis-based method to quantify and convert the immunostaining intensity of intra-tumor bFGF to concentrations; this was accomplished by generating standard curves using human xenograft tumors as the renewable tissue source for simultaneous image analysis and ELISA.

Managing breast cancer diagnosed in first trimester pregnancy: a case report.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in pregnant women, occurring at a rate of about 1 in 3000 pregnancies. Unfortunately, this will sometimes occur during the first trimester of pregnancy and this situation warrants discussion of management options with regard to the mother and child, especially with the current trend of deferring child bearing to a later age.

Clinical Picture: We present a 34-year-old primigravida who had a breast lump prior to confirmation of her pregnancy and received her diagnosis of invasive breast cancer at 7 weeks' amenorrhoea.

Diode side-pumped 1.3414 microm Nd:YAP laser in Q-switched mode.

A diode side-pumped acousto-optic Q-switched Nd:YAP laser operating at 1.3414 microm has been reported. The stabilities of resonators and the influence of the temperature of cooling water on output power have been experimentally investigated.

Enhanced protein expressions of sortilin and p75NTR in retina of rat following elevated intraocular pressure-induced retinal ischemia.

Elevated introcular pressure (IOP)-induced retinal neuron ischemic death includes an early phase of necrosis and prolonged phase of apoptosis. We used this ischemic model to observe the changes of sortilin and p75(NTR) protein expressions in rat retina. The results of Western blot analysis showed the expression of p75(NTR) at the band of 75 (mature form), 60 (non-glycosylated pieces) and 50 kDa (ectodomain shedding pieces), and the expression of sortilin at the 95 and 90 kDa (the mature form).