PNAS-4, a novel pro-apoptotic gene, can potentiate antineoplastic effects of cisplatin.

Purpose: PNAS-4, a novel pro-apoptotic gene activated during the early response to DNA damage, can inhibit proliferation via apoptosis when overexpressed in some tumor cells. The objectives of this study were to determine whether PNAS-4 could enhance apoptosis induced by cisplatin besides its induction of apoptosis, and to evaluate the usefulness of combined treatment with mouse PNAS-4 (mPNAS-4) gene therapy and low-dose cisplatin chemotherapy in the inhibition of tumor growth in colon carcinoma (CT26) and Lewis lung carcinoma (LL/2) murine models.

Methods: In this study, the in vitro growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects of PNAS-4 and/or cisplatin on CT26, LL/2, and SKOV3 cancer cells were assessed by MTT assay, flow cytometric analysis, DNA fragmentation, and morphological analysis, respectively.

Improvement of memory in mice and increase of hippocampal excitability in rats by ginsenoside Rg1's metabolites ginsenoside Rh1 and protopanaxatriol.

Ginsenoside Rg1 has been reported to improve cognitive function in many memory-impaired animal models. However, little is known about the bioactivity of its metabolites in the central nervous system in vivo. In the present study, we employed the step through test and electrophysiological approach to investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rg1's primary metabolite ginsenoside Rh1 and end metabolite protopanaxatriol (Ppt) on learning and memory as well as hippocampal excitability.

RNA interference against Biot2, a novel mouse testis-specific gene, inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Biot2 is a novel murine testis-specific gene that was first identified using the SEREX technique, and named by our laboratory. Using conventional RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR, we tested the expression profile of Biot2 in normal tissues and various murine tumor cell lines. Using RNA interference, we studied the biological function of Biot2 in tumorigenesis.

Synchronous fluorescence determination of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, beta-naphthol and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene based on the sensitizing effect of beta-cyclodextrin.

A novel method for the simultaneous determination of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), beta-naphthol (beta-NAP) and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPe) in human urine has been established by using synchronous fluorescence spectrometry. It was based on the fact that synchronous fluorescence spectrometry can resolve the broad-band overlapping of conventional fluorescence spectra, which arise from their similar molecular structures. Only one single scan is needed for quantitative determination of three compounds simultaneously when Deltalambda=15nm is chosen.

Liposomal honokiol inhibits VEGF-D-induced lymphangiogenesis and metastasis in xenograft tumor model.

Lymph nodes metastasis of tumor could be a crucial early step in the metastatic process. Induction of tumor lymphangiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor-D may play an important role in promoting tumor metastasis to regional lymph nodes and these processes can be inhibited by inactivation of the VEGFR-3 signaling pathway. Honokiol has been reported to possess potent antiangiogenesis and antitumor properties in several cell lines and xenograft tumor models.

[BRCA1/2 gene mutation in Chinese familial breast cancer patients: a multi-center report of 115 cases].

Objective: To study the BRCA1/2 gene mutation frequency and characteristics in Chinese familial breast cancer patients.

Methods: Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and following DNA sequencing in BRCA1/2 gene whole coding region and exon-intron splicing sites were performed in the specimens obtained during operation from 115 probands of familial breast cancer from 4 breast cancer centers in China.

Results: Fourteen cases of gene mutation (11 in BRCA1 and 3 in BRCA2) were found in the 115 breast cancer specimens with an overall mutation rate of 12.

[Research on construction and expression of recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid for mouse adiponectin].

Objective: To construct the recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid for mouse adiponectin so as to supply experimental basis for research further on the function of adiponectin.

Methods: Extracting the total RNA from mouse adipose tissue, applying RT-PCR to amplify the complete coding region of mouse adiponectin cDNA and connecting the amplified product with pCDNA3.1(+) vector; then verifying the recombinant plasmid by sequencing and detecting in vitro recombinant expression and cellular proliferation depression to mouse breast cancer cell 4T1.

[Study on the target movement in external-beam partial breast irradiation with active breathing control after breast-conserving surgery].

Objective: To explore the displacement of surgical clip and cavity during different respiratory status, intrafraction and interfraction for the patients treated by external-beam partial breast irradiation (EB-PBI) assisted by active breathing control (ABC) device after breast-conserving surgery.

Methods: After breast-conserving surgery, twenty-five patients with stage I/II breast cancer who was identified to be feasible for EB-PBI underwent CT-simulation positioning assisted with ABC device. Five series of CT images were done during three respiratory status, which included one series of images during free breathing status (FB), two series of images during moderate deep inspiration breath hold (mDIBH), two series of images during deep expiration breath hold (DEBH) at 75% maximum inspiration capacity, and all of the five series of images were transferred to ADAC Pinnacle3 treatment planning system.

Vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein gene enhances the antitumor effects of radiation via induction of apoptosis.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) matrix (M) protein can directly induce apoptosis by inhibiting host gene expression when it is expressed in the absence of other viral components. Previously, we found that the M protein gene complexed to DOTAP-cholesterol liposome (Lip-MP) can suppress malignant tumor growth in vitro and in vivo; however, little is known regarding the biological effect of Lip-MP combined with radiation. The present study was designed to determine whether Lip-MP could enhance the antitumor activity of radiation.

[Spectral properties of two-dimensional photonic crystal quantum well structures].

In the present paper, the spectral properties of two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal quantum well structures were studied numerically. The structures consist of a 2D photonic crystal (PC) with square lattice of parallel dielectric circular columns in air and some middle layers of columns are removed. Similar to the electrons in semiconductor quantum wells, the photonic bandgap (PBG) in PC can act as a potential barrier to photons, which gives rise to quantized photonic states in the PBG region.

A promising cancer gene therapy agent based on the matrix protein of vesicular stomatitis virus.

The matrix (M) protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) plays a key role in inducing cell apoptosis during infection. To investigate whether M protein-mediated apoptosis could be used in cancer therapy, its cDNA was amplified and cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+).

Human alpha-defensin-1 inhibits growth of human lung adenocarcinoma xenograft in nude mice.

Human alpha-defensin-1 (HNP1), a small antimicrobial peptide, shows cytotoxicity to tumor cells in vitro and inhibitory activity for pathologic neovascularization in vivo. Here, we did a gene therapy with a plasmid that expresses a secretable form of HNP1 for assaying its antitumor activity. The expression and secretion of HNP1 were determined by reverse transcription-PCR and ELISA in vitro.

[Optical properties of one-dimensional metallodielectric photonic crystals].

The optical characteristics of one-dimensional metallodielectric photonic crystals (MDPC), constructed by inserting metal aluminum layers of certain thickness into the Si/SiO2 system, were studied theoretically with the transfer matrix method. The results show that the reflection efficiency can be enhanced considerably after the introduction of metallic layers, e. g.

[Effect of hydrogen passivation on photoluminescence intensity of Si nanocrystals].

SiO/SiO2 superlattices samples were prepared on Si substrates by reactive evaporation of SiO powder in vacuum or an oxygen atmosphere. The samples were annealed in nitrogen atmosphere at high temperature subsequently. And then, H+ with a dose of 3.

Spontaneous emission of terbium complex in-filled in single-crystal colloidal multilayer.

Highly monodisperse submicron-sized silica spheres were synthesized by a chemical method, and single-crystal colloidal multilayers were prepared by a vertical deposition technique. Rare earth complex Tb(ACAC)3phen was in-filled in this structure to investigate the photonic bandgap effect on the spontaneous emission. The photon density of states in the photonic crystal was calculated numerically to investigate the origin of the abnormally enhanced photoluminescence in the photonic bandgap region.

Synthesis and optical properties of L-cysteine hydrochloride-stabilized CdSe nanocrystals in a new alkali system.

Water-soluble CdSe nanocrystals were synthesized in a new alkali system at lower temperatures by using L-cysteine hydrochloride as a stabilizer and Na2SeSO3 as a selenium source to enable the synthesis of CdSe nanocrystals in a wider range of pH values. The CdSe nanocrystal powder was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. We systematically investigated the effect of synthesis conditions on the optical properties of the L-cysteine hydrochloride-stabilized CdSe nanocrystals, and found that different sizes of CdSe nanocrystals can be obtained by changing the pH value, the molar ratio of L-cysteine hydrochloride to Cd2+, or the refluxing time.

[Application of orthognathic surgery in treating long-standing maxillofacial fracture].

Purpose: To explore the application of orthognathic surgery to treat malunioned fracture of maxillofacial bone, and the methods in reconstructing facial shape and occlusion.

Methods: 20 patients with maxillofacial malunioned fracture were involved in this study, the site of osteotomy and plan of operation were determined preoperatively with three-dimensional CT reconstruction, cephalometric analysis and model surgery. Occlusal guide plate was made in cases with malocclusion.

[Characteristics of novel wastewater treatment technology by swimming bed combined with aerobic granular sludge].

Swimming bed combined with aerobic granular sludge as a novel technology for wastewater treatment was developed, which was on the basis of the biofilm process and activated sludge process, and results demonstrated notable performance of high-efficiency treatment capability and sludge reduction. Even when hydraulic retention time (HRT) was only at 3.2 h with average COD volumetric loading of 2.

Synergistic antitumor effect of CXCL10 with hyperthermia.

Purpose: IFN-inducible protein 10 (IP-10)/CXCL10 (CXC chemokine ligand 10) has been described as an antiangiogenic chemokine and displays a potent antitumor activity in vivo. In the present study, we try to investigate whether the combination therapy of hyperthermia, a physical antiangiogenic modality, with CXCL10 would completely eradicate the established solid tumors.

Methods: Immunocompetent BALB/c mice bearing Meth A fibrosarcoma were established.

Immunity against tumor angiogenesis induced by a fusion vaccine with murine beta-defensin 2 and mFlk-1.

Purpose: Previous studies indicated that humoral or cellular immunity against murine vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (mFlk-1) was elicited to inhibit tumor growth. Here we describe a genetic fusion vaccine, pMBD2-mFlk-1, based on the targeting of a modified mFlk-1 to antigen-presenting cells by a murine beta-defensin 2 (MBD2) protein to induce both humoral and cellular immunity against mFlk-1, with the targeting especially focused on immature dendritic cells.

Experimental Design: The protective and therapeutic antitumor immunity of the fusion vaccine was investigated in mouse models.

[The establishment of hypospadias rat model and embryoteratogenic test of Atrazine].

Objective: To establish an easily reproducible animal model of hypospadias and to test whether Atrazine can induce hypospadias in animal experiment.

Methods: From the 11th to 16th day after conception, 120 conceived SD rats were divided randomly into 6 groups: one coin oil group (1 ml/kg/d), two finasteride groups (10 mg/kg/d, 20 mg/kg/d), three Atrazine groups (25 mg/kg/d, 100 mg/kg/d, 200 mg/kg/d). When all pregnant rats had delivered, the new born rats were counted and the penis appearance, urethral orifice position and micturition were observed with magnifying lens and anatomy microscope.

[BRCA1 germ line mutations in Chinese early-onset breast cancer patients].

Objective: To investigate the role of disease associated germ line mutations in BRCA1 gene among Chinese early-onset breast cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 188 early-onset breast cancer patients, who were diagnosed with breast cancer before 41-year-old, were enrolled from four breast cancer clinical centers in China. Thirty-nine of them (20.

The prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations in high-risk breast cancer patients of Chinese Han nationality: two recurrent mutations were identified.

To have an overview of the role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes among Chinese high-risk breast cancer patients, we analyzed 489 such high-risk breast cancer patients from four breast disease clinical centers in China, by using PCR-DHPLC or SSCP-DNA sequencing analysis. Allelotype analysis was done at five short tandem repeat (STR) markers in or adjacent to BRCA1 on the recurrent mutation carriers. For those analyzed both genes, 8.

[Effect of phosphorylated c-Jun expression on COX-2 expression in the substantia nigra of MPTP mouse model of subacute Parkinson disease].

Objective: To investigate the effect of phophorylated c-Jun (p-c-Jun) expression on the expression of COX-2 in the substantia nigra (SN) of the MPTP mouse model of subacute Parkinson disease (PD) and explore the possible mechanism of the dopaminergic (DA) neuron death in PD.

Methods: C57BL/6N mice were treated with MPTP to establish subacute PD model. The changes of TH-, COX-2- and p-c-Jun-positive cells, and the expression levels of TH, COX-2 and p-c-Jun in the SN in the midbrain were observed with inmmunohistochemistry and Western blotting before and after administration of SP600125, a specific JNK inhibitor.