[Effects of slope direction on soil nutrient and its ecological stoichiometry in bamboo forest].

We analyzed the effects of slope direction on soil nutrients and ecological stoichiometry by collecting soil samples from different slope directions (shady slope and sunny slope) of the bamboo forest in Longyou County, Zhejiang Province. The results showed that soil nutrients were affected by slope direction and soil depth. The nutrients level of soils in the sampling area showed the trends of shady slope > sunny slope, and surface soil > bottom soil.

Premalignant alteration assessment in liver-like tissue derived from embryonic stem cells by aristolochic acid I exposure.

The in vitro predictive evaluation of chemical carcinogenicity based on hepatic premalignance has so far not been established. Here, we report a novel approach to investigate the premalignant events triggered by human carcinogen aristolochic acid I (AAI) in the liver-like tissue derived from mouse embryonic stem cells. By AAI exposure, the liver-like tissue exhibited the paracrine interleukin-6 phenotypic characteristics.

Association of IL-10 (-819T/C, -592A/C and -1082A/G) and IL-6 -174G/C gene polymorphism and the risk of pneumonia-induced sepsis.

Context: Association between inherited variants and the risks of sepsis is controversial.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of pneumonia-induced sepsis by examining its linkage with polymorphisms of IL-6 and IL-10.

Materials And Methods: Samples were obtained from 188 pneumonia-induced sepsis patients, 162 pneumonia patients and 200 healthy controls.

Association of tumor necrosis factor α -308G/A and interleukin-6 -174G/C gene polymorphism with pneumonia-induced sepsis.

Purpose: Sepsis is a lethal outcome of the inflammation and coagulation process. Human interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α are well-known inflammation factors closely associated with sepsis. In the present study, we aim to investigate the association of promoter-region polymorphisms IL-6 (-174G/C) rs1800795 and TNF-α (-308G/A) rs1800629 with pneumonia-induced sepsis.

Epstein-Barr virus interactions with the Bcl-2 protein family and apoptosis in human tumor cells.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a human gammaherpesvirus carried by more than 90% of the world's population, is associated with malignant tumors such as Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), Hodgkin lymphoma, post-transplant lymphoma, extra-nodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal and gastric carcinomas in immune-compromised patients. In the process of infection, EBV faces challenges: the host cell environment is harsh, and the survival and apoptosis of host cells are precisely regulated. Only when host cells receive sufficient survival signals may they immortalize.

[Research progress on prognostic markers of chronic lymphocytic leukemia].

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) remains the most common adult leukemia. The recent progress on research of molecular and cellular genetics of CLL promotes the development of the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis for CLL patients. IGVH gene mutation status is the most important prognostic marker for CLL patients.

[Clonality analysis and mutational status of IgVH gene in Hodgkin variant of Richter syndrome].

Objective: To detect the clonal relationship, the rearrangement, and the mutational status of IgVH gene; the influence of these molecular characteristics on the clinical outcome in Hodgkin variant of Richter syndrome; and the possible molecular pathogenesis in this transformation.

Methods: The clonal rearrangements and mutational status of IgVH genes were analyzed in Hodgkin variant of Richter syndrome and B-CLL with Reed-Stemberg (R-S)-like cells by GeneScan analysis and sequencing. Semi-nest PCR based on laser capture microdissection was utilized to compare the clonal relationship between B-CLL and R-S/R-Slike cells.

[Clonality analysis and mutation status of IgVH genes in classic Richter's syndrome].

Objective: To study the clonal rearrangements and mutation status of IgVH genes in classic Richter's syndrome, the relationship between molecular findings of IgVH gene and clinical outcome, and to deciper the possible molecular mechanism of transformation.

Methods: The clonal rearrangements and mutation status of IgVH genes were analyzed in cases of classic Richter's syndrome by Genescan and sequencing. Immunohistochemical study for zeta-chain associated protein kinase 70 kDa (ZAP70), p53 and interferon regulation factor 4 (IRF-4) was also performed.

A novel microsatellite within intron 8 in caspase10 gene in Chinese of Han nationality.

Objective: To investigate polymorphisms in the coding exons and their splicing areas of caspase10 gene (CASP10) in Chinese of Han nationality.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), direct sequencing and clonal sequencing were used to analyze the exon 9 and its flanking sequences.

Results: In 70 blood samples of Chinese subjects researched the known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exon 9 of CASP10 gene published in dbSNP of NCBI were not identified.

[BCL-2/IgH translocation in peripheral blood cells of healthy Chinese individuals of Han nationality located in Zhejiang area].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the frequency of BCL-2/IgH rearrangement in peripheral blood cells of healthy Chinese individuals of Han nationality located in Zhejiang area and the low incidence of follicular lymphoma (FL).

Methods: Nested-PCR and direct DNA sequencing were used to detect the Bcl-2/IgH rearrangement in peripheral blood cells of 196 healthy individuals. DNA sequences involved were then searched and aligned in NCBI database to confine the broken points in major breakpoint region and the IgH segments involved.

[Study of dual rearrangements of lymphocytic antigen receptor genes in non-Hodgkin lymphoma].

Objective: To investigate the rate of dual rearrangements of lymphocytic antigen receptor genes in non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and its pathogenesis and pathologic significance.

Methods: PCR analysis of monoclonal, polyclonal and dual rearrangements of IgH and TCR gamma, TCR beta genes was carried out in 125 cases of NHL to evaluate the rate of dual rearrangements, immunohistochemistry was performed for a Ki67 protein expression in 117 cases and the proliferation index was calculated. The relationship between antigen receptor gene rearrangements and proliferation index was analyzed.

[Detection of IgH gene rearrangement in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and application of gel-scan method].

Objective: To develop a protocol for gene rearrangement study in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) by PCR-directed gel-scan method and to set up quantitative criteria for IgH gene rearrangement which can be applied in the follow up of lymphoma patients.

Methods: IgH gene rearrangement studies were carried out in 96 cases of B-cell NHL. The detection rate of clonality was evaluated.