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We prove the existence of a triple , where is a class of finite groups consisting of groups of odd order which is complete (i.e., closed under subgroups, homomorphic images, and extensions), is a finite simple group, is an -maximal subgroup in , and is not pronormal in . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives:Observational studies relating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and pregnancy outcomes have reported conflicting results. The aim was to assess maternal 25(OH)D status and its association with pregnancy outcomes. A prospective observational study was carried out in Guangzhou city (23 ºN), China.Subjects/Methods:Pregnant women (n=2960) and healthy controls (n=100) were recruited at a teaching hospital. Maternal 25(OH)D levels were measured at 16-20-week gestation. The pregnant women, if met inclusion and exclusion criteria, were enrolled in further analysis for pregnancy outcomes (n=1953).Results:Mean serum 25(OH)D in pregnant women was 27.03±7.92 ng/ml. In total, 18.9 and 48.6% of pregnant women had low (25(OH)D less than or equal to 20 ng/ml) and medium level (25(OH)D 21-29 ng/ml) of vitamin D, respectively. 25(OH)D was highest in summer and lowest in winter, which showed a positive correlation with temperature (R=0.942) and calcium (R=0.074). Most maternal outcomes (premature rupture of membranes break, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, pre-eclampsia, cesarean section), fetal outcomes (spontaneous abortions, medically induced labor, fetal death, fetal distress, fetal growth restriction) and neonatal outcomes (malformations, birth weight and height, low birth weight, macrosomia, small-for-gestational age, score of Apgar 1′,5′, asphyxia of newborn) were not significantly different between groups, but prevalence of gestational diabetes (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.017; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.002-1.033) and preterm delivery (adjusted OR 1.038; 95% CI 1.018-1.059) in high level group (25(OH)D ⩾30 ng/ml) was higher than that in low and medium level groups.Conclusions:The prevalence of low level of vitamin D (serum 25OHD ⩽20 ng/ml) was 18.9% among pregnant women in southern China. There were no significant differences in most adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women with different levels of vitamin D at 16-20-week gestation except for higher prevalence of gestational diabetes and preterm delivery in women with high level of vitamin D, possibly related to the older age and higher body mass index of this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synovial sarcoma is a deadly malignancy with limited sensitivity to traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy. SS18-SSX fusion oncogene expression characterizes human synovial sarcomas and drives oncogenesis in a mouse model. Elevated expression of BCL2 is considered a consistent feature of the synovial sarcoma expression profile. Our objective was to evaluate the expression of apoptotic pathway members in synovial sarcomas and interrogate the impact of modulating SS18-SSX expression on this pathway. We show in human and murine synovial sarcoma cells that SS18-SSX increases BCL2 expression, but represses other anti-apoptotic genes, including MCL1 and BCL2A1. This repression is achieved by directly suppressing expression via binding through activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) to the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) response element (CRE) in the promoters of these genes and recruiting TLE1/Groucho. The suppression of these two anti-apoptotic pathways silences the typical routes by which other tumors evade BH3-domain peptidomimetic pharmacotherapy. We show that mouse and human synovial sarcoma cells are sensitive in vitro to ABT-263, a BH3-peptidomimetic, much more than the other tested cancer cell lines. ABT-263 also enhances the sensitivity of these cells to doxorubicin, a traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy used for synovial sarcoma. We also demonstrate the capacity of ABT-263 to stunt synovial sarcomagenesis in vivo in a genetic mouse model. These data recommend pursuit of BH3-peptidomimetic pharmacotherapy in human synovial sarcomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synovial sarcoma is a high-grade soft tissue malignancy, for which current cytotoxic chemotherapies provide limited benefit. Although histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are known to suppress synovial sarcoma in vitro and in vivo, the exact mechanism is not clear. In this study, we report a central role of the transcription factor, early growth response-1 (EGR1), in the regulation of HDAC inhibitor-induced apoptotic cell death in synovial sarcoma. The SS18-SSX oncoprotein, characteristic of synovial sarcoma, maintains EGR1 expression at low levels, whereas it is significantly increased after HDAC inhibitor treatment. On the contrary, EGR1 knockdown leads to a decrease in HDAC inhibitor-induced apoptosis. Moreover, we find that under these conditions phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN) is upregulated and this occurs through direct binding of EGR1 to an element upstream of the PTEN promoter. Using a combination of gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we show that EGR1 modulation of PTEN contributes to HDAC inhibitor-induced apoptosis in synovial sarcoma. Finally, restoration of EGR1 or PTEN expression is sufficient to induce synovial sarcoma cell death. Taken together, our findings indicate that SS18-SSX-mediated attenuation of an EGR1–PTEN network regulates synovial sarcoma cell survival, and that HDAC inhibitor-mediated apoptosis operates at least in part through reactivation of this pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2)-converting bacteriophages ca n infect and lysogenized other bacteria in vivo and in vitro, and thus contribute to the genotypic heterogeneity of infected host. However, the global transcription patterns accompanying the lysogenic infection of Escherichia coli coli host have not been clearly resolved. In this study, we compared the gene expression profiles of Stx2 phage ΦMin27(Δstx::cat) converted and naïve E. coli MG1655 hosts using microarray analyses. It was identified that conversion by ΦMin27(Δstx::cat) had a direct effect on the global expression of bacterial host genes as 166 genes were found to be differentially expressed (104 up-regulated and 62 down-regulated). These genes were predominantly responsible for bacterial central metabolism, transport and transcription. It was shown that in addition to the down-regulation of genes involved in synthesis of Thi an d protein transporters, expression of genes associated with bacterial energy production (e.g., fadABDEHIJL, aceK and acnA) were also suppressed. Conversely, a significantly larger number of genes were up-regulated, including transport genes, flagellar synthesis genes ( fliDESTZ) and acid resistant genes (e.g., gadEW, hdeABD and adiY). Our study also discovered conversion of ΦMin27(Δstx::cat) could change host physiological character. The converted cells had increased acid tolerance at low pH and promoted swimming motility on semisolid agar surface compared to the uninfected bacterial host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solid solution of (1-x)BiFeO3-xDyFeO3 was prepared by solid state reactions in the form of ceramics. The effects of chemical modification by means of aliovalent ionic substitution of Ti4+ for Fe3+ on the structure and dielectric properties were investigated. A morphotropic phase boundary bridging the perovskite rhombohedral phase and the orthoferrite orthorhombic phase was identified at x around 0.1. The chemical modification was found to stabilize the perovsite phase. The dielectric performance of the solid solution was improved by the substitution of Ti4+ for Fe3+, which decreased the electric conductivity by reducing oxygen vacancies, as evidenced by the decrease in loss tangent values. Magnetic hysteresis and large saturated magnetization (0.5 μB/f.u.) were realized in 0.92BiFeO3-0.08DyFeO3 with 2% substitution of Ti4+ for Fe3+, which is believed to arise from the disruption of the spiral spin modulation after structural modification, and the interaction between the spins of the Dy3+ and Fe3+ at low temperatures which decouples the antiferromagnetic order between the Fe3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) plays an important role in modulating cellular signalling, but its role in metastasis is not well defined. A significant reduction in Cav-1 levels was detected in lymph node metastases as compared with primary tumour of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) specimens (P<0.0001), confirming the downregulation of Cav-1 observed in a highly metastatic M4 cell lines derived from our orthotopic xenograft model. To investigate the function of Cav-1 in metastasis of HNSCC, we compared stable clones of M4 cells carrying human cav-1 cDNA (CavS) with cells expressing an empty vector (EV) in vitro and in the orthotopic xenograft model. Overexpression of Cav-1 suppressed growth of the CavS tumours compared with the EV tumours. The incidence of lung metastases was significantly lower in animals carrying CavS tumours than those with EV tumours (P=0.03). In vitro, CavS cells displayed reduced cell growth, invasion, and increased anoikis compared with EV cells. In CavS cells, Cav-1 formed complex with integrin beta1 and Src. Further application of integrin beta1 neutralising antibody or Src inhibitor PP2 to EV cells illustrated similar phenotypes as CavS cells, suggesting that Cav-1 may play an inhibitory role in tumorigenesis and lung metastasis through regulating integrin beta1- and Src-mediated cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compact oxide scale at a high speed steel (HSS) work roll surface during hot rolling process can act as an effective solid lubricant and a protective layer for better product surface quality. In this study, considering practical hot rolling process time, microstructure and surface roughness of three oxide scales on a HSS work roll have been systematically characterized with a help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It has been found that growth of the oxide scale follows a parabolic rate law and the dominant oxide phase is hematite. In addition, surface roughness increases dramatically when the oxidation time is less than 30 min and then changes slightly, when the HSS specimens were isothermally oxidized at 600 °C in a dry air. Residual stress evolutions with oxidation time have also been examined in details using X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Measurement of microhardness at the HSS specimen surface revealed that development of defects and decrease of compressive residual stress in the oxide layer lead to a slight decrease in the microhardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which examined the correlates of acute renal failure in patients receiving parenteral amphotericin B. Methodology; Results; Conclusion.

This study considers the multiple scattering of vertical shear waves (SV-waves) by a cluster of nanosized cylindrical holes. When the radius of the holes shrinks to nanometers, surface effects play an important role in their mechanical performance, and the surface elasticity theory is adopted to analyze diffraction phenomena. By using the displacement potential method and wave functions expansion method, the scattering fields around the holes are derived. Both the dynamic stress concentration around the holes and the scattering cross section are calculated to illustrate the effect of surface effects on the multiple scattering of an SV-wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yb3+-doped crystals were grown by the Czochralski method from (Gd0.5Y0.5)2SiO5 melt employing seeds cut out from single crystals of Yb:Gd2SiO5 and Yb:Y2SiO5. XRD analysis revealed that the structure of the solid solution crystals grown is consistent with the structure of the seed, namely C2/c for the Yb:Y2SiO5 seed and P21/c for the Yb:Gd2SiO5 seed. Optical absorption spectra, emission spectra and luminescence decay curves were recorded at 10 K and 300 K. Analysis of gathered spectroscopic data made it possible to evaluate radiative transition rates for the 2F5/2 multiplet of Yb3+ in the two structures and to assess crystal field splitting of multiplets involved in radiative transitions. It has been concluded that transition intensities and relaxation dynamics of Yb3+ in the systems studied are similar but the intensity distribution of emission and absorption bands depends significantly on the system structure. This feature, combined with inhomogeneous broadening of spectral lines, may be advantageous for the tailoring of lasers employing ytterbium-doped crystals for specific applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce systems of simultaneous generalized vector equilibrium problems and prove the existence of their solutions. As application of our results, we derive the existence theorems for solutions of systems of vector saddle-point problems. Consequently, we prove the existence of a solution of systems of generalized minimax inequalities. Further application of our results is also given to establish the existence of a solution of a Debreu-type equilibrium problem for vector-valued functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Heat stress stimulation can cause various injuries in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), including apoptotic cell death and an increase in cell permeability. Propofol (PPF), a commonly used anesthetic, is known to have an important role in antioxidation as well as organ protection. Therefore, our aim is to evaluate the protective effects of PPF on heat stress (HS)-induced oxidative stress injury and its possible mechanism of action. Methods: For HS + PPF, cells were treated with propofol followed by 2 h heat stress at 43 °C and then 4 h incubation under normal conditions. For propofol treatment, HUVEC were cultured in serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium supplemented with 0, 10, 25, or 50 μM propofol for 6 h under normal conditions. Results: During the study, we found that, in HS-induced cellular damage, the protective effect of propofol was related closely with its antioxidation properties. We further revealed that heat stress significantly reduced the level of manganese superoxide demutase (MnSOD) and Cu/Zn SOD, but that propofol could inhibit the reduction of MnSOD only. Transfection of HUVEC with MnSOD small interfering RNA (siRNA) markedly decreased the expression of MnSOD, and the protective effect of propofol in the MnSOD siRNA clones was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Propofol protected the heat stress-injured cells, at least partly, through upregulating MnSOD expression, effectively reducing the direct or indirect cell damage caused by oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pyridinecarboxaldimine grafted to silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles was prepared. The structure and magnetic properties of the functionalized magnetic silica nanoparticles were identified by TEM, FT-IR, XRD, elemental analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The supported pyridinecarboxaldimine as chelating ligand in combination with CuBr and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperadoxyl (TEMPO) exhibited efficient catalytic performance in the aerobic oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes. The functionalized magnetic silica nanoparticles could be easily recovered using an external magnetic field and reused for at least 6 times with low reduction in its performance in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using monolayer graphene as saturable absorber, a passively Q-switched Tm:LuAG laser with high efficiency at 2 μm is demonstrated. At the incident pump power of 5.8 W, pulses with duration of 235 ns and maximum average output power of 873 mW were obtained at a repetition rate of 72 kHz. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest average output power, as well as the narrowest pulse width, ever obtained among graphene-based passively Q-switched solid-state bulk lasers at 2 μm regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By simultaneously using a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and a monolayer graphene saturable absorber (SA) in the cavity, a laser-diode-pumped dual-loss-modulated passively Q-switched Tm:LuAG laser at 2 μm is demonstrated for the first time. In comparison with the singly passively Q-switched laser with MWCNT or monolayer graphene SA, the doubly passively Q-switched laser with both MWCNT and monolayer graphene SA can generate shorter pulse width and higher peak power. A maximum pulse width compression ratio of 2.8 and a highest peak power enhancement factor of 4 were obtained at the incident pump power of 5.8 W, respectively. The experimental results show that the dual-loss modulation is an efficient method to compress the pulse widths and improve the peak powers of the Q-switched lasers at 2 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dapper homolog (DACT) 2 is one of the Dact gene family members, which are important modulators of Wnt signaling pathway. We aim to clarify its epigenetic inactivation, biological function and clinical implication in colon cancer. DACT2 was silenced in five out of eight colon cancer cell lines, but robustly expressed in normal colon tissues. The loss of DACT2 expression was regulated by promoter hypermethylation. Restoring DACT2 expression in colon cancer cell lines suppressed tumor cell growth by inducing cell apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, DACT2 overexpression effectively reduced lung metastasis of colon cancer cells in nude mice. These effects by DACT2 were attributed to inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Reexpression of DACT2 significantly suppressed the transcriptional activity of both wild-type β-catenin and degradation-resistant form mutant β-catenin (S33Y). DACT2 could actively shuttle into and out of nuclei, with its predominant steady-state localization in the cytoplasm dependent on its nuclear export signal. Co-immunoprecipitation results indicated that DACT2 strongly associated β-catenin as well as lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) and directly disrupted the formation of the β-catenin-LEF1 complex in the nucleus. Whereas in the cytoplasm, DACT2 restored junctional localization of E-cadherin-β-catenin complexes and prevented β-catenin nuclear translocation through direct interaction with β-catenin. DACT2 methylation was detected in 43.3% (29/67) of colon cancer tissues, but none in normal controls. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with DACT2 methylation had a significant decrease in overall survival (P=0.006). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that DACT2 methylation was significantly associated with shortened survival in stage I-III colon cancer patients. In conclusion, DACT2 acts as a functional tumor suppressor in colon cancer through inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Its methylation at early stages of colon carcinogenesis is an independent prognostic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SIPA1 (signal-induced proliferation-associated protein 1) is a GTPase activation protein that can catalyze the hydrolysis of Rap1 bound GTP to GDP. Recently attention has been paid to a potential role for SIPA1 in cancer metastasis; however, the underlying mechanism of how changes in SIPA1 levels may lead to increased metastasis remains poorly understood. In this study, we showed that SIPA1 was mainly localized to the nuclei in highly invasive breast cancer tumor tissue and MDA-MB-231 cells. Knockdown of SIPA1 in MDA-MB-231 altered cell morphology and cell proliferation ability. Furthermore, this study is the first to establish that nuclear SIPA1 can interact with the integrin β1 promoter and activate its transcription; this interaction appears to be important for SIPA1-dependent MDA-MB-231 cell adhesion and invasion. We also demonstrated that the phosphorylation of FAK, Akt and the expression of MMP9, downstream signaling molecules of integrin β1, were decreased upon SIPA1 knockdown, and MDA-MB-231 cell invasion was impaired. Taken together, these results suggest nuclear SIPA1 contributes to breast cancer cell invasion through the regulation of integrin β1 signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leprosy is a chronic infectious and neurological disease that is caused by infection of Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). A recent genome-wide association study indicated a suggestive association of LRRK2 genetic variant rs1873613 with leprosy in Chinese population. To validate this association and further identify potential causal variants of LRRK2 with leprosy, we genotyped 13 LRRK2 variants in 548 leprosy patients and 1078 healthy individuals from Yunnan Province and (re-)analyzed 3225 Han Chinese across China. Variants rs1427267, rs3761863, rs1873613, rs732374 and rs7298930 were significantly associated with leprosy per se and/or paucibacillary leprosy (PB). Haplotype A-G-A-C-A was significantly associated with leprosy per se (P=0.018) and PB (P=0.020). Overexpression of the protective allele (Thr2397) of rs3761863 in HEK293 cells led to a significantly increased nuclear factor of activated T-cells' activity compared with allele Met2397 after lipopolysaccharides stimulation. Allele Thr2397 could attenuate 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine-induced autophagic activity in U251 cells. These data suggest that the protective effect of LRRK2 variant p.M2397T on leprosy might be mediated by increasing immune response and decreasing neurotoxicity after M. leprae loading. Our findings confirm that LRRK2 is a susceptible gene to leprosy in Han Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twin-roll strip casting is an effective technology to produce magnesium alloy strips economically. The aim of this work is to propose suitable (optimized) process parameters for manufacturing AZ61 strips using the twin-roll strip casting technology. Experiments on twin-roll strip casting of an AZ61 magnesium alloy were carried out. Temperature fields, fluid flow fields, and stress fields accompanying the process were simulated using thermal-fluid and thermal-mechanical finite element methods. The effects of casting speed and pouring temperature on temperature fields, fluid flow fields, and stress fields during the process were analyzed. It was found that the optimum pouring temperature should be in the range 690∼715 °C and the optimum casting speed in the range 2.3 and 2.5 m/min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a diode-pumped continuous-wave tunable and Q-switched Tm:SSO laser with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. In continuous-wave regime, a maximum output power of 340 mW at 1,980.7 nm was obtained. With a quartz plate, wavelength-tunable continuous-wave operation was achieved from 1,922 to 2,020 nm. In Q-switched regime, a maximum output pulse energy of 14.7 μJ under a repetition rate of 800 Hz and a minimum pulse width of 7.6 μs corresponding to a repetition rate of 8.8 kHz around 1,974.4 nm were obtained from the passively Q-switched Tm:SSO laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forkhead box transcription factor FoxP3 controls the development and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cell. FoxP3 modulates gene expression in Treg cells by multiple epigenetic mechanisms that are not clearly defined. We identified FoxP3-interacting proteins in human T cells by co-immunoprecipitation/MS. We discovered that FoxP3 interacted with linker histone H1.5 via the leucine zipper (LZ) domain. Two independent IPEX patient-derived single residue mutations in the LZ of FoxP3 both abrogated its interaction with H1.5. Functionally, FoxP3 and H1.5 cooperatively repressed interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression in human T cells; and silencing of H1.5 expression inhibited the ability of FoxP3 to suppress IL-2 expression. We show that FoxP3 specifically enhanced H1.5 association at the IL-2 promoter, but reduce its association at the CTLA4 promoter, correlated with higher or lower histone acetylation of the respective promoters. Finally, silencing of H1.5 expression in human Treg cells impaired the Treg function to suppress target T cells. We conclude that FoxP3 interacts with H1.5 to alter its binding to target genes to modulate their expression and to program Treg function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A crystal plasticity finite element model has been developed to study the effect of friction between the die wall and the billet on texture evolution during equal channel angular pressing of an aluminum single crystal. Four cases with different coefficients of friction μ = 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 have been simulated. It has been found that the friction of μ = 0.05 and 0.1 can capture the major texture features shown in the experimental results, and μ = 0.05 predicts a slightly better texture than μ = 0.1. The frictional condition significantly affects texture evolution in the region between 1/2 and 3/4 of the billet thickness from the top surface. It can be attributed to the effect of friction on the corner gap and the distribution of stresses in the die corner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absorption, photoluminescence and cw-lasing properties of a novel Na+-codoped Yb3+:CaF2 laser crystal are investigated in the temperature range from 10 K to 290 K. Cryogenic cooling leads to the disappearance of the ground-state absorption in the spectral region above 1000 nm and a substantial increase of emission and absorption cross-sections. A particular advantage of the Yb3+, Na+-codoped CaF2 crystal lies in the possibility of a direct pumping in the vicinity of the zero phonon line while nearly perfectly avoiding an overlap with the stimulated emission. Further advantages of the low-temperature operation are demonstrated by achieving a close to the theoretical limit slope efficiency of 92% in a cw-laser operation with an output coupler of 28%. By seeding stretched pulses from a femtosecond Yb fiber oscillator into a cryogenically cooled DPSS Yb3+, Na+:CaF2 regenerative amplifier, we obtain >3-mJ pulses at a 1-kHz repetition rate with a spectral bandwidth exceeding 12 nm. The pulses are compressed with a single grating compressor to 173 fs as verified by SHG FROG. Shaping of the spectral amplitude of the seed and active control of the higher-order phase is shown to be crucial for obtaining sub-200-fs pulses at multi-mJ energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The−216G/T, −191C/A, intron 1 and Arg497Lys epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) polymorphisms were evaluated in 92 advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with gefitinib, an EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor. Improved progression free survival (PFS) was found in patients homozygous for the shorter lengths of intron 1 polymorphism (S/S; S=16 or fewer CA repeats; log-rank test (LRT) P=0.03) and for patients carrying any T allele of the −216G/T polymorphism (LRT, P=0.005). When considered together, patients with intron 1 S/S genotype and at least one T allele of −216G/T had improved PFS (LRT P=0.0006; adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.98)) and overall survival (LRT P=0.02; AHR, 0.60 (0.36–1.00)) when compared with all others. The T allele of −216G/T was also associated with significantly higher rates of stable disease/partial response (P=0.01) and a significantly higher risk of treatment-related rash/diarrhea (P=0.004, multivariate model). EGFR intron 1 and –216G/T polymorphisms influence clinical outcomes in gefitinib-treated non-small-cell lung cancer patients.The Pharmacogenomics Journal (2008) 8, 129–138; doi:10.1038/sj.tpj.6500444; published online 20 March 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection appears protective against oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) risk. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are released in the presence of HP infection. In MMP2 wild-type individuals, HP was significantly protective of EA risk (adjusted odds ratio: 0.29; 95% confidence interval=0.1-0.7). Matrix metalloproteinases may modulate the EA-HP relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide variations exist in the methods for evaluating potency following radical prostatectomy. We describe our technique of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), present our methods for assessing the return of potency following LRP, and discuss the relevant literature. Sexual function was assessed pre- and postoperatively using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire (EPIC). Sexual function subscale scores (SFSS) were reported as a percentage of preoperative baseline sexual function. The EPIC was also used for single-question assessment of successful intercourse. We also reviewed the literature on prospective health-related quality of life results following LRP and open radical retropubic prostatectomy. Only patients reporting preoperative intercourse were analyzed. Of these, 72 and 35% undergoing bilateral and unilateral nerve sparing (NS) reported postoperative intercourse at 12 months (P=0.01). Mean SFSS at 12 months was 61 and 57% of baseline after bilateral and unilateral NS, respectively (P=0.71). Following NS procedures, 74% of patients 58 years of age and 41% of patients >58 years of age reported successful intercourse at 12 months (P=0.015). Mean SFSS was 64 and 52% of baseline function (P=0.249) at 12 months for patients 58 and >58 years of age, respectively. In patients <58 years of age who underwent bilateral NS surgery, 82% reported intercourse at 12 months. In conclusion, return of sexual function following NS LRP in our experience is comparable to reports from centers of excellence in open prostatectomy. Standardizing data collection using validated quality of life instruments can provide both surgeon and patient with a realistic forecast of relative return to normal sexual function following prostatectomy.International Journal of Impotence Research (2006) 18, 69–76. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901376; published online 11 August 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Y-junction carbon nanotubes, grown through thermal pyrolysis of acetylene over nanocrystalline Ni-P deposited SiC whiskers, were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The pyrolysis temperature, which ranged from 800 °C to 1000 °C, was found to be crucial for the growth of different Y-junction carbon nanotubes. At pyrolysis temperatures below the partial melting point of the Ni-P alloy catalyst, only single-junction nanotubes could be synthesized. Whereas, due to partial melting of the alloy catalyst at higher pyrolysis temperatures, liquid-assisted growth of multiple Y-junction nanotubes could occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author opines on the metabolomics used for the measurement of metabolic markers related to obesity, diet, and smoking. The author opines on the investment of 65 million dollars by National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Common Fund's Metabolomics Program, etiologic factors preceding, and increasing the risk of the disease, and relating the levels of a biomarker including blood pressure, vitamin D, or nicotine levels with the risk of disease.

A bulk crystal of Yb:Sc2SiO5 (Yb:SSO) with favorable thermal properties was successfully obtained by the Czochralski method. The energy level diagrams for Yb:SSO crystal were determined by optical spectroscopic analysis and semi-empirical crystal-field calculations using the simple overlap model. The full width at half maximum of the absorption band centering at 976 nm was calculated to be 24 nm with a peak absorption cross-section of 9.2×10-21 cm2. The largest ground-state splitting of Yb3+ ions is up to 1027 cm-1 in a SSO crystal host. Efficient diode-pumped laser performance of Yb:SSO was primarily demonstrated with a slope efficiency of 45% and output power of 3.55 W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, We demonstrated that Bax mitochondrial translocation plays a vital role in the initiation of the mitochondrial signaling pathway upon activation by heat stress. In addition, both p53 mitochondrial translocation and Ca2+ signal mediated MPTP opening activate Bax mitochondrial translocation. Employing pifithrin-α (a p53 mitochondrial translocation inhibitor) and CsA (a permeability transition pore (MPTP) inhibitor), we found that heat stress induced Bax mitochondrial translocation was significantly inhibited in cells pretreated with both PFT and CsA. Furthermore, we demonstrated that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a critical mediator in heat stress induced apoptosis and that the antioxidant MnTBAP significantly decreased heat stress induced p53 mitochondrial translocation and Ca2+ signal mediated MPTP opening, as well as the subsequent Bax mitochondrial translocation and activation of the caspase cascade. Taken together, our results indicate that heat stress induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway with ROS dependent mitochondrial p53 translocation and Ca2+ dyshomeostasis, and the ensuing intro Bax mitochondrial translocation as the upstream events involved in triggering the apoptotic process observed upon cellular exposure to heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case beta-thalassaemia major complicated with Klebsiella pneumoniae endogenous endophthalmitis is presented to increase physician awareness of the association of the two clinical conditions. Severe morbidity including subretinal abscess and retinal detachment may develop despite aggressive intravenous and intravitreal ceftriaxone therapy, along with vitrectomy and external drainage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]