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Purpose: To develop and validate a radiomics model for evaluating pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Experimental Design: We enrolled 222 patients (152 in the primary cohort and 70 in the validation cohort) with clinicopathologically confirmed LARC who received chemoradiotherapy before surgery. All patients underwent T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging before and after chemoradiotherapy; 2,252 radiomic features were extracted from each patient before and after treatment imaging. The two-sample t test and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were used for feature selection, whereupon a radiomics signature was built with support vector machines. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was then used to develop a radiomics model incorporating the radiomics signature and independent clinicopathologic risk factors. The performance of the radiomics model was assessed by its calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness with independent validation. Results: The radiomics signature comprised 30 selected features and showed good discrimination performance in both the primary and validation cohorts. The individualized radiomics model, which incorporated the radiomics signature and tumor length, also showed good discrimination, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9756 (95% confidence interval, 0.9185-0.9711) in the validation cohort, and good calibration. Decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical utility of the radiomics model. Conclusions: Using pre- and posttreatment MRI data, we developed a radiomics model with excellent performance for individualized, noninvasive prediction of pCR. This model may be used to identify LARC patients who can omit surgery after chemoradiotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 23(23); 7253-62. ©2017 AACR ., (©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.)

An expedient strategy for the preparation of diiodinated diepoxydibenzo[c,k][1,9]dioxacyclohexadecines from readily available 2-(4-hydroxybut-1-yn-1-yl)benzaldehydes through electrophile-triggered tandem cyclization/intermolecular acetalation sequence has been presented. The electrophilic macrocyclization can be performed under mild conditions and in up to gram quantities. Moreover, palladium-catalyzed coupling and reduction reactions of the resulting iodides could efficiently afford oxa-macrocycles.

CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) is a transcription factor regulating the core aspects of cell growth and differentiation. The present study investigated the level and functional role of C/EBPα during the development of the rat lung. C/EBPα protein exhibits a dynamic expression pattern. The correlation between the expression of C/EBPα protein and the content of glycogen during lung maturation was analyzed to understand the function of C/EBPα in lung differentiation. The high expression of C/EBPα coincides with the reduction of glycogen in the fetal lung. In addition, the authors identified that changes in the level of C/EBPα are associated with the secretion of pulmonary surfactant. C/EBPα is modified by small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) post-translationally. The results of double immunofluorescence staining and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that SUMO-modified C/EBPα was present in the lung. The sumoylated C/EBPα gradually decreased during lung differentiation and was negatively correlated with pulmonary surfactant secretion, thereby suggesting that the SUMO modification may participate in C/EBPα-mediated lung growth and differentiation. These results indicated that C/EBPα played a role in lung development and provided the insight into the mechanism underlying SUMO-modification.

The elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is of great importance in improving the treatment of bone‑associated diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proven to regulate the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The present study investigated the role of miR‑217 in the osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs. It was observed that miR‑217 expression levels were downregulated during the process of osteogenic differentiation. Subsequently, a dual‑luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that miR‑217 targets a putative binding site in the 3'‑untranslated region of the runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) gene, which is a key transcription factor for osteogenesis. It was then demonstrated that overexpression of miR‑217 attenuated the osteogenesis of BMSCs and downregulated the expression of Runx2, whereas inhibition of miR‑217 promoted osteoblastic differentiation and upregulated Runx2 expression. Furthermore, the extracellular signal‑regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathways were investigated during osteogenic induction, and the data indicated that miR‑217 may exert a negative effect on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through alteration of ERK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. The present study therefore concluded that miR‑217 functions as a negative regulator of BMSC osteogenic differentiation via the inhibition of Runx2 expression, and the underlying molecular mechanisms may partially be attributed to mediation by the ERK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.

Introduction: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at high altitude is not well understood to date. This study investigates the effects of high altitude on ICH, and examines the acute neuroprotection of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy against high-altitude ICH., Methods: Minipigs were placed in a hypobaric chamber for 72 h before the operation. ICH was induced by an infusion of autologous arterial blood (3 ml) into the right basal ganglia. Animals in the high-altitude ICH group received HBO therapy (2.5 ATA for 60 min) 30 min after ICH. Blood gas, blood glucose and brain tissue oxygen partial pressure (PbtO2) were monitored continuously for animals from all groups, as were microdialysis products including glucose, lactate, pyruvate and glutamate in perihematomal tissue from 3 to 12 h post-ICH., Results: High-altitude ICH animals showed significantly lower PbtO2, higher lactate/pyruvate ratio (LPR) and glutamate levels than low-altitude ICH animals. More severe neurological deficits, brain edema and neuronal damage were also observed in high-altitude ICH. After HBO therapy, PbtO2 was significantly increased and LPR and glutamate levels were significantly decreased. Brain edema, neurological deficits and neuronal damage were also ameliorated., Conclusions: The data suggested a more serious disturbance of tissue oxygenation and cerebral metabolism in the acute stage after ICH at high altitude. Early HBO treatment reduced acute brain injury, perhaps through a mechanism involving the amelioration of the derangement of cerebral oxygenation and metabolism following high-altitude ICH.

The potential use of allogeneic islet transplantation in curing type 1 diabetes mellitus has been adequately demonstrated, but its large-scale application is limited by the short supply of donor islets and the need for sustained and heavy immunosuppressive therapy. Encapsulation of pig islets was therefore suggested with a view to providing a possible alternative source of islet grafts and avoiding chronic immunosuppression and associated adverse or toxic effects. Nevertheless, several vital elements should be taken into account before this therapy becomes a clinical reality, including cell sources, encapsulation approaches, and implantation sites. This paper provides a comprehensive review of xenotransplantation of encapsulated pig islets for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus, including current research findings and suggestions for future studies.

Islet transplantation is an attractive treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Xenotransplantation, using the pig as a donor, offers the possibility of an unlimited supply of islet grafts. Published studies demonstrated that pig islets could function in diabetic primates for a long time (>6 months). However, pig-islet xenotransplantation must overcome the selection of an optimal pig donor to obtain an adequate supply of islets with high-quality, to reduce xeno-antigenicity of islet and prolong xenograft survival, and to translate experimental findings into clinical application. This review discusses the suitable pig donor for islet xenotransplantation in terms of pig age, strain, structure/function of islet, and genetically modified pig.

An intramolecular electrophilic ipso-iodocyclization of N-benzyl-N-(1-naphthyl)propiolamides combined with the Friedel-Crafts-type reaction for the synthesis of complex polycyclic lactams is reported. The resulting iodinated cyclization product can provide a very useful handle for further structural manipulation.

An efficient method for the synthesis of (E)-1H-inden-1-ones using gold-catalyzed tandem [3,3]-propargyl ester rearrangement followed by Michael addition under mild reaction conditions has been developed. The resulting products are important frameworks found in numerous natural products and pharmaceutically active compounds, as well as being valuable intermediates in organic synthesis.

The potential mechanism of high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and selenium's protective effects were investigated in this study. Myocytes isolated from neonate rats were cultured in high-glucose medium (25.5 mmol/L glucose) to mimic sustained hyperglycemia. Before high-glucose incubation, myocytes were pretreated by sodium selenite solution. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining and caspase activation. Expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD-88) was examined at both mRNA and protein levels. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in myocytes were also detected. We found high glucose-induced cell apoptosis and activation of TLR-4/MyD-88/caspase-8/caspase-3 signaling, accompanied by increased production of ROS. Selenium pretreatment attenuated apoptosis in high glucose-incubated myocytes, and mechanically, this protective effect was found to be associated with attenuating oxidative status by increasing activity of GPx, decreasing the generation of ROS, as well as inhibition of the activation of TLR-4/MyD-88/caspase-8/caspase-3 signaling in myocytes. These results suggest that activation of TLR-4/MyD-88 signaling pathway plays an important role in high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Additionally, by modulating TLR-4/MyD-88 signaling pathway, which is linked to ROS formation, selenium exerts its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects in high glucose-incubated myocytes.

In both yeast and mammals, the major constituent of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport-II (ESCRT-II) is the VPS22/EAP30 protein, which plays an important role in ubiquitin-mediated degradation of membrane proteins through the multivesicular body pathway. However, the functions of ESCRT-II subunits in plants are largely unknown. In this work, we report the genetic analysis and phenotypic characterization of mutants in OsVPS22 gene, which encodes a functional VPS22 homolog in rice. On the basis of a collection of T-DNA lines, we identified a T-DNA insertion mutant, which showed abnormal segregation ratios; we then found that the T-DNA insertion is located within the sixth intron of the OsVPS22 gene. Compared with the wild type, this vps22 mutant exhibited seedling lethality and severe reduction in shoot and root growth. In addition, the vps22 mutant had a chalky endosperm in the grain. In summary, our data suggest that OsVPS22 may be required for seedling viability and grain filling in rice, thus providing a valuable resource for further exploration of the functions of the ESCRTing machinery in plants.

Background: Presurgery serum osteopontin (OPN) level has been demonstrated to correlate to tumor recurrence and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study investigated the postoperative dynamic changes of serum OPN level and its clinical significance in HCC patients., Methods: Presurgery serum OPN levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cohort A of 179 HCC patients and were compared with the multiple controls including different kinds of liver diseases and healthy individuals. In cohort B of 110 patients with resectable HCCs, besides preoperative assays, serum OPN was monitored at 1 week, 1, and ≥2 months after operation., Results: The baseline presurgery serum OPN of HCC patients was significantly higher than that of the patients with the other kinds of liver diseases (p < 0.0001). The prognostic values of presurgery serum OPN level in HCC patients were further confirmed. The postsurgery OPN levels were significantly elevated within 1 week after HCC resection, then decreased at 1 month and reached the nadir later than 2 months after operations. It increased again at the time of tumor recurrence, then declined after the second removal of recurrent HCCs. Moreover, postoperative OPN in α-fetoprotein-negative and -positive HCC patients had the same changing pattern; it only correlated to liver function and C-reactive protein level., Conclusions: After a transient fluctuation, serum OPN levels significantly decrease after curative resection of HCCs. Postoperative serum OPN could serve as a surrogate serologic biomarker for monitoring treatment response and tumor recurrence after HCC resection, including α-fetoprotein-negative ones.

Aim: To investigate the role of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Methods: The bone marrow of HCC mice was reconstructed by transplanting green fluorescent protein (GFP) + bone marrow cells. The concentration of circulating EPCs was determined by colony-forming assays and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Serum and tissue levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and colony-stimulating factor (CSF) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The distribution of EPCs in tumor and tumor-free tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The incorporation of EPCs into hepatic vessels was examined by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. The proportion of EPCs in vessels was then calculated., Results: The HCC model was successful established. The flow cytometry analysis showed the mean percentage of CD133CD34 and CD133VEGFR2 double positive cells in HCC mice was 0.45% ± 0.16% and 0.20% ± 0.09% respectively. These values are much higher than in the sham-operation group (0.11% ± 0.13%, 0.05% ± 0.11%, n = 9) at 14 d after modeling. At 21 d, the mean percentage of circulating CD133CD34 and CD133VEGFR2 cells is 0.23% ± 0.19%, 0.25% ± 0.15% in HCC model vs 0.05% ± 0.04%, 0.12% ± 0.11% in control. Compared to the transient increase observed in controls, the higher level of circulating EPCs were induced by HCC. In addition, the level of serum VEGF and CSF increased gradually in HCC, reaching its peak 14 d after modeling, then slowly decreased. Consecutive sections stained for the CD133 and CD34 antigens showed that the CD133+ and CD34+ VEGFR2 cells were mostly recruited to HCC tissue and concentrated in tumor microvessels. Under fluorescence microscopy, the bone-marrow (BM)-derived cells labeled with GFP were concentrated in the same area. The relative levels of CD133 and CD34 gene expression were elevated in tumors, around 5.0 and 3.8 times that of the tumor free area. In frozen liver sections from HCC mice, cells co-expressing CD133 and VEGFR2 were identified by immunohistochemical staining using anti-CD133 and VEGFR2 antibodies. In tumor tissue, the double-positive cells were incorporated into vessel walls. In immunofluorescent staining. These CD31 and GFP double positive cells are direct evidence that tumor vascular endothelial cells (VECs) come partly from BM-derived EPCs. The proportion of GFP CD31 double positive VECs (out of all VECs) on day 21 was around 35.3% ± 21.2%. This is much higher than the value recorded on day 7 group (17.1% ± 8.9%). The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular adhesion molecule 1, and VEGF was higher in tumor areas than in tumor-free tissues., Conclusion: Mobilized EPCs were found to participate in tumor vasculogenesis of HCC. Inhibiting EPC mobilization or recruitment to tumor tissue may be an efficient strategy for treating HCC.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) were found to exist in serum/plasma in a highly stable, cell-free form, and aberrantly expressed in many human diseases. Currently, the expression levels of circulating miRNAs are estimated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. However, no study has systematically evaluated reference genes for evaluating circulating microRNA expression. This study describes the identification and characterization of an appropriate reference gene for the normalization of circulating miRNA levels in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients and healthy people. Ten miRNAs that resemble the mean expression of the TaqMan low density array together with U6, RNU6B, and miR-16 were validated with two algorithms, geNorm, and NormFinder, after ensuring their equivalent expression between the two study groups. The combination of miR-26a, miR-221, and miR-22* is recommended as the most stable set of reference genes for circulating miRNA evaluation in HBV patients and healthy people.

A mild and direct pathway for the formation of five-membered heterocyclic compounds from hydroxylated enynes has been developed. In this reaction, hydroxylated enynes were selectively transformed into five-membered heterocyclic compounds 2, with an allene moiety at the 3-position, in the presence of F(3) CSO(3) H (0.1 mol %). When R(1) , R(2) =Ph, diphenylvinyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrole (2 y) was obtained. With HSbF(6) (5 mol %) as the catalyst, polycyclic skeletons 3 and 4 with adjacent stereocenters were obtained. When R(1) =H and R(2) =styrene, 1,3-dienyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole (6 as) was formed. This Brønsted acid catalyzed domino process involves the formation of an allene carbocation intermediate, which can be readily trapped by olefins to give various novel five-membered heterocyclic skeletons., (Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Aim: To establish a method for induced and amplified porcine monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells(imDCs).The aim of this study was to assess the pCTLA4-Ig gene-modified porcine imDCs could benefit for prevent the proliferation of xenogeneic spleen cells., Methods: Poricne peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) were cultured with rpGM- CSF(30 microg/L) and rpIL-4(20 microg/L). To evaluate the suspending cells by transmission electronic microscope and flow cytometer. Porcine imDCs were transduced with adenovirus mediated pCTLA4-Ig gene. The mixed lymphocyte reaction(MLR) was used to examine the proliferation of spleen cells of SD rat to gene-modified imDCs., Results: With rpGM-CSF and rpIL-4 induced porcine PBMC for 4-5 days, it was exhibited typical morphological characteristics and immunological phenotype of imDCs with high expression of SLA-DR, CD172a and low expression of CD80/CD86 on the cellular surface. The gene-modified imDCs were able to amplified the pCTLA4-Ig and IDO gene by RT-PCR. The stimulate index of gene-modified imDCs group were markedly inferior to that in unmodified imDCs group(P<0.05)., Conclusion: The pCTLA4-Ig gene-modified imDCs can significantly inhibit the proliferation of xenogeneic spleen cells, and there might was correlated with the expression of IDO reduce the immune response of xenogeneic antigen.

Objective: To discuss the method and the effect of external fixator and limited internal fixation with joint applied for complex fracture-dislocation of elbow., Methods: From Mar. 2005 to Mar. 2008, 17 patients with complex fracture-dislocation of elbow were treated with external fixator with joint and limited internal fixation. Nine of them were on the left side and 8 on the right side. There were 11 males and 6 females. The age was from 21 to 57 years with an average of 37 years. The clinical effects were evaluated according to Mayo scoring of elbow joint function (including pain, rang of motion, joint stability and so on)., Results: All patients were followed up from 5 to 10 months with an average of 8 months. The mean mayo score was 82 +/- 10 (62-96). The results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 7, fair in 3., Conclusion: The technique of external fixator with joint and limited internal fixation for complex fracture-dislocation of elbow can restore anatomical articular surface with advantage of early functional training which can decrease the occurrence of elbow stiff and soft tissue contracture. It is a satisfactory method in treating complex fracture-dislocation of elbow.

Ac/Ds insertion mutation was thought to be one of the powerful tools for identifying gene function in rice. In this study, the rice mutant with pale-green leaves was isolated from the population of Ds-T-DNA and Ac-T-DNA transgenic homozygote in a japonica rice variety Zhonghua 11. The leaves of the mutant turned to be pale-green at three-leaf stage. This mutant was capable of growing slowly and maturing under low-light conditions, but, rapidly died under natural light conditions. The analysis of the photosynthetic activity characteristics by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence in vivo suggested that the mutant was a typical photo-inhibitory mutant. Genetic analysis demonstrated that the mutation was the recessive one resulted from Ds insertion.

A mild and direct process for C-C bond formation from propargylic alcohols and olefin has been developed in the presence of a silver catalyst. In this reaction, trace amounts of water were necessary and allene alcohols 2 and 1,3-dienes 3 were obtained selectively.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between serosal invasion types and lymph node metastasis after total gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients, and explore its significance in planning practice rational dissection based on the serosa types of gastric cancer during surgery., Methods: A total of 73 gastric cancer patients, who underwent total gastrectomy and lymph node dissection, were included in this study, and their clinicopathological data were analyzed. The serosa of gastric cancer was divided into five types: normal, reactive, nodular, tendonoid, and color-diffused, then they were combined into 3 groups: group 1: normal and reactive, group 2: nodular (including protruding nodular and flat nodular), and group 3: tendonoid and color-diffused. The lymph node metastasis ratios in the 3 groups were compared. The lymph nodes in each of the 3 groups were divided into 16 subgroups and the lymph node metastasis ratios of each subgroup in the 3 groups were compared and analyzed., Results: The lymph node metastasis ratio of the gastric cancer with normal and reactive type serosa was 5.3% (26/492), the nodular was 37.1% (250/673), the tendonoid and color-diffused was 50.0% (486/972). The lymph node metastasis ratio of normal and reactive type groups was the lowest, that of the tendonoid and color-diffused groups was the highest, and the nodular type in between, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). The results of comparing the lymph node metastasis ratios from the 1st to 16th subgroup in the 3 groups showed the same trend (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Among all serosa types of gastric cancer, the lymph node metastasis ratio of the tendonoid and color-diffused is the highest, the normal and reactive type is the lowest, and the nodular in between. The extent of rational dissection should be carried out on the basis of serosa types of gastric cancer during surgery. An extended dissection including D2 and D3 lymphadenectomy should be performed for the patients with tendonoid and color-diffused serosa, a rational decreased operation including D1-D1+ lymphadenectomy should be performed for those with a normal and reactive type serosa, and for the patients with nodular type serosa, we suggest performing standard D2 dissection.

Objective: To summarize the features of metastasis in different lymph node groups (from 1 to 16 groups) in gastric cancer patients treated by total gastrectomy, and evaluate their clinical significance in lymph node dissection., Methods: The data of 73 gastric cancer patients with total gastrectomy and lymph node dissection from January 2004 to April 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. The lymph nodes were divided into 16 groups according to the 13(th) edition of gastric cancer treatment guideline of JGCA (The Japan Gastric Cancer Association). The metastatic rate and degree of dissected lymph nodes in these patients were compared., Results: The metastatic rates of lymph node groups in these patients from lower to higher were as follows: group 15, 13/16, 14v, 12, 10, 9, 11, 8, 2, 6/7, 5, 1, 4, 3. The lowest was the 15(th) group lymph nodes (1.4%), the highest was the 3rd group (65.8%), with a statistically significant difference between those two groups (P < 0.01). The metastatic degrees of the lymph node groups from lower to higher were as follows: 13, 16, 1, 7, 6, 5, 12, 4, 11, 8, 2, 15, 9, 3, 10, 14v. There was a statistically significant difference between the lowest group of lymph node (13(th) group, 10.7%) and the highest (14v(th), 56.3%, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: In the radical total gastrectomy for patients with gastric cancer, it is suggested that the regional lymph nodes with higher metastatic rate should be resected necessarily, and the group with a higher metastatic degree should be dissected completely. If the result of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the 3(rd) or 14v(th) group is negative, the operation extent can be reduced. If positive, it should be extended. When the biopsy result in the 13(th) or 16(th) is positive, palliative operation may be indicated. However, if the biopsy result is negative in the 13(th) or 16(th), but positive in the 14v(th) group, extended operation is indicated.

A rice floral mutant was obtained from a japonica variety Zhonghua 11, which was characterized with the phenotype of more stamens, more pistils and early flowering. Genetic analysis showed that the mutant phenotype was controlled by a single recessive gene, which was designed as floral organ number 5 (fon5). To map fon5, an F2 population was derived from the cross between Huajingxian 74 and fon5 mutant. Gene fon5 was roughly mapped between the microsatellite markers RM400 and RM412 on chromosome 6 with genetic distances of 10.5 and 1.6 cM, respectively. Then, six new po-lymorphic InDel markers were developed in the region. According to the physical information of the markers, locus fon5 was finally delimited to a region of 116 kb.

Objective: To establish pharmacognostical methods of Rodersia aesculifolia., Methods: Macroscopical, microscopic and physicochemical identification were used to authenticate this crude drug, and the identification characteristics were studied., Results: There were some palea on the rhizoma superior extremity and some white flare dot on transverse section. Vascular bundle formed into interval circularity in rhizoma transverse section, and some small atypia bundle appeared in lateral of core. Xylem of root was tetrarch. A lot of starch grain and acicular cyrstal were observed in parenchyma cell. Brown cell was present as single or several linked., Conclusion: These characteristics can be used as identification basis for Rodersia aesulifolia Batal.

Objective: In order to provide reference for the development of quality standards and distinction of authenticity, some sources of Diphylleia sinensis Li. in the maket were identified by sampling., Methods: The TLC of six batches of Diphylleia sinensis Li. in the market were identified., Results: They were the dried rhizome of Diphylleia sinensis Li., Dysosma versipellis (Hance.) M. Cheng and D. pleiantha (Hance) Woods. According to the pharmaceutical characteristics, retrieval tables of identification on plants, traits, microscopic and TLC were established., Conclusion: It is simple and reliable to use TLC and retrieval table to identify three sources of Diphylleia sinensis Li.

Objective: To provide the scientific basis for gruffs identification and utilization of tall monkshood root., Methods: We studied tall monkshood root through the macroscopic, microscopical and Physicochemical identification., Results: In the cross section of tall monkshood root, there were cork cortex cells, a cricoid range hetero-vascular bundle, radial-cell including radial little brown cell, a great deal of starch grain, cortex organize fragment was brown, cell squareness and polygon., Conclusion: These character can provide scientific basis for its quality standard and development.

Objective: To provide the scientific basis for identification and utilization of Memorialis hirta ( BL) Wedd., Methods: Macroscopical identification and microscopic identification., Results: To make system pharmacognostical studies on stalk and fine powder of Memorialis hirta (BL) Wedd., Conclusion: These characteristic can provide the scientific basis for identification of Memorialis hirta (BL) Wedd.

Objective: To investigate the expression of NF-kappaB in peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) of acute pancreatitis (AP) and to assess the preventive effectiveness of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on NF-kappaB in vitro., Methods: Nineteen patients and 16 healthy individuals as control were enrolled in this study. The expression of NF-kappaB in PMNs was determined by gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Routine clinical examination results and computed tomography findings of AP were recorded in all patients., Results: The PMNs from the patients with AP showed higher levels of NF-kappaB activities than those from control subjects (P < 0.01), severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group showed much higher than mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) group (P < 0.05). In vitro, PDTC could reduce the NF-kappaB activity in PMNs of patients with AP, and its effectiveness at 2 mmol/L was stronger than at 1 mmol/L (P < 0.05). The PMNs from control subjects pretreated with 2 mmol/L PDTC before stimulation with the plasma from patients with SAP showed lower levels of NF-kappaB activities than did those untreated (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The NF-kappaB activation in peripheral blood PMNs participate in the course of acute pancreatitis and can be inhibited by PDTC in vitro.

Critical concentration of methylmercuric chloride (MeHgCl) in the nutrient solution to which Spartina plants are tolerant is 15 micromol/L, three times higher than that of tobacco plants. After being treated with methylmercuric chloride, total quantity of organic mercury within plants increased and that of nutrient solution decreased greatly so that total quantity of inorganic mercury rose. It is inferred that Spartina plants absorb organic mercury and partially transform organic into inorganic mercury, and then more inorganic mercury is accumulated in underground parts of plants. In addition, inorganic mercury derived from organic mercury moved to solution by diffusion and permeation. In this way, the features Spartina plants exhibit in mercury accumulation and transformation from organic to inorganic mercury are valuable for phytoremediation of environment pollution.

This paper presents a novel one-step method for preparing of copper nanofluids by reducing CuSO(4).5H(2)O with NaH(2)PO(2).H(2)O in ethylene glycol under microwave irradiation. Nonagglomerated and stably suspended Cu nanofluids are obtained. The influences of CuSO(4) concentration, addition of NaH(2)PO(2), and microwave irradiation on the reaction rate and the properties of Cu nanofluids were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, infrared analysis, and sedimentation measurements. It is found to be a fast, efficient one-step chemical method to prepare Cu nanofluids.

Transposon tagging was used to isolate genes in higher plant. In this study, a delayed heading mutant caused by T-DNA insertion in rice was identified. Genetic analysis of the mutant showed that the three types of phenotype, normal heading, delayed heading and overly delayed heading in the segregating populations derived from the T-DNA heterozygotes fit the ratio of 1:2:1. Test for Basta resistance showed the delayed heading plants were all resistant while the normal heading plants were susceptible, and the ratio of resistant and susceptible plants was 3:1, which indicated that the delayed heading mutant was co-segregated with Basta resistance. The delayed heading mutant caused by T-DNA insertion was confirmed by T-DNA detection using PCR method. This delayed heading mutant will be used for isolation of the tagged gene in rice.