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A new algorithm to automatically extract drainage networks and catchments based on triangulation irregular networks (TINs) digital elevation model (DEM) was developed. The flow direction in this approach is determined by computing the spatial gradient of triangle and triangle edges. Outflow edge was defined by comparing the contribution area that is separated by the steepest descent of the triangle. Local channels were then tracked to build drainage networks. Both triangle edges and facets were considered to construct flow path. The algorithm has been tested in the site for Hawaiian Island of Kaho’olawe, and the results were compared with those calculated by ARCGIS as well as terrain map. The reported algorithm has been proved to be a reliable approach with high efficiency to generate well-connected and coherent drainage networks.

A new heterometallic coordination polymer, namely [Cd3Ca(L-tart)4]n (1 L-tart = L-tartaric acid), has been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that 1 is a complicated three-dimensional (3D) framework, which contains two distinct layers: one containing polyhedrons only based on Cd(II) and the other containing polyhedrons based on Cd(II) and Ca(II).

Summary Bulk degradation of cytoplasmic material is mediated by a highly conserved intracellular trafficking pathway termed autophagy. This pathway is characterized by the formation of double-membrane vesicles termed autophagosomes engulfing the substrate and transporting it to the vacuole/lysosome for breakdown and recycling. The Atg1/ULK1 kinase is essential for this process; however, little is known about its targets and the means by which it controls autophagy. Here we have screened for Atg1 kinase substrates using consensus peptide arrays and identified three components of the autophagy machinery. The multimembrane-spanning protein Atg9 is a direct target of this kinase essential for autophagy. Phosphorylated Atg9 is then required for the efficient recruitment of Atg8 and Atg18 to the site of autophagosome formation and subsequent expansion of the isolation membrane, a prerequisite for a functioning autophagy pathway. These findings show that the Atg1 kinase acts early in autophagy by regulating the outgrowth of autophagosomal membranes., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • The Atg1 kinase phosphorylation consensus was identified on peptide arrays • Atg9 is a direct target of the Atg1/ULK1 kinase in vitro and in vivo • Atg9 phosphorylation recruits Atg18 and Atg8 to the PAS • Atg9 phosphorylation is required for isolation membrane expansion/autophagy function, Autophagy function is pivotal to cell health. Papinski et al. identify the phosphorylation consensus of the central kinase in this pathway, Atg1. The autophagy-related protein Atg9 is a direct target of Atg1. Atg9 phosphorylation by Atg1 is required for autophagosome formation. This finding sheds light on how Atg1 controls autophagy.

In order to integrate design resources of powertrain in wheeled combine harvester chassis, and improve its design quality, the process and methods of constructing a design platform for the powertrain in wheeled combine harvester chassis is presented in this paper. Based on the characteristics of the specific knowledge of powertrains design, this paper discourses methods of knowledge gathering, sorting, classification and presentation. Meanwhile, how to use Oracle database to store design knowledge also been discussed. According to the features of different parts, using method of parametric model constructing based on Pro/E, a set of parametric models of powertrain is built. After the forming of knowledge base, the reasoning mechanism is studied. Taking Visual Studio 2008, Oracle, Pro/E as major development means, the design platform of the powertrain in wheeled combine harvester chassis is finally established.

C15H10BrN, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 14.6998(9) Å, b = 5.9337(4) Å, c = 14.6275(11) Å, β = 113.542(8)°, V = 1169.67(15) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0396, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1103, T = 293(2) K.

Grain size is an important controlling factor of the chemical composition of sediments. To understand the role of grain size in the content of rare earth elements (REE) in tropical mountainous river sediments and to establish suitable provenance proxies, sediments collected from Pahang River and Kelantan River, Peninsular Malaysia, were determined for REE contents in six size fractions (

The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether uncemented total knee arthroplasty performs as well as cemented total knee arthroplasty. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, and major orthopaedic journals. This search was performed for the years from 1980 to the present. Randomised controlled trials and observational studies comparing cemented and uncemented fixation were identified. Effective data were pooled for meta-analysis. A systematic search was carried out using the EFORT website to identify the relevant arthroplasty registers. Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The combined odds ratio for failure of the implant due to aseptic loosening for the uncemented group over 5 and 10 years were 3.41 (p = 0.0001) and 4.73 (p = 0.0002), respectively. Subgroup analysis of data when design-related failed total knee arthroplasty (TKA)s were excluded showed no difference between the groups for odds of aseptic loosening (n.s.). There was no difference between the groups with respect to infection (n.s.). Pooled outcome of register data revealed that uncemented knees had a higher revision rate than cemented knees. The important finding from the current study is that there is no evidence to support that fixation techniques alone affect the durability of a total knee arthroplasty when design-related failure in TKAs was excluded. The way of fixation is not relevant to the incidence of infection. IV.

The molecular mechanisms through which alternative splicing and histone modifications regulate gene expression are now understood in considerable detail. Here, we discuss recent studies that connect these two previously separate avenues of investigation, beginning with the unexpected discoveries that nucleosomes are preferentially positioned over exons and DNA methylation and certain histone modifications also show exonic enrichment. These findings have profound implications linking chromatin structure, histone modification and splicing regulation. Complementary single gene studies provided insight into the mechanisms through which DNA methylation and histones modifications modulate alternative splicing patterns. Here, we review an emerging theme resulting from these studies: RNA-guided mechanisms integrating chromatin modification and splicing. Several groundbreaking papers reported that small noncoding RNAs affect alternative exon usage by targeting histone methyltransferase complexes to form localized facultative heterochromatin. More recent studies provided evidence that pre-messenger RNA itself can serve as a guide to enable precise alternative splicing regulation via local recruitment of histone-modifying enzymes, and emerging evidence points to a similar role for long noncoding RNAs. An exciting challenge for the future is to understand the impact of local modulation of transcription elongation rates on the dynamic interplay between histone modifications, alternative splicing and other processes occurring on chromatin.

The purpose of this study was to review the clinical presentation, imaging, pathology and outcome of patients with giant cell-rich osteosarcoma (GCRO) of long bones. Radiography (n=9), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n=6), computed tomography (CT) (n=3) and clinical course of nine patients (five males and four females; mean age, 26 years) with pathologically confirmed GCRO were retrospectively reviewed. Specific imaging findings, including size, eccentricity, ossification, lysis, cystic change, expansile growth, periosteal reaction, cortical destruction, soft tissue extension and joint involvement were documented. Presenting symptoms were pain in six patients and pain and palpable mass in three. An ill-defined margin surrounding a predominantly osteolytic lesion was detected at the proximal tibia (n=7) or femur (n=2) on imaging studies. Seven cases showed limited ossification. Three cases had tumours in the metaphysis and six in the metaepiphysis. The average maximum tumour dimension was 4.7 cm×5.2 cm×7.8 cm. Microscopically, tumours were composed of atypical cells with scanty osteoid formation and multinucleated giant cells. All patients received chemotherapy, and surgery was performed in eight patients. Three patients were dead and six were alive at the last follow-up. GCRO is a rarer variant that has very close resemblance to giant cell tumour. Patients usually present nonspecific symptoms of pain and palpable mass. It usually shows an osteolytic lesion with locally spared new bone formation in the metaphysis and/or metaepiphysis on imaging. Histologically, the atypical tumour cells with osteoid formation and multinucleated giant cells are the key factor in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

The assembly and disassembly of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are dynamic processes that control every step of RNA metabolism, including mRNA stability. However, our knowledge of how RNP remodeling is achieved is largely limited to RNA helicase functions. Here, we report a previously unknown mechanism that implicates the ATPase p97, a protein-remodeling machine, in the dynamic regulation of mRNP disassembly. We found that p97 and its cofactor, UBXD8, destabilize p21, MKP-1, and SIRT1, three established mRNA targets of the RNA-binding protein HuR, by promoting release of HuR from mRNA. Importantly, ubiquitination of HuR with a short K29 chain serves as the signal for release. When cells are subjected to stress conditions, the steady-state levels of HuR ubiquitination change, suggesting a new mechanism through which HuR mediates the stress response. Our studies reveal a new paradigm in RNA biology: nondegradative ubiquitin signaling-dependent disassembly of mRNP promoted by the p97–UBXD8 complex to control mRNA stability.

Qe report a new compound, namely [Zn2(BTC)(NO3)(DMA)3]n, with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3BTC) and N,N′-dimethylacetamide (DMA) by the solvothermal method. The compound is characterized by elemental analysis, thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Single crystal XRD analysis reveals that the compound is an extended three-dimensional framework containing dinuclear [Zn2(COO)3] units as building blocks and can be simplified into a 3-connected srs topological network. There are two kinds of graceful helical chains with opposite chirality. The compound exhibits strong photoluminescent properties at room temperature.

The four Hu [embryonic lethal abnormal vision-like (ELAVL)] protein family members regulate alternative splicing by binding to U-rich sequences surrounding target exons and affecting the interaction of the splicing machinery and/or local chromatin modifications. Each of the Hu proteins contains a divergent N-terminus, three highly conserved RNA recognition motifs (RRM1, RRM2 and RRM3) and a hinge region separating RRM2 and RRM3. The roles of each domain in splicing regulation are not well understood. Here, we investigate how HuC, a relatively poorly characterized family member, regulates three target pre-mRNAs: neurofibromatosis type I, Fas and HuD. We find that the HuC N-terminus is dispensable for splicing regulation, and the three RRMs are required for splicing regulation of each target, whereas the hinge region contributes to regulation of only some targets. Interestingly, the regions of the hinge and RRM3 required for regulating different targets only partially overlap, implying substrate-specific mechanisms of HuC-mediated splicing regulation. We show that RRM1 and RRM2 are required for binding to target pre-mRNAs, whereas the hinge and RRM3 are required for HuC-HuC self-interaction. Finally, we find that the portions of RRM3 required for HuC-HuC interaction overlap with those required for splicing regulation of all three targets, suggesting a role of HuC-HuC interaction in splicing regulation.

Two new metal–organic entangled frameworks, namely [Cd(FA)0.5(bix)1.5(H2O)] n ·nNO3 (1) and [Cd(FA)(bib)(H2O)2] n (2) (FA = fumaric acid, bix = 4,4′-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, bib = 1,4-bis(imidazolyl)butane), have been successfully hydrothermally synthesized through mixed ligands strategy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveal that 1 is a 2D → 3D polycatenated framework, while 2 is a triply interpenetrated 4-connected dia topological net. Moreover, both compounds exhibit intense luminescence emission at room temperature.

Two air-stable N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts of cyclopalladated ferrocenylpyridine containing chloride or iodide anions 2–3 have been easily prepared from the bridge-splitting reaction of the palladacyclic dimer 1 and anion exchange reaction, respectively. They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, and 13C NMR. Additionally, the structures of these complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. These adducts have been successfully applied to the coupling of terminal alkynes with arylboronic acids under atmospheric conditions.

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes play essential roles in gene expression. Their assembly and disassembly control the fate of mRNA molecules. Here, we describe a method that examines the remodeling and disassembly of RNPs. One unique aspect of this method is that the RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) of interest are produced in HeLa cells with or without the desired modification and the RNP is assembled in cellular extracts with synthetic RNA oligonucleotides. We use this method to investigate how ubiquitination of an RBP affects its ability to bind its RNA target.

Aiming at the existent resource constraints problems during the assembly process of complex electromechanical products, mission planning method based on design structure matrix is put forward. Utlizing the divding and uniting calculation in the design structure matrix, the assembly missions are divided into several different layers. By constantly adjusting the planning method, the shortest excutive construction period under the resource constraints is obtained, with features as simplicity, intuition, easiness for computer realizing and so on. The feasibility of the method is proved by solving the assembly mission planning problems of NC machine.

Mercury intrusion porosimetry injection is important in assessing microscopic pore structure of reservoirs. This paper introduces an estimated function for investigating the pore characteristic of western Sichuan tight gas reservoir based on VG model. Better correlations between the measured and estimated results have been obtained using VG model. Representative parameters were obtained by fitting the predictions of VG model to the experimental data, and then the estimated formulation was proposed for the studied reservoir. Correlation analysis of the parameters of VG model confirms that absolute permeability and irreducible water saturation are important in mercury injection porosimetry. The approach applied in this paper is helpful in investigating tight reservoirs, especially in the common cases when measurement is difficult to carry out, partly because of complicated variability in the field, and partly because measuring is time-consuming and expensive.

A new soften curing agent for toughening epoxy resins was synthesized by m-phenylene diamine modified with epoxypropyl butyl ether. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis showed that the longer the reaction time was, the smaller the absorption peaks of epoxy group were. The results of the mechanical properties demonstrated that the impact property of the epoxy resin cured by modified m-phenylene diamine at the moderate temperature was better than that of cured by un-modified one because of the introduction of soft ether chain.

Three N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts of cyclopalladated ferrocenylchloropyrimidine, 2–4 [PdCl{[(η5-C5H5)]Fe[(η5-C5H3)-N2C4H2-Cl]}(NHCs)] have been prepared by reaction of the chloride-bridged palladacyclic dimer 1 [PdCl{[(η5-C5H5)]Fe[(η5-C5H3)-N2C4H2-Cl]}]2 with the corresponding imidazolium salts. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESI–MS and NMR. The use of these complexes as catalysts for the Sonogashira reaction was examined. Complex 4 proved to be an efficient catalyst for the Sonogashira reaction of aryl bromides and some activated aryl chlorides under copper- and amine-free conditions. Typically, using 0.1–2 mol % of catalyst in the presence of 1.5 equivalents of CsOAc as base in dimethylacetamide at 120 °C provided coupling products in good yields.

Since the rate of persistence to adjuvant endocrine therapy such as 5-year aromatase inhibitors (AI) would decrease over time in patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer, it is necessary to investigate if a patient support program could modify patients’ beliefs and improve their persistence to AI treatment. This was a prospective, multicenter, controlled, observational study to evaluate the efficacy of a patient support program in improving postmenopausal patients’ persistence to adjuvant AI medication for early stage breast cancer (NCT00769080). The primary objective was to compare the rates of 1-year persistence to upfront adjuvant AI for patients in the two observational arms (standard treatment group and standard treatment plus patient support program group). In this study, 262 patients were enrolled in the standard treatment group and 241 patients in the standard treatment plus patient support program group. The mean 1-year persistence rates were 95.9 and 95.8 % for the standard treatment group and the standard treatment plus patient support program group, respectively (P = 0.95). The mean times to treatment discontinuation were 231.2 days in the standard treatment group and 227.8 days in the standard treatment plus patient support program group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.96). There was also no statistically significant difference in the reason for treatment discontinuation (P = 0.32). There was a significant relationship between the patient centered care questionnaire and poor persistence (odds ratio = 3.9; 95 % CI, 1.1–13.7; P = 0.035), suggesting that the persistence rate of patients with whom the doctor always or usually spends time is greater than that of patients with whom the doctor sometimes or never spends time. Patients’ persistence to adjuvant AI medication for postmenopausal, early stage breast cancer is relatively high in the first year and is not significantly increased by adding a patient support program to standard treatment.

C10H7ClN2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 7.582(5) Å, b = 11.059(8) Å, c = 10.734(8) Å, β = 99.661(8)°, V =887.3(11) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0331, wR ref(F 2) = 0.0951, T = 296(2) K.

The existence forms of chlorine entered into blast furnace are chloride created by Cl- and metal cation or organic speciation absorbed in specular coal or structure macromolecule of coal. The chlorine entered into blast furnace merges with blast furnace gas in the form of HCl after conducted a series of chemical reactions. With the increasing of HCl content in blast furnace gas, the coke reactivity decreases and the coke post reaction strength increases, and the reduction process of iron ore is restrained and the low temperature reduction degradation property increases. However, the corrosion of gas pipeline and TRT blade is aggravated by the HCl in blast furnace gas, and then blast furnace gas conveying process and normal operation of TRT unit are affected.

CPTs (camptothecins) are an important class of effective anticancer agents that target type I topoisomerase in humans. Irinotecan and topotecan are currently used to treat various types of cancers and many CPT derivatives are being developed. However, these drugs are only effective in a small percentage of each type of cancer and the molecular underpinning for this individualized response to the drug has remained elusive. Thus, identification of the main determinants for cell survival in response to this unique class of drug should help to improve their clinical applications. In the present study, we examined whether RECQL5 constitutes an important determinant of CPT resistance in colon cancer cells. Specifically, RECQL5-deficient derivatives of both DDL1 and HCT116 cells, two colorectal cancer cell lines were generated by adenovirus-based somatic gene-targeting experiments and the CPT sensitivity between the RECQL5-proficient parental lines and their corresponding RECQL5-deficient derivatives were examined. We found that deletion of RECQL5 from DDL1 and HCT116 cells both resulted in a significant enhancement in CPT sensitivity under in vitro culture conditions. More importantly, xenograft tumours derived from RECQL5-deficient HCT116 cells, but not those from the parental line, could be cured by a CPT-based therapy in nude mice. Thus, the present study has identified RECQL5 as a major determinant for CPT resistance in colorectal cancer cells and a potential candidate as a biomarker for irinotecan-based treatment for colon cancer.

The relation between chlorine and combustion process of pulverized coal in tuyere zone is affected by the existence form of chorine in coal. The combustion process of pulverized coal in tuyere zone is restrained by chorine of coal when the existence form of chorine is chloride created by Cl- and metal cation. The combustion process of pulverized coal in tuyere zone is improved by chorine of coal if chorine existents with the form of combination of HCl and nitrogen functional groups of coal macromolecules. Under the combustion conditions of tuyere zone in blast furnace, the distribution ratio of chlorine in unburned pulverized coal and blast furnace gas is approximately 60% and 40%, respectively.

Two new tri-p-tolylphosphine-cyclopalladated ferrocenylpyrimidine complexes 1 and 2 have been prepared in good yields by reaction of the corresponding chloride-bridged palladacyclic dimers 1a and 2a with tri-p-tolylphosphine. Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, and ESI–MS. Additionally, their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction, and intermolecular C–H···Cl hydrogen bonds were found in their crystals. Complex 1 was found to be a palladacycle cocrystallization adduct with {PdCl2[P(C6H4-p-Me)3]2}. These complexes were found to be efficient catalysts for the Suzuki reaction.

A novel one-component polyurethane was synthesized by 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) as blocking agent for polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate (PAPI). FTIR spectrum indicates that the NCO groups of the isocyanate molecule are blocked with TCP and the added catalyst should make the reaction faster than that of un-added catalyst. The one-component was characterized by1H NMR and13C NMR.

A new Cd(II) coordination polymer, namely [Cd3(mbdc)(TZ)3(COO)(H2O)]n (1 H2mbdc = m-phthalic acid, TZ = 1, 2, 3-triazole), has been successfully synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that 1 features a two-dimensional (2D) layered structure based on 1,2,3-triazole controlled double helical chain subunits. Luminescent investigation shows that it emits strong fluorescence at room temperature in the solid state.

A new luminescent coordination polymer, namely [HN(CH3)2]n[In(mbdc)2]n·n(DMA) (1 H2mbdc = m-phthalic acid, DMA = N, N′-Dimethylacetamide), has been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that 1 is a two-dimensional layered structure, which is further stacked into a three-dimensional supramolecular framework through intermolecular CH···π interactions.

Density functional theory calculations were carried out for hydrogen atom binding on small AgnCum clusters (n + m ⩽ 5). It was found that hydrogen prefers to bind with Cu atoms when both Ag and Cu site co-exist in the cluster. In general the binding energies increase with the increasing Cu content for the given cluster size. The metal–H frequencies vary according to the way the metal atoms bound with hydrogen. The most favorable dissociation channels and the corresponding dissociation energies for the most stable bare clusters and cluster hydrides are determined.

This paper follows previous research that identified 15 hyperspectral wavebands that were suitable to estimate paddy rice leaf area index (LAI). The objectives of the study were to: (1) test the efficiency of the wavebands selected in the previous study, (2) to evaluate the potential of least squares support vector machines (LS-SVM) to estimate paddy rice LAI from canopy hyperspectral reflectance and (3) to compare multiple linear regression-MLR, partial least squares-PLS regression and LS-SVM to determine paddy rice LAI using the selected wavebands. In the study, measurements of hyperspectral reflectance (350–2500 nm) and corresponding LAI were made for a paddy rice canopy throughout the growing seasons. On the basis of the wavebands selected previously, models based on MLR, PLS and LS-SVM to estimate rice LAI were compared using the data from 123 observations, which were split randomly for model calibration (2/3) and validation (1/3). Root mean square errors (RMSEs) and the correlation coefficients (r) between measured and predicted LAI values from model calibration and validation were calculated to evaluate the quality of the models. The results showed that the LS-SVM model using the 15 selected wavebands produced more accurate estimates of paddy rice LAI than the PLS and MLR models. We concluded that the LS-SVM approach may provide a useful exploratory and predictive tool for estimating paddy rice LAI when applied to reflectance data using the 15 selected wavebands.

The CUG-BP and ETR-3 like factors (CELF) are a family of six highly conserved RNA-binding proteins that preferentially bind to UG-rich sequences. One of the key functions of these proteins is to mediate alternative splicing in a number of tissues, including brain, heart and muscle. To fully understand the function of CELF proteins, it is important to identify downstream targets of CELF proteins. In this communication, we report that neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) exon 23a is a novel target of CELF protein-mediated splicing regulation in neuron-like cells. NF1 regulates Ras signaling, and the isoform that excludes exon 23a shows 10 times greater ability to down-regulate Ras signaling than the isoform that includes exon 23a. Five of the six CELF proteins strongly suppress the inclusion of NF1 exon 23a. Over-expression or siRNA knockdown of these proteins in cell transfection experiments altered the levels of NF1 exon 23a inclusion. In vitro binding and splicing analyses demonstrate that CELF proteins block splicing through interfering with binding of U2AF(65). These studies, combined with our previous investigations demonstrating a role for Hu proteins and TIA-1/TIAR in controlling NF1 exon 23a inclusion, highlight the complex nature of regulation of this important alternative splicing event.

Objective To evaluate the association of sex behavior with sexual related psychological suppression and coping modes among students in three vocational schools in Shanghai. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1 368 grade one students from three vocational schools in a district of Shanghai, with Computer Assisted Self- Interview (CASI). The field work began in the April, 2003 for a baseline survey, and completed in the December, 2003. Data on students' sexual intercourse, sexual related psychological suppression and psychological coping modes, and communication with parents were collected and analyzed. Binary logistic regression was used to adjust the potential confounding factors. Results After controlling for demographic factors, adolescents with middle or high scores of active psychological coping strategies on sexual related events were less likely to have sexual intercourse (OR adj =0.48, 95%CI=0.30-0.77 and OR adj =0.49, 95%CI=0.30-0.83, respectively), while association between psychological suppression on sex related events and sexual intercourse was not statistically significant (OR adj =0.93, 95%CI=0.63-1.37); sexual related psychological suppression and active coping modes were positively associated with adolescents' communicating with parents for 2-7 h/week about school things, but negatively associated with parents' open attitudes towards heterosexual contacts and talking sex related things with others. Conclusion Vocational school students with active psychological coping strategies on sexual related events were less likely to engage in sexual intercourse, so interventions focus on reducing unprotected sexual behaviors should target on psychological coping modes skills training.

A new ferrocene-based ligand, 4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinylferrocene (1), was conveniently prepared via the coupling reaction of chloromercuriferrocene and 4,6-dimethyl-2-iodopyrimidine, and its monop...

Objective To evaluate the impact of life skills training that uses participatory teaching method on improving reproductive health cognition of vocational school students of metropolitan, China. Methods Three vocational schools of an urban district in Shanghai were selected as the research sites, with two schools as the intervention groups(group A and group B) and the other as the control(group C). Group A was provided life skills training with core of reproductive health plus peer education, while group B only provided life skills training. All the second grade students were recruited as the subjects. Baseline surveys were conducted in three schools before the implementation of the intervention, and similar surveys were conducted after two terms of the intervention to test the effectiveness of the intervention. In total, 1 612 subjects, including 810 males and 802 females, were recruited. The effects of the intervention on subjects' cognitions on sexual behavior and condom/contraceptive use were analyzed using mixed model with repeated measures. Results From pretest to posttest, there were significant increase of the proportions of perceiving risks in getting pregnant, infecting STDs and HIV, benefits by learning and using condom, and self-efficacy in contraceptive use, and decrease of the proportions of perceiving barriers for condom use in two intervention groups; while few similar changes in the control group. In mixed modeling analysis, interaction effects of group A × time and group B × time were found on the scores of perceived risks (P Conclusion Life skills training using participatory approaches is effective in improving students' reproductive health cognition and could be used as an important method in educating young people about sex-related issues.

A new digital Cobalt-60 combined stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery system, termed as the GyroKnife, was developed in Shanghai, China in 2004. The equipment integrates advantages of previous generations of gamma radiosurgery techniques and linear accelerators. The technology has the capacity for non-invasive whole-body stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy and single high-dose radiosurgery as well. Using a triple focussing method, high isocenter accuracy (0.5~1.0 mm) and minimal skin (550:1) or normal tissue irradiation dose were achieved with 4 various sizes of collimator sets (5, 15, 25, 50 mm). The first GyroKnife Center in Kang Da Hospital, Xiang Fan, China, has already treated 100 cases with different tumours in the brain and body since November 2006. The technical details of the system will be presented, and the preliminary clinical results will also be discussed.

In contrast to cell type-specific pre-mRNA alternative splicing, mechanisms controlling activity-dependent alternative splicing is under-studied and not well understood. In a recent study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of calcium-mediated mechanism that regulates alternative exon skipping in mouse cardiomyocytes. Our results reveal a strong link between histone hyperacetylation and skipping of cassette exons, and provide support to the kinetic coupling model of the epigenetic regulation of alternative splicing at the chromatin level.

We observed the effects of small hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmids targeting neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) gene on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) CNE-2Z cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Three fluorescein-labeled shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors targeting NRP-1 gene, including pSilencer-shRNA1, pSilencer-shRNA2 and pSilencer-shRNA3 were constructed. The three plasmids were, respectively, transfected into human NPC CNE-2Z cells. The most effective plasmid was injected into xenograft tumors in nude mice. The sequencing for these recombinant plasmids was consistent with that of designed shRNA templates. Green fluorescence was seen in the transfected CNE-2Z cells and xenograft tumors in nude mice. MTT assay indicated that CNE-2Z cell proliferation was significantly inhibited. PT-PCR and Western blot displayed that both mRNA and protein of NRP-1 gene were all decreased, particularly in the cells treated with shRNA3. At the end of the experiment, xenograft tumors in plasmid group (0.599 ± 0.002 cm(3)) were significantly inhibited with a tumor inhibition rate of 48.6 %, as compared to those in negative (1.141 ± 0.013 cm(3)) and blank control groups (1.165 ± 0.308 cm(3)) (all P

Aim To identify core competencies needed in the transition of nurse managers on the way to excellence. Background There is growing recognition of the importance of nurse managers in hospitals. Most managers still learn through their failures and few studies have described the perceptions of nurse managers in China. It is vital to understand what competencies Chinese nurse managers should have in order to establish suitable training programmes and improve their management skills. Method A phenomenological approach that included in-depth interviews with 12 nurse managers in six Chinese hospitals was conducted. Results The transition to management included four phases: the adaptive phase, the running-in and stable phase, the stagnation phase and the maturation phase. Conclusion In order to fulfil their clinical responsibilities, nurse managers need to develop multifaceted competencies, specifically in communication and stress management. Ideally, nurse managers should progress through the four phases mentioned above to achieve excellence. Implications There is a requirement for utilising various methods for nurse managers in adapting new roles, improving communication and relieving stress.

The study demonstrates the effect of vernolepin on proliferation and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell lines. The inhibition of cell growth was significant at 30 μM concentration after 48 hours in both OVCAR-3 and SK-OV3 cell lines. Phase-contrast microscopic examination revealed a decrease in number of vernolepin-treated cells. A number of membranous structures and vacuoles were visible in the cytoplasm after 24 hours. After 48 hours chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation indicating typical apoptotic changes were observed. Vernolepin treatment lead to 83.6% cell viability compared to control. However the cell viability was increased to 93.7% on after starvation followed by vernolepin treatment. On the other hand, 3-MA in combination with vernolepin decreased cell viability to 54.5%. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and FACS demonstrated that in OVCAR-3 and SK-OV3 cells treatment with vernolepin (30 µΜ) for 48 hours caused apoptosis in 34.2% and 28.5% cells respectively. Thus, vernolepin-treatment in ovarian carcinoma cells leads to autophagy before the onset of apoptosis and protects cancer cells.

Alcohols are of great importance as cheap and readily available organic materials for the preparation of many pharmaceutical products and fine chemicals. In addition, alcohols as electrophiles instead of alkyl halides in C-C (N) bonds forming reactions are particularly attractive because the process produces only water as byproduct. In spite of the existence of many synthetic routes, there are limited reports involving biarylmethanols. The palladium-catalyzed Suzuki reaction is an extremely efficient method for the construction of biaryl compounds. Among various Pd catalysts, palladacycles are one of the most active catalysts for the coupling reactions. From the economical and environmental points of view, employing readily accessible aryl chlorides and the use of water as a solvent in this reaction offer many advantages. However, there have been a few reports which demonstrated that palladacycles catalyzed Suzuki reaction of limited aryl chlorides in water. To our knowledge, only two accounts has been reported concerning the Suzuki of 4-chlorophenylmethanol in organic solvent. Recently, we have developed a cationic cyclopalladated ferrocenylpyrimidine catalyzed Suzuki reaction of aryl halides and 4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylboronic acid for the synthesis of substituted biarylmethanols in water. However, substrates are limited to the aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides. To date, there is no report that investigates the Suzuki reaction of chlorophenylmethanol in water. As a continuation of our interest in the synthesis of biarylmethanols, we have prepared a new phosphine adduct of palladacycle 2 from the reaction of cyclopalladated ferrocenyloxime dimer 1 with commercially available 2-dicyclohexylphosphanyl-2'-(N,Ndimethylamino) biphenyl (DCPAB) (Scheme 1) and developed a practical method for the synthesis of biarylmethanols by the Suzuki reaction of chlorophenylmethanol and arylboronic acids in water. Complex 2 is airand moisture-stable, both in solid state and in solution. It was fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR and ESI-MS. In comparison with the corresponding frequencies of the free ferrocenyloxime, the C=N absorptions of 2 has been shifted to low values (1599 cm), indicating that the N atom is coordinated to palladium. The H NMR spectrum of 2 exhibits more signals than expected, and the P NMR appears two singlets at δ 65.54 and 67.15 ppm, suggesting the existence of isomers in solution. A similar phenomenon was also found in the H NMR

BACKGROUND This study investigated the effects of monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1) on the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) and phosphorylated (p)-cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the auditory cortex of rats with tinnitus. METHODS Tinnitus-like behavior in rats was tested with the gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle paradigm. We then investigated the NR2B mRNA and protein and p-CREB protein levels in the auditory cortex of tinnitus rats compared with normal rats. RESULTS Rats treated for 4 days with salicylate exhibited tinnitus. NR2B mRNA and protein and p-CREB protein levels were upregulated in these animals, with expression returning to normal levels 14 days after cessation of treatment; baseline levels of NR2B and p-CREB were also restored by GM1 administration. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that chronic salicylate administration induces tinnitus via upregulation of p-CREB and NR2B expression, and that GM1 can potentially be used to treat tinnitus.

Two isomers of nitrochlorobenzene (o-, and p-NCB) were treated by a Pd/Fe catalyst in aqueous solutions through catalytic amination and dechlorination. Nitrochlorobenzenes are rapidly converted to form chloroanilines (CAN) first through an amination process, and then rapidly dechlorinated to become aniline (AN) and Cl(-), without the involvement of any other intermediate reaction products. The amination and dechlorination reaction are believed to take place predominantly on the surface site of the Pd/Fe catalysts. The dechlorination rate of the reductive degradation of the two isomers of nitrochlorobenzene (o-, and p-NCB) in the presence of Pd/Fe as a catalyst was measured experimentally. In all cases, the reaction rate constants were found to increase with the decrease in the Gibbs free energy (correlation with the activation energy) of NCBs formation; the activation energy of each dechlorination reaction was measured to be 95.83 and 77.05 kJ/mol, respectively for o- and p-NCB. The results demonstrated that p-NCBs were reduced more easily than o-NCBs.

Objectives: To evaluate the technical feasibility, safety, outcome, and incidence of complications after combined clear corneal phacoemulsification (PEA) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and vitreoretinal surgery. Methods: Combined operations of PEA and PPV were performed on 52 eyes of 52 patients with cataract and vitreoretinal diseases. Results: The mean follow-up time was (10.3±2.8) months. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved in 46 eyes (88.5%); was unchanged in 6 eyes (11.5%). The best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were the following: 20/40 or better (9 eyes), 20/50 to 20/100 (24 eyes), 20/200 (5 eyes), 20/400 (10 eyes), and fingers counting (FC) to light perception (LP) (4 eyes). In 38 eyes BCVA was 20/200 or better, and in 9 eyes it was 20/40 or better postoperatively. Postoperative complications included posterior capsual opacification (7 eyes); secondary glaucoma (1 eye); and retinal detachment (2 eyes). Conclusion: Although further studies are indicated, our study suggests that the combined operation of PPV, PEA and IOL implantation is safe and effective for patients. The visual outcome and complications depended primarily on underlying posterior segment pathology and were not related to the combined procedure technique.

Contexte: De plus en plus d'adolescents chinois s'engagent dans une activite sexuelle prenuptiale. Les nombres de grossesses non planifiees et d'infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) parmi les jeunes adultes chinois en sont nettement accrus. Methodes: Un programme d'education complete a la sexualite, couvrant l'abstinence, la contraception et les comportements sexuels sains, a ete organise dans une banlieue de Shanghai. Le programme a mis en oeuvre six methodes d'apport d'information et services aux jeunes celibataires de 15 a 24 ans pendant une periode de 20 mois. Des enquetes de comportement sexuel ont ete menees parmi les participants a l'intervention et dans un groupe temoin n'ayant pas beneficie, dans une-ville similaire, d'une intervention comparable. Les resultats ont ete compares par tests chi carre et regression logistique. Resultats: Non associee a une initiation sexuelle differee, la participation a l'intervention s'est revelee liee a une moindre probabilite pour les jeunes de contraindre un/e partenaire a avoir des rapports sexuels (rapport de probabilites, 0,3) et a une probabilite accrue de pratique contraceptive (6,2) et d'usage du preservatif (13,3) durant la periode d'intervention. Plus le niveau de participation etait eleve, plus les effets protecteurs l'etaient aussi. La proportion de jeunes declarant une grossesse durant la periode d'intervention s'est egalement averee significativement moindre dans le groupe d'intervention que dans le groupe temoin (19% par rapport a 26%). Conclusion: Les interventions communautaires completes peuvent atteindre de grands nombres de jeunes Chinois et promouvoir efficacement la negociation sexuelle, la pratique contraceptive et la prevention des grossesses et des IST/VIH.