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In the title compound, {[Nd(C(14)H(9)N(2)O(5))(C(14)H(8)N(2)O(5))]·2H(2)O}(n), the Nd(III) atom is eight-coordinated as it is surrounded by eight carboxyl-ate O atoms from six ligands in a distorted square-anti-prismatic arrangement. The Nd(III) atoms are linked by HL(-) and L(2-) ligands [H(2)L is 5-(pyridine-4-carboxamido)-isophthalic acid], forming a bilayer network. The layers are linked into a three-demensional network through N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the localisation and expression of the epithelial Ca2+ channel TRPV6 (transient receptor potential vanilloid channel type 6) in different intestinal segments and kidney of laying hens during peak lay. 2. Immunohistochemical analysis of the intestine indicated that TRPV6 was localised to the brush-border membranes of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum, and rectum. Expression was weaker in the rectum, and little or no expression was found in crypt and goblet cells. In addition, TRPV6 mRNA was quantified amongst different intestinal segments, and expression was highest in the duodenum and jejunum. Furthermore, Western blotting indicated that the duodenum expressed the greatest amount of TRPV6 and the rectum the least with the other segments expressing intermediate levels. 3. In the kidney, distinct immunopositive staining for TRPV6 was detected at the apical domain of the distal convoluted tubules (DCT) and medullary connecting tubules (CNT). Interestingly, distribution of TRPV6 extended to the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT). Furthermore, the kidney expressed lower TRPV6 mRNA and protein levels compared with that in the duodenum. 4. In conclusion, the epithelial Ca2+ channel TRPV6 is strongly expressed in the apical cells of the entire intestine and the renal tubules, suggesting that active Ca2+ transcellular transport plays a crucial role in dietary calcium (re)absorption in laying hens.

In the coordination polymer, {[Pr(C(6)H(5)O(7))(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O}(n), seven of the nine coordination sites of the monocapped square-anti-prismatic geometry are occupied by three O atoms of the same citrate trianion (an O atom of the hy-droxy unit and the formally single-bond O atoms from two carboxyl units). Two other coordination sites are occupied by the O atoms of a chelating carboxyl unit of another citrate; one of these atoms is additionally involved in bridging. The seventh coordination site is occupied by the O atom of the formally double-bond O atom of a neighboring citrate. The remaining two coordination sites are occupied by water mol-ecules. The citrate functions in a μ(3)-bridging mode, connecting the metal atoms into a ribbon structure parallel to [010]. The structure is consolidated into a three-dimensional network by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Steady-state diffuse reflection spectroscopy is a well-studied optical technique that can provide a noninvasive and quantitative method for characterizing the absorption and scattering properties of biological tissues. Here, we compare three fiber-based diffuse reflection spectroscopy systems that were assembled to create a light-weight, portable, and robust optical spectrometer that could be easily translated for repeated and reliable use in mobile settings. The three systems were built using a broadband light source and a compact, commercially available spectrograph. We tested two different light sources and two spectrographs (manufactured by two different vendors). The assembled systems were characterized by their signal-to-noise ratios, the source-intensity drifts, and detector linearity. We quantified the performance of these instruments in extracting optical properties from diffuse reflectance spectra in tissue-mimicking liquid phantoms with well-controlled optical absorption and scattering coefficients. We show that all assembled systems were able to extract the optical absorption and scattering properties with errors less than 10%, while providing greater than ten-fold decrease in footprint and cost (relative to a previously well-characterized and widely used commercial system). Finally, we demonstrate the use of these small systems to measure optical biomarkers in vivo in a small-animal model cancer therapy study. We show that optical measurements from the simple portable system provide estimates of tumor oxygen saturation similar to those detected using the commercial system in murine tumor models of head and neck cancer.

The FHIT gene is involved in the pathogenesis of many cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate allelic imbalance (AI) pattern at FHIT locus and alteration of FHIT gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and analyzed potential correlation between AI, FHIT mRNA expression and clinicopathological factors. We examined AI, including loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI), at FHIT locus in 41 cases of NPC by microsatellite analysis and FHIT gene status in 30 cases of NPC by nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. The frequencies of LOH and MSI at FHIT locus in NPC were 70.7% (29/41) and 36.6% (15/41), respectively. Thirteen of thirty (43.3%) NPCs exhibited aberrant FHIT transcripts. LOH and abnormal FHIT expression were correlated with advanced clinical stage and higher titers of immunoglobulin (Ig) A against Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen (EBVCA-IgA) (p < 0.05). Abnormal FHIT expression was also correlated with tumor recurrence (p < 0.05). MSI was correlated with early clinical stage and higher titers of EBVCA-IgA (p < 0.05). AI at FHIT locus is a common event and contributes to genetic imbalance in NPC. The abnormalities of FHIT, presumably associated with genetic imbalance at FHIT locus, might be involved in the development and the tumor recurrence of NPC.

The mechanism responsible for the apoptotic effect induced by ent-11α-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic-acid (5F) is not fully understood and its in vivo effect has not been tested. In this study, the effect and mechanism of 5F was investigated in cigarette smoking carcinogen 4-methylnitrosamino-1-3-pyridyl-butanone (NNK)-induced mouse lung tumor model and in cultured lung cancer cells NCI-H23 and CRL-2066. 5F were given to mice after they were treated with NNK for 18 weeks. The effect of 5F on the lung tumor formation was examined, and its side effect was monitored. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined through expression of PCNA, Bcl-2, Bax, and TUNEL assay in in vivo animal model. 5F significantly inhibited the NNK-induced lung tumors by inducing apoptosis and suppressing cell proliferation in vivo with minimal side effects. Cell culture experiments showed that 5F translocated Bax into the mitochondria, downregulated Bcl-2, activated caspase-9 and caspase-3, released cytochrome c into the cytosol, and translocated AIF from the mitochondria to the nucleus, which leading to G2-M cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. 5F also activated ERK1/2 and the inhibition of ERK1/2 suppressed 5F-mediated changes in apoptotic molecules. In addition to ERK1/2, 5F activated Akt. The inhibition of Akt further facilitated the apoptosis induced, suggesting that Akt activation was anti-apoptotic rather than pro-apoptotic. Collectively, 5F is effective against lung cancer in vivo with minimal side effects. It induces apoptosis in lung cancer through the mitochondrial-mediated pathway, in which the activation of ERK is critical.

Background: Ent-11-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (5F) is known to exhibit antitumor activity, but its mechanism is not completely understood. 5F has not been tested in laryngeal cancer., Methods: Two laryngeal cancer cell lines were treated with 5F. Cell death was analyzed by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiozol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] and Annexin V assay. Nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB)- and apoptosis-related molecules were examined., Results: 5F induced laryngeal cancer cell death in a dose-dependent manner. The Annexin V assay and the measurement of cleavage of procaspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase demonstrated that the 5F-induced cell death was mainly apoptotic. 5F slightly reduced the basal level of NF-κB, but significantly suppressed the inducible NF-κB by reducing its transcriptional activity, protecting its inhibitory subunit IκBα from degradation, and suppressing its level in the nucleus. 5F also inhibited pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic molecules but promoted pro-apoptotic Bax., Conclusions: 5F induces apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells by inhibiting NF-κB activation/induction, suppressing pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic molecules, and promoting pro-apoptotic Bax.

The title compound, {[Cd(C(19)H(13)N(4)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)]·4H(2)O}(n) or {[Cd(BBA)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]·4H(2)O}(n), where BBA is 3,5-bis-(iso-nicotin-amido)-benzoate, is isotypic with its Mn isologue [Chen et al. (2009 ▶). J. Coord. Chem.62, 2421-2428]. The cation sits on a twofold axis and is six-coordinated in a slightly distorted octa-hedral geometry; the polyhedra are linked into zigzag chains, which are further connected by N-H⋯O, O-H⋯O and O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds as well as π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance of 3.639 (2) Å], giving a three-dimensional supra-molecular framework.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, on osteogenesis of medullary bone in prelay pullets. Three hundred fifteen 95-d-old ISA prelay pullets were used. After 10 d of adaptation in the cages, 15 pullets were selected randomly to collect the serum and bone samples and the rest were randomly assigned to 2 groups with 3 replicates each. One group was control and the other was letrozole-treated, fed 0.5 mg of letrozole per prelay pullet per day for 18 d. The serum and bone samples from these birds were collected during the experiment. Estradiol and testosterone in serum were assayed using commercial RIA kits. The serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), Ca, and inorganic P were measured by an automatic biochemistry analyzer with commercial kits. The periosteum perimeter, endosteum perimeter, cortical bone index, cortical width, cortical bone area, and cortical area ratios of tibia were measured by transmitted scanner and a computer-assisted image analyzer. Our results showed that relative to the control-fed pullet, letrozole-fed pullets had reduced serum estrogen (57.5%), Ca (33.2%), ALP (33.6%), and TRAP (24.2%) and that values of serum estrogen, Ca, estrogen receptor expression, tibia radiographic density, serum ALP, and TRAP were all reduced (P < 0.05) and the serum P had a degressive trend in letrozole-treated groups. By contrast, the serum androgen and the tibia cortical bone index values were higher in the letrozole-treated group (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the periosteum perimeter, endosteum perimeter, cortical width, and cortical area ratios of tibia between the 2 groups. The results showed that letrozole can inhibit the development of bone and medullary osteogenesis by inhibiting the synthesis of estrogen and its receptor in prelay pullets.

Objective: To establish the molecular characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and on factors influencing the recent transmission of drug resistant isolates in Shandong., Methods: Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from active pulmonary tuberculosis patients of 13 counties were genotyped by mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRU) methods., Results: 12 loci of MIRU were detected in 558 isolates and a total of 143 MIRU patterns were confirmed. 66 isolates had distinct patterns, and 481 (86.2%) strains were in clusters. Shandong cluster included 177 strains with 74.6% of the isolates belonged to Beijing family. The recent transmission index of multi-drug resistance strains was in lower level, comparing to the susceptible strains., Conclusion: Our results showed that the Shandong cluster isolates had capacities of facilitating person-to-person transmission and high level of drug resistance.

The creatine kinase (CK) cDNA from the mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi was cloned by RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) methods. The structural characteristics and phylogeny of this gene were analyzed. Sequence analysis revealed a 1586 bp cDNA sequence containing 92 bp 5'-untranslated region, 348 bp 3'-untranslated region and 1146 bp open reading frame (ORF), which encoded 381 amino acids. Conserved sequence blocks of vertebrate CKs and diagnostic boxes for the muscle CK (M-CK) isozyme were identified in S. chuatsi CK. Siniperca chuatsi CK showed a higher similarity with vertebrates M-CK isozyme than other CK isozymes (Brain CK, Mitochondrial CKs) and grouped with M-CK isozyme in CK phylogeny, which strongly supported that S. chuatsi CK belongs to M-CK isozyme type. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the M-CK transcript expression varied among the different tissues and was detected at a high level in skin, ovary, kidney, stomach, muscle and heart, but lower in eye, brain and liver.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of the herb medicine formula Gushukang (GSK) on bone characteristics and osteoporosis in end-of-lay hens. One thousand 55-wk-old ISA caged layers were allotted randomly to 2 groups. The control group was given the basal diet, and the GSK group was given the basal diet supplemented with additional GSK (1 g/kg) for 10 wk. Egg production, shell quality, bone radiographic density, and biochemical markers of bone turnover were determined. The results showed that GSK significantly increased the egg laying rate and decreased the percentage of cracked eggs (P < 0.05).The serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase were decreased (P < 0.05) in the GSK-treated group compared with the control group, whereas bone characteristics were significantly improved (P < 0.05). The results suggested that GSK can improve egg production and prevent bone loss by inhibiting bone turnover.

In the title linear coordination polymer, {[Cu(C(2)H(3)O(2))(2)(C(12)H(10)N(4))]·2H(2)O}(n), the Cu(II) atom is coordinated by two N atoms from two different symmetry-related 1,4-diimidazol-1-ylbenzene (dib) ligands and two carboxyl-ate O atoms from two acetate ligands in a square-planar geometry. The Cu atoms are linked by the dib ligands, forming an extended chain. These chains are linked by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional supra-molecular network. The Cu(II) atom lies on a center of inversion.

Acclimatized the activated sludge with [omim][PF6] which was used as the C, N, P resources for microbe, the biodegradation ratio of [omim][PF6] with different inoculants which were acclimatized or not was investigated. And the influence of appending an ester in the side chain of the imidazolium cation on the biodegradation of [omim][PF6] was discussed in the same conditions. The biodegradation pathways of [omim]+ were analyzed. The results showed that the biodegradation of ionic liquids was improved by appending an ester in the side chain; the biodegradation rate of [omim][PF6] was less than 20% when the inoculant was original activated sludge, which was not referred as "readily biodegradable"; [omim][PF6] would stay in environment for a long time; the biodegradation ratio reached 60% when the inoculant was acclimatized activated sludge; 1-methyl-imidazolium was residual in the course of biodegradation of [omim]+, the semifinished products of biodegradation of [omim]+ was analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS and the pathways were presumed.

Objective: To improve synthesis of quercetin and genistein sulfates., Methods: Quercetin and genistein were esterified with concentrated sulfuric acid for 3 hours in ice and esterfication was terminated by neutralization with 6N NaOH. Derivatives were identified by HPLC-APCI-MS., Results: Quercetin and genistein derivatives were only one compound of monosulfate., Conclusion: The improvement of synthesis of quercetin and genistein sulfates is a convenient method for obtaining soluble derivatives of the flavonoids.

Background and Aims: The flora of the Sino-Japanese plant region of eastern Asia is distinctively rich compared with other floristic regions in the world. However, knowledge of its floristic evolution is fairly limited. The genus Ainsliaea is endemic to and distributed throughout the Sino-Japanese region. Its interspecific phylogenetic relationships have not been resolved. The aim is to provide insight into floristic evolution in eastern Asia on the basis of a molecular phylogenetic analysis of Ainsliaea species., Methods: Cladistic analyses of the sequences of two nuclear (ITS, ETS) and one plastid (ndhF) regions were carried out individually and using the combined data from the three markers., Key Results: Phylogenetic analyses of three DNA regions confirmed that Ainsliaea is composed of three major clades that correspond to species distributions. Evolution of the three lineages was estimated to have occurred around 1.1 MYA during the early Pleistocene., Conclusions: The results suggest that Ainsliaea species evolved allopatrically and that the descendants were isolated in the eastern (between SE China and Japan, through Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands) and western (Yunnan Province and its surrounding areas, including the Himalayas, the temperate region of Southeast Asia, and Sichuan Province) sides of the Sino-Japanese region. The results suggest that two distinct lineages of Ainsliaea have independently evolved in environmentally heterogeneous regions within the Sino-Japanese region. These regions have maintained rich and original floras due to their diverse climates and topographies.

Malignant angiomyolipoma (AML) of the liver is rare. We report a case of AML with malignant transformation and metastases. A 30-year-old man had developed giant hepatic masses. Microscopically, the periphery of the tumor showed components of classic hepatic AML, but the central region contained atypical epithelioid components with extremely pleomorphic and hyperchromatic nuclei with frequent mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the epithelioid cells were positive for HMB-45 and smooth muscle actin. Furthermore, the atypical epithelioid cells displayed P53 immunoreactivity and mutation at exon 7 for p53. The tumor showed a typical monoclonal pattern but no loss of heterozygosity or microsatellite instability. Markedly atypical epithelioid cells with vascular invasion, distant metastasis, and fatal outcome were interpreted as malignant characteristics of hepatic AML. It is suggested that large tumor size, pleomorphic nuclei with high proliferation activity, and P53 immunoreactivity may predict the existence of malignant transformation of hepatic AML.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetate is converted into its triacetate by peroxotitanate(IV), and strong chelation of the triacetate ligand to the metal center facilitates elimination of the pendant acetoxylate group. Various species of peroxotitanium(IV) complexes in the reaction sequence are fully characterized.

Objective: To evaluate the application of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRU) in typing Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Shandong., Method: 826 strains of M. tuberculosis from laboratories of 12 county tuberculosis dispensaries in Shandong were cultured and typed by MIRU genotyping in the KICID laboratory., Results: The 826 strains were typed to 201 distinct MIRU patterns, and 123 isolates were unique, 703 strains were grouped into 1 of 78 different MIRU clusters, and the MIRU genotype of the largest cluster was 223325173533. Among the clustered strains, 18 patients had an epidemiological history of contact. The Hunter-Gaston discriminatory index was 0.90. The allelic diversity of the sample was calculated for each other of the MIRU loci, and showed that MIRU26 had 10 alleles and was highly discriminative, while other five MIRU loci (MIRU31, 10, 39, 40, 4) were moderately discriminative. The reproducibility of the MIRU method was 100%. It took about RMB yen50 to genotype one strain., Conclusions: MIRU genotyping is a reproducible, fast, simple, and relatively cheap method. But because the isolates of 223325173533 genotype are predominant (30.89% of the isolates) in Shandong Province, it needs a second method IS6110 RFLP or by adding other more discriminative variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci to improve the discriminative power.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical applicability of Piezosurgery osteotomy: a new safe technique in managing long standing maxillary fractures., Methods: 12 patients with long-standing maxillary fractures were surgically treated using Le Fort I osteotomy. During operation, Piezosurgery osteotomy was used for bone cutting and splitting. After repositioning, the bone segments were rigidly fixed with micro Ti-plate, Ti-mesh. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months, and the functional and esthetic results were evaluated., Results: Ultrasonic microvibrations allow accurate bone cutting without oscillating injuries to the soft tissue. All the wounds healed primarily without complications. The postoperative occlusion and appearance were satisfactory., Conclusions: Maximal recovery of mastication and appearance can be achieved by using Piezosurgery osteotomy with fixation materials such as Ti-plates and Ti-meshes in selected patients with long-standing maxillary fractures.

This study explored an effective method for repairing cranio-maxillofacial soft-tissue defects following radical craniofacial surgery in four patients with malignant tumours involving the skull base and frontal region. The large cranio-maxillofacial soft-tissue defects were reconstructed using an extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap based on the transverse cervical artery. The flap was 8-12 cm long and 5-7 cm wide. No major flap failure occurred, and there was no shoulder dysfunction. The patients were followed for 3-12 months. One patient suffered a local recurrence, and another died of lung metastasis 12 months postoperatively. The extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap is a simple, reliable and large flap. It is preferred for reconstructing cranio-maxillofacial soft-tissue defects when a pedicled flap is used following craniofacial surgery for cancer.

Objective: To determine the content of 5F in Pteris semipinnata L. from various origins., Methods: 5F was determined by TLC-Scanning., Results: The linear relationship was in range of 0. 504 - 2. 520 microg. The mean recovery was 96. 68% and RSD = 1.24% (n = 5)., Conclusion: The method is available with a good reproducibility, and pretreatment is simple and easy to operate.

The chemical compound ent-11alpha-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic-acid (5F), isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine plant Pteris semipinnata L, has been known to exert antitumor activity. However, the molecular mechanism of the action is not understood. In this study we demonstrated that apoptotic cell death induced by 5F in FRO cells was concentration- and time-dependent. The rapid increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was involved in the mechanism of cell death. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and G2 block were related to cell death induced by 5F. Extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and p38 were also activated, but as survival signals in response to 5F treatment to counteract the induction of cell death. In the process of the induction of apoptotic cell death, Bax translocated into mitochondria, a reduction in Delta psi(m) was observed and a release of cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria into the cytosol occurred, indicating that cell death induced by 5F was through a mitochondrial-mediated pathway.

A novel dimeric dioxomolybdenum(VI) citrate complex, K[(MoO2)2-(OH)(H2cit)2].4H2O (1), with weak coordination of beta-carboxylic acid groups and the first structural example of an oxomolybdenum(V) citrate complex, (NH4)6[Mo2O4(cit)2].3H2O (2) (H4cit = citric acid), are isolated in a very acidic solution (pH 0.5-1.0) and neutral conditions (pH 7.0-8.0), respectively. Complex 1 displays strong double hydrogen bonds through beta-carboxyl and beta-carboxylic acid groups [2.621(9) A]. Transformations of the dimeric molybdenum(VI) citrate show that protonation of a carboxyl group will weaken the coordination of molybdenum(VI) citrate. There are obvious dissociations of molybdenum(VI/V) citrate complexes based on 13C NMR observations in solution.

In this study, we demonstrated that Ent-11alpha-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic-acid (5F) had stronger cytotoxicity against MKN-45, a gastric cancer cell line bearing wild-type p53 than MKN-28, another gastric cancer cell line containing missense mutation in p53. The rapid increase of ROS level was involved in the mechanism of cytotoxicity. Classical features of apoptosis induced by 5F were observed in MKN-45 cells only or more significant in MKN-45 cells than MKN-28 cells. Translocation of Bax from cytosol to mitochondria, reduction of delta psi m and DNA fragmentation were induced by 5F in the p53-dependent manner. We conclude that the expression of Bax and its downstream molecules requires the presentation of a wild-type p53 in the cells treated by 5F.

Titanium(IV) citrate complexes (NH(4))(2)[Ti(H(2)cit)(3)].3H(2)O (1), (NH(4))(5)[Fe(H(2)O)(6)][Ti(H(2)cit)(3)(Hcit)(3)Ti].3H(2)O (2), Ba(2)[Ti(H(2)cit)(Hcit)(2)].8H(2)O (3), and Ba(3)(NH(4))(7)[Ti(cit)(3)H(3)(cit)(3)Ti].15H(2)O (4) (H(4)cit = citric acid) were isolated in pure form from the solutions of titanium(IV) citrate with various countercations. The isolated complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectra. The formation of titanium(IV) citrate complexes depends mainly on the pH of the solutions, that is, pH 1.0-2.8 for the formation of ammonium titanium(IV) citrate 1, pH 2.5-3.5 for ammonium iron titanium(IV) citrate 2, pH 2.8-4.0 for dibarium titanium(IV) citrate 3, and pH 5.0-6.0 for ammonium barium titanium(IV) citrate 4. X-ray structural analyses revealed that complexes 2-4 featured three different protonated forms of bidentate citrate anions that chelate to the titanium(IV) atom through their negatively charged alpha-alkoxyl and alpha-carboxyl oxygen atoms. This is consistent with the large downfield shifts of the (13)C NMR spectra for the carbon atoms bearing the alpha-alkoxyl and alpha-carboxyl groups. The typical coordination modes of the barium atoms in complexes 3 and 4 are six-coordinated, with three alpha-alkoxyl groups and three beta-carboxyl groups of citrate ions. The strong hydrogen bonding between the beta-carboxylic acid and the beta-carboxyl groups [2.634(8) A for complex 2, 2.464(7) A for complex 3, and 2.467(7) A for complex 4] may be the key factor for the stabilization of the citrate complexes. The decomposition of complex 3 results in the formation of a pure dibarium titanate phase and 4 for the mixed phases of dibarium titanate and barium titanate at 1000 degrees C.

Aim: To investigate the skeletal effects of total tanshinone in ovariectomized rats by analyzing cancellous bone histomorphometry of fourth lumbar vertebrae (LV4) and proximal tibial metaphyses (PTM)., Methods: Four-month-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were sham-operated and treated with vehicle or ovariectomized and treated with either vehicle, total tanshinone (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), equivalent to 35 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of tanshinone II A and 16 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of cryptotanshinone), or 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (30 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1) as positive treatment group) starting one day post-surgery for 10 weeks. Double in vivo fluorochrome labeling was administered to all rats. The undecalcified longitudinal LV4 and PTM sections were cut and stained with Goldner's Trichrome (4-microm thickness) or unstained (8-microm thickness) for the bone histomorphometric analysis., Results: A significant decrease in trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) and trabecular number (Tb.N) and a significant increase in osteoclast surface (OCS/BS) and mineralizing surface (MS/BS) were found in both LV and PTM of vehicle-treated OVX rats compared with sham controls. Tanshinone completely prevented the decreases in BV/TV and Tb.N and the increase in OCS/BS in the LV4, and partially prevented the decreases in BV/TV and Tb.N in the PTM of OVX rats. In addition, tanshinone increased trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) whereas it did not alter MS/BS. Moreover, tanshinone had no effect on uterine weight and body weight of OVX rats. Estrogen treatment increased BV/TV and Tb.N and decreased OCS/BS, but, also markedly decreased MS/BS and increased uterine weight in OVX rats., Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that the adequate supply of tanshinone prevented OVX-induced cancellous bone loss in rats through inhibition of elevated bone resorption.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between susceptibility and prognosis of laryngeal cancer and genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1 GSTM1., Methods: The genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 exon-7 and GSTM1 were analyzed by polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in peripheral blood leukocytes of 89 laryngeal cancer cases and 164 non-cancer controls., Results: Either in the frequency of CYP1A1 (W, MW, M) and GSTM1 negative individual of laryngeal cancer were significantly higher than that in the controls(P < 0.05). Combined genetype of CYP1A1 and GSTM1, that is CYP1A1 W/GSTM1 (-), CYP1A1 MW/GSTM1 (-), CYP1A1 M/GSTM1 (+), CYP1A1 M/GSTM1 (-) had higher risk than those combined genotypes, which ratios were 1.42 (0.62-3.22), 1.67 (0.7-4.03), 2.55 (1.0-6.54) and 4.02 (1.65-9.79), respectively. Statistic analysis suggested an interaction between smoking and CYP1A1 M/GSTM1 (-) genotypes polymorphisms which increase risk of laryngeal cancer. There was no significant difference in the frequency of CYP1A1, GSTM1 individual with the development and prognosis of laryngeal cancer., Conclusion: The present datas suggested that genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 were susceptible to laryngeal cancer. Individuals with CYP1A1 M or GSTM1 (-) had increased risk of developing laryngeal cancer, but individuals with combined CYP1A1 M/GSTM1 (-) and smoking were more susceptible. Genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 are not related with clinic process of laryngeal cancer.

Nanocrystallization during deformation of metallic glass at room temperature has significant implications to understand its deformation mechanism. We present here direct high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations of nanocrystallization in a Zr(55)AI(10)Ni(5)Cu(30) bulk metallic glass (BMG) fractured by uniaxial compression at room temperature. The formed nanocrystallites are Zr(2)Cu, with the average diameter of less than 10nm, and are distributed within the round-like regions of localized plastic deformation. We also show direct evidence of atomic neighbor distance increases associated with the shrinkage and broadening of diffused ring pattern from local deformed areas, which may enhance atomic mobility so that nanocrystallization occurred. Our results demonstrate that the origin of the room-temperature deformation of BMG can be attributed to the local atomic spacing increases induced by localization of plastic flow under uniaxial compression test.

GMP reductase 2 from human has been expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized. The crystals belong to space group P3(2)21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 110.6, c = 209.8 A, alpha = beta = 90, gamma = 120 degrees. Diffraction data were collected to 3.0 A with a completeness of 100% (100% for the last shell), an R(merge) value of 0.089 (0.189) and an I/sigma(I) value of 7.3 (3.2).

This paper attempts to evaluate the clinical usefulness of CYFRA 21-1 as a serum tumour marker in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The serum concentration of CYFRA 21-1 was measured utilizing a new electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA) in 142 patients with HNSCC before and after treatment, 68 patients with benign tumours of the head and neck, and 50 healthy controls. Serum levels of CYFRA 21-1 in patients with HNSCC were significantly higher than those of benign tumours and healthy controls (p < 0.001). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of CYFRA 21-1 for HNSCC were 62 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively. The positive rates of CYFRA 21-1 increased with progression of HNSCC, serum CYFRA 21-1 levels were related to the tumour stage expressed by primary tumour (T) and nodal status (N) (p < 0.001), but not related to patient age, gender, smoking and drinking habit, or histopathological grade (p > 0.05). Post-treatment levels of CYFRA 21-1 in HNSCC decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Among 38 patients with clinical or radiological evidence of a recurrence during follow-up, 78.9 per cent (30 of 38) showed an increase in CYFRA 21-1. The analytical ECLIA performance for serum CYFRA 21-1 provides a new means of clinical assessment for HNSCC. The results of ECLIA suggest that the serum marker CYFRA 21-1 is valuable not only for diagnosis but also for close monitoring of patients with HNSCC.

Objectives: To analyze the treatment outcomes in patients with smear positive tuberculosis, and to compare the difference in treatment response among patients infected with drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains., Methods: From 1998 to 2000, seven hundred and seventy-seven patients with primary smear-positive tuberculosis, which were from 30 surveillance sites, were followed for two years to monitor their treatment outcomes., Results: At the completion of the 6 months' therapy, the overall rate of treatment failure was 1.8%, 2.6% for the drug-resistant cases and 1.6% for the drug-sensitive cases. Six-month follow-up showed a positive conversion rate of 2.7% in all the cases, 8.5% and 1.2% (P < 0.005) in the drug-resistant and the drug-sensitive cases respectively. One year follow-up showed that the positive conversion rate was 2.6% in all the cases, 6.9% and 1.6% (P < 0.005) in the drug-resistant and the drug-sensitive cases, respectively. Two-year follow-up showed an overall positive conversion rate of 1.3%, 1.0% and 1.3% in the drug-resistant and the drug-sensitive cases, respectively. Of the 152 drug-resistant cases, the rate of treatment failure was 2.6% at the completion of 6 months' therapy, but in cases with MDR-TB the rate was 10.3%. Six-month follow-up showed an overall positive conversion rate of 8.5%, but the rate reached 37.0% in cases with MDR-TB. One-year and two-year follow-up showed that the positive conversion rates were 6.9% and 1.0% respectively in all the drug-resistant cases, but 6.3% and 6.7% respectively in the MDR cases., Conclusions: Under the guidelines of the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP), the 2H(3)R(3)S(3)Z(3)/4H(3)R(3) regimen for primary smear-positive pulmonary TB was effective. But the cure rate was lower and the positive conversion rate higher in patients with MDR-TB.

Aim: To establish an accurate and reliable method for quantitative analysis of the diterpenoids in Pteris semipinnata L., Methods: A quadruple mass spectrometer coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface was employed as a detector for HPLC. As to MS detector, selective ion monitoring (SIM) scan mode was used. For ent-11 alpha-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-olic acid (5F) and ent-11 alpha-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16(R) methyl-19-olic acid (4F), the majority of the diterpenoids in Pteris semipinnata L, the [M-H]-1 ion were observed, and the [M-H2O-H]-1 ion could be observed from the collision-induced dissociation spectua. [M-H]-1 was selected as the SIM ion in quantification, the mobile phase and the MS conditions were optimized. The mobile phase of HPLC was 30% CH3CN-70% 2 mmol.L-1 NH4Ac, analytical column was Diamonsil ODS (4.6 mm x 150 mm), flow rate 1.0 mL.min-1, inject volume 5 microL. The area of ion flow peak were used for quantitative determination. As an example of its application, this method was used to determine the content of 5F as an antitumor diterpenoid in Pteris semipinnata L., Results: The content of 5F accounted 1.18 mg.g-1 in Pteris semipinnata L sample. For 5F, RT is about 4.3 min, the standard curve showed good linearity over the range of 0.05-2.5 micrograms, gamma = 0.9998 (n = 5); the recovery was 97.8% (n = 5); the limit of detection was 0.4 ng (inject 5 microL)., Conclusion: This method is highly sensitive, accurate and fast, which can be applied to study the antitumor drug of diterpenoids in Pteris semipinnata L and to establish the raw herb standard.

Objective: To determine alterations of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the correlation of FHIT gene with nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis., Study Design: Prospective study., Methods: A total of 28 nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 16 normal nasopharyngeal epithelium specimens were examined for abnormalities of FHIT gene by nested reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing., Results: The deletion of FHIT gene was not observed in 16 normal nasopharyngeal epithelium specimens. In 28 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues, 12 (42.9%) exhibited FHIT aberrant transcripts. Complementary DNA sequencing revealed exonic deletion, small DNA insertion, synonymous mutation in exon 8, or frameshift mutation in exon 5., Conclusions: The present results suggest that the FHIT gene may play an important role in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and may be one of the candidate tumor suppressor genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

In a wood processing factory, the measured air concentration of birchen dust was 1.26 +/- 0.41 mg/m3, and the micronucleus frequency of peripheral blood lymphocytes in 83 workers exposed to wood dust was 1.13 +/- 2.83/1000, which was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of control group (0.51 +/- 1.41/1000). The number of exposed workers with positive micronucleus test was 9.6%, which was higher than that of control group (4.5%), but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The micronucleus test in mice treated with water extracts of unsteamed and unbaked birchen dust showed that the micronucleus frequencies in all treated groups were significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0.01) and there was also a dose response correlation (r = 0.96, P < 0.0005). The results of steamed and baked birchen dust extracts were significantly lower than those of the unsteamed and unbaked ones at the same doses (P < 0.001). This suggests that when the birchen dust is steamed at the temperature of 100 degrees C for 24 h or baked at the temperature of 80 degrees C, its inducing effect in micronucleus test could be lowered.

Aim: To study the protective effect of anisodine (Ani) on acute forebrain ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats., Methods: Both vertebral arteries were occluded by electrocautery. Severe, but transient bilateral cerebral ischemia was produced by clamping both common carotid arteries in rats. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric and spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the contents of calcium and extravasated Evans blue (EB), respectively, remained in forebrain at 60-min recirculation after 30-min ischemia., Results: At 60-min recirculation, the brain calcium contents were increased from 112 +/- 6 micrograms/g brain dry weight in control (sham operation) group to 165 +/- 7 micrograms/g brain dry weight with marked increase of EB extravasation. Ani (2.5 mg.kg-1, i.p.), and scopolamine (Sco, 0.25 mg.kg-1, i.p.) decreased the elevated calcium and extravasated EB contents., Conclusion: Ani prevented the brain from ischemia insults through reducing intracellular calcium accumulation resulted from ischemia and reperfusion.

This paper reports the results of the study of micronucleus frequency in peripheral lymphocytes in workers exposed to soft wood dust (poplar and linden wood) in match factories. 298 workers exposed to soft wood dust in three match factories were defined as exposure group and 45 waiters in a restaurant as control group. The frequency of micronucleus in peripheral lymphocytes was examined and the control's 95% confidential upper limit >, 4/1000 was defined as the standard to determine the positivity. The positive rate in the exposure group was 36.2% while that in the control group was only 4.4%; the difference is significant (P < 0.01). As the coefficient of correlation between length of work and positive rate was 0.86 (P < 0.01), a dose/time-response is in existence. Meanwhile, the analysis of relation between quantity of smoking and positive rate eliminated the effect of smoking on variation of positive rates. In this paper, we also discussed the relation between positive rates and wood dust concentrations in different worksites and we think that the volatile and unsteady substances in soft wood dust are micronucleus-inducing matters.