Search

Background: Few studies have investigated the pathologic types and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with lymph node metastasis (LNM). The purpose was to explore pathologic types and pertinent therapy of HCC with LNM., Methods: An immunohistochemical study for CK19 and OV-6 was performed on tissue microarrays of HCC with LNM (n=47) and those without LNM (n=125). The clinicopathologic factors and patient survival were analyzed., Results: Immunopositivity of CK19 and OV-6 in HCC with LNM were higher than that in 125 HCC without LNM (27.7% vs 5.6%, P=.000; 29.8% vs 12.8%, P=.009); their expressions were significantly correlated in HCC with LNM (correlation coefficient: 0.637, P=.000). The CK19 expression and tumor (T) classification of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/International Union Against Cancer (UICC) tumor staging system were 2 independent risk factors for developing LNM (odds ratio [OR], 5.170, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.840-14.528, P=.002; OR, 1.879, 95% CI, 1.236-2.857, P=.003). The CK19(+) group had shorter median survival (7.7 months vs 21.7 months, P=.013); CK19 expression was the independent prognostic factor for overall survival in HCC with LNM and was correlated with proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression (correlation coefficient: 0.484, P=.001 and 0.459, P=.001, respectively)., Conclusions: CK19 expression and AJCC/UICC T classification were 2 independent risk factors for developing LNM in HCC. CK19 expression was the independent prognostic factor for HCC with LNM. It is of clinical significance for treatment modalities to differentiate HCC with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma-like differentiation (CK19[+]) from one with a higher T classification (CK19[-])., (Copyright (c) 2008 American Cancer Society.)

Purpose: To investigate prognostic values of the intratumoral and peritumoral expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factors (M-CSF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after curative resection., Patients and Methods: Expression of M-CSF and density of macrophages (M Phi) were assessed by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays containing paired tumor and peritumoral liver tissue from 105 patients who had undergone hepatectomy for histologically proven HCC. Prognostic value of these and other clinicopathologic factors was evaluated., Results: Neither intratumoral M-CSF nor M Phi density was associated with overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS). High peritumoral M-CSF and M Phi density, which correlated with large tumor size, presence of intrahepatic metastasis, and high TNM stage, were independent prognostic factors for both OS (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively) and DFS (P = .001 and P = .003, respectively) and affected incidence of early recurrence. In a small HCC subset, peritumoral M-CSF was also correlated with both OS and DFS (P = .038 and P = .001, respectively). The combination of peritumoral M-CSF and M Phi had a better power to predict the patients' death and disease recurrence (P < .001 for both)., Conclusion: High peritumoral M-CSF and M Phi were associated with HCC progression, disease recurrence, and poor survival after hepatectomy, highlighting the importance of peritumoral tissue in the recurrence and metastasis of HCC. M-CSF and M Phi may be targets of postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Blue (487.6 nm), green (544.1 nm), yellow (582.1 nm), and red (623.6 nm) upconversion (UC) luminescences are achieved in a Tb(3+)-doped lithium niobate crystal when an 800 nm femtosecond laser is loosely focused onto the sample at room temperature. The relationship between UC luminescence intensity and the pump energy indicates that a two-photon excitation process is dominant in this UC luminescence phenomenon. The Tb(3+) sensitive temperature dependence of the luminescence intensity is demonstrated via an obvious reduction of luminescence intensity with durative laser irradiation.

Er(3+) green upconversion (UC) emission corresponding to the transition of (4)S(3/2) ((2)H(11/2))-->(4)I(15/2) is enhanced in a Er/Dy-codoped LiNbO(3) crystal compared with Er-doped LiNbO(3) under 800 nm femtosecond-laser excitation at room temperature. The upconversion mechanisms are proposed based on spectral, kinetic, and pump-power dependence analyses. The energy-transfer efficiency from Dy(3+)((4)F(9/2)) to Er(3+)((4)F(7/2)) is 33%, which results in the enhancement of green UC emission. This energy transfer is advantageous for the Er(3+) UC emission sensitized by Dy(3+), especially in a low-phonon-energy host matrix.

The absorption spectra of all-trans-beta-carotene in n-hexane and carbon disulfide (CS(2)) solutions are measured under high pressure at ambient temperature. The common redshift and broadening in the spectra are observed. Simulation of the absorption spectra was performed by using the time-domain formula of the stochastic model. The pressure dependence of the 0-0 band wavenumber is in agreement with the Bayliss theory at pressure higher than 0.2 GPa. The deviation of the linearity at lower pressure is ascribed to the reorientation of the solvent molecules. Both the redshift and broadening are stronger in CS(2) than that in n-hexane because of the more sensitive pressure dependence of dispersive interactions in CS(2) solution. The effect of pressure on the transition moment is explained with the aid of a simple model involving the relative dimension, location, and orientation of the solute and solvent molecules. The implication of these results for light-harvesting functions of carotenoids in photosynthesis is also discussed.

To explore the long-term outcomes of paediatric kidney transplantation and the effects of renal allograft on growth, education, employment, marriage and procreation. Twenty-seven children with ESRD received the renal allograft from 1985 to 2001. The patient and kidney survival rate, renal function, growth and employment, etc., were reviewed retrospectively. The average follow-up period was 10.3 +/- 4.4 yr. The one-, three-, five- and 10-yr graft survival rates were 96.3%, 88.9%, 81.5% and 66.7%, respectively, and the corresponding patient survival rates were 100%, 92.6%, 85.2% and 68.8%. The body weight gain was 4-10 kg in one-yr post-operative and the height increased 0-2 cm for girls and 2-5 cm for boys. A total of 44.4% of the recipients accomplished their education above junior high school. The employment rate was 46.2% in males, and 57.2% in females. Twelve patients were married. Non-adherence occurred in 30% of the recipients. Forty percent of the surviving recipients developed complications. Seven patients died. More attention should be paid to non-adherence of medications and more supports from the society are required to improve the life quality of paediatric recipients, especially in employment and education.

Presensitized renal allograft recipients require special management to improve their outcome, and there is no consensus on the optimal immunosuppressive strategy. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 82 patients, who were PRA positive pre-transplant (above 10%) and received single bolus ATG and basiliximab as induction therapy, and assessed safety and efficacy of two kinds of induction therapies. Patients of ATG group (n=40) received single bolus ATG (Fresenius, 9 mg/kg preoperatively) and those of basiliximab group (n=42) were given two doses of basiliximab (Simulect, Novartis, 20 mg) on days 0 and 4 post-transplant. All patients received standard triple immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus (FK-506), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and steroids. The follow-up time was 12 months. There was no hyperacute rejection in two groups, and delayed graft function occurred in two patients of ATG group and three of basiliximab group. After 12-month follow-up, more acute rejection (AR) episodes were observed in basiliximab group than ATG group (35.7% vs. 15%, P=0.032). Although highly significant differences were observed between ATG group and basiliximab group with respect to the incidence of thrombocytopenia (P=0.001), single bolus ATG was well tolerated. Incidences of other adverse events and infection episodes did not differ between two groups (P>0.05). One-year patient and graft survival was 95%, 92.5% and 95.2%, 88.1% in ATG and basiliximab group respectively (P>0.05). Both single bolus ATG and basiliximab induction therapy achieved similar one-year graft/patient survival. However, single bolus ATG yielded much lower AR rate than basiliximab without increase in infection episodes and severe adverse events.

The ground state Raman spectra of all-trans-beta-carotene in n-hexane and CS2 solutions are measured by simultaneously changing the solvent environment and molecular structure under high hydrostatic pressure. The diverse pressure dependencies of several representative Raman bands are explained using a competitive mechanism involving bond length changes and vibronic coupling. It is therefore concluded that (a) the in-phase C=C stretching mode plays an essential role in the conversion of energy from S1 to S0 states in carotenoids, (b) internal conversion and intramolecular vibrational redistribution can be accelerated by high pressure, and (c) the environmental effect, but not the structural distortion or pi-electron delocalization, is responsible for the spectral properties of a given carotenoid species. These findings revealed the potential of high pressure in exploring the nature of the biological functions of carotenoids.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the clinical character and therapeutic strategy and prognosis in severe acute pancreatitis., Methods: From January 2001 to December 2005, 783 patients with SAP were treated. Therapeutic strategy was selected based on the preliminary scheme for diagnosis and treatment of severe acute pancreatitis by pancreatic surgery society of CMA. All the patients were divided into biliary group and non-biliary group, while 375 patients in biliary group, with 182 patients treated operatively and 193 patients treated nonoperatively; and 408 patients in non-biliary group, with 147 patients treated operatively and 261 patients treated nonoperatively., Results: There were 698 survivals, the overall survival rate was 89.1%. 357 survivals in the biliary SAP group, the survival rate was 95.0%, in which 171 survivals from operation treated cases, with the survival rate of 94.0%, and 186 survivals from non-operation treated cases, with the survival rate of 96.4%; 341 survivals in the non-biliary SAP group, the survival rate was 84.0%, in which 110 survivals from operation treated cases, with the survival rate of 74.8%, and 231 survivals from non-operation treated cases, with the survival rate of 88.5%. 48.3% patients of the survival group had organ dysfunction, and 18.3% patients had multiple organ dysfunctions, while 100% patients of the death group had organ dysfunction, and 97.6% patients had multiple organ dysfunction. Respiratory dysfunction was found to be the most common cause totally followed by nerve system dysfunction and shock, with the rates of 26.3%, 11.7% and 10.3%, respectively. Respiratory dysfunction, renal dysfunction and cardiac dysfunction are most commonly in death group, with the rate of 94.1%, 60.0% and 60.0%, respectively. The rate of fungi infection in the survival group and death group were 8.9% and 37.6%. The rates of alimentary tract fistula in the survival and death group were 0.9% and 14.1%, respectively., Conclusions: The therapy aiming at the cause for biliary SAP and the operation aiming at infected pancreatic necrosis is helpful to improve curative rate; MODS is the main cause of death in severe acute pancreatitis. Respiratory dysfunction, renal dysfunction and cardiac dysfunction are high risk factors.

Identification of renal graft candidates at high risk of impending acute rejection (AR) and graft loss may be helpful for patient-tailored immunosuppressive regimens and renal graft survival. To investigate the feasibility with soluble CD30 (sCD30) as predictor of AR, sCD30 levels of 70 patients were detected on day 0 pre-transplant and day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 30 post-transplant. AR episodes in 6 months were recorded and then patients were divided into Group AR (n=11) and Group UC (n=59). Results showed that the patients had higher pre-transplant sCD30 levels than healthy people. A significant decrease of sCD30 was observed on the first day post-transplant and continued until day 14 post-transplant. Soluble CD30 presented a stable level from day 14 to 30 post-transplant. Pre-transplant sCD30 levels of Group AR were much higher than those of Group UC (P<0.001). Patients of Group AR also had higher sCD30 levels than those of Group UC on day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 (P<0.001). The sCD30 level presented a significantly delayed decrease in the patients of Group AR. Statistical results showed that the highest value of area under ROC curve (0.95) was obtained on day 5 post-transplant, suggesting that sCD30 levels on day 5 are of high predictive value. Therefore, sCD30 level may be a good marker of increased alloreactivity and of significant predictive value. It's necessary to monitor the variation of sCD30 in the early period post-transplant.

Images of Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) have been obtained and the regulation of cell morphology changes after nitric oxide release has been recorded and discerned quantitatively for the first time using scanning electrochemical microscopy.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of surgical manipulation on the dissemination of cancer cells into blood circulation in patients with gastric cancer and to analyze its risk factors., Methods: This study included 45 consecutive patients with gastric cancer undergoing curative resection and 13 control cases (10 healthy persons and 3 patients with peptic ulcer receiving gastrectomy). Peripheral blood was obtained preoperatively and just after surgical manipulation. The mRNA levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) from the blood samples were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and compared between the 2 groups., Results: CEA mRNA was negative in all control cases. Of the 45 gastric cancer patients, the preoperative positive rate of CEA mRNA was 8.9%, while the postoperative positive rate was 48.9%, which was significantly higher than that of preoperation (P=0.000). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that operative duration (P=0.014) and tumor depth (P=0.010) were independent risk factors for cancer cell dissemination. Furthermore, the operative duration in patients with positive postoperative CEA mRNA was markedly longer than that in patients with negative postoperative CEA mRNA (P=0.000), and positive rate of postoperative CEA mRNA in advanced gastric cancer was higher compared with that in early gastric cancer (P=0.034)., Conclusions: Surgical manipulation of curative gastrectomy can provoke dissemination of cancer cells into blood circulation, and the operative duration and tumor invasion depth may be 2 of the risk factors for cancer cell dissemination.

We study the steady-state and time-resolved luminescent properties of CdTe nanocrystals by one- and two-photon excitation with a femtosecond laser. We observe that 1208 nm excitation causes a shift of the emission peak of about 20 nm to the infrared compared with 400 nm laser excitation. It is found that upconversion luminescence is composed of a photoinduced trapping and a band edge excitonic state and produces the observation of biexponential decay kinetics. We conclude that the redshift of the emission peak is caused by the relative change in luminescence intensity between excitonic and trapping states.

Batch experiments were conducted to investigate effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the adsorption and desorption behavior of Phenanthrene (Phe) in a soil-water system. It was found that three natural DOM derived from pig manure (PM), sewage sludge (SS), green manure (GM) and a kind of surfactant Tween-80 can reduced sorption of Phenanthrene significantly onto the tested soil. Within the selected concentration of the Phenanthrene and DOM in this study, the sorption quantity has a negative-linear correlativity with the concentration of DOM (r(PM) = - 0.988 8, r(SS) = - 0.982 6, r(Tween-80 = - 0.974 3, r(GM) = - 0.990 5). The inhibition of Phenanthrene sorption caused by DOM of PM origin was more significant than that of SS origin and GM origin for the same soil. Phenanthrene sorption isotherm could be described well by the Freundlich equation. It implied that DOM can affect the environmental behaviors of Phenanthrene in soil.

The microbial immobilization method using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel as an immobilizing material was improved and used for entrapment of activated sludge. The oxygen uptake rate (OUR) was used to characterize the biological activity of immobilized activated sludge. Three kinds of PVA-immobilized particles of activated sludge, that is, PVA-boric acid beads, PVA-sodium nitrate beads and PVA-orthophosphate beads were prepared, and their biological activity was compared by measuring the OUR value. The bioactivity of both autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms of activated sludge was determined using different synthetic wastewater media (containing 250 mg/L COD and 25 mg/L NH(4+)-N). The experimental results showed that the bioactivity and stability of the three kinds of immobilized activated sludge was greatly improved after activation. With respect of the bioactivity and the mechanical stability, the PVA-orthophosphate method may be a promising and economical technique for microbial immobilization.

Unlabelled: Sensitization in kidney transplantation is associated with more acute rejections, inferior graft survival, and an increase in delayed graft function. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative single bolus antithymocyte globulin (ATG) induction therapy in sensitized renal transplant recipients., Methods: Fifty-six cadaveric donor kidney transplant recipients were divided into two groups: Group I (nonsensitized group, n = 30) and group II (sensitized group, PRA>10%, n = 26). ATG was given as a single preoperative bolus induction therapy to group II (ATG IV; 9 mg/kg). The group I patients were treated with mycophenolate mofetil preoperatively as induction therapy. The basic immunosuppressive regimen included tacrolimus (FK-506) or cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone. After hospital discharge, patients were followed on a routine outpatient basis for 12 months., Results: Acute rejection episodes (ARE) occurred in 20% (6/30) of group I and 15.38% (4/26) of group II patients (P = NS). Infections occurred in eight patients (26.7%) as 11 episodes (36.7%), averaging 1.4 episodes per infected patient in group 1, and 6 patients (23.1%) for a total of 10 episodes (38.5%), averaging 1.7 episodes per infected patient, in group II (P = NS). Occurrence of side effects and hospital stay were almost comparable in the two groups. No delayed graft function was observed in either group. The 12-month actuarial patient and graft survival were 100% in Group I and II., Conclusion: A preoperative single bolus ATG induction therapy was an effective and safe therapeutic measure, yielding an acceptable acute rejection rate in presensitized renal transplant recipients.

Objective: To study and compare the biologic activity of two anti-PSA/anti-CD3 bispecific single-chain antibodies., Methods: Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the binding activity of two antibodies to CD3-positive cell line Jurkat and prostate carcinoma cell line LNCaP. The effect of the two antibodies in mediating tumor cell lysis in vitro was determined by using the 51Cr-release test. For in vivo evaluation of the two antibodies activity, a nude mouse model was used. The mice were inoculated with LNCaP prostate cancer cells., Results: FCM showed that both the antibodies could bind Jurkat and LNCaP cells with high specificity. The percentages of the cells bond by the bispecific single-chain antibodies were 56.3% and 55.4%, and those by the multivalent antibodies were 74.0% and 83.0% respectively. Both the antibodies mediated a specific lysis of LNCaP cells in vitro, with activated CTLs as effector cells, and significantly reduced tumor growth of nude mice in vivo as compared with the untreated controls and the group treated with CTLs only (P <0.05). The experiment also showed that the multivalent antibody had a better activity than the bispecific antibody in binding antigens, mediating lysis of LNCaP cells and reducing tumor growth (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Both the anti-PSA/anti-CD3 bispecific single-chain antibody and multivalent antibody have good biologic activity, and the formation of the tetramerization of single-chain antibody can improve its biologic activity.

Purpose: The change of cell mobility is one of the preconditions of tumor metastasis. Cell skeleton alteration and rearrangement of F-actin was closely related to cell mobility. Ezrin is a membrane-cytoskeleton organizer that can mediate the rearrangement and the function of F-actin. In this paper, we investigated the effect of ezrin on hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and invasiveness., Methods: Hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines such as MHCC-1, MHCC97-H, SF7721, SMMC7721, Hep3B, and HepG2 were chosen in this study. We first examined the expression and the distribution of ezrin and F-actin in these cell lines using immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and the western blot. Next we used small interfering RNA (siRNA) to down-regulate ezrin expression in MHCC-1, MHCC97-H, SF7721, and HepG2 to investigate the role of ezrin in tumor cell growth and invasiveness., Results: Our preliminary results showed that the expression of ezrin and gamma-actin in MHCC-1, MHCC97-H, and SF7721 with higher metastatic potential were obviously up-regulated than those in SMMC7721, Hep3B, and HepG2 with lower potential. No different expression of beta-actin was found in the above tumor cell lines. The outcome of RNAi indicated that decreasing ezrin expression can notably inhibit the proliferation of the four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (p < 0.01, n = 10). The proportion of cells in G2-M phase also decreased after RNAi. The number of pseudopods decreased as well after RNAi treatment (p < 0.01, n = 5). The mobility and invasiveness of cancer cells decreased with decreasing ezrin expression tested by transwell assay (p < 0.01, n = 8)., Conclusion: Ezrin plays an important role in the process of hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness.

Background: Immunological sensitization remains a major problem following renal transplantation. There is no consensus for the management of sensitized renal allograft recipients. The patients become tethered to dialysis while waiting for compatible donors. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative single-bolus high-dose antithymocyte globulin (ATG) as induction therapy in sensitized renal transplant recipients., Methods: A total of 56 patients were divided into two groups according to the level of panel reactive antibody (PRA): non-sensitized group (PRA < 10%, n = 30) and sensitized group (PRA > or = 10%, n = 26). The characteristics of the recipients and donors were comparable between the two groups. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, 1 g) or ATG (iv. 9 mg/kg) were given preoperatively in the two groups as induction therapy. After the transplantation, the patients were treated with standard triple therapy regimen consisting of tacrolimus (FK-506) or cyclosporine A, MMF, and prednisolone. Acute rejection (AR) and infection episodes were recorded and renal function was monitored during a 12-month follow-up. Chi(2) test and t test were used to analyze the data., Results: During the follow-up, 6 patients (20.0%) suffered AR episodes in the non-sensitized group and 4 (15.4%) in the sensitized group (P = 0.737); 8 patients (26.7%) experienced 11 infection episodes (average, 1.4 episodes per infected patient) in the non-sensitized group, and 6 (23.1%) experienced 10 infection episodes (average, 1.7 episodes per infected patient) in the sensitized group (P = 0.757, 0.890). The safety of the drugs, which was assessed by the occurrence of side effects, was comparable between the two groups. The hospital stay was 13 - 25 days (mean, 16.7 +/- 3.3) in the non-sensitized group and 14 - 29 days (mean, 16.2 +/- 3.1) in the sensitized group, respectively (P = 0.563). No delayed graft function (DGF) was observed in all the patients. Both the 12-month actuarial patient and graft survival rates were 100% in the two groups., Conclusion: Preoperative single-bolus high-dose ATG is an effective and safe induction therapy yielding acceptable acute rejection rate in sensitized renal transplant recipients.

Background: Postoperative interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy improved survival in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The identification of predictive markers of outcome will help to select patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment., Methods: An immunohistochemical study of P48 was performed on specimens that were collected from patients in a randomized trial who received postoperative IFN-alpha therapy (Group 1; n = 80 patients) and who did not receive postoperative IFN-alpha therapy (Group 2; n = 75 patients). Positive P48 expression was graded as >/=20% positive cells in 1 sample., Results: Eighty-one patients were positive for P48, and 74 patients were negative for P48. The clinicopathologic data were comparable between patients with P48-negative and P48-positive staining. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in P48-positive patients were better than that in P48-negative patients in Group 1 (DFS, P = .036; OS, P = .014), however, DFS and OS did not differ between patients with positive and negative P48 in Group 2. OS in P48-positive patients from Group 1 was better than that in patients with P48-positive patients from Group 2 (OS, P = .001) but did not differ when P48 was negative. In Group 1, the risk factors for DFS were cirrhosis and P48 staining, and the risk factors for OS were tumor differentiation and P48 staining. Receiver operating curve analysis indicated that, in the first 2 years of DFS, combined cirrhosis and P48 had good predictive accuracy; and, in the first 4 years of OS, combined tumor differentiation and P48 had good predictive accuracy., Conclusions: P48 was useful as a predictive marker of outcome after postoperative IFN-alpha treatment in patients with HBV-related HCC., ((c) 2006 American Cancer Society.)

Objective: To investigate the different expressions of cytoskeletal organizer ezrin and cytoskeleton protein beta- and gamma-actin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with different metastatic potentials and to explore the role of ezrin in cell growth and metastasis in HCC cell lines SF7721 and MHCC97-H., Methods: Immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the gene and protein expressions of ezrin and actin in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with different metastatic potentials. RNA interference (RNAi) was applied to down-regulate the ezrin expression in SF7721 and MHCC97-H. Changes of the cell growth and metastasis potentials after the RNAi treatment were studied. MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation changes and Transwell assay was applied to observe the changes of cell motility and invasiveness., Results: Both ezrin and cytoskeleton protein were demonstrated in the cytoplasma of the cells at the same time. The expression of them in cell lines with high metastatic potential, such as SF7721, MHCC-1 and MHCC97-H was obviously higher than in those with low metastatic potentials, such as SMMC-7721, Hep3B and HepG2 (chi2= 13.277, P = 0.010; chi2= 21.815). The mRNA and ezrin and cytoskeleton protein gamma-actin were over-expressed in HCC cell lines with high metastatic potentials. The expressions of beta-actin of cell lines with different metastatic potentials showed no differences. Ezrin protein was successfully down-regulated and the proliferation and the invasiveness of the cells decreased with low ezrin protein level in SF7721 and MHCC97-H., Conclusion: Over-expression of ezrin and cytoskeleton protein gamma-actin are associated with the process of metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The growth and invasiveness of SF7721 and MHCC97-H cells can be inhibited by down-regulating ezrin expression.

Aim: To construct a recombinant vector which expresses bispecific single chain antibody (BsscFv) against human gamma-seminoprotein and CD3 molecule and evaluate its biologic activity., Methods: The BsscFv gene was constructed by the splicing overlap extensive (SOE) PCR and then a flexible peptide linker was inserted between anti-human gamma-seminoprotein single chain Fv gene and anti-CD3 single chain Fv gene. The fusion gene was subcloned into the pSectag2-B plasmid and was expressed in HeLa cell lines. After being analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, the expressed product was purified through a Ni(2+)-NTA superflow affinity chromatography column. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the binding activity of BsscFv to CD3(+) cell line Jurkat cells and prostate carcinoma cells LNCaP. In vitro killing effect on target cells (LNCaP) mediated by BsscFv was determined by chromium(51)-release test. The effect of CTLs mediated by BsscFv on inhibiting tumor growth was observed by utilizing nude mice bearing prostate cancer cells., Results: DNA sequencing indicated that BsscFv gene consisted of 1,500 bp, encoding 500 amino acids. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that the expressed product with relative molecular mass of 61,000 existed in culture supernatant of Hela cells. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that the binding rate of BsscFv to LNCaP cells and Jurkat cells was 54.1% and 53.7%, respectively. In vitro, BsscFv mediated cytotoxicity of CTLs to LNCaP cells as confirmed by chromium(51)-release assay. In prostate cancer nude mouse model, BsscFv inhibited tumor's growth as compared with control group., Conclusion: The BsscFv against human gamma-seminoprotein and CD3 molecule possesses certain biologic activity, and in vitro and in vivo it can mediate cytotoxicity of CTLs to prostate cancer cells.

Objective: To elucidate the roles of JAK/STATs signal pathway on anti-proliferative effects induced by IFN-alpha in MHCC97., Methods: An IRF9 expression vector was transfected into MHCC97 with Dosper. The expression of IRF9, cycle regulating proteins and the forming of ISGF3 complex were detected using Western blot and EMSA, respectively. Cell proliferation and distribution were monitored using MTT and flow cytometry., Results: High expression of IRF9 restored the anti-proliferative response of MHCC97 on IFN-alpha treatment and delayed the cell transition from S phase to G2 phase induced by IFN-alpha., Conclusion: The integrity and functions of JAK/STATs signal pathway played an important role in mediating the anti-proliferative effects of IFN-alpha in MHCC97.

Objective: To explore the immunosuppressive effect of local transfection of Molluscum contagiosum virus 148 (MC148) gene to allogenous skin graft against rejection., Methods: MC148 gene was cloned from molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), and was employed to construct recombinant adenovirus vector (Ad-MC148). The recombinant Ad-MC148 was then locally transfected into a part of the tail skin of eight Lewis rats, which served as skin donors for grafting. The wounds (1 cm x 1 cm) were produced on the tails of 16 Wistar rats, and they were then randomly divided into control (C, n=8, with grafting of skin from donor rats without transfection), and transfection (T, n=8, with grafting of skin from donor rats with transfection of the recombinant Ad-MC148) groups. The expression of MC148 mRNA gene in T group was detected on 6 post operation hour( POH) and 2, 3, 7 and 10 post operation day (POD), and the results were expressed by the ratio of absorption value (A) between MC148 gene and beta-actin. The survival time of skin grafts in both groups was compared. Gross examination of grafted skin was carried out from 7 POD on in both groups, and the pathomorphological changes were examined in both groups on 7 POD., Results: The MC148 gene expression in rat skin of T group could be identified in 6 POH, and it reached the peak on 3 POD (A(MC148 mRNA) / A(beta&#95;actin) = 0.86), and then subsided thereafter, but it maintained for 10 days. The survival time of the grafts in T group was (15.0 +/- 2.0) days, and it was significantly longer than that in C group (8.5 +/- 3.4) days, (P < 0.01). Gross and microscopic examination showed that the tail skin of T group appeared ruddy on 7 POD, with little leukocytic infiltration in subcutaneous tissue; it began to turn black after 12 to 20 PODs. On the other hand, the tail skin of C group began to turn black and to shed off on 7 POD, with evident leukocytic infiltration in subcutaneous tissue and dermis., Conclusion: Local transfection of MC148 gene may promote immunosuppression by inhibiting leukocytic infiltration after allogenous skin transplantation.

Purpose: Little information is available on the heterogeneity of the vascular endothelium in hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to identify the differentially expressed genes in tumor endothelial cells from highly metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma., Experimental Design: Magnetic beads conjugated with anti-CD31 antibody were used to isolate vascular endothelial cells from hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts with different metastatic potentials in nude mice. Gene expression profiles for different endothelial cells were compared by use of cDNA microarray. The up-regulated gene was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry., Results: cDNA microarray analysis revealed differential expression patterns in seven genes consistently presented in endothelial cells isolated from hepatocellular carcinoma with different metastatic potentials. Overexpression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha was found only in the endothelium of highly metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, which was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Oral administration of STI571 (imatinib mesylate or Glivec), a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor receptor, combined with s.c. injection of IFN-alpha not only effectively reduced tumor weight (by 81.8%) and microvessel density (by 70.2%) but also inhibited lung metastasis (by 100%). Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues revealed its correlation with postoperative recurrence, especially in patients without microvessel invasion., Conclusions: The gene expression of hepatocellular carcinoma vascular endothelium is different between tumors with different metastatic potential. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha, which is overexpressed in endothelium of highly metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, may serve as a biomarker for predicting metastasis and a therapeutic target for highly metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the inhibitory effects of IFN-alpha on tumor growth and metastasis in MHCC97 xenografts., Methods: Three thousand international units per milliliter of IFN-alpha-treated and -untreated MHCC97 cells were enrolled for gene expression analysis using cDNA microarray. The mRNA levels of several differentially expressed genes in cDNA microarray were further identified by Northern blot and RT-PCR., Results: A total of 190 differentially expressed genes including 151 IFN-alpha-repressed and 39-stimulated genes or expressed sequence tags from 8,464 known human genes were found to be regulated by IFN-alpha in MHCC97. With a few exceptions, mRNA levels of the selected genes in RT-PCR and Northern blot were in good agreement with those in cDNA microarray., Conclusion: IFN-alpha might exert its complicated anti-tumor effects on MHCC97 xenografts by regulating the expression of functional genes involved in cell metabolism, proliferation, morphogenesis, angiogenesis, and signaling.

In cell mitosis, cytokinesis is a major deformation process, during which the site of the contractile ring is determined by the biochemical stimulus from asters of the mitotic apparatus, actin and myosin assembly is related to the motion of membrane phospholipids, and local distribution and arrangement of the microfilament cytoskeleton are different at different cytokinesis stages. Based on the Zinemanas-Nir model, a new model is proposed in this study to simulate the entire process by coupling the biochemical stimulus with the mechanical actions. There were three assumptions in this model: the movements of phospholipid proteins are driven by gradients of biochemical stimulus on the membrane surface; the local assembly of actin and myosin filament depends on the amount of phospholipid proteins at the same location; and the surface tension includes membrane tensions due to both the passive deformation of the membrane and the active contraction of actin filament, which is determined by microfilament redistribution and rearrangement. This model could explain the dynamic movement of microfilaments during cytokinesis and predict cell deformation. The calculated results from this model demonstrated that the reorientation of phospholipid proteins and the redistribution and reorientation of microfilaments may play a crucial role in cell division. This model may better represent the cytokinesis process by the introduction of biochemical stimulus.

Carbon fiber nanoelectrodes (tip diameter = ca. 100 nm) have been first used to monitor real-time dopamine release from single living vesicles of single rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. The experiments show that active and inactive release sites exist on the surface of cells, and the spatial distributions have been differentiated even in the same active release zone. It is first demonstrated that multiple vesicles can sequentially release dopamine at the same site of the cell surface, which possibly plays the main role in the dopamine release from PC12 cells.

An earlier report demonstrated that interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) inhibited tumor growth and recurrence in an MHCC97 xenograft model in nude mice by suppressing tumor angiogenesis rather than by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism was not fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that IFN-alpha 2a could down-regulate VEGF expression both in mRNA and in protein levels, as well as down-regulating HIF-1 alpha mRNA expression in MHCC97 cells in vitro. A cDNA micro array analysis followed by Northern and Western blot analysis revealed that PI3 kinase and MAP kinase signaling pathways might be inhibited by IFN-alpha 2a. Blocking the function of IFN-alpha receptor with a specific peptide could eliminate the inhibitory effects of IFN-alpha 2a on VEGF expression. In addition, wortmannin and PD098059, respective inhibitors of the PI3 kinase and the MAP kinase signaling pathways, when used independently or in combination, could also down-regulate the VEGF synthesis and secretion in a similar pattern of IFN-alpha 2a. These observations may lead to the conclusion that IFN-alpha 2a could suppress VEGF synthesis and secretion by down-regulating HIF-1 alpha expression, via inhibition of the PI3 kinase and/or the MAP kinase signaling pathways.

Bio-ceramic filter(BF) and moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) were used for biological pretreatment of Yellow River water in this study. The BF only had slight advantage over MBBR for TOC and ammonia removal. However, like UV254, the average removal rate of THMFP in the BF was much higher than that in the MBBR. UV254 removal did not show obvious correlation with trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) removal. Hexachlorocyclohexane could be effectively removed in both BF and MBBR. As for diatom and cyanobateria removal the MBBR had better performance than the BF, which was contrary to the average chlorophyll-a ( Chl-a) removal rate. The proposal was made in this study that biological flocculation and sedimentation of sloughed biofilm should play a more important role on algae removal in the MBBR than in the BF. The BF and MBBR could effectively remove microcystins. Moreover, MBBR could be a promising technology for biological pretreatment.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of ceftriaxone and that of cefoperazone plus sulbactam (sulperazon) in controlling infection, in scavenging bacteria from bile, and in their costs when treating acute suppurative cholangitis with choledochostomy., Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the ceftriaxone group (R-group, n=95) and sulperazon group (S-group, n=95). Before choledochostomy, both groups received one intravenous dose of the corresponding antibiotics: and 2 g ceftriaxnoe for the R-group, 2 g sulperazon, containing 1 g cefoperazone and 1 g sulbactam, for the S-group. After the operation, the patients in the R-group received ceftriaxone 2 g i.v. q.d.; the patients in the S-group received sulperazon 2 g i.v. b.i.d.. In addition, all patients in both groups received metronidazole 0.5 g daily before and after the operation. The efficacy was evaluated by efficiency in controlling infection and the persisting days of symptoms due to infection, fever and leukocytosis; the persisting days was compared using the life table method to calculate the "cumulative probability of persistence of symptoms (CPPS)". The two groups were also compared in regards to their biliary bacterial clearance rates and the costs directly attributable to the antibiotics., Results: The efficiency in controlling infection was 98.9% (94/95) in both groups. However, the CPPS of the R-group decreased more rapidly than that of the S-group, Log-Rankchi2=6.7901, P=0.0092. Biliary bacterial clearance rate on post-operative day 3 was 72.0% (36/50) for the R-group, 41.3% (19/46) for the S-group, P=0.0037. Cost directly attributable to the antibiotics were (1788.29 +/- 518.46) yuan (RMB) for the R-group, and (3768.74 +/- 820.55) yuan for the S-group, F=395.51, P=0.0000., Conclusion: Both ceftriaxone and sulperazon are effective in treating acute suppurative cholangitis when used before and after choledochostomy. Ceftriaxone is superior in expediting symptom relief and bacterial clearance from bile, and is more cost-effective.

A lot of experimental findings have confirmed that: Animal cells acquire a spherical shape just before the division; Under biochemical stimulus of mitotic apparatus aster the cells form a contractile ring in equator plane, and the mother cell divides into two daughter cells; meanwhile the total volume keeps constant. In Zinemanas and Nir's model the reorientation of microfilament and the visco-elasticity of cortex have been took into consideration. In our present work, the effective coefficient m due to biochemical stimulus was incorporated into the model, and the local distribution C was modified to diffuse with the plasma membrane motion. The numerical results showed that the formation of a contractile ring and parameters such as the surface tension in the furrow and internal pressure can be predicted successfully. Compared with Zinemanas and Nir's model, the results of our model are more correspondent with the experimental results. It can be concluded that the effective coefficient m has limited effects on the process control of cytokinesis.

Objective: To investigate the kinetics of quinoline biodegradation by Burkholderia pickttii, a gram negative rod-shaped aerobe, isolated in our laboratory., Methods: HPLC (Hewlett-Packard model 5050 with an UV detector) was used for the analysis of quinoline concentration. GC/MS method was used to identify the intermediate metabolites of quinoline degradation., Results: The biodegradation of quinoline was inhibited by quinoline at a high concentration, and the degradation process could be described by the Haldane model. The kinetic parameters based on Haldane substrate inhibition were evaluated. The values were vmax = 0.44 h(-1), K(S) = 166.7 mg/L, Ki = 650 mg/L, respectively. The quinoline concentration to avoid substrate inhibition was inferred theoretically and determined to be 329 mg/L., Conclusion: The biodegradation of quinoline conforms to the Haldane inhibition model and the main intermediate metabolite of quinoline biodegradation is 2-hydroxy-quinoline.

Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in China and, due to the limited efficacy of currently available therapies, is responsible for a large number of deaths. IFN-alpha therapy has shown promise in the treatment of various forms of human cancer and is considered in the treatment of HCC. Previous results from our group showed that high doses of IFN-alpha exert a significant antiproliferative effect on MHCC97 human xenografts in nude mice, but not on MHCC97 cells when tested in vitro. Here we present experiments designed to characterize the molecular mechanism underlying the defective response of MHCC97 cells to IFN-alpha. Elucidation of the mechanism underlying the defective response of MHCC97 to IFN-alpha may help to explain and possibly to overcome clinical failures of this form of tumor therapy., Methods: IFN-alpha(2a) was administered between 3,000 and 10,000 IU/ml, a range strongly inhibiting proliferation in other cell lines. Gene expression profiles of MHCC97 cells were obtained before and after treatment with IFN-alpha(2a) using cDNA microarray analysis. The transcriptional activity of relevant genes responding to IFN-alpha(2a) in the cDNA microarray experiments was confirmed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis. Transient transfection with an expression vector was used to restore p48-ISGFgamma (IRF9) protein levels. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay., Results: Although IFN-alpha treatment caused the activation of several signal transduction pathways in MHCC97 cells, the lack of an antiproliferative effect was found to mainly derive from a defect in the activation of the transcription factor ISGF3 required for Jak/STATS signaling. We show that the defect in ISGF3 activation is mainly caused by the absence of one of its essential components, the protein p48-ISGFgamma from MHCC97 cells. Indeed, transient expression of p48-ISGFgamma restores sensitivity to IFN-alpha(2a). Although the mRNA levels of p48-ISGFgamma were normal in MHCC97 cells, mutations could be detected in the gene coding for the protein. We hypothesize, therefore, that these mutations alter the message or protein stability, leading to the reduced protein levels observed., Conclusion: Our results confirm the important role of Jak/STATS signaling in the antiproliferative effects of IFN-alpha in tumor cells and indicate that defects in ISGF3 can cause resistance to IFN-alpha(2a) treatment., (Copyright (c) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of microbial degradation of aniline by a stable bacterial consortium., Methods: The bacterial consortium was isolated from activated sludge treating chemical wastewater using aniline as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen by enrichment and isolation technique. The biomass was measured as optical density (OD) at 510 nm using a spectrophotometer. Aniline concentrations were determined by spectrophotometer. The intermediates of aniline degradation were identified by GC/MS method., Results: The bacterial consortium could grow at a range of aniline concentrations between 50 and 500 mg/L. The optimal pH and temperature for aniline degradation were determined to be 7.0 and 30, respectively. The presence of NH4NO3 as an additional nitrogen source (100-500 mg/L) had no adverse effect on bacterial growth and aniline degradation. The presence of heavy metal ions, such as Co2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Mn2+ and Cu2+ had an inhibitory effect on aniline degradation., Conclusions: The isolated bacterial consortium can degrade aniline up to 500 mg/L effectively and tolerate some heavy metal ions that commonly exist in chemical wastewater. It has a potential to be applied in the practical treatment of aniline-containing wastewater.

Aim: To detect the content of monocyte chemotactic peptide-1(MCP-1) and to investigate the role of MCP-1 in acute renal graft rejection., Methods: Urinary MCP-1 level was detected by avidin biotin complex(ABC)ELISA., Results: Urinary MCP-1 levels in renal function stable renal transplantation of recipients and control group were (416+/-21) microg/L and (408+/-11) microg/L, respectively. Urinary MCP-1 level in renal transplantation recipients with acute rejection was (1195+/-58) microg/L, which was notably higher than that in control group and renal function stable recipients (P<0.01). After anti-rejection treatment, urinary MCP-1 level decreased markedly in patients who responded to treatment., Conclusion: The urinary MCP-1 level is correlated closely with acute renal graft rejection and its increase may indicate ongoing acute renal rejection. Detection of urinary MCP-1 level may contribute to early diagnosis and prognostic judgement of acute graft rejection.

Objective: The survival rate of cadaveric renal transplant in children has been improved following the development of transplantation technology and the application of immunosuppressive agents. In this study, the prognosis of renal transplantation, operative procedure and immunosuppressive agents administration in 21 children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were analyzed., Methods: From January 1985 to December 2001, 21 patients (9 males and 12 females with a mean age of 14 +/- 2 yr, mean body weight of 33.4 kg and mean height of 136.5 cm) received renal transplantation because of ESRD were enrolled in the study. The patients with an average GFR of 8.28 ml/min were managed with dialysis for 13.4 months in average pro-transplantation. All cadaveric kidneys were from adults, which included 1 donor with one HLA mismatch, 3 with two mismatches, 5 with three mismatches and 4 with four mismatches. All transplantations were performed with anastomoses of the adults' renal artery and vein to the children's iliac externa artery and iliac externa vein. Biological inducement therapy was given in 4 cases. At the first 3 - 5 days post-transplantation, methylprednisolone was administered [7 mg/(kg.d)]. All patients received baseline diploid or triple immunosuppression therapy of cyclosporin A [6 - 8 mg/(kg.d)] or FK506 [0.18 - 0.25 mg/(kg.d)], mycophenolate mofetil [MMF 10 - 15 mg/(kg.d)] or azathioprine [1 - 3 mg/(kg.d)] and prednisone [0.4 - 0.6 mg/(kg.d)]. High-dose methylprednisolone [10 mg/(kg.d)] was administered to control the acute rejection., Results: The renal function of patients was restored 5.6 days in average after transplantations. The 1st, 3rd and 5th year survival rates of recipient/graft were 95.2%/95.2%, 86.7%/73.3% and 72.7%/63.6%, respectively. One case had super-acute renal rejection, 5 cases had acute rejection, 3 cases had delayed graft function and 3 patients died. The longest survival time was 12 years. The major complications included hypertension (47.6%), diabetes (19.4%), infection (19.4%) and drug-induced hepatic injury (14.2%). Catch-up growth was seen in most of the pediatric recipients., Conclusion: Renal transplantation is the most ideal method to treat children with ESRD, and the growth of the pediatric patients will be improved after transplantation. Adult donor kidneys adapt to the school age patient. And the protocol of immunosuppressive therapy (prednisone plus MMF and FK506) should be applied.

Objective: To construct a recombinant vector that expresses anti-CD 3/anti-prostate-cancer bispecific single-chain antibody (BsAb), and study its biological activities and clinical significance., Methods: An anti-CD 3/anti-prostate-cancer BsAb was constructed by PCR and molecular biological technique of DNA cloning. The fusion gene, confirmed by sequencing, was subcloned into the pSectag2-B plasmid from the pUC18 vector by digestion with EcoR I and Hind III restriction endonucleases, whose sites exist in both the vectors. Then the recombinant plasmid was transfected into HeLa cells. The expression products in the supernatant were analyzed by both SDS-PAGE and Western blot technique, then were purified with Ni(2+)-NTA superflow affinity chromatography. Its biological activities were examined by flow cytometry (FCM)., Results: A fragment of 1.5 kb was inserted into the pUC18 vector, which was sequenced and verified to be identical with that designed. The expression of anti-CD 3 x anti-prostate-cancer BsAb yielded a soluble protein with an apparent molecular mass of 61 KD. The purification rate of the expressed BsAb was up to 90.537% and the yield of purified BsAb from this procedure was 0.09 mg/ml. The positive binding rates of BsAb to PBMC and to PC-3 cell were 54.1% and 53.7% respectively., Conclusion: The anti-CD 3 x anti-prostate-cancer BsAb thus constructed exhibits beneficial biological activities and may play an important role in the treatment of prostate cancer.

The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) on inhibition of metastasis and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nude mice bearing human HCC xenografts with high metastatic potential (LCI-D20) underwent curative resection of tumors on postimplant day 11. IFN-alpha was begun the next day at different dosages given subcutaneously for 35 consecutive days; normal saline solution was injected into the control mice. The mice were killed 48 hours after the final treatment, and the parameters were evaluated. The HCC intrahepatic recurrence rate, the size of the recurrent lesions, the rate of lung metastasis, the serum vascular endothelial growth factor level, and the microvessel density (immunohistochemistry) were as follows: 100%, 2136+/-794 mm(3)(mean+/-standard deviation), 100%, 265.7+/-154.7 pg/ml, and 144+/-37/HP, respectively, in the control mice, whereas these same values were 62.5%, 89+/-45 mm(3), 12.5%, 53.3+/-9.9 pg/ml, and 86+/-25/HP, respectively, in the IFN-alpha 1.5 x 10(7)U/kg treatment group (P<0.05) and 26.7%, 46+/-21 mm(3), 0%, 65.2+/-17.9 pg/ml, and 39+/-14/HP in the IFN-alpha 3 x 10(7)U/kg treatment group, respectively (P<0.05). However, a significant difference was not found in the serum levels of basic fibroblast growth factor among the control and IFN-alpha treatment groups. IFN-alpha inhibits metastasis and recurrence of human HCC after curative resection in nude mice mediated by antiangiogenesis through downregulating expression of vascular endothelial growth factor but not basic fibroblast growth factor.

Objective: To compare the biodegradation of di-n-methyl pathalate by free and immobilized microbial cells., Methods: The enrichment and isolation technique was used to isolate the microorganism. The PAV-entrapment method was utilized to immobilize the microorganisms. The scanning electron microscophy (SEM) was used to observe the growth and distribution of microbial cells immobilized inside the PVA bead gels. The GC/MS method was used to identify the main intermediates of DMP degradation., Results: The microbial cells could grow quite well in PVA gel. The metabolic pathway did not change before and after immobilization of the microbial cells. The degradation rate of immobilized cells was higher than that of free cells., Conclusion: The immobilized microbial cells possess advantages than free cells when applied to the biodegradation of toxic organic pollutants.

A concise quantitative model that incorporates information on both environmental temperature (T) and molecular structures, for logarithm of octanol-air partition coefficient (K(OA)) to base 10 (logK(OA)) of PCDDs, was developed. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis together with 14 quantum chemical descriptors were used to develop the quantitative relationships between structures, environmental temperatures and properties (QRSETP) model. It has been validated that the obtained QRSETP model can be used to predict logK(OA) of other PCDDs. Molecular size, environmental temperature (T), q+ (the most positive net atomic charge on hydrogen or chlorine atoms in PCDD molecules) and E(LUMO) (the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) are main factors governing logK(OA) of PCDD/Fs under study. The intermolecular dispersive interactions and thus the size of the molecules play a leading role in governing logK(OA). The more chlorines in PCDD molecules, the greater the logK(OA) values. Increasing E(LUMO) values of the molecules leads to decreasing logK(OA) values, implying possible intermolecular interactions between the molecules under study and octanol molecules. Greater q+ values results in greater intermolecular electrostatic repulsive interactions between PCDD and octanol molecules and smaller logK(OA) values.

With the application of a genetically modified yeast, estrogen receptor-activating compounds were detected in the soot and emission gas of a wood-burning household stove. The EC50 value of 17beta-estradiol was divided by the EC50 value of soot, and the obtained relative estrogenic value for raw soot was 2.37E-5, indicating that soot was about 100,000 times less estrogenic than 17beta-estradiol. Chemical analysis revealed that alkyl phenol, benzonic acid, and PAHs represented the major constituents in the most potent fractions of the soot. Along with PAHs, other constituents might also contribute to the estrogenicity of soot.

The contamination and distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from two agricultural fields of a heavily polluted lake area in China (Ya-Er Lake) are presented. The vertical distribution pattern of total PCDD/Fs in soil cores reveals that the maximum concentration was in the layer of 20-30 cm. The concentrations in the top layer of soil at the two sites were similar (17.48 ng/kg at Site 1 and 18.10 ng/kg at Site 2), but the maximum concentration of Site 1 (120.8 ng/kg) was two times higher than that of Site 2 (64.39 ng/kg). The maximum concentration of PCDD/Fs in mud cores in rice fields (0-50 cm) at Sites 1 and 2 was in the layer of 0-10 cm. The maximum PCDD/F concentration in the top layer in mud at Site 1 (203.1 ng/kg) was higher than that at Site 2 (143.3 ng/kg). Significant correlations were found between the mud PCDD/Fs and the organic carbon content (R = 0.9743, P < 0.05 at Site 1; R = 0.9821, P < 0.05 at Site 2), the two variables being highly correlated (R = 0.9049, P < 0.05, at Site 1; R = 0.9916, P < 0.05 at Site 2). All correlation coefficients were significant at the 95% level. Concentrations were highly correlated with organic carbon, indicating that sorption to organic carbon was the dominant mechanism. Using principal component analysis, the homologue profiles of soil, mud, and plants (rice and radish) were compared. The PCDD/F patterns in plants were found not to be correlated to those in soil and mud. This suggests that atmospheric deposition may be the main source of PCDD/Fs in rice grain. However, mixed exposure involving uptake mechanisms and atmospheric deposition is considered main the source of PCDD/F pollution in radishes.

Objective: To explore the indications and the value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in perioperative phase of laparoscopic cholecystectomy., Methods: From January 1998 to April 1999, a total of 1500 consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies were analyzed. The indications for preoperative group (n=33) included elevated bilirubin level and alkaline phosphatase level, jaundice, pancreatitis, abnormal liver function, dilated bile duct and/or stones on ultrasound or CT. The indications for postoperative group (n=20) included clinical signs or symptoms as well as common bile duct stones demonstrated by intraoperative cholangiography., Results: Preoperative ERCP for 32 patients (2.1%) showed abnormalities in 12 (37%). Postoperative ERCP for 20 patients (1.3%) demonstrated abnormalities in 14 (70%). Super-selected criteria for preoperative ERCP would predict more than 66% ductal stones. Endoscopic sphincterectomy and duct stones clearance were performed in all 16 patients with documented common bile duct stones. The morbidity was confined in 2 patients with self-limited pancreatitis (3%)., Conclusions: Using super-selected criteria to select patients for preoperative ERCP can avoid unnecessary ERCP. As soon as postoperative patients have clinical signs or symptoms, endoscopic treatment should be performed.

Emissions of biomass fuel combustion in residential stove from Chinese countryside were analyzed to determine the endocrine disrupters by using recombinant yeast bioassay. The results showed that there were significant steroid modulating activities found in combustion soot of five kinds of biomass fuels, which were wood, crop residue, grass, bush and rice straw. The steroid activities in the different sub-fractions from chromatographic separation were also determined, and the results indicated that polar fraction extracted by methanol and aromatic fraction extracted by benzene had relatively high steroid activities, and aliphatic fraction almost had no activity. The GC/MS results showed that polycyclic aromatic compounds and their derivatives, substituted phenolic compounds and their derivatives, aromatic carbonyl compounds, and higher molecular weight alcohols and ketones may be the main steroid disrupters in these soots.

Composting is being widely employed in the treatment of petroleum waste. The purpose of this study was to find the optimum control parameters for petroleum waste in-vessel composting. Various physical and chemical parameters were monitored to evaluate their influence on the microbial communities present in composting. The CO2 evolution and the number of microorganisms were measured as the activity of composting. The results demonstrated that the optimum temperature, pH and moisture content were 56.5-59.5 degrees C, 7.0-8.5 and 55%-60%, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the removal efficiency of petroleum hydrocarbon reached 83.29% after 30 days composting.

The sediment of Ya-Er Lake had been heavily polluted by polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from the former chloralkali industry. The total amounts of PCDD/Fs and I-TEQ decreased along the water flow direction and also decreased from top to bottom layers of sediment cores. Sediment of Pond 1 was dominated by PCDF. especially TCDF. In contrast, in the other four ponds, PCDD dominated in all layers and octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) predominated in all of the homologues. When homologue profiles from sediments and water samples were compared using principal component analysis (PCA), the first two principal components represented 95.2% of the variance in the data. The first component explained 75.9% of the variance and the second one 19.3%. Two clusters were most distinct, presenting a shift in PCDD/Fs composition from PCDF to heptachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (HpCDD) and OCDD in sediments and water from Pond I to Ponds 2-5. The pattern variation between Pond I and Ponds 2-5 in Ya-Er Lake was most likely due to the change of process in the chemical plant after the dams between the ponds were built. The results of the present study also showed that log Koc of PCDD/Fs calculated from data of sediment and water in the field were comparable with theoretical log Koc. The results also implied that the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in water and sediments could be predicted from each other by log Koc.