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Elucidation of the mechanisms regulating UGT genes is of prime importance if the adverse effects of interactions between drugs primarily eliminated by glucuronidation are to be minimized, and if UGT expression is to be manipulated for therapeutic effect. The factors controlling UGT gene expression in the liver include the liver-enriched transcription factors, HNF-1alpha and HNF-4alpha, several members of the nuclear-receptor family (CAR, PXR, FXR, LXR, and PPAR), the arylhydrocarbon receptor, and transcription factors involved in stress responses (Nrf2, Maf). HNF-1alpha, in concert with the intestine-specific transcription factor, Cdx2, and Sp1 regulate UGT gene expression in the gastrointestinal tract, whereas the genes for the major androgen-glucuronidating enzymes, UGT2B15 and UGT2B17, are upregulated by estrogens in breast cell lines and downregulated by androgens in prostate-derived cells. Despite this knowledge, the complex interactions between these transcription factors and their coregulators has not been determined, and the mechanisms regulating UGT gene expression in organs and tissues, other than the liver, gastrointestinal tract, breast, and prostate, remain to be elucidated.

UDP glucuronosyltransferase 2B17 is present in the prostate, where it catalyzes the addition of glucuronic acid to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and their metabolites androsterone and androstane-3α, 17β-diol. Hence, changes in UGT2B17 gene expression may affect the capacity of the prostate to inactivate and eliminate male sex hormones. In this work, we identify a prevalent polymorphism, -155G/A, in the proximal promoter of the UGT2B17 gene. This polymorphism modulates UGT2B17 promoter activity, because luciferase-gene reporter constructs containing the -155A allele were 13-fold more active than those containing the -155G allele in prostate cancer LNCaP cells. The -155G/A polymorphism is contained within a putative binding site for the transcription factor Forkhead Box A1 (FOXA1). Using gene reporter, electromobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses, we show that FOXA1 binds to this site and stimulates the UGT2B17 promoter. Furthermore, down-regulation of FOXA1 in LNCaP cells substantially reduces UGT2B17 mRNA levels. The binding of FOXA1 and subsequent stimulation of the UGT2B17 promoter is greatly reduced in the presence of the -155G allele compared with the -155A allele. Consonant with its capacity to be stimulated by FOXA1, the UGT2B17 -155A allele, compared with the -155G allele, is associated with higher levels of circulating androstane-3α,17β-diol glucuronide. Although the initial phases of prostate cancer are androgen-dependent and UGT2B17 inactivates androgens, there was no association of the UGT2B17 -155G/A polymorphism with prostate cancer risk. In summary, this work identifies FOXA1 as an important regulator of UGT2B17 expression in prostate cancer LNCaP cells and identifies a polymorphism that alters this regulation. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B15 and 2B17 expression is up-regulated by 17beta-estradiol in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, as assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Using 5'-deletion mapping and site-directed mutagenesis, we demonstrate that 17beta-estradiol activation of UGT2B15 gene transcription is mediated by a 282-base pair fragment positioned -454 to -172 nucleotides from the translation start site. This region contains two putative activator protein-1 (AP-1) elements, one imperfect estrogen response element (ERE), and two consensus ERE half-sites. We propose that these five sites act as an estrogen response unit (ERU), because mutation in any site reduces activation of the UGT2B15 promoter by 17beta-estradiol. Despite the presence of two AP-1 elements, the UGT2B15 promoter is not responsive to the AP-1 activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Although electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) indicate that the AP-1 proteins c-Jun and Fos-related antigen 2 (Fra-2) bound to the distal AP-1 site, binding of Jun or Fos family members to the proximal AP-1 site was not detected by EMSA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed a 17beta-estradiol-induced recruitment of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha, c-Jun, and Fra-2 to the 282-bp ERU. The involvement of these three transcription factors in the stimulation of UGT2B15 gene expression by 17beta-estradiol was confirmed by siRNA silencing experiments. Mutagenesis and siRNA experiments indicate that UGT2B17 expression is also regulated by 17beta-estradiol via the ERU, which is fully conserved in both promoters. Because UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 inactivate steroid hormones by glucuronidation, the regulation of their genes by 17beta-estradiol may maintain steroid hormone homeostasis and prevent excessive estrogen signaling activity.

By using the method of fixed-pointed monitoring in streams of two small watersheds in Three Gorges Reservoir Area, the contents of dissolved silicon (DSi), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved phosphorus (DP) are analyzed. The seasonal variation, the content ratio of DSi, DIN and DP, and the potential environmental problems are also discussed. The results indicate that: (10 In the two rivers, DSi content ranges from 0.18 to 19.89 mg x L(-1), DIN from 0.39 to 6.85 mg x L(-1) , and both are higher in the dry period than in the wet period; (2) DP content is from 0.01 to 0.08 mg x L(-1), which shows no significant difference between the dry and wet period; (3) The contents of DSi and DIN in Quxi River are higher than in Baota River, which may relate with the local agricultural activities, land use/land cover, fertilizer and so on; (4) The contents of DSi, DIN and DP in two small watersheds are all higher than in Three Gorge Reservoir, and the content ratio of DSi, DIN, DP is about 138 : 81 : 1 in Baota River, and 500 : 350 : 1 in Quxi River, which suggests that more attention should be paid to a potential threat to water environment such as Water-bloom.

Ozone depletion is an important contributor to global environmental change. Satellite remote sensing provides various kinds of ozone imagery every day. As an important natural property, we investigate multifractal characteristics of global total column ozone (GTCO) images and explore their change over time with a series of month‐average GTCO images from OMTO3e. The results show that the GTCO does have a significant multifractal characteristic. Although the average fractal properties of all the time series are very similar, we find that the degrees of multifractality follow an intersting symmetry principle which presents a typical wave shape. The change of asymmetry degree is also symmetrical. It indicates that the large and small flucturations in June are comparable to each other, while in January and December the measure are domimated by low fractal exponents.

An incubation test was conducted with the paddy soil samples collected from three national long-term experiment stations in Hunan Province to study the characteristics of organic carbon mineralization under different fertilization treatments and its relationships with organic carbon fractions, i.e., total organic carbon (TOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC). The results showed that in all fertilization treatments, the cumulative amounts of CO2 and CH4 ranged from 448.64 to 1516.77 microg x g(-1) and from 15.60 to 33.34 microg x g(-1), respectively. In the 58 days of incubation, the mineralized carbon accounted for 3.59%-5.57% of TOC. The CO2 production rate was higher in the early phase of incubation, decreased rapidly then, and tended to stable afterwards; while the CH4 production rate had a slow increase first and declined rapidly then. A combined application of chemical fertilizers and manure or straw increased the cumulative amounts of CO2 and CH4 significantly. In all fertilization treatments, the cumulative mineralized C had significant correlations with TOC, MBC and WSOC, but less correlation with its percentage in TOC.

By using static chamber techniques, the N2O emission from soils under different land use patterns was measured. The results showed that the N2O flux ranged from -21 to 435 microg x m(-2) h(-1), and the annual N2O flux was decreased in the order of vegetable fieldorcharduplandupland transferred from paddy fieldwoodland, being 447.14, 313.57, 167.00, 124.875 and 7.24 mg x m(-2), respectively. The N2O flux presented significant seasonal fluctuation, with the maximum in spring and summer, followed by in autumn, and the minimum in winter, which was approximately consistent with the changes of air- and soil temperature. N2O flux had significant positive correlation with the soil temperature at 5 cm depth and soil NO3(-)-N content, but no significant correlation with soil moisture and NH4(+)-N contents.

Soil spectral reflectance is the comprehensive representation of soil physical and chemical parameters, and its study is the physical basis for soil remote sensing and provides a new way and standard for soil properties themselves' research. Soil room spectra significantly correlate with that derived from hyperspectral images. So the room spectra are very important for soil taxonomy and investigation. To seek for the feasibility of soil taxonomy on the basis of topsoil reflectance spectral characteristics, and provide the theory foundation for quick soil taxonomy based on remote sensing methods, the spectral reflectance in the visible and near infrared region (400-2 500 nm) of 248 soil samples (black soil, chernozem, meadow soil, blown soil, alluvial soil) collected from Nongan county, Jilin province was measured with a hyperspectral device in room, and the soil spectral characteristics were determined with continuum removal method, and soil spectral indices (spectral absorption area, depth and asymmetry) were computed, which were introduced into BP network models as external input variables. The models consist of three layers (input, output and hidden layer), the training function is "TRAINLM", learning function "LEARNGDM", and transferring function "TAN SIG". The results showed that: (1) There are some differences among different soils in their spectral characteristics, but with similar parental matrix and climate, the spectral differences of soils in Nongan county are not significant. So it's difficult to analyze soil spectral characteristics based on soil reflectance. (2) The curves after continuum removal strengthened soil spectral absorption characteristics, and simplified soil spectral analysis. The soil spectral curves in Nongan county mainly have five spectral absorption vales at 494, 658, 1 415, 1 913 and 2 206 nm, and the former two vales are caused by soil organic matter, Fe and mechanical composition, the latter three are due to soil moisture; the differences of the latter three vales among different soils are not apparent, and the significant differences are in the former two vales region. (3) Soil reflectance is sensitive to organic matter, soil moisture, Fe, mechanical composition, roughness, and so on. The sensitivity of soil spectral indices derived with continuum removing method is decreased. Then the models with these indices as input variables are more stable and general. As the input variables were external, the BP network model based on the former two vales' shape characteristics was better than that based on reflectance values or all five vales, the classifying accuracy of the main three soils (chernozem, meadow soil, blown soil) was bigger than 60%, and the model could be used for soil taxonomy. However, this work still needs further study, and to improve classifying accuracy, auxiliary data, such as topography, vegetation, and land use should be introduced.

In order to study the water quality and response to influencing factors in typical watersheds of Three Gorges area between 2004 and 2005, the variation characteristics of nitrate nitrogen concentration were analyzed under heterogeneous landscape condition through continuous observation with method of dividing into sub-watersheds in Quxi watershed (the first-grade branch, located in Three Gorges). The results suggested that nitrate nitrogen concentration fluctuated between 0.4 and 14.6 mg x L(-1) with the highest in winter,higher in autumn and summer and lower in spring. Discrepancy also exists in different years. In addition, nitrate nitrogen concentration shows increasing trends with the aggravating impacts of agricultural activities on environment. Moreover, nitrate nitrogen concentration had some relationships with different land use types and space layout to some extent, and was also affected by geological and hydrological characters in the sub-watersheds, which indicated that response of nitrate nitrogen concentration in water was evident to influencing factors.

CO2 fluxes from red soil under different land use (paddy, upland, woodland and orchard) were measured at Xianning city, Hubei province with closed chamber method. The results showed that the annual CO2 emission were 1129, 632, 533, and 828 g/(m2 a) for paddy, upland, woodland, and orchard respectively. Soil CO2 fluxes revealed seasonal fluctuations, with the tendency that maximum value was in summer, minimum was in winter and intermediate in spring and autumn except for paddy soil. CO2 fluxes for paddy soil were significantly higher than the other soils except it was submerged. An exponential relationship between soil CO2 fluxes and soil temperature at 5cm depth could be received. Air temperature also had significant positive correlation with soil CO2 fluxes except for paddy soil. The Q10 values were 1.51 (paddy), 1.88(orchard), 2.08(woodland), 2.7(upland) respectively based on the exponential equation between soil CO2 fluxes and soil temperature. The results indicated that there was no significant correlation between CO2 fluxes and soil moisture. In addition, DOC had the same seasonal tendency as CO2 fluxes, and it increased when soil was irrigated or rained.

Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) using metaphase chromosome spreads to screen all human chromosomes for aneuploidy in preimplantation embryos is hindered by the time required to perform the analysis. DNA microarrays manufactured to date are not able to analyze the very limited amount of genetic material in a single cell. We have developed a DNA Microarray-Comparative Genomic Hybrydization (CGH) approach, which is capable of screening all 24 human chromosomes for aneuploidy and sex chromosomal abnormalities in a single cell. This technique has a number of applications including aneuploidy detection in single fetal cells isolated noninvasively from pregnant women for prenatal diagnosis. In this chapter, we describe in detail the methodology of this technique, including preparation of a single cell sample, whole genome amplification of single cells, microarray CGH hybridization (array CGH), data analysis of array CGH, and the diagnostic criteria of aneuploidy detection. We anticipate that with further automation of part of this technique it will become a high-throughput diagnostic tool.

Using THz time-domain spectroscopy, the home-grown organic crystal DAST and widely used high-efficient ZnTe were characterized as THz emitters. Bolometer was also used to measure the absolute energy of THz radiation from DAST and ZnTe. The refractive index and absorption coefficient of DAST were measured too. It is concluded that the home-grown DAST is a kind of high-efficiency THz material, and could become a good THz emitter and detector after the improvement in growing process.

Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) using metaphase chromosome spreads to screen all human chromosomes for aneuploidy in preimplantation embryos is hindered by the time required to perform the analysis. DNA microarrays manufactured to date are not able to analyze the very limited amount of genetic material in a single cell. We have developed a DNA Microarray-Comparative Genomic Hybrydization (CGH) approach, which is capable of screening all 24 human chromosomes for aneuploidy and sex chromosomal abnormalities in a single cell. This technique has a number of applications including aneuploidy detection in single fetal cells isolated noninvasively from pregnant women for prenatal diagnosis. In this chapter, we describe in detail the methodology of this technique, including preparation of a single cell sample, whole genome amplification of single cells, microarray CGH hybridization (array CGH), data analysis of array CGH, and the diagnostic criteria of aneuploidy detection. We anticipate that with further automation of part of this technique it will become a high-throughput diagnostic tool.

AIM: To study the pathogenetic processes and the role of gene expression by microarray analyses in expediting our understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and to identify the novel cancer-associated genes. METHODS: Nine histologically defined pancreatic head adenocarcinoma specimens associated with clinical data were studied. Total RNA and mRNA were isolated and labeled by reverse transcription reaction with Cy5 and Cy3 for cDNA probe. The cDNA microarrays that represent a set of 4 096 human genes were hybridized with labeled cDNA probe and screened for molecular profiling analyses. RESULTS: Using this methodology, 184 genes were screened out for differences in gene expression level after nine couples of hybridizations. Of the 184 genes, 87 were upregulated and 97 downregulated, including 11 novel human genes. In pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue, several invasion and metastasis related genes showed their high expression levels, suggesting that poor prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma might have a solid molecular biological basis. CONCLUSION: The application of cDNA microarray technique for analysis of gene expression patterns is a powerful strategy to identify novel cancer-associated genes, and to rapidly explore their role in clinical pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Microarray profiles provide us new insights into the carcinogenesis and invasive process of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Our results suggest that a highly organized and structured process of tumor invasion exists in the pancreas.

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) is an X-linked lethal recessive disease caused by mutations in the dystrophy gene. There is no efficient treatment for this serious and disabling disease. We established a combination method to detect carriers and perform prenatal diagnosis.In our study, from 1994 to 2005, using a different combination of 5 methods, including SRY gene amplification, multiplex PCR, multiplex Fluorescence PCR capillary electrophoresis, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and linkage analysis of short tandem repeats (STR), 36 prenatal diagnosis were performed for pregnancies at risk of having a DMD/BMD baby through amniocentesis.Fourteen out of 21 male fetuses were found to be affected and respective pregnancies were terminated. A combined diagnostic rate of 83% was achieved for 30 cases with deletions, duplications, and non-deletion mutations after tested by more than one method.Using a combined method, we can diagnoses patients and carriers in DMD families, and perform prenatal diagnosis for the risk fetus. MLPA provides a simple, rapid and accurate method for deletions and duplications of all the 79 DMD exons. MLPA method for DMD diagnosis is the first report in our country.

To determine the clinicopathologic characteristics and the relationship between related gene expression and pathobiologic behavior of pancreatic mucinous noncystic adenocarcinoma.Among the 249 pancreatic carcinoma cases from the department files, 6 tumors were identified to meet the pathologic criteria of colloid carcinoma. Envision immunohistochemical staining technique was used to detect expression of p21(ras), p21(WAF1), p16, p33(ING1), p53, ATM, MDM2, PCNA, Cyclins (D1, D3, A, B and E). Intra- and extra- cellular mucin production were determined by AB-PAS staining. Clinically, all of 6 cases were followed to June, 2003.In all 6 cases, the tumors were located in the head of the pancreas and all displayed similar microscopic findings. Duodenal invasion was seen in 4 cases and perineural invasion was seen in 1 case. Tumor metastasis in the liver was seen in 2 cases and in the regional lymph nodes in 2 cases. Positive immunostaining was seen in 5 cases with p21(ras), 3 cases with p21(WAF1), 1 case with p16, 4 cases with p33(ING1), 2 cases with p53, 3 cases with ATM, 3 cases with MDM2, 6 cases with PCNA, 3 cases with cyclinA, 3 cases with cyclinD1, 4 cases with cyclinD3, 4 cases with cyclinB and 6 cases with cyclinE. Both extracellular and intracellular mucin was strongly positive for AB-PAS staining. Clinical follow-up found that 2 patients died of their tumors at 14 and 20 months. Three patients were alive after 28, 49 and 87 months of follow-up. One case were lost contact.Pancreatic mucinous noncystic adenocarcinoma has distinct morphologic features and biologic behavior. Multiple gene products including many cyclins may be involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic colloid carcinoma. The tumor has an aggressive behavior with a high frequency of invasion and metastases, though the prognosis could be better than that of ordinary ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreas.

We review optical properties of borate crystals CsLiB/sub 6/O/sub 10/, Gd/sub x/Y/sub 1-x/Ca/sub 4/O(BO/sub 3/)/sub 3/, CsB/sub 3/O/sub 5/, K/sub 2/Al/sub 2/B/sub 2/O/sub 7/, and BaAlBO/sub 3/F/sub 2/, which possess superior properties for UV light generation. The latest crystal growth and recent progress in UV light generation are also presented.

A new nonlinear optical (NLO) alumino-borate BaAlBO/sub 3/F/sub 2/ (BABF) has been discovered. BABF crystal can produce larger SHG coefficients, wide transparent region and moderate birefringence. BABF structure has some similarities with that of the NLO crystal KBe/sub 2/BO/sub 3/F/sub 2/ (KBBF) that possesses the layer structure, but the distance between the interlayers is less in BABF, and the interlayer space is sufficiently filled. The tendency to cleave along the [001] plane in BABF is thus weaker than that of KBBF. This means that BABF crystals would be relatively easier to be grown. In this work, BABF crystal has been grown for the first time using the modified middle-seeded growth (MSSG) method with NaF flux. The crystal growth conditions and growth habits have been investigated. Borates usually have a high viscosity in the high temperature solutions. In this case, the fluoride ions can reduce viscosity by breaking extended -O-B-O- chains to advantage for crystal growth when BABF is melted in the solution. Furthermore, due to the presence of Al element as one of the components of BABF lattice, like Al in K/sub 2/Al/sub 2/B/sub 2/O/sub 7/, the physical properties of borate crystal have been greatly improved. BABF crystal exhibits high chemical stability, free of moisture and hygroscopes and has very good mechanical properties. The preliminary optical characterizations have been measured. It exhibits that BABF is an excellent candidate for frequency mixing into the ultraviolet (UV). The details of this work will be presented.

The use of metaphase comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to screen all human chromosomes for aneuploidy in preim-plantation embryos is hindered by the time required to perform the analysis. We report in this paper a novel approach to manufacture a DNA microarray for CGH for the detection of aneuploidy in single cells. We spotted human chromosome-specific libraries on glass slides that were depleted of repetitive sequences and tested our array CGH method in 14 experiments using either single male and/or single female lymphocytes. For the autosomes, the mean normalized ratios were all close to the expected ratio of 1.0 with overall 300/308 (97%) of the normalized ratios falling within the range 0.75 to 1.25. It was possible to deduce the correct copy number of the X chromosome in 13/14 (92.9%) separate array CGH experiments but the Y chromosome in only 4/14 (29%). We tested our microarray CGH method on a single fibroblast from each of three cell lines containing a specific chromosome aneuploidy (trisomy 13, 15 or 18) and in each case our microarray analysis was able to obtain a diagnosis based on the fact that the aneuploid chromosome gave the highest ratio (1.32, 1.27 and 1.27 respectively) with the ratios of all other chromosomes falling within the range 0.75-1.25. Requiring just 30 h, our method may be more suitable for PGD aneuploidy screening than metaphase CGH.

To analyse the clinical features of uncinate process carcinoma of the pancreas and the diagnosis and treatment of this malignancy.Fifty-nine patients with pancreas uncinate process carcinoma treated from January 1998 to September 2002 at our hospital were analysed retrospectively.Major symptoms of these patients were upper abdominal pain accompanied with lumbar pain, body weight loss and jaundice. Thirty-seven patients received regional pancreaticoduodenectomy (RP), 16 partial resection of the superior mesenteric vein-portal vein (SMV-PV) or superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and reconstruction, 1 anhydrous alcohol injection in the celiac nerve plexus, regional chemotherapy via a chemotherapy pump, and liver biopsy, and 5 no operation. The survival of the patients after operation was 2-46 months (median 12.1 months). Eleven patients are still alive with a longest survival of 46 months. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 37.7% and 5.6%.Pancreas uncinate process carcinoma invading the adjacent SMV/SMA-PV causes difficulty in early diagnosis and poor prognosis, which are related to its location, not tumor's aggressive nature. This carcinoma has a high resection rate of 89.8%.

To prospectively evaluate the long-term effect of pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymphadenectomy.One hundred and twenty-one patients with ductal adenocarcinoma in the pancreatic head treated from 1996 to 2001 were studied prospectively. The enrollment of the patients was dependent on 7 criteria. The patients were divided into two groups: regional lymphadenectomy (group A, n = 50) and routine Whipple procedure (group B, n = 71). Their pre- and postoperative conditions, clinicopathological data, survival rates were studied.It was comparable between the 2 groups in age, sex, preoperative risk factors, operative management, and postoperative complication. Clinicopathological results showed no difference in tumor size and plexus invasion; but the frequency of lymph node involvement and the amount of resected lymph node in group A were significantly higher than those in group B. The rate of local recurrence was significantly higher in group A than in group B. The survival rates of 1-, 3-, 5-year in group A were 70.8%, 31.4%, 20.9%, respectively, which were higher than those in group B. No direct relations were observed between nodal involvement and survival rate.Lymphadenectomy in radical pancreaticoduodenectomy could remove lymph nodes effectively and sufficiently, and reduce the rate of local recurrence so as to improve the long-term survival rate.

Summary form only given. We report the first attainment of UV generation at 0.193 /spl mu/m in KAB. This was achieved by mixing the Nd:YAG laser at 1.0642 /spl mu/m with the SFG output of the RTA OPO tuned to 0.2358 /spl mu/m. The average output power we generated at 0.2358 /spl mu/m was 0.8 W at 10 KHz. Since the polarization direction of the 0.2358 /spl mu/m beam differs 45/spl deg/ from the Nd:YAG laser fundamental beam, a 45/spl deg/ polarization rotator was placed in the Nd:YAG laser beam to coincide with the polarization directions before entering the KAB crystal. The system described has been routinely operating for more than 6 months without any damage to the KAB crystal, thus demonstrating the attractiveness of this material for UV generation below 0.2 /spl mu/m.

AIM: To identify new diagnostic markers and drug targets, the gene expression profiles of pancreatic cancer were compared with that of adjacent normal tissues utilizing cDNA microarray analysis. METHODS: cDNA probes were prepared by labeling mRNA from samples of six pancreatic carcinoma tissues with Cy5-dUTP and mRNA from adjacent normal tissues with Cy3-dUTP respectively through reverse transcription. The mixed probes of each sample were then hybridized with 12800 cDNA arrays (12648 unique human cDNA sequences), and the fluorescent signals were scanned by ScanArray 3000 scanner (General Scanning, Inc.). The values of Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP on each spot were analyzed and calculated by ImaGene 3.0 software (BioDiscovery, Inc.). Differentially expressed genes were screened according to the criterion that the absolute value of natural logarithm of the ratio of Cy5-dUTP to Cy3-dUTP was greater-than 0.69. RESULTS: Among 6 samples investigated, 301 genes, which accounted for 2.38% of genes on the microarry slides, exhibited differentially expression at least in 5. There were 166 over-expressed genes including 136 having been registered in Genebank, and 135 under-expressed genes including 79 in Genebank in cancerous tissues. CONCLUSION: Microarray analysis may provide invaluable information on disease pathology, progression, resistance to treatment, and response to cellular microenvironments of pancreatic carcinoma and ultimately may lead to improving early diagnosis and discovering innovative therapeutic approaches for cancer.

We discovered and grew a new NLO crystal K/sub 2/Al/sub 2/B/sub 2/O/sub 7/ (KAB). KAB crystals were grown from high temperature solution in a five-zone vertical electric furnace by means of TSSG. Determined by 4-axis XRD, the KAB structure was similar to that of Sr/sub 2/Be/sub 2/B/sub 2/O/sub 7/ (SBBO). We measured the optical properties. It has moderate SHG coefficient and birefringence and wide transparency in the UV region.

We have discovered a new nonlinear optical BaAlBO3F2 (BABF) crystal. It has a structure similar to that of KBe2BO3F2 but can easily be grown as large crystal and does not contain toxic elements in its composition

Cinnamomin, a new type II ribosomeinactivating protein (RIP), was found to be able to induce the release of calcein loaded in lecithin small unilamellar vesicles and the fusion or aggregation of the lecithin liposomes. Such induction could be promoted several fold by a pH 5.0 environment, a condition similar to that in endocytic vesicles. Lowering the pH from 7.5 to 5.0 evoked conformational changes of cinnamomin and unmasked its hydrophobic areas, including the exposure of 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (1,8-ANS) binding sites of the molecule. Some tryptophan residues with affinity to acrylamide were demonstrated to participate in the lipidprotein interaction. The pH dependent fusogenicity of type II RIP might suggest its in vivo function as a fusogen to exert its cytotoxicity.

A new NLO crystal K2Al2B2O7 (Potassium Aluminum Borate, KAB) has been discovered. The material crystallizes in the Trigonal system with a equals 8.5669(8) Angstrom, C equals 8.467(1) Angstrom and Z equals 3, KAB possesses similar space arrangement of SBBO. KAB crystal with dimensions of 18 X 14 X 3 mm was grown by flux method. The optical properties of KAB was measured.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

pVHL, product of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene, functions as the substrate recognition component of an E3-ubiquitin ligase that targets proteins for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Hypoxia-inducible factor α (HIFα) is the well-known substrate of pVHL. Besides HIFα, pVHL also binds to many other proteins and has multiple functions. In this manuscript, we report that the nuclear clusterin (nCLU) is a target of pVHL. We found that pVHL had a direct interaction with nCLU. nCLU bound to pVHL at pVHL's β domain, the site for recognition of substrate, indicating that nCLU might be a substrate of pVHL. Interestingly, pVHL bound to nCLU but did not lead to nCLU destruction. Further studies indicated that pVHL mediated K63-linked ubiquitination of nCLU and promoted nCLU nuclear translocation. In summary, our results disclose a novel function of pVHL that mediates K63-linked ubiquitination and identify nCLU as a new target of pVHL.

Isolated metastatic melanoma of the pancreas is very rare. Currently, there is very limited experience with surgical resection of pancreatic metastasis. The potential benefit of metastasectomy can improve the quality of life and survival time of patients. We present a case of a 39-year-old Chinese male with a solitary pancreatic tumor which was considered a cystic benign lesion for years. Pathology and immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor in pancreatic tail was a metastasis from a malignant melanoma of the eyeball. No other metastastic foci were found in abdomen. The tumor was completely resected with combined distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. The patient has survived 25 mo without any signs of local recurrence or other metastatic lesions after operation, indicating that complete surgical resection of a solitary metastatic melanoma of the pancreas can prolong the survival time of patients.