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Wheat sharp eyespot is a serious disease caused by the phytopathogens Rhizoctonia cerealis and R. solani. Some species in the genus Streptomyces have been identified as potential biocontrol agents against phytopathogens. In this investigation, the physiological, biochemical, phylogenetic, and genomic characteristics of strain HU2014 indicate that it is a novel Streptomyces sp. most closely related to Streptomyces albireticuli. Strain HU2014 exhibited strong antifungal activity against R. cerealis G11 and R. solani YL-3. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry on the four extracts from the extracellular filtrate of strain HU2014 identified 10 chemical constituents in the Natural Products Atlas with high match levels (more than 90%). In an antifungal efficiency test on wheat sharp eyespot, two extracts significantly reduced the lesion areas on bean leaves infected by R. solani YL-3. The drenching of wheat in pots with spore suspension of strain HU2014 demonstrated a control efficiency of 65.1% against R. cerealis G11 (compared with 66.9% when treated by a 30% hymexazol aqueous solution). Additionally, in vitro and pot experiments demonstrated that strain HU2014 can produce indoleacetic acid, siderophores, extracellular enzymes, and solubilized phosphate, and it can promote plant growth. We conclude that strain HU2014 could be a valuable microbial resource for growth promotion of wheat and biological control of wheat sharp eyespot.

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Objective: To investigate the effect of epidural block combined with intravenous anesthesia on stress response and T lymphocyte subsets in patients with breast cancer undergoing radical mastectomy. Methods: In our hospital from July 2016 to June 2017 undergoing radical mastectomy for breast cancer of 88 patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group of 44 cases, 2 patients underwent routine preoperative preparation, and routine blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, oxygen saturation, ECG monitoring, control group with intravenous anesthesia. The observation group was treated with epidural block combined with intravenous anesthesia. 2 groups of patients before anesthesia, 30 MIM (T0), 1 h after skin incision (T1), 4 h after operation (T2), 24 h after operation (T3), 48 h after operation (T4) from peripheral venous blood were measured by interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), cortisol (Cor), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and T lymphocyte subsets (CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +), the calculation of CD4 +/CD8 + value. Results: the serum IL-8 level of T1, T2, T3 and T4 decreased gradually, were lower than at T0, and the control group at each time point had no significant difference, T1, T2, T3 group, T4 IL-8 levels lower than the control group; the 2 groups of serum IFN-γ levels T1 and T2 had no significant change, T3 and T4 increased gradually, was higher than that of T0, but no significant difference between the 2 groups of IFN-γ levels. 2 serum Cor levels peaked at T1, decreased at T2, was higher than that of T0, T3, T4 returned to T0, the observation group T1, T2 Cor level lower than the control group; the serum PRL levels of 2 groups reached a peak at T1, T2, T3 at the time of T4 decreased gradually, was higher than that of T0, T1, T2, T3 of the observation group at the PRL level is lower than the control group; the serum level of GH 2 in group T1 increased gradually, reached a peak at T2, T3 and T4 decreased gradually, was higher than that of T0, the observation group T1, T2, T3, T4, GH levels lower than the control group. 2 groups of CD3 + decreased gradually in T1, T2, were lower than T0, T3, T4 returned to T0, the observation group T1, T2 CD3 + was higher than the control group; group CD4 + decreased gradually in T1, T2, T3 and T4 were lower than control, T0 when, and the observation group CD4 + in T1, T2, T3, T4, no significant changes were observed in group T1, T2, T3, T4 and CD4 + higher than that of the control group; the 2 group CD8 + had no obvious changes in T1, T2, T3, T4; observation group CD4 +/CD8 + decreased gradually in T1, T2, were lower than T0, T3, T4 returned to T0, the observation group T1, T2 CD4 +/CD8 + was higher than the control group. Conclusion: epidural block combined with intravenous anesthesia for breast cancer radical mastectomy can effectively relieve the stress and inflammatory reaction, alleviate the immunosuppression, and help to restore the postoperative immune function.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin for treating Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods In total, 72 Chinese T2DM patients with NAFLD were divided randomly into two groups of 36 patients each group. All 72 patients were assigned to receive either sitagliptin or diet and exercise for 52 weeks between January 2013 and December 2015. The outcomes' measurements included serum levels of hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase. Results Seventy patients completed the study. Sitagliptin showed greater efficacy than the diet and exercise in decreasing the hemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose levels at weeks 13, 26, 39, and 52. In addition, no significant changes in the average aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were found during the 52-week follow-up in both the sitagliptin and the control groups. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that sitagliptin is an effective and safe treatment for patients with T2DM and NAFLD.

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Objective: To observe the effect of nasal and intravenous administrations of fentanyl in application of the diagnosis and treatment of painless gastroscopy. Methods: A total of 64 patients who were admitted in our hospital for painless gastroscopy were included in the study and randomized into the observation group and the control group with 32 cases in each group. The patients in the observation group were given nasal administration of fentanyl, while the patients in the control group were given intravenous administration of fentanyl. The dynamic changes of BP, HR, and SpO2 in the two groups were observed. A-line anesthesia depth monitor was used to monitor AAI. Propofol dosage, consultation time, bucking, and limb movement in the two groups were compared. Results: The fluctuation of BP, HR, and SpO2 during the diagnosis and treatment process in the observation group was less when compared with before treatment (P>0.05). BP was decreased, HR was slow down, and SpO2 was reduced during the diagnosis and treatment process in the control group when compared with before treatment and the observation group (P

Objective: To observe the effect of application of ropivacaine in combined with sufentanil epidural analgesia after cesarean section on the lactation and neonates. Methods: The puerpera who were underwent cesarean section with different analgesia methods were observed. The included puerpera were performed with the cesarean section under combined spinal epidural anesthesia. A total of 30 puerpera who were given ropivacaine in combined with sufentanil epidural analgesia after operation were served as the observation group, while 30 cases who were intermittently given intramuscular injection of pethidine after operation were served as the control group. The postpartum analgesic effects in the two groups were observed. The radioimmunoassay was used to detect the plasma PRL level. The postpartum colostrum time, 24 h lactation number, and NBNA scores in the two groups were compared. Results: The postoperative VAS score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P

We investigated the transdermal drug permeation enhancement properties and associated mechanisms of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seed volatile oil (SVO). Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we showed that SVO was composed primarily of allylisothiocyanate and isothiocyanatocyclopropane. Compared with azone, SVO had better penetration-enhancing effects on three model drugs (5-Fluorouracil, Osthole, and Paeonol), with each having different oil-water partition coefficients. Histopathology showed that SVO did not induce skin irritation when the concentration was lower than 2% (v/v), and it induced less irritation than azone. According to attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, SVO induced skin lipid structural disorder and increased the distance between the stratum corneum, which is beneficial to the penetration of drugs. Cellular experiments showed that SVO inhibited Ca2+-ATPase activity, increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and changed the membrane potential in HaCaT cells, which promoted drug transfer into the skin. Our findings reveal that SVO is a safe and efficient natural product that has great potential as skin penetration enhancer.

In this paper, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to analyze the micro self-vibration of aerostatic bearing with pocketed orifice type restrictor as the bearings performance is stable and it is widely used ultra-precision equipments. By using Large Eddy Simulation (LES), time-variation flow field inside the bearing is obtained. Then the pressure fluctuation characteristics is discussed because it influences the micro self-vibration of the bearing directly. Moreover, the relationship between bearing diameter, orifice diameter, air chamber diameter, air chamber depth and the micro self-vibration is researched. The results can be considered for the designing of ultra-precision aerostatic bearing with pocketed orifice type restrictor.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between the injury patterns of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) on magnetic resonance imaging in an acute first-time lateral patellar dislocation (LPD) and incidence of a second-time LPD. Materials and methods Magnetic resonance images were prospectively analyzed in 147 patients after an acute first-time LPD with identical nonoperative management. The injury patterns of MPFL in acute first-time LPDs were grouped by location and severity for the analysis of the incidence of second-time LPD in a 5-year follow-up. Independent t tests, chi-square tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed as appropriate. Results Forty-six cases (46/147, 31.3%) of second-time LPD were present at the 5-year follow-up. Fourteen (14/62, 22.6%) and 31 cases (31/80, 38.8%) were present in the partial and complete MPFL tear subgroups, respectively. Twenty-five cases (25/65, 38.5%), 11 cases (11/26, 42.3%), and 8 cases (8/47, 17%) were present in the isolated femoral-side MPFL tear (FEM), combined MPFL tear (COM), and isolated patellar-side MPFL tear (PAT) subgroups, respectively. Compared with the partial MPFL tears, complete tears showed higher incidence of a second-time LPD (p = 0.04). The time interval between the two LPDs was shorter in the complete MPFL tear subgroup (24.2 months) than in the partial tear subgroup (36.9 months, p = 0.001). Compared with the PAT subgroup, the FEM and COM subgroups showed a higher incidence of a second-time LPD (p = 0.025). The time intervals between the two LPDs were shorter in the FEM and COM subgroups (20.8 months and 19.2 months) than in the PAT subgroup (32.5 months, p = 0.049). Conclusion A complete MPFL tear, isolated femoral-side tear and combined tear in a first-time LPD predispose a second-time LPD.

PROBLEM: To investigate the immunological mechanism of low-dose mifepristone acting as a contraceptive at the level of the endometrium. METHOD OF STUDY: Endometrial explants were cultured in vitro with or without mifepristone treatment for 24 hr. Some tissues were fixed and immunostained for CD56 while other tissues were dissociated and cells analysed by three colour flow cytometry for CD3 CD56 and CD16. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Results showed a significant increase in the number of CD56(+) natural killer (NK) cells and the percentages of CD3(-) CD56(+) CD16(-) NK cell subset in the tissue treated with mifepristone while the percentage of CD3(-) CD56(+) CD16(+) NK cell subset remained unaffected. It shows that low-dose mifepristone increases the number of CD56(+) NK cells and the percentage of CD3(-) CD56(+) CD16(-) NK subset in receptive endometrium and provides new insights into the immunological mechanism of low-dose mifepristone as an anti-implantation contraceptive drug.

To explore the effective method of the prevention and treatment of procedural pain in dressing changes of burn wounds.Ninety patients of burn injury were randomized into 3 groups, 30 cases in each one. In the group A, fentanyl citrate injection was used at corresponding injury area, jiaogan (AH6a, sympathetic nerve), fei (CO14, lung), neifenmi (CO18, endocrine) on ear, 0.25 mL at each point. In the group B, fentanyl citrate injection was applied subcutaneously in the deltoid muscle, 1 mL. In the group C, 0.9% sodium chloride injection was applied subcutaneously in the deltoid muscle, 1 mL. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the analgesic effect before, during and 10 min after dressing change in the patients of the three groups separately.It was not different in VAS score before dressing change among the three groups (P0.05). Compared with that before dressing change, the pain was not significant and VAS score was not different during and after dressing change in the patients of the group A (both P0.05), but the score in the patients of the group B and C was different significantly (all P0.05). The VAS score during and after dressing change in the group A was lower than that in the group B and C (all P0.05), and the score in the group B was lower than that in the group C (P0.05).Fentanyl injection of small dose at auricular points achieves definite analgesic effect on procedural pain in dressing changes of burn wounds, superior to subcutaneous injection of fentanyl.

To explore the anesthetic effect of preemptive analgesia of frequency acupoint electrical stimulation on painless-induced abortion as well as its effect on anesthetics dosage.Ninety cases of early pregnancy who selected painless-induced abortion were randomly divided into two groups, 45 cases in each group. Frequency acupoint electrical stimulation at Ciliao (BL 32) and Shenshu (BL 23), disperse-densewave, 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency for 15 to 20 min, was applied in the group A, which was followed by intravenous anesthesia of propofol. The intravenous anesthesia of propofol was applied in the group B. The blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and SpO2 before, during and after surgery, anesthetic effect and dosage, waking time and adverse events were observed in the two groups.The BP and HR during and after the surgery in the group A were not statistically different from those before the surgery (all P0.05). The BP was reduced and HR was slowed down during the surgery in the group B, which was significantly different from those before the surgery as well as those in the group A (all P0.05). The dosage of propofol was (114. 3-+6. 1) mg in the group A. obviously less than (193.2 +/- 8.9) mg in the group B (P0.05). The waking time was (5.6 +/- 1.2) min in the group A, obviously less than (10.1 +/- 3.9) min in the group B (P0.05). As for anesthetic effect, the incidence of Grade I in the group A was more than the group B (P0.05). The adverse events, including nausea, vomiting and contractions pain in the group A were evidently less than those in the group B (all P0.05).The preemptive analgesia of frequency acupoint electrical stimulation could significantly improve anesthetic effect of painless-induced abortion, reduce dosage of anesthetics, shorten waking time of surgery and guarantee the safety of surgery.

To explore the risk factors of schistosomiasis cirrhosis esophageal varices hemorrhage.A total of 113 cases of schistosomiasis cirrhosis esophageal varices hemorrhage and 128 schistosomiasis cirrhosis esophageal varices patients without hemorrhage were selected and their relevant factors were analyzed statistically.There were significant differences between the two groups in the prothrombin time, portal vein diameter, degree of esophageal varices, and varicose vein tumor-like lesions (P0.01).The risk factors of schistosomiasis cirrhosis esophageal varices hemorrhage are the prothrombin time, portal vein diameter, degree of esophageal varices, and varicose vein tumor-like lesions.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of mesenteric lymph drainage on the acute kidney injury induced by hemorrhagic shock without resuscitation. Eighteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, shock, and drainage groups. The hemorrhagic shock model (40 mmHg, 3 h) was established in shock and drainage groups; mesenteric lymph drainage was performed from 1 h to 3 h of hypotension in the drainage group. The results showed that renal tissue damage occurred; the levels of urea, creatinine, and trypsin in the plasma as well as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), receptor of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), lactic acid (LA), and 2,3-DPG in the renal tissue were increased in the shock group after 3 h of hypotension. Mesenteric lymph drainage lessened the following: renal tissue damage; urea and trypsin concentrations in the plasma; ICAM-1, RAGE, TNF-α, MDA, and LA levels in the renal tissue. By contrast, mesenteric lymph drainage increased the 2,3-DPG level in the renal tissue. These findings indicated that mesenteric lymph drainage could relieve kidney injury caused by sustained hypotension, and its mechanisms involve the decrease in trypsin activity, suppression of inflammation, alleviation of free radical injury, and improvement of energy metabolism.

Maleic anhydride is modified by two long chain alcohol (1-hexadecanol, 1-octadecanol) to the corresponding monohexadecyl cis-butene dicarboxylate (MAH) and monooctadecyl cis-butene dicarboxylate (MAO), respectively. Then the two ternary europium complexes with the as-derived long chain monoester and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) are synthesized and characterized. Furthermore the ultra thin luminescent Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films have been prepared by using the subphase containing Eu3+ by the film-formation ability of long chain monoester, whose luminescence has been sensitized by phen. The layer structure of the LB films is demonstrated by low-angle X-ray diffraction and the AFM study reveals that the LB films are uniform and crack free, and the films mainly consist of closely packed lines or stripes. The LB films present characteristic luminescence of Eu3+, and the signal can be detected from a single layer.

To observe the clinical effect of acupoint injection with small dose of fentanyl-droperido mixed liquor at different time stages on labor analgesia, and explore its function mechanism.One hundred and fifty cases of full-term primiparas who were intended to take vaginal delivery were randomly divided into 3 groups, 50 cases in each one. The acupoint injection with fentanyl-droperido mixed liquor at different time stages was applied in the group I, where Shenshu (BL 23) was selected in active phase and Ciliao (BL 32) was selected in the 2nd stage of labor. The subcutaneous injection with fentanyl-droperido mixed liquor was adopted in group II. The group III, which was considered as a control group, was treated with subcutaneous injection of 0.9% NaCl at the same time stage as group I and II. The blood pressure, VAS score and level of norepinephrine and adrenaline were observed at different time stages.Compared before the injection, the blood pressure of group III in the active phase and 2nd stage of labor was significantly increased (P0.05), and that in group II and III was obviously higher than that in the group I (P0.05). The VAS score of group I in the active phase and 2nd stage of labor was significantly lower than that in the group II and III (P0.01). After the injection, the level of NE and E was significantly decreased (P0.05), which was lower than that in the group II and III (P0.05).The acupoint injection with small dose of fentanyl-droperido mixed liquor at different time stages has positive effect on labor analgesia, and it could significantly relieve stress reaction of parturient during the labor. Its mechanism could be related to the reduction of stress hormone in parturient.

To analyze the association between the EGFR protein level and the EGFR gene mutation status in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to explore whether the EGFR protein level is related to the efficacy and survival of the EGFR-TKI drug Gifitinib-treated patients with advanced NSCLC.Ninety-nine cases were enrolled in this study. Pathological tissue specimens and paired peripheral blood samples were collected. Exons 19 and 21 of the EGFR gene mutation were detected by direct sequencing. The concentration of plasma EGFR protein was detected by ELISA. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses of the efficacy and survival were performed using SPSS 13.0 software.The response rate (RR) and clinical benefit rate (CBR) of Gefitinib-treated patients were 51.5% and 79.8%, respectively. There were 35 (35.4%) with positive EGFR gene mutation of the 99 samples. The concentration limit of EGFR protein was 55.42 µg/L. The RR and CBR of patients with EGFR gene mutation was significantly higher than those without mutation (65.7% vs. 43.8%, P = 0.037; 94.3% vs. 71.9%, P = 0.008). The median PFS was prolonged (23 months vs. 10 months, P = 0.014). The CBR of patients with high EGFR protein expression (concentration ≥ 55.42 µg/L) was significantly higher than those with low expression (90.0% vs 64.1%, P = 0.004), and the median PFS was prolonged (21 months vs. 8 months, P = 0.016). EGFR protein level was an independent factor affecting the EGFR gene mutation status. The Correlation between EGFR gene mutation status and EGFR protein level was positive.Gefitinib is effective in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR gene mutation and high EGFR protein expression. EGFR protein level in peripheral blood may be a molecular biomarker in prediction of efficacy and survival of the Gefitinib treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC.

In this paper, the space variability of soil total phosphorus and available phosphorus at the depths of 0-12 cm ,12-20cm ,20-30cm in the Taihu Lake region of rice soil was examined by using traditional statistics with geoststistics methods. The results showed that: total phosphorus content was reduce while the depths increasd, and available phosphorus content was first increased and then decreased with the depth increased. All three soil phosphorus coefficient of variation (57.53% -85.28%) far higher than the coefficient of variation available P (42.43% -64.42%), the semi-variable function of the variance variation C0 / (C0 + C) higher than 0.25, it indicate they have middle and weak correlation space and similar distance spatial structure .

To investigate the method for preventing the postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.One hundred and twenty patients being for laparoscopic gynecologic surgery at I- II grade as American Society of anesthesiologists (ASA) were randomly divided into three groups, 40 cases in each group. Twenty minutes before the operation, the mixture of 2. 5 mg Droperidol (1 mL) and 1 mL 0. 9% sodium chloride solution was injected into the bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) in group I , and an intravenous injection with 1 mL Droperidol was used in group II , while there was no treatment carried out in group Ill'. Twenty four hours after the operation, the frequency and degree of nausea and vomiting were observed and scored according to the criteria standard.The incidence rate of nausea was 10. 0% (4/40) in group I , 57. 5% (23/40) in group II , which was significantly different from 80. 0% (32/40) in group III (P0. 01, P0. 05, respectively), while it was lower in group I than in group II (P0. 01). The incidence rate of vomiting was 7. 5% (3/40) in group I , 52. 5% (21/40) in group II , which was significantly different from 75.0% (30/40) in group III (P0.01, P0.05 respectively), while it was lower in group I than in group II (P0.01). No complication, such as obvious drowsiness, anxiety and extracorticospinal tract reaction, was observed among the three groups.Acupoint injection at Neiguan (PC 6) with a small dose of Droperidol can effectively prevent the PONV after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery without other adverse effects.

To investigate the immunological mechanism of low-dose mifepristone acting as a contraceptive at the level of the endometrium.Endometrial explants were cultured in vitro with or without mifepristone treatment for 24 hr. Some tissues were fixed and immunostained for CD56, while other tissues were dissociated and cells analysed by three colour flow cytometry for CD3, CD56 and CD16.Results showed a significant increase in the number of CD56(+) natural killer (NK) cells and the percentages of CD3(-) CD56(+) CD16(-) NK cell subset in the tissue treated with mifepristone, while the percentage of CD3(-) CD56(+) CD16(+) NK cell subset remained unaffected. It shows that low-dose mifepristone increases the number of CD56(+) NK cells and the percentage of CD3(-) CD56(+) CD16(-) NK subset in receptive endometrium and provides new insights into the immunological mechanism of low-dose mifepristone as an anti-implantation contraceptive drug.

To investigate the immunologic mechanism of low dose mifepristone as an anti-implantation contraceptive drug.Endometrial biopsies were obtained from fourteen normally cycling women during the receptive phase. Each endometrial tissue, divided into three equal parts, was assigned to three groups: control group, 65 nmol/L mifepristone group (group A) and 200 nmol/L mifepristone group (group B). Endometrial explants were cultured in vitro. The numbers of natural killer cells and the percentages of CD3- CD56+ CD16- subset and CD3- CD56+ CD16+ subset were analysed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.(1) The mean number of CD56+ NK cells in group A (148 +/- 11) and group B (150 +/- 12) were significantly higher when compared to the control group (121 +/- 7, P0.05). There was no significant difference between the two mifepristone-treated groups (P0.05). (2) The percentage of CD3- CD56+ Nk cells in group A (44 +/- 5)% and in group B (48 +/- 4)% were significantly higher when compared to the control group (35 +/- 3)% (P0.05), there was no significantly difference between the two mifepristone-treated groups (P0.05); The percentage of CD3- CD56+ CD16- subset in group A (42 +/- 5)% and in group B (45 +/- 5)% were significantly higher when compared to the control group (33 +/- 3)%, (P0.05), there was no significantly difference between the two mifepristone-treated groups (P0.05); the percentages of CD3- CD56+ CD16+ subset in three groups [(2.70 +/- 0.24)% (3.26 +/- 0.37)% and (2.33 +/- 0.29)%] were not significantly different (P0.05).Low dose mifepristones increase the number of CD56+ NK cells and the percentage of CD3- CD56+ CD16- NK subset, which might result in the disturbance of human endometrial immuno-microenvironment during receptive phase and lead to implantation failure.

To establish a model to predict the clinical response of Gefitinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).The clinical outcomes of 262 consecutive advanced NSCLC patients to oral treatment of gefitinib 250 mg daily in the past 4 years were reviewed. DNA sequencing was used to detect the mutations in the exons 18, 19, 20, and 21 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase domain in 55 patients who had enough tumor tissues.The response rate and disease control rate of gefitinib in the advanced NSCLC patients were 30.1% and 78.6% respectively. The median progression free survival and median overall survival were 6.0 and 16.0 months respectively, while the 1, 2 and 3-year survival rates of the NSCLC patients were 60.8%, 35.6%, and 18.3% respectively. The clinical response rate of the patients with EGFR mutation was 50.0%, significantly higher than that of those patients without mutation (16.1%; P = 0.009). In the majority of patients Gefitinib was well tolerated, and the common adverse effects were skin rash and diarrhea. Based on the results of our patients, we try to establish a model which may predict the response of patients by logistic multivariate regression analysis. Patients being female aged under 65, with adenocarcinoma, not smoking, taxone-unresistant and with EGFR mutation were more sensitive to gifitinib. However, COX multivariate regression analysis showed that only the age, histology, smoke status and EGFR mutation were valuable in selection of sensitive patients. So, we set up the cut-off value at 2 in the model based on these 4 factors. The response rate of the patients with 2 or more scores was 34.2%, significantly higher than that of the patients with the scores2 (9.3%, P = 0.001). The sensitivity would be doubled when the score increases by one point.A simple clinical model based on the patients' age, histology, smoking status and EGFR mutation has been established and is useful to determine the efficacy of gifitinib in NSCLC patients.

Aurora-A/BTAK/STK15 gene which encodes a centrosome-associated kinase is located on chromosome 20q13.2, a highly amplified region in various human tumors. Recent studies have demonstrated the overexpression and amplification of Aurora-A in many malignant human cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the amplification and expression of Aurora-A in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Amplification of Aurora-A was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization in 7 esophageal cancer cell lines and real-time PCR in 29 esophageal cancer samples. We detected Aurora-A expression in 7 esophageal cancer cell lines and 38 esophageal cancers samples by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot hybridization. The amplification of Aurora-A was detected in 27 of 29 (93.1%) esophageal cancer samples and 6 of 7 (85.7%) cancer cell lines. Aurora-A was overexpressed in 27 of 38 (71.1%) esophageal cancer samples and all 7 esophageal cancer cell lines. We conclude that Aurora-A is amplified and overexpressed in esophageal squamous cancer.

To detect the expression of survivin in esophageal cancer and elucidate its function in esophageal cancer.Expression of surviv in was detected in paired normal and tumor tissues from patients with esophageal cancer by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. A dominant-negative survivin (surT34A) was transfected into esophageal cancer EC9706 cells (EC9706surT34A). Colony formation and apoptosis of the parental and surT34A-transfected EC9706 cells were examined in soft agar and by flow cytometry, respectively.Survivin mRNA expression of tumor tissues was higher than normal tissues in 18/27 (66.7%) samples. The expression level of survivin mRNA in tumor tissues (2.08 +/- 1.32) was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (1.22 +/- 1.09). EC9706 surT34A cells formed fewer colonies on agar than the non-transfected ones. After serum withdrawal, EC9706surT34A had higher apoptotic ratio than control, but survivin could reduce the apoptotic ratio.Overexpression of survivin is a common eventin esophageal cancer. The dominant-negative survivin can partially inhibit the malignant phenotype of esophageal cancer.

To study the inhibitory effect of RNA interference (RNAi) on c-myc expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2.Expression vector of c-myc gene-targeting small interference RNA (siRNA) was constructed (psilencer-c-myc) and transfected into HepG2 cells by lipofectamine, and the unloaded vector was used as control (mock). The expression of c-myc mRNA and protein was identified by quantitive PCR and Western blot. Apoptosis of the transfected cells was examined by flow cytometry and immunofluorescent microscopy.After HepG2 cells were transfected with psilencer-c-myc, the expression of c-myc mRNA and protein was suppressed with an inhibition rate of 67% compared with the mock-transfected cells. Apoptosis was identified in the transfected HepG2 cells.The expression of c-myc at transcriptional and translational levels in HepG2 cells transfected with siRNA is markedly inhibited, which may be associated with the induction of apoptosis.

Although Wnt pathway plays important role in colorectal carcinogenesis, but the mechanism of this pathway in anti-apoptosis is not clear. This study is to investigate the molecular mechanism of Wnt pathway in anti-apoptosis.Survivin promoter region was constructed into luciferase reporter system (pGL3-sur1.8kb). The recombinants pGL3-sur1.8kb were cotransfected with pRL-SV40 into HCT116 cells and the activities were detected with Dual-luciferase reporter assay system. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Protein level of survivin and beta-catenin was detected by Western Blot.Survivin could be up-regulated by beta-catenin and down-regulated by TCF4DeltaN in transcriptional level. beta-catenin/TCF4 dependent apoptosis induced by indomethacin could suppress survivin transcription. Overexpression of survivin could partially recover the beta-catenin/TCF4 dependent apoptosis.Down-regulation of survivin affected by beta-catenin/TCF4 pathway plays an important role in apoptosis induced by NSAIDs indomethacin in HCT116 cells. The beta-catenin/TCF4-survivin pathway may be a potential target in treatment of colon cancer.

Introduction Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Elevated expression of c-Myc is a frequent genetic abnormality seen in this malignancy. For a better understanding of its role in maintaining the malignant phenotype, we used RNA interference (RNAi) directed against c-Myc in our study. RNAi provides a new, reliable method to investigate gene function and has the potential for gene therapy. The aim of the study was to examine the anti-tumor effects elicited by a decrease in the protein level of c-Myc by RNAi and its possible mechanism of effects in MCF-7 cells. Method A plasmid-based polymerase III promoter system was used to deliver and express short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting c-myc to reduce its expression in MCF-7 cells. Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein level of c-Myc. We assessed the effects of c-Myc silencing on tumor growth by a growth curve, by soft agar assay and by nude mice experiments in vivo. Standard fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay were used to determine apoptosis of the cells. Results Our data showed that plasmids expressing siRNA against c-myc markedly and durably reduced its expression in MCF-7 cells by up to 80%, decreased the growth rate of MCF-7 cells, inhibited colony formation in soft agar and significantly reduced tumor growth in nude mice. We also found that depletion of c-Myc in this manner promoted apoptosis of MCF-7 cells upon serum withdrawal. Conclusion c-Myc has a pivotal function in the development of breast cancer. Our data show that decreasing the c-Myc protein level in MCF-7 cells by RNAi could significantly inhibit tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, and imply the therapeutic potential of RNAi on the treatment of breast cancer by targeting overexpression oncogenes such as c-myc, and c-myc might be a potential therapeutic target for human breast cancer.

Survivin was aberrantly expressed in most cancer tissues, suggesting that survivin plays an important role in carcinogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the function and mechanism of survivin mutants in tumor cells.The site-mutant and truncated survivin mutants were transfected into HeLa cells and selected using G418. Cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry. Protein level of cyclin D1 was detected by Western blot analysis.Survivin mutant plasmid expressed in the HeLa cells successfully. The expressed protein could be detected using related antibody. Colony formation ability significantly decreased in the HeLa cells with survivin mutants compared with that in the parental HeLa cells. The HeLa cells transfected instantly with survivin mutants could undergo apoptosis automatically. Meanwhile, survivin mutants could cause an increase of multinuclear HeLa cells. The effect of survivin-N showed more effective than that of survivin T34A. Survivin-N and survivin T34A could influence the expression of cyclin D1 and reduced its protein levels of 68% and 12%, respectively.Survivin mutants can partially reverse the malignancy of HeLa cells. The reduction of cyclin D1 induced by survivin mutants may play an important role in it. Survivin may be a target gene in gene therapy of cancer.