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Treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has exhibited a poor overall survival rate of only six to ten months, and the urgency of the development of more effective novel agents is ever present. In this line of research, we aimed to investigate the effects and inhibitive mechanisms of aqueous Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract (OGE), the extract of Ocimum gratissimum, which is commonly used as a therapeutic herb for its numerous pharmacological properties, on malignant HCC cells. Our results showed that OGE decreased the cell viability of HCC SK-Hep1 and HA22T cells in a dose-dependent manner (from 400 to 800 µg/mL), while there is little effect on Chang liver cells. Moreover, cell-cycle analysis shows increased Sub-G1 cell count in SK-Hep1 and HA22T cells which is not observed in Chang liver cells. These findings raise suspicion that the OGE-induced cell death may be mediated through proteins that regulate cell cycle and apoptosis in SK-Hep1 and HA22T cells, and further experimentation revealed that OGE treatment resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in caspase 3 and PARP expressions and in CDK4and p-ERK1/2expressions. Moreover, animal tests also exhibited decreased HCC tumor growth by OGE treatment. We therefore suggest that the inhibition of cell viability and tumor growth induced by OGE may be correlated to the alteration of apoptosis-related proteins.

Carbendazim, a widely used fungicide, exhibits reproductive and developmental toxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of androgen receptor induced by carbendazim and the antagonistic effect of flutamide. Rats were treated with carbendazim, flutamide or a combination of both to measure androgen receptor mRNA, immune activity and protein expression. Carbendazim treatment increased androgen receptor mRNA in a dose-dependent manner, while flutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, blocked the androgen receptor mRNA. Co-treatment with carbendazim and various flutamide doses decreased the androgen receptor mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, co-treatment with flutamide and various carbendazim doses increased the androgen receptor mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses showed that carbendazim increased androgen receptor activity (especially in rat testes) in a dose-dependent manner, while flutamide decreased it. Furthermore, carbendazim or flutamide treatment for 7 days increased testosterone and follicular stimulating hormone concentrations in the scrum of male rats in a dose-dependent manner, which might involve the disruption of the androgen receptor. Although we need to examine the exact mechanism of androgen receptor involved in the reproductive toxicity and endocrine-disrupting activity induced by carbendazim and its parent, benomyl, we should first discuss how to take advantage of flutamide antagonism on carbendazim-induced reproductive and endocrine-disrupting activity possibly in human. In summary, carbendazim induced androgen receptor expression in mRNA and protein levels, while flutamide antagonized this effect. This is the first report on the antagonistic effect of flutamide on the carbendazim-androgenic effect on mRNA and protein levels. The results would help to clarify the mechanism of carbendazim- and chemical-induced developmental toxicity and endocrine-disrupting activity.

Treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has exhibited a poor overall survival rate of only six to ten months, and the urgency of the development of more effective novel agents is ever present. In this line of research, we aimed to investigate the effects and inhibitive mechanisms of aqueous Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract (OGE), the extract of Ocimum gratissimum, which is commonly used as a therapeutic herb for its numerous pharmacological properties, on malignant HCC cells. Our results showed that OGE decreased the cell viability of HCC SK-Hep1 and HA22T cells in a dose-dependent manner (from 400 to 800 µg/mL), while there is little effect on Chang liver cells. Moreover, cell-cycle analysis shows increased Sub-G1 cell count in SK-Hep1 and HA22T cells which is not observed in Chang liver cells. These findings raise suspicion that the OGE-induced cell death may be mediated through proteins that regulate cell cycle and apoptosis in SK-Hep1 and HA22T cells, and further experimentation revealed that OGE treatment resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in caspase 3 and PARP expressions and in CDK4and p-ERK1/2expressions. Moreover, animal tests also exhibited decreased HCC tumor growth by OGE treatment. We therefore suggest that the inhibition of cell viability and tumor growth induced by OGE may be correlated to the alteration of apoptosis-related proteins.

Background/Aim: Exposure to occupational noise might increase the risk of hypertension. However, there is limited cohort studies to address the occupational noise exposure may change over time. Met...

Chitosan (C), alginate-crosslinked chitosan (CA), and pectin-crosslinked chitosan (CP) were covalently bonded to Ti-6Al-4V surfaces and tested for their biocompatibility. Compared to the clinically treated Ti-6Al-4V surface (Ti64), C, CA, and CP, had higher contact angles and promoted higher cell proliferation, type I collagen deposition, and mineralization after two weeks (all p

Aims This study aimed to develop a family-centered care survey for Chinese adult intensive care units and to establish the survey's psychometric properties. Background Family-centered care (FCC) is widely recognized as an ideal model of care. Few studies have explored FCC perceptions among family members of adult critical care patients in Asian countries, and no Chinese FCC measurement has been developed. Methods An English version of the 3-factor family-centered care survey for adult intensive care units (FCCS-AICU) was translated into Chinese using a modified back translation procedure. Based on the literature review, two additional concepts, information and empowerment, were added to the Chinese FCCS-AICU. The psychometric properties of the Chinese FCCS-AICU were determined with 249 family members from a medical center in Taiwan and were tested for construct and convergent validity, and internal consistency. Results Both the monolingual and bilingual equivalence tests of the English and Chinese versions of the 3-factor FCCS-AICU were supported. Exploratory factor analysis supported the 5-factor structure of the Chinese FCCS-AICU with a total explained variance of 58.34%. The Chinese FCCS-AICU was correlated with the Chinese Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. Internal consistency, determined by Cronbach's α, for the overall scale was .94. Conclusions The Chinese FCCS-AICU is a valid and reliable tool for measuring perceptions of FCC by family members of adult intensive care patients within Chinese-speaking communities.

Momentum-resolved direct and inverse photoemission spectra of the $\mathrm{K}/\mathrm{Si}\left(111\right)\ensuremath{-}(\sqrt{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{3})R30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{B}$ interface reveals the presence of strongly localized surface states. The K overlayer remains nonmetallic up to the saturation coverage. This system most likely presents the first experimental realization of a frustrated spin $1/2$ Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a two-dimensional triangular lattice.

The K/Si(111)7 × 7 and K/Si(111)(√3 × √3)R30°-B interfaces are nonmetallic at room temperature saturation coverage. In contrast, the Cs/Si(111)7 × 7 interface metallizes below saturation coverage. Possible mechanisms of electron localization in pre-metallized films will be discussed. We conclude that electron correlation effects are important in determining the electronic properties of these interfaces.

In this paper we present a detailed photoemission study of the K/Si(111)7[times]7 and K/Si(111)([radical]3 [times] [radical]3 )[ital R]30[degree]-B interfaces. Angle-resolved valence-band spectroscopy reveals the presence of an almost dispersionless interface state [ital below] [ital E][sub [ital F]]. Both interfaces are clearly nonmetallic at room-temperature saturation coverage. We critically address the issues of charge transfer and Fermi-level pinning by a detailed analysis of the K 3[ital p] and Si 2[ital p] core-level spectra. We conclude that, up to saturation coverage, correlation effects determine the electronic properties of these interfaces. Metallization occurs during the development of the second layer at cryogenic temperatures.

Photoemission studies of the K/Si(111)7×7 and K/Si(111)(√3×√3)R30°‐B interfaces show that both interfaces are semiconducting at room temperature saturation coverage. At both types of interfaces, a dispersionless K‐induced surface state is observed below the Fermi level. We argue that these interfaces are correlated systems. We provide conclusive evidence that the onset of metallization and long‐range conductivity occurs during the development of the second and third layers at cryogenic temperatures.

We present a structural model for the metal-induced Si(111)3[times]1 reconstruction. Fivefold Si rings form one-dimensional [pi]-bonded chains along [l angle]1[bar 1]0[r angle]. These chains are separated by empty channels that can accommodate 1/3 monolayer of metal atoms. We propose that the [pi]-bonded chains undergo a strong disturbance resulting in the formation of alternating dimers consistent with published scanning tunneling microscope images [K. J. Wan [ital et] [ital al]., Phys. Rev. B 46, 13 635 (1992)]. Unlike previous models, this model accounts for most experimental observations, including a large band gap and chemical passivation.

High-temperature series for two bcc lattice models which interpolate between the Gaussian (or free-field) model and the $S=\frac{1}{2}$ Ising model are analyzed by partial differential approximants. Series to order 21 in both $x\ensuremath{\propto}\frac{1}{T}$ and the interpolation parameter, $y$, yield unbiased estimates for the correction-to-scaling exponent, $\ensuremath{\theta}=0.54\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5$, and the susceptibility exponent, $\ensuremath{\gamma}=1.2385\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15$. The results are universal and agree tolerably with field-theoretic estimates and well with biased, one-variable analyses of general spin Ising models.

Derives accurate compact expressions for the high-temperature specific heats of classical (S= infinity , 3-vector) spin systems on FCC, BCC and SC lattices for pure Heisenberg, XY and Ising-like couplings, respectively. The analysis of the appropriate series expansions demonstrates the utility of inhomogeneous differential approximants and supports the estimate alpha H=-0.21+or-0.04.

Crossover near the fluctuation-induced first-order transition in superconductors is studied to first order in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=4\ensuremath{-}d$. We find that the effective exponent ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ for the susceptibility of type-II systems falls from its value for the chargeless system to the mean-field value unity well before the first-order transition occurs. Although such effects are probably unobservable in real superconductors, these calculations may have some relevance to the nematic to smectic-$A$ transition in liquid crystals.

Owing to the strong dependence of the resistivity on the dopant concentration, nonuniformity across the thickness of a sample leads to an apparent anisotropy in the resistivity (measured parallel to and perpendicular to the plane of the film). Thus the magnitude of the apparent anisotropy (for nonoriented samples) offers a convenient means for quantifying the degree of dopant nonuniformity in trans-${(\mathrm{CH})}_{x}$. This technique is used to evaluate the uniformity achieved in ${[\mathrm{CH}{(\mathrm{As}{\mathrm{F}}_{5})}_{y}]}_{x}$ by conventional vapor-phase doping as compared with the slow-doping technique developed earlier for susceptibility studies. Using samples which have been demonstrated in this manner to be uniform, we reexamine the semiconductor-metal transition. From the transport data, we find that the better the uniformity in the distribution of dopant, the more abrupt is the transition at ${y}_{c}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.002$. A generalized soliton picture, involving delocalized carriers, appears to be implied by the combination of optical, magnetic, and transport data.

The exponents γ, ν and α are estimated from susceptibility and correlation length series for the bcc double-Gaussian and Klauder models, which interpolate, as a function of y, between the pure Gaussian model (at y=0) and the pure spin 1/2 Ising model (at y=1). Single-variable analysis reveals a value, y c (for each model), at which the leading, non-analytic corrections to pure power laws vanish, in accordance with expectations based on prior partial differential approximant analysis. The Hamiltonians of the two models display quasiuniversal features at these points. The corresponding exponent estimates are γ=1.2395±0.0004, ν=0.632±0.001 and α=0.105±0.007: these imply dν−(2−α)=0.001±0.010 and hence indicate the validity of hyperscaling. Apparent violations seen in the pure Ising model are attribuate to small but significant nonanalytic corrections Nous calculons les exposants γ, ν et α a partir des developpements en serie de la longueur de correlation et de la susceptibilite magnetique dans les modeles double gaussien et de Klauder sur reseaux cubiques centres. Ces modeles interpolent en fonction d'un parametre y entre le modele gaussien pur (y=0) et le modele d'Ising de spin 1/2 (y=1). Une analyse a une variable suggere l'existence d'une valeur y c (pour chaque modele) pour laquelle la premiere correction non analytique a une pure loi de puissance s'annule. Ce resultat est en accord avec une analyse anterieure utilisant des approximants differentiels a deux variables. Les hamiltoniens des deux modeles ont des caracteristiques quasi universelles en ces points. Nous en deduisons une estimation pour les exposants critiques: γ=1,2395±0,0004, ν=0,632±0,001, α=0,105±0,007: ceci implique dν−(2−α)=0,001±0,010 et indique que l'«hyperscaling» est verifie. Des deviations apparentes observees dans le modele d'Ising pur peuvent etre attribuees a des corrections non analytiques petites, mais non negligeables

A new electrostatic method for the equilibrium properties of nonprimitive electrolyte solutions is proposed. The theory is developed in detail for a 1‐1 symmetric electrolyte composed of equal radius rigid spheres with embedded charges and dipoles. The theory is based on the following key ideas. The microscopic electrostatic equation for the ionic–polar mixture is reduced by averaging to a coupled hierarchy of effective electrostatic equations which depend, respectively, on the coordinates of 0, 1, 2, 3, etc., molecules. The first member of the hierarchy, which determines the macroscopic electrostatics in the solution, involves a salt concentration dependent dielectric constant e and a generalized Debye inverse screening length κ. These constitutive parameters are determined self‐consistently from the solutions of the second set of hierarchy equations. These are rendered tractable by a mean field closure of the hierarchy which is tantamount to assuming the constitutive parameters of the solution when one ...

Recent experiments on MnF2 (King and Rohrer, 1976, 1979) suggest Q=1.56+or-0.35 for the amplitude ratio determining how the critical lines meet at the spin-flop bicritical point, in serious disagreement with the original prediction of Q approximately=2.5>2.2 for universal Heisenberg (n=3) bicriticality. The authors report extensive two-variable series calculations using constrained partial differential approximants, which yield Q=2.34+or-0.08. In addition it is shown that the natural least-squares fitting procedures may be strongly biased even for data of high precision.

A Landau-Ginzburg free energy is presented that yields a nematic to smectic-$A$ (NA) transition, a nematic to smectic-$C$ (NC) transition, and a Lifshitz point (at the boundary between the NA and NC transitions). Fluctuation enhancements of the Frank elastic constants are calculated. For the NC transition, all three elastic constants ${K}_{1}$, ${K}_{2}$, and ${K}_{3}$ diverge as ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{2}$, where $\ensuremath{\xi}$ is the correlation length for fluctuations of the smectic order parameter. At the Lifshitz point, ${K}_{1}$ and ${K}_{2}$ diverge as $\mathrm{ln}\ensuremath{\xi}$ whereas ${K}_{3}$ diverges as $\ensuremath{\xi}$.

The critical properties of the model of a spin-glass proposed by Edwards and Anderson are studied using the renormalization group. The critical exponents are calculated in $6\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ spatial dimensions. It is argued that a tricritical point can exist where the nonordering field is the skewness of the distribution of $J$.

The question of understanding multicriticality is explained with emphasis on bicriticality and the anticipated scaling behavior. The problem Is posed of checking theoretical ideas and obtaining reliable estimates for model properties on the basis of series expansions In two variables of restricted length. Inhomogeneous partial differential approximants are defined and shown to be capable of meeting the challenge. Their principal properties are explained and techniques for their use are illustrated by application to bicritical behavior where both a crucial amplitude ratio and the full scaling function can be estimated with good precision.