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The multi-markers combined detection can make up for the deficiency of single marker detection and significantly increase the positive detection rates of tumors. This study aimed to assess the performance of serum HER-2 extracellular domain (HER-2/neu ECD), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) in early screening and auxiliary diagnosis of breast cancer. The HER-2, CEA, and CA15-3 serum levels were measured in 164 healthy volunteers, 111 patients with benign nodules (BN), 123 with early breast cancer (EBC), and 25 with advanced breast cancer. In distinguishing health and EBC, the sensitivity and specificity of joint detection of HER-2, CEA, and CA15-3 were 96.75% and 96.95%, respectively; the accuracy was up to 96.19%, and the AUC was 0.994. In the cohort for distinguishing BN from EBC, serum HER-2, CEA, and CA15-3 sensitivities were 77.03%, 75.27%, and 48.65%, respectively. Combined with three markers, the sensitivity was increased to 84.46%, the AUC was 0.834. All in all, through the combined detection of serum HER-2, CEA and CA15-3 levels in healthy volunteers, BN and EBC, our study found that this method can significantly improve the diagnosis level of breast cancer, suggesting that the three markers panel can be used as an effective tool to improve the early screening level, early diagnosis, and clinical intervention of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four soluble sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose, and sorbitol) and five organic acids (malic, succinic, tartaric, citric, and oxalic) were studied in the fruit of 57 genotypes of Chinese dwarf cherry [Cerasus humilis (Bge.) Sok.]. The results indicated that Chinese dwarf cherry fruit was a rich source of sugars and organic acids, especially sucrose, with the highest concentration being 39.64 mg g-1 FW in genotype II D-6, and malic acid, with the highest concentration being 23.21 mg g-1 FW in genotype III B-13. The coefficients of variation based on genotype were > 40% for sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, and succinic acid concentrations, and approx. 20 - 40% for malic, tartaric, citric, and oxalic acid concentrations. Cluster analysis indicated that there were large differences between the different germplasm resources, as well as between genotypes of the same germplasm resource. Our results suggest that Chinese dwarf cherry offers a rich genetic diversity based on the soluble sugar and organic acid composition of its fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms by which LH-RH or its agonists inhibit decidua formation and terminate pregnancy in rats are not clear. Evidence so far accumulated indicates that the gonadotropic releasing hormone or its analogues may act directly on the uterus. If this is the case, then we would be able to identify LH-RH receptors in the endometrial tissue. The results presented here demonstrate that the homogenate preparation of rat endometrial tissue bound 125I-LH-RH with an affinity constant of Ka = 1.3 X 10(8) M-1. The binding capacity was measured as 236 fmole/mg protein. It was found that the binding is highly specific, because no binding was observed in a variety of non-target tissues, such as liver, kidney and muscle. Competitive binding with TRH, P substance and bradykinin did not occur under our experimental condition. It was of particular interest to note that Day 3 of pregnancy is a critical time showing a higher binding activity. The significance of work is discussed.