Synthetic pyrethroid (SP) insecticides are chiral compounds with multiple asymmetric positions. Several recent studies have focused on the effect of enantioselectivity of SPs in acute aquatic toxicity, endocrine-disrupting activities, and immunotoxicity. However, the relevant molecular mechanisms are still unknown. The potential relationship between ecotoxicological effects and oxidative stress could contribute to SP-induced enantioselective cytotoxicity, but this requires further investigation. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in enantiomer-specific permethrin (PM)-induced cytotoxicity in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. The study demonstrated that PM induced enantioselective oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation production of malondialdehyde (MDA) were obviously increased, whereas the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT]) and glutathione (GSH) content had declined after exposure in 1R-trans-PM at a concentration of 30 mg/L. Meanwhile, the result of the cytotoxicity assay showed a clear, dose-dependent growth-inhibition effect of PM in an enantioselective manner. The most toxic effect on PC12 cells was shown by 1R-trans-PM and was approximately 1.6 times higher than that with 1S-cis-PM, which exhibited only a slightly toxic effect at a concentration of 20 mg/L. These results suggested that PM exhibited significant enantioselectivity in oxidative stress, which may be one of the initial events in PM-induced enantioselective cytotoxicity. The present study also improved understanding of enantiomer-specific, SP-induced cytotoxicity. The enantioselectivity should be taken into consideration when assessing ecological effects and development of new chiral pesticides. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:683-690. (c) 2009 SETAC.

Sucrose synthase catalyzes the reaction sucrose + UDP --> UDP-glucose + fructose, the first step in the conversion of sucrose to starch in endosperm. Previous studies identified two tissue-specific, yet functionally redundant, sucrose synthase (SUS) genes, Sus1 and Sus2. In the present study, the wheat Sus2 orthologous gene (TaSus2) series was isolated and mapped on chromosomes 2A, 2B, and 2D. Based on sequencing in 61 wheat accessions, three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in TaSus2-2B. These formed two haplotypes (Hap-H and Hap-L), but no diversity was found in either TaSus2-2A or TaSus2-2D. Based on the sequences of the two haplotypes, we developed a co-dominant marker, TaSus2-2B ( tgw ), which amplified 423 or 381-bp fragments in different wheat accessions. TaSus2-2B ( tgw ) was located between markers Xbarc102.2 and Xbarc91 on chromosome 2BS in a RIL population from Xiaoyan 54 x Jing 411. Association analysis suggested that the two haplotypes were significantly associated with 1,000 grain weight (TGW) in 89 modern wheat varieties in the Chinese mini-core collection. Mean TGW difference between the two haplotypes over three cropping seasons was 4.26 g (varying from 3.71 to 4.94 g). Comparative genomics analysis detected major kernel weight QTLs not only in the chromosome region containing TaSus2-2B (tgw), but also in the collinear regions of TaSus2 on rice chromosome 7 and maize chromosome 9. The preferred Hap-H haplotype for high TGW underwent very strong positive selection in Chinese wheat breeding, but not in Europe. The geographic distribution of Hap-H was perhaps determined by both latitude and the intensity of selection in wheat breeding.

In this work, we synthesized alpha-Fe(2)O(3)@SnO(2) core-shell structure nanotubes by a facile two-step hydrothermal method for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides. The core-shell structure nanotubes were found to have outer diameters of 90-110 nm, thicknesses of 30 nm, and lengths of 260-280 nm. SnO(2) nanoparticles with an average crystallite size of around 5 nm form a layer of about 10 nm on both walls of the alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanotubes. To demonstrate their ability for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides, we applied alpha-Fe(2)O(3)@SnO(2) nanotubes to the isolation and enrichment of the phosphopeptides from standard protein digestion and real samples. The enriched peptides were analyzed by MALDI-MS and LC-ESI MS. Experiment results demonstrate that SnO(2) coated alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanotubes show excellent potential for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides.

Second primary tumor (SPT) and/or recurrence negatively impact the prognosis of patients with curatively treated early-stage head and neck cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNA) play important roles in cancer development. We explored whether the variations of miRNA-related pathway were associated with the risk of SPT/Recurrence in patients with early-stage head and neck cancer. This study includes 150 early-stage head and neck cancer patients with SPT/Recurrence and 300 patients without SPT/Recurrence. 235 tagging and potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped from eight miRNA biogenesis pathway genes and 135 miRNA targeted genes. 18 miRNA-related SNPs were significantly associated with the risk of SPT/Recurrence. The most significant SNP was rs3747238, a miRNA binding site SNP in SMC1B. The variant-containing genotypes of this SNP was associated with a 1.74-fold increased risk (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-2.54; P=0.004). Cumulative effect analysis showed joint effects for the number of unfavorable genotype in patients. Survival tree analysis further identified the high-order gene-gene interactions and categorized the study subjects into low, medium and high risk groups. Patients in the high-risk group had a 4.84-fold increased risk (95% CI, 3.11-7.51; P=2.45x10(-12)) and a shorter event-free median survival time (MST) of 37.9 months (log rank P=2.28 x 10(-13)). Our results suggested that miRNA-related genetic polymorphisms may be used individually and jointly to predict the risk of SPT/Recurrence of early-stage head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in the role of dietary factors in both the development and behaviour of prostate cancer. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of the dietary factor lycopene on DNA synthesis, activity and expression of the androgen receptor gene element in prostate LnCaP cells and to report our pilot phase II study investigating its effect on prostate-specific antigen velocity over one year. METHODS: LnCaP cells were grown with or without different concentrations of lycopene or tetrahydrofuran (THF solvent) added to the culture medium for 48 hours. DNA synthesis was measured by the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) into DNA during a 4-hour pulse, followed by immunostaining and visualization of stained cells using fluorescence microscopy. A transient transfection of a plasmid DNA recombinant containing an androgen receptor element-luciferase (ARE-Luc) report gene into LnCaP cells was developed and the impact of different concentrations of lycopene on the androgen receptor element was reflected by quantitative analysis of the luciferase enzyme function. Expression of the androgen gene was also studied by Western blotting. The phase II pilot study patients (n = 41) previously diagnosed with prostate cancer were enrolled and given lycopene supplement, 10 mg per day, and response was measured by observing changes in the plasma prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. RESULTS: The addition of 0.5 micromol/L, 5 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L and 15 micromol/L of lycopene was shown to inhibit cell growth by 2.66%, 4.29%, 3.73% and 13.66%, respectively, compared with the THF solvent control samples (P = 0.015). As compared with the RPMI1640 medium group, cell proliferation in the presence of 5 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L, and 15 micromol/L lycopene was inhibited by 8.12%, 6.33% and 12.00%, respectively (P = 0.024). We showed for the first time that lycopene inhibited the activity of the androgen receptor gene element in a dose-related manner. Inhibition was seen in the transcription of the luciferase construct and confirmed by androgen receptor element expression assayed by Western blotting. Regression slopes of (log) PSA vs. time decreased in 26/37 (70%, 95%CI 53% - 84%) of the patients after supplementation and in eight cases (21%) the post-treatment slope was negative. For these eight patients, the average fall in PSA was equivalent to 2% over 28 days (i.e. an average slope/d of -0.000 713). The Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed an overall statistically significant decrease in slope (P = 0.0007). Analysis of the PSA doubling time (pretreatment vs. posttreatment) showed a median increase after supplementation for 174 days; however, this was not statistically significant (P = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene as an antioxidant dietary factor could significantly inhibit DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent pattern; the result revealed lycopene might inhibit androgen receptor gene element activity and expression. Dietary lycopene may play an important role in prostate cancer cell proliferation and further supports a large randomized study into the role of lycopene supplementation in malignant prostate disease.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered to be the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The involvement of an abnormal menstrual cycle in the etiology of PCOS remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the characteristics of abnormal menstrual cycles and their association with PCOS in community and hospital patient populations. METHODS: Women with PCOS identified from 2111 permanent female residents in the community of Beijing and 506 outpatients obtained from the reproductive clinic of Peking University Third Hospital were recruited for this study, comprising the PCOS community group and the PCOS hospital group, respectively. Each group was further divided into four subgroups according to the length of menstrual cycles: < 21 days; 21 - 34 days; 35 - 60 days; and > 60 days. Women in each group were interviewed using a questionnaire to assess factors including age, age of menarche, menstrual cycle history, related family history, and modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mF-G) score. All women received transvaginal ultrasound scan and had fasting blood samples taken for endocrine evaluation. A two-tailed P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In the community population, the prevalence of abnormal menstrual cycle was 27.19% (574/2111). The prevalence of PCOS in the community was 6.11% (129/2111) according to Rotterdam criteria. In the community group, the most common menstrual cycle length was 35 - 60 days, whereas for the hospital group, it was > 60 days. In both the community and hospital groups, the most common phenotype of PCOS was that of Oligo/amenorrhea+PCO+ hyperandrogenism (HA) (O+P+H) (P = 0.000). With increasing cycle length of 35 - 60 days to > 60 days, the percentages of Oligo/amenorrhea+PCO (O+P) and O+P+H were found to significantly decrease in the community group and significantly increase in the hospital group (P = 0.000 for each). In the hospital group, as the menstrual cycle length increased from 35 - 60 days to > 60 days, the rate of spontaneous abortion increased significantly (P = 0.000), meanwhile the rate of poorly-secreted endometrium and abnormal endometrial hyperplasia increased significantly (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PCOS in the Beijing community of women was 6.11%. Oligo/amenorrhea was the most common type of abnormal menstrual cycle and may be an indicator for PCOS and endometrial lesions. Gynecologists should seek relevant medical information from women in the community to promptly diagnose PCOS and then follow up patients for potential development of subsequent complications.

BACKGROUND: Few reports have evaluated the efficacy of re-operation for relapse after initial surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct thrombosis (BDT). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of initial surgery and subsequent re-operation for HCC with BDT, and their effects on prognosis. METHODS: The clinical data of 880 patients with HCC, including 28 patients with BDT, who underwent radical hepatectomy between 1998 and 2008 in our hospital, were reviewed. The effects of BDT and re-operation on prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 89.3%, 46.4% and 21.4%, respectively, in 28 patients with BDT versus 91.4%, 52.9% and 20.9% in 852 patients without BDT (P > 0.05). Six patients with BDT underwent re-operation after disease relapse, and their survival time was significantly longer than those who did not undergo re-operation (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that portal vein invasion and tumor size were independently associated with tumor relapse and prognosis (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis and multivariate analyses showed that obstructive jaundice was not significantly correlated with tumor relapse or prognosis (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatectomy plus BDT removal is an effective treatment option for HCC with BDT. Obstructive jaundice is not a contraindication for surgery. Re-operation after relapse can provide good outcomes if the cases are appropriately selected.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if factors associated with dissected lymph nodes affect the outcome of completely resected stage II (T1-2N1) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Clinical data of 121 patients with complete resection of stage II NSCLC in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer center from January 1998 to December 2004 were reviewed retrospectively and the effect of factors of dissected lymph nodes on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of NSCLC was analyzed. RESULTS: The univariate analysis demonstrated that the total number of removed lymph nodes, the number of involved N1 lymph nodes, the ratio of involved N1 lymph nodes and the total number of removed N2 lymph nodes were significant prognostic factors for OS. In the multivariate analysis, the total number of removed lymph nodes and the number of involved N1 lymph nodes were independent prognostic factors for OS. In both of univariate and multivariate analyses, tumor size, the total number of removed lymph nodes and the number of involved N1 lymph nodes were independent prognostic factors for DFS. CONCLUSION: For patients with completely resectable stage II NSCLC, 10 or more lymph nodes should be removed at the surgical resection. Total number of removed lymph nodes >/= 10 is a favorable prognostic factor and involved N1 >/= 3 is an adverse one.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of different cervical cancer screening algorithms suitable for different regions, and promote the prevention and control of cervical cancer in China. METHODS: Using the data of a cross-sectional comparative trial of multiple techniques to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in Xiangyuan County, Shanxi Province, conducted in 1999, to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of different cervical cancer screening algorithms. All the women were screened by six screening tests, including liquid based cytology (LBC), fluorescence spectroscopy, visual inspection with 5% acetic acid staining (VIA), colposcopy, self-sampled HPV DNA and clinician-sampled HPV DNA test, and each woman had histopathological diagnosis. Different screening algorithms were developed by combining the screening tests in parallel or in serial, and the performance indexes of the algorithms such as sensitivity, specificity, colposcopy referral rate and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for detecting the high grade lesions (>/= CIN 2) were compared. RESULTS: Among the algorithms combined by LBC and HPV DNA testing, for the combination in parallel (either cytology was greater than ASC-US or HPV positives), its sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 68.6%, and colposcopy referral rate was 34.4%; for the algorithm of LBC as primary screening test, with ASC-US women triage by HPV DNA testing, its sensitivity was 93.0%, specificity was 89.9%, and colposcopy referral rate was 13.7%; for the algorithm of HPV DNA testing as the primary screening test, with HPV positive women triage by LBC, its sensitivity was 91.7%, specificity was 93.0%, and colposcopy referral rate was 10.6%. ROC analysis showed that LBC primary testing followed by HPV triage and HPV primary testing followed by LBC triage were much better than the combination in parallel (P = 0.0003, P = 0.0002). Among the algorithms with LBC or HPV DNA testing solely as primary screening test, the sensitivity, specificity and colposcopy referral rate of LBC were 94.2%, 77.3%, 25.7% and 87.2%, 93.5%, 10.0%, respectively, for cutoff by ASC-US or by LSIL; the sensitivity, specificity and colposcopy referral rate of HPV DNA testing were 97.6%, 84.8%, 18.8% and 83.5%, 85.9%, 17.1%, respectively, for clinician-sampled and self-sampled. Clinician-sampled HPV DNA testing was better than LBC cutoff by ASC-US or self-sampled HPV DNA testing (P = 0.005, P = 0.002). Among the algorithms combined by VIA and HPV DNA testing, the sensitivity, specificity and colposcopy referral rate were 70.9%, 74.3% and 27.6% for VIA alone as primary screening test; the sensitivity, specificity and colposcopy referral rate were 65.9%, 95.2% and 7.4% for HPV as primary screening test with HPV positive women triage by VIA. HPV primary testing followed by VIA triage was better than VIA alone (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Considering the health-resource settings and women's preference, both HPV primary testing followed by LBC triage and LBC primary testing followed by HPV triage are suitable for developed regions, moderately developed regions may choose either LBC or HPV as the screening approach, VIA is a suitable primary screening test in less developed regions, and HPV primary testing followed by VIA triage will be more effective if low cost HPV test is available in the future.

This was a cross-sectional study to investigate the epidemiology of metabolic syndrome and the distribution of inter-related metabolic abnormalities in different population groups in Guangdong, southern China. Individuals were recruited according to the percentage of different occupational populations in southern China. The study cohort included 1206 subjects, and the prevalence and distribution of the components of metabolic syndrome were assessed using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III 2005 criteria. The unadjusted rate of metabolic syndrome was 26.7%, and the prevalences of hypertension and diabetes were 38.0% and 4.3% respectively. Hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, elevated blood glucose and elevated blood pressure decreased significantly with increasing levels of life stress and anxiety. The prevalence of hypertension and metabolic syndrome in southern China is very high, and early identification and treatment of at-risk individuals may help target intervention to improve future cardiovascular health.

Summary The bacterial Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for CO(2)-reductive acetogenesis is important for the nutritional mutualism occurring between wood-feeding insects and their hindgut microbiota. A key step in this pathway is the reduction of CO(2) to formate, catalysed by the enzyme formate dehydrogenase (FDH). Putative selenocysteine- (Sec) and cysteine- (Cys) containing paralogues of hydrogenase-linked FDH (FDH(H)) have been identified in the termite gut acetogenic spirochete, Treponema primitia, but knowledge of their relevance in the termite gut environment remains limited. In this study, we designed degenerate PCR primers for FDH(H) genes (fdhF) and assessed fdhF diversity in insect gut bacterial isolates and the gut microbial communities of termites and cockroaches. The insects examined herein represent three wood-feeding termite families, Termopsidae, Kalotermitidae and Rhinotermitidae (phylogenetically 'lower' termite taxa); the wood-feeding roach family Cryptocercidae (the sister taxon to termites); and the omnivorous roach family Blattidae. Sec and Cys FDH(H) variants were identified in every wood-feeding insect but not the omnivorous roach. Of 68 novel alleles obtained from inventories, 66 affiliated phylogenetically with enzymes from T. primitia. These formed two subclades (37 and 29 phylotypes) almost completely comprised of Sec-containing and Cys-containing enzymes respectively. A gut cDNA inventory showed transcription of both variants in the termite Zootermopsis nevadensis (family Termopsidae). The gene patterns suggest that FDH(H )enzymes are important for the CO(2)-reductive metabolism of uncultured acetogenic treponemes and imply that the availability of selenium, a trace element, shaped microbial gene content in the last common ancestor of dictyopteran, wood-feeding insects, and continues to shape it to this day.

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) can promote sclerosis in many kidney diseases by enhancing the synthesis of collagens. However, the mechanisms of down-stream intracellular signal transduction in TGF-beta1-induced collagen synthesis is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the mechanisms and the cross-talk between the MAPK and Smad2 pathways. We found that U0126, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2, and SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38, down-regulated the TGF-beta1-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 at both linker and C-terminal sites in rat mesangial cells. Whereas, SP600125, a specific inhibitor of JNK, only down-regulated the phosphorylation of Smad2 at the C-terminal sites, but had little effect on the phosphorylation of Smad2 at linker sites. However, all three MAPK inhibitors reduced collagen IV synthesis induced by TGF-beta1. Furthermore, TGF-beta1 induced the phosphorylation of Smad2 at both the linker and C-terminal sites. Transient transfection of a dominant negative Smad2 construct significantly decreased TGF-beta1-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and expression of collagen IV, but did not decrease the phosphorylation of p38. These findings demonstrate that there is cross-talk between the MAPK (ERK1/2, JNK, p38) and Smad2 pathways, and that the cross-talk interacts mutually to enhance the synthesis of collagen IV in rat mesangial cells.

The present study sought to investigate the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on the development of glomerular hypertrophy and type IV collagen accumulation, two early lesions associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN). By treating streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice with low-dose UA (0.01% in food) for three months, the diabetes-induced glomerular hypertrophy and type IV collagen accumulation in the kidneys were found to be markedly ameliorated. Further studies identified that UA treatment suppressed diabetes-induced activations of STAT-3, ERK1/2 and JNK pathways, but not the diabetes-induced activation of the p38 pathway. Furthermore, diabetes-induced overexpression of iNOS in the renal cortex was also significantly suppressed by the treatment. UA may thus be considered as a potential therapeutic agent in treating DN.

Previous studies have shown that histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) can kill cancer cells. In addition, HDACis can induce mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells due to insufficient localization of chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) to the centromere. However, the mechanisms behind these phenomena remain unclear. In this study, we found that a HDACi, FK228, affected multiple epigenetic modification characteristics of the centromere, including enhanced acetylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), decreased trimethylation of H3K9, and decreased phosphorylation of histone H3 serine 10 (H3S10) and centromere protein A (CENP-A). These epigenetic changes implied that H3K9 hyperacetylation inhibits the CPC recruitment, induces impaired centromere assembly and function, and eventually leads to aberrant mitosis. These data suggested that hypoacetylation of histone in the pericentromere is the most important landmark for recruiting CPC and leading to the mitotic catastrophe in HDACi-induced killing of cancer cells.

The previous studies in our laboratory revealed that seven cysteine mutants of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) have different structural features and biological activities in vitro and in vivo. To investigate the potential cardioprotective effects of apolipoprotein A-I(N74C) (apoA-I(N74C)), we examined the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic effects of this cysteine mutant in a rapid atherosclerosis model induced by perivascular carotid collar placement in apoE-/- mice. Lipid-free apoA-I(N74C) showed a significant increased antioxidant potency in low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in vitro and reduced intracellular lipid accumulation in THP-1 derived macrophages, relative to wide-type apoA-I (apoA-Iwt). Mice injected with recombinant HDL (rHDL) reconstituted with apoA-I(N74C) (named as rHDL74) through tail veins (40 mg/kg of body weight, three injections) had a significant lower level of serum interleukin-6 and enhanced serum antioxidation when compared with mice receiving rHDL reconstituted with apoA-Iwt (named as rHDLwt). Moreover, compared to rHDLwt, rHDL74 in vivo injection resulted in a significant decrease in the plaque size, the ratio of aorta intima to media, arterial remodeling and macrophages content in the lesions. In summary, intravenous injection with rHDL74 reconstituted with apoA-I cysteine mutant apoA-I (N74C) dramatically delays the development of atherosclerosis induced by perivascular carotid collar placement and reduces vascular remodeling in the carotid artery in apoE-/- mice.

p21 activated kinases (PAKs) are a family of serine/ threonine kinases that regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and cell motility. PAKs are subdivided into Group I (PAKs 1-3) and Group 2 (PAKs 4-6) on the basis of structural and functional characteristics. Based on prior gene expression data that predicted enhanced PAK signaling in the invasive fronts of aggressive papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs), we hypothesized that PAKs functionally regulate thyroid cancer cell motility and are activated in PTC invasive fronts. We examined PAK isoform expression in six human thyroid cancer cell lines (BCPAP, KTC1, TPC1, FTC133, C643, and SW1746) by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. All cell lines expressed PAKs 1-4 and 6 mRNA and PAKs 1-4 protein; PAK6 protein was variably expressed. Samples from normal and malignant thyroid tissues also expressed PAK1-4 and 6 mRNA; Transfection with the Group I (PAKs 1-3) PAK-specific p21 inhibitory domain (PID) molecular inhibitor reduced transwell filter migration by ~ 50% without altering viability in all cell lines (p<0.05). BCPAP and FTC133 cells were transfected with PAK 1, 2 or 3-specific siRNA; only PAK1 siRNA reduced migration significantly for both cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis of seven invasive PTCs demonstrated an increase in PAK1 and pPAK immunoactivity in the invasive fronts versus the tumor center. In conclusion, PAK isoforms are expressed in human thyroid tissues and cell lines. PAK1 regulates thyroid cancer cell motility, and PAK1 and pPAK levels are increased in PTC invasive fronts. These data implicate PAKs as regulators of thyroid cancer invasion.

In this study, the effects of biological treatment prior to alkaline/oxidative (A/O) pretreatment using three white-rot fungi (Ganoderma lucidum, Trametes versicolor and Echinodontium taxodii) were evaluated for the enzymatic hydrolysis of corn straw. Among these fungi, Echinodontium taxodii significantly enhanced the efficiency of chemical pretreatment. Subsequent to treatment of corn straw with Echinodontium taxodii for 15days, the straw was subjected to digestion by 0.0016% NaOH and 3% H(2)O(2) at room temperature for 24h, which increased the reducing sugar yield by 50.7%. The hydrolysis model and kinetic parameters were determined from time course data collected throughout the hydrolysis. The initial hydrolysis rate, V(0), of the corn straw increased by 68.5% compared to A/O pretreatment alone, which resulted from an increase in the initial adsorption. The lignin content of the corn straw decreased more significantly after biological and A/O pretreatment than after A/O pretreatment alone. After 72h of enzymatic hydrolysis, the adsorbed cellulase decreased by 24.8% (from 3.67 to 2.76mgml(-1)) compared to A/O pretreatment alone. These results indicate that biological treatment improves the desorption of cellulase by enhancing delignification during A/O pretreatment.

We investigated an environmentally friendly leaching process for the recovery of cobalt and lithium from the cathode active materials of spent lithium-ion batteries. The easily degradable organic acid DL-malic acid (C(4)H(5)O(6)) was used as a leaching reagent. The structural, morphology of the cathode materials before and after leaching were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The amount of Co and Li present in the leachate was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Conditions for achieving a recovery of more than 90 wt.% Co and nearly 100 wt.% Li were determined experimentally by varying the concentrations of leachant, time and temperature of the reaction as well as the initial solid-to-liquid ratio. We found that hydrogen peroxide in a DL-malic acid solution is an effective reducing agent because it enhances the leaching efficiency. Leaching with 1.5M DL-malic acid, 2.0 vol.% hydrogen peroxide and a S:L of 20gL(-1) in a batch extractor results in a highly efficient recovery of the metals within 40min at 90 degrees C.

Implantation of marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is the most promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), especially because of their potential for clinical application, such as the avoidance of immunologic rejection, their strong secretory properties, and their plasticity for developing into neural cells. However, the recovery from SCI after MSC implantation is minimal due to their limited capacity for the reduction of cystic cavititation, for the axonal regeneration and their uncertain neural plasticity in the spinal cord. We previously pretreated MSCs with all-trans retinoic acid (RA) in vitro. Then we genetically modified them to overexpress neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) via a recombinant adenoviral vector (Adv). This combined treatment not only permitted more neuronal differentiation of MSCs, but stimulated more NT-3 secretion prior to grafting, according to our previous and present results. When these cells were implanted into the transected spinal cord of rats, the animals had some improvement (both functionally and structurally), including the recovery of hindlimb locomotor function, shown by the highest Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores, as well as dramatically reduced cavity volume, clear axonal regeneration and more neuronal survival. In contrast, simple MSC implantation is not a very effective therapy for spinal transection. However, the neuronal differentiation of MSCs after treatment with a combination of Adv-mediated NT-3 gene transfer and RA was only mildly improved in vivo.