Correlation between Clinicopathology and Expression of Heat Shock Protein 72 and Glycoprotein 96 in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) and glycoprotein 96 (gp96) are highly expressed in cancer tissues. Recent studies indicate the possible roles of HSP72 and gp96 in the development and progression of gastrointestinal carcinomas but detailed information is still ambiguous. We investigated the correlation between clinicopathology and expression of HSP72 and gp96 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The expression of HSP72 and gp96 was studied in 120 human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas with or without metastasis as well as in mucous membrane adjacent to cancers by way of immunohistochemistry. HSP72 immunoreactivities were detected in 112 of 120 primary tumors (93.3%) and in 30 of 120 mucous membranes adjacent to cancers (25.0%). Gp96 detected in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and inmucous membrane adjacent to cancer was 85.0% and 20.0%, respectively. Both HSP72 and gp96 stained in cytoplasm. HSP72 and gp96 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas withmetastasis was significantly higher than those with nonmetastasis (P < .05). The results indicate that there exists a significant correlation between the expression of HSP72 and gp96 and the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. HSP72 and gp96 expression were significantly associated with the presence of tumor infiltration, lymph node, and remote metastasis

Multiple roles of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid against proliferation diseases

Considerable arguments remain regarding the diverse biological activities of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). One of the most interesting but controversial dietary approaches focused on the diverse function of dihomo-dietary γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) in anti-inflammation and anti-proliferation diseases, especially for cancers. This strategy is based on the ability of DGLA to interfere in cellular lipid metabolism and eicosanoid (cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase) biosynthesis. Subsequently, DGLA can be further converted by inflammatory cells to 15-(S)-hydroxy-8,11,13-eicosatrienoic acid and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). This is noteworthy because these compounds possess both anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. PGE1 could also induce growth inhibition and differentiation of cancer cells. Although the mechanism of DGLA has not yet been elucidated, it is significant to anticipate the antitumor potential benefits from DGLA

Determinants of change in subtropical tree diameter growth with ontogenetic stage

We evaluated the degree to which relative growth rate (RGR) of saplings and large trees is related to seven functional traits that describe physiological behavior and soil environmental factors related to topography and fertility for 57 subtropical tree species in Dinghushan, China. The mean values of functional traits and soil environmental factors for each species that were related to RGR varied with ontogenetic stage. Sapling RGR showed greater relationships with functional traits than large-tree RGR, whereas large-tree RGR was more associated with soil environment than was sapling RGR. The strongest single predictors of RGR were wood density for saplings and slope aspect for large trees. The stepwise regression model for large trees accounted for a larger proportion of variability (R 2 = 0.95) in RGR than the model for saplings (R 2 = 0.55). Functional diversity analysis revealed that the process of habitat filtering likely contributes to the substantial changes in regulation of RGR as communities transition from saplings to large trees. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Curcumin induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by decreasing the expression of STAT3/VEGF/HIF-1α signaling

Curcumin is the most abundant derivative of turmeric rhizome. Although studies have proved that curcumin could inhibit the growth of tumors, its specific molecular mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aims to systematically elaborate the mechanisms of curcumin against hepatocellular carcinoma. The anti-tumor effect of curcumin was determined by the cell viability test. Flow cytometry was applied to examine the cell cycle and the apoptosis of cancer cells, and the cancer cell migration was detected by wound healing experiments. The expressions of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in cancer cells were examined by immunostaining and analyzed by the Image J analysis system. After treatment with curcumin, the apoptosis ratio of HepG2 cells increased significantly (P < 0.05). The proliferation of cancer cells was arrested at the S-phase cell cycle, and the migration of cancer cells was inhibited by the increasing concentration of curcumin, together with the decreasing expressions of STAT3, VEGF, and HIF-1α signaling pathways. The results indicate that curcumin could effectively inhibit the growth and migration of hepatocarcinoma cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis, blocking the cancer cell cycle in the S phase, and reducing the expression of STAT3, VEGF, and HIF-1α signaling pathways

Electrocatalytically Active Graphene supported MMo Carbides (M=Ni, Co) for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Graphene-supported NiMo and CoMo carbides with monodisperse feature were prepared and their electrocatalytic activity toward for the ORR was investigated. The NiMo carbide/G and CoMo carbide/G are found to be different in main carbide species (i.e., MoC and Mo2C, respectively) and in carbide particle size distribution. The ORR tests revealed that CoMo carbide/G exhibit better electrocatalytic performance than NiMo carbide/G in terms of on-set potential, limiting current density and durability. Our present results may open new way for the synthesis of molybdenum carbides, and also suggested that strategies for tuning the molybdenum carbide species within bi-metallic carbides may lead to further enhancements in ORR activity.MOE (Min. of Education, S’pore

Prognosis influence of additional chromosome abnormalities in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia with t(15;17)(q24;q21)

ABSTRACTObjectives In patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), additional chromosomal abnormalities (ACAs) are prognostic indicators. However, the clinical features of ACAs were not systematically reported in Chinese patients. Therefore, we enrolled a large cohort of APLs to demonstrate the clinical characteristics and prognostic value of ACAs.Methods 268 patients with newly diagnosed APL with t(15;17)(q24;q21) were retrospectively enrolled, and their clinical characteristics and the predictive value of ACAs were assessed between patients with the presence and absence of ACAs.Results APL patients with and without ACAs did not differ significantly in their clinical features or treatment response and clinical outcomes like overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). It appeared to be substantially associated with worse OS in APL patients with trisomy 8, which was the most common ACA, although DFS was unaffected. Interestingly, the presence of ACAs or trisomy 8 affected OS and DFS in the subgroup of patients aged ≥60 years; by contrast, ACAs had no effect on OS or DFS in any treatment subgroup (ATRA + ATO/RIF or ATRA + ATO/RIF + CH or ATRA + CH), except for the ATRA + ATO/RIF + CH treatment subgroup, where their impact on DFS was less favorable.Conclusions Our results suggested that OS and DFS were unaffected by ACAs. Nonetheless, in the subgroup of patients older than 60, the existence of ACAs or trisomy 8 appeared to impact OS and DFS negatively. Individuals with t(15;17) alone had a higher DFS and were more susceptible to ATRA + ATO/RIF + CH than individuals with t(15;17) ACAs

Three dimensionals α-Fe2O3/polypyrrole (Ppy) nanoarray as anode for micro lithium ion batteries

Three dimensional, self-supported α-Fe2O3/Ppy composite electrode with enhanced specific areal capacity and rate performance was successfully fabricated by a simple, low-cost, two-steps process consisting of direct heating of iron foil in air and subsequent coating of conducting polymer Ppy on the α-Fe2O3 nanoflakes. By using α-Fe2O3/Ppy as the anode materials with iron foil as the current collector, the unique structure affords a highly conductive pathway for electron, a short diffusion length for ions, a fast mass transport channel for electrolyte, and sufficient void space for accommodating large volume variations during Li intercalation/diintercalation for Li-ion battery. A relatively high specific capacity of 0.42 mA h/cm2 can be achieved at 0.1 mA/cm2 even after 100 charge/discharge cycles, with a plateau potential of 1 V and nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency, suggesting the feasibility to use this unique 3D nanostructured hybrid composite for microbattery in both small and large scale applications