ZM-66, a New Podophyllotoxin Derivative Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in K562/ADM Cells

Objective To investigate the anti-tumor effect of ZM-66 on multidrug-resistant leukemic cell line K562/ADM. Methods The K562/ADM cells were treated with varying concentrations （0, 1, 2, 4×10^-3 mmol/L） of ZM-66 or etoposide for 24 hours. The proliferation was detected by Sulforhodamine B Sodium Salt （SRB） assay and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis and fluorescent staining. In addition, the expression levels of p53 and bax genes in K562/ADM cells were detected by RT-PCR analysis. The level of P-glycoprotein （P-gp）, P53 and Bax protein in K562/ADM cells were detected by Western blot assay. Results SRB assay demonstrated that etoposide had little inhibitory effect on K562/ADM cells, whereas ZM-66 （1, 2, 4×10^-3 mmol/L） had significantly inhibitory effect on K562/ADM cells （all P〈0.01）. The acridine orange/propidium iodide dual staining showed that there were typical condensation of chromatin and nuclear fragmentation nuclei with red color in ZM-66 treated cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that there was a significantly increase of apoptotic cells i~ K562/KDM cells after treated with ZM-66. RT-PCR showed that the p53 and bax mRNA expression levels in K562/ADM cells treated with ZM-66 at 1, 2, 4×10^-3 mmol/L were higher than those in the cell without treatment. Western blot showed that the P53 and Bax protein expression levels in K562/ADM cells treated with ZM-66 at 2, 4x 10 s mmol/L were higher than those in the cell without treatment. But the P-gp protein expression level in K562/ADM cells treated with ZM-66 at 2, 4×10^-3 mmol/L was gradually lower than those in the cell without treatment. Conclusion ZM-66 is able to induce cell death by apoptosis in vitro, as a result of the reverse of theapoptosis resistance in drug-resistant K562/ADM cells by modulating expression of key factors associated with apoptosis induction.

Research on stability of a slope due to underground mining

This paper will present a detailed analysis of the deformation mechanism and stability assessment of the slope through field investigations, numerical modeling and measurements. Field investigation indicated that three thin coal seams encountered large mined-out area at one side and free surface of hill slope at the other side, which lead to the caving of roof strata movement, ground movement and crown crack along the preferred orientations of joints. The three-dimensional numeri- cal modeling study on the case demonstrated that the plasticity failure occurred gradually along with the extension of mined-out area in depth. When the depth of mining reached the verge defined by the seismic prospecting method, a large mount of tension failure occurred on the crown of the slope. The factor of safety was 1.36 calculated by the shear strength reduction technique, which indicated the slope was in stable state. The measurement showed that the residual deformation occurred before 1998 and became stable subsequently, which indicated that the residual deformation almost finished and the slope is in stable state.

A Study of Elemental Abundance Pattern of the r-II Star HD 222925

HD 222925 is a rare r-process enhanced star in the Milky Way because of its metal abundance([Fe/H]=-1.46±0.10)and Eu abundance([Eu/Fe]=1.32±0.08).Based on the very complete set of elemental abundances of HD 222925,we use the abundance decomposition method to fit the observed abundances of 58elements in the sample star,which is also the largest number of elemental abundances fitted at the same time for a fixed star.We analyze the astrophysical origins of elements in HD 222925 by its abundance ratios and component ratios.It is found that the light elements and the iron group elements in HD 222925 mainly originate from the primary process of the TypeⅡsupernovae(SNeⅡ)with the progenitor mass M>10 M_(⊙)and have no contribution from SNe Ia and the first generation of very massive stars.The contribution of the weak r-process to Ga,Ge,and As is superior to that of the other processes,and its contribution decreases linearly with increasing atomic number.The main r-process that is likely derived from a neutron star merger plays a key role in the formation of neutroncapture elements(Z≥38)in HD 222925.

Expression of IL-26 predicts prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection

Background: There is no data regarding prognostic impact of interleukin(IL)-26 on outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of IL-26 on HCC patients undergoing liver resection. Methods: From 2003 to 2008, 122 patients with HCC who received surgical curative resection were enrolled. Patients were stratified into IL-26-upper and-lower groups according to the median expression level from immunohistochemical staining of resected specimens. Prognostic impact of IL-26 was estimated using Kaplan–Meier curves. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate timedependent prognostic impact and independency of IL-26. Demographic and clinical factors that were associated with IL-26 were comprehensively identified. Results: Prognosis of the patients with high level of IL-26 revealed to be significantly unfavorable in both cumulative recurrence-free survival( P < 0.001) and overall survival( P = 0.002). Upper expression of IL-26(HR: 1.643;95% CI: 1.021 to 2.644;P = 0.041) and microvascular invasion(HR: 3.303;95% CI: 1.255 to 8.696;P = 0.016) were identified as significant independent prognostic factors for overall survival in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions: IL-26 is a novel prognostic factor for HCC after resection. Evaluation of IL-26 expression may be potentially valuable in clinical therapy when planning individualized follow-up schedule and evaluating candidates for prophylactic adjuvant treatment to prevent recurrence.

Nucleosynthesis in Advection-Dominated Accretion Flow onto a Black Hole

Nucleosynthesis in advection-dominated accretion flow （ADAF） onto a black hole is proposed to be an important role in chemical evolution around compact stars. We investigate the nucleosynthesis in ADAF relevant for a black hole of low mass, different from that of the self-similar solution. In particular, the presence of supersolar metal mass fractions of some isotopes seems to be associated with the known black hole nucleosynthesis in ADAF, which offers further evidence of diversity of the chemical enrichment.

Introgression of Resistance to Powdery Mildew Conferred by Chromosome 2R by Crossing Wheat Nullisomic 2D with Rye

Using the nulUsomic back-cross procedure, four wheat-rye chromosome substitution 2R （2D） lines with different agronomic performance, designated WR02-145-1, WR01-145-2, WR02-145-3, and WR02-145-4, were produced from a cross between 2D nullisomic wheat （Triticum aestivum L. cv. ＂Xiaoyan 6＂） and rye （Secale cereale L. cv. ＂German White＂）. The chromosomal constitution of 2n=42=21 in WR02-145 lines was confirmed by cytological and molecular cytogenetic methods. Using genomic in situ hybridization on root tip chromosome preparations, a pair of intact rye chromosomes was detected in the WR02-145 lines. PCR using chromosome-specific primers confirmed the presence of 2R chromosomes of rye in these wheat-rye lines, indicating that WR02o145 lines are disomic chromosome substitution lines 2R （2D）. The WR02-145 lines are resistant to the powdery mildew （Erysiphe graminis DC. f. sp. tritici E. Marchal） isolates prevalent in northern China and may possess gene（s） for resistance to powdery mildew, which differ from the previously identified Pm7gene located on chromosome 2RL. The newly developed ＂Xiaoyan 6＂- ＂German White＂ 2R （2D） chromosome substitution lines are genetically stable, show desirable agronomic traits, and are expected to be useful in wheat improvement.

Understanding and modifications on lithium deposition in lithium metal batteries

Lithium metal has been considered as an ultimate anode choice for next-generation secondary batteries due to its low density,superhigh theoretical specific capacity and the lowest voltage potential.Nevertheless,uncontrollable dendrite growth and consequently large volume change during stripping/plating cycles can cause unsatisfied operation efficiency and serious safety concern,restraining its commercial use for the last 40 years.As widely used lithium-ion battery is approaching its theoretical limit at present,it is increasingly urgent to develop new energy storage equipment with sufficient practical capacity.Herein,two important processes of lithium deposition,nucleation and growth on lithium metal anode are reviewed.Modified three-dimensional(3 D)porous anodes with unique structure and dynamic surface conditions,as one of the most efficient designs on dendrites suppression,are specifically discussed in terms of their beneficial adjustment on the dendrite formation.Problems on current designs and prospects on future advanced porous anode are explored in the end.

Multi-objective optimization for assigning reviewers to proposals based on social networks

Most of the literature on reviewer assignment problem(RAP)considers fitness or efficiency as the evaluation criterion of an assignment,e.g.,the degree of matching between reviewers and proposals.In this study,we consider fairness of an assignment and establish two multi-objective linear integer programming models for proposal assignment.We introduce a definition of fairness based on the closeness of social relationships between scholars.The closeness of social relationships is quantified based on social networks among reviewers and serves as part of objective functions.An improved space-partitioning algorithm is designed to solve the multi-objective models with integer objectives.When the problem size is large,two meta-heuristic algorithms are applied.Experiments on real and randomly generated cases are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed models and algorithms.

Iodine-mediated regioselective hydroxyselenenylation of alkenes:Facile access to β-hydroxy selenides

In the presence of molecular iodine, the reaction of alkenes with diselenides proceeds efficiently under air and at room temperature in mixed solvent MeCN/H2O, which affording β-hydroxy selenides with high regioselectivity and in good to excellent yields. This iodine-mediated vicinal difunctionalization of alkenes requires mild reaction conditions and is a simple procedure, which extends the synthetic application of molecular iodine in organic synthesis.