Proteomic profiling of fetal esophageal epithelium, esophageal cancer, and tumor-adjacent esophageal epithelium and immunohistochemical characterization of a representative differential protein, PRX6

AIM To understand the molecular mechanism of esophageal cancer development and provide molecular markers for screening high-risk populations and early diagnosis. METHODS Two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry were adopted to screen differentially expressed proteins in nine cases of fetal esophageal epithelium, eight cases of esophageal cancer, and eight cases of tumor-adjacent normal esophageal epithelium collected from fetuses of different gestational age, or esophageal cancer patients from a high-risk area of esophageal cancer in China. Immunohistochemistry(avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase complex method) was used to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin(PRX)6 in 91 cases of esophageal cancer, tumoradjacent normal esophageal tissue, basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ, as well as 65 cases of esophageal epithelium from fetuses at a gestational age of 3-9 mo.RESULTS After peptide mass fingerprint analysis and search of protein databases, 21 differential proteins were identified; some of which represent a protein isoform. Varying degrees of expression of PRX6 protein, which was localized mainly in the cytoplasm, were detected in adult and fetal normal esophageal tissues, precancerous lesions, and esophageal cancer. With the progression of esophageal lesions, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend(P < 0.05). In fetal epithelium from fetuses at gestational age 3-6 mo, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend with age(P < 0.05). PRX6 protein expression was significantly higher in well-differentiated esophageal cancer tissues than in poorly differentiated esophageal cancer tissues(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION Development and progression of esophageal cancer result from interactions of genetic changes(accumulation or superposition). PRX6 protein is associated with fetal esophageal development and cancer differentiation.

Phosphorus removal by adsorbent based on poly-aluminum chloride sludge

Phosphorus adsorption tests were carried out using poly-aluminum chloride sludge(PACS),which was collected from a water treatment plant in Nanjing.The amount of phosphorus adsorbed by PACS increased quickly within the first hour and reached equilibrium after about 48 h.The adsorption behavior of PACS for phosphorus is consistent with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation(R2>0.99)and parallel first-order kinetic equation(R2>0.98).With the increase of the PACS concentration,the adsorption capacity of PACS for phosphorus decreased,and the removal rate increased.The results of batch tests showed that the adsorption capacities of PACS for phosphorus ranged from 1.64 to 1.13 mg/g when the pH value varied from 4 to 10.However,the adsorption capacity of PACS was not evidently influenced by temperature.In comparison with the ion exchange resin,the adsorption capacity of PACS was barely inhibited by competitive ions,such as SO2
4,NO
3,and Cl
.The PACS surface after adsorption became smooth,and the vibration peaks of AleO and AleOH shifted.Both HCl and NaOH have a strong desorption effect on PACS after adsorption saturation,and with higher concentrations of HCl and NaOH,the desorption effect was stronger.Results of column adsorption experiments showed that with lower phosphorus and hydraulic loads,the adsorption column took longer to reach saturation.This indicated that PACS could be used as an efficient material for removal of phosphorus from water.This study provides a new treatment method with PACS.

Mineralogical characterization and comprehensive utilization of micro-fine tantalum–niobium ores from Songzi

The mineralogical characteristics of tantalumniobium ores from Songzi were investigated using mineral liberation analyzer （MLA） and chemical analysis. In particular, the chemical composition, phase composition, particle size, and dissemination characteristics of the ores were studied in detail. Results show that Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 have grades of 0.013 % and 0.011%, respectively. The main valuable minerals in the ores are tantalite, col- umbite, tantalum-niobite, and microlite, and the gangue minerals associated with tantalum-niobium minerals mainly include quartz, kaolinite, illite, feldspar, and mica among others. The minerals are embedded in a complex manner. Tantalum-niobium minerals with most particle sizes of -0.040 mm are disseminated in minerals, such as mica, illite, quartz, and partially intergrown with topaz and zircon, where they could not be easily liberated. Thus, the ores are classified as low-grade, micro-fine, and refractory tantalum-niobium ores. Based on this consideration, the process of classification-gravity concentration-magnetic separation-middlings regrinding and gravity concentration are finally determined and satisfactory indices are obtained. Two rough concentrates are produced： Concentrate I has Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 grades of 7.0292 % and 3.546 %, respectively, as well as recovery of 49.42 % and 35.46 %. By comparison, Concentrate Ⅱ has Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 grades of 7.0292 % and 3.546 %, respectively, as well as recovery of 49.42 % and 35.46 %.