A Discovery of Anomozamites with Reproductive Organs

Anomozamites haifanggouensis (Kimura et al.) Zheng et Zhang comb. nov. is a characteristic Bennettitalean plant in Middle Jurassic flora. Only one specimen was collected from Haifanggou Formation (Middle Jurassic) in Daohugou village, Shantou town, Ningcheng County, Nei Mongol Autonomous Region, China. The stem of plant is slender and repeatedly branches as a dichasial system with a fertile shoot in the fork, forming equal and widely divergent branches, on the branches born with the fronds of Anomozamites type. Its reproductive organs consists of some microsporophylls and a few of the bracteoid small leaves (or receptacular leaves). Some scattered bracteoid leaves and microsporophylls were formerly considered by Pan as dicots. Since then, they were proposed to be a non-committal genus Pankuangia and described them as P. haifanggouensis by Kimura et al. In this study, we discover that these bracteoid small leaves and microsporophylls should be of Anomozamites. This discovery provides strong evidence for the 'Pankuangia' determination of the taxonomical position.

多层房屋外墙渗水的防治

外墙渗水是建筑工程质量的一种通病,它将影响建筑物的使用,严重者使砌体的整体性受到破坏,降低结构强度、刚度和稳定性。外墙渗水具有一定的普遍性,应引起足够的重视。目前有关外墙渗水防治的理论及方法较多,但仍不能根治,究其原因,外墙渗水通病的治理要以预防为主,关键在施工中严格监督,严格对砌体质量和工序质量的检查,防范以未然。

稿约

2008年,《上海房地》杂志将重点宣传党的十七大和中央经济工作会议精神,继续坚持以邓小平理论和"三个代表"重要思想为指导,深入贯彻落实科学发展观,坚持刊物的学术理论性、权威性、实践性,立足上海,面向全国,以推进"十一五"期间房地产业健康、稳定、持续发展为宗旨,努力发挥舆论导向的积极作用。为此,特向广大读者约稿,主要内容如下。

Effects of Different Flue-curing Barns on Aroma Quality of Upper Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves of K326

[Objective] This study was conducted to compare the aroma quality of up-per leaves of K326 flue-cured in different barns, and provide theoretical references for the development and optimization of bulk curing barn and the supporting tech-niques. [Method] The upper leaves of K326 were flue-cured in a commonness barn, a four-shelf bulk curing barn and a three-shelf bulk curing barn separately, and then the contents of aroma components and taste quality indices of the finished leaves were measured and compared. [Result] The contents of total aroma components, chromoplast pigment degradation products, phenylalanine aroma components and neophytadiene showed no significant differences in the leaves flue-cured in four-shelf bulk curing barn and commonness barn, but were significantly or very significantly higher than those in the leaves flue-cured in three-shelf bulk curing barn. The con-tents of carotenoid degradation products, Mail ard reaction products, cembranes aro-ma components and total aroma components （except neophytadiene） showed no significant difference among the three treatments. The results of sensory evaluation revealed that the sensory taste of the leaves flue-cured in four-shelf bulk curing barn was the best, as the finished leaves had rich, delicate aroma, comfortable and clean aftertaste. The leaves flue-cured in commonness barn was better than those flue-cured in three-shelf bulk curing barn in aroma quality, amount and aftertaste. [Conclusion] The four-shelf bulk curing barn had a large volume for tobacco leaf processing, but a similar baking environment to the commonness barn, which is conducive to the formation and accumulation of aroma components, so the finished leaves had similar appearance and quality with those flue-cured in commonness barn. The upper flue-cured leaves in three-shelf bulk curing bran had poorer quality than those flue-cured in the other two barns.

Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells induced by ethanol extracts of Solanum lyratum Thumb through the mitochondrial pathway

AIM To explore the induction effects and mechanism of Solanum lyratum Thumb(ST) on human hepatocellularcarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells through the mitochondrial pathway.METHODS The experiments were conducted on three groups: an experimental group (with ST ethanol extracts' concentration being 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/L), a negative control group (with only nutrient solution, 0 mg/L ST ethanol extracts), and a positive control group (2.5 mg/L DDP). The inhibition rate of cell proliferation was checked by using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium method, and cell apoptosis was tested by TUNEL method. Furthermore, RT-PCR was used to examine m RNA expression of Fas, Fas L, caspase-8, caspase-3, p53 and Bcl-2 genes.RESULTS Compared with the negative control group, the inhibition and apoptosis rates of the experimental group with different concentrations of ST extracts on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells significantly increased(P<0.05). Besides, the m RNA expression of Fas L and Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.05) while the m RNA expression of Fas, caspase-8, caspase-3 and p53 increased significantly. When compared with the positive control group, the experimental groups with 5 mg/L ST ethanol extracts showed effects similar to the positive control group.CONCLUSION ST ethanol extracts induced the apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells through up-regulated Fas, caspase-8, caspse-3 and p53, and down-regulated Fas L and Bcl-2 in the mitochondrial pathway.

Adipose-derived stromal cells resemble bone marrow stromal cells in hepatocyte differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo

AIM To investigate whether mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) from adipose-derived stromal cells(ADSCs) and bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs) have similar hepatic differentiation potential.METHODS Mouse ADSCs and BMSCs were isolated and cultured. Their morphological and phenotypic characteristics, as well as their multiple differentiation capacity were compared. A new culture system was established to induce ADSCs and BMSCs into functional hepatocytes. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to identify the induced hepatocytelike cells. CM-Dil-labeled ADSCs and BMSCs were then transplanted into a mouse model of CCl4-induced acute liver failure. fluorescence microscopy was used to track the transplanted MSCs. Liver function was tested by an automatic biochemistry analyzer, and liver tissue histology was observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining.RESULTS ADSCs and BMSCs shared a similar morphology and multiple differentiation capacity, as well as a similar phenotype(with expression of CD29 and CD90 and no expression of CD11 b or CD45). Morphologically, ADSCs and BMSCs became round and epithelioid following hepatic induction. These two cell types differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells with similar expression of albumin, cytokeratin 18, cytokeratin 19, alpha fetoprotein, and cytochrome P450. fluorescence microscopy revealed that both ADSCs and BMSCs were observed in the mouse liver at different time points. Compared to the control group, both the function of the injured livers and HE staining showed significant improvement in the ADSC-and BMSC-transplanted mice. There was no significant difference between the two MSC groups.CONCLUSION ADSCs share a similar hepatic differentiation capacity and therapeutic effect with BMSCs in an acute liver failure model. ADSCs may represent an ideal seed cell type for cell transplantation or a bio-artificial liver support system.

Increased CD4^+CD45RA^-FoxP3^(low) cells alter the balance between Treg and Th17 cells in colitis mice

AIM To investigate the role of regulatory T cell(Treg) subsets in the balance between Treg and T helper 17(Th17) cells in various tissues from mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis.METHODS T r e g c e l l s, T r e g c e l l s u b s e t s, T h 1 7 c e l l s, a n d CD4+CD25+FoxP 3+IL-17+ cells from the lamina propria of colon(LPC) and other ulcerative colitis(UC) mouse tissues were evaluated by flow cytometry. Forkhead box protein 3(FoxP 3), interleukin 17A(IL-17A), and RORC m RNA levels were assessed by real-time PCR, while interleukin-10(IL-10) and IL-17 A levels were detected with a Cytometric Beads Array.RESULTS In peripheral blood monocytes(PBMC), mesenteric lymphnode(MLN), lamina propria of jejunum(LPJ) and LPC from UC mice, Treg cell numbers were increased(P < 0.05), and FoxP 3 and IL-10 mR NA levels were decreased. Th17 cell numbers were also increased in PBMC and LPC, as were IL-17 A levels in PBMC, LPJ, and serum. The number of FrI subset cells(CD4+CD45RA+FoxP 3low) was increased in the spleen, MLN, LPJ, and LPC. FrI I subset cells(CD4+CD45RA-Fox P3high) were decreased among PBMC, MLN, LPJ, and LPC, but the number of Fr III cells(CD4+CD45RA-FoxP 3low) and CD4+CD25+FoxP 3+IL-17A+ cells was increased. Fox P3 m RNA levels in CD4+CD45RA-Fox P3 low cells decreased in PBMC, MLN, LPJ, and LPC in UC mice, while IL-17 A and RORC mR NA increased. In UC mice the distribution of Treg, Th17 cells, CD4+CD45RA-FoxP 3high, and CD4+CD45RA-FoxP 3low cells was higher in LPC relative to other tissues.CONCLUSION Increased numbers of CD4+CD45RA-FoxP 3low cells may cause an imbalance between Treg and Th17 cells that is mainly localized to the LPC rather than secondary lymphoid tissues.

Diagnosis of interatrial block

In the 70＇s, we classified for the first time the blocks at the atrial level into interatrial blocks （IAB）, partial and advanced, and other types of atrial blocks including the concept of atrial aberrancy, and atrial dissociation.

Bone marrow-derived monocyte infusion improves hepatic fibrosis by decreasing osteopontin,TGF-β1,IL-13 and oxidative stress

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived CD11b+CD14+ monocytes in a murine model of chronic liver damage.METHODSChronic liver damage was induced in C57BL/6 mice by administration of carbon tetrachloride and ethanol for 6 mo. Bone marrow-derived monocytes isolated by immunomagnetic separation were used for therapy. The cell transplantation effects were evaluated by morphometry, biochemical assessment, immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTSCD11b+CD14+ monocyte therapy significantly reduced liver fibrosis and increased hepatic glutathione levels. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, in addition to pro-fibrotic factors, such as IL-13, transforming growth factor-β1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 also decreased, while IL-10 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 increased in the monocyte-treated group. CD11b+CD14+ monocyte transplantation caused significant changes in the hepatic expression of α-smooth muscle actin and osteopontin.CONCLUSIONMonocyte therapy is capable of bringing about improvement of liver fibrosis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as increasing anti-fibrogenic factors.

Effect of NDC80 in human hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To investigate the role of nuclear division cycle(NDC)80in human hepatocellular carcinogenesis.METHODS NDC80 gene expression was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 47paired hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and adjacent tissues.The HCC cell line SMMC-7721 was transfected with lentivirus to silence endogenous NDC80 gene expression,which was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.The effects of NDC80silencing on SMMC-7721 cell proliferation were evaluated by Cellomics Array Scan VTI imaging.Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis were detected with flow cytometry.Colony formation was assessed by fluorescence microscopy.RESULTS NDC80 expression levels in HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in the adjacent tissues.Functional studies demonstrated that NDC80 silencing significantly reduced SMMC-7721 cell proliferation and colony formation.Knockdown of NDC80 resulted in increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at S-phase.NDC80 contributed to HCC progression by reducing apoptosis and overcoming cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSION Elevated expression of NDC80 may play a role in promoting the development of HCC.

Left atrial dysfunction in elderly patients with patent foramen ovale and atrial septal aneurysm

Objective Recently it has been suggested that, in patients with large patent foramen ovale （PFO） and atrial septal aneurysms （ASA）, a certain amount of left atrial （LA） dysfunction may be active as an alternate mechanism promoting arterial embolism. Following this hypothesis, elderly patients, being more susceptible to atrial chambers stiffness, should present a more severe LA dysfunction profile. We sought to evaluate the grade of LA dysfunction in elderly patients submitted to transcatheter PFO closure. Methods We retrospectively enrolled 28 consecutive patients with previous stroke （mean age 674-12.5 years, 18 females） referred to our centre for catheter-based PFO closure after recurrent stroke. Baseline values of LA passive and active emptying, LA conduit function, LA ejection fraction, and spontaneous echocontrast （SEC） in the LA and LA appendage were compared with those of 50 atrial fibrillation patients, as well as a sex/age/cardiac risk matched population of 70 healthy controls. Results Pre-closure elderly subjects demonstrated significantly greater reservoir function as well as passive and active emptying, with reduced conduit function and LA ejection fraction, when compared to healthy and younger patients. After closure in elderly patients, LAparameters did not return completely to the levels of healthy patients, whereas LA dysfunction in younger subjects returned normal. Conclusions This study suggests that elderly patients have more severe LA dysfunction than younger patients, which affects the LA remodelling after closure.

In vitro effects of chitosan nanoparticles on proliferation of human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC803 cells

AIM： To investigate the effects of chitosan nanoparticles on proliferation of human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC803 in vitro and the possible mechanisms involved. METHODS： Chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, and morphology. After treatment with various concentrations of chitosan nanoparticles （25, 50, 75, 100 μg/mL） at various time intervals, cell proliferation, ultrastructural changes, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP）, cell cycle phase distribution and apoptotic peaks of MGC803 cells were analyzed by MTT assay, electron microscopy, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, and flow cytometry. RESULTS： Chitosan nanoparticles exhibited a small particle size as 65 nm and a high surface charge as 52 mV. Chitosan nanoparticles markedly inhibited cell proliferation of MGC803 cells with an ICso value of 5.3 μg/mL 48 h after treatment. After treatment with chitosan nanoparticles, the typical necrotic cell morphology was observed by electron microscopy, a typical DNA degradation associated with necrosis was determined by DNA agarose electrophoresis. Flow cytometry showed the loss of MMP and occurrence of apoptosis in chitosan nanoparticles-treated cells. CONCLUSION： Chitosan nanoparticles effectively inhibit the proliferation of human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC803 in vitro through multiple mechanisms, and may be a beneficial agent against human carcinoma.

Liquid biopsy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), with its high incidence and mortality rate, is one of the most common malignant tumors. Despite recent development of a diagnostic and treatment method, the prognosis of HCC remains poor. Therefore, to provide optimal treatment for each patient with HCC, more precise and effective biomarkers are urgently needed which could facilitate a more detailed individualized decision-making during HCC treatment, including the following; risk assessment, early cancer detection, prediction of treatment or prognostic outcome. In the blood of cancer patients, accumulating evidence about circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids has suggested their potent clinical utilities as novel biomarker. This concept, so-called "liquid biopsy" is widely known as an alternative approach to cancer tissue biopsy. This method might facilitate a more sensitive diagnosis and better decision-making by obtaining genetic and epigenetic aberrations that are closely associated with cancer initiation and progression. In this article, we review recent developments based on the available literature on both circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids in cancer patients, especially focusing on Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Advanced interatrial block as a key marker for atrial fibrillation recurrence： Bayes＇ syndrome

It was not until 1979 that Bayes de Ltma described atrial conduction blocks and classified them as interatrial and intra- atrial.Interatrial blocks refer to conduction disorders lo- cated between the atria, while intraalxial blocks occur within the same atrium. This work motivated several authors, in- cluding Bayes himself, to further investigate atrial conduc- tion and interatrial block （IAB）.

ANGPTL2 expression in gastric cancer tissues and cells and its biological behavior

AIM To explore expression of angiopoietin-like protein 2(ANGpT L2) and its effect on biological behavior such as proliferation and invasiveness in gastric cancer. METHODS Western blotting was used to detect expression of ANGp TL2 in 60 human normal gastric tissues, 60 human gastric cancer tissues and gastric cell lines including GES-1, N87, SGC7901, BGC823 and pA MC82. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) and Transwell assay were used to detect the proliferation and invasive ability of gastric cancer cells. RESULTS Compared to normal tissues, ANGp TL2 protein levels were significantly upregulated in gastric tissues, and this level was closely correlated with gastric tumor grade, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis. Compared to GES-1 cells, ANGpT L2 mR NA and protein levels were significantly increased in gastric cancer cells including N87, SGC7901, BGC823 and p AMC82. The expression of ANGpT L2 in highly malignant gastric cancer cell lines BGC823 and pA MC82 was significantly higher than in low malignancy gastric cancer cell lines N87 and SGC7901. MTT and Transwell experiments indicated that the proliferation rate and invasive ability of stable overexpressed gastric cancer cells was faster than in cells transfected with Lv-NC and blank controlcells, and the invasive ability of stable overexpressed gastric cancer cells was higher than that of cells transfected with Lv-NC and blank control cells.CONCLUSION ANGp TL2 contributed to proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells. In clinical treatment, ANGpT L2 may become a new target for treatment of gastric cancer.

Hedonic price analysis of urban housing:An empirical research on Hangzhou,China

The hedonic price model is widely applied to study the urban housing market because of the heterogeneity of housing products. Literature indicated that the hedonic price theory mainly includes two parts: Lancaster’s partiality theory and Rosen’s characteristic market equilibrium analysis. This paper chose 18 characteristics as independent variables and set up a linear hedonic price model for Hangzhou City. The model was tested with 2473 housing samples and field survey data of 290 housing commu-nities. This research found that 14 out of 18 characteristics had significant influence on housing price. They were classified into 5 groups according to their impact degree.

Oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in a normal colon epithelial cell line

AIM To determine how a normal human colon cell line reacts to microbial challenge as a way to study oxidative stress-induced responses associated with inflammatory bowel disease.METHODS Normal human colon epithelial cells(ATCC?CRL.1790?)were stimulated with either heat killed E.coli or heat killed murine cecal contents(HKC)and examined for several relevant biomarkers associated with inflammation and oxidative stress including cytokine production,mitochondrial autophagy and oxidant status.TNFα,IL-1βand IL-8 protein concentrations were measured within the supernatants.Fluorescent microscopy was performed to quantify the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)using an oxidation responsive fluorogenic probe.Mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed by dual staining using COXIV antibody and a dye concentrating in active mitochondria.Mitochondrial ROS scavenger was used to determine the source of ROS in stimulated cells.Autophagy was detected by staining for the presence of autophagic vesicles.Positive controls for autophagy and ROS/RNS experiments were treated with rapamycin and chloroquine.Mitochondrial morphology,ROS production and autophagy microscopy experiments were analyzed using a custom acquisition and analysis microscopy software(Image J).RESULTS Exposing CRL.1790 cells to microbial challenge stimulated cells to produce several relevant biomarkers associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.Heat killed cecal contents treatment induced a 10-12fold increase in IL-8 production by CRL.1790 cells compared to unstimulated controls at 6 and 12 h(P<0.001).Heat killed E.coli stimulation resulted in a4-5 fold increase in IL-8 compared to the unstimulated control cells at each time point(P<0.001).Both heat killed E.coli and HKC stimulated robust ROS production at 6(P<0.001),and 12 h(P<0.01).Mitochondrial morphologic abnormalities were detected at 6 and12 h based on reduced mitochondrial circularity and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential,P<0.01.Microbial stimulation also induced significant autophagy at 6 and 12 h,P<0.01.Lastly,blocking mitochondrial ROS generation using mitochondrial specific ROS scavenger reversed microbial challenge induced mitochondrial morphologic abnormalities and autophagy.CONCLUSION The findings from this study suggest that CRL.1790cells may be a useful alternative to other colon cancer cell lines in studying the mechanisms of oxidative stress events associated with intestinal inflammatory disorders.

Advances in Experimental Studies on Treatment of Psoriasis by Traditional Chinese Medicine Zhou Yongsheng

Traditional Chinese medicine has demonstrated its strength in treating psoriasis, which is characterized by a variety of methods of treatment, flexible use of drugs, high efficacy, low recurrence, and few side-effects. Experimental studies on the mechanism governing the TCM treatment of psoriasis have been conducted at the cellular level and the molecular level. The studies on proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes and the inhibitory effect against them, apoptosis, intercellular adhesion molecules, cytokine, and haemorheology indicate that the laboratory studies on the treatment of psoriasis have now entered a very high stage since the eighties. The studies on relationship between typing of psoriasis based on TCM differentiation of symptoms and signs and changes in some laboratory indexes have been carried out by some researchers to explore the inherent pathological changes in typing of psoriasis based on TCM differentiation of symptoms and signs and to provide scientific basis for the differentiation and typing under a unified standard. However, the present studies lack depth and scope in the methods. In future, the laboratory studies should be enhanced to go further into the principles governing the TCM treatment of psoriasis and to seek new drugs that will be even more effective for psoriasis and can bring its relapse under control.