Expression and location of α-fetoprotein during rat colon development

AIM： To investigate the expression of α-fetoprotein （AFP）, a cancer-associated fetal glycoprotein, and its involvement during rat colon development. METHODS： Colons from Sprague-Dawley rat fetuses, young and adult （8 wk old） animals were used in this study. Expression levels of AFP in colons of different development stage were detected by reversetranscriptase PCR （RT-PCR） and Western blotting. To identify the cell location of AFP in the developing rat colons, double-immunofluorescent staining was performed using antibodies to specific cell markers and AFP, respectively. RESULTS： The highest levels of AFP mRNA were detected in colons of rats at embryonic day 18.5 （e18.5）. Compared to e18.5 d, the AFP expression was significantly decreased during rat development （85% for e20.5, P 〈 0.05, 58% for postnatal day 0.5 （P〈0.5）, P 〈 0.05, 37% for P7, P 〈 0.05, 24% for P14, P 〈 0.05, and 11% for P21, P 〈 0.05） and undetected in adult rats. Only the 72-kDa isoform of AFP was detected by Western blotting, the expression pattern was similar to AFP mRNA and conformed to the results of mRNA expression. The AFP positive staining was identical to different distribution patterns in fetuses, young and adult animals and positive staining for both AFP and vimentin was overlapped in mesenchymal cells at each stage tested. CONCLUSION： This study has for the first time demonstrated that AFP is localized in the mesenchyme of rat colon from the embryo to the weaning stage by immunofluorescence and presents 72-kDa isoform in the developing rat colons by Western blotting. The dynamic expression of AFP in the various developmental stages of the colon indicates that AFP might be involved in many aspects of colon development.

Effects of asphalt pavement texture on hydroplaning threshold speed

Hydroplaning speed can be affected by pavement texture depth,thickness of water film,tire pressure and tread depth.In this study,to understand the influence of pavement texture on the hydroplaning speed,a new lab-scale apparatus has been designed and manufactured.The lack of proportion between linear movement of vehicle shaft and the wheel rotation was found to be a good index to determine hydroplaning threshold.A 5%drop in the ratio of wheel-to-axle rotation has been assumed as an index to determine hydroplaning threshold.Based on the measures,a simplified model was developed that is able to predict the hydroplaning speed depending on pavement's texture characteristics.The results indicated that a 77%increase in mean texture depth cause 9%increase in hydroplaning threshold speed.

Pseudo-Dynamic Testing for Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings with Seismic Isolation System Using Scrap Tire Rubber Pad Isolators

Investigation of seismic performance of buildings with STRP （scrap tire rubber pad） seismic isolators by means of pseudo-dynamic tests and numerical simulation is presented. The isolated building is numerically modeled, while the base isolation layer is considered as the experimental substructure in the pseudo-dynamic tests. The test result verifies that the STRP isolator shows acceptable shear deformation performance predicted by the design methods, and demonstrated that seismic isolation using STRP works as a protective measure to provide enhanced seismic performance of the building indicated by the reduction of top floor absolute acceleration, drift and base shear as designated.

Highlights for α-fetoprotein in determining prognosis and treatment monitoring for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To explore the prognostic value in the monitoring of treatment efficacy of serial α-fetoprotein(AFP) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients.METHODS:We searched MEDLINE,EMBASE and COCHRANE LIBRARY through April 21,2012,to find qualifying articles.Our overall search strategy included terms for HCC,AFP,treatment response,and prognosis.Literature was limited to English-language,human studies.Studies reporting cumulative survival rates were summa-rized qualitatively.For the prognostic meta-analysis,we undertook a series of meta-analyses that summarised the Cox proportional hazard ratios(HRs) by assuming a random effects model.With regards to the correlation of AFP change with radiologic response,the categorical dichotomous variables were assessed using Poisson relative risks(RRs),which were incorporated into the random effects model meta-analysis of accuracy prediction.Between-study heterogeneity was estimated by use of the I2 statistic.Publication bias was evaluated using the Begg funnel plot and Egger plot.Sensitivity analyses were conducted first by separating systemic treatment estimates from locoregional therapy estimates,evaluating different AFP response cut-off point effects,and exploring the impact of different study sizes.RESULTS:Of 142 titles identified in our original search,11 articles(12 clinical studies) met our criteria.Six studies investigated outcome in a total of 464 cases who underwent systemic treatment,and six studies investigated outcome in a total of 510 patients who received locoregional therapy.A random-effects model metaanalysis showed that AFP response was associated with an mortality HR of 0.55(95%CI,0.47-0.65) across HCC in overall survival(OS) and 0.50(95%CI,0.38-0.65) in progression-free survival.Restricting analysis to the six eligible analyses of systemic treatment,the pooled HRs were 0.64(95%CI,0.53-0.77) for OS.Limiting analysis to the six analyses of locoregional therapy,the pooled HRs for OS was 0.39(95%CI,0.29-0.53).We showed a larger pooled HR in the 50% definition studies(HR,0.67,95%CI,0.55-0.83) compared with that from the 20% definition studies(HR,0.41,95%CI,0.32-0.53).Restricting analysis to the four studies including over 100 patients individually,the pooled HR was 0.65(95%CI,0.54-0.79),with a pooled HR for OS of 0.35(95%CI,0.23-0.46) in the studies of less than 100 patients.As to radiological imaging,43.1%(155/360) of the patients in the AFP response group presented with a radiological overall response,while the response rate decreased to 11.5%(36/313) in the patients from theAFP nonresponse group.The RR of having no overall response was significantly lower in the AFP response group than the AFP nonresponse group(RR,0.67;95%CI,0.61-0.75).In terms of disease control rate,86.9%(287/330) in the AFP response group and 51.0%(153/300) in the AFP nonresponse group showed successful disease control,respectively.The RR of disease control failure,similarly,was significantly lower in the AFP response group(RR,0.37;95%CI,0.23-0.58).But these findings could be overestimates because of publication and reporting bias.CONCLUSION:HCC patients presenting with an AFP response are at decreased risk of mortality.In addition,patients with an AFP response also present with a higher overall response rate and disease control rate.

Microscopic Inspection on Developmental Process of Myeloma Cells

The developmental process of Myeloma cells under a digital optical microscope has been inspected and monitored by using time-lapsed recording technique. Myeloma cells were cultured in medium contained 20% and 50% of Fetal Bovine Serum （FBS）, respectively. Inspection and monitoring for 6 hours showed the effect of the FBS to mobility, proliferation rate, and development of cell cycle phases of Myeloma cells. Using time-lapsed data, the speed of cells was 3.5-6.0 pm/s when using FBS 20% and increased to 5.0-8.0 p.m/s when using FBS 50%. The rate of cells decreases from 2 cells/hr when using FBS 20% to 1/6 cells/br when using FBS 50%. The cells division process is signified by the change in gray level and it took every 50-70 minutes.