MXenes and heterostructures-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction:Recent developments and future outlook

The increasing focus on electrocatalysis for sustainable hydrogen(H_(2))production has prompted significant interest in MXenes,a class of two-dimensional(2D)materials comprising metal carbides,carbonitrides,and nitrides.These materials exhibit intriguing chemical and physical properties,including excellent electrical conductivity and a large surface area,making them attractive candidates for the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER).This scientific review explores recent advancements in MXene-based electrocatalysts for HER kinetics.It discusses various compositions,functionalities,and explicit design principles while providing a comprehensive overview of synthesis methods,exceptional properties,and electro-catalytic approaches for H_(2) production via electrochemical reactions.Furthermore,challenges and future prospects in designing MXenes-based electrocatalysts with enhanced kinetics are highlighted,emphasizing the potential of incorporating different metals to expand the scope of electrochemical reactions.This review suggests possible efforts for developing advanced MXenes-based electrocatalysts,particularly for efficient H_(2) generation through electrochemical water-splitting reactions..

华山松大小蠹及其伴生蓝变真菌对华山松木质部危害的解剖学特征(英文)

为揭示华山松大小蠹和伴生蓝变真菌引起秦岭华山松枯萎的机制,选择秦岭北坡沣峪林场境35年树龄的健康华山松Pinus armandi为研究对象,对接种华山松大小蠹Dendroctonus armandi及与其伴生的蓝变真菌Ceratocystis polonica引起的寄主树木木质部形态变化进行了解剖观察。结果表明:接种致病性蓝变真菌C.polonica1周后的4株华山松的木质部组织内,蓝变区域显著增加,4～6周后蓝变区域不再增加;而在接种无菌琼脂的2株对照华山松的木质部组织内,没有检测到蓝变区域。研究结果提示蓝变真菌C.polonica是致死秦岭华山松的重要病原菌,该伴生菌随华山松大小蠹入侵健康寄主华山松木质部组织,在木质部定居并分解木质部,堵塞树脂道,致使寄主华山松树脂代谢和水分代谢紊乱。该研究结果表明,虽然华山松大小蠹长期以来被认为是致死华山松的毁灭性小蠹虫,但是其共生蓝变真菌C.polonica对成熟华山松的致害作用不应该被忽视。

O-GlcNAc对上唇发育过程中上皮间叶转化影响的研究

目的:研究氧联乙酰葡萄糖胺(O-linked N-acetylglucosamine,O-GlcNAc)在上唇发育过程中对面突间上皮间叶转化的影响。方法:通过在鸡胚上唇植入浸有O-GlcNAc促进剂OGT(O-GlcNAc transferase)、OGlcNAc的抑制酶OGA(O-GlcNAcase)、以及OGA的抑制剂STZ(streptozoticin)的琼脂糖微球,构建O-GlcNAc高表达与低表达以及反向高表达实验组并继续孵育24h,茜素红/阿利新蓝骨组织染色观察胚胎骨、软骨发生的变化,免疫组化染色法检测具有间叶组织表达特异性的fibronectin和上皮表达特异性的p63的表达状态。结果:高表达O-GlcNAc实验组OGT和STZ中,发现胚胎上唇出现了骨缺损,且P63、fibronectin持续高表达,上皮、间叶组织保持连续性,凋亡出现延迟,上皮间叶转化出现障碍。正常对照测与低表达OGA组在上皮融合过程中P63表达减弱,fibronectin在上皮中出现表达,上皮层出现断裂,表明上皮间叶转化的正常进行。结论:O-GlcNAc过表达对于上唇形成过程中上皮间叶转化具有负面作用,将影响上唇的正常发育并可能导致唇裂的发生。

O-GlcNAc通过抑制Wnt信号通路影响上唇发育的实验研究

目的探讨氧联乙酰葡萄糖胺(O-linked N-acetylglucosamine,O-Glc NAc)影响上唇发育时上皮层的消失过程中,Wnt信号通路在其中发挥的作用。方法通过在鸡胚唇部植入浸有O-GlcNAc促进剂氧联乙酰葡萄糖胺转移酶(O-GlcNAc transferase,OGT)、O-GlcNAc的抑制酶氧联乙酰葡萄糖胺水解酶(O-Glc NAcase,OGA)以及OGA的抑制剂链脲佐菌素(streptozoticin,SZT)的琼脂糖微球,构建O-Glc NAc高表达与低表达以及反向高表达实验组,并继续孵育24 h,茜素红—阿利新蓝骨组织染色观察胚胎骨、软骨发生的变化,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡情况,免疫组化染色法检测Wnt信号系包括GSK-3β、β-catenin在内的一系列信号因子。结果 O-GlcNAc过表达组OGT和STZ中,上皮层的消失出现延迟,骨染色发现胚胎唇部出现骨缺损,TUNEL检测与正常组相比未发现明显细胞凋亡,但GSK-3β在细胞质内表达增加,β-catenin细胞核内表达减少;正常侧及O-GlcNAc低表达组OGA中上唇发育未受影响。结论 O-GlcNAc过表达时引起上皮层的消失发生延迟,这并非由细胞凋亡减少引起,而是可能通过抑制Wnt信号通路,导致GSK-3β、β-catenin在内的相关信号因子变化,这些变化将影响上唇发育并可能导致唇腭裂的发生。

Successful treatment of conversion chemotherapy for initially unresectable synchronous colorectal liver metastasis

A 72-year-old woman with a sigmoid colon cancer and a synchronous colorectal liver metastasis(CRLM),which involved the right hepatic vein(RHV)and the inferior vena cava(IVC),was referred to our hospital.The metastatic lesion was diagnosed as initially unresectable because of its invasion into the confluence of the RHV and IVC.After she had undergone laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for the original tumor,she consequently had 3 courses of modified 5-fluorouracil,leucovorin,and oxaliplatin(m FOLFOX6)plus cetuximab.Computed tomography revealed a partial response,and the confluence of the RHV and IVC got free from cancer invasion.After 3 additional courses of m FOLFOX6 plus cetuximab,preoperative percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization(PTPE)was performed to secure the future remnant liver volume.Finally,a right hemihepatectomy was performed.The postoperative course was uneventful.The patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 13.She had neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis 18 mo after the last surgical intervention.This multidisciplinary strategy,consisting of conversion chemotherapy using FOLFOX plus cetuximab and PTPE,could contribute in facilitating curative hepatic resection for initially unresectable CRLM.

GC-MS analysis of volatile compounds of Perilla frutescens Britton var. Japonica accessions: morphological and seasonal variability

Objective: To investigate the composition of volatile compounds in the different accessions of Perilla frutescens(P. frutescens) collected from various habitats of China and Japan. Methods: In the present study, the essential oil from the leaves of P. frutescens cultivars from China and Japan was extracted by hydro-distillation and the chemical composition and concentration of the volatile components present in the oils were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry(GC–MS) analysis. Results: Among the volatile components, the major proportion was of perilla ketone, which was followed by elemicin and beta-caryophyllene in the Chinese Perilla cultivars. The main component in the oil extracted from the Japanese accessions was myristicin, which was followed by perilla ketone and beta-caryophyllene. We could distinguish seven chemotypes, namely the perilla ketone(PK) type, perilla ketone, myristicin(PM) type, perilla ketone, unknown(PU) type, perilla ketone, beta-caryophyllene, myristicine(PB) type, perilla ketone, myristicin, unknown(PMU) type, perilla ketone, elemicine, myristicin, beta-caryophyllene(PEMB) type, and the perilla ketone, limonene, betacryophyllene, myristicin(L) type. Most of the accessions possessed higher essential oil content before the flowering time than at the flowering stage. The average plant height, leaf length, leaf width of the Chinese accessions was higher than those of the Japanese accessions. Conclusion:The results revealed that the harvest time and geographical origin caused polymorphisms in the essential oil composition and morphological traits in the Perilla accessions originating from China and Japan. Therefore, these chemotypes with desirable characters might be useful for industrial exploitation and for determining the harvest time.

Patients with early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma have poor prognosis

BACKGROUND： Early recurrence （ER） after hepatic resection （HR） is a poor prognostic factor for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. This study aimed to identify the clinico- pathological features, outcomes, and risk factors for ER after HR for small HCC in order to clarify the reasons why ER is a worse recurrence pattern. METHODS： We retrospectively examined 130 patients who underwent HR for small HCC （___30 mm）. Recurrence was clas- sifted into ER （〈2 years） and late recurrence （LR） （_〉2 years）. The clinicopathological features, outcomes, and risk factors for ER were analyzed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS： ER was observed in 39 patients （30.0%）. The sur- vival rate of the ER group was significantly lower than that of the LR group （P〈0.005）, and ER was an independent prognos- tic factor for poor survival （P=0.0001）. The ER group had a significantly higher frequency （P=0.0039） and shorter interval （P=0.027） of development to carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria （DBMC） compared with the LR group, and ER was an independent risk factor for DBMC （P〈0.0001）. Multi-nodularity, non-simple nodular type, and microvascular invasion were independent predictors for ER （P=0.012, 0.010, and 0.019, respectively）.CONCLUSIONS： ER was a highly malignant recurrence pattern associated with DBMC and subsequent poor survival after HR for small HCC. Multi-nodularity, non-simple nodular type, and microvascular invasion predict ER, and taking these factors into consideration may be useful for the decision of the treatment strategy for small HCC after HR.

In vitro antibacterial activity and major bioactive components of Cinnamomum verum essential oils against cariogenic bacteria,Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus

Objective:To evaluate the antibacterial activity of Cinnamomum verum(C.verum) from32 different essential oils against cariogenic bacteria,Streptococcus mutans(S.mutans)and Streptococcus sobrinus(S.sobrinus).Methods:The antibacterial activities of each essential oil were individually investigated against S.mutans and S.sobrinus.The essential oil of C.verum was selected for further evaluation against S.mutans and S.sobrinus.Gas chromatography mass spectrometry was used to determine the major constituents of C.verum essential oil.In addition,the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of the most effective constituent was investigated.Results:The essential oil from C.verum exhibited the greatest antibacterial activity.Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the major components of C.verum essential oil were cinnamaldehyde(56.3%),cinnamyl acetate(7.1%) and bphellandrene(6.3%).The MIC of cinnamaldehyde was measured using broth dilution assays.The MIC of cinnamaldehyde was 0.02%(v/v) against both bacterial strains tested.The minimum bactericidal concentration of cinnamaldehyde against S.mutans and S.sobrinus were 0.2% and 0.1%(v/v),respectively.Conclusions:The essential oil of C.verum and its major component cinnamaldehyde possessed considerable in vitro antibacterial activities against cariogenic bacteria,S.mutans and S.sobrinus strains.These results showed that the essential oil of C.verum and its bioactive component,cinnamaldehyde,have potential for application as natural agents for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.

Utility of single-incision totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair with intraperitoneal inspection

AIM To study the utility of single-incision totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair with intraperitoneal inspection.METHODS A 2 cm transverse skin incision was made in the umbilicus, extending to the intraperitoneal cavity. Carbon dioxide was insufflated followed by insertion of laparoscope to observe the intraperitoneal cavity. The type of hernia was diagnosed and whether there was the presence of intestinal incarceration was confirmed. When an intestinal incarceration in the hernia sac was found, the forceps were inserted through the incision site and the intestine was returned to the intraperitoneal cavity without increasing the number of trocars. Once the peritoneum was closed, totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair was performed, and finally, intraperitoneal observation was performed to reconfirm the repair.RESULTS Of the 75 hernias treated, 58 were on one side, 17 were on both sides, and 10 were recurrences. The respective median operation times for these 3 groups of patients were 100 min(range, 66 to 168), 136 min(range, 114 to 165), and 125 min(range, 108 to 156), with median bleeding amounts of 5 g(range, 1 to 26), 3 g(range, 1 to 52), and 5 g(range, 1 to 26), respectively. Intraperitoneal observation showed hernia on the opposite side in 2 cases, intestinal incarceration in 3 cases, omental adhesion into the hernia sac in 2 cases, severe postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions in 2 cases, and bladder protrusion in 1 case. There was only 1 case of recurrence.CONCLUSION Single-incision totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair with intraperitoneal inspection makes hernia repairs safer and reducing postoperative complications. The technique also has excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Integrated Debris Flow Disaster Mitigation—A Comprehensive Method for Debris Flow Disaster Mitigation

Integrated disaster mitigation needs interpreting torrent catchment areas as complex landscape systems. The history of valley-evolution shows the influence of climate and vegetation on the valley-evolution. The energy-concept (energy dissipation concept including the idea of the energy-line) is used for a simple explanation of debris flow. Examples of heavy debris flow disasters in controlled torrents in the Alps and Pyrenees give hints, which expanding the time scale can show that side-effects restrict or counteract the mitigation measures. A pallet of different mitigation measures to avoid or to reduce some of the side-effects is shown. The comprehensive method of disaster mitigation also includes the effect of vegetation. The pallet includes: avoiding hazards (hazard mapping, warning and alarming), appropriate land use and avoiding disaster-enhancing measures in the landscape and technical measures, which take into account their side-effects. The energy line is used as simple design theory. The Jiu-Jitsu Principle is explained too. With this comprehensive method a more sustainable reduction of disasters seems possible.

Low-dose lipopolysaccharide as an immune regulator for homeostasis maintenance in the central nervous system through transformation to neuroprotective microglia

Microglia,which are tissue-resident macrophages in the brain,play a central role in the brain innate immunity and contribute to the maintenance of brain homeostasis.Lipopolysaccharide is a component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria,and activates immune cells including microglia via Toll-like receptor 4 signaling.Lipopolysaccharide is generally known as an endotoxin,as administration of highdose lipopolysaccharide induces potent systemic inflammation.Also,it has long been recognized that lipopolysaccharide exacerbates neuroinflammation.In contrast,our study revealed that oral administration of lipopolysaccharide ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease pathology and suggested that neuroprotective microglia are involved in this phenomenon.Additionally,other recent studies have accumulated evidence demonstrating that controlled immune training with low-dose lipopolysaccharide prevents neuronal damage by transforming the microglia into a neuroprotective phenotype.Therefore,lipopolysaccharide may not a mere inflammatory inducer,but an immunomodulator that can lead to neuroprotective effects in the brain.In this review,we summarized current studies regarding neuroprotective microglia transformed by immune training with lipopolysaccharide.We state that microglia transformed by lipopolysaccharide preconditioning cannot simply be characterized by their general suppression of proinflammatory mediators and general promotion of anti-inflammatory mediators,but instead must be described by their complex profile comprising various molecules related to inflammatory regulation,phagocytosis,neuroprotection,anti-apoptosis,and antioxidation.In addition,microglial transformation seems to depend on the dose of lipopolysaccharide used during immune training.Immune training of neuroprotective microglia using lowdose lipopolysaccharide,especially through oral lipopolysaccharide administration,may represent an innovative prevention or treatment for neurological diseases;however more vigorous studies are still required to properly modulate these treatments.

Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and GC-MS analysis of juice and peel oil of grapefruit varieties cultivated in India

Citrus family especially Grapefruit,has attained considerable attention due to the presence of a number of essential components that have cardiovascular and anti-hypertensive properties.The juice and essential oil extracted from eight recently released grapefruit cultivars were used to study physicochemical and antioxidant properties.The total soluble solids(TSS),titratable acidity(TA) and pH of juice samples extracted from various grapefruit varieties differed significantly.The refractive index,specific gravity and optical rotation values for the oil varied from 1.473 to 1.396,0.863 to 0.847 and +93 to +86,respectively.The percent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical activity(% DPPH activity) and ferric reducing antioxidant power(FRAP) values for grapefruit juice and peel oil varied from 24.06 to 18.79,2.91 to 1.44 mmol g^–1 and 84.87 to 74.73,7.76 to 5.73 mmol g^-1,respectively.There were significant differences in physicochemical,antioxidant properties and volatile profiles of extracted juice and oil.The oil exhibited higher DPPH and FRAP values than the juice.Among different components identified which accounted for over 99% of the volatile fraction,limonene,myrcene,and benzopyran were major components in all oil samples.

Prophylactic managements of hepatitis B viral infection inliver transplantation

Liver transplantation(LT)is a considerably effective treatment for patients with end-stage hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related liver disease.However,HBV infection often recurs after LT without prophylaxis.Since the1990s,the treatment for preventing HBV reinfection after LT has greatly progressed with the introduction of hepatitis B immunoglobulin(HBIG)and nucleos(t)ide analogues(NAs),resulting in improved patient survival.The combination therapy consisting of high-dose HBIG and lamivudine is highly efficacious for preventing the recurrence of HBV infection after LT and became the standard prophylaxis for HBV recurrence.However,mainly due to the high cost of HBIG treatment,an alternative protocol for reducing the dose and duration of HBIG has been evaluated.Currently,combination therapy using low-dose HBIG and NAs is considered as the most efficacious and cost-effective prophylaxis for post-LT HBV reinfection.Recently,NA monotherapy and withdrawal of HBIG from combination therapy,along with the development of new,potent high genetic barrier NAs,have provided promising efficacy,especially for low-risk recipients.This review summarizes the prophylactic protocol and their efficacy including prophylaxis of de novo HBV infection from anti-HBc antibody-positive donors.In addition,challenging approaches such as discontinuation of all prophylaxis and active immunity through hepatitis B vaccination are discussed.

Regulation of gene expression in chickens by heat stress

High ambient temperatures are a critical challenge in the poultry industry which is a key producer of the animal-based food.To evaluate heat stress levels,various parameters have been used,including growth rates,blood metabolites,and hormones.The most recent advances have explored expression profiling of genes that may play vital roles under stress.A high ambient temperature adversely affects nutrient uptake and is known to modulate the expression of genes encoding for sodium-dependent glucose transporters,glucose transporters,excitatory amino acid transporters,and fatty acidbinding proteins which are responsible for the absorption of macronutrients in the intestine.Various defensive activities are stimulated to protect the cell of different tissues from the heat-generated stress,including expression of early stress response genes coding for heat shock protein(HSP),c-FOS like protein,brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),and neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS);antioxidant enzyme genes such as superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase(NOX4);and immune-related genes such as cytokines and toll-like receptors(TLRs).The potential role of HSPs in protecting the cell from stress and their presence in several tissues make them suitable markers to be evaluated under heat stress.BDNF and c-FOS genes expressed in the hypothalamus help cells to adapt to an adverse environment.Heat causes damage to the cell by generating reactive oxygen species(ROS).The NOX4 gene is the inducer of ROS under heat stress,which is in turns controlled by antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and CAT.TLRs are responsible for protecting against pathogenic attacks arising from enhanced membrane permeability,and cytokines help in controlling the pathogen and maintaining homeostasis.Thus,the evaluation of nutrient transporters and defense mechanisms using the latest molecular biology tools has made it possible to shed light on the complex cellular mechanism of heat-stressed chickens.As the impacts of heat stress on the above-mentioned aspects are beyond the extent to which the reduced growth performance could be explained,heat stress has more specific effects on the regulation of these genes than previously thought.

Proteome analysis of alfalfa roots in response to water deficit stress

To evaluate the response of alfalfa to water deficit （WD） stress, WD-induced candidates were investigated through a proteomic approach. Alfalfa seedlings were exposed to WD stress for 12 and 15 days respectively, followed by 3 days re-watering. Water deficit increased H202 content, lipid peroxidation, DPPH （1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl）-radical scavenging activity, and the free proline level in alfalfa roots. Root proteins were extracted and separated by two-dimentional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （2-DE）. A total of 49 WD-responsive proteins were identified in alfalfa roots; 25 proteins were reproducibly found to be up-regulated and 24 were down-regulated. Two proteins, namely cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase （APx2） and putative F-box protein were newly detected on 2-DE maps of WD-treated plants. We identified several proteins including agamous-like 65, albumin b-32, inward rectifying potassium channel, and auxin-independent growth promoter. The identified proteins are involved in a variety of cellular functions including calcium signaling, abacisic acid （ABA） biosynthesis, reactive oxygen species （ROS） regulation, transcription/translation, antioxidant/detoxification/stress defense, energy metabolism, signal transduction, and storage. These results indicate the potential candidates were responsible for adaptive response in alfalfa roots.

Persimmon Leaf Flavonols Enhance the Anti-Cancer Effect of Heavy Ion Radiotherapy on Murine Xenograft Tumors

The cell cycle checkpoint system play a pivotal role in the cellular DNA damage response, and the discovery of checkpoint inhibitors is expected to sensitize current cancer therapies. Checkpoint signaling cascades are critically modulated by ATM (ataxia telangiectasia-mutated) and its related molecules. Generally, ATM primarily responds to ionizing irradiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks. Heavy ions from an accelerated carbon ion beam have been used to cure cancer because they are more effective than ionizing irradiation such as X-ray and γ-radiation in terms of biological damage. In a previous study, we demonstrated that a persimmon leaf flavonol (PLF) promoted the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutic agents on cancer cells through inhibition of checkpoint activities, especially in the ATM dependent pathway. The present study investigated whether PLF inhibits checkpoint activity during the DNA damage response induced by heavy ion irradiation. Treatment with PLF significantly increased the cytotoxicity of heavy ion irradiation in A549 adenocarcinoma cells. The phosphorylation of checkpoint proteins such as p53, SMC1, and Chk1 was increased by heavy ions. PLF reduced the phosphorylation of checkpoint proteins. Pre-treatment with PLF significantly prevented the decrease of mitotic cells in heavy ion-exposed cells. We further evaluated tumor volume in SCID mice inoculated with human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. The combination treatment of PLF and heavy ion resulted in a decrease of tumor volume compared with controls, although PLF itself did not exhibit any effect. These results indicate that PLF inhibits tumor growth through modulation of the DNA damage response. PLF may be useful for clinical application in combination with heavy ion radiotherapy.

possible role of soluble fibrin monomer complex after gastroenterological surgery

AIM To examine the role of soluble fibrin monomer complex(SFMC) in the prediction of hypercoagulable state after gastroenterological surgery.METHODS We collected data on the clinical risk factors and fibrin-related makers from patients who underwent gastroenterological surgery at Hiroshima University Hospital between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015. We investigated the clinical significance of SFMC, which is known to reflect the early plasmatic activation of coagulation, in the view of these fibrin related markers.RESULTS A total of 123 patients were included in the present study. There were no patients with symptomatic VTE. Thirty-five(28%) patients received postoperative anticoagulant therapy. In the multivariate analysis, a high SFMC level on POD 1 was independently associated with D-dimer elevation on POD 7(OR = 4.31, 95%CI: 1.10-18.30, P = 0.03). The cutoff SFMC level was 3.8 μg/ml(AUC = 0.78, sensitivity, 63%, specificity, 89%). The D-dimer level on POD 7 was significantly reduced in high-SFMC patients who received anticoagulant therapy in comparison to highSFMC patients who did not.CONCLUSION The SFMC on POD 1 strongly predicted the hypercoagulable state after gastroenterological surgery than the clinical risk factors and the other fibrin related markers.

Effect of cytokinins on in vitro multiplication of Sophora tonkinensis

Objective:To determine the effects of different cytokinins at various concentrations onin vitro shoot multiplication of an important medicinal plant.Methods:Nodal explants(1.5-2.0 cm)of Sophora tonkinensiswere used.Multiple shoots were induced from nodal explants cultured onthe Murashige and Skoog(MS)medium supplemented with 0.0,0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0,8.0,or 16.0μmol2-isopentyladenine(2iP),N6 benzyladenine,kinetin or thiadiazuron.Results:Among the fourinvestigated cytokinins,2iP showed the best response for shoot multiplication.Maximum shootinduction(75%)was achieved on the MS medium supplemented with 2.0μmol 2iP,with a meannumber of 5.0 shoots per explant.In comparison to other cytokinins tried,2iP showed the highestshoot elongation with a mean shoot length of 4.8 cm.Root initiation was observed within 15 dwithin the transfer of shoots onto the MS basal medium,and the rooting percentage was 100%with a mean number of 5.4 roots per shoot and root length of 6.2 cm over a period of 4 weeks.Thehealthy plants,hardened and transferred to a greenhouse for proper acclimatization,exhibited100%survival.Conclusions:It can be summarized that 2iP is the optimal plant growth regulatorforSophoramultiplication.

Safety and Efficacy of Laparoscopy-Assisted Gastrectomy after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Report

Background: This study aimed to determine the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) after ESD. Methods: We reviewed patients with gastric cancer who underwent distal gastrectomy after non-curative ESD from May 2000 to July 2010, and classified them into LADG-ESD and open distal gastrectomy (ODG) after non-curative ESD (ODG-ESD). In addition, we analyzed the standard LADG (LADG-standard) during the same period. We retrospectively analyzed surgical outcomes and survival in these 3 groups. Pathological results after gastrectomy were compared between the LADG-ESD and ODG-ESD;Results: Sixty-one patients underwent distal gastrectomy after non-curative ESD. No differences in overall survival were found between the LADG-ESD and ODG-ESD. The average duration to surgery after ESD was 42.4 days. Although the average surgical duration and average length of hospital stay after surgery were longer in the LADG-ESD than in the ODG-ESD, number of LN dissections was statistically identical in these 2 groups. Operative complications in the LADG-ESD (16.0%) was higher than that in the LADG-standard (3.8% - 8.2%) but similar to that in the ODG-ESD (13.9%). Conclusion: The present study suggests that LADG contributes to the effectiveness of the treatment of choice for non-curative endoscopic resection.

Quantitative determination of erlotinib in human serum using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

A selective and sensitive competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method was developed and validated for the quantification of erlotinib in 50 mL of samples of human serum. Anti-erlotinib serum was obtained by immunizing mice with an antigen conjugated with bovine serum albumin and 3,4-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)benzoic acid using the N-succinimidyl ester method. Enzyme labeling of erlotinib with horseradish peroxidase was similarly performed using 3,4-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)benzoic acid. A simple competitive ELISA for erlotinib was developed using the principle of direct competition between erlotinib and the enzyme marker for anti-erlotinib antibody, which had been immobilized on the plastic surface of a microtiter plate. Serum erlotinib concentrations lower than 40 ng/mL were reproducibly measurable using the ELISA. This ELISA was specific to erlotinib and showed very slight cross-reactivity(6.7%) with a major metabolite, O-desmethyl erlotinib. Using this assay, drug levels were easily measured in the blood of mice after oral administration of erlotinib at a single dose of 30 mg/kg. ELISA should be used as a valuable tool for therapeutic drug monitoring and in pharmacokinetic studies of erlotinib.