Targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to overcome anti-cancer drug resistance.

Drug resistance is a major obstacle in the field of pre-clinical and clinical therapeutics. The development of novel technologies and targeted therapies have yielded new modalities to overcome drug resistance, but multidrug resistance (MDR) remains one of the major challenges in the treatment of cancer. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has a central role in regulating the levels and activities of a multitude of proteins as well as regulation of cell cycle, gene expression, response to oxidative stress, cell survival, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, inhibition of the UPS could represent a novel strategy for the treatment and overcoming of drug resistance in chemoresistant malignancies. In 2003, bortezomib was approved by the FDA for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). However, due to its limitations, second generation proteasome inhibitors (PIs) like carfilzomib, ixazomib, oprozomib, delanzomib and marizomib were introduced which displayed clinical activity in bortezomib-resistant tumors. Past studies have demonstrated that proteasome inhibition potentiates the anti-cancer efficacy of other chemotherapeutic drugs by: i) decreasing the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as TNF-α and NF-kB, ii) increasing the levels of Noxa, a pro-apoptotic protein, iii) activating caspases and inducing apoptosis, iv) degrading the pro-survival protein, induced myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (MCL1), and v) inhibiting drug efflux transporters. In addition, the mechanism of action of the immunoproteasome inhibitors, ONX-0914 and LU-102, suggested their therapeutic role in the combination treatment with PIs. In the current review, we discuss various PIs and their underlying mechanisms in surmounting anti-tumor drug resistance when used in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents.

[Pleurodesis with an Autologous Blood Patch in the Treatment of Persistent Air Leak after Lung Resection].

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and risks of autologous blood patch pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak(PAL)after lung resection. Methods A total of 97 patients with PAL after lung resection in Beijing Shijitan Hospital from October 2014 to October 2019 were retrospectively reviewed,including 53 treated by autologous blood patch pleurodesis and 44 by the conventional way.The therapeutic effect,adverse reactions and complications were analyzed. Results All the patients with PAL were cured with autologous blood patch pleurodesis.Most air leaks(81.1%)ceased within 48 hours after treatment,and the left 18.9% patients got cured after a repeat.The mean tube retention time and the mean in-hospital stay were 8.4 days and 10.0 days in the autologous blood patch pleurodesis group and 13.5 days and 15.3 days in the conventional treatment group.A prolonged drainage time(P=0.00)and in-hospital stay(P=0.00)were observed in the conventional treatment group.No severe complications were observed except two patients developed slight fever and cutaneous emphysema. Conclusion In our experience,the autologous blood patch pleurodesis is an effective way with low risk of adverse reactions in the treatment of PAL.

Application of Ventana immunocytochemical analysis on ThinPrep cytology slides for detection of ALK rearrangement in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Ventana ALK (D5F3) screening of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement in tissue specimens has been approved by US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to select treatment for non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). However, tumor tissues are often not readily obtainable, and cytology specimens and may be the only tumor material available for diagnosis and molecular marker analysis. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of ALK immunocytochemistry (ICC) on ThinPrep slides and determined a suitable scoring system for interpretation of the results. METHODS: One hundred twenty-one fine-needle aspirate (FNA) specimens from metastatic lesions of NSCLC were analyzed. ALK rearrangement was detected on ThinPrep cytology slides using the Ventana immunocytochemistry ALK-D5F3 system, which adopts two scoring systems for interpretation of the ICC results. The results were subsequently confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS: Among the 121 ICC specimens, 16 that were considered ALK-positive by either scoring system were referred for PCR analysis. Among the ALK ICC-negative cases, 33 had correlated FISH ALK results. A total of 49 specimens that exhibited either a positive or negative ICC result with a correlated ALK status were analyzed statistically. ICC results showed a high concordance rate with the results of PCR/FISH analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of ALK ICC by the binary scoring algorithm were 68.75 and 96.97%, respectively. These values increased to 93.75 and 96.97%, respectively, when interpreted by the semiquantified interpretation system. CONCLUSIONS: ALK ICC analysis on ThinPrep slides is a reliable ALK testing method, and the semiquantified interpretation system on cytology specimens is recommended rather than the binary scoring algorithm on tissue specimens.

2-Trifluoromethyl-2-Hydroxypropionamide Derivatives as Novel Reversal Agents of ABCG2 (BCRP)-Mediated Multidrug Resistance: Synthesis and Biological Evaluations.

It has been postulated that one of the biggest impediments to a successful chemotherapy is the phenomena of multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells. One of the main mechanisms of MDR is overexpression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in cancer cells which alters absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of various chemotherapeutic drugs. Efforts have been made to find effective inhibitors of ABC transporters. However, none has been approved clinically. This study shows that a novel compound 3-chloro-N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamido) benzamide (compound 7d), one of the 2-trifluoromethyl-2-hydroxypropionamide derivatives could reverse ABCG2 (BCRP)-mediated MDR. Cytotoxicity studies show that compound 7d sensitizes the ABCG2-overexpressing cells to chemotherapeutic drugs mitoxantrone and SN-38, which are well-established substrates of the ABCG2 transporter. Western blotting results indicate that compound 7d does not significantly alter the protein level of the ABCG2 transporter. Accumulation and efflux studies demonstrate that compound 7d increases intracellular accumulation of mitoxantrone by inhibiting the function of ABCG2. Overall, these findings indicate a potential use for compound 7d as an adjuvant agent for chemotherapy to inhibit the function of the clinically relevant ABC transporter and sensitize tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2420-2429, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Influence of presence/absence of thyroid gland on the cutoff value for thyroglobulin in lymph-node aspiration to detect metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Thyroglobulin measurement with fine-needle aspiration (Tg-FNA) is a sensitive method for detecting metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the diagnostic threshold is not well established and the influence of the thyroid gland on the cutoff value is also controversial. In this study, patients were classified into two groups according to the presence or absence of thyroid tissue, to determine an appropriate cutoff value for clinical practice. METHODS: Patients with a history of thyroid nodules or surgery for PTC and with enlarged cervical lymph nodes on an FNA examination were enrolled for Tg-FNA detection. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-six lymph nodes (189 patients) were included: 100 from preoperative patients, 49 from patients treated with partial thyroid ablation, and 47 from patients with total thyroid ablation. In 149 lymph nodes from patient with thyroids, the cutoff value for Tg-FNA was 55.99 ng/mL (sensitivity, 95.1%; specificity, 100%), whereas in 47 lymph nodes from patients without a thyroid, it was 9.71 ng/mL (sensitivity, 96.7%; specificity, 100%). Thus, the cutoff value for Tg-FNA was higher in patients with thyroids than in patients without thyroids. CONCLUSIONS: The cutoff value for Tg-FNA is influenced by residual thyroid tissue, and a higher cutoff value is recommended for patients with thyroids than for patients without thyroids.

Association between tobacco use and the upper gastrointestinal microbiome among Chinese men.

PURPOSE: Tobacco causes many adverse health conditions and may alter the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) microbiome. However, the few studies that studied the association between tobacco use and the microbiome were small and underpowered. Therefore, we investigated the association between tobacco use and the UGI microbiome in Chinese men. METHODS: We included 278 men who underwent esophageal cancer screening in Henan Province, China. Men were categorized as current, former, or never smokers from questionnaire data. UGI tract bacterial cells were characterized using the Human Oral Microbial Identification Microarray. Counts of unique bacterial species and genera estimated alpha diversity. For beta diversity, principal coordinate (PCoA) vectors were generated from an unweighted UniFrac distance matrix. Polytomous logistic regression models were used for most analyses. RESULTS: Of the 278 men in this study, 46.8% were current smokers and 12.6% were former smokers. Current smokers tended to have increased alpha diversity (mean 42.3 species) compared to never smokers (mean 38.9 species). For a 10 species increase, the odds ratio (OR) for current smoking was 1.29 (95% CI 1.04-1.62). Beta diversity was also associated with current smoking. The first two PCoA vectors were strongly associated with current smoking (PCoA1 OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.51-0.87; PCoA2 OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.56-0.95). Furthermore, Dialister invisus and Megasphaera micronuciformis were more commonly detected in current smokers than in never smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Current smoking was associated with both alpha and beta diversity in the UGI tract. Future work should consider how the UGI microbiome is associated with smoking-related diseases.

Factors Influencing the Reliability of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration: Analysis of Thyroid Nodule Size, Guidance Mode for Aspiration and Preparation Method.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to clarify the influence of ThinPrep preparation, nodule size and guidance mode on the accuracy of thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA). METHODS: A total of 1,240 thyroid FNAs were reviewed and 489 cases with histological correlations were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Of the 489 total cases examined, 101 were processed with both ThinPrep and conventional preparation and 388 entirely with ThinPrep. The overall nondiagnostic rate, sensitivity and accuracy of FNA were 2.0, 91.0 and 89.4%, respectively. The cases with a preoperative ultrasound (n = 469) were grouped according to nodule size. The nondiagnostic rate, sensitivity and accuracy of FNA did not differ significantly with nodule size (p1 = 0.339, p2 = 0.179, p3 = 0.119). A total of 101 resections were performed with palpation-guided FNA and 388 were performed with ultrasound-guided FNA. The nondiagnostic rates, sensitivity and accuracy of FNA were similar in these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The ThinPrep technique is a valid method for thyroid FNA and is effective for thyroid nodules ≥ 0.5 cm. The reliability of FNA results is not reduced with larger nodules. The use of palpation-guided FNA for palpable solid nodules is also effective.

Liquid-based cytology and human papillomavirus testing: a pooled analysis using the data from 13 population-based cervical cancer screening studies from China.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of introducing HR-HPV testing in cytology regarding cervical cancer screening practice. METHODS: A pooled analysis of liquid-based cytology (LBC) and HR-HPV testing using data from 13 population-based cervical cancer screening studies conducted in China was performed. Participants (n=25,404) received LBC and HR-HPV testing. Women found to be positive on screening were referred for colposcopy and biopsy. The effectiveness of screening strategies that use: LBC with HR-HPV triage for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), HR-HPV testing with cytology triage for HPV positive tests, or LBC and HPV cotesting was compared with that of LBC screening alone. RESULTS: LBC with HR-HPV triage for ASC-US had similar sensitivity compared with LBC alone, but significantly increased specificity for both cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) and CIN3 or worse (CIN3+) endpoints, and had the best balance between sensitivity and specificity among the strategies. LBC and HR-HPV cotesting had the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) and could permit a safe extension of screening intervals. Through the use of an immediate colposcopy threshold of ASC-US or worse for HR-HPV positive women and the use of a raised threshold of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) or worse for HR-HPV negative women, LBC and HR-HPV cotesting could provide the same effectiveness as LBC testing with HR-HPV triage for ASC-US at baseline tests. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study support the use of the cervical cancer screening guidelines in China.

[Detection of EGFR and K-ras mutations in non-small cell lung cancer using cytological specimens].

OBJECTIVE: To validate the feasibility for detecting EGFR and k-ras mutations using cytological specimens. METHODS: Cytological specimens including fine-needle aspiration (FNA), pleural effusion (PLE) and fiberoptic bronchoscopic (FOB) brushing were collected from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC ) from January 2011 to July 2011 at the Department of Cytology, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CHCAMS). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to amplify EGFR exons 18-21 and k-ras codons 12-13, and then the PCR products sequencing and analysis were performed. RESULTS: Fifty cytological specimens were collected including 19 cases of FOB, 9 cases of FNA, 22 cases of PLE. Of them DNA was successfully extracted in 43 cases, and specific PCR amplification products sequencing were performed in 42 cases. EGFR mutations were detected in 14 of 42 specimens (33.3%), the frequencies of EGFR mutations in exons 19, 20 and 21 were 16.7% (7/42), 4.8% (2/42) and 11.9% (5/42), respectively, and no mutation was found in exon 18. Higher frequencies of EGFR mutations were detected in exons 19 and 21 (85.7%). Mutations were identified in 38.7% (12/31) cases of adenocarcinoma. K-ras mutations were found in 2 of 42 specimens (4.8%). EGFR and K-ras mutations were not found in the same case. CONCLUSIONS: Cytological specimens are feasible for detecting EGFR and K-ras mutation. This is especially beneficial in patients in whom histological materials can not be obtained.

[Value of CK20 immunocytochemistry as an adjuvant to urine liquid-based cytology in detection of urothelial carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of cytokeratin 20 (CK20) immunocytochemical (ICC) detection in the urine liquid-based cytological specimens in diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma (UC). METHODS: The study consisted of prospective and retrospective groups. In the prospective group, voided urine samples were collected from patients with a variety of urological conditions and healthy individuals. Urine cytological diagnosis and CK20 ICC were performed on the collected specimens. In the retrospective group, archived urine slides with cytological diagnoses of atypical urothelial cells (AUC), suspicious carcinoma (SuCA) and carcinoma (CA) were selected. Then they were re-stained immunocytochemically with monoclonal antibody against CK20 after decolorization. Histological diagnosis and clinical follow-up result were used as the gold standard for analysis. RESULTS: There were 136 cases in the prospective group, including 89 cases of UC, 19 cases of other urogenital malignancies, 12 cases of benign lesions and 16 cases of normal control. The sensitivity of CK20 ICC in detection of UC was 75.3%, significantly higher than that of LBC (48.3%, P < 0.001). The positive rate of CK20 was 64.7% (22/34) in G1 UC, 73.3% (22/30) in G2 UC, and 91.3% (21/23) in G3 UC (P < 0.001). The specificity of CK20 ICC was 91.5%, the same as that of LBC. There were 163 cases in retrospective group, including 119 cases of UC, 17 cases of other urogenital malignancies and 27 cases of benign lesions. The cytological diagnoses of them were 68 cases of CA, 47 cases of SuCA and 48 cases of AUC. The positive rates of CK20 ICC in UC and non-UC (other urogenital malignancies and benign lesions) cases were 90.8% and 15.9%, respectively, with a statistically very significant difference (P < 0.001). The LBC of all the 119 cases of UC included 62 (52.1%) cases of CA, 35 (29.4%) cases of SuCA and 22 (18.5%) cases of AUC. The positive rates of CK20 in the LBC-diagnosed CA, SuCA and AUC were 96.8%, 97.1% and 63.6%, respectively. The LBC of all the 44 non-UC cases included 6 (13.6%) cases of CA, 12 (27.3%) cases of SuCA and 26 (59.1%) cases of AUC, and the positive rates of CK20 in the LBC-diagnosed CA, SuCA and AUC were 33.3%, 33.3% and 3.8%, respectively. The differences of UC and non-UC cases between the corresponding categories of LBC were significant (P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: CK20 immunocytochemistry as an auxiliary method to urine liquid-based cytology can increase the sensitivity in detection of urothelial carcinomas.

[Expression of EGFR, survivn and hnRNPA2/B1 in bronchial brushing cytology specimens and their significance in diagnosis of lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of EGFR, survivn and hnRNPA2/B1 proteins in ThinPrep bronchial brushing cytology specimens and their significance in diagnosis of lung cancer. METHODS: The protein expression of EGFR, survivn and hnRNPA2/B1 was detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC) in the specimens from 110 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 32 cases of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 37 cases of non-neoplastic lung lesions. The relationship between EGFR, survivn and hnRNPA2/B1 protein expression and clinical characteristics of the patients was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 software. RESULTS: (1) Positive expression was observed in 81.1% of NSCLC for EGFR, 66.2% for survivn, 90.9% for hnRNPA2/B1, significantly higher in NSCLC than in the control specimens (P = 0.000, P = 0.000, P = 0.010). The positive expression rate of hnRNPA2/B1 in SCLC was 92.3%, significantly higher than that in the control specimens (P = 0.021). (2) The expression of EGFR was associated with differentiation (P = 0.003), clinical stage (P = 0.023) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.038), but was not associated with gender, age and histological types. The survivn expression was not related with the above mentioned clinicopathological features (P>0.05). Expression of hnRNPA2/B1 was associated with clinical stage (P = 0.017), but not associated with gender, age, histological type, differentiation and lymph node metastasis. (3) There was a significant difference between the co-expression of EGFR and survivn in NSCLC (98.0%) and benign conditions (2.0%, P = 0.000), also a significant difference between the negative expression of both EGFR and survivn in NSCLC (38.2%) and nonneoplastic lesions (61.8%, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of EGFR, survivn and hnRNPA2/B1 expression may be an useful adjunct method to stratify controversial cases. The positive expression of EGFR might be associated with invasion, progression and poor prognosis of NSCLC.

[Time-Determination and Contribution Analysis of Transport, Retention, and Offshore Backflow to Long-Term Sand-Dust Coupling].

Continuous on-line observation of particulate matter and PM2.5 chemical composition was conducted from October 15th to November 7th 2019 in East China. During the observation period, a wide range of dust-related processes took place. According to supplementary urban air quality assessment affected by dust (hereafter referred to as supplementary provisions), the observations were divided into four stages including pre-dust event, dust Ⅰ, dust Ⅱ, and post-dust event. The dust Ⅰ stage represented the processes of transportation and retention, while the dust Ⅱ stage represented processes of backflow from the sea and scavenging. The start time of the studied dust event was October 29th 08:00-09:00 based on the supplementary provisions, dust tracers, and air quality models; however, disagreements existed between these data sources with respect to the finishing time. The supplementary provisions could not effectively distinguish backflow dust from sea, and results from different dust tracers were variable. The WRF-CMAQ model simulated dust variation trends well but overestimated short-term suspended dust and backflow dust. PM10, PM2.5, and trace element concentrations were much higher during dust events than during non-dust periods, with highest daily concentrations of (234.8±125.5), (76.8±22.5), and (17.54±10.5) µg·m-3, respectively, which occurred on October 29th. During the dust event, concentration of crustal elements were remarkably high in PM2.5. At the same time, secondary ions (SO42-, NO3-, and NH4+) contributed less to PM2.5 mass concentrations. Four major crustal elements (Al, Si, Ca, and Fe) accounted for 23.5% and 13.7% of the mass concentration of PM2.5 and secondary ions accounted for 24.3% and 41.9% during dust Ⅰ and dust Ⅱ stages, respectively. Based on PMF source apportionment, Ca abundance, PM2.5/PM10 in dust sources, and the reconstruction of crustal material, dust particulates accounted for 43.4%-50.0% of PM2.5 and backflow dust accounted for 19.2%-24.7% of PM2.5.

[Comparison of touch imprint cytology of core needle biopsy and section histopathology in breast cancer diagnosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity of touch imprint cytology (TIC), and to compare its conformity rate with histopathology, to observe the consistence of immunocytochemistry (ICC) with immunohistochemistry (IHC), and to assess the diagnostic value of TIC prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. METHODS: 289 cases of TIC and 287 cases with core needle biopsy (CNB) histopathology accumulated from October 2005 to October 2008 in our hospital were included in this study. One hundred ninety cases TIC results were compared with that of final histopathology. 64 cases were tested for ER, PR, HER-2 by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Twenty-four benign cases and 263 malignant cases were diagnosed. 4 specimens were unsatisfactory. False negative rate and unsatisfactory rate were 1.4%, both, and false positive rate was 0.35%. The accuracy rate of TIC and CNB was 95.8% and 95.3%, respectively (P = 0.804). The sensitivity of TIC and CNB was 96.2% and 95.0% (P = 0.601), specificity 87.5% and 100% (P = 0.471) were found, when compared with the results of routine histopathology. 52 cases had a control with IHC of CNB in 64 ICC, and 43 cases had a final histopathology IHC. The ICC conformity rate of ER, PR, HER-2 with IHC of CNB was 86.5%, 75.0%, 78.8%, and that with IHC of final histopathology was 88.4%, 74.4%, 75.6%, respectively. The conformity rate of IHC between CNB and final histopathology was 83.7%, 74.4%, 76.5%, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference between them. CONCLUSION: Compared with routine CNB histopathology, TIC has a high accuracy and sensitivity, and can provide a rapid and reliable cytological diagnosis to complement CNB for breast lesions. The conformity rates are high in ER, PR, HER-2 expression between ICC and IHC. ICC of TIC can be used to determine the estrogen and progesterone receptor levels in breast cancer before neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

[Audit Indicators and Suggested Ranges for Data Validation of Chemical Components in Ambient PM2.5: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta].

Diagnostic indicators for the validation of PM2.5 compositional data were calculated, based on the monitoring results of approximately 2100 ambient samples collected in the Yangzi River Delta from 2014 to 2017. According to the results of a correlation analysis, we propose that the audit indexes of the monitoring data of PM2.5 components in ambient air should include:equivalent ratios of anion-cation charge balance(A/C), the consistency between sum of all measured components(∑species) and weighed PM2.5, the consistency between mass reconstructed PM2.5(PM2.5, reconstructed) and weighed PM2.5, the chemical consistency between elemental S and water-soluble SO42-, elemental K and water-soluble K+, and the chemical consistency of theoretical and tested NH4+. The double-sided 95% reference ranges of anion-cation equivalent balance (A/C), ∑species/PM2.5, PM2.5, reconstructed/PM2.5, S/SO42-, and K/K+ ratios were determined in terms of P2.5 and P97.5 as follows:(0.82, 1.35), (0.63, 0.94), (0.62, 1.00), (0.28, 0.50), and (0.66, 2.31). These diagnostic indicators were helpful for judging the errors of chemical component analysis and retain seasonal variation stability. In most cases, NH4+ existed in the form of NH4NO3 and (NH4)2SO4 in spring and summer. With the approach of autumn and winter, it transformed to NH4NO3, (NH4)2SO4, and NH4Cl. The results of literature verification showed the pass rate of A/C was 87.1% and the rate of other indexes was 100%, indicating that the above audit indexes we propose could be applied to not only the Yangzi River Delta but the entire country. Furthermore, there were certain conditions in applying the diagnostic indicators. The S/SO42- ratio worked well with PM2.5 ≥ 40 µg·m-3 in summer and with 60 µg·m-3 ≤ PM2.5 ≤ 140 µg·m-3 in spring, autumn, and winter. Other audit indexes were available universally in all weathers under the condition of PM2.5 ≥ 60 µg·m-3.

[Application of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to the discrimination of salt tolerance of alfalfa cultivars].

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy is a new developed method able to analyse the content of specific compound in the detected sample quickly and efficiently, and has been wildly used in many fields such as evaluation of nutrition value of forage, cultivar discrimination and so on. In the present paper a new method was developed for the discrimination of salt tolerance of alfalfa cultivars by Fourier transform near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Firstly absorbance spectrum generated by Fourier transform near infrared spectrometry was used to classify twenty alfalfa cultivars. These cultivars were obviously clustered into two groups: salt tolerant and salt sensitive, similar to the result, screened by the traditional methods. Based on these results, a discrimination model was built for identification of salt tolerant cultivars. And then, six other cultivars were used to verify the function of the discriminating model. Result showed that the distinguishing rate of 100% was achieved with the performance index of 85.7%. It is concluded that Fourier transform near infrared spectrum is useful for classification and discrimination of salt tolerance of alfalfa cultivars. The method can be applied to estimate salt tolerance of alfalfa cultivars, and works more quickly and efficiently than the traditional screening methods. Application of Fourier transform near infrared spectrum to discriminating salt tolerance of alfalfa cultivars is significant in both academic and technical areas.

Cytologic detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its precursor lesions using balloon samplers and liquid-based cytology in asymptomatic adults in Llinxian, China.

OBJECTIVE: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is associated with very high regional mortality rates in several countries. Our initial test of esophageal cytology screening devices found them not sensitive enough for an early detection program. The current study tested a newly designed "mechanical" balloon and a traditional Chinese inflatable balloon, followed by liquid-based cytology, to detect biopsy-proven squamous dysplasia and early cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were randomized to a cytologic sampler, followed by endoscopy with iodine staining. For each patient, the cytologic diagnosis (test) was compared with the worst endoscopic biopsy diagnosis (truth). RESULTS: Seven hundred forty subjects completed both examinations. Approximately 30% showed atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), and 10% showed squamous intraepithelial lesions. Seven hundred twenty-five subjects (98%) had satisfactory biopsies, and 32% had low grade dysplasia or worse disease. Defining > ASCUS, favor neoplastic, as a positive screening test, the sensitivities/specificities of the mechanical and inflatable balloons were 39%/85% and 46%/84%, respectively, for detecting any squamous dysplasia or cancer. CONCLUSION: These esophageal cell samplers performed equivalently, but the accuracy was still too low for a primary screening test. These results highlight the need to develop new cytologic criteria or molecular markers that can better detect early squamous esophageal disease [corrected]

Oxidative decomposition of p-nitroaniline in water by solar photo-Fenton advanced oxidation process.

The degradation of p-nitroaniline (PNA) in water by solar photo-Fenton advanced oxidation process was investigated in this study. The effects of different reaction parameters including pH value of solutions, dosages of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ion, initial PNA concentration and temperature on the degradation of PNA have been studied. The optimum conditions for the degradation of PNA in water were considered to be: the pH value at 3.0, 10 mmol L(-1) H(2)O(2), 0.05 mmol L(-1) Fe(2+), 0.072-0.217 mmol L(-1) PNA and temperature at 20 degrees C. Under the optimum conditions, the degradation efficiencies of PNA were more than 98% within 30 min reaction. The degradation characteristic of PNA showed that the conjugated pi systems of the aromatic ring in PNA molecules were effectively destructed. The experimental results indicated solar photo-Fenton process has more advantages compared with classical Fenton process, such as higher oxidation power, wider working pH range, lower ferrous ion usage, etc. Furthermore, the present study showed the potential use of solar photo-Fenton process for PNA containing wastewater treatment.

[Application of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy in grass breeding with space flight mutagenesis].

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy is a new fast and efficient analysis method. It has been wildly used in many areas such as evaluation of feedstuff, assessment of soil fertilizer and so on. In the present paper, the principle, technique method and merits of NIRS were introduced. The potential application of NIRS in grass breeding with space flight mutagenesis was discussed in areas such as analysis of grass nutrition, estimate of secondary metabolism compounds, forecast of disease and insects resistance, and evaluation of abiotic stress. The conclusion is that application of NIRS in grass breeding with space mutagenesis is significant in both academic and technical areas because it not only improves the efficiency of mutation selection but helps uncover the mechanism of space mutation breeding.

[The application of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy in seeds quality certification].

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy is a newly developed method capable of analyzing the content of specific compound in the detected sample quickly and efficiently. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy has been wildly used in many fields such as agriculture science, food industry, medical industry, chemical engineering and protection of environment and so on. In the present paper firstly the principle, technique method and merits of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy were described. Then the application of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to the seeds of many crops, i.e. wheat, rice, rape and apple, was reviewed and discussed in brief. Based on this introduction, the potential value of the application of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to the grass seeds quality certification was discussed in the four areas, i.e. the grass seed variety discrimination, the standard percentage rate of grass seed germination testing, the scale of the content of grass seed moisture, and the evaluation of the grass seed vigor and the purity of grass seed. Finally, it was concluded that the application of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to the grass seed quality certification is significant both in the academic and the technical areas because near infrared reflectance spectroscopy will not only improve the efficiency of grass seed certification, saving manual work and testing time, but also help expand the extent and application of routine quality certification of grass seeds.

Analysis of the cellular centrosome in fine-needle aspirations of the breast.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present investigation is to determine whether centrosome amplifications are present in breast tumor cells, whether there are differences of centrosome amplification between benign breast lesions and breast carcinomas, and whether centrosomal analysis can be of value in the diagnosis and prognosis of breast carcinoma. METHODS: Using immunofluorescence analysis with an antibody against gamma-tubulin, we analyzed centrosome abnormalities in fine-needle aspirations of 100 breast lesions (25 cases with benign lesions and 75 cases with carcinomas). RESULTS: We found that centrosome amplifications, including numerical centrosome amplification and structural centrosome amplification, were present in most breast tumors. Cells with numerical centrosome amplification were found in 23 of 25 benign lesions, and in all 75 cases of breast carcinomas. Cells with structural centrosome amplification were found in three of 25 benign lesions, and in 69 of 75 breast carcinomas. The breast carcinomas showed a mean percentage of cells with numerical centrosome amplification of 4.86% and a mean percentage of cells with structural centrosome amplification of 3.98%. These percentages were significantly higher than those in benign lesions, with a numerical centrosome amplification of 2.77% and a structural centrosome amplification of 0.10%. Furthermore, the mean percentage of cells with structural centrosome amplification was significantly associated with HER2/neu overexpression (P < 0.05) and with negative estrogen receptor status (P < 0.05), and had a borderline association with negative progesterone receptor status (P = 0.056) in breast carcinomas. CONCLUSION: Structural centrosome amplification may bear a close relationship with breast carcinoma and may be a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of breast carcinoma.