Prognostic significance of hERG1 expression in gastric cancer.

Previous studies have demonstrated that human ether-à-go-go-related potassium channel (hERG1) is highly expressed in many tumor cell lines, as well as in primary human cancers, and, hence, have a critical role in cell cycle progress and proliferation. In this study, hERG1 expression was investigated in gastric cancer by immunohistochemistry and/or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was discovered that hERG1, which was negatively expressed in surrounding non-tumor tissues, switched to aberrantly positive expression in gastric cancer. Statistically, there were significant differences in hERG1 protein expression according to factors such as serosal invasion, venous invasion, lymph node metastases, other organ metastases, and stage. The mean survival time for the hERG1-positive expression group was significantly shorter than the negative group, the survival rates for the positive group were significantly lower than the negative group, and hERG1 expression was found to be an independent prognostic factor. In summary, hERG1 channel was proved to be a potential biomarker for gastric cancer invasion and survival.

Expression of C-kit messenger ribonucleic acid and C-kit protein in the gallbladders in guinea pigs of high cholesterol diet.

The c-kit protooncogene receptor and its ligand-stem cell factor regulating the proliferation and survival of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) have been described. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of c-kit mRNA and c-kit protein in the gallbladders in guinea pigs of high cholesterol diet (HCD). The gallbladder samples from 16 guinea pigs of HCD and from 16 guinea pigs of standard diet (StD) were used for this study. Expression of c-kit mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and expression of c-kit protein was detected by Western blot analysis. Serum total cholesterol (TC) (39 +/- 6 vs. 109 +/- 20 mg/dl), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (24 +/- 4 vs. 71 +/- 10 mg/dl), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (2.4 +/- 0.4 vs. 7.0 +/- 1.6 mg/dl), and triglyceride (TG) (58 +/- 8 vs. 118 +/- 23 mg/dl) concentrations were significantly higher in the HCD group than in the StD group of guinea pigs (P < 0.001, respectively). Decreased expression of c-kit mRNA was demonstrated in the HCD group compared with the StD group. The ratio of c-kit mRNA and GAPDH was 0.56 +/- 0.09 in controls and 0.50 +/- 0.07 in the HCD group (P = 0.033). C-kit protein expression significantly declined in the HCD group. The mean value of optical density was 129 +/- 25 in the StD group and 103 +/- 19 in the HCD group (P = 0.0009). The data indicate that the expression of c-kit mRNA and c-kit protein significantly decreased in the gallbladders in guinea pigs of HCD.

Rapid synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst for amination of ethanolamine.

ZSM-5 zeolite was rapidly synthesized in system containing ethylenediamine from the initial gel: (5-8) Na(2)O: 44 EDA:Al(2)O(3):100 SiO(2):4000 H(2)O. The crystals were lath-shaped. The effect of pretreatment and alkalinity on crystallinity was investigated. The pretreatment of silicate source can cut down the crystallization time. Tuning the system alkalinity and controlling crystallization time can ensure forming of pure crystal.