Thyroid collision tumour with pulmonary metastases treated effectively with nedaplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy: A case report.

Collision tumour of the thyroid is a rare entity for which surgical resection is the primary treatment. We present here a case of a collision thyroid tumour of oncocytic and papillary carcinoma with lung metastases occurring in a 62-year-old woman who initially presented with a rapidly enlarging cervical mass and dyspnoea. The patient had extensive venous tumour thrombosis in the internal jugular and subclavian veins. The patient received six cycles of combined chemotherapy with nedaplatin and paclitaxel which significantly reduced the size of the metastases in the lungs. Following discharge from the hospital, the patient was treated with oral anlotinib and at 14 months follow up she had not experienced any serious side effects and the metastases in her lung and thyroid surgery areas were well controlled.

Exosomes combined with biosynthesized cellulose conduits improve peripheral nerve regeneration.

Peripheral nerve injury is one of the more common forms of peripheral nerve disorders, and the most severe type of peripheral nerve injury is a defect with a gap. Biosynthetic cellulose membrane (BCM) is a commonly used material for repair and ligation of nerve defects with gaps. Meanwhile, exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells can promote cell growth and proliferation. We envision combining exosomes with BCMs to leverage the advantages of both to promote repair of peripheral nerve injury. Prepared exosomes were added to BCMs to form exosome-loaded BCMs (EXO-BCM) that were used for nerve repair in a rat model of sciatic nerve defects with gaps. We evaluated the repair activity using a pawprint experiment, measurement and statistical analyses of sciatica function index and thermal latency of paw withdrawal, and quantitation of the number and diameter of regenerated nerve fibers. Results indicated that EXO-BCM produced comprehensive and durable repair of peripheral nerve defects that were similar to those for autologous nerve transplantation, the gold standard for nerve defect repair. EXO-BCM is not predicted to cause donor site morbidity to the patient, in contrast to autologous nerve transplantation. Together these results indicate that an approach using EXO-BCM represents a promising alternative to autologous nerve transplantation, and could have broad applications for repair of nerve defects.

Nucleosome assembly protein 1 like 1 (NAP1L1) promotes cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting YAP1 ubiquitination and degradation.

Myocardial fibrosis post myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and cardiac dysfunction could finally develop into serious heart disease, like heart failure. Lots of regulating factors involved in this pathological process have been reported while the specific mediators and underlying mechanisms remain to need to be further investigated. As part of the NAP1 family, Nucleosome assembly protein 1 like 1 (NAP1L1) is expressed in a wide variety of tissues. Here, we report that NAP1L1 is a significant regulator of cardiac fibrosis and is upregulated in ischemic cardiomyopathy patient hearts. Enhanced expression of NAP1L1 can promote cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) proliferation, migration, and differentiation into myofibroblasts. In contrast, loss of NAP1L1 decreased fibrosis-related mRNA and protein levels, inhibited the trans-differentiation, and blunted migration and proliferation of CFs after Transforming Growth Factorß1（TGF-ß1）stimulation. In vivo, NAP1L1 knockout mice enhanced cardiac function and reduced fibrosis area in response to MI stimuli. Mechanically, NAP1L1 binding to Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) protein influences its stability, and silencing NAP1L1 can inhibit YAP1 expression by promoting its ubiquitination and degradation in CFs. Collectively, NAP1L1 could potentially be a new therapeutic target for various cardiac disorders, including myocardial fibrosis.

[Giant myoepithelial carcinoma of the nuchal region: a case report and literature review].

Myoepithelioma, also known as malignant myoepithelioma, is a rare malignant tumor originating from myoepithelial cell. This article reports a patient with a huge tumor in the neck and left elbow who underwent fine needle aspiration under local anesthesia. The pathological diagnosis was a myoepithelioma. Under general anesthesia, giant tumors in the lower neck, posterior cranial fossa, neck, and left elbow were removed, and postoperative pathology showed that they were all myoepithelial tumors. Immunohistochemistry showed AE1/AE3 (+), P63 (+), CK7 (+), CK5 (+), and CD138 (+). The clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment process of this case are reported and relevant literature is reviewed.

Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of ductal carcinoma of the submandibular gland: case report and literature review.

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare malignant tumor of the salivary gland and is most commonly found in the parotid gland, followed by the submandibular gland. Due to its rarity, there is no consensus on its treatment. Surgical resection is currently the only curative treatment. Considering its high degree of malignancy, extensive tumor resection and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy are recommended. We report a rare case of SDC of the submandibular gland. A 62-year-old man presented to our hospital with complaints of swelling in the right submaxillary area for 4 months, rapidly growing, with pain for 10 days. After admission, fine needle aspiration (FNA) revealed right submandibular gland ductal carcinoma. Considering its aggressiveness, large size, and invasion of parapharyngeal and oral floor soft tissues, the patient received two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by extended surgical resection. Postoperatively, the patient received four cycles of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, followed by afatinib targeted therapy. No recurrence or metastasis was observed in a 45-month follow-up. Thus we present a comprehensive treatment for salivary duct carcinoma combining neoadjuvant chemotherapy with surgery, postoperative concurrent radiotherapy, and chemotherapy followed by afatinib targeted therapy.

[Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the tongue base: a case report].

Neuroendocrine carcinoma(NEC) is a malignant tumor derived from neuroendocrine cells, with distinct clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the head and neck is very rare in clinic. Larynx is the most common affected site, and the root of the tongue is extremely rare. The clinical manifestations are mainly eating pain, cauliflower like mass in the mouth, and ulcerative lesions that have not healed for a long time. Maxillofacial MRI and contrastenhanced CT are the most commonly used examination tools for such diseases, which can detect the spaceoccupying lesions of tumors. Neuroendocrine granules found in the cytoplasm under pathological light microscope can be diagnosed as neuroendocrine carcinoma. However, for most cases, it is difficult to make a diagnosis only under light microscope, and it is often necessary to make a diagnosis by means of immunohistochemistry and other technical means. This paper reports a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the root of the tongue, introduces its characteristics, diagnosis and treatment, and reviews the relevant literature of this case.

[Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound versus low-energy shock wave in the treatment of neurogenic penile erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and safety of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) versus low-energy shock wave (LESW) in the treatment of neurogenic penile ED in male SD rats. METHODS: Twenty-four 12-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of an equal number: sham operation, bilateral cavernous nerves injury (BCNI), LIPUS (300 mW /cm2, 3 times a week for 2 weeks), and LESW (300 strokes once, 3 times a week for 2 weeks). At 28 days after intervention, the erectile function of the rats was assessed by comparing the ratio of maximum intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP), and the histopathological changes in the corpus cavernosum of the penis were observed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, and Masson trichromatic staining. RESULTS: After treatment, the LIPUS and LESW groups, compared with the BCNI group, showed significantly increased ICPmax/MAP ratio (0.56 ± 0.13 and 0.55 ± 0.10 versus 0.35 ± 0.14, P = 0.017 and P = 0.013), improved smooth muscle/collagen value (0.08 ± 0.01 and 0.08 ± 0.02 versus 0.06 ± 0.02, P = 0.017 and P = 0.019), and elevated proportion of smooth muscle to cavernosum (0.20 ± 0.05 and 0.21 ± 0.03 versus 0.15 ± 0.02, P = 0.046 and P = 0.020), with no statistically significant difference between the LIPUS and LESW groups. No obvious adverse reactions were observed in the LIPUS or LESW group. CONCLUSIONS: Both LIPUS and LESW can effectively improve penile erectile function and repair histopathological injury in the animal model of neurogenic ED.

Effects of Cells Self-aggregation in the Treatment of Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction With Traditional Single Cell Suspension of Adipose-derived Stem Cells.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effects of cellular self-aggregation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on erectile function (EF). METHODS: A model of neurogenic erectile dysfunction was performed using bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury in rats. ADSCs suspensions (1 × 106/0.2 ml), were administered via intracavernous injection (ICI) after being allowed to shelve for 0 minute (ICI 0) or 60 minutes (ICI 60) in vitro, as well as cell aggregates isolated from ICI 60 (ICI A). The caudal vein injection group (CVI 60) was used to evaluate whether cell self-aggregation was beneficial to EF when introduced into the peripheral circulation. One day after the transplantation, the distribution of cells was observed. EF and histopathological changes were evaluated after 4 weeks. RESULTS: Approximately 85% of ADSCs self-aggregated into cell clusters at 60 minutes. The ICI 60 had more significant improvements in EF and more visualized ADSCs retained in the corpus cavernosum (CC) than ICI 0 and CVI 60 (P <.05), but no significant difference between ICI 60 and ICI A. In the CVI 60 group, the cell clusters formed by self-aggregation could hardly reach the CC and were mostly found in lung tissue. Immunofluorescence staining showed increased the content of expressing biomarkers of smooth muscle, nerve within the CC tissue in the ICI groups when compared to the CVI group. CONCLUSION: ADSCs self-aggregation before ICI may be an influential factor in the treatment of neurogenic erectile dysfunction. Its potential mechanism may be through improving cell retention in the CC.

Involvement of abscisic acid-responsive element-binding factors in cassava (Manihot esculenta) dehydration stress response.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a major staple food, animal feed and energy crop in the tropics and subtropics. It is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, however, the mechanisms of cassava drought tolerance remain unclear. Abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element (ABRE)-binding factors (ABFs) are transcription factors that regulate expression of target genes involved in plant tolerance to drought, high salinity, and osmotic stress by binding ABRE cis-elements in the promoter regions of these genes. However, there is little information about ABF genes in cassava. A comprehensive analysis of Manihot esculenta ABFs (MeABFs) described the phylogeny, genome location, cis-acting elements, expression profiles, and regulatory relationship between these factors and Manihot esculenta betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase genes (MeBADHs). Here we conducted genome-wide searches and subsequent molecular cloning to identify seven MeABFs that are distributed unevenly across six chromosomes in cassava. These MeABFs can be clustered into three groups according to their phylogenetic relationships to their Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) counterparts. Analysis of the 5'-upstream region of MeABFs revealed putative cis-acting elements related to hormone signaling, stress, light, and circadian clock. MeABF expression profiles displayed clear differences among leaf, stem, root, and tuberous root tissues under non-stress and drought, osmotic, or salt stress conditions. Drought stress in cassava leaves and roots, osmotic stress in tuberous roots, and salt stress in stems induced expression of the highest number of MeABFs showing significantly elevated expression. The glycine betaine (GB) content of cassava leaves also was elevated after drought, osmotic, or salt stress treatments. BADH1 is involved in GB synthesis. We show that MeBADH1 promoter sequences contained ABREs and that MeBADH1 expression correlated with MeABF expression profiles in cassava leaves after the three stress treatments. Taken together, these results suggest that in response to various dehydration stresses, MeABFs in cassava may activate transcriptional expression of MeBADH1 by binding the MeBADH1 promoter that in turn promotes GB biosynthesis and accumulation via an increase in MeBADH1 gene expression levels and MeBADH1 enzymatic activity. These responses protect cells against dehydration stresses by preserving an osmotic balance that enhances cassava tolerance to dehydration stresses.

Influence of anisotropic nanoparticles on the deposition pattern of an evaporating droplet.

The suppression or enhancement of the "coffee ring" effect depends on whether nanoparticles easily adhere to the gas-liquid interface and particle shape. To obtain deposition patterns of suspensions of nanoparticles strongly deviating from spheres, which is less studied in the literature, prolate ellipsoidal and cylindrical rod-shaped particles with a minimum aspect ratio of 4 are selected. Dynamic viscosity, which is a function of particle shape and volume fraction, is introduced into the evolution equations for film thickness and particle concentration. The nanoparticle deposition features and the contact line dynamics are examined numerically, and the effect of particle shape on the drying process is analysed. The results show that the contact line is in the depinning state during the droplet shrinkage, while the concentration and effective layer thickness of nanoparticles in the ring-formation region decrease with time, and the deposition band widens. The deposition ring height increases, and the recession of the contact line slows down with increasing aspect ratio. This means that for nanoparticles deviating strongly from spheres and not easily adhering to the gas-liquid interface, the "coffee ring" effect is enhanced when the suspension dries. A larger aspect ratio leads to a more obvious "coffee ring" feature.

[Characteristics of 72 h glucose profiles detected by continuous glucose monitoring system in patients with insulinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristics of glucose profiles in patients with insulinoma using continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). METHODS: Six patients with insulinoma (All of the patients were diagnosed after operations with pathological tests) admitted to the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital of Sichuan University from October 2009 to November 2011 were recruited for this study (group A). They were compared with 71 patients with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (group B) and 3 patients with responsive hypoglycemia (group C). All of the participants received 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), insulin release tests, and 72 h CGM. Glucose fluctuations and hypoglycemia risks were assessed by the following parameters obtained from CGMS: mean blood glucose (MBG) and standard deviation (SD), mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE), mean daily differences (MODD), low glucose index (LBGI), glycaemic Risk Assessment Diabetes Equation (GRADE) and M-value. RESULTS: Group A had significantly lower levels of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, and 2 h-BG than group B (P < 0.05). Compared with Group B, Group A had lower levels of 72 h-MBG (P < 0.001) and higher levels of LBGI, M-value, GRADE, SD and MODD (P < 0.05). The insulinoma patients had 27 occasions of hypoglycemia (glucose < 2.8 mmol/L), more likely in early morning, at a fasting state or preprandial periods. Such events were rare in the control groups (2 occasions in Group B and one occasion in Group C). CONCLUSION: Insulinoma patients present a greater level of glucose fluctuations and frequent hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia risk detected by CGM is helpful for differentiating diagnosis of insulinoma.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the genome of porcine torovirus.

In this study, we amplified and sequenced the first genome of porcine torovirus (PToV SH1 strain). The genome was found to be 28,301 bp in length, sharing 79 % identity with Breda virus. It mainly consists of replicase (20,906 bp) and structural genes: spike (4,722 bp), membrane (702 bp), hemagglutinin-esterase (1,284 bp), and nucleocapsid (492 bp). Sequence alignments and structure prediction suggest genetic differences among toroviruses, mainly in NSP1 (papain-like cysteine proteinase domain). Rooted phylogenetic trees were constructed based on the 3C-like proteinase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes. PToV, Berne virus and Breda virus were clustered together, forming a separate branch from white bream virus that was distant from that of the coronaviruses.

[Effect of mixed interface on the performance of solution-processed phosphorescent OLEDs].

In the present work, in order to improve electron injection and transport at the interface of the hole blocking layer (HBL) and the electron transport layer (ETL) in the hole-domain solution processed phosphorescent organic light emitting devices (PhOLEDs), the mixed interface layer (MIL) was fabricated by partially co-doping hole blocking material 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BCP) and electron transport material tris(8-quinolinolato) aluminum (Alq3) between HBL/ ETL. The MIL thickness was kept at 10nm, while the doping ratio of these two materials varied. Under a given electric field, the devices with the MIL at any mixed ratios all show much higher luminance and current density than those with a typical interface. For example, the luminance power and current density at 10 V for a typical device are 1.03 microW and 5.13 mA x cm(-2), while in case of mixed interface are 3.64 microW and 18.1 mA x cm(-2), respectively. From data results and theoretical analysis, the possible derivation of these improvements is considered to be the reduced electron accumulation at the interface resulting from the reduced electron injection energy barrier and lowered transport mobility by BCP material, which leads to an increase in electron amount in the emission layer and therefore the higher luminance and current density.

[Estimating intraday blood glucose variability through self-monitoring of blood glucose in people with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between the patterns of change of self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) and the parameters of intraday blood glucose variability [mean absolute glucose excursions (MAGE), mean postprandial glucose excursion (MPPGE) and standard deviation of blood glucose (sBG)] measured by the continuous glucose monitoring system. METHODS: A 72-hour continuous glucose monitoring was performed in a sample 105 people with impaired glucose tolerance (IGR, n=51) and newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n=54) to calculate MAGE, MPPGE and sBG. Meanwhile, fingertip blood glucose self-monitoring was performed to determine fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood glucose after breakfast (BG(AB)), blood glucose before lunch (BG(BL)), blood glucose after lunch (BG(AL)), blood glucose before supper (BG(BS)), blood glucose after supper (BG(AS)), and blood glucose before sleeping (BG(BR)) at the same period of time. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was performed to generate equations for predicting MAGE, MPPGE and sBG with age and the self-monitoring blood glucose parameters in 80% of the subjects (41 IGR and 44 T2DM, randomly selected from the overall sample). These equations were then cross-validated in the remaining 20% subjects (10 IGR and 10 T2DM). RESULTS: BG(AA), BG(AB), BGAL and FBG entered into the regression equations predicting MAGE, sBG and MPPGE for the IGR subject, while age only entered into the regression equations predicting MPPGE and sBG. For the subjects with T2DM, BG(AS), BG(AL) and age entered into the equation predicting MAGE; BG(AS), BG(AL), BG(BL) and BG(BS) entered into the equation predicting MPPGE; BG(AS), BG(AL) and FBG entered into the equation predicting sBG. The cross-validation study showed that the differences between predicted and observed values of MAGE in the subjects with IGR and T2DM were 4.1% and 8.2%, respectively; the differences between predicted and observed values of MPPGE in the subjects with IGR and T2DM were 23.1% and 1.3%, respectively; and the differences between predicted and observed values of sBG in the subjects with IGR and T2DM were 1.2% and 6.8%, respectively. Except for MPPGE in the subjects with IGR, the goodness of fit between predicted and observed values were good. CONCLUSION: The MAGE and sBG in people with IGR and the MAGE, MPPGE and sBG in patients with T2DM can be well predicted with age and self-monitored blood glucose.

Chemical genetics approach to restoring p27Kip1 reveals novel compounds with antiproliferative activity in prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27(Kip)¹ is downregulated in a majority of human cancers due to ectopic proteolysis by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The expression of p27 is subject to multiple mechanisms of control involving several transcription factors, kinase pathways and at least three different ubiquitin ligases (SCF(SKP)², KPC, Pirh2), which regulate p27 transcription, translation, protein stability and subcellular localization. Using a chemical genetics approach, we have asked whether this control network can be modulated by small molecules such that p27 protein expression is restored in cancer cells. RESULTS: We developed a cell-based assay for measuring the levels of endogenous nuclear p27 in a high throughput screening format employing LNCaP prostate cancer cells engineered to overexpress SKP2. The assay platform was optimized to Z' factors of 0.48 - 0.6 and piloted by screening a total of 7368 chemical compounds. During the course of this work, we discovered two small molecules of previously unknown biological activity, SMIP001 and SMIP004, which increase the nuclear level of p27 at low micromolar concentrations. SMIPs (small molecule inhibitors of p27 depletion) also upregulate p21(Cip)¹, inhibit cellular CDK2 activity, induce G1 delay, inhibit colony formation in soft agar and exhibit preferential cytotoxicity in LNCaP cells relative to normal human fibroblasts. Unlike SMIP001, SMIP004 was found to downregulate SKP2 and to stabilize p27, although neither SMIP is a proteasome inhibitor. Whereas the screening endpoint - nuclear p27 - was robustly modulated by the compounds, SMIP-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were not strictly dependent on p27 and p21 - a finding that is explained by parallel inhibitory effects of SMIPs on positive cell cycle regulators, including cyclins E and A, and CDK4. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide proof-of-principle that the screening platform we developed, using endogenous nuclear p27 as an endpoint, presents an effective means of identifying bioactive molecules with cancer selective antiproliferative activity. This approach, when applied to larger and more diverse sets of compounds with refined drug-like properties, bears the potential of revealing both unknown cellular pathways globally impinging on p27 and novel leads for chemotherapeutics targeting a prominent molecular defect of human cancers.

[Preparation and transmissivity of ZnS nanocolumn thin films with glancing angle deposition technology].

Nanocrystalline ZnS thin films were fabricated by glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technology in an electron beam evaporation system. Deposition was carried out in the custom vacuum chamber at a base pressure 3 x 10(-4) Pa, and the deposition rate was fixed at 0.2 nm x s(-1). ZnS films were deposited on pieces of indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates when the oblique angle of the substrate relative to the incoming molecular flux was set to 0 degrees, 80 degrees and 85 degrees off the substrate normal respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that ZnS nanocrystalline films were formed on the substrates at different oblique angle, but the nanocolumn structure was only formed under the situation of alpha = 80 degrees and 85 degrees. The dynamics during the deposition process of the ZnS films at alpha = 0 degrees, 80 degrees and 85 degrees was analyzed. The transmitted spectra of ZnS thin films deposited on ITO substrates showed that the ZnS nanocolumn thin films could enhance the transmissivity in visible range. The ZnS nanocolumn could be used into electroluminescence device, and it would enhance the luminous efficiency of the device.

White emission via electroplex emission from two blue materials.

Influences of electric fields on the emission from organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on poly (N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK); 2, 9-dimethyl-4, 7-diphenyl-1, 10-phenanthroline (BCP); and tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) were studied. There are three emission peaks at 420 nm, 520 nm, and 620 nm of the device ITO/PEDOT: PSS/PVK/BCP/LiF/Al under different driving voltages. The emissions at 420 nm and 520 nm should be from the exciton emission of PVK and Alq3, respectively. The last emission at 620 nm could be attributed to electroplex emission at the interface between the PVK and BCP layers. A high intensity white emission via electroplex formation was obtained with Commission International d'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates (0.33, 0.34) at 15 V, which is very close to the equienergy white point (0.33, 0.33).

Morphology and crystallinity of ZnS nanocolumns prepared by glancing angle deposition.

ZnS films with different morphologies and nanometer structures were fabricated via high vacuum electron beam deposition by changing the oblique angle alpha between the incoming particle flux and the substrate normal. The morphology and crystallinity of ZnS nanocrystalline films prepared on the substrates at alpha = 0 degrees and 80 degrees were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction. These experimental results show that the ZnS nanocolumn structure was formed at the situation of alpha = 80 degrees. The incidence angle also strongly influenced the crystallinity of thin films. The most intensive diffraction peaks changed from (220) to (111) when the incidence angle was set to 0 degrees and 80 degrees. The dynamic growth process of ZnS films at alpha = 0 degrees and 80 degrees has been analyzed by shadow effect and atomic surface diffusion. The transmittance spectra of the ZnS thin films prepared at different oblique angles were measured, and the transmissivity of ZnS nanocolumn thin films was enhanced compared with ZnS thin films prepared by normal deposition in the visible light range.

Characteristics of nickel doped zinc oxide thin films prepared by sputtering.

Nickel-doped zinc oxide thin films were prepared by the magnetron sputtering method. We have studied the structure and optical properties of the samples by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical transmittance. The chemical ingredients were examined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and the charge state of Ni ions in the ZnO:Ni films was characterized by X-ray photoelectronic spectrometry (XPS). From the XRD spectra of the samples, it was obvious that there was no second phase, but the doping can disturb the ZnO crystal lattice and change the lattice parameters. All the films prepared have a wurtzite structure and grow mainly along the c-axis orientation. The magnetic measurments showed that the samples exhibit no ferromagnetism above room temperature.