Improved Measurement of the Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay.

Reactor neutrino experiments play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of neutrinos. In this Letter, the evolution of the flux and spectrum as a function of the reactor isotopic content is reported in terms of the inverse-beta-decay yield at Daya Bay with 1958 days of data and improved systematic uncertainties. These measurements are compared with two signature model predictions: the Huber-Mueller model based on the conversion method and the SM2018 model based on the summation method. The measured average flux and spectrum, as well as the flux evolution with the ^{239}Pu isotopic fraction, are inconsistent with the predictions of the Huber-Mueller model. In contrast, the SM2018 model is shown to agree with the average flux and its evolution but fails to describe the energy spectrum. Altering the predicted inverse-beta-decay spectrum from ^{239}Pu fission does not improve the agreement with the measurement for either model. The models can be brought into better agreement with the measurements if either the predicted spectrum due to ^{235}U fission is changed or the predicted ^{235}U, ^{238}U, ^{239}Pu, and ^{241}Pu spectra are changed in equal measure.

[Transurethral resection of prostate treatment for recurrence of a multilocular prostatic cystadenoma: a case report].

Multilocular prostatic cystadenoma (MPC) is a rare benign tumor that originates from the prostate itself. MPC is usually characterized by large multilocular cysts located between the rectum and bladder. The clinical presentation includes obstructive voiding symptoms, such as poor stream, intermittency, sensation of incomplete emptying, acute urinary retention and sometimes constipation symptoms due to mechanical compression of the lower intestine. Most of the previously reported patients with MPC underwent open surgery. Although the natural history of MPC remains unknown, surgical excision may not always be necessary. Here we report the case of a 49-year-old male, treated by transurethral electroresection of prostate (TURP) for prostate cyst one and half years before．His biopsy of TURP showed benign prostatic tissue with no evidence of malignancy. However, the symptoms of urinary tract obstruction were obviously aggravated after the operation. Acute urinary retention occurred intermittently 3 times. In our hospital, his total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) was 5.440 µg/L, free prostate specific antigen (fPSA) was 1.528 µg/L. After examination, it was considered as benign lesions clearly. In the operation of TURP, we found that the tumor was multilocular cystic. Histologically, the cell was mucus. Concerning the immunophenotype, CK5/6(+) , p40(+), PSA(+), P504S(+), PAX-2(-), PAX-8(-), MUC1(+), MUC5ac(+), the results of special staining were as follows: AB(+), PAS(+). At the end of the follow up 3 months later, the routine semen analysis results showed that his semen volume was 3 mL and the sperm density and sperm mobility were normal. At the end of the follow up eight months later, the patient remained free of lower urinary tract symptoms and there were no signs of recurrence. His international prostate symptom score (I-PSS) had dropped from 32 to 4, and quality of life score (QOL) had dropped from 6 to 2. MPC is a rare benign tumor originating from the prostate. TURP may aggravate the symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction in patients with MPC, and may be temporarily observed for some asymptomatic young and middle-aged patients.

Effects of black cohosh and estrogen on core body and tail-skin temperatures in ovariectomized rats by telemetric monitoring with dual thermistor probes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of black cohosh and estrogen on the temperature in ovariectomized rats, the core body temperature (CBT) and tail-skin temperature (TST) were simultaneously monitored and the relationship between these two temperatures was explored. METHODS: Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operated (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX), OVX treated with estradiol valerate (OVX + E), and OVX treated with isopropanolic black cohosh extract (OVX + ICR). Rats were sham-operated or ovariectomized and were implanted with telemetry transmitters with dual thermistor probes. Two weeks after surgery, the animals were treated with drugs for 4 weeks. During the last week of the treatments, the dynamic temperature profiles of the CBT and TST were collected. RESULTS: The average CBT and TST, TST fluctuation frequency, and the average amplitude fluctuation were significantly higher in OVX than in SHAM rats. In addition, dramatic fluctuations of TST in OVX rats occurred at the time points of the day when the CBTs were lower in OVX rats than in SHAM rats. Treatment of OVX rats with estradiol valerate or isopropanolic black cohosh extract markedly decreased the average CBT and TST, TST fluctuation frequency, and the average amplitude fluctuation. Moreover, CBT was found to be significantly higher, while TST was lower in OVX + E than in OVX + ICR rats. CONCLUSIONS: Both black cohosh and estradiol treatments ameliorated the abnormal thermoregulation in OVX rats. In particular, black cohosh reduced CBT better than estradiol and estradiol reduced TST better than black cohosh.

Genetic analysis of a hybrid sterility gene that causes both pollen and embryo sac sterility in hybrids between Oryza sativa L. and Oryza longistaminata.

Oryza longistaminata originates from African wild rice and contains valuable traits conferring tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. However, interspecific crosses between O. longistaminata and Oryza sativa cultivars are hindered by reproductive barriers. To dissect the mechanism of interspecific hybrid sterility, we developed a near-isogenic line (NIL) using indica variety RD23 as the recipient parent and O. longistaminata as the donor parent. Both pollen and embryo sac semi-sterility were observed in F1 hybrids between RD23 and NIL. Cytological analysis demonstrated that pollen abortion in F1 hybrids occurred at the early bi-nucleate stage due to a failure of the first mitosis in microspores. Partial embryo sacs in the F1 hybrids were defective during the functional megaspore formation stage. Most notably, nearly half of the male or female gametes were aborted in heterozygotes S40iS40l, regardless of their genotypes. Thus, S40 was indicated as a one-locus sporophytic sterility gene controlling both male and female fertility in hybrids between RD23 and O. longistaminata. A population of 16 802 plants derived from the hybrid RD23/NIL-S40 was developed to fine-map S40. Finally, the S40 locus was delimited to an 80-kb region on the short arm of chromosome 1 in terms with reference sequences of cv. 93-11. Eight open reading frames (ORFs) were localized in this region. On the basis of gene expression and genomic sequence analysis, ORF5 and ORF8 were identified as candidate genes for the S40 locus. These results are helpful in cloning the S40 gene and marker-assisted transferring of the corresponding neutral allele in rice breeding programs.

MiR-21 suppresses the anticancer activities of curcumin by targeting PTEN gene in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells

PURPOSE: Curcumin, a natural phytochemical, exhibits potent anticancer activities. Here, we sought to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic effects of curcumin against human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. METHODS: MTT assay and annexin-V/PI staining were used to analyze the effects of curcumin on the proliferation and apoptosis of A549 cells. The expression of microRNA-21 in curcumin-treated A549 cells was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. The protein level of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a putative target of microRNA-21, was determined by Western blot analysis. Transfection of A549 cells with microRNA-21 mimic or PTEN small interfering RNA was performed to modulate the expression of microRNA-21 and PTEN under the treatment of curcumin. RESULTS: Curcumin at 20-40 μM inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in A549 cells. Curcumin treatment produced a dose-dependent and significant (P < 0.05) suppression of microRNA-21 expression, compared to untreated A549 cells. Moreover, the protein level of PTEN, a putative target of microRNA-21, was significantly elevated in curcumin-treated A549 cells, as determined by Western blot analysis. Transfection of A549 cells with microRNA-21 mimic or PTEN small interfering RNA significantly (P < 0.05) reversed the growth suppression and apoptosis induction by curcumin, compared to corresponding controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a novel molecular mechanism in which inhibition of microRNA-21 and upregulation of PTEN mediate the anticancer activities of curcumin in NSCLC cells. Suppression of microRNA-21 may thus have therapeutic benefits against this malignancy (AU)

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Technical note: Selection of suitable reference genes for studying gene expression in milk somatic cell of yak (Bos grunniens) during the lactation cycle.

Quantitative real-time PCR is the most sensitive technique for gene expression analysis. Data normalization is essential to correct for potential errors incurred in all steps from RNA isolation to PCR amplification. The commonly accepted approach for normalization is the use of reference gene. Until now, no suitable reference genes have been available for data normalization of gene expression in milk somatic cells of lactating yaks across lactation. In the present study, we evaluated the transcriptional stability of 10 candidate reference genes in milk somatic cells of lactating yak, including ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, GTP, MRPL39, PPP1R11, RPS9, RPS15, UXT, and RN18S1. Four genes, RPS9, PPP1R11, UXT, and MRPL39, were identified as being the most stable genes in milk somatic cells of lactating yak. Using the combination of RPS9, PPP1R11, UXT, and MRPL39 as reference genes, we further assessed the relative expression of 4 genes of interest in milk somatic cells of yak across lactation, including ELF5, ABCG2, SREBF2, and DGAT1. Compared with expression in colostrum, the overall transcription levels of ELF5, ABCG2, and SREBF2 in milk were found to be significantly upregulated in early, peak, and late lactation, and significantly downregulated thereafter, before the dry period. A similar pattern was observed in the relative expression of DGAT1, but no significant difference was revealed in its expression in milk from late lactation compared with colostrum. Based on these results, we suggest that the geometric mean of RPS9, PPP1R11, UXT, and MRPL39 can be used for normalization of real-time PCR data in milk somatic cells of lactating yak, if similar experiments are performed.

Sorafenib combined with transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a large-scale multicenter study of 222 patients.

BACKGROUND: Data on the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in combination with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are lacking. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, 222 consecutive HCC patients receiving combination therapy were enrolled between June 2008 and July 2011. RESULTS: Chronic hepatitis B was the predominant cause of HCC (86%). Eighty percent patients were at Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C, and 86% patients were in Child-Pugh (CP) A class. The overall median survival was 12 months (95% CI 10.1-13.9). The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 87%. In 177 BCLC-C patients, performance status, the number of HCC nodules, Child-Pugh score and macrovascular invasion were significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and were included in the final risk scores (R), where R = 5 × (vascular invasion: 0 if no, 1 yes) + 6 × (CP: 0 if A, 1 if B) + 7 × (no. of lesions: 0 if 1-2, 1 ≥3) + 8 × ( Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, ECOG: 0 if 0, 1 ≥1). CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib in combination with TACE should be considered a safe and effective therapy for advanced HCC. Further validation of the new subgroup of BCLC-C stage is warranted in an independent patient cohort.

[Determination of iron(II) in the Chinese herbal medicine based on the fluorescence quenching of phenanthroline].

A new spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of trace amounts of iron(II) has been developed. This method is based on the fluorescence quenching of phenanthroline due to the formation of complex Fe(II)-phen. In pH = 4.6-7.1 buffer solution, Fe(II) and phen react to form a red complex. Its composition is established by method of continuous variations and molar-ratio as Fe (II): phen = 1:2. The exitation and emission wavelength are found to be 265 nm and 365 nm, respectively. There is a linear relationship in the range of 24-112 ng.mL-1 for Fe(II). The detection limit of Fe(II) is 4.1 ng.mL-1. This method is simple and rapid, and has been applied to the determination of iron in the chinese herbal medicine.

Arginine-rich regions mediate the RNA binding and regulatory activities of the protein encoded by the Drosophila melanogaster suppressor of sable gene.

The Drosophila melanogaster suppressor of sable gene, su(s), encodes a novel, 150-kDa nuclear RNA binding protein, SU(S), that negatively regulates RNA accumulation from mutant alleles of other genes that have transposon insertions in the 5' transcribed region. In this study, we delineated the RNA binding domain of SU(S) and evaluated its relevance to SU(S) function in vivo. As a result, we have defined two arginine-rich motifs (ARM1 and ARM2) that mediate the RNA binding activity of SU(S). ARM1 is required for in vitro high-affinity binding of SU(S) to small RNAs that were previously isolated by SELEX (binding site selection assay) and that contain a common consensus sequence. ARM1 is also required for the association of SU(S) with larval polytene chromosomes in vivo. ARM2 promotes binding of SU(S) to SELEX RNAs that lack the consensus sequence and apparently is neither necessary nor sufficient for the stable polytene chromosome association of SU(S). Use of the GAL4/UAS system to drive ectopic expression of su(s) cDNA transgenes revealed two previously unknown properties of SU(S). First, overexpression of SU(S) is lethal. Second, SU(S) negatively regulates expression of su(s) intronless cDNA transgenes, and the ARMs are required for this effect. Considering these and previous results, we propose that SU(S) binds to the 5' region of nascent transcripts and inhibits RNA production in a manner that can be overcome by splicing complex assembly.

The ovo gene required for cuticle formation and oogenesis in flies is involved in hair formation and spermatogenesis in mice.

The Drosophila svb/ovo gene gives rise to differentially expressed transcripts encoding a zinc finger protein. svb/ovo has two distinct genetic functions: shavenbaby (svb) is required for proper formation of extracellular projections that are produced by certain epidermal cells in late-stage differentiation; ovo is required for survival and differentiation of female germ cells. We cloned a mouse gene, movo1 encoding a nuclear transcription factor that is highly similar to its fly counterpart in its zinc-finger sequences. In mice, the gene is expressed in skin, where it localizes to the differentiating cells of epidermis and hair follicles, and in testes, where it is present in spermatocytes and spermatids. Using gene targeting, we show that movo1 is required for proper development of both hair and sperm. movo1(-/-) mice are small, produce aberrant hairs, and display hypogenitalism, with a reduced ability to reproduce. These mice also develop abnormalities in kidney, where movo1 is also expressed. Our findings reveal remarkable parallels between mice and flies in epidermal appendage formation and in germ-cell maturation. Furthermore, they uncover a phenotype similar to that of Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a human disorder that maps to the same locus as human ovo1.

[Microwave hyperthermia for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

We treated 312 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with 915 MHz microwave delivered transurethrally with a special applicator. All the 312 patients received a single thermal session (60 minutes). The temperature achieved in the prostate ranged from 43 to 45 C. Follow-up for 6 months showed that about 70.1% of the patients were subjectively improved and 37.0% had a increased flow rate, 43.0% gained a decreased residual urine. In 32 failure cases, 11 were due to median lobe hyperplasia, 4 diabetes mellitus, 4 cerebrovascular disease, and 13 miscellaneous. In the full retention group (39 patients), 21 had catheter removed 2-7 weeks after the thermal session. In this group, 27 patients encountered a side effect, including hematuria 23, fever 2, and acute retention 2, all of these patients were recovered rapidly.