Role of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T in the carcinogenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer.

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) is a recently discovered oncogenic protein. Numerous studies reported that UBE2T is highly expressed in various types of human cancer; however, its role in the carcinogenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of UBE2T in pancreatic cancer progression through in vitro experiments in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated that UBE2T served an important role in the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, increased expression of UBE2T in human pancreatic cancer tissues and pancreatic cancer cells was observed compared with normal tissues and cells. The effect of upregulating and downregulating UBE2T in pancreatic cancer cell lines was investigated using the MTT, wound-healing and migration and invasion assays. The results demonstrated that overexpression of UBE2T significantly promoted pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion compared with controls. However, UBE2T downregulation resulted in the inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In addition, the results demonstrated that UBE2T may promote the epithelial mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells.

[Applicability of thermal dissipation probe in the determination of trunk flow of Platycladus orientalis under cyclic heating mode]. / é—´æ–­åŠ çƒ­æ¨¡å¼ä¸‹çƒ­æ‰©æ•£æŠ€æœ¯åœ¨ä¾§æŸæ ‘å¹²æ¶²æµæµ‹å®šä¸­çš„é€‚ç”¨æ€§.

To evaluate the adaptability of the cyclic heating mode in the thermal diffusion probe method (TDP) in the measurement of trunk sap flow and the accuracy of the measurement of tree transpiration water consumption, we selected Platycladus orientalis as the research object and set three different heating modes: 60 min/0 min (continuous heating mode), 30 min/30 min (cyclic heating mode with 30 min heating and 30 min cooling), 10 min/50 min (cyclic heating mode with 10 min heating and 50 min cooling). Based on the measured value of the whole tree container wei-ghing method, the temperature gradient characteristics of different heating modes were analyzed using the measurement technology of thermal diffusive trunk sap flow. The Granier's corrected formulas of cyclic heating modes were constructed, with its error being analyzed by validity verification. The results showed that sap flow rate calculated by the cyclic heating mode was consistent with the diurnal variation of the transpiration rate measured by the whole tree weighing method. The temperature of cyclic heating mode could quickly rise, fall and performed stably. The sap flow calculated by Granier's original formula was 61.3% lower than that by weighing method. The corrected Granier formula in the mode of 10 min/50 min and 30 min/30 min were Fd=0.0177K0.9457 (R2=0.88) and Fd=0.0378K1.3146(R2=0.85), respectively. The difference of sap flow rate in P. orientalis by the new formula was smaller than that measured by the whole tree weighing method, and the error of transpiration rate calculated by the 10 min/50 min correction formula was the smallest, 5.9% lower than that calculated by the weighing method, and thus could express the real flow rate. The 10 min/50 min cyclic heating mode could be used to reduce the effect of natural temperature difference, cut down power consumption, and accurately reflect the actual sap flow rate of P. orientalis.

[Differences in atmospheric CO2 concentration and δ13C value between green spaces and its adjacent roads as well as the influencing factors in Beijing, China.] / 北京城市绿地与周边道路空气CO2浓度和δ13Cå€¼çš„å·®å¼‚åŠå½±å“å› ç´ .

Near-surface atmospheric CO2 concentration and δ13C value in four greenspaces and on their adjacent roads in Beijing were measured by off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy to analyze the influence of urban greenspace on spatial distribution of near-surface atmospheric CO2. The results showed that atmospheric CO2 concentration and δ13C value varied substantially both temporally and spatially. The highest CO2 concentration was found in the urban area, followed by the suburbs, and the lowest CO2 concentration was in the outer suburbs. There was a clear near-surface atmospheric CO2 dome, but a reverse pattern for δ13C value. During the non-growing season, the ΔCO2 and Δ13C between greenspace and adjacent roads were low. The differences among the four experimental sites were not significant. In the growing season, the ΔCO2 and Δ13C at the BLA4th RR (Beijing Institute of Landscape Architecture and 4th Ring Road) and BOP5th RR (Beijing Olympic Forest Park and 5th Ring Road) in urban areas were significantly higher than those at DPSR (Daoxianghu Park and Sujiatuo Road) and MTGMR (Mentougou forest experimental station and an adjacent road) in the suburbs. During the growing and non-growing seasons, CO2 concentration of all examined sites was significantly positively related with the traffic volume, indicating that traffic volume was an important factor affecting the spatial distribution of CO2. The δ13C value was significantly negatively related with traffic volume during non-growing season, but no significant relationship was found during the growing season. The ΔCO2 concentration between the four green-spaces and their adjacent roads were significantly negatively related with leaf area index (LAI). The Δ13C value were significantly logarithmically related to LAI. Results from stepwise regression showed that solar radiation, temperature, and LAI significantly affected ΔCO2 in urban areas and suburbs during the growing season, and that temperature and solar radiation were the major driving factors for Δ13C. During the growing season, plants in the greenspaces assimilated CO2 via photosynthesis and thus reduced the near-surface atmospheric CO2 concentration. Our results indicate that green-spaces play a positive role in improving ecological environment in urban areas.

[Relationship of plant abundance, air temperature and humidity with negative ions based on control experiment]. / åŸºäºŽæŽ§åˆ¶è¯•éªŒçš„æ¤æ ªæ•°é‡åŠç©ºæ°”æ¸©æ¹¿åº¦ä¸Žè´Ÿç¦»å­çš„å ³ç³».

Previous studies on negative air ion (NAI), an important index for evaluating atmospheric quality, has been focused on field observation, and less on NAI under controlled condition. In this study, the NAI concentrations of different individual abundance of Liquidambar formosana and Taxus wallichiana were continuously monitored under the same climatic conditions in Hushan Experimental Base of Qianjiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Zhejiang Province from September to October 2018. Changes of NAI concentration were monitored under different levels of air temperature and relative humidity to explore the effects of forest vegetation and meteorological factors on NAI. The results showed that both species significantly increased the NAI concentration. Plant abundance was positively correlated with the NAI concentration, and the relationship between them fitted the quadratic function with the plant abundance ranging from 0 to 50. The fitting equations for L. formosana and T. wallichiana were as follows: y=-0.0484x2+4.7005x+345.7 (R2=0.62), y=-0.0207x2+1.9189x+365.91 (R2=0.34). There was a significant positive correlation between NAI concentration and air temperature in the range of 5-30 ℃ with a fitting equation of y=0.4139x2-9.2229x+89.919 (R2=0.92). The NAI concentration and the relative humidity of air in the range of 56%-87% were positively correlated with a fitting equation of y=3.6508e0.0526x(R2=0.94).

[Retrospective analysis of the poplar plantation degradation based on stable carbon isotope of tree rings in Zhangbei County, Hebei, China]. / åŸºäºŽæ ‘è½®ç¨³å®šç¢³åŒä½ç´ çš„å¼ åŒ—æ¨æ ‘é˜²æŠ¤æž—é€€åŒ–åŽŸå› è§£æž.

The Three-North Shelter Forest is an important ecological defense of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area. About four-fifths of poplar plantations declined and about a third of them were dying or already dead in the last ten years. The mortality of trees resulted in the decline of ecological function of poplar plantation. In this study, we investigated the differences of δ13C and intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi) values in the tree-ring between dieback and non-dieback trees with stable carbon isotope method. The cause of poplar plantation degradation and mortality was retrospectively ana-lyzed. The results showed that the diameter of poplar trees of nearly the same age decreased with the increase of degradation degree. The δ13C value of rings from dieback trees varied between -25.26‰ and -22.97‰, whereas that of non-dieback ones was -26.15‰ to -23.50‰. The δ13C values of dieback trees were higher than that of non-dieback ones from 1997. There was a nonsignificant difference of the WUEi between dieback and non-dieback tree-ring from 1997 to 2001. And the difference of WUEi between dieback and non-dieback tree was significant since 2002. The continuous occurrence of positive ΔWUEi(WUEidieback-WUEinon-dieback) values might be one of important factors for subsequent divergence of the dieback and non-dieback poplar trees. The WUEi of both dieback and non-dieback trees had no significant relationship to precipitation, relative humidity and ET0, while significantly related with air temperature and ground water depth. The retrospective ana-lysis results showed that extreme drought in 1997 was a threshold when poplar trees began to decline. The underground water was overused because of land use change, which increased the intensity and duration of the drought, thus accelerated the degradation and mortality of poplar trees.

Hepatocyte isolation from resected benign tissues: Results of a 5-year experience.

AIM: To analyze retrospectively a 5-year experience of human hepatocyte isolation from resected liver tissues with benign disease. METHODS: We established a method of modified four-step retrograde perfusion to isolate primary human hepatocytes. Samples were collected from the resected livers of patients with intrahepatic duct calculi (n = 7) and liver hemangioma (n = 17). Only the samples weighing ≥ 15 g were considered suitable for hepatocyte isolation. By using the standard trypan blue exclusion technique, hepatocyte viability and yield were immediately determined after isolation. RESULTS: Twenty-four liver specimens, weighing 15-42 g, were immediately taken from the margin of the removed samples and transferred to the laboratory for hepatocyte isolation. Warm ischemia time was 5-35 min and cold ischemia time was 15-45 min. For the 7 samples of intrahepatic duct calculi, the method resulted in a hepatocyte yield of 3.49 ± 2.31 × 10(6) hepatocytes/g liver, with 76.4% ± 10.7% viability. The 17 samples of liver hemangioma had significantly higher yield of cells (5.4 ± 1.71 × 10(6) cells/g vs 3.49 ± 2.31 × 10(6) cells/g, P < 0.05) than the samples of intrahepatic duct calculi. However, there seems to be no clear difference in cell viability (80.3% ± 9.67% vs 76.4% ± 10.7%, P > 0.05). We obtained a cell yield of 5.31 ± 1.87 × 10(6) hepatocytes/g liver when the samples weighed > 20 g. However, for the tissues weighing ≤ 20 g, a reduction in yield was found (3.08 ± 1.86 × 10(6) cells/g vs 5.31 ± 1.87 × 10(6) cells/g, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Benign diseased livers are valuable sources for large-number hepatocyte isolation. Our study represents the largest number of primary human hepatocytes isolated from resected specimens from patients with benign liver disease. We evaluated the effect of donor liver characteristics on cell isolation, and we found that samples of liver hemangioma can provide better results than intrahepatic duct calculi, in terms of cell yield. Furthermore, the size of the tissues can affect the outcome of hepatocyte isolation.

Extended local resection for treatment of periampullary carcinoma of vater.

BACKGROUND: The trauma caused by pancreatoduodenectomy for periampullary carcinoma of vater is often severe and extensive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of extended local resection in the treatment of periampullary carcinoma of vater. METHODS: The extra-hepaticobiliary tract, the confluence of the pancreatic and biliary duct, vater ampulla and duodenal papilla were resected en bloc in 8 patients with periampullary carcinoma from 1995 to 1998. RESULTS: One patient died perioperatively. Duodenal obstruction developed postoperatively in one of 7 survived patients and was relieved after reoperation. All the 7 patients were followed up for more than 6 months without recurrence. CONCLUSION: Extended local resection fulfils the task of radical treatment of periampullary malignancy.

Surgical treatment for uncinate process carcinoma of the pancreas.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical features of uncinate process carcinoma of the pancreas and to improve the resection rate. METHODS: From January 1990 to June 1999, 10 patients with pancreas uncinate process carcinoma received Whipple's operation. Portal vein (PV) resection and reanastomosis were performed in 5 patients, and the resected length varied from 2.0 to 4.2 cm. Two patients underwent PV lateral wall partial resection. RESULTS: Among the 7 patients undergoing PV resection, 1 died of hepatic failure 3 days after operation. One patient suffered from postoperative chylous ascites. These 6 patients survived 13 to 29 months postoperatively. Among the 3 patients without PV resection, 2 survived 13 months and 14 months respectively. One patient was alive by the end of follow-up for 11.5 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Although uncinate process carcinoma of the pancreas has a tendency to invade the adjacent PV and superior mesentery vein, it should not be simply regarded as a contraindication of radical resection.

Reversible immortalization of human hepatocytes mediated by retroviral transfer and site-specific recombination.

AIM: To establish a method for the reversible immortalization of human hepatocytes, which may offer a good and safe source of hepatocytes for practical applications. METHODS: We successfully isolated primary human hepatocytes from surgically resected liver tissue taken from a patient with liver hemangiomas. The freshly isolated cells were then immortalized with retroviral vector SSR#69 expressing simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40T) and hygromycin-resistance genes flanked by paired loxP recombination targets. RESULTS: The freshly isolated hepatocytes with high viability (85%) were successfully immortalized using retroviral gene transfer of SV40T. SV40T in the immortalized cells was then excised by Cre/loxP site-specific recombination. This cell population exhibited the characteristics of differentiated hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: We successfully established reversibly immortalized human hepatocytes, which will provide an unlimited supply of cells for practical applications.

[Vacuum sealing drainage combined with free skin graft in repairing cutaneous deficiency of traumatic shank amputation stump].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical efficacy in treating cutaneous deficiency of traumatic shank amputation stump with full-thickness skin graft combined with vacuum sealing drainage. METHODS: From September 2009 to December 2012, 15 patients with cutaneous deficiency of traumatic shank amputation stump were treated with full-thickness skin graft combined with vacuum sealing drainage. Among patients, there were 11 males and 4 females with an average age of 41.5 (ranged from 25 to 62) years old. Ten cases were caused by traffic accident and 5 cases were caused by heavy object, 9 cases on left and 6 cases on right. Six patients with smashed wound were treated with debridement and amputation, combined with vacuum aspiration in-emergency; 9 patients caused by infection and necrosis were treated with debridement and amputation, combined with vacuum aspiration, and full-thickness skin graft were performed at stage II. The skin defect area of residual limbs ranged from 40 cm x 20 cm to 25 cm x 15 cm. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 3 months to 1 year. Full-thickness skin graft of residual limbs were survived,and obtained satisfactory walking function with prosthetic. Residual skin increased thicken, wearproof without rupture and pain. CONCLUSION: Full-thickness skin graft combined with vacuum sealing drainage in treating cutaneous deficiency of traumatic shank amputation stump could reserve the length of residual limbs, increase survival rate of skin graft with less scar of survival skin, get good wearability and it is conducive to prosthetic wear. It is a simple and easy treatment method.

Free and glycosidically bound aroma compounds in cherry (Prunus avium L.).

This paper reports the occurrence of both free and glycosidically bound aroma compounds in three sweet cherry cultivars ('Hongdeng', 'Hongyan' and 'Rainier'), with 97 compounds being identified in the three cultivars. The major free volatile compounds found were hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde. The major bound volatile compounds found were benzyl alcohol, geraniol, 2-phenylethanol. Also 4-vinylphenol was found in cherry fruit for the first time, and has a relatively high concentration of the glycosidically-bound form in 'Rainier'. Odour activity values (OAVs) were determined for both free and bound volatiles, with 18 compounds having an OAV above 1. The highest OAVs for three cultivars were (E)-ß-ionone, hexanal, decanal and (E)-2-hexenal with the highest being over 800 for (E)-ß-ionone in 'Honyang'. From these results, it was concluded that the aroma compounds present were similar in all three cultivars, but there was significant variation found in their levels and hence contribution to the aroma of these cultivars.

[Thumb replantation through bridging ulnar proper digital artery and dorsal carpal branch of radial artery].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce treatment method of replantation of severed thumb trauma with proximal arterial, and to evaluate its efficacy. METHODS: From February 2007 to March 2009,13 patients with severed thumb in serious injury of proximal arterial were treated with vein graft of volar forearm,bridging between dorsal carpal branch of radial artery on nasopharyngeal fossa and distal stump of ulnar proper digital artery. Among them, there were 11 males and 2 females with an average age of 34.5 years ranging from 16 to 50 years. Seven cases were in the left thumb,6 in the right thumb. Eight cases were complete separation, incomplete separation in 5 cases. Ten cases recieved emergency reimplantation, 3 cases with the arterial crisis after conventional replantation were explorated and repaired. RESULTS: Thumb of 13 cases all survived. All patients were followed-up for 8 to 17 months (averaged, 11 months). Replantation thumb obtained satisfactory appearance. According to Chinese Medical Association Society of Hand Surgery Trial criteria, the results were excellent in 9 fingers, good in 3 fingers, 1 poor finger. Two point discrimination of finger pulp was 5 to 8 mm (averaged 6.5 mm). CONCLUSION: By repairing artery of thumb with vein graft of volar forearm, bridging between dorsal carpal branch of radial artery on nasopharyngeal fossa and distal stump of ulnar proper digital artery,complex severed thumb replants on surgery position comfortable,without affecting the blood supply of the hand, expanding the indications for replantation and improving the success rate of replantation.

[Variations of canopy temperature in Quercus variabilis plantation and their relations with micrometeorological factors].

Based on the canopy temperature and micrometeorological data of Quercus variabilis in its main growth season (from May to August) in hilly areas of North China in 2011, this paper analyzed the variations of canopy temperature (T(c)) in Q. variabilis plantation and their relations with micrometeorological factors in typically clear days and cloudy days. From 9:00 to 17:00 in clear days, the boundary layer of canopy was unstable, and the mean T(c) was 3.55 degrees C higher than the mean air temperature (T(a)). In cloudy days, the variations of T(c) were gentler than those in clear days. The T(c) was significantly correlated with T(a), net solar radiation (R(n)), relative humidity, and wind speed, with a multiple correlation coefficient being 0. 825. The T(a) and R(n) were the dominant meteorological factors controlling T(c), and their affecting degree on T(c) was associated with weather condition.

[Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with mini-incision decompression].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the method of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) transection through palmar mini-incision for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and evaluate its efficacy and safety. METHODS: From January 2006 to September 2007, 15 patients (18 hands) with CTS were treated with palmar longitudinal mini-incision decompression. There were 2 males and 13 females, with an average age of 48 years (ranged 34 to 69) and an average course of 18 months (ranged 8 to 26). The main clinical symptom including the radial numbness or pain of the 3 and a half fingers, wrist pain and radiation to the forearm, the night awake history of numbness, thenar muscle atrophy, positive Tinel sign and Phalen sign. Median nerve electrophysiology showed that sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) slowed down and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) decreased or missed, short abductor muscle of thumb had spontaneous potential in severe cases. Clinical effect were evaluated according to the Global symptom score (GSS) scoring in aspect of pain, numbness, paraesthesia, weakness and nocturnal awakening. RESULTS: Postoperative wound smoothly healed in all patients and no complications occurred. All patients were followed up from 20 to 28 months with an average of 24 months. Symptoms of 1 patient had not incomplete relief, other patient's symptoms disappeared and muscle force of abductor pollicis brevis reinforced. Postoperative GSS scoring obviously improved than preoperative (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome through palmar mini-incision decompression has advantages such as higher safe, shorter operative time, less invasive, smaller scar, which can cut off carpi transversum ligament and thoroughly decompress median nerve under direct sight, it is a safe and effective operative approach.