[The role of Bmal1 in neuronal radial migration and axonal projection of the embryonic mouse cerebral cortex].

Normal development of the cerebral cortex is a basis for the formation and function of mammalian brains. During this process, the radial migration of cortical neurons, as well as the axon projection into specific layers, are the most important steps regulated by some transcription factors, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still obscure. BMAL1 (brain and muscle Arnt-like protein 1) is a newly identified transcription factor that plays important roles in the circadian rhythms. It was recently found to regulate the proliferation of hippocampal neuronal progenitor/precursor cells (NPCs), implicating Bmal1 in the brain development. Here we employed both RT-RCR and real-time PCR to explore the expression pattern of the Bmal1 gene in the developing brain. We found BMAl1 is enriched in the brain cortex during the perinatal stages and peaked in P3 mouse brains. Combined with in utero electroporation and interference with RNAi, we found that reducing the expression level of Bmal1 in neurons, the radial migration of embryonic cortical neurons was largely delayed, in a gene dose-effect pattern. Moreover, reducing the level of Bmal1 expression in mouse brains, the axonal projection in the corpus callosum was also disrupted from ipsilateral to the lateral cerebral hemisphere. These findings indicate that BMAL1 is essential for the radial migration of neurons in the cerebral cortex and the axonal projection of the corpus callosum, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of cerebral cortex development.

[A preliminary investigation on sexual arousal in blind males].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the perception of the female partner's beauty, stimulating factors for sexual arousal, and the acquisition of sexual knowledge in blind males and analyze the related influencing factors. METHODS: Using a self-designed questionnaire and with the help of the Disabled Persons' Federation and the Association for the Blind of Ganzhou, we conducted an investigation among 54 blind males at an average age of 33.5 years, who met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled according to the rosters provided by the above institutions. We convened the subjects in the appointed hospitals or other places for telephone or face-to-face question-and-answer interviews with qualified investigators trained previously. RESULTS: In the first phase, as the preliminary investigation, open-ended questions were asked of 21 of the subjects on the telephone or at a one-to-one interview. In the second phase, as the formal investigation, closed-ended questions were asked of the other 33 blind males at a face-to-face interview. The blind males perceived the beauty of their sexual partners mainly by the female's mild disposition and sweet voice (63.6% ï¼»21/33ï¼½), soft and satiny skin (51.5% ï¼»17/33ï¼½), sexy and well-shaped body (54.5% ï¼»18/33ï¼½), and intoxicating bodily scent (18.2% ï¼»6/33ï¼½). The stimulating factors for sexual arousal of the subjects included hearing the partner's soft and sweet voice (39.4% ï¼»13/33ï¼½), feeling her satiny skin (54.5% ï¼»18/33ï¼½), touching her sexy and well-shaped body (66.7% ï¼»22/33ï¼½), and the pleasant mood of the males (30.3% ï¼»10/33ï¼½). CONCLUSIONS: The blind males in Ganzhou perceive the beauty of their sexual partners mainly by their senses of hearing, touch and smell, and the stimulating factors for sexual arousal chiefly include the partner's sweet voice, satiny skin and well-shaped body as well as the pleasant mood of the males.

Maternal and cord blood adiponectin levels in relation to post-natal body size in infants in the first year of life: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is an adipocyte hormone involved in energy homeostasis and metabolism. However, its role in early infancy is poorly understood. METHODS: We recruited a total of 443 pregnant women and their children in this prospective study. Cord blood samples were successfully obtained from 331 neonates. Maternal and umbilical blood serum adiponectin were measured. The weight-, height- and BMI-for-age Z scores of infants at birth and at 3, 6 and 12 months of age were assessed. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that cord blood but not maternal serum adiponectin was positively associated with all of the anthropometric measures at birth (P < 0.01). Using Generalized Estimating Equation model after adjustment for sex, time, maternal age, gestational age, prepregnancy BMI, weight gain during pregnancy, maternal education, parity, history of miscarriage and mode of delivery, for every 1-µg/ml increment of maternal serum adiponectin, the height-for-age Z score during the first year of life increased by 0.026 (P =0.013) on average, and the height-for-age Z score of infants in the highest quartile of maternal serum adiponectin was 0.270 (95 % CI: 0.013-0.527) higher than those in the lowest quartile. The changes in weight-for-age Z score from birth decreased by 0.67 × 10(-2) on average with every 1-µg/ml additional increase of cord blood adiponectin (P = 0.047). The infants in the highest quartile of cord blood adiponectin showed a -0.368 (95 % CI, -0.701--0.035) decrease in weight-for-age Z score change from birth compared with those in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Cord blood adiponectin concentration is a determinant of infant birth size and weight gain in the first year of life. Circulating maternal adiponectin during pregnancy may predict postnatal height growth.

Indented Cu2MoS4 nanosheets with enhanced electrocatalytic and photocatalytic activities realized through edge engineering.

Edges often play a role as active centers for catalytic reactions in some nanomaterials. Therefore it is highly desirable to enhance catalytic activity of a material through modulating the microstructure of the edges. However, the study associated with edge engineering is less investigated and still at its preliminary stage. Here we report that Cu2MoS4 nanosheets with indented edges can be fabricated through a simple chemical etching route at room temperature, using Cu2MoS4 nanosheets with flat ones as sacrifice templates. Taking the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and conversion of benzyl alcohol as examples, the catalytic activity of Cu2MoS4 indented nanosheets (INSs) obtained through edge engineering was comparatively studied with those of Cu2MoS4 flat nanosheets (FNSs) without any modification. The photocatalytic tests revealed that the catalytic active sites of Cu2MoS4 nanosheets were associated with their edges rather than basal planes. Cu2MoS4 INSs were endowed with larger electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), more active edges and better hydrophilicity through the edge engineering. As a result, the as-fabricated Cu2MoS4 INSs exhibited an excellent HER activity with a small Tafel slope of 77 mV dec(-1), which is among the best records for Cu2MoS4 catalysts. The present work demonstrated the validity of adjusting catalytic activity of the material through edge engineering and provided a new strategy for designing and developing highly efficient catalysts.

PEGylated Cu3BiS3 hollow nanospheres as a new photothermal agent for 980 nm-laser-driven photothermochemotherapy and a contrast agent for X-ray computed tomography imaging.

Developing multifunctional near-infrared (NIR) light-driven photothermal agents is in high demand for efficient cancer therapy. Herein, PEGylated Cu3BiS3 hollow nanospheres (HNSs) with an average diameter of 80 nm were synthesized through a facile ethylene glycol-mediated solvothermal route. The obtained PEGylated Cu3BiS3 HNSs exhibited strong NIR optical absorption with a large molar extinction coefficient of 4.1 × 10(9) cm(-1) M(-1) at 980 nm. Under the irradiation of a 980 nm laser with a safe power density of 0.72 W cm(-2), Cu3BiS3 HNSs produced significant photothermal heating with a photothermal transduction efficiency of 27.5%. The Cu3BiS3 HNSs also showed a good antitumoral drug doxorubicin (DOX) loading capacity and pH- and NIR-responsive DOX release behaviors. At a low dosage of 10 µg mL(-1), HeLa cells could be efficiently killed through a synergistic effect of chemo- and photothermo-therapy respectively based on the DOX release and the photothermal effect of Cu3BiS3 HNSs. In addition, Cu3BiS3 HNSs displayed a good X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging capability. Furthermore, Cu3BiS3 HNSs could be used for efficient in vivo photothermochemotherapy and X-ray CT imaging of mice bearing melanoma skin cancer. This multifunctional theranostic nanomaterial shows potential promise for cancer therapy.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss after Combined Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) after treatment with combination of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and cisplatin-based chemotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients was evaluated, and relationships of SNHL with host factors, treatment-related factors, and radiation dosimetric parameters were investigated. METHODS: Fifty-one NPC patients treated with IMRT from 2004 to 2009 were analyzed. All patients received neoadjuvant, concurrent, or adjuvant use of cisplatin. Pure tone audiometry was performed during the follow-up period with a median time of 60months, ranging from 28 to 84months. Correlation of SNHL at low frequencies (pure tone average, 0.5-2kHz) with a series of factors was analyzed. RESULTS: Among 102 ears, 12.7% had low-frequency SNHL and 42.2% had high-frequency (4kHz) SNHL. The incidence of low-frequency SNHL was greater in patients with age>40, with T-stage 4, or who received cumulative cisplatin dose (CCD)>200mg/m(2) (P=.034, .011, and .003, respectively) and in ears with secretory otitis media (SOM) (P=.002). Several dosimetric parameters were found to be correlated with SNHL. Univariate analysis showed that the minimum radiation dose to 0.1ml highest dose volume (D0.1ml) of the cochlea was the best radiation-related predictive parameter. Multivariate analysis indicated that CCD, SOM, and D0.1ml of cochlea (P=.035, .012, and .022, respectively) were the factors associated with SNHL. CONCLUSION: For NPC patients treated with IMRT and chemotherapy, the incidence of treatment-related SNHL was associated with CCD, D0.1ml of cochlea, and SOM.

Various bismuth oxyiodide hierarchical architectures: alcohothermal-controlled synthesis, photocatalytic activities, and adsorption capabilities for phosphate in water.

Controllable synthesis of morphology and composition of functional material through a similar method is very necessary to understand the related properties. In this study, we report a facile solvothermal route to synthesize a series of bismuth oxyiodide compounds, including BiOI, Bi7O9I3, and Bi4O5I2 hierarchical microspheres, under relatively mild conditions through only adjusting the types of alcohols. It was found that the viscosity of alcohol played key roles in determining the morphologies and compositions of the final products. UV-visible diffuse-reflectance spectra and theoretic calculations indicated that bismuth oxyiodides with different ratios of Bi:O:I clearly possessed different light absorption and energy band structures. As a result, the as-synthesized BiOI, Bi7O9I3, and Bi4O5I2 hierarchical microspheres displayed morphology- and composition-dependent photocatalytic activities for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and colorless phenol under visible-light irradiation. On the basis of experimental results, the difference of photocatalytic activity of these bismuth oxyiodide compounds was discussed. Furthermore, hierarchical bismuth oxyiodide microspheres were also evaluated as adsorbents for removing phosphate from aqueous solution. The results showed that Bi7O9I3 and Bi4O5I2 hierarchical microspheres had good adsorption capabilities for phosphate in water because of their larger surface areas and hierarchical porous structures.

Analysis of dosimetric factors associated with temporal lobe necrosis (TLN) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after intensity modulated radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The radiation tolerance dose-volume in brain remains unclear for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). We performed this study to investigate dosimetric factors associated with temporal lobe necrosis (TLN) in NPC patients treated with IMRT. METHODS: From 2001 to 2008, 870 NPC patients were treated with IMRT. For the whole group, 40 patients have developed MRI-diagnosed TLN, and 219 patients were followed-up more than 60 months. Predictive dosimetric factors for TLN were identified by using univariate and multivariate analysis in these 259 patients. RESULTS: By univariate analyses, rVX ( percent of temporal lobes receiving ≥ X Gy) and aVX ( absolute volumes of temporal lobes receiving ≥ X Gy, values of X considered were 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 66 and 70) were all significantly associated with TLN. Multivariate analysis by logistic regression showed that rV40 and aV40 were significant factors for TLN. All dosimetric factors in current serials were highly correlated one another (p < 0.001). The 5-year incidence of TLN for rV40 <10% or aV40 <5 cc is less than 5%. The incidence for rV40 ≥ 15% or aV40c ≥ 10c is increased significantly and more than 20%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, all dosimetric factors were highly correlated, rV40 and aV40 were independent predictive factors for TLN, IMRT with rV40 <10% or aV40 <5 cc in temporal lobe is relatively safe.

Clinical and dosimetric characteristics of temporal lobe injury following intensity modulated radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the temporal lobe injury (TLI) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients who had received intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and to assess the dosimetric parameters associated with TLI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty of 870 patients were diagnosed with TLI after IMRT, the clinical and dosimetric characteristics of these TLI were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 4.6% (40/870) patients have developed TLI. However, TLI is not observed in T1-2 patients, the incidences are 3.1% and 13.4% in T3 and T4 patients respectively. The Dmax (maximum point dose, Gy) and D1 cc (the dose delivered to the 1 cubic centimeter volume, Gy) in injured temporal lobes (TLs) are greater than that in normal TLs (P<0.01). TLI is not observed in TLs with Dmax<64 Gy or D1 cc<52 Gy, and the 5-year incidence of TLI in patients with Dmax 64-68 Gy or D1 cc 52-58 Gy is <5.0%. A linear regression demonstrates a 2.6% augment of TLI per Gy of Dmax exceeding 64 Gy and a 2.5% augment of TLI per Gy of D1 cc exceeding 52 Gy; TLI is correlated with Dmax (r=0.89, P<0.01) and D1 cc (r=0.87, P<0.01) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of TLI is relatively high, especially for patients with advanced T-stage NPC, and correlated with Dmax and D1 cc. IMRT with Dmax<68 Gy or D1 cc<58 Gy in TLs is relatively safe.

Controlled synthesis of olive-shaped Bi2S3/BiVO4 microspheres through a limited chemical conversion route and enhanced visible-light-responding photocatalytic activity.

Well-defined olive-shaped Bi(2)S(3)/BiVO(4) microspheres were synthesized through a limited chemical conversion route (LCCR), where olive-shaped BiVO(4) microspheres and thioacetamide (TAA) were used as precursors and sulfur source, respectively. The as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission microscope (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), UV-visible diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra in detail. Compared with pure BiVO(4) microspheres and Bi(2)S(3) nanorods, the Bi(2)S(3)/BiVO(4) products showed obviously enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B (Rh B) in aqueous solution under visible-light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). In addition, the Bi(2)S(3)/BiVO(4) composite microspheres showed good visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for the degradation of refractory oxytetracycline (OTC) as well. On the basis of UV-vis DRS, the calculated energy band positions, and PL spectra, the mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity of Bi(2)S(3)/BiVO(4) was proposed. The present study provides a new strategy to design composite materials with enhanced photocatalytic performance.

Single-crystal NaY(MoO4)2 thin plates with dominant {001} facets for efficient photocatalytic degradation of dyes under visible light irradiation.

Single-crystal NaY(MoO(4))(2) thin plates dominated by high-energy {001} facets were hydrothermally synthesized under relatively mild conditions, free of organic additives, seeds and templates. The as-obtained NaY(MoO(4))(2) thin plates showed an excellent visible-light-responding photocatalytic activity for degradation of dyes in water.

From hollow olive-shaped BiVO4 to n-p core-shell BiVO4@Bi2O3 microspheres: controlled synthesis and enhanced visible-light-responsive photocatalytic properties.

In this study, hollow olive-shaped BiVO(4) and n-p core-shell BiVO(4)@Bi(2)O(3) microspheres were synthesized by a novel sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT)-assisted mixed solvothermal route and a thermal solution of NaOH etching process under hydrothermal conditions for the first time, respectively. The as-obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, and UV-vis diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy in detail. The influence of AOT and solvent ratios on the final products was studied. On the basis of SEM observations and XRD analyses of the samples synthesized at different reaction stages, the formation mechanism of hollow olive-shaped BiVO(4) microspheres was proposed. The photocatalytic activities of hollow olive-shaped BiVO(4) and core-shell BiVO(4)@Bi(2)O(3) microspheres were evaluated on the degradation of rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). The results indicated that core-shell BiVO(4)@Bi(2)O(3) exhibited much higher photocatalytic activities than pure olive-shaped BiVO(4). The mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity of core-shell BiVO(4)@Bi(2)O(3) microspheres was discussed on the basis of the calculated energy band positions as well. The present study provides a new strategy to enhancing the photocatalytic activity of visible-light-responsive Bi-based photocatalysts by p-n heterojunction.

An unusual zinc substrate-induced self-construction route to various hierarchical architectures of hydrated tungsten oxide.

A novel active zinc substrate-induced sequential self-construction method is presented for the fabrication of hydrated WO(3) hierarchical octahedrons, flakes, lanterns, and arresting sandwiched double-layer nanorods arrays architectures for the first time. Photocatalytic activity and gas sensing properties of the as-obtained various WO(3).0.33H(2)O architectures were studied as well.

Bisurfactant-controlled synthesis of three-dimensional YBO3/Eu3+ architectures with tunable wettability.

Three-dimensional (3D) architectures of YBO(3)/Eu(3+) with different morphologies such as nest-like, rose-like, cruller-like, and flower-like, were hydrothermally synthesized by simply adjusting the ratios of surfactant polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000) to octadecylamine (ODA). These 3D architectures were all self-assembled by nanoflakes. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were used to characterize the morphology and structures of the samples. PEG-6000, ODA, and the ODA/PEG ratio played important roles in the formation process of various architectures. Rose-like architecture was chosen as a candidate, and the formation mechanism of the architecture was proposed on the basis of XRD analysis and SEM observation of the products at different reaction periods of time. As-synthesized samples displayed strong emission located at 591, 610, and 615 nm. Water contact angle measurements indicated that the films fabricated by the samples obtained under the different ratios of PEG-6000/ODA could exhibit tunable wettability ranging from superhydrophilicity to superhydrophobicity. This kind of one-pot bisurfactant-controlled hydrothermal synthesis method reported here provides a new strategy to realize the surfaces of functional materials with tunable wettability.

Surgical treatment of thoracic esophageal carcinoma: report of 326 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience in surgical treatment of 326 cases of thoracic esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: The clinical data of 326 patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma from January 1990 to January 2001 were analyzed retrospectively. Among the 326 patients, the lesions of 32 patients were identified in the upper thoracic segment of the esophagus, and were found in the middle segment in 213 cases with the left 81 cases having lesions in the lower segment. Left cervical esophagogastrostomy was performed through triple incision (left cervical, right thoracic and abdominal) in 79 cases. Esophagocolostomy through triple incision was performed in 5 cases. Another 156 patients received left cervical esophagogastrostomy through two incisions (left cervical and left thoracic). Supra-aorticarch esophagogastrostomy through left posterola- teral thoracotomy was performed in 53 cases, and sub-arch esophagogastrostomy through left posterolateral thoracotomy in 33 cases. RESULTS: The post-operative mortality was 1.23% (4/326), with a five-year survival rate of 35.3%. CONCLUSION: Subtotal esophagectomy combined with thorough lymph node dissection can be the first choice for thoracic esophageal carcinoma to improve the postoperative survival rate and the quality-of life-of the patients.

NGF-Tf Conjugate Prevents Degeneration of Substantia Nigra Neurons in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Nerve growth factor(NGF) was purified from Naja naja atra snake venom and conjugated to transferrin(Tf). This conjugate was intravenously injected into a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Both immunohistochemical staining and pathological detection showed that the NGF-Tf conjugate could prevent the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons located in substantia nigra and the cell counts of NGF group were 2 330.0+/-260.3, and those of the MPTP group and the control group were 797.0+/-121.4 and 2 381.0+/-158.0, respectively. In addition, electron microscopic examination revealed significant protection against demyelination and vacuolation in subtantia nigra neurons in contrast to the control group. The i.v. injected NGF-Tf conjugate also reversed the neurodegenerative changes such as karyopyknosis, chromatolysis and intracytoplasmic inclusion in diseased neurons.