Ecdysis triggering hormone is essential for larva-pupa-adult transformation in Leptinotarsa decemlineata.

In Drosophila melanogaster, ecdysis triggering hormone (ETH) is the key factor triggering ecdysis behaviour and promoting trachea clearance. However, whether ETH plays the dual roles in non-dipteran insects is unknown. In this survey, we found that Ldeth mRNA levels were positively correlated with circulating 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) titers in Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Ingestion of an ecdysteroid agonist halofenozide or 20E stimulated the transcription of Ldeth, whereas RNA interference (RNAi) of ecdysteroidogenesis (LdPTTH or LdSHD) or 20E signalling (LdEcR, LdUSP or LdFTZ-F1) genes inhibited the expression, indicating ETH acts downstream of 20E. RNAi of Ldeth at the final instar stage impaired pupation. More than 80% of the Ldeth-depleted beetles remained as prepupae, completely wrapped in the old larval cuticles. These prepupae became withered, dried and darkened gradually, and finally died in soil. The remaining Ldeth hypomorphs pupated and emerged as abnormal adults, bearing smaller and wrinkle elytrum and hindwing. Moreover, the tracheae in the Ldeth hypomorphs were full of liquid. We accordingly proposed that the failure of trachea clearance disenabled air-swallowing after pupa-adult ecdysis and impacted wing expansion. Our results suggest that ETH plays the dual roles, initiation of ecdysis and motivation of trachea clearance, in a coleopteran.

Characterization of microbial community profiles associated with quality of Chinese strong-aromatic liquor through metagenomics.

AIMS: Microorganisms in fermentation pits (FPs) play key roles for Chinese-strong-aromatic-liquor (CSAL) production. However, the microbial community in the FPs is still poorly understood. Here, the aim of this study was to reveal the diversity and potential functions of microbiota in FPs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sequencing-by-synthesis-based metagenomic sequencing and annotation results revealed that the microbiota of FPs was primarily composed of Firmicutes (54·6%), Euryarchaeota (15·3%), Bacteroidetes (10·1%), Gammaproteobacteria (5·8%), Opisthokonta (5·7%) and Unclassified_Bacteria (2·3%). And 133 genera were identified as the dominant genera of this fermentative food. Lactobacillus, Sedimentibacter, Syntrophomonas, Methanoculleus, Methanobacterium, Bacillus, Clostridium, Galactomyces, Candida, Pichia, Penicillium and Aspergillus were defined as active populations for biosynthesizing the characteristic volatile compounds of CSAL. The study also revealed that the microbial community structures changed significantly with different cellar ages and over different geographical regions. (i) The presence of Bacteroidetes was the most distinctive feature that characterized the different FPs ages. (ii) Distinct contents of Gammaproteobacteria and Euryarchaeota were observed at different positions in the FPs. (iii) Euryarchaeota markedly contributed to the generation of the character of the liquors with distinct geographical associations. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the changes of microbial communities determined the different quality characteristics of CSAL. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the FPs microbial composition and shows a new microbial resource for biotechnological applications.

Cross-species hybridization of foot-and-mouth disease virus-infected BHK-21 cells using human and mouse oligonucleotide microarrays.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has a dual capacity to induce either acute or persistent infection in host animals. Establishment of an in vitro cell model of FMDV persistent infection facilitates the study of the mechanism underlying this type of infection. In this study, we analyzed gene expression profiles of both acute and persistent infections using cross-species microarrays. Our data suggest that human microarrays are more efficient than mouse microarrays in hybridization with cDNA from BHK-21 cells although the mouse is closer to the Syrian hamster in taxonomy. A set of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that may be involved in the determination of acute or persistent infection was identified by using human or mouse microarrays. Seven common DEGs were found in both human and mouse arrays and showed similar fold changes. Among the DEGs, 33 genes were selected for further validation by using qRT-PCR and presented consistent results. The analysis of Gene Ontology Biological Processes indicated that various biosynthetic and metabolic processes were negatively regulated in the group of acute infection whereas multicellular organismal development processes were positively regulated in the group of persistent infection. Our study demonstrates the plausibility and utility of using cross-species microarrays to study FMDV-infected mammalian cells. The combined use of two types of microarrays can be more informative in exploring the mechanisms underlying the infections of FMDV.

Influence of CYP3A5 genotypes on tacrolimus dose requirement: age and its pharmacological interaction with ABCB1 genetics in the Chinese paediatric liver transplantation.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette B1 (ABCB1) genotypes on TAC pharmacokinetics in Chinese paediatric patients. METHOD: A total of 136 Chinese paediatric liver recipients (R) and their donors (D) were divided into groups according to their CYP3A5 genotypes [expression of *1 allele: expressor (EX) or non-expressor (NEX)]. RESULT: Both recipient and donor CYP3A5*1 alleles had impacts on the TAC pharmacokinetics after liver transplantation. EX-R/EX-D recipients required a significantly higher TAC daily dose compared with NEX-R/NEX-D (0.24 ± 0.08 vs. 0.14 ± 0.06 mg/kg/day, p < 0.01). Age was also an independent factor on TAC requirement. Compared with EX-R/EX-D, non-expressor infants or recipients over 3-years old needed < 0.2 mg/kg/day. None of the ABCB1 SNPs (1236C>T, 2677G>A/T, 3435C>T) had an impact on TAC pharmacokinetics. However, EX-R/EX-D recipients bearing the ABCB1 1236-CC genotype required a much higher TAC dose than those without this genotype (0.23 vs. 0.18 mg/kg/day, p < 0.01), who required a similar TAC dose to that of NEX-R/NEX-D children. Furthermore, EX-R/EX-D with ABCB1 1236-CC recipients exhibited an markedly higher incidence of acute rejection and transplant-related infections clinically. CONCLUSION: CYP3A5 and ABCB1-1236 genotyping, in addition to recipient age, are necessary for establishing a more accurate TAC dosage regimen in paediatric liver recipients. We should be cautious regarding the treatment of paediatric recipients with both CYP3A5-expressor and ABCB1 1236-CC genotypes with TAC, as these patients are more susceptible to acute rejection and infection.

[Liver transplantation for the treatment of acute liver failure in 3 cases with NBAS gene deficiency and literature review].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of liver transplantation in the treatment of acute liver in children with NBAS gene deficiency disease and their outcome. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled children with NBAS gene deficiency who were admitted to the Children's Hospital of Fudan University for liver transplantation from January 2013 to June 2022. The clinical data were collected and analyzed. Medical literature published before June 2022 was searched with the keywords of "NBAS" "neuroblastoma amplified sequence recurrent" "acute liver failure" "SOPH syndrome" "short stature with optic nerve atrophy" "Pelger-Huët anomaly" in PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang database. Results: Liver transplantation was performed in 3 patients (2 males and 1 female) with NBAS deficiency. All patients presented with fever-triggered recurrent acute liver failure. The genetic detection found compound heterozygous NBAS gene pathogenic variants in them. The total episodes of acute liver failure before liver transplantation were 11, 2, and 4 respectively, and the age at liver transplantation was 3.5, 2.3, and 2.0 years respectively. During liver transplantation, patient 1 was in the convalescent phase of acute liver failure, patient 2 was in the acute phase, presenting with hepatic encephalopathy (grade V) and respiratory failure, and patient 3 was considered to be in the acute phase. After liver transplantation, patient 1 recovered normal liver function within 1 month and had no liver transplantation-related complications. Patient 2 had secondary epilepsy, intellectual disability, movement disorder, and transiently elevated transaminases. Patient 3 died of severe infection within 1 month. There was no literature in Chinese, 6 in English, 8 NBAS-deficient patients who were treated with liver transplantation. Total 11 patients presented with fever-triggered recurrent acute liver failure. Their age at liver transplantation ranged from 0.9 to 5.0 years. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients. Until the last visit, they were followed up for 0.7 to 14.0 years. Total 2 patients died and the 9 surviving patients did not develop acute liver failure. Conclusions: Liver transplantation is effective for the treatment of acute liver failure associated with NBAS gene disease. However, postoperative complications of liver transplantation may occur. The timing of liver transplantation still needs further research.

Retraction: Bio-inspired terpolymers containing dopamine, cations and MPC: a versatile platform to construct a recycle antibacterial and antifouling surface.

Retraction of 'Bio-inspired terpolymers containing dopamine, cations and MPC: a versatile platform to construct a recycle antibacterial and antifouling surface' by B. L. Wang et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015, 3, 5501-5510, https://doi.org/10.1039/C5TB00597C.

Glycyrrhizin improves inflammation and apoptosis via suppressing HMGB1 and PI3K/mTOR pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver injury.

OBJECTIVE: Acute liver injury (ALI) is mainly characterized by the symptom of metabolic disorders, homeostasis unbalance, and loss of liver function. There are no effective treatment methods at present stage except the liver transplantation. Effective treatment for early ALI is of great significance for the treatment of liver injury thereof. Glycyrrhizin (GL) is a promising inhibitor of the high-mobility group box-1 gene (HMGB1) which is expressed much higher in an inflammatory injury. However, it is not clear whether GL improves ALI via the inhibition of HMGB1. The present study is to probe the function and mechanism of glycyrrhizin on acute liver injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of HMGB1 and inflammation in liver macrophages were analyzed. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used in stimulating the macrophages to activate inflammatory response and recombined human HMGB1 was used to resist the function of GL to explore whether GL acted via the target of HMGB1. Then, LPS injection was utilized to induce ALI in mice, and then we evaluated GL treatment in ALI model. RESULTS: The results showed that the expressions of HMGB1 and inflammatory factors were markedly increased in LPS-activated liver macrophages. GL inhibited the progress of macrophages inflammation by restraining HMGB1, and the administration of GL could reverse the effects of LPS-induced ALI in mice. Moreover, PI3K/mTOR pathway was significantly suppressed by GL application. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GL prevents inflammation in liver macrophages via inhibition of HMGB1. GL restrains inflammation and cell apoptosis by inhibiting HMGB1 via PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway in ALI. GL may become a novel drug for the therapy of ALI in the future.

KHC-4 inhibits ß-catenin expression in prostate cancer cells.

KHC-4 is a 2-phenyl-4-quinolone analogue that exhibits anticancer activity. Aberrant activation of ß-catenin signaling contributes to prostate cancer development and progression. Therefore, targeting ß-catenin expression could be a useful approach to treating prostate cancer. We found that KHC-4 can inhibit ß-catenin expression and its signaling pathway in DU145 prostate cancer cells. Treatment with KHC-4 decreased total ß-catenin expression and concomitantly decreased ß-catenin levels in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells. KHC-4 treatment also inhibited ß-catenin expression and that of its target proteins, PI3K, AKT, GSK3ß and TBX3. We monitored the stability of ß-catenin with the proteasomal inhibitor, MG132, in DU145 cells and found that MG132 reversed KHC-4-induced proteasomal ß-catenin degradation. We verified CDK1/ß-catenin expression in KHC-4 treated DU145 cells. We found that roscovitine treatment reversed cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the G2/M phase and ß-catenin expression caused by KHC-4 treatment. We suggest that KHC-4 inhibits ß-catenin signaling in DU145 prostate cancer cells.

Effect of Co2P on electrochemical performance of Li(Mn0.35Co0.2Fe0.45)PO4/C.

In this paper, we report the synthesis of carbon coated Li(Mn0.35Co 0.2Fe0.45)PO4 and discuss the effect of Co2P formation during the carbothermal reduction process, which enhances the electrochemical performance of cathode material for lithium ion batteries. It was observed that Co2P was favorably formed in 5% H2/Ar than in Ar atmosphere. The conductivity of Li(Mn0.35Co0.2Fe0.45)PO4/C sintered at 600-800 degrees C in 5% H2/Ar is increased as the temperature is increased. The O K-edge X-ray absorption near edge spectrum (XANES) demonstrates that content of hole carriers is increased in Li(Mn0.35Co0.2Fe0.45)PO4/C as the amount of Co2P increased. We also observed that the capacity of Li(Mn0.35Co0.2Fe0.45)PO4/C is increased with sintering temperature, and it exhibited a maximum capacity of 166 mAh/g at 700 degrees C. It was found that the enhancement in the discharge capacity of sintered Li(Mn0.35Co0.2Fe0.45)PO4/C was as a result of its higher electrical conductivity under 5% H2/Ar atmosphere as compared with Ar atmosphere.

Structural transformation of LiVOPO4 to Li3V2(PO4)3 with enhanced capacity.

In the present investigation, we report the transformation of alpha-LiVOPO 4 to alpha-Li 3V 2(PO 4) 3, leading to an enhancement of capacity. The alpha-LiVOPO 4 sample was synthesized by a sol-gel method, followed by sintering at 550-650 degrees C in a flow of 5% H 2/Ar. The structural transformation of a triclinic alpha-LiVOPO 4 structure to a monoclinic alpha-Li 3V 2(PO 4) 3 structure was observed at higher sintering temperatures (700-800 degrees C in a flow of 5% H 2/Ar). The alpha-Li 3V 2(PO 4) 3 phase was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and X-ray absorption near edge spectrum (XANES) techniques. The valence shift of vanadium ions from +4 to +3 states was observed using in situ XANES experiments at V K-edge. The structural transformation is ascertained by the shape changes in pre-edge and near edge area of X-ray absorption spectrum. It was observed that the capacity was enhanced from 140 mAh/g to 164 mAh/g via structural transformation process of LiVOPO 4 to Li 3V 2(PO 4) 3.

Epigenetic silencing of the dual-role signal mediator, ANGPTL4 in tumor tissues and its overexpression in the urothelial carcinoma microenvironment.

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) carcinogenesis has been hypothesized to occur through epigenetic repression of tumor-suppressor genes (TSGs). By quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction array, we found that one potential TSG, angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), was expressed at very low levels in all bladder cancer cell lines we examined. Previous studies had demonstrated that ANGPTL4 is highly expressed in some cancers, but downregulated, by DNA methylation, in others. Consequently, owing to these seemingly conflicting functions in distinct cancers, the precise role of ANGPTL4 in the etiology of UC remains unclear. In this study, using methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite pyrosequencing, we show that ANGPTL4 is transcriptionally repressed by DNA methylation in UC cell lines and primary tumor samples, as compared with adjacent noncancerous bladder epithelium. Functional studies further demonstrated that ectopic expression of ANGPTL4 potently suppressed UC cell proliferation, monolayer colony formation in vitro, and invasion, migration, and xenograft formation in vivo. Surprisingly, circulating ANGPTL4 was significantly higher in plasma samples from UC patients than normal control, suggesting it might be secreted from other cell types. Interestingly, our data also indicated that exogenous cANGPTL4 could promote cell proliferation and cell migration via activation of signaling through the Erk/focal adhesion kinase axis. We further confirmed that mouse xenograft tumor growth could be promoted by administration of exogenous cANGPTL4. Finally, immunohistochemistry demonstrated that ANGPTL4 was downregulated in tumor cells but overexpressed in tumor adjacent stromal tissues of muscle-invasive UC tissue samples. In conclusion, our data support dual roles for ANGPTL4 in UC progression, either as a tumor suppressor or oncogene, in response to microenvironmental context.

Interaction of stat6 and NF-kappaB: direct association and synergistic activation of interleukin-4-induced transcription.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6) and NF-kappaB are widely distributed transcription factors which are induced by different stimuli and bind to distinct DNA sequence motifs. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), which activates Stat6, synergizes with activators of NF-kappaB to induce IL-4-responsive genes, but the molecular mechanism of this synergy is poorly understood. Using glutathione S-transferase pulldown assays and coimmunoprecipitation techniques, we find that NF-kappaB and tyrosine-phosphorylated Stat6 can directly bind each other in vitro and in vivo. An IL-4-inducible reporter gene containing both cognate binding sites in the promoter is synergistically activated in the presence of IL-4 when Stat6 and NF-kappaB proteins are coexpressed in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells. The same IL-4-inducible reporter gene is also synergistically activated by the endogenous Stat6 and NF-kappaB proteins in IL-4-stimulated I.29mu B lymphoma cells. Furthermore, Stat6 and NF-kappaB bind cooperatively to a DNA probe containing both sites, and the presence of a complex formed by their cooperative binding correlates with the synergistic activation of the promoter by Stat6 and NF-kappaB. We conclude that the direct interaction between Stat6 and NF-kappaB may provide a basis for synergistic activation of transcription by IL-4 and activators of NF-kappaB.

Remodeling of yeast CUP1 chromatin involves activator-dependent repositioning of nucleosomes over the entire gene and flanking sequences.

The yeast CUP1 gene is activated by the copper-dependent binding of the transcriptional activator, Ace1p. An episome containing transcriptionally active or inactive CUP1 was purified in its native chromatin structure from yeast cells. The amount of RNA polymerase II on CUP1 in the purified episomes correlated with its transcriptional activity in vivo. Chromatin structures were examined by using the monomer extension technique to map translational positions of nucleosomes. The chromatin structure of an episome containing inactive CUP1 isolated from ace1Delta cells is organized into clusters of overlapping nucleosome positions separated by linkers. Novel nucleosome positions that include the linkers are occupied in the presence of Ace1p. Repositioning was observed over the entire CUP1 gene and its flanking regions, possibly over the entire episome. Mutation of the TATA boxes to prevent transcription did not prevent repositioning, implicating a chromatin remodeling activity recruited by Ace1p. These observations provide direct evidence in vivo for the nucleosome sliding mechanism proposed for remodeling complexes in vitro and indicate that remodeling is not restricted to the promoter but occurs over a chromatin domain including CUP1 and its flanking sequences.

Liver Transplantation for Biliary Rhabdomyosarcoma With Liver Metastasis: Report of One Case.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation in combination with chemotherapy in postoperative biliary rhabdomyosarcoma recurrence of children was evaluated. METHODS: An 8-year-old girl with biliary rhabdomyosarcoma underwent pancreatico-duodenectomy with postoperative vincristine (VCR), adriamycin (Act-D), and cyclophosphamide (CTX) (VAC chemotherapy) (VCR, 1 mg; Act-D, 0.7 mg; CTX, 1500 mg). Two years later, liver metastasis in the left and right lobes was found and was followed by VAC chemotherapy (CTX, 1800 mg; Act-D, 0.9 mg; VCR, 1.2 mg), with no change of the tumor size. One and a half years later, liver transplantation performed with postoperative pathology confirmed embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma recurrence and was followed by VAC chemotherapy (CTX, 1400 mg; Act-D, 0.7 mg; VCR, 1.9 mg) and immunosuppression treatment. RESULTS: The liver transplantation went well, with no major complications. At the time of this report, the patient had survived for 6 months, with a good quality of life and no tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: For unresectable biliary rhabdomyosarcoma without extra-hepatic metastases, liver transplantation could be an effective treatment. Liver transplantation completely removes the tumor and reduces the long-term side effects of chemotherapy drugs.

[Primary hypogammaglobulinemia complicated with liver cirrhosis and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of primary hypogammaglobulinemia complicated with liver cirrhosis in a child. METHOD: Pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA ) complicated with liver cirrhosis in a child were analyzed in Shanghai Children's Medical Center.Using"primary hypogammaglobulinemia"and"liver cirrhosis"as keywords, literatures were searched from Pubmed and Chinese data of Weipu and Wanfang data from January 1988 to January 2015. RESULT: The patient was a 12 years old boy with the chief complaint of 3 times hematemesis with diagnosis of XLA in the past 7 years. He received treatment with immunoglobulin (Ig) monthly for 6 years. He had no hepatitis C virus( HCV ) infection and serologic tests for autoantibodies were negative. Anti-HBs, anti-HBe and anti-HBc were positive, which revealed previous hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection. Gastroscopy suggested esophageal gastric varices. Liver pathology showed liver cell degeneration, necrosis, fiber tissue hyperplasia and pseudolobuli. After hospitalization the boy underwent liver transplantation (LT). He was given tacrolimus (3 mg/d), prednisone (5 mg/d), lamivudine (150 mg/d) and acyclovir (900 mg/d) by oral administration after LT. After 3 months follow-up, the boy was alive and well with stable results of liver function tests. There were no report in Weipu and Wanfang data. A total of 19 cases, including 12 cases of common variable immunodeficiency, 3 cases of XLA, 2 cases of Hyper-IgM syndrome and 2 cases of congenital hypogammaglobulinemia were obtained from Pubmed published between January 1, 1988 and January 1, 2015. Seventeen of the cases had HCV infection. Two cases had autoimmune hepatitis. Of the HCV infected patients, 15 were given intravenous gamma globulin. Seven of the 19 cases survived. Among 5 cases who received liver transplantation, 3 cases died. CONCLUSION: In addition to HCV infection and autoimmune hepatitis as causes of liver cirrhosis in primary hypogammaglobulinemia, chronic HBV infection is another cause. Intravenous gammaglobulin is an important way of transmitting HCV and HBV infection. The effect of liver transplantation remains to be evaluated via further follow-up and studies.

Identification and characterization of a prevalent hepatitis B virus X protein mutant in Taiwanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was a particular hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) mutant associated with Taiwanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Initially, the entire coding region of HBx gene from the serum samples of 14 Taiwanese patients were sequenced. A novel mutant, HBx-A31, was preferentially found in patients with HCC. Sera from 67 patients with HCC and 100 patients with chronic hepatitis B were thus subjected for codon 31 analysis using a dual amplification created restriction site method. HBx-A31 was detected more frequently in patients with HCC (52% versus 12%; P<0.001) and in patients with liver cirrhosis (44% versus 6%; P<0.001). Site directed mutagenesis experiment revealed that HBx-A31 was less effective in transactivating HBV enhancer I-X promoter complex, less efficient in supporting HBV replication, and less potent in enhancing TNF-alpha induced increment of CPP32/caspase 3 activities in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, a prevalent HBx mutant was identified in Taiwanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Development of this mutant might represent a strategy of the virus to escape immune surveillance and thus contribute to the process of multiple-step hepatocarcinogenesis.

Bio-inspired terpolymers containing dopamine, cations and MPC: a versatile platform to construct a recycle antibacterial and antifouling surface.

A new kind of bio-inspired terpolymer was synthesized by a conventional free radical terpolymerization of dopamine methacrylamide (DMA), 2-(dimethylamino)-ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. DMA consists of a biomimetic adhesive side chain covalently linked to a polymerizable methacrylate monomer. 1H NMR and gel permeation chromatography confirmed the successful synthesis of P(DMA-co-MPC-co-DMAEMA). The terpolymer could self-assemble on the macroscopic planar substrates with DMA as an anchor. After being quaternized by 1-bromo-heptane, terpolymers of P(DMA-co-MPC-co-DMAEMA+) with bactericidal function were obtained. The self-assembly terpolymer on the substrate was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, water contact angle, spectroscopic ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy. The hydrophilicity and antifouling properties of the self-assembly coating increased greatly against bacteria, protein and cells with the increase of MPC content. As the existence of bactericidal cations for electrostatic targeting of bacteria as well as membrane lysis, the terpolymer coating showed excellent bactericidal function against E. coli and S. aureus. Biofilm inhibition assay showed that terpolymer coating was very efficient to resist bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation in a nutrient environment. Bacteria could be continuously "captured" and killed by the terpolymer coating, and then bacteria corpse was released into the solution. Importantly, this work provides a versatile strategy for the fabrication of a recycle antibacterial and antifouling surface to modify biomaterials.

Thermal chip fabrication with arrays of sensors and heaters for micro-scale impingement cooling heat transfer analysis and measurements.

The design and fabrication for a thermal chip with an array of temperature sensors and heaters for study of micro-jet impingement cooling heat transfer process are presented. This thermal chip can minimize the heat loss from the system to the ambient and provide a uniform heat flux along the wall, thus local heat transfer processes along the wall can be measured and obtained. The fabrication procedure presented can reach a chip yield of 100%, and every one of the sensors and heaters on the chip is in good condition. In addition, micro-jet impingement cooling experiments are performed to obtain the micro-scale local heat transfer Nusselt number along the wall. Flow visualization for the micro-impinging jet is also made. The experimental results indicate that both the micro-scale impinging jet flow structure and the heat transfer process along the wall is significantly different from the case of large-scale jet impingement cooling process.

Primary cerebral anaplastic large cell lymphoma containing abundant reactive histiocytes and eosinophils. A case report and literature review.

Primary cerebral anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is very rare. We report on our experience with such a case and review the literature. A 46-year-old Taiwanese woman presented with headache, weakness of her right extremity, and limited eye movement. A solid mass (5 cm x 4 cm) at the left occipital lobe was almost completely removed. The neoplastic cells, some of which had reniform or embryo-like nuclei, were large and were admixed with abundant eosinophils, histiocytes, and some small lymphocytes. These neoplastic cells expressed CD30, CD43, granzyme B and T-cell intracellular antigen-1, but not ALK1, CD3, CD20, CD45, CD79a, cytokeratin, and EMA. They were positive for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded mRNA by in situ hybridization. Polymerase chain reaction study of formalin-fixed tissue showed a clonal gene arrangement of the T-cell receptor-gamma chain. ALCL of T-cell lineage with cytotoxic phenotype was diagnosed. The patient received cranial irradiation and has remained with no evidence of disease for 25 months of follow-up.

A survey of 790 cases of astrocytoma.

790 cases of cerebral astrocytoma, which consisted of 181 cases of astrocytoma grade I, 282 cases of grade II, and 327 cases of grade III-IV, histopathologically verified, are presented. The sex and age distribution, topographical distribution of the tumours, and clinical manifestations are analyzed. A total of 862 operations were performed, and 69 cases (8.6%) were operated on more than twice for recurrence. The operative mortality was 7.7%. 179 of the survivors following operation received a combined treatment with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Based on the follow-up study of 170 cases, the factors which may correlate with the length of survival, are discussed.