The Great Gatsby has been one of the most discussed topics,researchers has explored it from various aspects.In the researches,Nick Carraway was mainly seen as a narrator,and the research are mostly focus on the shift ...The Great Gatsby has been one of the most discussed topics,researchers has explored it from various aspects.In the researches,Nick Carraway was mainly seen as a narrator,and the research are mostly focus on the shift of his narrative prospective.Few people noticed that he was totally fit into the definition of the " wise old man".This paper tries to put an eye on the archetype of the hero Nick Carraway,whose figure is thought as in the archetype of the " wise old man".展开更多
Based on Indian Camp, the thesis probes into the death complex of Ernest Hemingway from the visual angle of Nick,the protagonist of the novel, death complex shown in Hemingway's works and Nick, the archetype of He...Based on Indian Camp, the thesis probes into the death complex of Ernest Hemingway from the visual angle of Nick,the protagonist of the novel, death complex shown in Hemingway's works and Nick, the archetype of Hemingway respectively.展开更多
AIM: To assess intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) for monitoring early efficacy of chemotherapy in a human gastric cancer mouse model.METHODS: IVIM-DWI was performed with 12 b-values (0...AIM: To assess intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) for monitoring early efficacy of chemotherapy in a human gastric cancer mouse model.METHODS: IVIM-DWI was performed with 12 b-values (0-800 s/mm<sup>2</sup>) in 25 human gastric cancer-bearing nude mice at baseline (day 0), and then they were randomly divided into control and 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-d treatment groups (n = 5 per group). The control group underwent longitudinal MRI scans at days 1, 3, 5 and 7, and the treatment groups underwent subsequent MRI scans after a specified 5-fluorouracil/calcium folinate treatment. Together with tumor volumes (TV), the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and IVIM parameters [true water molecular diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion fraction (f) and pseudo-related diffusion coefficient (D<sup>*</sup>)] were measured. The differences in those parameters from baseline to each measurement (ΔTV%, ΔADC%, ΔD%, Δf% and ΔD<sup>*</sup>%) were calculated. After image acquisition, tumor necrosis, microvessel density (MVD) and cellular apoptosis were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE), CD31 and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining respectively, to confirm the imaging findings. Mann-Whitney test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis were performed.RESULTS: The observed relative volume increase (ΔTV%) in the treatment group were significantly smaller than those in the control group at day 5 (ΔTV<sub>treatment</sub>% = 19.63% ± 3.01% and ΔTV<sub>control</sub>% = 83.60% ± 14.87%, P = 0.008) and day 7 (ΔTV<sub>treatment</sub>% = 29.07% ± 10.01% and ΔTV<sub>control</sub>% = 177.06% ± 63.00%, P = 0.008). The difference in ΔTV% between the treatment and the control groups was not significant at days 1 and 3 after a short duration of treatment. Increases in ADC in the treatment group (ΔADC%<sub>treatment</sub>, median, 30.10% ± 18.32%, 36.11% ± 21.82%, 45.22% ± 24.36%) were significantly higher compared with the control group (ΔADC%<sub>control</sub>, median, 4.98% ± 3.39%, 6.26% ± 3.08%, 9.24% ± 6.33%) at days 3, 5 and 7 (P = 0.008, P = 0.016, P = 0.008, respectively). Increases in D in the treatment group (ΔD%<sub>treatment</sub>, median 17.12% ± 8.20%, 24.16% ± 16.87%, 38.54% ± 19.36%) were higher than those in the control group (ΔD%<sub>control</sub>, median -0.13% ± 4.23%, 5.89% ± 4.56%, 5.54% ± 4.44%) at days 1, 3, and 5 (P = 0.032, P = 0.008, P = 0.016, respectively). Relative changes in f were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the control group at days 1, 3, 5 and 7 follow-up (median, -34.13% ± 16.61% vs 1.68% ± 3.40%, P = 0.016; -50.64% ± 6.82% vs 3.01% ± 6.50%, P = 0.008; -49.93% ± 6.05% vs 0.97% ± 4.38%, P = 0.008, and -46.22% ± 7.75% vs 8.14% ± 6.75%, P = 0.008, respectively). D* in the treatment group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group at all time points (median, -32.10% ± 12.22% vs 1.85% ± 5.54%, P = 0.008; -44.14% ± 14.83% vs 2.29% ± 10.38%, P = 0.008; -59.06% ± 19.10% vs 3.86% ± 5.10%, P = 0.008 and -47.20% ± 20.48% vs 7.13% ± 9.88%, P = 0.016, respectively). Furthermore, histopathologic findings showed positive correlations with ADC and D and tumor necrosis (r<sub>s</sub> = 0.720, P < 0.001; r<sub>s</sub> = 0.522, P = 0.007, respectively). The cellular apoptosis of the tumor also showed positive correlations with ADC and D (r<sub>s</sub> = 0.626, P = 0.001; r<sub>s</sub> = 0.542, P = 0.005, respectively). Perfusion-related parameters (f and D<sup>*</sup>) were positively correlated to MVD (r<sub>s</sub> = 0.618, P = 0.001; r<sub>s</sub> = 0.538, P = 0.006, respectively), and negatively correlated to cellular apoptosis of the tumor (r<sub>s</sub> = -0.550, P = 0.004; r<sub>s</sub> = -0.692, P < 0.001, respectively).CONCLUSION: IVIM-DWI is potentially useful for predicting the early efficacy of chemotherapy in a human gastric cancer mouse model.展开更多
Objective and background： Although p21 ras has been reported to be upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma complicating chronic hepatitis C type I, p21 ras has a different role in advanced stages, as it has been foun...Objective and background： Although p21 ras has been reported to be upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma complicating chronic hepatitis C type I, p21 ras has a different role in advanced stages, as it has been found to be downregulated. The goal of this study was to investigate the status of p21 ras in early-stage/low-grade and late-stage/high-grade hepatocellular carcinoma and its possible link to apoptosis. Material and methods： Thirty-five cases each of chronic HCV hepatitis type 4 （group I） and cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） complicating chronic HCV hepatitis （groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ） were immunohistochemically evaluated using a p21 ras polyclonal antibody. The apoptotic index was determined in histologic sections using the terminal deoxynncleotidyl transferase-mediated d-UTP biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay. Results： Significant differences （P=0.001） were detected in p21 ras protein expression between the three groups. A near 2-fold increase in p21 ras staining was observed in the cirrhotic cases compared to the hepatitis cases, and p21 ras expression was decreased in the HCC group, p21 ras expression correlated with stage （r=0.64, P--0.001） and grade （r=-0.65, P=0.001） in the HCC group and grade in the HCV group （r=0.44, P=0.008）. Both p21 ras expression and TUNEL-LI were significantly lower in large HCCs compared to small HCCs （P=0.01 each）. The TUNEL values were negatively correlated with stage in the HCC group （r=-0.85, P=0.001）. The TUNEL values were also negatively correlated with grade in both the HCV and HCC groups （r=0.89, P=0.001 and r=0.53, P=0.001, respectively）. The p21 ras scores were significantly correlated with the TUNEL-LI values in the HCC group （r=0.63, P=0.001） and HCV group （r=0.88, P=0.001）. Conclusions： p21 ras acts as an initiator in HCC complicating type 4 chronic HCV and is downregulated with HCC progression, which most likely promotes tumor cell survival because it facilitates the downregulation of apoptosis with tumor progression.展开更多
Increasing evidence has revealed that the activation of the JNK pathway participates In apoptosis o1 nerve cells and neurological function recovery after traumatic brain injury. However, which genes inI the JNK family...Increasing evidence has revealed that the activation of the JNK pathway participates In apoptosis o1 nerve cells and neurological function recovery after traumatic brain injury. However, which genes inI the JNK family are activated and their role in traumatic brain injury remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, in situ end labeling, reverse transcription-PCR and neurological function assessment were adopted to investigate the alteration of JNK1, JNK2 and JNK3 gene expression in cerebral injured rats, and their role in celt apoptosis and neurological function restoration. Results showed that JNK3 expression significantly decreased at 1 and 6 hours and 1 and 7 days post injury, but that JNK1 and JNK2 expression remained unchanged. In addition, the number of apoptotic nerve cells surrounding the injured cerebral cortex gradually reduced over time post injury. The Neurological Severity Scores gradually decreased over 1,3, 5, 14 and 28 days post injury. These findings suggested that JNK3 expression was downregulated at early stages of brain injury, which may be associated with apoptosis of nerve cells. Downregulation of JNK3 expression may promote the recovery of neurological function following traumatic brain injury.展开更多
AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHOD...AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHODS:A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Patients scheduled to undergo surveillance colonoscopy for previous sporadic colonic adenomas were identified, and 60 eligible patients were randomized to placebo or active dietary intervention (ADI) twice a day, for 60 d before surveillance colonoscopy. ADI was a mixture of 175 mg milk thistle extract, 20 mg secoisolariciresinol and 750 mg oat fiber extract. ER-β and ER-α expression, apoptosis and proliferation (Ki-67 LI) were assessed in colon samples. RESULTS:No adverse event related to ADI was recorded. ADI administration showed a significant increases in ER-β protein (0.822 ± 0.08 vs 0.768 ± 0.10, P = 0.04) and a general trend to an increase in ER-β LI (39.222 ± 2.69vs 37.708 ± 5.31,P = 0.06), ER-β/ER-α LI ratio (6.564 ± 10.04 vs 2.437 ± 1.53, P = 0.06), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (35.592 ± 14.97 vs 31.541 ± 11.54, P = 0.07) and Ki-67 (53.923 ± 20.91 vs 44.833 ± 10.38, P = 0.07) approximating statistical significance. A significant increase of ER-β protein (0.805 ± 0.13 vs 0.773 ± 0.13,P = 0.04), mRNA (2.278 ± 1.19vs 1.105 ± 1.07, P < 0.02) and LI (47.533 ± 15.47 vs 34.875 ± 16.67,P < 0.05) and a decrease of ER-α protein (0.423 ± 0.06vs 0.532 ± 0.11,P < 0.02) as well as a trend to increase of ER-β/ER-α protein in ADI vs placebo group were observed in patients without polyps (1.734 ± 0.20 vs 1.571 ± 0.42, P = 0.07). CONCLUSION:The role of ER-β on the control of apoptosis, and its amenability to dietary intervention, are supported in our study.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of gambogic acid(GA) on apoptosis in the HT-29 human colon cancer cell line. METHODS: H-29 cells were used for in vitro experiments in this study. Relative cell viability was assessed us...AIM: To investigate the effect of gambogic acid(GA) on apoptosis in the HT-29 human colon cancer cell line. METHODS: H-29 cells were used for in vitro experiments in this study. Relative cell viability was assessed using MTT assays. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d UTP nick end labeling and Hoechst 33342 staining, and quantified by flow cytometry. Cellular ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were used to evaluate gene and protein expression levels. For in vivo experiments, BALB/c nude mice received subcutaneous injections of HT-29 cells in the right armpit. When well-established xenografts were palpable with a tumor size of 75 mm3, mice were randomly assigned to a vehicle(negative) control, positive control or GA treatment group(n = 6 each). The animals in the treatment group received one of three dosages of GA(in saline; 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) via the caudal vein twice weekly, whereas animals in the negative and positive control groups were given equal volumes of 0.9% saline or 10 mg/kg docetaxel, respectively, via the caudal vein once weekly. RESULTS: The cell viability assay showed that GA inhibited proliferation of HT-29 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner after treatment with GA(0.00, 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, 2.50, 5.00 or 10.00 μmol/L) for 24, 48 or 72 h. After 48 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells in cells treated with 0.00, 1.25, 2.50 and 5.00 μmol/L GA was 1.4% ± 0.3%, 9.8% ± 1.2%, 25.7% ± 3.3% and 49.3% ± 5.8%, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis of HT-29 cells treated for 48 h with 2.5μmol/L GA revealed apoptotic bodies and condensed and fragmented nuclei. Levels of caspase-8,-9 and-3 m RNAs were significantly increased after treatment with GA(1.25, 2.50 or 5.00 μmol/L) for 48 h(P < 0.05 for all). Protein levels of apoptosis-related factors Fas, Fas L, FADD, cytochrome c, and Apaf-1 were increased in GA-treated cells, whereas levels of pro-caspase-8,-9 and-3 were significantly decreased(P < 0.05 for all). Furthermore, GA significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the growth of HT-29 tumors in a mouse xenograft model(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: GA inhibits HT-29 proliferation via induction of apoptosis. The anti-cancer effects are likely mediated by death receptor(extrinsic) and mitochondrial(intrinsic) pathways.展开更多
Nicotiflorin is a flavonoid extracted from Carthamus tinctorius.Previous studies have shown its cerebral protective effect,but the mechanism is undefined.In this study,we aimed to determine whether nicotiflorin protec...Nicotiflorin is a flavonoid extracted from Carthamus tinctorius.Previous studies have shown its cerebral protective effect,but the mechanism is undefined.In this study,we aimed to determine whether nicotiflorin protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced apoptosis through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.The cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion.Nicotiflorin（10 mg/kg） was administered by tail vein injection.Cell apoptosis in the ischemic cerebral cortex was examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d UTP nick end labeling assay.Bcl-2 and Bax expression levels in ischemic cerebral cortex were examined by immunohistochemial staining.Additionally,p-JAK2,p-STAT3,Bcl-2,Bax,and caspase-3 levels in ischemic cerebral cortex were examined by western blot assay.Nicotiflorin altered the shape and structure of injured neurons,decreased the number of apoptotic cells,down-regulates expression of p-JAK2,p-STAT3,caspase-3,and Bax,decreased Bax immunoredactivity,and increased Bcl-2 protein expression and immunoreactivity.These results suggest that nicotiflorin protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced apoptosis via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.展开更多
Objective： To investigate the relationship between the expression of Fas and Fas ligand （FasL） and its biological behavior in human cervix carcinoma. Methods： Immunohistochemisty technique was used to detect the e...Objective： To investigate the relationship between the expression of Fas and Fas ligand （FasL） and its biological behavior in human cervix carcinoma. Methods： Immunohistochemisty technique was used to detect the expression of Fas and FasL in 47 cases of cervical carcinoma, 16 cases of cervical interaepithelial neoplasia, 10 cases of chronic cervicitis and 10 cases of normal cervix. TUNEL technique was used to observe the apoptic cells in 47 cases of cervical carcinoma. Retrospective study was carried out to find the relationship between the expression of Fas and FasL and cell apoptosis, clinical stage, pathological classification, lymph node metastasis, prognosis and age. Results： The expression of Fas and FasL was significantly different in different cervix （P 〈 0.01）, and also related to the degree of differentiation, lymph node metastasis and prognosis （P 〈 0.05）. But had no relation with clinical stage or age （P 〉 0.05） ; Cervix carcinoma cells apoptosis in different pathological classification appeared negative relation （Rs=-0.35, P 〈 0.05 ）. Cervix carcinoma cell apoptosis was significantly higher in Fas-positive and FasL- positive than that in Fas-negative and FasL-negative （P 〈 0.05）. By retrospective investigation, Fas-negative and FasL-positive were related to poor prognoses of the patients with cervical carcinoma （P 〈 0.05 ）. Conclusion： The development of apoptosis in cervix carcinoma has a promoting regulation function in Fas and FasL expression. Gene treatment can alter apoptosis abnormality, thus induce apoptosis in cancerous cell expressing Fas and FasL. Fas or FasL may be taken as a marker in the prognostic character- ization.展开更多
Nick Carraway is one of the main characters as well as the narrator in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. This paper applies the theory of Bildungsroman and analyzes the changes of Nick in characters, conscie...Nick Carraway is one of the main characters as well as the narrator in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. This paper applies the theory of Bildungsroman and analyzes the changes of Nick in characters, conscience as well as responsibilities from the following aspects: guides of maturity and epiphany during maturity, and reveals his ultimate maturity both physically and mentally after epiphany, thus shows the changes and maturity of him.展开更多
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's world famous novel The Great Gatsby, Nicolas"Nick"Carraway is not only a first-person narrator, but also a convincing narrator, an emotion depositor, and a structure organizer. H...In F. Scott Fitzgerald's world famous novel The Great Gatsby, Nicolas"Nick"Carraway is not only a first-person narrator, but also a convincing narrator, an emotion depositor, and a structure organizer. He is the figure of equal weight with Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, the two conceived protagonists in this book.展开更多
Nickel is a toxic heavy metal among trace elements which has a detrimental impact on living organisms. There is growing need of finding an economic and effective solution for Ni(Ⅱ) immobilization in environments. Chi...Nickel is a toxic heavy metal among trace elements which has a detrimental impact on living organisms. There is growing need of finding an economic and effective solution for Ni(Ⅱ) immobilization in environments. Chinese loess was selected as adsorbent to remove Ni(Ⅱ) from aqueous solution. Adsorbent dosage, reaction time, solute concentration, temperature, and solution p H also have influences on efficiency of Ni(Ⅱ) removal. The monolayer adsorption capacity of loess towards Ni(Ⅱ) is determined to be about 15.61 mg/g. High temperature and p H favor the removal of Ni(Ⅱ) using Chinese loess soil and the optimal dosage of loess is determined to be 10 g/L. The kinetics and adsorption isotherms of the adsorption process can be best-fitted with the pseudo second order kinetics and Langmuir isothermal model, respectively. The thermodynamic analysis reveals that the adsorption process is spontaneous, endothermic and the system disorder increases with duration. Nickel ions can be removed with the removal efficiency of 98.5% at p H greater than or equal to 9.7. Further studies on loess and Ni(Ⅱ) laden loess(using X-Ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and Ni(Ⅱ) species distribution at various p H have been conducted to discuss the adsorption mechanism. Loess soils in China have proven to be a potential adsorbent for Ni(Ⅱ) removal from aqueous solutions.展开更多
This article reported the distribution of DNase-1 sensitive regions in genomes of three Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines, P3HR-1, Raji and Ramos cell lines using a new method of in situ nick translation of chromosome...This article reported the distribution of DNase-1 sensitive regions in genomes of three Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines, P3HR-1, Raji and Ramos cell lines using a new method of in situ nick translation of chromosomes substituted completely by BrdU. The results showed that the Blym locus on chromosomes In three cell lines and the c-myc locus on chromosomes in P3HR-1 were the DNase-1 sensitive regions and found that the rearrangemental sites of chromosomes present in three Burkltt' s lymphoma cell lines were sensitive to DNase-1 digestion, Indicating that c-myc, bcl-1 genes located at the rearrangemental sites and the Blym gene in Burkltt' s lymphoma are the active genes having the capability of expression.展开更多
Fitzgerald tells the story in The Great Gatsby through the dramatized narrator, or the character in the play which helps this novel become a classic one. In this paper, the endeavor is to discover Nick Carraway both a...Fitzgerald tells the story in The Great Gatsby through the dramatized narrator, or the character in the play which helps this novel become a classic one. In this paper, the endeavor is to discover Nick Carraway both as a character and a narrator from the perspective of impersonal narration.展开更多
An improved preprocessed Yaroslavsky filter（IPYF）is proposed to avoid the nick effects and obtain a better denoising result when the noise variance is unknown.Different from its predecessors,the similarity between t...An improved preprocessed Yaroslavsky filter（IPYF）is proposed to avoid the nick effects and obtain a better denoising result when the noise variance is unknown.Different from its predecessors,the similarity between two pixels is calculated by shearlet features.The feature vector consists of initial denoised results by the non-subsampled shearlet transform hard thresholding（NSST-HT）and NSST coefficients,which can help allocate the averaging weights more reasonably.With the correct estimated noise variance,the NSST-HT can provide good denoised results as the initial estimation and high-frequency coefficients contribute large weights to preserve textures.In case of the incorrect estimated noise variance,the low-frequency coefficients will mitigate the nick effect in cartoon regions greatly,making the IPYF more robust than the original PYF.Detailed experimental results show that the IPYF is a very competitive method based on a comprehensive consideration involving peak signal to noise ratio（PSNR）,computing time,visual quality and method noise.展开更多
文摘The Great Gatsby has been one of the most discussed topics,researchers has explored it from various aspects.In the researches,Nick Carraway was mainly seen as a narrator,and the research are mostly focus on the shift of his narrative prospective.Few people noticed that he was totally fit into the definition of the " wise old man".This paper tries to put an eye on the archetype of the hero Nick Carraway,whose figure is thought as in the archetype of the " wise old man".
文摘Based on Indian Camp, the thesis probes into the death complex of Ernest Hemingway from the visual angle of Nick,the protagonist of the novel, death complex shown in Hemingway's works and Nick, the archetype of Hemingway respectively.
基金Supported by National Research Foundation of South Korea,No.NRF-2013R1A1A2013878 and No.2015R1A2A2A01007827
文摘AIM: To assess intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) for monitoring early efficacy of chemotherapy in a human gastric cancer mouse model.METHODS: IVIM-DWI was performed with 12 b-values (0-800 s/mm<sup>2</sup>) in 25 human gastric cancer-bearing nude mice at baseline (day 0), and then they were randomly divided into control and 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-d treatment groups (n = 5 per group). The control group underwent longitudinal MRI scans at days 1, 3, 5 and 7, and the treatment groups underwent subsequent MRI scans after a specified 5-fluorouracil/calcium folinate treatment. Together with tumor volumes (TV), the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and IVIM parameters [true water molecular diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion fraction (f) and pseudo-related diffusion coefficient (D<sup>*</sup>)] were measured. The differences in those parameters from baseline to each measurement (ΔTV%, ΔADC%, ΔD%, Δf% and ΔD<sup>*</sup>%) were calculated. After image acquisition, tumor necrosis, microvessel density (MVD) and cellular apoptosis were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE), CD31 and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining respectively, to confirm the imaging findings. Mann-Whitney test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis were performed.RESULTS: The observed relative volume increase (ΔTV%) in the treatment group were significantly smaller than those in the control group at day 5 (ΔTV<sub>treatment</sub>% = 19.63% ± 3.01% and ΔTV<sub>control</sub>% = 83.60% ± 14.87%, P = 0.008) and day 7 (ΔTV<sub>treatment</sub>% = 29.07% ± 10.01% and ΔTV<sub>control</sub>% = 177.06% ± 63.00%, P = 0.008). The difference in ΔTV% between the treatment and the control groups was not significant at days 1 and 3 after a short duration of treatment. Increases in ADC in the treatment group (ΔADC%<sub>treatment</sub>, median, 30.10% ± 18.32%, 36.11% ± 21.82%, 45.22% ± 24.36%) were significantly higher compared with the control group (ΔADC%<sub>control</sub>, median, 4.98% ± 3.39%, 6.26% ± 3.08%, 9.24% ± 6.33%) at days 3, 5 and 7 (P = 0.008, P = 0.016, P = 0.008, respectively). Increases in D in the treatment group (ΔD%<sub>treatment</sub>, median 17.12% ± 8.20%, 24.16% ± 16.87%, 38.54% ± 19.36%) were higher than those in the control group (ΔD%<sub>control</sub>, median -0.13% ± 4.23%, 5.89% ± 4.56%, 5.54% ± 4.44%) at days 1, 3, and 5 (P = 0.032, P = 0.008, P = 0.016, respectively). Relative changes in f were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the control group at days 1, 3, 5 and 7 follow-up (median, -34.13% ± 16.61% vs 1.68% ± 3.40%, P = 0.016; -50.64% ± 6.82% vs 3.01% ± 6.50%, P = 0.008; -49.93% ± 6.05% vs 0.97% ± 4.38%, P = 0.008, and -46.22% ± 7.75% vs 8.14% ± 6.75%, P = 0.008, respectively). D* in the treatment group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group at all time points (median, -32.10% ± 12.22% vs 1.85% ± 5.54%, P = 0.008; -44.14% ± 14.83% vs 2.29% ± 10.38%, P = 0.008; -59.06% ± 19.10% vs 3.86% ± 5.10%, P = 0.008 and -47.20% ± 20.48% vs 7.13% ± 9.88%, P = 0.016, respectively). Furthermore, histopathologic findings showed positive correlations with ADC and D and tumor necrosis (r<sub>s</sub> = 0.720, P < 0.001; r<sub>s</sub> = 0.522, P = 0.007, respectively). The cellular apoptosis of the tumor also showed positive correlations with ADC and D (r<sub>s</sub> = 0.626, P = 0.001; r<sub>s</sub> = 0.542, P = 0.005, respectively). Perfusion-related parameters (f and D<sup>*</sup>) were positively correlated to MVD (r<sub>s</sub> = 0.618, P = 0.001; r<sub>s</sub> = 0.538, P = 0.006, respectively), and negatively correlated to cellular apoptosis of the tumor (r<sub>s</sub> = -0.550, P = 0.004; r<sub>s</sub> = -0.692, P < 0.001, respectively).CONCLUSION: IVIM-DWI is potentially useful for predicting the early efficacy of chemotherapy in a human gastric cancer mouse model.
文摘Objective and background： Although p21 ras has been reported to be upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma complicating chronic hepatitis C type I, p21 ras has a different role in advanced stages, as it has been found to be downregulated. The goal of this study was to investigate the status of p21 ras in early-stage/low-grade and late-stage/high-grade hepatocellular carcinoma and its possible link to apoptosis. Material and methods： Thirty-five cases each of chronic HCV hepatitis type 4 （group I） and cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） complicating chronic HCV hepatitis （groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ） were immunohistochemically evaluated using a p21 ras polyclonal antibody. The apoptotic index was determined in histologic sections using the terminal deoxynncleotidyl transferase-mediated d-UTP biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay. Results： Significant differences （P=0.001） were detected in p21 ras protein expression between the three groups. A near 2-fold increase in p21 ras staining was observed in the cirrhotic cases compared to the hepatitis cases, and p21 ras expression was decreased in the HCC group, p21 ras expression correlated with stage （r=0.64, P--0.001） and grade （r=-0.65, P=0.001） in the HCC group and grade in the HCV group （r=0.44, P=0.008）. Both p21 ras expression and TUNEL-LI were significantly lower in large HCCs compared to small HCCs （P=0.01 each）. The TUNEL values were negatively correlated with stage in the HCC group （r=-0.85, P=0.001）. The TUNEL values were also negatively correlated with grade in both the HCV and HCC groups （r=0.89, P=0.001 and r=0.53, P=0.001, respectively）. The p21 ras scores were significantly correlated with the TUNEL-LI values in the HCC group （r=0.63, P=0.001） and HCV group （r=0.88, P=0.001）. Conclusions： p21 ras acts as an initiator in HCC complicating type 4 chronic HCV and is downregulated with HCC progression, which most likely promotes tumor cell survival because it facilitates the downregulation of apoptosis with tumor progression.
文摘Increasing evidence has revealed that the activation of the JNK pathway participates In apoptosis o1 nerve cells and neurological function recovery after traumatic brain injury. However, which genes inI the JNK family are activated and their role in traumatic brain injury remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, in situ end labeling, reverse transcription-PCR and neurological function assessment were adopted to investigate the alteration of JNK1, JNK2 and JNK3 gene expression in cerebral injured rats, and their role in celt apoptosis and neurological function restoration. Results showed that JNK3 expression significantly decreased at 1 and 6 hours and 1 and 7 days post injury, but that JNK1 and JNK2 expression remained unchanged. In addition, the number of apoptotic nerve cells surrounding the injured cerebral cortex gradually reduced over time post injury. The Neurological Severity Scores gradually decreased over 1,3, 5, 14 and 28 days post injury. These findings suggested that JNK3 expression was downregulated at early stages of brain injury, which may be associated with apoptosis of nerve cells. Downregulation of JNK3 expression may promote the recovery of neurological function following traumatic brain injury.
基金Supported by Wholly granted from R and D, CMD Pharma Limited, United Kingdom
文摘AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHODS:A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Patients scheduled to undergo surveillance colonoscopy for previous sporadic colonic adenomas were identified, and 60 eligible patients were randomized to placebo or active dietary intervention (ADI) twice a day, for 60 d before surveillance colonoscopy. ADI was a mixture of 175 mg milk thistle extract, 20 mg secoisolariciresinol and 750 mg oat fiber extract. ER-β and ER-α expression, apoptosis and proliferation (Ki-67 LI) were assessed in colon samples. RESULTS:No adverse event related to ADI was recorded. ADI administration showed a significant increases in ER-β protein (0.822 ± 0.08 vs 0.768 ± 0.10, P = 0.04) and a general trend to an increase in ER-β LI (39.222 ± 2.69vs 37.708 ± 5.31,P = 0.06), ER-β/ER-α LI ratio (6.564 ± 10.04 vs 2.437 ± 1.53, P = 0.06), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (35.592 ± 14.97 vs 31.541 ± 11.54, P = 0.07) and Ki-67 (53.923 ± 20.91 vs 44.833 ± 10.38, P = 0.07) approximating statistical significance. A significant increase of ER-β protein (0.805 ± 0.13 vs 0.773 ± 0.13,P = 0.04), mRNA (2.278 ± 1.19vs 1.105 ± 1.07, P < 0.02) and LI (47.533 ± 15.47 vs 34.875 ± 16.67,P < 0.05) and a decrease of ER-α protein (0.423 ± 0.06vs 0.532 ± 0.11,P < 0.02) as well as a trend to increase of ER-β/ER-α protein in ADI vs placebo group were observed in patients without polyps (1.734 ± 0.20 vs 1.571 ± 0.42, P = 0.07). CONCLUSION:The role of ER-β on the control of apoptosis, and its amenability to dietary intervention, are supported in our study.
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of gambogic acid(GA) on apoptosis in the HT-29 human colon cancer cell line. METHODS: H-29 cells were used for in vitro experiments in this study. Relative cell viability was assessed using MTT assays. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d UTP nick end labeling and Hoechst 33342 staining, and quantified by flow cytometry. Cellular ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were used to evaluate gene and protein expression levels. For in vivo experiments, BALB/c nude mice received subcutaneous injections of HT-29 cells in the right armpit. When well-established xenografts were palpable with a tumor size of 75 mm3, mice were randomly assigned to a vehicle(negative) control, positive control or GA treatment group(n = 6 each). The animals in the treatment group received one of three dosages of GA(in saline; 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) via the caudal vein twice weekly, whereas animals in the negative and positive control groups were given equal volumes of 0.9% saline or 10 mg/kg docetaxel, respectively, via the caudal vein once weekly. RESULTS: The cell viability assay showed that GA inhibited proliferation of HT-29 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner after treatment with GA(0.00, 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, 2.50, 5.00 or 10.00 μmol/L) for 24, 48 or 72 h. After 48 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells in cells treated with 0.00, 1.25, 2.50 and 5.00 μmol/L GA was 1.4% ± 0.3%, 9.8% ± 1.2%, 25.7% ± 3.3% and 49.3% ± 5.8%, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis of HT-29 cells treated for 48 h with 2.5μmol/L GA revealed apoptotic bodies and condensed and fragmented nuclei. Levels of caspase-8,-9 and-3 m RNAs were significantly increased after treatment with GA(1.25, 2.50 or 5.00 μmol/L) for 48 h(P < 0.05 for all). Protein levels of apoptosis-related factors Fas, Fas L, FADD, cytochrome c, and Apaf-1 were increased in GA-treated cells, whereas levels of pro-caspase-8,-9 and-3 were significantly decreased(P < 0.05 for all). Furthermore, GA significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the growth of HT-29 tumors in a mouse xenograft model(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: GA inhibits HT-29 proliferation via induction of apoptosis. The anti-cancer effects are likely mediated by death receptor(extrinsic) and mitochondrial(intrinsic) pathways.
基金financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Education Department of Sichuan Province of China,No.14ZB0152the Joint Research Program of Luzhou and Southwest Medical University,in China,No.14JC0120
文摘Nicotiflorin is a flavonoid extracted from Carthamus tinctorius.Previous studies have shown its cerebral protective effect,but the mechanism is undefined.In this study,we aimed to determine whether nicotiflorin protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced apoptosis through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.The cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion.Nicotiflorin（10 mg/kg） was administered by tail vein injection.Cell apoptosis in the ischemic cerebral cortex was examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d UTP nick end labeling assay.Bcl-2 and Bax expression levels in ischemic cerebral cortex were examined by immunohistochemial staining.Additionally,p-JAK2,p-STAT3,Bcl-2,Bax,and caspase-3 levels in ischemic cerebral cortex were examined by western blot assay.Nicotiflorin altered the shape and structure of injured neurons,decreased the number of apoptotic cells,down-regulates expression of p-JAK2,p-STAT3,caspase-3,and Bax,decreased Bax immunoredactivity,and increased Bcl-2 protein expression and immunoreactivity.These results suggest that nicotiflorin protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced apoptosis via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
基金Shanxi Provincial Science and Technology Development Program (2000K14- G13)
文摘Objective： To investigate the relationship between the expression of Fas and Fas ligand （FasL） and its biological behavior in human cervix carcinoma. Methods： Immunohistochemisty technique was used to detect the expression of Fas and FasL in 47 cases of cervical carcinoma, 16 cases of cervical interaepithelial neoplasia, 10 cases of chronic cervicitis and 10 cases of normal cervix. TUNEL technique was used to observe the apoptic cells in 47 cases of cervical carcinoma. Retrospective study was carried out to find the relationship between the expression of Fas and FasL and cell apoptosis, clinical stage, pathological classification, lymph node metastasis, prognosis and age. Results： The expression of Fas and FasL was significantly different in different cervix （P 〈 0.01）, and also related to the degree of differentiation, lymph node metastasis and prognosis （P 〈 0.05）. But had no relation with clinical stage or age （P 〉 0.05） ; Cervix carcinoma cells apoptosis in different pathological classification appeared negative relation （Rs=-0.35, P 〈 0.05 ）. Cervix carcinoma cell apoptosis was significantly higher in Fas-positive and FasL- positive than that in Fas-negative and FasL-negative （P 〈 0.05）. By retrospective investigation, Fas-negative and FasL-positive were related to poor prognoses of the patients with cervical carcinoma （P 〈 0.05 ）. Conclusion： The development of apoptosis in cervix carcinoma has a promoting regulation function in Fas and FasL expression. Gene treatment can alter apoptosis abnormality, thus induce apoptosis in cancerous cell expressing Fas and FasL. Fas or FasL may be taken as a marker in the prognostic character- ization.
文摘Nick Carraway is one of the main characters as well as the narrator in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. This paper applies the theory of Bildungsroman and analyzes the changes of Nick in characters, conscience as well as responsibilities from the following aspects: guides of maturity and epiphany during maturity, and reveals his ultimate maturity both physically and mentally after epiphany, thus shows the changes and maturity of him.
文摘In F. Scott Fitzgerald's world famous novel The Great Gatsby, Nicolas"Nick"Carraway is not only a first-person narrator, but also a convincing narrator, an emotion depositor, and a structure organizer. He is the figure of equal weight with Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, the two conceived protagonists in this book.
基金Projects(5117916851308310)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(LQ13E080007)supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Nickel is a toxic heavy metal among trace elements which has a detrimental impact on living organisms. There is growing need of finding an economic and effective solution for Ni(Ⅱ) immobilization in environments. Chinese loess was selected as adsorbent to remove Ni(Ⅱ) from aqueous solution. Adsorbent dosage, reaction time, solute concentration, temperature, and solution p H also have influences on efficiency of Ni(Ⅱ) removal. The monolayer adsorption capacity of loess towards Ni(Ⅱ) is determined to be about 15.61 mg/g. High temperature and p H favor the removal of Ni(Ⅱ) using Chinese loess soil and the optimal dosage of loess is determined to be 10 g/L. The kinetics and adsorption isotherms of the adsorption process can be best-fitted with the pseudo second order kinetics and Langmuir isothermal model, respectively. The thermodynamic analysis reveals that the adsorption process is spontaneous, endothermic and the system disorder increases with duration. Nickel ions can be removed with the removal efficiency of 98.5% at p H greater than or equal to 9.7. Further studies on loess and Ni(Ⅱ) laden loess(using X-Ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and Ni(Ⅱ) species distribution at various p H have been conducted to discuss the adsorption mechanism. Loess soils in China have proven to be a potential adsorbent for Ni(Ⅱ) removal from aqueous solutions.
文摘This article reported the distribution of DNase-1 sensitive regions in genomes of three Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines, P3HR-1, Raji and Ramos cell lines using a new method of in situ nick translation of chromosomes substituted completely by BrdU. The results showed that the Blym locus on chromosomes In three cell lines and the c-myc locus on chromosomes in P3HR-1 were the DNase-1 sensitive regions and found that the rearrangemental sites of chromosomes present in three Burkltt' s lymphoma cell lines were sensitive to DNase-1 digestion, Indicating that c-myc, bcl-1 genes located at the rearrangemental sites and the Blym gene in Burkltt' s lymphoma are the active genes having the capability of expression.
文摘Fitzgerald tells the story in The Great Gatsby through the dramatized narrator, or the character in the play which helps this novel become a classic one. In this paper, the endeavor is to discover Nick Carraway both as a character and a narrator from the perspective of impersonal narration.
基金Supported by Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation(Southwest Petroleum University)(PL N1303)Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology(Tongji University)(MGK1412)+1 种基金Fundation of Graduate Innovation Center in NUAA(kfjj201430)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
文摘An improved preprocessed Yaroslavsky filter（IPYF）is proposed to avoid the nick effects and obtain a better denoising result when the noise variance is unknown.Different from its predecessors,the similarity between two pixels is calculated by shearlet features.The feature vector consists of initial denoised results by the non-subsampled shearlet transform hard thresholding（NSST-HT）and NSST coefficients,which can help allocate the averaging weights more reasonably.With the correct estimated noise variance,the NSST-HT can provide good denoised results as the initial estimation and high-frequency coefficients contribute large weights to preserve textures.In case of the incorrect estimated noise variance,the low-frequency coefficients will mitigate the nick effect in cartoon regions greatly,making the IPYF more robust than the original PYF.Detailed experimental results show that the IPYF is a very competitive method based on a comprehensive consideration involving peak signal to noise ratio（PSNR）,computing time,visual quality and method noise.
