PLCζ can stably regulate Ca2+ fluctuations in early embryo.

Phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) is an important inducer of Ca2+ oscillations in mammalian sperm. To explore the influence of PLCζ on early embryonic Ca2+ fluctuations during sperm-egg binding, this study used PLCζ from sheep sperm to construct an early embryonic Ca2+ fluctuation model. First, sheep MII oocytes were cultivated and screened using microinjection technology. Then, a pEGFP-N1-PLCζ plasmid was constructed to activate oocytes in the test group. Ionomycin combined with 6-Dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) was used for the control group to explore the effects on early embryonic development and regulation of Ca2+ fluctuations during development. The results demonstrated that both the PLCζ and ionomycin combined with 6-DMAP activation methods induced sheep oocyte parthenogenetic activation and development in early embryos. In comparisons, the cleavage rate of ionomycin combined with 6-DMAP activation was significantly higher than that of PLCζ (60.9% ± 19.4% vs 76.1% ± 0.7%, respectively; p < 0.001), and the blastocyst rates were 16.2% ± 0.62% and 21.1% ± 0.92%, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, when comparing the distribution of Ca2+ in early embryos at different stages, Ca2+ in both treatment groups was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm, but the temporal pattern of Ca2+ fluctuations differed. PLCζ resulted in Ca2+ peaks that appeared at the cleavage and morula stages of early embryos, and Ca2+ returned to normal levels at the morula stage. However, the Ca2+ concentration after ionomycin combined with 6-DMAP activation was always much higher than that with PLCζ, and its single peak appeared later than in the PLCζ group. In summary, the PLCζ gene promoted stable regulatory effects on Ca2+ fluctuations at different stages during early embryonic development.

Microanchored borehole fiber optics allows strain profiling of the shallow subsurface.

Vertical deformation profiles of subterranean geological formations are conventionally measured by borehole extensometry. Distributed strain sensing (DSS) paired with fiber-optic cables installed in the ground opens up possibilities for acquiring high-resolution static and quasistatic strain profiles of deforming strata, but it is currently limited by reduced data quality due to complicated patterns of interaction between the buried cables and their surroundings, especially in upper soil layers under low confining pressures. Extending recent DSS studies, we present an improved approach using microanchored fiber-optic cables-designed to optimize ground-to-cable coupling at the near surface-for strain determination along entire lengths of vertical boreholes. We proposed a novel criterion for soil-cable coupling evaluation based on the geotechnical bearing capacity theory. We applied this enhanced methodology to monitor groundwater-related vertical motions in both laboratory and field experiments. Corroborating extensometer recordings, acquired simultaneously, validated fiber optically determined displacements, suggesting microanchored DSS as an improved means for detecting and monitoring shallow subsurface strain profiles.

An Aqueous Hybrid Supercapacitor Employing Honeycomb-Shaped MoS2 Nanosheets as Anode.

In this work, MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) are applied as a novel anode to deliver a high-performance supercapacitor (SC). A MoS2 NSs anode with a special honeycomb-shaped structure, is synthesized using a hydrothermal method, and subsequently applied in conjunction with an electrodeposited Co(OH)2 NSs cathode to create a new cost-effective aqueous hybrid SC cell. The as-fabricated Co(OH)2//MoS2 hybrid SC exhibits a number of attractive characteristics, including: (1) a stable operation voltage window of 1.5 V; (2) remarkable cycling stability with a retention ratio of 92.3% after 4000 cycles; (3) an energy density of 24.0 Wh kg-1 at a current density of 0.5 mA cm-2 and a high power density of 1932.0 W kg-1 at a current density of 2.5 mA cm-2. The experimental results evidence that MoS2 is a promising candidate for the development of SC anodes.

[Extended-field intensity modulated radiation therapy and intra-cavitary brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy for stage Ib1-IVa cervical cancer with positive para-aortic lymph nodes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment effects and toxicities of extended-field intensity modulated radiation therapy (EF-IMRT) and intra-cavitary brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy for stageIb1-IVa cervical cancer with positive para-aortic lymph nodes. METHODS: A total of 46 stage Ib1-IVa cervical cancer patients with positive para-aortic lymph nodes treated at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between 2009 and 2011 were reviewed. Neoadjuvant, concomitant and adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin were administrated for one cycle before radiation therapy, two cycles during radiation therapy or three cycles after radiation therapy. All patients received EF-IMRT and intra-cavitary brachytherapy. The positive lymph nodes received an additional boost dose. RESULTS: All patients received EF-IMRT to 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy per fraction). Twenty-six patients was treated with boost dose of 6.0-8.0 Gy in 2.0 Gy per fraction to positive para-aortic lymph nodes. Thirty-seven patients received a positive para-aortic lymph nodes boost or (and) parametrial boost. All patient also received a high-dose-rate intra-cavitary brachytherapy at the point "A" dose of 20.0-30.0 Gy in 5.0 Gy per fraction. Total chemotherapy cycles were 189, and the average patient received 4.1 courses. Two cases (4%, 2/46) experienced grade III gastrointestinal toxicities, no patients suffered grade IV gastrointestinal toxicities. Fifteen cases (33%, 15/46) experienced grade III hematological toxicities, and 3(7%, 3/46) experienced grade IV hematological toxicities.Late grade III-IV toxicity was seen in 3 cases (7%, 3/46). The 3 year progression- free survival rate was 46.2%, and the 3 years overall survival rate was 61.2%. CONCLUSION: EF-IMRT and intra-cavitary brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy is safe and effective for stageIb1-IVa cervical cancer with positive para-aortic lymph nodes.

Noncovalent binding of xanthene and phthalocyanine dyes with graphene sheets: the effect of the molecular structure revealed by a photophysical study.

The fluorescence and absorption properties of several xanthene and phthalocyanine dyes were measured in the presence and absence of chemically derived graphene (CDG) sheets. The interaction of pyronine Y (PYY) with graphene sheets was compared with that of rhodamine 6G (R6G) to reveal the effect of the molecular structure. Although the presence of the perpendicular benzene moiety in a R6G or phthalocyanine molecule does cause the difficulty for forming dye-CDG complex and make CDG less efficient in quenching the fluorescence intensity and shortening the fluorescence lifetime, it does not affect the band position of charge transfer absorption, suggesting that no molecular shape change occurred in a dye molecule caused by the interaction with CDG sheets. The spectroscopic and thermodynamic data indicated that the dye-CDG binding is of charge transfer nature, while the dynamic fluorescence quenching is due to photoinduced energy and electron transfer.

3D radiation therapy or intensity-modulated radiotherapy for recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer: the Shanghai Cancer Hospital experience.

We evaluate the outcomes of irradiation by using three-dimensional radiation therapy (3D-RT) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer. Between 2007 and 2010, 50 patients with recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer were treated using 3D-RT or IMRT. The median time interval between the initial treatment and the start of irradiation was 12 (6-51) months. Salvage surgery was performed before irradiation in 5 patients, and 38 patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Sixteen patients underwent 3D-RT, and 34 patients received IMRT. Median follow-up for all the patients was 18.3 months. Three-year overall survival and locoregional control were 56.1% and 59.7%, respectively. Three-year progression-free survival and disease-free survival were 65.3% and 64.3%, respectively. Nine patients developed grade 3 leukopenia. Grade 5 acute toxicity was not observed in any of the patients; however, 2 patients developed Grade 3 late toxicity. 3D-RT or IMRT is effective for the treatment of recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer, with the 3-year overall survival of 56.1%, and its complications are acceptable. Long-term follow-up and further studies are needed to confirm the role of 3D-RT or IMRT in the multimodality management of the disease.

[Detection of human telomerase RNA component gene by fluorescent in situ hybridization for screening of cervical lesions].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) detection of human telomerase RNA component (hTERC) gene amplification in screening of cervical lesions. METHODS: A total of 146 post-thinPrep cytology test (TCT) samples were analyzed using FISH by two-color interphase probe targeting hTERC gene at chromosome 3q26 and the data were compared with the cytological and histological results. RESULTS: FISH analysis was successful in 120 cases (20 cases of normal and 100 abnormal cases by TCT). Gene amplification of hTERC by FISH had a positive correlation with the cytological (r = 0.465, P < 0.01) and histological grade results (r = 0.610, P < 0.01). Extra copies of hTERC were seen in 28.6% (6/21) of CINI, 61.1% (11/18) of CINII, 75.0% (18/24) of CINIII and 91.7%(22/24) of squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. None (0/13) of the inflammation cases showed hTERC amplification. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting high grade lesions by FISH were 77.3% (51/66) and 82.4% (28/34); and the positive and negative predictive values were 89.5% and 65.1%, respectively. The rate of hTERC gene gain in high grade lesions was significantly higher than that in the low grade lesions (χ(2) = 32.550, P < 0.01). Combined with the high copy numbers, the sensitivity for detecting high grade lesions was increased to 81.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of hTERC gene amplification by FISH improves the screening efficiency of high-risk cervical epithelial lesions. The presence of high copy numbers of hTERC correlates with the presence of high grade cervical dysplasia.

[Comprehensive evaluation of county-level construction land intensive utility in Guangdong province: a case study for Zijin County].

Based on the weights and membership values of evaluation indices, a measurement model of construction land intensive utility in Zijin County of Guangdong Province was established, and the basic principles of the greatest compatible class were adopted to classify the intensive utility levels of the construction land based on fuzzy recognition. Additionally, the intensive utility potential of construction land in Zijin County in 2005 was calculated by comparing the per capita construction land in towns, independent industrial and mining areas, and rural residential areas with the latest national land use standards for planning of town launched in 2007. The predicted value of the model was 0.421, suggesting that the construction land utility in Zijin County was still low- effective and extensive. Theoretically, the construction land area could be decreased by 555.69-2197.69 hm2, which meant there was a great potential in the intensive utility of construction land in the county.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with paclitaxel and nedaplatin followed by consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: preliminary results of a phase II study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and consolidation chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell cervical carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with LASCC (FIGO Stage IIB-IIIB) were treated with pelvic external beam radiotherapy (45 Gy for Stage IIB and 50 Gy for Stage III) and high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (50 Gy for Stage IIB and 35 Gy for Stage III). The cumulative dose at point A was 50 Gy for Stage IIB and 65 Gy for Stage III. Concurrent chemotherapy with paclitaxel (35 mg/m(2)) and nedaplatin (20 mg/m(2)) was given every week for 6 weeks. Consolidation chemotherapy with paclitaxel (135 mg/m(2)) and nedaplatin (60 mg/m(2)) was administered every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. RESULTS: All patients completed CCRT, and 28 of 34 patients completed consolidation chemotherapy. The complete response rate was 88% (95% CI, 73-96%). The most common Grade 3 or higher toxicities were leukopenia/neutropenia (10.9% of the cycles). During a median follow up of 23 months (range, 14-30 months), 5 patients had locoregional failure and 1 patient had distant metastasis. The estimated 2-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 82% (95% CI, 68-95%) and 93% (95% CI, 83-100%), respectively. Grade 3 late complications occurred in 3 patients (9%). CONCLUSIONS: CCRT with paclitaxel and nedaplatin followed by consolidation chemotherapy is well tolerated and effective in patients with locally advanced squamous cell cervical carcinoma. Further randomized trials of comparing this regimen with the standard treatment are worth while.