Characterization of Gold-Sputtered Zinc Oxide Nanorods-a Potential Hybrid Material.

Generation of hybrid nanostructures has been attested as a promising approach to develop high-performance sensing substrates. Herein, hybrid zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod dopants with different gold (Au) thicknesses were grown on silicon wafer and studied for their impact on physical, optical and electrical characteristics. Structural patterns displayed that ZnO crystal lattice is in preferred c-axis orientation and proved the higher purities. Observations under field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the coverage of ZnO nanorods by Au-spots having diameters in the average ranges of 5-10 nm, as determined under transmission electron microscopy. Impedance spectroscopic analysis of Au-sputtered ZnO nanorods was carried out in the frequency range of 1 to 100 MHz with applied AC amplitude of 1 V RMS. The obtained results showed significant changes in the electrical properties (conductance and dielectric constant) with nanostructures. A clear demonstration with 30-nm thickness of Au-sputtering was apparent to be ideal for downstream applications, due to the lowest variation in resistance value of grain boundary, which has dynamic and superior characteristics.

Coexpression of hepatitis B virus X gene and hepatitis C virus C gene in HepG2 cells and its effect on the expression of VEGF / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an experimental model of HCV C-HBV X co-expression protein and explore its effect on the expression of VEGF.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HBV X gene was recovered by enzyme excision and inserted into PBK-CMV and PBK-HCVC, and recombinant plasmids PBK-X and PBK-X-C were constructed. The plasmids PBK-CMV, PBK-X, PBK-HCVC and PBK-X-C were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposomes. After being selected by G418, resistant colonies were obtained. Reverse transcription PCR and Western blot were used to show HBV X and HCV core protein expression. VEGF was analyzed using immunohistochemical methods and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recombinant plasmid PBK-X-C expressed HBV X and HCV core protein efficiently under the control of the vectors promoter. VEGF and VEGF mRNA of the cells co-expressing HCV C-HBV X proteins were higher than those cells expressing HBV X, HCV C and vector alone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBV X-HCV C co-expression protein can increase the expression of VEGF of HepG2 cells. It suggests that HBV and HCV have a synergic action in the carcinogenesis.</p>

Analysis of methylation and loss of heterozygosity of RUNX3 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to elucidate role of RUNX3 gene in hepatocarcinogenesis, we detected genetic and epigenetic alteration of RUNX3 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PCR-SSCP, analysis of loss of heterozygosity (LOH), sequencing and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) were used to detect mutation, LOH and DNA methylation of RUNX3 gene in 90 HCCs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No mutation was found, but three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were found and distributed over exon1 and exon4. 30.6% (11/36) of cases showed LOH; 54.4% (49/90) of cases was in hypermethylation. There is a significant correlation between LOH and major portal vein invasive or micro vessel invasion or intrahepatic metastasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High frequent hypermethylation and LOH of RUNX3 gene were found in HCC. Aberrant RUNX3 gene may play an important role in the development of HCC.</p>