三维能量多普勒超声联合血清HE4、TK1、YKL-40对绝经后出血患者子宫内膜癌的预测价值

摘要 目的：研究三维能量多普勒超声联合血清人附睾蛋白4（HE4）、胸苷激酶1（TK1）、甲壳质酶蛋白40（YKL-40）对绝经后出血患者子宫内膜癌的预测价值。方法：选择我院2019年10月～2022年10月收治的150例绝经后出血患者。将其按照病理检查结果的差异分为子宫内膜癌组31例与子宫内膜良性增生组119例。对所有患者均开展三维能量多普勒超声检查,并检测血清HE4、TK1、YKL-40水平。以受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）分析三维能量多普勒超声联合血清HE4、TK1、YKL-40水平预测绝经后出血患者子宫内膜癌的效能。结果：子宫内膜癌组血流指数（FI）、血管形成指数（VI）、血管形成-血流指数（VFI）以及由该三参数构建的综合指数I相较于子宫内膜良性增生组均更高（均P＜0.05）。子宫内膜癌组血清HE4、TK1、YKL-40水平相较于子宫内膜良性增生组均更高（均P＜0.05）。经ROC曲线分析发现：三维能量多普勒超声联合血清HE4、TK1、YKL-40水平预测绝经后出血患者子宫内膜癌的曲线下面积（AUC）、灵敏度、特异度以及约登指数均高于上述四项单独预测。结论：三维能量多普勒超声联合血清HE4、TK1、YKL-40水平预测绝经后出血患者子宫内膜癌的效能较佳。     

血清OPN、Wip1、HSP90α与晚期非小细胞肺癌患者一线化疗敏感性和预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨血清骨桥蛋白（OPN）、野生型p53诱导的磷酸酶1（Wip1）、热休克蛋白90α（HSP90α）与晚期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者一线化疗敏感性和预后的关系。方法：选取2018年1月～2020年1月在河北医科大学附属第一医院接受一线化疗方案治疗的晚期NSCLC患者137例，根据化疗疗效分为化疗不敏感组（38例）和化疗敏感组（99例）。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清OPN、HSP90α水平，实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应检测血清Wip1 mRNA水平。多因素Logistic回归分析影响晚期NSCLC患者一线化疗敏感性的因素。随访3年，Kaplan-Meier法分析高/低血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α水平晚期NSCLC患者一线化疗后的预后情况。结果：与化疗敏感组比较，化疗不敏感组血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α水平升高（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，低分化、TNM分期Ⅳ期和血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α水平升高为影响晚期NSCLC患者一线化疗敏感性的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。随访3年，137例晚期NSCLC患者总生存率为15.33%（21/137）。Kaplan-Meier生存曲线显示，血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α高水平组3年总生存率低于血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α低水平组（P＜0.05）。结论：血清OPN、Wip1、HSP90α水平升高与晚期NSCLC患者一线化疗敏感性下降和预后不良有关。     

卵巢癌患者血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15水平与临床病理特征和预后的关系

摘要 目的：研究卵巢癌患者血清肝素结合性表皮生长因子（HB-EGF）、胸苷激酶1(TK1)、生长分化因子15(GDF15)水平与临床病理特征和预后的关系。方法：利用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测94例卵巢癌患者和60例健康体检志愿者的血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15水平。Pearson相关分析卵巢癌患者血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15三者的相关性。分析卵巢癌患者血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15水平与临床病理特征的关系。Kaplan-Meier生存分析不同血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15水平的卵巢癌患者的生存率差异。单因素及多因素COX回归分析影响卵巢癌患者生存预后的因素。结果：与健康对照组相比,卵巢癌组患者血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15水平明显较高（均P<0.05）。卵巢癌组患者血清HB-EGF与TK1、GDF15水平呈正相关,TK1与GDF15水平呈正相关（均P<0.05）。卵巢癌患者血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15水平与FIGO分期、分化程度有关（均P<0.05）。血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15高水平的卵巢癌患者3年总体生存率分别低于低水平患者（P<0.05）。血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15高水平、FIGO分期为Ⅲ期及低分化程度是影响卵巢癌患者预后的独立危险因素。结论：卵巢癌患者血清中HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15水平升高,三者水平与卵巢癌肿瘤FIGO分期、肿瘤分化程度有关,检测血清HB-EGF、TK1、GDF15水平有助于评估卵巢癌患者的预后。     

超声造影联合血清HE4、CA125、TK1、TAP对子宫内膜恶性病变的诊断价值研究

摘要 目的：探讨超声造影联合血清人附睾分泌蛋白4（HE4）、糖类抗原125（CA125）、胸苷激酶1（TK1）、肿瘤异常蛋白（TAP）对子宫内膜恶性病变的诊断价值。方法：选择2019年1月至2022年1月于济南市人民医院超声科行超声造影检查的95例子宫内膜病变患者。检测其血清HE4、CA125、TK1、TAP水平,通过超声造影检查获得造影参数开始增强时间、达峰时间、峰值强度、梯度、TIC曲线下面积（TIC-AUC）。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析超声造影参数联合血清HE4、CA125、TK1、TAP诊断子宫内膜恶性病变的价值。结果：根据病理结果将患者分为恶性组（37例）和良性组（58例）,恶性组峰值强度、TIC-AUC、血清HE4、CA125、TK1、TAP水平高于良性组（P＜0.05）,恶性组开始增强时间、达峰时间、梯度与良性组比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。峰值强度、TIC-AUC、HE4、CA125、TK1、TAP 单独诊断子宫内膜恶性病变的曲线下面积为0.767、0.676、0.656、0.691、0.713、0.721,联合诊断子宫内膜恶性病变的曲线下面积为0.896,高于单独指标诊断。结论：超声造影参数峰值强度、TIC-AUC联合血清HE4、CA125、TK1、TAP诊断子宫内膜恶性病变具有较高的价值。     

血清HIF-1α、HSP27、HSP70、HSP90α与肝细胞癌患者经肝动脉化疗栓塞术治疗疗效的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清缺氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）、热休克蛋白（HSP）27、HSP70、HSP90α与肝细胞癌（HCC）患者经肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）治疗疗效的关系。方法：选取2021年6月～2023年6月在南充市中心医院接受TACE治疗的HCC患者125例,根据TACE治疗疗效分为无效组（47例）和有效组（78例）。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清HIF-1α、HSP27、HSP70、HSP90α。多因素Logistic回归分析影响HCC患者TACE治疗疗效的因素,受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清HIF-1α、HSP27、HSP70、HSP90α对HCC患者TACE治疗无效的预测价值。结果：与有效组比较,无效组血清HIF-1α、HSP27、HSP70、HSP90α水平升高（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,低分化、血管侵犯和HIF-1α、HSP27、HSP70、HSP90α升高为HCC患者TACE治疗无效的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。血清HIF-1α、HSP27、HSP70、HSP90α联合预测HCC患者TACE治疗无效的曲线下面积为0.958,大于血清HIF-1α、HSP27、HSP70、HSP90α单独预测的0.750、0.739、0.742、0.749。结论：血清HIF-1α、HSP27、HSP70、HSP90α升高是HCC患者TACE治疗无效的独立危险因素,血清HIF-1α、HSP27、HSP70、HSP90α联合预测HCC患者TACE治疗无效的价值较高。     

血清sCD105、Periostin、TK1在ⅢA-N2期非小细胞肺癌患者根治性切除术后复发中的临床应用价值研究

摘要 目的： 探讨血清可溶性CD105（sCD105）、骨膜蛋白（Periostin）、胸苷激酶1（TK1）对ⅢA-N2期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者根治性切除术后复发风险的预测价值。方法：选取2017年1月～2019年5月我院收治的127例接受根治性切除术的ⅢA-N2期NSCLC患者,根据术后3年是否复发分为复发组64例和无复发组63例,收集患者临床资料并采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清sCD105、Periostin、TK1水平。通过多因素Logistic回归分析ⅢA-N2期NSCLC根治性切除术后复发的影响因素,受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清sCD105、Periostin、TK1水平对ⅢA-N2期NSCLC患者根治性切除术后复发的预测价值。结果：复发组血清sCD105、Periostin、TK1水平高于无复发组（P＜0.05）。复发组纵膈淋巴结转移数、隆突下淋巴结转移数、N2多站转移、N2多区域转移、N2跨区域转移比例高于无复发组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,纵膈淋巴结转移数增加、N2跨区域转移和sCD105升高、Periostin升高、TK1升高为ⅢA-N2期NSCLC根治性切除术后复发的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,血清sCD105、Periostin、TK1单独与联合预测ⅢA-N2期NSCLC根治性切除术后复发的曲线下面积分别为0.788、0.771、0.787、0.917,三项联合预测的曲线下面积大于各指标单独预测。结论：血清sCD105、Periostin、TK1水平升高为ⅢA-N2期NSCLC患者根治性切除术后复发的独立危险因素,联合检测血清sCD105、Periostin、TK1对ⅢA-N2期NSCLC患者根治性切除术后复发的预测价值较高。     

NLR、PLR、LMR与乳腺癌新辅助化疗疗效及预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨化疗前外周血中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、血小板与淋巴细胞比值（PLR）、淋巴细胞与单核细胞比值（LMR）与乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗疗效及预后的关系。方法：选择2016年10月至2018年1月在安徽医科大学附属安庆第一人民医院进行新辅助化疗的乳腺癌患者105例为研究对象,根据新辅助化疗疗效分为病理完全缓解（pCR）组（26例）和非pCR组（79例）。比较pCR组和非pCR组化疗前外周血NLR、PLR、LMR;采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析化疗前外周血NLR、PLR、LMR对乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗病理疗效预测价值。所有患者术后随访5年,根据ROC曲线确定的NLR、PLR、LMR最佳截断值分为高NLR、PLR、LMR组和低NLR、PLR、LMR组,采用K-M生存曲线分析不同NLR、PLR、LMR组5年无病生存期（DFS）;单因素和多因素COX回归分析预后不良的影响因素。结果：pCR组化疗前NLR、PLR均低于非pCR组（P＜0.05）,LMR高于非pCR组（P＜0.05）。化疗前NLR、PLR、LMR三项联合预测新辅助化疗病理疗效的曲线下面积（AUC）均大于各指标单独预测。K-M生存曲线分析显示,化疗前高NLR、PLR组5年DFS分别低于低NLR、PLR组（P＜0.05）,高LMR组5年DFS高于低LMR组（P＜0.05）;多因素COX回归分析显示,NLR、PLR升高是乳腺癌预后的危险因素,LMR升高是保护因素（P<0.05）。结论：pCR组化疗前NLR、PLR更低,LMR更高,高NLR、PLR和低LMR患者5年DFS更低。NLR、PLR、LMR对新辅助化疗病理疗效具有一定的预测价值,三项联合能为乳腺癌的新辅助化疗评估提供重要参考依据。     

血清GPAA1、SF、OPN与儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病危险度的关系及对血栓发生风险的评估效能研究

摘要 目的：分析血清糖基磷脂酰肌醇锚附着蛋白1（GPAA1）、铁蛋白（SF）、骨桥蛋白（OPN）与儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病危险度的关系及对血栓发生风险的评估效能。方法：选择我院自2017年1月至2022年12月接诊的112例急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿作为观察组，另选112例性别、年龄与观察组相匹配的健康体检儿童作为对照组。检测两组血清GPAA1、SF、OPN表达水平，分析不同危险度的急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿血清GPAA1、SF、OPN表达水平的差异性，观察急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿的血栓发生情况，通过受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）下面积（AUC）评价血清GPAA1、SF、OPN预测急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿发生血栓的效能。结果：观察组血清GPAA1、SF、OPN表达水平均高于对照组（P＜0.05）；在低危、中危和高危的急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿中，血清GPAA1、SF、OPN表达水平有差异（P＜0.05）；经Spearman相关性分析，血清GPAA1、SF、OPN表达水平与儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病危险度呈正相关（P＜0.05）；在112例急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿中，发生血栓12例，占10.71%；经多因素Logistic回归分析，血清GPAA1、SF、OPN均是急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿发生血栓的独立预测因素（P＜0.05）；经ROC曲线分析，血清GPAA1、SF联合OPN预测急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿发生血栓的AUC为0.901。结论：血清GPAA1、SF、OPN与儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病危险度密切相关，联合预测患儿发生血栓的效能较好，对此病的诊治具有重要指导意义。     

血清ANXA2、ANXA3与转移性结直肠癌患者化疗疗效的关系

摘要 目的：探讨血清膜联蛋白（ANX）A2、ANXA3与转移性结直肠癌（mCRC）患者化疗疗效的关系。方法：选取2019年1月～2020年10月徐州医科大学附属医院收治的90例mCRC患者,根据mFOLFOX6化疗联合西妥昔单抗治疗后的疗效分为未缓解组和缓解组。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清ANXA2、ANXA3水平。分别采用单因素、多因素Logistic回归分析和受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析mCRC患者化疗未缓解的影响因素和血清ANXA2、ANXA3对mCRC患者化疗未缓解的预测价值。结果：90例mCRC患者客观缓解率为58.89%（53/90）。单因素分析显示,两组年龄、回盲部肿瘤、TNM分期、Zubrod-东部肿瘤协助组-世界卫生组织（ZPS）评分、治疗目标、ANXA2、ANXA3组间比较存在统计学差异（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,回盲部肿瘤、TNM分期Ⅳ期、ZPS评分1～2分和ANXA2、ANXA3升高为mCRC患者化疗未缓解的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,血清ANXA2预测mCRC患者化疗未缓解的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.787,ANXA3预测mCRC患者化疗未缓解的AUC为0.791,血清ANXA2、ANXA3联合预测为0.904,二者联合预测的AUC最大（P＜0.05）。结论：血清ANXA2、ANXA3水平升高为mCRC患者化疗未缓解的独立危险因素,可影响mCRC患者的化疗疗效,二者联合预测mCRC患者化疗未缓解的价值较高。     

血清OPN、CXCL13、CXCL16与宫颈癌根治术患者增殖基因表达及术后复发的关系

摘要 目的：探讨血清骨桥蛋白（OPN）、CXC亚家族趋化因子(CXCL)13、CXCL16水平与宫颈癌根治术患者增殖基因表达的相关性及与患者术后复发的关系。方法：选取2014年1月至2016年1月期间本院诊治的92例宫颈癌根治术患者(宫颈癌组),64例宫颈上皮内瘤变（CIN）患者作为CIN 组,48例健康查体志愿者作为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测三组血清OPN、CXCL13、CXCL16水平。采用荧光定量PCR检测宫颈癌组和CIN组组织中增殖基因[血管生成素样蛋白4(ANGPTL4) mRNA、转录因子（FOXP3） mRNA]水平。Pearson相关分析血清OPN、CXCL13、CXCL16和增殖基因ANGPTL4 mRNA、FOXP3 mRNA的相关性。对宫颈癌组患者进行随访,根据随访期复发情况分为复发组39例、未复发组53例。单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析宫颈癌根治术后复发的危险因素。结果：宫颈癌组血清OPN、CXCL13、CXCL16水平显著高于CIN组和对照组 (P<0.05）。宫颈癌组病灶中增殖基因ANGPTL4 mRNA、FOXP3 mRNA表达明显高于CIN组（P<0.05）。宫颈癌组血清OPN、CXCL13、CXCL16水平与增殖基因ANGPTL4 mRNA、FOXP3 mRNA表达均呈显著正相关（P<0.05）。随访过程中,出现复发患者39例,复发率为42.39%（39/92）。复发与未复发组患者在FIGO分期、组织学分级、浸润深度、淋巴结转移,血清OPN、CXCL13、CXCL16水平之间,差异具有显著性(P<0.05)。FIGO分期Ⅱ期、组织学分级低分化、浸润深度＞1/2、有淋巴结转移、血清OPN≥3.65 ng/mL、血清CXCL13≥191.63 pg/mL、血清CXCL16≥119.46 pg/mL是宫颈癌患者根治术后复发的危险因素(P<0.05)。结论：血清OPN、CXCL13、CXCL16水平与宫颈癌增殖基因表达呈正相关,血清OPN、CXCL13、CXCL16高表达是宫颈癌根治术后复发的危险因素。     

Distribution of N,P, K,Ca, Mg,S, Zn,Fe, Mn and Cu in groundnut

Summary Concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in summer groundnut crop was higher than in kharif while Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were higher in summer crop. Kernel's N, P and Zn; Leaflet's Ca and Mn; Stem's K and Fe; Root's S and Cu and Petiole's Mg contents were highest. Shell's N, P, K, Mg, S, Zn and Cu; Kernel's Ca, Fe and Mn contents were the least. N, P, K, S, Zn and Cu concentrations decreased linearly as the crop grew. Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations did not display any distinct pattern. Ca concentration was positively correlated with pod yield in both the seasons.     

Simultaneous measurement of the trace elements Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum and their reference ranges by ICP-MS

The goal of this article was to establish reference ranges of the concentration of trace elements in human serum and to compare these results with those reported by other authors. We describe the sample preparation and measurement conditions that allow the rapid, precise, and accurate determination of Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum samples (n=110) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Accuracy and precision were determined by analyzing three reconstituted reference serum samples by comparison with other methods and by the standard addition procedure. The advantages of the ICP-MS method include short time of analysis of the elements mentioned, low detection limit, high precision, and high accuracy. Disadventages include a high risk of contamination due to the presence of some of the elements of interest in the environment, the relatively delicate sample handling, and the high cost of the equipment.     

Reference values for the concentrations of As,Cd, Co,Cr, Cu,Fe, I,Hg, Mn,Mo, Ni,Pb, Se,and Zn in selected human tissues and body fluids

This report attempts to formulate reference ranges of elemental concentrations for 15 trace elements in selected human tissues and body fluids. A set of samples consisting of whole blood, blood serum, urine, milk, liver, and hair were chosen and considered for 15 elements of biological significance: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, I, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn. The results represent wholly or partially data received from 40 countries of the global regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North, South, and Central America, Australia, and New Zealand. This survey, even if qualitative, has been useful in demonstrating certain trends of trace-element scenarios around the world. It is of course recognized that both diet and environment exert a strong influence on the distribution pattern of several elements, such as As, Cd, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn. A limited comparison of the available information on soil status of different countries reflected some interesting associations for elements, such as Mn and Zn. Importantly, this study revealed that only a few countries were in a position to identify a reasonable amount of data on samples requested for this project. Regretably, for a number of countries, any dependable data for even such essential elements as Cu, Fe, and Zn were not available. In view of the nutritional importance of many elements, the time is ripe for concerted efforts by intergovernmental agencies to initiate investigations or commission task forces/projects to generate reliable reference data for selected global regions, which sadly lack data of any kind at present.     

Crystal structure, detonation performance, and thermal stability of a new polynitro cage compound: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptacyclo [5.5.1.13, 11. 15, 9] pentadecane

A new polynitro cage compound 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptcyclo [5.5.1.1(3,11).1(5,9)] pentadecane (NNNAHP) was designed in the present work. Its molecular structure was optimized at the B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p) level of density functional theory (DFT) and crystal structure was predicted using the Compass and Dreiding force fields and refined by DFT GGA-RPBE method. The obtained crystal structure of NNNAHP belongs to the P-1 space group and the lattice parameters are a = 9.99 ?, b = 10.78 ?, c = 9.99 ?, α = 90.01°, β = 120.01°, γ = 90.00°, and Z = 2, respectively. Based on the optimized crystal structure, the band gap, density of state, thermodynamic properties, infrared spectrum, strain energy, detonation characteristics, and thermal stability were predicted. Calculation results show that NNNAHP has detonation properties close to those of CL-20 and is a high energy density compound with moderate stability.     

Monovalent Cation Permeation through the Connexin40 Gap Junction Channel : Cs,Rb, K,Na, Li,TEA, TMA,TBA, and Effects of Anions Br,Cl, F,Acetate, Aspartate,Glutamate, and NO3

The unitary conductances and permeability sequences of the rat connexin40 (rCx40) gap junction channels to seven monovalent cations and anions were studied in rCx40-transfected neuroblastoma 2A (N2A) cell pairs using the dual whole cell recording technique. Chloride salt cation substitutions (115 mM principal salt) resulted in the following junctional maximal single channel current-voltage relationship slope conductances (γ_j in pS): CsCl (153), RbCl (148), KCl (142), NaCl (115), LiCl (86), TMACl (71), TEACl (63). Reversible block of the rCx40 channel was observed with TBA. Potassium anion salt γ_j are: Kglutamate (160), Kacetate (160), Kaspartate (158), KNO₃ (157), KF (148), KCl (142), and KBr (132). Ion selectivity was verified by measuring reversal potentials for current in rCx40 gap junction channels with asymmetric salt solutions in the two electrodes and using the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation to calculate relative permeabilities. The permeabilities relative to Li⁺ are: Cs⁺ (1.38), Rb⁺ (1.32), K⁺ (1.31), Na⁺ (1.16), TMA⁺ (0.53), TEA⁺ (0.45), TBA⁺ (0.03), Cl⁻ (0.19), glutamate⁻ (0.04), and NO₃− (0.14), assuming that the monovalent anions permeate the channel by forming ion pairs with permeant monovalent cations within the pore thereby causing proportionate decreases in the channel conductance. This hypothesis can account for why the predicted increasing conductances with increasing ion mobilities in an essentially aqueous channel were not observed for anions in the rCx40 channel. The rCx40 effective channel radius is estimated to be 6.6 Å from a theoretical fit of the relationship of relative permeability and cation radius.     

Competitive inhibition and selectivity enhancement by Ca in the uptake of inorganic elements (Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ce, Pm, Gd, Hf) by carrot (Daucus carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun)

We investigated the uptake of inorganic elements (Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ce, Pm, Gd, and Hf) and the effect of Ca on their uptake in carrots (Daucus carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun) by the radioactive multitracer technique. The experimental results suggested that Na, Mg, K, and Rb competed for the functional groups outside the cells in roots with Ca but not for the transporter-binding sites on the plasma membrrane of the root cortex cells. In contrast, Y, Ce, Pm, and Gd competed with Ca for the transporters on the plasma membrane. The selectivity, which was defined as the value obtained by dividing the concentration ratio of an elemental pair, K/Na, Rb/Na, Be/Sr, and Mg/Sr, in the presence of 0.2 and 2 ppm Ca by that of the corresponding elemental pair in the absence of Ca in the solution was estimated. The selectivity of K and Rb in roots was increased in the presence of Ca. The selectivity of Be in roots was not affected, whereas the selectivity of Mg was increased by Ca. These observations suggest that the presence of Ca in the uptake solution enhances the selectivity in the uptake of metabolically important elements against unwanted elements.     

Potential Compounds for Oral Cancer Treatment: Resveratrol,Nimbolide, Lovastatin,Bortezomib, Vorinostat,Berberine, Pterostilbene,Deguelin, Andrographolide,and Colchicine

Oral cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths in South-Asian countries. There are very limited treatment options available for oral cancer. Research endeavors focused on discovery and development of novel therapies for oral cancer, is necessary to control the ever rising oral cancer related mortalities. We mined the large pool of compounds from the publicly available compound databases, to identify potential therapeutic compounds for oral cancer. Over 84 million compounds were screened for the possible anti-cancer activity by custom build SVM classifier. The molecular targets of the predicted anti-cancer compounds were mined from reliable sources like experimental bioassays studies associated with the compound, and from protein-compound interaction databases. Therapeutic compounds from DrugBank, and a list of natural anti-cancer compounds derived from literature mining of published studies, were used for building partial least squares regression model. The regression model thus built, was used for the estimation of oral cancer specific weights based on the molecular targets. These weights were used to compute scores for screening the predicted anti-cancer compounds for their potential to treat oral cancer. The list of potential compounds was annotated with corresponding physicochemical properties, cancer specific bioactivity evidences, and literature evidences. In all, 288 compounds with the potential to treat oral cancer were identified in the current study. The majority of the compounds in this list are natural products, which are well-tolerated and have minimal side-effects compared to the synthetic counterparts. Some of the potential therapeutic compounds identified in the current study are resveratrol, nimbolide, lovastatin, bortezomib, vorinostat, berberine, pterostilbene, deguelin, andrographolide, and colchicine.     

New Coleoptera records from New Brunswick, Canada: Stenotrachelidae, Oedemeridae, Meloidae, Myceteridae, Boridae, Pythidae, Pyrochroidae, Anthicidae, and Aderidae

We report 19 new species records for the faunal list of Coleoptera in New Brunswick, Canada, six of which are new records for the Maritime provinces, and one of which is new Canadian record. We also provide the first recent records for five additional species in New Brunswick. One new species of Stenotrachelidae, Cephaloon ungulare LeConte, is added to the New Brunswick faunal list. Additional records are provided for Cephaloon lepturides Newman, as well the first recent record of Nematoplus collaris LeConte. Two species of Oedemeridae, Asclera puncticollis (Say) and Asclera ruficollis (Say), are newly reported for New Brunswick, and additional locality and bionomic data are provided for Calopus angustus LeConte and Ditylus caeruleus (Randall). The records of Ditylus caerulus are the first recent records for the province. Three species of Meloidae, Epicauta pestifera Werner, Lytta sayi LeConte, and Meloe augustcollis Say are reported the first time for New Brunswick; Epicauta pestifera is newly recorded in Canada. Lacconotus punctatus LeConte and the family Mycteridaeis newly recorded for New Brunswick. The first recent records of Borus unicolor Say (Boridae) are reported from the province. One new species of Pythidae, Pytho siedlitzi Blair, and the first recent records of Pytho niger Kirby are added to the faunal list of New Brunswick. Three species of Pyrochroidae are newly reported for the province, including Pedilus canaliculatus (LeConte) and Pedilus elegans (Hentz), which are new for the Maritime provinces. Five species of Anthicidae and the first recent record of Anthicus cervinus LaFerté-Sénectére are newly reported for New Brunswick. Anthicus melancholicus LaFerté-Sénectère, Sapintus pubescens (LaFerté-Sénectère), Notoxus bifasciatus (LeConte), and Stereopalpus rufipes Casey are new to the Maritime provinces faunal list. Ambyderus granularis (LeConte) is removed from the faunal list of the province. Three species of Aderidae, Vanonus huronicus Casey, Zonantes fasciatus (Melsheimer), and Zonantes pallidusWerner, are newly recorded for New Brunswick; Zonantes fasciatus and Vanonus huronicus are new for the Maritime provinces' faunal list. Collection data, bionomic data, and distribution maps are presented for all these species.