Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a secreted glycoprotein that acts as an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and plays an important role in embryonic development, neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. After cerebral ischemia, DKK1 inhibits neurogenesis and angiogenesis by promoting neuronal apoptosis and blood-brain barrier damage, thus aggravating brain injury. In addition, serum DKK1 in patients with ischemic stroke was associated with different disease stages and outcomes. Therefore, the development of specific inhibitors targeting DKK1 is expected to be applied in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Objective To examine loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) of locus D8S532 on chromosome 8 and their influence on the expression of sFRP1 in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs), which may provide an experimental evidence for clarifying the mechanism of sFRP1 gene and tumor development. Methods DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and ordinary silver stain were used to study LOH and MSI of locus D8S532. Envision immunohistochemistry, Leica-Qwin computerized imaging system and Image-Pro PluS (IPP) version 4.5 professional imaging analysis software were used to assess the expression of sFRP1. Results The detection rates of LOH and MSI of locus D8S532 in the 36 specimens of HCC were 11.11% and 8.33% respectively. The down-regulation of sFRP1 was observed in 31 of 36 HCCs (86.11%) compared with non-carcinoma liver tissues, and the positive rate of sFRP1 protein of the HCCs was 52.78%( 19/36 ). The frequency of LOH was lower in the cases with positive expression of sFRP1 protein than those negative (0 vs 23.53%, P <0.05). Conclusion It was a common phenomenon that expression of sFRP1 protein is negative or low in Chinese with HCCs. The genetic instability of sFRP1 gene was one of causes, which lead to HCCs. LOH may play a major role in negative expression of sFRP1.

Objective:To establish a method by combining microwave-assisted extraction(MAE),solid phase extraction(SPE)and high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)for determination of the mefenacet residues in rice.Methods:Acetone and acetontrile(37)were used as extraction solvent.Microwave-assisted extraction was used to extract mefenacet residues in the rice.The extracts were then cleaned up with a Florisil cartridge and then subjected to Hypersil C18 column(5 ?m,4.6 mm?200 mm),with acetonitrilewater(5050,V/V)solution as mobile phase and with a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min;the ultraviolet detection wavelength was at 217 nm.Results:Good linear correlation for mefenacet was found within a concentration range of 0.198-9.900 ?g/ml.The detection limit was 0.039 6 ?g/mL for mefenacet(S/N=2).The average recovery rate of rice hull and brown rice were 90.8%(RSD 1.8%)and 85.6%(RSD 2.5%),respectively.Conclusion:The present method is simple and rapid;it can be used for the determination of mefenacet residues in rice.

AIM: To provide a rapid method for identifying fruit of Eucalyptus globule labill. METHODS: A new method, using NIRS for rapid and nondestructive classfication of the fruit of Eucalyptus globules labill and its counterfeit drug, the fruit of Eucalyptus robusta Smith, was proposed and then cluster analysis was adopted. RESULTS: The result showed that two kinds of fruits had their own characteristic NIRS spectra. CONCLUSION: The method is quick, simple and reliable, and in combination of the fingerprint NIRS spectrum and the clustering analysis is easy to identify the adulteration.