Targeted inhibition of Livin resensitizes renal cancer cells towards apoptosis

Cancer cells are typically characterized by apoptosis deficiency. In order to investigate a possible role for the anti-apoptotic livin gene in renal cell cancer (RCC), we analyzed its expression in tumor tissue samples and in RCC-derived cell lines. In addition, we studied the contribution of livin to the apoptotic resistance of RCC cells by RNA interference (RNAi). Livin gene expression was detected in a significant portion of RCC tumor tissue specimens (13/14, 92.9%) and tumor-derived cell lines (12/15, 80.0%). Moreover, targeted inhibition of livin by RNAi markedly sensitized RCC cells towards proapoptotic stimuli, such as UV irradiation or the chemotherapeutic drugs etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, and vinblastine. These effects were specific for livin expressing tumor cells. We conclude that livin can contribute significantly to the apoptosis resistance of RCC cells. Targeted inhibition of livin could represent a novel therapeutic strategy to increase the sensitivity of renal cancers towards pro-apoptotic agents. Received 30 November 2006; received after revision 22 February 2007; accepted 20 March 2007     

Taming theory with thought experiments: Understanding and scientific progress

I claim that one way thought experiments contribute to scientific progress is by increasing scientific understanding. Understanding does not have a currently accepted characterization in the philosophical literature, but I argue that we already have ways to test for it. For instance, current pedagogical practice often requires that students demonstrate being in either or both of the following two states: 1) Having grasped the meaning of some relevant theory, concept, law or model, 2) Being able to apply that theory, concept, law or model fruitfully to new instances. Three thought experiments are presented which have been important historically in helping us pass these tests, and two others that cause us to fail. Then I use this operationalization of understanding to clarify the relationships between scientific thought experiments, the understanding they produce, and the progress they enable. I conclude that while no specific instance of understanding (thus conceived) is necessary for scientific progress, understanding in general is.     

Mn:Fe:LiNbO3晶体全息存储的研究

本文用双光子记录法测试Mn:Fe:LiNbO3晶体二波耦合衍射效率.分别用绿光和红光作为记录光,紫外光作为选通光进行全息记录.用绿光作为记录光比用红光作为记录光得到的全息记录灵敏度提高约一个数量级,并且动态范围也有一定的提高.对记录光、选通光的作用和双掺杂Mn:Fe:LiNbO3晶体双光子全息存储的机理进行研究.     

构造相应于有限维非退化李代数的顶点算子代数

在相应于非退化李代数g的顶点代数的结构基础上构造顶点算子代数.为此,首先给出了非退化李代数g的Casimir算子Ω的定义,和在伴随表示下Ω作用在g上及相关性质;应用Ω定义出g的顶点代数V■(l,0)中元素,证明了V■(l,0)关于w构成一个顶点算子代数.     

拓扑线性空间中连续线性算子的Drazin广义逆

拓扑线性空间中连续线性算子T具有连续D razin广义逆的充分必要条件是T的指标Ind(T)=k< ∞,且R(Tk)为具有T—逆性质的闭线性子空间.     

一类具有不同Virasoro-向量的顶点算子子代数

根据X_I型Cartan矩阵的一类主子矩阵_J,构造出无扭仿射李代数■的同构于g(A_J)的子代数■_J的导代数■_J,以及■_J-模V_■(l,0).证明了V_■(l,0)不仅是顶点算子代数.而且是V_■(l,0)的具有不同Virasoro-向量的顶点算子子代数.     

基于透明代理的Linux防火墙的设计与实现

文章所设计的防火墙系统采用在Linux内核中设置访问规则,通过数据包侦听与截获模块以及访问控制管理模块,实现对内部用户的访问控制;经性能测试,可以有效地解决包过滤功能不能解决的问题,并对其关键技术进行了剖析。     

巢湖十五里河河口湿地植被动态变化研究

河口湿地是水陆相互作用形成的独特生态系统,也是湖泊生态系统的重要组成部分。为探讨河口湿地植被在不同时期内种类和组成的变化,以及引起这些变化的主要环境因子,文章以巢湖十五里河河口湿地为对象,在巢湖处于枯水期和丰水期时,分别对其植物群落进行了野外调研,研究发现:枯水期河口湿地分布植物有21种,隶属于18属,11科;丰水期河口湿地分布植物11种,隶属于10属,7科;聚类分析结果显示枯水期时河口湿地植物组合类型有8种,丰水期时河口湿地植物组合类型为4种;枯水期时河口湿地植物物种多样性比丰水期时高,但其均匀度比丰水期时低;湖泊水位、河口水质和人类活动是河口湿地植物种类和组成变化的主要影响因子。     

Fe/SiO2催化剂的快速制备及催化生长碳纳米管

以纳米二氧化硅吸附和分散FeCl3.6H2O,采用旋转蒸发-高温还原法合成出Fe/SiO2催化剂。采用化学气相沉积法制备碳纳米管,使用SEM和TEM对产物进行了表征。结果表明,当Fe/(SiO2 Fe)(物质的量比)为17.5%时,能够制备出高质量的直径为30~50nm的多壁碳纳米管。     

算子权移位的强不可约性

讨论以可逆算子作为权序列的无穷重的算子权移位的强不可约性.这里给出了三个充分条件:设S是以{Wk}∞k=1(其中Wk∈L(H),k∈Z)为权序列的算子权移位.(1){Wn-1Wn--11…W1-1AW1W2…Wn}n∞=1有界蕴含A=λI.(或A=λI Q,Q是严格上三角算子,λ∈C);(2){Wn-1Wn--11…W1-1AW1W2…Wn}n∞=1有界蕴含σ(A)是单点集;(3){Wn-1Wn--11…W1-1AW1W2…Wn}∞n=1有界蕴含A是强不可约的.最后给出了利用上述条件判定S强不约性的例子.