We also showed that higher level engraftment of human hepatocytes

We also showed that higher level engraftment of human hepatocytes was achieved in both NK cell-depleted SCID/Alb-uPA mice and Rag2-/-gamma c-/-/Alb-uPA (T,B and NK cell deficient) mice compared with untreated SCID/Alb-uPA mice. These results support a critical role for mouse NK cells in the rejection of human hepatocytes xenotransplanted to immunodeficient mice.”
“To evaluate the self-reported perceived CP-868596 mw quality of life (QoL) in transsexuals attending a Spanish gender identity unit before genital sex reassignment surgery, and to identify possible

determinants that likely contribute to their QoL.

A sample of 119 male-to-female (MF) and 74 female-to-male (FM) transsexuals were included in the study. The WHOQOL-BREF scale was used to evaluate self-reported QoL. Possible determinants included age, sex, education, employment, partnership status, undergoing cross-sex hormonal therapy, receiving at least one non-genital sex reassignment surgery, and family support (assessed with the family APGAR questionnaire).

Mean scores of all

QoL domains ranged from 55.44 to 63.51. Linear regression analyses revealed that undergoing cross-sex hormonal treatment, having family support, and having an occupation were associated with a better QoL for all transsexuals. DAPT in vivo FM transsexuals have higher social domain QoL scores than MF transsexuals. The model accounts for 20.6 % of the variance in the physical, 32.5 % in the psychological, 21.9 % in the social, and 20.1 % in the environment domains, and 22.9 % in the global QoL factor.

Cross-sex hormonal treatment, family support, and working or studying are linked to a better this website self-reported QoL in transsexuals. Healthcare providers should consider these factors when planning interventions to promote the health-related

QoL of transsexuals.”
“The chemoprevention of breast cancer using pharmacologic agents has had substantial clinical success. Randomized clinical trials evaluating selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs) have shown that these agents reduce the incidence of breast cancer by up to 50% in healthy women at increased risk for the development of the disease. SERMs have been of particular value in women with biopsy-proven risk factors, including atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast. The agents of established value are important options for women today, and efforts are under way to identify additional more effective therapies.”
“It is 32 years since Legionella pneumophila was identified and recognized as a human pathogen, causing the severe form of pneumonia termed Legionnaires’ disease, or legionellosis. This bacterium is found in freshwater reservoirs where it replicates in aquatic protozoa and can invade man-made water distribution systems.

Objective: The objective was to investigate the effects of substi

Objective: The objective was to investigate the effects of substituting GMP food products for the AA formula on acceptability, safety, plasma AA concentrations, and measures of protein utilization in subjects with PKU.

Design: Eleven subjects participated in an inpatient metabolic study with two 4-d treatments: a current AA diet (AA diet) followed by a diet that replaced the AA formula with GMP (GMP diet) supplemented with limiting AAs. Plasma concentrations of AAs, blood chemistries, and insulin were measured and compared in AA (day 4) and GMP diets (day 8).

Results: The GMP diet was

preferred to the AA diet in 10 of 11 subjects with PKU, and there were no adverse reactions to GMP. There was no significant difference in phenylalanine concentration

in postprandial plasma this website with the GMP diet compared with the AA diet. When comparing fasting with selleck compound postprandial plasma, plasma phenalyalanine concentration increased significantly with the AA but not with the GMP diet. Blood urea nitrogen was significantly lower, which suggests decreased ureagenesis, and plasma insulin was higher with the GMP diet than with the AA diet. Conclusions: GMP, when supplemented with limiting AAs, is a safe and highly acceptable alternative to synthetic AAs as the primary protein source in the nutritional management of PKU. As an intact protein source, GMP improves protein retention and phenylalanine utilization compared with AAs. Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 89: 1068-77.”
“A terpolymer (PAAP) of acrylamide, sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate, and vinyl biphenyl as a hydrophobic monomer was synthesized to obtain a polymeric oil-flooding agent with low molecular weight and application in oil reservoirs with medium to low permeability. The intermolecular selleck screening library self-assembling mechanisms in the PAAP solutions were investigated with a

pyrene fluorescence probe as functions of the polymer concentration, surfactant, and temperature. The hydrophobically associating morphologies of PAAP in an unsalted solution were observed with scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the high Solution viscosity of PAAP was due to the strong intermolecular hydrophobic associations of the biphenyl groups, and the critical association concentration was 0.05 g/dL for the unsalted and brine PAAP solutions. The nonpolarity and association degree in the hydrophobic microdomains were greatly influenced by the polymer concentration. With the addition of the optimum sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate concentration, the interpolymer hydrophobic associations were strengthened remarkably via the connection of the surfactant with biphenyl groups from different polymer chains. The number and sizes of the aggregates increased in the range of 20-50 degrees C. These results demonstrate that the thickening effect of the PAAP polymer in the aqueous solution was due to intermolecular associations of the biphenyl groups. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Among these are comparative studies of other species, studies of

Among these are comparative studies of other species, studies of disorders of social cognition and developmental psychology. The use of neuroimaging and computational models has given weight to speculations about the evolution of social behaviour and culture in human societies. We highlight some networks of the social brain relevant to two-person interactions and consider the social signals between interacting partners that activate these networks. We make a case for distinguishing between signals that automatically trigger interaction and cooperation and ostensive signals that are used

deliberately. We suggest that this ostensive signalling is needed for ‘closing the loop’ in two-person interactions, where the partners each know that they have the intention to communicate. The use of deliberate social signals can serve to increase reputation and trust and facilitates teaching. This is likely to be a critical factor in STI571 inhibitor the steep cultural ascent of mankind.”
“Perovskite-type Nd1-xLaxCrO3 (0 <= x <= 1.0) polycrystalline samples were synthesized using solid state reaction. Structural studies indicate that the lattice parameters, metal-oxygen bond lengths, and angles of Nd1-xLaxCrO3 strongly depend on the La content. Two magnetic transition temperatures, Cr3+ antiferromagnetic ordering temperature (T-N) and the spin reorientation phase transition temperature (T-SRPT), have been observed in the M-T curves. The increase in T-N

and decrease in TSRPT with increasing x value can be explained by the change in Doramapimod supplier the magnetic interactions due to La doping. The heat capacity of

Nd1-xLaxCrO3 measured from 2 to 300 K reveals that the lattice, electronic, and magnetic contributions to heat capacity can be well interpreted quantitatively using the Debye and Schottky models. The splitting energy of the Cr3+ 3dt(2g) orbital and the Nd3+ ground state have been calculated by fitting to the Schottky anomaly at very low temperature. The Cr-Nd interaction is suppressed gradually by La doping, which is verified by the calculation of the mean-field interaction parameter. This doping dependence provides directed evidence of TM-RE magnetic interactions in perovskite compounds, in agreement with the proposed model. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3505800]“
“Dyssynergic Ricolinostat defecation is common and affects up to one half of patients with chronic constipation. This acquired behavioural problem is due to the inability to coordinate the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles to evacuate stools. Today, it is possible to diagnose this problem and treat this effectively with biofeedback therapy, history, prospective stool diaries, and anorectal physiological tests. Several randomised controlled trails have demonstrated that biofeedback therapy using neuromuscular training and visual and verbal feedback is not only efficacious but superior to other modalities such as laxative or sham training.

A total of 159 patients with first-time clinical symptoms of cere

A total of 159 patients with first-time clinical symptoms of cerebral ischemia were recruited. Contributions to the perfusion territory were visualized with territorial arterial spin-labeling magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The anatomic features of the circle of Willis were evaluated with time-of-flight MR angiography. Perfusion territory contributions were compared among circle

of Willis variants by using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test.

Results: The perfusion territory contributions to the deep-brain structures could be evaluated in 119 of 159 patients (75%). With a fetal-type circle of Willis find protocol (41 of 238 hemispheres; 17%), there was a contribution from the ipsilateral internal carotid artery to the thalamus in all 41 hemispheres (100%), compared with 96 of the 197 hemispheres (49%) without a fetal-type circle of Willis. In the 19 patients with a hypoplastic A1 segment, there was more often

a contribution of the contralateral internal carotid artery to the perfusion of the nucleus caudatus (10 of 19; 53%) and the nucleus lentiformis (5 of 19; 26%).

Conclusion: The perfusion territory contributions to deep-brain structures vary widely. These differences can be partly explained by variations in the anatomic features of the circle of Willis. (C)RSNA, 2010″
“We investigated the effects of laser wavelength on the atomic, ionic, and radiative emission from laser-produced TH-302 manufacturer tin plasmas. For generating plasmas, planar tin targets were excited using either high intensity neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG, 1.06 mu m) or carbon dioxide (CO(2), 10.6 mu m) laser pulses; both are considered to be potential excitation lasers for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography laser-produced plasma light source. Various diagnostic tools were utilized for investigating ionic, neutral, and radiative emission from Sn plasmas including Faraday cup, witness plate in conjunction with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), https://www.selleckchem.com/products/beta-nicotinamide-mononucleotide.html EUV, and visible emission spectroscopy and photography. Atomic and ionic analysis showed that the amount of

debris emitted by the Nd: YAG generated plasmas was considerably higher than the CO(2) laser-produced plasmas. The angular distributions of both atomic and ionic debris were found to be more forward-centric for the 1.06 mu m generated plasma while being much more uniform for the 10.6 mu m heated plasma. EUV and visible emission images of the plasma also showed a forward-centric appearance for 1.06 mu m heated plasmas. The strength of excited neutral emission was considerably lower for the case of the 10.6 mu m plasma while the kinetic energies of ions debris were found to be much higher for CO(2) generated plasmas. Surface analysis of the craters created by the lasers showed that the mass ablation rate is 3.6 times higher for Nd:YAG laser generated plasmas compared to CO(2) generated plasmas at maximum EUV emission. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.


“OBJECTIVE: The potential influence of magnesium on exerci


“OBJECTIVE: The potential influence of magnesium on exercise performance is a subject of increasing interest. Magnesium has been shown to have bronchodilatatory properties in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute magnesium IV loading on the aerobic exercise performance of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

METHODS: Twenty male chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (66.2 +/- 8.3 years old, FEV1: 49.3 +/- 19.8%) received an IV infusion of 2 g of either magnesium sulfate or saline on two

randomly assigned occasions approximately two days apart. Spirometry was performed both before and 45 minutes after the infusions. A symptom-limited incremental maximal cardiopulmonary Akt inhibitor test was performed on a cycle ergometer at approximately 100 minutes after the end of the infusion. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00500864

RESULTS: Magnesium infusion this website was associated with significant reductions in the functional residual capacity (-0.41 l) and residual volume (-0.47 l), the mean arterial blood pressure (-5.6 mmHg) and

the cardiac double product (734.8 mmHg.bpm) at rest. Magnesium treatment led to significant increases in the maximal load reached (+8 w) and the respiratory exchange ratio (0.06) at peak exercise. The subgroup of patients who showed increases in the work load equal to or greater than 5 w also exhibited significantly greater improvements in inspiratory capacity (0.29 l).

CONCLUSIONS: The acute IV loading of magnesium promotes a reduction in static lung hyperinflation and improves the exercise performance in stable chronic

www.selleckchem.com/products/DMXAA(ASA404).html obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Improvements in respiratory mechanics appear to be responsible for the latter finding.”
“Introduction Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a very common disease, but little is known about eye involvement. The conjunctival provocation test (CPT) is used in human to study the ocular response to allergenic stimuli and to evaluate anti-allergic therapy. To our knowledge it has not been used in dogs.

Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of ocular signs in a population of atopic dogs and relate these with clinical cAD scores; and the usefulness of CPT for dust mites in atopic dogs with itchy eyes.

Procedures Sixty cAD patients were evaluated for (i) ocular signs of allergic conjunctivitis including conjunctival hyperemia, chemosis, epiphora, ocular discharge, pruritus and corneal involvement, graded 0 to 3 according to severity, and (2) cAD Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-03). Additionally, CPTs for Dermatophagoides farinae (n = 12) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (n = 12) were performed in sensitized atopic dogs and 24 control dogs.

Results Periocular and ocular signs of allergy were present in 60% (36/60) of cases.

Updated crime cost estimates can help government agencies and oth

Updated crime cost estimates can help government agencies and other organizations execute more prudent policy evaluations, particularly benefit-cost analyses of substance abuse treatment or other interventions that reduce crime. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“P>Polyomavirus (PV) associated nephropathy (PVAN) has become 3-deazaneplanocin A chemical structure an important cause of allograft dysfunction. We studied plasma cells

(PCs) – which have not yet been characterized – present in the cellular infiltrate of 20 PVAN cases using immunohistochemistry and morphometry. The results were correlated with morphological, clinical and anti-BK virus serological findings. PC-rich cellular infiltrates occurred in 50% of cases (> 15% PCs in the cellular infiltrate) and in these IgM producing PCs were commonly seen (70%): IgM PC predominance in 50% of cases and a comparable number of IgM and IgG PCs in 20% of cases. We found a significant correlation

not just between the absolute numbers (P < 0.034) and the percentage values of IgM PCs (P < 0.004 in relation to all cells) and the serum IgM-Ab anti-BKV activity, but also between the ratio of IgG/IgM PCs and the ratio of serum IgG/IgM-Ab activities (P < 0.0001). We showed that IgM PC counts in biopsies correlate with titers of circulating anti-BK virus IgM antibodies. Every case except one was C4d negative in peritubular capillaries (PTC). As IgG PCs characterize PC-rich rejection cases, we suggest that in selleck compound the presence of IgM PCs in PC-rich infiltrate with PTC C4d negativity, a search for possible PVAN infection should be initiated.”
“The effects of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) on hypoglycemia and hepatoprotection in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were investigated.

Water extract of Jerusalem artichoke (JAE) reversed the increase in serum glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Further, JAE treatment remarkably click here prevented elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Treatment with JAE also improved lipid profiles damaged by STZ in the liver by reducing serum levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol. These results suggest that oral administration of JAE may have a potential benefit of ameliorating diabetic symptoms by improving liver damage caused by STZ. This study gives useful information for understanding the anti-diabetic effect of JA.”
“SPPA1 is a protease in the plastids of plants, located in non-appressed thylakoid regions. In this study, T-DNA insertion mutants of the single-copy SPPA1 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana (At1g73990) were examined. Mutation of SPPA1 had no effect on the growth and development of plants under moderate, non-stressful conditions.

Conclusion: Oxidative stress in preeclampsia is the result of the

Conclusion: Oxidative stress in preeclampsia is the result of the increase in reactive oxygen species and of the decrease in antioxidants.”
“In open abdominal image-guided liver surgery, sparse measurements of the organ surface can be taken intraoperatively via a laser-range scanning device or a tracked stylus with relatively little impact on surgical workflow. We propose a novel nonrigid registration method which uses sparse

surface data to reconstruct a mapping between the preoperative CT volume and the intraoperative patient space. The mapping is generated using a tissue mechanics model subject to boundary conditions consistent with surgical supportive packing during liver resection therapy. Belinostat solubility dmso Our approach iteratively chooses parameters which define these boundary conditions such that the deformed tissue model best fits the intraoperative surface data. Using two liver phantoms, we gathered a total of five deformation datasets with conditions comparable to open surgery. CAL-101 chemical structure The proposed nonrigid method achieved a mean target registration error (TRE) of 3.3 mm for targets dispersed throughout

the phantom volume, using a limited region of surface data to drive the nonrigid registration algorithm, while rigid registration resulted in a mean TRE of 9.5 mm. In addition, we studied the effect of surface data extent, the inclusion of subsurface data, the trade-offs of using a nonlinear tissue model, robustness to rigid misalignments, and the feasibility in five clinical datasets.”
“Purpose: To investigate the protective effects of various resuscitating fluids on severe hemorrhagic shocked (HS) CA3 mouse rats by comparing the expression changes of hsp90 alpha in cardiac muscles and survival of rats.

Methods: Western-blot and immunohistochemistry methods were performed to determine hsp90 alpha expressions in cardiac muscles of HS rats following treatment with different resuscitation fluids. In

addition, the survival rates of of all the test groups were investigated.

Results: The expression of hsp90 alpha decreased following treatment with resuscitation fluids based on both Western blot and immunohistochemistry data. Ringer lactate solution (RLS) was the most effective therapeutic fluid in this regard, and this was buttressed by survival rate data (90 %).

Conclusion: The expression of hsp90 alpha in rat cardiac muscle is decreased to various degrees by treatment with different resuscitating fluids, with the effect most pronounced for ringer lactate solution. Furthermore, hsp90 alpha plays an important role in hemorrhagic rat cardiac muscle as a regulatory factor.”
“We report on the comparative bioaccumulation.

Subclinical

Subclinical PCI-32765 mouse OD was searched in 1906 patients treated and untreated in essential hypertensives with normal echocardiographic LVMI as defined by two sets of gender-specific criteria based on LV mass (LVM) indexed to body surface area (125 gm(-2) in men and 110 gm(-2) in women) and height(2.7) (49 gm(-2.7) in men and 45 gm(-2.7) in women). Overall, 568 patients (29.8%), fulfilled the criteria for LVCR. Prevalence rates of

carotid plaque, carotid intima-media (IM) thickening, grade II retinopathy and microalbuminuria (MA) were significantly higher in patients with LVCR compared with those with normal geometry (53, 24, 22, 10% versus 38, 15, 15, 7%, respectively, P<0.01, at least). Furthermore, an independent association between LVCR and continuous variables of OD such as carotid IM thickness (P<0.0001) and MA (P=0.004) was confirmed by a multivariate analysis. Our results indicate that LVCR identified by updated, less conservative, diagnostic criteria, is strongly associated with subclinical vascular and renal alterations of adverse prognostic significance. These findings support the view that LVCR should be searched for and regarded as a marker of target OD with an

additional value for cardiovascular find protocol risk stratification in patients with normal LVM. Journal of Human Hypertension (2010) 24, 380-386; doi:10.1038/jhh.2009.87; published online 19 November 2009″
“In this article, we report a novel method to synthesize polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite. Chitin and PANI are dissolved in a common solvent, N,N-dimethyl acetamide, with 5% LiCl, and the solution is irradiated with 8 MeV electron beam for different doses, nano-particles of PANI in chitin is obtained. The characterization of the composite was done by UV-vis

absorption spectrum, FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopic (SEM), and DC conductivity studies. UV-vis studies show conversion of emeraldine base form to leucoemaraldine base. FTIR studies show interaction between chitin and PANI. SEM analysis Cyclopamine purchase of irradiated composite shows formation of PANI particulates. Average particle size varies from approximate to 40 to approximate to 1000 nm. DC conductivity of blend improves on irradiation. One-dimensional variable range hopping conduction mechanism is dominating in the irradiated blend. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 623-633, 2011″
“We propose a polariton hyperparametric oscillator (PHO) based on a semiconductor photonic dot at the micro/nano scale. By theoretical derivations and numerical calculations, we find that the PHO not only amplify weak signals like general large-planar polariton amplifiers, but also depress strong signals unusually. The coexistence of such signal amplification and depression can cause a stable signal emission being almost independent of the excitation instabilities in the strong-excitation regime.

0) almost all carbonates permeate the human skin However, the mo

0) almost all carbonates permeate the human skin. However, the most effective penetrant, the derivative with 3 ethylene oxide units in the side chain, exhibited a flux of 26.1 nmol/cm(2)/h as compared to 59.15 this website nmol/cm(2)/h of the parent drug stavudine. Thus, no permeation enhancement was observed during this study.”
“With the variability among alcohol users in mind, Project MATCH hypothesized several treatment matching relationships based on alcohol severity and alcohol dependence, but

found limited effects. However, it is possible that the existing examinations of Project MATCH data did not fully characterize the nature of severity of alcohol dependence, as these analyses have examined dependence severity as an additive symptom count similar to the diagnostic strategy represented in the DSM-IV. We examined dependence severity as a latent trait hypothesized to have a characteristic developmental progression using Item Response Theory (IRT), and examined the implications

of this approach to severity scaling in the Project MATCH data. The IRT-derived empirical continuum corresponded to an earlier theoretical model of the developmental course of alcoholism, demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity, and incremented other severity markers in predicting Alcoholics click here Anonymous involvement, social functioning, and readiness of change. However, it did not predict treatment-outcomes or other validating variables more effectively than the measures used in the original design. Furthermore, an empirical index of person fit to this continuum did not moderate trait-validator relations including treatment Outcome and treatment

matching effects. Overall, findings did not support the incremental utility of a latent SCH727965 order trait representation of alcohol severity. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Although tourniquets are widely used in total knee arthroplasty, their effectiveness in reducing blood loss and their influence on the postoperative course remain unclear. Tourniquet-related soft-tissue damage is a related concern. We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled trial to clarify the effect of tourniquets in total knee arthroplasty.

Methods: Seventy-two patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were randomly allocated to a tourniquet or non-tourniquet group. Blood loss and changes in C-reactive protein, creatine phosphokinase, and other indicators of softtissue damage were monitored preoperatively and postoperatively on Days 1, 2, and 4. Thigh pain, knee pain, limb swelling, rehabilitation progress, and hospital stays were also recorded for comparison.

Results: Patients in the tourniquet group showed smaller decreases in hemoglobin (mean and standard deviation, 2.6 +/- 0.9 versus 3.7 +/- 1.3 g/dL) and hematocrit (7.6% +/- 2.8% versus 10.4% +/- 4.

Duration of tracheostomy tube ranged from 10 to 19 months, mean 1

Duration of tracheostomy tube ranged from 10 to 19 months, mean 13 months.

Seventy percent (48 patients) required supplementary feeding in the form of nasogastric (NC) or gastrostomy tube. Forty-four patients were successfully managed with a temporary NC tube. One patient required a prolonged NC tube, and three required www.selleckchem.com/products/ABT-263.html a gastrostomy tube. Twenty-one (30%) patients were successfully managed with a specialised Haberman bottle. Twenty-four patients (35%) who had their airway managed successfully by positional therapy, still required supplemental feeding.

Thirty-one patients (45%) demonstrated a conductive hearing loss at some stage, which affected their speech and language development. Twenty-four

patients (35%) required tympanostomy tube insertion once, while 7 (10%) of patients required ventilation tube insertion twice or more.

Conclusion: Airway management in the majority of PRS can be successfully achieved by conservative methods. Even in the presence of an adequate airway, many patients will require supplemental feeding. Early audiological assessment is necessary as many patients will need tympanostomy tube

placement to ensure adequate speech and language development. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.”
“OBJECTIVE: To determine whether curcumin reverses the multidrug resistance of human colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS: In a vincristine-resistant cell line of human 3-MA supplier colon cancer, the cell viability of curcumin-treated cells was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Rhodamine123 efflux CAL-101 datasheet was evaluated to detect P-glycoprotein transporter activity,

and expression of the multidrug resistance protein 1 and survivin genes was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. In addition, xenograft mouse tumors were grown and treated with curcumin. The morphology of the xenografts was investigated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The in vivo expression of the multidrug resistance gene and P-glycoprotein and survivin genes and proteins was observed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.

RESULTS: Curcumin was not obviously toxic to the vincristine-resistant human colon cancer cells at concentrations less than 25 mu M, but the growth of cells was significantly inhibited. At concentrations greater than 25 mu M, curcumin was toxic in a concentration-dependent manner. The sensitivity of cells to vincristine, cisplatin, fluorouracil, and hydroxycamptothecin was enhanced, intracellular Rhodamine123 accumulation was increased (p<0.05), and the expression of the multidrug resistance gene and P-glycoprotein were significantly suppressed (p<0.05). The combination of curcumin and vincristine significantly inhibited xenograft growth.