ABSTRACT Objective: The tyrosine-protein kinase inhibitor, genistein, can inhibit cell malignant transformation and has an antitumor effect on various types of cancer. It has been shown that both genistein and KNCK9 can inhibit colon cancer. This research aimed to investigate the suppressive effects of genistein on colon cancer cells and the association between the application of genistein and KCNK9 expression level. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to study the correlation between the KCNK9 expression level and the prognosis of colon cancer patients. HT29 and SW480 colon cancer cell lines were cultured to examine the inhibitory effects of KCNK9 and genistein on colon cancer in vitro, and a mouse model of colon cancer with liver metastasis was established to verify the inhibitory effect of genistein in vivo. Results: KCNK9 was overexpressed in colon cancer cells and was associated with a shorter Overall Survival (OS), a shorter Disease-Specific Survival (DFS), and a shorter Progression-Free Interval (PFI) of colon cancer patients. In vitro experiments showed that downregulation of KCNK9 or genistein application could suppress cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities, induce cell cycle quiescence, promote cell apoptosis, and reduce epithelialmesenchymal transition of the colon cancer cell line. In vivo experiments revealed that silencing of KCNK9 or application of genistein could inhibit hepatic metastasis from colon cancer. Additionally, genistein could inhibit KCNK9 expression, thereby attenuating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion: Genistein inhibited the occurrence and progression of colon cancer through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway that could be mediated by KCNK9.

Resumo O sistema comercial internacional vem enfrentando uma diminuição relativa na importância das tarifas em favor de exigências regulatórias de natureza não tarifária (padrões técnicos, sanitários e fitossanitários). A proliferação dessas medidas, que consistem essencialmente em regras de rotulagem de produtos e processos e métodos de produção, pode ser explicada pela crescente influência de agentes privados, como corporações e associações comerciais. Embora esses atores estejam dispostos a desenvolver e aplicar uma estrutura regulatória concorrente em uma ampla gama de tópicos, isto também pode gerar regras comerciais mais fragmentadas tanto geográfica quanto materialmente, resultando em uma significativa resistência por parte dos governos para integrar os padrões privados ao sistema multilateral de comércio. Portanto, surge um debate crescente sobre as maneiras pelas quais os padrões privados foram bloqueados nos atuais processos de negociação da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC). Contando com o Modelo dos Múltiplos Fluxos (MMF) de Kingdon, abordamos essa questão com um foco particular nos esforços e embates atuais da OMC para incorporar regulações privadas à agenda de comércio internacional.

Abstract The international trade system has been facing a relative decrease in the relevance of tariffs in favour of non-tariff, regulatory requirements (technical, sanitary and phytosanitary standards). The proliferation of these measures, which essentially consist of rules on product labelling and on production processes and methods, may be explained by the growing influence of private agents, such as corporations and business associations. Although these players are willing to develop and enforce a competing regulatory framework such as this on a broader range of topics, this may also generate more fragmented trade rules at both geographic and substantive levels, thus leading to a significant resistance among governments to integrate private standards into the multilateral trade system. Therefore, a mounting debate emerges on the ways in which private standards have been stonewalled in the current negotiation processes of the World Trade Organization (WTO). By relying on Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework (MSF), we address this question with a particular focus on the current efforts and struggles within the WTO to incorporate private regulations into the international trade agenda.

Abstract This study aimed to develop a simple and rapid method to detect KRAS gene mutations for conventional clinical applications under laboratory conditions. The genotype of mutation sites was determined based on the occurrence of target bands in the corresponding lanes of the reaction tubes through polymerization-conjunction of the probes, probe purification and amplification, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Circulating DNA samples were obtained from the plasma of 72 patients with lung cancer, which were identified based on six mutation sites (G12S, G12R, G12C, G12D, G12A, and G12V) of codon 12 of the KRAS gene. The detection results were compared with direct sequencing data. The proposed detection method is characterized by simple operation, high specificity, and high sensitivity (2%). This method can detect the mutations of three samples at G12S, G12R, and G12A. In the direct sequencing spectra of these samples, the genotype could not be determined due to the lack of evident sequencing peaks that correspond to the basic group of mutations. In conclusion, a simple and rapid method was established based on probe polymerization-conjunction-agarose gel electrophoresis for detecting KRAS gene mutations. This method can be applied to the conventional mutation detection of inhomogeneous samples.

The stability of artificial, sand-binding communities has not yet fully studied. A similarity index was developed to evaluate the stability of artificial communities in shifting and semi-fixed sand dunes. This similarity index consisted of 8 indicators (i.e., vegetation cover, Shannon-Wiener Index, biomass, organic matter, Total N, available P and K, and sand particle ratio). The relative weight of these indicators was obtained using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. Stability was compared on Artemisia halodendron Turczaninow ex Besser, Bull communities in shifting and semifixed sand dunes, and of Caragana microphylla Lam. communities with different planting ages. The similarity indexes of the A. halodendron communities were 0.24 and 0.54 in shifting and semi-fixed sand dunes, respectively. The peak stability of C. microphylla communities was 0.55, and it was reached when these communities were 20-year-old. It is suggested that A. halodendron communities should be planted preferentially in semi-fixed to moving sand dunes. Furthermore, the planting age of artificial communities should be included in planting programs. This study improved the understanding of some mechanisms contributing to maintain community stability, and is critical for guiding the artificial planting in sand dunes.

La estabilidad de comunidades artificiales que contribuyen a la fijación de suelos arenosos no se ha estudiado completamente. Se desarrolló un índice de similitud para evaluar la estabilidad de comunidades artificiales en dunas móviles y fijadas medianamente. Este índice de similitud consistió de 8 indicadores (cobertura vegetal, índice de Shannon-Wiener, biomasa, materia orgánica, N total, P y K disponibles, y relación de partículas de arena). La importancia relativa de estos indicadores se obtuvo utilizando un método de procesamiento jerárquico analítico (AHP). Se comparó la estabilidad de comunidades de Artemisia halodendron Turczaninow ex Besser, Bull en dunas móviles y fijadas medianamente, y la de comunidades de Caragana microphylla Lam. de diferentes edades de plantación. Los índices de similitud de las comunidades de A. halodendron fueron 0,24 y 0,54 en dunas móviles y fijadas medianamente, respec- tivamente. La estabilidad máxima de las comunidades de C. microphylla fue 0,55, la que se obtuvo cuando dichas comunidades alcanzaron 20 años de edad. Se sugiere que las comunidades de A. halodendron se deberían plantar preferencialmente en dunas fijadas medianamente a móviles. Además, la edad de plantación de las comunidades artificiales se debería incluir en programas de plantación. Este estudio mejoró el entendimiento de algunos mecanismos que contribuyen a mantener la estabilidad de las comunidades, y es crítico para guiar la plantación artificial en áreas de dunas.

Abstract The Law and Development literature still debates on the role of international institutions in promoting legal reforms as a means of inducing economic growth. This article takes one step further by arguing that incremental circumstances compelled such institutions to change from bilaterally-binding pressures to soft-based multilateral strategies, by analyzing the gradual rise of the World Bank’s “Doing Business” initiative.

In China, alcohol consumption is increasing faster than anywhere else in the world. A steady increase in alcohol production has also been observed in the country, together with a rise in alcohol-related harm. Despite these trends, China's policies on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are weak compared with those of other countries in Asia. Weakest of all are its policies on taxation, drink driving laws, alcohol sale to minors and marketing licenses. The authors of this descriptive paper draw attention to the urgent need for public health professionals and government officials in China to prioritize population surveillance, research and interventions designed to reduce alcohol use disorders. They describe China's current alcohol policies and recent trends in alcohol-related harm and highlight the need for health officials to conduct a thorough policy review from a public health perspective, using as a model the World Health Organization's global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

En China, el consumo de alcohol está aumentando con mayor rapidez que en cualquier otro lugar del mundo, y también se ha observado un crecimiento constante de la producción de alcohol en el país, junto con un aumento de los daños relacionados con esta sustancia. A pesar de estas tendencias, las políticas chinas sobre la venta y consumo de bebidas alcohólicas son débiles en comparación con las de otros países asiáticos. Las políticas más débiles son las que regulan los impuestos, las leyes de consumo y conducción, la venta de alcohol a menores de edad y las licencias para la venta de alcohol. Los autores de este artículo descriptivo llaman la atención sobre la necesidad urgente de que los funcionarios gubernamentales y los profesionales de la sanidad pública chinos den prioridad a la vigilancia de la población, a la investigación y a las intervenciones diseñadas para reducir los trastornos provocados por el consumo de alcohol. Describen las políticas actuales chinas relativas al alcohol, así como las tendencias presentes de los daños relacionados con el alcohol y destacan la necesidad de que los funcionarios de salud lleven a cabo una revisión de toda la política desde la perspectiva de la sanidad pública, usando como modelo la estrategia global de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para reducir el uso nocivo de alcohol.

En Chine, la consommation d'alcool augmente plus rapidement que partout ailleurs dans le monde. Une augmentation constante de la production d'alcool a également observée dans le pays, ainsi qu'une augmentation des méfaits de l'alcool. Malgré ces tendances, les politiques de la Chine en matière de vente et de consommation de boissons alcoolisées sont faibles comparées à celles des autres pays d'Asie. Les plus faibles de toutes sont ses politiques sur la taxation, les lois relatives à l'alcool au volant, la vente d'alcool aux mineurs et la commercialisation des licences. Les auteurs de cet article descriptif attirent l'attention sur la nécessité urgente pour les professionnels de la santé publique et les fonctionnaires gouvernementaux chinois d'accorder la priorité à la surveillance de la population, la recherche et les interventions destinées à réduire les troubles liés à la consommation d'alcool. Ils décrivent les politiques actuelles sur l'alcool en Chine et les tendances récentes des méfaits de l'alcoolisme. Ils soulignent également la nécessité pour les autorités sanitaires de procéder à un examen approfondi de la politique dans une perspective de santé publique, en prenant comme modèle la stratégie globale de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé afin de réduire l'usage nocif de l'alcool.