While in mice total deficiency of one of these components is even

While in mice total deficiency of one of these components is eventually developmentally lethal, the severity of the defects varies drastically

between tissues and also the skin models recapitulating BM formation in vitro. There is accumulating evidence that this relies on the mechanical properties, the molecular composition of the BM, the adjacent ECM or connective tissue, the dynamics of molecular assembly, and ‘minor’ tissue-specific modifier or adapter components. Smad inhibitor Though the role of nidogen or perlecan is still remaining a controversial issue, the statements ‘being essential for BM/or not’ should be consequently referred to the developmental, tissue, and functional (e.g., repair) context.”
“The National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR) collected data on intended management Fosbretabulin datasheet before and after PET in cancer patients. We have previously reported that PET Vas associated with a change in intended management of about one third of patients and was consistent across-cancer types. It is uncertain if intended management plans reflect the actual care these patients received. One approach to assess actual care received is using administrative claims to categorize the type and timing of clinical services. Methods: NOPR data from 2006 to 2008 were linked to Medicare claims for consenting patients aged 65 y or older undergoing

initial-staging PET scanning for bladder, ovarian, pancreatic, small cell lung, or stomach cancers. We determined the 60-d agreement between claims-inferred care and NOPR treatment plans. Results: Patients (n = 4,661) were assessed, and 30%-52% had metastatic disease. Planned treatments were about two-thirds monotherapy, of which 46% was systemic therapy only, and one-third combinations. Claims paid by 60 d confirmed the NOPR plan of any systemic

therapy, radiotherapy, or surgery in 79.3%, 64.7%, and 63.6%, respectively. Single-mode plans were much more often confirmed: systemic therapy in more than 85% of patients with ovarian, pancreatic, and small cell lung GF120918 clinical trial cancers and surgery in more than 73% of those with bladder, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. Intended combination treatments had claims for both in only 28% of patients receiving surgery-based combinations and in 55% receiving chemoradiotherapy. About 90% of patients with NOPR-planned systemic therapy had evaluation or management claims from a medical oncologist. An age of less than 75 y was associated more often with confirmation of chemotherapy, less often for radiotherapy but not with confirmation of surgery. Performance status or comorbidity did not explain confirmation rates within action categories, but confirmation rates were higher if the referrer specialized in the planned treatment.

The amino acid residues 20 to 65 of the ORF3 protein are essentia

The amino acid residues 20 to 65 of the ORF3 protein are essential in this competitive interaction of ORF3 Selleck MDV3100 protein with pPirh2 over p53. The interaction of ORF3 protein with pPirh2 also leads to an alteration in the physiological cellular localization of pPirh2 and a significant reduction in the stability of pPirh2. These events contribute to the deregulation of p53 by pPirh2, leading to increased p53 levels and apoptosis of the infected cells. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Populations in Africa mostly

rely on herbal concoctions for their primarily health care, but so far scientific studies supporting the use of plants in traditional medicine remain poor. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic effects of Picralima nitida (seeds), Nauclea latifolia (root and stem) and Oxytenanthera abyssinica (leaves) commonly used, in diabetic pregnancy.\n\nMethods: Nutlin-3 datasheet Pregnant wistar rats, rendered diabetic by multiple low injections of streptozotocin, were treated wit h selected plant extracts

based on their antioxidant activities. Vitamin C concentrations, fatty acid compositions and phytochemical analysis of plants extracts were determined. Effect of selected plant extracts on human T cell proliferation was also analysed.\n\nResults: All analysed plant extracts exhibited substantial antioxidant activities probably related to their content in polyphenols. Picralima nitida exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. Ethanolic and butanolic extracts of Picralima nitida, butanolic extract of Nauclea latifolia and ethanolic extract of Oxytenanthera abyssinica significantly decreased hyperglycemia in the diabetic pregnant rats. Butanolic extract of Picralima, also appeared LB-100 inhibitor to be the most potent immunosuppressor although all of the analysed extracts exerted an immunosuppressive effect on T cell proliferation probably due to their linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) and/or alkaloids content. Nevertheless, all analysed plants seemed to be good source of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.\n\nConclusion: By having antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and

immunosuppressive activities, these plants could be good candidates in the treatment of diabetes and diabetic pregnancy.”
“OBJECTIVES: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) against hepatitis C virus (HCV) have recently been developed and are ultimately hoped to replace interferon-based therapy. However, DAA monotherapy results in rapid emergence of resistant strains and DAAs must be used in combinations that present a high genetic barrier to resistance, although viral kinetics of multidrug-resistant strains remain poorly characterized. The aim of this study is to track the emergence and fitness of resistance using combinations of telaprevir and NS5A or NS5B inhibitors with genotype 1b clones.\n\nMETHODS: HCV-infected chimeric mice were treated with DAAs, and resistance was monitored using direct and ultra-deep sequencing.

Conclusions: Higher education was associated with better lowe

\n\nConclusions: Higher education was associated with better lower extremity performance in people aged 60 to 80, but not in advanced age (80+ years). Our results indicate that higher education is associated with better grip strength among female manual workers and with better balance and walking speed among female and male non-manual workers, respectively.”
“Background and Purpose: The minimally invasive nature and effectiveness of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) has made it one of the primary treatment modalities for urinary tract calculi. Several

factors determining the success of SWL treatment have been studied, including stone factors (ie, location, size, and composition) and patient factors (ie, patient habitus and skin-to-stone distance). Our objective was to determine if either the assisting radiologic technologist or the amount of fluoroscopy time used ARS-1620 inhibitor has an

impact on SWL success.\n\nPatients and Methods: We compared the outcome of 536 SWL treatments across three radiologic technologists. We also evaluated the average amount of fluoroscopy time used in treatment success vs failures in this same cohort. The outcomes measured were stone-free and successful fragmentation rate at 2 weeks and 3 months. Successful fragmentation was defined as being either stone free, having residual sand, or with an asymptomatic fragment <= 4 mm on radiography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.\n\nResults: The patients treated by the three different radiologic technologists were comparable with respect to body mass index, stone side and location, presence of ureteral stent, and mean stone area (mm(2)). The stone-free and successful fragmentation rates at 2 weeks ON-01910 clinical trial and 3 months between the three radiologic technologists were not

significantly different. When examining fluoroscopy time, we found a significantly greater mean fluoroscopy time was used in treatments with successful fragmentation at 2 weeks (3.16 min vs 2.72 min, P = 0.0001) and 3 months (3.12 min vs Adriamycin nmr 2.75 min, P = 0.0015) compared with treatment failures.\n\nConclusion: The radiologic technologist did not have a significant impact on SWL treatment outcome at 2 weeks and 3 months. Successful SWL fragmentation at 2 weeks and 3 months, however, was associated with a greater amount of fluoroscopy time, suggesting that using fluoroscopy to ensure accurate targeting during SWL is important for successful fragmentation.”
“This report is based on the investigations of the effect of initial concentration of Cr (VI) ions, biosorbent dosage and effect of static and agitated conditions on the biosorption of Cr (VI) in aqueous solution using Gliocladium viride ZIC(2063) biomass in a batch biosorption process.The percentage removal of Cr (VI) ions from solutions was maximum at 200 mg/L initial Cr (VI) concentration after 35 min. The removal of Cr (VI) was 100% at biosorbent dose of 3.0 g, but uptake capacity “q” (mg/g) of Cr (VI) ions decreased with further increase in biosorbent dosage.

Results:Thirty-seven patients

\n\nResults:Thirty-seven patients PRN1371 concentration developed a portal hypertension-related bleeding over 2 years of follow-up. Decrease (12%) in HVPG was the best cut-off for bleeding risk discrimination. This parameter was used to classify patients in responders (it = 95) and non-responders (it = 71). In primary prophylaxis (54 responders vs. 24 non-responders) the actuarial

probability of bleeding was half in responders than in non-responders (12% vs. 23% at 2 years; ns). In secondary prophylaxis (41 responders vs. 47 non-responders) a good hemodynamic response was also significantly and independently associated with a 50%, decrease in the probability of re-bleeding (23%, at 2 years vs. 46% in non-responders; p = 0.032.) and a better survival (95% vs. 65%; p = 0.003).\n\nConclusion: The evaluation of acute HVPG response to i.v. propranolol

before initiating secondary prophylaxis for variceal bleeding is a useful tool in predicting the efficacy of non-selective beta-blockers. If adequately validated, this might be a more cost-effective strategy than the chronic evaluation of HVPG response and might be useful to guide therapeutic decisions in these patients. (C) 2009 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“We compare the volume flux divergence of Antarctic ice shelves in 2007 and 2008 with 1979 to 2010 surface accumulation and 2003 to 2008 thinning to determine their rates of melting and mass balance. Basal melt of 1325 +/- 235 gigatons per year (Gt/year) exceeds a calving flux of 1089 +/- 139 Gt/year, making ice-shelf melting the largest ablation process in Antarctica. The giant cold-cavity Selleckchem GDC 0032 Ross, Filchner, and Ronne ice shelves covering two-thirds of the total ice-shelf area account for only 15% of net melting. Half of the meltwater comes from 10 small, warm-cavity Southeast Pacific ice shelves occupying 8% of the area. A similar high melt/area ratio is found for six East Antarctic ice shelves, implying undocumented strong ocean www.selleckchem.com/products/gsk1120212-jtp-74057.html thermal forcing on their deep grounding lines.”
“Background: End-digit preference (EDP) is a known cause of inaccurate BP recording. Distortion has been reported around pay-for-performance (P4P)

indicators. Methods: We studied sequential datasets (n = 148,000 to n = 900,000) and performed a longitudinal analysis of CONDUIT data (n = 250,000) over a 10-year period. We examined general trends in EDP and investigated the impact of diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) P4P targets. Results: EDP reduces over time in both datasets; the percentage of patients with a zero EDP declined from 70% to 27% and 68% to 26% for SBP and DBP respectively. There is more zero EDP at the extremes of BP, but in people with chronic disease, the use of zero EDP was mainly seen at higher BP levels. P4P targets are associated with increased preference for the even end-digit just below target: in diabetes odds ratio (OR) is 1.47 (p = 0.003) for SBP, 1.19 (p = 0.

Agatston coronary

artery calcium score (CACS) was obtaine

Agatston coronary

artery calcium score (CACS) was obtained using multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT). Plasma bone-related peptides osteopontin and osteoprotegerin levels were measured. Diabetic patients had higher mean-IMT (p = 0.0002) and log(CACS + 1) (p < 0.0001) and similar bone-related peptides compared to non-diabetic subjects. in diabetic patients classified into tertiles according to their CACS levels, those with the highest scores showed the highest mean-IMT (p = 0.0004) and bone-related peptides (p < 0.05) among the groups. log(CACS + 1) and mean-IMT were associated (p < 0.0001) and were positively correlated with osteopontin (p < 0.01) and osteoprotegerin (p < 0.01) in diabetic patients. Multivariate analyses revealed that the significant p38 MAPK signaling pathway independent determinants of log(CACS + 1) were age, duration of diabetes and osteopontin (p < 0.0001) and those of mean-IMT were age, hypertension, osteopontin and osteoprotegerin (p < 0.0001), respectively. We have demonstrated that vascular calcification in type 2 diabetic patients is frequently accompanied by intimamedia thickening, and osteopontin may

act as a vascular calcification inhibitor by increasing intima-media thickness. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Jojoba oil-based emulgel formulations were prepared using different concentrations of various gelling agents, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and Carbopol 934 P and combination ABT-737 purchase of both. The prepared emulgels were physically evaluated for their stability after temperature click here cycle test, centrifugation and long-term shelf storage for 1 year at room temperature. The in vitro release at 37A degrees C was studied to define the effect of the concentration and type of the gelling agent. A comparison between the formulated emulgels and two commercially available products, CandistanA (R) and CanestenA (R) creams, was carried out to judge

their efficacy and stability. The prepared emulgels exhibited non-Newtonian shear thinning behavior with little or no thixotropy. Four emulgels showed excellent stability as they demonstrated consistent rheological model under different treatment conditions. The in vitro release test showed variation in the extent of percent drug released. The drug release from the commercial preparation was lower than some of the prepared emulgel formulae. One formula containing combination of the two gelling agents (HPMC and Carbopol 934 P), showed excellent stability and high extent of clotrimazole release was microbiologically evaluated against Candida albicans using cylinder and plate method. The selected formula showed superior antimycotic activity compared to the commercially available formulation. Further in vivo animal studies for the obtained stable formula is recommended.

Results Key outputs include national media campaigns, publicatio

Results. Key outputs include national media campaigns, publications demonstrating the value of linking cancer treatment episodes to routine recording of chronic illness, identification of sensitive Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) items for use in national surveys, evidence reviews and published national guidelines, together with the development of a three level risk stratified model of care. Pilot testing with survivors treated for

pelvic cancers, and adult survivors with radiation-induced selleck chemicals brachial plexopathy has been completed. Conclusion. Early results suggest that a systematic approach to the prevention, detection and management of some treatment-related consequences can significantly improve the ability of patients to manage their conditions. As a result of these findings, new services have now been commissioned by the NHS, initially for those with complex problems.”
“Rationale: The immunologic events surrounding primary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and development of tuberculosis remain controversial. Young children who develop tuberculosis

do so quickly after first exposure, thus permitting study of immune response to primary infection and disease. We hypothesized that M. tuberculosis-specific CD8(+) T Temsirolimus mouse cells are generated in response to high bacillary loads occurring during tuberculosis.\n\nObjectives: To determine

if M. tuberculosis-specific T cells are generated among healthy children exposed to M. tuberculosis and children with tuberculosis.\n\nMethods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assays were used to measure IFN-gamma production in response to M. tuberculosis-specific proteins ESAT-6/CFP-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD8(+) T cells isolated from Ugandan children hospitalized with tuberculosis (n = 96) or healthy tuberculosis contacts (n = 62).\n\nMeasurements and Main Results: The proportion of positive CD8(+) T-cell assays and magnitude of CD8(+) T-cell responses were significantly greater among young (<5 yr) tuberculosis cases compared with young contacts (P = 0.02, Fisher exact test, P = 0.01, Wilcoxon rank-sum, respectively). M. tuberculosis-specific T-cell responses Small molecule library cell assay measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were equivalent between groups.\n\nConclusions: Among young children, M. tuberculosis-specific CD8(+) T cells develop in response to high bacillary loads, as occurs during tuberculosis, and are unlikely to be found after M. tuberculosis exposure. T-cell responses measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are generated after M. tuberculosis exposure alone, and thus cannot distinguish exposure from disease. In young children, IFN-gamma-producing M. tuberculosis-specific CD8(+) T cells provide an immunologic signature of primary M.

Second, Dutch and English speakers named 2 sets of either objects

Second, Dutch and English speakers named 2 sets of either objects or words (monosyllabic names

in Dutch and disyllabic names in English or vice versa). A length effect, which should manifest itself as an interaction between object set and response language, emerged in word naming but not in picture naming. Third, distractors consisting of the final syllable of disyllabic object names speeded up responses, but at the same time, no word-length effect was found. These results suggest that before the response is initiated, an entire word has been phonologically encoded, but only its initial syllable is placed in an articulatory buffer.”
“Background: Failure to thrive (FTT) is a sign of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We assessed TB and HIV prevalence in children with FTT at one clinic in Botswana. Methods: In July 2010, we screened all children attending BAY 1895344 mouse a ‘Well Child’ clinic for FTT. Children with Selleckchem SN-38 FTT were referred to a paediatrician who: (i) assessed causes of FTT, (ii) evaluated for HIV and TB and (iii) reviewed the patient chart for evaluations for TB and HIV. Results: Of 919 children screened, 176 (19%) had FTT. One hundred eighteen (67%) children saw a paediatrician, and of these, 95 (81%) completed the TB evaluation. TB was newly diagnosed in 6 of 95 (6%). At review, HIV status was known in 23 of 118 (19%). Ninety-five had an unknown

HIV status. Forty-five (47%) tested for HIV; all tested HIV-negative. Conclusion:

TB and HIV screening among children with FTT diagnosed TB in 6% of cases completing an evaluation, but no new HIV infections.”
“Specific co-chaperone adaptors facilitate the recruitment of client proteins to the Hsp90 system. Tah1 binds the C-terminal conserved MEEVD motif of Hsp90, thus linking an eclectic set of client proteins to the R2TP complex for their assembly and regulation by Hsp90. Selleck Alvocidib Rather than the normal complement of seven -helices seen in other tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains, Tah1 unusually consists of the first five only. Consequently, the methionine of the MEEVD peptide remains exposed to solvent when bound by Tah1. In solution Tah1 appears to be predominantly monomeric, and recent structures have failed to explain how Tah1 appears to prevent the formation of mixed TPR domain-containing complexes such as Cpr6-(Hsp90)(2)-Tah1. To understand this further, the crystal structure of Tah1 in complex with the MEEVD peptide of Hsp90 was determined, which shows a helix swap involving the fifth -helix between two adjacently bound Tah1 molecules. Dimerization of Tah1 restores the normal binding environment of the bound Hsp90 methionine residue by reconstituting a TPR binding site similar to that in seven-helix-containing TPR domain proteins. Dimerization also explains how other monomeric TPR-domain proteins are excluded from forming inappropriate mixed co-chaperone complexes.

The details for how retrovirus particle assembly occurs are poorl

The details for how retrovirus particle assembly occurs are poorly understood, even for other more tractable retroviral systems. Recent studies on HTLV-1 using state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy and fluorescence-based biophysical ALK assay approaches explored questions related to HTLV-1 particle size, Gag stoichiometry in virions, and Gag-Gag interactions in living cells. These results provided new and exciting insights into fundamental aspects of HTLV-1 particle assembly-which are distinct from those of other retroviruses, including HIV-1. The application of these and other novel biophysical approaches promise to provide exciting new insights into

HTLV-1 replication.”
“Three Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumors (intracranial, endobronchial, and paraspinal) in 2 patients are presented. The patient with the intracranial tumor had no concurrent or previous manifestation of this neoplasm and was immunosuppressed because of a renal transplant. The other patient had AIDS and radiologic evidence of involvement of multiple other sites. Although mitotic

activity was present, none of the tumors displayed any high-grade malignant histologic features. All tumors were strongly positive for smooth muscle actin and variably expressed h-caldesmon. Desmin was negative in all 3 tumors. The intracranial tumor was Cyclosporin A in vitro associated with prominent intracerebral edema and displayed, in addition to a prominent intratumoral T-cell component, a hitherto unreported component

of prominent intratumoral B cells and plasma cells. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“To investigate the effects of skeletal muscle characteristics on meat tenderness, meat quality of a total of 100 Sutai pigs was evaluated in the present study. Myofibre composition in selleck chemicals longissimus dorsi (LD) was investigated by determining the ratios of mRNA abundance of four myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms (MyHC I, IIa, IIx and IIb) to detect the influence of myofibre type on meat tenderness. The expression of candidate genes was analysed to elucidate their possible relationship with meat tenderness. The results showed that under the same tenderization condition in the same breed of pigs, meat tenderness demonstrated the largest amount of variation compared with other meat traits. The proportion of MyHC I fibres was significantly higher in the lowest shear force group, whereas the proportions of MyHC IIa, IIb, IIx fibres did not differ significantly between the two extreme meat tenderness groups. The mRNA expression of myostatin, myogenin, myoD and growth hormone receptor (GHR) genes also did not significantly differ between the two tenderness groups. However, the mRNA expression of calpain 3 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) changed with the shear force, showing a negative correlation with the shear force (r= -0.

All bees in our study had personal information that one species o

All bees in our study had personal information that one species of artificial flower was rewarding, and bees in the scent group then experienced social information about an alternative-scented species inside the nest, while a control group did not. On their next foraging bout, bees in

both groups overwhelmingly used personal information when deciding where to forage. When bees subsequently learnt that the rewards offered by their preferred species had dwindled, bees that had social information were no quicker to abandon their personal information than selleckchem control bees, but once they had sampled the alternative flowers, they showed greater commitment to that species than control bees. Thus, we found no evidence that social information is particularly important when personal information fails to produce rewards (a “copy when established behaviour is unproductive” strategy). Instead, bees used social information specifically

to complement personal information.”
“Protein arrays are typically made by random absorption of proteins to the array surface, potentially limiting the amount learn more of properly oriented and functional molecules. We report the development of a DNA encoded antibody microarray utilizing site-specific antibody oligonucleotide conjugates that can be used for cell immobilization as well as the detection of genes and proteins. This technology allows for the facile generation of antibody SHP099 ic50 microarrays while circumventing many of the drawbacks of conventionally produced antibody arrays.

We demonstrate that this method can be used to capture and detect SK-BR-3 cells (Her2+ breast cancer cells) at concentrations as low as 10(2) cells/mL (which is equivalent to 10 cells per 100 mu L array) without the use of microfluidics, which is 100- to 10(5)-fold more sensitive than comparable techniques. Additionally, the method was shown to be able to detect cells in a complex mixture, effectively immobilizing and specifically detecting Her2+ cells at a concentration of 10(2) SK-BR-3 cells/mL in 4 x 10(6) white blood cells/mL. Patients with a variety of cancers can have circulating tumor cell counts of between 1 and 10(3) cells/mL in whole blood, well within the range of this technology.”
“Mitochondria play key roles in essential cellular functions, such as energy production, metabolic pathways and aging. Growth factor-mediated expression of the mitochondria] OXPHOS (oxidative phosphorylation) complex proteins has been proposed to play a fundamental role in metabolic homeostasis. Although protein translation is affected by general RNA-binding proteins, very little is known about the mechanism involved in mitochondrial OXPHOS protein translation.

This paper introduces divin, a small molecule inhibitor of bacter

This paper introduces divin, a small molecule inhibitor of bacterial cell division that may facilitate mechanistic studies of this BB-94 in vivo process. Divin disrupts the assembly of late division proteins, reduces peptidoglycan remodeling at the division site, and blocks compartmentalization of the cytoplasm. In contrast to other division inhibitors, divin does not interact with the tubulin homologue FtsZ, affect

chromosome segregation, or activate regulatory mechanisms that inhibit cell division indirectly. Our studies of bacterial cell division using divin as a probe suggest that dividing bacteria proceed through several morphological stages of the cell envelope, and FtsZ is required but not sufficient to compartmentalize the cytoplasmic membrane at the division site. Divin is only moderately toxic to mammalian cells at concentrations that inhibit the growth of clinical pathogens. These characteristics make divin a useful AZD9291 probe for studying bacterial cell division and a starting point for the development of new classes of therapeutic agents.”
“Two new species of carnivorous sponges of the genus Abyssocladia are described. These sponges were collected from Myojin Knoll, Izu-Ogasawara (Izu-Bonin) Arc, in

southern Japan. Detailed morphological observation based on specimen both in situ and preserved revealed functional differentiation of spicule distribution. Abyssocladia natsushimae sp. nov. is distinct within the genus in its mop-like gross morphology, large body size, and soft tissue packed with numerous microspined microstrongyles. Abyssocladia myojinensis sp. nov. is characterized by possession of both typical abyssochelae and palmate abyssochelae. This is the first record of the genus from Japan.”
“Using the large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator, chemical short-range order of the Cu-Zr binary system over the three good glass-forming compositional ranges has been investigated. Based on a statistical analysis, a simple

route has been developed for broad investigations of the basic polyhedral clusters, optimum glass formers, as well as the composition-structure-property (glass-forming ability) correlation. In addition, topological short-range orders of the basic polyhedral clusters in the three compositional ranges were characterized. Our LXH254 manufacturer findings have implications for understanding the nature, forming ability, and properties of metallic glasses.”
“Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic as well as whole-rock geochemical data are reported for keratophyes in the Pingshui Group, Zhejiang. The results are used to discuss their petrogenesis and geological significance. The keratophyes were dated at 904 +/- 8 to 906 +/- 10 Ma. These intermediate-felsic rocks are characterized by high LREE contents and depletion of HREE and HFSE (e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti, P), resembling arc-derived rocks. The keratophyes exhibit positive epsilon(Hf)(t) values of 8.6 to 15.