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Prostate cancer (PCa) is a frequently occurring malignancy in males, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in PCa metastasis. Thus, developing biomarkers inhibiting EMT may provide significance for treatment of PCa. Hence, the aim of the current study was to investigate the mechanism by which FBP1 gene silencing influences PCa cell EMT, invasion and metastasis by mediating the MAPK pathway. PCa cell lines exhibiting the highest FBP1 expression were selected and treated with plasmids of siRNA-FBP1 sequence 1 and 2, pcDNA3.1-Flag-FBP1 (over-expression plasmid of FBP1), U0126 (an inhibitor of the ERK signaling pathway) and PD98059 (an inhibitor of the MEK signaling pathway). Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by MTT assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of related factors of EMT and MAPK signaling were determined by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Xenograft tumor growth after inoculation of DU145 cells was regularly analyzed in the nude mice. The positive expression of EMT markers was determined by immunohistochemistry. DU-145 and PC-3 cells displaying the highest FBP1 expression were selected for further analysis. The PCa cells treated with siRNA-FBP1 exhibited increased proliferation, migration rate and invasion, in addition to facilitated xenograft tumor growth. Notably, siRNA-FBP1 was identified to accelerate PCa cell EMT by elevating the expression of Vimentin and N-cadherin while diminishing E-cadherin expression via activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. The aforementioned results were reversed in PCa cells treated by pcDNA3.1-Flag-FBP1. Evidence has been provided in this study that FBP1 gene silencing activates the MAPK pathway, which ultimately promotes cell EMT, invasion and metastasis in PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silane surface modification method was used for the surface treatment of carbon fiber to improve the interfacial adhesion of the carbon fiber reinforced bismaleimide(BMI) composite. The surface characteristics of untreated and treated carbon fiber were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscope. The friction and wear properties of the BMI composites filled with differently surface treated carbon fibers(20 vol%), were investigated on a ring-on-block tribometer. Experimental results revealed that silane treatment largely reduced the friction and wear of CF/BMI composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) of worn surfaces of BMI composites showed that surface treated CF/BMI composite had the strongest interfacial adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber-reinforced Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (CF/UHMWPE) composites have been treated by oxygen plasma to enhance the adhesion. According to the plasma treatment, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of composites has been greatly improved. The dynamic wetting method, FTIR and SEM are used to examine the microscopic properties of resultant composites. The enhanced ILSS is attributed to the plasma cavitation, which improves the wetting between carbon fibers and resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]