Search

Abstract Objective We aimed to evaluate the role of tumor size in predicting tumor risk for localized prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods Twenty‐five thousand, one hundred twenty‐seven men with PCa receiving RP from 2010 to 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Kaplan–Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to illustrate overall survival (OS) according to the tumor size. The tumor size was confirmed by postoperative pathology after RP. Results Among overall localized PCa, 84.6% were high‐risk PCa, 9.2% were intermediate‐risk PCa, and 6.2% were low‐risk PCa. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that tumor size ≥21 mm was an independent risk predict factor of low‐risk PCa (odds ratio [OR]: 11.940; 95% CI, 9.404–15.161; p

It has been discovered that miR-133a-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer (BC). Nevertheless, the function of miR-133a-3p in BC remains unclarified. Thus, we carried out this study to validate the expression of miR-133a-3p in BC and provide insights into the molecular mechanism underlying it. To assess the expression of miR-133a-3p in BC, we searched eligible studies from literature and Gene expression Omnibus (GEO) to perform a meta-analysis. We also plotted the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve to evaluate the diagnostic ability of miR-133a-3p in BC. Additionally, the potential target genes of miR-133a-3p were acquired from 14 online software programs and GEO database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was created to identify the hub genes. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were carried out to investigate the regulatory network of the target genes. From the meta-analysis, miR-133a-3p was remarkably downregulated in BC tissues compared with that in non-cancer tissues (standard mean difference =-3.84, 95% confidence interval =-6.99-0.29). Moreover, results from SROC suggested that miR-133a-3p exhibited the ability to diagnose BC (area under curve =0.8418). As for the bioinformatics study, 488 genes were chosen as the potential targets of miR-133a-3p in BC, among which 10 genes were defined as hub genes (all degrees >5). Further GO and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the target genes of miR-133a-3p aggregated in specific biological process and pathways. In conclusion, miR-133a-3p possessed great diagnostic potential with its downregulation in BC, and miR-133a-3p might serve as a novel biomarker for BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated photoluminescence (PL) characteristics (emission spectra and the dependence of the intensity on irradiation dose) of both single-crystal alkali feldspars (orthoclase, microcline, and anorthoclase) and plagioclases (albite, oligoclase, and labradorite) using a RENISHAW inVia™ confocal Raman microscope instrument configured with 532 and 785 nm laser excitation. The results show that feldspars have intensive PL bands peaking at 577-606, 704-733, 859-865, and 912-917 nm under 532 nm excitation; while their PL spectra consist of two broad peaks at 864-869 and 909-926 nm under 785 nm excitation, although the number of emission peaks and the exact median peak position is sample-specific. This is possibly linked to the slight variations in chemical composition and crystal structure of the feldspar minerals. The dependence of PL intensity on irradiation dose varies among the type of feldspar and the median peak position within a single crystal feldspar. Under 532 nm excitation, anorthoclase, oligoclase, and labradorite show no clear change in PL intensity with the increasing irradiation dose. For orthoclase, microcline, and albite, their spectra have an increasing trend in PL intensity with the increasing irradiation dose in the long wavelength region (e.g., ~860 and ~915 nm peaks), but no clear change for peaks centered at ~580 and ~720 nm. Under 785 nm excitation, anorthoclase and labradorite show no clear change in the PL intensity with the increasing irradiation dose, while for orthoclase, microcline, albite, and oligoclase, PL intensities of main emission peaks (e.g., ~865 nm) increase with the increasing irradiation dose. It is mainly due to the different responses of PL intensity to irradiation dose, which are linked to electron trap depths. We proposed that PL bands peaking at ~865 and ~915 nm of alkaline feldspar show the priority in the PL dating application and the potential of using a commonly available Raman system for dating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single-aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) protocol for calcite with low-temperature measurements is proposed to measure the equivalent doses (De). It uses the isothermal TL (ITL) signals measured at around 225-240 °C, e.g. 235 °C, where a De vs. ITL temperature (De-T) plateau can be observed. The width of the temperature range of such a plateau can be sample dependent, as it relates to the proportional contributions of the signals from corresponding TL peaks. The signals at the ITL temperature plateau range largely correspond to the TL signals of the 280 °C TL peak. Similar to 235 °C ITL, other temperatures were studied. Each ITL temperature might be regarded as a "thermometer". The ITL signals at 285 °C mainly correspond to the 330 °C TL peak. The absence of detectable anomalous fading of ITL signals indicates that the signal is free of fading. Dose recovery tests confirm the suitability of the SARITL protocol for De estimation. Using the SAR-ITL protocol, the measuring temperatures are below 300 °C, so the effects of spurious luminescence signals induced by high-temperature heating have been avoided. Multiple thermometers with different "close" temperatures were obtained from ITL De determined from different measuring temperatures. We have applied the protocol to the exposure of limestone rocks from tectonically active areas in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Where uplifting and incision happened in magnificent altitudes over the last 2 million years. The denudation rates of the last 500 ka were estimated. The implication and significance to geological studies were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate luminescence ages of volcanically-baked clay are important for studying the eruptive history of young quaternary volcanoes. However, some unusual luminescence properties were found in some heated quartz extracted from volcanically-baked clay, i.e., slow decay rate, strong recuperation, etc., whose effects on equivalent dose have not been well studied. In this study, baked clay collected from Dayingshan volcano, Yunnan Province, southwest of China, were collected to investigate the effect of these special luminescence characteristics on equivalent dose. It was shown that the initial OSL signal of heated quartz was dominated by medium component with small Fast Ratio values (< 10), and pulse-annealing tests indicated that the medium component was thermally stable. The negative correlation between De and recuperation indicated that strong recuperation would lead to the underestimation of De when using the SAR-OSL method. Therefore, three different correction strategies were used to suppress or eliminate the effect of recuperation on De, namely: I) correction by the De-recuperation relation1; II) early background subtraction2; and III) increasing the excitation temperature. The corrected luminescence ages fitted well with independent 14C ages obtained by carbon chips. The accurate eruption history of Dayingshan volcano during the Quaternary was finally obtained at about 41-43 ka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was designed to analyze the composition of immune cells in obesity and identify novel and potent drugs for obesity management by epigenetic and transcriptomic conjoint analysis. DNA methylation data set (GSE166611) and mRNA expression microarray (GSE18897) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. A total of 72 objects (35 obese samples and 37 controls) were included in the study. Immune cell composition analysis, drug repositioning, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed using CIBERSORT, connectivity map (CMap), and GSEA tools. Besides, we performed a single-cell RNA-seq of the immune cells from whole blood samples obtained from one obese patient and one healthy control. mRNA levels of drug target genes were analyzed by qPCR assay in blood samples from six patients and six healthy controls. Immune cell composition analysis found that CD8 + T cells and NK cells were significantly lower in the obese group. 11 drugs/compounds are considered to possess obesity-control potential, such as atorvastatin. Moreover, the expression of drug targets (STAT3, MCL1, PMAIP1, SOD2, FOX O 3, FOS, FKBP5) in obese patients were higher than those in controls. In conclusion, immune cells are potential therapeutic targets for obesity. Our results also contribute to accelerate research on drug development of obesity.

Context Qing-Mai-Yin (QMY) is a clinically used herbal formula for treating arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). Objective To evaluate the chemical constituents and effects of QMY on ASO rabbit model. Materials and methods Forty-eight New Zealand rabbits were divided into six groups (n = 8): normal (normal rabbits treated with 0.5% CMC-Na), vehicle (ASO rabbits treated with 0.5% CMC-Na), positive (simvastatin, 1.53 mg/kg), and QMY treatment (300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg). ASO rabbit model was prepared by high fatty feeding, roundly shortening artery, and bovine serum albumin immune injury. QMY (300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg) was orally administered for 8 weeks. The effects and possible mechanisms of QMY on ASO rabbits were evaluated by pathological examination, biochemical assays, and immunohistochemical assays. The compositions of QMY were analysed using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis. Results Compared to the vehicle rabbit, QMY treatment suppressed plaque formation and intima thickness in aorta, and decreased intima thickness, whereas increased lumen area of femoral artery. Additionally, QMY treatment decreased TC, TG and LDL, decreased CRP and ET, and increased NO and 6-K-PGF1α in serum. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms studied revealed that QMY treatment could suppress expression of TNF-α, IL-6, ICAM-1 and NF-κB in endothelial tissues, and increase IκB. In addition, HPLC analysis showed QMY had abundant anthraquinones, stilbenes, and flavonoids. Conclusion QMY has ameliorative effects on ASO rabbit, and the potential mechanisms are correlated to reducing inflammation and down-regulating NF-κB. Our study provides a scientific basis for the future application and investigation of QMY.

Port fuel injection is an important technical route in methanol engines. To obtain a theoretical basis for injector arrangement and injection strategy development in methanol engines, an optimal experimental platform based on diffuse back-illumination and the refractive index matching method (RIM) was designed and built in this study. The experiments on the behavior of low-pressure methanol spray-wall impingement and wall film were carried out and the influence of the three boundary conditions of spray distance (Dimp), wall temperature (Twall), and injection pressure (Pinj) were analyzed comprehensively. Results showed that with the increase of Dimp, the overall shape of spray before impinging the wall changed from conical to cylindrical. The impinging spray height Hi and impinging spray width Wi increased with the decrease of Dimp and the increase of Pinj. Adhesive fuel film mass Mf increased with the increase of Dimp due to the decrease of kinetic energy during wall impact. In addition, the increase of the wall temperature Twall reduced Mf due to evaporation, but when Twall reached 423 K, Mf rebounded due to the Leidenfrost effect. The results of this study are helpful to improve the accuracy of the numerical methanol engine model.

Background: Neurogenic neuroprotection is a promising approach for treating patients with ischemic brain lesions. Fastigial nucleus stimulation (FNS) has been shown to reduce the tissue damage resulting from focal cerebral ischemia in the earlier studies. However, the mechanisms of neuroprotection induced by FNS remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a newly discovered group of non-coding small RNA molecules that negatively regulate target gene expression and involved in the regulation of pathological process. To date, there is a lack of knowledge on the expression of miRNA in response to FNS. Thus, we study the regulation of miRNAs in the rat ischemic brain by the neuroprotection effect of FNS. Methods: In this study, we used an established focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR) model in rats. MiRNA expression profile of rat ischemic cortex after 1 h of FNS were investigated using deep sequencing. Microarray was performed to study the expression pattern of miRNAs. Functional annotation on the miRNA was carried out by bioinformatics analysis. Results: Two thousand four hundred ninety three miRNAs were detected and found to be miRNAs or miRNA candidates using deep sequencing technology. We found that the FNS-related miRNAs were differentially expressed according microarray data. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that several differentially expressed miRNAs might be a central node of neuroprotection-associated genetic networks and contribute to neuroprotection induced by FNS. Conclusions: MiRNA acts as a novel regulator and contributes to FNS-induced neuroprotection. Our study provides a better understanding of neuroprotection induced by FNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Prognostic genes in the tumor microenvironment play an important role in immune biological processes and the response of cancer to immunotherapy. Thus, we aimed to assess new biomarkers that are associated with immune/stromal cells in lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) using the ESTIMATE algorithm, which also significantly affects the prognosis of cancer. Methods The RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and clinical data of LUAD were downloaded from the the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA ). The immune and stromal scores were calculated for each sample using the ESTIMATE algorithm. The LUAD gene chip expression profile data and the clinical data (GSE37745, GSE11969, and GSE50081) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) for subsequent validation analysis. Differentially expressed genes were calculated between high and low score groups. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups to obtain initial prognosis genes. These were verified by three independent LUAD cohorts from the GEO database. Multivariate Cox regression was used to identify overall survival-related DEGs. UALCAN and the Human Protein Atlas were used to analyze the mRNA /protein expression levels of the target genes. Immune cell infiltration was evaluated using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and CIBERSORT methods, and stromal cell infiltration was assessed using xCell. Results In this study, immune scores and stromal scores are significantly associated with the clinical characteristics of LUAD, including T stage, M stage, pathological stage, and overall survival time. 530 DEGs (18 upregulated and 512 downregulated) were found to coexist in the difference analysis with the immune scores and stromal scores subgroup. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that 286 of the 530 DEGs were survival-related genes (p

Commercial diesel consists of hundreds of hydrocarbons such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatics. The components of the fuel’s composition are what determine its physical and ignition properties, and their variations affect engine performance. In this study, n-heptane, n-dodecane, tetralin, and decalin were chosen as typical additives to blend with commercial diesel according to the China VI standard (Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicle Pollutant Emission Limits and Measurement Methods) in 20% and 50% volume fractions, respectively. The physical properties of the fuel blends, such as viscosity, density, cetane number (CN), and distillation range, were measured first. Then, the commercial diesel’s lower heat value was measured, and blended fuels were calculated accordingly. The CN of the blended fuel is tested by an Ignition Quality Tester (IQT), which is known as the derived cetane number (DCN). The results show that adding n-dodecane increases the value of DCN, while tetralin reduces the DCN, and n-heptane and decalin have negative effects. This study uses a type of WP12 diesel engine made by Weichai that meets China’s emission regulation 6. During the tests, the fuel injection strategy was kept as a pure diesel operation without any modifications. Compared with pure diesel operation, the bench test results show the following characteristics: the maximum torque output increased with increased decalin, followed by tetralin and n-dodecane, while n-heptane has a side effect compared to pure diesel operation. The addition of n-dodecane and n-heptane can reduce fuel consumption, while tetralin will increase it, and decalin has no obvious effect on fuel consumption. It was found that n-heptane increases HC and NOx emissions significantly. Furthermore, n-dodecane slightly increases CO, HC and NOx emissions. Decalin increases CO and HC emissions when mixed in a large proportion. In addition, tetralin causes a substantial increase in HC, CO and NOx emissions at medium and high loads.

This study investigates lacustrine and fluvial sediments on the Sala Us River in the Mu Us Desert in central north China. Significant changes in environmental dose rate in part of the section could be shown to have occurred from measurements of the present day radioactivity and by the age reversal for some samples that had been dated by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) measurements on quartz. These changes in dose rate can be attributed to recent uptake of radioactive elements found in the sediments; this resulted in significant underestimation of the OSL ages. In this study, the new isochron method using K-feldspar grains has been applied to overcome the effects of changes in dose rate. Calculations are used to show that changes in the environmental dose rate factors, i.e. K, U, Th, water content and cosmic ray flux, and disequilibrium in the U and Th decay chains, e.g. radon escape, have a negligible effect on the isochron age. After applying the new isochron method, the effects of changes in dose rate caused by recent uptake of radioactive elements and changes in past water content were effectively overcome and true ages are obtained; this was verified by repeating the luminescence isochron measurements on samples of overlying and underlying sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical dating was used to obtain a chronology for a loess-palaeosol sequence in the Guanzhong Basin on the Loess Plateau in China. The sedimentary sequence recorded two dry episodes (3.7~2.4 ka and 1.2~0.8 ka ago) in the Holocene as shown by the presence of two layers of loess within the Holocene deposits. These two arid events are consistent with records of global climate change in the Holocene and also coincident with major historic events in China. This finding suggests that loess-paleosol sequences in China can record global climate changes and implies that rapid climate change affected the progress of human civilization. In addition, changes in the sedimentation rate through the section suggest that agricultural expansion may have accelerated the rate of dust accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeolian deposits from the Hulun Buir Desert of northeastern China are studied with optically stimulated luminescence dating methods to establish the chronology of dune building phases and climatic changes since the last deglaciation. Our results indicate that wet climate, marked by dune stabilization and soil development in the Hulun Buir Desert, commenced at ∼ 11 ka ago, and this early episode of dune stabilization lasted until ∼ 4.4 ka ago. This optimum climate between ∼ 11 and ∼ 4.4 ka ago is mostly the response to the strengthened monsoon circulation and increased precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere. The environment generally became arid after ∼ 4.4 ka ago, but the dry climate was interrupted by three phases of weak soil development occurring at ∼ 1.8–1.4, ∼ 1.2–1.0 and ∼ 0.84–0.5 ka ago, respectively. Such short events of dune stabilization were associated with the warm and humid climate in historical time. However, the present dune mobilization in the Hulun Buir Desert is mainly the result of poor land-use practices (land cultivation and overgrazing) since about 300 years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performances of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) risk calculator and other risk calculators for prostate cancer (PCa) prediction in Chinese populations were poorly understood. We performed this study to build risk calculators (Huashan risk calculators) based on Chinese population and validated the performance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PCPT risk calculator, and Huashan risk calculators in a validation cohort. We built Huashan risk calculators based on data from 1059 men who underwent initial prostate biopsy from January 2006 to December 2010 in a training cohort. Then, we validated the performance of PSA, PCPT risk calculator, and Huashan risk calculators in an observational validation study from January 2011 to December 2014. All necessary clinical information were collected before the biopsy. The results showed that Huashan risk calculators 1 and 2 outperformed the PCPT risk calculator for predicting PCa in both entire training cohort and stratified population (with PSA from 2.0 ng ml−1 to 20.0 ng m). In the validation study, Huashan risk calculator 1 still outperformed the PCPT risk calculator in the entire validation cohort (0.849 vs 0.779 in area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] and stratified population. A considerable reduction of unnecessary biopsies (approximately 30%) was also observed when the Huashan risk calculators were used. Thus, we believe that the Huashan risk calculators (especially Huashan risk calculator 1) may have added value for predicting PCa in Chinese population. However, these results still needed further evaluation in larger populations.

Five ferrocene alkymethylimidazolium cations 1a–1d and 2 with different alkyl spacer lengths were reinvestigated using voltammetry and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The voltammetric responses of ligand 2 toward various anions are described in detail. An interesting and unprecedented finding from both experimental and theoretical studies is that coupled electron and intramolecular anion (F−) transfer may be present in these molecules. In addition, it was also observed that, in these studied molecules, the electrostatic attraction interaction toward F− would effectively vanish beyond 1 nm, which was previously reported only for cations.

In previous studies, obesity (measured according to the body mass index) has correlated inconsistently with the risk of biopsy-measured prostate cancer, and specifically high-grade prostate cancer. This meta-analysis aimed to clarify these correlations.A comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was conducted for relevant studies published through January 2014. The pooled estimates of odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) were computed, and the meta-analysis was performed with the STATA software according to a random effects approach.A total of 11 studies that included 29,464 individuals were identified. A 5-kg/m2 increase in body mass index was associated with a 15% (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.98-1.34) higher risk of prostate cancer detection and a 37% (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.19-1.57) higher risk of high-grade prostate cancer detection at biopsy. There were no differences among the results of studies conducted in the USA, Europe or Asia. We also found that studies that had adjusted for prostate-specific antigen levels, digital rectal examination results, and prostate volumes obtained positive significant outcomes (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12-1.44), whereas studies that did not adjust for the above-mentioned confounding variables obtained negative results (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.68-1.25). Moreover, the positive correlation between body mass index and the detection of both prostate cancer and high-grade diseases tended to be stronger as the number of biopsy cores increased.The present meta-analysis demonstrated that a high body mass index correlated positively with prostate cancer detection, especially high-grade prostate cancer detection. The adoption of a modified and possibly more aggressive biopsy strategy was suggested for obese populations.

The title compound, [Co(C17H14OP)(C17H14P)]PF6, was obtained unintentionally as the product of an attempted synthesis of [1,1′-bis(oxodiphenylphosphoranyl)cobaltocenium] hexafluoridophosphate. The O atom of the oxo group is disordered over two positions with site occupancies of 0.65:0.35. The crystal structure contains weak intermolecular C—H...F hydrogen bonds, connecting the components of the structure into chains parallel to [010].

In the molecular structure of the title compound, C20H26ClNO3S, the six-membered ring of the bornane unit shows a boat conformation, while the five-membered ring of the sultam unit adopts a twist conformation. In the crystal structure, molecules are connected by intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds into a chain running along the b axis. Intramolecular C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds are also present.

In the molecular structure of the title compound, C19H24ClNO3S, the six-membered ring of the bornane unit shows a boat form, while the five-membered ring of the sultam unit adopts a twist form. Intramolecular C—H...N and C—H...O interactions are observed. In the crystal structure, molecules are connected by intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds into a chain running along the b axis. The crystal was a partial inversion twin with a twin ratio of 0.73 (1):0.27 (1).