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This study investigated the KLF4 and BIRC7 protein expression in malignant and benign pancreatic tissues by immunohistochemical staining and the clinical and pathological significance of KLF4 and BIRC7 expression in PDAC. KLF4 expression was significantly lower, whereas BIRC7 expression was significantly higher in PDAC than that in peritumoral tissue, benign pancreatic lesions, and normal pancreatic tissue (P < 0.01). The percentage of positive BIRC7 and negative KLF4 expression was significantly lower in PDAC patients with well differentiated tumors, maximum tumor size < 3 cm, no lymph node metastasis, no invasion to the surrounding tissues and organs, and TNM stage I/II stage disease than in patients with poorly differentiated tumor, maximum tumor size > 5 cm, lymph node metastasis, invasion to surrounding tissues and organs, and TNM stage III/IV disease (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the differentiation, maximum tumor size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, invasion, negative KLF4 expression, and positive BIRC7 expression were significantly associated with the short survival of patients with PDAC (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that positive BIRC7 expression and negative KLF4 expression were independent poor prognosis factors in PDAC patients. In conclusions, positive BIRC7 expression and negative KLF4 expression are associated with the progression of PDAC and poor prognosis in patients with PDAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant tumor with metastasis in most patients at diagnosis. The molecular mechanisms associated with its high malignancy have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the clinicopathological significances of GPC3 and KRT19 expression in PDAC. METHODS: GPC3, KRT19, and CA19-9 protein expression were measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: GPC3 and KRT19 protein levels were overexpressed in PDAC tumors compared to normal pancreatic tissues, benign pancreatic tissues, and peritumoral tissues (P< 0.01). The percentage of positive GPC3 and KRT19 expression were significantly higher in PDAC patients with larger tumor size, poorly differentiated tumor, lymph node metastasis, invasion, and TNM stage III/IV disease than in patients with small tumor size, well-differentiated tumor, no lymph node metastasis and invasion, as well as TNM stage I/II stage disease (P< 0.05 or P< 0.01). Benign pancreatic lesions with positive GPC3 and KRT19 protein expression exhibited dysplasia or intraepithelial neoplasia. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that PDAC patients with positive GPC3 and KRT19 expression survived significantly shorter than patients with negative GPC3 and KRT19 expression (P < 0.05 or P< 0.001). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that positive GPC3 and KRT19 expression were independent poor prognosis factors in PDAC patients. CONCLUSIONS: GPC3 and KRT19 overexpression are associated with carcinogenesis, progression, and poor prognosis in patients with PDAC and a valuable biomarker for diagnosis of PDAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new phenylethanoid glycoside, 3′′′-O-methylcampneoside I (1), was isolated from the 90% ethanolic extract of the roots ofIncarvillea compacta, together with three known compounds, campneoside I (2), ilicifolioside A (3), and campneoside II (4). Their structures were determined spectroscopically and compared with previously reported spectral data. Compound1existed as epimers and displayed better 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-free radical scavenging activity using di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) as the positive control. In addition, pretreatment of human HepG2 cells with compound1significantly increased the viability on CCl4-induced cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new labdane diterpene, (Z)-12,14-labdadien-15(16)-olide-17-oic acid (1), and a new natural cadinane sesquiterpene, 4-isopropyl-6-methyl-1-naphthalenemethanol (2), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum, together with three other products, galangin (3), kaempferol (4) and quercetin (5). Their structures were elucidated by using extensive spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 showed no remarkable cytotoxic activity against HeLa and HepG2 cancer cell lines with IC50>50 μg mL− 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution contours of mean wind pressure coefficient and fluctuating wind pressure coefficients on mirror surface under typical working conditions were obtained by conducting wind tunnel experiments on trough concentrator model. Meanwhile, the pattern and characteristics of wind pressure distribution on mirror surface were investigated; and the mean wind pressure coefficient distribution on mirror surface was studied. By focusing on fluctuating wind pressure characteristics, the factors influencing fluctuating wind pressure distribution were analyzed, and the power spectra of fluctuating wind pressure on some measuring taps were studied. The non-Gaussian characteristics of the fluctuating wind pressure measured on mirror surface were also assessed on the basis of kurtosis coefficient and skewness coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is one of the most common but serious cancers in the world. Both the X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 ( XRCC1) gene and the human multidrug resistance 1 ( MDR1) gene are important candidate genes influencing the susceptibility to various diseases, including lung cancer. This study aimed to assess the correlation of genetic polymorphisms in XRCC1 and MDR1 with the susceptibility to lung cancer. In this study, a total of 320 lung cancer patients and 346 cancer-free controls in Chinese population were enrolled in this study. Data about the clinical characteristics and related risk factors of lung cancer were collected by questionnaires. The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of XRCC1 and MDR1 genes were genotyped by created restriction site-polymerase chain reaction method. Our data showed that the risk for lung cancer increased significantly among the variant Arg194Trp (C > T, rs1799782) and Arg399Gln (G > A, rs25487) of XRCC1, but there are no significant differences in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of c.1564A > T and c.3073A > C of MDR1 between lung cancer patients and cancer-free controls. In conclusion, these preliminary results suggest that the C > T, rs1799782 and C > T, rs25487 of XRCC1 genetic variants might be used as molecular markers for detecting lung cancer susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The differences in clinical, pathological, and biological characteristics between adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell/adenosquamous carcinoma (SC/ASC) of the gallbladder have not been well documented. This study investigates the clinical and pathological associations of ATP5B and β2M with benign and malignant lesions of the gallbladder. In this study, ATP5B and β2M expression in 46 SC/ASCs and 80 ACs were examined using immunohistochemistry. The rate of ATP5B positive expression was significantly lower, while the rate of β2M expression was significantly higher, in AC and SC/ASC than in gallbladder adenomas, gallbladder polyps, or gallbladder epithelium with stone ( P < 0.01). More SC/ASCs had larger tumor mass and good differentiation compared to ACs. Positive β2M and negative ATP5B expression were significantly associated with large tumor size, high TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and invasion of SC/ASCs and ACs. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that positive β2M ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.001) expression and negative ATP5B ( P < 0.001) expression were significantly associated with decreased overall survival in both SC/ASC and AC patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that negative ATP5B expression is an independent-prognostic factor for poor prognosis in both SC/ASC ( P < 0.01) and AC ( P < 0.001) patients. Positive β2M expression is an independent-prognostic factor for poor prognosis in AC ( P < 0.05) patients. Our study suggested that positive β2M expression or loss of ATP5B expression in tumor tissues is closely related to the metastasis, invasion, and poor-prognosis of gallbladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wind load is the main control load of the parabolic solar condenser (PSC) due to the special structure thereof. To ensure normal operation of the flat roof parabolic solar condenser (FRPSC), the probability characteristics of the FRPSC's upright post base shear force coefficient were explored in the present study, and the extreme values were analyzed. Multi-order moments were used to conduct Gaussian discrimination of the base shear force coefficient of the FRPSC's upright post. Subsequently, three methods were adopted to calculate the extremum of the base shear force coefficient. By analyzing the FRPSC's upright post base shear force coefficient extreme value, the data obtained by the Sadek-Simiu (SAD) extreme value calculation method were found to be the most accurate. Through the analysis of the base shear force coefficient under 250 working conditions, the change rule of the extreme value was obtained, and then compared with the mean base shear force coefficient. The identification standard of whether the base shear force coefficient of the FRPSC's upright post met the Gaussian distributive was determined, and the Gaussian distribution and non-Gaussian distribution areas were divided. • The Gaussian criterion for the base shear force coefficient of the FRPSC's upright post is given. • The reason why the base shear force is not Gaussian is that the correlation of mirror wind loads is enhanced. • The SAD method is more accurate for the base shear force coefficient of the FRPSC's upright post. • The most unfavorable working condition of base shear force coefficient is 45° horizontal wind azimuth angle and 0° tilt angle. • The extreme value of the base shear force coefficient is the smallest when the horizontal wind azimuth angle is 90°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen containing carbon layer-coated carbon nanotubes (CNx-CNTs) was prepared as the support for platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) and their enhanced properties for electrochemical biosensor has been demonstrated in this paper. The CNx-CNTs were obtained from pyrolysis of polydopamine-wrapped CNTs, which were synthesized by a single deposition process based on the oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine on CNTs. It is found that Pt NPs are deposited on the surface of the CNx-CNTs (Pt/CNx-CNTs) with highly dispersion and small particle size (with an average diameter of 1.7 ± 0.3 nm). Compared to the nitrogen-free CNTs supported Pt NP composite (Pt/CNTs), the Pt/CNx-CNTs modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode exhibits superior electrocatalytic performance towards the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide (increase by about 55% of response current). Taking glucose oxidase (GOD) as the model, the proposed amperometric enzyme biosensor based on the Pt/CNx-CNTs shows excellent analytical characteristics to glucose detection, such as excellent sustainability in large range of pH values, high sensitivity (66.51 μA (mmol dm −3 ) −1 cm −2 ), wide linear range (0.01-6.1 mmol dm −3 ) and low detection limit (0.4 μmol dm −3 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Squamous cell/adenosquamous carcinomas ( SC/ ASC) are rare subtypes of gallbladder cancers ( GBCs). Clinical characteristics of SC/ ASC have not been well documented, and no biological markers of GBC carcinogenesis, progression and prognosis are available. Methods and results We measured paxillin and CAIX expression in 46 SC/ ASCs and 80 adenocarcinomas ( ACs) with immunohistochemistry and correlated these data with clinicopathological characteristics. Both paxillin expression and CAIX expression were associated significantly with larger tumours, a higher tumour-node-metastasis ( TNM) stage, lymph node metastasis and invasiveness of SC/ ASC and AC. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed that paxillin and CAIX expression were associated closely with decreased overall survival in SC/ ASC (both P < 0.001) and AC (both P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that paxillin expression and CAIX expression both independently predicted poor prognosis in SC/ ASC and AC patients. We also noted correlations with survival and tumour differentiation, tumour size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, tumour invasiveness and sample procurement methods. Conclusions Paxillin expression and CAIX expression are both related to clinical/biological behaviour and poor prognosis of GBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The differences in clinical, pathological, and biological characteristics between adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell/adenosquamous carcinoma (SC/ASC) of gallbladder cancer have not been well documented. This study is to compare the clinicopathological characteristics and FGFBP1 and WISP-2 expression between AC and SC/ASC patients. Methods: We examined FGFBP1 and WISP-2 expression in 46 SC/ASC and 80 AC samples using immunohistochemistry and analyzed their correlations with clinicopathological characteristics. Results: SC/ASCs occur more frequently in older patients and often correspond to larger tumor masses than ACs. Positive FGFBP1 and negative WISP-2 expression were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and invasion of SC/ASCs and ACs. In addition, positive FGFBP1 and negative WISP-2 expression were significantly associated with differentiation and TMN stage in ACs. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that either elevated FGFBP1 ( p < 0.001) or lowered WISP-2 ( p < 0.001) expression was closely associated with decreased overall survival in both SC/ASC and AC patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that positive FGFBP1 expression ( p = 0.001) or negative WISP-2 expression ( p = 0.035 for SC/ASC and p = 0.009 for AC) is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in both SC/ASC and AC patients. We also revealed that differentiation, tumor size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, invasion, and surgical procedure were associated with survival of both SC/ASC and AC patients. Conclusion: Our study suggested that the overexpression of FGFBP1 or loss of WISP-2 expression is closely related to the metastasis, invasion and poor prognosis of gallbladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinicopathological characteristics of squamous cell/adenosquamous carcinoma (SC/ASC) of the gallbladder have not been well documented, and no prognosis marker has been identified because of the rare occurrence of this gallbladder cancer subtype. In this study, we examined ACE2 and FZD1 expression in 46 SC/ASCs and 80 adenocarcinomas using immunohistochemistry and further analyzed their correlations with clinicopathological characteristics. We demonstrated that positive FZD1 and negative ACE2 expression were significantly associated with large tumor size, high TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and invasion of SC/ASC and AC. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that positive FZD1 and negative ACE2 expression as well as differentiation, tumor size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, invasion, and surgical curability were closely associated with decreased overall survival in both SC/ASC ( p < 0.001) and AC ( p < 0.001) patients. The average survival time in SC/ASC and AC patients with FZD1ACE2 expression was significantly longer than that in patients with FZD1ACE2 or FZD1ACE2 ( p < 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that positive FZD1 and negative ACE2 expression are independent poor-prognostic factors for both SC/ASC and AC patients. In addition, FZD1 expression positively, but ACE2 expression negatively correlated with the expression of CA19-9 in SC/ASC and AC. Our study suggested that positive FZD1 and negative ACE2 expression are closely related to the expression of CA19-9; clinical, pathological, and biological behaviors; as well as poor-prognosis of gallbladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific hybridization of rapeseed is an important way to innovate breeding resources. This research used Brassica napus and Brassica rapa for artificial synthesis interspecific hybridization of F1. The F1 self-fruiting rate was particularly low. By comparing the fertilization rate and seed setting rate of nine crosses and selfing combinations of interspecific hybrid progeny F1 and control B. napus, the results proved that the genetic stability of egg cells was greater than that of sperm cells, so the F1 could get seed by artificial pollination with other normal pollen. Based on these results, interspecific maternal inbred offspring (induced F1) from egg cells was obtained by emasculation and pollination with the pollen of DH inducer Y3380. It was found through morphological analysis, flow cytometry identification, and meiotic observation of induced F1, the plants had most normal fertile tetraploid and the meiosis was normal. The FISH results showed that the induced F1 were B. napus (2n = 4x = 38, AACC), 20 A and 19 C chromosomes. The results of SNP chip detection and genetic cluster analysis found that the genetic variation between interspecies could be preserved or broadened in the induced F1. The use of DH inducer created special breeding resources for interspecific hybridization and distant hybridization of rapeseed while shortening time, improving efficiency, and providing a new insight into innovate breeding resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The mixed alkaline-earth effect was induced by the replacement of CaO for MgO. • The effect of mixed alkaline-earth effect on structure and properties was studied. • It provides a significant guidance for the property control of the glass substrates. Herein, we used CaO to replace MgO to investigate the effect of mixed alkaline-earth effect on structure and properties of the non-alkali glass substrates which were synthesized by the traditional melting technology. The results show that with the replacement of CaO for MgO, the stability of the glass network structure decreases due to the decrease of the bridging oxygens. In terms of the comprehensive properties, the glass density, molar volume, thermal expansion coefficient, strain and softening points, and chemical stability all show a near-linear increase or decrease. However, due to the mixed alkaline-earth effect, some other properties including the crystallization peak temperature, thermal stability, and mechanical properties show a negative deviation from linearity, and the extremum locates at the CaO content of 6 mol%. Based on the results, this research can provide a significant guidance for the property control of non-alkali glass substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the incidence of gallbladder cancers is low, they are highly aggressive tumors. Squamous cell/adenosquamous carcinoma (SC/ASC) is a rare subtype of gallbladder cancer. The clinical characteristics of SC/ASC have not been well documented, and no prognosis marker has been identified. In this study, we examined integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and peroxiredoxin-1 (PRDX1) expression in 46 SC/ASCs and 80 adenocarcinomas (ACs) by using immunohistochemistry and analyzed their correlations with clinicopathological characteristics. We demonstrated that positive ILK and PRDX1 expressions were significantly associated with large tumor size, high TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and invasion of SC/ASC and AC. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that positive ILK and PRDX1 expressions were closely associated with decreased overall survival in both SC/ASC ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively) and AC ( p < 0.001) patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that positive ILK and PRDX1 expressions were an independent poor prognostic predictor in both SC/ASC and AC patients. We also revealed a similar significance of differentiation, tumor size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, invasion, and surgical curability with survival in SC/ASC and AC patients. Our study suggested that positive ILK and PRDX1 expressions are closely related to the progression and poor prognosis of gallbladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective study is designed to evaluate the diagnostic value of semi-quantitative parameters of salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and explore the relationship between SGS parameters and salivary gland histopathologic manifestations. SGS and labial salivary gland biopsy were performed on 95 SS patients and 36 healthy age-matched and sex-matched volunteers. Uptake ratios at 15 min (UR) and stimulated excretion fraction (EF) of each parotid and submandibular gland were calculated automatically from SGS; histopathologic grades were classified based on focal lymphocytic infiltration, and biopsy focus scores were calculated simultaneously. As a result, the UR and EF of each salivary gland in SS patients were significantly lower than that in controls. Multivariate logistic regression equation was: logit p = 6.965 − 1.680 × UR of left submandibular gland − 0.040 × EF of left parotid gland − 0.050 × EF of right submandibular gland. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve validated high efficiency of this model with the area under curve of 0.911. And logistic regression analysis on combined original and validation cohorts confirmed its diagnostic value. Moreover, the EF of right parotid gland and both submandibular glands was correlated with histopathologic changes. Consequently, the semi-quantitative parameters of SGS may be helpful for diagnosing SS; UR of left submandibular gland, EF of left parotid gland, and EF of right submandibular gland are more powerful predictor of SS. Besides, SGS parameters reflect the degree of salivary gland involvement, severe patients with low parameters would have high histopathologic grades and biopsy focus scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Ku-band voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) using dual LC tanks, together with feedback, is proposed and designed by using a 0.18-\mu\m Bipolar compatible Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (BiCMOS) process. A triple-coil transformer is employed to provide strong coupling between the two LC tanks and simultaneously introduce a transformer-based feedback. The parameters of the transformer are optimized to provide the required inductance ratios and reduce unwanted parasitic. The phase noise improvement for the proposed VCO is analyzed theoretically and verified by circuit and full-wave electromagnetic simulators. A benefit from the strong coupling between the two LC tanks, the proposed VCO achieves a low phase noise of -117.4 dBc/Hz at 1-MHz offset from an operation frequency of 12.64 GHz with a 4.3-mW power consumption of the VCO core. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]