Search

The human brain is an organic which whole consisting of hundreds of billions of neurons, and the neural network is the information path of the brain for processing information. Network characteristics will change along with network topology or node change, and the change may lead to brain lesions. Using EEG to construct brain network can effectively discover the internal mechanism of improvement in human brain, but the traditional method of constructing brain network is difficult to reflect the network complexity because of the small number of network nodes. In this paper, a new algorithm of brain network construction based on chaotic time series is proposed. The method estimates neuronal dynamic equations and neuronal networks topology by using only noisy time series. By analyzing the network constructed based on phase space reconstruction of Lorenz system, network characteristics that the average path length increase as embedding dimension, and the cluster coefficient on the contrary are found. The topology and statistical characteristics of the network constructed from neuronal chaotic bursting can reflect time-evolution of time series. Through analyzing the real epileptic EEG signals dataset using the proposed complex networks construction method, we found that epileptic seizure is different from seizure-free intervals in network topology and statistical characteristics. Epileptic EEG of before, during and after a tonic-clonic seizure indicate that cluster coefficients of the sliding local networks significantly increased during a seizure, so the result can provide clonic seizure prediction. The proposed method of complex network topology estimation and complex network construction of time series can depict the dynamic characteristics of brain network, and provide a new idea for the treatment of mental illness.

Different from previous complex network models based on graph theory, multi-functional complex network model (MFCN) only uses nodes to represent, and the content of graph theory is no longer applicable in it. In order to better apply MFCN, the storage structure, construction algorithm and traversal algorithm are defined and verified in the paper. The advantages of MFCN over the previous complex network models in constructing network are discussed.

In order to solve the cascading failure problem of real networks, it is important to study the robustness of coupled networks. In this paper, a multi-subnet complex complex network model is used to build a cascading failure model on the coupled network. The influence of network size, adjustable parameters, and coupling factors on the robustness of the coupled network is mainly studied. Research shows that when both subnets are BA networks, the greater the contribution of the coupling relationship to the initial load of the nodes, and adopt heterogeneous coupling, networks will more robust.

Image morphing refers to the technology that can realize the transformation of the source digital image to the target digital image in a smooth transition way. Among them, the most representative is to deform the human face. This paper implements a morphing method based on the Dlib library for automatic detection of facial feature points, including automatic feature detection, warp image and generalized morphing. This method can automatically calibrate the key points of the face more accurately, and use the Delaunay triangulation mesh deformation algorithm to achieve face image morphing. Experiments on multiple pairs of images prove the effectiveness and feasibility of the method.

The influence maximization problem (IMP) is defined to select the node group with the maximum propagation range from the social network through using an information propagation model. However, the existing influence maximization algorithm is unfitting for large size networks because of the high time complexity. A SRIS algorithm based on reverse reachable set is proposed, greatly improves the running time efficiency without compromising its asymptotic performance. Finally, the experiment simulation results indicated that SRIS model was more suitable for large-scale social networks.

A real society has multiple social relationships between users, but existing social network recommendation algorithms often only introduce a social relationship into the recommendation system. This paper introduces a variety of social relationships into the recommendation system based on a multi-subnet composite complex network model. Based on the analysis of the experimental results on the Epinions dataset, a recommendation algorithm introducing multiple social relationships has a significantly higher recommendation accuracy than a recommendation algorithm.

The objective of this study is to present an analytical subthreshold swing model for fully-depleted metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with vertical Gaussian profile fabricated on modified Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) wafers. Commercial SOI wafers are radiation hardened by Si+ implantation which creates interface traps at buried SiO2/Si interface. Considering that channel potential is affected by non-uniform doping profile combined with process- and radiation-induced traps, the model is derived based on effective conduction path effect. The proposed model is validated by comparing analytical results with numerical simulation data obtained by using commercially available Sentaurus technology computer-aided design. The model agrees well with experimental extractions of irradiated nMOSFETs. This model is believed to be able to provide better physical insight and understanding of total dose irradiated modified SOI MOSFET devices operating in subthreshold regime.

This paper investigates the effect of total dose radiation on the electrostatic potential distribution and the related short-channel effects (SCEs) of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) devices with a vertical Gaussian doping profile. A new approximation of the 2-D potential function perpendicular to the channel for fully depleted SOI MOS field-effect transistors (FETs) is applied in the analytical threshold voltage model derivation. The impact of interface traps and oxide-trapped charge on the electrostatic potential profile, scaling, and SCEs are verified with TCAD simulations. The model agrees well with the experimental extractions of SCE in n-channel MOSFETs.

In medical practice, the scanned image of the patient between the patient and the doctor is confidential. If info is stored on a single server and the server is successfully attacked, it is possible to expose confidential information. Password encryption and data authentication are commonly used to protect patient data, however, encryption and data authentication are computationally expensive and take time to execute on a mobile device. In addition, it is not easy for the patient details related to medical images to leak if the hacked image are not visual.Therefore, in this paper, we propose a way to make medical images remain untouched in this sense. We use our method to quickly create two shadows from two medical images and store them on two servers. Revealing a shadow image does nothing to compromise the confidentiality of a patient&rsquo, s health. This method is based on Hamming code. With low computational cost, the proposed scheme is suitable for tablet, pamphlets and other mobile devices.

The ecological agriculture (hereinafter referred to as eco-agriculture) concept has grown rapidly in Taiwan in recent years. More and more successful eco-agriculture projects have thus sprouted up in Taiwan, and so a quantitative evaluation model of such projects becomes critically important for improving public understanding of eco-agriculture and for providing a basis for policy analysis. This research thus proposes a quantitative evaluation model for eco-agriculture and analyzes the empirical data collected. We take four farms that practice eco-agriculture in eastern Taiwan for the estimation of direct benefits by surveying farmers about their revenues and costs of crop yields. To evaluate indirect benefits, we employ the Contingent Value Method (CVM) to investigate the willingness-to-pay (WTP) of users and non-users to support eco-agriculture. Results from the direct benefit estimation indicate that eco-agriculture adoption is unlikely to improve the local livelihoods of farming communities. In terms of indirect benefit estimation, eco-agriculture is beneficial to society, but based on our analysis of the direct benefits, these indirect benefits fail to be transformed into profits, showing that eco-agriculture exhibits positive externalities. This constitutes unavoidable challenges for eco-agriculture to be sustainable if these positive externalities cannot be internalized.

Background: Diagnosis of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) relies on the ability of medical staff to recognize cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage at the spine. However, difficulties with interobserver discrepancy sometimes occurred while reading magnetic resonance myelography (MRM) because clear image definition was lacking. In this study, we tried to determine which pattern of CSF distribution is more reliable for diagnosis of CSF leakage by using MRM. Methods: From January 2012 to August 2014, 19 SIH patients and 27 healthy controls (HC) were recruited into our study; 10 of the 19 patients were recovered (SIH-R) after treatment. Whole spine MRM was performed using the 3D-SPACE (three-dimensional sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip-angle evolutions) sequence, and interpreted by two experienced neuroradiologists. Two 4-point classification systems of CSF distribution were used to evaluate the three-dimensional maximum intensity projection (3D MIP) and the thin-slice axial multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images, respectively. Results: The interobserver agreement between the two readers interpreting the 3D MIP and thin-slice axial MPR MRM were moderate to good (κ=0.60–0.78). Grade 3 of 3D MIP and Type D of axial MPR MRM were only noticed in the SIH. Overall, Grade 3 of MIP and Type D of MPR showed significant difference (p 70%. Conclusion: Grade 3 on 3D MIP and Type D on axial MPR MRM were definite criteria of MRM for localizing CSF leakage, and Type C in the T-spine was a probable leakage sign with high sensitivity and NPV.

The urothelium of the bladder, renal pelvis, ureter and urethra is maintained through the regulated proliferation and differentiation of urothelial stem and progenitor cells. These cells provide a rich source of a novel urothelial cell therapy approach that could be used to protect, regenerate, repair and restore a damaged urothelium. Urothelial injury caused by physical, chemical and microbial stress is the pathological basis of cystitis (bladder inflammation). The loss of urothelial integrity triggers a series of inflammatory events, resulting in pain and hematuria such as hemorrhage cystitis and interstitial cystitis. Here we investigate a novel cell therapy strategy to treat cystitis by protecting the urothelium from detrimental stresses through intravesically instilling porcine urothelial cells (PUCs) into the bladder. Using a chemical-induced urothelial injury mouse model of cyclophosphamide (CPP)-induced hemorrhagic cystitis, we determined how the intravesical instillation of PUCs could protect the urothelium from toxic attack from CPP metabolites. We show that intravesical PUC instillation protected the bladder from toxic chemical attack in mice receiving CPP with reduced inflammation and edema. Compared with the vehicle control mice, the proliferative response to chemical injury and apoptotic cells within the bladder tissues were reduced by intravesical PUC treatment. Furthermore, the urothelium integrity was maintained in the intravesical PUC-treated group. After xenogeneic PUCs were introduced and adhered to the mouse urothelium, immunological rejection responses were observed with increased neutrophil infiltration in the lamina propria and higher immune-related gene expression. Our findings provide an innovative and promising intravesical PUC cell therapy for cystitis with urothelial injury by protecting the urothelium from noxious agents.

Figure S1. The illustration of xenografts and timeline of treatment regimen with Cisplatin (Cis) and ASC-J9® (ASC). Red arrows = ASC, black arrows = Cis. (PDF 84 kb)

Figure S2. The representative images of apoptosis TUNEL assay in J82 (A) and TCC-SUP (B) cells. (PDF 504 kb)

Background/aim Since androgens affect urothelial bladder cancer (UBC), we examined whether 5α-reductases (5-AR) have genomic alterations in UBC and whether 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARI) affect UBC. Materials and methods The cBioPortal was used to analyze genomic alternations of 5-ARs in UBC cancer genomic datasets. Next, we used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research database to conduct a population-based case-control study to investigate the effect of a 5-ARI, finasteride on UBC incidence. We also performed an XTT assay to examine the direct effect of finasteride on UBC cells. Results We found that 5-AR genomic alternations were observed in 29% of UBC patients and patients with alternations had shorter disease-free survival. Also, the use of finasteride with >180 cDDDs reduced the risk of UBC. Finasteride could directly inhibit UBC cell growth. Conclusion Based on our findings, we concluded that 5-AR could be explored as a therapeutic target for UBC with 5-ARIs.

The urothelium is constantly rebuilt by normal urothelial cells to regenerate damaged tissues caused by stimuli in urine. However, the urothelial carcinoma cells expand the territory by aberrant growth of tumor cells, which migrate and occupy the damaged tissues to spread outside and disrupt the normal cells and organized tissues and form a tumor. Therefore, the interaction between normal urothelial cells and urothelial carcinoma cells affect the initiation and progression of urothelial tumors if normal urothelial cells fail to migrate and adhere to the damages sites to regenerate the tissues. Here, comparing normal murine urothelial cells with murine urothelial carcinoma cells (MBT-2), we found that normal cells had less migration ability than carcinoma cells. And in our co-culture system we found that carcinoma cells had propensity migrating toward normal urothelial cells and carcinoma cells had more advantages to adhere than normal cells. To reverse this condition, we used anabolic androgen, dihyrotestosterone (DHT) to treat normal cells and found that DHT treatment increased the migration ability of normal urothelial cells toward carcinoma cells and the adhesion capacity in competition with carcinoma cells. This study provides the base of a novel therapeutic approach by using anabolic hormone-enforced normal urothelial cells to regenerate the damage urothelium and defend against the occupancy of carcinoma cells to thwart cancer development and recurrence.

Continuous cost reduction of silicon-based solar cells is needed to lower the process time and increase efficiency. To achieve lower costs, screen-printed texture-barrier (SPTB) paste was first developed for single-side texturization (ST) of the interdigitated back-contact (IBC) for silicon-based solar cell applications. The SPTB paste was screen-printed on silicon substrates. The SPTB paste was synthesized from intermixed silicate glass (75 wt %), a resin binder (ethyl cellulose ethoce: 20 wt %), and a dispersing agent (fatty acid: 5 wt %). The silicate glass is a necessity for contact formation during firing. A resin binder and a dispersing agent determine the rheology of the SPTB paste. In this work, by modulating various parameters, including post SPTB firing, alkali texturing, and removal of the SPTB, the ST of IBC silicon solar cells was achieved. Since the advantages of the SPTB paste include low toxicity and prompt formation of the texture-barrier, SPTB is potentially suited for simple fabrication at low-cost for solar cell applications. The cost of the SPTB is around $100/kg which is lower than the SiH₄/NH₃ gas ambient used in plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Thus, the expensive Si₃N₄ film deposited by PECVD using SiH₄ and NH₃ gas ambient for silicon solar cells can be replaced by this SPTB.

Upper urinary tract urothelial cell carcinoma (UUT-UCC) is a rare yet aggressive urologic tumor with a high rate of recurrence and metastasis, resulting in high mortality. Chemotherapy has been used to prevent recurrence and treat metastatic UUT-UCCs. Although UUT-UCC is sensitive to chemotherapy, the patients' responses to therapy vary and the therapy outcome is unpredictable. Therefore, the identification of patients who are at high risk of failure in chemotherapy is important for accurate prognostication, patient counseling, and better therapy. We have obtained cells from UUT-UCC tumor tissues after surgery and established individual primary cultured cell lines, which were used to evaluate E-cadherin and Ki-67 proliferation marker expression and their chemosensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Differential Ki-67 expression and chemosensitivity were observed in these primary cultured cell lines, suggesting these types of UUT-UCC cell lines could provide a platform for determining prognostic makers and evaluating the efficacy of chemotherapy. In conclusion, primary cultured cell lines from individual patients will be a great tool for evaluating and determining each individual's personalized chemotherapy course and for testing and screening new chemotherapeutic agents against UUT-UCCs.

ObjectivesPartial nephrectomy is the standard treatment for the small renal mass. C index, one of the nephrometric systems, was found to be associated with short-term renal functional outcome after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. We conducted this study to externally validate the application of C index as a prognostic factor of long-term renal functional outcome after open partial nephrectomy (OPN) for small renal mass.Materials and MethodsThe medical records of 65 consecutive patients undergoing OPN from June 2004 to November 2011 were reviewed. C index was calculated on preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance images. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the modification of diet in renal disease 2 equation. Short-term and long-term renal functional outcomes were assessed by the nadir estimated glomerular filtration rate within postoperative 1 week and 1 to 2 years. The correlation between C index, perioperative parameters, and renal functional outcomes were examined.ResultsThe median C index in our cohort was 2.2. C index was associated with operative time, cold ischemia time, estimated blood loss, and length of hospital stay (p = 0.03, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.02, respectively). On logistic linear regression analysis, C index (p = 0.01) and operative time (p 2.5 (18.1% vs. 0%, p = 0.001).ConclusionC index could serve as an indicator for both short-term and long-term renal functional decrease after OPN. For patients with C index ≤ 2.5, a comprehensive analysis of vascular anatomy and planning for dissection are crucial in preoperative assessment, and every effort should be exerted to minimize renal parenchymal damage during surgery.

Dysregulated androgen receptor (AR) signaling is implicated in several types of tumor, including carcinomas of the prostate, breast, liver and bladder. However, the contribution of AR to the progression of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UUTUC) has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we demonstrated that the AR is involved in the metastasis and invasiveness of UUTUC cells. We investigated the role of the AR in UUTUC by using UUTUC-derived BFTC 909 cells. The overexpression of AR promotes the migration and invasion of BFTC 909 cells. Expression of migration/invasion-related genes was increased in BFTC 909 cells overexpressing AR determined by qPCR and western blot analyses. The results showed that AR-enhanced migration and invasion of UUTUC cells are linked to the upregulation of the matrix-degrading enzyme MMP-9 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Subsequently, the blocking of MMP-9 and COX-2 signaling by inhibitors suppressed AR-enhanced cell migration and invasion. The results of the present study provide evidence for the first time of the role of AR in the motility and invasion of UUT cancer cells and support the hypothesis that the AR may play a critical role in the establishment of the invasive phenotype in urothelial neoplasia of UUT. Thus, the AR may also serve as a novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for UUT cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and shows a predilection for metastasis to the bone. D-pinitol, a 3-methoxy analogue of d-chiro-inositol, was identified as an active principle in soy foods and legumes, and it has been proven to induce tumor apoptosis and metastasis of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the anti-metastasis effects of D-pinitol in human prostate cancer cells. We found that D-pinitol reduced the migration and the invasion of prostate cancer cells (PC3 and DU145) at noncytotoxic concentrations. Integrins are the major adhesive molecules in mammalian cells and have been associated with the metastasis of cancer cells. Treatment of prostate cancer cells with D-pinitol reduced mRNA and cell surface expression of αvβ3 integrin. In addition, D-pinitol exerted its inhibitory effects by reducing focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation, c-Src kinase activity and NF-κB activation. Thus, D-pinitol may be a novel anti-metastasis agent for the treatment of prostate cancer metastasis.

Using a homemade auxiliary device, urinating in a standing position was a feasible alternative to a seated position for women during pregnancy. Pregnant women can experience difficulty voiding in a squatting or crouching position in the absence of a sitting toilet; voiding in a standing position represents a potential alternative. In previous studies [1, 2], voiding in the standing position using a homemade auxiliary device was demonstrated to be a feasible alternative for both young, healthy women [1] and elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis [2]. To the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated the voiding function of pregnant women in the standing position. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Sex hormone receptors, androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptors (ERs) including both ERα and ERβ, mediate the actions of sex hormones. In this study, we aimed to evaluate sex hormone receptors expression in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UUTUCs) of ureter and renal pelvis with different tumor stages and grades as well as their possible roles in tumor progression. Immunohistochemistry was used to assay the expression of AR and ERs in the primary UUTUCs. XTT viability test was applied to evaluate cell responses for anticancer drug treatment. Wound healing assay was performed to determine cell migration abilities. AR and ERβ immunoreactivities were observed in both UUTUCs, but ERα was not detected in either UUTUCs. In UUTUC of ureter specimens, higher AR expression was found in superficial or lower grade tumors. In contrast, little difference of ERβ expression was found in superficial versus muscle-invasive tumor stages or low grades versus high grades in UUTUCs of ureter specimens. Furthermore in the primary cultured cells from UUTUC specimens, the addition of functional AR reduced cell chemosensitivity, but increased cell migration. These results provide the first data showing the expression patterns of sex hormone receptors in both renal pelvis and ureter UUTUCs. From results, we concluded that there is a positive correlation for higher AR expression found in superficial or low-grade UUTUCs of ureter and identified the functional roles of AR in UUTUC progression.

Introduction Spontaneous ureteral rupture is defined as non-traumatic urinary leakage from the ureter. This is a diagnosis that, although uncommon, is important for emergency physicians to know about. The literature is relatively sparse. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective review of patients who were diagnosed with spontaneous ureteral rupture. From 2006 to 2012, 18 patients were diagnosed by radiography (computed tomography or intravenous urogram) with spontaneous ureteral rupture. These cases all showed extravasation of the contrast outside the excretory system. We evaluated underlying causes, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and outcomes. Results There were 9 men and 9 women with a median age of 59 years (range, 22-82 years). In 56% of patients, a ureteral stone was the cause; in 17% of, a ureteral stricture; in 1 patient, a ureteral tumor; and in the remaining 22%, no cause was identified. In 13 patients (72.2%), primary ureteroscopy to place D-J stents was performed. The average duration of ureteral catheter stenting was 21 days (range, 8-45 days). The other 5 patients (27.8%) were managed conservatively with antibiotic treatment and the outcome was good. Conclusions Ureteral stones most commonly cause spontaneous ureteral rupture. In our experience, most patients received ureteroscopy and Double-J stenting. Conservative management with antibiotics also had good outcomes. Most patients had sudden onset of abdominal or flank pain. Spontaneous ureteral rupture should be kept in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute abdominal or flank pain in the emergency department.

Objective: The study was performed to know if the possibility of tumor growth around a stone can be diagnosed immediately following the procedure of endourological surgery.

Similar InAs/GaAs quantum-dot lasers emitting on either the ground or excited state are studied under optical feedback. The feedback-sensitivity and dynamics of the excited-state laser are investigated and compared to that of the ground-state laser.

Androgen receptor (AR) affects the development and progression of upper urinary tract urothelial cell carcinoma (UUTUC). However, the regulatory mechanism exerted by AR to affect UUTUC cells remains unclear. Here we investigated whether AR promotes UUTUC development and progression, possibly by expanding the population of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are a particular population of cells within cancer cells responsible for tumor initiation, drug resistance and metastasis. We compared UUTUC cells with or without the addition of AR on their CSC population with flow cytometry, colony formation and sphere formation assay to determine the effect of AR on CSC activity, and real-time PCR was used to detect the expression stemness genes and miRNAs. In vivo tumor formation was evaluated with the implantation of cancer cells in nude mice. We found that the addition of AR in UUTUC cells, significantly increased the population of CSC, clonogenicity, sphere formation and the expression of stemness genes (Oct4, Bmi1 and Nanog), altered CSC-related miRNA profile, as well as promoted epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). And AR inhibitor, enzalutamide was shown to suppress AR’s effect on tumorsphere formation. Furthermore, in an immune-deficient mouse model, the addition of AR in UUTUC cells also increased the tumor formation capacity. This study will help us better understand the extent to which AR contributes to UUTUC progression by expanding their CSC population and capacity. Our findings could explain high incidence of UUTUC observed in males. And targeting AR may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for genetically diversified urothelial carcinomas in precision medicine era.

Patients with prostate cancer have an increased risk of stroke, but their absolute rate of stroke depends on age and comorbid conditions. The Charlson Comorbidity Index Score (CCIS) is a widely accepted measure for risk adjustment in administrative claims data sets. This study assesses the predictive value of CHADS2 scores and CCIS for stroke among patients with prostate cancer. The study was conducted based on data taken from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). We identified a total of 5414 participants with nonatrial fibrillation (AF) prostate cancer diagnoses who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1997 and 2011. CHADS2 scores and CCIS were used to stratify the 5‐year ischemic stroke risk. All participants were followed from the date of enrollment until ischemic stroke, death, or the end of the 5‐year follow‐up period. The 5‐year risk of ischemic stroke in the present study was 1.7%. Ischemic stroke has a better correlation with CHADS2 (CHADS2 score = 0 to 1: 0.02%, CHADS2 score = 2 to 3: 13.9%, CHADS2 score ≥ 4: 44.4%; AUC = 0.978) than CCIS (CCIS = 0 to 1: 1.6%, CCIS = 2 to 3: 1.7%, CCIS ≥ 4: 3.8%; AUC = 0.520). Our results show that patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy show significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke in high CHADS2 score patients, and the CHADS2 score could be applied for ischemic stroke prediction. Cardiovascular risks evaluation and management are suggested for prostate cancer patients with higher CHADS2 score.

We demonstrated an integrated system that can manipulate and measure vectorial field spanning up to the entire repetition period without ambiguity, iteration, and reference.

Tanshinone IIA (Tan-IIA), one of the major lipophilic components isolated from the root of Salviae Miltiorrhizae, has been found to exhibit anticancer activity in various cancer cells. We have demonstrated that Tan-IIA induces apoptosis in several human cancer cells through caspase- and mitochondria-dependent pathways. Here we explored the anticancer effect of Tan-IIA in human bladder cancer cell lines. Our results showed that Tan-IIA caused bladder cancer cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Tan-IIA induced apoptosis through the mitochondria-dependent pathway in these bladder cancer cells. Tan-IIA also suppressed the migration of bladder cancer cells as revealed by the wound healing and transwell assays. Finally, combination therapy of Tan-IIA with a lower dose of cisplatin successfully killed bladder cancer cells, suggesting that Tan-IIA can serve as a potential anti-cancer agent in bladder cancer.

A polarization line-by-line pulse shaper is used in analytically measuring optical arbitrary waveforms (OAWs) of 100% duty cycle without reference, which is essential for high repetition rate OAWs.

The 15N NMR spectra of the complexes Os3(CO)10(μ2-CONHPri)(μ2-CNHR) (1a, R = Pr; 1b, R = CH2Ph) and Os3(CO)9(NH2Pri)(μ2-CONHPri)(μ2-CNHR) (2a, R = Pr; 2b, R = CH2Ph) are studied by using the 1H detected (inverse) 1H-15N correlated spectroscopy. The 15N chemical shifts and the 1H-15N coupling constants fall in characteristic regions for each of the coordinated amine, aminocarbyne, and carboxamido ligands and these values are related to their bonding types. The NMR data are discussed in terms of the influence of the paramagnetic term which is the major factor determining the chemical shifts. A comparison is made to understand the 15N chemical-shift differences between the coordinated nitrogen-containing ligands and the corresponding free organic molecules.

Polarization pulse shaper is used in spectral phase retrieval for the first time (to our best knowledge). The implemented dual-quadrature spectral shearing interferometry is self-referenced and can measure pulse trains of 100% duty cycle.

Androgen receptor (AR) plays a critical role in bladder cancer (BCa) development. Our early studies found AR knock-out mice (with few androgens and deleted AR) failed to develop BCa, yet 50% of castrated mice (with few androgens and existing AR) still developed BCa in an N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) carcinogen-induced BCa mouse model, suggesting the existing AR in BCa of castrated mice may still play important roles in promoting BCa development at the castration level of androgens. The mechanism underlying this and/or which factors potentiate AR function at the castration level of androgen remains unclear. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), a key player in BCa progression, has been demonstrated to be able to potentiate AR transactivation in prostate cancer. In the present study, we found that EGF could increase BCa cell growth, migration and invasion in the presence of AR under the low amount of androgen and EGF was able to potentiate AR transactivation through EGFR by activating PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathway at castration androgen level. The increased suppression effects by EGFR inhibitor of PD168393 on AR function after addition of anti-androgen, Casodex, further suggested AR might play a key role in the effects of EGF on BCa progression and metastasis. Collectively, our results indicate that EGF may be able to potentiate AR transactivation that leads to enhancing BCa progression, which may help us to develop a better therapeutic approach to treat BCa via targeting both EGF and AR signaling.