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Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men worldwide. An increasing trend for prostate cancer incidence was observed in China. Enormous studies have been conducted to investigate the association between dietary factors and prostate cancer, however conflicted results were obtained. Red meat, processed meat, and dairy products consumption were reported to be associated with the increased prostate cancer risk, while tomatoes, soybeans and green tea might reduce the risk of prostate cancer occurance. However, no consensus could be reached without strong evidence. Furthermore, further studies are needed to investigate the association between vitamin and mineral supplements and prostate cancer risk. Some studies reported that men with higher dietary inflammatory index scores increased prostate cancer risk. There may be a long susceptible period when dietary factors affect prostate cancer risk, which poses challenges for collecting exposure and the follow-up. Measure bias and detection bias are the main reasons which impair the authenticity of studies on the relationship of dietary factors and prostate cancer risk. Researchers should apply various methods to measure participants' dietary consumption levels and ascertain essential outcomes, such as prostate cancer death. This article reviews updated epidemiological evidences on the association of dietary factors and prostate cancer, aims to benefit future nutritional epidemiology studies focus on the prostate cancer prevention.前列腺癌居全球男性常见恶性肿瘤第2位，中国前列腺癌发病率呈上升趋势。膳食因素与前列腺癌的关系研究结果争议较多。红肉、加工肉类和乳制品的摄入可能是前列腺癌的危险因素，番茄、大豆和绿茶可能是前列腺癌的保护因素，但均缺乏高质量证据。维生素和矿物质补充剂的摄入可能影响前列腺癌的发病风险，但相关结论并不统一。高膳食炎症指数饮食可能会增加前列腺癌发病风险。膳食暴露至前列腺癌发病有较长时间，这对暴露因素的收集与队列研究的随访提出了较高的要求。暴露测量偏倚和检出偏倚是影响前列腺癌膳食因素研究真实性的主要因素，研究者应注意采用多种方法测量研究对象的膳食摄入水平，同时收集前列腺癌死亡等重要结局变量。文章总结了膳食因素和前列腺癌关系的现有流行病学证据，旨在为后续的前列腺癌相关营养流行病学研究提供参考。.

Low temperature has become a major abiotic stress factor that can reduce maize yield and cause a number of economic loss. This study was designed to identify key genes and pathways associated with coldresistance of maize. The gene expression profile GSE46704, including 4 control temperature treated plants and 4 low temperature treated plants, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by limma package. Then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and module selection were constructed using Cytoscape. Moreover, the DEGs were re-matched based on the Zea mays L. gene ID and symbol data from PlantRegMap. Finally, the re-matched DEGs were performed functional and pathway enrichment analyses by the DAVID online tool. A total of 750 DEGs were screened (including 387 up-regulated and 363 down-regulated genes) In the PPI network, GRMZM2G070837_P01 and GRMZM2G114578_P01 had higher degrees. Besides, carbohydrate metabolic process, starch and sucrose metabolism and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites were significantly enriched in functional and pathway enrichment analysis. GRMZM2G070837_P01 and GRMZM2G114578_P01 might play a critical role in cold-resistance of maize. Meanwhile, carbohydrate metabolic process, starch and sucrose metabolism and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites might function in cold-resistance of maize.

Objective This study was designed to investigate the action and mechanism of cordyceps polysaccharide on rat acute liver failure (ALF). Methods Sixty rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, model group, and cordyceps polysaccharide groups with high, middle and low doses (20, 10 and 5 mg/ml). Apoptosis was detected through TUNEL method. Protein expressions of caspase 1, IL-18, IL-10, VEGF, and SDF-1α in liver tissue are detected by Western Blot. PCNA and sIRPα1 contents were measured by PCR method. Rat ALF is modeled with a D-galactosamine induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results The results after modelling showed tissue HE staining wiith typical manifestation of acute liver injury. Compared with the medicated group, serum ALT and AST, as well as hepatocyte apoptosis are significantly higher in the liver failure group, in a time-dependent way. This suggests that medication can effectively inhibit the expression of caspase 1, IL-18, and IL-10, while simultaneously increasing the expression of VEGF and SDF-1α, as well as of PCNA and sIRPα1. Cordyceps polysaccharide can alleviate the immune inflammatory response in acute liver failure, and may be specifically homing to the damaged liver, thus promoting the secretion of VEGF, proliferation of hepatocyte, regeneration of liver vessels, and repair of liver tissues. Conclusion Medication can reduce the IL-10 level, regulate the equilibrium of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, and decrease the level of caspase 1 and IL-18 (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 18).

Based on the catalytic oxidation, the cross-linked silk fibroin membrane and the chitosan-modified silk fibroin membrane are prepared by means of tape-casting method. Compared with the silk fibroin membrane without cross-linking, the cross-linked membrane has lower water solubility and higher breaking strength. The structural differences between control and cross-linked membrane are confirmed by Atomic Force Microscope and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy measurements. The analysis of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis further proves that the silk fibroin is cross-linked by tyrosinase. The chitosan-modified silk fibroin membrane shows excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, and the inhibition rate is about 95%. Our results indicate the potential application of this blend membrane in biomedical material.

Ti6Al4V/nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The micro-structure of composite was observed and analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The mechanical properties of composites, such as density, micro-hardness, corrosion resistance, compressive strength, were tested and analysed. The results show that, Ti6Al4V and nHA have good associativity in the process of sintering, forming micellar structure. Sintered composite has high density and hardness, good corrosion resistance. The elastic modulus of composite was close to human cortical bone.

We investigated the mechanism of the effect of lentinan on 3T3-L1 fat cell formation by inhibiting the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. 3T3-L1 fat cells were treated with 80 mM lentinan with or without the PPARγ activator, 100 mM rosiglitazone for 24 h. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect PPARγ and AKT mRNA expression levels. Western blotting was used to detect AKT protein expression level. Compared with the control group, 80 mM lentinan increased PPARγ mRNA expression and downregulated AKT mRNA expression. After treatment with rosiglitazone, PPARγ mRNA expression increased by 78% (P < 0.05), while AKT mRNA expression decreased by 71% (P < 0.05). Lentinan treatment decreased AKT protein expression by 33%, and AKT protein expression in the lentinan and rosiglitazone co-treatment group was reduced by 28% compared with the lentinan treatment group. We found that 80 mM lentinan increased PPARγ mRNA expression and reduced AKT mRNA. Combination treatment with rosiglitazone increased this effect. This suggests that lentinan can depress 3T3-L1 fat cell formation by inhibiting the PPARγ/AKT signaling pathway.

SummaryPineapple (Ananas comosus L. ‘Comte de Paris’) fruit at commercial maturity (180 fruit per treatment, three replicates) were immersed in 0, 1.0, 3.0, or 5.0 mM salicylic acid (SA) for 15 min, then stored at 10oC and 90% relative humidity (RH) for 20 d. After 20 d in cold storage, they were moved to 20oC for 2 d to simulate shelf-life. Physiological and biochemical responses were studied. The results showed that the 3.0 or 5.0 mM SA treatments lowered the internal browning (IB) index, while the 5.0 mM SA treatment decreased the soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), and soluble sugar content, but increased ascorbic acid (AsA) levels at the end of shelf-life. Furthermore, during cold storage, all SA treatments significantly decreased the rate of tissue respiration in pineapple fruit. SA at 5.0 mM significantly decreased the activities of peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), but increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and asc...

Effects of welding parameters on spot welded magnesium alloy joints have been investigated. With increasing welding time, the weld nugget diameter increased and the nugget microstructure became coa...

The effects of silver based filler metals on the microstructure and properties of laser brazed joints between TiNi shape memory alloy (SMA) and stainless steel (SS) have been investigated and potentially desirable filler metal has been demonstrated. All of the filler metals, Ag–20Cu–12Zn, Ag–20Cu–16Zn–5Sn and Ag–22Cu–18Zn–8Sn filler metals, have good wettability on SS but Ag–20Cu–12Zn and Ag–20Cu–16Zn–5Sn filler metals exhibit worse wettability on TiNi SMA. The laser brazed joints using three different filler metals primarily consists of a α-Ag solid solution, a 9 αα-Cu solid solution and eutectic structures but the phase composition of the joint using Ag–20Cu–12Zn filler metal is a little different from that using other two filler metals. Part of the two base metals melts and enters the brazing seams during laser brazing when the joints were brazed with Ag–20Cu–12Zn and Ag–20Cu–16Zn–5Sn filler metals but only part of SS melts when the joint was brazed with Ag–22Cu–18Zn–8Sn filler metal. The tens...

It was found by optical and electron microscopic examination of the microstructure of as-weld austempered ductile iron that the weld matrix is composed of austenite and bainite, the volume fractions of which were determined. In addition, the carbon content of austenite was measured and therefore the average carbon content of the matrix was calculated. In the matrix of the weld metal two types of bainite, bainite ferrite and lower bainite, were found. According to the morphology and distribution of the bainite plates, the nucleation and growth modes of bainite was inferred.

Scartelaos viridis (walking goby) is a small edible fish that inhabits warm inshore environments. To provide molecular information of S. viridis, we developed and characterized microsatellite markers for this species. Using (CA)15-enriched genomic libraries of Scartelaos viridis, 44 positive clones were sequenced; 34 sequences contained multiple repeat motifs (di-, tri- and tetra-nucleotide). In all, 23 primer pairs were designed and 15 were successfully amplified. Forty-two S. viridis individuals collected from the East China Sea were used to characterize the polymorphism at each locus. Three loci (13%) were polymorphic, with three to six alleles. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.1000 to 0.4500 and from 0.4487 to 0.7580, respectively. The polymorphism information content per locus ranged from 0.4214 to 0.7510. Three loci significantly deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (adjusted P value=0.017); the pairwise tests for linkage disequilibrium between Scvi-1-13 and Scvi-2-11 were significant (P0.05, adjusted P value=0.017). The low number of polymorphic microsatellite loci may be due to the close genetic relationship of the individuals that we collected and the large size of the motifs.

Research has developed a new consumable material for gas welding of compacted graphite (CG) cast iron. The effects of C, Si, RE (rare earth), Ti, Al and weld cooling rate on graphite and matrix structure of compacted graphite cast iron welds have been studied. The optimum C, Si, RE and Ti contents of the weld metal were determined. In this way a weld metal is produced which has a microstructure and mechanical properties similar to those of the parent metal. The mechanical properties of the welded joints match the properties of compacted graphite cast iron. The maximum hardness of welded joints is below 250 HB. The welded joints have good machinability without any heat treatment.

The insufficient interobserver reproducibility limits the practical use of histomorphological tumor grading in daily routine pathology. In this study, the reasons for the quite low rates of agreement between different observers have been investigated by the application of a factor analytical technique, i.e. principal component analysis with varimax rotation, on a tumor grading system. Grading results from 44 cases of G1 and G2 giant cell tumors of the bone (GCT), graded by three different observers according to the five criteria of Jaffe, were taken as an example. It could be proven that the single criteria were used in an observer-specific way. Two criteria, for example, which are scored highly correlated by one observer, may be used independently by another. The resulting observer-specific different recognition patterns may provide an explanation for their quite different grading results, which were identical in only 48.6% to 54.1% (mean: 50.9%) of the cases. No correlation of GCT grading with recurrence was found in 31 cases which had been treated by intralesional surgery.

The association of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene HincII RFLP with diabetes mellitus and its lipid metabolism was studied in 196 Chinese with PCR gene amplification. 16 IDDM and 75 NIDDM were included. The most common genotype and allele frequencies of NIDDM were H2H2 (0.78) and H2 (0.89) respectively, and no significant differences were found in comparison with the normal control. The NIDDM with low LDL level (1.3 mmol/L) had less H2H2 type and H2 frequencies. Allele 1 (H1) was possibly related to the higher level of serum cholesterol, but allele 2 (H2) was quite the reverse. The phenotype of lipid metabolism was partially determined by the genotype. LDL, tc and tg level of NIDDM were significantly higher than the normal control (P0.001, 0.001, 0.05 respectively), indicating that NIDDM was accompanied by disturbance of lipid metabolism.

Clinical behavior of giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) may vary remarkably from latent to very aggressive. Quantitative pathological methods were used to evaluate the aggressiveness of GCT. Fifteen cytometric parameters were measured and computed on routine sections of 40 GCTs which had been treated with curettage. The surgery factor (with or without additional procedures like bone cement packing or freezing after the curettage) was also taken into account and computed. Nineteen of the 40 GCTs were cured and 21 recurred. While no single one from the 15 parameters measured showed significant differences between the cured and recurrent groups according to the Mann-Whitney's U test or Student's t test, a 4-variable function was established with a stepwise discriminant analysis which could correctly identify 70.8% of the predicted cases as cured or recurrent (jackknife procedure). The function also suggested that in addition to the surgery factor, which no doubt had close relation with the prognosis, the most important risk factor in histological parameters was SA40, i.e. the percent of cells with nucleus larger than 40 square microns. Single cells extracted from paraffin-embedded blocks of 38 GCTs were analyzed by DNA-image cytometry. The 2c deviation index (2cDI) showed wide heterogeneity ranging from those consistent with benign tumors to those with apparent malignant ones, which may account for its diversity in clinical behaviour. Sixteen of the 38 cases had been treated with curettage, 8 of them were cured and followed up for at least 3 years and the remaining 8 recurred. The significant difference of 2cDI between the two groups suggested that these DNA parameters are useful in evaluating the aggressiveness of GCT for the selection of an adequate treatment. Quantitative approaches appeared to be more objective and more sensitive in evaluating the aggressiveness and predicting the prognosis of GCT than the subjective grading system used before.

An attempt has been made of cryopreservation of tissue fragments from 6 GCTB surgical specimens. They have been kept in 10% DMSO or 15% glycerol medium and stored in liquid nitrogen for periods up to 180 days. Tumor cellular components survive the process of slow freezing and rapid thawing as cellular growth is successful in subsequent culture. Though certain reversible ultrastructural changes have been detected, no apparent distinction could be found in microscopic morphology, motility, growth behavior and LDH isozyme pattern between cultured cells of the cryopreserved fragments and those of the fresh ones. Electron microscopy shows that DMSO exceeds glycerol in protecting the ultrastructure of the cells. Slow cooling and rapid thawing is recommended because ice-crystals form in the intercellular space, which causes only light damage to the cells.

A new method of modeling electromagnetic waves by the finite element method is presented. The method is based on a numerical formulation in which different orders of polynomials are used to approximate the three different components of either the electric or the magnetic field vectors. It provides a reliable procedure for the finite element solution of three-dimensional electromagnetic field problems. Heretofore, such solutions were plagued by the presence of spurious modes. The new method is applied to the analysis of fields in resonant electromagnetic cavities. Keywords: Bistatic scattering; Finite element analysis; Cloning; Measurements.

Satisfactory results have been obtained in treating infective shock with injection of natural Fructus Aurantii immaturus (nat-FAI). The results of animal experiments and clinical observations on the anti-shock effects of the synthetic effective compositions of Fructus Aurantii immaturus (syn-FAI) are reported. The cardiac output increased from 0.53 to 0.87 L/min (P less than 0.01), and the cardiac index increased from 0.99 to 1.63 L/m2/min (P less than 0.01) in the endotoxic shock dogs after the treatment with syn-FAI. At the same time the blood stream in bulbar conjunctiva became accelerated and the dilated microvessels began to get smaller in most dogs. Of fifty children with infective shock treated with syn-FAI, forty-eight showed curative effects, with a total effective rate of 96%. The anti-shock effective compositions in FAI have been proved to be synephrine and N-methyltyrosamine. Moreover, syn-FAI has shown a more stable property, less side-effects and better clinical results than nat-FAI.