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Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) remains a fatal gynecological malignancy. Necroptosis may be a backup pathway that induces cell death when apoptosis is inhibited. This research aims to develop and validate an OC prognosis model based on necroptosis. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genome Tissue Expression Consortium Project Genome (GTEx) databases were used in obtaining data on OC patients and normal ovarian tissues. Necroptosis-related genes were downloaded from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumors and normal tissues were screened. COX regression analysis was used in constructing gene signature, which was further tested and validated in the TCGA and GEO cohorts. Based on risk scores and different clinical prognostic features, Nomogram was constructed to predict OS in OC patients. Then, the patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups, and differential genes were identified between the two groups. The potential biological and pathological functions of the differential genes were explored through Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG analyses. Immunoassays were used to analyze immune status. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) further confirmed the expression levels of core prognostic genes and their correlations with overall survival (OS) rates. Drug sensitivity analysis in different risk groups was performed to screen out potential drugs for the treatment of OC. Finally, a consensus clustering analysis was used in subtyping ovarian tumors. Results: A three-gene signature was identified, including JAK1, PYGB, and STAT1. The high-risk group had lower OS than the low-risk group and the risk score was acceptable for predicting prognosis independent of any other clinical prognostic features. The Nomogram can accurately predict the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of patients with OC. Functional analysis revealed immune-related pathways and differences in immune status between the two risk groups. Furthermore, three core prognostic genes involved in model construction were overexpressed in OC versus those in normal ovarian tissues. Patients in the low-risk group were more sensitive to cisplatin and docetaxel. In consensus clustering analysis, OC patients were separated into two subtypes and the survival rate in cluster 1 was better than in cluster 2. Conclusion: A necroptosis-related model based on three core prognostic DEGs can be used to predict OC prognosis.

A finite length Yoffe crack with specified anti-plane shear displacements in an infinite strip made by isotropic functionally graded material (FGM) is studied. Based on exponential variation of the shear modulus and the mass density in FGM, both stress and displacement fields are derived by means of the Fourier-transform method and dual-integral equations. The relationships between the dynamic stress intensity factors, crack moving-velocity, graded parameter and crack length are analyzed. The solution can be reduced to the case of dynamic problems in isotropic homogeneous materials, and shows identical results as well.

A computationally fuzzy multiobjective programming (MOP) approach with a Leontief interindustry model is used to investigate the trade-offs between per capita gross domestic product, national employment, and per capita CO2 emissions in Taiwan. To achieve the objectives of our investigation, the relevant literature is first reviewed, followed by construction of a fuzzy MOP coupled with an input-output model to evaluate the economic impact of the reduction of CO2 emissions on Taiwan’s economy as a whole. Empirical data have been collected, and various strategies for mitigating industrial CO2 emissions are simulated. Based on these simulations, policy recommendations are also proposed.

To screen the differentially expressed genes in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue.Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays HG-U133 representing 32,264 human genes including 19,308 known genes and 12,956 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were used to detect the gene expressions of CRC tissue paired with normal mucosa tissue. The microarray findings were confirmed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR). The gene expression profiles were analyzed by intersection and complement, rank sum test and t test.Totally 3,125 genes and ESTs expressed differentially were detected in normal and cancer tissues, consisting of 974 up-regulated and 2,151 down-regulated genes with 247 ESTs present in CRC tissue and absent in normal mucosa and 162 ESTs absent in CRC tissue but present in normal mucosa. A percent of 80.1% of the differentially expressed genes were not reported in the literatures.The strategy of data mining provides a foundation for filtering molecular markers and interpreting molecular carcinogenesis of CRC.

To investigate clinical characteristics and long-term effects of SARS.Clinical characteristics of 197 SARS patients in Xiao Tang-shan hospital were analyzed retrospectively, and prognosis of them were analyzed prospectively.Among the 197 patients, 153 patients (77.7%) have positive results of serum SARS coronavirus-specific antibodies test, and 44 patients (22.3%) have negative results. The average age of SARS and non-SARS patients were (40 +/- 12) and (31 +/- 12) years, male/female ratio were 1.0:1.6 and 2.1:1.0, average body temperature were (38.5 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C) and (38.1 degrees C +/- 0.4 degrees C), median of fever length were 7.0 d (0.4 approximately 50 d) and 2.3 d (0.3 approximately 37 d) respectively. The occurrence of dyspnea, malaise and gastrointestinal symptom were more often in SARS patient than in non-SARS patients. Some patients have residual symptoms (such as cough, fatigue, dyspnea, abnormality of liver function, hyperglycemia and hyperglyceridemia), and only few patients have lung fibrosis.Some patients with other respiratory diseases were misdiagnosed as SARS. There were several obvious differences of clinical characteristics between SARS patient and non-SARS patients. Prognosis of most patients were preciously well, and few still had abnormality of lung function. Residual symptoms of SARS and side effects of drugs used to treat SARS should be discriminated.

To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic changes of rehabilitating severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients through regular lung function tests and lung imaging studies after discharge and to retrospectively analyze the treatment data of these patients.258 discharged SARS patients received regular SARS-Co virus IgG test, lung function test and chest X-ray and/or high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) examination at General Hospital of PLA two months after discharge, and the treatment data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.80.6% patients (208 of 258 patients) were positive for SARS-Co virus IgG. 21.3% patients (55 of 258 patients) showed lung diffusion abnormity (D(LCO)80%pred). Compared to 155 SARS-Co virus IgG positive patients without lung diffusion abnormity and 50 SARS-Co virus IgG negative patients, the 53 SARS-Co virus IgG positive patients with lung diffusion abnormity had longer fever course, higher dosages of glucocorticoid therapy, higher percentage of oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation. 51 of the 53 patients with lung diffusion abnormity received lung function test after one month, and the results of D(LCO) improved in 80.4% patients (41 of 51 patients). 40 of 51 patients with lung diffusion abnormity showed lung fibrosis, and the fibrosis decreased in 55% patients (22 of 40 patients) after one month.This finding suggests that lung fibrosis caused by SARS mostly occurs in severe patients, and it can resolve spontaneously. D(LCO) may be more sensitive than HRCT in evaluating the fibrotic changes.

The objective of this study was to explore the development of IgG and IgM against SARS CoV and characteristics of changes of antibody titers in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and to search the opportunity for collecting specific anti-serum from convalescent patients with SARS. The anti-SARS-coronavirus specific antibody levels in 156 SARS patients were measured with ELISA. The results showed that the total positive rates of IgG and IgM were 75.6% and 41.7% respectively, and the negative rate of both IgG and IgM was 23.7%. The average titers of IgG and IgM antibody in positive samples were 18.23 +/- 24.72 and 2.18 +/- 1.13, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the titers of IgG/IgM and sex, age, course of diseases and duration of body temperature recovery. It was concluded that not all SARS patients could produce the anti-SARS-coronavirus specific antibody. The titers of the anti-body are diversified even if the antibodies have been emerged in them. In order to obtain effective anti-serum, the titers of antibody must be tested just before collection of convalescent serum, and it ensures the therapeutic effect and provides a measurable index for clinical transfusion.

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a cytokine secreted by Th2 lymphocytes that is capable of inducing expression of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) in primary human monocytes. We recently demonstrated that induction of 15-LO requires the activation of Jak2 and Tyk2 kinases and Stats 1, 3, 5, and 6. Since IL-13-induced 15-LO expression was inhibited by H7 (a serine-threonine kinase inhibitor), we predicted that Stat serine phosphorylation may also be crucial for 15-LO expression. In this study, we present evidence indicating that IL-13-induced 15-LO mRNA expression was detectable as early as 1 h by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. We found that IL-13 induced a time-dependent serine phosphorylation of both Stat1 and Stat3, detectable at 15 min after IL-13 treatment. In addition, the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was detected in a time-dependent fashion, with peak phosphorylation at 15 min after IL-13 treatment. SB202190, a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor, markedly inhibited IL-13-induced Stat1 and Stat3 serine phosphorylation as well as DNA binding. Furthermore, treatment of cells with Stat1 or Stat3 decoys significantly impaired IL-13-induced 15-LO expression. Taken together, our results provide the first evidence that IL-13 induces p38 MAPK phosphorylation/activation, which regulates Stat1 and Stat3 serine 727 phosphorylation. Both of these events are important steps in IL-13-induced 15-LO expression in human monocytes.

Thirty-two cases of so-called sclerosing hemangioma of the lung observed by light microscopy were further studied by electron microscopy and/or immunohistochemistry. Three histologic patterns were seen: hemangioma-like, papillary, and solid. The only significant component representing the nature of the lesion is characteristic round cells within the stroma in all these patterns, whereas the surface cells lining the papillary projections or cystic spaces are normal or are hyperplastic bronchioloalveolar cells with a few neuroendocrine cells. Immunohistochemical findings showed that the "stromal cells" (tumor cells) were positive for neuroendocrine markers, namely, chromogranin A (19 of 22 cases), neuron-specific enolase (24 of 24), synaptophysin (six of 10), adrenocorticotropic hormone (14 of 15), growth hormone (14 of 15), calcitonin (11 of 15), and gastrin (11 of 14). Besides, some tumor cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen (four of four), carcinoembryonic antigen (one of four), and vimentin (one of one). All tumor cells were negative for polyclonal antikeratin antibody (25 cases), AE1 (one case), and AE3 (one case). However, in contrast to the "stromal cells," the surface cells of the cystic spaces stained positively for keratin (25 of 25 cases), AE1 (one of one), AE3 (one of one), epithelial membrance antigen (four of four), and carcinoembryonic antigen (four of four); only a few of them expressed neruoendocrine markers. Both surface and tumor cells were negative for factor VIII-related antigen (25 cases), CD31 (one case), and alpha1-antitrypsin (25 cases). Ten cases further studied by electron microscopy and six examined by ultrastructural morphometry showed that the surface cells were mainly type 2 pneumocytes containing many lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm. Lying among them, neuroendocrine cells were occasionally seen. The stromal tumor cells had no lamellar body, but dense core granules (neurosecretory granules) and microtubules. In six cases, 92.3% (345 of 374) of tumor cells contained neurosecretory granules, which were pleomorphic and 73 to 1056 nm in diameter (mean, 302 nm). Two to 193 (mean, 12) neurosecretory granules were found in each tumor cell. Both immunohistochemical findings and ultrastructural evidence indicate that so-called sclerosing hemangioma of the lung is a benign lesion composed of neoplastic neuroendocrine cells with areas of sclerosis. A suggested name for this tumor is benign neuroendocrine tumor of the lung. The differentiation between this tumor and papillary adenoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, or carcinoid tumor of the lung is discussed.