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As glutamate dehydrogenases (GDHs) of microorganisms usually have higher affinity for NH4+ than do those of higher plants, it is expected that ectopic expression of these GDHs can improve nitrogen assimilation in higher plants. Here, a novel NADP(H)-GDH gene (TrGDH) was isolated from the fungus Trichurus and introduced into rice (Oryza sativa L.). Investigation of kinetic properties in vitro showed that, compared with the rice GDH (OsGDH4), TrGDH exhibited higher affinity for NH4+ (Km = 1.48 ± 0.11 mM). Measurements of the NH4+ assimilation rate demonstrated that the NADP(H)-GDH activities of TrGDH transgenic lines were significantly higher than those of the controls. Hydroponic experiments revealed that the fresh weight, dry weight and nitrogen content significantly increased in the TrGDH transgenic lines. Field trials further demonstrated that the number of effective panicles, 1,000-grain weight and grain weight per plant of the transgenic lines were significantly higher than those of the controls, especially under low-nitrogen levels. Moreover, glutelin and prolamine were found to be markedly increased in seeds from the transgenic rice plants. These results sufficiently confirm that overexpression of TrGDH in rice can improve the growth status and grain weight per plant by enhancing nitrogen assimilation. Thus, TrGDH is a promising candidate gene for maintaining yields in crop plants via genetic engineering.

To explore the diagnosis, classification and treatment of ectopic seminal tract opening in enlarged prostatic utricle (EPU).We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 22 cases of ectopic seminal tract opening in EPU confirmed by spermography, EPU open cannula angiography or intraoperative puncture of the vas deferens and treated by transurethral incision of EPU, cold-knife incision or electric incision of EPU, full drainage of the anteriorwal, and open or laparoscopic surgery from October 1985 to October 2017.Five of the patients were diagnosed with ectopic opening of the vas deferens and the other 17 with ectopic opening of the ejaculatory duct in EPU. During the 3－48 months of postoperative follow-up, symptoms disappeared in all the cases, semen quality was improved in those with infertility, and 2 of the infertile patients achieved pregnancy via ICSI.Ectopic seminal tract opening in EPU is rare clinically. Spermography is a reliable method for the diagnosis of the disease, and its treatment should be aimed at restoring the smooth flow of semen based on proper classification and typing of the disease.

To determine the cortical mechanism that underlies the cognitive impairment and motor disability in hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), nine HSP patients from a Chinese family were examined using clinical evaluation, cognitive screening, and genetic testing. Controls were matched healthy subjects. White-matter fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD; tract-based spatial statistics), cortical thickness (FreeSurfer), and subcortical gray matter (FIRST) based on T1-weighted MRI and diffusion tensor imaging were analyzed. A novel mutation in the SPAST gene (NM_014946.3, c.1321+2T>C) was detected. Patients had motor disability and low Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. Patients showed significantly decreased total gray- and white-matter volumes, corpus callosum volume, cortical thickness, and subcortical gray-matter volume as well as significantly lower FA and AD values and significantly higher MD and RD values in the corpus callosum and corticospinal tract. Cortical thickness, subcortical gray-matter volume, and MoCA score were negatively correlated with disease duration. Cortical thickness in the right inferior frontal cortex was negatively correlated with Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale score. Cortical thickness and right hippocampus volume were positively correlated with the MoCA score and subscores. In conclusion, brain damage is not restricted to the white matter in SPG4-HSP patients, and widespread gray-matter damage may account for the disease progression, cognitive impairment, and disease severity in SPG4-HSP.

BACKGROUND Sepsis-induced myopathy (SIM) is a complication of sepsis that results in prolonged mechanical ventilation, long-term functional disability, and increased patient mortality. This study aimed to use bioinformatics analysis to identify hub genes and molecular pathways involved in SIM, to identify potential diagnostic or therapeutic biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to acquire the GSE13205 expression profile. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in cases of SIM and healthy controls, and the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the limma R/Bioconductor software package and clusterProfiler package in R, respectively. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network data of DEGs was retrieved using the STRING database and analyzed using the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) Cytoscape software plugin. RESULTS A total of 196 DEGs were obtained in SIM samples compared with healthy samples, including 93 upregulated genes. The DEGs were significantly upregulated in mineral absorption, and the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway and 103 down-regulated genes were associated with control of the bile secretion signaling pathway. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with 106 nodes and 192 edges. The top two important clusters were selected from the PPI by MCODE analysis. There were 16 hub genes with a high degree of connectivity in the PPI network that were selected, including heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), and metallothionein (MT)-1E. CONCLUSIONS Bioinformatics network analysis identified key hub genes and molecular mechanisms in SIM.

Docetaxel-mediated chemotherapy is the first line therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients, but its therapeutic benefit is limited by the development of resistance. Although Forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) has been implicated in prostate tumorigenesis and metastasis, its role in docetaxel resistance has not been studied. Here, we showed that FOXM1 expression was upregulated in the docetaxel resistant CRPC cell lines (PC3-DR and VCaP-DR) and knockdown of FOXM1 sensitized the cells to docetaxel both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, autophagy was found to be significantly enhanced in resistant cells. Moreover, FOXM1 overexpression cells showed increased autophagic flux and higher numbers of autophagosomes. Knockdown of ATG7, beclin-1 or cotreatment with chloroquine, partly restored sensitivity to docetaxel in the FOXM1-overexpressing cells. Mechanistically, FOXM1 targeted AMPK/mTOR to activate the autophagy pathway and altered docetaxel response in CRPC. These findings identify the role of FOXM1 as well as the mechanism underlying FOXM1 action in docetaxel sensitivity and may, therefore, aid in design of CRPC therapies.

To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of ejaculatory duct cyst.This study included 2 male patients present at the hospital for hemospermia and abnormal sensation in the perineal region in July and August 2014. Both underwent transrectal ultrasonography, routine semen examination, CT, MRI, cystoscopy, and vesiculography before transurethral fenestration of the cysts and pathological examination of the cyst wall specimens. Analyses were made on the clinical presentations, imaging features, pathological characteristics, differential diagnosis and treatment of ejaculatory duct cyst and relevant literature was reviewed.The cyst wall was mainly composed of smooth muscle, the inner wall lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelia, and with positive expressions of CD10 and Muc6 proteins on immunohistochemical staining, which indicated renal iatrogenic ejaculatory duct cyst. The patients were followed up for 18 and 20 months, respectively. All symptoms disappeared and no recurrence occurred after surgery. Routine semen examination for the two patients showed the semen volumes to be 3.5 and 3.1 ml, sperm concentrations 35 and 32 ×10⁶/ml, grade a sperm 32.0 and 26.0%, grade b sperm 18.0 and 31.0%, and semen liquidation time 30 and 34 minutes, respectively.Pelvic cystic masses can be detected by transrectal ultrasonography, CT and MRI, but definite diagnosis relies on vesiculography, pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining. Transurethral fenestration is safe and effective for the treatment of ejaculation duct cyst.目的： 探讨射精管囊肿的诊断与治疗方法，观察应用微创治疗本病的远期效果。方法： 2014年7月-2014年8月收治2例患者分别以血精、会阴部不适就诊患者，经B超、CT和MRI检查未能明确诊断，行经阴囊皮肤穿刺输精管造影和经尿道囊肿电切，囊壁送病理及免疫组化检查，结合文献讨论其临床表现，影像、病理特征、鉴别诊断及治疗方法。结果： 切下组织显微镜下见囊壁主要由平滑肌组成，囊内壁由假复层纤毛柱状上皮衬覆，进一步行免疫组化示CD10（+），Muc6(+),结合这些检查结果，此2例患者确诊为中肾管源性射精管囊肿。随访18~20个月，术后患者不适症状消失，患者1复查精液常规：量3.5 ml，精子浓度35×10⁶/ml, 精子活动度a级精子百分率32.0%，b级精子百分率18.0%，液化时间30 min。患者2精液常规：量3.1 ml，精子浓度32×10⁶/ml, 精子活动度a级精子百分率26.0%，b级精子百分率31.0%，液化时间34 min。射精管囊肿未复发。结论： B超、CT、MRI检查虽可发现盆腔囊性包块，但确诊需结合输精管造影，病理学和免疫组化检查，经尿道射精管囊肿开窗手术创伤小且安全有效。.

To explore the effect of the AXL expression on the chemosensitivity of prostate cancer PC-3 and DU145 cells to docetaxel and possible mechanisms.Using Western blot, we examined the expressions of the AXL protein, p-AXL and Gas6 in the docetaxel-resistant PC-3 (PC-3-DR) and DU145 (DU145-DR) cells stimulated with gradually increased concentrations of docetaxel. We transfected the PC-3 and DU145 cells with negative NC ShRNA and AXL-ShRNA, respectively, which were confirmed to be effective, detected the proliferation, apoptosis and cycle distribution of the cells by CCK8, MTT and flow cytometry after treated with the AXL-inhibitor MP470 and/or docetaxel, and determined the expression of the ABCB1 protein in the PC-3-DR and DU145-DR cells after intervention with the AXL-inhibitor R428 and/or docetaxel.The expression of the AXL protein in the PC-3 and DU145 cells was significantly increased after docetaxel treatment (P0.05). The expressions AXL and p-AXL were remarkably higher (P0.05) while that of Gas6 markedly lower (P0.05) in the PC-3 and DU145 than in the PC-3-DR and DU145-DR cells. The inhibitory effect of docetaxel on the proliferation and its enhancing effect on the apoptosis of the PC-3 and DU145 cells were significantly decreased at 48 hours after AXL transfection (P0.05). MP470 obviously suppressed the growth and promoted the apoptosis of the PC-3-DR and DU145-DR cells, with a higher percentage of the cells in the G2/M phase when combined with docetaxel than used alone (P0.05). R428 markedly reduced the expression of ABCB1 in the PC-3-DR and DU145-DR cells, even more significantly in combination with docetaxel than used alone (P0.05).The elevated expression of AXL enhances the docetaxel-resistance of PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells and AXL intervention improves their chemosensitivity to docetaxel, which may be associated with the increased cell apoptosis in the G2/M phase and decreased expression of ABCB1.目的: 观察AXL表达在前列腺癌PC-3和DU145细胞多西他赛化疗耐药中的作用及可能机制。 方法: 应用Western印迹测定多西他赛刺激 PC-3和DU145后AXL蛋白表达，通过多西他赛浓度递增间断刺激PC-3和DU145细胞，建立耐药细胞PC-3-DR和DU145-DR,应用Western 印迹测定PC-3和DU145细胞耐药前后AXL, AXL磷酸化蛋白激酶（p-AXL）及配体蛋白生长阻滞特异性因子-6(Gas6)蛋白表达。用脂质体Lipofectamine 2000 将经过筛选证实有效的AXL-shRNA序列和阴性NCshRNA序列转染PC-3和DU145细胞，应用CCK8和流式细胞仪检测转染前后加入多西他赛后的细胞增殖和凋亡情况。应用MTT和流式细胞仪检测加入AXL抑制剂MP470和多西他赛单独及联合应用的细胞增殖率、凋亡率和细胞周期分布。Western 印迹检测AXL抑制剂R428,多西他赛单独或联合处理耐药细胞后ABCB1的表达情况。 结果： 多西他赛刺激PC-3和DU145细胞后，AXL表达上升（P0.05）；与PC-3和DU145细胞相比，PC-3-DR和DU145-DR中AXL, p-AXL蛋白表达明显上升，Gas6蛋白表达明显下降（P均0.05）。AXL转染PC-3和DU145后的细胞经多西他赛处理48 h，细胞增殖率分别为（51.03±3.16）%和（57.39±2.37）%，明显高于未转染细胞（36.41±4.28）%和（45.5±3.93）% （P0.05），转染后细胞凋亡率分别为（42.37±3.43）%和（39.54±2.39）%,明显低于未转染细胞（65.48±3.16）%和（54.98±2.84）%（P0.05）。MP470可明显抑制细胞增殖和促进耐药细胞凋亡，MP470与多西他赛联合应用后的耐药细胞增殖抑制率和凋亡率明显高于单独应用，联合应用后G2/M期细胞百分数亦明显高于单独应用（P均0.05）。R428可明显降低耐药细胞的ABCB1表达，与多西他赛联用后，ABCB1的蛋白表达水平明显低于单独用药组（P均0.05）。结论: AXL表达上调可促进前列腺癌PC-3和DU145细胞耐药，AXL抑制可增加细胞对多西他赛的敏感性，这一作用可能与G2/M期细胞凋亡率升高和ABCB1表达降低有关。.

Following the deployment of network multimedia applications, such as video conference, simulation research on video stream characteristic is more and more important. MPEG standard encodes the video sequences to frame I, P, and B, and has higher compression rate and bandwidth saving character. MPEG video traffic characteristic and simulation methods are researched in this paper. Network simulation version 2(NS-2) kernels is extended using C/C++ programming language. An MPEG video traffic generator modules and simulation interfaces are designed in NS-2 kernel. Simulation results show that the proposed extension method is feasible and effective.

An improved anomalous diffraction approximation (ADA) method is presented for calculating the extinction efficiency of spheroids firstly. In this approach, the extinction efficiency of spheroid particles can be calculated with good accuracy and high efficiency in a wider size range by combining the Latimer method and the ADA theory, and this method can present a more general expression for calculating the extinction efficiency of spheroid particles with various complex refractive indices and aspect ratios. Meanwhile, the visible spectral extinction with varied spheroid particle size distributions and complex refractive indices is surveyed. Furthermore, a selection principle about the spectral extinction data is developed based on PCA (principle component analysis) of first derivative spectral extinction. By calculating the contribution rate of first derivative spectral extinction, the spectral extinction with more significant features can be selected as the input data, and those with less features is removed from the inversion data. In addition, we propose an improved Tikhonov iteration method to retrieve the spheroid particle size distributions in the independent mode. Simulation experiments indicate that the spheroid particle size distributions obtained with the proposed method coincide fairly well with the given distributions, and this inversion method provides a simple, reliable and efficient method to retrieve the spheroid particle size distributions from the spectral extinction data.

Video stream codec and transmission control algorithm is very important to improve quality of service of video on Internet. A priority video transmission algorithm based on queue-length(VTA-QL) is proposed. Different kind of video frame is marked with different priority and is scheduled according to its priority. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm VTA-QL can improve the video transmission quality greatly, and that link bandwidth, delay and queue length have much effect on video transmission quality.

Population balance equation is converted to three moment equations to describe the dynamical behavior of particle size distribution in air in the rainfall. The scavenging coefficient is expressed as a polynomial function of the particle diameter, the raindrop diameter and the raindrop velocity. The evolutions of particle size distribution are simulated numerically and the effects of the raindrop size distribution on particle size distribution are studied. The results show that the raindrops with smaller geometric mean diameter and geometric standard deviation of size remove particles much more efficiently. The particles which fall in the ?greenfield gap? are the most difficult to be scavenged from the air.

Microscale backward-facing step flows in transition regime are investigated in the present study using continuum-based Burnett equations. A relaxation method on the Burnett terms is proposed here, and convergent results at Knudsen number up to 0.5 are achieved. The results of Burnett equations agree very well with experimental data and direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) results. The detailed flow characteristics of backward-facing step flow in transition regime are presented, and the difference from macro flow is analyzed. The effects of pressure ratio, Kn, and step ratio are discussed.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) play a critical role in disease progression, relapse and therapeutic resistance of advanced prostate cancer (PCa). In this paper, we evaluated, for the first time, the therapeutic benefit of blocking EGRF and/or COX-2 (using gefitinib and NS-398, respectively) in terms of improving the efficacy of the conventional clinical chemotherapeutic drug docetaxel in vitro and vivo. We showed that EGFR and COX-2 expression was higher in metastatic than non-metastatic PCa tissues and cells. Docetaxel, alone or in combination with gefitinib or NS-398, resulted in a small decrease in cell viability. The three drug combination decreased cell viability to a greater extent than docetaxel alone or in combination with gefitinib or NS-398. Docetaxel resulted in a modest increase in apoptotic cell in metastatic and non-metastatic cell lines. NS-398 markedly enhanced docetaxel-induced cell apoptosis. The combination of the three drugs caused even more marked apoptosis and resulted in greater suppression of invasive potential than docetaxel alone or in association with gefitinib or NS-398. The combination of all three drugs also resulted in a more marked decrease in NF-ΚB, MMP-9 and VEGF levels in PC-3M cells. These in vitro findings were supported by in vivo studies showing that docetaxel in combination with gefitinib and NS-398 was significantly more effective than any individual agent. Based on previous preclinical research, we conclude that simultaneously blocking EGFR and COX-2 by gefitinib and NS-398 sensitizes advanced PCa cells to docetaxel-induced cytotoxicity.

Atmospheric ultrafine particles (UFPs) were measured with fast mobility particle sizer(FMPS) in Hangzhou, during March 2011 to February 2012. The number concentration and size distribution of UFPs associated with meteorology were studied. The results showed that the number concentration of UFPs was logarithmic bi-modal distribution, and the seasonal levels presented wintersummerspringautumn. The highest monthly average concentration was 3.56 x 10(4) cm-3 in December and the lowest was 2.51 x 10(4) cm-3 in October. The seasonal values of count medium diameter(CMD) were springwinterautumnsummer. The highest monthly average CMD was 53. 51 nm in April and the lowest was 16.68 nm in June. Meteorological factors had effects on concentration of UFPs.

A 28-year-old man was referred to our department for the management of recurrent hemospermia during the past 5 years. Genital examination and hormonal levels were normal. Semen analysis showed no change in volume and pH; however, hemospermia and asthenozoospermia were observed. Ultrasonography and computed tomography scan revealed the presence of a cystic lesion with calcification in the terminal part of seminal vesicles adjoining the prostate gland. The following vasography and endoscopic retrograde urethrography demonstrated 2 communicating cystic dilatations arising from the verumontanum. The diagnosis of cystic dilatation of the ejaculatory duct opening into an enlarged prostatic utricle was reached. Transurethral unroofing of the cyst was separately performed with a successful outcome. The characteristic of the 2 cystic dilatations was confirmed by pathologic examination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of ectopic cystic dilatation of the ejaculatory duct opening into an enlarged prostatic utricle.

To analyze the correlation between the size of prostatic middle lobe hyperplasia and the degree of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).This study included 131 BPH patients who presented with dysuria between May 2008 and June 2010. The prostate volume and intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) were measured by transabdominal ultrasound, Qmax and detrusor pressure at Qmax (P(det@ Qmax)) detected by urodynamic examination, the obstruction degree and detrusor contractility judged using the LinPURR Figure, and the AG value calculated (AG = P(det@ Qmax) -2Qmax). The degrees of BOO were compared between different groups of IPP by variance analysis, and the prostate volume, IPP and AG values underwent Bivariate correlation analysis.IPP was highly positively correlated with BOO when it was10 mm (r = 0.821, P0.01), while PV and BOO had a lower correlation (r = 0.475, P0.01). There was also a high positive correlation between IPP and P(det@ Qmax) (r = 0.865, P0.01).A close correlation exists between prostatic middle lobe hyperplasia and BOO, and evaluating IPP by ultrasound is a reliable method to determine the degree of BOO.

This paper studied the spatiotemporal variations of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in Zhejiang Province in 1982-2006, and their relations to the dominant eco-climatic factors in the Province. In the study period, the vegetation cover in the Province had a slowly decreasing trend, and the area with a significant decrease of NDVI occupied 30.71% of the total. There were significant relationships between the eco-climatic indices and the NDVI of the following year. The NDVI was significantly positively correlated with biological aridity/humidity index, and significantly negatively correlated with biological warmth index, suggesting that the increase of humidity could promote vegetation growth, while excessive heat could inhibit the vegetation growth in the study area.

The phenomenon of vortex shedding naturally occurs behind bluff bodies. Vortex shedding induces structure vibration, increases fluid resistance, and generates noise. The control of vortex shedding has been frequently studied in the past few decades and a number of passive and active control techniques have been developed 1,2. However, most of the efforts are devoted to bluff bodies of circular or square cross sections. The control of vortex shedding from an inclined plate is of theoretical importance and engineering significance in bridge deck and airfoil designs, but only a few documented research works can be found on this subject 3‐6. The passive control of vortex shedding from a bluff body by an additional small element has attracted great attention in recent years 7‐16 due to its simplicity and effectiveness. These methods can be classified into two categories. The first category places the element upstream of the bluff body 7‐16. The second one, which originated with the work of Strykowski and Sreenivasan 17, applies the element downstream of the body. In Strykowski and Sreenivasan’s study 17, a small circular cylinder element was used and set parallel to the main circular cylinder. Vortex shedding from both sides of the main body can be suppressed if the circular element is set in an effective zone downstream of the main body. However, results show that their method was ineffective at Reynolds numbers above 150. In our recent study 18‐22, a strip or a square cross-sectional element was used to improve the effect. Vortex shedding from both sides of a cylinder can be suppressed at much higher Reynolds numbers if the element is set in a certain region quite similar to the effective zone shown in Ref. 17. The element’s bluffness is shown to play an important role in the suppression 18,19. Though the improved element method is effective in suppressing vortex shedding from circular and square cylinders 18‐22, whether or not it can suppress vortex shedding from other bodies

To analyze the chromosomal karyotype aberrations of exfoliated urothelial cells in superficial bladder cancer patients and the correlation thereof to recurrence of carcinoma.Voided urine samples were collected from 42 patients with pathologically confirmed recurrent bladder cancer and 24 bladder cancer patients without pathologically confirmed recurrence, all of which had undergone complete transurethral resection and had been followed up for more than 3 years. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used with Spectrum Green to label the chromosome 7 and Spectrum Red to label the chromosome 17 of the exfoliated urothelial cells.The aneuploidy rates of chromosomes 7 and 17 were 48.5% (32/66) and 50.0% (33/66) respectively, and the co-aneuploidy rate of chromosomes 7 and 17 was 25.8% (17/66). In the patients with G(2/3) superficial bladder cancer, the aneuploidy rate of chromosomes 17 of those with recurrence was 64.3%, significantly higher than that of patients without recurrence (22.2%, P0.05). However, there were not significant differences in the aneuploidy rates of chromosomes 7 and 17 in the pT(a) and pT(1) superficial bladder cancer patients with or without recurrence (all P0.05), however, the co-aneuploidy rate of chromosomes 7 and 17 of the patients with recurrence was 47.8%, significantly higher than that of the patients without recurrence (12.5%, P0.05). Fourteen of the 42 patients with recurrence showed progression, i.e., with increased grade or stage (/= pT(2)). The aneuploidy rates of chromosomes 7 and 17 of these 14 patients were 78.6% and 92.9% respectively, both significantly higher than those of the 28 patients without progression (42.9% and 46.4% respectively, both P0.05).Abnormality in the chromosomes in exfoliated urothelial cells of superficial bladder cancer patients using FISH technique helps predict recurrence and progression of the cancer.

To investigate the effect of PI-3K and p38MAPK signal pathways on the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression induced by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in PC-3 cells.PC-3 cell proliferation was detected by methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay after stimulated by EGF (0 microg/L), EGF (10 microg/L), EGF (10 microg/L) + LY294002 (20 micromol/L) and EGF (10 microg/L) + SC203580 (20 micromol/L), and so was the COX-2 expression in the PC-3 cells by RT-PCR and Western blot assay after stimulated the same way for 24 hours. ELISA was used to determine the changes of PGE2 in the culture medium.LY294002 and SC203580 signficantly inhibited PC-3 cell proliferation (P0.05), COX-2 expression and PGE2 production after EGF stimulation (P0.05).EGF can stimulate PC-3 cells into proliferation and induce COX-2 mRNA and the upregulation of its protein expression, while LY294002 and SC203580 can inhibit EGF from the above effects on PC-3 cells.

Lattice Boltzmann method and elastic particle collision model were used to investigate the sedimentation of short cylindrical pollutant particles with mechanical contacts for varying bulk number density epsilon and terminal Reynolds number ReT. The corresponding experiments were performed as a comparison. The clusters of pollutant particles with an inverted "T" structure were observed, the pollutant particles for high epsilon and large ReT scattered wider than that for low epsilon and small ReT. The sedimentation velocities increased suddenly at the initial stage, then decreased drastically, after that swayed around and approached to a steady value. The time to steady state did not depend on epsilon and ReT. The effect of particle interactions was to hinder the average sedimentation velocity, and hindrance was directly proportional to epsilon. The orientation distributions of pollutant particles depended on ReT and epsilon, especially on the former. Both the standard deviations of vertical and horizontal velocity, the former was larger than the latter, were nearly independent on epsilon and ReT.