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To provide a basic guide for the design of Cu–Cr-based alloys, phase equilibrium relations in the Cu–Cr–Ti system have been studied using diffusion triples and typical equilibrated alloys. Based on the results from electron-probe microscopy analysis and x-ray diffraction, isothermal sections of the Cu–Cr–Ti ternary system at 1073 and 973 K were constructed, wherein 9 and 11 three-phase equilibria were determined, respectively. A ternary phase with an approximate composition of (Cu, Cr)4Ti3 was detected and named as τ1. The binary Cu4Ti3 phase does not connect with τ1 in the ternary region. Solid solution phases (Cu, Cr)3Ti2 and τ1 were identified and confirmed in both diffusion triple and alloy samples. The solubility of Cr in Cu3Ti2 extends to 12 at.% at both 1073 and 973 K. (Cu, Cr)3Ti2 and Cu3Ti2 form a continuous solid solution at 1073 K while do not exist as one stable phase at 973 K. In addition, two two-phase regions of Cu4Ti + (Cu, Cr)3Ti2 and Cu4Ti3 + (Cu, Cr)3Ti2 transform to the three-phase regions of Cu4Ti + Cu4Ti3 + (Cu, Cr)3Ti2 as the temperature decreases from 1073 to 973 K.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-195 on diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats through targeting Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.The model of DN was first successfully established in rats. All rats were randomly divided into six groups, including control group (n=20), model group (n=20), 25 nM miR-195 mimics group (25 nM M group, n=20), 50 nM M group (n=20), 25 nM miR-195 inhibitor group (25 nM I group, n=20), and 50 nM I group (n=20). Urine volume, proteins and inflammatory factors were detected in each group, respectively. Subsequently, macrophages were cultured and transfected in vitro. The mRNA expressions of miR-195 and TLR4 in control group and model groups were determined using fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in macrophages were determined using Western blotting. Furthermore, the proliferation of macrophages was detected via cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay.Compared with model group, 24-h urine volume, urine protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 levels declined significantly in 25 nM M group and 50 nM M group (p0.05). However, they increased significantly in 25 nM I group and 50 nM I group (p0.05). It could be suggested that miR-195 mimics might relieve the symptoms of DN rats. In kidney tissues in DN, miR-195 was lowly expressed, whereas TLR4 was highly expressed (p0.01). This suggested that there was a negative correlation between the mRNA expressions of miR-195 and TLR4 (r2=0.4836, p=0.0007). After overexpression of miR-195, the protein expression of TLR4 was significantly reduced (p0.01), indicating that miR-195 could negatively regulate the protein expression of TLR4. Besides, the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in si-TLR4 group were evidently lower than those in NC group (p0.01). Meanwhile, they also had significant differences in si-TLR4 group compared with si-TLR4 + miR-195 inhibitor group (p0.05). The above results demonstrated that the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in macrophages could be markedly inhibited by si-TLR4, but be promoted by si-TLR4 + miR-195 inhibitor. CCK-8 assay demonstrated that the proliferation ability of macrophages was remarkably weaker in miR-195 mimics group than NC group (p0.001). Furthermore, it was also significantly weaker in si-TLR4 + miR-195 inhibitor group than si-TLR4 group (p0.05).MiR-195 reduces the release of inflammatory factors and inhibits the proliferation of macrophages through targeting TLR4 and blocking the NF-κB pathway, thereby alleviating the symptoms of DN rats.

Ring finger protein 6 (RNF6) has been identified to be associated with the progression of colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and breast cancer. Its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, remains largely unclear. This study aims to illustrate the prognostic potential of RNF6 in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-HCC.A total of 162 eligible NAFLD-HCC patients treated in our hospital from May 2017 to May 2019 were recruited. RNF levels in the collected tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then, the influences of RNF6 on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in NAFLD-HCC patients were explored. Potential clinical factors for the prognosis in NAFLD-HCC were finally analyzed.RNF6 was upregulated in NAFLD-HCC tissues. Highly expressed RNF6 at both mRNA and protein levels predicted poor OS and RFS in NAFLD-HCC. RNF6 level, metastasis, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, and tumor grade were correlated with the prognosis in NAFLD-HCC.Great effects have been made on improving the diagnostic rate. Here, highly expressed RNF6 was unfavorable to OS and RFS in NAFLD-HCC. As a result, RNF6 not only contributed to the diagnosis of NAFLD-HCC, but also predicted its prognosis and recurrence.

To investigate the inhibitory effect of thymosin-β4 (Tβ4) on the activation of the human hepatic stellate cell line (HSC-LX2) induced by interleukin (IL)-1β.There were 5 groups in this study, i.e., blank control group, negative control group (SI-NC, empty plasmid), model group (20 ng/ml of IL-1β), siRNA-Tβ4 knockdown group (IL-1β and si-Tβ4) and Tβ4 treatment group (IL-1β and 1000 ng/ml of Tβ4). Cell proliferation rate was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method. The cell cycle change and percentage of apoptotic cells were determined by Propidium Iodide (PI) DNA staining and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) double staining. Cellular nucleic acid levels of p-IKB and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/p65 proteins were measured by fluorescent quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Double immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used to detect nuclear translocation of NF-κB and p65 and levels of cytoplasmic p-IKB protein and nuclear p65 protein.Due to the G0/G1 phase arrest, the number of cells in the Tβ4 treatment group increased, compared with the model group and the siRNA-Tβ4 knockdown group (p0.01). In the same between-group comparison, apoptotic rate in the Tβ4 treatment group increased significantly (p0.05). The cellular nucleic acid levels of p-IKB and NF-κB/p65 were markedly higher in the model group and the siRNA-Tβ4 knockdown group than in the blank control group (p0.01). The cellular nucleic acid levels of p-IKB and NF-κB/p65 were remarkably lower in the Tβ4 treatment group than in the siRNA-Tβ4 knockdown group (p0.01). The expression levels of NF-κB/p65 and NF-κB/p50 were significantly lower in the Tβ4 treatment group. The expression levels of cytoplasmic p-IKB and nuclear NF-κB/p65 were lower in the Tβ4 treatment group than in the model group (p0.01).Tβ4 significantly inhibited IL-1β-induced HSC-LX2 cell proliferation. The mechanism may involve decreased activation of the NF-κB pathway, decreased expression of p-IKB and nuclear translocation of p65. Therefore, Tβ4 had the effect of reversing liver fibrosis.

UNLABELLED A new genotype of yellow head virus (YHV), designated as YHV-8, was found in farmed shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis suffering suspectedly from EMS/AHPNS (early mortality disease/acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease) in China in 2012. In this study, a one-step, real-time reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (rRT-LAMP) assay was developed for better detection of both genotypes of YHV-1 and YHV-8. A set of six specific primers was successfully designed targeting a conserved region of the YHV genome. The LAMP reaction was optimized to contain 8 mmol l(-1) Mg(2+) and 1·4 mmol l(-1) dNTPs, and to be performed at 58°C for 60 min. The detection sensitivity of the rRT-LAMP method was as low as 7 × 10(0) copies per reaction. The specificity of the method was validated by the absence of any cross-reaction with the RNA samples extracted from other shrimp viruses (Taura syndrome virus, white spot syndrome virus, infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus, hepatopancreatic parvovirus) and specific pathogen-free (SPF) shrimp. The resulting standard curves showed high correlation coefficient values. Furthermore, the test of farm samples showed that YHV was detected in three of 111 Litopenaeus vannamei, six of eight Fenneropenaeus chinensis, five of 19 Macrobrachium rosenbergii and none of the nine Marsupenaeus japonicus. These results suggest that this assay is applicable widely as a new rapid and sensitive detection method in the research of YHV. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY In this study, we designate a new genotype of yellow head virus (YHV) as YHV genotype 8 (YHV-8) which was detected in diseased shrimp in China. A rapid, sensitive and specific rRT-LAMP detecting method for both YHV-8 and YHV-1 has been established. It is anticipated that this novel assay will be instrumental for diagnosis and surveillance of the virulent genotypes of YHV.

Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. lanatus] is a cross-pollinating diploid species and is one of the most important dicotyledonous plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae due to its high nutritional value, rapid growth, sweet and juicy taste, and refreshing nature as a summer fruit. However, the insertion–deletion (InDel) markers available for watermelon cannot satisfy the demand to identify and map resistance genes in this major crop. In this study, we have characterised and developed numerous polymorphic InDel markers using Illumina re-sequencing of a male parental line that is resistant to Fusarium wilt. In total, 25,701 potential InDel markers were identified, with a mean size of 18 bp. From these, 7,387 potential InDel markers > 10 bp were selected and tested as candidate InDel markers to locate resistance genes for map-based cloning and polymorphism analysis. We designed and synthesised 69 primer pairs using Primer 3 software. Overall, 54 primer pairs detected p...

Plant defensins (PDFs) are small cysteine rich peptides with potential antifungal activity. In this work, a defensin-like cDNA of 237 bp was cloned from watermelon and named Cldef2.2 (GenBank accession No. KC481268). The amino acid sequence deduced from the coding region comprised 78 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 8.65 KD and isoelectric point of 8.325. Sequence alignment showed that Cldef2.2 had high amino acid homology to known PDF proteins from other plant species and contained the highly conserved eight cysteine motif. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Cldef2.2 belongs to the Arabidopsis PDF2 cluster and is close to AtPDF2.5. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that Cldef2.2 was expressed in all the examined tissues, including leaves, roots, and stems. The highest expression level was observed in roots. We also investigated the differential expression profiles of Cldef2.2 gene in response to signalling molecules such as salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and ethylene or in response to Fusarium oxyporum f. sp. niveum (FON) challenge. For signalling molecules, Cldef2.2 was shown to be quickly induced by MeJA at 4 h after treatment (hat), while its response to ethylene and SA was relatively slow with the expression peaking at 48 hat. For FON challenge, Cldef2.2 showed highly responsive with mRNA accumulation peaking at 4 h after inoculation (hai).

Objective To summarize the characteristics of cases of electrocution due to direct current （DC） electronic hunter, and to provide references for forensic identification. Methods Four cases of electrocution due to DC electronic hunter were collected. Statistical analysis was carried out from the perspective of the scene and electric marks distribution, damage characteristics and histopathological changes. Results All the 4 cases of electrocution were accidental events. There were multiple electric marks, most of which were located in the lower limbs with serious damage. Some strip type electric marks were visible. Conclusion The distribution, morphological characteristics and severity of the electric marks caused by DC electronic hunter are different from those of the ordinary low-voltage alternating current damage. It is alerting that there would be actions of destroying the scene and abandoning the corpse in such cases.4例直流电子捕猎器电击死亡分析.目的 总结直流电子捕猎器电击死亡案件的特征，为法医学鉴定提供参考。 方法 收集4例直流电子捕猎器电击死亡案例，从案件现场及电流斑分布情况、损伤特征、组织病理学变化等角度进行统计分析。 结果 4例直流电子捕猎器电击死均为意外事件，均有多处电流斑，多位于下肢且损伤严重，部分可见长条状电流斑。 结论 直流电子捕猎器电击死亡电流斑的位置分布、形态特征及严重程度均异于普通低压交流电损伤，警惕此类案件有破坏现场或抛尸行为。.法医病理学；电击伤；电子捕猎器；直流高压电；电流斑.

Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) is an important transcriptional regulator of cell proliferation, and is considered essential for tumor growth and progression. However, the function of FOXO1 in human cervical cancer remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of FOXO1 in cervical cancer. Our results showed that FOXO1 expression was lower in cervical cancer than in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and normal cervix by immunohistochemical analysis (P < 0.05). The level of FOXO1 in high-grade lesions was significantly lower than in low-grade lesion (P < 0.05), indicating that deficient expression of FOXO1 is involved in tumor progression and significantly associated with late-stage tumors (P < 0.05), which was further supported by clinicopathological, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting analysis. Moreover, we confirmed that the overexpression of FOXO1 remarkably repressed cell growth and blocked cell proliferation, accompanied by cell-cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and upregulation of caspases-3 and -9 gene expression. Collectively, our data suggest that FOXO1 plays a vital role in inhibiting cervical cancer development by inducing cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. FOXO1 expression is a favorable prognostic factor for human cervical cancer.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an important pro-apoptotic cytokine, which performs a broad range of immune and inflammatory functions in several vital processes. TNF-α-induced apoptosis has been confirmed, however, relatively little is known regarding the role of forkhead box class-O 1 (FOXO1) in mediating TNF-α-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer. In our study, we used the well-characterized cervical cancer cell line C-33A to investigate the role of FOXO1. The results showed that the antitumor agent TNF-α increased the expression level of FOXO1 (P < 0.05) and enhanced its transcriptional activity (P < 0.05). Furthermore, knockdown of FOXO1 repressed TNF-α-induced apoptosis and caspase-3, 8, and 9 expressions (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that TNF-α upregulated the transcriptional factor FOXO1, leading to an increased expression of apoptotic gene, which leads to an increase in apoptosis.

Fragility fracture is one of the common complications of osteoporosis. Elevated oxidative stress-induced apoptosis is thought to be one of the unfavorable factors to osteoblastic dysfunction, which increased the risk of bone fracture. However, the molecular mechanisms for oxidative stress-induced osteoblast cells apoptosis still need to be elucidated. This study aims to investigate the protective function of miR-214 in H2O2-induced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with 400 μM H2O2. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the apoptosis rate; malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) levels were used to determine the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to test the expression level of miR-214 and ATF4. After transfected MC3T3-E1 cells with miR-214 mimics and inhibitor, RT-PCR was used to detect activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) expression level.H2O2 treatment increased ROS induced intracellular oxidative injury. Flow cytometry showed that 400 μM H2O2 induced the apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, RT-PCR showed decreased expression level of MiR-214. Furthermore, the apoptosis induced by high ROS level was reversed by increased miR-214 expression level. The regulatory ability of MiR-214 to apoptosis is by regulating ATF4 expression.miR-214 plays a protective role in H2O2 induced MC3T3 osteoblasts apoptosis and its protective effect is proceeded by regulating ROS level and ATF4 expression level.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic values by detecting sera autoantibodies to eight tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) of P53, IMP1, P16, cyclin B1, P62, C-myc, Survivn and Koc full-length recombinant proteins for the screening of high-risk subjects and early detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect autoantibodies against the eight selected TAAs in 567 sera samples from four groups, including 200 individuals with normal esophageal epithelia (NOR), 214 patients with esophageal basal cell hyperplasia (BCH), 65 patients with esophageal dysplasia (DYS), and 88 patients with ESCC. In addition, the expression of the eight antigens in esophageal tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Statistically significant distribution differences were identified among the four groups for each of the individual autoantibodies to six TAAs (P53, IMP1, P16, cyclin B1, P62, and C-myc); the detection rates of antoantibodies were positively correlated with the progression of ESCC. When autoantibody assay successively accumulated to six TAAs (P53, IMP1, P16, cyclin B1, P62, and C-myc), a stepwise increased detection frequency of autoantibodies was found in the four sera groups (6% in NOR, 18% in BCH, 38% in DYS, and 64% in ESCC, respectively), the risks to BHC, DYS, and ESCC steadily increased about 3-, 9-, and 27-folds. The sensitivity and the specificity for autoantibodies against the six TAAs in diagnosing ESCC reached up to 64% and 94%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the six anti-TAA autoantibodies was 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.74-0.83). No more increasing in sensitivity was found with the addition of new anti-TAA autoantibodies. A combination detection of autoantibodies to TAAs might distinguish ESCC patients from normal individuals and the patients with esophageal precancerous lesions.

Purpose: Aiming at starting the ball rolling and contributing humble effort to promoting traditional Chinese medicine, we report one successful case of “GP” regimen of combining chemotherapy with traditional Chinese medicine decoction (“lung description”) for breast cancer with lung and bone metastases. Patients and Methods: A second-line chemotherapy regimen of GP (cisplatin + gemcitabine) was applied. In the meantime, we administered Chinese herbal medicine (Fei Decoction, mixed with a variety of effective herbal components) to help her recover from the poor condition. Results: The tumor markers (CEA, CA15-3) had dramatically decreased to the normal range. Both lung and bone metastatic sites reduced according to CT and ECT imaging, and this patient felt free from the complaint of pulmonary and cardiac discomfort. The quality of life has been greatly improved, and the PFS (Progression-Free-Survival) and TTP (Time-to-Progression) have been prolonged from the onset to date. Conclusions: In the course of this combined treatment, it has been shown that Chinese herbal medicine played an important role in the therapy of breast mammary carcinoma. Therefore, Chinese herb may turn out to be an additional choice with its better benefits and tolerability in the treatment of recurrent breast mammary carcinoma.

Laparoscopic hernia repair in infancy and childhood is still debatable. The objective of this study is to compare laparoscopic-assisted hernia repair (LH) versus open herniotomy (OH) as regards operative time, postoperative complications, recurrence rate, and contralateral metachronous hernia rate. We analyzed all the patients with inguinal hernia who underwent surgery in our hospital from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. There were 1125 patients, of which 202 patients received laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (group A) and 923 patients received open herniotomy (group B). We recalled all the patients’ records to identify operative time, postoperative hydrocele formation, and contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPP) detection; we recalled all the patients’ parents to identify the ipsilateral and contralateral recurrence and the testis position. During the study period, the lost to follow-up rate is 9.9% in group A and 14.1% in group B. The mean follow-up period was about 10.1 months. The mean operative time for females with bilateral hernia in group A was much shorter than that for those in group B (P = 0.001). The postoperative hydrocele formation rate in group A was 1.5%, compared with 8.2% in group B (P = 0.001). The recurrence rate was 0.64% in group A, whereas in group B the recurrence rate was 0.46%. Of patients with unilateral hernia, none in group A experienced a contralateral metachronous hernia (MH) compared with 10.1% in group B (P

To explore the potential role and mechanism of microRNA(miR)-30a in myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction (MI).Rats were randomly divided into 1 week MI group (n=11), 2 weeks MI group (n=13) and 4 weeks MI group (n=15) by applying random number table after left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Rats in Sham group were examined at respective time points (n=16). Heart function was monitored by echocardiography. Myocardial collagen volume fraction (CVF) was determined on Masson stained sections. Myocardial expression of collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ was determined by immunohistochemistry. The myocardial mRNA level of miR-30a, TGF-β1 and CTGF were detected by real time-quantitative PCR analysis. The myocardial protein levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF were measured by Western blot analysis.The LVEDD ((8.37±0.58) mm) and LVESD ((6.12±0.82) mm) in 4 weeks MI group were significantly higher than those in Sham group ((6.08±0.57) mm, (4.17±0.60) mm), all P0.01. The FS ((27.0±3.9) %) and LVEF ((51.0±6.3) %) in 4 weeks MI group were significantly lower than those in Sham group ((47.0±2.1) %, (82.0±2.3)%), all P0.01. The level of myocardial CVF in 1 week MI group, 2 weeks MI group and 4 weeks MI group were significantly higher than in Sham group (all P0.01) in a time-dependent manner. The level of myocardial collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ was increased gradually from 1 week to 4 weeks post MI compared with Sham group (all P0.01). The collagen Ⅰ/Ⅲ ratio was similar between 1 week MI group and Sham group (P=0.58), however, which was significantly higher in 2 weeks MI group and 4 weeks MI group compared with Sham group (all P0.01), and the ratio was significantly higher in 4 weeks MI group than 2 weeks MI group (P0.01). The level of miR-30a was significantly and gradually reduced in all MI groups compared with Sham group (all P0.01). The mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF were significantly and gradually increased after MI compared with Sham group (all P0.001).Our results indicate that overexpression of miR-30a after MI might be a potential strategy for suppressing myocardial fibrosis by modulating the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF.

This study was carried out to investigate the expression changes of RanBP9 in tissue specimens and osteosarcoma cell strains and preliminarily explore its mechanism in osteosarcoma, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for follow-up experiments. The expression of RanBP9 in human osteosarcoma tissue specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry and the expression of RanBP9 messenger ribose nucleic acid (mRNA) in osteosarcoma cell strains was detected in real-time with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and finally the expression of RanBP9 protein in osteosarcoma cell strains was detected by immunofluorescent staining and Western blot. Results demonstrated that RanBP9 was widely expressed in tissues, but also highly expressed in cells; moreover, the expression of RanBP9 was mainly concentrated in cytoplasm and nucleus, and partial expression was found in cell membrane. Thus, it can be concluded that RanBP9 is positively expressed in bone tumor tissues and cell strains.

Summary Lymphoedema–distichiasis syndrome (LDS) is a syndromic form of primary lymphoedema associated with double rows of eyelashes (distichiasis). Mutations in the FOXC2 gene were reported to be associated with this syndrome. In this study, we identified in a Chinese LDS pedigree a novel FOXC2 gene mutation, C.370C>T, leading to p.Leu124Phe. The novel mutation is not a common polymorphism, but is co-inherited with the disease.

Experimental data collected in heavy ion collisions at RHIC energies strongly support quark matter formation and the presence of quark coalescence at these energies. Hadronization of quark matter and hadron formation in heavy ion collisions can be described by the coalescence process, and measured data could have been reproduced successfully. Theoretical calculations are based on a quantum mechanical description of coalescence. Here we investigate the robustness of the coalescence description, using different wave-function overlap during hadron formation.

The paper stresses the role of new classes of generalized invex monotonicity in the convergence of iterative schemes for solving a variational-like inequality problem on a closed convex set.

The dried roots of the plant Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) are used in traditional Oriental medicine and reportedly possess anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. However, whether AS has the same anti-inflammatory effect in vivo and the underlying mechanisms of this action remain unknown. In this study, we pretreated a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury with AS and found that the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were reduced and that inflammation in lung tissues was attenuated. To determine the mechanisms of these actions, we next assessed the effects of AS on the activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-kB pathway. We found that AS decreased the level of NF-kB and the DNA-binding activity of NF-kB. In summary, we found that AS attenuated the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the lung tissue of a mouse model of acute lung injury by inhibiting the NF-kB pathway.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered as an attractive tool for the therapy of diseases. Accumulating evidence indicates that the healing effects of MSCs are mainly related to paracrine action rather than transdifferentiation. Exosomes excreted from MSCs have emerged as physiologically relevant and powerful components of the MSC secretome. However, whether MSC-derived exosomes can improve erectile function of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and its mechanism remains unknown. Our previous work showed that adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) transplantation could increase endothelial and smooth muscle contents and improve erectile function of diabetic rats. In this study, ADSC-derived exosomes (ADSC-Exo) exhibited in vitro proangiogenic properties, induced the proliferation of endothelial cells and restored erectile function in vivo, as well as decreased fibrosis of corpus cavernosum. In further experiments, we found that ADSC-Exo contained some proangiogenic (miR-126, miR-130a and miR-132) microRNAs and an antifibrotic microRNA family (miR-let7b and miR-let7c). Thus, it is reasonable to postulate that ADSC-Exo transports key functional miRNAs to target cells in a specific manner to improve functional recovery or to activate endogenous repair mechanisms. This proof-of-concept study provides a novel approach for the treatment of diabetic erectile dysfunction.

To explore the value of morphological classification in predicting malignant transformation in multiple exostoses (ME).The imaging data of 116 patients (totally 190 tumors) with ME were retrospectively analyzed. All the tumors were pathology confirmed after surgical resection, including 175 exostoses from 101 patients, and 15 exostotic chondrosarcomas in 15 cases. Based on the ratio of diameter between tumor tip and tumor base (R1), tumors were classified into two types: cauliflower-like tumor (R1 ≥ 1.0) and non-cauliflower-like tumor (R11.0). In addition, non-cauliflower-like tumors were further classified into two subtypes according to the ratio of tumor height to tumor base diameter: sessile type (R21.0) and pedunculated type (R2 ≥ 1.0). The relationship between tumor shape and malignant transformation was studied.Of all the 175 exostoses from 101 patients, 27 were cauliflower-like tumors and 148 were non-cauliflower-like tumors. Of all the 15 exostotic chondrosarcomas in 15 cases, most tumors were cauliflower-like (c2 = 38.0075, p0.05). Cauliflower-like tumor for the prediction of exostotic chondrosarcoma, the sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value were 86.7%, 84.6%, 32.5%, 98.7%, respectively.Tumor malignant transformation was more common in cauliflower-like tumors than in non-cauliflower-like tumors. The morphological classification and preventive resection of cauliflower-like tumors maybe helpful in preventing the malignant transformation of ME.

The methods of grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation and molecular dynamics (MD) are used for investigating the adsorption and diffusion of benzene in ITQ-1 zeolite. First, the adsorption energies and preferred adsorption sites of benzene in ITQ-1 are determined by using GCMC simulations. The obtained mass clouds show that the diffusion and the mobility of benzene mainly happen in 12-MR supercages where the preferred adsorption sites of benzene can be divided to three separate adsorption sites. Then MD simulations are employed to analyze the dynamic diffusion processes in zeolite. The calculated diffusion coefficients are compared with the results of Sastre et al. (Sastre, G.; Catlow, C.; Corma, A. J. Phys. Chem. 1999, 103, 5187). From the trajectories followed by the benzene molecules, it can be seen that the guest molecules do not diffuse in both channel systems, and only intracage mobility is seen in the supercage voids. Moreover, the two benzene molecules near the S2 and S3 sites prefer to ado...

The electron swarm growth processes in SF6-Xe gas mixtures have been studied by a pulsed Townsend method over the range 32.24≤E/N≤564.2 Td (1 Td = 10-21 Vm2), where E is the electric field and N is the gas density of the mixture. The variation patterns as a function of the density-reduced electric field of the effective ionization coefficient , electron drift velocity Ve and longitudinal diffusion coefficient DL in SF6-Xe gas mixtures have been given. The dielectric strength of SF6-Xe gas mixtures has also been determined, which varies linearly with SF6 concentration in the gas mixtures.

Currently only a few package inserts of once-daily medications specially define the dosing time, although sporadic studies have demonstrated administration time-dependent effects on the therapeutic outcome. Some chronotherapeutic approaches aim to diminish the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and hence better tolerance and medication compliance whereas most of the chronotherapies are recommended to improve therapeutic efficacy. The administration time-dependent efficacy seems not a common feature of drugs within the similar therapeutic or structural class and it is related to kinds of drugs, pathophysiologic status, clinical symptoms and feedback from patients. Doctors, pharmacists and nurses should know what kind of drug has requirement for optimal dosing time, and realize that better efficacy and lower incidence of ADRs may be achieved by rational arrangement of administration schedule. In order to promote medication compliance, it is essential to provide patient education regarding differences between conventional and chronotherapeutic approaches and pathophysiologic benefits of chronotherapy.

With the experimental data from STAR and PHENIX on the centrality dependence of the ${p}_{T}$ spectra of protons and antiprotons produced at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV, we show that for protons and antiprotons there exists a scaling distribution independent of the colliding centrality. The scaling functions can also describe data from BRAHMS for both proton and antiproton spectra at $y=2.2$ and 3.2. The scaling behaviors are shown to be incompatible with the usual string fragmentation scenario for particle production.

Recent experimental data support the presence of quark coalescence in heavy ion collisions at RHIC energies. Hadronization of quark matter and hadron formation in heavy ion collisions can be described by the coalescence process, and measured data are reproduced successfully. On the other hand, the theoretical coalescence calculations are based on a non-relativistic description. Here we investigate the robustness of the coalescence description, using different wave-function overlap during hadron formation., To appear in the proceedings of International Conference on Strangeness in Quark Matter (SQM 2007), Levoca, Slovakia, 24-29 Jun 2007. 6 pages, 4 figures

With the experimental data from the STAR, PHENIX, and BRAHMS programs on the centrality and rapidity dependence of the ${p}_{T}$ spectrum in Au+Au and $d+\mathrm{Au}$ collisions, we show that a scaling distribution exists that is independent of the colliding system, centrality, and rapidity. The parameter for the average transverse momentum $\ensuremath{\langle}{p}_{T}\ensuremath{\rangle}$ increases from peripheral to central $d+$Au collisions. This increase accounts for the enhancement of particle production in those collisions. A nonextensive entropy is used to derive the scaling function.

A new set of swarm data in and helium were experimentally determined by the pulsed Townsend method over the range Td (1 Td V ): the effective ionization coefficient , the drift velocity and the longitudinal diffusion coefficient . The limiting values of -He gas mixtures were derived from the experiment and found to vary linearly with the concentration in the mixtures.

Recent experimental data support the presence of quark coalescence in heavy ion collisions at RHIC energies. Hadronization of quark matter and hadron formation in heavy ion collisions can be described by the coalescence process, and measured data are reproduced successfully. On the other hand, the theoretical coalescence calculations are based on a non-relativistic description. Here we investigate the robustness of the coalescence description, using different wave-function overlap during hadron formation.