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The physical environment of urban public facilities is an important driver for public health and work efficiency. Unfortunately, citizens are exposed to negative physical environments because of inappropriate spatial forms in urban growth boundaries. This study aims to explore psychophysical drivers and their spatial distribution in campus city community life circles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Questionnaires and measuring equipment were used to gather psychophysical information in a 15 min campus city community life circle in Fuzhou, China. To this end, acoustic, light and thermal environments were used to map spatial distributions. We then explored relationships between spatial form and psychophysical parameters. The study results show that the distance to road (DTR), green area ratio (GR) and street width (SW) are all potential spatial drivers for psychophysical information. Furthermore, the acoustical, light and thermal environments provide interactions for the public understanding of the environment. These findings contribute to the understanding and evaluation of psychophysical drivers, spurring regional industry in community life circles and contributing to developing suitable plans and industrial distribution in urban areas.

OBJECTIVE To externally validate the Ovarian-adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) and evaluate its performance in differentiating benign from malignant adnexal masses (AMs) compared with the Gynecologic Imaging Reporting and Data System (GI-RADS) and Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX). METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on 734 cases from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. All patients underwent transvaginal or transabdominal ultrasound examination. Pathological diagnoses were obtained for all the included AMs. O-RADS, GI-RADS, and ADNEX were used to evaluate AMs by two sonologists, and the diagnostic efficacy of the three systems was analyzed and compared using pathology as the gold standard. We used the kappa index to evaluate the inter-reviewer agreement (IRA). RESULTS A total of 734 AMs, including 564 benign masses, 69 borderline masses, and 101 malignant masses were included in this study. O-RADS (0.88) and GI-RADS (0.90) had lower sensitivity than ADNEX (0.95) (P

To investigate whether physicians with short-term training can use a modified lung ultrasound scoring system for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia to assess lung damage in pregnant women.Sixteen consecutively hospitalized third-trimester pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, rheumatoid arthritis or connective tissue disease were selected as the study subjects for the simulation of COVID-19 pneumonia. Two physicians (imaging and internal medicine) without ultrasonic experience performed lung examinations on pregnant women after six days of lung ultrasound training, and their consistency with examinations by the expert was assessed. In addition, 54 healthy third-trimester pregnant women and 54 healthy nonpregnant women of the same age who were continuously treated in the outpatient clinic of this hospital were selected for comparisons of abnormalities on lung ultrasound.(1) Third trimester pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, rheumatoid arthritis or connective tissue disease had the same lung ultrasound patterns as those associated with COVID-19 pneumonia. (2) There was no statistically significant difference between the scores of the two trained doctors and the expert when the modified ultrasound scoring system was used (After receiving short-term training, imaging and internal medicine physicians can use the modified lung ultrasound scoring system to evaluate pregnant women's pulmonary damage, but caution is needed to avoid false-positive results among pregnant women with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of malignant cells, possessing stemness, with strong tumorigenic capability, conferring resistance to therapy and leading to the relapse of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Our previous study suggested that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) would be a novel target for the CSCs-like side population (SP) cells in NPC. In the present study, we further found that COX-2 maintained the stemness of NPC by enhancing the activity of mitochondrial dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a mitochondrial fission mediator, by studying both sorted SP cells from NPC cell lines and gene expression analyses in NPC tissues. Using both overexpression and knockdown of COX-2, we demonstrated that the localization of COX-2 at mitochondria promotes the stemness of NPC by recruiting the mitochondrial translocation of p53, increasing the activity of Drp1 and inducing mitochondrial fisson. Inhibition of the expression or the activity of Drp1 by siRNA or Mdivi-1 downregulates the stemness of NPC. The present study also found that inhibition of mitochondrial COX-2 with resveratrol (RSV), a natural phytochemical, increased the sensitivity of NPC to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a classical chemotherapy drug for NPC. The underlying mechanism is that RSV suppresses mitochondrial COX-2, thereby reducing NPC stemness by inhibiting Drp1 activity as demonstrated in both the in vitro and the in vivo studies. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that mitochondrial COX-2 is a potential theranostic target for the CSCs in NPC. Inhibition of mitochondrial COX-2 could be an attractive therapeutic option for the effective clinical treatment of therapy-resistant NPC.

Digital-mask lithography systems, with a digital micromirror device (DMD) as their central piece, have been widely used for defining patterns on printed circuit board (PCB). This study designed optical module parameters for point-array projection lithography based on field tracing technique to improve the quality of the aerial image on the exposure plane. In the realized optical module for the point-array projection lithography, a DMD was used as the dynamic digital-mask, and a 405-nm-wavelength laser was used to illuminate the DMD. The laser was then focused through the micro-lens array in the optical module to form a point array and was projected onto a dynamic scanning stage. By calculating the beam-overlapping rate, stage velocity, spot diameter, and DMD frame rate and programming them into the stage- and DMD-synchronized controller, the point array formed line patterns on the photoresist. Furthermore, using pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to operate the activation periods of the DMD mirrors effectively controlled the exposure and achieved a feature linewidth of less than 10 μm.

Based on the logic of the job demands-resources model, we argue that work-related factors that demand workers’ resources, such as job overload and organizational constraints, may lead to work–family conflict through emotional exhaustion. Other work-related factors that generate resources for workers, such as job autonomy and task significance, may lead to work–family facilitation through job satisfaction. Analyzing survey data collected from different sources among professional nurses in Taiwan, we use structural equation modeling technique to find support for our hypotheses. Our study complements the work and family literature by demonstrating the mechanisms through which work-related factors may demand or provide workers with resources that lead to work–family conflict and work–family facilitation, respectively.

Core-shell-isolated nanorods can be used to amplify the signals of target cancer antigen molecules. Recent research has suggested that these nanorods feature surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals superior to those of nanoparticles. In this study, nanorod geometrical models based on core-shell-isolated nanocapsule morphology were employed to analyze the scattered power density in three-dimensional spaces. Superior to the conventional cross-section field analysis method, the average scattered power density based method in this presentation could verify the enhancement effects from all possible positions on the nanorod surface. The numerical results in this study were also compared with the experimental results described in the literature. The resonance scattering power reached the maximal value when the radius of the ${\rm Au/SiO}_{2}$ and ${\rm Ag/SiO}_{2}$ nanorods was 20 nm. At an incident wavelength of 751 nm, the ${\rm Au/SiO}_{2}$ and ${\rm Au/Al}_{2}{\rm O}_{3}$ nanorods achieved maximal scattered power density when spacing $d=30~{\rm nm}$ . Conversely, the ${\rm Au/TiO}_{2}$ nanorods achieved maximum scattered power density when spacing $d=40~{\rm nm}$ . When the core was Au, nanorods with shell thickness $h$ of 1 nm produced a resonant scattering intensity same as it by the nanorods without shells. The numerical results also indicated a stronger resonance peak when the incident ray illuminated the major-axis plane of the ${\rm Au/SiO}_{2}$ nanorods. When the incident ray illuminated the curvature plane of the nanorods, the resonance wavelength clearly shifted toward the UV wavelength range. The four ${\rm Au/SiO}_{2}$ nanorods with symmetric arrangement achieved the highest resonance peak when the nanorod spacing was 30 nm. This presentation can serve as a key reference for the design of core-shell-isolated nanorods as highly sensitive SERS substrates.

Cancer stem cells play a central role in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and contribute to both disease initiation and relapse. In this study, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was found to regulate cancer stem-like side population cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and enhance cancer stem-like cells' characteristics such as higher colony formation efficiency and overexpression of stemness-associated genes. The regulatory effect of COX-2 on cancer stem-like characteristics may be mediated by ABCG2. COX-2 overexpression by a gain-of-function experiment increased the proportion of side population cells and their cancer stemness properties. The present study also demonstrated that in contrast to the classical chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil, which increased the proportion of side population cells and upregulated the expression of COX-2, parthenolide, a naturally occurring small molecule, preferentially targeted the side population cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and downregulated COX-2. Moreover, we found that the cancer stem-like cells' phenotype was suppressed by using COX-2 inhibitors NS-398 and CAY10404 or knocking down COX-2 with siRNA and shRNA. These findings suggest that COX-2 inhibition is the mechanism by which parthenolide induces cell death in the cancer stem-like cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In addition, parthenolide exhibited an inhibitory effect on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) nucler translocation by suppressing both the phosphorylation of IκB kinase complex and IκBα degradation. Taken together, these results suggest that parthenolide may exert its cancer stem cell-targeted chemotherapy through the NF-κB/COX-2 pathway.

Injection molding is one of several molding technology of microcellular foamed plastics. This paper mainly discusses the injection molding mechanism and applications of microcellular foamed plastics here, and analyzes the influence of microcellular foamed plastics injection molding process parameters, including injection pressure, melt temperature, injection time, etc.; At the same time, this paper makes a more systematic discussions for the injection molding technology of microcellular foamed plastics, and the typical cases of microcellular foamed plastics in engineering application are introduced in detail.

Filter paper splash procedure is a kind of measuring means to raindrop size. It is used widely and operated briefly and its cost is low. The article mainly introduces the influence of different heights to the stain diameter and the relationship between stain diameter and the raindrops. According to the experiment, the relation between the stain diameter and the raindrops is d=0.478D0.610.it is the research foundation of filter paper stain method. According to the data from Fangxian area using the method of filter paper splash procedure, we can conclude that the raindrop kinetic energy has a positive relationship with rainfall intensity. The research is useful for measuring the water and soil loss.Water and soil loss is one of the global environment problems. The most important factor which can cause water and soil loss is rainfall. The research on raindrop kinetic energy is important for the further analysis of water and soil loss. A classical approach for the research on raindrop kinetic energy is paper splash procedure. The relationship between stain diameter and raindrop diameter shall be calibrated in this approach. In general, influences from titrated water drop height and stain diameter are not considered in the calibration process. In this experiment, influences of rain drop height on stain diameter are researched in the stain calibration, settling basis for the research on local volume of water and soil loss.

For video websites, advertising is an important method to earn operating funds. They always increase advertising to get more profit. Thus it may have a negative effect on user experience. In order to know how to reduce the negative effect, this paper offers a system dynamics method to analyze the relationship between advertising on video website and user experience. The model highlights six factors that affect user experience: level of advertising design, number of ads, level of website design, degree of advertising hidden, length of ads and degree of advertising mandatory. Real data are collected through financial reports and survey. Based on the simulation results, some opinions and suggestions for advertising are put up.

The thin-walled components of aero industries in general have complex structures whose machining accuracy is very difficult to be guaranteed because of the weak rigidness. To resolve the problem of the thin-walled disc clamping deformation, one novel clamping approach with flexible clamping capability is proposed in this paper. The surface morphology measuring systems (SMMS) and fast servo cutting system (FSCS) are developed, and its microstructure morphology duplicating accuracy is experimentally proved to be about 1μm under working environment. The clamping deformation is clarified weaker via flexible clamping approach which makes thin-walled disc morphology uniformly adaptive to the clamp.

A new gas sensor was designed based on cataluminescence (CTL) by using catalytic reduction of benzene, toluene and xylene (BTEX) on the surface of nanosized catalyst Al2O3/Pt with hydrogen as the carrier gas. The result indicated that the sensor showed strong CTL response, high selectivity and excellent durability under optimal conditions: Al2O3/Pt (1%), the temperature of 395oC, the wavelength of 425 nm and the flow rate of 270 mL/min. The detection limit (3σ) is 0.2 ppm for benzene, 0.3 ppm for toluene and xylene. Other corresponding substances such as methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, ethylacetate, ammonia and trichloromethane had no or less interference. It is a simple and convenient sensor with good selectivity and sensitivity for detecting BTEX.

The objective of this study was to determine the dynamic changes of circulating osteocalcin(+) (OCN(+)) cells and insulinlike growth factor-I (IGF-I) in peripheral blood during early primary repair of jaw bones in patients with orthognathic surgery.The expression of bone-related genes was detected by RT-PCR in circulating OCN(+) cells. The numbers of OCN(+) cells and serum level of IGF-I were determined by flow cytometry, immunocytochemical staining, and ELISA.OCN(+) cells significantly increased in peripheral blood, and reached the peak at 1 to 2 weeks after surgery (P.05). IGF-I in patients significantly decreased 1 week after surgery (P.05), and then returned gradually to the normal level. There was no significant correlation between the number of circulating OCN(+) cells and the level of IGF-I (P.05).These findings suggested that circulating OCN(+) cells, at least in part, could be mobilized in response to bone injury, and contribute to bone repair in patients with orthognathic surgery.

In this paper, a computer vision based volume measurement system for rail tanker is proposed. Considering the complex environment, we propose an accurate identification algorithm of coded point and a precise localization algorithm. By investigating the epipolar geometry among three views, this paper develops a novel method for metric reconstruction of a scene based on the trilinear relations. Through the method of ordering incomplete scattered data presented, we construct a series of cross-section contours for a tanker and achieve a precise reconstruction of the surface of the tanker. Experiments show that, the volume measurement method for rail tanker based on computer vision can be operated with simplicity and high accuracy.

Ultrasonic welding is the application of high-technology for welding thermoplastic products. Various thermoplastic parts can be treated by ultrasonic welding without adding any solvent, adhesive or other auxiliaries, which can increase productivity many times, reduce cost and improve the quality of products. Ultrasonic welding technology is being used widely. This article focuses on the application of ultrasonic welding technology, and has a detailed statement of the design of welding spot by using ultrasonic welding technology, the welding structure, the design requirement for ultrasonic welding, and the ultrasonic welding process.

The hot runner technology is an advanced & applied technology in process of forming of an injection mold. As soon as the hot runner technology is applied in injection molds, it will obtain the aim for optimization of product quality, increasing efficiency of production, saving raw materials, saving energy, decreasing cost of products and so on. The article will mainly discusses the applied study of hot runner technology in injection mold, and has a detailed explanation for the design instances of hot runner technology in injection mold, the suitability of hot runner system and the technological & economical analyses of hot runner molds.

Highly active calcium chloride (CaCl2) doped Zn-CoIII double metal-cyanide (Ca-DMC) catalysts were firstly reported. Ca-DMCs presented a very higher polymer yield (>54 kg polymer/g catalyst) at relative low temperature (80–115 °C) toward ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of propylene oxide (PO) than did DMC catalysts without modification.

The Bmal1 gene plays a key role in controlling circadian rhythms. To better understand how the Bmal1 gene affects tumour growth and the response to anti-cancer drugs, we examined the effect of knockdown of Bmal1 by RNAi both in vitro and in vivo. Down-regulation of Bmal1 gene expression accelerated cell proliferation in vitro and promoted tumour growth in mice. Suppressing Bmal1 expression in murine colon cancer cells (C26) and fibroblast cells (L929) decreased apoptosis induced by Etoposid, reduced the distribution of cells in the G2/M phases treated by Docetaxel and decreased DNA damage induced by Cisplatin. Loss of Bmal1 reduced the expression of per1, per2, per3, wee1 and p53. The expression of p21 and c-myc was also altered in certain cell lines. However, Bmal1 deficiency increased the protein levels of cdc2, cyclin B1, cyclin D1 and cyclin E. Wee1 and cyclin A expression was minimally altered. Thus, the circadian clock gene Bmal1 plays a role in regulating tumour cell apoptosis, cell-cycle progression and DNA damage response and in homoeostasis regulation. Down-regulation of Bmal1 accelerates the development of tumours and may influence the response to anti-cancer drugs.

Highly active CaCl2-modified Zn-Co(III) DMCs were prepared. XRD results showed that the modified catalyst Ca-DMC containing 0.14 wt.-% CaCl2 was amorphous. A higher polymer yield (>61 kg polymer/g catalyst) and a shorter induction period for ROP of PO were observed for Ca-DMC than for unmodified DMC catalysts. An initiator had an inhibitory effect on the initiation and polymerization rate of PO ROP. As the molar ratio of the initiator functionality to the catalyst was increased, the reaction rate and polymer yield decreased, whereas the induction period increased. An increase in reaction temperature tended to reduce the polymer yield and broaden the MWD. The 13C NMR spectrum for an oligomer from a model polymerization without an initiator revealed that the main terminal unit of the polymer was CH2CH(CH3)OH because H2O in the system participated in reaction initiation. Cl− and t-BuOH may also initiate the reaction according to the small amounts of terminal CH2Cl and OC(CH3)3 units observed by 13C NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of common characteristics and some new evidence for DMC catalysis, a mechanism similar to a classical coordination insertion process is proposed.

A bismaleimide monomer, 4,4′-bis(4-maleimidophenoxy)-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl biphenyl (BMITB), was synthesized in high yield (94%) via a facile four-step reaction from 2,2′,6,6′-tetramethyl-4,4′-biphenol. The chemical structure of BMITB was confirmed by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analysis. The monomer used to modify the epoxy cresol-formaldehyde novolac resin (ECN)/diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) system. Cured ECN/BMITB/DDS blends with higher BMITB content had two distinct glass transition temperatures that were above 250°C according to differential scanning calorimetry, indicating that an interpenetrated polymer network structure may be formed. The initial thermal decomposition temperature and integral procedure decomposition temperature of the cured ECN/BMITB/DDS blends were >390 and 1080°C, respectively, according to thermogravimetric analyses. No phase separation was observed in dynamic mechanical analysis of cured ECN/BMITB/DDS blends with small amounts of BMITB (5 and 10 wt%). POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers

This study was designed to investigate persistence of gentamicin residues in milk after the intramammary treatment of lactating cows for mastitis. Milk samples were collected at a 1-d interval after the last administration from 34 individual cows that had received intramammary infusions of gentamicin. The doses and treatment times evaluated in this study represented those that have been applied by veterinarians in practice. The tetrazolium chloride assay was used to determine whether there were significant residues of the antibiotic in the samples. Persistence of detectable drug residues in milk from 33 cows (28 cows,or=6 infusions ator=0.7 g gentamicin; and 5 cows, 2 infusions at 0.8 g gentamicin) did not exceed 5 d; but 1 cow (5 infusions at 0.8 g gentamicin) had detectable residues in its milk for 9 d. Our results suggest that a 5-d milk withdrawal period might be insufficient to secure the clearance of the contamination of gentamicin, because treatment times and dosages contribute to the antibiotic clearance. A larger scale of samples are needed for further investigations.

Background Impaired artery elasticity has been found in various pathological conditions related to endothelial dysfunction. Recently, CD31+/CD42− microparticles (MPs) emerged as a marker of endothelial injury. Whether CD31+/CD42− MPs, generated under physiological conditions, are correlated with artery properties has not been reported. Methods We evaluated brachia–ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) ( n = 76) and C1 large-artery and C2 small-artery elasticity indices ( n = 56), using noninvasive devices for pulse-wave analysis in a group of healthy persons. The number of circulating CD31+/CD427− MPs ( n = 76) was measured by flow cytometric analysis. Results Circulating CD31+/CD42− MPs were positively correlated with values of baPWV ( r = 0.371, P = .008) and with C1 large-artery and C2 small-artery elasticity indices ( r = −0.294, P = .037; and r = −0.310, P = .027, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified CD31+/CD42− MPs as potent contributors to the development of impaired systemic artery elasticity. Conclusions The level of circulating CD31+/CD42− MPs, an important biomarker of dysfunctional endothelium and vascular injury, is closely associated with impaired systemic artery elasticity in healthy subjects. The present study suggests that CD31+/CD42− MPs may be a novel surrogate marker for the clinical evaluation of vascular damage.

Double metal cyanide (DMC) complexes based on Zn3[Co(CN)6]2 were prepared using different zinc salts and complexing agents and They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and XRD. The catalytic properties of DMC complexes were determined in polymerization of propylene oxide. Great differences in morphology of DMC complexes was were correlated with preparation route as well as with the kind of zinc salts employed. The catalytic activity was strongly dependent on the morphology of DMC complexes and composition of catalysts. The study revealed that the amorphous catalyst made from ZnCl2 and t-BuOH had the highest activity (up to 26 kg polymer/g catalyst). The DMC catalyst was non-stoichiometric. Polymerization of propylene oxide (PO) catalyzed by DMC proceeded in a controlled manner. The molecular weight of each polymer was controlled by the monomer/initiator ratio, the values of molecular weight distribution (MWD) were in the range of 1.23–1.48. The polymer has an atactic structure and a head-to-tail regiosequance.

A double metal-cyanide catalyst based on Zn 3 [Co(CN) 6 ] 2 was prepared. This catalyst is very effective for the ring-opening polymerization of propylene oxide. Polyether polyols of moderate molecular weight having low unsaturation (

Aims and background To identify and partially characterize the side population cells derived from three human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines. Methods Side population cells were sorted from the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines SW1990, Capan-2, and BxPC-3 using flow cytometry and then analyzed for cell proliferation, clone formation, differentiation, chemoresistance, invasive potential, and tumorigenicity in a mouse model. Results Human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines SW1990, Capan-2, and BxPC-3 contain 2.7% ±0.35%, 3.6%± 1.2%, and 2.8%± 0.8% side population cells, respectively. We further investigated cancer stem cell characteristics with the moderately differentiated human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line SW1990. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that side population cells could differentiate into side population and non-side population cells and could exhibit differentiation potential. Using a clone formation assay, side population cells were shown to have a higher proliferation than non-side population cells. Compared to non-side population cells, side population cells were also more resistant to gemcitabine, a commonly used anti-cancer agent against pancreatic carcinoma, and were more invasive. Importantly, the CD133 level in side population cells was significantly higher than that in non-side population cells. The enhanced tumorigenecity was further confirmed in a male diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mouse model. As few as 3 × 103 side population cells were sufficient to induce tumor formation in the mouse model, compared to 107 non-side population or unsorted cells. Conclusions Side population cells isolated from human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines harbor cancer stem cell-like properties that may be related to the invasive potential and therapeutic-resistance of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Free full text available at www.tumorionline.it

It has been recently reported that a side population of cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) displayed characteristics of stem-like cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of such stem-like cell populations in NPC remain unclear. Epstein-Barr virus was the first identified human tumor virus to be associated with various malignancies, most notably NPC. LMP2A, the Epstein-Barr virus encoded latent protein, has been reported to play roles in oncogenic processes. We report by immunostaining in our current study that LMP2A is overexpressed in 57.6% of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumors sampled and is mainly localized at the tumor invasive front. We found also in NPC cells that the exogenous expression of LMP2A greatly increases their invasive/migratory ability, induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like cellular marker alterations, and stimulates stem cell side populations and the expression of stem cell markers. In addition, LMP2A enhances the transforming ability of cancer cells in both colony formation and soft agar assays, as well as the self-renewal ability of stem-like cancer cells in a spherical culture assay. Additionally, LMP2A increases the number of cancer initiating cells in a xenograft tumor formation assay. More importantly, the endogenous expression of LMP2A positively correlates with the expression of ABCG2 in NPC samples. Finally, we demonstrate that Akt inhibitor (V) greatly decreases the size of the stem cell side populations in LMP2A-expressing cells. Taken together, our data indicate that LMP2A induces EMT and stem-like cell self-renewal in NPC, suggesting a novel mechanism by which Epstein-Barr virus induces the initiation, metastasis and recurrence of NPC., Author Summary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects about 90% of people worldwide and persists benignly as a latent infection. However, EBV is associated with different types of human cancer. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most commonly known EBV associated cancer and expresses a well defined set of latent viral genes, including LMP2A, which has been detected in the majority of NPC samples. Several studies indicated this latent viral protein drove cellular invasion and metastasis. For this study, enforced LMP2A expressing NPC cell lines were generated. We show here that LMP2A induces an Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and increases the Stem-like Cancer Cells in NPC. Our results suggest that LMP2A supports tumor initiation and recurrence of the infected nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. For the first time we report a virus protein that functions in the initiation and progression of cancer by inducing the cancer stem-like cells. These findings permit a more detailed understanding of function and contribution to viral pathogenesis and provide a novel therapeutic target for NPC therapy.

The niche width and niche overlap of macrozoobenthos dominant species in the intertidal zone of Jiaojiang Estuary in October 2007 were analyzed based on niche theory, and the effects of natural factors (salinity, water temperature, sediment temperature, beach width, and sediment grain size) and environmental factors (contents of oils and heavy metals) on the environmental heterogeneity as well as the relationships between selected environmental factors and quantitative distribution of various groups of macrozoobenthos were studied by using canonical correspondence analysis method. The macrozoobenthos dominant species in study area were classified into four groups, i. e., burrowing surface predator, surface grazer, subsurface filter feeder, and subsurface swallow feeder, based on their feeding types. There were great differences in the niche widths among the groups, with the maximum of 0.428 and the minimum of 0.168, which suggested that different groups had different adaptive capacity to the environmental factors. At the level of niche overlap value higher than 0.6, Macrophthalmus japonicas and M. definitus of Group 1, Lunatica gilva, Bullacta exarata, Decorifera insignis, Assiminea brevicula and Cerithidae ornate of Group 2, and Moerella iridescens, Glauconome chinensis and Potamocorbula laevis of Group 3 had a biologically significant niche overlap, indicating their similar behavior in utilizing natural feeding resources.

Mobile terminals hold an important position in the mobile communication industry. Different strategies to control terminal provision are adopted by mobile network operators. Especially in the recent years, in the 3G services development, terminal subsidy and customization strategy is adopted by many operators. This paper aims to discuss how the operators' strategies of 3G terminal customization influence the diffusion rate of 3G services. The research begins with a literature review on the theories of innovation diffusion. The factors affecting the diffusion rate of mobile services are identified as the stand-alone value of the service, the switching cost of customers, the availability of capable terminals, the installed base and the marketing strategies for the service. Further analysis finds influencing sub-factors for those factors. For example, the availability of capable terminals is determined by the variety and quantity of terminals, and the compatibility with services, etc. Since there are complicated relationships among all the factors and sub-factors, a System Dynamics (SD) model is set up to simulate the network. The parameter related to terminal strategies is changed to find their effects in a certain market situation. Conclusions are given according to the simulation results.

The fundamental matrix is an effective tool to analyze epipolar geometry. An accurate solution for obtaining fundamental matrices is the basic requirement in many applications of computer vision. When noises and outliers exist in the set of initial match points, the estimation of the fundamental matrix becomes to a tough mission owing to the invalidation of normal linear and iterative methods. This paper proposes a novel robust technique for estimating the fundamental matrix by combining bucketing technique and the least trimmed squares(LTS) regression into one intelligent algorithm. The new algorithm solves the problem of even distribution of sample data. Also, it eliminates limitations on the proportion of outliers and the requirement a predefined threshold. Comparing with traditional robust methods, the proposed approach is proved to be accuracy and robust by simulation and real image experiments.

Ultrastructural characteristics of coelomocytes of the sipunculid Phascolosoma esculenta were studied by transmission electron microscopy. There are several cell types in the coelomic fluid, including three kinds of granulocytes, vesicular cells, germ cells, amoebocytes, phagocytes, and erythrocytes; there are also a new cell complex which is composed of podocytes and granular cells. And several other cell types (erythrocyte and different kinds of granulocytes) gathering together was discovered in the coelomic fluid of P. esculenta. Functional interpretations were provided for these cells using morphological evidence. The coelomocytes from different sipunculid genera and Annelida were compared. The structural diversity of coelomocytes provides both taxonomic characteristics for discriminative identification and phylogenetic markers in Phascolosoma and other sipunculid taxa.

Vascular dysfunction in hypertensive condition is characterized by impaired endothelial function and reduced artery elasticity. Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) are novel evaluation parameters for vascular function. However, their changes in patients with well-controlled blood pressure (BP) have not been fully acquired. To address this issue, circulating EMPs, defined as CD31+/CD42− MPs and baPWV were detected in 30 healthy subjects, 30 uncontrolled hypertensive (UCHT) patients and 23 well-controlled hypertensive (WCHT) patients. UCHT patients displayed elevated baPWV (P

The study was purposed to investigate the effects and mechanism of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on graft-versus-host desease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The model of GVHD in rat had been established by allo-HSCT with donor derived T cells. The occurence of GVHD in recipients was observed in condition with or without donor derived MSC co-transplantation. Effects of MSCs on GVHD were analyzed by model rat survival rate and pathology. Proportions of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells were determined by using label spleen lymphocytes and thymocytes with double fluorescent-labeled antibodies and flow cytometry. The results showed that MSCs inhibited the lethal GVHD after HSC co-transplantation and increased the survival rate. The ratio of CD4/CD8 deceased in GVHD group in different levels, as compared with that in the experimental group. The proportion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells of spleen lymphocytes was 31.55 +/- 7.58% and 20.90 +/- 1.90% in experimental and GVHD groups, respectively. Similarly, the proportion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells of thymocytes was 93.20 +/- 2.69% and 57.17 +/- 6.79% in experimental and the GVHD groups, respectively. Meanwhile the proportion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells was higher in experimental group than that in GVHD group. It is concluded that MSCs may prevent the lethal GVHD after allo-HSC co-transplantation and raise the survival rate of model rats by acting on the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in vivo.

A new method of selecting threshold according to SNR (signal noise ratio) of signal is given in this paper. The problem of denoising laser remote exploration signal with lower SNR is studied. After surveying three denoising methods by wavelet transform: Denoising algorithm by wavelet transform module max, by wavelet coefficients extent correlation and, by wavelet threshold; denoising algorithm by wavelet threshold is selected to denoise laser remote exploration signal. The computer simulation shows: Denoising lower SNR signal by wavelet transform with dynamic threshold is better than doing with soft or hard threshold.

A scheme for sensor online fault diagnosis and reconfiguration was proposed. It was based on the radial basis function network (RBF) which was designed by efficient algorithm of on-line training and parameter optimization. Using multiple model adaptive technique, a set of adaptive neural network observers were designed to restrain modeling uncertainties and the output couple in flight control system. The performance of the scheme was validated by the nonlinear simulation for a fighter within automatic terrain following flight control system. As a conclusion, online accommodation is achieved

To explore the possibility that expressions of different heat shock proteins (HSPs) are specifically involved in the protection of thermal preconditioning against apoptosis of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) induced by repolarization.Western blotting was used to detect expressions of HSP27, HSP70, and HSP90 induced by thermal preconditioning (TP) in CGNs; reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of HSP70 mRNA; apoptosis of CGNs was induced by switching culture medium containing KCl 25 mmol/L to one containing KCl 5 mmol/L.No expression of HSP27 in cerebellar granule neurons was observed with TP at 44 degree. Expression of HSP90 was obvious in CGNs both without and with TP at 44 degree for different periods. Expression of HSP70 protein in CGNs was lower with TP at 44 degree for 5 min, but it increased gradually after the period was prolonged to 30, 60, or 90 min. HSP70 mRNA was detected after TP 44 degree for 30, 60, and 90 min and increased gradually with time. HSP70 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides 10 micromol/L for 72 h inhibited the protective effects of TP at 44 degree on apoptosis of CGNs induced by repolarization.HSP70 is involved in protective effects of thermal preconditioning on apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons induced by repolarization.

To investigate possible intracellular signal molecules involved in diphenylhydantoin (DPH)-mediated apoptosis of cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) and explore possible molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity of DPH.Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) stain, hochest 33258 stain, and agar gel electrophoresis were used to test morphological and biological characters of primary CGN and cortical neurons (CN) in the presence or absence of 100 micromol/L DPH; Western blot and RT-PCR were employed to further investigate apoptotic/survival signal moleculars involved in the neuronal apoptotic signal transdution.DPH 100 micromol/L induced a typical apoptosis of CGN but had no toxicity on CN. Cerebellar granule neural apoptosis induced by 100 micromol/L DPH was significantly inhibited by pre-treatment with SB203580 (10 micromol/L) or CEP-11004 (1 micromol/L) for 1 h. DPH markedly upregulated the levels of phospho-c-Jun (active c-Jun), total c-Jun protein and c-jun mRNA in CGN. The levels of phospho-c-Jun dramatically elevated by DPH at 8 h were significantly inhibited by SB203580 (10 micromol/L) or CEP-11004 (1 micromol/L). Moreover, the activities of p44/42 (ERK1/ERK2), other members of MAP kinases and generally believed to be important survival effetors in CGN, were markedly suppressed. However, the activities of both JNK and p38 were little affected in the process of apoptosis of CGN induced by 100 micromol/L DPH.The selective toxicity of DPH on CGN is likely due to its ability to induce apoptosis of CGN, it is a process involved activation of c-Jun and suppression of the activity of p44/42.

BACKGROUND: Endurance capacity, assessed by 1000-meter (1000 m) run of male university students, is an indicator of cardiovascular fitness in Chinese students physical fitness surveillance. Although cardiovascular fitness is related to endothelial function closely in patients with cardiovascular diseases, it remains unclear whether endurance capacity correlates with endothelial function, especially with circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs), a new sensitive marker of endothelial dysfunction in young students. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between endurance capacity and endothelial function in male university students. METHODS: Forty-seven healthy male university students (mean age, 20.1 ± 0.6 years; mean height, 172.4 ± 6.3 cm; and mean weight, 60.0 ± 8.2 kg) were recruited in this study. The measurement procedure of 1000 m run time was followed to Chinese national students Constitutional Health Criterion. Endothelium function was assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in the brachial artery measured by ultrasonic imaging, and the level of circulating EMPs was measured by flow cytometry. Cardiovascular fitness indicator--maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)--was also measured on a cycle ergometer using a portable gas analyzer. RESULTS: 1000 m run time was correlated with VO2max (r = -0.399, p0.05). CONCLUSION: The correlations between endurance capacity or cardiovascular fitness and endothelial function were not found in healthy Chinese male university students. These results suggest that endurance capacity may not reflect endothelial function in healthy young adults with well preserved FMD and low level of circulating CD31+/CD42-EMPs.