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Background To investigate the value of Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3) on aerobic glycolysis in pancreatic cancer cells, where DKK3-overexpression is used to determine its effects on CD4+ T cells. Methods The BxPC-3-DKK3 cell line was constructed, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was prepared. After isolated the CD4+ T cells, the lactic acid, glucose uptake ability, cellular viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and markers were detected by PCR and western blot, and the concentrations of multiple cytokines were determined using the ELISA method. Results After co-culture with pancreatic cancer cells overexpressing DKK3, the glucose uptake markedly, proliferation enhanced and apoptosis inhibited in CD4+ T cells. The co-culture model also revealed that DKK3-overexpression promotes the activation and regulates the metabolism and function of CD4+ T cells. Conclusions DKK3 alters the metabolic microenvironment of pancreatic cancer cells and further facilitates the function of CD4+ T cells which suggesting that DKK3 may have a therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer.

Background and objective: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a key pathological characteristic in gastric cancer patients. However, the clinical significance of HER2 protein expression in gastric carcinoma remains controversial. The purpose of the study is to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of HER2 protein expression, Lauren classification and P53 expression and evaluate the clinical significance of the HER2 protein expression. Methods: A total of 176 consecutive patients were recruited prospectively between January 2014 and December 2016 in The Second Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Histological analysis was performed on resected tissue for HER2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The patients with IHC grade 2+ were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to assess the expression status of HER2 protein. Moreover, standardized criteria of HER2 protein expression in gastric cancer was used in this study. Additionally, the expression status of HER2 protein and clinicopathological features were analyzed by Chi-square (c2) test. All statistical analyses were conducted using the SPSS 22.0 statistical software program (IBM Corp., SPSS statistics, Chicago, IL).Results: A total of 176 gastric cancer patients were enrolled in this study. Intratumorally heterogeneity of HER2 protein overexpression was 42 of 176 cases with IHC grade 2+ accompanied with FISH positivity and IHC grade 3+. HER2 protein expression correlated with tumor differentiation (p < 0.001), Lauren classification (p = 0.001), Borrmann type (p = 0.003) and P53 expression (p < 0.001). Overall survival (OS) was not analyzed because the follow-up duration was too short and the high rate of missed interview.Conclusions: The overexpression of HER2 protein was determined in 23.9% of the cases and significantly related to Lauren intestinal subtype and P53 expression.

Most disabled people have poor health status. They often have multiple diseases requiring continual medication. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with medication adherence among disabled people, with a particular focus on the factors associated with family and primary health care support. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 226 disabled individuals. The analysis was performed using an ordered logistic regression model, including 4 categories of predictor variables. We found that the community health service center played a positive role in improving medication adherence, whereas the role played by the participant’s family was more complicated. Specifically, those obtaining a brochure were more likely to have higher medication adherence (odds ratio [OR] = 2.732, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.349-5.532). Compared with those who were married, widowed participants (OR = 0.207, 95% CI = 0.069-0.620) and divorced participants (OR = 0.330, 95% CI = 0.057-1.914) had lower odds of having greater adherence, whereas the odds of having greater adherence for single participants were 1.679 times the same odds for married participants (OR = 1.679, 95% CI = 0.668-4.224). The odds of having greater medication adherence for participants receiving help with prescriptions from a family member were almost 60% lower than these odds for those who did not receive this kind of help (OR = 0.460, 95% CI = 0.216-0.979). Thus, the role played by participants’ family members was both protective and damaging, whereas the role of the community health service center was clearer. These findings merit further exploration.

In order to increase the rationality and efficiency of critical points identification of road network, and improve safety monitoring level of the road network, the hierarchy division method of the road network was studied. Based on the analysis of influence factors of road hierarchical level, this paper presented four evaluation indexes: road safety, functional, traffic flow characteristics and road infrastructure features. Roads were evaluated and sorted using the utility function. The paper achieved a hierarchical division of road network using the sample clustering analysis method, showed the basic process of the hierarchical division method through an example, and provided the basis for the identification of the critical points of the road network in future.

20-period strained-layer superlattices of nominal composition and width Ge0.2Si0.8 (5 nm)/Si(25 nm) and Ge0.5Si0.5 (5 nm)/Si(25 nm) were studied by double-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Ge content x was determined by computer simulation of the diffraction features from the superlattice. This method is shown to be independent of the relaxation of the superlattice. Alternatively, x can be obtained from the measured difference DELTAa/a in lattice spacing perpendicular to the growth plane. It is sensitive to the relaxation. Comparing the results obtained in these two different ways, information about the relaxation of the superlattices can be obtained.

The hydrogenated nano-crystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) films have been deposited with plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. The microstructure of these films has been studied by transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The nc-Si:H films show fiber texture structure. The fractal dimension of this structure has been calculated with a Fourier filtered image. The relationship between conductivity and temperature has also been studied and the mechanism of electron conduction is discussed.

The hydrogenated nano-crystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) films have been deposited with PECVD method.1–2 The micro-structure of these films has been studied by TEM and HREM. The PECVD nc-Si:H films show fiber texture structure which is exceptional compared with the nano-size materials made by the method of compressing granules method. The fractal dimention of this texture structure has been calculated with a Fourier filtered image. The relationshisps between conductivity and temperature and micro-structure has also been studied and the mechanism of electron conduction is discussed.