ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the role of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and the potential mechanisms. Methods: Mouse models were established by clamping the left renal vessels, and in vitro cellular models were established by hypoxic reoxygenation. Results: Renal dysfunction and tissue structural damage were significantly higher in the I/R group. After treatment with different concentrations of C3G, the levels of renal dysfunction and tissue structural damage decreased at different levels. And its protective effect was most pronounced at 200 mg/kg. The use of C3G reduced apoptosis as well as the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related proteins. Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced apoptosis and ERS are dependent on oxidative stress in vitro. In addition, both AG490 and C3G inhibited the activation of JAK/STAT pathway and attenuated oxidative stress, ischemia-induced apoptosis and ERS. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that C3G blocked renal apoptosis and ERS protein expression by preventing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production after I/R via the JAK/STAT pathway, suggesting that C3G may be a potential therapeutic agent for renal I/R injury.

Abstract Gastric cancer is one the most common human malignancies, with an increased incidence year by year. The underlying mechanisms of Claudin 18 (CLDN18) was involvement in patients with gastric cancer remain poorly understood. We therefore investigated the function of CLDN18 in patients with gastric cancer. Blood samples were collected from gastric cancer patients. CLDN18 and CLDN18 expression were measured using Microarray and qPCR. MTT assay, Transwell assay cells, LDH activity and Caspase-3/9 activity and Flow cytometry were used to measure the effects of ARHGAP26 and CLDN18 on cell growth in gastric cancer. We firstly found that CLDN18 expression were increased in patients with gastric cancer. Then, up-regulation of CLDN18 promoted cell growth in gastric cancer. Down-regulation of CLDN18 induced apoptosis in gastric cancer. Cancer-promoting genetic of CLDN18 is compromised by CLDN18-ARHGAP26 in gastric cancer cell. Down-regulation of ARHGAP26 rescues the effects of CLDN18-mediated tumor promotion effects on gastric cancer cell. CLDN18-ARHGAP26 mediated tumor suppressive effects on gastric cancer cells by ABCG2 and ABCB1 pathway. These results provide evidence that serum CLDN18-ARHGAP26 as a biomarker for tumor promoting genetic in gastric cancer via ABCG2 and ABCB1 pathway.

Abstract In this study, we aimed to compare clinical efficacy of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery for colorectal cancer in the Huaihe River Basin in China. A total of 92 patients with colorectal cancer were selected as subjects. Patients were divided into control group (open surgery, n = 27 cases) and test group (laparoscopic surgery, n = 28 cases). Our results showed that the duration of operation (122.54 ± 14.85) min and length of incision (4.51 ± 1.065) cm were shorter in the experimental group than those in the control group. The intraoperative blood loss of the experimental group was (161.12 ± 10.694) ml, which was less than that of the control group (218.53 ± 15.369) ml (P < 0.05). Patients in the experimental group have higher Five-year survival rate and lower incidence of postoperative complications than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, in the treatment of colorectal cancer, laparoscopic surgery has a better clinical effect than open surgery, which is worthy of clinical application.

Resumo Introdução A ultrassonografia é um método rápido para determinar de qual nódulo se deve coletar uma amostra para biópsia por aspiração com agulha fina. Por outro lado, o exame de tomografia computadorizada não é restringido pela atenuação do eco e distingue entre nódulos benignos e malignos. Objetivo Comparar exames tomográficos versus biópsia por ultrassonografia/aspiração por agulha fina no diagnóstico diferencial de nódulos tireoidianos. Método Dados sobre exames tomográficos, achados ultrassonográficos após biópsia por aspiração com agulha fina e histologia tumoral de 953 nódulos de 698 pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia foram coletados e analisados. O escore de benefício para detecção do tumor maligno para cada modalidade adotada foi avaliado. Resultados As imagens de ultrassom não mostraram uma lesão sólida bem circunscrita em 89 nódulos; e na análise final não foram detectados nódulos nas biópsias por aspiração com agulha fina (nódulos não malignos falsos positivos). As imagens ultrassonográficas mostraram doença parenquimatosa (nódulos malignos falsos positivos) em vários nódulos. Os exames de tomografia computadorizada apresentaram grandes dificuldades na detecção de nódulos malignos de 1,0-2,0 cm de tamanho em comparação com o exame de ultrassonografia após biópsias por aspiração com agulha fina; comparados aos dados histológicos do tumor, os exames de tomografia computadorizada apresentaram sensibilidade de 0,879. Conclusão Os exames de tomografia computadorizada são um método mais confiável para o diagnóstico diferencial de nódulos tireoidianos do que os exames de ultrassonografia, seguidos por biópsia por aspiração com agulha fina.

Abstract Introduction Ultrasound sonography provides a quick method for determining which nodule to sample for fine needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules. On the other hand, the computed tomography examination is not restricted by echo attenuation and distinguishes between benign and malignant nodules. Objective To compare computed tomography examinations against ultrasound/fine needle aspiration biopsy in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Methods Data regarding computed tomography examinations, sonographic finding following fine needle aspiration biopsy, and tumor histology of 953 nodules from 698 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were collected and analyzed. The beneficial score for detection of the malignant tumor for each adopted modality was evaluated. Results Ultrasound images did not show a well-circumscribed solid mass in 89 nodules, and ultimately did not detect nodules in fine needle aspiration biopsies (false positive non-malignant nodules). Ultrasound images showed parenchymatous disease (false positive malignant nodules) in several nodules. Computed tomography examinations demonstrated higher difficulty in detection of malignant nodules of 1.0-2.0 cm size than ultrasound examination following fine needle aspiration biopsies; compared to tumor histological data, computed tomography examinations had a sensitivity of 0.879. Conclusion Computed tomography examinations are a more reliable method for differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules than ultrasound examinations followed by fine needle aspiration biopsy. Level of Evidence III.

Lung adenocarcinomas are usually sensitive to radiation therapy, but some develop resistance. Radiation resistance can lead to poor patient prognosis. Studies have shown that lung adenocarcinoma cells (H1299 cells) can develop radioresistance through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and this process is regulated by miRNAs. However, it is unclear which miRNAs are involved in the process of EMT. In our present study, we found that miR-183 expression was increased in a radioresistant lung adenocarcinoma cell line (H1299R cells). We then explored the regulatory mechanism of miR-183 and found that it may be involved in the regulation of zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) expression and mediate EMT in lung adenocarcinoma cells. qPCR results showed that miR-183, ZEB1, and vimentin were highly expressed in H1299R cells, whereas no difference was observed in E-cadherin expression. Western blot results showed that ZEB1 and vimentin were highly expressed in H1299R cells, while E-cadherin expression was decreased. When miR-183 expression was inhibited in H1299R cells, radiation resistance, proliferation, and cell migration were decreased. The expression of ZEB1 and vimentin in H1299R cells was decreased, while the expression of E-cadherin was increased. Moreover, miR-183 overexpression in H1299 cells enhanced radiation resistance, proliferative capacity, and cell migration ability. The expression of ZEB1 and vimentin in H1299 cells was increased, while that of E-cadherin was decreased. In conclusion, miR-183 may promote EMT and radioresistance in H1299 cells, and targeting the miR-183-ZEB1 signaling pathway may be a promising approach for lung cancer treatment.

Abstract China, origin of mulberry, has rich genetic resources usually. High expense, limited space and wavering environment of usually conservation in vivo poses dangerous situation for mulberry. The concept of core collection could takes priority for conservation of mulberry. In this study, 560 accessions were used with 40 morphological descriptors and stratified sampling strategies for a core collection. The core collection consisted of 28 accessions, accounting for 5% of the whole collection. The core collection included seven accessions belonging to Morus alba, one accession belonging to M. alba var. macrophylla, four accessions belonging to M. atropurprea, one accession belonging to M. nigra, three accessions belonging to M. australis, seven accessions belonging to M. multicaulis, two accessions belonging to M. wittorum and three accessions belonging to M. bombycis. The quality of core collection exceeded the evaluation criteria and could be a prioritized collection for high efficient and long-term conservation for mulberry.

RESUMEN Las fracturas estructurales de yacimientos tienes excelentes características fractales y autosimilares. Basados en la teoría fractal, se estudiaron las características fractales superficiales de las fallas y las características fractales de las fracturas en el núcleo del Cinturón Falla-Pliegue de la Formación Xujiahe, área central de Yuanba (China). Luego se estableció una relación cuantitativa para estas relaciones. Según las características fractales de las fallas, se predijo la zona favorable de fractura, lo que ofrece una nueva idea para el conocimiento de esta y a la vez brinda referencias teóricas para la exploración de la zona de desarrollo de la fractura durante la exploración de petróleo y gas. Los resultados muestran lo siguiente: el valor sísmico de la dimensión fractual de la falla en la Formación Xujiahe es de 1.5284; el coeficiente de correlación R2 es mayor a 0.99901; la dimensión del coeficiente de correlación de regresión lineal en el núcleo de la fractura de la Formación Xujiahe es mayor a 0.98; la dimensión fractal D puede reflejar la falla y el grado de desarrollo de la fractura, al igual que la complejidad del sistema de fractura; también puede calcular cuantitativamente la densidad de la fractura del yacimiento en el área; las áreas con capacidad mayor a 1.45 son las zonas de desarrollo de la fractura en el Cinturón Falla-Pliegue del área central de Yuanba; el grado de enriquecimiento de petróleo y gas es alta; las áreas con valor de dimensión fractal entre 0.95 y 1.45 son las zonas de fractura de desarrollo relativo; la dimensión fractal con valores menos a 0.95 son las áreas que carecen de fracturas.

ABSTRACT The reservoir structural fractures have excellent fractal characteristics, as well as self-similarities. Based on the fractal theory, the surface fractal characteristics of faults and the fractal characteristic of fractures in the core of the Xujiahe Formation in the Fault-Fold Belt of the central Yuanba area were studied, and a quantitative relationship was set up between them. Based on the fractal characteristics of faults, predictions were made of the favorable fracture zone, which provides a new idea for the research of fracture, as well as offers theoretical references for exploring the fracture development zone during oil-gas exploration. The results show the following: the seismic value of reflection fault fractal dimension of the Xujiahe Formation is 1.5284; the correlation coefficient R2 is bigger than 0.9901; the capacity dimension linear regression correlation coefficient of the fracture in core of the Xujiahe Formation is bigger than 0.98; the fractal dimension D can well reflect the fault and fracture development degree, as well as the complexity of the fracture system; it can quantitatively calculate the density of the fracture of the reservoir in the area; the areas of capacity dimension bigger than 1.45 are the fracture development zones in the Fault-Fold Belt of the central Yuanba area; the oil and gas enrichment degree is high; the areas with the fractal dimension value between 0.95 and 1.45 are the fracture relatively-developed zones; the fractal dimension with values smaller than 0.95 are the lack of fracture areas.

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the effect of capsaicin on expression patterns of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) following experimental tooth movement. Material and Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study and divided into small-dose capsaicin+force group, large-dose capsaicin+force group, saline+force group, and no force group. Closed coil springs were used to mimic orthodontic forces in all groups except for the no force group, in which springs were inactivated. Capsaicin and saline were injected into periodontal tissues. Rats were euthanized at 0 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 5 d, and 7 d following experimental tooth movement. Then, TG and Vc were obtained for immunohistochemical staining and western blotting against CGRP. Results Immunohistochemical results indicated that CGRP positive neurons were located in the TG, and CGRP immunoreactive fibers were distributed in the Vc. Immunohistochemical semiquantitative analysis and western blotting analysis demonstrated that CGRP expression levels both in TG and Vc were elevated at 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 5 d, and 7 d in the saline + force group. However, both small-dose and large-dose capsaicin could decrease CGRP expression in TG and Vc at 1 d and 3 d following experimental tooth movement, as compared with the saline + force group. Conclusions These results suggest that capsaicin could regulate CGRP expression in TG and Vc following experimental tooth movement in rats.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the medicinal values of different parts of Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. and the effect of processing on major pharmaceutical ingredients in it. The contents of icariin and epimedin C in different parts and processed medicinal material of E. brevicornu in Taihang Mountain were determined with ultrasonic extraction and RP-HPLC. The results indicated that the contents of icariin and epimedin C, respectively 3.4524% and 0.5485%, in the leaf are higher than that in other parts. The contents of icariin and epimedin C, respectively 0.1942 % and 0.1342%, in the stem (include petiole) are the lowest. The contents of these ingredients in the root (include rhizome) are close to that in the leaf. The icariin and epimedin C in all parts of E. brevicornu reduced after processing. The content of icariin in the processed leaf is about 59.5% of that in unprocessed leaves. The effect of prossing on the content of icariin in the stem is unobvious. The content of epimedin C in the processed leaf is about 33.7% of that in unprocessed leaf. The content of epimedin C in the processed stem (include petiole) is about 36.9% of that in unprocessed stem. It is worth to exploit the stem and petiole of E. brevicornu because there are certain contents of pharmaceutical ingredients in them. The firepower should be paid attention to and the temperature should not be very high to avoid the damage on pharmaceutical ingredients in E. brevicornu when process it.

Este estudio pretende evaluar los valores medicinales de diferentes partes de la Epimedium brevicornu Maxim y el efecto de su procesamiento sobre sus principales componentes farmacéuticos. El contenido de icariina y epimedin C en diferentes partes y en material medicinal procesado de Epimedium brevicornu en la montaña de Taihang fue determinado mediante extracción ultrasónica y RP-HPLC. Los resultados indicaron que el contenido de icariina y epimedin C, respectivamente 3,4524% y 0,5485%, en la hoja son mayores que en otras partes. El contenido de icariina y epimedin C, respectivamente 0,1942% y 0,1342%, en el tallo (peciolo incluido) es más bajo. El contenido de estos componentes en la raíz (rizoma incluido) es similar al de la hoja. El contenido de icariina y epimedin C en todas las partes de E. brevicornu se vio reducido después del procesado. El contenido de icariina en la hoja procesada es aproximadamente el 59,5% del de la hoja sin procesar. El efecto del procesado sobre el contenido de icariina en el tallo no es evidente. El contenido de epimedin C en el tallo procesado es de aproximadamente el 33,7% del de la hoja sin procesar. El contenido de epimedin C en el tallo procesado (peciolo incluido) es de aproximadamente el 36,9% de aquel del tallo sin procesar. Vale la pena aprovechar el tallo y peciolo de la E. brevicornu porque hay cierto contenido de componentes farmacéuticos en ellos. Hay que controlar la potencia de fuego y la temperatura no debe ser muy alta para evitar dañar los componentes farmacéuticos de la E. brevicornu.

Deinococcus radiodurans (DR) is an extremophile that is well known for its resistance to radiation, oxidants and desiccation. The gene dr1790 of D. radiodurans was predicted to encode a yellow-related protein. The primary objective of the present study was to characterize the biological function of the DR1790 protein, which is a member of the ancient yellow/major royal jelly (MRJ) protein family, in prokaryotes. Fluorescence labeling demonstrated that the yellow-related protein encoded by dr1790 is a membrane protein. The deletion of the dr1790 gene decreased the cell growth rate and sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide and radiation and increased the membrane permeability of D. radiodurans. Transcript profiling by microarray and RT-PCR analyses of the dr1790 deletion mutant suggested that some genes that are involved in protein secretion and transport were strongly suppressed, while other genes that are involved in protein quality control, such as chaperones and proteases, were induced. In addition, the expression of genes with predicted functions that are involved in antioxidant systems, electron transport, and energy metabolism was significantly altered through the disruption of dr1790. Moreover, the results of proteomic analyses using 2-DE and MS also demonstrated that DR1790 contributed to D. radiodurans survival. Taken together, these results indicate that the DR1790 protein from the ancient yellow protein family plays a pleiotropic role in the survival of prokaryotic cells and contributes to the extraordinary resistance of D. radiodurans against oxidative and radiation stresses.

The cyclic resistance of ProTaper Universal (size 25/08) and ProTaper Next (size 25/06) instruments was compared in artificial canals with different curvatures in this study. A total of 30 ProTaper Universal and 30 ProTaper Next instruments were divided into 6 groups (n = 10) and were operated into artificial canals with 3 different angles of curvature (45°, 60°, 90°). The canal length was kept consistent in this study. The number of cycles to fracture (NCF) was counted until file fracture occurred, at which point, the length of the fragment was measured. The data were analyzed statistically using ANOVA complemented by the Tukey test (p < 0.05). Cross sections of the fractured files were scanned by an electron microscope. In the fatigue test, the ProTaper Next displayed more resistance in 45° and 60° canals (p < 0.05), whereas ProTaper Universal exhibited a better operability in 90° canals (p < 0.05). The average length of the fragments from ProTaper Next was significantly shorter than that from ProTaper Universal in 90° canals (p < 0.05). The cross sections of the fractured surfaces became flatter when the curvature angles decreased from 90° to 45°. ProTaper Next was more reliable when shaping in curved canals, whereas ProTaper Universal was more sui for the preparation of root canals with severe curvatures.

A new kind of compound extrusion technology including direct extrusion and shears for AZ31 magnesium billets can cause plastic large deformations and high strain rates. A series of compressive tests have been done to obtain the stress-strain curves of AZ31 magnesium alloy. Three-dimensional (3D) thermo-mechanical coupled finite element modeling of forming magnesium alloy AZ31billets into small rods at certain high ram speed and low temperature by extrusion-shears have been carried out. The simulation model has been established and meshed based on symmetrical characteristic. Computed parameters including material characteristics for workpiece and die and process conditions consisting of initial billet temperature, extrusion ratio, channel angle and ram speed have been list. The evolution of temperature during extrusion-shear process, there are hardly any temperature gradients within the workpiece, but temperature in severe plastic deformation zone increase rapidly. Strain evolutions for inner billet are larger than those of border positions. The flow velocity distribution is uniform basically which avoid the extrusion cracks to a certain degree. Experiments show that the rods with good surface smoothness can be obtained by low temperature and high speed extrusion-shear, and the alloy grains are effectively refined by dynamic recrystallization (DRX).

To explore the deformation mechanisms of a new composite extrusion including extrusion and successive shear subsequently which is shorten "ES", Three dimensional finite element modeling of grain refinements for magnesium alloys by ES process has been researched. The ES die have been designed and manufactured and installed to the horizontal extruder. Finite element software DEFORM TM-3D to investigate the plastic deformation behaviors of magnesium alloy during extrusion-shear has been employed. The extrusion loads and temperatures distribution of billets and maximum extrusion forces have been obtained from simulation results. From the simulation results it is clear that evolutions of extrusion loads curve and effective stresses and temperatures can be divided into three stages. ES process has been applied to fabricate AZ31 magnesium alloy rod at preheat temperature of 420ºC with extrusion speed of 20 mm/s. The results proved that the ES process is a formality method for magnesium suitable for large scale industrial application. The microstructures of AZ31 magnesium alloy along the longitudinal section of rods have been sampled and examined and observed. Fine grained microstructures can be observed throughout longitudinal section of extruded rod. The researches results show that ES process would cause severe plastic deformation and improve the dynamic recrystallization of AZ31 magnesium alloy. The simulation results and calculated Zener-Hollomon parameters showed that the grains of magnesium would be refined gradually during ES process.

We investigated the reactions of four bat species from four different lineages to UV light: Hipposideros armiger (Hodgson, 1835) and Scotophilus kuhlii Leach, 1821, which use constant frequency (CF) or frequency modulation (FM) echolocation, respectively; and Rousettus leschenaultii (Desmarest, 1820) and Cynopterus sphinx (Vahl, 1797), cave and tree-roosting Old World fruit bats, respectively. Following acclimation and training involving aversive stimuli when exposed to UV light, individuals of S. kuhlii and C. sphinx exposed to such stimuli displayed conditioned reflexes such as body crouching, wing retracting, horizontal crawling, flying and/or vocalization, whereas individuals of H. armiger and R. leschenaultii, in most cue-testing sessions, remained still on receiving the stimuli. Our behavioral study provides direct evidence for the diversity of cone-based UV vision in the order Chiroptera and further supports our earlier postulate that, due to possible sensory tradeoffs and roosting ecology, defects in the short wavelength opsin genes have resulted in loss of UV vision in CF bats, but not in FM bats. In addition, Old World fruit bats roosting in caves have lost UV vision, but those roosting in trees have not. Bats are thus the third mammalian taxon to retain ancestral cone-based UV sensitivity in some species.

Via photoreductive deposition process, platinum-modified TiO2 photocatalysts (Pt/TiO2) with various Pt contents are prepared by using H2PtCl6 and hydrogen titanate nanotubes as precursors. The structures and photocatalytic performances of Pt/TiO2 obtained are characterized. The experimental results indicate that platinum has obvious influence on the structure and photocatalytic performances of the hydrogen titanate nanotubes. The tubular structures of some nanotubes are destroyed during the photoreductive deposition process. It is possible that the hydrogen coming from splitting water over formed Pt/TiO2 results in the breach of nanotubes. The existence of platinum can enhance the photocatalytic performance of titanate nanotubes, and the photocatalytic activity arrives at the highest when the Pt content is 1.5 wt.%.