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Effects of dual-treatment on cellulose fiber quality, micro-structure appearance, crystalline structure, hydrogen bonds, and surface elements were analyzed using a fiber quality analyzer (FQA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. In comparison to the untreated pulp, the brightness of pulp increased by 51.71%, whereas the apparent density and burst strength index of the pulpboard decreased by 11.76% and 48.18%, respectively. The absorption time, absorbability, and bulk of the fiber obtained by defibering the pulpboard decreased by 47.40%, 8.33%, and 5.32%, respectively, when it had been subjected to supplementary alkali. With the analysis of FQA and SEM, fiber swelled and curled, its surface was relatively smooth, and filaments of its partial surface area were exposed as a result of the supplementary alkali. Additionally, XRD analysis, FT-IR analysis, and XPS scanning spectra all showed that the crystallinity degree of fiber decreased by 45.10%, indicating more crystal structures were converted into amorphous structures. The proportion of total intra-molecular hydrogen bond intensity to total hydrogen bonds increased. The -OH content on fiber surface only decreased by 4.15%, compared with those of the untreated pulp, when the fiber was subjected to the two-step chemical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the composite glass box girder, the generalized Bayesian objective function of elastic constants of the structure was derived based on layered shell element theory. Mechanical performances of the composite glass box girder were solved by layered shell element method. Combined with quadratic parabolic interpolation search scheme of optimized step length, the adaptive Powell's optimization theory was taken to complete the stochastic identification of elastic constants of composite glass box girder. Then the adaptive Powell's identification steps of elastic constants of the structure were presented in detail and the adaptive Powell's identification procedure was accomplished. From some classic examples, it is finally achieved that the adaptive Powell's identification of elastic constants of composite glass box girder has perfect convergence and numerical stability, which testifies that the adaptive Powell's identification theory of elastic constants of composite glass box girder is correct and reliable. The stochastic characteristics of systematic responses and elastic constants are well deliberated in generalized Bayesian objective function. And in iterative processes, the adaptive Powell's identification is irrelevant with the complicated partial differentiation of the systematic responses from the layered shell element model to the elastic constants, which proves high computation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in human cholangiocarcinoma tissues and its role in metastasis in vitro. A total of 65 biopsy samples of cholangiocarcinoma, plus the FRH-0201 cell line, were investigated. The expression of VEGF-C in the human cholangiocarcinoma specimens was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effect of VEGF-C on tumor cell migration and proliferation was measured by MTT and Transwell assays in the FRH-0201 cell line. According to the IHC results, the biopsies of human cholangiocarcinoma were stained positively for VEGF-C, with a positive rate of 75.4% (49/65). Moreover, VEGF-C was expressed at a higher level in the patients with lymph node metastasis than in those without lymph node metastasis. In vitro, VEGF-C exhibited marked growth stimulation below the concentration of 5 ng/ml and was able to promote cholangiocarcinoma cell migration significantly. These findings suggested that VEGF-C may be a useful factor to predict lymph node metastasis in cholangiocarcinoma tissues and indicates that VEGF-C plays a significant role in proliferation and migration in cholangiocarcinoma cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic duct stone is thought not only to be the cause of abdominal pain but also to be a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Several treatment options have been implemented in the treatment of pancreatic duct stones. Stone location is a critical factor in selecting treatment. We present the results of 27 endoscopic treatments and 35 surgical treatments performed in three hospitals at a single university between January 2000 and January 2005. The results were compared retrospectively in terms of success rate of stone removal, length of hospital stay, complications, pain relief, and changes of pancreatic functions. In our study, endoscopy resulted in a similar success rate of stone removal and short-term pain relief rate as the surgical approach and with a shorter length of hospital stay. However, the surgical group had amore favorable long-term clinical result, as well as a lower number of hospital readmissions at the 5-year follow-up point. Based on longterm results, surgical treatment is more effective than endoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]