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In the clustering routing protocols for wireless sensor networks, uniform cluster formation and optimal routing paths finding are the two most important factors to minimize the network energy consumption and balance the network load. In this paper, an improved genetic algorithm based annulus-sector clustering routing protocol called GACRP is proposed. In GACRP, the circular network is divided into sectors with the same size for each annulus. The number of sectors is obtained by calculating the minimum energy consumption of the network. Each annulus-sector forms a cluster and the best node in this annulus-sector is selected as cluster head. Moreover, an improved genetic algorithm with a novel fitness function considering energy and load balance is presented to find the optimal routing path for each CH, and an adaptive round time is calculated to maintain the clusters. Simulation results show that GACRP can significantly improve the network energy efficiency and prolong the network lifetime as well as mitigate the hot spot problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the cold roll forming process of complex crosssectional steel, the local thickness reduction is one of the major problems to be solved for increasing requirements regarding tolerances. The prediction of the local thickness reduction during the roll forming process in the bending zones is gaining more and more importance. Based on the elastic plasticity deformation theory, the 3D finite element analysis (FEA) models have been built by the professional software COPPA RF and MSC MARC to simulate the cold roll forming process. Roll forming tests and the local thickness reduction analyses were performed to compare with FEA simulation results. An application to a hat-shaped section profile and the effect of forming parameters on transverse strains and the local thickness reduction are discussed. The linear regression method was applied to evaluate its effect on the local thickness reduction by using Minitab software. Results indicate that the loading pattern and the roll diameter have the greatest impacts on local thickness reduction and transverse strains in the bending regions. The findings were applied to optimize the abatement of local thickness reduction for the novel elevator guide rail roll forming lines. The predicted thickness reduction values in cold roll forming proves in good agreement with experimental results, and the complex cross-sectional steel with high quality is produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic hyperthermia is a fast emerging, non-invasive cancer treatment method which is used synergistically with the existing cancer therapeutics. We have attempted to address the current challenges in clinical magnetic hyperthermia- improved biocompatibility and enhanced heating characteristics, through a single combinatorial approach. Both superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) of size 10 nm and ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (FIONs) of size 30 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition method for comparison studies. Two different surface modifying agents, viz, Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide and 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, were used to conjugate Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) over the iron oxide nanoparticles via two different methods--surface charge adsorption and covalent amide bonding, respectively. The preliminary haemolysis and cell viability experiments show that BSA conjugation mitigates the haemolytic effect of the iron oxide nanoparticles on erythrocytes and is non-cytotoxic to the healthy Baby Hamster Kidney cells. It was observed from the results that due to better colloidal stability, the SAR value of the BSA-iron oxide nanoparticles is higher than the iron oxide nanoparticles without BSA, irrespective of the size of the iron oxide nanoparticles and method of conjugation. The BSA-FIONs seem to show improved biocompatibility, as the haemolytic index is less than 2 % and cell viability is up to 120 %, when normalized with the control. The SAR value of BSAFIONs is 2300 W g-1 when compared to 1700 W g-1 of FIONs without BSA conjugation. Thus, we report here that BSA conjugation over FIONs (with a high saturation magnetization of 87 emu g-1) provide a single combinatorial approach to improve the biocompatibility and enhance the SAR value for magnetic hyperthermia, thus addressing both the current challenges of the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective is to study the effect of zymosan on antioxidant and immune function of S tumor-bearing mice. Seventy Kunming mice were randomly divided into seven groups: a normal control group (NC), a tumor control group (TC), three dose groups of zymosan (low, medium, high), a cyclophosphamide (Cy) group, and a combination of zymosan and Cy group. The S tumor-bearing mice model was established by the inoculation of cancer cell suspension subcutaneously in the mouse's right anterior limb. At the 19th day, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver homogenate were analyzed. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of IL-2, TNF-α, and TGF-β. The activity of GSH-Px and SOD in the liver increased with the dose of zymosan, whereas the activity of MDA significantly decreased in the higher-dose groups of zymosan, compared to the TC group ( P < 0.01). In the zymosan groups, mRNA expression levels in tissues of S tumor-bearing mice were significantly higher for TNF-α and IL-2, but lower for TGFβ than in the Cy or TC group ( P < 0.01). The high-dose of zymosan markedly showed a depressant effect on S tumor, enhanced by the action of Cy that increased mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and IL-2. The mechanism of zymosan on the inhibition of tumor growth may be due to its ability to enhance the antioxidant and immune function in a dose-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

excessive iodine intake is associated with a decrease of the activities of selenocysteine-containing enzymes, supplemental selenium was hypothesized to alleviate the toxic effects of excessive iodine. In order to verify this hypothesis, Balb/C mice were tested by giving tap water with or without potassium iodate and/or sodium selenite for 16 weeks, and the levels of iodine in urine and thyroid, the hepatic selenium level, the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), type 1 deiodinase (D1), and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) were assayed. It had been observed in excessive iodine group that hepatic selenium, the activities of GSHPx, D1, and TPO decreased, while in the groups of 0.2 mg/L, 0.3 mg/L and 0.4 mg/L supplemental selenium, the urinary iodine increased significantly. Compared with the group of excessive iodine intake alone, supplemental selenium groups had higher activities of GSHPx, D1, and TPO. We could draw the conclusion that supplemental selenium could alleviate toxic effect of excessive iodine on thyroid. The optimal dosage of selenium ranges from 0.2 to 0.3 mg/L which can protect against thyroid hormone dysfunction induced by excessive iodine intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

llogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains the only curative therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In this study, the long-term outcomes of HLA-matched sibling donor (MSD) with mismatched related donor (MRD) and unrelated donor (URD) transplantation for CML in the first chronic phase (CML-CP1) using different graft vs. host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimens according to donor source and the degree of HLA matching were compared. The data of 91 patients with CML-CP1 were analyzed with respect to GVHD, overall survival (OS), and transplant-related mortality (TRM). The incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 25.5% in the MSD and 40.5% in the MRD/URD group ( P = 0.133). The 1-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was not different between the MSD and the MRD/URD groups, while extensive chronic GVHD was different between the two groups (31.9% vs. 10.8%, P = 0.023). The 5-year cumulative relapse rate was not different between the MSD and the MRD/URD groups, while TRM was different between the two groups (6.6% vs. 26.3%, P = 0.010). The 5-year cumulative OS was 90.9%, 71.5%, and 85.4% in the MSD, the MRD/URD, and the HLA allele-matched URD transplantation, respectively (MSD vs. MRD/URD, P = 0.013; MSD vs. HLA allele-matched URD, P = 0.437). In conclusion, survival in HLA allele-matched URD is equivalent to MSD, but in MRD and mismatched URD is inferior to MSD in patients with CML-CP1 undergoing allo-HSCT using different GVHD prophylaxis regimens according to donor source and degree of HLA matching. Patients undergoing MRD/URD transplantation have an equal quality of life as patients undergoing MSD transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine whether sulfasalazine can prevent apoptosis in spermatogenic cells by preventing the activation of NF-κB in spermatogenic epithelium in experimental testicular torsion. Methods: Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral 720° testicular torsion for durations of 0 h and 2 h, then the torsion was relieved. The ischemic/reperfused testes were collected for the detection of NF-κB expression with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques, and detection of apoptosis with TUNEL techniques. Results: The NF-κB coefficient of spermatogenic epithelium and the apoptosis index of spermatogenic cells were significantly different in the operation and the sham-operation groups after experimental testicular torsion ( P<0.01). Conclusion: NF-κB activation of spermatogenic epithelium is related to apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. Sulfasalazine can prevent apoptosis in spermatogenic cells after the experimental testicular torsion through prevention of NF-κB activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]