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To discuss the association of the T786C and G894T polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) with the occurrence and prognosis of aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). One hundred sixty-nine patients with aSAH were collected as the case group, which was divided into the good prognosis group and adverse prognosis group according to the condition 3 months after the treatment. One hundred fifty-six healthy volunteers were collected as the control group. The allele and genotype of T786C and G894T polymorphisms of eNOS were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The genotype and allele frequency of eNOS were compared between different groups. And then, the risk factors of aSAH occurrence and prognosis were analyzed by using the logistic regression model. Both the genotype and allele frequency distributions of T786C and G894T between the case group and control group were significantly different (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the distribution of G894T and T786C allele frequency and G894T genotype between the good prognosis group and adverse prognosis group, and there was no difference in T786C genotype. The results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that T786C and G894T polymorphisms of eNOS were independent influencing factors on the occurrence of aSAH and the G894T polymorphism was also closely related to the prognosis. T786C and G894T polymorphisms of eNOS gene were correlated with the occurrence and prognosis of aSAH, and the G894T polymorphism might be an independent influencing factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modified multiple ( $G^{\prime }/G$)-expansion method is proposed in this paper to construct exact solutions of nonlinear evolution equations. The validity and advantage of the proposed method are illustrated by its application to the Sharma-Tasso-Olver equation. As a result, various exact solutions including hyperbolic functions, trigonometric functions and their mixture with parameters are obtained. When some parameters are taken as special values, the known double solitary-like wave solutions are derived from the double hyperbolic function solution. It is shown that the method introduced in this paper has general significance in searching for exact solutions to the nonlinear evolution equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cadmium(II) coordination polymer [Cd(2-mBIM)Cl(CHO)(HO)(HO)] ( 1) (wherein 2-mBIM = bis(2-methylimidazo-1-yl) methane, CHO = succinate anion) has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/ c with a = 23.5265(15) Å, b = 7.3558(5) Å, c = 17.4771(11) Å, β = 90.3560(10)°, V = 3024.5(3) Å, Z = 4. Each Cd(II) atom is octahedrally coordinated and connected with two adjacent Cd(II) atoms by two individual 2-mBIM ligands in a trans-configuration to form one-dimensional (1D) helical structure. Such 1D helical chain structures were connected to each other via the succinate anion ligands and result in the formation of a two-dimensional (2D) framework. Meanwhile, an overall three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular network was formed via the weak hydrogen bond interactions between metal-coordination and free water molecules. Graphical Abstract: A cadmium(II) coordination polymer has been synthesized and its single crystal structure shows that an overall 3D supramolecular network was formed via the weak hydrogen bond between adjacent 2D layer framework containing 1D helical chain structure. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the development of an in-process, gap-caused flash monitoring (IGFM) system for injection-molding machines. An accelerometer sensor was integrated in the proposed IGFM system to detect the difference of the vibration signals between flash and non-flash products in the last period of the injection molding filling stage. Through an approach suggested by the statistical process control mechanism, the threshold in the decision-making mechanism of this system was established. That threshold then was used by the IGFM system to determine if flash occurred in the molded products when the machine was running. An experiment was designed and performed by manipulating the variables of gap and no-gap. The experimental testing results indicated that this system could successfully monitor injection-molded products’ flash status with approximately 94.7% accuracy while the machine was in process . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroblastoma arises as a direct result of genetic disorder; therefore, it should be well treated and conquered by gene therapy in future. In this study, neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y experiments, in vitro and in nude mice in vivo, were subjected to research thymidine kinase suicide gene to treat neuroblastoma. The plasmid LXpsp-hytk and a plasmid LXSH were transduced separately by lipofectin into human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. SH-SY5Y-hy and SH-SY5Y-hytk were selected by hygromycin B. Different ganciclovir (GCV) concentration was given to SH-SY5Y-hytk to determine optimal GCV concentration. The cytotoxic effect of GCV on SH-SY5Y-hytk, SH-SY5Y-hy, and SH-SY5Y cells was determined. Scapular subcutaneous tumors were established in nude mice by inoculating 2.5×106 SH-SY5Y-hytk on their left sides and 2.5×106 SH-SY5Y-hy cells on their right sides for every mouse of treatment group and control group, respectively. After 1 week, mass grew in both sides of all the mice, and from the eighth day on, every mouse in treatment group received daily intraperitoneal injection of GCV 50 mg/kg body weight for 14 days; every mouse in control group received daily intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml saline for 14 days. On day 22 tumors were excised and weighed on the left and right sides, respectively, and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method. Apoptotic index was calculated on the left and on the right sides, respectively, for every mouse in treatment group and control group. The lowest concentration of hygromycin B was 60 μg/ml. The cytotoxic effect of GCV on SH-SY5Y-hytk cells was obvious (IC50=0.03 μM), whereas GCV showed almost no cytotoxic effect on SH-SY5Y and SH-SY5Y-hy cells (IC50>400 μM). SH-SY5Y-hytk was killed by concentrations of 30 μM GCV effectively and it obviously showed the bystander effect, when SH-SY5Y-hytk remained at least 18% in the mixture culture cells. The tumor on the left side was much smaller than that of the right side in control group (p<0.05), and apoptotic index of the left was higher than that of the right in control group (p<0.01). SH-SY5Y-hytk has the bystander effect over 18% SH-SY5Y-hytk of the mixture culture cells at the concentration of 30 μM GCV. The HSV-tk/GCV system was effective in treating SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line in vivo as well. Our findings suggest that thymidine kinase gene therapy could be a potential method for treating neuroblastoma in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective varying temperature digital image correlation (DIC) measurement is established for non-contact full-field deformation and strain measurement at varying temperatures. The test planar specimen can be heated from room temperature to 200 °C accurately using the temperature-controlled chamber. The digital images of the test specimen surface at various temperatures are recorded using an ordinary optical imaging system. In order to avoid the influence of variations in refractive index of the air at different temperatures, image averaging method was used to obtain high quality images of the specimen surface. The gradient-based DIC technique is used to extract full-field inplane thermal deformation from the corrected images. For verification, the thermal deformation fields and the values of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEs) of 45 steel specimen are measured and compared with the literature values, confirming the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed technique and method. The experimental results reveal that the proposed technique with image averaging method is able to accurately extract full-field thermal deformation at the temperature range of room temperature up to 200 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in precipitation and nitrogen (N) deposition can influence ecosystem carbon (C) cycling and budget in terrestrial biomes, with consequent feedbacks to climate change. However, little is known about the main and interactive effects of water and N additions on net ecosystem C exchange (NEE). In a temperate steppe of northern China, a field-manipulated experiment was conducted to evaluate the responses of NEE and its components to improve N and water availability from 2005 to 2008. The results showed that both water and N additions stimulated gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER), and NEE. Water addition increased GEP by 17%, ER by 24%, and NEE by 11% during the experimental period, whereas N addition increased GEP by 17%, ER by 16%, and NEE by 19%. The main effects of both water and N additions changed with time, with the strongest water stimulation in the dry year and a diminishing N stimulation over time. When water and N were added in combination, there were non-additive effects of water and N on ecosystem C fluxes, which could be explained by the changes in species composition and the shifts of limiting resources from belowground (water or N) to aboveground (light). The positive water and N additions effects indicate that increasing precipitation and N deposition in the future will favor C sequestration in the temperate steppe. The non-additive effects of water and N on ecosystem C fluxes suggest that multifactor experiments are better able to capture complex interactive processes, thus improving model simulations and projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, a unique gradient cooling heat treatment process (GCHT) for a Mn-Si-Cr-B bainitic cast steel was developed, and microstructure and mechanical properties were examined by OM, SEM, EBSD and a uniaxial tensile test. The results showed that the structural-gradient-material (SGM) with a gradient microstructure from granular bainite to martensite was successfully produced, and it exhibited a good ductility (~13.8%) at one end and an excellent ultimate strength (~1,720 MPa) at the other end. In between the bainite and martensite, a transition region with a superior combination of tensile strength and ductility (1,700 MPa and 11.1%) was obtained, which is different from the normal knowledge of a brittle transition region. Moreover, through changing the gradient of cooling rate, the optimized SGM with a new gradient microstructure from pearlite to martensite showed a more stable structural gradient and an improved ductility (22.8%) at one end. The microstructure variation in the sample was mainly related to the carbon diffusion rate during heat treatment, and the diffusion rate could be controlled by regulating the cooling velocity. Therefore, the SGMs with different gradient microstructures could be designed to meet the needs of different properties. As a result, this work provides a new approach for preparation of the gradient structured steel, which has potential for practical application for dual-property automobile parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the incremental bulk metal forming, the main plastic metal flow of axial closed die rolling (ACDR) process consists of the axial compression and circumferential torsion. The key difference between the ACDR and forging processes should be concentrating on the plastic deformation zone (PDZ) evolution, especially on the condition of thermal deformation. Therefore, the verified FEM and corresponding experiment have been proposed to find out the systematic rule of PDZ. The thermal parameter distribution of the workpiece has been explored to obtain the PDZ evolution at different deformation extent. PDZ evolution mode has also been proposed, and the distribution of microstructure/hardness is given to the evidence of PDZ mode. The results show that the PDZ spreads from the contact area of the upper surface of the lower/side surface in ACDR process. Multiple thermal parameter evolution in ACDR process could be found through the analysis of microstructure morphology. Also, microstructure orientation could be the fundament of PDZ evolution. The cooling rate and the periodic evaluation of thermal parameters should be the main factors for the microstructure evolution, including the distribution of lamellar a and globular a. Then, the extent and range of PDZ could be defined through the observation and analysis of hardness evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective varying temperature digital image correlation (DIC) measurement is established for non‐contact full‐field deformation and strain measurement at varying temperatures. The test planar specimen can be heated from room temperature to 200°C accurately using the temperature‐controlled chamber. The digital images of the test specimen surface at various temperatures are recorded using an ordinary optical imaging system. In order to avoid the influence of variations in refractive index of the air at different temperatures, image averaging method was used to obtain high quality images of the specimen surface. The gradient‐based DIC technique is used to extract full‐field in‐plane thermal deformation from the corrected images. For verification, the thermal deformation fields and the values of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEs) of 45 steel specimen are measured and compared with the literature values, confirming the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed technique and method. The experimental results reveal that the proposed technique with image averaging method is able to accurately extract full‐field thermal deformation at the temperature range of room temperature up to 200°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to describe an adult male patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) associated with thoracic spinal cord herniation (TSCH). TSCH is a scarce entity presented as a displacement of thoracic cord through an anterior or anterolateral dural defect. More importantly, the co-occurrence of AS and thoracic spinal cord herniation is exceptional. To date, only one case of SCH in association with AS has been reported in the literature. A 56-year-old male patient presented with the progressive difficulty in walking and numbness of both lower limbs for the past 18 months. The patient was diagnosed as AS when he was 30 years old. Sagittal MRI of thoracic spine showed dural defect of the posterior aspect of T11 and 12 vertebral bodies. Axial T2-weighted MRI demonstrated that spinal cord was displaced ventrally and to the right. The diagnosis of TSCH with AS was established. The prognosis was explained to the patient. We recommended duraplasty for dural repair to the patient, but he refused surgery. The results demonstrated that TSCH associated with long-standing AS was very uncommon, and MRI is recommended to rule out SCH in the long-standing AS patients with neurologic symptoms. The SCH in AS might be caused by inflammation, and thoracolumbar hyperkyphosis results from AS might be associated with the development of SCH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyamine analogues have demonstrated significant activity against human breast cancer cell lines as single agents as well as in combination with other cytotoxic drugs. This study evaluates the ability of a polyamine analogue N1, N11-bis(ethyl)norspermine (BENSpm) to synergize with six standard chemotherapeutic agents, 5-fluorouracil (FU), fluorodeoxyuridine, cis-diaminechloroplatinum(II) (C-DDP), paclitaxel, docetaxel, and vinorelbine. Four human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, Hs578t, and T47D) and one immortalized, non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cell line (MCF-10A) were used for in vitro combination studies with BENSpm and cytotoxic drugs. Xenograft mice models generated with MDA-MB-231 cells were used for in vivo studies with BENSpm and paclitaxel. BENSpm exhibited synergistic inhibitory effect on cell proliferation in combination with 5-FU or paclitaxel in human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and was either antagonistic or less effective in the non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cell line. Synergism was highest with 120 h concomitant treatment or pre-treatment with BENSpm for 24 h followed by concomitant treatment for 96 additional hours. Since the cytotoxic effects of many polyamine analogues and cytotoxic agents are believed to act, in part, through induction of the polyamine catabolic enzymes SSAT and SMO, the role of these enzymes on synergistic response was evaluated in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 treated with BENSpm and 5-FU or paclitaxel. Combination treatments of BENSpm with 5-FU or paclitaxel resulted in induction of SSAT mRNA and activity in both cell lines compared to either drug alone, while SMO mRNA and activity were increased only in MDA-MB-231 cells. Induction was greater with BENSpm/paclitaxel combination than BENSpm/5-FU. Further, RNAi studies demonstrated that both SSAT and SMO play a significant role in the response of MDA-MB-231 cells to treatment with BENSpm and 5-FU or paclitaxel. In MCF-7 cells, only SSAT appears to be involved in the response to these treatments. In an effort to translate combination studies from in vitro to in vivo, and to form a basis for clinical setting, the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of BENSpm alone and in combination with paclitaxel on tumor regression was evaluated in xenograft mice models generated with MDA-MB-231 cells. Intraperitoneal exposure to BENSpm or taxol singly and in combination for 4 weeks resulted in significant inhibition in tumor growth. These findings help elucidate the mechanisms involved in synergistic drug response and support combinations of polyamine analogues with chemotherapeutic agents which could potentially be used in the treatment of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) transdifferentiate to become extracellular matrix-producing myofibroblasts during liver injury. Myofibroblasts can also promote invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we determined gene expression changes in two different models of HSC activation, induction-activated HSCs (iHSCs) and culture-activated HSCs (cHSCs). Hepatic stellate cells were isolated by density centrifugation and exposed to conditioned medium (CM) from the rat HCC cell line C5F, and fetal bovine serum (FBS). Expression of 27,100 genes in quiescent HSCs, cHSCs and iHSCs was analyzed by microarray and was confirmed on a subset of genes by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. One thousand nine hundred sixty-seven genes were differentially expressed in cHSCs and iHSCs, including genes that encode proinflammatory factors, adhesion molecules, cell surface receptors, signaling transduction and immune factors such as Il1a, Vcam1, Ccl6, Ilr7, PRAP, osteopontin, Gp39, Raf1, Rac2, Adam17, Wnt6, MMP-9, and Cfd. C5F-CM-induced activation only partially reproduced the gene expression changes observed during FBS culture activation. iHSCs showed specific gene expression, suggesting that HCC cells can specifically induce HSC activation. Induction-activated HSCs’ gene expression patterns were partially similar to and different from that of cHSCs. iHSCs might play an important role in invasion and metastasis of HCC. This study provided theoretical foundations for investigating the biology of HSCs in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of copper/chromium hydrotalcite-like compounds (Cu/Cr-HTlcs) with Cu/Cr molar ratios from 1:1 to 4:1 synthesized by coprecipitation reaction using NaOH and Na2CO3 as precipitation agents and their derived Cu/Cr mixed oxides (Cu/Cr-MO) were used in solid propellant for the first time. The structure, morphology and thermal behaviors were investigated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 volumetric measurements, transmission electron microscope, thermogravimetry, and differential thermal analysis. The results showed that a well crystallized Cu/Cr-HTlcs with CO3 2− as interlayer anions could be obtained with Cu and Cr molar ratio of 2:1, system pH value between 9 and 11, aging time longer than 24 h; the sample has a specific surface area of 107.8 m2 g−1 and average pore diameter is 9 nm with pore volume of 0.34 cm3 g−1; N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm is type IVb with H2-type hysteresis loop; thermal stability of the sample is relatively lower and the sample tends to be curled when the aging time is prolonged to 1 week at room temperature. Solid propellant with Cu/Cr-MO catalyst exhibit significantly higher burning rate of 9.64 mm s−1 than those without catalyst (6.28 mm s−1)/with CuO · Cr2O3 catalyst (9.07 mm s−1). Press index also decreases from 0.339 to 0.299, and mechanical performance on elongation for Cu/Cr-MO catalyzed propellant has a clear enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To introduce a practical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of space-occupying benign lesions in children's spleens.Method: Ten cases were collected from 1988 to 2007, and analysis of some related literature were included with special attention to the criteria of the diagnosis and the indications of splenectomy, particularly to the age for operation.Results: The age of patients on admission ranged from 5 to 15 years, with the mean age of 10 years. All chose the operation to mitigate the fear of either accidental rupturing or malignancy. The clinical diagnosis depended on ultrasonographic or other imaging findings, while the final diagnosis was based on pathological study of operative specimens. The final diagnosis of the five patients undergoing operation was benign tumors (angioma group), and the other five were cystic (mainly congenital). Eight children underwent primary splenectomy, and the other two underwent partial or secondary splenectomy, all with satisfactory results. Seven were followed up for more than 2 years and recovered uneventfully.Conclusion: Preoperative imaging examinations and postoperative pathology mutually confirmed space-occupying benign lesions in the spleen. The age of the children, size and character of the lesion, as well as the risk of rupturing and malignancy are reasonable indications of surgery. Splenectomy, unless with contra-indications, is a feasible choice of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels are gated by the membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2). Among them, Kir3 requires additional molecules, such as the βγ subunits of G proteins or intracellular sodium, for channel gating. Using an interactive computational-experimental approach, we show that sodium sensitivity of Kir channels involves the side chains of an aspartate and a histidine located across from each other in a crucial loop in the cytosolic domain, as well as the backbone carbonyls of two more residues and a water molecule. The location of the coordination site in the vicinity of a conserved arginine shown to affect channel–PtdIns(4,5)P2 interactions suggests that sodium triggers a structural switch that frees the crucial arginine. Mutations of the aspartate and the histidine that affect sodium sensitivity also enhance the channel's sensitivity to PtdIns(4,5)P2. Furthermore, on the basis of the molecular characteristics of the coordination site, we identify and confirm experimentally a sodium-sensitive phenotype in Kir5.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various thymic peptides (including thymulin, thymic humoral factor, thymopoietin, etc.) play important roles in the process of T cell maturation and development. We isolated a new peptide from calf thymus and named it thymus activity factor II (TAF-II). A yield of 0.92 mg of TAF-II was purified from 500 g calf thymus. Analysis by LC/MSD-Trap showed the amino acid sequence of this hexapeptide to be Glu-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-OH with molecular weight 618.5 daltons. We have also begun to investigate the influence of TAF-II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The opening of the papilla of Vater represents the orifice of the embryonic hepatic diverticulum from which the ventral pancreas, common bile duct, and liver are derived. Recently, we found a strong association between congenital biliary dilatation (CBD), certain types of pancreatic ductal anatomy (PDA), and ectopic distal location of the papilla of Vater which prompted us to study the relationship between the location of the papilla of Vater and abnormal PDA. Methods. A total of 118 patients with CBD were studied. Cholangiograms documented the presence of pancreaticobiliary malunion (PBMU), the location of the papilla of Vater, and the PDA. Eleven age-matched patients with intermittent jaundice were used as controls. Results. In the control group, the papilla of Vater was located normally in the descending portion of the duodenum in all cases. In the 118 CBD patients, the papilla of Vater was located normally in 38 (32.2%), but in 80 (67.8%), the papilla was located distal to the descending portion of the duodenum. When the papilla was located distally, the incidences of the specific types of PDA studied were significantly higher than when the papilla was located normally (p<0.01). Pancreatic duct dilatation was also more frequent if the papilla was located distally (28.7%) compared with CBD patients with a normal papilla (7.9%) or normal controls (0%) (both p<0.01). PBMU was present in all CBD patients and absent in all controls. Conclusion. Our study strongly suggests that abnormalities occurring during early embryological development of the hepatic diverticulum are responsible for the association between abnormal PDA and ectopic distal location of the papilla of Vater in CBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]