Search

Superhydrophobic TC4 Ti alloy is essential for economical use in modern machinery. Herein, a novel superhydrophobic pattern textured TC4 Ti alloy surface with a self-assembled molecular film was fabricated by an efficient nanosecond laser ablation (laser surface texturing (LST)) and a facile chemical modification method. Further, the transformation of the surface morphology and chemical composition was analysed. Upon adjusting the laser fluence, scanning velocity and scanning distance, the maximum water and saline contact angles of the laser surface textured and chemically treated surface reached 155.5 ±0.8° and 152.5 ±1.3°, respectively. The tribological behaviour of the patterned surfaces was investigated under dry-sliding and liquid-sliding conditions. High density textures exhibited the greatest potential for lubrication under water and saline lubrication conditions. In a dry environment, a scattered-line pattern textured surface also showed a friction reducing effect, similar to that under saline sliding conditions. Finally, the anti-wear mechanism was further explained considering the morphology and wettability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a leading public health problem that contributes to increasingly high rates of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures among older adults. This study was developed with the goal of assessing serum C1q/TNF-related protein-3 (CTRP3) levels in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) patients and exploring the correlations between these levels and PMOP severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of old women with osteoporosis was conducted. All women underwent both clinical and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry examinations. Serum CTRP3, procollagen type I N propeptide (P1NP), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1) concentrations in these patients were measured via ELISA. Bone tumor markers were additionally assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were utilized to assess the diagnostic performance of CTRP3 when identifying PMOP. RESULTS: This study included 54 PMOP patients, 62 patients with osteopenia, and 60 agematched patients without PMOP. Serum CTRP3 concentrations in PMOP patients were significantly lower than in the other two groups. Bone mineral density (BMD) was positively correlated with serum CTRP3 levels in all study participants, whereas it was negatively correlated with levels of P1NP and CTX-1. ROC analyses also suggested that reductions in serum CTRP3 levels may offer value as a diagnostic indicator of PMOP. CONCLUSIONS: Present data highlight a close relationship between CTRP3 and PMOP, with lower serum CTRP3 levels being closely associated with BMD, such that they may represent a protective marker for PMOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of miRNA-99a and miRNA-224 in the serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 83 patients with NSCLC, who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2014 to September 2017, were included in the experiment group. 79 patients, who made health check up, were included in the control group. The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) technique was used to test the expressions of miRNA-99a and miRNA-224 in the serum of the patients in the two groups, and the relationship between the expression levels of miRNA-99a and miRNA-224 and the clinicopathological features of the patients with NSCLC was analyzed; the correlation between the expression of miRNA-99a and the expression of miRNA-224 in NSCLC was also analyzed. RESULTS: The expression level of miRNA-99a in the patients with NSCLC was significantly lower than that in the patients in the normal control group; the differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). The expression level of miRNA-224 in the patients with NSCLC was markedly higher than that in the patients in the normal control group; the differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). The expression level of miRNA-99a in the patients with NSCLC was remarkably correlated with pathological stage, the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis and tissue differentiation (p<0.001). The expression level of miRNA-224 in the patients with NSCLC was significantly correlated with pathological stage, the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis and pathological grade (p<0.001). The results of partial correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of miRNA-99a and miRNA-224 were negatively correlated with each other in NSCLC (r=-0.985, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MiRNA-99a and miRNA-224 may be involved in the development and progression of NSCLC. MiRNA-99a is associated with NSCLC pathological stage, lymph node metastasis and tissue differentiation, while miRNA- 224 is associated with NSCLC pathological stage, lymph node metastasis and pathological grade. MiRNA-99a and miRNA-224 can be used as clinical monitoring indicators for NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is the most frequently encountered malignant epithelial tumors. Semaphorin-7A is a membrane-associated/ secreted protein that plays an essential role in the migration and progression of human malignancies. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms of Semaphorin-7A in the growth and migration of OTSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expressions of Semaphorin-7A in cells were tested by RT-PCR, Western blot, and Immunofluorescence, separately. The activities of OTSCC cells (HSC-3 and Tca8113) were analyzed by MTT, following treatment with Semaphorin-7A or PBS. The migration, invasion, and apoptosis of cells were also determined. The protein expressions of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway were analyzed by Western blot, after treated with Semaphorin-7A in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the mouse model of OTSCC was treated with antibody target for Semaphorin-7A (AntiSema- 7A), Semaphorin-7A or PBS, then the tumor size was determined, and histopathological examination and western blot was applied for further confirmation. RESULTS: In OTSCC cells, Semaphorin-7A was highly expressed, and Semaphorin-7A promoted growth in multiple metastatic OTSCC cell lines. Further study indicated that Semaphorin-7A resulted in up-regulation of Snail, N-cadherin and Vimentin expression, and downregulating of E-cadherin. In addition, The Ets2-repressor factor (ERF) expression was down-regulated, and transforming growth factor (TGF-β)- induced EMT was promoted in OTSCC cells. Then, the proteins of collagen types I (CT-I) and fibronectin (FIB) were also up-regulated after Semaphorin-7A treatment. Furthermore, our results indicated that inhibition of Semaphorin- 7A by antibody target for Semaphorin-7A (AntiSema-7A) suppressed OTSCC growth and increased survival in a mouse model of OTSCC. Histopathological examination confirmed the inhibitory effects in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Semaphorin-7A promoted growth and migration of OTSCC by regulating TGF-β-induced EMT signaling pathway in OTSCC cells, which provided a new interconnection between the Semaphorin-7A and TGF-β- induced EMT signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The present study is aimed to investigate the expression of Endoglin during breast cancer. Moreover, its clinical pathological significance, as well as correlation with estrogen receptor (ER) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), were also studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: qRT-PCR and Western blot assays were utilized to study PCNA mRNA, ER, Endoglin and protein expression. Immunohistochemistry analysis was conducted to determine the expression of Endoglin, ER, and PCNA protein in breast cancer tissue and adjacent cancer tissue. The microvascular density (MVD) was indicated by expression of Endoglin protein. The positive cell rate was used to express the protein expression level of ER and PCNA. RESULTS: The mRNA expression levels of Endoglin, ER, and PCNA were significantly elevated in breast cancer tumor tissues in comparison with the cancer-adjacent tissues. The positive expression rates of Endoglin, ER, and PCNA were 69%, 56%, and 73% respectively in breast cancer tumor tissues. Endoglin MVD values in breast cancer tissues and cancer-adjacent tissues were (35.18 ± 9.57)/mm² and (7.21 ± 1.63)/mm², respectively. The expression of Endoglin protein in breast tumor tissues was positively correlated to lymph node metastasis and TNM stages, but it was not to menopause and tumor size. Endoglin protein was positively correlated to the expression of PCNA protein, but was not correlated to ER expression. CONCLUSIONS: Endoglin protein expression is positively correlated to PCNA protein expression. So, Endoglin MVD in breast cancer tissues has important clinical significance in the assessment of breast cancer prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Elevated apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) is correlated with the occurrence of aortic dissection (AD). Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is the major effector in Hippo-YAP signal pathway, which facilitates cell proliferation and suppressing apoptosis. Several studies have been performed regarding the relationship between YAP1 and AD pathogenesis. This study established the AD rat model to investigate possible roles of YAP1 in regulating VSMC apoptosis and AD pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell apoptosis and YAP1 expression were compared between AD vascular tissues and normal rats. In vitro studies with rat thoracic VSMCs were divided into control, cyclic stretch, cyclic stretch + pIRES2-blank and cyclic stretch + pIRES2-YAP1 groups. Cell apoptosis rate, YAP1 and survivin expressions were measured. AD rats were divided into model, Ad-NC injection, and Ad-YAP1 injection group for the detection of AD formation rate, expressions of YPA1 and survivin, and VSMCs apoptosis. RESULTS: Compared to control group, vascular cell apoptosis was increased, and YAP1 expression was reduced in AD rats. Cyclic stretch significantly induced VSMCs apoptosis. The over-expression of YAP1 up-regulated survivin and impeded the cell apoptosis induced by cyclic stretch. The treatment with Ad-YAP1 up-regulated the levels of YAP1 and survivin in AD model rat vascular tissues, and decreased apoptosis and AD formation rate/AD diameter/length. CONCLUSIONS: YAP1 played a critical role in affecting VSMC apoptosis and AD pathogenesis. Up-regulation of YAP1 decreased VSMC apoptosis and AD formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a continuous wave (CW) and passive Q-switching operation of a Nd:YAG ceramic laser at 1112 nm by using a concave-plane cavity, which has not been found in the previous literature but of great potential. A maximum output power of 1.36 W was obtained at the pumped power of 11.30 W, corresponding to an optical-to-optical efficiency of 12.0% and a slope efficiency of 15.1%. We inserted the Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber with initial transmission of 80.0% into the cavity and the maximum average output power of 713 mW was realized at the pumped power of 11.20 W, the minimum pulse width is 8 ns with the pulse repetition rate of 10.8 KHz, corresponding to the signal pulse energy and the maximum peak power of 66 μJ and 8.25 kW, respectively. These unique strengths of Nd:YAG ceramic laser at 1112 nm thereby open up new opportunities in light source to integrated optical processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study assessed the applicability and efficacy of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in predicting breastfeeding. Background: The TPB assumes a rational approach for engaging in various behaviors, and has been used extensively for explaining health behavior. However, most studies have tested the effectiveness of TPB constructs in predicting how people perform actions for their own benefit rather than performing behaviors that are beneficial to others, such as breastfeeding infants. A meta-analysis approach could help clarify the breastfeeding practice to promote breastfeeding. Methods: This study used meta-analytic procedures. We searched for studies to include in our analysis, examining those published between January 1,1990 and December 31,2013 in PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Mosby's Index. We also reviewed journals with a history of publishing breastfeeding studies and searched reference lists for potential articles to include. Results: Ten studies comprising a total of 2694 participants were selected for analysis. These studies yielded 10 effect sizes from the TPB, which ranged from 0.20 to 0.59. Structural equation model analysis using the pooled correlation matrix enabled us to determine the relative coefficients among TPB constructs. Attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were all significant predictors of breastfeeding intention, whereas intention was a strong predictor of breastfeeding behavior. Perceived behavioral control reached a borderline level of significance to breastfeeding behavior. Theoretical and empirical implications are discussed from the perspective of evidence-based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If adolescents do not receive appropriate assistance in quitting smoking, they are highly likely to become regular smokers when they enter adulthood. Thus, an effective smoking-cessation program is required. A program was designed based on both the smoking-cessation barriers reported by students and effective strategies derived from the literature. We assigned 143 student smokers from 6 vocational high schools to intervention (n=78) and comparison groups (n=65). Data were collected at the baseline, the end of the program, and 1- and 4-month follow-up time points. For the intervention group, the smoking-abstinence rates confirmed using the urine cotinine test were 22.73% at the end of the program and 20.75% at the 4-month follow-up point. Days smoked in the past month, number of cigarettes smoked per day, and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score of the intervention group decreased at all of the time points. The group differences in these variables were statistically significant; the magnitude of effect sizes ranged from 0.44 to 0.95. Multicomponent programs addressing smoking-cessation barriers that students encounter can help adolescents quit smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Severe sepsis after trauma still associated with a high mortality rate in intensive care units (ICU). In this study we aimed to identify genes related to multiple trauma complicated by severe sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gene expression profile dataset GSE12624 including 36 samples of traumatic patients not complicated by sepsis and 34 traumatic patients complicated by sepsis was downloaded from GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. The limma package in R was applied to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two groups of samples. All the DEGs were divided into up- and down-regulation groups according to the changes of their expression value, which were then subjected to GO enrichment analysis. Two genes with largest changes among the up- and down-regulation groups were selected. Interaction networks based on these two genes were constructed using Hit- Predict software and then pathway enrichment analysis for the networks were performed by WebGestalt software. RESULTS: A total of 21 up-regulated genes and 37 down-regulated genes were obtained, which were mainly related to GO terms "endopeptidase inhibitor activity" and "response to wounding", respectively. The IlogFCI of genes PLAU (urokinase-type plasminogen activator) and MMP8 (matrix metalloproteinase-8) ranked first in down-regulated or up-regulated list. There were 18 genes which can interact with PLAU at a high degree of confidence while there were 5 genes with MMP8. Further analysis showed that PLAU was closely associated with the pathway "complement and coagulation cascades". CONCLUSIONS: PLAU and MMP8 may act as potential targets for diagnosis and therapy of trauma complicated by sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new design of a dual-polarized antenna with high isolation and low cross polarization is proposed. The main radiation structures comprise two pairs of petaloid patches, which are fed by coaxial lines. Behind the patches, a U-shaped ground is placed to improve the front-to-back ratio of the antenna. Stable and symmetric radiation patterns at slanted ±45° polarization have been obtained within the frequency band 1.71--2.17 GHz. A return loss of --14 dB is achieved and measured isolation between the two input ports is over 31 dB. The 3 dB beamwidths of the two polarizations is stable (65°) and the average gain of the proposed antenna is about 9 dBi across the whole frequency band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two wavelength converters based on cascaded harmonic and difference frequency generation using a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide under continuous-wave pumping or pulsed-wave pumping are demonstrated. The converted spectra, the temporal waveforms for 40 G non-return-to-zero pseudorandom binary sequence, are observed and compared to evaluate the performance of these two wavelength converters. The difference of bit transferring road and conversion process between two wavelength converters leads into different results. The information converting is completely transparent in the continuous-wave pumping wavelength conversion, whereas it is changed in pulsed pumping application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective pre-conditioner for the method of moments (MoM) solution to the coupled volume-surface integral equation is presented to calculate electromagnetic scattering from conducting and dielectric targets. In this MoM solution to the integral equations, the target is discretized using triangular patches for conducting surfaces and tetrahedral cells for dielectric volume. Based on the characteristics of impedance matrix, an accurate method is used to improve the convergence speed when the iterative solver is employed. In comparison with other pre-conditioners, some numerical examples are also presented with high efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]