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Oxytocin (OXT) is a nine amino acid neuropeptide hormone that has become one of the most intensively studied molecules in the past few decades. The vast majority of OXT is synthesized in the periventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, and a few are synthesized in some peripheral organs (such as the uterus, ovaries, adrenal glands, thymus, pancreas, etc.) OXT modulates a series of physiological processes, including lactation, parturition, as well as some social behaviors. In addition, more and more attention has recently been focused on the analgesic effects of oxytocin. It has been reported that OXT can relieve tension and pain without other adverse effects. However, the critical role and detailed mechanism of OXT in analgesia remain unclear. Here, this review aims to summarize the mechanism of OXT in analgesia and some ideas about the mechanism.

Glutamate receptor, ionotropic, N-methyl-D-aspartate associated protein 1 (GRINA) is a member of the NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and is involved in several neurological diseases, which governs the key processes of neuronal cell death or the release of neurotransmitters. Upregulation of GRINA has been reported in multiple diseases in human beings, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SCZ), with which the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this review, we provide a general overview of the expression and physiological function of GRINA in the central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including stroke, depression ,epilepsy, SCZ, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Depression is one of the prevalent psychiatric illnesses with a comprehensive performance such as low self-esteem, lack of motivation, anhedonia, poor appetite, low energy, and uncomfortableness without a specific cause. So far, the cause of depression is not very clear, but it is certain that many aspects of biological psychological and social environment are involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Recently, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been indicated to be a pivotal brain region in the pathogenesis of depression. And increasing evidence showed that the abnormal activity of the PFC neurons is linked with depressive symptoms. Unveiling the molecular and cellular, as well as the circuit properties of the PFC neurons will help to find out how abnormalities in PFC neuronal activity are associated with depressive disorders. In addition, concerning many antidepressant drugs, in this review, we concluded the effect of several antidepressants on PFC neuronal activity to better understand its association with depression.

It has become the top priority for coking industry to rationally use and enlarge coking coal resources because of the shortage of the resources. This review focuses on the potential utilization of oil shale (OS) as a feedstock for coal-blending coking, in which the initial and basic step is pyrolysis. However, OS has a high ash content. If such OS is directly used for coal-blending coking, the coke product will not meet market demand. Therefore, this review firstly summarizes separation and beneficiation techniques for organic matter in OS, and provides an overview on coal and OS pyrolysis through several viewpoints (e.g., pyrolysis process, phenomena, and products). Then the exploratory studies on co-pyrolysis of coal with OS, including co-pyrolysis phenomena and process mechanism, are discussed. Finally, co-pyrolysis of different ranks of coals with OS in terms of coal-blending coking, where further research deserves to be performed, is suggested.

Cell death is a common phenomenon in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the mechanism of triggering the death of neuronal cells remains unclear. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent lipid peroxidation-driven cell death and emerging evidences have demonstrated the involvement of ferroptosis in the pathological process of AD. Moreover, several hallmarks of AD pathogenesis were consistent with the characteristics of ferroptosis, such as excess iron accumulation, elevated lipid peroxides, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels. Besides, some ferroptosis inhibitors can relieve AD-related pathological symptoms in AD mice and exhibit potential clinical benefits in AD patients. Therefore, ferroptosis is gradually being considered as a distinct cell death mechanism in the pathogenesis of AD. However, direct evidence is still lacking. In this review, we summarize the features of ferroptosis in AD, its underlying mechanisms in AD pathology, and review the application of ferroptosis inhibitors in both AD clinical trials and mice/cell models, to provide valuable information for future treatment and prevention of this devastating disease.

The presence of foreign or misplaced nucleic acids is a dangerous signal that triggers innate immune responses by activating cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and binding to its downstream signaling effector stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Then the cGAS-STING pathway activation links nucleic acid-sensing to immune responses and pathogenic entities clearance. However, the overactivation of this signaling pathway leads to fatal immune disorders and contributes to the progression of many human inflammatory diseases. Therefore, optimal activation of this pathway is crucial for the elimination of invading pathogens and the maintenance of immune homeostasis. In this review, we will summarize its fundamental roles in initiating host defense against invading pathogens and discuss its pathogenic roles in multiple neuro-inflammatory diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases.

We proposed a low-temperature rapid pyrolysis treatment (LTRP) to modify the caking property of a sub-bituminous coal. The coal was thermally treated in a rotating furnace in the temperature range 320–500 °C at a heating rate of ca. 80 °C/min. We also conducted an integrated investigation on some physicochemical properties, which were characterized by ultimate analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, pore volume, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetry, of the treated coal to determine the modification mechanism. Caking and coking properties were evaluated by caking index (G) and crucible coking experiments, respectively. The results showed that LTRP significantly increased G, which reached the maximum at 410 °C, implying the existence of an optimum temperature. Crucible coking experiments showed that structure strength and micro-strength indices of the resulting cokes were also improved by LTRP treatment. A mechanism was proposed for the modification of the caking property. Suitable upgrading degree with suitable molecular masses and low melting donor hydrogen rich species presented within the coal, which dominated the development of caking property, was important. The synergistic effect of pore volume and the contents of total acidity groups, volatile matter, hydrogen, and oxygen in the coal determined the suitable upgrading degree.

BackgroundWith coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) ravaging the global, concern has been aroused whether discharged Covid-19 patients with reappeared positive nucleic acid test results are infected again.ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics of discharged Covid-19 patients with reappeared positive nucleic acid test results and to track clinical outcomes of them.MethodsWe extracted clinical data on 938 Covid-19 patients from Wuhan Union Hospital (West Branch), and we obtained information about residual symptoms and nucleic acid tests after discharge through follow-up study. We evaluated the relationship of clinical characteristics and reappeared positive results. Each patient had at least 44 days of follow-up.ResultsOf 938 discharged patients, a total of 58 (6.2%) had reappeared positive nucleic acid test results and 880 remain negative. Among patients over the age of 50, the factors we found to be associated with re-positive results were coronary artery disease (14.1%, vs. 5.5% among those without coronary artery disease; odds ratio, 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28 to 6.15), and hypertension (9.5%, vs. 4.9% among those without hypertension; odds ratio, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.82). As of May 11, 2020, 54 (93.1%) re-positive patients turned negative again while two patients remained positive, and two patients was lost to the second follow-up.ConclusionCoexisting diseases including coronary artery disease and hypertension were substantial risk factors for re-positive outcomes among patients over 50. And most re-positive patients tended to return negative eventually.

// Huihui Li 1, 2 , Chunxiao Chang 2 , Yuhong Shang 3 , Ling Qiang 2 , Baoxuan Zhang 2 , Bing Bu 2 , Guohua Ren 2 , Lihua Song 2 , Mao Shang 4 and Jinming Yu 4 1 Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China 3 Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China 4 Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China Correspondence to: Jinming Yu, email: sdyujinming@163.com Keywords: colorectal cancer, susceptibility, enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit, exon region, missense variant Received: August 28, 2017 Accepted: September 23, 2017 Published: October 16, 2017 ABSTRACT Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks the fifth leading cause of cancer death in China. EZH2 is a member of Polycomb-group (PcG) family and associated with transcriptional repression and cancer development. In this study, we report the association between a missense variant in EZH2 and risk of CRC. Through a systematic selection of variants in EZH2, we identified rs2302427 in the exon region of EZH2 and genotyped this variant in 852 CRC patients and 1,303 healthy controls using Taqman genotyping assay. The association between this variant and CRC risk was calculated using logistic regression with adjustment of sex, age, smoking status and drinking status. The result showed that rs2302427 was significantly associated with CRC susceptibility under an additive model ( P =0.0068). Compared with CC genotype carriers, CG genotype and GG genotype carriers were associated with risk of CRC with odds ratio being 0.78 (95% CI: 0.63-0.96, P =0.0198) and 0.54 (95% CI: 0.24-1.18, P =0.1224), respectively. When stratified by sex, age, smoking status or drinking status, significant associations were observed only in younger individuals (OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.50-0.89, P =0.0067) or smokers (OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.48-0.88, P =0.0051). This study provides new insights into the personalized prevention of colorectal cancer.

Background Every year, strokes take millions of lives and leave millions of individuals living with permanent disabilities. Recently more researchers embrace the concept of the neurovascular unit (NVU), which encompasses neurons, endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes, astrocyte, microglia, and the extracellular matrix. It has been well-documented that NVU emerged as a new paradigm for the exploration of mechanisms and therapies in ischemic stroke. To better understand the complex NVU and broaden therapeutic targets, we must probe the roles of multiple cell types in ischemic stroke. The aims of this paper are to introduce the biological characteristics of brain pericytes and the available evidence on the diverse functions and mechanisms involving the pericytes in the context of ischemic stroke. Methods Research and online content related to the biological characteristics and pathophysiological roles of pericytes is review. The new research direction on the Pericytes in ischemic stroke, and the potential therapeutic targets are provided. Results During the different stages of ischemic stroke, pericytes play different roles: 1) On the hyperacute phase of stroke, pericytes constriction and death may be a cause of the no-reflow phenomenon in brain capillaries; 2) During the acute phase, pericytes detach from microvessels and participate in inflammatory-immunological response, resulting in the BBB damage and brain edema. Pericytes also provide benefit for neuroprotection by protecting endothelium, stabilizing BBB and releasing neurotrophins; 3) Similarly, during the later recovery phase of stroke, pericytes also contribute to angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and thereby promote neurological recovery. Conclusion This emphasis on the NVU concept has shifted the focus of ischemic stroke research from neuro-centric views to the complex interactions within NVU. With this new perspective, pericytes that are centrally positioned in the NVU have been widely studied in ischemic stroke. More work is needed to elucidate the beneficial and detrimental roles of brain pericytes in ischemic stroke that may serve as a basis for potential therapeutic targets.

The pretreatment nutritional and immunological status play indispensable roles in predicting the outcome of patients with various types of malignancies. The aim of the study was to investigate whether preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI), which simply accounts for nutritional and immunological status, was associated with overall survival (OS) in patients with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). The retrospective study included a total of 315 GBC patients after surgery between 2002 and 2012. PNI was calculated according to the following formula: 10× serum albumin (g/dl) +0.005× total lymphocyte count (per mm3). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for survival prediction was plotted to verify the optimal cutoff value for LMR, which was set at 46.14. According the value, patients were categorized into two different groups, namely high-PNI group (n = 133) and low-PNI group (n = 182). The univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify the independent prognostic factors. The results showed that low pretreatment PNI value was significantly associated with elderly age, partial surgery procedure, and advanced tumor status such as tumor stage, node stage, and tumor-node-metastasis stage (P

Background Associations between abnormal gut microbiome compositions and anxiety-like behaviors are well established. However, it is unknown whether the gut microbiome composition is associated with the severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and relief from clinical symptoms in patients. Methods Stool samples from 36 patients with active GAD (A-GAD group) and 24 matched healthy control subjects (HC group) were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Anxiety was assessed with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and global assessments of functioning were performed at baseline and 1 month after drug treatment. Results Gut microbiome compositions were altered in A-GAD patients, with fewer operational taxonomic units and lower fecal bacterial α-diversity. Specifically, Firmicutes and Tenericutes abundances were lower in A-GAD patients, and several genera were differentially represented in the A-GAD and HC groups. The abundances of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, and Prevotella_9 correlated negatively with the anxiety severity and positively with anxiety reduction, whereas the abundances of Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella were positively associated with anxiety severity. Sex, smoking, and alcohol intake influenced the gut microbiome composition. Limitations The sample sizes were small and the stool samples were collected only at baseline; therefore, a causal association between changes in intestinal flora and disease remission was not established. Moreover, the effects of different drugs on gut microbiome composition were not investigated. Conclusions Altered gut microbiome composition may contribute to GAD pathogenesis and remission.

Background and Aim Although the influence of cigarette smoking on the incident risk of liver cancer has been determined, the association between smoking and liver cancer mortality remains uncertain. Methods We searched Pubmed, EmBase, and Web of Science databases to obtain eligible studies. Hazard ratio (HR) value and 95% confidential intervals (CI) were pooled by using a random-effects model, and dose–response analyses were conducted to quantify associations between smoking and mortality from liver cancer. Results A total of 27 articles involving four million participants from seven countries by retrieval (published 1986–2014) were finally included. Pooled HR values for liver cancer mortality was 1.45 (95% CI: 1.33–1.59), 1.22 (95% CI: 1.11–1.34) and 1.16 (95% CI: 1.01–1.32) for current, former, and ever smokers, respectively, when compared with nonsmokers. The risk increased by 7.1% (95% CI: 1.4–13.2) for per additional 10 cigarettes per day and by 5.2% (95% CI: 0.02–11.2) for per additional 10 pack-years. In our population recruiting 597 patients with liver cancer, smoking status was further identified as a significant determinant factor of tumor size and serum level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, but not a significant prognostic factor. Conclusions Cigarette smoking, especially current smoking, significantly increased mortality risk from liver cancer.

The transcription factor TAp73, a transcriptionally active isoform of p73, has high structure and function similaritieswith its homolog p53, therefore, are thought to be a cancer therapy candidate target. However, there is still a controversy about the tumor suppressor role of TAp73, since it has been found in numerous studies that TAp73 expression is elevated in different cancers. Thus, we take effort to clarify the influence of TAp73 on gastric cancer (GC) chemotherapy. Multiple cell lines of GC such as SNU-1, SNU-3, and AGS were applied to investigate expression of TAp73. Flow cytometry was utilized to detect apoptosis, revealing how TAp73 overexpression affected anticancer drug (ACD). Additionally, we explored how TAp73 overexpression influenced apoptotic cells of neoplastic tissues and tumor size of nude mice in vivo. Our results indicated that TAp73 was down-regulated in GC cells after chemotherapy drugs treatment. Besides, enforced expression of TAp73 affects chemotherapeutic drugs induced GC cell apoptosis, which is dependent on p53. The expression of TAp73 was regulated by its transcription factor, E2F1, in response to chemotherapy drugs. Our in vivo xenograft results also suggested that transfection of TAp73 affects the tumor suppression effect of 5-FU. Consequently, the findings of our study demonstrate that E2F1 and TAp73α are oncogenic and throw light upon the underlying mechanism of their role against apoptosis.

Background: To compare the clinicopathological features and prognosis between younger and aged patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: We analyzed the outcome of 451 HCC patients underwent liver resection, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation, respectively. Then risk factors for aged and younger patients' survival were evaluated by multivariate analysis, respectively. Results: The patients who were older than 55 years old were defined as the older group. The overall survival for aged patients was significantly worse than those younger patients. The younger patients had similar liver functional reserve but more aggressive tumor factors than aged patients. Cox regression analysis showed that the elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (Wald χ 2 = 3.963, P = 0.047, hazard ratio [ HR ] =1.453, 95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 1.006-2.098), lower albumin (Wald χ 2 = 12.213, P HR = 1.982, 95% CI : 1.351-2.910), tumor size (Wald χ 2 = 8.179, P = 0.004, HR = 1.841, 95% CI : 1.212-2.797), and higher alpha-fetoprotein level (Wald χ 2 = 4.044, P = 0.044, HR = 1.465, 95% CI : 1.010-2.126) were independent prognostic factors for aged patients, while only elevated levels of AST (Wald χ 2 = 14.491, P HR = 2.285, 95% CI : 1.493-3.496) and tumor size (Wald χ 2 = 21.662, P HR = 2.928, 95% CI : 1.863-4.604) were independent prognostic factors for younger patients. Conclusions: Age is a risk factor to determine the prognosis of patients with HCC. Aged patients who have good liver functional reserve are still encouraged to receive curative therapy.

Using numerical analysis to evaluate the mechanical properties of concrete is an important method emerged in recent years. However, some concepts and simulation methods need to be further investigated. This research used the test specimen for compressive strength of the concrete as the subject of numerical analysis; simulated the load to reach compressive strength and analyzed the stress field. Finally, yield strength of the concrete specimen is proposed.

Numerical analysis was performed for compressive strength of the concrete. Internal defects of the concrete specimen were simulated and compressive strength reduction mechanism was studied. The defects inside of the specimen are stochastic; therefore it is impossible to study the subject with physical material testing. From this study, it is shown that numerical analysis can effectively simulate internal defects and provide an efficient way to study compressive strength reduction.

Gold box bucket bottom slot hall-type building is a kind of the highest rank traditional architecture in China. Under the horizontal inertia force, post partial pendulum and the weight of roof make it reset, as a result, it formed a phenomenon —it is on high level but does not fall (high tumbler). When stigma swing, then cap block move. When the friction was eliminated between flower arm and cap block, relative displacement occurs and we call it “soft neck role”. "The phenomenon of high tumbler" and "soft neck" .These two factors determine the excellent seismic performance of the lifted building

It is rather complicated to predict the characteristics of strata response to mining operation in thick seams. However, a comprehensive evaluation of ground behavior is a prerequisite for maintaining efficient production, especially when the top-coal-caving method behind the face is applied. An analysis of the conditions of top coal has revealed that a 1.8m thick layer of coal just above the shield supports is well fractured. However, a 4.2m thick layer of coal above the fractured part is either not fractured or is fractured in the form of large blocks leading to obstruction of windows of shields during coal drawing. It is concluded that, in order to decrease dilution and increase extraction ratio and efficiency of operation, top coal should be as uniformly fractured as possible. Hence, an efficient and continuous coal flowing behind the face can be maintained.

Bridge-in-a-Backpack is a new type bridge. this study will investigate the interaction of flow under the bridge with the tubes and decking, and recommend Manning’s roughness coefficient for water flow under the composite backbridge system.

Cyclic characteristic of offshore environmental load may cause the accumulation of foundation settlement and excess pore pressure in the subsoil. This may lead to conditions that jeopardize the structural stability and operability of the wind turbine. This paper discusses the analysis steps of the responses of non-cohesive subsoil under cyclic loads for a gravity base foundation system.

Monte Carlo simulation provides a probabilistic method to evaluate the physical behavior of earth dam. Therefore, the behavior could be got in a more realistic manner. Based on the theory, an innovative software program code is developed by combining the Monte Carlo and finite difference methods to predict the performance of earth dams after impounding. In order to assess the efficiency of the method, the case study of earth dam, located at Southeast of China, has been studied in detail. The performance of this dam is predicted and compared with the field monitoring by using the monitoring data. The results shows the robustness of the proposed method.

Objective: To discuss the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) by analyzing 4 cases of our center and 26 cases reported by others in our country. Methods: We analyzed the clinical feature, diagnosis and treatment of 4 CPM cases and then compared them with 26 CPM cases reported between 2000 and 2010. Results: The average age of our 4 cases (3 men and 1 woman) was 47.5 years old. All cases were diagnosed by MRI scan. The patients all had been diagnosed as liver cirrhosis and most of the CPM related symptoms were observed within 2 weeks after surgery, including neural and psychic symptoms and physical impairment. Rapid correction of hyponatremia during perioperative period and high blood concentration of FK506 may be the main causes. All cases received etiological and symptomatic combination treatment and were continued with neural function training after hospital discharge. A long-term follow-up (29.5 ± 15.0 months) showed an improvement of neural function to different degrees. Conclusion: CPM after liver transplantation is a severe complication, of which the etiology and pathogenesis were not clear. MRI scan is the main method for confirmative diagnosis. Etiological prevention and timely treatment may improve the prognosis.

The aberrant activation of CDK5 has been implicated in neuronal death in stroke. The goal of this study is to determine whether knocking down CDK5 by a peptide-directed lysosomal degradation approach is therapeutically effective against stroke. We synthesized a membrane-permeable peptide that specifically binds to CDK5 with a chaperone-mediated autophagy targeting motif (Tat-CDK5-CTM) and tested its therapeutic effects on a mouse model of ischemic stroke. Our results showed that Tat-CDK5-CTM blocked the CDK5-NR2B interaction, resulting in the degradation of CDK5, which in turn prevented calcium overload and neuronal death in cultured neurons. Tat-CDK5-CTM also reduced the infarction area and neuronal loss and improved the neurological functions in MCAO (Middle cerebral artery occlusion) mice. The peptide-directed lysosomal degradation of CDK5 is a promising therapeutic intervention for stroke.

Truss spar model was tested using regular waves in a wave basin and the responses in surge, heave and pitch were measured. A program was developed to determine the responses using numerical method. This program was run using the model parameters. The results are agreed well with the corresponding results obtained from the test measurements. Then this program was applied to a prototype spar simulated results were compared with the corresponding numerical results and test measurements.

Concrete truss spar model was tested using regular waves in a wave basin andthe responses in surge, heave and pitch were measured. A program was developed to determine the responses using numerical method. This program was run using the modelparameters. The results are agreed well with thecorresponding results obtained from the test measurements. Then thisprogram was applied to a prototype sparsimulated results were compared with the corresponding numericalresults and test measurements.

A probabilistic method to durability is proposed for the design of reinforced cover of a concrete immersed in marine environment. It uses a non-linear chloride diffusion model for a saturated medium. Parameter variability is estimated and used by the probabilistic method to assess the probability of reaching a critical chloride concentration near the reinforcement for a given service life. Based on the concrete formulation and the cement chemical composition, the model parameters are evaluated with their associated random distribution.

A numerical implement to simulate the crack propagating process in arch dam and rock base has been put forward. A new remeshing strategy of FEM meshing grid was presented for improving the calculation accuracy and efficiency. In the period of dividing the dam structure and the foundation rock into an appropriate number of discrete subregion (finite elements), the adaptive element was used to divide the original 3-D element into 8 son-elements analogical to its father-elements entirely. Of course the 2-D element was divided into 4 son-elements analogical to its father-elements entirely using the same method. The element shape function was used to solve suspend nodal point. The arithmetic and shape function’s formulation also were put forward. To satisfy the engineering accurate result, the adaptive element was used to divide the son-element or the grandson-element again. In the calculating processor, the arithmetic of adaptive load step was presented. Only one element failures in a load step. So the cracking processor can be found with automatic mesh generation. An arch dam has been as example to validate the method is right and stability. The arithmetic has important theory and utility value.

Frame of the van is the basis for mounting of the other assemblies, by sustaining the various kinds of force and load from the road and the weight, so the strength and stiffness of the frame is the very important on the overall design of the van. This thesis does an analysis and research in accordance with ANSYS, discussing the frames static strength of the warp working status and the torsion working status, and doing an analysis of stiffness. The result of analysis shows that the frames ultimate stress is lower than the ultimate strength of material, satisfy the design demand. But the strength of material is overall higher, so the economic efficiency is low. This thesis is also provided the parameter for the nest step design of stress centralization areas and unreasonable design structure.

Safe analysis of the progressive slide is used to estimate the stability of arch dam. The space stochastic parameters are surveyed through considering the relativity of parameter. The stability reliability analysis can be divided into element, sub-structure or sub-system, system.etc. From element to system calculate abutment’s ability. Sub-structure is composed by elements parallel connection. System is composed by sub-structures in series. The substructure method is applied to study the interaction between arch dam and its abutment. In this paper, the weakness part of abutment was found by cracking analysis of the progressive slide, and the safe evaluation was given.

Based on the normal H-K rheology model, a new rheological model containing fracture elements for concrete or rock cracked body is introduced. The method to ascertain rheology state is put forward. The new rheological model can change to Maxwell or Kelvin model to express the instantaneous failure, delayed failure state and the accelerating segment. The researching failure element method was used to study the crack propagation. Then the cracking elements were studied using rheology mechanics to solve the cracking time. At last a case study was given to validate the method is feasible.

The research presented the mechanical properties under compressive loads of a natural stone masonry. The characterization of the basic materials and different stone masonry prisms are included. Sandstone and low strength lime–cement mortar were used for this experimental work. The morphological characteristics of walls were also taken into account, in order to manufacture prism specimens that were as representative as possible of the Chinese typology. The experimental values were compared with the analytical in different masonry.

The failure process of hydro structures concrete structure and time and space has stochastic relation. The durability failure mechanism, durability failure type and durability failure mode were presented in the paper which is different from caviling engineering. The relation of durability and resisting ability was studied. Based on credibility theory, service-life of hydro structure concrete member was predicted. and the mend measures to improve durability was put forward.

Numerous literature suggest that the preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is correlated to the prognosis of various cancers. However, the prognostic significance of NLR in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) remains to be determined.Data from 316 GBC patients with surgical treatment were reviewed retrospectively. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to determine an optimal cut-off value for NLR. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression proportional hazard model were performed to evaluate prognostic factors.The optimal cut-off point for NLR was 2.61 according to the ROC curve. According to the univariable analysis, NLR, differentiation and TNM stage were associated with GBC prognosis. GBC patients with NLR 2.61 have worsened 5-year overall survival (OS) compared to patients with NLR ≤ 2.61 (P 0.001). Multiple analyses indicated that NLR (hazard ratio (HR) 1.65; 95 percent confidence interval (95% CI) 1.25-2.17), differentiation (HR 1.25; 95% CI 0.97-1.62) and TNM stage (HR 3.79; 95% CI 2.09-6.87) were independent prognostic factors for GBC. GBC patients in stage III/IV, NLR 2.61 exhibited worse OS compared to patients with NLR ≤ 2.61 (P 0.05). A prognostic evaluation model based on the independent prognostic factors was established.NLR is associated with GBC prognosis and is a potential prognostic marker for GBC, not only preoperatively but also postoperatively.

The effect of inorganic compounds (e.g., Na2CO3, CaCl2, FeCl3, and H3BO3) on the gasification reactivity was investigated. On the one hand, coal and CO2 gasification experiments were performed using a thermogravimetric analyzer. On the other hand, five models (Na2CO3-char, CaCl2-char, FeCl3-char, char, and H3BO3-char) were established in Materials Studio software due to the fact that the char gasification is the rate-determining section. Then the adsorption mechanism of gasification agent (CO2) in the above five models was simulated using the grand canonical Monte Carlo method. After that, diffusion coefficient and adsorption activation energy were estimated. From the results of experiments, the catalytic ability followed the sequence of Na2CO3-coal > CaCl2-coal > FeCl3-coal > coal > H3BO3-coal. By comparing the activation energy of CO2 adsorption in simulation, it may be noted that the sequence of CO2 adsorption ability is the same as the inorganic compound catalytic ability. Therefore, it is inferred th...

Purpose To evaluate the prognostic value of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in gallbladder cancer (GBC). Materials and methods Serum ALP and GGT levels and clinicopathological parameters were retrospectively evaluated in 199 GBC patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the cut-off values of ALP and GGT. Then, associations with overall survival were assessed by multivariate analysis. Based on the significant factors, a prognostic score model was established. Results By ROC curve analysis, ALP≥210 U/L and GGT≥43 U/L were considered elevated. Overall survival for patients with elevated ALP and GGT was significantly worse than for patients within the normal range. Multivariate analysis showed that the elevated ALP, GGT and tumor stage were independent prognostic factors. Giving each positive factor a score of 1, we established a preoperative prognostic score model. Varied outcomes would be significantly distinguished by the different score groups. By further ROC curve analysis, the simple score showed great superiority compared with the widely used TNM staging, each of the ALP or GGT alone, or traditional tumor markers such as CEA, AFP, CA125 and CA199. Conclusions Elevated ALP and GGT levels were risk predictors in GBC patients. Our prognostic model provides infomration on varied outcomes of patients from different score groups.

Hyperhomocystinemia could induce tau protein hyperphosphorylation, β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, and memory deficits as seen in Alzheimer disease (AD), the most common cause of senile dementia with no effective cure currently. To search for possible treatment for AD, we produced a hyperhomocysteinemia model by vena caudalis injection of homocystine (Hcy) for 2 weeks and studied the effects of acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) in rats. We found that simultaneous supplement of ALC could improve the Hcy-induced memory deficits remarkably, with attenuation of tau hyperphosphorylation and Aβ accumulation. Supplement of ALC almost abolished the Hcy-induced tau hyperphosphorylation at multiple AD-related sites. Supplementation of ALC also suppressed the phosphorylation of β-amyloid precursor proteins (APP), which may underlie the reduction of Aβ. Our data suggest that ALC could be a promising candidate for arresting Hcy-induced AD-like pathological and behavioral impairments.

Regional safety alarm system is a security system widely used in enterprises and institutions, residential districts and office buildings, which has a complex structure and higher costs. This design is mainly to use SCM and some simple photoelectric sensors to achieve a regional safety alarm system with high reliability and low misoperation, and its size can be easily extended according to user needs.

Based on the normal H-K rheology model, a new rheological model containing fracture elements for concrete or rock cracked body is introduced. The method to ascertain rheology state is put forward. The new rheological model can change to Maxwell or Kelvin model to express the instantaneous failure, delayed failure state and the accelerating segment. The researching failure element method was used to study the crack propagation. Then the cracking elements were studied using rheology mechanics to solve the cracking time. At last a case study was given to validate the method is feasible.

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of >100° via posterior-only surgery with strong halo-femoral traction and posterior wide release. From December 2003 to August 2006, 121 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were treated in our hospital; among them, 29 patients with curves over 100° were included in this study. From December 2003 to June 2005, group A included the first 12 patients who underwent combined anterior release followed by two-week halo-femoral traction and then posterior instrumentation. From July 2005 to August 2006, 17 patients in group B underwent posterior surgery alone with strong halo-femoral traction and posterior wide release. All of the patients were followed-up for a minimum of 31 months (mean, 36 months; range, 31–41 months). There were no severe complications. All of the patients achieved bony fusion without instrumentation breakage or pseudarthrosis. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in gender, age, type of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, preoperative coronal major curve values, major curve flexibility, or final follow-up major curve correction rate. The average operative time, blood loss and hospital stay in group B were less than those in group A. In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with Cobb >100°, posterior-only surgery with strong halo-femoral traction and posterior wide release can provide comparable curve correction with shorter operative time, less blood loss and shorter hospital stay when compared to combined anteroposterior surgery.

In this paper, we present a new method to synthesize geometric texture details on an arbitrary surface from a sample texture patch. The key idea is to use Laplacian texture images to represent geometric texture details, which in turn facilitate simple and effective geometry texture synthesis and enable flexible geometry texture editing. Given a sample model and a target model, we first select a patch from the sample model and extract the geometric texture details. Next, we construct a Laplacian texture image for the extracted texture and synthesize the Laplacian texture image to the target model using an image texture synthesis technique on surface. Finally, we reconstruct the textured target model with adjusted Laplacian coordinates. Compared to the existing methods, our method is easy-to-implement and produces results of high quality. Furthermore, it performs flexible control on the appearance of the textured target model through operations on the Laplacian texture image.

Background and objectives: The human intestine contains a large amount of commensal bacteria. Under normal conditions, the intestinal microflora is stable, forms intestinal biological barriers, and promotes the growth and development of the organism. However, changes in the external environment can lead to disturbances in intestinal micro-organisms, causing host dysfunction and resulting in various types of disease. This study will investigate the role of intestinal microbes in the development of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Design: A case-control study. Methods: We recruited 50 patients with schizophrenia, 50 with depression, 50 with bipolar disorder, 50 with bipolar depressive episode, 50 with manic or hypomanic bipolar episode, and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals who received physical examinations at the Department of Psychiatry of Xijing Hospital (China). Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure is the degree of change in fecal bacterial microflora after 3 months of pharmaceutical treatment. The secondary outcome measures are the type and content of small molecule metabolites in feces, the Hamilton Depression Scale score, the Young Mania Rating Scale score, the positive and negative syndrome scale score, and the Global Assessment of Functioning scale score before vs. after treatment. Discussion: The results of this study will reveal changes in intestinal microflora and metabolic patterns in patients with schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. These data may lead to biomarkers for disease diagnosis and provide new directions for investigation of possible mechanisms underlying the development of mental disorders. Ethics and dissemination: This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee, Xijing Hospital, China (approval No. KY20172048-1). This study was disigned in May 2017, received ethical approval on September 6, 2017, and registered on October 18, 2017. Patient recuritement initiated in November 2017 and ended in February 2018. Genomics and metabolomics detection and data analysis initiated in March 2018 and will end in December 2018. Results will be disseminated through presentations at scientific meetings and/or by publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial data will be publicly accessible via ResMan. Trial registration: This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR-ROC-17013029). Protocol version: 2.0.

AIM: To investigate the prognostic value of preoperative platelet count (PLT) in patients with primary gallbladder cancer (GBC). METHODS: The clinical data of 223 GBC patients after surgery was retrospectively reviewed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to verify the optimum cutoff point for PLT. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with the prognosis. RESULTS: The ROC curve showed that the optimum cutoff point for PLT was 178 × 109/L, and the entire cohort was stratified into group A with PLT > 178 × 109/L and group B with PLT ≤ 178 × 109/L. Group A had a better survival than group B (P < 0.001). There was an obvious difference between the two groups in terms of the differentiation degree, advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001) and pathological type (P < 0.05). The univariate analysis demonstrated that tumor location, differentiation degree, TNM stage, Nevin stage, lymph node metastasis and PLT were associated with overall survival (P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, PLT (P = 0.032), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.007), tumor location (P < 0.001) and TNM stage (P = 0.005) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: PLT is closely correlated with GBC prognosis and could be used to identify the population with a poorer prognosis after surgery.

Presently, no effective markers are available to facilitate gallbladder cancer (GBC) diagnosis. This study aims to explore available markers for GBC diagnosis. Clinical data of 144 GBC and 116 cholelithiasis patients were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate GBC risk factors. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnosis value of the risk factors. By comparing the characteristic of GBC and cholelithiasis patients, the following factors exhibited statistical difference: age, gender, gallstones, total bilirubin (TB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), platelet count (PLT), CA125 (carcinoembryonic antigen 125), and CA199 (carbohydrate antigen 199). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age [odds ratio (OR), 1.032; 95%confidence interval (95% CI), 1.004 to 1.061; P = 0.024], gender (OR, 0.346; 95% CI, 0.167 to 0.716; P = 0.004), gallstones (OR, 0.027; 95% CI, 0.007 to 0.095; P < 0.001), ALP (OR, 1.003; 95% CI, 1.000 to 1.006; P = 0.032), TB (OR, 1.004; 95% CI, 1.000 to 1.009; P = 0.042), and CA125 (OR, 1.007; 95% CI, 1.002 to 1.013; P = 0.011) were independent risk factors for GBC. According to the ROC curve, CA125 [area under curve (AUC), 0.720], ALP (AUC, 0.713), TB (AUC, 0.636), and age (AUC, 0.573) were valuable diagnosis markers. Additionally, based on the independent risk factors, the GBC diagnosis model was established. Age, TB, ALP, and CA125 can be used as auxiliary diagnosis factors of GBC. The diagnosis model provides a quantitative tool for GBC diagnosis when comprehensively considering various risk factors.

To investigate the prognostic significance of estrogen receptor 1 (ER1) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) expression in primary gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) to identify new prognostic markers for this malignancy.Using immunohistochemistry, we investigated ER1 and VEGF-A expression in 78 GBC and 78 cholelithiasis (CS) tissues. The results were correlated with clinicopathological features. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between ER1 and VEGF-A expression and patients' prognosis. Further Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was also performed.ER1 and VEGF-A expression was significantly higher in GBC compared with CS (47/78 vs 28/78, P0.05; 51/78 vs 33/78, P0.05). ER1 expression was correlated with gender (P0.05) and VEGF-A expression was correlated with tumor differentiation in GBC patients (P0.05). In univariate analysis, age and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage were factors associated with GBC prognosis (P0.05). Although there was no statistical difference between the expression of ER1 or VEGF-A and overall survival, the high expression of ER1 combined with VEGF-A predicted a poor prognosis for GBC patients (16.30±1.87 vs 24.97±2.09, log-rank P0.05). In multivariate analysis, combined expression of ER1 and VEGF-A and TNM stage were independent prognostic factors for GBC patients (P0.05).Combined expression of ER1 and VEGF-A is a potential prognostic marker for GBC patients. Clinical detection of ER1 and VEGF-A in surgically resected GBC tissues would provide an important reference for decision-making of postoperative treatment programs.

Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) is a transcription factor that plays important roles in the pathogenesis and progression of human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to examine the involvement of FoxM1 in the anti-cancer action of sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, in human HCC cells. HCC cell lines HepG2 and HuH-7 were tested. Cell viability was examined using MTT assay and cell invasion was determined with Transwell migration assay. The relevant mRNA expression was determined with RT-PCR, and the proteins were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. RNA interference was used to modify the expression of p53 and FoxM1. HuH-7 cell line xenograft mice were used for in vivo study, which were treated with sorafenib (40 mg/kg, po) daily for 3 weeks. Sorafenib (2–20 μmol/L) inhibited the proliferation of the cells in dose- and time-dependent manners with an IC50 value of nearly 6 μmol/L at 48 h. Sorafenib (6 μmol/L) markedly suppressed the cell invasion. Furthermore, sorafenib (2−6 μmol/L) dose-dependently decreased the expression of FoxM1, MMP-2, and Ki-67, and up-regulated that of p53 in the cells. Silencing p53 abolished the decrease of FoxM1 and increase of p53 in sorafenib-treated cells. Silencing FoxM1 significantly reduced the expression of MMP-2 and Ki-67, and enhanced the anti-proliferation action of sorafenib in the cells, whereas overexpression of FoxM1 increased the expression of MMP-2 and Ki-67, and abrogated the anti-proliferation action of sorafenib. In the xenograft mice, sorafenib administration decreased the tumor growth by 40%, and markedly increased the expression of p53, and decreased the expression of FoxM1, MMP-2, and Ki-67 in tumor tissues. Sorafenib inhibits HCC proliferation and invasion by inhibiting MMP-2 and Ki-67 expression due to up-regulation of P53 and suppressing FoxM1.