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Trametinib is a MEK1/2 inhibitor and exerts anticancer activity against a variety of cancers. However, the effect of Trametinib on colorectal cancer (CRC) is not well understood. In the current study, our results demonstrate the ability of sub‐toxic doses of Trametinib to enhance TRAIL‐mediated apoptosis in CRC cells. Our findings also indicate that Trametinib and TRAIL activate caspase‐dependent apoptosis in CRC cells. Moreover, Mcl‐1 overexpression can reduce apoptosis in CRC cells treated with Trametinib with or without TRAIL. We further demonstrate that Trametinib degrades Mcl‐1 through the proteasome pathway. In addition, GSK‐3β phosphorylates Mcl‐1 at S159 and promotes Mcl‐1 degradation. The E3 ligase FBW7, known to polyubiquitinate Mcl‐1, is involved in Trametinib‐induced Mcl‐1 degradation. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that Trametinib enhances TRAIL‐mediated apoptosis through FBW7‐dependent Mcl‐1 ubiquitination and degradation.

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) has become a serious challenge for clinical treatment and public health. We found that both KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-KP) and NDM-1-produc...

Myocardial injury is the primary manifestation of multiple organ dysfunction during sepsis, however, the mechanisms underlying sepsis‑induced myocardial injury remain unclear. Similarly, no effective therapeutics have yet been developed for myocardial injury. In the present study, the role of the NOD‑like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome on cardiac function were characterized and the effects of different ulinastatin (UTI) doses in protecting a septic rat model from myocardial injury were elucidated. To evaluate UTI efficacy on cardiac function, its effects on anti‑inflammatory mediators were analyzed and its cardioprotective effects were investigated. It was demonstrated that circulatory levels of tumor necrosis factor‑α and interleukin‑1β were elevated during sepsis. It was also observed that NLRP3 and caspase‑1 expression enhanced post‑cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and that high UTI levels protected against myocardial injury induced by sepsis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the mechanisms underpinning UTI‑mediated myocardial protection were due to the downregulation of the NLRP3/caspase‑1/IL‑1β signaling pathway. Based on these findings, it is proposed that UTI exerts beneficial effects during sepsis‑induced myocardial injury.

Objective This study aimed to explore the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of fracture-related infection (FRI), analyze the drug resistance characteristics of major pathogens, and provide timely and relatively complete clinical and microbiological data for antimicrobial treatment of FRI. Methods The clinical and microbiological data of patients with FRI from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2020, were collected from three tertiary hospitals in Northeast China. The automatic microbial analysis system was used for strain identification and drug susceptibility testing, and the drug susceptibility results were determined in accordance with the latest Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria (as applicable each year). Results A total of 744 patients with FRI were enrolled. The incidence of FRI was about 1.5%, and 81.7% were male patients, with an average age of 48.98 ± 16.01 years. Open fractures accounted for 64.8%. Motor crush (32.8%) and falling (29.8%) were the main causes of injuries. The common sites of infection were the tibia and fibula (47.6%), femur (11.8%), foot (11.8%), and hand (11.6%). A total of 566 pathogenic bacteria were cultured in 378 patients with positive bacterial cultures, of which 53.0% were Gram-positive bacteria and 47.0% were Gram-negative bacteria. The most common pathogen at all sites of infection is Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus had a high resistance rate to penicillin (PEN), erythromycin (ERY), and clindamycin (CLI), exceeding 50%. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was more than 80% resistant to CLI and ERY. Conclusions The incidence of FRI in Northeast China was at a low level among major medical centers nationwide. Staphylococcus aureus was still the main pathogen causing bone infections, and the proportion of MRSA was lower than reported abroad, but we have observed an increase in the proportion of infections. Enterobacteriaceae have a higher resistance rate to third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones. For Enterobacteriaceae, other sensitive treatment drugs should be selected clinically.

Background: Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer worldwide and has high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to search for potential serum peptide biomarkers and establish a diagnostic model for early bladder cancer. Methods: A total of 67 bladder cancer patients and 64 healthy volunteers were randomly divided into a training set and testing set 1. There were 30 hematuria patients used as testing set 2. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry based on weak cation exchange magnetic beads was used to obtain and analyze the serum peptide profiles between bladder cancer patients and healthy volunteers in the training set. Serum peptide diagnostic model through a k-nearest neighbor algorithm, was established and validated, and significantly differentially expressed protein biomarkers were ultimately identified. Results: We constructed a diagnostic model containing five peptides (m/z 1954.9, m/z 2081.0, m/z 3938.3, m/z 3946.5, and m/z 4268.8). In the training set, the area under the curve (AUC) value of the five-peptide model was 0.923, and the sensitivity and specificity was 93.75% and 96.77%, respectively. In testing set 1, the sensitivity and specificity was 91.43% and 90.91%, respectively, and the specificity of testing set 2 was 73.33%. For early-stage bladder cancer, the sensitivity and specificity was 92.31% and 93.75%, respectively; the sensitivity of early low-grade bladder cancer was 90.00%; and the AUC value was 0.944. Conclusion: The five-peptide diagnostic model established in this study had high sensitivity and specificity, especially in the diagnosis of early bladder cancer, and could differentiate between healthy volunteers and hematuria patients.

Supplemental material, Supplementary_material for Novel serum peptide model revealed by MALDI-TOF-MS and its diagnostic value in early bladder cancer by Dapeng Ding, Mingying Chen, Xiaoguang Xiao, Penglong Cao and Shijun Li in The International Journal of Biological Markers

Background/Aims: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a high-risk breast cancer phenotype without specific targeted therapy options and is significantly associated with increased local recurrence in patients treated with radiotherapy. CAVEOLIN-1 (CAV-1)-mediated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) nuclear translocation following irradiation promotes DNA repair and thus induces radiation resistance. In this study, we aimed to determine whether knockdown of CAV-1 enhances the radiosensitivity of basal-like TNBC cell lines and to explore the possible mechanisms. Methods: Western blotting was used to compare protein expression in a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Nuclear accumulation of EGFR as well as DNA repair and damage at multiple time points following irradiation with or without CAV-1 siRNA pretreatment were investigated using western blotting and confocal microscopy. The radiosensitizing effect of CAV-1 siRNA was evaluated using a clonogenic assay. Flowcytometry was performed to analyse cell apoptosis and cell cycle alteration. Results: We found that CAV-1 is over-expressed in basal-like TNBC cell lines and barely expressed in HER-2-positive cells; additionally, we observed that HER-2-positive cell lines are more sensitive to irradiation than basal-like TNBC cells. Our findings revealed that radiation-induced EGFR nuclear translocation was impaired by knockdown of CAV-1. In parallel, radiation-induced elevation of DNA repair proteins was also hampered by pretreatment with CAV-1 siRNA before irradiation. Silencing of CAV-1 also promoted DNA damage 24 h after irradiation. Colony formation assays verified that cells could be radiosensitized after knockdown of CAV-1. Furthermore, G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis enhancement may also contribute to the radiosensitizing effect of CAV-1 siRNA. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that CAV-1 knockdown by siRNA causes increased radiosensitivity in basal-like TNBC cells. The mechanisms associated with this effect are reduced DNA repair through delayed CAV-1-associated EGFR nuclear accumulation and induction of G2/M arrest and apoptosis through the combined effects of CAV-1 siRNA and radiation.

This study tries to evaluate the associations between circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) and the overall survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One hundred ninety-two patients with advanced NSCLC who treated with chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. The cut-off value of CRP concentration was 5.0 mg/L. The patients were divided into low, intermediate and high 3 groups respectively according to the baseline level of CRP before the treatment. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional-hazard models were used to evaluate the relationship between the CRP and overall survival time of patients. After adjusting for age, gender, smoking history, pathologic type, CRP was a significant independent impact which predicts the survival prognosis of patients with NSCLC. For all patients, the hazard ratio with high CRP levels for NSCLC-specific survival was 1.83 [95%confidenceinterval (CI) = 0.96, 3.48] compared with low CRP levels. The level of CRP was significantly correlated with survival time (hazard ratio = 1.77; 95% CI = 0.73, 4.26) for the patient with first-line chemotherapy. Patients with high level of circulating CRP also responded poorly to chemotherapy. A high level of circulating CRP was associated with a poor response and worse survival in patients with NSCLC.

Xiaoguang Xiao, Shujing Wang, Shu Xia, Man Zou, Yang Li, Yao Wei, Qi Mei, Yuan Chen Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China Background: Much research has confirmed the favorable effect of irinotecan/cisplatin (IP) and etoposide/cisplatin (EP) on extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (E-SCLC). This study investigated two sequential orders of IP and EP in the treatment of E-SCLC. We also compared the efficacy and safety of IP and EP in first-line chemotherapy in E-SCLC. Methods: Ninety-three untreated patients with E-SCLC were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A received IP as first-line therapy until progression and then changed to EP; group B received EP as first-line therapy until tumor progression followed by IP. The primary endpoints were overall survival and time to second tumor progression. The secondary endpoints were first progression-free survival (PFS), ie, time from randomization to first occurrence of tumor progression after first-line treatment with IP or EP, tumor response, and safety of the different sequential treatment orders of IP and EP. Results: Median overall survival was 15.4 months in group A (IP followed by EP) versus 15.7months in group B (EP followed by IP; P=0.483). The median time to second tumor progression was 9.5 months in group A versus 9.9 months in group B (P=0.361). As first-line and second-line therapy, IP achieved a 95.9% and 60% disease control rate, respectively, and EP achieved 95.6% and 59% disease control rate. The median first PFS was not significantly different between group A and group B (6.5 months and 6.3 months, respectively; P=0.256). Grade 3/4 diarrhea appeared to be significantly more frequent with IP than with EP. The probability of anemia and thrombocytopenia was not significantly different between the two groups. However, significantly more patients who received the IP regimen as second-line treatment developed grade 3/4 neutropenia than those who received the IP regimen as first-line therapy. Conclusion: There were no statistically significant differences in between the two sequences of IP and EP in the treatment of E-SCLC. Except EP regimen, IP may be another reserved regimen in the first-line treatment of E-SCLC. Keywords: small cell lung cancer, sequential chemotherapy, irinotecan, etoposide

Shewanella putrefaciens is as yet reputed to be a rare conditional pathogen. In recent years, some clinical infections caused by Shewanella putrefaciens came into view, and it was possible for the bacteria to be isolated from blood, pus, urine, sputum, and wound secretions, etc. A transferred patient who suffered from intracranial infection after operation of cerebral hemorrhage was admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. To ascertain the cause, we assessed her blood, cerebrospinal fluid and sputum specimen, and succeeded in isolating one strain of bacteria from her cerebrospinal fluid. To circumvent the potential problem, further detection by Dade Behring Microscan WalkAway 96SI system and drug sensitivity identification plate was performed. Corresponding results indicated that the bacteria were certain pseudomonas with high drug resistance, only sensitive to ticarcillin/clavulanic acid and Imipenem. Eventually by 16S rDNA amplification assay, a new technique to identify pathogens genome, Shewanella putrefaciens infection was confirmed with 99 % coincidence rate. This is the first time in our hospital that Shewanella putrefaciens in the cerebrospinal fluid specimen was detected. When considering the increase of opportunistic infection, it is noteworthy to pay more attention to such situations in clinical diagnoses.

Purpose: To explore the relationship between SER (time between the start of any treatment and the end of radiation therapy) and the survival of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer. Materials and Methods : Between 2008 and 2013, 135 cases of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) treated with consecutively curative chemoradiotherapy were included in this retrospective analysis. In terms of SER, patients were divided into early radiotherapy group (SER

The pressure-induced phase transitions of CeBi and PrBi compounds were investigated by using full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave (FP-LAPW) method. The calculations indicate that the transition pressure for CeBi compound from the NaCl-type (B1) structure to the body centered tetragonal (BCT) structure are 11.53 GPa from total energy (E)–volume (V) data and 6.48 GPa from equal Gibbs free energy (G). For PrBi compound, the same phase transition sequence occurred at 10.94 GPa obtained from the slope of the common tangent of E–V curves and 6.04 GPa from the equal G. The detailed structural changes during the phase transition were analyzed. From the elastic constants at zero pressure, we can conclude that B1 phase of XBi (X = Ce, Pr) compounds are mechanical stable, consistent with the experimental observations.

Investigations into crystal structure, electronic and elastic properties of M 3 AlN (M=Hf, Zr) had been conducted by plane-wave pseudopotential calculations. The absence of band gap at the Fermi level and the finite value of the density of states at the Fermi energy reveal the metallic behavior of these two compounds. The charge density distributions and density of states indicate that there exist relatively soft Al–M and strong N–M covalent bonds, which might be contributed to layered chemical bonding character of M 3 AlN. By analyzing Cauchy pressure and the bulk modulus to C 44 ratio, Hf 3 AlN was predicted to be more ductile than Zr 3 AlN.

Xiao-guang Xiao, Shu Xia, Man Zou, Qi Mei, Lei Zhou, Shu-jing Wang, Yuan ChenDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of ChinaAims: To analyze the distribution of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A1 gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (E-SCLC), and to evaluate correlations between the UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms and toxicity, and efficacy of irinotecan (CPT-11) based regimen in the patients with E-SCLC.Methods: The study analyzed the distribution of UGT1A1*28/*6 gene polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction amplification and pyrosequencing. The analysis of UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A1*6 gene polymorphisms was performed in 67 patients with E-SCLC admitted to the clinic in the Department of Oncology from June 2011 to January 2013. A total of 67 cases with E-SCLC treated with irinotecan (CPT-11)-based regimen were enrolled to observe the adverse events and efficacy during the chemotherapy, including objective response rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The correlation between UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms and severe adverse events was analyzed. The influences of UGT1A1*6/*28 polymorphisms on objective response rate, PFS, and OS were also analyzed.Results: The distribution of UGT1A1 genotypes among 67 patients was as follows: UGT1A1*28 wild-type (WT) genotype TA6/6 (56, 83.6%), heterozygous mutant genotype TA6/7 (11, 16.4%); UGT1A1*6 WT genotype G/G (45, 67.2%), heterozygous mutant genotype G/A (22, 32.8%); no significant difference of PFS and OS was observed between different genotypes. The incidence of grade 3 and 4 delayed diarrhea and neutropenia in the patients carrying UGT1A1*6 G/A mutation was higher than that in the WT genotype (36.4% vs 6.6% P=0.034; 27.2% vs 4.4% P=0.026, respectively). The incidence of grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia in the patients carrying UGT1A1*28 TA6/7 mutation was higher than that in the WT genotype (27.2% vs 1.8% P=0.017). The patients simultaneously carrying UGT1A1*28 TA6/7 and UGT1A1*6 G/A mutations were prone to suffering grade 3 and 4 delayed diarrhea and neutropenia.Conclusion: For irinotecan-based regimens in E-SCLC, the UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A1*6 locus mutations can be regarded as predictors for severe adverse events. We also found that neither clinical response nor prognosis was significantly associated with the UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms.Keywords: small-cell lung cancer, irinotecan, uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1, gene polymorphism

We have prepared a series of FeCo–Al 2 O 3 nanogranular films using magnetron controlled sputtering method and have investigated the microstructure, tunneling giant magnetoresistance (TMR) and magnetic properties of FeCo–Al 2 O 3 films by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), conventional four probes method and vibrated sample magnetometer. The experimental results showed that all FeCo–Al 2 O 3 films were composed of FeCo granules with equiaxial shape uniformly dispersing in the Al 2 O 3 matrix and the granule size increased monotonically with the annealing temperature. For FeCo (32.8vol.%)–Al 2 O 3 film the size distribution satisfied the log-normal function at low annealing temperature but deviated gradually from the log-normal function as the annealing temperature increased. Meanwhile it was found that the TMR of films with lower volume fraction reached a peak value at a higher annealing temperature and the TMR of films with middle volume fraction reached a peak value at a lower annealing temperature. However for the films with higher volume fraction, TMR dropped dramatically. In addition, the TMR changed non-monotonically with the annealing time or the granule size and both the susceptibility and saturation magnetization increased with the elevation of annealing temperature for FeCo (32.8vol.%)–Al 2 O 3 films .

A series of ( Fe 50 Co 50)x Cu 1-x granular films were prepared using a magnetron-controlled sputtering system. The microstructure and giant magnetoresistance of FeCo–Cu films deposited at room temperature and then annealed at various temperatures were investigated through X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and conventional four-probes method under room temperature, respectively. The results revealed that FeCo–Cu films consisted of fine FeCo granules uniformly dispersed in the Cu matrix and formed fcc structure. Meanwhile the Cu (111) interplaner lattice spacing decreased with increasing magnetic volume fraction (x) due to the presence of the metal coherent interface strains and FeCo–Cu alloying. Upon varying the magnetic volume fraction (x), the giant magnetoresistance of as-deposited FeCo–Cu films reached a maximum of about 0.7% at the volume fraction of 31%, corresponding to the fact that the giant magnetoresistance has a non-monotonic relationship with the granule size. In addition, the relationship between the full width at half maximum (FWHM) or the sensitivity of the giant magnetoresistance and the volume fraction are discussed in detail.

A series of ZnO thin films were deposited on silicon (100) substrate at 473 K by using facing target RF magnetron sputtering system at different oxygen pressure in this paper. The structure, surface morphology and photoluminescence of the ZnO thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and photoluminescence spectra (PL), respectively. The results showed that only a (002) peak of hexagonal wurtzite appeared in all ZnO thin films, indicating that ZnO films exhibited strong texture. With increasing the oxygen pressure, the results indicated that the ZnO film deposited at 1.2 Pa Ar pressure and 0.6 Pa oxygen pressure had the best preferential C-axis orientation and the weakest compressive stress. Meanwhile, AFM observation showed that ZnO film deposited at pure Ar had the highest surface roughness. With the increment of oxygen pressure, the surface roughness decreased gradually. In addition, PL measurement showed that the ZnO film deposited at 1.2 Pa Ar pressure and 0.6 Pa oxygen pressure had the strongest ultraviolet emission and the weakest blue emission.

A series of FeCo–SiO 2 granular films were prepared using a magnetron controlled sputtering system at room temperature. The nanoparticle morphology of FeCo particles and tunneling giant magnetoresistance in FeCo–SiO 2 films were directly determined utilizing transmission electron microscope and conventional four probes method under room temperature, respectively. The results indicated that upon varying the volume fraction of magnetic FeCo particles, the tunneling giant magnetoresistance of as-deposited FeCo–SiO 2 films increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum of about 4.8% at middle volume fraction of 30.5 vol.% FeCo. In addition, transmission electron microscope observation disclosed that FeCo–SiO 2 films consist of FeCo nanoparticles dispersed in SiO 2 matrix. For films with lower volume fraction of FeCo particles, the size distribution of FeCo particles satisfied a log-normal function. With increasing the volume fraction of FeCo particles, the size distribution of FeCo particles deviated gradually from a log-normal function. Meanwhile, the average size of FeCo particles increased monotonically with increasing the volume fraction of FeCo particles, leading to the fact that the tunneling giant magnetoresitance can reach a peak value at a certain middle particle size.

A series of (Fe50Co50)xCu1−x granular films were prepared using a magnetron controlled sputtering system. The microstructure and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) of FeCo–Cu films deposited at room temperature and then annealed at various temperatures were investigated through transmission electron microscope and conventional four probes method under room temperature, respectively. The results revealed that all FeCo–Cu films consisted of fine FeCo granules uniformly dispersed in the Cu matrix and formed fcc structure. By a non-linear least-squares method, the size distribution of FeCo granules in all as-deposited films satisfied a log-normal function. Upon varying the magnetic volume fraction (x), the GMR of as-deposited FeCo–Cu films reached a maximum of about 0.7% at the volume fraction of 31% FeCo, corresponding to the fact that the GMR has a non-monotonic relationship with the granule size. With increasing the annealing temperature, the GMR of films with lower volume fraction reached a peak at higher temperature, while for films with higher volume fraction the GMR reached a peak at lower temperature. In addition, the relationships between the full width at half maximum (FWHM) or the sensitivity of the GMR and the volume fraction were discussed in detail.

A series of (Fe 50 Ni 50 ) x Cu 1− x granular films were prepared using the magnetron-controlled sputtering method. The nanoparticle morphology and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) of FeNi–Cu films deposited at room temperature were investigated through the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the conventional four probes method under room temperature, respectively. Upon varying the magnetic volume fraction x , the GMR of as-deposited FeNi–Cu films reached a maximum of about 1.8% at a volume fraction of 32% FeNi. In addition, TEM observation disclosed that FeNi–Cu films consist of FeNi nanoparticles dispersed in Cu matrix and form FCC structure. For films with lower volume fraction of FeNi particles, the size distribution of FeNi particles satisfied a log-normal function. With increasing volume fraction of FeNi particles, the size distribution of FeNi particles deviated gradually from a log-normal function. Meanwhile, the average size of FeNi particles increased monotonically with increasing volume fraction of FeNi particles, leading to the fact that GMR can reach a peak value at a certain middle particle size. In addition, the relationship between GMR and nanoparticle morphology of granular films was discussed.

A free electron laser (FEL) amplifier with an elliptical waveguide and a planar wiggler is proposed. A set of coupled operating equations for this FEL operating in the Raman regime is derived using three-dimensional nonlinear theory. The numerical simulation code is developed, and the characteristics of this FEL amplifier are analysed numerically. Our numerical simulations are conducted to model a 34.6 GHz amplifier with an electron beam with an energy of 3.1 MeV. The results indicate that the elliptical waveguide is more suitable for a FEL with a planar wiggler system than a rectangular waveguide.

A series of FeCo–Al2O3 granular films were prepared with a magnetron controlled sputtering system. The magnetic–transport properties and microstructure of films sputtered at various substrate temperatures were characterized by conventional four probes method, SQUID magnetometer, analytical electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, respectively. The results indicate that the tunnelling magnetoresistance reaches the peak value of about 6.9% for FeCo (41 vol.%)-Al2O3 granular films sputtered at 300 K, while for FeCo granular films sputtered at 473 K, the 6% peak value in tunnelling magnetoresistance vs. volume fraction curve displaces toward the lower FeCo content of about 35 vol.%. Meanwhile, FeCo (30vol.%)-Al2O3 granular films sputtered both at room temperature and at 473 K behave as superparamagnetic and the susceptibility of this film increases with increasing substrate temperature. Based on the feature of microstructure of FeCo (41vol.%)-Al2O3 granular films sputtered at both room temperature and 823 K, the evolution sequence of two-stage phase separation is suggested. In addition, the effect of the microstructure on tunnelling magnetoresistance has been discussed.

A series of FeCo–Al2O3 granular films were prepared by a magnetron-controlled sputtering system. The tunneling giant magnetoresistance and nanoparticle morphology of FeCo particles in FeCo–Al2O3 granular films were directly determined utilizing a conventional four-probe method and TEM (HRTEM) observation, respectively. The results indicated that the tunneling giant magnetoresistance can reach a maximum of 6.9% at about 32.8 vol% FeCo particles, so far the highest value reported at room temperature and under an applied field of 12.5 kOe. Meanwhile, the sensitivity of TMR also reaches a maximum at about 32.8 vol% FeCo particles. In addition, TEM and HRTEM observation disclosed that FeCo–Al2O3 films consist of FeCo nanoparticles with bcc structure or amorphous FeCo phase dispersed in amorphous or crystalline Al2O3 matrix. For films with lower volume fraction of FeCo particles, the size distribution of FeCo particles satisfied a log-normal function. With increasing volume fraction of FeCo particles, the size distribution of FeCo particles deviated gradually from a log-normal function. Meanwhile, the average size of FeCo particles increased monotonically with increasing volume fraction of FeCo particles, leading to the fact that TMR can reach a peak value at a certain middle particle size. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

A novel Smith–Purcell (SP) free-electron laser (FEL) with axial-symmetrical structure is proposed. The distribution of the high frequency field in the resonator is analyzed and the operating frequency and output power are also studied by the use of particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation method. Results indicate that coherent radiation with output peak power up to 58 MW at millimeter wavelengths can be generated by using relativistic electron beams of moderate energy.

The compact free electron maser (FEM), with the advantages of small size and low cost, is important for realistic applications in medicine and industry. In order to utilize the planar wiggler to the best advantage and simultaneously to reduce the necessary electron beam voltage and the size of FEM device, we propose to utilize an elliptical waveguide as the high frequency structure of planar wiggler FEM. A set of universal operating equations suitable for elliptical waveguide and rectangular waveguide FEMs is derived by using the nonlinear theory. The characteristics of the FEMs are numerically analyzed, comparatively.

Investigations into the structural, electronic and elastic properties of intermetallic CuZr compound had been conducted by the plane-wave pseudopotential method. The calculated lattice constant was consistent well with the experimental value. The absence of band gap and finite value of the density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level reveal the metallic behavior of CuZr crystal, and Zr 4d states give rise to the electrical conductivity. The calculated elastic constants for single crystal CuZr at zero pressure obey the cubic mechanical stability condition, which indicates that the cubic CuZr crystal is mechanical stable at zero pressure. By analyzing the ratio between the bulk and shear moduli, we conclude that CuZr crystal is ductile in nature. The present theoretical investigations might give prediction to polycrystalline CuZr system.

MiR-21 induces neoplastic transformation, cell proliferation, and metastasis and downregulates programmed cell death4 (PDCD4) in some cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles and interactions of PDCD4 and miR-21 in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC).A total of 32 paired tumor and normal tissue specimens from RCC patients as well as three renal cancer cell lines (786-O, A498, caki-1) and one normal epithelial kidney cell line (HK-2) were studied. The expression levels of PDCD4 (protein and mRNA) and miR-21 were examined by Western blot analysis and by qRT-PCR and luciferase reporter assays. Furthermore, we transfected 786-O cells with pre-miR-21 (mimics) and anti-miR-21 (inhibitor) and then again analyzed the expression of PDCD4 protein and mRNA, and determined cell proliferation and transformation capabilities by EDU and soft agar colony formation assay.MiR-21 expression was significantly upregulated in RCC, metastatic RCC specimens and renal cancer cell lines (A498, 786-O, caki-1) compared to normal non-metastatic RCC specimens and HK-2 cells (P0.05). In contrast, PDCD4 protein expression significantly decreased (P0.05), whereas PDCD4 mRNA expression remained unaltered (P0.05). Moreover, we observed a significant reduction in PDCD4 protein levels in miR-21mimic-transfected cells, but a significant increase in miR-21inhibitor-transfected cells (P0.05), whereas PDCD4 mRNA was practically unaltered (P0.05). Furthermore, miR-21mimic-transfected cells exhibited increased cell proliferation and transformation capacity according to EDU analysis and soft agar formation assay, whereas miR-21inhibitor-transfected cells exhibited the opposite phenomenon(P0.05).MiR-21 not only promoted cancer cell hyperplasia and contributed to tumor cell transformation and metastasis, but also post-transcriptionally downregulated PDCD4 protein expression. PDCD4 and miR-21 expression levels potentially play an important role in renal cell cancer.