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Phytochemicals in vegetables are important for human health, and their biosynthesis, metabolism and accumulation are affected by environmental factors. Light condition (light quality, light intensity and photoperiod) is one of the most important environmental variables in regulating vegetable growth, development and phytochemical accumulation, particularly for vegetables produced in controlled environments. With the development of light-emitting diode (LED) technology, the regulation of light environments has become increasingly feasible for the provision of ideal light quality, intensity and photoperiod for protected facilities. In this review, the effects of light quality regulation on phytochemical accumulation in vegetables produced in controlled environments are identified, highlighting the research progress and advantages of LED technology as a light environment regulation tool for modifying phytochemical accumulation in vegetables. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of NRD assisted Ilizarov technique in the treatment of infected bone and soft tissue defect of tibia., Methods: All 48 patients with infected bone and soft tissue defect of tibia were randomly divided into study group and control group from March 2013 to December 2020. There were 34 males and 14 females, aged from 24 to 55 years old with an average of (40.54±11.64) years old. There were 25 patients in the study group, including 17 males and 8 females, aged from 31 to 55 years old with an average of (41.36±9.69) years old. The study group were treated with NRD assisted with Ilizarov bone transport technique. There were 23 patients in control group, including 17 males and 6 females, aged from 24 to 53 years old with an average of(38.61±8.76) years old. The control group were treated with traditional bone transport technique. The curative rate, recurrence rate, incidence rate of pin track infection, time of using antibiotics, time of wound healing, time of carrying external fixation, time of bone transport, time of bone healing and postoperative function were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the two groups., Results: The follow-up period was from 12 to 62 months with an average of (33.0±7.2) months. At the final follow-up, there was no significant difference in the curative rate between the two groups ( P >0.05). The recurrence rate in the study group was lower than that in the control group( P <0.05). The incidence of pin track infection in the study group was lower than that in the control group ( P <0.05). The time of using antibiotics and wound healing in the study group was shorter than that in the control group( P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the time of bone transport and carrying of external fixation between the two groups( P >0.05). There was no significant difference in bone healing and postoperative function between the two groups( P >0.05)., Conclusion: NRD assisted Ilizarov technique can achieve satisfactory results in the treatment of infected bone and soft tissue defect of tibia and shorten the treatment period and the time of using antibiotics. It is worthy of development in clinic.

In order to explore the mechanism of response of growth and development of tomato seedlings to the combination of red and blue light, the light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) as precision modulation light sources were used in this study with 7 treatments including red (R) light, blue (B) light and combination of R+B light (9R1B, 6R1B, 3R1B, 1R1B, 1R3B), white (W) light as control, and the effects of different proportions of R and B light on the growth, photosynthetic pigment content, photosynthetic characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence and root activity of tomato seedlings with variety of 'SV0313TG' as experiment material were studied. The results showed that there were significant differences in growth of tomato seedlings under treatments of different proportions of R and B light. The plant height, specific leaf area and intercellular CO 2 concentration of tomato seedlings were significantly promoted by R light, while F v /F m and χ PS2 were decreased, the root growth was inhibited as the root activity declined, so that the seedling index was reduced. The seedling growth was significantly suppressed under B light and the chlorophyll content was decreased, while the chlorophyll a/b was enhanced. Furthermore, combination of R+B light was be-neficial to the growth and development of tomato seedlings, and the plant dry mass, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic performance were significantly increased under 3R1B. In addition, seedlings grew strongly and had the highest value of seedling index under this treatment. In conclusion, the combination of R+B light could promote photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic efficiency in leaves of tomato seedlings, as well as plant growth, especially for treatment of 3R1B.

Purple lettuce was grown hydroponically under six different nitrogen nutrition conditions, with NO(3-)-N:NH(4+)-N at 1:0, 4:1 and 1:1 combined with nitrogen application levels of 10 and 15 mmol · L(-1), for 25 days in solar greenhouse, then treated with short-term continuous lighting (SCL) before harvest to study the changes in contents of nutrients and analyze the effects of nitrogen nutrition conditions on the changes. Results showed that the shoot dry mass of all six nitrogen nutrition conditions were significantly improved under SCL treatment, by 35.1% at least, and the root dry mass increased greatly except for NO(3-)-N:NH(4+)-N 1:1 combined with nitrogen application level 15 mmol · L(-1) treatment and NO(3-)-N:NH(4+)-N 1:0 combined with nitrogen application level 10 mmol · L(-1) treatment. The relative contents of total phenols and flavonoid of different nitrogen nutrition conditions turned significantly different after treatment with SCL. The relative contents of total phenols and flavonoid were enhanced with the improvement of ammonium nitrogen ratio, while the relative content of anthocyanin increased and then decreased with the improvement of ammonium nitrogen ratio. The lighting treatment reduced the nitrate content of leaf blade of all six nitrogen nutrition conditions remarkably by 23.2% at least. The contents of ascorbic acid, soluble sugar and soluble protein rose significantly under SCL treatments. The study showed that the reduction of nitrate content speeded up with the enhancement of nitrogen application level and ammonium nitrogen ratio, and the advancement of ascorbic acid content slowed down with the increasing nitrogen application level. The soluble sugar improvement speed increased with the increasing ammonium nitrogen ratio, and SCL lifted the dry mass of the lettuce greatly. The results showed that SCL with LED lamps improved significantly the dry matter of lettuce under different nitrogen nutrition conditions, reduced the nitrate content and increased the ascorbic acid, soluble sugar and soluble protein contents greatly. In addition, nitrogen nutrition conditions affected the effectiveness of short-term continuous lighting on quality improvement rate of hydroponic lettuce remarkably.

The aim of the present study was to explore a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) mRNA and protein expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its association with clinicopathological factors and prognosis. Through semi‑quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, the ADAM17 mRNA expression in 50 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding normal esophageal mucosa were detected. Using streptavidin peroxidase conjugated immunohistochemistry, ADAM17 protein levels were detected in 80 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding normal esophageal mucosa. A log rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model were used for the esophageal cancer survival analysis. ADAM17 mRNA expression levels in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding normal esophageal mucosa were 0.937±0.241 and 0.225±0.077, respectively (P<0.01). ADAM17 mRNA expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was correlated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.01) and tumor, node and metastasis (TNM) staging (P<0.05), however, it was not correlated with gender, age or histological grade (P>0.05). ADAM17 protein expression rates in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding normal esophageal mucosa were 66.25 and 6.25% respectively, a difference that was statistically significant (P<0.01). In addition, ADAM17 protein expression in esophageal squamous cells was correlated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P<0.05), while it was not correlated with gender, age or histological grade (P>0.05). ADAM17 protein expression and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein expression were positively correlated (P<0.01). Lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, ADAM17 and EGFR protein expression may be used as independent prognostic indicators of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (all P<0.05). ADAM17 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; they have important roles in invasion and metastasis and a certain value in judging the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the expression of A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) mRNA and ADAM17 protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to evaluate their correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis., Methods: The expression of ADAM17 mRNA in 50 ESCC and 50 normal esophageal tissues was detected by RT-PCR. The expression of ADAM17 protein in 80 ESCC and 80 normal esophageal tissues was detected with immunohistochemioal staining (SP). Log rank test and Cox proportional hazards analysis were used to analyze the prognosis of ESCC., Results: The expression of ADAM17 mRNA in 50 ESCC and 50 normal esophageal tissues was 0.937 ± 0.241 and 0.225 ± 0.077, respectively. The positive expression rates of ADAM17 protein in 80 ESCC and 80 normal esophageal tissues was 66.2% and 6.2%, respectively. The expressions of ADAM17 mRNA and ADAM17 protein in the ESCC were significantly higher than those in normal esophageal tissues (P < 0.01). The expressions of ADAM17 mRNA and protein were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (P < 0.05). There were no correlations between the expressions of ADAM17 mRNA and protein and sex, age and histological grade (P > 0.05) . The expression of ADAM17 protein was positively correlated with EGFR protein (P < 0.01). The lymph node metastasis, TNM staging and the expression of ADAM17 and EGFR protein were independent prognostic factors., Conclusions: ADAM17 mRNA and protein are highly expressed in ESCC than in normal esophageal tissues and may play an important role in the development, invasion and metastasis of ESCC. They may be used as prognostic factors of ESCC.

The purpose of this paper was to explore the immunohistochemistry (IHC) results for a cocktail of minichromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM2) and topoisomerase II (TOP2A), p16INK4a and Ki-67 as biomarkers for the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), improving the routine interpretation of cervical histopathology. 133 cases of CIN were collected from the archival data. All routine hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained slides of the subjects were re-examined independently by three senior pathologists, to provide a "consensus diagnosis". Immunohistochemistry for the three biomarkers was performed, and the results were reviewed independently of the corresponding archival diagnosis to make a "diagnosis assisted by IHC" by the original pathological practitioners. The diagnosis accordance rate of the archival original diagnosis with the "consensus diagnosis" and the "diagnosis assisted by IHC" with the "consensus diagnosis" were verified by Fisher's exact test. The results showed that raw agreement between the original HE diagnosis and the "consensus diagnosis" was 88.55%, and raw agreement between the "diagnosis assisted by IHC" and the "consensus diagnosis" was 95.78%. The latter was significantly higher than the former (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.023). In conclusion, the three biomarkers had a high degree of sensitivity and specificity, and appear to be a useful and reliable diagnostic adjunct to improve the routine diagnosis, and reduce inter-observer variability in cervical biopsy specimens.

Objective: To investigate the effects of carvedilol on stabilizing atherosclerosis plaque., Methods: Forty five male Japanese white rabbits were divided randomly into 5 groups with 9 for each. One group was fed up with normal diet as blank control. In other four groups, the common carotid artery of rabbits fed up with high cholesterol diet were injured by balloon. Three groups of them were transfected by wild-type p53 gene 8 weeks later, and then two groups of them were treated with carvedilol (3 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)) and metoprolol (6 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)) respectively, high cholesterol diet should be continued for other 4 weeks. Serum lipid, hypersensitive C-reaction protein (hsCRP), oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were measured in 0, 8, 12 weeks after experiment. The apoptosis rate of smooth muscle cell (SMC) in endomembrane and the local expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, alpha-actin were examined after experiment, and the carotid arteries were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy., Results: The typical carotid atherosclerotic plaques were observed in balloon-injured groups. The local expression rates of p53 in groups transfected by wild type p53 gene were higher obviously than them in other two groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the rabbits received simple transfection, the thickness of the fibrous cap in rabbits received carvedilol and metoprolol were all increased, but the change could be observed significantly in carvedilol group (P < 0.05). Compared with metoprolol, carvedilol could reduce the level of serum hsCRP, oxLDL, MDA, and increase the concentration of SOD and GSH-PX significantly (P < 0.05 or 0.01), but two medicines had no obvious influence to serum lipid. The apoptosis rate of SMC in endomembrane, the local expression of bax gene and bax/bcl-2 ratio were decreased, the positive expression rates of alpha-actin and bcl-2 were enhanced in carvedilol group (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: Both carvedilol and metoprolol can improve the stability of the plaque, but carvedilol is superior. Its mechanisms may lie in that carvedilol still has function of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, decreasing the apoptosis rate of SMC in addition to its function of blocking beta-receptor.

Objective: To explore a simplified and reproducible approach for the diagnosis and morphologic prognostication of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)., Methods: Eighty-five cases of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors including 74 cases of GIST, 8 esophageal smooth muscle tumor, 1 rectal leiomyosarcoma, 1 Schwannoma, and 1 malignant fibrous histiocytoma were studied by histological evaluation along with an immunohistochemistry panel including vimentin, CD117 (c-kit), CD34, SMA, desmin and S-100. Clinicopathological correlation was performed in 31 cases of GIST that had accompanied with the available follow-up data., Results: Among 74 GISTs, 34 arose principally from the stomach, 30 from the small intestine, and 10 other cases found in the esophagus, retroperitoneum, mesenterium and omentum. The patients' age ranged from 23 to 80 years (mean 52.5 years), with 45 males and 29 females. Histologically, the tumors composed of either spindle or oval to round cells arranged in interlacing fascicles forming whorls or cellular clusters, cytoplasm generally abundant and eosinophilic. There were 48 cases of spindle cell type, 10 cases of epithelioid cell type and 16 cases of mixed cell type. All 74 cases of GIST were positive for CD117 in a cell membranous pattern, however, some variable staining patterns of CD117 had been noticed in a few cases. In addition, 54 GISTs were also positive for CD34 (72.9%), 25 cases positive for SMA, 5 cases positive for S-100 and 5 cases positive for desmin. According to the Fletcher's scheme, GISTs in this study were divided into 4 subcategories including groups of very low risk of aggressive behavior (3 cases), of low risk (15 cases), of intermediate risk (36 cases) and of high risk (20 cases) respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of 31 GIST cases whom had been followed up for 16 to 72 months showed a statistically significant difference present among the subcategories (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: GISTs predominantly occur in the middle and old age patients, more common in male, and positive CD117 staining is considered to be the defining marker to differentiate GIST from other mesenchymal tumors of the GI tract. Positive CD34 immun-staining, plus a CD117 positivity, strengthens further a diagnosis of GIST. Subclassification of GISTs using Fletcher's scheme appears to be simple, reproducible, and correlates well with the clinical behavior of the tumor.