Search

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a local non-thermal ablative technique which has been suggested as a potential cancer therapy. However, the specific anatomic characteristics of the pancreatic head make it challenging to perform any local ablation in this region. Therefore, the safety and feasibility of IRE in the pancreatic head region should be further explored.To evaluate the safety of IRE in pancreatic head region including its effects on pancreatic ducts, vessels, and adjacent gastrointestinal organs.Eight landrace miniature pigs underwent IRE of pancreatic head tissue successfully, with a total of 16 lesions created. Laboratory testing including white blood cell (WBC) count and serum amylase before IRE with follow-up laboratory analysis and pathological examination at 1, 7, 14, and 28 d postablation were performed.All pigs tolerated the ablation procedure without serious perioperative complications. Transiently elevated WBC count and amylase were observed at 24 h post-IRE, suggesting an acute pancreatic tissue damage which was confirmed by pathological observations. Vascular endothelial cells and pancreatic duct epithelial cells in ablation zone were also positive in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. There was extensive duodenum mucosa damage with local hemorrhage 24 h after ablation, while regeneration of new villous structures were observed at 7 and 28 d post-IRE. Masson's trichromatic staining showed that the extracellular matrix was still intact in vessels and pancreatic ducts, and even in the duodenum.IRE ablation to the pancreatic head may be safe and feasible without long-term damage to the surrounding vital structures. However, risks of stress injuries in acute phase should be taken into consideration to prevent severe perioperative complications.

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is mainly caused by germline RET codon C634 mutation and is characterized by Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma (PHEO), and hyperparathyroidism (HPTH). The early diagnosis and initial normative treatment are helpful for the long-term outcome of MEN2A. Methods: Three index cases and their 29 relatives from three families with MEN2A were included in this study. Genetic screening was performed on all participants. Demographic, clinical profiles, tumor histopathologic features, and follow-up records were systematically analyzed. Results: In total, RET C634Y mutation was identified in 10 individuals (10/32, 31.3%). Among them, 5 presented with MTC symptoms, whereas the other 5 did not show apparent clinical manifestation, and all were subjected to thyroidectomy with varying neck dissection. Compared to individuals in the former, the latter benefited greatly from RET screening with significantly younger age at diagnosis of MTC and surgery (18.1 ± 13.8 years vs. 39.0 ± 14.1 years, P =0.045), and lessaggressive MTC behavior (size: 0.74 vs. 2.82 cm, P =0.026; LN+/resected: 20.0% vs. 100.0%, P =0.048) and also lower recurrence rate of MTC (20.0% vs. 100.0%, P =0.048). The PHEO was identified in 6 of the 10 carriers (60.0%), and all had undergone adrenal-sparing surgery. During the 10 years of follow-up, one (16.7%) developed recurrence of PHEO. Conclusion: Integrated RET screening, serum calcitonin, and plasma metanephrine/ normetanephrine levels can facilitate the early diagnosis and standardized MTC/PHEO surgery to improve the prognosis of MEN2A. Laparoscopic adrenal-sparing surgery prior to the bilateral total thyroidectomy is a preferred surgical approach for PHEO.

We prepared Nb3Al superconducting wires doped with nano-size SnO2 (n-SiO2) particles through a multi-time rapid heating and quenching process and investigated their microstructure and superconducting properties. All the samples showed a highly homogeneous A15 Nb3Al phase. Compared with pure Nb3Al, the n-SnO2 doped Nb3Al wires presented a larger ΔT c value and a higher J c value. The best J c at 4.2 K was found in the 1 wt% n-SnO2 doped Nb3Al sample, with 3.37 × 105 A cm−2, 2.55 × 105 A cm−2 and 1.80 × 105 A cm−2 at 8 T, 10 T and 12 T, respectively. These results were an improvement of about 60% compared with pure Nb3Al at the same applied fields. The maximum irreversible field value was obtained in the 1 wt% SnO2-doped Nb3Al wire, with a result of 29.5 T at 4.2 K. The improvement of J c performance in the n-SnO2 doped Nb3Al wires might be attributed to the formation of artificial nanoparticles in the grain, which act as extra effective flux pinning centers.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare the application value of intraoperative fluorescence navigation technology (FNT) and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) in primary liver cancer surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty consecutive patients with primary liver cancer scheduled to receive surgical treatment were divided into FNT group and IOUS group. FNT and IOUS were separately used to guide tumor resection and detect new cancerous lesions in the 2 groups. The complete tumor resection rate (R0) resection rate, length of the tumor distance from cutting edge, the diagnostic efficacy of cancerous nodules and the fluorescence imaging characteristics of different types tumors were recorded. RESULTS The R0 resection rate was 100% (25 out of 25 patients) in the FNT group and 96% (24 out of 25 patients) in the IOUS group. In the FNT group, 1 case (4%, 1 out of 25 patients) had cancer tissue that was less than 1 cm from the cutting edge, compared to 7 cases (28%, 7 out of 25 patients) in the IOUS group (P=0.049), which was a significant difference. In the remaining livers of 50 consecutive patients, FNT found 5 new cancerous nodules with a sensitivity of 71.4%, a specificity of 11.1%, and a false-positive rate of 88.9%; for IOUS the results were 42.9%, 88.9%, 11.1%. The fluorescence imaging characteristics of all well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas were tumor tissue imaging, but all other types of tumors were ring imaging around the tumor. CONCLUSIONS FNT can improve the R0 resection rate, ensure a safe distance between tumor and cutting edge and can identify more new cancerous nodules compared to IOUS. Thus, FNT could improve the surgical treatment effect for primary liver cancer and hopefully further improve the prognosis of patients.

In this paper, we compare the superconducting properties of Nb3Al wires prepared by two different techniques. The first is the in situ powder-in-tube method: first, the powder of the Nb–Al saturated solid solution, Nb(Al)ss, prepared by mechanical alloying is filled into a metal niobium tube, and then subjected to cold working such as swaging and drawing to form a wire. Heat treatment at 800–1000 °C converts the Nb(Al)ss phase to the Nb3Al phase. Another method is to use the jelly-roll technology to make the Nb–Al precursor wire, then use the rapid heating and quenching (RHQ) process to form the Nb(Al)ss phase, and finally, to transform the Nb(Al)ss phase into Nb3Al by heat-treatment at 800–900 °C. We found that although both the mechanical alloying method and the RHQ technique can make the Nb(Al)ss phase, the properties of the finally obtained Nb3Al wire have a big gap: the Nb3Al wire prepared by the RHQ process has much higher Tc and Jc . Phase structure analyses show that the RHQ energy density in the RHQ method plays a similar role as the milling time does in the mechanical alloying method, both of these parameters play important roles in controlling the crystal structure and microstructure of the Nb3 Al wires.

The magnetization and resistivity measurements have been done to investigate the superconducting fluctuations effect above the superconducting transition temperature (T c) in (Li1−x Fe x )OHFeSe single crystal. These measurements were performed with applying the external magnetic fields in the ab plane of (Li1−x Fe x )OHFeSe single crystal. By analyzing the diamagnetism response and excess conductivity, the behavior of superconducting fluctuations in the normal state is studied. The upper limit temperature of superconducting fluctuation is determined to be around 1.2 times larger than T c, suggesting that the superconducting fluctuation of (Li1−x Fe x )OHFeSe is a large one. This exceeding value is obviously higher than the conventional superconductors. In addition, the superconductivity of (Li1−x Fe x )OHFeSe coexists with the magnetism rooted in the (Li, Fe)OH layer and induced by magnetic field at low temperature.

Several Bi-O-S compounds with nominal composition of Bi4O4S3, Bi3O2S3, Bi2OS2 have successfully been synthesized. The superconducting properties present to be similar with each other for Bi4O4S3 and Bi2OS2 compounds, but much better than the Bi3O2S3 compound. The former two possess a zero resistance temperature at 4.1 K, whereas the latter one is 3.7 K. Two diamagnetic transitions have been observed in the M-T curve for all three compounds. The starting nominal composition definitely affects the superconductivity of the final products.

Background: Locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC) is characterized by poor prognosis despite recommended concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) has emerged as a potential option for the management of unresectable pancreatic cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of open IRE for the treatment of LAPC. Methods: Retrospective data of 25 consecutive patients receiving IRE for T3 lesions from July 2015 to June 2016 at a single center were analyzed. The perioperative and long-term IRE-related complications were reviewed to evaluate the safety of the procedure. The tumor reduction and biological response were analyzed through computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging; the serum level of CA19-9 was measured as a secondary endpoint to evaluate the short-term efficacy of IRE. Results: All patients were successfully treated; the median tumor size was 4.2 cm and the median IRE time was 36 min. Four intraoperative procedure-related complications were observed (16%): two transient hypertensive episodes, one hypotension case, and one transient supraventricular tachycardia case. Nine postoperative complications were described, including three Grade A pancreatic fistulas, three delayed gastric emptying, one acute pancreatitis, one upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and one portal vein thrombosis. The overall rate of stable disease was 28%, 36% achieved partial response, and lower serum CA19-9 levels were recorded in all patients at discharge. Conclusions: IRE is feasible for the treatment of LAPC and is a reasonable intervention strategy owing to its combined attributes of safety and efficacy.

BACKGROUND The transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) was found to be expressed abnormally in a variety of tumors and is associated with unfavorable prognosis in human cancers. However, its clinical significance in pancreatic cancer (PC) is mostly unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS qRT-PCR was performed to measure the expression of TRPM8 in 110 pairs of PC tissues and the adjacent non-cancerous tissues. The association of TRPM8 expression with the clinical characters of PC patients was analyzed using the chi-square test. Furthermore, the prognostic value of TRPM8 was determined with Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS We found that the expression level of TRPM8 was significantly elevated in PC tissues compared to the non-cancerous controls (P

In this study microwave and far-infrared combination drying were conducted to investigate the effect of microwave and far-infrared heating mode switching point water content (SW), ginseng slice thickness, and far-infrared drying temperature on drying indicators (surface colour difference, ginsenosides content, and surface shrinkage rate) and drying efficiency (drying time) during the process of drying white ginseng slices. Regarding microwave drying, the microwave drying time cannot exceed 150 s, and the ginseng slice water content cannot be less 50%. For the combination drying, SW, far-infrared drying temperature and slice thickness increased, the colour difference and surface shrinkage rate first decreased and then increased, and the content of ginsenosides first increased and then decreased. In addition, the combination drying showed faster drying rate, higher ginsenosides contents value, colour difference (ΔE) value and lower surface shrinkage rate than single far-infrared drying.

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) plays a major role in decreased life quality of diabetes patients, however, the neural mechanisms underlying DNP remain unclear. Endomorphins are the endogenous ligands for mu-opioid receptor. There is increasing evidence implicating the involvement of spinal endomorphin-2 (EM2) in neuropathic pain. In this study, using a streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model that displayed obvious mechanical allodynia, it was found that the expression of spinal EM2 was significantly decreased in DNP rats. While intrathecal administration of exogenous EM2 attenuated mechanical allodynia in DNP rats, the mu-opioid receptor antagonist β-funaltrexamine facilitated these events. It was found that the reduction in spinal EM2 was mediated by increased activity of dipeptidylpeptidase IV, possibly as a consequence of diabetes-induced oxidative stress. Taken together, our results provide the first evidence that the reduction in the level of an endogenous opioid in primary afferents was significantly associated with DNP. This indicates that the chronic pain associated with DNP might be due to the loss of an inhibitory effect on pain signal transmission.

Since it can directly prepare the Nb–Al supersaturated solid solution, mechanical alloying is thought as a promising method to make high-performance Nb 3 Al superconductors at a low temperature annealing condition, without the complicated rapid heating, quenching and transformation (RHQT) process. In this paper, we investigate the effects of milling time, the content of Al and annealing temperature on phase formation and superconducting properties of mechanical alloying Nb 3 Al bulks in detail. The study results show that Nb–Al supersaturated solid solution could be obtained by high energy ball milling, as long as the Nb–Al blended powder is ball milled for 1 h, even the amorphous phase appears with the ball milling time prolonging to 10 h, the Nb–Al intermetalics do not come out either. Amorphous phase is hardly beneficial to synthesizing the Nb 3 Al phase, instead, it will make the products impurity. By optimizing the milling time, elements composition and annealing temperature , pure Nb 3 Al phase is obtained and the highest onset superconducting transition temperature ( T c-onset ) reaches 15.8 K and the critical current density ( J c ) 10 6 A/cm 2 at 8 K without outer field. This paper also discusses the main reasons that affect the superconducting properties of mechanical alloying Nb 3 Al superconductor.

Dome gas lift is one of the core link in the process of the construction of a large LNG (liquefied natural gas) storage tank. The process of traditional gas lift is relying on the working experience to control the gas pressure inside the storage tank, which has low control precision and poor operability. In this paper, a kind of PID control method was designed through the analysis of the gas lift process and the data was extracted as the feedback parameters by multi-point gas pressure sensors. Simulation was proceeded by the MATLAB software. The results show that, this PID control method can automatically adjust the pressure of the process of gas lift. And it also has fast, stable and reliable control performance. This method has important practical value in improving the control precision of the large LNG storage tank gas lift.

Objective To investigate the clinical predictors and prognosis of the patients with advanced stage small hepatocellular carcinoma (SHCC) after hepatectomy. Methods A total of 110 patients with SHCC admitted to the General Hospital of PLA and undergone hepatectomy from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 2009 were included in present retrospective study. Survival analysis was performed by Log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier. The association of SHCC and nine routine clinical parameters was analyzed by the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 110 patients with SHCC, 31 (28.2%) were SHCC in advanced stage, and the 1, 3, 5 year survival rates were 78.6%, 61.6% and 38.5%, respectively, with a median survival time of 48.8 months (95% CI 29.2-68.4 months). Seventy-nine of the 110 patients (71.8%) were suffering form early stage SHCC, and the 1, 3, 5 year survival rates were 98.7%, 83.8% and 74.8%, respectively, with a median survival time of 98.0 months (95%CI 73.8-122.2 months). The survival rate was obviously higher in the patients with early stage SHCC than in those with advanced stage SHCC (χ2=13.29, P=0.0003). Multivariate analysis showed that positive AFP was a potential significant predictor of SHCC in advanced stage (RR=14.45; 95%CI 4.05-51.64, P

Structural robustness is investigated in this study according to its opposite property, i.e., structural vulnerability, which is calculated as the assembly of component vulnerability measured by the vulnerability coefficient. Different types of vulnerability coefficients are suitable for both truss and RC frame structures. An importance coefficient based on the bearing capacity of the remaining structure is proposed to reveal the internal topology and failure scenarios, and is viewed as the weight coefficient of the corresponding vulnerability coefficient. The occurrence probability density function is introduced to describe the uncertainty of abnormal events and assess structural robustness under different events. Numerical examples of several idealized trusses and a RC frame are performed to demonstrate the use of the proposed robustness index. Analysis results show that the robustness index provided good explanation for robustness quantification for both truss and RC frame structures under diff...

To investigate the mechanism of oridonin (ORI)-induced autophagy in prostate cancer PC-3 cells, PC-3 cells cultured in vitro were treated with ORI, and the inhibitory ratio of ORI on PC-3 cells was assayed by 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide. The ultrastructural changes of the cells were observed under light microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Acridine orange (AO) staining was used to observe the acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs). The level of autophagy-related proteins, MAP1-LC3, was detected by Western Blot, and RT-PCR was used to detect the level of mRNA of beclin 1. After ORI treatment, the proliferation of PC-3 cells was inhibited significantly in a concentration and time-dependent manner. SEM examination revealed cellular shrinkage and disappearance of surface microvilli in ORI-treated cells. Under TEM examination, the nuclei exhibited chromatin condensation and the appearance of a large number of autophagosomes with double-membrane structure in cytoplasm. AO staining showed the existence of AVOs. The expression of LC3 and the mRNA level of beclin 1 was increased by ORI. Furthermore, autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine reversed the increase of beclin 1 mRNA. The growth of PC-3 cells was inhibited, and autophagy was induced by ORI, indicating ORI may have a potential antitumor effect. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dynamic analysis and modal test were conducted on a vertical grinding machine. The mathematical model of joint surface parameter identification between the bed and the column was established in CAD/CAE integrated environment. Based on the results of dynamic analysis and modal test, the parameters of joint surface were identified and the finite element model was accurately created. Then, the weak bodies of the original machine were improved. According to the finite element analysis of the improved machine, the performances of the new machine were better than the original machine.

The stiffness analysis method considering uncertainty parameters of frame hydraulic press with movable eccentricity loading in the early design stage was proposed. The mathematical analytical stiffness of the upper beam with movable eccentricity loading was built. The adaptive Monte Carlo Method was used to calculate the interval of the stiffness with random parameters. The result shows that the stiffness appears higher when the eccentricity increasing. The approach has been tested by measuring the stiffness of a 10000kN frame hydraulic press and a 15000kN frame hydraulic press.

Hydraulic support tester is the key equipment to measure the safety performance and technical performance of the hydraulic support. As an integral part of hydraulic support tester, synchronized loading system bears much load and eccentric load, needs high synchronization precision, and exits mechanical-hydraulic coupling. For these characteristics, building a synchronous loading system platform model, carrying on force analysis of the platform, and then getting four-cylinder pressure at different heights of the loading course are necessary. This research constructs a synchronous control circuit for hydraulic loading system using multi-physic modeling and simulation software—AMESim; simulation is carried out to optimize parameters of PID controllers in order to reduce the four-cylinder position synchronization error. As a conclusion, simulation results validate that appropriate solutions improve the precision and also demonstrate that the designed control system is suit for the synchronization control of the four-cylinder.

For the reliability problems of drilling rod of rotary drilling rig that need to be resolved currently, the paper took the friction-pressurized drilling rod for example, firstly analysised the failure modes of drilling rod with the joint method of FTA-FMECA; then established the structural reliability model of drilling rod according to the dominant failure modes respectively, and solved the failure probability; finally, made recommendations of reliability improvement. In the paper, the calculation of failure probability was done with Monte-Carlo simulation method, and the accurate solution was obtained with Matlab program.

It is key to improve the machining efficiency of finishing lapping machine to restrain the vibration that raise with work speed. The vibration amplitude is influenced by the excitation force of unbalanced crank-rocker mechanism and the anti-vibration performance of guide. Following improving schemes as adding counterweight to crank-rocker mechanism, adopting the light material motion components and enhancing the anti-vibration performance of guide are proposed based on theoretical and experimental studies. The improving schemes are verified by the experiment.

A new method to evaluate design candidates in adaptable design of vertical grinding machines considering static and dynamic performances is introduced. According to adaptable design principles, the comprehensive evaluation method of dynamic and static performance was used to evaluate the value of structural change and performance improvement. Taking the redesign of vertical grinding machine for example, some design candidates were provided for its weak parts. Based on the evaluation method, the data on design candidates, which was derived from the static and dynamic analysis, was accurately analyzed and the design candidates were accurately and rapidly evaluated. Finally, the best configuration was selected.

Based on study and analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the design methods of AD (AD, Axiomatic Design), QFD (QFD, Quality Function Development), TRIZ (TRIZ, Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) and Taguchi Method, the article established the integrated design model of the four. Taking the design of a compressor cutting machine as example, the article analyzed how to design the machine under the guidance of the integrated design method based on AD-QFD-TRIZ and Taguchi Method according to the actual needs of users. Thus, the article provides a useful reference for the design of related products to designers.

Headstock is a key component of gear milling machine. The dynamic functional performance of the headstock is usually influenced by uncertainties of both geometric and non-geometric design parameters. A new mathematical model to represent relationships among first frequency and design parameters of the headstock were derived with Rayleigh method. Then, a larger-the-better and smaller-the-better robust analysis and optimization model was developed. The sensitivity analysis results show that height of the headstock makes a great impact on the first frequency. Through robust optimizations, the first frequency is scaled up by 3.35 percent while minimizing the variance of the first frequency.

A fatal complication after liver transplantation is anastomotic embolization of the hepatic artery. In order to solve this problem, the portal venous arterialization (PVA) is used to reconstruct the hepatic arterial blood flow. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of PVA on rats with acute occlusion of hepatic artery.Rat PVA models were established and then randomly divided into Group 1 (control group), Group 2 (jaundice group), Group 3 (bile duct recanalization group), and Group 4 (portal vein arterilization group). Recanalization of the common bile duct and PVA were performed 5 days after bile duct ligation in the rats. The influence of the PVA on general conditions, hepatic changes of structure and function, portal vein pressure and hepatic micrangium were observed for one month.Five days after common bile duct ligation the serum bilirubin, transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased. Compared with group 1, there was a statistically significant difference (P0.01). These rats then underwent bile duct recanalization and PVA. After a month, the liver functions and microscopic structures completely returned to normal and, compared with group 1, there was no statistically significant difference in portal vein pressure (P0.05). Vascular casting samples showed that hepatic sinusoids were slightly thicker and more filled than normal ones and although they had some deformations, the hepatic sinusoids were still distributed around the central vein in radial form.Within a month after operation, bile duct recanalization and PVA do not show obvious adverse effects on liver hemodynamics and hepatic micrangium, and the liver function and microscopic structure can return to normal.

Hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is of primary concern during liver surgery. We propose a new approach for preserving low liver blood perfusion during hepatectomy either by occlusion of the portal vein (OPV) while preserving hepatic artery flow or occlusion of the hepatic artery while limiting portal vein (LPV) flow to reduce I/R injury. The effects of this approach on liver I/R injury were investigated. Rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups: sham operation, occlusion of the portal triad (OPT), OPV and LPV. The 7-day survival rate was significantly improved in the OPV and LPV groups compared with the OPT group. Microcirculatory liver blood flow recovered rapidly after reperfusion in the OPV and LPV groups but decreased further in the OPT group. The OPV and LPV groups also showed much lower ALT and AST levels, Suzuki scores, inflammatory gene expression levels and parenchymal necrosis compared with the OPT group. An imbalance between the expression of vasoconstriction and vasodilation genes was observed in the OPT group but not in the OPV or LPV group. Therefore, preserving low liver blood perfusion by either the OPV or LPV methods during liver surgery is very effective for preventing hepatic microcirculatory dysfunction and hepatocyte injury.

Background and Objectives Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are endogenous peptidases capable of degrading various components of the basement membrane. The ability of malignant epithelial cells to degrade extracellular matrix and basement membrane is an important step in the process of metastatic invasion. In this study, we prospectively compared the outcome of patients undergoing laparotomy for resection of periampullary malignancies with lymph node and tumor MMP expression to determine if there was a correlation between metalloproteinase expression and patient outcome. Methods Sixteen patients undergoing operation were followed prospectively. Expression of MMP-2 and -9 and their inhibitors TIMP (tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase) -1 and -2 were measured in lymph node and tumor samples by semiquantitative PCR analysis. Results All patients who died from their disease process had significantly greater MMP-2 expression in their lymph nodes relative to TIMP-2 expression. In contrast, patients with prolonged disease-free survival had decreased nodal MMP-2/TIMP-2 expression (P = 0.001). Patients with relatively higher MMP-2/TIMP-2 expression in their tumors also had a worse prognosis (P = 0.06). Conclusion The data demonstrate that the mRNA expression of MMPs and TIMPs in the draining lymph node of patients with periampullary adenocarcinomas may hold prognostic significance for patient survival. This prognostic information may be of use in patients when planning future adjuvant therapies. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;90:239–246. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A new simple 3-node triangular flat-shell element with standard nodal DOF (6 DOF per node) is proposed for the linear and geometrically nonlinear analysis of very thin to thick plate and shell structures. The formulation of element GT9 (Long and Xu 1994), a generalized conforming membrane element with rigid rotational freedoms, is employed as the membrane component of the new shell element. Both one-point reduced integration scheme and a corresponding stabilization matrix are adopted for avoiding membrane locking and hourglass phenomenon. The bending component of the new element comes from a new generalized conforming Kirchhoff-Mindlin plate element TSL-T9, which is derived in this paper based on semiLoof constrains and rational shear interpolation. Thus the convergence can be guaranteed and no shear locking will happen. Furthermore, a simple hybrid procedure is suggested to improve the stress solutions, and the Updated Lagrangian formulae are also established for the geometrically nonlinear problems. Numerical results with solutions, which are solved by some other recent element models and the models in the commercial finite element software ABAQUS, are presented. They show that the proposed element, denoted as GMST18, exhibits excellent and better performance for the analysis of thin-think plates and shells in both linear and geometrically nonlinear problems.

As an uncertain reasoning model, the general C-F model was originally developed for processing the uncertainties of rule-based knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence. In this model, certainty factors and combined certainty factors are defined and used for expressing the strengths of knowledge rules and knowledge rule combinations, respectively. The certainty factor can reflect the believable degree of inferring hypothesis on the basis of a proof. Similarly, the combined certainty factor can reflect the believable degree of inferring hypothesis on the basis of the proof combination. It is a function of the related certainty factors and can be determined through combining the certainty factors via the combining rule of the general C-F model. In this paper, the general C-F model has been successfully applied to mineral resource potential mapping. We call this model as the applied form of the general C-F model. In this applied form, the certainty factor is applied to expressing the believable degree of inferring mineral occurrence on the basis of one of the map pattern states associated with the mineral occurrence. Correspondingly, the combined certainty factor is applied to expressing the believable degree of inferring the mineral occurrence on the basis of the map pattern state association. And it is also applied to expressing mineral resource potentials in the mineral resource potential mapping. In the current form, the first step in implementing the general C-F model is to estimate a pair of certainty factors for each map pattern under combination. The next step is to determine the combined certainty factor for the map pattern states coexisting in each locality of the mapping area. The last step is to generate the combined-certainty-factor raster map or the combined-certainty-factor contour map in order to select mineral resource targets. The applied form of the general C-F model is demonstrated on a case study to select mineral resource targets. The experimental results manifest that the model can be compared with the weights-of-evidence model in the effectiveness of mineral resource target selection.

To date, there are no ideal animal models for study of natural sensitization leading to IgE– and lymphocyte–mediated hypersensitivities. We established such a model in which four BALB/c mice were each sensitized by exposure to at least 16 mosquito Aedes aegypti bites, twice a week for 4 weeks. Four non–exposed control mice were also studied. Mosquito A. aegypti head and thorax extract, saliva, and two recombinant salivary allergens (rAed a 1 and rAed a 2) were used in vitro as antigens. Intradermal tests were performed. Serum mosquito antigen–specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and total IgE were measured by ELISA; specific IgE was measured by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). IgE responses to each antigen in the saliva were analyzed using Western blotting. Spleen lymphocyte proliferation assays were performed to determine the cell–mediated hypersensitivity response. Antigen–induced IL–4 and IFN–γ production in the spleen lymphocytes were evaluated using ELISA. After 4 weeks, all 4 mosquito–sensitized mice developed a positive immediate wheal 20 min after skin tests with mosquito antigens, and a positive delayed papule 24 h later, while control mice did not. Also, the sensitized mice had a positive PCA response, which correlated significantly with total IgE levels (r = 0.84, p

microRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression. Although recent evidences have been indicated that their aberrant expression may play an important role in cancer stem cells, the mechanism of their deregulation in neoplastic transformation of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) has not been explored. In our study, the HCC model was established in F344 rats by DEN induction. The EpCAM(+) cells were sorted out from unfractionated fetal liver cells and liver cancer cells using the FACS analysis and miRNA expression profiles of two groups were screened through microarray platform. Gain-of-function studies were performed in vitro and in vivo to determine the role of miR-92b on proliferation and differentiation of the hepatic progenitors. In addition, luciferase reporter system and gene function analysis were used to predict miR-92b target. we found that miR-92b was highly downregulated in EpCAM(+) fetal liver cells in expression profiling studies. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated reverse correlation between miR-92b expression and differentiation degree in human HCC samples. Overexpression of miR-92b in EpCAM(+) fetal liver cells significantly increased proliferation and inhibited differentiation as well as in vitro and in vivo studies. Moreover, we verified that C/EBPß is a direct target of miR-92b and contributes to its effects on proliferation and differentiation. We conclude that aberrant expression of miR-92b can result in proliferation increase and differentiation arrest of hepatic progenitors by targeting C/EBPß.

To study the relationship between hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein and DNA methylation of p16(INK4a) and the role of HBx in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.Eukaryonic expression vectors pcDNA3.1B-HBx and pcDNA3.1B were transduced into Chang liver cells by using Lipofectamine 2000 to establish the Chang-HBx liver cell line (HBx expression) and Chang-vector liver cell line (non-HBx expression). RT-PCR and Western blot were used to test the expression of p16(INK4a) in the two cell lines. The level of p16(INK4a) promoter methylation was tested by methylation specific PCR (MSP). The proliferation curves were drew by CCK-8, and S-phase in cell cycle and apoptosis were observed by flow cytometry.Hypermethylation of p16 can be mediated by HBx, which decreases the expression of mRNA and protein of p16. Chang-HBx cells grow faster. Chang-HBx cells have much higher S-phase population (28.96% vs. 21.53%, P0.001; 28.96% vs. 21.5%, P0.001) and lower apoptosis rate (2.71% vs. 3.69%, P0.001; 2.71% vs. 3.36%, P0.001) than Chang-vector cells and Chang cells respectively.p16(INK4a) expression was repressed by HBx protein via DNA methylation of p16(INK4a), which can induce the malignant transformation tendency of Chang cells.

To study the surgical management of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) and its characteristics of outcome.Fifty-eight patients with SPTP of the pancreas admitted from January 2001 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 male and 51 female patients, with an average age of 30 years (ranging 9 to 70 years). Most patients were symptomatic before admission; the most common symptom was abdominal pain. Of the 58 patients, 21 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 30 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy, 6 patients underwent central pancreatectomy, 1 patient underwent simple tumor enucleation, and 1 patients underwent duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection.The average length of stay in hospital was 23.8 days (ranging 12 to 64 days). Thirteen patients (22.4%) developed postoperative complications, including grade A postoperative pancreatic fistula of 8 cases, gastrointestinal tract bleeding of 1 case, pleural effusion of 2 cases, wound infection and fat liquefaction of 2 cases. Two patients underwent reoperation due to gastrointestinal tract bleeding or wound infection. There was no hospital death. Forty-four patients were followed-up for 7 to 136 months with an average of 41 months. All the 44 patients were alive, while 8 patients developed dyspepsia and 4 patients developed diabetes mellitus. There were no tumor recurrences or metastasis.SPTP is found primarily in young women. Excellent prognosis would be achieved with surgical resection.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that is difficult to cure. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of flow-controlled partial portal vein arterializations (PPVA) on liver regeneration after hepatectomy in minipigs with chronic obstructive jaundice.Eight minipigs were made into chronic obstructive jaundice models. United semi-hepatectomy, which imitates extended radical surgery for treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, was then performed. The eight minipigs were randomly divided into groups A and B (n = 4 minipigs each). PPVA was performed in Group A but not in Group B. The effects of flow-controlled PPVA on live regeneration after hepatectomy were observed for 30 days after hepatectomy.The portal vein PO(2) at the immediate time point and on postoperative day 30 was higher in Group A ((47.33 ± 2.43) and (48.50 ± 4.44) mmHg) than in Group B ((35.38 ± 4.06) and (35.55 ± 2.55) mmHg respectively, all P0.01). The mitotic index of liver cells on postoperative days 14 and 21 was higher in Group A (12.55% ± 2.85% and 15.25% ± 1.99% respectively) than in Group B (6.85% ± 2.10% and 11.88% ± 1.15% respectively, all P0.05). The regeneration rate of residual liver on postoperative days 14 and 21 was higher in Group A (24.56% ± 6.15% and 70.63% ± 9.83% respectively) than in Group B (11.96% ± 5.43% and 44.92% ± 7.42% respectively, P0.05 and P0.01 respectively).Flow-controlled PPVA can promote liver regeneration after hepatectomy and prevent liver failure in minipigs with chronic obstructive jaundice.

To study the influence of the depth of jaundice, the duration of jaundice and preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) on postoperative complications and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).A retrospective review was performed of the medical records of 1025 patients who underwent PD between June 1986 and December 2010. The patients comprised 659 men and 366 women, ranging from 4 to 81 years old with a mean age of (54 ± 12) years. The indications for PD were malignant disease in 869 patients (84.78%) and benign or borderline tumors in 156 patients (15.22%). The operative procedures performed were pylorus-preserving modification in 279 patients and conventional PD, i.e. Whipple's operation in 746 patients. Complications after PD were compared among the different groups which was classified according to the depth of obstructive jaundice, the duration of obstructive jaundice and whether undergoing preoperative biliary drain or not, and the analysis was made by variance analysis and χ(2) test respectively.The depth of jaundice did not significantly affect the incidence of complications after PD except for the hemorrhage complication (χ(2) = 11.06, P = 0.03). The duration of jaundice had no much influence on the postoperative complications and mortality. PBD could not reduce the postoperative complications and mortality, however, it would increase the incidence of postoperative incision infection (χ(2) = 9.84, P = 0.01). No significant relationship was observed between the duration of PBD and the postoperative complications and mortality.Either the depth or duration of obstructive jaundice has no relationship with the postoperative complications and mortality after PD but the postoperative hemorrhage. Patients undergoing PD can not be benefited from PBD. Consequently, PBD should not be performed routinely, but it can be used in some serious patients with severe depth of jaundice who can not received surgery at once.

To investigate the cellular mechanisms of action of Yiguanjian (YGJ) decoction in treatment of chronic hepatic injury.One group of mice was irradiated, and received enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-positive bone marrow transplants followed by 13 wk of CCl₄ injection and 6 wk of oral YGJ administration. A second group of Institute for Cancer Research mice was treated with 13 wk of CCl₄ injection and 6 wk of oral YGJ administration. Liver function, histological changes in the liver, and Hyp content were analyzed. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), F4/80, albumin (Alb), EGFP, mitogen-activated protein kinase-2 (PKM2), Ki-67, α fetoprotein (AFP), monocyte chemotaxis protein-1 and CC chemokine receptor 2 were assayed.As hepatic damage progressed, EGFP-positive marrow cells migrated into the liver and were mainly distributed along the fibrous septa. They showed a conspicuous coexpression of EGFP with α-SMA and F4/80 but no coexpression with Alb. Moreover, the expression of PKM2, AFP and Ki-67 was enhanced dynamically and steadily over the course of liver injury. YGJ abrogated the increases in the number of bone marrow-derived fibrogenic cells in the liver, inhibited expression of both progenitor and mature hepatocyte markers, and reduced fibrogenesis.YGJ decoction improves liver fibrosis by inhibiting the migration of bone marrow cells into the liver as well as inhibiting their differentiation and suppressing the proliferation of both progenitors and hepatocytes in the injured liver.