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Mitochondria play a key role in the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Although the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (PD) is a selective and reversible flavonoid that can protect the mitochondria in a rat model of cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation, its role requires further confirmation. In this study, we investigated whether PD could maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells exposed to oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). PD improved the mitochondrial morphology and function, reversed the increase in ROS production and cell apoptosis, and reduced total-superoxide dismutase and Mn-superoxide dismutase activities induced by OGD/R. PD decreases ROS production and improves mitochondrial morphology and function, protecting SH-SY5Y cells against OGD/R-induced injury.

The effect of baking degree on the change of seven chlorogenic acid compounds in 10 different origins (origin 1: Yunnan, origin 2: Africa and America) of Cardim coffee. The content of chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid C and 5-ferulicquinic acid in green coffee and baked coffee were determined by high performance liquid chromategraphy (HPLC). The optimum extraction conditions of seven chlorogenic acid compounds were optimized by response surface methodology. 100 mL 0.1% phosphoric acid solution was extracted in water bath for 30 min, and the calibration curves of the seven chlorogenic acid compounds showed good linearity with correlation coefficients of above 0.999 4 in the range of 2~150 mg/L. Limit of the detection (LOD) and the limit of the quantitative (LOQ) were 0.005~0.5 mg/g and 0.02~2 mg/g respectively. The content of chlorogenic acid in green coffee beans was the highest, followed by 5-ferulicquinic acid. With the increase of baking degree, the content of chlorogenic acid and 5-ferulicquinic acid decreased significantly (P

The linear Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) signal detection algorithm in the massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system is difficult to use in practical engineering due to the complex inversion of the high-dimensional matrix of the signal detection algorithm. In order to solve this problem, the article proposes a low-complexity hybrid iterative algorithm based on the idea of matrix block and combined with Neumann series expansion algorithm. Using the Neumann series second-order expansion of the inverse matrix of the weighted matrix in the MMSE algorithm as the initial value of the iterative inversion of the block matrix can effectively improve the convergence speed of the algorithm. The simulation results show that this method can have similar performance as the traditional MMSE algorithm with fewer iterations and lower complexity.

C32H56F24N8P4, triclinic, P1‾$P‾{1}$ (no. 2), a = 8.6769(13) Å, b = 9.8858(14) Å, c = 14.510(2) Å, α = 102.564(2)°, β = 94.461(3)°, γ = 92.152(3)°, V = 81.710(2) Å3, Z = 1, Rgt(F) = 0.0692, wRref(F2) = 0.2245, T = 296(2) K.

Sodium and aluminum (Na-Al) co-doped ZnO thin films (NAZO) were prepared on the quartz glass substrate by sol-gel spin-coating method. The effect of different Na-Al co-doped concentration on crystallization, microstructure and photoelectric properties of ZnO films were investigated. The results show that all NAZO thin films samples grow along the c-axis of the preferred orientation; appropriate Na-Al co-doped concentration can improve the ZnO films crystallization, increase the carrier mobility; meanwhile, six columnar grain structure crystal particles can be observed on the NAZO films surface. With the changing of Na-Al co-doped concentration, the highest mean optical transmittance reaches 95%. Because of the difference of the solid solution ratio, the appropriate concentration can improve the efficiency of doping Na-Al element, which enhances the carrier concentration of the film inside and the resistivity decreases; the lowest resistivity of NAZO thin films is 4.7×10-2Ω·cm.

The effects of time and temperature level on the aging of the 791-H SBS modifier have been investigated through experimental study. A series of Thin Film Oven (TFO) Test was conducted at the temperature of 100°C and 163°C and time of 1, 2, 5 and 10h. The changes in the chemical composition due to oxidative aging are detected by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) test. The results show that the visual observation of SBS after aging within 10h is almost unchanged when the aging temperature is 100°C. At 163°C within 1-2h aging, the SBS particles gradually softened and become slightly bonded to each other; at the same temperature after 5h of aging, the particles of SBS became yellow. The result from FTIR test shows that temperature is an important factor in the aging of SBS modifier and its effect on the aging of SBS modifier is much greater than that of aging time.

In this study, an effect of temperature on both indirect tensile strength (ITS) test and Marshall Stability Test of foam asphalt mixture using Shell #70 A asphalt is firstly investigated. A detailed investigation of the mechanical properties of foam asphalt mixture was then carried out using two different asphalt binders. The experimental work compares the mechanical properties of foam asphalt mixes including water stability test, indirect tensile strength (ITS) test, and freeze-thaw splitting test. The test results indicate that the foam asphalt mixture is temperature dependent and also temperature sensitive material. The foaming properties of asphalt have an important effect on the properties of the foam asphalt mixture for the strength and water stability of the foam asphalt mixture.

Abstract We report a case of continued twitching of the latissimus dorsi muscle following breast conservation therapy, along with immediate reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi miniflap, which continued despite several attempts at control including BTX-A percutaneous local injection, and was finally cured by delayed division of the thoracodorsal nerve via a small well-tolerated axillary incision.

Abstract Background The optimal resection extent for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) remains controversial. The objective of the study was to investigate risk factors of bilateral PTMC and central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) to guide surgical strategies for PTMC patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 211 PTMC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) and 122 clinical lymph node-negative (cN0) cases that underwent prophylactic central lymph node dissection (CLND) between 2010 and 2011. The frequency, pattern, and predictive factors for bilateral PTMC and CLNM in these patients were studied using univariate and multivariate analysis with respect to the following variables: age, gender, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), T stage, with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT), tumor size and multifocality based on final pathology, and preoperative evaluation using ultrasonography (US). Results Fifty-four of 211 (25.6%) patients had bilateral PTMC. In multivariate analysis, multifocality (P P = 0.014, OR = 2.398) based on US were independent predictive factors for bilateral PTMC which was also independently associated with multifocality (P P = 0.005, OR = 2.863) based on final pathology. Among 122 cN0 patients who underwent prophylactic CLND, we found 49.2% of patients had CLNM. CLNM was independently associated with men, age Conclusions TT should be considered for PTMC patients who are found multifocality and tumor size ≥7 mm based on preoperative US. CLND need be considered in cN0 patients who are men, aged

Abstract Emerging evidence suggests that cancer stem cells account for the initiation and progression of cancer. While many types of cancer stem cells with specific markers have been isolated and identified, a variety of differences among them began to be appreciated. Cancer stem cells are hierarchical populations that consist of precancerous stem cells, primary cancer stem cells, migrating cancer stem cells and chemoradioresistant cancer stem cells, playing different roles in cancer initiation and progression. Here we propose a new concept "horizontal hierarchy of cancer stem cells" to distinguish them from vertical hierarchy cancer stem cells, cancer transient-amplifying cells and cancer differentiated cells, and summarize our current understanding of these subsets of cancer stem cells with the aim to open up novel therapeutic strategies for cancer based on this understanding.

Abstract Background Emerging evidence has demonstrated that Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is up-regulated in multiple malignancies, including oesophagus cancer, and plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, till now, little is known about the role of NGAL in human rectal cancer. Its association with clinicopathologic characteristics and expression of MMP-9, one of its target genes, has not been reported systematically in rectal cancer. Therefore, to further determine the potential involvement of NGAL in rectal cancer, we have evaluated the expression level of NGAL mRNA by real time RT-PCR, and further elucidated the correlation of NGAL mRNA expression with clinicopathologic features and MMP-9 in rectal cancer. Methods 100 paired samples of rectal cancer and adjacent normal tissues obtained from inpatients undergoing surgical operation were allocated into two groups (cancer group and control group). The mRNA expression of NGAL and MMP-9 was determined by real-time RT-PCR. The association between their expression and clinicopathological characteristics of rectal cancer were analysised. Results Among the 100 rectal cancers, 69 cases of NGAL mRNA up-regulation were observed. NGAL mRNA up-regulation was positively correlated with MMP-9 (rs = 0.393, p < 0.001). In rectal cancer, NGAL mRNA overexpression was significantly associated with depth of invasion (p = 0.028), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.009), venous involvement (p = 0.023) and advanced pTNM stage (p = 0.011). Conclusion In human rectal cancer, NGAL mRNA expression was elevated. NGAL mRNA up-regulation was correlated significantly with tumor progression and MMP-9 mRNA overexpression in rectal cancer, suggesting a more aggressive phenotype. NGAL could be used for rectal cancer characterization.

Abstract Background Lymphangiogenesis has become a new research frontier in tumor metastasis since the discovery of reliable lymphatic markers that have allowed observation and isolation of lymphatic endothelium. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been reported to be involved in the critical steps in carcinogenesis. However, possible role of COX-2 in lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis is still poorly understood. In present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and COX-2 in human breast cancer, and correlations with lymphangiogenesis and prognosis. Methods Tissue samples of primary tumors from 70 patients undergoing intentionally curative surgical resections for breast cancer were immunohistochemically examined for VEGF-C, COX-2, and D2-40 expressions. The association between COX-2 and VEGF-C expressions and clinicopathological parameters as well as prognosis were analysised. To demonstrate the presence of proliferating lymphatic endothelial cells, 10 random cases with high LVD counts were selected for D2-40/Ki-67 double immunostaining. Results A significant correlation was found between the expression of VEGF-C and COX-2 (r = 0.529, P < 0.001), and both elevated VEGF-C expression and elevated COX-2 expression were associated with higher lymph vessel density (LVD), lymph node metastasis and D2-40 positive lymphatic invasion (LVI) as well as worse disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in a univariate analysis. In the double immunostain for the lymph vessel marker D2-40 and the proliferation marker Ki-67, the results confirmed Ki-67-positive nuclei in a proportion of lymph vessel endothelial cells. Conclusion There is indeed lymphangiogenesis in breast cancer, the most compelling evidence being the presence of proliferating lymphatic endothelial cells. VEGF-C and COX-2 are coexpressed and significantly associated with lymphangiogenesis and prognosis in invasive breast cancer. Suggesting COX-2 may up-regulate VEGF-C expression and thus promote lymph node metastasis via lymphangiogenesis pathway in human breast cancer.