Resumo A hipóxia é uma característica proeminente do câncer de cabeça e pescoço. No entanto, as características do elemento oxigênio das proteínas e como elas se adaptam aos microambientes de hipóxia do câncer de cabeça e pescoço ainda são desconhecidas. Sequências do genoma humano e dados expressos de proteínas de câncer de cabeça e pescoço foram recuperados do atlas de patologia do projeto Human Protein Atlas. Em seguida, comparou o conteúdo do elemento de oxigênio e carbono entre proteomas de câncer de cabeça e pescoço, e células epiteliais escamosas da mucosa oral normal, localizações do genoma, vias e dissecção funcional associada ao câncer de cabeça e pescoço também foram estudadas. Um total de 902 proteínas expressas diferencialmente foi observado onde o conteúdo médio de oxigênio é maior do que as proteínas expressas de forma humilde em proteínas de câncer de cabeça e pescoço. Além disso, o conteúdo médio de oxigênio das proteínas reguladas positivamente foi 2,54% maior do que das outras. Nenhum de seus genes codificadores foi distribuído no cromossomo Y. As proteínas reguladas positivamente foram enriquecidas em endocitose, apoptose e regulação do citoesqueleto de actina. O conteúdo aumentado de oxigênio das proteínas altamente expressas e reguladas pode ser causado pela atividade frequente do citoesqueleto e adaptado ao rápido crescimento e divisão das células cancerosas de cabeça e pescoço. O viés do uso de oxigênio e as proteínas-chave podem nos ajudar a entender os mecanismos por trás do câncer de cabeça e pescoço na terapia direcionada, o que estabelece uma base para a aplicação da estequioproteômica na terapia direcionada e oferece uma promessa para potenciais tratamentos para o câncer de cabeça e pescoço.

Abstract Hypoxia is a prominent feature of head and neck cancer. However, the oxygen element characteristics of proteins and how they adapt to hypoxia microenvironments of head and neck cancer are still unknown. Human genome sequences and proteins expressed data of head and neck cancer were retrieved from pathology atlas of Human Protein Atlas project. Then compared the oxygen and carbon element contents between proteomes of head and neck cancer and normal oral mucosa-squamous epithelial cells, genome locations, pathways, and functional dissection associated with head and neck cancer were also studied. A total of 902 differentially expressed proteins were observed where the average oxygen content is higher than that of the lowly expressed proteins in head and neck cancer proteins. Further, the average oxygen content of the up regulated proteins was 2.54% higher than other. None of their coding genes were distributed on the Y chromosome. The up regulated proteins were enriched in endocytosis, apoptosis and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. The increased oxygen contents of the highly expressed and the up regulated proteins might be caused by frequent activity of cytoskeleton and adapted to the rapid growth and fast division of the head and neck cancer cells. The oxygen usage bias and key proteins may help us to understand the mechanisms behind head and neck cancer in targeted therapy, which lays a foundation for the application of stoichioproteomics in targeted therapy and provides promise for potential treatments for head and neck cancer.

The current study aimed to assess the effects of the addition of dietary fermented feed (FF) on the growth performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and number of cecal microorganisms of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 d of age. A total of 240, 1-day-old female geese were randomly divided into five groups with six replicates (eight birds per replicate). Geese in the control group were fed the basal diet (0.0% FF) and the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% FF, respectively. The 5.0% FF and 7.5% FF groups had greater body weights (BW), average daily feed intakes (ADFI), and average daily gains (ADG) than the control group. The feed/gain ratio (F/G) in the 7.5% FF group was higher than the control group. The concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IGA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the 5.0% FF group were higher than those in the control group, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the 5.0% FF group was lower. Moreover, the FF did not affect the plasma biochemical indicators, number of cecal microorganisms, and intestinal morphology of geese in the groups. These findings indicate that 5.0% FF may improve the growth performance (BW, ADG, and ADFI), immunological function, and antioxidant capacity of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 days of age.

ABSTRACT Chicken coccidiosis is a common and severe parasitic disease caused by infection from Eimeria spp., which affects the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. TGF-β has been shown to play an important role in the healing of intestinal mucosas, immunity, and the maintenance of bowel mucosa integrity. Very little is known about the presence of the components of TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway of chicken at different times following coccidian infection. In the present study, we measured the levels of TGF-β2, 3, 4, receptor TβRI, II, down-stream Smad 2, 3, 7 in cecum and spleen of chicken at different times after inoculation with Eimeria tenella using quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway was not activated in cecum in the early stage of infection. However, on the 8th day, the expression of TGF-β2, 4, down-stream protein Smad 2, 7 were significant up-regulated in the spleen, which indicated that the TGF-β/Smads signaling was changed in the E. tenella infection and was differentially expressed in various tissues in the early stages of infection.

Abstract The influence of water resources allocation patterns on root layers soil desalination and groundwater quality were investigated by monitoring different irrigation area from People’s Victory Canal irrigation district in Huang Huai Hai plain China that had been conducted well canal combined irrigation patterns from 1954. A typical area was chosen belong to the People’s Victory Canal irrigation district from 2013 to 2015. Precipitation of the area, surface water irrigation amount, groundwater consumption amount, salinity content in 0 to 100 cm soil layer and total dissolved solids in groundwater were monitored, the ratio of canal-well water (the ratio of surface water to groundwater irrigation amount, CWWR), soil salinity spatial dynamic, desalinization rate in 0 to 100 cm soil layer and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of groundwater were analyzed in the area. CWWR of Branch 1, Branch 2, and Branch 3 ranged from 0.72 to 1.03, 2.50 to 2.63, and 0.65 to 1.26 in 2013 to 2015, respectively. The soil salinity contents for the top 100 cm horizons in the Branch 2 irrigation area decreased slightly by 1.63% to 8.90% compared with the values in the Branch 1 and Branch 3 irrigation districts while the water resources allocation patterns were conducted two years later. Compared with the area in the hydrological period in 2013, the area of average soil salinity exceeded 0.32 mS/cm for the top 20 cm horizons has decreased notably in 2014 and 2015. Compared with the values in 2014, the average TDS concentration of groundwater increased by 18.66% in the study area in 2015, whereas the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values in the above-mentioned irrigation areas decreased by 23.58%, 36.82%, and 53.37% in the normal period in 2015. The combined well-canal irrigation pattern could represent a useful water allocation method mainly because of the temporal and spatial regulation of water resources and root layer soil desalination; however, possible increases of TDS in the groundwater may cause potential ecosystem degradation risks after long-term water allocation in semi-arid areas. Thus, water allocation should be emphasized to maintain a healthy groundwater environment and sustainable stable yields of grain in combined canal-well irrigation districts.

The hot deformation behaviour of Nb-Ti microalloyed high-strength steel was investigated. Hot compression tests were conducted in the temperature range 900 to 1100°C under strain rates of 0.1, 1, and 5 s-1. Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurs as the main flow softening mechanism at high temperature and low strain rate. The hot deformation activation energy was calculated to be about 404 699 J/mol. The constitutive equation was developed to describe the relationship between peak stress, strain rate, and deformation temperature. The characteristics of DRX at different deformation conditions were extracted from the stress-strain curves using the work hardening parameter. The Cingara-McQueen equation was developed to predict the flow curves up to the peak strain. The processing maps were obtained on the basis of a dynamic materials model. The results predict an instability region in the temperature range 1010 to 1100°C when the strain rate exceeds 0.78 s-1.

ABSTRACT Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), a member of the retroviridae family, can infect both broilers and layers and induce a spectrum of different neoplasms, resulting in serious economic losses in poultry production. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major constituent of green tea, has demonstrated remarkable anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive effects in many animal tumor bioassays, cell culture systems and epidemiological studies. To assess the antiviral effects of EGCG on ALV-J-induced cell apoptosis in vitro, DF-1 cells were treated with different EGCG concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 µg/mL), and their antiviral effects were examined at different time points (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h) using a variety of assays. EGCG alleviated the ALV-J-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Because high concentrations (20 and 40 µg/mL) inhibited DF-1 cell growth, and low concentration (5 µg/mL) did not suppress the ALV-J virus, 10 µg/mL was the most appropriate concentration. After 96 h of incubation, 10 µg/mL EGCG improved the ALV-J-triggered suppression of the nuclear transcription factor system by enhancing cytoplasmic NF-κB p50/p65 expression and inhibiting nuclear NF-κB p50/p65 expression, resulting in decreased cell apoptosis. These results demonstrated that EGCG inhibited ALV-J-induced apoptosis in DF-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner via the NF-κB signaling pathway, and that 10 µg/mL EGCG is the optimal concentration, which may be useful for therapeutic drug design.

Teosinte branched 1/cycloidea/proliferating cell factor 1 (TCP) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors playing crucial roles in various biological processes, such as leaf development, flower symmetry, shoot branching and senescence. However, no comprehensive analysis of the TCP gene family has been reported in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L). Herein, a total of 15 TCP family members were identified in the genome of grapevine, located on eight of the 19 chromosomes. Phylogenetic and structural analyses showed that the VvTCPs were classified into two groups, designated as Class I and Class II. The Class II genes were further divided into two subclasses, the CIN subclass and the CYC/TB1 subclass. Genes belonging to the same subclass shared similar gene structures, conserved domains and motifs. Real-time PCR showed that almost all members of Class II exhibited organ-specific expression patterns, while members of Class I and the CIN Class were ubiquitously expressed in all the tissues examined, indicating multiple roles in the development of different grapevine organs. In addition, many members were strongly modulated by abiotic (cold, heat, drought) and biotic (downy mildew and powdery mildew infection) stresses, suggesting important and diverse regulatory roles in adverse conditions and plant immunity. The comprehensive in silico analysis of the grapevine TCP transcription factor family gives us some references to potential functions in grapevine development and stress responses.

Cetuximab is widely used in patients with metastatic colon cancer expressing wildtype KRAS. However, acquired drug resistance limits its clinical efficacy. Exosomes are nanosized vesicles secreted by various cell types. Tumor cell-derived exosomes participate in many biological processes, including tumor invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this study, exosomes derived from cetuximab-resistant RKO colon cancer cells induced cetuximab resistance in cetuximab-sensitive Caco-2 cells. Meanwhile, exosomes from RKO and Caco-2 cells showed different levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and phosphor-Akt. Furthermore, reduced PTEN and increased phosphorylated Akt levels were found in Caco-2 cells after exposure to RKO cell-derived exosomes. Moreover, an Akt inhibitor prevented RKO cell-derived exosome-induced drug resistance in Caco-2 cells. These findings provide novel evidence that exosomes derived from cetuximab-resistant cells could induce cetuximab resistance in cetuximab-sensitive cells, by downregulating PTEN and increasing phosphorylated Akt levels.

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons regenerate spontaneously after traumatic or surgical injury. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in various biological regulation processes. Conditions of lncRNAs in DRG neuron injury deserve to be further investigated. Transcriptomic analysis was performed by high-throughput Illumina HiSeq2500 sequencing to profile the differential genes in L4–L6 DRGs following rat sciatic nerve tying. A total of 1,228 genes were up-regulated and 1,415 down-regulated. By comparing to rat lncRNA database, 86 known and 26 novel lncRNA genes were found to be differential. The 86 known lncRNA genes modulated 866 target genes subject to gene ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis. The genes involved in the neurotransmitter status of neurons were downregulated and those involved in a neuronal regeneration were upregulated. Known lncRNA gene rno-Cntnap2 was downregulated. There were 13 credible GO terms for the rno-Cntnap2 gene, which had a putative function in cell component of voltage-gated potassium channel complex on the cell surface for neurites. In 26 novel lncRNA genes, 4 were related to 21 mRNA genes. A novel lncRNA gene AC111653.1 improved rno-Hypm synthesizing huntingtin during sciatic nerve regeneration. Real time qPCR results attested the down-regulation of rno-Cntnap lncRNA gene and the upregulation of AC111653.1 lncRNA gene. A total of 26 novel lncRNAs were found. Known lncRNA gene rno-Cntnap2 and novel lncRNA AC111653.1 were involved in neuropathic pain of DRGs after spared sciatic nerve injury. They contributed to peripheral nerve regeneration via the putative mechanisms.

A novel heterometallic metal-porphyrinic framework (MPFs) built from Y and K ions as nods and meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin as linkers has been successfully synthesized and characterized. The single crystal X-ray diffraction indicated that this complex 1 exhibited a bilayered architecture of the porphyrins, which is seldom seen in MPFs. In addition, in vitro anticancer activity of complex 1 on three human breast cancer cells (BT474, SKBr-3 and ZR-75-30) was further determined.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who experience brain metastases are usually associated with poor prognostic outcomes. This retrospective study proposed to assess whether bevacizumab or gefitinib can be used to improve the effectiveness of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in managing patients with brain metastases. A total of 218 NSCLC patients with multiple brain metastases were retrospectively included in this study and were randomly allocated to bevacizumab-gefitinib-WBRT group (n=76), gefitinib-WBRT group (n=77) and WBRT group (n=75). Then, tumor responses were evaluated every 2 months based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.0. Karnofsky performance status and neurologic examination were documented every 6 months after the treatment. Compared to the standard WBRT, bevacizumab and gefitinib could significantly enhance response rate (RR) and disease control rate (DCR) of WBRT (P<0.001). At the same time, RR and DCR of patients who received bevacizumab-gefitinib-WBRT were higher than those who received gefitinib-WBRT. The overall survival (OS) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates also differed significantly among the bevacizumab-gefitinib-WBRT (48.6 and 29.8%), gefitinib-WBRT (36.7 and 29.6%) and WBRT (9.8 and 14.6%) groups (P<0.05). Although bevacizumab-gefitinib-WBRT was slightly more toxic than gefitinib-WBRT, the toxicity was tolerable. As suggested by prolonged PFS and OS status, bevacizumab substantially improved the overall efficacy of WBRT in the management of patients with NSCLC.

ABSTRACT Aim: To investigate the radiographic anatomical characters of the bones in the fractured calcaneus by using tangential X-rays. Methods: Fifty-seven patients (114 sides) with normal calcaneus and thirty patients (42 sides) with fractured calcaneus were radiographed along the line connecting the midpoint of the 4th and 5th metatarsal heads with the lateral margin of the corpus calcanei. The anatomical characters of the calcaneus on the tangential X-ray views were analysed, including radius and fractal geometry. Results: On a tangential X-ray view of the fractured calcaneus, the projection of sustentaculum tali resembled a duck beak, which was just under the middle facet of the talocalcaneal joint. The corpus calcanei appeared oval, which was just under the talocalcaneal joint articular surface. The lateral calcaneal wall did not exceed the vertical line extending from medial of the lateral malleolar fossa (the Z-W line). From the scan picture, the fractured calcaneus seemed to be widened as its lateral wall crossed the Z-W line. The longitudinal axis of this oval-shaped projection was 3.52 ± 0.41 cm (a), the horizontal axis was 2.56 ± 0.28 cm (b), and the a/b ratio was 1.40 ± 0.11. In the normal calcaneus, the a/b ratio is higher than 1.40 and the differences of the values in these two groups were significant. Therefore, the a/b ratio of the calcaneal oval-shaped projection can be used to evaluate the degree of its deformity after fracture. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that the tangential X-ray view of the calcaneus can be used to evaluate its radiographic anatomy and to measure the radii of the oval-shaped corpus calcanei.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Investigar las características anátomo-radiográficas de los huesos en el calcáneo fracturado, mediante el uso de rayos x tangenciales. Métodos: Cincuenta y siete pacientes (114 lados) con calcáneo normal y treinta pacientes (42 lados) con fractura del calcáneo fueron radiografiados a lo largo de la línea que une el punto medio de la 4ta y 5ta cabezas metatarsianas con el margen lateral del cuerpo calcáneo (corpus calcanei). Se analizaron los rasgos anatómicos del calcáneo observados en los rayos x tangenciales de rayos x, incluyendo el radio y la geometría fractal. Resultados: En la vista tangencial de la radiografía del calcáneo fracturado, la proyección del sustentaculum tali, se asemejó a un pico de pato, justamente debajo de la cara media de la articulación talocalcáne a. El cuerpo calcáneo de apariencia oval, se hallaba justo debajo de la superficie articular de la articulación talocalcánea. La pared lateral calcánea no excedía la línea vertical que se extiende desde la fosa maleolar medial a la lateral (línea Z-W). En la imagen escaneada, el calcáneo fracturado parecía haberse anchado cuando su pared lateral cruzó la línea Z-W. El eje longitudinal de esta proyección ovalada medía 3.52 ± 0.41 cm (a), el eje horizontal medía 2.56 ± 0.28 cm (b), y el cociente de a/b fue 1.40 ± 0.11. En el calcáneo normal, el cociente a/b es mayor de 1.40, y las diferencias de los valores en estos dos grupos fueron significativas. Por lo tanto, el cociente a/b de la proyección ovalada del calcáneo, puede usarse para evaluar su grado de deformidad después de la fractura. Conclusión: Estos resultados demostraron que la radiografía tangencial del calcáneo puede usarse para evaluar su anatomía radiográfica y medir los radios del cuerpo calcáneo ovalado.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) on the long-term prognosis of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). Methods: Two thousand one hundred and eighty-five NSTEACS cases with coronary artery disease and preoperative record of RDW who under went elective PCI treatment from July 2009 to September 2011 were selected. According to preoperative RDW levels, the patients were divided into two groups. One thousand one hundred and seventy cases belonged to the RDW < 12.2 group, 1015 cases belonged to RDW ≥ 12.2 group. The clinical characteristics and the incidence of postoperative mortality in the two groups were compared. There was a follow-up period of 540 days. Results: Patients in the RDW ≥ 12.2 group were females with characteristics such as: hypertension, history of cerebrovascular disease, hospital use of β-blockers and high body mass index (BMI) at admission, low haemoglobin and total cholesterol levels. The postoperative mortality of RDW ≥ 12.2 group (2.7% vs 1.0%, p = 0.004) was significantly higher than that of RDW < 12.2 group. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, after adjustment for other factors, RDW ≥ 12.2 in the patients with postoperative PCI was an independent predictive factor for mortality (HR 2.171, 95% CI 1.007, 4.680, p = 0.048). Conclusion: High RDW in patients with postoperative PCI was an independent predictive factor for mortality.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la influencia de la amplitud de la distribución eritrocitaria (ADE, o ADR, amplitud de la distribución de los glóbulos rojos) en el pronóstico a largo plazo de la intervención coronaria percutánea (ICP) en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST (SCASEST). Métodos: Se seleccionaron dos mil ciento ochenta y cinco casos (2,185) de SCASEST con enfermedad arterial coronaria y registro preoperatorio de ADE que aceptaron el tratamiento electivo de ICP de julio de 2009 a septiembre de 2011. De acuerdo con los niveles preoperatorios de ADE, los pacientes fueron divididos en dos grupos. Mil ciento setenta casos pasaron a formar parte del grupo ADE < 12.2, mientras que 1015 casos formaron parte del grupo ADE ≥ 12.2. Se compararon las características clínicas y la incidencia de mortalidad postoperatoria en ambos grupos. Hubo un período de seguimiento de 540 días. Resultados: Los pacientes en el grupo ADE ≥ 12.2 eran mujeres con características tales como hipertensión, historia de enfermedad cerebrovascular, aplicación hospitalaria de β-bloqueadores, alto índice de masa corporal (IMC) al momento del ingreso, bajos niveles de hemoglobina y niveles de colesterol total. La mortalidad postoperatoria del grupo ADE ≥ 12.2 (2.7% vs 1.0%, p = 0.004) fue significativamente mayor que la del grupo ADE < 12.2. En el análisis de regresión de Cox multivariante, después del ajuste de otros factores, la ADE ≥ 12.2 de los pacientes con ICP postoperatorio devino un factor predictivo independiente de mortalidad (HR 2.171, IC 95% 1.007, 4.680, p = 0.048). Conclusión: La ADE alta en pacientes con ICP postoperatorio fue un factor predictivo independiente en relación con la mortalidad.

The aim of this study was to determine the proliferation and osteogenic activity of fibroblasts induced with fibronectin and their possible dose-dependent relationship. The fibroblasts obtained by tissue explants adherent method were induced with fibronectin at different concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 μg/mL for 14 days. The 3H-thymidine and 3H-proline incorporation test was used to evaluate the synthesis of DNA and collagen by fibroblasts, respectively. The mineralized nodules and osteocalcin secretion, as vital osteogenic indicators, were detected with tetracycline labeling and 125I-labeled competitive immunoassay, respectively. Fibronectin significantly increased the synthesis of DNA and collagen by fibroblasts, especially at the concentration of 40 μg/mL (P<0.05). The increased secretion of osteocalcin in the supernatant was also statistically significant at the concentration of 40 μg/mL (P<0.05). The mineralized nodules with trabecula-like structure derived from induced fibroblasts were positive for tetracycline labeling. The granulation tissue-derived fibroblasts induced with fibronectin exhibited increased proliferative, functional and osteogenic potential. Fibroblasts are considered a possible in situ stem cell in tissue engineering.