Regular exercise reduces the risk of malignancy and decreases the recurrence of cancer. However, the mechanisms behind this protection remain to be elucidated. Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system, which play essential roles in immune defense and effectively prevent cancer metastasis. Physical exercise can increase the activity of NK cells. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is the best-studied cytokine activator of NK cells, and it was shown to have many positive functional effects on NK cells to improve antitumor responses. The aim of this study was to clarify the possible important mechanisms behind endurance exercise-induced changes in NK cell function, which may be highly correlated with IL-15. An animal model was used to study IL-15 expression level, tumor volume, cancer cell apoptosis, and NK cell infiltration after treadmill exercise. Although IL-15 was highly expressed in skeletal muscle, treadmill exercise further elevated IL-15 levels in plasma and muscle (P<0.05). In addition, tumor weight and volume of tumor-bearing mice were decreased (P<0.05), and liver tumor cell apoptosis was increased after 12 weeks of treadmill exercise (P<0.05). NK cell infiltration was upregulated in tumors from treadmill exercise mice, and the level of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and IL-15 were higher than in sedentary mice (P<0.05). The study indicated that regular endurance training can reduce cancer risk, which was related to increased IL-15 expression, activation of the immune killing effect of NK cells, and promotion of tumor cell apoptosis, which can ultimately control tumor growth.

Abstract Objective: This work aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of the activation of hypoxia-inducible factors under different low oxygen partial pressures. Methods: Strictly follow in vitro aseptic culture of bladder cancer cell line UMUC3 and when the cells grow in the logarithmic phase, culture the cells under different low oxygen partial pressures. Among these groups, two groups of cells were transfected with small interfering-hypoxia inducible factor 1α (si-HIF-1α) liposome plasmids to silencing the HIF-1α expression. Results: Cell cloning experiment showed that HIF-1α will increase cell adhesion and proliferation under hypoxia. Matrigel angiogenesis experiment showed that hypoxia has a negative impact on the angiogenesis of tumor cells. Cell scratch test indicated that hypoxia has a greater impact on the migration ability of cancer cells, and HIF-1α has a significant impact on the migration process. Cell invasion test proved that hypoxia has a greater impact on the invasion ability of cancer cells, and HIF-1α has a great impact on the invasion process. Conclusion: HIF-1α can target the regulatory gene vascular endothelial growth factor to promote tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, neovascularization and lymph node metastasis.

Resumen Objetivo: Por lo tanto, este trabajo investiga el mecanismo molecular de la activación de factores inducibles por hipoxia bajo diferentes presiones parciales de oxígeno bajas. Métodos: Siga estrictamente el cultivo aséptico in vitro de la línea celular de cáncer de vejiga UMUC3 y cuando las células crezcan en la fase logarítmica, cultive las células bajo diferentes presiones parciales de oxígeno bajas. Entre estos grupos, se transfectaron dos grupos de células con plásmidos de liposomas si-HIF-1α para silenciar la expresión de HIF-1α. Resultados: El experimento de clonación celular mostró que HIF-1α aumentará la adhesión y proliferación celular bajo hipoxia. El experimento de angiogénesis de Matrigel mostró que la hipoxia tiene un impacto negativo en la angiogénesis de las células tumorales. La prueba de raspado celular indicó que la hipoxia tiene un mayor impacto en la capacidad de migración de las células cancerosas, y HIF-1α tiene un impacto significativo en el proceso de migración. La prueba de invasión celular demostró que la hipoxia tiene un mayor impacto en la capacidad de invasión de las células cancerosas y HIF-1α tiene un gran impacto en el proceso de invasión. Conclusión: HIF-1α puede dirigirse al gen regulador vascular endothelial growth factor para promover la proliferación, migración, invasión, neovascularización y metástasis en los ganglios linfáticos de las células tumorales.

Abstract Neuroendocrine substances play essential roles in regulating the normal physiological functions of testicles. The purpose of this study is to explore the localization and effects of four neuroendocrine markers (NSE, SP, NFH and DβH) in normal and cryptorchid testes of Bactrian camels using western blotting, transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence methods. The results showed that cryptorchidism caused a reduction in layers of spermatogenic epithelium and decreased glycogen positivity in the basement membrane. The ultrastructure revealed that macrophages were always found around the Leydig cells, crowded with swelling mitochondria in cryptorchidism. Expression of NSE in the Leydig cells of cryptorchidism was significantly weakened compared to that in the normal group(p<0.01). We found that SP was always distributed along the nerve fibers in normal testes and was expressed in the Leydig cells of cryptorchidism. However, expression of NFH in the cryptorchidic tissue was strongly positive in the spermatogenic epithelium, with limited expression in Leydig cells and no expression in peritubular myoid cells. Therefore, the expression of DβH in the Sertoli cells was comparatively strong in both the normal and cryptorchidism groups. NFH and DβH expression was significantly increased in the cryptorchidism group compared with the normal group (p<0.01). These findings indicated that the underdeveloped seminiferous epithelium and pathological changes in cryptorchid tissue in Bactrian camels were potentially related to a disorder in glycoprotein metabolism. Our results suggest that NSE and SP could help judge the pathological changes of cryptorchidism. The present study provides the first evidence at the protein level for the existence of NFH and DβH in Sertoli and Leydig cells in Bactrian camel cryptorchidism and provides a more in-depth understanding of neuroendocrine regulation is crucial for animal cryptorchidism.

Abstract Progesterone (P4) can participate in the development of female mammalian antral follicles through nuclear receptor (PGR). In this experiment, the differences of P4 synthesis and PGR expression in different developmental stages of sheep antral follicles (large > 5mm, medium 2-5mm, small < 2mm) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Secondly, sheep follicular granulosa cells were cultured in vitro. The effects of different concentrations of FSH and LH on P4 synthesis and PGR expression were studied. The results showed that acute steroid regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side chain lyase (P450scc) and 3β Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and PGR were expressed in antral follicles, and with the development of antral follicles in sheep, StAR, P450scc and the expression of 3β-HSD and PGR increased significantly. In vitro experiments showed that FSH and LH alone or together treatment could regulate P4 secretion and PGR expression in sheep follicular granulosa cells to varying degrees, hint P4 and PGR by FSH and LH, and LH was the main factor. Our results supplement the effects of FSH and LH on the regulation of P4 synthesis during follicular development, which provides new data for further study of steroid synthesis and function in follicular development.

Abstract The Ziwuling black goat is an indigenously in China, their offspring are frequently affected by congenital cryptorchidism. The extracellular matrix (ECM) contains cytokines and growth factors that regulate the development of the testis, and component changes often result in pathological changes. Cryptorchidism is closely related to structural changes in ECM. In this study, the histochemical staining, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence and Western blot combined with semi-quantitative analysis was used to describe the distribution of the important ECM components Collagen type IV (Col IV), laminin (LN)and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) in the normal and cryptorchid testes of Ziwuling black goats. Results showed that: The histochemical staining showed that the dysplasia of seminiferous tubules and decreased number of Sertoli cells in cryptorchidism, as well as sparse collagen fiber. Meanwhile, the distribution of reticular fibers is relatively rich. Furthermore, the PAS and AB staining in the interstitial vessels and lamina propria of seminiferous tubules is weak. The immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence revealed that Col IV, LN was strongly expressed in Leydig, Sertoli cells of normal testes and moderately positive in the spermatogonia and spermatids, but HSPG was not expressed in the spermatogonia. However, cryptorchidism, the expression of Col IV, LN and HPSG in Leydig, Sertoli cells significantly decreased, as well as the expression of Col IV and LN in capillary endothelial cells, but HSPG was moderately expressed in spermatogonia. Based on these data, the underdevelopment of spermatogenic epithelium, decreased synthesis function of collagen fibers and Leydig cells develop usually in the cryptorchidism were shown to be closely related to the abnormal metabolism of Col IV and LN. The positive expressed of HSPG in the spermatogonia of cryptorchid testes is related to the compensatory development of spermatogonia.

Abstract This study aims to investigate the effect and specific mechanism of Coix Seed Oil (CSO) on immune hepatic fibrosis in immune injury rats. In this study, healthy Wister rats were injected with porcine serum in order to establish hepatic fibrosis model. We choose the compound Sophora flavescens injection as the positive control drug. HE staining was used to observe the morphological and histological changes. HSC-T6 cells were cultured in vitro. MTT and AO/EB staining were used to detect the effect of CSO on the proliferation and apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells. The results shown that Coix seed oil significantly improved hepatic fibrosis of immune injury rats, and the degree of hepatic fibrosis in CSO group was significantly reduced. Intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg significantly reduced the levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, HA, LN, PIIINP and C-IV in rats (P < 0.01).), MTT assay showed that the cells proliferated well. The results of HE staining showed that Coix seed oil had a good therapeutic effect on immune-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. AO/EB staining showed that 0.5 mg/mL CSO for 24 h and 0.1 mg/mL CSO for 48 h both significantly promoted the apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells. In conclusion, Coix seed oil has a significant therapeutic effect on immune hepatic fibrosis, and its molecular mechanism may be related to antagonizing cytokine TGF-β1, inhibiting the expression of TIMP-1, promoting collagen degradation, inhibiting the activation of hepatocyte and promoting the apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the effect of ergosterol combined with risedronate on fracture healing. Methods Sixty male Sprague Dawley fracture model rats were assigned into group A (n=20), group B (n=20), and group C (n=20) at random. All rats were fed by gavage until their sacrifice as it follows: group A with ergosteroside and risedronate, group B with risedronate, and group C with saline solution. At weeks 2 and 4, 10 rats of each group were sacrificed. Healing effect and bone tissue changes in the fractures site were assessed by using hematoxylin and eosin stain histology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expression of serum bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA, osteocalcin (OCN) mRNA and core-binding factor subunit-?1 (CBF-?1) mRNA. Results In terms of serum BMP-2, BMP-7, and VEGF expression at weeks 2 and 4 after gavage, group A < group B < group C (P<0.05). At week 4 after gavage, serum VEGF expression in the three groups harbored positive relationship with serum BMP-2 and BMP-7 expression (P<0.05). Regarding serum OPG, OCN and CBF-?1 mRNA expression at weeks 2 and 4 after gavage, group A <group B <group C (P<0.05). Hematoxylin and eosin staining results showed that the recovery effect of trabecular bone and callus in the cases of group A was better than the other two groups after intragastric administration. Conclusion Ergosteroside combined risedronate can patently ameliorate the healing effect of fracture in rats.

In order to investigate the hot deformation behaviors of Invar36 alloy, isothermal compressive tests were conducted on a Gleeble 1500 thermo-mechanical simulator at the temperatures of 873, 948, 1023, 1098 and 1173 K and the strain rates of 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 s−1. The effects of strain, temperature and strain rate on flow stress were analyzed, and a dynamic recrystallization type softening characteristic with unimodal flow behavior is determined. An artificial neural network based on back-propagation algorithm was proposed to handle the complex deformation behavior characteristics. The ANN model was evaluated in terms of correlation coefficient and average absolute relative error. A comparative study was performed on ANN model and constitutive equation by regression method for Invar36 alloy. Finally, the ANN model was applied to the finite element simulation, and an experimental study on trial hot forming of a V-shaped part was conducted to demonstrate the precision of the finite element simulation based on predicted flow stress data by ANN model. The results have sufficiently showed that the well-trained ANN model with BP algorithm is able to deal with the complex flow behaviors of Invar36 alloy and has great application potentiality in hot deformation.

Abstract Clinical endometritis (CE) is a major cause in affecting the reproductive performance of dairy cows. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the prevalence of CE and to evaluate the effect of CE on reproductive performance in dairy cows using vaginal discharge score (VDS) grading system. 803 dairy cows were examined by vaginoscope with 4-point VDS at 26 ± 3 days in milk (DIM) and classified into six groups: non-endometritis with VDS 0 (control; CON), endometritis with VDS 1 (MEM), non-treated endometritis with VDS 2 (NTME), treated endometritis with VDS 2 (TME), non-treated endometritis with VDS 3 (NTPE), and treated endometritis with VDS 3 (TPE). Cows in TME and TPE groups were treated with 200 mL of 50% dextrose solution by intrauterine infusion. The prevalence of CE was 33% at 26 ± 3 DIM. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed cows in MEM, NTME and NTPE groups had a less likelihood of first artificial insemination (AI) pregnancy than those in CON group (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curves for days open were statistically different (P = 0.004). In Cox regression model, cows in NTME and NTPE groups had a reduced pregnancy rate than those in CON group (P < 0.05). The hazard of pregnancy in NTME group was lower than that in TME group (P = 0.044). Similarly, it was lower for the hazard of pregnancy in NTPE group than in TPE group (P = 0.048). Cows in MEM, NTME, and NTPE groups required more services per pregnancy than those in CON group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CE examined by the VDS grading system impaired reproductive performance, and mild endometritis with VDS 1 should be treated in the early postpartum period to ameliorate fertility in dairy herds.

Abstract: In order to study the feasibility of kraft paper as watercolor paper, the wetting properties, mechanical properties and friction properties of kraft paper and watercolor paper were compared before and after aging. The aging test was carried out on kraft paper and the watercolor paper by aging chamber, the wetting properties of distilled water and three watercolor solutions before and after aging of kraft paper and watercolor paper were compared, tensile tear test of paper on the tensile testing machine, the fracture changes of paper were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, the friction tester performs the paper friction test. The results show that both kinds of paper are amorphous, watercolor paper was showed hydrophobicity before and after the aging, the contact angle was maintained at about 119,09° ± 5° in four different solutions, unaged kraft paper exhibited hydrophilicity, the aged kraft paper showed hydrophobicity with a contact angle of 92,52° ± 1°，the aged kraft paper shows better performance in both tensile and tearing aspects and tensile strength is 20 MPa higher than watercolor paper, the surface roughness of kraft paper is higher than watercolor paper. The experiment is helpful for the market to consider whether the cheaper kraft paper replaces the more expensive watercolor paper in some aspects and provides some scientific reference value for future research.

Abstract To compare the effects of two-(2D, microplate) and three-dimensional (3D, alginate) culture systems on the in vitro growth of small antral follicles in cattle, individual follicles were separately cultured in the two culture systems for 8 days. Half of the culture medium was replaced by fresh medium every 2 days; the former medium was used to assess the amount of follicular hormone secretion using ELISA. Individual follicle morphology, diameter, and survival rate were recorded every alternate day. The results showed that in 4 days, there was no significant difference between the two systems, except that the growth rate of follicles in 2D system was relatively faster. After 4 days, estradiol concentration in 3D system was higher than that in 2D system. However, progesterone concentration was lower than that in the 2D system. The survival rate and oocyte quality of follicles in 2D system were significantly lower than those in 3D system on day 8. The follicle diameter slightly increased (30-60 μm) in the entire process. Taken together, for in vitro culture of follicles within 4 days, the 2D culture system is more suitable. However, when the culture duration is >4 days, the 3D culture system is more suitable.

This paper presented a study of friction and wear on 9Cr18Mo when rubbed against other materials (steel-304, steel-440C, steel-GCr15 or silicon nitride ceramic ball) at high temperature conditions. Friction and wear tests were carried out with universal a friction and wear testing machine. The wear morphology was analyzed by a Nanovea three-dimensional profilometer and trinocular positive Gang metallurgical microscope. The Vickers hardness of 9Cr18Mo at different temperatures was tested by means of a high temperature vacuum hardometer. Results showed that the friction and wear on the contact surface of the 9Cr18Mo sample are higher when the hardness of counter materials is higher than or similar to that of the sample. Under dry sliding conditions, the 9Cr18Mo sample surface presented various degrees of adhesion, plowing and pit, particularly if tested in the presence of a high temperature environment. During the worn stages, the counter materials on the worn surface successively produced cracks, crack growth, and wear debris under the action of load. Moreover, the frictional pair 9Cr18Mo-ceramic showed good anti-wear behavior at 400 °C that proved the anti high temperature performance of 9Cr18Mo.

CONTEXT: Trichosanthin produced in the root tube of Trichosanthes kirilowii shows anti-tumor activity on a series of cancer cells including Hela, MCF-7, HL-60. But there is little information about its effect on the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE: This work was designed to study the role of trichosanthin on prostate cancer cells PC3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Trichosanthin was expressed in BL21 strain and purified by affinity chromatography. MTT assay was designed to determine the effect of trichosanthin on growth of PC3 cells at doses of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 120 μg/ml.Then the effect of 50 μg/ml rTCS alone or combined with 2 μΜ IL-2 on PC3 cell proliferation was analyzed. And the mechanism of rTCS was studied by western blot. After that the in vivo effect of rTCS combined with IL-2 was explored in mice bearing PC3 xenograft tumor. RESULTS: Trichosanthin was successfully expressed in BL21 and purified by 100 mM imidazole. It was shown to inhibit proliferation of PC3 cells in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 50.6 μg/ml. When combined with cytokine IL-2, a significant synergic effect was obtained. The inhibition rate on PC3 was around 50 % in combination group while only 35.5 % in single rTCS group at 50 μg/ml. Further, the expression of full length caspase-8 and Bcl-2 decreased significantly while cleaved caspase-8 and Bax were up-regulated, which suggest that caspase-8-mediated apoptosis pathway may be activated by rTCS in PC3 cells. Moreover, our data demonstrated that tumor volume and tumor weight were significantly reduced in rTCS-treated or rTCS/IL-2-treated nude mice bearing PC3 xenograft tumor compared with control. And significant difference was also found between rTCS and rTCS/IL-2 group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that rTCS is a potential agent with high in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity on PC3 cells. And rTCS combined with IL-2 is a promising strategy in treating patients with prostate cancer in future.

Variations in the brachial plexus and the distribution patterns of its branches are not uncommon. A communicating branch, which is the most frequent variation, often arises from musculocutaneous nerve to median nerve. However, the branches arising from lateral cord of the brachial plexus and median nerve instead of musculocutaneous nerve are very rare. Detailed description of the abnormalities is important for surgical procedures. Our case study reports the musculocutaneous nerve was absent, a branch from the medial cord innervated the coracobrachialis muscle and two branches from the median nerve innervated the biceps and brachialis muscles, respectively. Moreover, the median nerve gave off the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. This report provides evidence of such possible anatomical variations to surgeons, anesthetists and neurologists during clinical practice.

Las variaciones en el plexo braquial y los patrones de distribución de sus ramos no son infrecuentes. Un ramo comunicante, que es la variante más frecuente, a menudo surge desde el nervio musculocutáneo al nervio mediano. Sin embargo, los ramos que surgen del fascículo lateral del plexo braquial y nervio mediano en vez de nervio musculocutáneo son muy raros. La descripción detallada de las anomalías es importante para procedimientos quirúrgicos. En nuestro caso el nervio musculocutáneo estaba ausente, un ramo del fascículo medial inervó el músculo coracobraquial y dos ramos del nervio mediano inervaron los músculos bíceps y braquial, respectivamente. Por otra parte, el nervio mediano originó al nervio cutáneo antebraquial lateral. Este informe proporciona evidencia de algunas variaciones anatómicas útiles para cirujanos, anestesistas y neurólogos durante la práctica clínica.

The aim was to understand the anatomical features of the venous valve in Macaca fascicularis and to compare it with that of humans. The bilateral lower limbs (24 limbs from 12 animals) of Macaca fascicularis cadavers were dissected, and the femoral veins (FVs) were equally divided into distal, intermediate, and proximal sections. The external diameter of the FV in each section was measured. The venous valves were observed microscopically and stained with hematoxylin and eosin as well as trichrome. Data describing the human venous valve were collected from the current literature. No great saphenous veins were found among the 24 lower limbs from the Macaca fascicularis cadavers. The external diameters of the FVs in the distal, intermediate, and proximal sections were 3.53 ± 0.37 mm, 3.42 ± 0.55 mm, and 3.37 ± 0.54 mm, respectively. In most cases, there was one venous bivalve located in the FV approximately 0-2.71 mm below the junction of the FV and the deep femoral vein. Endothelium covered the luminal and sinusal surfaces of the leaflets. Abundant collagen fibers were found under the endothelial cells beneath the luminal surface of the leaflets. An elastin fiber network was located under the sinus endothelial surface. Smooth muscle cells in the FV extend to the edge of the valve. The venous valve of Macaca fascicularis is similar to that of humans, both morphologically and histologically. However, there is only one venous bivalve and no great saphenous vein in Macaca fascicularis.

El objetivo fue comprender las características anatómicas de la válvula venosa en Macaca fascicularis y compararla con la de los humanos. Fueron disecados bilateralmente los miembros pélvicos (24 miembros de 12 animales) de cadáveres de Macaca fascicularis; las venas femorales (VF) fueron divididas en secciones distal, media y proximal. Se midió el diámetro externo de las VFs en cada sección. Las válvulas venosas se observaron microscópicamente y se tiñeron con H-E y tricrómico. Los datos para describir la válvula venosa humana se obtuvieron desde la literatura. No se encontraron venas safenas magnas entre los 24 miembros inferiores. Los diámetros externos de las VFs en las secciones distal, media y proximal fueron 3,53±0,37 mm, 3,42 mm±0,55, y 3,37±0,54 mm, respectivamente. En la mayoría de los casos, hubo vena bivalva situada aproximadamente 0-2,71 mm debajo de la unión de la VF y la vena femoral profunda. El endotelio cubrió las superficies luminal y sinusal. Se observaron abundantes fibras de colágeno en las células endoteliales bajo la superficie luminal de las válvulas. Una red de fibras de elastina se encontró bajo la superficie del seno endotelial. Las células musculares lisas en las VFs se extiendían hasta el margen de la válvula. La válvula venosa del Macaca fascicularis es similar a la de los seres humanos, morfológica e histológicamente. Sin embargo, sólo hubo una vena bivalvular, y no se observaron venas safenas en Macaca fascicularis.