Tenascin-C promotes migration of hepatic stellate cells and production of type I collagen.

Tenascin-C (TN-C) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein markedly upregulated during liver fibrosis. The study is performed to explore the role of TN-C during the growth and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We found that TN-C was accumulated accompanying with the HSC activation. Our data on cell migration assay revealed that the rTN-C treatment enhanced HSC migration in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not influence their proliferation. HSCs transfected with pTARGET-TN-C overexpression vector displayed increased the type I collagen (Col I) production. TN-C overexpression enhanced the process of HSC activation through TGF-ß1 signaling. Moreover, the anti-α9ß1 integrin antibody treatment blocked the TN-C-driven Col I increase in rat HSCs. Collectively, TN-C had a positive role in activation of HSCs mediated by TGF-ß1 and α9ß1 integrin, manifesting elevation of Col I production and promotion of cell migration. Our results provide a potential insight for the therapy of hepatic fibrosis.

[Clinicopathologic analysis of spermatocytic seminoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic features and biological behavior of spermatocytic seminoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed as seminoma, spermatocytic seminoma between January 2003 and May 2011, was performed. Clinical data, HE stained section and immunohistochemical staining (SP method) were reviewed with follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty-six cases of seminoma and 5 cases of spermatocytic seminoma were identified. The average age at the diagnosis of 5 cases of spermatocytic seminoma was 53 years, and no patient had a history of crytorchidism or germ cell tumor. All five patients had stage pT1 tumor. Immunohistochemical studies showed that spermatocytic seminoma was negative for CK, vimentin, OCT3/4, PLAP, and LCA, and PAS staining was also negative. All five patients were well after operation. In contrast, the average age at diagnosis of the 66 cases of seminoma was 37 years, in which 12% had a history of crytorchidism and 11% were in stage pT2 or the above. Immunohistochemical studies showed that seminoma was positive for OCT3/4, PLAP, and CD117. During the follow-up, 2 patients developed metastasis and 3 patients died of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Spermatocytic seminoma is rare and appears to follow a benign clinical course Due to its favourable prognosis, further treatment is not necessary after orchidectomy. Accurate pathologic diagnosis is critical for patient management and for avoiding over-treatment.

Predicting Wafer-Level Package Reliability Life Using Mixed Supervised and Unsupervised Machine Learning Algorithms.

With the increasing demand for electronic products, the electronic package gradually developed toward miniaturization and high density. The most significant advantage of the Wafer-Level Package (WLP) is that it can effectively reduce the volume and footprint area of the package. An important issue in the design of WLP is how to quickly and accurately predict the reliability life under the accelerated thermal cycling test (ATCT). If the simulation approach is not adopted, it usually takes several ACTCs to design a WLP, and each ACTC will take several months to get the reliability life results, which increases development time considerably. However, simulation results may differ depending on the designer's domain knowledge, ability, and experience. This shortcoming can be overcome with artificial intelligence (AI). In this study, finite element analysis (FEA) is combined with machine learning algorithms, e.g., Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR), to create an AI model for predicting the reliability life of electronic packaging. Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR) combined with the K-means cluster algorithm provides a highly accurate and efficient way to obtain AI models for large-scale data sets.

[Effects of alprostadil in prevention of portal vein thrombogenesis after splenectomy and devascularization: a clinical observation of 76 patients with portal hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of alprostadil (Lipo PGE1) in prevention of portal vein thrombogenesis (PVT) after splenectomy for portal hypertension. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with portal hypertension undergoing splenectomy and pericardial devascularization were randomly divided into 2 groups :treatment group (n = 40), receiving intravenous drip of injection of radix Salviae miliorrhazae (RSM) 40 ml and alprostadil 20 microg, both once a day since the third day after operation for 2 weeks and then oral administration of dropping pill of SM, and control group (n = 36), receiving intravenous drip of injection of RSM and taking enteric coated aspirin 3 times a day for 2 weeks and then taking dropping pill of SM. Platelets (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), and liver function were detected periodically. Color Doppler ultrasonography was conducted every week to observe the blood flow velocity and diameter of the portal and splenic veins, and if PVT event and ascites occurred. All patients were followed up for 8 - 20 months. RESULTS: No prolongation of coagulation time and bleeding tendency was found in both groups. The PLT number increased remarkably in the 7th to 14th days after operation without significant difference between the 2 groups (P >0.05). The PVT rate of the treatment group was 5.0%, significantly lower than that of the control group (25.0%, chi2 = 6.12, P < 0.05). The ascites rate of the treatment group was 10.0%, significantly lower than that of the control group (33.3%, chi2 = 7.44, P <0.01). The levels of ALT and total bilirubin 7 and 16 days after operation of the treatment group were all significantly lower than those of the control group (all P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Use of alprostadil early after devascularization is an effective and safe measure to prevent PVT, improve liver function, and decrease ascites rate.