Effects of maternal and post-weaned rumen-protected folic acid supplementation on slaughter performance and meat quality in offspring lambs.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of rumen-protected folic acid (RPFA) on slaughter performance, visceral organ and gastrointestinal tract coefficients, and meat quality in lambs. Sixty-six lambs from 120 Hu ewes were selected based on body weight and maternal diets and then assigned to six groups using a randomised block experimental design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. The first factor was folic acid (FA) as RPFA in the maternal diet (0 mg/kg (M0F), 16 mg/kg (M16F) or 32 mg/kg (M32F) on DM basis). The second factor was FA in the lambs' diet from weaning until slaughter (0 mg/kg (OC) or 4·0 mg/kg (OF)). The results indicated that the addition of 16 mg/kg FA to the maternal diet increased pre-slaughter weight (PSW), dressing and meat percentage, the reticulum and omasum coefficients, length of the jejunum and ileum, tail fat and perirenal fat coefficient and a* value of the meat colour. The addition of RPFA to the lambs' diet increased PSW, dressing and meat percentage, eye muscle area, abomasum weight, weight and length of the small intestine, but reduced the coefficients of tail fat. An M × O interaction was observed for the weights of heart, lungs, rumen and total stomach, weight and coefficient of omental fat and the girth rib value. Collectively, RPFA in the maternal and lambs' diet improved slaughter performance and meat quality by stimulating the morphological development of the gastrointestinal tract and the distribution of fat in the body.

[The efficacy of balloon dilatation in clinical improving period for patients who suffered from actively caseating endobronchial tuberculosis and central airway stenosis].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of balloon dilatation performed for patients who suffered from actively caseating endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) and central airway stenosis in clinical improving period who's bronchus has not formed mature scar tissue. Methods: A total of 152 tuberculous unilateral main bronchus stenosis patients (23 male and 129 female) who received treatment in Hunan Chest Hospital from January 1st 2014 to December 31st 2018 were included in this retrospective analysis. The age was 15-66 (33.3±11.9) years old. All patients received routine anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. Sixty-four of them who suffered from actively caseating EBTB and unilateral main bronchus stenosis received cryotherapy and endobronchial isoniazid (INH) administration till the caseating necrosis in stenotic bronchus was disappeared and ulcers were recovered, and then received balloon dilatation combined with cryotherapy, were test group. Eighty-eight of them who suffered from fibrostenotic EBTB received balloon dilatation combined with cryotherapy were control group. We analyzed the efficacy and complications after treatments. Results: The lung re-expansion rate after treatment in test group was higher than the control group, and the differences were statistically significant [74.0%(37/50) vs. 37.9%(22/58), χ²=14.094, P<0.001]. The 6-month re-stenosis rate in test group was lower than control group, and the differences were statistically significant [10.9%(7/64) vs. 30.7% (27/88), χ²=8.318, P=0.004]. The differences of diameter and diameter variation after balloon dilatation, immediate effective rates, average times of balloon dilatation and procedure-related bleeding (<10 ml) rates, chest pain rates had no statistical signification in two groups. Severe complications including fatal bleeding (>100 ml) and mediastinal emphysema did not occur during our procedures. Conclusions: Performing balloon dilatation for patients who suffered from actively caseating EBTB and central airway stenosis in the clinical improvement period, when caseous necrosis tissue disappeared and ulcers were recovered, not only helps to perform interventional procedures on distal bronchus in time, increase the rate of lung re-expansion, can also reduce the rate of re-stenosis after 6 months, so it is effective and safe.

[Application of augmented-reality surgical navigation technology combined with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging in laparoscopic hepatectomy].

Objective: To study the application value of augmented-reality (AR) surgical navigation technology combined with indocyanine green (ICG) molecular fluorescence imaging in three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic hepatectomy. Methods: The clinical data of forty-eight patients who had undergone 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma at First Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2018 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into two groups: the group of 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy navigated by augment reality technology combined with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging (Group A) , and group of conventional 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy (Group B) . Patients in Group A (n=23) underwent 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy using augmented-reality technology combined with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging. In this group, the self-developed three-dimensional laparoscopic augmented-reality surgical navigation system (No. 2018SR840555) was operated to project the preoperative three-dimensional model to the surgical field, and the use of this system in combination with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging navigated laparoscopic hepatectomy. No surgical navigation technology was applied in Group B (n=25) . All patients signed the informed consent, which were in accordance with the requirements of medical ethics (Ethics No.: 2018-GDYK-003) . The preoperative data, surgical indicators and postoperative complications between the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results: The median amount of intraoperative blood loss of Group A was 250 (200) ml (M (Q(R)) ) , which was significantly lower than that of Group B (300 (150) ml) (Z=-2.307, P=0.021) .The transfusion rate of Group A was 13.0% (3/23) , which was significantly lower than that of Group B (40.0%, 10/25) (χ(2)=4.408, P=0.036) .The median postoperative hospitalization time of Group A was 8 (2) d, which was significantly shorter than that of Group B (11 (6.5) d) (Z=-2.694, P=0.007) . There were no serious complications and perioperative death in both groups.The incidence of postoperative complications in Group A was 17.4% (4/23) , which was not significantly different from that in group B (28%, 7/25) (χ(2)=0.763, P=0.382) . Conclusion: Augmented-reality surgical navigation technology combined with ICG molecular fluorescence imaging has better effect in 3D laparoscopic hepatectomy.

Dosimetric comparison of different intensity-modulated radiotherapy techniques for whole-breast irradiation of right-breast cancer.

PURPOSE: This study compared the dosimetric parameters of field-in-field forward intensity-modulated radiotherapy (FIF-IMRT) and fixed-field inversely optimized intensity-modulated radiotherapy (FFIO-IMRT) for the whole-breast irradiation of patients undergoing right-breast lumpectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients with pT1-2N0M0 right-breast invasive ductal carcinoma were enrolled in this study. Two different treatment plans, i.e., FIF-IMRT and FFIO-IMRT, were designed for each patient. The dosimetric parameters of the two treatment plans were compared including ipsilateral lung and heart, conformity index (CI), and the homogeneity index (HI) of the planning target volume (PTV). RESULTS: Fixed-field inversely optimized intensity-modulated radiotherapy was found to significantly improve CI (83.302% vs. 60.146%) and HI (11.837% vs. 19.280%), and significantly reduced V25 (18.038% vs. 19.653%) and V30 (15.790% vs. 18.492%) of the ipsilateral lung. It also significantly increased V5 (69.791% vs. 32.615%) of the ipsilateral lung and V5 (61.579% vs. 3.829%), V10 (14.130% vs. 0.381%), V20 (1.843% vs. 0.051%), and Dmean (5.211Gy vs. 1.870Gy) of the heart. CONCLUSION: Regardless of improving the conformity and homogeneity of PTV and reducing the ipsilateral lung irradiation volume at high doses, FFIO-IMRT significantly raised the ipsilateral lung irradiated volume at low doses, as well as the irradiation volume and mean radiation doses to the heart. This limits its use in patients with early-stage right breast cancer.

Passion fruit peel and its zymolyte enhance gut function in Sanhuang broilers by improving antioxidation and short-chain fatty acids and decreasing inflammatory cytokines.

The passion fruit peel (PFP) is the by-product of juice processing and is rich in phenolic compounds and dietary fibers. As the high ADF content in PFP (34.20%), we proceeded to treat PFP with cellulase. The ADF decreased to 16.70% after enzymatic processing, and we supposed that enzymolytic passion fruit peel (EPF) should have a greater growth performance than PFP to broilers. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary PFP or EPF supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, meat quality, and cecal short-chain fatty acids, microbiota, and metabolites in broilers. In Exp. 1, 180 1-day-old Sanhuang broilers (male, 36.17 ± 2.47 g) were randomly allocated into 3 treatments, with 6 replicates in each treatment. The 3 experimental diets included 1 basal diet (control) and 2 PFP-added diets supplemented with 1 and 2% PFP, respectively. The trial lasted for 42 d. In Exp. 2, 144 Sanhuang broilers (male, 112-day-old, 1.62 ± 0.21 kg) were randomly allocated to 3 treatments. Each treatment was distributed among 6 pens, and each pen contained 8 broilers. The 3 treatment diets included: a control diet, a positive control diet supplementing 75 mg/kg chlortetracycline, and the experimental diet supplementing 3% EPF. The trial lasted for 56 d. Results showed that dietary 1 and 2% PFP addition did not affect growth performance in Exp. 1, and the 3% EPF supplementation had a negative effect on ADFI (P < 0.05) in Exp. 2. A decreased serum triglyceride (P < 0.05) in broilers was observed in Exp. 1. Broilers fed EPF had a higher glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (P < 0.05), and lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P < 0.05) and glucose (P < 0.05) in Exp. 2. We also found that broilers from PFP or EPF-treated treatments had an increased butyrate content and higher microbial diversity in the cecum. The effects of antioxidation, anti-inflammatory function, and elevated SCFAs were confirmed after the microbe and untargeted metabolomic analysis. Dietary EPF supplementation significantly increased the SCFA-generating bacteria, anti-inflammatory-related bacteria, the antioxidant-related and anti-inflammatory-related metabolites. Moreover, dietary 3% EPF addition positively affects the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, which strongly correlate with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In conclusion, the proper addition level did not affect the growth performance, and the PFP and EPF could improve the antioxidation state, anti-inflammatory activity, and intestinal functions of Sanhuang broilers to some extent.

Effects on cement after partial replacement with burned joss paper ash.

In the last ten years, as international environmental protection consciousness has increased, the study and applications of green building, green construction materials and energy savings as well as reduction of carbon dioxide have become urgent issues for governments. In Taiwan, joss papers are burned in more than 11,731 registered shrines or temples in traditional Chinese deity or ancestor worship ceremonies during special holidays or occasions. Instead of placing this large amount of burned joss paper ash (BJPA) in landfills, this study proposes recycling BJPA by replacing some cement with calcined BJPA (CBJPA) in mortar specimens. After BJPA samples were calcined at a high kiln temperature, mortar samples were created using CBJPA to replace cement at seven different levels: 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%. Tests like setting time and compressive strength were performed for macro-analyses; scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis were carried out for the microstructure and chemical composition analyses. The test results showed that the compressive strengths of specimens with different levels of CBJPA replacement were apparently less than those of the control group (0% CBJPA) at all curing times. The compressive strength and setting time both decreased as the fraction of CBJPA in the mortar increased. Furthermore, because the hydration product did not cement and the mortar specimen structure was loose, the expected strength improvement from the pozzolanic reaction provided by the CBJPA was not clearly observed.

Early growth of nano-sized calcium phosphate on phosphorylated bacterial cellulose nanofibers.

It is believed that studies on the early hydroxyapatite (HAp) deposition on nano-sized substrates may possibly allow us to understand the formation mechanisms of biominerals at the molecular level. In this study, bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers were phosphorylated and used as nano-sized templates for early mineralization of calcium phosphate (Ca-P). To initiate mineralization the BC nanofibers were immersed in 1.5 times simulated body fluids (1.5 SBF) at 37 degreees C for varying periods of time. The deposited minerals on the nanofiber surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM observations confirmed that early growth (at 4 h) of the Ca-P minerals was heterogeneous, which was followed by extensive spread of the minerals on the entire surfaces of the nanofibers. XRD and FTIR analyses indicated that octacalcium phosphate (OCP) was the precursor of HAp formed on BC nanofibers. Furthermore, HAp deposited on BC nanofibers elongated along the c axis. Nucleation and growth of the Ca-P minerals were analyzed in this paper.

Long-term functional change of cryoinjury-induced detrusor underactivity and effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in a rat model.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term functional change of cryoinjury-induced detrusor underactivity (DU) and the therapeutic potential of repeated low-energy shock wave therapy (LESW). METHODS: Fifty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into sham and cryoinjury of bladder with or without LESW (0.05 or 0.12 mJ/mm2; 200 pulses; twice a week for 2 weeks after cryoinjury). Under halothane anesthesia, an incision was made in lower abdomen, and cryoinjury was provoked by bilateral placement of a chilled aluminum rod on the bladder filled with 1 ml saline. Measurement of contractile responses to KCl and carbachol in vitro, conscious voiding, and histological and protein changes were performed on week 1, 2, and 4 after cryoinjury. RESULTS: Cryoinjury of bladder induced a significant decrease in the detrusor contraction amplitude at week 1 (55.0%) and week 2 (57.2%), but the decrease in the contractile response to KCl and carbachol was only noted at week 1. At week 1, significantly increased COX-2 and TGF-ß1 expression accompanied a decrease of VEGF and CGRP expression. At week 4, there was a partial recovery of voiding function and a significant increase in the Ki-67 staining. LESW treatment at higher energy level further amplified the Ki-67 staining and improved the recovery of contraction amplitude and the expression of TGF-ß1 and VEGF. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoinjury of detrusor induces DU/UAB with functional impairment lasting for up to 4 weeks, but the associated molecular changes are restored by 2 weeks. LESW improved bladder wall composition, and hastened functional recovery from cryoinjury.

Production and characterization of glazed tiles containing incinerated sewage sludge.

In this article, glaze with different colorants was applied to tile specimens manufactured by incinerated sewage sludge ash (ISSA) and clay. Improvements using different amounts of colorants, and glaze components and concentrations on tile bodies were investigated. Four different proportions of clay (by weight ratio) were replaced by ISSA. Tiles of size 12 cm x 6 cm x 1 cm were made and left in an electric furnace to make biscuit tiles at 800 degrees C. Afterwards, four colorants, Fe2O3 (red), V2O5 (yellow), CoCO3 (blue), and MnO2 (purple), and four different glaze concentrations were applied on biscuit tile specimens. These specimens were later sintered into glazed tiles at 1050 degrees C. The study shows that replacement of clay by sludge ash had adverse effects on properties of tiles. Water absorption increased and bending strength reduced with increased amounts of ash. However, both water absorption and bending strength improved for glazed ash tiles. Abrasion of grazed tiles reduced noticeably from 0.001 to 0.002 g. This implies glaze can enhance abrasion resistance of tiles. Effects like lightfastness and acid-alkali resistance improved as different glazes were applied on tiles. In general, red glazed tiles showed the most stable performance, followed by blue, yellow, and purple.

Improvements of nano-SiO2 on sludge/fly ash mortar.

Sewage sludge ash has been widely applied to cementitious materials. In this study, in order to determine effects of nano-SiO(2) additives on properties of sludge/fly ash mortar, different amounts of nano-SiO(2) were added to sludge/fly ash mortar specimens to investigate their physical properties and micro-structures. A water-binding ratio of 0.7 was assigned to the mix. Substitution amounts of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of sludge/fly ash (1:1 ratio) were proposed. Moreover, 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% of nano-SiO(2) was added to the mix. Tests, including SEM and compressive strength, were carried out on mortar specimens cured at 3, 7, and 28 days. Results showed that sludge/fly ash can make the crystals of cement hydration product finer. Moreover, crystals increased after nano-SiO(2) was added. Hence, nano-SiO(2) can improve the effects of sludge/fly ash on the hydration of mortar. Further, due to the low pozzolanic reaction active index of sludge ash, early compressive strengths of sludge/fly ash mortar were decreased. Yet, nano-SiO(2) could help produce hydration crystals, which implies that the addition of nano-SiO(2) to mortar can improve the influence of sludge/fly ash on the development of the early strength of the mortar.

The application of waterworks sludge ash to stabilize the volume of cement paste.

In order to extend the recycling of waterworks sludge to engineering applications, this paper addresses the influence of nano-SiO2 on incinerated waterworks sludge ash (IWSA) cement paste attacked by sulfate. Tests were performed such as length measurement for volume change, compressive strength, weight loss, and micro-structural testing using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that when a portion of the cement in the paste was replaced by IWSA, the IWSA diluted the cementitious material C3A, and filled the capillary pores in the hardened paste. Moreover, since IWSA has potential pozzolanic activity, it can chemically react with Ca(OH)2 crystals in the paste and can consequently improve the resistance of the paste to sulfate attack. Test results also show that due to the fully developed pozzolanic effect of IWSA, the major reaction products of sulfate attack, gypsum and ettringite, were clearly reduced. Hence, the expansion rate in length decreased with the increase of IWSA replacement. Furthermore, the addition of nano-SiO2 to IWSA cement paste can also reduce the length expansion rate.

Oncologic Outcomes of Post-Kidney Transplantation Superficial Urothelial Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To analyze the oncologic effect of post-kidney transplantation (KT) immunosuppressive status for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with superficial urothelial carcinoma. METHODS: From 2010 to 2015, there were 106 ESRD patients with superficial urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma (UB-UC) and 68 ESRD patients with superficial upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UT-UC) in a single institution. Oncologic outcomes including bladder cancer recurrences and systemic disease recurrences within 5 years were compared between patients with and without KT. Superficial urothelial carcinoma was defined as Tis/Ta/T1 without nodal disease or distant metastasis. All the patients underwent standard transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) for superficial UB-UC and radical nephroureterectomy for superficial UT-UC. RESULTS: Patients with KT were younger according to our observation. Female predominance was noted in patients with UT-UC and post-KT UB-UC. Pathological stages were distributed similarly in UB-UC and UT-UC groups whether they underwent KT or not. More bladder cancer recurrences within 5 years were found in ESRD patients with KT after TURBT for superficial UB-UC compared with those without KT (77.7% vs 38%, P = .032). However, systemic disease recurrences were similar in the 2 groups (11% vs 1%, P = .163). For superficial UT-UC, there were no differences in bladder cancer recurrences and systemic disease recurrences in the 2 groups (25% vs 39%, P = .513 and 16% vs 3.5%, P = .141). CONCLUSION: For post-KT superficial urothelial carcinoma, radical surgery seems to result in better oncologic outcome. However, radical cystectomy is not a standard treatment choice for superficial bladder cancer. A higher incidence of bladder cancer recurrence after TURBT was found in ESRD patients with KT than those without KT.

Using Hematuria as Detection of Post-kidney Transplantation Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Is Associated With Delayed Diagnosis of Cancer Occurrence.

OBJECTIVES: Kidney transplantation (KT) is an important renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The incidence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is relatively higher in Taiwan. According to our institutional database, early onset of post-KT UTUC is not uncommon. Early detection of post-KT UTUC is an important issue to improve oncologic outcome. Because painless hematuria is a common symptom for UTUC, this study analyzes whether using hematuria as post-KT UTUC screening delayed cancer diagnosis or not. METHODS: From 2005 to 2012, 128 ESRD patients were found to have UTUCs. There were 28 patients who underwent KT and were regularly followed up at our institution. All the patients underwent standard nephroureterectomy. RESULTS: In ESRD patients with UTUC, the post-KT group revealed significantly less gross hematuria and microscopic hematuria at presentation compared with the non-KT group (43% versus 76%, P = .001 and 64% versus 86%, P = .011). For those patients with gross hematuria, non-organ-confined UTUC occurred more in the post-KT group compared with the non-KT group (42% versus 12%, P = .009). For those patients with microscopic hematuria, non-organ-confined UTUC occurred more in the post-KT group compared with the non-KT group with borderline significance (33% versus 16%, P = .085). CONCLUSIONS: According to our observation, using gross or microscopic hematuria as detection of post-KT UTUC is associated with delayed diagnosis of cancer occurrence. Closer upper urinary tract image study such as sonography may help earlier cancer screening.

Human Polyomavirus Is Associated With Earlier Onset of Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma in Patients After Kidney Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Polyomavirus has been reported to be oncogenic due to viral integration into the human genome. A relatively high prevalence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) was noted after kidney transplantation (KT) in Taiwan. However, little was known about the impact of polyomavirus on the urothelial cancer behavior. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the characteristics of polyomavirus-related UTUC after KT. METHODS: From 2005 to 2014, 27 patients were found to have UTUCs after KT. All the patients underwent standard nephroureterectomy. Detailed perioperative parameters were obtained from chart records. A qualified pathologist who is blinded to the clinical outcome examined large T antigen expression and pathological features. All the patients were divided into two groups according to positive or negative expression of large T antigen. RESULTS: In the patient demography, a significantly younger median age was found in patients with large T antigen-positive UTUCs compared with the negative control group (48.1 ± 8.3 years versus 54.6 ± 4.1 years, respectively, P = .013). As for the pathological features and oncologic outcome, there were no obvious differences between these two groups. Non-organ-confined status and positive lymphovascular invasion are prognostic factors associated with systemic disease recurrence (P = .017 and .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although UTUC commonly develops in the elderly, earlier onset of post-KT UTUCs was observed especially in patients with positive large T antigen expression in our cohort. This preliminary result provides valuable experience suggesting more frequent upper urinary tract screening for polyomavirus infected patients after KT in Taiwan.

Long non-coding RNA CCAT2 promotes the breast cancer growth and metastasis by regulating TGF-ß signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) CCAT2 plays an important role in tumorigenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. In this study, we reported that long noncoding RNA CCAT2 (LncRNA CCAT2) could regulate TGF-ß signaling pathway in breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The relative mRNA expression level of CCAT2 in adjacent non-cancerous and breast cancer tissues without or with metastasis were analyzed by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The mRNA expression levels of CCAT2 in breast cancer cell lines were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells were detected after infected with si-NC or si-CCAT2. Flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate in breast cancer cells after infected with si-NC or si-CCAT2. The relative protein expression level of TGF-ß, Smad2 and α-SMA in breast cancer cells after infected with si-NC or si-CCAT2 were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: The relative mRNA expression level of CCAT2 in breast cancer tissues was significantly increased compared with adjacent non-cancerous tissues. The expression level of CCAT2 in breast cancer without metastasis was decreased compared with breast cancer metastasis. Meanwhile, down-regulation of CCAT2 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, down-regulation of CCAT2 caused breast cancer cells cycle arrested in G0/G1 phase and promoted cell apoptosis. Down-regulation of CCAT2 significantly down-regulated the protein expression levels of TGF-ß, Smad2 and α-SMA in breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: CCAT2 was highly expressed in breast cancer. Down-regulation of CCAT2 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration and promoted cell apoptosis in breast cancer cells by regulating TGF-ß signaling pathway.

[Expression and significance of Survivin and Bcl-2 in nasal aquamous cell carcinoma].

Objective:To investigate the expression and it's clinical significance of Survivin and Bcl-2 in nasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). Method:The immunohistochemical Envision two step method was used to measure the expression of Survivin and Bcl-2 in 35 cases of SNSCC, 20 cases of normal inferior concha tissues. Result:The expression of Survivin in SNSCC was 88.6%, significantly higher than the normal inferior turbinate mucosal tissue expression of 0% (P<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 in SNSCC was 71.4%, significantly higher than the normal inferior turbinate mucosal tissue expression of 25% (P<0.01). Expression of Bcl-2 was significantly higher in SNSCC than in normal tissue. The expression of Survivin was positively correlated with Bcl-2 expression (P<0.01). The higher the grade of tumor, the lower expressions of Survivin and Bcl-2. Conclusion:Survivin and Bcl-2 may play an promoting role in the development and progression process of SNSCC. Survivin may become a target spot of SNSCC gene therapy.

Protective effects of sodium p-aminosalicylic acid on learning and memory via increasing the number of basal forebrain choline acetyltransferase neurons in manganese-exposed rats.

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of sodium p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) on learning and memory via increasing the number of basal forebrain choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) neurons in manganese (Mn)-exposed rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into following groups: the normal control I, II, and III groups, the model I, II, and III groups, low- and high-dose PAS-Na treatment (L- and H-PAS) group, PAS-Na prevention (PAS-P) group, and PAS-Na treatment (PAS-T) group. The model I, II, and III groups, L- and H-PAS, and PAS-T groups received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 15 mg/kg manganese chloride tetrahydrate (MnCl2·4H2O) for 3 or 12 weeks, while the normal control I, II, and III groups received i.p. injection of an equal volume of saline; L- and H-PAS and PAS-T groups received back subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of PAS-Na (100 and 200 mg/kg) for the next 5 or 6 weeks, whereas model I and II group received back s.c. injection of an equal volume of saline. However, PAS-P group received back s.c. injection of 200 mg/kg PAS-Na + i.p. injection of 15 mg/kg MnCl2·4H2O for 12 weeks. Mn exposure significantly reduced the ability of spatial learning and memory capability, while PAS-Na prevention recovered it. Mn decreased the number of ChAT-positive neurons in vertical limb nucleus of the basal forebrain diagonal band/horizontal limb nucleus of the basal forebrain diagonal band and ChAT protein activity and treatment or prevention with PAS-Na restored those comparable with control. In brief, our results showed that PAS-Na may have protective effects on learning and memory against Mn via increasing the number of ChAT-positive neurons and activity of ChAT protein.

Effect of nickel sulfate on cellular proliferation and Epstein-Barr virus antigen expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Nickel is found in high levels in the environment of the high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) of China. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with NPC and the interaction of nickel and EBV may be a contributive cofactor to the development of NPC. The study of the in vitro effect of nickel sulfate on cell proliferation and EBV-antigen expression demonstrated that nickel increases cell proliferation of some EBV-positive lymphoblastoid cell lines and increases early antigen expression of Raji cells. Nickel exerted variable effects on viral capsid antigen (VCA): increasing VCA-positive cells in B95-8 cells while decreasing VCA in P3HR-1 cells. It is proposed that the uptake of nickel in NPC high-risk areas could be one of the factors responsible for cancer development in the nasopharynx in China.

The effects of nano-materials on the behaviors of sludge mortar specimens.

In this research, nano-composites are added to sewage sludge ash to create a mixture, which then replaces part of cement. Nano-composites are manufactured from pure quartzose sand. The influences of different amounts of nano-composites and sludge ash on mortar are evaluated. Cement, sludge ash (0%, 10%, and 20%), and nano-composites (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3%), which defined as the percent weight of cement and sludge ash, are mixed together in batches to make mortar specimens. Results show that the flowability of sludge ash mortar reduces with increasing amount of cement replaced and of nano-composites added. The compressive strength of mortar lowers when more amounts of cement are replaced by sludge ash, but increases with more quantity of nano-composites added. Moreover, the study shows that nano-composites can fortify the compressive strength of mortar. With the help of efficiency of compressive strength, nano-composites benefit most to the mortar with replacement of 10% sludge ash, followed by the substitution of 20% and 0%.