Effects of Glutamine on Lymphocyte Proliferation and Intestinal Mucosal Immune Response in Heat-Stressed Broilers

To investigate the protective effect of glutamine (Gln) on lymphocyte proliferation and the intestinal mucosal immune response in heat-stressed broilers, 360 21-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were assigned to 4 groups in a completely randomized design, each of which included 6 replicates with 15 birds per replicate for 21 days. The chickens were fed a basal diet under no stress (NS group), a basal diet under heat stress (HT group), or a basal diet under heat stress with the addition of either 0.5 % or 1.0 % Gln. The results showed that the broilers in the HT group exhibited fewer proliferating peripheral lymphocytes, a lower growth performance, phagocytic rate and index of neutrophils, fewer goblet cells in whole intestine and intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) cells in the ileum, a lower sIgA content in the duodenum and the jejunum, a lower immunoglobulin content of serum and intestinal mucosa, than those of the NS group (p<0.05). Diets supplemented with Gln increased growth performance, the number of proliferating peripheral lymphocytes, the phagocytic rate and phagocytic index of neutrophils, the number of whole intestine goblet cells and ileum IEL cells, the sIgA contents of the duodenum and the jejunum, and the immunoglobulin contents of serum and intestinal mucosa (p<0.05) in broilers exposed to HT. In conclusion, Gln can enhance intestinal immune function in broiler chickens by stimulating T and B lymphocyte proliferation, increasing the number of goblet cells and IEL cells, as well as increasing the content of sIgA and immunoglobulin secretion.

Effects of Glutamine on Lymphocyte Proliferation and Intestinal Mucosal Immune Response in Heat-Stressed Broilers

To investigate the protective effect of glutamine (Gln) on lymphocyte proliferation and the intestinal mucosal immune response in heat-stressed broilers, 360 21-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were assigned to 4 groups in a completely randomized design, each of which included 6 replicates with 15 birds per replicate for 21 days. The chickens were fed a basal diet under no stress (NS group), a basal diet under heat stress (HT group), or a basal diet under heat stress with the addition of either 0.5 % or 1.0 % Gln. The results showed that the broilers in the HT group exhibited fewer proliferating peripheral lymphocytes, a lower growth performance, phagocytic rate and index of neutrophils, fewer goblet cells in whole intestine and intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) cells in the ileum, a lower sIgA content in the duodenum and the jejunum, a lower immunoglobulin content of serum and intestinal mucosa, than those of the NS group (p<0.05). Diets supplemented with Gln increased growth performance, the number of proliferating peripheral lymphocytes, the phagocytic rate and phagocytic index of neutrophils, the number of whole intestine goblet cells and ileum IEL cells, the sIgA contents of the duodenum and the jejunum, and the immunoglobulin contents of serum and intestinal mucosa (p<0.05) in broilers exposed to HT. In conclusion, Gln can enhance intestinal immune function in broiler chickens by stimulating T and B lymphocyte proliferation, increasing the number of goblet cells and IEL cells, as well as increasing the content of sIgA and immunoglobulin secretion.(AU)

Suppression of the biological activity of neuroglioma cells by down-regulation of miR-1.

Neuroglioma is associated with high rates of malignancy, metastasis, and recurrence. Recently, research on the roles of microRNAs (miR) in cancer prognosis has formed an important area of research as differential expression of miRNAs has been observed in different cancers. However, the detailed mechanism by which miRNAs regulate glioma remains unknown. Thus, we investigated the effect of miR-1 on human glioma by inhibiting the expression of miR-1. Anti-miR-1, an anti-sense oligonucleotide against miR-1, significantly reduced the level of miR-1 in the human glioma cell line U87 (P < 0.05). Further, cell proliferation and colony formation assays were used to determine the effect of miR-1 on cell growth. The scratch assay and cell migration assay were performed to evaluate cell invasion. Our data demonstrated that the growth of glioma cells was impeded due to the decrease in miR-1 levels, compared to the untransfected control cells (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the invasion and mobility of the cells were also retarded after transfection with anti-miR-1 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that the down-regulation of miR-1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and reduced cell motility, suggesting that anti-miR-1 could be used as a therapeutic intervention tool to counter the activity of neuroglioma cells.

Effect of compound Maqin decoction on TGF-ß1/Smad proteins and IL-10 and IL-17 content in lung tissue of asthmatic rats.

In this research, compound Maqin decoction (CMD) has been shown to positively affect in airway inflammation of asthma models. We evaluated the effects of CMD on the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1/Smad proteins, interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-10 in lung tissue of asthmatic rats. Asthma was induced in a rat model using ovalbumin. After a 4-week treatment with CMD, rats were killed to evaluate the expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad proteins in lung tissue. IL-10 and IL-17 levels in lung tissue homogenates were determined by ELISA. The expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad3 protein increased, whereas expression of Smad7 protein decreased upon high-dose or low-dose treatment with CMD or by intervention with dexamethasone, compared to the control. There was a significant difference between treatment with a high dose CMD and the control treatment, but no significant difference was found between high-dose CMD treatment and dexamethasone intervention. The expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad7 protein increased, whereas the expression of Smad3 protein decreased in the model group compared to other groups. In the CMD high-dose group, low-dose group, and dexamethasone intervention group, the IL-17 concentrations in lung tissue homogenates were decreased, while IL-10 levels were increased. Again, there was a significant difference between CMD high-dose and control treatment, but not between CMD high-dose treatment and dexamethasone intervention. Thus, positive effects of CMD against asthmatic airway remodeling may be due to its regulatory effect on TGF-ß1, Smad3, and Smad7 protein levels and on cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-17.

Initial periodontal therapy for the treatment of gingival pregnancy tumor.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of initial periodontal therapy in gingival pregnancy tumors. Thirty-nine patients diagnosed with gingival tumors of pregnancy between 2007 and 2015 were enrolled in this study. The patients received initial periodontal therapy, then supportive periodontal therapies at 3- to 6-month intervals. The patients underwent follow up for 6 months to 8 years after treatment. After plaque control, supragingival scaling, and root planning, the tumors in 25 patients were gradually eliminated without the necessity of surgery. In 3 patients, tumors <5 mm in size disappeared in a mean time of 3.6 months, 4 patients with tumors 5-10 mm disappeared in a time of 7.5 months, 11 patients with tumors 10-15 mm disappeared in 10.2 months, 6 patients with tumors 15-20 mm disappeared in 15 months, and one patient with a tumor >20 mm disappeared in 20 months. No recurrence of gingival pregnancy tumors was noted during subsequent follow-up. Initial periodontal therapy combined with oral hygiene maintenance is efficacious in treating gingival pregnancy tumors of patients with normal hormone levels, which can potentially serve as an option to avoid surgery.

Expression of MMP-1, -2, and -8 in longissimus dorsi muscle and their relationship with meat quality traits in cattle.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the major macromolecule in skeletal muscle, which affects meat quality greatly. The remodeling of the ECM is mainly regulated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The expression patterns of MMP-1, -2, and -8 in longissimus dorsi muscle were explored using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results show that the expression of MMP-1, -2, and -8 decreased significantly from 135 days of pregnancy to postnatal 30 months. While the expression of MMP-1, -2, and -8 showed no significant relationships with intramuscular fat contents, MMP-1 and -2 showed significant negative correlations with the shearing force of the longissimus dorsi muscle in cattle. The expression of MMP-1 also showed a significant negative correlation with cooking loss and a positive correlation with water holding capacity. The expression levels of MMP-1 and -2 were usually higher in fat than in skeletal muscle tissue. The expression of MMP-8 was significantly higher in the mammary fat pad and the longissimus dorsi muscle than in all other tissues. This study indicates that the remodeling of the ECM has important effects both on the development of postnatal skeletal muscle and on meat quality.

Estrogenic effects of flavonoid components in Xiaoyao powder.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the estrogenic effects and mechanisms of three flavonoid components in Xiaoyao powder: quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin. The drugs were used to treat estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and proliferation was measured using the MTT method. The expression of proteins and mRNA of the ER subtype were measured using western blotting and real time polymerase chain reaction. The quercetin (10(-2) µM, 10(-3) µM), kaempferol (100 µM, 10(-2) µM), and isorhamnetin (10(-3) µM) promoted the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, and the expression of ERα and ERß proteins and mRNA were all increased significantly (P < 0.05). These effects were reversed by treatment with 0.1 µM estrogen antagonist ICI182780. Three flavonoid components in Xiaoyao powder increased the expression of proteins and mRNA of ERα and ERß and promoted the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. These estrogenic effects were mediated by the ER.

Effect of Cottonseed Meal Fermented with Yeast on the Lipid-related Gene Expression in Broiler Chickens

Fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) is widely used in poultry diets in China. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of FCSM on lipid-related gene expression in broilers. Initially, 180 broiler chickens (21-days-old, equal number of males and females) were randomly divided into three groups, with six pens per group and 10 birds per pen. The chickens in the control group were fed a diet containing unfermented cottonseed meal, and those in the treatment groups were fed with diets including either CSM fermented by Candida tropicalis (Ct group) or CSM fermented by Candida tropicalis plus Saccharomyces cerevisae (Ct-Sc group) until 64 days old. The results revealed that, compared with the control group (p 0.05), the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-a) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were upregulated in the livers of Ct-Sc males. The expression of PPAR-a was also upregulated in the livers of Ct females. The expression levels of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) and LPL in the liver of males and the expression of PPAR-a in the liver of females were significantly different between the Ct and Ct-Sc groups (p 0.05). However, gene expressions of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) in the liver were not altered when the broilers were fed FCSM-supplemented diets (p>0.05). Likewise, the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-g) and LPL in the abdominal fat were not altered by the FCSM-supplemented diets (p>0.05). The results in this study indicate that CSM fermented by Candida tropicalis and Saccharomyces cerevisiaeeffectively regulated the genes involved in fatty acid b-oxidation and triglyceride hydrolysis in male broiler chickens. Furthermore, the effects of the FCSM-supplemented diets were significantly different between bird sexes and between yeast strains used in the fermentation process.

Effect of Cottonseed Meal Fermented with Yeast on the Lipid-related Gene Expression in Broiler Chickens

Fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) is widely used in poultry diets in China. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of FCSM on lipid-related gene expression in broilers. Initially, 180 broiler chickens (21-days-old, equal number of males and females) were randomly divided into three groups, with six pens per group and 10 birds per pen. The chickens in the control group were fed a diet containing unfermented cottonseed meal, and those in the treatment groups were fed with diets including either CSM fermented by Candida tropicalis (Ct group) or CSM fermented by Candida tropicalis plus Saccharomyces cerevisae (Ct-Sc group) until 64 days old. The results revealed that, compared with the control group (p 0.05), the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-a) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were upregulated in the livers of Ct-Sc males. The expression of PPAR-a was also upregulated in the livers of Ct females. The expression levels of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) and LPL in the liver of males and the expression of PPAR-a in the liver of females were significantly different between the Ct and Ct-Sc groups (p 0.05). However, gene expressions of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) in the liver were not altered when the broilers were fed FCSM-supplemented diets (p>0.05). Likewise, the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-g) and LPL in the abdominal fat were not altered by the FCSM-supplemented diets (p>0.05). The results in this study indicate that CSM fermented by Candida tropicalis and Saccharomyces cerevisiaeeffectively regulated the genes involved in fatty acid b-oxidation and triglyceride hydrolysis in male broiler chickens. Furthermore, the effects of the FCSM-supplemented diets were significantly different between bird sexes and between yeast strains used in the fermentation process.(AU)

Effects of different anesthetic approaches on postoperative complications in HIV-infected patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three different methods of anesthesia on patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which could lead to an improvement in postoperative outcomes in these patients. A total of 90 patients undergoing an operation while being treated for an HIV infection were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups (N = 30/group) based on the type of anesthesia administered: general anesthesia, local anesthesia, and combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA). The effects of local infiltration of anesthesia and peripheral nerve block local anesthesia were examined in the local anesthesia group. The CSEA group examined the effects of spinal anesthesia in HIV-infected patients. We compared the vital signs of the three groups during the preoperative period, at incision, and during the postoperative recovery period. The CSEA group had a significantly higher mean preoperative CD4(+) T lymphocyte count compared with the general anesthesia and local anesthesia groups (P < 0.05). We found that the three kinds of anesthesia methods administered to HIV-infected patients could be used with considerable safety and can be selected according to the clinical need and type of surgical procedure.

FSHR gene Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms in infertile men: an association study in North China and meta-analysis.

Male infertility is a complex multifactorial and polygenic disease, and genetic factors play an important role in its formation and development. Recently, the association between follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene polymorphisms and male infertility risk has attracted widespread attention due to the unique biological functions of FSH. The aim of this study was to further explore the associations between the Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms of the FSHR gene and male infertility. A case-control study of 212 infertile and 164 fertile men from North China was performed. FSHR polymorphism genotypes were obtained through direct DNA sequencing. A meta-analysis was also performed. In the single-site association analysis, no significant associations were identified between FSHR Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms and male infertility (P > 0.05). However, we found that the combined genotypic frequency of Thr/Ala + Asn/Asn was higher in infertile patients than in controls (6.6 vs 1.8%; odds ratio (OR) = 3.795; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.072-13.434, P = 0.027). In the meta-analysis, there was also no evidence of FSHR polymorphism (rs 6165 and rs 6168) association with male infertility (P > 0.05). However, we found that the combined genotypes Thr/Thr + Asn/Asn had an increased risk of male infertility (OR = 1.238; 95%CI: 1.001-1.537, P = 0.049). Our studies further confirmed reports that there were no significant associations between the FSHR Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms and male infertility risk. However, a combined FSHR genotype showed significant association with male infertility.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism gene and coronary artery disease risk: a meta-analysis.

We studied the association between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD) and clarified the mechanisms underlying this association. We searched the ISI, Medline (Ovid), PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and Weipu Databases. Statistical analysis was performed using Revman 5.0 and Stata12.0 softwares. A total of 3305 cases and 5016 controls in 12 case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. Variant A allele carriers showed a 48% increased risk of CAD compared with homozygote A allele [odds ratio (OR) = 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18-1.87 for AA + AG vs GG]. In subgroup analysis by gender, significantly elevated risks were found in the mixed group (OR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.42-2.22) but not in males (OR = 1.12, 95%CI = 0.79-1.57). In subgroup analysis by disease type, significant elevated risks were associated with A allele carriers in myocardial infarction [OR = 1.69, 95%CI = (1.05-2.71)], in coronary heart disease (OR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.00-1.86), but not in coronary heart disease plus diabetes mellitus subjects (OR = 1.57, 95%CI = 0.58-4.29). Moreover, those with the GG genotype consumed significantly more alcohol than those with the AA/AG genotypes (standard mean deviation: 6.32 g, 95%CI = 2.09-10.55, P = 0.000). ALDH2 polymorphisms may be risk factors for CAD. Moreover, CAD patients with ALDH2 genotypes AG and AA consumed significantly less alcohol than those with GG. To further evaluate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions between ALDH2 polymorphisms and the risk of CAD, more studies with larger groups of patients are required.

Screening of highly informative and representative microsatellite markers for genotyping of major cultivated cotton varieties.

We screened and assessed published cotton simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers to establish a set of core SSR markers suitable for cotton major cultivars in China and analyzed genetic diversity based on the core marker set. Using a stepwise screening strategy, 12 leading cultivars for preliminary screening and 96 cultivars for rescreening were evaluated. A total of 184 polymorphic SSR markers were initially screened from 3299 candidates, and a core set of 52 SSR markers with wide genome coverage (2 markers per chromosome) was obtained. Among 96 major cultivars, 273 amplification genotypes were generated using the core marker set. Polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.28-0.83, with an average value of 0.56. The core SSR marker set detected on denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the band genotype was either a single or double band on conventional cultivars, while most were double bands (65.4%). Among 56 hybrids, the average heterozygosis rate was 35.8%, ranging from 7.1-55.4%. Eighteen of 96 cultivars had distinct band genotypes. The genetic diversity analyzed using the of NTSYS-pc V2.10 software indicated that the Yangtze River valley cotton region had the highest polymorphic level, followed by Xinjiang and then the Yellow River valley. The genetic basis of conventional cultivars was narrower than that of hybrids. The core marker set can be used for fingerprint construction, variety identification, and purity tests of major cotton cultivars in China.

Therapeutic mechanism of treating SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells with magnetic fluid hyperthermia using Fe2O3 nanoparticles

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of treating SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells with magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) using Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells cultured in vitro were treated with ferrofluid containing Fe2O3 nanoparticles and irradiated with an alternating radio frequency magnetic field. The influence of the treatment on the cells was examined by inverted microscopy, MTT and flow cytometry. To study the therapeutic mechanism of the Fe2O3 MFH, Hsp70, Bax, Bcl-2 and p53 were detected by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was shown that Fe2O3 MFH could cause cellular necrosis, induce cellular apoptosis, and significantly inhibit cellular growth, all of which appeared to be dependent on the concentration of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Immunocytochemistry results showed that MFH could induce high expression of Hsp70 and Bax, decrease the expression of mutant p53, and had little effect on Bcl-2. RT-PCR indicated that Hsp70 expression was high in the early stage of MFH (<24 h) and became low or absent after 24 h of MFH treatment. It can be concluded that Fe2O3 MFH significantly inhibited the proliferation of in vitro cultured liver cancer cells (SMMC-7721), induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Fe2O3 MFH can induce high Hsp70 expression at an early stage, enhance the expression of Bax, and decrease the expression of mutant p53, which promotes the apoptosis of tumor cells.

Therapeutic mechanism of treating SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells with magnetic fluid hyperthermia using Fe2O3 nanoparticles.

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of treating SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells with magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) using Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells cultured in vitro were treated with ferrofluid containing Fe2O3 nanoparticles and irradiated with an alternating radio frequency magnetic field. The influence of the treatment on the cells was examined by inverted microscopy, MTT and flow cytometry. To study the therapeutic mechanism of the Fe2O3 MFH, Hsp70, Bax, Bcl-2 and p53 were detected by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was shown that Fe2O3 MFH could cause cellular necrosis, induce cellular apoptosis, and significantly inhibit cellular growth, all of which appeared to be dependent on the concentration of the Fe2O3nanoparticles. Immunocytochemistry results showed that MFH could induce high expression of Hsp70 and Bax, decrease the expression of mutant p53, and had little effect on Bcl-2. RT-PCR indicated that Hsp70 expression was high in the early stage of MFH (<24 h) and became low or absent after 24 h of MFH treatment. It can be concluded that Fe2O3MFH significantly inhibited the proliferation of in vitro cultured liver cancer cells (SMMC-7721), induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Fe2O3 MFH can induce high Hsp70 expression at an early stage, enhance the expression of Bax, and decrease the expression of mutant p53, which promotes the apoptosis of tumor cells.

Influence of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion on postoperative spatial cognitive function in mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of partial hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) on postoperative cognitive function in mice. One hundred Kunming mice were randomized into control group (N = 20), sham group (N = 20) and I/R group (N = 60), which was equally divided into 3 subgroups according to the ischemia time (20, 30 and 40 min). Half of the mice in each group underwent a passive avoidance test on the 4th day, and the other underwent the test on the 18th day, which lasted for 6 days before euthanasia for analysis of brain pathology and immunohistochemistry for ChAT. The passive avoidance test showed that there was no significance in the incubation period and number of errors between the control and sham group, but there was a longer incubation period and more errors in the I/R group than control group; at G2, there was no significance between all groups. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the hippocampus showed that at G1, there was no obvious change in hippocampal neurons in structure and arrangement except for IR/40 min; at G2, there was no significance between all groups. Immunohistochemistry of hippocampus for ChAT showed the following: at G1, there was no significance in average optical density of CA3 area between control and sham group, but optical density was significantly lower in I/R groups with I/R 40 min showing the lowest; at G2, there was no significance between all groups. Pentobarbital has no effect on cognitive function, but hepatic partial ischemia and reperfusion injury does and could become worse over time.

Expression profiles of variation integration genes in bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Bladder cancer is a common cancer worldwide and its incidence continues to increase. There are approximately 261,000 cases of bladder cancer resulting in 115,000 deaths annually. This study aimed to integrate bladder cancer genome copy number variation information and bladder cancer gene transcription level expression data to construct a causal-target module network of the range of bladder cancer-related genomes. Here, we explored the control mechanism underlying bladder cancer phenotype expression regulation by the major bladder cancer genes. We selected 22 modules as the initial module network to expand the search to screen more networks. After bootstrapping 100 times, we obtained 16 key regulators. These 16 key candidate regulatory genes were further expanded to identify the expression changes of 11,676 genes in 275 modules, which may all have the same regulation. In conclusion, a series of modules associated with the terms 'cancer' or 'bladder' were considered to constitute a potential network.

Construction of a primary DNA fingerprint database for cotton cultivars.

Forty core primers were used to construct a DNA fingerprint database of 132 cotton species based on multiplex fluorescence detection technology. A high first successful ratio of 99.04% was demonstrated with tetraplex polymerase chain reaction. Forty primer pairs amplified a total of 262 genotypes among 132 species, with an average of 6.55 per primer and values of polymorphism information content varying from 0.340 to 0.882. Conflicting DNA homozygous ratios were found in various species. The highest DNA homozygous ratio was found in landrace standard cultivars, which had an 81.46% DNA homozygous ratio. The lowest occurred in a group of 2010 leading cultivars with a homozygous ratio of 63.04%. Genetic diversity of the 132 species was briefly analyzed using unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means.

Are nanoporous materials radiation resistant?

The key to perfect radiation endurance is perfect recovery. Since surfaces are perfect sinks for defects, a porous material with a high surface to volume ratio has the potential to be extremely radiation tolerant, provided it is morphologically stable in a radiation environment. Experiments and computer simulations on nanoscale gold foams reported here show the existence of a window in the parameter space where foams are radiation tolerant. We analyze these results in terms of a model for the irradiation response that quantitatively locates such window that appears to be the consequence of the combined effect of two length scales dependent on the irradiation conditions: (i) foams with ligament diameters below a minimum value display ligament melting and breaking, together with compaction increasing with dose (this value is typically ∼5 nm for primary knock on atoms (PKA) of ∼15 keV in Au), while (ii) foams with ligament diameters above a maximum value show bulk behavior, that is, damage accumulation (few hundred nanometers for the PKA's energy and dose rate used in this study). In between these dimensions, (i.e., ∼100 nm in Au), defect migration to the ligament surface happens faster than the time between cascades, ensuring radiation resistance for a given dose-rate. We conclude that foams can be tailored to become radiation tolerant.