Knockdown of pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) suppresses proliferation, migration, invasion, and cancer stem cell properties in lung cancer cells

Purpose: To investigate the role of pancreatic adenocarcinoma up-regulated factor (PAUF) in lung cancer. Method: Proliferation of lung cancer cell lines (A549 and H1299) was determined using MTS and Edu staining assays. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to evaluate cell migration and invasion abilities. Lung cancer stem cell (CSC) marker expressions, including CD133, CD44, ALDH1, SOX2, and Oct4, were determined by western blot assay. Results: Knockdown of PAUF significantly inhibited A459 and H1299 cell proliferation (p < 0.01). The wound healing and transwell assay results indicated that depletion of PAUF markedly suppressed H1299 and A549 cell migration and invasion, compared with the control cells (p < 0.01). Knockdown of PAUF reduced distinct CSC marker expression, suggesting inhibition of CSC phenotypes, and reduced phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphorylated Src, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but not total FAK, Src, and ERK. These results suggested that knockdown of PAUF deactivated the FAK/Src/ERK signal pathway. Conclusion: Knockdown of PAUF inhibits lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and CSC properties via deactivation of FAK/Src/ERK signal pathway. These results may provide a novel strategy for the development of lung cancer therapeutics

Pile-Spacing Calculation of Anti-Slide Pile Based on Soil Arching Effect

Anti-slide pile is one of the most frequently used measures in landslide control globally. Pile-spacing has always been determined by the load capacity of single piles or according to engineering empirical experience. Many engineering practices and laboratory experiments show that the soil arching effect exists in landslide control with anti-slide piles. In this study, we aim to calculate pile-spacing in terms of the soil arching effect. We investigated the pile-soil interaction mechanism and propose that, at the limit, the pile-back soil arch resists landslide thrust only. According to Mohr–Coulomb strength theory and limit equilibrium theories, we derived a new pile-spacing calculation equation. We verified the derived pile-spacing calculation equation with real projects. The calculated results are similar to those of practical engineering designs, in which the difference is within 10%. The equation can be used in anti-slide pile preliminary design. This study can be a reference for pile-spacing calculation based on the soil arching effect