Eigenvalue problem for p-Laplacian three-point boundary value problems on time scales

AbstractLet T be a time scale such that 0,T∈T, β,γ⩾0 and 0<η<ρ(T). We consider the following p-Laplacian three-point boundary problem on time scales(φp(uΔ(t)))∇+λh(t)f(u(t))=0,t∈(0,T),u(0)−βuΔ(0)=γuΔ(η),uΔ(T)=0, where p>1, λ>0, h∈Cld((0,T),[0,∞)) and f∈C([0,∞),(0,∞)). Some sufficient conditions for the nonexistence and existence of at least one or two positive solutions for the boundary value problem are established. In doing so the usual restriction that f0=limu→0+f(u)φp(u) and f∞=limu→∞f(u)φp(u) exist is removed. An example is also given to illustrate the main results

Increased IL-10 mRNA expression in tumor-associated macrophage correlated with late stage of lung cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Monocyte recruited into the tumor and maturation to tumor-associated macrophage (TAM). <it>Interleukin-10(IL-10) </it>is a potent immunosuppressive cytokine, which can be secreted from both primary tumor and stromal cells. However, there are controversies regarding its role in the progression of cancer. So it is important to isolate TAM from tumor cells to study the role of <it>IL-10 </it>in the progress of cancer. The aim of our study was to determine whether <it>IL-10 </it>expressed by TAM correlated with clinicopathological factors in NSCLC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>TAM in NSCLC was isolated by short-term culture in serum free medium with the modification to literature reports. The mRNA expression levels of <it>IL-10</it>, <it>cathepsin B</it>, <it>cathepsin S</it>, which were closely related with TAM according to the literatures, were evaluated by Quantitative real-time RT-PCR in 63 NSCLC. The relationships between their expression levels and clinicopathological features were investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We successfully achieved up to 95% purity of TAM, derived from 63 primary lung cancer tissues. TAM expressed high levels of <it>IL-10</it>, <it>cathepsin B </it>in NSCLC. High levels of <it>IL-10 </it>in TAM significantly correlated with stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion or histologic poor differentiation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results revealed that TAM with high levels of <it>IL-10 </it>expression may play an important role in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer. The data also suggested that TAMs may involve in tumor immunosuppression through overexpressed <it>IL-10</it>. Additionally, the phenotype of isolated TAM can be potentially used to predict clinicopathological features as well.</p

Absorption, Distribution and Excretion of 14C-Probimane in Mice Bearing Lewis Lung Carcinoma

Spontaneous neoplasm metastasis, a fatalist pathological feature of cancer, is a long-evolving, multi-steps process that can now only be treated or controlled by drugs or immuno-modulators. Probimane (Pro), as a representative of the well-known class of antimetastatic agents ‘Bisdioxopiperazine compounds (Biz)’, is systematically studied for its absorption, distribution and excretion in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma by a radioactivity-detective method in this investigation. It is found that the 14C-Pro concentrations in different normal organs of mice at 2 hrs are very high and dramatically declined at 24 and 48 hrs. However, Pro concentrations in metastatic foci are slightly changed at the same time. Almost no change of Pro concentrations is observed in pulmonary metastatic nodules within 48 hrs. This evidence can be used to explain the characteristics of good metastatic inhibition by Biz compounds. The radioactivity in brain is relatively low because Pro can hardly penetrate into the blood-brain-barrier to eliminate brain tumors. The excretion of 14C-Pro is observed at the same ratios from both urine and feces and also at constant rates. These data are much useful for better understanding of the general pharmacological characters and possible antimetastatic mechanisms of actions of probimane and other Biz compounds from a new perspective and research angles

Expanded CURB-65: A new score system predicts severity of community-acquired pneumonia with superior efficiency

Aim of this study was to develop a new simpler and more effective severity score for communityacquired pneumonia (CAP) patients. A total of 1640 consecutive hospitalized CAP patients in Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were included. The effectiveness of different pneumonia severity scores to predict mortality was compared, and the performance of the new score was validated on an external cohort of 1164 patients with pneumonia admitted to a teaching hospital in Italy. Using age≥ 65 years, LDH>230u/L, albumin<3.5g/dL, platelet count<100×109/L, confusion, urea>7mmol/L, respiratory rate≥30/min, low blood pressure, we assembled a new severity score named as expanded-CURB-65. The 30-day mortality and length of stay were increased along with increased risk score. The AUCs in the prediction of 30-day mortality in the main cohort were 0.826 (95%CI, 0.807–0.844), 0.801 (95%CI, 0.781–0.820), 0.756 (95%CI, 0.735–0.777), 0.793 (95%CI, 0.773–0.813) and 0.759 (95%CI, 0.737–0.779) for the expanded-CURB-65, PSI, CURB-65, SMART-COP and A-DROP, respectively. The performance of this bedside score was confirmed in CAP patients of the validation cohort although calibration was not successful in patients with health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP). The expanded CURB-65 is objective, simpler and more accurate scoring system for evaluation of CAP severity, and the predictive efficiency was better than other score systems

Positive association between different triglyceride glucose index-related indicators and psoriasis: evidence from NHANES

BackgroundPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with effects that extend beyond the skin. Insulin resistance (IR) has been associated with psoriasis, but it remains unclear how indicators related to the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, which were associate with IR, are associated with the condition.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the association between psoriasis and three TyG-related indicators: triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI), triglyceride glucose-waist to height ratio (TyG-WHtR), and triglyceride glucose-waist circumference (TyG-WC).MethodsData from adults aged 20 to 80 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 to 2006 and 2009 to 2014 were utilized. Institutional Review Board approval and documented written consent was obtained from participants by NHANES (Protocol #2005–06). The patients were divided into three groups based on TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR: Q1 (1st quintile), Q2 (2nd-3rd quintiles), and Q3 (4th-5th quintiles). Differences between the groups were further explored. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to investigate the correlation between these three indicators and psoriasis, with results expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analysis and supplementary analysis was further conducted to explore potential influencing factors.ResultsThe study included 9,291 participants, of which 260 had psoriasis. Compared Q2 and Q3 of TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR to Q1, there were significantly associate with psoriasis. Among the three indicators, TyG-WC consistently had the highest OR values in Models 1 and 2 (Model 1: Q3 OR (95% CI) = 2.155 (1.442-3.220); Model 2: Q3 OR (95% CI) = 2.029 (1.341-3.069)). While in Model 3, the TyG-BMI shows more significant relationship with psoriasis (Model 3 of TyG-BMI: Q3 OR (95% CI) = 1.948 (1.300-3.000)). Similar results were observed in the majority of subgroups and in supplementary analysis.ConclusionThis study identified a stable and strong positive association between TyG-related indicators (TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR) and psoriasis. This association persisted even after adjusting for multiple factors. It is suggested that high IR is significantly associated with psoriasis