Tolerant Research Articles

Comparison of short-term effects of FOLFOXIRI and SOX chemotherapy regimens in treatment of advanced colorectal cancer

Objective To compare the short-term effects of FOLFOXIRI and SOX chemotherapy regimens in treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Methods A retrospective study was conducted. The clinical data of 71 patients with advanced colorectal cancer admitted from January 2013 to January 2015 in Jingmen Second People's Hospital were analyzed. According to the different chemotherapy regimens, the patients were divided into two groups. The SOX group was treated with SOX chemotherapy regimen (oxaliplatin+S-1), and the FOLFOXIRI group was treated with FOLFOXIRI chemotherapy regimen (oxaliplatin + irinotecan + 5-fluorouracil). After 4 courses of treatment, the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. The patients were followed up for 6-24 months, and the survival of the two groups was compared by using Kaplan-Meier method. Results After 4 courses of treatment, in the FOLFOXIRI group, 16 cases were partial remission, 11 cases were stable disease, 10 cases were disease progression; in the SOX group, 15 cases were partial remission, 10 cases were stable disease, 9 cases were disease progression; there was no significant difference in the clinical efficacy between the two groups (Z = 0.069, P > 0.05). In the FOLFOXIRI group, the objective response rate was 43.24% (16/37), the clinical control rate was 72.97% (27/37); in the SOX group, the objective response rate was 44.12% (15/34), the clinical control rate was 73.53% (25/34); there were no significant differences between the two groups (χ2 values were 0.005 and 0.003, both P > 0.05). In the FOLFOXIRI group, the 1-, 2-year survival rates were 83.78% (31/37) and 29.73% (11/37); in the SOX group, the 1-, 2-year survival rates were 85.29% (29/34) and 38.24% (13/34); there were no significant differences between the two groups (χ2 values were 0.031 and 0.573, both P > 0.05). In the FOLFOXIRI group, the median progression free survival time was 9.4 months, and the median overall survival time was 19.2 months; in the SOX group, the median progression free survival time was 11.6 months, and the median overall survival time was 20.3 months; there were no significant differences between the two groups(χ2 values were 0.85 and 0.573, both P > 0.05). The incidence rates of leukocyte depletion and diarrhea of FOLFOXIRI group were significantly higher than those of SOX group (Z values were 2.252 and 2.214, both P < 0.05). Conclusion FOLFOXIRI regimen has similar efficacy with SOX regimen in treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, but SOX regimen is more tolerant. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms; Antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; Prognosis; Survival analysis

Expression profiles of exosomal microRNA in the different phases of natural history in chronic hepatitis B patients

Objective To explore the expression profiles and their clinical significance of serum exosomal microRNA (miRNA) in the different phases of natural history in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods A total of 92 treatment-naive CHB patients in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center between January 2014 and January 2017 were retrospectively studied. The cases in immune tolerant (IT) phase, immune reactive (IR) phase, inactive carrier (IC) phase and HBeAg-negative CHB (ENH) phase were 24, 24, 24, and 20, respectively. Exosomes were isolated by ExoQuick solution from 250 μL serum.The expressions of the surface protein markers LAMP2 and TSG101 in serum exosomes were determined by Western blotting. The expressions of miRNA-122, miRNA-125a, miRNA-29c, miRNA-200c in exosomes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to determine intergroup differences. The correlation coeffcients (r) were calculated using Spearman′s correlation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to calculate the diagnostic values. Results Western blotting showed that exosome-specific markers LAMP2 and TSG101 were positive. The levels of serum exosomal miRNA-122, miRNA-125a, miRNA-29c and miRNA-220c were significantly different in CHB patients in different phases (H=41.06, 29.31, 49.14 and 31.73, respectively, all P<0.05). Based on the results of liver function test and liver biopsy, serum exosomal miRNA-122, miRNA-29c and miRNA-200c in inflammation group were down-regulated (U=804, 317 and 574, respectively, all P<0.05), while miRNA-125a was up-regulated (U=279, P<0.01) compared with non-inflammation group. The level of exosomal miRNA-200c was negatively correlated with ALT (r=-0.3932, P<0.01), while the level of miRNA-125a was positively correlated with ALT (r=0.5981, P<0.01). AUC of the above exosomal miRNA were 0.619 3, 0.839 6, 0.824 3 and 0.688 3, respectively. The highest AUC was miRNA-125a with the sensitivity of 84.62% and the specificity of 74.47%. AUC of ALT discrimination for liver inflammation was 0.7953, with the sensitivity of 81.08% and the specificity of 70.97%. Conclusions The serum exosomal miRNA levels are significantly different among the different phases of natural history in CHB patients. Inflammation-associated exosomal miRNA is expected to be the non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers of liver inflammation and is of great benefit for determining the best time for clinical medication of CHB patients. Key words: Hepatitis B, chronic; MicroRNAs; Serum exosomal

Efficacy evaluation of preoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with concurrent chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions of preoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy regimen for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods A total of 86 patients with LARC who received preoperative IMRT combined with chemotherapy in Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital from June 2010 to December 2012 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method. Forty-six patients were treated with mFOLFOX6 regimen (mFOLFOX6 group) and 40 patients were treated with fluorouracil (5-Fu) single drug injection (5-Fu group). The total dose of IMRT target region was 45-54 Gy, 25 times in total. Short-term efficacy, adverse reactions, survival and metastasis were evaluated respectively. χ2 test or Fisher test were used to compare the count variable. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rates and Log-rank was used to detect. Results The total follow-up rate was 97.67% (84/86). There were no statistical differences in the rate of resection (93.5% vs. 80.0%), pathological complete remission (pCR) rate (6.5% vs. 0) and 3-year overall survival (OS) rate (87.0% vs. 70.0%) in the mFOLFOX6 group and 5-Fu group respectively (all P > 0.05). Down-staging rate, 3-year disease free survival (DFS) rate and distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) rate in the mFOLFOX6 group were significantly higher than those in 5-Fu group (58.7% vs. 32.5%, 79.1% vs. 50.0%, 89.1% vs. 72.5%, all P < 0.05). Conclusions Preoperative IMRT combined with mFOLFOX6 regimen can decrease the preoperative staging of LARC patients, improve 3-year DFS rate and DMFS rate. The adverse reactions may increase, but it is tolerant. Key words: Rectal neoplasms; Radiotherapy, intensity-modulated; Drug therapy, combination

Variations in total phenolics and antioxidant enzymes cause phenotypic variability and differential resistant response in tomato genotypes against early blight disease

Abstract Early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani is one of the dreadful diseases of the tomato. Existing cultural practices and fungicide applications are not enough to combat with the pathogen while, use of resistant cultivars is one of the most important ways to reduce disease damage. Currently, twenty-five tomato genotypes were screened out against the effect of early blight disease by artificially inoculating the plants with A. solani. The four tomato genotypes were kept in highly resistant (HR) group, 4 in resistant (RR), 5 in moderately resistant (MR), 4 in tolerant (TT), 5 in susceptible (SS) and 3 in highly susceptible (HS) on the basis of significant difference (LSD, p ≤ 0.05) in disease incidence, percent severity index and plant mortality. Growth attributes were significantly (p ≤ 0.01) decreased in SS and HS as compared to un-inoculated plants (control). Total phenolics, total protein content and activities of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) were highly up-regulated in resistant groups than in susceptible groups linked with the induction of resistance against A. solani. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed a highly significant and very strong association between total phenolics and each biochemical component in HR and RR. The results of the current investigation indicated that phenolic compounds and activities of antioxidant enzymes in infected leaves could be used to assist the screening of resistant genotypes at early stages of early blight development.

Fault Estimation and Accommodation for a Class of Nonlinear System Based on Neural Network Observer

The problem of fault estimation and accommodation of nonlinear systems with disturbances is studied using adaptive observer and neural network techniques. A robust adaptive learning algorithm based on switching βs-modification is developed to realize the accurate and fast estimation of unknown actuator faults or component faults. Then a fault tolerant controller is designed to restore system performance. Dynamic error convergence and system stability can be guaranteed by Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, simulation results of quadrotor helicopter attitude systems are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed techniques.

Characterizing the acute heat stress response in gilts: II. Assessing repeatability and association with fertility.

Mitigating heat stress (HS) in swine production is important as it detrimentally affects multiple aspects of overall animal production efficiency. Study objectives were to determine if gilts characterized as tolerant (TOL) or susceptible (SUS) in response to HS maintain that phenotype later in life and if that phenotype influences reproductive ability during HS. Individual gilts identified as TOL (n = 50) or SUS (n = 50) from a prepubertal HS challenge were selected based on their rectal temperature (TR) during acute HS. The study consisted of 4 experimental periods (P). During P0 (2 d), all pigs were exposed to thermoneutral (TN) conditions (21.1 °C). During P1 (14 d), all gilts received Matrix (15 mg altrenogest per day) to synchronize estrus, and were maintained in TN conditions. During P2 (9 d), Matrix supplementation was terminated and gilts were subjected to diurnal HS with ambient temperatures set at 35 °C from 1000 to 2200 h and 21 °C from 2200 to 1000 h. Also during P2 gilts underwent estrus detection and artificial insemination. During P3 gilts were housed in TN conditions for 41 d at which they were sacrificed and reproductive tracts were collected. During the last 2 d of P1 and throughout the entirety of P2, TR and skin temperature (TS) were recorded. During P2, SUS had increased TR relative to TOL pigs during P2 (0.27 °C; P < 0.01). Overall, uterine wet weight, ovarian weight, corpora lutea (CL) count, and embryo survival were 5.6 ± 0.1 kg, 21.6 ± 0.3 g, 17.8 ± 0.3 CLs, and 79 ± 2%, respectively, and not influenced by prepubertal HS tolerance classification (P ≥ 0.37). Tolerant gilts had a longer return-to-estrus (6.1 vs. 5.5 d, respectively; P = 0.01) following altrenogest withdrawal and tended to have larger CL diameters (10.3 vs. 10.1 mm; P = 0.06) compared to SUS gilts. Fetal weight (25.4 vs. 23.6 g; P = 0.01) and fetal crown-rump length (74.8 vs. 72.8 mm; P < 0.01) were higher in gilts previously classified as SUS compared to those previously classified as TOL. Additionally, neither litter size nor the number of fetuses detected as a percentage of ovulations was influenced by classification. In summary, SUS gilts had a shorter return-to-estrus, increased fetus size, and tended to have smaller CL diameters compared to TOL gilts. Additionally, SUS gilts also retained their inability to maintain euthermia postpubertally relative to TOL gilts. In conclusion, there appeared to be little reproductive advantage of maintaining a lower TR during HS.

SOLUBILIZACIÓN DE FUENTES INORGÁNICAS DE FÓSFORO POR MICROMICETOS AISLADOS DE LA RIZOSFERA DE PAPAYA VAR. MARADOL (Carica papaya L.) Y SU SUSCEPTIBILIDAD A HERBICIDAS CONVENCIONALES

Gran parte del fosforo (P) contenido en los fertilizantes inorganicos aplicados al cultivo de papaya var. Maradol ( Carica papaya L.) se inmoviliza al precipitarse con algunos cationes del suelo (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Fe 3+ y Al 3+ ), quedando indisponible para las plantas. Una alternativa para dejar el P nuevamente disponible es el uso hongos microscopicos solubilizadores de este elemento (HMSP). Sin embargo, estos microorganismos son susceptibles a residuos de herbicidas en los suelos. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron aislar HMSP de la rizosfera de Carica papaya , evaluar en cultivo semisolido y liquido su habilidad para solubilizar Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 y FePO 4 , y determinar su susceptibilidad a los herbicidas glifosato y 2,4-D. De los 15 aislamientos obtenidos, SP5 solubilizo cualitativamente mejor el Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 con un indice de solubilizacion (IS) de 5.6, mientras que el mayor IS (1.4) para FePO 4 se observo con Beauveria bassiana SP9. En fermentacion liquida, Penicillium sp. SP1 (108.5 mg/L) y Penicillium hispanicum SP16 (106.5 mg/L) solubilizaron al 100 % el Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 , en tanto que P. hispanicum SP16 solubilizo la mayor cantidad de FePO 4 con 39.6 mg/L. En los analisis de exposicion de los HMSP a herbicidas, P. hispanicum SP16 resulto tolerante al glifosato al obtener una concentracion letal media (CL 50 )de 5376.0 mg/L, valor mayor a la dosis aplicada en campo (1836 mg/L); sin embargo, fue susceptible al 2,4-D al obtener una CL 50 de 3256.0 mg/L, valor menor a la dosis aplicada en campo (3705.0 mg/L). La rizosfera de C. papaya alberga HMSP con potencial para el desarrollo de biofertilizantes, tomando en cuenta su capacidad para solubilizar fuentes inorganicas de P (Ca 3 [PO 4 ] 2 y FePO 4 ) y tolerancia a herbicidas convencionales (glifosato y 2,4-D).

Comprehensive evaluation of heat resistance in 68 Vitis germplasm resources

Temperature is a crucial factor limiting plant growth. Grapevine is frequently subjected to high temperature during its maturation stage, and this seriously influences grape growth and development. Here, we selected 68 grapevine varieties and examined the heat damage index, relative electrolyte leakage, and Fv/Fm after exposure to 50 °C. 'Red Seedless', 'Hong Yuli', 'At Suma', 'Hupei 3#', and 'Tamina' were tolerant to high-temperature stress; however, 'Brazil', 'Shenfeng', 'Gold Finger', 'Heimeixiang', 'Kaiji', and 'Zuijinxiang' varieties were sensitive to high-temperature stress and died after exposure to 50 °C. Our findings provide a valuable insight into resistance breeding programs for grapevine.

Evaluation of salinity tolerance in fourteen selected pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) cultivars

Cultivars and rootstocks tolerant to salinity are determinant to increase the salt tolerance of planted fruit trees including pistachio. In this research, the effect of salinity stress on morphological and physiological traits as well as the concentration of nutrition elements in some pistachio cultivars was investigated based on completely randomized design (CRD), with two factors cultivars and irrigation water salinity. Studied cultivars were Ghazvini, Shahpasand, Akbari, Khanjari, Jandaghi, Italiyayi, Fndoghi 48, Sabz Pesteh Tohg, Ahmad Aghaee, Rezaie Zood Res, Mousa Abadi, Ebrahimi, Kaleh Ghochi and Badami Zarand and levels of salinity were 0.5, 4.9, 9.8, 14.75 and 19.8 dS/m. Each treatment had nine replicas. The results showed that increasing salinity reduced branch height, branch diameter, number of total leaves, and percentage of green leaves, relative humidity content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophylls in all cultivars. But percentage of necrotic leaves, percentage of downfall leaves, relative ionic percentage and cell membrane injury percentage were increased. The results showed that salinity stress affected the young trees through increasing the amount of minimum fluorescence (F0) and decreasing the maximum fluorescence (FM) and reducing variable fluorescence (FV) as well as the ratio of variable fluorescence to maximum fluorescence from 0.83±1 in the control plants to 0.59±0.015 in Rezaie Zood Res cultivar and 0.61±0.009 in Mousa Abadi cultivar. The results also showed that in the total cultivars studied, the highest amount of Na+ in leaves and roots (2.09±0.04% and 3.04±0.06%), and the lowest amount of K+ in leaves and roots (0.40±0.02% and 0.34±0.01%), were observed in treatment 19.75 dS/m. Overall, Ghazvini was found to be the most tolerant cultivar to salinity stress. This cultivar could well tolerate salinity 14.75 dS/m.

La pseudo-traduction sous la plume de Mme Riccoboni, stratégie de légitimation d'un discours critique des pratiques de la sociabilité française

(French): L'anglophilie, dont le roman français des Lumières porte la marque, laisse deviner une transformation de la représentation de la sociabilité. Grâce à la pseudo-traduction et à la formule de l'histoire anglaise, Marie-Jeanne Riccoboni fait lire une critique des règles et des codes qui sous-tendent l'organisation sociale de la France dans la seconde moitié du dix-huitième siècle. Plus libre et tolérante, la société du roman qu'elle met en scène dans les Lettres de Fanni Butlerd (1757) puis dans les Lettres de mylord Rivers (1777) révèle une réflexion sur la sociabilité française en plus de consigner un certain nombre de préoccupations sur la condition des femmes. De quelles façons les pratiques de sociabilité sont-elles redéfinies et de quelles significations idéologiques sont-elles désormais chargées sous la plume de Mme Riccoboni grâce à la pseudo-traduction?

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic combined with laparoscopic esophagectomy(TLE) in the middle and lower stages of esophageal cancer patients between Mongolian and Han nationalities in Inner Mongolia

Objective To prospectively study the clinical diversity of the middle and lower segment of stage of esophageal cancer patients who accepted the thoracoscopic combined with laparoscopic esophagectomy(TLE) between Mongolian and Han nationalities in Inner Mongolia, to further clarity the feasibility of TLE. Methods 92 consecutive cases of middle and lower segment of stage of esophageal cancer patients of Mongolian and Han were selected, and the patients accepted the TLE, including 41 cases of Mongolian and 51 cases of Han.The postoperative pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale(VAS) at 1-14d after operation, and the postoperative complication, the hospitalization of postoperation and the postoperative pathological situation were compared. Results Compared with the Han patients, the postoperative pain of Mongolian significantly reduced, duration of postoperative of pain significantly shorter in the 1-5 d after surgery(P 0.05). The Mongolian had lower incidence rate of postoperative complication compared with Han(9.8% vs.27.5%, χ2=4.522, P 0.05). The postoperative hospitalization of Mongolian was significantly shorter than that of Han[(11.9±1.2) d vs.(15.5±1.0) d, t=-15.811, P<0.05]. No significant difference in the total number of cases of lymph node dissection, the abdominal lymph node dissection and the chest lymph node dissection.The number of the regional lymph nodes metastasis of Mongolian was higher than that of Han [(3.9±0.7) vs.(1.8±0.7), t=13.460, P<0.05], most of which were poorly differentiated(6/25/10 vs 20/20/11, χ2=7.139, P<0.05). Meanwhile, the incidence rates of cancer embolus in the vasculature and nerve invasion of Mongolian were higher than those of Han(75.6% vs.47.1%, 70.7% vs.17.6%, χ2=7.706, 26.418, all P<0.05). Conclusion The Mongolian were more easily tolerant to the TLE, which has the advantages of reducing pain, trauma, rapid recovery, satisfactory curative effect and the lesser postoperative complications.The degree of the malignancy of esophageal cancer of Mongolian was higher than Han.Mongolian who suffered from esophageal cancer needed earlier discovery, earlier treatment and further research of the causes of difference. Key words: Mongolian nationality; Esophageal tumour; Thoracoscope; Laparoscope; Lymph node dissection; Postoperative complication

Evaluation of bacteriological and physicochemical quality of water supply systems in Welkite Town, Southwest-Ethiopia

Water supply systems provide consumers with drinking water that is adequately free of microbial pathogens to prevent waterborne diseases. The key to produce water of such desired quality is to implement multiple barriers, which control microbiological pathogens and chemical contaminants that may enter the water supply system. The objective of this study was to evaluate bacteriological and physicochemical quality of water supply system in Welkite Town, southwest Ethiopia. The water samples were examined on site for total coliform and thermo tolerant coliform using membrane filtration method. Raw water samples were positive for total coliform and thermo tolerant coliform, and there was high bacteriological load in Bojebar spring source which is total coliform: 16 cfu/100 ml, thermo tolerant coliform: 8 cfu/100 ml and in balancing reservoir, there was no detection for both total coliform and thermo tolerant coliform, whereas total coliform and thermo tolerant coliform were detected in the pipeline (counted as 6 and 1 cfu/100 ml, respectively). Similarly, in the service reservoir, the result indicated 9 and 1 cfu/100 ml for both total coliforms and thermo tolerant coliforms, respectively. On the other hand, temperature at all sampling sites was above the permissible limit set by World Health Organization but pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total hardness and total dissolved solids were all within the permissible limit set by World Health Organization. The free chlorine residual was 0.02, 0.84, 0.67, 0.48, 0.45 and 0.1 mg/l at six different sampling points, respectively, while the sanitary survey showed that cumulative risk score of all water supply systems was 27.2, 54.5, 90.09, 45.5 and 64% from the source to distribution, respectively. Key words: Bacteriological parameters, sanitary survey, total coliform, thermo tolerant coliform.

Screening cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes for drought tolerance under screen house conditions in Malawi

Drought stress is a major factor decreasing cotton productivity in Malawi. To identify drought tolerant cultivars, a study was conducted in 2012 at Bunda College to evaluate the performance of 20 cotton genotypes under water stress conditions. A screen house pot experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design and data were recorded on tap root length, lateral root number, fresh root weight, dry root weight, fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, shoot length, root volume, number of leaves per plant, and stem diameter. Results revealed significant differences among genotypes for response to drought stress. Six genotypes (06K485, 06K486, SPAN 837, FQMA (05) 5 bcp, Chureza, and RASAM 17) showed drought tolerance. The inclusion of these genotypes as parents in the drought tolerance breeding programme can have a significant impact to minimize the adverse effects of drought on cotton in Malawi. Key words: Cotton, genotypes, water stress, growth, productivity traits.

Comedy of clowns in wayang kulit Kelantan performances

Pak Dogol and Wak Long are the principle clowns in wayang kulit Kelantan (A form of Malay shadow puppet theater). The wayang kulit dalangs (puppeteer) believethat Pak Dogol is not a comic character due to his dignified background, while his companion Wak Long is mostly considered to be a clownwho plays a comic role. However, in most wayang kulit performances both clowns have some comic scenes. Therefore, in this article the comic featuresof these clowns in wayang kulit performances are investigated. For this purpose, the comedy theories of Bergson are applied to four chosen performances, namely Dewa Sayap Tunggal Descends the Earth, Missing Laksmana (performed by Pak Rahim), Independence Day and Dewek. In brief, both Pak Dogol and Wak Long have some comic element in the performances, Wak Long moreso than Pak Dogol. Most of his comic techniques are related to verbal comedy, since he does not care about hierarchy and his wordsand phrases are often unsuitable for the situations he finds himself in. In some cases, Wak Long likes to mock others, especially Pak Dogol, while Pak Dogol is tolerant of Wak Long’s insults, further reinforcing the comedy. Furthermore, the fast movement of Wak Long’s puppet makes his comic character stronger, while the slower movements of Pak Dogol’s puppet provide a contrast. Generally,their comic features are classified as movement, situation and character comedy.Keywords: Pak Dogol – Wak Long – wayang kulit Kelantan – comedy – Bergson

Clinical observation of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel monotherapy in the three-line treatment of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (Nab-P) in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Fifty-six over 65 years old patients with advanced NSCLC treated with Nab-P monotherapy in department of chemotherapy of the People's Hospital of Zhongshan City from January 2014 to January 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The chemotherapy regimen was Nab-P 260 mg/m2, on d1 or d1 + d8, every 21 day for a cycle, imaging examination was made for efficacy evaluation after every 2 cycles. Results All 56 patients had been evaluated for efficacy, and received a total of 186 cycles of chemotherapy. All patients had been completed 2 cycles or more than 2 cycles of chemotherapy, and the median number of chemotherapy cycles was 3. The treatment response rate (RR) was 25.0% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 76.8%. The median progression free survival (PFS) time was 4.7 months. The main adverse reactions were neutropenia, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and peripheral nerve toxicity. However, the vast majorities of adverse reactions were grade 1-2, and can be improved after treatment. Conclusions Nab-P is effective in the treatment of advanced NSCLC in elderly patients. The adverse reactions are mild and tolerant, and it is worthy to be popularized. Key words: Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung; Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel; Drug therapy; Elderly

56 Unique neonatal tolerant rats exposed to hyperoxia have increased bone marrow mononuclear cell heme oxygenase-1 levels and decreased acute lung injury

Purpose of studyHospitalised neonates and adults with hypoxemia are often given high oxygen concentrations (hyperoxia). The exact effects of administering hyperoxia are unknown; however, prolonged hyperoxia is associated with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in neonates and Acute Respiratory Distres

Omics Technologies in Unraveling Plant Stress Responses; Using Sorghum as a Model Crop, How Far Have We Gone?

Owe to sedentary and sessile nature of plants, they require efficient innate mechanisms that will allow them to adapt to various sudden environmental changes that pose harmful conditions. Moreover, as animals; more importantly human survival on earth depends largely on plants survival, there is therefore an immense pressure for production of agricultural crops with higher yields and adaptive strategies to environmental stresses. There is therefore need to focus attention to more effective and efficient means that will provide applicable information to improve plants adaptation mechanisms towards their survival in this era of uncertain climatic change. The whole genome sequencing of cereal crops such as maize, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum genomes together with the use of omics approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics have created a platform for further research in establishing networks of interaction between genes, proteins and metabolites that are involved in stress response mechanisms. This review thus highlights these omics approaches employed in understanding potential roles of these signaling molecules and metabolic pathways using Sorghum; a naturally stress tolerant crop as a model, towards optimum development and/or improvement of other economic crops that are often susceptible to diverse environmental stresses.

Social Desirability Bias and Social Tolerance: A Monte Carlo Simulation Analysis

This paper investigates whether the effect of education on social tolerance is consistently positive across different time periods. Since the number of students in higher education has been increasing for the past decades in the U.S., the effect of education on social tolerance may have changed. Using the data from General Social Survey (GSS) 1977 ~ 2012 and hierarchical age-period-cohort models, the results of this study show that: (1) people with more education express more social tolerance for homosexuality and homosexual acceptance; (2) the effect of education on social tolerance for homosexuality has been continuously increasing over time; and (3) the effect of education on social tolerance for homosexual acceptance is small, but is still positive over time periods. People in the U.S. have become more tolerant of homosexuality and homosexual acceptance, and younger generations have been shown to be more open to homosexual acceptance and more tolerant than older generations. Liberal religious and political views are positively associated with homosexuality and homosexual acceptance. Finally, using a Monte Carlo simulation and a comparison between the simulation and OLS results, this paper also finds that social desirability bias influences individuals' social tolerance for homosexuality and homosexual acceptance. Social desirability bias decreases the estimate of education on homosexuality and homosexual acceptance.

Study of the Tolerant Physiology of Cotton Seedlings Nursed with Simplified Techniques after Removal from the Seedling Bed

Study of the Tolerant Physiology of Cotton Seedlings Nursed with Simplified Techniques after Removal from the Seedling Bed

CHANGES IN SALICYLIC ACID AND GENE EXPRESSION LEVELS DURING BARLEY-BLUMERIA GRAMINIS INTERACTION

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh) is a common foliar disease of barley worldwide. To better understand barley mechanisms to resist this disease, compatible/incompatible barley-Bgh interactions and some marker genes involved in salicylic acid (SA) pathway were evaluated using qRT-PCR across four-time points after pathogen challenge. Data showed that SA level contents of tolerant and susceptible genotypes increased one day post inoculation (dpi) in comparison with non-inoculated plants, and that the tolerant genotype contained three-fold of total SA than the susceptible one. This might be evidence that SA plays a positive role in signaling events during fungal infection by Bgh. In general, our study shows a remarkable discrepancy in the expression pattern of those marker genes between compatible and incompatible barley-Bgh interactions. The results of qPCR revealed that the defense-related genes PR2, PAL and LSD1 were expressed in the tolerant genotype over the inoculation time points with 3.8, 4.11 and 3.16-fold increases after 6 dpi . Moreover, the increase in gene expression of the genes was closely related to the activation of SA levels. Taken together, our results provide an insight into the signaling pathway that accounts for classical gene expression changes elicited during barley-Bgh interactions.