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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive human malignancies. The Yes‐associated protein‐1 (YAP) plays a critical role in cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Verteporfin is a photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy and also a small molecular inhibitor of the Hippo‐YAP pathway. However, little is known about whether verteporfin could inhibit YAP activity in PDAC cells. Our present results showed that verteporfin suppressed the proliferation of human PDAC PANC‐1 and SW1990 cells by arresting cells at the G1 phase, and inducing apoptosis in dose‐ and time‐dependent manners. Verteporfin also inhibited the tumor growth on the PDAC xenograft model. Treatment with verteporfin led to downregulation of cyclinD1 and cyclinE1, modulation of Bcl‐2 family proteins and activation of PARP. In addition, verteporfin exhibited an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry via suppressing Ang2, MMP2, VE‐cadherin, and α‐SMA expression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanism studies demonstrated that verteporfin impaired YAP and TEAD interaction to suppress the expression of targeted genes. Our results provide a foundation for repurposing verteporfin as a promising anti‐tumor drug in the treatment of pancreatic cancer by targeting the Hippo pathway. Verteporfin suppresses cell survival, migration, angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry of pancreatic cancer via disrupting the YAP‐TEAD interaction. Verteporfin inhibits cell cycle progression by suppressing cyclinD1 and cyclinE1 expression. Verteporfin induces cell apoptosis by activating the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Verteporfin also inhibits Ang2, MMP2, VE‐cadherin and α‐SMA expression to suppress angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry.

Studying land use changes caused by human economic activities is beneficial for sustainable growth, making it a global research hotspot. In this study, we used Landsat Thematic Mapper images and statistical yearbooks from 1986, 1995, 2000, 2007, 2010, and 2020 to obtain grid data on the land use status of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (TGRR), from which vector data reflecting socioeconomic information were derived. We introduced models on land use quantitative changes, dynamic indicators, and degree index to investigate spatiotemporal variations in land use in the TGRR over the past 30 years. Classified maps were generated using ARCGIS 10.8, and Landsat TM images were processed for accuracy using supervised classification techniques. Based on the region’s status quo and the analytic hierarchy process, we constructed a land resource carrying ability evaluation indicator model considering social, economic, population, and ecological carrying abilities, introducing a mean-square mistake decision-making approach to determine indicator weights. Our results indicate significant changes in land types within the TGRR from 1986 to 2020, with decreases in arable land, forest land, and grassland, while water bodies, building land, and unused land increased. The change rates varied significantly among different land types, reflecting rapid development, especially between 1995 and 2000. Additionally, our analysis delves into the underlying mechanisms driving these changes, providing insights into how different factors influence spatial-temporal evolution of land use and land carrying capacity, crucial for developing optimization strategies aimed at promoting sustainable growth and efficient use of land resources in the TGRR. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the TGRR’s land resource carrying ability, serving as a reference for sustainable land use.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal cancers. The Hippo pathway is involved in tumorigenesis and remodeling of tumor microenvironments. Hypoxia exists in the microenvironment of solid tumors, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and plays a vital role in tumor progression and metastasis. However, it remains unclear how hypoxia interacts with the Hippo pathway to regulate these events. In this study, expressions of yes-associated protein 1 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α were found to be elevated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma samples compared with those in matched adjacent non-tumor samples. Moreover, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression was positively correlated with yes-associated protein 1 level in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissues. The higher expression of nuclear yes-associated protein 1 was associated with poor histological grade and prognosis for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients. In vitro, yes-associated protein 1 was highly expressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Depletion of yes-associated protein 1 inhibited the invasion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells via downregulation of Vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-13, and upregulation of E-cadherin. In addition, hypoxia promoted the invasion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells via regulating the targeted genes. Hypoxia also deactivated the Hippo pathway and induced yes-associated protein 1 nuclear translocation. Furthermore, depletion of yes-associated protein 1 or hypoxia-inducible factor-1α suppressed the invasion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells under hypoxia. Mechanism studies showed that nuclear yes-associated protein 1 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and activated Snail transcription to participate in epithelial–mesenchymal transition–mediated and matrix metalloproteinase–mediated remodeling of tumor microenvironments. Collectively, yes-associated protein 1 is an independent prognostic predictor that interacts with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α to enhance the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells and remodeling of tumor microenvironments. Therefore, yes-associated protein 1 may serve as a novel promising target to enhance therapeutic effects for treating pancreatic cancer.

As a new type of pavement material, bioasphalt has received more and more attention. However, the high-temperature behavior of bioasphalt is poor after blending with asphalt binder. In order to solve this problem and facilitate the waste utilization and resource conservation, the corn stalk bioasphalt/PPA composite modified asphalt was proposed. The conventional performance tests and rheological tests were conducted to evaluate high-temperature and low-temperature behavior. Fourier transform infrared reflection (FTIR) test was undertaken to analyze the mechanism of modified asphalt. The results indicated that blended asphalt penetration and ductility gradually decrease with the PPA content increasing. The softening point and viscosity of the modified asphalt increased, which led to an improvement of blended asphalt’s rigidity. The PPA increased the rutting index of corn stalk bioasphalt/PPA composite modified asphalt. However, bioasphalt had a negative effect on its high-temperature performance. The corn stalk bioasphalt/PPA composite modified asphalt could meet the specification requirement at −18°C considering the creep rate and stiffness modulus, indicating it had outstanding crack resistance. When the PPA and bioasphalt respect to the weight of neat asphalt were 6%–8% and 10%–16%, respectively, the corn stalk bioasphalt/PPA composite modified asphalt performance was optimal. However, shear time and shear rate merely affected the proposed modified asphalt performance. The bioasphalt did not affect the chemical structure of asphalt. However, PPA generated new functional groups (P-O single bond, phosphate (RO)3P = O, and P=O double bond) causing a chemical modification in the asphalt binder. This study can provide a basis for applying bioasphalt, making road engineering more economical and environmentally friendly.

T7 peptide is considered as an antiangiogenic polypeptide. The presents study aimed to further detect the antiangiogenic mechanisms of T7 peptide and determine whether combining T7 peptide and meloxicam (COX-2/PGE2 specific inhibitor) could offer a better therapy to combat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). T7 peptide suppressed the proliferation, migration, tube formation, and promoted the apoptosis of endothelial cells under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions via integrin α3β1 and αvβ3 pathways. Cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, or tube formation ability were detected, and the expression of integrin-associated regulatory proteins was detected. The anti-tumor activity of T7 peptide, meloxicam, and their combination were evaluated in HCC tumor models established in mice. T7 peptide suppressed the proliferation, migration, tube formation, and promoted the apoptosis of endothelial cells under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions via integrin α3β1 and αvβ3 pathways. Meloxicam enhanced the activity of T7 peptide under hypoxic condition. T7 peptide partly inhibited COX-2 expression via integrin α3β1 not αvβ3-dependent pathways under hypoxic condition. T7 peptide regulated apoptosis associated protein through MAPK-dependent and -independent pathways under hypoxic condition. The MAPK pathway was activated by the COX-2/PGE2 axis under hypoxic condition. The combination of T7 and meloxicam showed a stronger anti-tumor effect against HCC tumors in mice. The data highlight that meloxicam enhanced the antiangiogenic activity of T7 peptide in vitro and in vivo.

Previous investigations have shown that the seismic response of slopes during the Wenchuan earthquake was highly variable. The present study tries to give an answer to the question： Which are the main factors affecting the seismic response degree of slopes？ With the support of the China Geological Survey Bureau, we set 3 monitoring sections in Jiulong slope, Mianzhu city, China with the aim to record the site response of the slope during the affershoeks of the Wenehuan earthquake. After the Wenchuan earthquake, which happened on 12 May 2008, 30 aftershocks have been recorded in these monitoring points. We analyzed 11 records, with magnitudes ranging from ML = 4.6 to ML = 3.1. The amplification factors of the horizontal compound PGA and 3D compound PGA have been determined for the 3 points at different elevations on the slope. Results showed that the dynamic response of the slope on the earthquake was controlled by factors such as topography and the thickness of the Quaternary overburden.

Following the publication of this article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that two pairs of protein bands featured in the western blots in Fig. 3A and 5D on p. 679 and 681 respectively appeared to be strikingly similar. After having re‑examined their original data, the authors realized that Fig. 5D had been assembled incorrectly. The revised version of Fig. 5, now including the correct data for Fig. 5D, is shown on the next page. Note that the errors made in terms of assembling the data in Fig. 5 did not greatly affect either the results or the conclusions reported in this paper, and all the authors agree to the publication of this corrigendum. The authors regret that these errors went unnoticed prior to the publication of their article, are grateful to the Editor of for allowing them this opportunity to publish this corrigendum. They also apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports  33: 675‑684, 2015; DOI: 10.3892/or.2014.3653].

The T7 peptide, an active fragment of full-length tumstatin [the non-collagenous 1 domain of the type IV collagen α3 chain, α3 (IV) NC1], has exhibited potential antitumor effects in several types of cancer cells. However, the mechanism underlying its action against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of autophagy in T7 peptide-induced cytotoxicity in HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. The results revealed that the T7 peptide significantly reduced cell viability and induced cell cycle arrest in HCC cells. The T7 peptide induced apoptosis in HCC cells through upregulation of Bax, Fas, and Fas ligand, and through upregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. In addition, treatment with the T7 peptide induced protective autophagy in HCC cells. Blocking autophagy by 3-methyladenineor bafilomycin A1 enhanced T7 peptide-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, co-treatment with MK-2206 (an Akt specific inhibitor) or rapamycin (an inhibitor of mTOR) enhanced T7 peptide-induced autophagy, whereas co-treatment with insulin (an activator of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway) alleviated T7 peptide-induced autophagy, which suggested that the T7 peptide may induce autophagy activation via inhibition of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Taken together, the present results demonstrated that suppression of autophagy potentiated the cytotoxic effects of the T7 peptide, and suggested that the T7 peptide may serve as a potential alternative compound for HCC therapy.

Studying land use changes caused by human economic activities is beneficial for sustainable growth, making it a global research hotspot. In this study, we used Landsat Thematic Mapper images and statistical yearbooks from 1986, 1995, 2000, 2007, 2010, and 2020 to obtain grid data on the land use status of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (TGRR), from which vector data reflecting socioeconomic information were derived. We introduced models on land use quantitative changes, dynamic indicators, and degree index to investigate spatiotemporal variations in land use in the TGRR over the past 30 years. Classified maps were generated using ARCGIS 10.8, and Landsat TM images were processed for accuracy using supervised classification techniques. Based on the region's status quo and the analytic hierarchy process, we constructed a land resource carrying ability evaluation indicator model considering social, economic, population, and ecological carrying abilities, introducing a mean-square mistake decision-making approach to determine indicator weights. Our results indicate significant changes in land types within the TGRR from 1986 to 2020, with decreases in arable land, forest land, and grassland, while water bodies, building land, and unused land increased. The change rates varied significantly among different land types, reflecting rapid development, especially between 1995 and 2000. Additionally, our analysis delves into the underlying mechanisms driving these changes, providing insights into how different factors influence spatial-temporal evolution of land use and land carrying capacity, crucial for developing optimization strategies aimed at promoting sustainable growth and efficient use of land resources in the TGRR. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the TGRR's land resource carrying ability, serving as a reference for sustainable land use.

The P18 peptide is a functional fragment of pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF), which is an endogenic angiogenesis inhibitor. This study sought to determine the anti-angiogenic bioactivity of the P18 peptide in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Xenograft tumour growth assays demonstrated the P18 peptide suppressed angiogenesis of HCC in vivo. Wound healing, Transwell and Matrigel-culture assays indicated that the P18 peptide inhibited the cell migration and tube formation of endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro. Cell viability and apoptosis assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry assays suggested that the P18 peptide inhibited angiogenesis by inducing apoptosis of ECs. Angiogenesis- and signal transduction-associated molecules analysed by western blot demonstrated that the P18 peptide targets vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) on ECs. In conclusion, by inhibiting the phosphorylation of VEGFR2, the P18 peptide modulates signalling transduction between VEGF/VEGFR2 and suppresses activation of the PI3K/Akt cascades, leading to an increase in mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and anti-angiogenic activity. This bioactivity of the P18 peptide may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCC.