Branched poly(lactic acid) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of lactide using castor oil as an initiator. The structure of the branched polymer was confirmed by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The molecular weight of the branched polymer increased linearly as a function of the feed ratio of lactide and castor oil. The thermal properties of the branched polymer were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry and were compared with those of linear poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA). A blended film of the branched polymer and PLLA was prepared by hot pressing at 175 1C. A content of 5 wt% of the branched polymer was sufficient to increase the strain at break. Thermomechanical analysis of the blended film revealed a decrease in the initial elastic modulus with addition of the branched polymer. The thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of the film were examined, and the crystalline morphology of the film was examined by polarized light microscopy.

Background: Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is associated with the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the mechanisms through which miR-182-5p regulate NSCLC progression have not been established. This study aimed at evaluating the expression levels of miR-182-5p in human NSCLC and its function in lung cancer cells. Endothelial PAS Domain-containing protein 1 (EPAS1; also referred to as hypoxia-inducing factor 2A, HIF-2α) is a transcription factor that is responsible for induction of genes related to cell survival under hypoxia conditions. Hypoxia, an inherent feature of solid tumors, is associated with aggressive phenotypes, as well as resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which predict metastasis and poor prognosis. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was used to investigate the association between miR-182-5p expression and clinicopathological characteristics as well as prognosis of NSCLC patients. Target genes of miR-182-5p were identified using the PITA, miRmap, microT, miRanda, PicTar, and TargetScan prediction tools. Transwell assays were performed to determine the potential functions of miR-182-5p in lung cancer cells. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to analyze regulation of the putative target of miR-182-5p while western blot assays were used to validate the luciferase results. Results: miR-182-5p was found to be upregulated in NSCLC tissues and acted as an independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence in NSCLC patients. Functionally, overexpression of miR-182-5p promoted lung cancer cell migration and invasion. Genome-wide gene expression analysis and luciferase report assays revealed that EPAS1 is a direct target of miR-182-5p. EPAS1 was negatively correlated with miR-182-5p expression in NSCLC tissues. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses identified EPAS1 as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) in NSCLC. Conclusions: These findings imply that miR-182-5p promotes NSCLC progression by targeting EPAS1 and is, therefore, a potential indicator of tumor recurrence in NSCLC patients.

In worldwide, lung cancer has a major socio-economic impact and is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths. Current therapies for lung cancer are still quite unsatisfactory, urging for alternative new treatments. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is currently increasingly popular and exhibits a complicated intervention in cancers therapy. In this study, we evaluated the anti-tumor effect and explored the mechanisms of a TCM formula Yangyinwenyang (YYWY) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) models. YYWY induced the apoptosis of lung cancer cells in vitro. In Lewis NSCLC-bearing mice model, YYWY significantly inhibited the tumor growth. Further, RNA-seq analysis and immunostaining of the tumor tissue implied the critical role of YYWY in the regulation of immune response, especially the dendritic cells (DCs) in the effect of YYWY. Therefore, we focused on DCs, which were the initiator and modulator of the immune response. YYWY facilitated the maturation of DCs through MAPK and NF-kB signaling pathways and promoted the release of the cytokines IFN-g, interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-2, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a by DCs. Moreover, the YYWY-matured DCs enhanced the proliferation of T cells and promoted the differentiation of T cells into T helper Th1 and cytotoxic T cell (CTL). In addition, YYWY increased the ratio of Th1/Th2 (IFN-g/IL-4 radio). Collectively, our findings clearly suggested that YYWY exerted an anti-tumor effect on NSCLC, at least partially through facilitating the mature DCs to activate the proliferation and differentiation of T cells.

This article argues for new way of addressing contemporary international law that is more adequate to both vital dynamic trends towards "regionalism" within international law, relations and politics, and the emergent possibility of a far more pluralistic "multipolar" legal order that-in both theory and practice-contrasts markedly with US-dominated hegemonic modes of regulation and high-handed unilateralism. To advance our argument, we draws upon classic Schmittian forms of Grossraum theory concerned to adapt traditional state-centric and purely horizontal conceptual types of international law interpretations to a form of international relations structured around regional ensembles, such as the European Union, NATO, the African Union, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). These historical trends are emerging out of an encompassing contemporary developmental tendency, including the decline in the traditional nation state posited as having equal status, and both the proliferation of new regional bodies and the strengthening of existing ones. Arguably, the emergence of the SCO from 2001 signals a new phase in multilateralism in the post-Cold War period that, when treated as a case study, allows us to "test out" the credibility of key aspects of Grossraum theory."… [T]he world will have to accommodate itself to the emergence of a few great multi-national units in which power will be mainly * Michael Salter is Professor of Law, Lancashire Law School, University of Central Lancashire, UK; Yinan Yin is an associate lecturer at Lancashire Law School. The paper was completed on 9 November 2014. The websites cited were current as of this date unless otherwise noted.