MULTI-OBJECTIVE DISTRIBUTION ROUTING OPTIMIZATION WITH TIME WINDOW BASED ON IMPROVED GENETIC ALGORITHM

In order to solve the shortcomings of the traditional genetic algorithm in solving the problem of logistics distribution path, a modified genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) under the condition of vehicle load and time window. In the crossover process, the best genes can be preserved to reduce the inferior individuals resulting from the crossover, thus improving the convergence speed of the algorithm. A mutation operation is designed to ensure the population diversity of the algorithm, reduce the generation of infeasible solutions, and improve the global search ability of the algorithm. The algorithm is implemented on Matlab 2016a. The example shows that the improved genetic algorithm reduces the transportation cost by about 10% compared with the traditional genetic algorithm and can jump out of the local convergence and obtain the optimal solution, thus providing a more reasonable vehicle route.

Melatonin Attenuates Chronic Cough Mediated by Oxidative Stress via Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin-2 in Guinea Pigs Exposed to Particulate Matter 2.5

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin on oxidative stress, the expression of transient receptor potential melastatin-2 (TRPM2) in guinea pig brains, and the influence of melatonin on oxidative stress in lungs and airway inflammation induced by particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). A particle suspension (0.1 g/ml) was nasally administered to the guinea pigs to prepare a PM2.5 exposure model. Cough frequency and cough incubation period were determined through RM6240B biological signal collection and disposal system. Oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), in the medulla oblongata were examined through spectrophotometer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected in the hypoglossal nucleus, cuneate nucleus, Botzinger complex, dorsal vagal complex, and airway through dihydroethidium fluorescence. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and substance P expression via immunohistochemistry revealed the inflammatory levels in the airway. TRPM2 was observed in the medulla oblongata through immunofluorescence and Western blot. The ultrastructure of the blood-brain barrier and neuronal mitochondria was determined by using a transmission electron microscope. Our study suggests that melatonin treatment decreased PM2.5-induced oxidative stress level in the brains and lungs and relieved airway inflammation and chronic cough. TRPM2 might participate in oxidative stress in the cough center by regulating cough.

The association between four SNPs of X-ray repair cross complementing protein 1 and the sensitivity to radiotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Early stage diagnosis and therapeutic outcomes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remain poor. In order to evaluate the association between 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of X-ray repair cross complementing protein 1 (XRCC1) and the sensitivity to radiotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the present study identified 4 SNPs of XRCC1 and evaluated the distribution of these genotypes among patients with ESCC. Venous blood samples from 175 patients with ESCC were collected and DNA was extracted. The 4 SNPs of the XRCC1 gene fragment were amplified using three primer pairs, which were sequenced. The mismatches were analyzed and identified using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool software. The sensitivity to radiotherapy was graded as effective and non-effective, according to the treatment results of the patients. The present study successfully amplified and sequenced 4 SNPs of XRCC1 in 112 out of the 175 patients with ESCC. The effective response rate of radiotherapy was 84.8% among the 112 patients. The effective response rate of patients with no mutation in the SNPs was 74.3%, and the rate increased to 89.6% in patients that had ≥1 mutation out of the 4 SNPs (χ²=4.389; P=0.036). For G28152A and G28152A mutations the effective response rate of patients was 91.2% (χ²=4.014; P=0.045) and 91.5% (χ²=4.451; P=0.035), respectively, which was significantly different compared to patients with no mutation (P=0.045 and P=0.035, respectively). The present results suggest that the 4 SNPs of XRCC1 are associated with the effective response rate of radiotherapy in patients with ESCC. The mutation of SNP G28152A was particularly important and may be a potential genomic predictor for radiotherapy sensitivity in patients with ESCC.

SOME BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON OESTRANOLONES

Three synthetic oestran-17β-ol-3-ones acetate (I: 5α, 10α; II: 5β, 10β; and III: 5α, 10β) were subjected to vaginal smear, uterine weight and chick comb assay procedures. The evidence seems to indicate that these three steroids are classical androgens with only weak or no androgenicity. They are, however, efficient oestrogen and androgen inhibitors.