Expression of RCAS1 Correlates with Urothelial Bladder Cancer Malignancy

RCAS1 is a protein that participates in regulation of the tumor microenvironment and its immune responses, all in order to evade the immune system. The aim of this study was to analyze RCAS1 expression in urothelial bladder cancer cells (and in fibroblasts and macrophages of the tumor stroma) and its relationship with the histological pattern of malignancy. Eighty-three postcystectomy patients were enrolled. We analyzed the histological maturity (grade), progress (pT stage), tissue invasion type (TIT), nonclassic differentiation number (NDN), and the ability to metastasize (pN). The expression of RCAS1 protein was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Indicators of histological malignancy were observed solely in association with the RCAS1 expression in cells in the border parts (BPs) of the tumor. Histological malignancy of the tumor, indicated by the pT and pN, and metastasis-free survival time, correlated significantly with RCAS1 expression in tumor neoplastic cells, whereas malignancy determined by grade, TIT, and NDN correlated with RCAS1 expression in fibroblasts and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. These findings suggest that the increased RCAS1 expression depends on its cellular source and that RCAS1 expression itself is a component of various signaling pathways. The immune escape occurs within the tumor BPs, where the increase in the RCAS1 expression occurs within tumor cells and stromal cells in its microenvironment. We conclude that the histological pattern of tumor malignancy, indicated by grade, TIT, NDN, pT, and pN is a morphological indicator of immune escape.     

Affective matches of fabric and lighting chromaticity

This study investigates the impact of lighting colors on subjective judgments of fabric: in particular, whether the influence of lighting varies depending on fabric types and color combinations. We conducted two visual assessments. In Study 1 (N = 44), eight illuminants and six types of fabric were presented as cloth stimuli. Derived from the literature review, four sets of adjectives (humble-luxurious, cool-warm, old-new, and not preferred-preferred) were used as metrics. In Study 2 (N = 41), five sets of fabric color combination swatches were assessed under lighting conditions that were identical to those of Study 1. Three bipolar scales (ordinary-characterful, classic-modern, and soft-rigid), were employed from factor analysis along with three unipolar scales (luxurious, preferred, harmonious with lighting). The results showed that hue characteristics of lighting and cloth types influenced participants' perceptions of the fabric. Overall, white lighting with 4000 K was the most preferred and luxurious lighting across various types of clothes, while a pinkish white with 4700 K (duv = −0.0127) was the best matched in every color combination. In addition, there were interaction effects between lighting colors, clothes types, and fabric color combinations with regard to each of the perceptual qualities. This study provides empirical evidence for optimally match lighting colors with fabric in the presentation of fabric goods.     

Structure–phase state of the surface layers in rails subjected to differential hardening

A layer-by-layer analysis of the structures, the phase compositions, and the defect substructures of differentially hardened rails has been carried by optical and transmission electron microscopy. It is found that the material volume of the rail head fillet is cooled faster than the volume located along the central axis.