Search

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection holds promise for genetic analyses and quantitative assessment of tumor burden. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the clinical relevance of ctDNA among patients with localized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for eligible studies published from January 2001 to April 2022. After quality assessments and data extraction, diagnostic accuracy variables and prognostic data were calculated and analyzed by Meta-Disc 1.4, Review Manager 5.4.1, and STATA 17.0. Eight prospective studies and one retrospective study including 784 patients with localized NSCLC were used in our meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of ctDNA for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection were 0.58 and 0.93, respectively. The pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios were 7.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.84–20.20) and 0.45 (95% CI 0.37–0.55), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8967, and the diagnostic odds ratio was 32.26 (95% CI 14.63–71.12). In addition, both precurative-treatment and postcurative-treatment ctDNA positivity was associated with worse recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio (HR), 3.82 and 8.32, respectively) and worse overall survival (HR, 3.82 and 4.73, respectively). The findings suggested that ctDNA detection has beneficial utility regarding MRD detection specificity; moreover, positive ctDNA was associated with poor prognosis in patients with localized NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A light-induced, nickel-catalyzed three-component arylsulfonation of 1,3-enynes in the absence of photocatalyst is reported. This methodology exhibited mild conditions, broad scope and high efficiency, and its synthetic utility has been demonstrated by a concise total synthesis of sulfone-containing drug molecule. Detailed mechanistic studies indicated that this light induced nickel catalysis is autopromoted by in situ produced allene, which plays a key role as co-ligand in the photoactive excited state Ni(I) species for the LMCT process. The detailed elucidation of this light-induced nickel catalytic cycle may shed some lights on the exploitation of new catalytic activity and establishment of novel methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as a new treatment for primary aldosteronism owing to aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). We aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes and safety of RFA and laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for patients with APA. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for all literatures published from January 2001 to September 2020 to compare RFA with LA for APA. After data extraction and quality assessments, we used Review Manager 5.4.1 and STATA 14.0 to pool the data. Four retrospective studies consisting of 170 patients were obtained. Patients who underwent RFA were associated with shorter operative time (standard mean difference (SMD): −1.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): −3.86 to 0.11, P = 0.04), less intraoperative blood loss (SMD: −0.61, 95% CI: −0.96 to −0.26, P = 0.0007), and shorter hospital stay (weight mean difference (WMD): −1.40, 95% CI: −1.71 to −1.10, P < 0.00001) than those who underwent LA. No significant differences were found in the complication rate (odds ratio (OR): 0.67, 95% CI: 0.27–1.68, P = 0.39), the incidence of hypertensive crisis (OR: 3.16, 95% CI: 0.36–27.94, P = 0.30), the conversion rate (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.04–4.32, P = 0.48) or the treatment success rate (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.22–2.39, P = 0.59) between the two groups. RFA could achieve clinical outcomes that approach LA for patients with APA but result in shorter operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, and shorter hospital stay. However, RFA does not appear to be able to replace the LA. Future prospective randomized trials are needed to validate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryoablation (CA), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), irreversible electroporation (IRE), and vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) have been evaluated as novel strategies for selected patients with prostate cancer (PCa). We aim to determine the current status of literature regarding the clinical outcomes among these minimally invasive therapies. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for all English literature published from January 2001 to December 2019 was conducted to identify studies evaluating outcomes of CA, HIFU, IRE or VTP on PCa. Proportionality with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was performed using STATA version 14.0. 56 studies consisting of 7383 participants were found to report data of interest and fulfilled the inclusion criteria in the final meta-analysis. The pooled proportions of positive biopsy after procedure were 20.0%, 24.3%, 24.2%, and 36.2% in CA, HIFU, IRE and VTP, respectively. The pooled proportions of BRFS were 75.7% for CA and 74.4% for HIFU. The pooled proportions of CSS were 96.1%, 98.2%, and 97.9% for CA, HIFU, and IRE, respectively. The pooled proportions of OS were 92.8% for CA and 85.2% for HIFU. The pooled proportions of FFS were 64.7%, 90.4%, and 76.7% for CA, IRE and VTP, respectively. The pooled proportions of MFS were 92.8% for HIFU and 99.1% for IRE. This meta-analysis shows that CA, HIFU, IRE, and VTP are promising therapies for PCa patients with similar clinical outcomes. However, further larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to confirm this assertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlCrN and TiAlSiN coatings were deposited on the surface of 30CrMnSi steel and cemented carbide YT15 by multi-arc ion plating technique. A scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the surface morphologies of both coatings. The reciprocating sliding tests of AlCrN and TiAlSiN coating were performed to investigate the friction coefficients and the wear mechanisms of both coatings were analyzed as well. Dry machining tests on 30CrMnSi hardened steel were carried out with the AlCrN and TiAlSiN coated tools on a CA6140A lathe. The effects of cutting speed on cutting forces and cutting temperatures of AlCrN and TiAlSiN coated tools were obtained and analyzed. The microcosmic micrographs of wear areas of both coated tools were observed and investigated by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrum. The results show that the hardness and bonding strength of AlCrN coating are higher than that of TiAlSiN coating, while the friction coefficient of AlCrN coating is lower than that of TiAlSiN coating. Both the cutting force and cutting temperature of AlCrN coated tool are lower than TiAlSiN coated tool. The time required for the bluntness of the AlCrN coated tool is approximately 33.3% longer than that of the TiAlSiN coated tool, and the main wear mechanisms of both tools are mainly crater wear, diffusion wear and oxidation wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical vapour deposition technique was used to deposit TiAlCrN coatings on the YT15 tungsten carbide inserts. The dry turning tests of 20CrMo steel were carried out to evaluate performances of TiAlCrN coated and uncoated tools on the CA6140A lathe. The effect of the two kinds of tools on cutting forces, cutting temperature, surface roughness and tool wear had been investigated to assess the performance of TiAlCrN coated tools. The results showed that the cutting force and cutting temperature obtained by TiAlCrN coated tools were decreased and the TiACrN coated tools produced a better surface finish in comparison with the uncoated tools. The TiAlCrN coated tools yield working life about 45 min, which was two times of that for uncoated tools. The wear mechanisms of the TiAlCrN coated tools were mainly oxidation and boundary wear, accompanied with diffusion wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiAlN coating was deposited on the surface of 20Cr steel samples by physical vapor deposition. TiAlN coated samples and 20Cr steel matrix samples were in three conditions of friction to do reciprocating friction and wear tests with a Si3N4 ceramic ball friction pair which was loaded 2, 5 and 8 N. The wear images and the distribution of elements were obtained by the scanning electron microscope and the energy spectrometer respectively. Then the three-dimensional profile meter was used to get the profile of the grinding marks and the step meter gained two-dimensional contour curve. Results of investigation showed that the friction coefficient of TiAlN water-based lubrication friction increased with the increase of the load, and TiAlN oil-based lubrication friction had the same rule. Under 5 and 8 N loads, the friction coefficients were higher than both of TiAlN and 20Cr steel matrix dry friction in the middle friction stage. As concluded through the experimental analysis, abrasive wear was the main wear mechanism of dry friction; the fatigue wear and oxidation wear were accompanied in some conditions. Water had a great influence on the micro morphology of the grinding mark. The wear of 20Cr steel matrix is the most serious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiN and TiAlN coatings were deposited on the surface of AISI 5140 steel and cemented carbide YT15 by magnetron sputtering technique (MSP). The reciprocating sliding tests of TiN and TiAIN coatings on the surface of AISI 5140 steel were performed to investigate the friction coefficients of coatings affected by various normal loads with friction pair of 304 stainless steel balls. Dry machining tests on AISI 5140 hardened steel were carried out with the TiN and TiAlN coated tools on a CA6140A lathe. The effects of cutting speed on cutting forces and surface roughness of TiN and TiAlN coated tools were obtained and analyzed to assess the cutting performance of coated tools. The microcosmic micrographs of wear areas of coated tools were observed and investigated by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrum. The results show that the friction coefficients of TiN coatings are lower than that of TiAlN coatings. The cutting force of TiAlN coated tool decreases and flank wear resistance enhances in comparison with TiN coated tool. The wear form and mechanisms of TiN coated tool are mainly crater wear on the rake face and adhesive wear and abrasive wear on the flank face. The wear form and mechanisms of TiAlN coated tool are mainly adhesive wear, the breakage of cutting edge and the damage of tip, accompanied with diffusion and oxidation wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the genomic testing based on specimens obtained from percutaneous core-needle biopsy (CNB) before and immediately after coaxial microwave ablation (MWA) in solid non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to investigate the diagnostic performance of CNB immediately after coaxial MWA in solid NSCLC., Methods: Coaxial MWA and CNB were performed for NSCLC patients, with a power of 30 or 40 watts (W) in MWA between the pre- and post-ablation CNB, followed by continuous ablation after the second CNB on demand. The paired specimens derived from the same patient were compared for pathological diagnosis and genomic testing. DNA/RNA extracted from the paired specimens were also compared., Results: A total of 33 NSCLC patients with solid lesions were included. There were two patients (6.1%) without atypical cells and three patients (9.1%) who had the technical failure of genomic testing in post-ablation CNB. The concordance rate of pathological diagnosis between the twice CNB was 93.9% (kappa = 0.852), while that of genomic testing was 90.9% (kappa = 0.891). For the comparisons of DNA/RNA extracted from pre- and post-ablation CNB in 30 patients, no significant difference was found when the MWA between twice CNB has a power of 30 or 40 W and ablation time within five minutes (P = 0.174)., Conclusions: If the pre-ablation CNB presented with a high risk of pneumothorax or hemorrhage, the post-ablation CNB could be performed to achieve accurate pathological diagnosis and genomic testing and the maximum effect of ablation, which might allow for the diagnosis of genomic testing in 90.9% of solid NSCLC., (© 2023. International Cancer Imaging Society (ICIS).)