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Chordoid meningioma (CM) makes up only 1% of all meningiomas. Most cases of this variant are locally aggressive, have high growth potential, and are likely to recur. Although CMs are known to be invasive, they rarely extend into the retro-orbital space. Herein, we report a case of a central skull base CM in a 78-year-old woman whose only manifestation was unilateral proptosis with impaired vision resulting from the tumor extending into the retro-orbital space through the superior orbital fissure. The diagnosis was confirmed by analysis of specimens collected during endoscopic orbital surgery, which simultaneously relieved the protruding eye and restored the patient's visual acuity by decompressing the oppressed orbit. This rare presentation of CM reminds physicians there may be lesions outside the orbit that can cause unilateral orbitopathy and that endoscopic orbital surgery can be used to confirm its diagnosis as well as treat it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the progress of artificial neural networks, the imitation of multiple biological functions is indispensable for processing more tasks in a complex working environment. Memristors, which possess these advantages such as uniformity, high switching speed, and smaller device scale, are the better candidates compared to conventional complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology in artificial neural networks. In this work, an Ag/ZrOx/Pt threshold switching memristor (TSM) is designed to overcome the drawback of the large variation in the non‐volatile filament type memristor. The cycle‐to‐cycle and device‐to‐device variations are 5.6% and 4.9%. This device has mimicked the "nociceptive threshold," "relaxation," "no adaptation," and "sensitization" features for the nociceptor which can prevent the artificial intelligence system from dangers in the external environment. Additionally, with the change in the strength of the external stimulus, the artificial neuron is also built by emulating "all‐or‐nothing," "threshold‐driven‐spiking," and "strength‐modulated" characteristics. The proposed threshold‐switching memristor allows the simultaneous emulation of the biological nociceptor and leaky integrate‐and‐fire neuron for the first time, which represents an advance in the bioinspired technology adopted in future artificial neural networks and humanoid robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic scale control of the thickness of thin film makes atomic layer deposition highly advantageous in the preparation of high quality super-lattices. However, precisely controlling the film chemical stoichiometry is very challenging. In this study, we deposited SiOx film with different stoichiometry by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition. After reviewing various deposition parameters like temperature, precursor pulse time, and gas flow, the silicon dioxides of stoichiometric (SiO2) and non-stoichiometric (SiO1.8 and SiO1.6) were successfully fabricated. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy was first employed to analyze the element content and chemical bonding energy of these films. Then the morphology, structure, composition, and optical characteristics of SiOx film were systematically studied through atomic force microscope, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray reflection, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The experimental results indicate that both the mass density and refractive index of SiO1.8 and SiO1.6 are less than SiO2 film. The energy band-gap is approved by spectroscopic ellipsometry data and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy O 1s analysis. The results demonstrate that the energy band-gap decreases as the oxygen concentration decreases in SiOx film. After we obtained the Si-rich silicon oxide film deposition, the SiO1.6/SiO2 super-lattices was fabricated and its photoluminescence (PL) property was characterized by PL spectra. The weak PL intensity gives us greater awareness that more research is needed in order to decrease the x of SiOx film to a larger extent through further optimizing plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition processes, and hence improve the photoluminescence properties of SiOx/SiO2 super-lattices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparation of reliable, stable, and highly responsive gas-sensing devices for the detection of acetone has been considered to be a key issue for the development of accurate disease diagnosis systems via exhaled breath. In this paper, novel CeO 2 nanodot-decorated WO 3 nanowires are successfully synthesized through a sequential hydrothermal and thermolysis process. Such CeO 2 nanodot-decorated WO 3 nanowires exhibited a remarkable enhancement in acetone-sensing performance based on a miniaturized micro-electromechanical system device, which affords high response ( S = 1.30-500 ppb, 1.62-2.5 ppm), low detection limit (500 ppb), and superior selectivity toward acetone. The improved performance of the acetone sensor is likely to be originated from the fast carrier transportation of WO 3 nanowires, the formation of WO 3 -CeO 2 heterojunctions, and the existence of large amounts of oxygen vacancies in CeO 2 . The improved reaction thermodynamics and sensing mechanisms have also been revealed by the specific band alignment and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis.

In this study, silicon nitride (SiN x ) thin films with different oxygen concentration (i.e., SiON film) were precisely deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition on Si (100) substrates. Thus, the effect of oxygen concentration on film properties is able to be comparatively studied and various valuable results are obtained. In detail, x-ray reflectivity, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry are used to systematically characterize the microstructural, optical, and electrical properties of SiON film. The experimental results indicate that the surface roughness increases from 0.13 to 0.2 nm as the oxygen concentration decreases. The refractive index of the SiON film reveals an increase from 1.55 to 1.86 with decreasing oxygen concentration. Accordingly, the band-gap energy of these films determined by oxygen 1s-peak analysis decreases from 6.2 to 4.8 eV. Moreover, the I-V tests demonstrate that the film exhibits lower leakage current and better insulation for higher oxygen concentration in film. These results indicate that oxygen affects microstructural, optical, and electrical properties of the prepared SiN x film.

Aim: To investigate the effect of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) on the differentiation and transformation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)., Methods: By constructing the recombinant adenovirus vector expressing HNF4α and HNF4α shRNA vector, and manipulating HNF4α expression in HSC-T6 cells, we explored the influence of HNF4α and its induction capacity in the differentiation of rat HSCs into hepatocytes., Results: With increased expression of HNF4α mediated by AdHNF4α, the relative expression of Nanog was downregulated in HSC-T6 cells (98.33 ± 12.33 vs 41.33 ± 5.67, P < 0.001). Consequently, the expression of G-P-6 and PEPCK was upregulated (G-P-6: 14.34 ± 3.33 vs 42.53 ± 5.87, P < 0.01; PEPCK: 10.10 ± 4.67 vs 56.56 ± 5.25, P < 0.001), the expression of AFP and ALB was positive, and the expression of Nanog, Type I collagen, α-SMA, and TIMP-1 was significantly decreased. HNF4α also downregulated vimentin expression and enhanced E-cadherin expression. The ultrastructure of HNF4α-induced cells had more mitochondria and ribosomes compared with the parental cells. After silencing HNF4α expression, EPCK, E-cadherin, AFP, and ALB were downregulated and α-SMA and vimentin were upregulated., Conclusion: HNF4α can induce a tendency of differentiation of HSCs into hepatocyte-like cells. These findings may provide an effective way for the treatment of liver diseases.

Aim: To investigate the significance of Twist2 for colorectal cancer (CRC)., Methods: In this study, 93 CRC patients were included who received curative surgery in Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital from January 1999 to December 2010. Records of patients' clinicopathological characteristics and follow up data were reviewed. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were used to observe the protein expression of Twist2 and E-cadherin by immunohistochemistry. Two independent pathologists who were blinded to the clinical information performed semiquantitative scoring of immunostaining. A total score of 3-6 (sum of extent + intensity) was considered as Twist2-positive expression. The expression of E-cadherin was divided into two levels (preserved and reduced). An exploratory statistical analysis was conducted to determine the association between Twist2 expression and clinicopathological parameters, as well as E-cadherin expression. Furthermore, the variables associated with prognosis were analyzed by Cox's proportional hazards model. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to plot survival curves according to different expression levels of Twist2., Results: Twist2-positive expression was observed in 66 (71.0%) samples and mainly located in the cytoplasm. Forty-three (46.2%) samples showed reduced expression of E-cadherin. There were no significant correlations between Twist2 expression and any of the clinicopathological parameters. However, Twist2-positive expression was significantly associated with reduced expression of E-cadherin (P = 0.040). Multivariate analysis revealed that bad M-stage [hazard ratio (HR) = 7.694, 95%CI: 2.927-20.224, P < 0.001] and Twist2-positive (HR = 5.744, 95%CI: 1.347-24.298, P = 0.018) were the independent risk factors for poor overall survival (OS), while Twist2-positive (HR = 3.264, 95%CI: 1.455-7.375, P = 0.004), bad N-stage (HR = 2.149, 95%CI: 1.226-3.767, P = 0.008) and bad M-stage (HR = 10.907, 95%CI: 4.937-24.096, P < 0.001) were independently associated with poor disease-free survival (DFS). Survival curves showed a definite trend for Twist2-negative patients to have longer OS and DFS than Twist2-negative patients, not only overall, but also for patients in different stages, especially for DFS of patients in stage III (P = 0.033) and IV (P = 0.026)., Conclusion: Our data suggests, for the first time, that Twist2 is a valuable prognostic biomarker for CRC, particularly for patients in stage III and IV.

Aim: To investigate the inhibitory effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) preS2 antibody (preS2Ab) against HBV infection and HBV-associated hepatic carcinogenesis., Methods: An adenoviral vector carrying the full-length light and heavy chains of the HBV preS2Ab gene, Ad315-preS2Ab, was constructed. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting analyses were used to determine the preS2Ab expression levels in vitro. Immunofluorescent techniques were used to examine the binding affinity between the expressed HBV preS2Ab and HBV-positive liver cells. ELISAs were also used to determine hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels to assess the inhibitory effect of the preS2Ab against HBV infection in L02 cells. The inhibitory effect of preS2Ab against hepatic carcinogenesis was studied with diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in HBV transgenic mice., Results: The expression of HBV preS2Ab increased with increases in the multiplicity of infection (MOI) of Ad315-preS2Ab in L02 cells, with 350.87 ± 17.37 μg/L of preS2Ab when the MOI was 100 plaque forming units (pfu)/cell. The expressed preS2Abs could recognize liver cells from HBV transgenic mice. ELISA results showed that L02 cells expressing preS2Ab produced less HBsAg after treatment with the serum of HBV patients than parental L02 cells expressing no preS2Ab. HBV transgenic mice treated with Ad315-preS2Ab had fewer and smaller cancerous nodes after induction with DEN than mice treated with a blank Ad315 vector or untreated mice. Additionally, the administration of Ad315-preS2Ab could alleviate hepatic cirrhosis and decrease the serum levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase., Conclusion: Adenovirus-mediated HBV preS2Ab expression could inhibit HBV infection in L02 cells, and then inhibit DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinogenesis and protect hepatic function in HBV transgenic mice.

Background: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is the most common sarcoma of soft tissue, which occurs usually in the extremities, but less common in the retroperitoneal space, abdominal cavity or other sites. Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is extremely rare; only 28 cases have been reported to date in the English literature., Methods: In this report, a case of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver was described in terms of clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment and outcome., Results: A 50-year-old man had a large multicystic-mass lesion in the left lobe of the liver, which was inoperable by laparotomy. Pathological examination of biopsy specimen after operation confirmed a malignant fibrous histiocytoma of storiform-pleomorphic type. The tumor developed rapidly, and the patient died of hepatic failure 2 months after the surgery., Conclusions: Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is diagnosed in late stage because of its rarity and non-specific presentations. Surgical resection, if feasible, is the first step treatment. The prognosis of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is grim with a median survival of 3 months as reported. Surgeons should be alert to the existence of this type of soft tissue tumor in the liver.

Aim: To test the efficacy of gene therapy in rat liver tumor., Methods: A retroviral vector GCIL12EIL2PN encoding human IL-2 (hIL-2) and mouse IL-12 (mIL-12) fused gene and its packaging cell were constructed. The packaging cell lines contained of IL-2 and/or IL-12 genes were injected intrasplenically to transfect splenocyte at different time. The therapeutic effect, immune function and toxic effect were evaluated., Results: The average survival times of the 4 groups using IL genes at days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after tumor implantation were 53.3+/-3.7, 49.3+/-4.2, 31.0+/-2.1 and 24.3+/-1.4 d respectively in IL-2/IL-12 fused gene group, 25.0+/-2.5, 23.5+/-2.0, 18.3+/-2.4 and 12.0+/-1.8 d respectively in IL-2 gene treatment group, and 39.0+/-4.8, 32.0+/-3.9, 23.0+/-2.5 and 19.4+/-2.1 d respectively in IL-12 gene treatment group (P<0.01, n=10). In the IL-12/IL-2 fused gene treatment group, 30% of rats treated at days 1 and 3 survived more than 60 d and serum mIL-12 and hIL-2 levels were still high at day 3 after treatment. Compared with IL alone, NK cell activity was strongly stimulated by IL-2/IL-12 gene. Microscopy showed that livers were infiltrated by a number of lymphocytes., Conclusion: IL-2 and/or IL-12 genes injected directly into spleen increase serum IL-2 and IL-12 levels and enhance the NK cell activity, which may inhibit the liver tumor growth. The therapy of fused gene IL-2/IL-12 is of low toxicity and relatively high NK cell activity. Our data suggest that IL-2/IL-12 fused gene may be a safe and efficient gene therapy for liver tumor. The gene therapy should be administrated as early as possible.

Aim: The imaging features of MRI and DSA, using the models of implanted and induced hepatoma, were investigated in rats., Methods: CBRH3 cancer cells were implanted for different liver site of rat liver and the diethylnitrosoamine was given orally to rats in order to induce liver cancer. Both experimental groups were detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and morphologic assay., Results: Hypointensity on T1WI and homogenous high signal intensity on T2WI in MRI, and ring-like abnormal stain on DSA were found in implanted cancer. Induced cancers appeared as homogeneous or heterogeneous hypointensity on T1WI (10 cases), and equal or slight high intensity on T2WI (8 cases), but some as hypointensity on T2WI (2 cases)., Conclusion: The imaging features of implanted cancers were similar to that of human liver metastases. Therefore, it could serve as an experimental model of human liver metastatic tumor. The imaging feature of induced cancers, whereas, were similar to that of human primary liver cancer. It could be use as an experimental model of human primary liver cancer.