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InSb-based materials are promising thermoelectric (TE) alternatives at medium temperature with the high power factor (PF) derived from the intrinsically ultra-high mobility (104–105 cm2 V−1 s−1). N-type InSb-based TE materials have been studied extensively due to the intrinsic Sb vacancies originating from the low formation energy. Based on that π-type TE devices are in favor of P-, N-legs with similar thermal expansivity, P-type InSb-based materials are highly desired. Herein, P-type InSb is synthesized by adjusting the Fermi energy via performing Cd doping. The PF reaches up to ~1.91 × 10−3 W m−1 K−2 at 723 K due to the increased electrical conductivity and inhibited bipolar diffusion effect caused by the high carrier concentration. Furthermore, the lattice thermoelectric conductivity is reduced to 2.0 W m−1 K−1 at 723 K on account of intensive phonon scattering and suppressed bipolar diffusion effect. Finally, benefiting from the simultaneous optimization of the electrical and thermal properties, the optimized figure of merit (zT) value of 0.40 (increased by ~7.0 times) at 723 K was achieved in P-type Cd0.07In0.93Sb, which is comparable with most N-type InSb-based materials. This study could be significant to develop cognate thermostable TE devices using the P-type InSb counterparts.

SnTe has received considerable attention as an environmentally friendly alternative to the representative thermoelectric material of PbTe. However, excessive hole carrier concentration in SnTe results in an extremely low Seebeck coefficient and high thermal conductivity, which makes it exhibit relatively inferior thermoelectric properties. In this work, the thermoelectric performance of p-type SnTe is enhanced through regulating its energy band structures and reducing its electronic thermal conductivity by combining Bi doping with CdSe alloying. First, the carrier concentration of SnTe is successfully suppressed via Bi doping, which significantly decreases the electronic thermal conductivity. Then, the convergence and flattening of the valence band by alloying CdSe effectively improves the effective mass of SnTe while restraining its carrier mobility. Consequently, the electronic thermal conductivity is markedly reduced. Finally, a maximum ZT of ~ 0.87 at 823 K and an average ZT of ~ 0.51 at 300-823 K have been achieved in Sn0.96Bi0.04Te-5%CdSe. Our results indicate that decreasing the electronic thermal conductivity is an effective means of improving the performance of thermoelectric materials with a high carrier concentration.

Background. COPD is a chronic respiratory disease with a long course and recurrent characteristics. According to relevant statistics, the global incidence of COPD is more than 30%, which seriously affects the life of patients and endangers their health. Objective. To observe the curative effect of Xiyanping in elderly patients with COPD and its influence on the expressions of growth differentiation GDF-15 and HIF-1α in serum. Methods. From August 2019 to December 2021, 86 elderly patients with acute exacerbation of COPD were admitted to our hospital. As the research objects, they were divided into the control group ( n = 43 ) and the observation group ( n = 43 ) randomly. The control group received the conventional treatment, while the observation group got Xiyanping on the basis of the control group. The differences in the duration of antibiotic use, expectoration, hospital stays, adverse reactions and serum-related factors, blood routine, pulmonary function, airway hyperreactivity index, COPD assessment test (CAT) score, and Borg score were made a comparison between them. Results. On the 3rd and 7th days after being treated, the sputum excretion in them was higher than before, but on the 3rd day of treatment, the sputum excretion in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, while on the 7th day of treatment, the sputum excretion was lower than that in the control group with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05 ). Before treatment, the serum-related factors and blood routine indexes between them were similar ( P > 0.05 ). After treatment, GDF-15, HIF-1α, CXCL12, TNF-α, IL-8, TGF-β, WBC, and NEU in them were significantly lower than before, and the values in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05 ). There was no difference in the related indexes of pulmonary function and airway hyperreactivity between them before treatment. After being treated, FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC in them were significantly higher than those before treatment. The airway resistance and lung compliance of the two groups at exhalation and inspiration were significantly lower than before, and the values in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P < 0.05 ). There was no difference in CAT and Borg scores between them before treatment. After treatment, the CAT score and Borg score of these patients were significantly lower than those before treatment, and the value of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P < 0.05 ). The duration of antibiotic use and length of stay in the observation group were significantly shorter than those of the control group, while the incidence of adverse reactions was not statistically significantly different compared with the control group ( P > 0.05 ). Conclusion. Xiyanping can improve pulmonary function of elderly patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, reduce the response of airway hyperreactivity, and promote the excretion of sputum.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and controllable risk factors of osteoporosis in elderly men with type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 250 elderly OP patients with T2DM were included in the present study. Patients with one or more common chronic diseases (including hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, chronic bronchitis, chronic nephrosis, and cirrhosis), and a course of more than 3 years were defined as complicated with chronic diseases. Blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein, high‐density lipoprotein, calcium, phosphorus, glycosylated hemoglobin, urea nitrogen, creatinine, fasting insulin, liver function, and 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 levels were measured. Bone mineral density was also measured. Results A total of 16 patients (6.4%) had severe osteoporosis. Furthermore, 66 patients (26.4%) had blood glucose control that reached the standard, while 176 patients (70.4%) used more than two anti‐diabetic drugs. The serum testosterone level was lower than the median in 87 patients (34.8%) and in 56 smokers (22.4%). Furthermore, 138 patients (55.2%) were overweight and obese, six patients (2.4%) were underweight, 197 patients (78.8%) had chronic diseases, 88 patients (35.2%) were sticking to exercise, and 117 patients (46.8%) had less exercise. In addition, 92 patients (36.8%) were treated with osteotrophy‐protective agents, and 24 patients (9.6%) received anti‐osteoporosis therapy. Smoking, poor glycemic control, low testosterone levels, less exercise, and complications with chronic diseases were the most relevant controllable risk factors. Conclusion For elderly male osteoporosis patients with type‐2 diabetes, smoking cessation, blood sugar control up to the standard, regular exercise, active prevention and treatment of complications, and appropriate testosterone supplementation are necessary for preventing and curing osteoporosis., Technology roadmap

Cardiovascular diseases have become one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Stents and artificial grafts have been used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Thrombosis and restenosis seriously impact the clinical outcome of stents and artificial vascular grafts. For the purpose of antithrombosis and anti-restenosis, numerous strategies have been developed to construct highly hemocompatible surfaces, enhance endothelialization, and inhibit intimal hyperplasia. Rapid endothelialization and inhibited intimal hyperplasia play an important role in artery repair after stent implantation and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This review focuses on the recently developed strategies for improving the hemocompatibility and endothelialization of cardiovascular devices. We also introduce drug, gene and RNA delivery technologies for inhibiting intimal hyperplasia. The challenges and future perspectives about promoting endothelialization are also briefly discussed with the hope to help inspire further innovations.

International audience; Objective: The prognostication of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) patients remains uncertain, mainly based on carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), with limited utility. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has been suggested as a prognostic factor, but its added value has been poorly explored. The objective was to determine whether ctDNA is an independent factor for the prognostication of mPDAC.Design: Translational study based on two prospective collections of plasma samples of mPDAC patients naïve for chemotherapy. One used as a test series and the other as validation series coming from two randomised trials (Prodige 35 and Prodige 37). CtDNA was assessed by digital droplet PCR targeting two methylated markers (HOXD8 and POU4F1) according to a newly developed and validated method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed according to ctDNA status.Results: Of 372 plasma samples available, 354 patients were analyzed for survival. In the validation series, 145 of 255 patients were found ctDNA positive (56.8%), Median PFS and OS were 5.3 and 8.2 months in ctDNA-positive and 6.2 and 12.6 months in ctDNA-negative patients, respectively. ctDNA positivity was more often associated with young age, high CA19-9 level and neutrophils lymphocytes ratio. In multivariate analysis including these previous markers, ctDNA was confirmed as an independent prognostic marker for PFS (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.5, CI 95% [1.03-2.18], p = 0.034) and OS (HR 1.62, CI 95% [1.05-2.5], p = 0.029).Conclusions: In this first ctDNA assessment in a large series of mPDAC derived from clinical trials, ctDNA was detectable in 56.8% of patients and confirmed as an independent prognostic marker.

Background In non-metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), we evaluated prospectively the pertinence of longitudinal detection and quantification of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a prognostic marker of recurrence. Method The presence of ctDNA was assessed from plasma collected before and after surgery for 184 patients classified as stage II or III and at each visit during 3–4 years of follow-up. The ctDNA analysis was performed by droplet-based digital polymerase chain reaction, targeting mutation and methylation markers, blindly from the clinical outcomes. Multivariate analyses were adjusted on age, gender, stage, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Results Before surgery, 27.5% of patients were positive for ctDNA detection. The rate of recurrence was 32.7% and 11.6% in patients with or without detectable ctDNA respectively (P = 0.001). Time to recurrence (TTR) was significantly shorter in patients with detectable ctDNA before (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 3.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71–7.47) or immediately after surgery (adjusted HR = 3.22, 95% CI 1.32–7.89). The TTR was significantly shorter in patients with detectable ctDNA during the early postoperative follow-up (1–6 months) (adjusted HR = 5, 95% CI 1.9–12.9). Beyond this period, ctDNA remained a prognostic marker with a median anticipated diagnosis of recurrence of 13.1 weeks (interquartile range 28 weeks) when compared to imaging follow-up. The rate of ctDNA+ might be underestimated knowing that consensus pre-analytical conditions were not described at initiation of the study. Conclusion This prospective study confirms the relevance of ctDNA as a recurrence risk factor in stage II and III CRC before surgery and as a marker of minimal residual disease after surgery that may predict recurrence several months before imaging techniques.

Background Preoperative anemia is an important pillar of perioperative patient blood management. However, there was no literature comprehensively described the current situation of preoperative anemia in China. Methods We conducted a national retrospective cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence and intervention of preoperative anemia in Chinese adults. Data were from the National Preoperative Anemia Database based on hospital administration data from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2018. Findings A total of 797,002 patients were included for analysis. Overall, 27.57% (95% CI 27.47–27.67) of patients had preoperative anemia, which varied by gender, age, regions, and type of operation. Patients who were female, age over 60 years old, from South China, from provinces with lower per capita GDP, underwent operations on the lymphatic and hematopoietic system, with laboratory abnormalities were more likely to have a high risk of preoperative anemia. Among patients with preoperative anemia, 5.16% (95% CI 5.07–5.26) received red blood cell transfusion, 7.79% (95% CI 7.67–7.91) received anemia-related medications such as iron, erythropoietin, folic acid or vitamin B12, and 12.25% (95% CI 12.10–12.40) received anemia-related therapy (red blood cell transfusion or anemia-related medications) before operation. The probability of preoperative RBC transfusion decreased by 54.92% (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.46–0.47) as each 10-g/L increase in preoperative hemoglobin. Patients with preoperative hemoglobin less than 130 g/L was associated with longer hospital stay and more hospital costs. Patients with severe preoperative anemia given iron preoperatively had lower intra/post-operative RBC transfusion rate, shorter length of stay and less hospitalization costs, but no similar correlation was found in patients with mild and moderate preoperative anemia and patients given erythropoietin preoperatively. Interpretation Our present study shows that preoperative anemia is currently a relatively prevalent problem that has not been fully appreciated in China. More researches will be required to optimize the treatment of preoperative anemia. Funding National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Logistics Support Department of the Central Military Commission.

The chemical constituents in Shenmai Injection(SMI) were qualitatively analyzed by using liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(LC-Q-TOF-MS) and liquid chromatography-ion trap-mass spectrometry(LC-IT-MS). The analysis was performed on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C_(18)(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) and gradient elution was carried out with 0.05% formic acid solution-acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 mL·min~(-1) and a column temperature of 30 ℃. Mass spectrometry data of the components in SMI were collected in negative ion mode. The structures of components were speculated and identified by analyzing mass spectrometry data, comparing with standards, and referring to related literature. A total of 64 components in SMI were estimated, and the structures were confirmed in 16 of them by comparison with standards. Fifty-six compounds derived from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra included 34 protopanaxadiol ginsenosides, 19 protopanaxatriol ginsenosides, 1 oleanane ginsenosides and 2 other glycosides. Eight compounds derived from Ophiopogonis Radix included 7 steroidal saponins, and 1 monoterpene glycoside. The results of this study would provide an important theoretical basis for the improvement of the quality control standards and the discovery of effective constituents in SMI.

Human breast cancer cells exhibit considerable diversity in the methylation status of genomic DNA CpGs that regulate metastatic transcriptome networks. In this study, we identified human Sipa1 promoter-proximal elements that contained a CpG island and demonstrated that the methylation status of the CpG island was inversely correlated with SIPA1 protein expression in cancer cells. 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, promoted the expression of Sipa1 in the MCF7 breast cancer cells with a low level of SIPA1 expression. On the contrary, in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with a high SIPA1-expression level, hypermethylation of the CpG island negatively regulated the transcription of Sipa1. In addition, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was reversed after knocking-down of Sipa1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. However, the EMT was promoted in MCF7 cells with over-expression of SIPA1 or treated with 5-Aza-CdR. Taken together, hypomethylation of the CpG island in Sipa1 promoter-proximal elements could enhance SIPA1 expression in breast cancer cells, which could facilitate EMT of cancer cells, possibly increasing a risk of cancer cell metastasis in patients treated with 5-Aza-CdR.

Aspergillus niger CJ-1 was applied to conduct fermentation process on tartary buckwheat leaves (TBL), and effect of fermentation time on antioxidant ability and chemical compositions was revealed. Antioxidant ability of TBL showed a three-stage change tendency during fermentation, which was relatively consistent with change in chemical compositions. Rutin and quercetin were identified as remarkable contributors among fermentation. Both total polyphenols, rutin and quercetin was positively being correlated with antioxidant activity of TBL. Results indicated that fermentation time influenced antioxidant activity by altering content of TBL phenolic compounds, which showed a three-stage change law: augmenting at the early stage of fermentation, declining at the medium stage of fermentation, and slightly changing during the last stage. This tendency suggested that fermentation was a potent means to promote antioxidant capacity of agro-food unless fermentation time was controlled. This study may provide a theoretical basis for producing fermented foods with high bioactivity.

Human breast cancer cells exhibit considerable diversity in the methylation status of genomic DNA CpGs that regulate metastatic transcriptome networks. In this study, we identified human Sipa1 promoter-proximal elements that contained a CpG island and demonstrated that the methylation status of the CpG island was inversely correlated with SIPA1 protein expression in cancer cells. 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, promoted the expression of Sipa1 in the MCF7 breast cancer cells with a low level of SIPA1 expression. On the contrary, in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with high SIPA1 expression levels, hypermethylation of the CpG island negatively regulated the transcription of Sipa1. In addition, the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) was reversed after knocking down Sipa1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. However, the EMT was promoted in MCF7 cells with over-expression of SIPA1 or treated with 5-Aza-CdR. Taken together, hypomethylation of the CpG island in Sipa1 promoter-proximal elements could enhance SIPA1 expression in breast cancer cells, which could facilitate EMT of cancer cells, possibly increasing a risk of cancer cell metastasis in individuals treated with 5-Aza-CdR., Summary: Hypomethylation by 5-Aza-CdR upregulates the SIPA1 expression and promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells, possibly increasing the risk of cancer cell metastasis.

4136 Background: Circulating tumor DNA has emerged as prognostic biomarker in oncology. Many different genes can be mutated within a tumor, complicating procedures, even with highly sensitive next-generation sequencing (NGS). DNA methylation in promotor of specific genes is an early key epigenetic change during oncogenesis. Specific methylated genes could be a potential relevant cancer biomarker that may substitute for NGS panels. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of Met-DNA in mPAC. Methods: Prognostic value of Met-DNA was assessed in a prospective cohort (PLAPAN) of mPAC (training cohort), correlated with NGS, then in two prospective independent validation cohorts from two randomized phase II trials (PRODIGE 35 and 37). Plasma samples were collected before chemotherapy on EDTA-coated tubes. Met-DNA was quantified using two specific markers of pancreatic DNA methylation by digital droplet PCR and correlated with prospectively registered patient (pts) characteristics and oncologic outcomes (progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)). Results: 330 patients (pts) were enrolled. 60% (n = 58) of the 96 pts of the training cohort had at least one Met-DNA marker. The correlation with NGS assessment was R = 0.93 (Pearson; p < 0.001). 59.5% (n = 100/168) and 59% (n = 39/66) of pts had detectable Met-DNA in the 2 validation cohorts. In the training cohort, Met-DNA was correlated with poor OS (HR = 1.82; 95%CI 1.07-2.42; p = 0.026). In validation cohorts, Met-DNA was a prognostic factor of PFS (HR = 1.62; 95%CI 1.17-2.25, p = 004) and OS (HR = 1.79; 95%CI 1.28-2.49, p < 0.001) in PRODIGE 35, as in PRODIGE 37: PFS HR = 1.79 (95%CI 1.07-2.99; p = 0.026) and OS HR = 2.08 (95%CI [1.18-3.68], p = 0.01), respectively. In multivariate analysis adjusted on gender, age, CA19-9 > 40UI.mL, treatment arm, number of metastatic sites and stratified on center, Met-DNA was independently associated with poor OS in both trials: HR = 1.81 (95%CI 1.10-2.98; p = 0.02) and HR = 3.62 (95%CI: 1.32-9.93; p = 0.01). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that Met-DNA is a strong independent prognostic factor in mPAC. These results argue for patient’s stratification on ctDNA status for further randomized trials. Clinical trial information: NCT02827201 and NCT02352337.

We aimed to determine whether pretherapeutic assessment of HPV circulating tumoral DNA (HPV ctDNA) by droplet-based digital PCR (ddPCR) could constitute a predictive and prognostic biomarker for HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). A mono-institutional prospective biomarker study on 66 patients with p16+/HPV16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) was conducted in European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France. Blood samples were collected at the time of diagnosis before any treatment. Optimized digital PCR assays were used to quantify HPV16 ctDNA. Forty-seven (71%) patients showed a positive pretherapeutic HPV ctDNA at time of diagnosis. Interestingly, the quantity of HPV16 ctDNA at baseline, as assessed by ddPCR, was significantly correlated with the T/N/M status or OPSCC stages according to the 2018 new staging criteria for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV) related OPSCC from American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). Moreover, all recurrences and the majority (83%) of death reported events occurred in patients with positive HPV16 ctDNA at baseline. Finally, when posttreatment blood samples were available (n = 6), the kinetic of pretreatment/posttreatment HPV16 ctDNA was clearly associated with treatment success or failure. HPV ctDNA monitoring by ddPCR could constitute a useful and noninvasive dynamic biomarker to select HR HPV-related OPSCC patients eligible for potential treatment de-escalation and to monitor treatment response.

The phytochemical investigation of Abies chensiensis led to the isolation and identification of nine new compounds including eight triterpenoids (1-8) and a new abietane-type diterpene (9), along with three known compounds (10-12). The absolute configuration of 9 was assigned by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1-11 were evaluated for the anti-inflammatory activity. Among the tested compounds, 1, 2, 5 and 6 exhibited potent inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 15.97, 18.73, 20.18 and 10.97μM, respectively.

The S-adenosyl methionine synthetase gene FaSAMS1 is involved in the regulation of strawberry fruit ripening, however, the biochemical properties of FaSAMS1 protein remain unclear. Here, a coding cDNA sequence of FaSAMS1 was cloned by RT-PCR and inserted into a recombinant yeast expression vector pPICZA, then transformed into the yeast expression strain X-33. The fusion protein FaSAMS1 was induced, expressed, and purified. The enzymatic activity analysis of FaSAMS1 showed that the reaction system contains 0.09 mg of FaSAMS1, protein concentration reached at 0.454 mg·mL-1, the activity of the enzyme was 0.32 U, specific activity was 3.56 U·mg-1. This study has provided biochemical evidence for the involvement of ethylene in the regulation of strawberry fruit ripening.Â

The development of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) has been associated with the ingestion of aristolochic acid (AA) in Chinese herbs. The tumors are more malignant and patients have a worse prognosis in China compared with that in Western countries. Recently, whole-genome and exome sequencing of AA-associated UTUCs found that the most frequently mutated gene was lysine demethylase 6A (KDM6A). However, its biological role and clinical significance have not yet been defined in patients with UTUC in China. A total of 108 surgically resected UTUC samples were obtained. Using immunohistochemistry, the protein expression level of KDM6A in the tumors was investigated together with the clinical and pathological characteristics of the patients, including survival times. In the present study, the expression level of KDM6A was significantly lower in UTUC specimens compared with that in samples from the normal urothelium. Lower KDM6A expression was also found to be significantly associated with a higher tumor grade and shorter cancer-specific and disease-free survival times (P=0.023 and P=0.033, respectively). In addition, using immunohistochemical analysis, no positive association was found between KDM6A expression and the expression of H3K27me3 or histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EZH2, a histone methyltransferase that generates H3K27me3. The results of the present study indicated that decreased KDM6A expression level was significantly associated with tumor grade and decreased survival time in UTUC, suggesting that KDM6A expression could be used as a prognostic marker in patients with UTUC in China.

Thermoelectric materials that can directly convert heat to electrical energy offer a viable solution for reducing the usage of fossil energy by harvesting waste heat resources. Higher manganese silicide (HMS) is a naturally abundant, eco-friendly, and low-cost p-type thermoelectric semiconductor with high power factor (PF); however, its figure of merit (ZT) is limited by intrinsically high thermal conductivity (κ). For effectively enhancing the thermoelectric performance of HMS and avoiding the use of expensive or toxic elements, such as Re, Te, or Pb, a green p-type MnS with high Seebeck coefficient (S) and low κ is incorporated into the HMS matrix to form MnS/HMS composites. The incorporation of MnS leads to a 31% reduction of κ and a 10% increase of S. The ZT value increases by ≈48% from 0.40 to 0.59 at 823 K. Correspondingly, performance/price ratio is first proposed to evaluate the practical value of thermoelectric materials, which is higher than those of the vast majority of current thermoelectric materials. This study provides an overview of enhancing ZT of HMS and reducing costs, which may also be applicable to other thermoelectric materials.

GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) and mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency contribute to the development of urothelial carcinoma. However, the combined expression of GATA3 and microsatellite instability (MSI) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and its prognostic value have not been investigated. Here, we immunohistochemically stained GATA3 and MMR proteins in 108 UTUC samples. GATA3 was positive in 74 cases, and its expression was significantly lower than in adjacent benign urothelium (P < 0.001). Loss of GATA3 expression was statistically associated with adverse clinicopathologic parameters, such as advanced stage, lymphovascular invasion, neural invasion, lymph node metastasis, and extensive necrosis. Cancer-specific survival (CSS, P = 0.028) and disease-free survival (DFS, P = 0.024) were significantly shorter in patients with GATA3 negative tumors than in patients with GATA3 positive tumors. The absence of MMR proteins was observed in 8.3% of the cases, and focal staining was identified in 13.0%. When using “lax criteria” which resulted in counting cases as negative where MMR staining was in fact focally positive (< 5%), we found that GATA3 was inversely associated with MSI (P = 0.005). Moreover, GATA3−/microsatellite stability (MS) tumors were correlated with advanced pT stage (P < 0.001) and poor outcome (P = 0.019 for CSS, P = 0.016 for DFS) compared with GATA3+/ MSI ones. The GATA3−/MSI cases had unfavorable clinical outcomes compared with GATA3+/MSI cases (P = 0.008 for CSS, P = 0.023 for DFS). This finding raises a question as to whether GATA3 interacts with MSI through the TGF-β signaling pathway and regulates UTUC progression.

International audience; Early detection of cancers through the analysis of ctDNA could have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality of cancer patients. However, using ctDNA for early cancer diagnosis is challenging partly due to the low amount of tumor DNA released in the circulation and its dilution within DNA originating from non-tumor cells. Development of new technologies such as droplet-based digital PCR (ddPCR) or optimized next generation sequencing (NGS) has greatly improved the sensitivity, specificity and precision for the detection of rare sequences. Areas covered: This paper will focus on the potential application of ddPCR and optimized NGS to detect ctDNA for detection of cancer recurrence and minimal residual disease as well as early diagnosis of cancer patients. Expert commentary: Compared to tumor tissue biopsies, blood-based ctDNA analyses are minimally invasive and accessible for regular follow-up of cancer patients. They are also described as a better picture of patients' pathology allowing to highlight both tumor heterogeneity and multiple tumor sites. After a brief introduction on the application of the follow-up of ctDNA using genetic or epigenetic biomarkers for prognosis and surveillance of cancer patients, potential perspectives of using ctDNA for early diagnosis of cancers will be presented.

A gate electrode is usually used to controllably tune the carrier concentrations, further modulating the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient to obtain the optimum thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) in two-dimensional materials. On the other hand, it is necessary to investigate how an electric field induced by a gate voltage affects the electronic structures, further determining the thermoelectric properties. Therefore, by using density functional calculations in combination with Boltzmann theory, the thermoelectric properties of bilayer MX

Gas disaster and prevention is the critical issue in heading laneways of underground coal mine. There are two goals needs to meet, one is air quantity requirement and energy conservation during normal ventilation, the other is safety and quickly during gas outburst. Firstly, gas migration character and auxiliary ventilation system placements are described in detail. Since two control goals need to reach, a dual-mode fuzzy control strategy for auxiliary ventilation is established. Besides weight calculation method which harmonizes subjective and objective weight calculation is put forward. After then, a gas discharging experiment platform including PLC controller, converter and heading laneway simulation model is established on the basis of theoretical analysis and simulation results. Finally, experimental results have shown that the system can safely and efficiently fulfill the function both at normal ventilation and gas discharging.

In this research, an experimental apparatus that composed of adiabatic packed absorption and regeneration columns was established to simulate H2S removal process. The results show that the reaction between CO2 and MDEA can be regarded as a rapid pseudo-first-order reversible reaction and the CO2 absorption mainly is controlled by liquid film resistance while the reaction between H2S and MDEA are reversible instantaneous. For H2S absorption, it is mainly controlled by gas film resistance but the rate of liquid film resistance to the total resistance of H2S absorption was distributed from 25.7% (column bottom) to 12.6% (column up).

Informatization is an inevitable trend in the world development. Accounting informatization is an important part of enterprise informatization. Focusing on the connotation of accounting informatization, this paper firstly analyzes the current situation of the accounting information in China. Then it points out the existing problems of accounting informatization in China. These problems include lack of understanding of the nature and importance of accounting informatization, lower overall quality of accounting personnel and the lack of integrated talents, realizing information resources sharing with difficulty, blind investment in accounting informatization construction and poor universality and standardization of financial software, and threatened data security. Finally it puts forward the corresponding countermeasures to promote the healthy development of accounting informatization in China.

Recently, 3D printing technology has obtained the rapid development which brings immeasurable changes. It is considered to be one of the main marks of the third industrial revolution. The shares of Avic Heavy Machinery co., Ltd (600765) involving 3D printing technology continuously hardened six times in January 2013.Taking it as an example, we expound the connotation and advantages of 3D printing technology seriously and also elaborate the background of 3D printing technology. In addition, by analyzing its operation ability, profitability and growth capacity, we find the shares of Avic Heavy Machinery co., Ltd (600765) hardened on account of 3D concept hype, and not its performance. Then we describe the existing problems in the development of 3D printing technology in our country. Finally we give some corresponding suggestions to the development of 3D printing technology from three angles.

Objective This study aimed to explore the relationship between urinary metabolites and clinical chemotherapy response in breast cancer by CE-MS coupled with on-line concentration. Design and methods Urine samples were obtained from patients with advanced or locally advanced breast cancer (n = 21) before and after chemotherapy and healthy volunteers (n = 21). A rapid and sensitive hexadimethrine bromide-coating CE-MS method coupled with normal stacking is developed for the determination of organic acids in human urine. Another CE-MS method coupled with pH-mediated sample stacking is used for the analysis of amino acids and organic acids. Results After receiving chemotherapy, chemotherapy-sensitive patients showed 30% change in metabolite levels compared to healthy people, while chemotherapy-insensitive patients showed only 9% change in metabolite levels compared to healthy people showing recurrence. The extent of energy insufficiency for chemotherapy-insensitive patients was greater than that for chemotherapy-sensitive patients. Conclusions Urinary metabolic products may be new potential predictive markers for therapy efficacy. However, more studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these conclusions.

Calycosin, which is a kind of typical phytoestrogen, can bind with estrogen receptor and produce estrogen-like effects. Calycosin were reported to have antioxidant, anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor and immunomodulating activities. This review covers biological activities and its mechanism of calycosin. It will provide a useful reference for clinical research and rational utilization of monomericompound.

International audience