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Using N-vinylimidazole as the reactant and introducing different ether-based side chains pH/salt dual-sensitive poly(imidazole ionic liquid) gel (P[CnOC2vim]Cl, n=1, 2, 3) was designed and synthesized. The structure characteristic of the gel was determined by IR spectra and SEM. The swelling ratio of gel under different conditions was investigated, including releasing property for ciprofloxacin (CIP) and berberine (Ber). The results showed that P[CnOC2vim]Cl(n=1, 2, 3) gel exhibits typical pH-sensitivity and salt-sensitivity. Its swelling ratio increased first and then decreased, and reached the maximum when the value of pH was 7.4; the swelling rate is smaller under the higher concentration of the NaCl. Furthermore, P[COC2vim]Cl gel with the short ether chain has the highest release rate of CIP and Ber at pH=7.4, the release behavior is in accord with the first-order kinetic equation. With the increase of the side chain of ether group, the cumulative release rate of P[CnOC2vim]Cl(n=2, 3) gel to CIP and Ber decreased obviously, and the behavior comforts to Higuchi kinetic equation. The results suggest that P[CnOC2vim]Cl(n=1, 2, 3) gel is the pH/salt dual-sensitive potential carrier for controlled drug release.

In general, cerebral blood flow accounts for 10–15% of cardiac output (CO), of which about 75% was delivered through the carotid arteries. Hence, if carotid blood flow (CBF) is constantly proportional to CO with high reproducibility and reliability, it would be of great value to measure CBF alternatively to CO. The aim of our study was to measure CBF in different cardiac cycles by ultrasound: Systolic carotid blood flow (SCF), Diastolic carotid blood flow (DCF) and Total (systolic and diastolic) carotid blood flow (TCF). And to investigate the direct correlation between CBF and CO. Whether the above correlation persisted when CO

BACKGROUND: Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), which is usually expressed by lung adenocarcinomas and small cell carcinomas, is usually used to distinguish adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma from cells of another type of lung cancer. We examined the association between TTF-1 expression and overall survival between patients with stage IV pulmonary adenocarcinoma to investigate the role of TTF-1 as a predictive and/or prognostic tumor marker in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas. METHODS: Analysis of the clinicopathologic features, treatment regimens, and overall survival of 209 lung adenocarcinoma patients who had been detected for TTF-1 expression and received consecutive treatments in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. RESULTS: TTF-1 expression was positive in 166 (79%) and negative in 43 (21%) patients who were reviewed. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the clinicopathologic features of TTF-1 positive and TTF-1 negative tumors. In the multivariable review, the overall survival of TTF-1 positive tumor patients was significantly longer than that of TTF-1 negative tumor patients [22.7 vs. 11.8 months (P

Tumor-associated regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important effectors in the tumor microenvironment (TME), acting as accomplices in the promotion of tumor progression. Currently, the importance of removing the immunosuppressive activity in the TME has received its due attention, and Tregs have been focused on. The cytokine-receptor axes are among the essential signaling pathways in immunocytes, and tumor-associated Tregs are no exception. Therefore, manipulating cytokine-receptor pathways may be a promising effective strategy for treating various malignancies. Here, we summarize the classification, immunosuppressive mechanisms, existing immunotherapies, and potential biomarkers related to tumor-infiltrating Tregs to guide the development of effective cancer immunotherapies.

The DFT calculation of the B3LYP level was carried out to explore the reaction mechanism of the synthesis of spirocyclo[4, 5]decane skeleton by gold-catalyzed allenyl compounds. The more accurate energy under the CH3CN solvent in the experiment is calculated by the single point energy of the SMD model. Computational studies have shown that the reaction consists of three main steps: intramolecular cycloaddition of the end group carbon atoms of allenyl and vinyl groups, the semipinacol rearrangement process in which the four-membered ring is reconstructed into the five-membered ring, the elimination reaction releases the catalyst and obtains the product. The calculation results show that Zheng et al. reported that the gold-catalyzed synthesis reaction can easily occur under the experimental conditions due to its low activation free energy (12.42–16.79 kcal/mol). Furthermore, it was found that the MOMO(CH2)2 substituent has higher reactivity than the corresponding reactant of the phenyl substituent.

Highlights • NbSe2 micro/nanoparticles were achieved by ultrasonic-assisted exfoliation. • Prolonged ageing process modifies the morphology and chemical composition. • The excellent lubricating property with low friction coefficient and longer lifetime is obtained., 2H-NbSe2 single crystal flake (ca. 2 × 2 × 0.5 mm in size) by chemical vapor transport is employed as the precursor for a top-down preparation of NbSe2 micro/nanoparticles by two kinds of processes, i.e. (1) mechanical exfoliation; (2) ultrasonic-assisted exfoliation in ethanol without ageing and with ageing for 210 days. NbSe2 micro/nanoparticles are applied on top of a Cu disk by a drop-casting process and the tribological property in sliding against a Cu pin under sliding electrical contact is investigated at room temperature. Mechanical exfoliation produces NbSe2 microplatets with typical sizes of 1 μm to 30 μ m with a thickness less than 2 μm. Ultrasonic-assisted exfoliation without aging facilitates the formation of NbSe2 micro/nanoplatets with sizes of 0.1 μm to 25 μm and nano-whiskers with 100 nm in diameter and 1 ~ 3 μm in length, but Nb2O5 and Se are also found on the basis of XPS results. Prolonged aging of the suspensions modifies the morphology by converting platets and whiskers into corrugated floccules (hybrid material), which are composed of Nb2O5, Se, NbSe2, and graphene. Notably, NbSe2 micro/nanoparticles by ultrasonic-assisted exfoliation without ageing exhibit an excellent lubricating property with low friction coefficient (0.3), mild wear, and longer wear lifetime (120 min) than that of mechanical exfoliated NbSe2 microplatets (10 min). The wear lifetime for the aged NbSe2 micro/nanoparticles can be as long as 504 min and are 4.2 times of the sample without aging, which can be a good solid lubricant for sliding electrical contact

Immunoscore can accurately predict the prognosis of patients with stage I–III colorectal cancer. However, whether it can be used to predict the prognosis of colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases (CRCPM) remains to be validated. We analyzed peritoneal and ovarian metastases in 68 patients with CRCPM. The immunoscore (IS) was based on the infiltration level of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells, whereas the TBM score was derived from the infiltration level of CD3+, CD8+, CD20+ and CD163+ cells to tumor microenvironment (TME). The predictive value of IS and TBM scores for relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with CRCPM was analyzed using Kaplan Meier curve and Cox multivariate models. Significant difference in the infiltration levels of different immune cell subtypes in primary lesions, peritoneal metastasis and ovarian metastasis were compared using t-test.CRCPM patients with high IS (>1), high TBM1 score (≥2) or high TBM2 score (≥2) had a significantly longer OS (IS: median OS, not reached vs 23 months, p = .0078; TBM1: not reached vs 21.5 months, p = .013; TBM2: 39.3 months vs 15.2 months, p = .001). On the other hand, patients with high IS had a trend of improved RFS (13.4 months vs 11.0 months, p = .067). However, TBM1 and TBM2 score has no predictive utility for RFS. Multivariate analysis revealed that IS, TBM1 and TBM2 can accurately predict OS, but not RFS. Finally, the infiltration level of CD3+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD20+ B cells, and CD68+ macrophage was significantly higher in peritoneal metastatic tissue and ovarian metastatic tissue, relative to primary tumor tissues.The IS and TBM score of peritoneal metastases could effectively predict OS of patients with CRCPM. Peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer decreased the infiltration level of T and B cells.

Background Members of the plant-specific YABBY gene family are thought to play an important role in the development of leaf, flower, and fruit. The YABBY genes have been characterized and regarded as vital contributors to fruit development in Arabidopsis thaliana and tomato, in contrast to that in the important tropical economic fruit star fruit (Averrhoa carambola), even though its genome is available. Methods In the present study, a total of eight YABBY family genes (named from AcYABBY1 to AcYABBY8) were identified from the genome of star fruit, and their phylogenetic relationships, functional domains and motif compositions, physicochemical properties, chromosome locations, gene structures, protomer elements, collinear analysis, selective pressure, and expression profiles were further analyzed. Results Eight AcYABBY genes (AcYABBYs) were clustered into five clades and were distributed on five chromosomes, and all of them had undergone negative selection. Tandem and fragment duplications rather than WGD contributed to YABBY gene number in the star fruit. Expression profiles of AcYABBYs from different organs and developmental stages of fleshy fruit indicated that AcYABBY4 may play a specific role in regulating fruit size. These results emphasize the need for further studies on the functions of AcYABBYs in fruit development.

Purpose To analysis factors prognostic for peritoneal metastases (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with surgery using data from two sources and investigate the origin and effective treatment of ovarian metastases (OM). Patients and Methods Data from CRC patients with PM who had undergone surgery were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (n = 639) and a single Chinese institution (n = 60). Cumulative survival was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Factors associated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) prognosis were assessed using Cox’s proportional hazard regression models. Results Median OS values for patients who underwent surgery were 19 and 32 months in the SEER database and Chinese center, respectively. Age was an independent predictor of OS in both datasets. Signet-ring cell cancer and perineural invasion were independent predictors of inferior OS only in the SEER dataset, while completeness of cytoreduction (CC) and peritoneal carcinomatosis index were independent predictors for OS and PFS only in the Chinese center. Median OS was 24 months in CRC patients with PM alone and 36 months in those with both PM and OM (p = 0.181). Further, median PSF in patients with PM alone was 10 months, while that in individuals with both PM and OM was 20 months (p = 0.181). Conclusion Surgical treatment of the primary and metastatic sites is effective and safe for CRC patients with PM. CC-0 is recommended for improved prognosis. Moreover, OM should be recognized as a feature of PM, and cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is beneficial for CRC patients with OM.

Oxalidaceae is one of the most important plant families in horticulture, and its key commercially relevant genus, Averrhoa, has diverse growth habits and fruit types. Here, we describe the assembly of a high-quality chromosome-scale genome sequence for Averrhoa carambola (star fruit). Ks distribution analysis showed that A. carambola underwent a whole-genome triplication event, i.e., the gamma event shared by most eudicots. Comparisons between A. carambola and other angiosperms also permitted the generation of Oxalidaceae gene annotations. We identified unique gene families and analyzed gene family expansion and contraction. This analysis revealed significant changes in MADS-box gene family content, which might be related to the cauliflory of A. carambola. In addition, we identified and analyzed a total of 204 nucleotide-binding site, leucine-rich repeat receptor (NLR) genes and 58 WRKY genes in the genome, which may be related to the defense response. Our results provide insights into the origin, evolution and diversification of star fruit.

The role of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) in predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. This is especially so because the prognostic significance and clinicopathological relevance of different subtypes of TAMs in the immune microenvironment of CRC have not yet been established. To assess the clinicopathological and prognostic value of pan-macrophages, M1-macrophages or M2-macrophages in patients with CRC. Comprehensive searched on the Medline/PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) and Google Scholar databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to April 2019. The association between overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) or disease-free survival (DFS) and TAMs was analysed by meta-analysis. A total of 3749 patients from 17 studies were included. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) indicated that high-density pan-macrophages improved OS (HR 0.67, P = 0.02). The pooled HR for M2-macrophages showed that high M2-macrophages infiltration was significantly associated with shorter OS (HR 2.93, P

Purpose In colorectal cancer (CRC), whether the immune score can be used to predict the clinical prognosis of the patient has not been completely established. Besides, the prognostic values of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in different anatomical locations, counting sites, and subtypes have been controversial. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to analyze and determine the prognostic value of TILs indices including TIL subsets, infiltrating sites, and anatomical sites. Methods Relevant literature was obtained by searching PubMed and Google Scholar. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) of the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was computed to investigate the prognostic significance of CD3+, CD8+, CD45RO+, and FOXP3+ T cells. Results A total of 22 studies involving 5108 patients were included in the meta-analysis. In CC, based on T cell subtypes analysis, the final results indicated that CD8+ and FOXP3+ infiltrating cells, but not CD3+ T cells were prognostic markers for DFS and OS. In addition, with regard to the counting location of TILs, subgroup analysis revealed that only high FOXP3+ infiltrates in the tumor stroma (ST) were significantly associated with OS (HR = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.22–0.67, P = 0.0007), whereas in invasive margin (IM), high density of CD3+ infiltrating cells indicated increased DFS (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.62–0.93, P = 0.008). At the tumor center (TC), high CD8+ T cells infiltration was associated with improved DFS (HR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.38–0.65, P

Background The biological function of squalene epoxidase (SQLE), an important rate-limiting enzyme in downstream cholesterol synthesis, is to convert squalene to 2-3 oxacin squalene. The expression of SQLE in lung cancer is abnormal. We conducted this study to investigate the effect of SQLE expression on lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) proliferation, migration, and invasion and its role in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. Methods Cell Counting Kit 8, wound healing, and Transwell assays; Western blotting; and quantitative real-time PCR were used to investigate the effect of SQLE in a lung SCC H520 cell line. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to identify the prognostic significance of SQLE. Results Overexpression of SQLE promoted lung SCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, whereas knockdown of SQLE expression showed the opposite effect. SQLE can interact with ERK to enhance its phosphorylation. SQLE may contribute to the pathogenesis of lung cancer by modulating ERK signaling. Further survival analysis indicated that high expression of SQLE indicated poor prognosis in lung SCC. Conclusion Our study presents novel evidence of potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for lung SCC therapy and prognosis.

Background Pain on injection is an acknowledged adverse effect (AE) of propofol administration for the induction of general anesthesia. Flurbiprofen axetil has been reported to reduce the pain of injection. However, results of published papers on the efficacy of flurbiprofen axetil in managing pain on injection of propofol are inconsistent. Material/Methods We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of studies to appraise the efficacy and safety of flurbiprofen axetil for controlling pain induced by propofol injection. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated employing fixed- or random-effects models, depending upon the heterogeneity of the included trials. Results Compared with the placebo group, flurbiprofen axetil allows more patients to have no pain (RR 3.51, 95% CI 2.22–5.55, p=0.000), and decreases the cumulative number of patients with mild, moderate, and severe pain on injecting propofol (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.58–0.86, p=0.000; RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46–0.75, p=0.000; RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.16–0.38, p=0.000, respectively). In the stratified analysis by the doses, flurbiprofen axetil at a dose of over 50 mg was found to be effective in reducing propofol-induced pain on injection; however, there were no significant differences in relieving pain between treatment and placebo groups with flurbiprofen axetil at a dose of 25 mg. In terms of drug safety, there were no adverse effects (AEs) reported between flurbiprofen axetil-based regimens and placebo regimens. Conclusions Flurbiprofen axetil, an injectable prodrug of flurbiprofen, can significantly prevent or relieve the pain induced by propofol injection. More studies are required to assess its adverse effects.