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Grapevine (Vitis spp.) is one of the most economically important fruit crops worldwide, and there is considerable interest in improving its major agronomic and enological traits in response to ever-changing agricultural environments and consumer demands. Molecular genetic techniques in particular, associated with rapid technological advancements, provide an attractive alternative to conventional breeding approaches for developing new grapevine varieties with enhanced yield performance, quality, stress tolerance and disease resistance. To date, several grapevine varieties have been transformed with genes associated with diverse functions through biolistic bombardment and/or Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and transgenic grape lines have been obtained using established regeneration systems. Nevertheless, a wide range of factors, including genotype, explant source and culture medium, have been shown to affect the efficiency of plant regeneration. Moreover, the selection and use of acceptor materials, bacterial strain and cell density, selectable markers and selection methods also influence transformation efficiency. This paper provides an overview of recent advances in grapevine regeneration and genetic transformation and in-depth discussion of the major limiting factors, and discusses promising future strategies to develop robust plant regeneration and genetic transformation in grapevine.

Stimulus-driven color-change films are a basic optical component for the fabrication of a stimulus-driven color-change optical device. The practical application of this device is greatly affected by the performance of the stimulus-driven color-change film. Herein, we present the W18O49 honeycomb mesoporous pattern (HMP) film with excellent electrochromic performance. The W18O49 HMP film is prepared on a flexible substrate (indium tin oxide-coated polyethylene terephthalate polyester film, ITO-PET) by integrating the polymer-like ultrathin W18O49 nanowires (NWs) through the classical static breath figure method. By altering the concentration of the W18O49 NW dispersion, the pore size of the obtained W18O49 HMP film can be facilely tuned; this results in tunable optical modulation. The obtained W18O49 HMP film exhibits improved electrochromic properties with an optimized optical modulation of 73%, fast switching time, high coloration efficiency, and high stability even under deformation. The presented method for the fabrication of size-tunable flexible electrochromic films from ultrathin polymer-like NWs can be further extended to the fabrication of various NW-based flexible devices in the future.

Patients with HCC receiving TACE have various clinical outcomes. Several prognostic models have been proposed to predict clinical outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), but establishing an accurate prognostic model remains necessary. We aimed to develop a radiomics signature from pretreatment CT to establish a combined radiomics-clinic (CRC) model to predict survival for these patients. We compared this CRC model to the existing prognostic models in predicting patient survival. This retrospective study included multicenter data from 162 treatment-naïve patients with unresectable HCC undergoing TACE as an initial treatment from January 2007 and March 2017. We randomly allocated patients to a training cohort (n = 108) and a testing cohort (n = 54). Radiomics features were extracted from intra- and peritumoral regions on both the arterial phase and portal venous phase CT images. A radiomics signature (Rad-signature) for survival was constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method in the training cohort. We used univariate and multivariate Cox regressions to identify associations between the Rad- signature and clinical factors of survival. From these, a CRC model was developed, validated, and further compared with previously published prognostic models including four-and-seven criteria, six-and-twelve score, hepatoma arterial-embolization prognostic scores, and albumin-bilirubin grade. The CRC model incorporated two variables: The Rad-signature (composed of features extracted from intra- and peritumoral regions on the arterial phase and portal venous phase) and tumor number. The CRC model performed better than the other seven well-recognized prognostic models, with concordance indices of 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68–0.79] and 0.70 [95% CI 0.62–0.82] in the training and testing cohorts, respectively. Among the seven models tested, the six-and-12 score and four-and-seven criteria performed better than the other models, with C-indices of 0.64 [95% CI 0.58–0.70] and 0.65 [95% CI 0.55–0.75] in the testing cohort, respectively. The CT radiomics signature represents an independent biomarker of survival in patients with HCC undergoing TACE, and the CRC model displayed improved predictive performance.

Objective The interference of the hemoglobin variant (Hb J-Bangkok) was evaluated on 4 different glycated hemoglobin assays and compared with a reference immuno assay. Methods An overall test of coincidence of 2 least-squares linear regression lines was performed to determine whether the presence of Hb J-Bangkok caused a statistically significant difference in HbA1c results compared with a reference immuno assay. Statistical analysis was performed on the difference of the estimated average glucose calculated from HbA1c values and fasting plasma glucose in the Hb J-Bangkok variant group using the different detection systems. Deming regression analysis was used to determinate whether Hb J-Bangkok had a significant interference on HbA1c results using an HbA1c±10% relative bias at 6% and 9% HbA1c as evaluation limits. Results Turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay method, and enzymatic methods were not affected by Hb J-Bangkok. However, Hb J-Bangkok showed statistically significant interference to the two ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography methods. Conclusion When performing HbA1c tests, clinical laboratory personnel should identify the Hb variant and select the appropriate methods or use alternative indicators.

Objectives This study aimed to validate the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/UICC) TNM staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in non-endemic region. Materials and methods We recruited 607 patients with histology-proven, previously untreated, non-metastatic NPC treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) at our center. Harrell’s concordance index (c-index) and Akaike information criterion (AIC) were applied to compare the prognostic discrimination between the 7th and 8th edition staging system. Results For T category, the local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) Kaplan-Meier curves of T1, T2 and T3 were well separated in the 8th edition; however, LRFS did not significantly differ between T3 and T4 (P = 0.166). Moreover, the 7th edition achieved higher c-index (0.702 [95% CI, 0.618–0.787] vs. 0.685 [95% CI, 0.604–0.767]) and lower AIC (766.1 vs. 770.8) than 8th edition for LRFS. With regard to N category, the 8th edition achieved higher c-index (0.796 [95% CI, 0.749–0.843] vs. 0.751 [95% CI, 0.696–0.805]) and lower AIC (1439.4 vs. 1471.9) for distant metastasis-free survival. In terms of overall stage, the 8th edition also had higher c-index (0.798 [95% CI, 0.753–0.844] vs. 0.721 [95% CI, 0.672–0.770]) and lower AIC (1963.9 vs. 2007.2) compared with the 7th edition for overall survival. Furthermore, interval validation by bootstrapping the sample randomly for ~100–1000 times also validated above findings. Conclusion The 8th edition of AJCC/UICC TNM staging system achieved significantly better prognostic discrimination than the 7th edition with regard to N category and overall stage but not T category.

Packaging technology developments in semiconductor chips are moving towards miniaturization, thinner products, lighter weights, and higher performance. However, in the process of packaging, warpage and residual stress have always been major problems, such as pin deviation, breakage, and weak signals. Further, the distinctive properties of the numerous materials that comprise a semiconductor chip demand different molding temperatures; thus, excessive internal thermal stresses are produced within the packaging structure which ultimately results in colloid warpage. This study used a 3D coordinate measuring machine to determine the levels of warpage produced in electronic packaging products and to verify the amount of warpage simulated by the finite element method. Then, Taguchi method was also utilized to analyze and discuss the four critical control factors namely: (1) shape of the heat sink; (2) thickness of molding; (3) molding temperature; and (4) thickness of soldering tin. Thus, the minimum thermal stress for electronic packaging components was obtained, which meant the optimal parameter combination for the packaging was a triangle-shaped heat sink, with a molding compound of 1.175 mm thick, a molding temperature of 170 °C, and a soldering tin that was 0.03 mm thick.

The surface residual stress and integrity of workpiece have significant effects on the precision, the reliability and the fatigue life of the mechanical products. Since the most final surface integrity of workpiece depends on the grinding process mainly in engineering, this paper analyzed the surface residual stress of ground surface through the simulation works. Based on the finite element model and the thermal mechanical coupling field of the surface grinding for 45 steel was simulated and analyzed. The distribution of the residual stress and the effects of grinding parameters on residual stress were discussed. In addition, the measures for improving the residual stress in ground surface were put forward.

The grinding heat directly affected workpiece surface in the grinding process and it might produce some defects such as crack and burn. Meanwhile wear debris generated in the grinding process could easily embed grinding wheel blowhole and caused clogging and passivation. So it was particular important to avoid defects and improve the grinding workpiece surface integrity effectively. This paper established an incompressible turbulent fluid spray model based on the study of the existing airflow and the grinding fluid distribution in the grinding zone. Then according to different grinding fluid supply parameters established the two-phase gas liquid spray flow model by using CFD(computational fluid dynamics), simulated and calculated the model, compared the mass flow rate of the grinding fluid flow field with different spray distances, heights, speeds and spray angles in the grinding zone and determined the most reasonable spraying jet position. At the last, through researching on the workpiece surface integrity experiment, it provided an experimental basis to determine the most suitable spray jet position and verify the rationality of supply parameters selection.

In the low-speed grinding process, the force generated when the wheel grinding the workpiece is the result of sliding friction, plough and cutting. While in the actual study, the cutting process has attracted extensive attention. Impact effect to the entire grinding process on the contact is ignored so that the error exists between the calculation grinding force and the measured grinding force. Basing on the shock effect to the grinding process, the paper divides the contact area into impact area and cutting area. And the model of impact load generated from single grit is built. Moreover, the grinding force theoretical calculation model and total grinding force mathematical model is also constructed by analyzing the impact load affecting on the grinding force mechanism. Finally experimental study verifies the correctness of theoretical analysis.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) frequently metastasizes to the cervical lymph region and less often to the lung and bone. Metastasis to the skeletal muscles from PTC is extremely rare, especially concurrent lung and skeletal muscle metastases. The present study reports the case of a 31-year-old man with synchronous metastasis to the skeletal muscle and lung from PTC, six years following total thyroidectomy and consecutive 131Iodine treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 1.7×1.2×1.5 cm mass in the left gastrocnemius muscle, indicating a neurogenic tumor. The mass was subsequently resected and confirmed via histopathology to be metastatic PTC. We propose that, in the follow-up of patients with PTC, the measurable serum thyroglobulin level, whole body scan and other imaging modalities including MRI or positron emission tomography/computed tomography, must be closely monitored for potential distant metastases, particularly in cases of PTC with aggressive pathological behavior.

The current study presents a case of primary T-cell lymphoma (PTBL), unspecified, in a 27-year-old female. The patient received chemotherapy [cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vindesine and prednisolone (CHOP) and VP-16 plus CHOP (ECHOP)] and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, however, relapse occurred rapidly. The recurrent tumor exhibited increased levels of karyopyknosis and nuclear fragmentation and a higher Ki67 index compared with the primary tumor. No response to subsequent chemotherapy, including ECHOP and gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin, was observed. The patient succumbed to PTBL, unspecified, 18 months after the diagnosis. We hypothesize that autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is ineffective for PTBL.

Prolonged immunodeficiency after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) causes significant morbidity and mortality from infection, while graft versus host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic BMT and immunosuppression therapies against GVHD further deteriorate this process. Adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have recently been shown to inhibit T-cell proliferation and reduce GVHD after allo-BMT. In this study, we characterized the effect of MSC on immunoreconstitution and hematopoietic-reconstitution after bone marrow transplantation. BMT model from Fischer344 rats (RT-1Al) to WF rats (RT-1Au) was established for this experiment. Effects of MSCs on hematopoietic reconstitution, immunoreconstitution and GVHD were studied by survival rate, peripheral blood counts, histological analysis and FACS at day +30 after transplantation. Immune function recovery were assessed by lymphocyte proliferation reaction stimulated with ConA and LPS and allogeneic mixed-lymphocyte reaction. At day 30 postransplant, compared with BMT groups, we observed that cotransplantation of MSC and bone marrow promoted the recovery of peripheral blood white blood cells (5.47±1.11x109/L vs7.12±1.70x109/L, p