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Multi-dimensional stochastic factors challenge the interactive energy scheduling of the industrial integrated energy system (IIES). Previous research focuses on either deterministic energy scheduling or individual stochastic scheduling while neglecting complicated interactions among uncertain parties, which brings the research gaps about stochastic multi-party’s interaction. In this regard, a multi-party stochastic energy scheduling approach in IIES is proposed based on the stochastic game. A decentralized decision support system is considered, and a stochastic utility model is designed for decentralized IUs with multi-dimensional stochastic factors from photovoltaic (PV) production and IIES parameters, enabling them to participate in the multi-energy scheduling with their own strategies. A stochastic game model is developed considering the thermoelectric coupling and the IUs’ interaction. The co-decision mechanism, recognizing different transfer times of electrical and thermal energy, is built based on the state transition within the game. Moreover, a distributed solution algorithm that includes the Markov decision process and iterative method is designed to address the problem of the “curse of dimensionality” arising from multiple stochastic factors. Finally, case studies with realistic data from an industrial park in Guangdong Province, China, are designed to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach, which enhances IUs’ profits by 9.4% and fits flexible load strategies and price strategies. The decentralized system can also reduce the computation time by 70.1% compared to the centralized system. Through analyzing different number of scenarios and intervals for PV generation, electrical and thermal load, the conclusion has obtained that increase the number of scenarios has a negative effect on IUs’ decision, but increase the number of load intervals contributes to more specific results and higher utility.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the main reasons for screening failure in the screening process of healthy subjects in phase I clinical trials and coping strategies. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from the screening process of 1,640 healthy subjects in 12 phase I clinical trials conducted between April 2019 and July 2020 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College. The reasons for screening failure were statistically analyzed (χ(2) test), and correlation studies were conducted to explore the main factors associated with screening failure. RESULTS: Among the 1,640 healthy subjects, 632 (38.5%) successfully passed screening, and 1,008 (61.5%) failed screening. Abnormal laboratory test results (43.25%), abnormal vital sign examination results (11.81%), withdrawal of informed consent (10.02%), abnormal height/weight examination results (8.33%), and abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) examination results (5.66%) accounted for 79.07% of the screening failures. Subjects aged 46–57 years were more likely to fail screening than those aged 18–30 or 31–45 years (158/220 vs. 541/893 vs. 309/527, respectively, P=0.002), and males were more likely than females to fail screening (721/1, 133 vs. 287/507, respectively, P=0.007). However, the distance between the subject’s residence and clinical trial institution (P=0.491) was not significantly correlated with screening failure. CONCLUSIONS: Before trial screening, healthy subjects should be informed of the clinical trial risks and have sufficient time to consider or discuss participation with their family members. In addition, subjects should be informed that they should eat lightly, have adequate rest, and maintain a relaxed state of mind prior to screening. Regarding fluctuations in the normal range of laboratory indicators and ECG examination reports during the screening process, clinicians should determine the medical decision level (MDL) for each indicator. If no clinical significance is identified, then the subject can be included. In terms of sex and age, this study provides reasonable suggestions to further improve project protocols and improve the healthy subject screening success rate.

TRAF-interacting protein (TRAIP) is a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase which has been implicated in various cellular processes, including NF-κB activation, DNA damage response, mitosis, and tumorigenesis. It is considered as a tumor suppressor in basal cell carcinomas and breast cancer in previous studies. However, in our current study, we found that TRAIP exhibited oncogenic properties in liver cancer. In order to determine its effect on tumor biology and the potential mechanism, a variety of advanced experimental technology was used, such as bioinformatic analysis, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) analysis, tissue microarray detection, and other in vitro cell biology experiments. The results showed that TRAIP was up-regulated in liver cancer and negatively correlated with prognosis. When TRAIP was knocked-down with lentivirus containing specific targeting short hairpin RNAs, the malignant behaviors of Bel7404 cells were significantly inhibited. Meanwhile, overexpression of TRAIP exerted oncogenic effects in SNU449 cells. More importantly, the iTRAQ analysis indicated that TRAIP was significantly related to centriole, centromere, and histone deacetylation, which are critical for mitosis. These findings are in line with previous reports that TRAIP contributes to proper mitosis. Additionally, the iTRAQ analysis also supported that TRAIP may affect G1/S transition by regulating the expression of certain cell cycle related proteins. In summary, our study firstly revealed that TRAIP was up-regulated and negatively correlated with prognosis in liver cancer patients and exhibited oncogenic properties in liver cancer cells, making it a potential target for treatment of liver cancer.

Background: Ultrasound (US) examination is helpful in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules (malignant vs. benign), but its accuracy relies heavily on examiner experience. Therefore, the ai...

Endothelial senescence is the main risk factor that contributes to vascular dysfunction and the progression of vascular disease. Carbon monoxide (CO) plays an important role in preventing vascular dysfunction and in maintaining vascular physiology or homeostasis. The application of exogenous CO has been shown to confer protection in several models of cardiovascular injury or disease, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, balloon-catheter injury, and graft rejection. However, the mechanism by which CO prevents endothelial senescence has been largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CO on endothelial senescence and to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying this process. We measured the levels of senescence-associated-β-galactosidase activity, senescence-associated secretory phenotype, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and stress granule in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the WI-38 human diploid fibroblast cell line. We found that 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-induced ROS generation was inhibited by CO-releasing molecules (CORM)-A1 treatment, and endothelial senescence induced by 5FU was attenuated by CORM-A1 treatment. The SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 reversed the inhibitory effect of CO on the 5FU-induced endothelial senescence. Furthermore, SIRT1 deficiency abolished the stress granule formation by CO. Our results suggest that CO alleviates the endothelial senescence induced by 5FU through SIRT1 activation and may hence have therapeutic potential for the treatment of vascular diseases.

Lithium metal is considered an ideal anode material for next-generation high-energy-density batteries, owing to its high theoretical specific capacity and low reduction potential. However, the uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites during cycling has limited its industrial application. In this work, a poly (allyl diglycol carbonate)-based solid polymer electrolyte (PADC-SPE) combining the advantages of polyether and polycarbonate-based solid electrolytes was prepared by in-situ polymerization. According to space charge theory, the uniform free movement of lithium ions in the electrolyte can prevent electric field generation at the anode surface, facilitating the safe and ordered deposition of lithium ions. Therefore, PADC-SPE exhibited excellent ionic conductivity (1.96 × 10−5 S cm−1), a wide electrochemical window (5.5 V), and a high Li-ion transference number (t+ = 0.67) at room temperature. Surprisingly, a smooth surface was observed for the Li anode of Li/Li cells after constant-current charge–discharge cycling for 800 h. A LiFePO4/PADC–SPE/Li battery showed excellent high-temperature (60 °C) cycling performance, with a discharge specific capacity reaching 145.1 mAh g−1 at 0.3C and retaining 99.2% of its first-cycle value after 110 cycles. Based on this excellent performance, PADC-SPE represents a promising system for developing safe and high-performance Li metal batteries.

Kindlin-2 is involved in activating the integrin signaling pathway which plays an important role in regulating cancer cell invasion. However, the role of kindlin-2 may vary among cancer types. The aim of this study was to explore the possible association between kindlin-2 and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and its potential role in the prognosis of ccRCC. Immunohistochemistry assays were used to examine kindlin-2 expression levels in cancer tissues obtained from 336 patients with ccRCC. The correlation between kindlin-2 expression levels and pathologic variables was then analyzed. In addition, the association between kindlin-2 expression levels and survival time was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests. Of 336 ccRCC patients, 199 had high levels of kindlin-2 expression, while 137 had low kindlin-2 expression levels. Patients at a late stage of ccRCC (stage III or IV) were more likely to have high kindlin-2 expression levels than those at an early stage (stage I or II) (χ(2) = 4.72, P = 0.03). Patients with high levels of kindlin-2 expression had higher risk of hematogenous metastasis (χ(2) = 6.70, P = 0.01) than those with low levels of kindlin-2 expression. In addition, the survival time was significantly shorter for patients with high levels of kindlin-2 expression than for those with low levels of kindlin-2 expression (P = 0.001 for overall survival [OS] and P = 0.002 for disease-free survival [DFS]). Multivariate survival analysis based on the Cox proportional hazards model showed that high kindlin-2 expression levels had a hazard risk (HR) of 1.76 for OS (95% CI 1.19-2.62, P = 0.005) and an HR of 1.47 for DFS (95% CI = 1.05-2.06, P = 0.026). By comparison, lymph node metastasis had an HR of 1.48 for OS (95% CI 1.04-2.10, P = 0.029) and an HR of 1.41 for DFS (95% CI 1.04-1.93, P = 0.029). This study provided strong evidence that increased kindlin-2 expression might be involved in promoting tumor invasiveness and leading to a poor prognosis of ccRCC.

Lithium metal is regarded as a “Holy Grail” anode material because of its high theoretical specific capacity and uniquely low reduction potential. However, its low Coulombic efficiency and hazards caused by uncontrolled lithium dendrite growth have hindered its practical application in anodes for many years. In this work, we design a novel boron-containing single-ion conducting polymer electrolyte that eliminates the large electric field that Chazalviel has identified as the cause of lithium dendrite growth. The ability to inhibit lithium dendrite growth is demonstrated via galvanostatic cycling tests of Li/Electrolyte/Li cells. In addition, the boron-containing single-ion conducting polymer electrolyte exhibits excellent ionic conductivity (2.23 mS cm−1) and an extremely high lithium-ion transference number (0.71). Moreover, the LiFePO4/Electrolyte/Li cell exhibits an outstanding specific capacity of more than 130 mAh g−1 and excellent capacity retention (90% of the highest capacity was retained after 100 cycles). This excellent performance indicates a promising strategy for development of safe, long-life lithium metal batteries.

In recent years, the rapid development of China’s social economy has significantly improved people’s living standards, but it has also led to the increasing demand for electricity in the whole society.This situation has had a very negative impact on the steady development of the social economy.Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen the application of energy saving technology and new energy.At the same time, the increasingly mature computer technology has also given us more ideas in strengthening the energy conservation technology and the application of new energy.The purpose of this paper is to study how to strengthen the application of electricity energy saving technology and new energy in real life by combining computer technology with electricity energy saving technology.

Lithium metal shows great promise as an anode material for high-performance next-generation batteries due to its low redox potential, low weight, and high specific capacity. However, the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrites during charge–discharge cycling limits the practical application of lithium metal anodes. In this work, an anion-inhibited solid framework polymer electrolyte (SFPE) was prepared through the polymerization of vinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (VPOSS) and diallyl dicarbonate (DDC) as a means to suppress lithium dendrite formation. The structure of the electrolyte was found to reduce the electric field at the anode surface by restricting the free movement of the anions (TFSI−) of the lithium salt, which facilitated the orderly, uniform, and safe deposition of lithium ions on the anode. The SFPE presented a high lithium ion transference number (0.63), a wide window of electrochemical stability (5.6 V versus Li+/Li), and high ionic conductivity (0.31 mS cm−1) at 25 °C. A LiFePO4/Li cell containing the SFPE achieved a specific discharge capacity of 165 mAh g−1 and a capacity retention of 91.3% after 200 cycles at 0.1 C (1 C = 180 mAh g−1) and 25 °C, and the lithium anode surface remained smooth after 600 h of constant-current charge–discharge cycling. Based on these results, this SFPE is an excellent candidate for use in high-performance lithium metal batteries.

Highlights • Autoantibodies to BIRC5 and MYC were measured in cervical cancer patients and a control group. • There was a significant difference in circulating levels of these autoantibodies in the patient and control groups. • ROC analysis suggests that anti-BIRC5 IgG has a higher sensitivity than anti-MYC IgG. • Anti-BIRC5 IgG could serve as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer., The present study was undertaken to detect circulating IgG antibodies to peptide antigens derived from baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 5 isoform 2 (BIRC5) and myc proto-oncogene protein (MYC) in cervical cancer. A total of 107 female patients with cervical cancer of stages I and II, and 130 healthy female subjects were recruited for analysis of circulating IgG antibodies to BIRC5 and MYC. Student’s t-test showed significant differences in circulating levels of anti-BIRC5 IgG (t = −4.27, df = 235, P

In this study, a novel simulated method was developed to provide a graphical and simplistic simulation technique for the purpose of enhancing feasibility of classical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiment. Winspall, the software based on the Fresnel equations and the matrix formalism was used to compute the reflectivity of optical multilayer systems. In a simulation study, SPR curves were plotted using Winspall with ultrapure water, 50% ethanol aqueous solvent and pure ethanol as the environmental media. SPR angles of 67.1°, 71.7° and 72.5° were obtained, respectively. These values displayed significant disparity from the experimental data of 62.7°, 65.1° and 65.3° under the same conditions. Finite element analysis (FEA) was then evaluated for its suitability as a better alternative method. By establishing a new Kretchmann SPR model and simulating the S11 parameters, the obtained SPR angles of 62.6°, 65.0° and 65.3° agreed well with the experimental results. Thus FEA method was a more feasible alternative based on our experimental conditions. Hence, an optimal methodology for the theoretical study of SPR detection was developed in this study which contains port boundary conditions, background filed and period boundary conditions. More importantly, this study has established a new avenue of SPR chip applications for portable SPR devices.

The EarlyCDT®-Lung test was the first autoantibody-based diagnostic tool for lung cancer, which was developed with a panel of recombinant protein antigens. To confirm whether the antibody test developed with linear peptide antigens has a similar power to that developed with the whole protein molecules, the present work was then undertaken to develop an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with linear peptide antigens derived from annexin A1 (ANXA1) and DEAD box protein 53 (DDX53), which have been used to develop the EarlyCDT®-Lung test. A total of 272 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 227 control subjects matched in age and smoking history were recruited. Student's t test showed that the levels of circulating IgG to ANXA1-derived peptide antigens were significantly higher in patients with NSCLC than control subjects (t = 5.66, P 0.0001), in which the increased anti-ANXA1 IgG levels were observed only in patients at stages I, II, or III, but not in those at stage IV. However, the levels of circulating IgG to DDX53-derived peptide antigens were not significantly altered in NSCLC (t = 1.78, P = 0.076). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the sensitivity against specificity of90% was 23.7% for ANXA1 IgG assay and 13.8% for DDX53 IgG assay. This work suggests that the linear peptide antigen derived from ANXA1 may be suitable for the development of diagnostic tool for lung cancer although further screening is needed to identify more such peptide antigens derived from tumor-associated antigens.

Lithium metal anode is regarded as promising potential electrode for next-generation secondary batteries. However, the security issues caused by the growth of lithium dendrites hinder the development of lithium metal batteries. In this study, we prepare a single-ion conducting polymer electrolyte with semi-interpenetrating polymer network based on poly(lithium 4-styrenesulfonate). By eliminating the large electric fields near the lithium anode, the growth of lithium dendrite is suppressed effectively according to space-charge theory. The structurally optimized poly(lithium 4-styrenesulfonate)@polymethylmethacrylate single-ion conducting polymer electrolyte containing 2 wt% ethylene glycol dimethacrylate exhibits extremely high lithium ion transference number (0.91), promising ionic conductivity (0.97 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 25 °C) along with wide electrochemical window of 4.7 V (vs. Li+/Li). Furthermore, the LiFePO4/membrane/Li cell achieves stable cycling performance (capability retention rate of 93.8% after 78 cycles at 1 C (1 C = 170 mAh g−1) and high coulombic efficiency 99.4%) along with superior discharge rate capability at room temperature. These excellent performances show that the single-ion conducting polymer electrolyte is a potential candidate for safe lithium metal batteries.

Dopamine (DA) existed as small-molecules can serve as a versatile platform for secondary surface modified reactions in biomedical engineering and biosensors especially a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. For sensing modification purposes, the environment of DA polymerization may be varied. This study involved using DA for the modification of a gold film under different conditions. It was anticipated that the change of environmental conditions would have an influence on the immobilization reaction of DA onto the gold film, and hence the impact on the SPR phenomenon. These conditions included varying pH, using different kinds of buffers, varying DA concentrations in buffer solutions as well as the DA immobilization time which reflected the length of time that the gold film was being exposed to DA. It was found that both neutral and mildly alkaline conditions offered favorable immobilization environments with 2 mg/mL dopamine in pH 8.6 Tris buffer, producing the optimum reactive result on gold. It was observed that the SPR phenomenon became non-existence at pH 9.5 for 2-hour DA immobilization time. Under the optimum environmental condition, the critical DA immobilization time for the disappearance of SPR phenomenon was estimated to be 277 min (approx. 4.6 hours). The results from this work have produced a series of valuable data served as a good foundation for surface modification using DA.

Thymic lymphoma is a highly invasive and even metastatic cancer. This study investigated the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transfusion on cell cycle, cell proliferation, CD3 expression, mutation frequency of T cell receptor using mouse model of thymic lymphoma. C57BL/6J young mouse models of thymoma were injected with MSCs. Six months later, the thymus was taken for pathological examination and flow cytometry studies. The cells were labeled with anti-CD4, CD8, CD3, propidium iodide, or CFDA-SE, cell cycle, proliferation kinetics, and mutation frequency of T cell receptor, respectively. Pathologic results showed that control had clear corticomedular structure with regularly shaped lymphocytes. After radiation, the thymus structure was completely destroyed, with lymphoid tumor cells diffusely distributed and heavily stained, and large nuclei. Transfusion of MSCs resulted in normal thymus structure. Cytometry studies showed that there were more CD4-/CD8- T cells in the thymus of irradiated mice than in control; transfusion of MSCs led to reduced CD4-/CD8- T cells. In irradiated mice, there were less CD4+/CD8+ T cells than in control and MSCs transfusion groups. It was observed that there were more cells arrested in G1 phase in the thymus cells and CD4-/CD8- T cells in irradiated mice than in other 2 groups, whereas there were more cells arrested in S phase in CD4+/CD8+ and CD4+/CD8- T cells in irradiated mice than in the other mice. In the thymus cells, and CD4+/CD8+ and CD4+/CD8- T cells, irradiated mice group had significantly less parent, G2, G3, and G4 cells, and more cells at higher generations, and also higher proliferation index. In CD4-/CD8- T cells, irradiated mice had significantly more parent, G2, and G3 cells, and less G4, G5, G6, and propidium iodide, as compared with the other 2 groups. The expression of CD3 in CD4/CD8 T cells was significantly higher than in control. MSCs transfusion improved CD3 expression, but was still less than the control. Irradiation resulted in very high mutation frequency of T cell receptor, which was barely affected by MSCs transfusion. Mesenchymal stem cell transfusion is able to restore the cell cycle and cell proliferation, but not CD3 expression and mutation frequency of T cell receptor in irradiated mice to control level.

Recurrent cervical cancer is a clinically complex disease that is difficult to treat. There are numerous treatment options, but the results achieved by each are poor. External-beam radiation therapy of the pelvic lymph drainage area, in combination with intracavitary afterloading or the interstitial implantation of a radiation source (i.e., brachytherapy), are the current standard radiotherapy regimens used in high-risk clinical targets. However, there are few reports concerning the use of iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation brachytherapy in recurrent cervical cancer, and the effects of treatment and adverse reactions have not yet been systematically evaluated. In the present study one such case is reported, in which the patient was successfully treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in combination with 125I seed implantation. The patient, a 47-year-old woman, was initially diagnosed with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB1 cervical cancer, and received a radical hysterectomy, left lateral adnexectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. A follow-up examination 23 months later revealed vaginal invasion and a solitary lump in the cervical stump with a maximum diameter of 38 mm. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with recurrent cervical cancer and was treated with six cycles of docetaxel and nedaplatin chemotherapy, alongside IMRT and interstitial 125I seed implantation. At the point of manuscript submission, the patient's progression-free survival time was 33 months and long-term adverse reactions were acceptable. The response of this patient indicates that 125I seed implantation could be used as a complementary treatment for recurrent cervical cancer and may also prove to be a reliable means for the comprehensive treatment of primary cervical cancer, as the patient had characteristics similar to primary cervical cancer, although this hypothesis could not be confirmed in the present study.

To explore the clinical characteristics and genetic mutations in two children with Omenn syndromes.Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 2 children suspected with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and their family members. The samples were subjected to RAG1 and RAG2 gene sequencing and TCR Vβ subclone analysis.Both patients had recurrent infections, erythroderma rashes and alopecia baldness. One patient has fit with immunophenotype T-B-NK+, while another was consistent with typical Omenn syndrome combined with T+B-NK+ immunophenotype, IgE and eosinophil increase. Both children have carried compound heterozygous mutations of the RAG1 gene. The first patient carried c.1328 GA (p.R443K) and c.2486-2490delGGAAA (p.R829fsX869) mutations, both were of de novel type. The second patient has carried c.1209CT (p.R403W) and c.2892delT (p.ASN964LYSfs*14), with c.2892delT (p.ASN964LYSfs*14) being a de novel mutation. The parents of both patients were heterozygous carriers. The same mutations were not found in 100 healthy children. Both patients' 24 TCR Vβ subfamilies have presented monoclonal or oligoclonal peaks, with TCR Vβ polymorphism being severely disrupted.Three novel mutations have been identified in two children with Omenn syndrome, which featured early onset and rapid progression. Early recognition of the disease and prompt treatment may reduce the mortality.

To explore use of interleukin-10 receptor (IL-10R) gene mutation in diagnosis and pathogenesis of neonatal inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in 2 suspected cases.Two cases of sibling brothers who had suspected IBD from Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University during the year 2010-2014 were enrolled in the study. The proband, male, 26 days old, weight 3.73 kg, presented with recurrent fever, increased stool frequency since 9 days of age, and was hospitalized at the age of 6 months in 2014. The proband's brother, male, 6 months old, weight 8 kg, had repeated bloody and mucous diarrhea for more than five months, recurrent fever five days, and was hospitalized in 2010. The blood samples were collected from the children and their families for IL-10 receptor genes including IL-10 receptor α subunit (IL-10RA) and β subunit (IL-10RB) PCR amplification. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to amplify the proband IL-10RA transcripts. Sequencing was performed on the PCR products forward and reversely. Western blot analysis was used for protein expression of the proband and normal control's IL-10RA and P-STAT3 (Tyr705) expression after IL-10 stimulation, TNF-α level was detected using Human TNF-α ELISA Kit after PBMC was cultured and stimulated.The proband and his brother were IBD patients. Genome sequencing showed mutation in c.537GA, namely the exon 4 and intron 4 connections changed CA/GT for CG/GT. Sequencing of the RT-PCR products and T-A clone showed that the mutation was (c.519-537del GGTGCCGGGAAACTTCAC, p.LYS173ASNfs*7), as the splice mutation. Two gene mutations were novel mutation. The parents were the mutations carrier. Both of the children were compound heterozygous mutations in IL-10RA. The Western blot analysis showed that the patient and normal children can express IL-10RA protein, however, the function of IL-10RA had obvious defects in the patient, IL-10RA downstream signaling pathways P-STAT3 had no expression. The average level of TNF-α secreted by PBMC after LPS + IL-10 co-stimulation in patient was significantly increased as compared with control group ((2 100±356) vs. (200±50) ng/L, t=9.154, P=0.001), suggesting that interleukin-10-dependent negative feedback regulation is disrupted in the patient.IL-10 receptor mutations can cause neonatal-IBD, for which common treatment effect is poor. Early diagnosis and allogeneic stem-cell transplantation performed may save the children's life.

Overexpression of the p16 protein has been reported in breast cancer and may trigger the secretion of antibodies against itself. Circulating anti-p16 antibodies that were detected with a recombinant protein have been reported in breast cancer. The present study was designed to determine whether the levels of circulating IgG antibody to p16 protein-derived linear antigens are altered in breast cancer. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed in-house to determine circulating IgG against peptide antigens derived from the p16 protein in 152 female breast cancer patients and 160 healthy female subjects. The Student's T-test revealed that breast cancer patients exhibited significantly higher levels of anti-p16 IgG antibody compared to control subjects (T=2.02, P=0.045). In addition, ductal cancer appeared to be the main type contributing to the increased levels of circulating anti-p16 antibodies (T=2.08, P=0.038). Of all four stages of breast cancer, stage I was associated with the highest levels of IgG antibody (T=2.02, P=0.045) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the area under the ROC curve was 0.74 (95% confidence interval: 0.65–083) and that the sensitivity against a specificity of 90% was 30.3%. Therefore, the levels of circulating IgG antibody to the p16 protein may be a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of breast cancer.

To evaluate the feasibility and clinical significance of the computed tomography angiography (CTA) for the latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) flap transplantation.From September 2007 to August 2008, 3 cases of soft tissue defects in limbs were treated with LDM flap transplantation. Three patients included 2 males and 1 female who were 23- to 42-years-old. All of soft tissue defects were caused by trauma. The locations were the forearm in 2 cases and the leg in 1 case. The area of defect was 17 cm x 8 cm-20 cm x 10 cm. All cases received CTA to observe the distribution and anastomosis of thoracodorsal artery. Subsequently, three-dimensional computer reconstruction were carried out to display the stereoscopic structure of the LDM flap and to design the LDM flap before operation.The anatomy characteristic of LDM flap can be displayed accurately by the three-dimensional reconstruction model. The distribution of thoracodorsal artery in 3 cases of flaps was in concordance with preoperative design completely. All the flaps were excised successfully, the area of the flap was 19 cm x 10 cm-22 cm x 12 cm. All the transferred flaps survived completely. All cases were followed up from 4 months to 12 months. The color and texture of the flaps were good.The three-dimensional reconstructive images can provide visible, stereoscopic and dynamic anatomy for clinical application of LDM flap. The digitized three-dimensional reconstructive models of LDM flap structures can be applied in clinical training and pre-operative design.

To investigate the surgical methods and clinical results of reconstructing soft tissue defects in distal dorsalis pedis with distally based medial dorsal neurocutaneous flap on foot.From January 2004 to July 2007, 11 cases of soft tissue defects in distal dorsalis pedis were treated with the distally based medial dorsal neurocutaneous flap on foot, including 8 males and 3 females aged 18-55 years. Nine cases were caused by crash and 2 cases were caused by traffic accident. There were 4 cases of tendon exposure and skin defects in the distal dorsalis pedis, 6 cases of bone exposure and skin defects in and adjacent to the first metatarsal head and 1 case of bone exposure and skin defects in the distal dorsalis pedis due to the third and fourth toe damage. The area of defects ranged from 3 cm x 3 cm to 7 cm x 5 cm. Distally based medial dorsal neurocutaneous flaps on foot were incised to repair the soft tissue defects and the size of the flaps ranged from 4 cm x 4 cm to 8 cm x 6 cm. Thickness skin graft was applied to repair donor site.All the flaps survived and all wounds healed by first intention. Skin graft in donor site survived completely in 10 cases and survived partly in 1 cases (healing was achieved after the flap above lateral malleolus was used to repair). All cases were followed up for 6 months-1 year. The color, texture and thickness of the flaps were similar to those of recipient site. All patients returned to their normal weight-bearing walking. No skin ulceration in flaps and donor site was observed.The operative technique of the distally based medial dorsal neurocutaneous flap on foot is simple, convenient and safe. The distally based flap is effective in repairing soft tissue defects of middle and small sized skin and soft tissue defects in distal dorsalis pedis.

To investigate the surgical methods and clinical results of reconstructing soft tissue defects in dorsum of forefoot with distally based saphenous neurocutaneous flap of lower rotating point.From January 2005 to August 2007, 6 cases of soft tissue defects in dorsum of forefoot, including 4 males and 2 females aged 28-53 years, were treated with the distally based saphenous neurocutaneous flaps of lower rotating point. The soft tissue defect was in left foot in 2 cases and in right foot in 4 cases. Five cases of soft tissue defects were caused by crush, and 1 case was caused by traffic accident. Tendons and bones were exposed in all cases. The defects after debridement were 7.0 cm x 5.0 cm to 9.0 cm x 5.5 cm in size. Emergency operation was performed in 2 cases and selective operation in 4 cases. Rotating point of the flaps was from 1 to 3 cm above medial malleolus. The size of the flaps ranged from 8.0 cm x 6.0 cm to 13.0 cm x 6.5 cm. Neuroanastomosis was performed in 2 cases of the flaps. Skin defects in donor site were repaired with thickness skin graft.Four cases of the transferred flaps survived completely and the other 2 cases began to swell and emerge water blister from the distant end of the flap after operation, which resulted in distal superficial necrosis of flaps, healing was achieved after change dressings and skin grafted. Skin graft in donor site survived completely in all cases. All cases were followed up from 6 to 18 months. The color and texture and thickness of the flaps were similar to recipient site. Pain sensation and warmth sensation of the 2 flaps whose cutaneous nerve were anastomosed recovered completely, two point discrimination were 8 mm and 9 mm respectively. Sensation and warmth sensation of the 4 flaps whose cutaneous nerve were not anastomosed recovered partly. All patients returned to their normal walking and running activities and no ulceration occurred. No donor site morbidity was encountered.Blood supply of the distally based saphenous neurocutaneous flap of lower rotating point is sufficient, the flap is especially useful for repair of soft tissue defects in dorsum of forefoot.

To study the accuracy of the intraocular pressure (IOP) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with noncontact tonometer (NCT).One hundred and eighty cases (256 eyes) myopias that had undergone LASIK were studied. IOP, corneal thickness and corneal curvature were measured before and after LASIK. The correlations were analyzed.The decrease of Iop using NCT was significantly obvious after LASIK (P0.001). One year after LASIK mean IOP drop was 6.54 +/- 2.1 mmHg. The reduction of IOP may be related to the decrease in corneal thickness and corneal curvature (P0.01). Regression equation for IOP drop (mmHg) = 0.355 + 0.0342X1 + 0.365X2 [X1 = decrease in corneal curvature (D), X2 = ablation depth (microm)]The IOP readings after LASIK were lower than the real IOP values. IOP readings after LASIK were influenced by corneal thickness and refraction degree.

Background Identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their behaviors will provide insightful information for the future control of human cancers. This study investigated CD44 and CD24 cell surface markers as breast cancer CSC markers in vitro and in vivo. Methods Flow cytometry with CD44 and CD24 markers was used to sort breast cancer MCF7 cells for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tumor cell invasion assay, and nude mouse xenograft assay. Results Flow cytometry assay using CD44 and CD24 markers sorted MCF7 cells into four subsets, i.e., CD44+/CD24-/low, CD44-/CD24+, CD44+/CD24+, and CD44-/CD24-. The SEM data showed that there were many protrusions on the surface of CD44+/CD24-/low cells. CD44+/CD24-/low cells had many microvilli and pseudopodia. The CD44+/CD24-/low cells had a higher migration and invasion abilities than that of the other three subsets of the cells. The in vivo tumor formation assay revealed that CD44+/CD24- cells had the highest tumorigenic capacity compared to the other three subsets. Conclusion CD44 and CD24 could be useful markers for identification of breast CSCs because CD44+/CD24-/low cells had unique surface ultrastructures and the highest tumorigenicity and invasive abilities.