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A practical noninvasive method to identify sentinel lymph node (SLN) status in breast cancer patients, who had a suspicious axillary lymph node (ALN) at ultrasound (US), but a negative clinical physical examination is needed. To predict SLN metastasis using a nomogram based on US and biopsy-based pathological features, this retrospective study investigated associations between clinicopathological features and SLN status.Patients treated with SLN dissection at four centers were apportioned to training, internal, or external validation sets (n = 472, 175, and 81). Lymph node ultrasound and pathological characteristics were compared using chi-squared and t-tests. A nomogram predicting SLN metastasis was constructed using multivariate logistic regression models.In the training set, statistically significant factors associated with SLNThis nomogram could be a direct and reliable tool for individual preoperative evaluation of SLN status, and therefore aids decisions concerning ALN dissection and adjuvant treatment.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fracture is an unsolved challenge in orthopedics. The complication rate in particular is high. There remains a lack of consensus on the optimal choice of internal fixation for unstable femoral neck fracture. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to develop a new headless compression supporting screw (HCSS) for the treatment of unstable foemoral neck fracture. METHODS: We designed a new HCSS and used a femoral neck fracture (Pauwels III fracture) model (left, fourth-generation composite, Sawbones) and three-dimensional finite element analysis to compare the biomechanical performance of HCSSs with that of cannulated compression screws (CCSs) for treatment of unstable femoral neck fracture. RESULTS: Maximum displacement, peak von Mises stress, peak strain, and rotation for the HCSS were smaller than those for the CCS. The stress was more widely distributed for the HCSS, whereas the stress was concentrated for the CCS. CONCLUSIONS: The HCSS resulted in better biomechanical stability than that from the CCS. For Pauwels III fractures the HCSS exhibits better resistance to shear forces and better support, providing a new clinical treatment.

RGB-D images can be used to build 3D models with high precision and efficiency. This paper introduces the method and principle of 3D modeling and the 3D reconstruction process of RGB-D images and analyzes KinectFusion and BundleFusion methods. Based on BundleFusion, this paper constructs a set of 3D reconstruction methods for stroke patients’ food and carries out 3D reconstruction experiments on watermelon, banana, orange, corn, and dish cold bitter gourd. With the actual measurement data validation, the banana’s average error rate of 3.95%; for watermelon, the average error rate is 3.89%; for grapes, the average error rate is 4.28%; for corn, apple, banana mixture composition, the average error rate is 2.61%, the average error rate of caramel treats is 3.48%, and the average error rate of pork floss bread is 2.85%. The average error rate of the hot and dry noodles is 1.85%, and the average error rate of the breakfast mix composition is 2.91%. The error rate in subsequent food volume calculation, quality estimation and calculation application is within the effective range of nutrients. It provides a technical basis and scientific basis for dietary intervention of stroke patients.

Aim To determine the construct validity and test-retest reliability of the Patient Satisfaction Survey Questionnaire (PSSQ). Background Advanced practice nurses (APNs) co-manage patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with public primary care physicians in Singapore. The original Nurse Practitioner Satisfaction Survey (NPSS) instrument was adapted (renamed as PSSQ) to assess satisfaction with APN service. Method A total of 209 patients self-administered the PSSQ at first visit and repeated it in a retest through phone within the next 2 weeks in 2018. Cronbach's alpha and intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients were performed to evaluate the internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Construct validity was determined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results The overall Cronbach's alpha (>0.7) and ICC scores (0.697-0.729) indicated excellent test-retest reliability and good internal consistency, respectively. The CFA results of three-factor model showed poor fit. Additional exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation revealed that adding another factor (communication with physician) resulted in a better model (eigenvalue > 1). The ICC for the four-factor model ranged from 0.664 to 0.825, indicating fair to excellent reliability. Conclusion The PSSQ shows good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The four-factor model is a better instrument to assess APN service in local populations. Implications for nursing management The validated PSSQ can be used as instrument to assess the quality of services provided by various categories of nurses, including registered nurses, nurse clinicians and APNs.

Apriona germari is one of the most serious wood-boring pests that cause damage to economic and landscaping trees and has adapted to a wide range of plants as diet. Gut bacteria play an important role in biology and ecology of herbivores, especially in growth and adaptation. To investigate how plant hosts shape A. germari gut microbiota, A. germari larvae were collected from Populus tomentosa and Malus pumilal, and gut microbiomes were sequenced based on 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology. A total of 853,424 high-quality reads were obtained and clustered into 196 operational taxonomic units under a 97% similarity cutoff, which were annotated into 8 phyla, 10 classes, 21 orders, 34 families, 59 genera, and 39 species. Gibbsiella was the most dominant genus of intestinal bacteria, followed by Enterobacter and Acinetobacter. No significant difference was observed in larvae gut bacterial richness and diversity of A. germari collected from two hosts, though alpha diversity showed that the richness of gut bacteria in A. germari larvae collected on P. tomentosa was slightly higher than that in A. germari on M. pumilal, and beta diversity showed little difference between two host plants. The functional abundance analysis of the detected bacteria revealed fermentation, chemoheterotrophy, symbionts, and nitrate relative functions that highly possibly support wood-boring beetles to feed on woody tissues. Our study provided a theoretical basis for investigating the function of intestinal symbiosis bacteria of A. germari.

ObjectiveThis pilot study aimed to determine the proportions, level of knowledge, anxiety and confidence of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who were involved in supporting the healthcare needs of older persons with long-term non-communicable diseases.DesignThe pilot study used a cross-sectional and descriptive design.FDWs who accompanied the older adults attending a primary healthcare setting in Singapore. 100 eligible FDWs’ demographic data, knowledge and confidence level of caregiving in food preparation, medication supervision, exercise, blood pressure (BP), blood glucose (BG) monitoring and anxiety level assessed by the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 scale were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed and presented. Items on confidence were regrouped into two groups of ‘very’ versus ‘no/a little/moderate’. Knowledge scores and caregiving tasks were assessed with items on confidence using Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test, respectively.ResultsThe FDWs were from Indonesia (60%), Philippines (23%) and Myanmar (14%). Their mean age was 33 years with an average of 5.8 years working experience; 62% self-reported previous caregiver training for elderly. The mean age of care-recipients was 81 years. Knowledge of FDWs on BP and BG monitoring was low (ConclusionMore than half of the FDWs supported healthcare needs of older persons but they had inadequate knowledge and lacked confidence in performing the healthcare-related tasks.

The effect of bridge length on singlet oxygen generation has been studied by designing two rigid axially symmetrical C60-BODIPY triplet photosensitizers: C60-B1 and C60-B2, with different bridge lengths. Rigid phenyl and diphenylacetylene are selected as linkers in C60-B1 and C60-B2, respectively, and the bridge length of C60-B2 is about 6.9 A longer than that of C60-B1. The photochemical and photophysical properties of the dyads are investigated using steady-state and transient spectroscopies, as well as theoretical calculations. Higher efficiency of energy transfer and higher yield of the triplet C60 in C60-B1 are detected. To investigate the effect of bridge length on singlet oxygen generation, the photooxidation reactions of 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) have been carried out with C60-B1, C60-B2, and the reference compounds as photosensitizers. Higher quantum yield of singlet oxygen is generated in C60-B1 (0.82) with a shorter bridge compared to that in C60-B2 (0.59). The photooxidation rate constant of C60-B1 is 1.4 times as that of C60-B2 and 1.3 times as that of MB. The results obtained here are helpful for designing novel donor–bridge–acceptor triplet photosensitizers.

A complete absence of the physicochemical characterization of Gracilaria chouae polysaccharides (GCP) and its corresponding bioactivities urged the need for this study. It was found that GCP is a heteropolysaccharide which exists in linear random coil conformation. It contained a sulfate content of 7.9% in addition to 52.63% total sugar content and 9.62% galacturonic acid. Galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose were found in a molar ratio of 1.0:0.6. Its setting and melting points were determined as 41.3 and 71.7 °C, respectively, which makes it a suitable candidate for industrial processing where further heating is required and/or where the end-product needs to have extended shelf life in hot climate. GCP demonstrated 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (36.86, 27.42 and 19.07% at 3 mg·ml−1). Moreover, the results also suggested its potential use as a prebiotic due to its perceived high fermentability.

Objective To evaluate the application value of abbreviated comprehensive geriatric assessment(aCGA)in elderly female breast cancer patients. Methods Eight aspects of the traditional CGA were simplified to form the aCGA assessment table,based on which the patients were classified into three grades of A,B and C according to the total scores.This study enrolled the elderly female patients with breast cancer aged 70 years and above who were treated in PUMC Hospital from June 2018 to January 2020.Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG)scoring and aCGA grading were performed respectively,and the results of the two methods were compared. Results Of the 162 patients,111(68.5%)were classified by the aGGA method as grade A,43(26.5%)as grade B,and 8(5.0%)as grade C;131(80.9%)cases have concurrent diseases,and the most common complications were hypertension(

BACKGROUND In recent years, with the scientific and technological progress, new drugs for breast cancer have been developed constantly, and the OS and DFS of breast cancer patients are also improving. However, the large number of drugs has also made the clinical trials of drugs disordered. OBJECTIVE To overcome the existing problems in targeted therapy and figure out the best choice of targeted therapy. METHODS we proposed the method of permutation and combination to classify the drugs for Her-2 targeted therapy, and analyzed the most common drugs (mainly the drugs recommended by NCCN) through single comparison, single-double comparison and pairwise comparison, and analyzed the related neoadjuvant/ adjuvant chemotherapy, early / advanced breast cancer, first / second line clinical trials, so as to systematically summarize the previous clinical data on targeted therapy. RESULTS In single comparison, tratuzumab is still strong, while T-DM1 is developing. In single double comparison, T+P is strong and T-DM1+L will be promising in the short term, more combination therapy included ADC and targeted drugs are potential to be developed. Meanwhile, TKI and ADC for BCBM and more newly developed ADC are presence of new drug trials. What's more, the ADC drugs is developed targeted more. CONCLUSIONS We point out the research direction and potential breakthrough of targeted therapy in the future, hoping to provide the most direct help to the clinical practice.

The need to produce cleaner fuels under the constraints of stricter environmental regulations, heavier and sour crude oils, and petroleum market needs has resulted in increased hydrogen demand in oil refineries. These demands are usually served by hydrogen networks, which collect hydrogen-containing streams from refinery processes and, after potential processing, redistribute the hydrogen content to recipient processes within the same site. Often, pure hydrogen is also necessary in order to satisfy the final demand. The introduction of one or more purification units into a hydrogen network is an economical way to reduce fresh hydrogen consumption. In the design and optimization of a hydrogen system, it is often important to find the target values (optimal lower bounds) for the fresh hydrogen consumption and the flowrate of the purified stream. However, the procedure for obtaining these targets becomes very complex when purification units are added, compared to that for a hydrogen network involving reuse only. This article presents a simple method for predicting the target values based on the balances of mass and flowrate and the features of the purification units. The proposed method not only can simplify the targeting procedure but can also provide valuable insights for the analysis and optimization of single-impurity hydrogen networks with purification units.

Fifteen compounds were obtained from Polygonatum prattii Baker, which could be divided into four steroids, nine flavonoids, one lignanoid and one acidamide. The chemotaxonomic significance of P. prattii and the some other species among Asparagaceae was also discussed. As a result, Polygonatum may have close relationships with Liriope, Disporopsis, Ophiopogon and Aspidistra. Additionally, homoisoflavanones and steroids can be recognized as typical biomarkers for the above genus.

BackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly widespread with an overall global estimated prevalence of 25%. Type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a key contributor to NAFLD progression and predicts moderate-severe liver fibrosis and mortality. However, there is currently no uniform consensus on routine NAFLD screening among T2DM patients, and the risk factors of NAFLD and advanced fibrosis among T2DM patients remain to be clarified fully.AimWe explored the prevalence, clinical spectrum, and risk factors of NAFLD and liver fibrosis among T2DM patients.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that enrolled subjects from a primary care clinic and a diabetes centre in Singapore. Subjects aged 21 to 70 years of all ethnic groups with an established T2DM diagnosis were included. Subjects with chronic liver diseases of other aetiologies were excluded. All subjects underwent transient elastography for hepatic steatosis and fibrosis assessment. Their demographics, anthropometric measurements and clinical parameters were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA/SE16.0 software.ResultsAmong 449 enrolled T2DM subjects, 436 with complete data and valid transient elastography results were analysed. Overall, 78.72% (344/436) of the T2DM subjects had NAFLD, of which 13.08% (45/344) had increased liver stiffness. Higher ALT level (OR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03-1.14; p = 0.004), obesity (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2, OR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.28-5.44; p = 0.008) and metabolic syndrome (OR = 4.36; 95% CI 1.40-13.58; p = 0.011) were independent factors associated with increased CAP (NAFLD). Higher AST level (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.11; p = 0.008), CAP value (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.03; p = 0.003), lower platelet count (OR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98-1.00; p = 0.009) and concomitant hypertension (OR = 4.56; 95% CI: 1.18-17.62; p = 0.028) were independent factors associated with increased liver stiffness.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated a considerably high prevalence of NAFLD among T2DM patients, with the proportion of advanced liver fibrosis among T2DM NAFLD patients much higher than the general population. Given that NAFLD is largely asymptomatic, increased awareness and vigilance for identifying NAFLD and increased liver stiffness among T2DM patients should be advocated.

A broadband visible light-absorbing [70]fullerene-BODIPY-triphenylamine triad (C70-B-T) has been synthesized and applied as a heavy atom-free organic triplet photosensitizer for photooxidation. By attaching two triphenylmethyl amine units (TPAs) to the π-core of BODIPY via ethynyl linkers, the absorption range of the antenna is extended to 700 nm with a peak at 600 nm. Thus, the absorption spectrum of C70-B-T almost covers the entire UV–visible region (270–700 nm). The photophysical processes are investigated by means of steady-state and transient spectroscopies. Upon photoexcitation at 339 nm, an efficient energy transfer (ET) from TPA to BODIPY occurs both in C70-B-T and B-T, resulting in the appearance of the BODIPY emission at 664 nm. Direct or indirect (via ET) excitation of the BODIPY-part of C70-B-T is followed by photoinduced ET from the antenna to C70, thus the singlet excited state of C70 (1C70*) is populated. Subsequently, the triplet excited state of C70 (3C70*) is produced via the intrinsic intersystem crossing of C70. The photooxidation ability of C70-B-T was studied using 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene (DHN) as a chemical sensor. The photooxidation efficiency of C70-B-T is higher than that of the individual components of C70-1 and B-T, and even higher than that of methylene blue (MB). The photooxidation rate constant of C70-B-T is 1.47 and 1.51 times as that of C70-1 and MB, respectively. The results indicate that the C70-antenna systems can be used as another structure motif for a heavy atom-free organic triplet photosensitizer.

Jiaqi He,1 Xuefei Wang,2 Jianhua Cai,1 Wei Wang,1 Xinyu Qin2 1Department of General Surgery, Huadong Hospital, 2Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China Background: Eukaryotic initiation factor 3 subunit d (eIF3d) is the largest subunit of eIF3, which is shown to promote protein synthesis in cancer cells. Increased expression of eIF3d has been shown in some types of cancers, but has not been previously studied in gastric cancer (GC). Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze eIF3d expression in GC.Patients and methods: Expression of eIF3d was detected by immunohistochemistry in GC tissues and adjacent noncancerous (ANC) tissues. Samples were obtained from 210 patients with GC who had received curative gastrectomy. Clinicopathological features and survival rate were also analyzed.Results: Expression rates of eIF3d in GC and ANC were 45.2% and 21.0%, respectively. High expression of eIF3d protein was significantly related to tumor stage, as determined by lymph node metastasis and depth of invasion (p

This study determined the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) from HBsAg-positive mothers on HBV intrauterine transmission. A total of 150 HBsAg-positive mothers and their neonates were recruited in this study. Within 24 h after birth, HBV serological markers, serum HBV DNA, PBMC HBV relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA), and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) were measured in the HBsAg-positive mothers and their neonates before passive-active immune prophylaxis. The relationship between HBV replication in PBMC and HBV intrauterine transmission was examined through Chisquare test and logistic regression. The rate of HBV intrauterine transmission was 8.00% (12/150) in the 150 neonates born to HBsAg-positive mothers. The positivities of PBMC HBV rcDNA and cccDNA in the HBsAg-positive mothers were 36.67% (55/150) and 10% (15/150), respectively. Maternal PBMC HBV cccDNA was a risk factor of HBV intrauterine transmission (OR = 6.003, 95% CI: 1.249–28.855). Maternal serum HBeAg was a risk factor of PBMC HBV rcDNA (OR = 3.896, 95% CI: 1.929–7.876) and PBMC HBV cccDNA (OR = 3.74, 95% CI: 1.186–11.793) in the HBsAg-positive mothers. Administration of hepatitis B immune globulin was a protective factor of PBMC HBV cccDNA (OR = 0.312, 95%CI: 0.102–0.954) during pregnancy. The positivity of PBMC HBV rcDNA was related to that of cccDNA in the HBsAg-positive mothers (χ2= 5.087, P = 0.024). This study suggests that PBMC is a reservoir of HBV and an extrahepatic site for virus replication and plays a critical role in HBV intrauterine transmission.

Objectives To investigate vascular flow density in pathological myopia with optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. Design A prospective comparative study was conducted from December 2015 to March 2016. Setting Participants were recruited in Beijing Tongren Hospital. Participants A total of 131 eyes were enrolled, which were divided into three groups: 45 eyes with emmetropia (EM; mean spherical equivalent (MSE) 0.50D to −0.50D), 41 eyes with high myopia (HM; MSE ≤−6.00D, without pathological changes), and 45 eyes with pathological myopia (PM; MSE ≤−6.00D and axial length (AL) ≥26.5 mm, and with pathological changes). Main outcome measures Macular, choriocapillaris and radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) flow densities were measured and compared between groups, and their relationships with AL and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were analysed. Results Significant differences were found in macular, choriocapillaris and RPC flow densities among the three groups (p

As manufacturing and service integrate, service manufacturing has been a new trend in the revolution of manufacturing enterprise. Based on value evolution mechanism, this essay puts main efforts in analyzing the elements, structures and development trend of service manufacturing, and advances a three-layer value chain model based on service production activities, productive service activities and customers' all way participation. Lastly, this essay establishes a three-layer value-added model of service manufacturing value chain, and puts forward six key factors to realize value-added of service manufacturing value chain.

Aiming to the difficulty of washing-hand for a one-armed man, functional requirements of washing-hand for a one-armed man is analyzed, and TRIZ theory is described in detail. A novel conceptual assisted washing-hand device for a one-armed man is put forward in this paper. Innovative problems of the assisted washing-hand device design were solved based on contradiction conflict matrix theory and material field theory of TRIZ. The whole three-dimensional model of assisted washing-hand device is built. TRIZ theory can provide the reference basis for structural design of assisted washing-hand device for a one-armed man.

Aim To investigate the effect of posterior scleral reinforcement (PSR) on circulation of pathologic myopia eyes with posterior staphyloma by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods The study included 30 pathologic myopia eyes with posterior staphyloma which underwent PSR (PSR group) for 6 to 18mo ago, and 30 age and myopia matched eyes without PSR surgery as control group. Macular, choriocapillaris and radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) flow density were measured by OCTA, and the measurements were compared between groups. Results OCTA found no significant differences in macular flow density between PSR and control groups. For the superficial flow, whole enface flow density (WED), fovea density (FD), and parafoveal density (PD) were 46.55%±5.19% vs 47.29%±4.12% (P=0.542), 31.45%±6.35% vs 31.17%±4.48% (P=0.841), and 48.82%±5.66% vs 49.21%±4.15% (P=0.756) in PSR and control groups, respectively. For the deep flow, WED, FD, and PD were 52.07%±5.78% vs 53.95%±4.62% (P=0.168), 29.62%±6.55% vs 29.50%±6.38% (P=0.940), and 56.93%±6.17% vs 58.15%±5.13% (P=0.407) in PSR and control groups, respectively. The choriocapillary flow density was 61.18±3.25% in PSR group vs 60.88%±2.56% in control group (P=0.692). Also, OCTA found no significant differences in RPCs flow density between PSR and control groups. The optic disc WED, inside disc flow density and peripapillary flow density were 48.47%±4.77% vs 48.11%±4.57% (P=0.813), 45.47%±11.44% vs 46.68%±9.02% (P=0.709), 54.32%±5.29% vs 52.47%±6.62% (P=0.349) in PSR and control groups, respectively. Conclusion OCTA provides a non-invasive and quantitative approach for monitoring macular and papillary blood flow in pathologic myopia. PSR can not improve but may maintain the circulation of pathologic myopia eyes with posterior staphyloma.

Activated ozone as the carrier，crylic acid as the monomer and glutaraldehyde as the cross-linking agent were used to research the immobilization of transglutaminase on polypropylene microporous membranes. The effect of ozone activation time，grafting time，grafting temperature，monomer concentration and ammonium ferrous sulfate concentration on grafting degree were studied, the Immobilization conditions were also studied. We found the optimal reaction conditions as following: consistency of hexamethylendiamine was 15%，at 50°C for 120min and consistency，at 30°C for 45minites，consistency of enzyme was 15mg/mL at 4°C. So the immobilized amount of protein could come to 30.23mg/g membrane and the activity of immobilized MTG come to 16.9U/g membrane.

Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection is one of the main means of Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) chip detection, in which the confocal detecting device is commonly used for its higher sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Based on confocal LIF detection principle, the confocal laser induced fluorescence detecting system, which could realize the auto focusing, and auto tracking was presented, and it contained the confocal optical system, the microprocessor control system and the computer process system. This device can acquire the fluorescence data by PMT or the chip images by CCD, and 3-dimensional electric moving stage could be controlled to accomplish the auto focusing and auto tracking by image process. The device could detect or observe the CE chip data in real time.

The article at the beginning analyses the significance of establishing collaborative management information system in copper companies. Then, the hierarchical structure and the mutual synergic relationship of the system are put forward. What's more, the characteristics of the system are elaborated. In the end, the author establishes a integrated collaborative management information system platform and details the modules and their functions of the subsystems. The innovation of the article is that by using the advanced theories of management of collaboration, and that system features like environmental protection, safety production, and so on are projected, which achieve the integrated and collaborative relational schema between copper companies and other organizations across the mine lots, multi-industries is set up collabrative operating capabilities and accelerate the sustainable development of the copper companies.

CD39/ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (ENTPD1) is a cell surface-located, rate-limiting enzyme in the generation of adenosine, and plays a crucial role in tumor development. We examined co-expression of CD39 and CD8in gastric cancer (GC) and showed that the expression of CD39 and CD8 increased significantly in tumor tissues compared to paired peritumor tissues. The expression of tumoral CD39 (tCD39), but not tumoral CD8 (tCD8), was related to overall survival. Furthermore, the CD39(+)/CD8(+) ratio was associated with poor prognosis in resected GC patients. Taken together, our data indicate that highCD39 expression and high tCD39(+)/CD8(+) ratio in GC is a predictor of poor prognosis for GC patients after radical resection. Moreover, CD39 could serve as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy.

Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (ENTPD1), also known as cluster of differentiation (CD)39, is the rate-limiting enzyme in the generation of immunosuppressive adenosine and is important in tumor progression. The present study evaluated the expression of CD39+ and CD39+ forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in gastric cancer (GC), and determined their prognostic roles in patients with GC following radical resection. It was observed that CD39 was expressed at significantly higher rates in tumor tissues as compared with paired peritumoral tissues. Overexpression of tumor CD39 was correlated with overall survival (OS). Furthermore, CD39 expression in GC tissues exhibited a prognostic role in OS. The CD39+ FoxP3+/FoxP3+ ratio in tumor tissues was higher than that in paired peritumoral tissues, and CD39+ FoxP3+ Treg cells were a better prognostic indicator than FoxP3+ Treg cells for OS. Collectively, our study indicates that overexpression of CD39 in GC is a predictor of poor outcome for GC patients following radical resection. CD39+ FoxP3+ Treg cells are a potential target for cancer immunotherapy.

Oxidative stress is considered to be a mechanism involved in lead neurotoxicity. Apoptosis is also thought to relate to lead neurotoxicity. The present study, focused on the hippocampus, was designed to investigate the two possible mechanisms involved in lead neurotoxicity and the potential protective effects of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and oligomeric procyanidins (OPC). It was proved that reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage were implicated in the induction of apoptosis induced by lead in the hippocampus. Administration of DMSA attenuated the oxidative stress and apoptosis in addition to having strong chelating and lead-removing capacity. OPC alone had antioxidant protective effects in the hippocampus but no removing capacity for lead in vivo despite showing higher affinity and stronger chelating ability for Pb(2+) than DMSA in vitro. It is suggested that OPC chelates Pb(2+) but does not discharge it from the body and even accumulates Pb(2+) in some organs. At the same time, a reasonable deduction can also be made that the complex of OPC-Pb(2+) prevents or at least weakens the neurotoxicity of Pb(2+). Whether this complex displays toxicity over a long time span should be studied further.

To investigate the prognostic factors related to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by analyzing clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment and prognosis.Three hundred and five TNBC patients treated between January 2004 and December 2011 were enrolled and retrospectively reviewed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. All patients were females and the age onset were 24-82 years old (the median were 50 years old).The follow-up period was 1 to 114 months, with median 38 months. The 5-year disease free survival (DFS) rate was 68% and overall survival (OS) rate 75%. The peak risk of recurrence occurs within the first 2-3 years after initial treatment of the disease, but distant relapse after this time is much less common. Survival analysis showed that surgery type (χ(2) = 4.030, P = 0.045), tumor grade (χ(2) = 8.000, P = 0.046), lymph-vascular invasion (χ(2) = 10.386, P = 0.001) and lymph node stage (χ(2) = 119.36, P = 0.000), TNM stage (χ(2) = 65.961, P = 0.000) and treatment plan (χ(2) = 28.371, 21.874, 32.163, all P = 0.000) were statistically related to DFS; while age (χ(2) = 10.226, P = 0.006), lymph-vascular invasion (χ(2) = 18.881, P = 0.000), lymph node stage (χ(2) = 98.958, P = 0.000), TNM stage (χ(2) = 65.342, P = 0.000) and type of treatment (χ(2) = 17.862, 18.708, 31.921, all P = 0.000) were related to OS. The lymph nodes stage was prognostic factor related to both DFS and OS.TNBC was characterized by poor prognosis and rapid progression. The lymph nodes metastatic status was the most important prognostic factor of TNBC.

To evaluate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of chronic gastric ulcer with early canceration in order to provide useful information for diagnosis and treatment strategies.A retrospective review of clinical data and prognosis from 43 patients of chronic gastric ulcer with early canceration from 2003 to 2010 was conducted. These data were compared with those with primary intra-mucosa gastric cancer (type I and II 275 cases, type III 68 cases).In 43 cases of chronic gastric ulcer with early canceration, 30 cases (69.8%) were male, 22 cases (51.2%) were younger than 60 years old. Lesions located in the body or antrum of the stomach in 39 cases (90.7%), were less than 2 cm in 26 cases (60.5%), were undifferentiated type in 23 cases (53.5%), and developed lymph node metastasis in 4 cases (9.3%). Lesions of 4 cases of chronic gastric ulcer with early canceration located in the upper third of the stomach, while those of type III primary intra-mucosal gastric cancer all located in the lower two thirds, and the difference was statistically significant (P0.01). Compared to type III and type I and II primary intra-mucosal gastric cancer, chronic gastric ulcer with early canceration did not differ in clinicopathological characteristics such as histological type, vascular or lymphatic invasion, and lymph nodes metastasis (all P0.05). The median follow-up time was 57 months (range 16 to 98 months). The 5-year overall survival was 95.3% in chronic gastric ulcer with early canceration group, similar to that of type I, II (97.4%) or type III (94.5%) primary intra-mucosal gastric cancer group (P0.05).The clinicopathological features of chronic gastric ulcer with early canceration are similar to those of primary intra-mucosal gastric cancer. The prognosis is promising for those patients undergoing surgical treatment.

The phase stability, mechanical properties and lattice thermal conductivity of the ternary layered ceramic Ti2(Al[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text])C solid solutions are systematically investigated using the first-principles calculation. Present calculated results indicate that all the Ti2(Al[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text])C solid solutions are thermodynamic and elastically stable and all these compounds are identified as brittle materials. The temperature dependence of lattice thermal conductivity and the minimum thermal conductivity of the Ti2(Al[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text])C compounds are reported. Moreover, Debye temperature and melting point of these compounds are also obtained. Present results predict that all Ti2(Al[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text])C compounds have a relative high melting point and Debye temperature, indicating that all Ti2(Al[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text])C compounds possess a rather stiff lattice and good thermal conductivity.

To explore the association of Snail expression and Lauren classification of gastric cancer.The protein levels of Snail and E-cadherin were detected by Western blot in N87 (intestinal-type gastric cancer cell line) and AGS(diffuse-type gastric cancer cell line) cell lines and those after transfection of GSK-3β plasmid. The study included a total of 77 patients with primary gastric cancer who underwent curative gastrectomy in the Zhongshan Hospital from February 2000 to December 2005 without any chemotherapy or radiation therapy before surgery. Tissues of gastric cancer specimens were stained using immunohistochemistry to determine Snail expression.Snail expression was low in N78 and high in AGS. E-cadherin expression showed reverse expression pattern. After transfection with GSK-3β, the expression of Snail was significantly suppressed and that of E-cadherin elevated (P0.01). Different concentrations of GSK-3β inhibitor lithion chloride were used to treat the cell lines and Snail expression was significantly up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner (P0.01). Snail expression was elevated in 16 out of 21 N78 cell lines, and in 21 out of 56 AGS cell lines, and the difference was statistically significant (P0.01).The expression of Snail is closely associated with the Lauren classification of gastric cancer, and it may be a potential marker of the gastric cancer classification.