[Prognostic value of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with thoracic radiation]

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio(NLR) in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyze 420 patients who received thoracic radiotherapy alone, sequential chemoraiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced stage NSCLC from January 2007 to December 2010 of our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups (high NLR group and low NLR group) with appropriate cutoff point using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method. The survival curve was established by Kaplan-Meier method. The Log-rank test was used to compare the survival of the two NLR groups and the multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox regression model. Results: Among the 420 patients, 99 received radiotherapy alone, 139 received sequential chemoradiotherapy and 182 received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. 345 patients died and 75 were still alive. The median follow-up time was 5.2 years and the median overall survival was 22 months. The cut-off value of pretreatment NLR was 2.1. The 5-year PFS and OS rates in high NLR group and low NLR group were 10.6% vs 15.7% (P=0.033) and 15.5% vs 22.7% (P=0.012). Multivariate analysis confirmed that pretreatment NLR (hazard ratio 1.06, P=0.041) was independent prognostic factor of OS. Conclusions: Our study revealed that the pretreatment NLR is the independent prognostic factor of OS in patients with locally advanced stage NSCLC treated with thoracic radiotherapy. However, NLR is still greatly influenced by patient's condition and treatment which needs further research.

Surface premelting/recrystallization governing the collapse of open-cell nanoporous Cu via thermal annealing

We systematically investigate the collapse of a set of open-cell nanoporous Cu (np-Cu) materials with the same porosity and shape but different specific surface areas, during thermal annealing, by performing large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Two mechanisms govern the collapse of np-Cu. One is direct surface premelting, facilitating the collapse of np-Cu, when the specific surface area is less than a critical value (∼2.38 nm-1). The other is recrystallization followed by surface premelting, accelerating the sloughing of ligaments and the annihilation of voids, when the critical specific surface area is exceeded. Surface premelting results from surface reconstruction by prompting localized "disordering" and "chaos" on the surface, and the melting temperature reduces linearly with the increase of the specific surface area. Recrystallization is followed by surface premelting as the melting temperature is below the supercooling point, where a liquid is unstable and instantaneously recrystallizes.

Closed-Loop Electrochemical Recycling of Spent Copper(II) from Etchant Wastewater Using a Carbon Nanotube Modified Graphite Felt Anode

Developing effective technologies for treatment of spent etchant in printed circuit boards industries is of paramount for sustainable copper reuse and reducing copper discharge. We developed a novel closed-loop electrochemical cell for on-site regeneration of spent acidic cupric chloride etchant. It does not have any emissions and recycles all the copper using a three-dimensional graphite felt anode decorated with carbon nanotube (CNT/GF). The CNT/GF anode oxidizes Cu(I) to Cu(II) so that the spent cuprous chloride can be converted to cupric chloride and reused. The decorated CNT layer with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups significantly enhanced the electrocatalytic activity for Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox. The CuCl₃^2- is oxidized to CuCl⁺ at the anode and the CuCl⁺ is reduced to Cu(0) at the cathode. The closed-loop cycle system converts the catholyte into the anolyte. On average, the energy consumption of Cu(I) oxidation by CNT/GF is decreased by 12%, comparing to that by untreated graphite felt. The oxidation rate of Cu(I) is determined by the current density, and there is no delay for the mass transport of Cu(I). This study highlights the outstanding electrocatalytic performance, the rapid mass-transfer kinetics, and the excellent stability of the CNT/GF electrode, and provides an energy-efficient and zero-emission strategy for the regeneration of etchant waste.

Piezoelectric Polyacrylonitrile Nanofiber Film-Based Dual-Function Self-Powered Flexible Sensor

To meet the growing demands in flexible and wearable electronics, various sensors have been designed for detecting and monitoring the physical quantity changes. However, most of these sensors can only detect one certain kind of physical quantity based on a single mechanism. In this paper, we have fabricated a multifunctional sensor made from carbonized electrospun polyacrylonitrile/barium titanate (PAN-C/BTO) nanofiber film. It can detect two physical quantities (pressure and curvature), independently and simultaneously, by integrating piezoresistive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric effects. For flex sensing with the impedance change of PAN-C/BTO nanofiber films during bending, it had a sensitivity of 1.12 deg^-1 from 58.9° to 120.2° and a working range of 28°-150°. For self-powered force sensing, it had a gauge factor of 1.44 V·N^-1 within the range of 0.15-25 N. The sensor had a long stability over 60 000 cycles at both sensing modes. The inclusion of barium titanate nanoparticles (BTO NPs) into the nanofiber film had an over 2.4 times enhancement of sensitivity for pressure sensing because of the synergy of piezoelectric and triboelectric effects. On the basis of multifunction and modularity, a series of potential applications of the sensor were demonstrated, including sensing human's swallowing, walking gaits, finger flexure, and finger-tapping. The self-powered flexible dual-mode sensor has great application potential in human-computer interactive and smart wearable sensing systems.

Demonstration of an optical directed half-subtracter using integrated silicon photonic circuits

An integrated silicon photonic circuit consisting of two silicon microring resonators (MRRs) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for the purpose of half-subtraction operation. The thermo-optic modulation scheme is employed to modulate the MRRs due to its relatively simple fabrication process. The high and low levels of the electrical pulse signal are utilized to define logic 1 and 0 in the electrical domain, respectively, and the high and low levels of the optical power represent logic 1 and 0 in the optical domain, respectively. Two electrical pulse sequences regarded as the operands are applied to the corresponding micro-heaters fabricated on the top of the MRRs to achieve their dynamic modulations. The final operation results of bit-wise borrow and difference are obtained at their corresponding output ports in the form of light. At last, the subtraction operation of two bits with the operation speed of 10 kbps is demonstrated successfully.

Equine-like G3 rotavirus strains as predominant strains among children in Indonesia in 2015-2016

Rotavirus A (RVA) is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans and animals worldwide. As a result of the segmented nature of the rotavirus genome, genetic reassortment commonly occurs. This study aims to clarify the genetic characteristics of RVAs circulating in Indonesia. From June 2015 through August 2016, stool samples were collected from 134 children aged <5 years (71 male and 63 female) with acute gastroenteritis who were inpatients at a private hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia. All stool samples were screened for RVA antigen using immunochromatography. Forty-two samples (31.3%, 42/134) were RVA antigen-positive. All RVA positive samples tested showed the unusual combinations of G3P[8] (n = 36) and G3P[6] (n = 3) with a short RNA pattern by G/P typing and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Whole genome analysis by next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed for 11 strains to determine the RVA genotypes. Eleven rotavirus strains were found to carry a DS-like genetic backbone; nine strains showed a G3-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2 genome constellation, which was recently reported in Australia, Hungary, Spain and Brazil; as well, two strains showed a G3-P[6]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2 genome constellation. The phylogenetic tree based on the VP7 gene showed that all 11 strains were classified as equine-like G3, which is genetically distinct and different in origin from typical human G3 strains. The phylogenetic tree based on the NSP4 gene showed that six strains were classified as bovine-like strain and the remaining five were classified as human strain. In conclusion, we identified the strains which are intergenogroup reassortants containing an equine-like G3 VP7, a P[8])/P[6] VP4, with a DS-1-like genetic backbone. These findings suggest that equine-like G3P[8] and P[6] RVA strains have been circulating in the Indonesian population for at least 1 year and probably longer, indicating a diversity of RVAs in this area.

Electrochemical inactivation of Microcystis aeruginosa using BDD electrodes: Kinetic modeling of microcystins release and degradation

Electrochemical inactivation of cyanobacteria using boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode were comprehensively investigated in this study. The pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry, flow cytometry, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to characterize the photosynthetic capacity and cell integrity of Microcystis aeruginosa. Persulfate is in-situ generated and activated during the process and responsible for the inactivation of M. aeruginosa. The inactivation efficiency increases along with the increase of applied currents. Additionally, a kinetic model based on a sequence of two consecutive irreversible first-order processes was developed to simulate the release and degradation of microcystins (MCLR). The model was able to successfully predict the concentration of extracellular, intracellular and total MCLR under different applied currents and extended exposure time.

Fused-Ring Formation by an Intramolecular "Cut-and-Sew" Reaction between Cyclobutanones and Alkynes

The development of a catalytic intramolecular "cut-and-sew" transformation between cyclobutanones and alkynes to construct cyclohexenone-fused rings is described herein. The challenge arises from the need for selective coupling at the more sterically hindered proximal position, and can be addressed by using an electron-rich, but less bulky, phosphine ligand. The control experiment and 13 C-labelling study suggest that the reaction may start with cleavage of the less hindered distal C-C bond of cyclobutanones, followed by decarbonylation and CO reinsertion to enable Rh insertion at the more hindered proximal position.

Elevated level of interleukin-35 in colorectal cancer induces conversion of T cells into iTr35 by activating STAT1/STAT3

IL-35 is a novel heterodimeric and inhibitory cytokine, composed of interleukin-12 subunit alpha (P35) and Epstein-Barr virus -induced gene 3 (EBI3). IL-35 has been reported to be produced by a range of cell types, especially regulatory T cells, and to exert immunosuppressive effects via the STATx signaling pathway. In this study, we demonstrated that IL-35 expression was elevated in both serum and tumors in patients with colorectal cancer. IL-35 mainly expressed in CD4⁺ T cells in human colorectal cancer tumors and adjacent tissues. Increased IL-35 expression in tumor-adjacent tissues was significantly associated with tumor metastasis. IL-35 inhibited the proliferation of CD4⁺CD25⁻ T effector cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, and its suppression was partially reversed by applying IL-35-neutralizing antibodies. IL-35 treatment activated the phosphorylation of both STAT1 and STAT3 in human CD4⁺ T cells. Meanwhile, IL-35 induced a positive feedback loop to promote its own production. We observed that Tregs obtained from colorectal cancer patients were capable of inducing more IL-35 production. In addition, EBI3 promoter-driven luciferase activity was higher than that of the mock plasmid after IL-35stimulation. Thus, our study indicates that the high level of IL-35 in colorectal cancer promotes the production of IL-35 via STAT1 and STAT3, which suppresses T cell proliferation and may participate in tumor immunotolerance.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Amino Acid and FDG-PET in Differentiating Brain Metastasis Recurrence from Radionecrosis after Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Current studies that analyze the usefulness of amino acid and FDG-PET in distinguishing brain metastasis recurrence and radionecrosis after radiation therapy are limited by small cohort size.

PURPOSE

Our aim was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of amino acid and FDG-PET in differentiating brain metastasis recurrence from radionecrosis after radiation therapy.

DATA SOURCES

Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.

STUDY SELECTION

Fifteen studies were included from the literature. Each study used PET to differentiate radiation necrosis from tumor recurrence in contrast-enhancing lesions on follow-up brain MR imaging after treating brain metastasis with radiation therapy.

DATA ANALYSIS

Data were analyzed with a bivariate random-effects model. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were pooled, and a summary receiver operating characteristic curve was fit to the data.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio of PET were 0.85, 0.88, 7.0, 0.17, and 40, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.93. On subgroup analysis of different tracers, amino acid and FDG-PET had similar diagnostic accuracy. Meta-regression analysis demonstrated that the method of quantification based on patient, lesion, or PET scan (based on lesion versus not, P = .07) contributed to the heterogeneity.

LIMITATIONS

Our study was limited by small sample size, and 60% of the included studies were of retrospective design.

CONCLUSIONS

Amino acid and FDG-PET had good diagnostic accuracy in differentiating brain metastasis recurrence from radionecrosis after radiation therapy.

Elastostatic reversibility in thermally formed bulk metallic glasses: nanobeam diffraction fluctuation electron microscopy

The unparalleled shaping ability of bulk metallic glasses can revolutionize commercial products having multi-length scale features with a processing time of several minutes. Despite the widespread shaping ability of these polymer-like multicomponent alloys, thermoplastic forming (TPF) can severely degrade the intrinsic properties, particularly when complex stress states are activated. The present work emphasizes the importance of elastostatic loading (ESL) which not only fully reverses deteriorated room temperature plasticity originating under TPF or post-cryostatic conditions, but also activates a rejuvenation mechanism by rendering an extended resistance against strain softening. Furthermore, the reduction in the supercooled liquid region and crystallization enthalpy measured by differential scanning calorimetry are found to be temporary, and can be fully reversed to the initial condition. HRTEM imaging of the samples are performed with an imaging spherical aberration corrector. Individual nanobeam diffraction patterns obtained by the fluctuation electron microscopy (FEM) measurements are acquired using a scanning transmission electron microscope with a probe size of 1.2 nm from a 10 × 10 raster, yielding 100 diffraction patterns. The normalized variance of a series of nanodiffraction patterns of the post-elastostatically loaded sample reveals a height decrease in the first broad peak of normalized intensity variance V(k) suggesting modifications in the medium-range structural order which in turn dramatically restores the mechanical and thermal properties. Overall, the combination of TPF and post-ESL treatment in advanced glassy metals can open a new avenue for ultra-high mechanical and thermal performance micro- and nanomechanical devices for biosensors, MOSFETs and robotics.

MicroRNA Delivery Strategies to the Lung in a Model of Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by enhanced proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells associated with obliteration of small pulmonary arterioles and formation of plexiform lesions. To date, no curative treatments have been identified for pulmonary arterial hypertension. There are various therapeutic options, including conventional medical therapies and oral, subcutaneous, intravenous, and inhalation delivery. We have previously shown that miR-143/145 knockout can prevent the development of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) in mice. Here, we use chronic hypoxia-induced PH as a disease model to evaluate miR-143/145 inhibition after delivery of antimiRNAs via the subcutaneous or intranasal routes. We use qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence to confirm that both delivery strategies efficiently inhibit miR-143/145 in lung tissue from mice with chronic hypoxia-induced PH.

Degradation of dyes by peroxymonosulfate activated by ternary CoFeNi-layered double hydroxide: Catalytic performance, mechanism and kinetic modeling

Ternary CoFeNi-layered double hydroxide (CoFeNi-LDH) was synthesized and initially applied to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of Congo red (CR) and Rhodamine B (RhB). The results show that the CoFeNi-LDH/PMS system can efficiently degrade nearly 100% of 20 mg/L CR or 20 mg/L RhB within 6- and 10-min reaction times, respectively. And the catalyst exhibits higher degradation efficiency on CR than on RhB under identical conditions, which is confirmed by electron clouds of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) performed by DFT calculations. Quenching tests reveal that SO₄^- is the dominant active species participating in the degradation process. Mechanism investigation demonstrates that Co(II)-Co(III)-Co(II) cycle is responsible for activating PMS to generate radicals for dyes degradation. A dynamic kinetic model is successfully developed to simulate the concentration profiles of CR and RhB degradation in CoFeNi-LDH/PMS system. The empirical second order rate constants between SO₄^- and CR (k_SO4-/CR), HO and CR (k_OH/CR), SO₄^- and RhB (k_SO4-/RhB), HO and RhB (k_HO/RhB) are determined to be 2.47 × 10⁷, 3.44 × 10⁶, 8.39 × 10⁶ and 2.62 × 10⁷ M^-1s^-1, respectively. In addition, toxic assessment using ECOSAR program suggests that the overall toxicity of CR and RhB decreased after treatment with CoFeNi-LDH/PMS system. Repeating tests and application of CoFeNi-LDH in different water sources give us adequate confidence that the as-synthesized CoFeNi-LDH is favorable for the purification of dye-contaminanted waters in practical.

Broad-spectrum antiviral agents: secreted phospholipase A2 targets viral envelope lipid bilayers derived from the endoplasmic reticulum membrane

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), dengue virus (DENV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) belong to the family Flaviviridae. Their viral particles have the envelope composed of viral proteins and a lipid bilayer acquired from budding through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The phospholipid content of the ER membrane differs from that of the plasma membrane (PM). The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) superfamily consists of a large number of members that specifically catalyse the hydrolysis of phospholipids at a particular position. Here we show that the CM-II isoform of secreted PLA2 obtained from Naja mossambica mossambica snake venom (CM-II-sPLA2) possesses potent virucidal (neutralising) activity against HCV, DENV and JEV, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 0.036, 0.31 and 1.34 ng/ml, respectively. In contrast, the IC50 values of CM-II-sPLA2 against viruses that bud through the PM (Sindbis virus, influenza virus and Sendai virus) or trans-Golgi network (TGN) (herpes simplex virus) were >10,000 ng/ml. Moreover, the 50% cytotoxic (CC50) and haemolytic (HC50) concentrations of CM-II-sPLA2 were >10,000 ng/ml, implying that CM-II-sPLA2 did not significantly damage the PM. These results suggest that CM-II-sPLA2 and its derivatives are good candidates for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that target viral envelope lipid bilayers derived from the ER membrane.

Unconjugated interferon-stimulated gene 15 specifically interacts with the hepatitis C virus NS5A protein via domain I

Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), a ubiquitin-like protein, is induced by type I INF. Although several groups have reported ISGylation of the HCV NS5A protein, it is still unclear whether ISGylation of NS5A has anti- or pro-viral effects in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In the present study, the role of ISGylation-independent, unconjugated ISG15 in HCV infection was examined. Immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that ISG15 interacts specifically with NS5A domain I. ISG15 mutants lacking the C-terminal glycine residue that is essential for ISGylation still interacted with NS5A protein. Taken together, these results suggest that unconjugated ISG15 affects the functions of HCV NS5A through protein-protein interaction.