Prognostic significance of the pretreatment pan-immune-inflammation value in cancer patients: an updated meta-analysis of 30 studies.

Background: The pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) has been reported as a promising prognostic biomarker in multiple cancers but still remains inconclusive. The objective of this study is to systematically investigate the association of the pretreatment PIV with survival outcomes in cancer patients, based on available literature.

Methods: Online databases including PubMed, Embase and the Web of Science were thoroughly searched for studies evaluating the prognostic role of the pretreatment PIV in cancers from the inception to June 2023.

Buffering effect of the economizer against PCDD/Fs in flue gas from solid waste incineration plants.

The emission of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from solid waste incineration is always a crucial concern for the society. Less attention has been paid to differentiate its formation and migration in the low temperature range of economizer, leading to a fuzzy understanding on the control of PCDD/Fs before flue gas cleaning. This study first reveals the buffering effect against PCDD/Fs in the economizer, which is contrary to the well-known memory effect, and first recognizes the intrinsic mechanism by 36 sets of full-scale experimental data under three typical operating conditions.

MicroRNA-92a-3p Enhances Cisplatin Resistance by Regulating Krüppel-Like Factor 4-Mediated Cell Apoptosis and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cervical Cancer.

Recent studies have confirmed the existence and key roles of microRNA (miRNAs) in cancer drug resistance, including cervical cancer (CC). The present study aims to establish a novel role for miR-92a-3p and its associated gene networks in cisplatin (DDP) resistance of CC. First, the disparities in miRNA expression between CC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were screened based on GSE19611 microarray data that retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and we identified several miRs that were significantly downregulated or upregulated in CC tissues including miR-92a-3p.

The prognostic value of the lymph node ratio in patients with stage IIIC ovarian cancer treated with preoperative chemotherapy.

Background: Ovarian cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in females. Due to the unremarkable symptoms associated with early ovarian cancer, many patients are already in the advanced stages at first diagnosis. Recent studies have shown that the lymph node ratio (LNR) has a certain value in predicting the prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer.

Process tracing of PCDD/Fs from economizer to APCDs during solid waste incineration: Re-formation and transformation mechanisms.

The emission of PCDD/Fs is a crucial factor for the aggravation of the Not-In-My-Back-Yard (NIMBY) syndrome, especially for the incineration plants that fail to meet the emission standard. It is well known that physicochemical processes in the boiler can notably affect the discharge of dioxins, especially under transient, non-steady conditions. However, few studies paid attention to the important operational parameters that influence PCDD/Fs formation and transformation in the boiler when an incinerator is in its daily steady operation.

Quality of end-of-life care of advanced cancer patients in mainland China-a retrospective cohort of 441 hospital-death in a public funded comprehensive hospital.

Background: Shenzhen is a rapidly growing city in China with a population of over 11 million. The Hong Kong University-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) was established in 2012 as a new model of publicly funded health care in mainland China. The clinical oncology center of the HKU-SZH was launched in 2013 which pledged to provide integrated palliative care for advanced cancer patients.

The main active components of Curcuma zedoaria reduces collagen deposition in human lung fibroblast via autophagy.

Disordered collagen production by fibroblasts in response to tissue injury contributes to pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Therefore, elimination of collagen deposition has becoming a potential target in PF treatment which despite standard anti-fibrosis regiment still remains challenge. Curcumin and curcumol are regarded as the main active components extraction from the rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria, which is widely used for inhibition the proliferation of multiple cells.

From NIMBY to BIMBY: An evaluation of aesthetic appearance and social sustainability of MSW incineration plants in China.

The Not-In-My-BackYard (NIMBY) claims caused by the rapid expansion of waste incineration in China make stakeholders pay more attention to the environmental and social impact. Nowadays, the environmental impact is under control of the whole society while the social sustainability is often neglected. As the social sustainability is vital to the public acceptance and conducive to convert NIMBY claims to Beauty-In-My-BackYard (BIMBY) synergy, all stakeholders desire to know the gap but lack evaluation method.

Measurement of Dioxin Emissions from a Small-Scale Waste Incinerator in the Absence of Air Pollution Controls.

Polychlorinated dibenzo--dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/Fs) emissions from basic small-scale waste incinerators (SWI) may cause health risks in nearby people and are thus subject to stringent regulations. The aim of this study was to evaluate PCDD/F emission and reduction of a basic SWI in the absence of air pollution controls (APCs). The results indicated that the stack gas and fly ash presented average PCDD/F levels and emission factors of 3.

HER2 decreases drug sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells via inducing stem cell-like property in an NFκB-dependent way.

Increasing evidence shows that cancer stem cells are responsible for drug resistance and relapse of tumors. In breast cancer, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) induces Herceptin resistance by inducing cancer stem cells. In the present study, we explored the effect of HER2 on cancer stem cells induction and drug sensitivity of ovarian cancer cell lines.

Long noncoding RNA opa-interacting protein 5 antisense transcript 1 promotes proliferation and invasion through elevating integrin α6 expression by sponging miR-143-3p in cervical cancer.

An increasing number of studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in cervical cancer (CC) progression. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of lncRNA opa-interacting protein 5 antisense transcript 1 (OIP5-AS1) involved in the CC remain unclear. In the current study, we found that lncRNA OIP5-AS1 was upregulated in CC tissues and cell lines.

MicroRNA-135a-3p is downregulated and serves as a tumour suppressor in ovarian cancer by targeting CCR2.

MicroRNAs have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the development of ovarian cancer. Many studies prove that forms of miR-135a, including miR-135a-5p and miR-135a-3p, serve as tumour suppressors in multiple cancers. Nevertheless, the precise function of miR-135a-3p and the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of miR-135a-3p in ovarian carcinoma cell growth and metastasis remain largely unknown.

Novel insights into ion channels in cancer stem cells (Review).

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are immortal cells in tumor tissues that have been proposed as the driving force of tumorigenesis and tumor invasion. Previously, ion channels were revealed to contribute to cancer cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that ion channels are present in various CSCs; however, the functions of ion channels and their mechanisms in CSCs remain unknown.

Emission characteristics of PCDD/Fs in stack gas from municipal solid waste incineration plants in Northern China.

Emission characteristics including congener's profile, gas emissions and toxic equivalent concentration (TEQ) indicators of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in 57 stack gas samples from 6 municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) in Northern China were investigated by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS). Additionally, PCDD/Fs formation mechanisms from the MSWIs were briefly discussed. Results revealed that the concentrations and equivalent concentrations of PCDD/Fs emissions in stack gas from 6 MSWIs were in the range of 0.

Emission characteristics of toxic pollutants from an updraft fixed bed gasifier for disposing rural domestic solid waste.

Gasification has gained advantage as an effective way to dispose domestic solid waste in mountainous rural of China. However, its toxic emissions such as PCDD/Fs and heavy metals, as well as their potential environmental risks, were not well studied in engineering application. In this study, an updraft fixed bed gasifier was investigated by field sampling analysis.

Status and perspectives of municipal solid waste incineration in China: A comparison with developed regions.

With the rapid expansion of municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration, the applicability, technical status, and future improvement of MSW incineration attract much attention in China. This paper aims to be a sensible response, with the aid of a comparison between China and some representative developed regions including the EU, the U.S.

[Effects of butylphthalide on bronchial asthma in guinea pigs and involvement of endothelin].

Objective: To study the effects of butylphthalide on bronchial asthma in guinea pigs, and investigate the involvement of endothelin.

Methods: In guinea pigs, bronchial asthma was induced by injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and provoked by inhalation of OVA, and the effects of butylphthalide on asthma were evaluated through the changes it induced by OVA, pulmonary function, endothelin-1 (ET-1) contents and activity of endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum and lung tissue, and the gene expression of ET-1 in lung tissue.

Results: Butylphthalide significantly improved pulmonary function, lowered asthmatic behavior score, inhibited the activity of ECE-1, and reduced ET-1 gene expression level in lung tissue.

Adipose‑derived mesenchymal stem cell‑facilitated TRAIL expression in melanoma treatment in vitro.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) may be useful as an efficient vehicle in cell-based gene therapy of human diseases due to their ability to migrate to disease lesions. This study investigated the ability of ADSC‑harbored human tumor necrosis factor‑related apoptosis‑inducing ligand (TRAIL) cDNA to facilitate TRAIL expression and induce A375 melanoma cell apoptosis as observed using a Transwell co‑culture system. A cell migration assay was used to observe ADSC migration ability.

Evaluation of PCDD/Fs and metals emission from a circulating fluidized bed incinerator co-combusting sewage sludge with coal.

The emission characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and heavy metals were evaluated during co-combustion of sewage sludge with coal from a circulating fluidized bed incinerator. The stack gas, slag and fly ash samples were sampled and analyzed. The gas-cleaning system consisted of electrostatic precipitators and a semi-dry scrubber.

Emission, mass balance, and distribution characteristics of PCDD/Fs and heavy metals during cocombustion of sewage sludge and coal in power plants.

The emission, mass balance, and distribution characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) as well as those of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Cu) were investigated during the cocombustion of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% sewage sludge (SS) in a pulverized coal power plant. The PCDD/F emissions increased from 7.00 to 32.

Characterization and mass balance of dioxin from a large-scale municipal solid waste incinerator in China.

The input and output samples from existing large-scale municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) were collected and analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-р-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in this study, aiming to evaluate PCDD/F characteristic and the corresponding mass balance through the whole system. The grate-type MSWI is equipped with semi-dry scrubber, activated carbon injection, and bag filter as air pollutant control devices (APCDs). Results showed that on the output side, the stack gas, bottom ash and fly ash presented their mean dioxin levels of 0.

Haplotype-based case-control study of the human AGTR1 gene and essential hypertension in Han Chinese subjects.

Objectives: Essential hypertension is considered to be a multifactorial trait resulting from the combined influence of environmental and genetic determinants. The aim of the study is to assess the association between the human AGTR1 gene and essential hypertension (EH) using a haplotype-based case-control study in Han Chinese subjects.

Design And Methods: Seven tag SNPs and the A1166C polymorphism of the AGTR1 gene were genotyped in 510 hypertension subjects and 510 normotensive subjects using PCR-RFLP method.

Method of Reducing Dimensions of Segmentation Feature parameter Applied to Skin Erythema Image Segmentation.

In this paper we discussed the method to reduce dimensions of segmentation feature applied to skin erythema image segmentation. Basing on analyzing a lot of erythema images, we proposed a new segmentation feature parameter applied to skin erythema image segmentation. At last, by using the fuzzy-c-means cluster arithmetic, we compared the segmentation speed and segmentation effect of adopting different segmentation features parameter and found that the segmentation result by using the new segmentation feature parameter is better.