A stretching apparatus with broad strain rate and temperature ranges for in-situ x-ray scattering measurements of polymers.

A stretching apparatus capable of conducting tensile tests over a broad strain rate range (10-3-250 s-1) and a wide temperature range (-75-250 °C) has been designed for polymeric materials, in particular the polymeric films. Specifically, this stretching apparatus can be combined with in situ ultrasmall-, small-, and wide-angle x-ray scattering (USAXS/SAXS/WAXS) measurements. The sample stretching is achieved through the synchronized rotation of rolls, powered by servo motors.

Sigmoid function model of parallel-connected DC-DC converters and analysis of their dynamic characteristics.

Because of the manufacturing variations of circuit elements and the effects of parasitic parameters, the switching elements of parallel-connected modules cannot be synchronously switched. Consequently, the characteristics of these converters, which are multi-mode, high-order systems, cannot be comprehensively described using reduced-order models based on the symmetry of circuit topology and parameters. It is also difficult to fully describe the characteristics of these systems using discrete mapping models and averaged models.

Risk factors for bacteremia and mortality due to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: a retrospective study.

This research aimed to determine the relationships between the risk factors for nosocomial multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) bacteremia and associated mortality. We analyzed 144 patients treated for A. baumannii bacteremia, including 120 patients with MDRAB bacteremia, from March 2015 to March 2020, in this retrospective study.

KCNAB2 overexpression inhibits human non-small-cell lung cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. NSCLC patients often have poor prognosis demanding urgent identification of novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. KCNAB2 (regulatory beta subunit2 of voltage-gated potassium channel), encoding aldosterone reductase, plays a pivotal role in regulating potassium channel activity.

Transhiatal esophagectomy via mediastinoscopy versus sweet for T2 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Background: The aim was to compare transhiatal esophagectomy via mediastinoscopy (TEM) with Sweet procedure for patients with T2 midpiece and distal esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Materials And Methods: By virtue of propensity score matching, 42 T2 ESCC patients who underwent TEM ( = 21) and Sweet procedure ( = 21) were included. Both the short-term and long-term outcomes of these patients were observed.

Prognostic Factors for Attempted Finger Replantation and Revascularisation after Traumatic Amputation: A 16-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of variant factors on finger replantation and revascularisation after traumatic amputation, which also included duty shift and the level of main operator. To determine the prognostic factors for the survival rate of finger replantation and revascularisation after traumatic finger amputation, we retrospectively reviewed the cases of finger replantation conducted from January 2001 to December 2017. Data collected consisted of the basic information of the patients, trauma-related factors, details of the operation and treatment outcomes.

A versatile biaxial stretching device for in situ synchrotron radiation small- and wide-angle x-ray scattering measurements of polymer films.

A biaxial stretching device is designed and developed for the real-time structural measurements of polymer films. This device adopts a vertical layout to perform real-time x-ray scattering measurements. It has a maximum stretching ratio of 8 × 8 in two perpendicular directions.

Design and operation of high-power permanent magnet speed regulator used in industry.

A high-power permanent magnet speed regulator is applied to a cooling water pump for conserving energy during the steel production in Magang (Group) Holding Co., Ltd. The designed setup of high-power permanent magnet speed regulator with a mobile base is shown in this manuscript, and the magnetic eddy under the different meshing area between driving and driven shafts has been simulated.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 mRNA-Binding Protein 3 and Its Related Molecules as Potential Biomarkers in Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) plays a key role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women all over the world. However, the relationship between IGF2BP3 and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has not been reported yet.

Development of a Humanized VHH Based Recombinant Antibody Targeting Claudin 18.2 Positive Cancers.

Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), a tight junction (TJ) family protein controlling molecule exchange between cells, is frequently over-expressed in gastric cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinomas and in a fraction of non-small cell lung cancer cases.

Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant sintilimab, oxaliplatin and capecitabine in patients with locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: early results of a phase 2 study.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have greatly improved the prognoses of diverse advanced malignancies, including gastric and gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer. However, the role of anti-programmed cell death protein-1 treatment in the neoadjuvant setting remains unclear. This phase 2 study aimed to evaluate sintilimab plus CapeOx as a neoadjuvant regimen in patients with advanced resectable G/GEJ adenocarcinoma.

[Estimation of Surface Ozone Concentration and Health Impact Assessment in China].

Within the context of PM concentrations decreasing annually, ozone concentrations have increased instead of decreased, and ozone has become one of the main pollutants in the warm season in China. Based on the idea of big data association analysis, the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) ozone concentration estimation model was constructed and developed to estimate the maximum daily 8 h average ozone concentration (O_8h) in China in 2019 for human exposure assessment. The model input ground monitoring station data, high-resolution remote-sensing satellite data, meteorological data, emission inventory data, digital elevation model (DEM) data, and population data were used to capture the temporal and spatial variation of O_8h.

RNA sequencing reveals the circular RNA expression profiles of the infrapatellar fat pad/synovium unit.

Background: The infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) and synovium are reported to act as a functional unit, with emerging roles in the pathophysiology of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of KOA, especially in cartilage homeostasis regulation. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in the KOA IPFP/synovium unit remain to be elucidated.

Testis developmental related gene 1 promotes non-small-cell lung cancer through the microRNA-214-5p/Krüppel-like factor 5 axis.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a frequent malignancy and has a high global incidence. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. LncRNA testis developmental related gene 1 (TDRG1) plays a pivotal role in many cancers.

Use of Tc-sestamibi SPECT/CT imaging in predicting the degree of pathological hyperplasia of the parathyroid gland: semi-quantitative analysis.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that Tc-sestamibi (Tc-MIBI) Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/ Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging is an effective isotopic technique for locating the parathyroid in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). This study aimed to explore further the correlation between Tc-MIBI SPECT/CT imaging and SHPT to demonstrate the value of Tc-MIBI SPECT/CT in evaluating the degree of pathological hyperplasia of the parathyroid gland (PG).

Methods: The demographics, surgical records, and follow-up information of 91 patients were recorded and analyzed.

Coexistence of papillary thyroid carcinoma in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: The coexistence of primary hyperparathyroidism and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is common and may be associative with more aggressive PTC, with higher rates of extrathyroidal extension and multicentricity. However, it is unclear whether secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is associated with more invasive PTC in terms of morbidity, tumor pathological characteristics, and prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate and tumor characteristics of PTC in patients with SHPT.

Whole-exome sequencing of alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric carcinoma reveals genomic profile and therapeutic targets.

Alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric carcinoma (AFPGC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of gastric cancer. However, little is known about the genomic features of this disease. We perform whole-exome sequencing analysis of AFPGC, and identify 34 significantly mutated genes.

A novel genomic classification system of gastric cancer via integrating multidimensional genomic characteristics.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths with high heterogeneity. There is currently a paucity of clinically applicable molecular classification system to guide precise medicine.

Methods: A total of 70 Chinese patients with GC were included in this study and whole-exome sequencing was performed.

Exhausted CD8+T Cells in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment: New Pathways to Therapy.

Tumor-specific CD8T cells are exposed to persistent antigenic stimulation which induces a dysfunctional state called "exhaustion." Though functioning to limit damage caused by immune response, T cell exhaustion leads to attenuated effector function whereby cytotoxic CD8T cells fail to control tumor progression in the late stage. This pathway is a dynamic process from activation to "progenitor exhaustion" through to "terminally exhaustion" with distinct properties.

The Significance of Platelet-Albumin-Bilirubin (PALBI) Grade in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Stratified According to Platelet Count.

Background: Platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) has been demonstrated to be superior to conventional Child-Pugh (C-P) grade in evaluating liver function and prognosis of HCC patients. However, both thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia are unfavorable for HCC survival. The aim of this study was to preliminarily investigate the prognostic value of PALBI in HCC patients with thrombocytopenia and excluding thrombocytopenia.

SOX4 promotes the growth and metastasis of breast cancer.

Purpose: Increasing evidence has shown that the transcription factor SOX4 is closely associated with the development and progression of many malignant tumors. However, the effect of SOX4 on breast cancer is unclear. In this study, we purposed to investigate the role of SOX4 in the growth and metastasis in breast cancer and the underlying mechanism.

A randomized phase II trial of best supportive care with or without hyperthermia and vitamin C for heavily pretreated, advanced, refractory non-small-cell lung cancer.

Our previous study indicated that intravenous vitamin C (IVC) treatment concurrent with modulated electrohyperthermia (mEHT) was safe and improved the quality of life (QoL) of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The aim of this trial was to further verify the efficacy of the above combination therapy in previously treated patients with refractory advanced (stage IIIb or IV) NSCLC. A total of 97 patients were randomized to receive IVC and mEHT plus best supportive care (BSC) (n = 49 in the active arm, receiving 1 g/kg * d IVC concurrently with mEHT, three times a week for 25 treatments in total) or BSC alone (n = 48 in the control arm).