Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) not only confers tumor cells with a distinct advantage for metastatic dissemination, but also it provides those cells with cancer stem cell-like characters for ...proliferation and drug resistance. However, the molecular mechanism for maintenance of these stem cell-like traits remains unclear.
In this study, we induced EMT in breast cancer MCF7 and cervical cancer Hela cells with expression of Twist, a key transcriptional factor of EMT. The morphological changes associated with EMT were analyzed by immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting. The stem cell-like traits associated with EMT were determined by tumorsphere-formation and expression of ALDH1 and CD44 in these cells. The activation of β-catenin and Akt pathways was examined by Western blotting and luciferase assays.
We found that expression of Twist induced a morphological change associated with EMT. We also found that the cancer stem cell-like traits, such as tumorsphere formation, expression of ALDH1 and CD44, were significantly elevated in Twist-overexpressing cells. Interestingly, we showed that β-catenin and Akt pathways were activated in these Twist-overexpressing cells. Activation of β-catenin correlated with the expression of CD44. Knockdown of β-catenin expression and inhibition of the Akt pathway greatly suppressed the expression of CD44.
Our results indicate that activation of β-catenin and Akt pathways are required for the sustention of EMT-associated stem cell-like traits.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Comparing CO2 emission intensities of multiple regions reveals the sources of regional disparities and helps regions, especially the low-performing ones, to identify strategies for improving carbon ...performance. Conducting the comparison from a production perspective can help policymakers pinpoint opportunities to improve the general production system to reduce national emission intensity. This study proposes a spatial production-theoretical decomposition analysis (PDA) approach for such a purpose. Built upon the production theory framework, the proposed spatial PDA model quantifies the impacts of carbon technical performance, potential carbon factor and economy structure on regional disparities in emission intensity. Inter-factor substitution effects are further captured by using a two-stage decomposition procedure. Relevant methodological issues are discussed. The spatial PDA model is then applied to compare the emission intensities of 14 global economies in 2007. It is shown that the proposed model reveals the driving forces of regional disparities from viewpoints of production technology and technical efficiency, and is useful to shape pertinent policy measures aiming at promoting national emission intensity.
•A spatial PDA model to study regional disparities in emission intensity•The impacts of production technology related factors are quantified.•Inter-factor substitution effects and carbon performance impact are considered.•A simplified method for the second stage PDA decomposition is introduced.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The reduction of operation and maintenance cost plays a significant role in decreasing the cost of energy generated by offshore wind farm, which can be realized through better design of maintenance ...strategy. This paper proposes a dynamic opportunistic condition-based maintenance strategy for offshore wind farm by using predictive analytics. In the strategy, a new maintenance basis is developed by considering the varying maintenance lead time to make maintenance decisions for different wind turbine components. Meanwhile, the strategy also considers the economic dependence between the wind turbines and the components. We then present a maintenance model to derive the optimal maintenance plans for various turbine components under different weather and operation load conditions. A numerical example is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the maintenance model. It is found that the varying maintenance lead time has a significant effect on the annual maintenance cost which demonstrates the reasonableness of our proposed maintenance basis. Compared to the widely employed and the simple maintenance strategies, the proposed strategy can help reduce the annual maintenance cost by 39.24% and 32.46% respectively.
•A dynamic opportunistic condition-based maintenance strategy is formulated.•The varying maintenance lead time effect on the maintenance decision is analyzed.•A new maintenance basis is proposed to make maintenance plans for components.•We find that the maintenance cost is affected by the varying maintenance lead time.•The comparative analysis illustrates the capability of the proposed strategy.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This paper proposes a real options model for evaluating renewable energy investment by considering uncertain factors such as CO2 price, non-renewable energy cost, investment cost and market price of ...electricity. A phase-out mechanism is built into the model to reflect the long-term changes of subsidy policy. We apply the proposed model to empirically evaluate the investment value and optimal timing for solar photovoltaic power generation in China. Our empirical results show that the current investment environment in China may not be able to attract immediate investment, while the development of carbon market helps advance the optimal investment time. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to investigate the dynamics of investment value and optimal timing under the changes of unit generating capacity, subsidy level, market price of electricity, CO2 price and investment cost. It is found that the high investment cost and the volatility of electricity and CO2 prices, are not conducive to attract immediate investment. Instead, increasing the level of subsidy, promoting technological progress and maintaining the stability of market are useful to stimulate investment.
•Propose real option model for evaluating renewable energy investment under uncertainty•Evaluate solar PV power generation in China by considering multiple uncertain factors•Explore the dynamics of value and optimal investment timing by sensitivity analysis
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Background
This study aimed to compare sequential treatment by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with partial hepatectomy for ...hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria.
Methods
In a randomized clinical trial, patients with HCC within the Milan criteria were included and randomized 1 : 1 to the partial hepatectomy group or the TACE + RFA group. The primary outcome was overall survival and the secondary outcome was recurrence‐free survival.
Results
Two hundred patients were enrolled. The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival rates were 97·0, 83·7 and 61·9 per cent for the partial hepatectomy group, and 96·0, 67·2 and 45·7 per cent for the TACE + RFA group (P = 0·007). The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rates were 94·0, 68·2 and 48·4 per cent, and 83·0, 44·9 and 35·5 per cent respectively (P = 0·026). On Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, HBV‐DNA (hazard ratio (HR) 1·76; P = 0·006), platelet count (HR 1·00; P = 0·017) and tumour size (HR 1·90; P < 0·001) were independent prognostic factors for recurrence‐free survival, and HBV‐DNA (HR 1·61; P = 0·036) was a risk factor for overall survival. The incidence of complications in the partial hepatectomy group was higher than in the TACE + RFA group (23·0 versus 11·0 per cent respectively; P = 0·024).
Conclusion
For patients with HCC within the Milan criteria, partial hepatectomy was associated with better overall and recurrence‐free survival than sequential treatment with TACE and RFA. Registration number: ACTRN12611000770965 (http://www.anzctr.org.au/).
Partial hepatectomy better
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Electric vehicle development is critical to achieve the sustainable goals, while the hit of COVID-19 strikes the market and brings challenges to the whole industry. China, among one of the earliest ...regions affected by COVID-19 and takes a great part in the global electric vehicle market, is attracting growing attention on its post-pandemic trends in the electric vehicle industry. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 impacts on China's electric vehicle industry from both the demand side and the supply side. Both challenges and opportunities for China's electric vehicle development are revealed with emerging trend analysis. It is found that the COVID-19 outbreak has reduced electric vehicle sales in the short-term, but may also stimulate future electric vehicle demand especially for large electric cars with better performance. Meanwhile, travel restrictions caused by COVID-19 have interrupted electric vehicle material supplies that relying on imports, accelerating domestic substitute exploitation and inventory improvement for critical parts. Additionally, massive lockdowns for controlling COVID-19 have disrupted productions and operations, which tends to expel small brands out of the competitive market, concentrating China's electric vehicle industry to the leading brands. Finally, the social distancing trend after pandemic is bringing challenges to traditional EV distribution channels with dealers, pushing automakers to develop innovative online selling channels. These impacts are likely to lead to a reformation of China's electric vehicle industry towards a more advanced and reliable future.
•Impacts of COVID-19 on China's EV market and supply chain are analyzed.•COVID-19 outbreak may shift consumer demand to large EVs with better performance.•Supply interruption by travel restrictions may promote domestic R&D and reserves.•Suspension caused by lockdown may expel SMEs and concentrate China's EV industry.•Post-pandemic social distancing may lead to innovative online EV selling models.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Environmental information disclosure programs seek to motivate firms to reduce their environmental impact. A variety of environmental impacts are reported in these programs and often this information ...is aggregated into a composite environmental index (CEI) for easier communication. The challenge is to create a meaningful index that allows environmental performance to be compared over time and space without ambiguity. In this paper, we argue that it is important to develop a cardinally meaningful and standardized CEI and use a nonparametric frontier approach to constructing such an index. This approach has the advantage to handle issues associated with data irregularity and the mixed measurability of underlying variables. We apply this approach to constructing a CEI for evaluating the environmental performance of manufacturing facilities in different industrial sectors in Los Angeles based on data from the toxic release inventory. We show how the CEI can be used to improve facility-level environmental performance. A sensitivity analysis is conducted with respect to the uncertainty in data accuracy, which demonstrates the robustness of the nonparametric frontier approach in constructing meaningful environmental indices.
•There is a need to construct cardinally meaningful composite environmental indices.•Nonparametric frontier method can be used for constructing such indices.•We construct facility-level CEIs based on TRI data in Los Angeles County.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) enhances cancer invasiveness and confers tumor cells with cancer stem cell (CSC)-like characteristics. We show that the Snail-G9a-Dnmt1 complex, which is ...critical for E-cadherin promoter silencing, is also required for the promoter methylation of fructose-1,6-biphosphatase (FBP1) in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC). Loss of FBP1 induces glycolysis and results in increased glucose uptake, macromolecule biosynthesis, formation of tetrameric PKM2, and maintenance of ATP production under hypoxia. Loss of FBP1 also inhibits oxygen consumption and reactive oxygen species production by suppressing mitochondrial complex I activity; this metabolic reprogramming results in an increased CSC-like property and tumorigenicity by enhancing the interaction of β-catenin with T-cell factor. Our study indicates that the loss of FBP1 is a critical oncogenic event in EMT and BLBC.
► The Snail-G9a-Dnmt1 complex is required for FBP1 silencing in BLBC ► Loss of FBP1 enhances glycolytic flux, biomass synthesis, and PKM2 activation ► Loss of FBP1 suppresses O2 consumption and ROS production ► Loss of FBP1 enhances CSC-like traits and tumorigenicity by activating β-catenin
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This study assessed whether the adoption of an environmental management system (EMS) as a part of an integrated management system (IMS) helps improve corporate sustainability based on the data for ...211 manufacturing companies in Pakistan. A stakeholder-weighted CSR index and an equal-weighted CSR index were used to measure CSR performance of the selected companies. Descriptive t-test and exploratory factor analysis were employed to test the hypothesis and internal consistency. Structural equation modelling was used to measure various useful links between latent and observed variables. Results revealed that the mean CSR performance of EMS adopters was significantly higher than that of non-EMS adopters. Further, EMS adopters had positive and significant effect on soundness, environmental protection, fairness and contribution to society, whereas, the non-EMS companies had positive and substantial impact on employee satisfaction and economic contribution. In conclusion, EMS adoption can be an effective tool for organisations to address economic, social and environmental issues. Moreover, EMS adoption appears to be a viable means to develop business goals and improve CSR activities.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
It has been increasingly recognized that tumor microenvironment plays an important role in carcinogenesis. Inflammatory component is present and contributes to tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, ...metastasis, and resistance to hormonal and chemotherapy. This review highlights the role of inflammation in the tumor metastasis. We focus on the function of proinflammatory factors, particularly cytokines during tumor metastasis. Understanding of the mechanisms by which inflammation contributes to metastasis will lead to innovative approach for treating cancer.
How tumor spreads remains an enigma and has received great attention in recent years, as metastasis is the major cause of cancer mortality. The complex and highly selective metastatic cascade not only depends on the intrinsic properties of tumor cells but also the microenvironment that they derive from. An inflammatory milieu consisting of infiltrated immune cells and their secretory cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors contribute significantly to the invasive and metastatic traits of cancer cells. Here, we review new insights into the molecular pathways that link inflammation in the tumor microenvironment to metastasis.
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BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
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