We report a 2-family cluster of persons infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the city of Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China, during January 2020. The infections resulted ...from contact with an infected but potentially presymptomatic traveler from the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Gene expression patterns can be used as prognostic biomarkers in various types of cancers. We aimed to identify a gene expression pattern for individual distant metastatic risk assessment in patients ...with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
In this multicentre, retrospective, cohort analysis, we included 937 patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma from three Chinese hospitals: the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (Guangzhou, China), the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University (Guilin, China), and the First People's Hospital of Foshan (Foshan, China). Using microarray analysis, we profiled mRNA gene expression between 24 paired locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumours from patients at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center with or without distant metastasis after radical treatment. Differentially expressed genes were examined using digital expression profiling in a training cohort (Guangzhou training cohort; n=410) to build a gene classifier using a penalised regression model. We validated the prognostic accuracy of this gene classifier in an internal validation cohort (Guangzhou internal validation cohort, n=204) and two external independent cohorts (Guilin cohort, n=165; Foshan cohort, n=158). The primary endpoint was distant metastasis-free survival. Secondary endpoints were disease-free survival and overall survival.
We identified 137 differentially expressed genes between metastatic and non-metastatic locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues. A distant metastasis gene signature for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (DMGN) that consisted of 13 genes was generated to classify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups in the training cohort. Patients with high-risk scores in the training cohort had shorter distant metastasis-free survival (hazard ratio HR 4·93, 95% CI 2·99–8·16; p<0·0001), disease-free survival (HR 3·51, 2·43–5·07; p<0·0001), and overall survival (HR 3·22, 2·18–4·76; p<0·0001) than patients with low-risk scores. The prognostic accuracy of DMGN was validated in the internal and external cohorts. Furthermore, among patients with low-risk scores in the combined training and internal cohorts, concurrent chemotherapy improved distant metastasis-free survival compared with those patients who did not receive concurrent chemotherapy (HR 0·40, 95% CI 0·19–0·83; p=0·011), whereas patients with high-risk scores did not benefit from concurrent chemotherapy (HR 1·03, 0·71–1·50; p=0·876). This was also validated in the two external cohorts combined. We developed a nomogram based on the DMGN and other variables that predicted an individual's risk of distant metastasis, which was strengthened by adding Epstein–Barr virus DNA status.
The DMGN is a reliable prognostic tool for distant metastasis in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma and might be able to predict which patients benefit from concurrent chemotherapy. It has the potential to guide treatment decisions for patients at different risk of distant metastasis.
The National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Science & Technology Pillar Program during the Twelfth Five-year Plan Period, the Natural Science Foundation of Guang Dong Province, the National Key Research and Development Program of China, the Innovation Team Development Plan of the Ministry of Education, the Health & Medical Collaborative Innovation Project of Guangzhou City, China, and the Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities.
Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are still confronted with several major challenges, including low energy and power densities, short‐term cycle life, and poor low‐temperature performance, which severely ...hinder their practical applications. Here, a high‐voltage cathode composed of Na3V2(PO4)2O2F nano‐tetraprisms (NVPF‐NTP) is proposed to enhance the energy density of SIBs. The prepared NVPF‐NTP exhibits two high working plateaux at about 4.01 and 3.60 V versus the Na+/Na with a specific capacity of 127.8 mA h g−1. The energy density of NVPF‐NTP reaches up to 486 W h kg−1, which is higher than the majority of other cathode materials previously reported for SIBs. Moreover, due to the low strain (≈2.56% volumetric variation) and superior Na transport kinetics in Na intercalation/extraction processes, as demonstrated by in situ X‐ray diffraction, galvanostatic intermittent titration technique, and cyclic voltammetry at varied scan rates, the NVPF‐NTP shows long‐term cycle life, superior low‐temperature performance, and outstanding high‐rate capabilities. The comparison of Ragone plots further discloses that NVPF‐NTP presents the best power performance among the state‐of‐the‐art cathode materials for SIBs. More importantly, when coupled with an Sb‐based anode, the fabricated sodium‐ion full‐cells also exhibit excellent rate and cycling performances, thus providing a preview of their practical application.
A high‐voltage sodium‐super‐ion‐conductor‐type cathode significantly enhances the energy density of sodium‐ion batteries. Its low‐strain crystal lattice during the successive (de‐)sodiation and superior Na transport kinetics promise high‐rate capabilities, long‐term cycle life, superior low‐temperature performance, and excellent full‐cell performance, providing a preview of their practical applications.
Covalent organic frameworks (COF) possess a robust and porous crystalline structure, making them an appealing candidate for energy storage. Herein, we report an exfoliated polyimide COF composite ...(P‐COF@SWCNT) prepared by an in situ condensation of anhydride and amine on the single‐walled carbon nanotubes as advanced anode for potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs). Numerous active sites exposed on the exfoliated frameworks and the various open pathways promote the highly efficient ion diffusion in the P‐COF@SWCNT while preventing irreversible dissolution in the electrolyte. During the charging/discharging process, K+ is engaged in the carbonyls of imide group and naphthalene rings through the enolization and π‐K+ effect, which is demonstrated by the DFT calculation and XPS, ex‐situ FTIR, Raman. As a result, the prepared P‐COF@SWCNT anode enables an incredibly high reversible specific capacity of 438 mA h g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 and extended stability. The structural advantage of P‐COF@SWCNT enables more insights into the design and versatility of COF as an electrode.
We prepare a polyimide covalent organic framework composite anode by effective in‐situ condensation of anhydride and amine on the surface of single‐walled carbon nanotubes. The construction of the conductive network accelerates the transport of electron. Dual electroactive sites in the framework, carbonyls and aromatic naphthalene rings, could store more potassium ions by the enolization and π‐K+ effect.
The intrinsic polysulfides shuttle, resulting from not only concentration‐gradient diffusion but also slow conversion kinetics of polysulfides, bears the primary responsibility for the poor capacity ...and cycle stability of lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). Here, it is first presented that enriched edge sites derived from vertical standing and ultrathin 2D layered metal selenides (2DLMS) can simultaneously achieve the thermodynamic and kinetic regulation for polysulfides diffusion, which is systematically elucidated through theoretical calculation, electrochemical characterization, and spectroscopic/microscopic analysis. When employed to fabricate compact coating layer of separator, an ultrahigh capacity of 1338.7 mA h g−1 is delivered after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, which is the best among the reports. Over 1000 cycles, the cell still maintains the capacity of 546.8 mA h g−1 at 0.5 C. Moreover, the cell exhibits outstanding capacities of 1106.2 and 865.7 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at stern temperature of 0 and −25 °C. The superior low‐temperature performance is appealing for extended practical application of LSBs. Especially, in view of the economy, the 2DLMS is recycled as an anode of lithium‐ion and sodium‐ion batteries after finishing the test of LSBs. The low‐cost and scalable 2DLMS with enriched egde sites open a new avenue for the perfect regulation of the sulfur electrode.
The enriched edge sites derived from vertical mono‐ or few‐layer 2D layered metal selenides achieve preferential chemical adsorption of polysulfides. Concurrently, polysulfides conversion is promoted via the electron transfer between edge sites and adsorbed polysulfides. When employed for separator modification, polysulfides are well stabilized on the cathode region, which endows lithium–sulfur batteries with the best cycle stability and low‐temperature performance.
Tim-3, a member of the novel Tim (T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain) family, has been reported to negatively regulate the immune responses against viral infection and had implications for ...autoimmune disease. However, the nature and role of Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells in human tumors remain largely unknown. In the present study, we characterized Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells in 100 specimens from human hepatocellular, cervical, colorectal and ovarian carcinoma patients. Compared with peripheral blood and nontumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, the lymphocytes isolated from the corresponding tumor tissues of hepatocellular, cervical, colorectal and ovarian carcinoma patients contained significantly greater proportion of Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells. The majority of tumor-derived Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells exhibited an impaired capacity to produce IFN-γ and IL-2, but expressed higher levels of CD25, Foxp3, CTLA-4 and GITR than their Tim-3(-) CD4 T cell counterparts. In contrast, most Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells isolated from the paired nontumor tissues and peripheral blood did not express these molecules. Moreover, tumor-derived Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells, but not tumor-derived Tim-3(-) CD4 T cells, significantly suppressed the proliferation of autologous CD8(+) T cells in vitro. Notably, multi-color immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy demonstrated that Tim-3(+)Foxp3(+)CD4(+) cells were preferentially distributed in the tumor nest rather than the peritumoral stroma of hepatocellular carcinoma. Together, our data indicate that Tim-3-expressing CD4 T cells in human tumors could represent the functional regulatory T cells which contribute to the formation of the immune-suppressive tumor micromilieu.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Uncontrolled dendrites growth and serious parasitic reactions in aqueous electrolytes, greatly hinder the practical application of aqueous zinc‐ion battery. On the basis of in situ‐chemical ...construction and performance‐improving mechanism, multifunctional fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) is introduced into aqueous electrolyte to construct a high‐quality and ZnF2‐riched inorganic/organic hybrid SEI (ZHS) layer on Zn metal anode (ZMA) surface. Notably, FEC additive can regulate the solvated structure of Zn2+ to reduce H2O molecules reactivity. Additionally, the ZHS layer with strong Zn2+ affinity can avoid dendrites formation and hinder the direct contact between the electrolyte and anode. Therefore, the dendrites growth, Zn corrosion, and H2 evolution reaction on ZMA in FEC‐included ZnSO4 electrolyte are highly suppressed. Thus, ZMA in such electrolyte realize a long cycle life over 1000 h and deliver a stable coulombic efficiency of 99.1 % after 500 cycles.
Multifunctional FEC is introduced into aqueous electrolyte to produce a ZnF2‐riched inorganic/organic hybrid SEI (ZHS) layer on Zn metal anode (ZMA) surface. The hydrolysate of FEC can favorably regulate the solvated structure of Zn2+ to restrict the H2O‐related parasitic reactions. The in situ formed ZHS layer not only realize uniform Zn deposition, but also suppresses ZMA corrosion.
A pathology‐adaptive nanosystem, in which nest‐like hosts are built based on nanofibers that are transformed from i.v. injected nanoparticles under the acidic tumor microenvironment. The solid tumor ...is artificially modified by nest‐like hosts readily and firmly, resulting in highly efficient accumulation and stabilization of guest theranostics. This strategy shows great potential for the theranostics delivery to tumors.
Early metastasis is responsible for frequent relapse and high mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has ...been considered a key event in metastasis. Based on histological examination of serial HCC sections and three‐dimensional reconstruction, we found a novel and prevalent vascular pattern, vessels that encapsulated tumor clusters (VETC) and formed cobweb‐like networks. The presence of VETC (VETC+) predicted higher metastasis and recurrence rates of HCC. Using clinical samples and mouse xenograft models, we further showed that VETC was composed of functional vessels with blood perfusion and induced by tumor cells at the early stage of HCC. Subsequent investigations revealed that HCC cell–derived angiopoietin‐2 was a prerequisite for VETC formation and that the VETC pattern was a critical factor promoting HCC metastasis as knockdown of angiopoietin‐2 abolished this vascular pattern and consequently attenuated in vivo tumor metastasis. Interestingly, abrogation of EMT by knockdown of Snail or Slug significantly diminished in vivo metastasis of VETC– xenografts but did not affect that of VETC+ ones, although silencing of Snail or Slug substantially reduced the in vitro migration of both VETC+ and VETC– HCC cells. In contrast to human VETC– cases, EMT signatures were rarely observed in VETC+ cases with metastatic potential. Further analysis revealed that VETC provided an efficient metastasis mode by facilitating the release of whole tumor clusters into the bloodstream. Conclusion: Our findings identify a novel metastasis mechanism that relies on vascular pattern but is independent of EMT, which may provide new targets for antimetastasis therapy and offer a basis for selecting patients who may benefit from certain molecularly targeted drugs. (Hepatology 2015;62:452–465
Cerebral amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) accumulation resulting from an imbalance between Aβ production and clearance is one of the most important causes in the formation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order ...to preserve the maintenance of Aβ homeostasis and have a notable AD therapy, achieving a method to clear up Aβ plaques becomes an emerging task. Herein, we describe a self-destructive nanosweeper based on multifunctional peptide-polymers that is capable of capturing and clearing Aβ for the effective treatment of AD. The nanosweeper recognize and bind Aβ via co-assembly through hydrogen bonding interactions. The Aβ-loaded nanosweeper enters cells and upregulates autophagy thus promoting the degradation of Aβ. As a result, the nanosweeper decreases the cytotoxicity of Aβ and rescues memory deficits of AD transgenic mice. We believe that this resourceful and synergistic approach has valuable potential as an AD treatment strategy.
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