Background
The incidence of primary liver cancer (PLC) continues to increase worldwide. The incidence trends and patterns of PLC associated with different age at diagnosis remain unknown.
Methods
We ...collected detailed information on PLC between 1990 and 2017 from Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Estimated annual percentage changes in the PLC age‐standardized incidence rate (ASR) diagnosed by age, sex, region, and etiology were calculated to quantify the temporal trends in PLC ASR.
Results
Globally, the number of PLC cases for which the age at diagnosis was <30 years decreased from 17,381 in 1990 to 14,661 in 2017, whereas the number of PLC cases diagnosed at age 30 to 59 and ≥60 years old increased from 216,561 and 241,189 in 1990 to 359,770 and 578,344 in 2017, respectively. The ASR of PLC cases with age at diagnosis <30 years and between 30 and 59 years decreased in both sexes, whereas the ASR of PLC with age at diagnosis ≥60 years increased in males and remained stable in females at the global level. Males had a more dramatic increase in PLC diagnosed at age ≥60 years but a milder decrease in PLC diagnosed between 30 and 59 years of age. This decrease was attributed largely to the reduction in PLC caused by hepatitis B and hepatitis C and was consistent in most regions except for developed countries, in which the ASR of PLC increased irrespective of sex and age. The ASR of PLC due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) increased by the greatest magnitude in most regions.
Conclusion
PLC in highly endemic regions has been partly alleviated due to the potent control of hepatitis, especially among young and middle‐aged people. However, an unfavorable trend was observed in most developed countries and in elderly populations. As such, PLC prevention schedules should give more attention to NASH and elderly patients.
There is a significant increase in incidence of late‐onset liver cancer. The most pronounced increase occurs in liver cancer due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
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•Ferrocenes were investigated as n-type dopants of SWCNTs.•The structure of ferrocenes significantly affected the thermoelectric properties.•Synergistic effects of NMP and ferrocenes ...occurred in improving the performance.•SWCNT/FcMA displayed the highest power factor of 567.54 ± 27.18 μW m−1 K−2.
Organic/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composites as thermoelectric (TE) materials have been developed rapidly in recent years; however, research on n-type organic/SWCNTs is relatively lagging, and their performance needs to be further improved. In this work, three low-cost organometallic complexes (OMCs) with reducing abilities, including ferrocene (FeCp2), FeCp2 with an acetenyl group (EtFc) to extend the conjugation degree, and FeCp2 with a (dimethylamino)methyl group (FcMA) to increase the electron-donating ability, were developed to enhance the TE properties of n-type SWCNT-based composites. In addition, the effect of solvents was also studied, and it was determined that a synergistic effect of N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) and ferrocene derivatives occurred in enhancing the n-type properties. Among the three OMCs, SWCNT/FcMA prepared from NMP displayed the highest TE performance, indicating that the ferrocene and (dimethylamino)methyl group can also form synergistic effects. When the mass ratio of the SWCNTs and FcMA was 1:7, the highest power factor of 567.54 ± 27.18 μW m−1 K−2 at room temperature was achieved, which is among the state-of-the-art n-type SWCNT/organic molecule-based TE materials in literature. A combination of field emission scanning electron microscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the electrons could be transferred from NMP, FeCp2 and its derivatives to SWCNTs, leading to an upshift in the Fermi level and an increase in conductivity. Moreover, a TE device containing five p (SWCNTs) − n (SWCNT/FcMA) junctions was assembled, and an open-circuit voltage of 22.7 mV with an output power of 0.75 µW at a temperature difference of 54.1 K was achieved. These results showed that OMCs possess promising applications in future n-type carbon nanotube-based TE materials.
Poor survival and restricted function of transplanted stem cells are regarded as limiting their efficacy in wound recovery greatly. Consequently, it is necessary to identify innovative therapeutic ...strategies to solve these issues. Firstly, the biological effect of PF-127 hydrogel alone and in combination with SAP on the survival, and migration of cultured HUCMSCs was assessed by cell viability, apoptosis, and scratch wound assays. S. aureus and E. coli were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of PF-127 plus SAP combination. Further, the ability of HUCMSCs-conditioned medium (HUCMSCs-CM) to promote the angiogenesis and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro was evaluated using tube formation and transwell migration assays. Finally, the HUCMSCs embedded in PF-127 plus SAP scaffold were administered onto mice's excisional cutaneous wound bed. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were employed to investigate the wound healing capacity as well as cellular responses of PF-127/HUCMSCs/SAP hydrogel. PF-127 showed cytotoxicity on HUCMSCs, whereas the addition of SAP significantly promoted cell viability and alleviated apoptosis of HUCMSCs encapsulated in PF-127 hydrogel in vitro. SAP supplementation substantially abrogated the inhibiting effect of PF-127 on the migration of HUCMSCs in vitro. The combination of PF-127 and SAP exerted an obvious bacteriostatic function on S. aureus and E. coli. Moreover, the co-treatment with SAP could remarkably enhance the stimulative effect of HUCMSCs-CM on the angiogenesis and migration of HUVECs in vitro. PF-127 combined SAP-embedded HUCMSCs transplantation resulted in a potently accelerated wound healing process, promoted the number of proliferating cells and newly formed blood vessels, as well as enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor. PF-127 coupled with SAP contributes to HUCMSCs-mediated traumatic wound closure in mice by promoting cell survival, antibacterial action, and angiogenesis. Our results offered a theoretical foundation for the clinical treatment of traumatic skin defects.
Three borane-nitrogen derivatives with different reducing ability were applied in SWCNT-doped composite films. Among them, SWCNTs/PYB displayed the best performance at all the investigated ...temperatures, with power factors ranging from 193.6 μW m−1 K−2 to 223.8 μW m−1 K−2, which are the highest PF values reported to date based on boron containing SWCNT composites.
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•Borane-nitrogen derivatives (BNs) were investigated as n-type dopants of SWCNTs.•The structures of BNs affect the thermoelectric properties of the composites greatly.•A high-power factor of 223.8 μW m−1 K−2 was achieved in the SWCNT/PYB composite.•SWCNTs/PYB exhibited a high open-circuit voltage (28.8 mV) and output power (1.15 μW).
Recently, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-based thermoelectric (TE) materials have received much interest owing to their advantages, such as high electrical conductivity and flexibility, as well as their ability to be easily tuned to exhibit p-type or n-type characteristics by the addition of redox reagents. Compared with the numerous p-type composites, less n-type agents have been reported. Borane-nitrogen derivatives (BNs) have been widely used as reducing agents; however, little attention has been paid on their TE performance. As the reducing ability of BNs can be tuned by the basicity and steric hindrance of the nitrogen containing derivatives, herein, pyridineborane (PYB), morpholineborane (MPB) and N,N-diethylanilineborane (DEANB) were investigated as n-type dopants of SWCNTs by simply dispersing each of them with SWCNTs in various solvents. The results suggested the structures of the borane complexes and their reducing ability affect the TE properties greatly. Among them, SWCNT/PYB displayed the best performance at all the investigated temperatures, with power factors ranging from 193.6 μW m−1 K−2 to 223.8 μW m−1 K−2, which are the highest PF values reported to date based on boron containing SWCNT composites. In addition, the TE devices containing five p-n junctions were also combined. SWCNT/PYB exhibited a higher open-circuit voltage (28.8 mV) and output power (1.15 μW) than SWCNT/NaBH4 (23.7 mV, 0.79 μW) at the same conditions. Our results suggest that organic boron compounds can be developed as good agents for boosting the performance of n-type TE materials.
Background
The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are high, with 5.90 new cases and 5.48 deaths per 100 000 people worldwide in 2017. The prognosis of esophageal cancer is poor, with an ...overall 5‐year survival rate of less than 20%. Esophageal cancer in different geographical locations has different etiologies, and the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer continue to rise in some regions.
Methods
We collected incidence and mortality data by age and gender for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017 in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. And we used these data to calculate the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) to quantify trends in morbidity and mortality. Then we analyzed the gender‐ and age‐specific incidence and mortality in esophageal cancer to targeted high‐risk populations. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between the age‐standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and both the EAPC and social‐demographic index (SDI), and we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results
We found that Malawi, East Asia, and high‐middle SDI regions had the highest age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and ASMR, and the ASIR and ASMR in western Sub‐Saharan Africa showed an upward trend. Our study also showed that the incidence and mortality in esophageal cancer were highest in men and in the 70+ years age group, and they presented a decreasing trend in most regions, but the 15‐49 years age groups in Australasia, Caribbean, and Oceania and the 70+ years age group in High‐Income North America, Oceania and high‐SDI regions presented an increasing trend. There were significant negative associations between ASMR at baseline and EAPC and between ASMR and SDI in 2017.
Conclusion
By analyzing the global distribution of incidence and mortality in esophageal cancer, trends over time, and gender and age specificity, we can understand the heterogeneity of its global trends. This heterogeneity can help us to identify high‐risk groupsand to provide clues for the exploration of the etiology and early prevention of the disease.
Our study explores areas where morbidity and mortality continue to rise, and refines them into populations of different ages and genders. The heterogeneity of the incidence and mortality trends in esophageal cancer means that we can target high‐risk populations and provide clues for the exploration of the etiology and early prevention of the disease.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/organic small molecules (OSMs) are promising candidates for application in thermoelectric (TE) modules; however, the development of n-type SWCNT/OSMs with high ...performance is lagging behind. Only a few structure–activity relationships of OSMs on SWCNT composites have been reported. Recently, we find that the n-type acridone/SWCNT composites display high power factor (PF) values at high temperature but suffer from low PFs at room temperature. Here, the performance of SWCNT composites containing an acridine derivative (AD) as well as its analogues with different counterions (Cl–, SO4 2– and F–) and lengths of alkyl chains (ADLA1–2 and ADLA4–5) is reported. Among the composites, SWCNT/ADLA4 with no counterions exhibits the highest PF value of 195.2 μW m–1 K–2 at room temperature, which is 4.9 times higher than that of SWCNT/ADTAd (39.8 μW m–1 K–2), indicating that the acridine scaffold and the lengths of alkyl chains contribute to the dramatic changes in the TE performance. In addition, SWCNT/ADLA4 exhibits high PF values at all the temperatures we investigate, which range from 154.7 to 230.7 μW m–1 K–2. Furthermore, a TE device consisting of five pairs of p (the pristine SWCNTs)–n (SWCNT/ADLA4) junctions is assembled, generating a relatively high open-circuit voltage (41.7 mV) and an output power of 1.88 μW at a temperature difference of 74.8 K. Our results suggest that structural modifications might be an effective way to advance the development of TE materials.
Aim
We assessed the correlations between non‐invasive fibrosis scores and mortality in both the general population and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.
Methods
We used data from ...the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988–2014. The NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), Fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4) score, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) score, and Forns index score were calculated at baseline. The associations of these scores with the risk of mortality were determined using additive Cox proportional hazard models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to study the predictive capacity of each scoring system.
Results
A total of 44 508 participants were included; among them, 9721 deaths occurred during a mean follow‐up of 12.5 years. A “J”‐shaped correlation pattern was observed for both the FIB‐4 and APRI scores. A “U”‐shaped correlation pattern was observed for both the Forns index and NFS. Similar correlation patterns were observed in 1955 NAFLD patients. For overall mortality, the AUROC values of the selected fibrosis scores were comparable between general population and NAFLD patients. The superior predictive capacity was found for FIB‐4, with AUROC of 75.03% (95% confidence interval, 70.91% to 79.82%) in general population and 75.32% (95% confidence interval, 69.43% to 80.11%) in NAFLD patients, respectively.
Conclusions
Non‐linear associations were shown between the fibrosis scoring systems and mortality risk. These scores could serve as indicators for mortality in people with or without NAFLD.
Background
Liver cancer is a commonly diagnosed malignancy in China. The etiologies of liver cancer are widely known, although studies on temporal trends in liver cancer caused by specific etiologies ...are rare.
Methods
Data on the incidence and mortality of liver cancer were retrieved from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2017. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was used to quantify temporal trends in the age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and the age‐standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of liver cancer from 1990 to 2017.
Results
Nationwide, the number of incident cases of liver cancer increased from 258 000 in 1990 to 515 900 in 2017. The ASIR decreased from 27.16 per 100 000 to 26.04 per 100 000 during this period, with an EAPC of −0.64 (95% confidence interval CI −0.84, −0.44). The number of deaths increased from 245 300 in 1990 to 418 200 in 2017, and the ASMR decreased from 26.72 to 21.30 (EAPC = −1.16, 95% CI −1.35, −0.97). The most pronounced decreases in the ASIR and ASMR were observed in liver cancer due to hepatitis B and in people aged 15‐49 years.
Conclusions
Since the extensive efforts for prevention of hepatitis B virus infection, the incidence of liver cancer due to hepatitis B has significantly decreased. However, liver cancer due to hepatitis C, NASH, and other causes remains a major public health concern. Additional preventive strategies tailored to liver cancer are needed to further reduce its disease burden in China.
Since the extensive efforts for prevention of hepatitis B virus infection, the incidence of liver cancer due to hepatitis B has significantly decreased. However, liver cancer due to hepatitis C, NASH, and other causes remains a major public health concern. Additional preventive strategies tailored to liver cancer are needed to further reduce its disease burden in China.
We investigated the dynamics of serum HBV pre-genomic RNA (pgRNA) and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) in patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and their predictability for ...favourable suppression of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
Serum viral biomarkers were measured at baseline, weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 of treatment. Patients were followed up thereafter and serum HBsAg level was measured at end of follow-up (EOFU). Favourable HBsAg response (FHR) was defined as ≤100 IU/mL or HBsAg seroclearance upon EOFU.
Twenty-eight hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 36 HBeAg-negative patients (median, 38.2 years old; 71.9% male) were recruited with median follow-up duration of 17.1 years (interquartile range, 12.8-18.2). For the entire cohort, 22/64 (34.4%) achieved FHR. For HBeAg-positive patients, serum HBV pgRNA decline at week 4 was significantly greater for patients with FHR compared to non-FHR (5.49 vs. 4.32 log copies/mL, respectively; P=0.016). The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUROC) for week 4 HBV pgRNA reduction to predict FHR in HBeAg-positive patients was 0.825 (95% confidence interval CI, 0.661-0.989). For HBeAg-negative patients, instead of increase in serum HBcrAg in non-FHR patients, FHR patients had median reduction in HBcrAg at week 4 (increment of 1.75 vs. reduction of 2.98 log U/mL; P=0.023). The AUROC for week 4 change of HBcrAg to predict FHR in HBeAg-negative patients was 0.789 (95% CI, 0.596-0.982).
Early on-treatment changes of serum HBV pgRNA and HBcrAg at 4 weeks predict HBsAg seroclearance or ≤100 IU/mL in NA-treated CHB patients upon long-term FU.
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