Electronic skin (e-skin) with excellent flexibility and comfortable wearability has attracted considerable attention in the past decade. Flexible strain sensors are one of the key elements of ...e-skins, which are always attached to the joints of humans or robots for motion monitoring. However, most strain sensors previously reported cannot fit different joints to measure the bending angles without calibration. This work aims to propose a flexible strain sensor with an adaptive model for automatically calculating the bending angle of different joints. The proposed sensor is a screen-printed liquid metal strain sensor with a size of 120 mm (L) <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\times20 </tex-math></inline-formula> mm (W) <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\times 400\mu </tex-math></inline-formula> m (H). The real-time changes in different curvatures as the sensor bend has been investigated. Based on the curvature-strain-bending angle relationship of different joints, we use the Gaussian function to model the bending angle solution for adaptive curvature. Experimental results show that the proposed sensor can be served as the electronic skin on the joint's surface to measure the bending angle adaptively, which provides a promising path for adaptive motion monitoring in human movement, soft robotics, prosthetic devices, etc.
In this work, we have developed a modified way of mechanical exfoliation for making two-dimensional materials by introducing a home-designed exfoliation machine. Optical microscopy was employed to ...identify the thin-layer (mono- and few-layer) flakes primarily. To testify the high efficiency of our modified exfoliation method, we did a simple statistical work on the exfoliation of graphene and WSe2. Further, we used the Raman spectroscopy and the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to characterize the samples. The results indicated the high quality of the as-fabricated samples. Finally, we developed an exfoliation technique for working with easily oxidizing samples. Our modified exfoliation method would be intriguing and innovative for fabricating two dimensional materials, providing a facile way for making electronic and optoelectronic devices.
A substrate plays a crucial role in controlled growth and property modulation of two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). In this work, we report multiple regulation over growth ...direction, band structure, and dimension of an epitaxial monolayer (1L) WS2 by an m-plane quartz substrate. The as-grown WS2 is oriented on a 2-fold symmetric m-quartz based on an anisotropic lattice match, which is distinct from that on c-sapphire. Owing to the large thermal expansion coefficient, the m-quartz generates a large compressive thermal strain in the as-grown WS2. By manipulating this thermal strain, the band structure of 1L-WS2 can be in situ regulated and a direct–indirect band gap transition occurs when the thermal strain exceeds 0.5%. Moreover, the unique atom distribution of the m-plane quartz established an anisotropic diffusion barrier for adlayer monomers which restricted the growth of WS2 uniaxially. By exploiting this, the dimension of WS2 can be tailored from a 2D triangle to a one-dimensional ribbon with controlled growth time. This work not only deepens the understanding of the relationship between a substrate and a material but also provides an effective way to directly regulate the as-grown TMDCs with desirable structures and properties.
Summary Background Utidelone, a genetically engineered epothilone analogue, has shown promise as a potential treatment for breast cancer in phase 1 and 2 trials. The aim of this phase 3 trial was to ...compare the efficacy and safety of utidelone plus capecitabine versus capecitabine alone in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Methods We did a multicentre, open-label, superiority, phase 3, randomised controlled trial in 26 hospitals in China. Eligible participants were female patients with metastatic breast cancer refractory to anthracycline and taxane chemotherapy regimens. We randomly assigned participants (2:1) using computer based randomisation and block sizes of 6 to a 21-day cycle of either utidelone (30 mg/m2 intravenously once per day on days 1–5) plus capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 orally twice per day on days 1–14), or capecitabine alone (1250 mg/m2 orally twice per day on days 1–14), until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. Patients, physicians, and assessors were not masked to treatment allocation; however, an independent radiology review committee used to additionally assess response was masked to allocation. The primary endpoint was centrally assessed (by an independent radiology review committee) progression-free survival, and analysed using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of study drug. Follow-up is ongoing. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT02253459. Findings Between Aug 8, 2014, and Dec 14, 2015, we enrolled and randomly assigned 270 patients to treatment with utidelone plus capecitabine, and 135 to capecitabine alone. Median follow-up for progression-free survival was 6·77 months (IQR 3·81–10·32) for the utidelone plus capecitabine group and 4·55 months (2·55–9·39) for the capecitabine alone group. Median progression-free survival by central review in the utidelone plus capecitabine group was 8·44 months (95% CI 7·95–9·92) compared with 4·27 months (3·22–5·68) in the capecitabine alone group; hazard ratio 0·46, 95% CI 0·36–0·59; p<0·0001. Peripheral neuropathy was the most common grade 3 adverse event in the utidelone plus capecitabine group (58 22% of 267 patients vs 1 <1% of 130 patients in the capecitabine alone group). Palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia was the most prominent grade 3 adverse event in the capacitabine alone group (in 10 8% of 130 patients) and was the next most frequent grade 3 event in the utidelone plus capecitabine group (in 18 7% of 267 patients). 16 serious adverse events were reported in the combination therapy group (diarrhoea was the most common, in three 1% patients) and 14 serious adverse events were reported in the monotherapy group (the most common were diarrhoea, increased blood bilirubin, and anaemia, in two 2% patients for each event). 155 patients died (99 in the combination therapy arm, 56 in the monotherapy arm). All deaths were related to disease progression except for one in each group (attributed to pericardial effusion in the combination therapy group and dyspnoea in the monotherapy group) that were considered possibly or probably treatment-related. Interpretation Despite disease progression with previous chemotherapies, utidelone plus capecitabine was more efficacious compared with capecitabine alone for the outcome of progression-free survival, with mild toxicity except for peripheral sensory neuropathy, which was manageable. The findings from this study support the use of utidelone plus capecitabine as an effective option for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Funding Beijing Biostar Technologies, Beijing, China.
Due to the flexibility of the towed line array, shear currents caused by an internal solitary wave (ISW) distort the array shape. This will lead to a mismatch between the conventional target ...detection algorithm and the array shape, resulting in a significant decline in the performance of the towed line array gain, azimuth resolution, etc. Based on the improved motion model of towed cable constructed by Ablow and Schechter (Ocean Eng, 10: 443–457, 1983), we propose a motion model of the towed line array under an ISW according to the Korteweg-De Vries (KdV) equation and solve the model by finite difference method combined with the Newton iteration method. In addition, the DFT beamforming theory is used to detect the target signal after the array shape distortion compensation to verify the validity of the model. The data analysis shows that the array shape distortion caused by the ISW is mainly affected by the relative position between the array and the ISW, the amplitude of the ISW, the fluid layer density, the fluid layer depth, the towing velocity, the tangential/normal drag coefficient, the elastic modulus, and the towed cable density. The influence of elastic modulus and the towed cable density on array shape distortion can be ignored. The detection results show that the output signal power is about 6 dB higher than the output noise power, and the array gain and azimuth resolution are improved after array shape distortion compensation.
BRCA1 mutations account for a significant proportion of familial breast and ovarian cancers. In addition, reduced BRCA1 protein is associated with sporadic cancer cases in these tissues. At the ...cellular level, BRCA1 plays a critical role in multiple cellular functions such as DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint control. Its protein level is regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner. However, regulation of BRCA1 protein stability is not fully understood. Our earlier study showed that the amino terminus of BRCA1 harbors a degron sequence that is sufficient and necessary for conferring BRCA1 degradation. In the current study, we used mass spectrometry to identify Skp1 that regulates BRCA1 protein stability. Small interfering RNA screening that targets all human F-box proteins uncovered FBXO44 as an important protein that influences BRCA1 protein level. The Skp1-Cul1-F-box-protein44 (SCFFBXO44) complex ubiquitinates full-length BRCA1 in vitro. Furthermore, the N terminus of BRCA1 mediates the interaction between BRCA1 and FBXO44. Overexpression of SCFFBXO44 reduces BRCA1 protein level. Taken together, our work strongly suggests that SCFFBXO44 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase responsible for BRCA1 degradation. In addition, FBXO44 expression pattern in breast carcinomas suggests that SCFFBXO44-mediated BRCA1 degradation might contribute to sporadic breast tumor development.
Background: Lower level of breast cancer suppressor BRCA1 has been reported in sporadic breast cancers.
Results: SCFFBXO44 E3 ligase controls BRCA1 stability and is overexpressed in many sporadic breast cancers with low BRCA1 level.
Conclusion: SCFFBXO44-mediated BRCA1 stability may contribute to sporadic breast cancer development.
Significance: Regulation of BRCA1 stability provides new insights and targets on BRCA1-mediated sporadic breast cancer.
Cancer patients had been profoundly affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 especially after quarantine restrictions in China. We aimed to explore the treatment changes and delays of early breast cancer ...(EBC) during the first quarter of 2020.
We did this retrospective, multicentre, cohort study at 97 cancer centres in China. EBC patients who received treatment regardless of preoperative therapy, surgery or postoperative therapy during first quarter of 2020 were included.
8397 patients were eligible with a median age of 50 (IQR 43–56). 0·2% (15/8397) of EBC patients were confirmed as COVID-19 infection. Only 5·2% of breast cancer diagnosis occurred after quarantine in Hubei compared with 15·3% in other provinces (OR= 0·30, 95%CI 0·24–0·38). postoperative endocrine therapy were least affected compared with different regions after quarantine (OR=0·37 95%CI 0·19–0·73). The proportion of surgery decreased from 16·4% in December last year to 2·6% in February in Hubei. Compared with intervals from diagnosis to treatment before quarantine restrictions, the average time increased with significance from 3·5 to 7·7 days in Hubei and 5·7 to 7·7 days in other provinces (p< 0·001). There were also 18·5 and 7·2 days delay in Hubei and other provinces respectively when calculating interval from surgery to postoperative therapy.
EBC from high risk regions had a comparative rate of COVID-19 infection. After implementation of COVID-19 quarantine restrictions, fewer diagnosis and surgery with significant delays were seen when compared with treatment before.
Beijing Medical Award Foundation (YJ0120)
Shale oil reservoirs in the Daanzhai section of central Sichuan are mainly developed in the Daer subsection, with a rich resource base and great exploration and development potential. However, the ...shale oil reservoir is characterized by shale and limestone interactions, poor physical properties, undeveloped fractures, and large differences in the fracture pressure of interactive reservoirs. Therefore, it is necessary to use temporary plugging and diverting fracturing technology to improve the complexity of fractures in reservoir reconstruction. To this end, an experimental device was innovatively established that takes into account the morphology of fractures and the permeability of reservoirs, and it can evaluate the temporary blocks and turns within third-level fractures in a reservoir. It can simulate third-level turning fractures under conditions involving 3–15 mm crack openings and different roughness values. Using this device and method, the combination and particle-size optimization experiments involving the temporary plugging agents used in the field were carried out, and the field tests were carried out in Well Long’an 1 and Well Ren’an 1 in the Sichuan Basin. The test results show that the pressure response after temporary plugging is obvious, which can significantly improve microseismic event points and increase the reservoir’s reconstruction volume. Compared with Well Nanchong 2H, the length in kilometers of the SRV after tackling key problems increases from 3918 × 104 m3 to 4578 × 104 m3, an increase of 17%. The average crack length increased from 265 m to 321 m, an increase of 21%, achieving a significant breakthrough in the “oil production gap”.
Background
This study aimed to investigate whether an immunohistochemical prognostic model (IHC4 score) can predict the prognosis and the chemotherapy benefit in patients with estrogen ...receptor‐positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth receptor 2–negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
Materials and Methods
We developed a method to calculate the modified IHC4 (mIHC4) scores based on routine pathological reports and compared them with the original IHC4 scores that were much more difficult to calculate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to study the prognostic factors of progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The predictive value of mIHC4 score was also investigated.
Results
The Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital data set included 315 patients with newly diagnosed ER+ MBC with a median follow‐up of 25.6 months. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that higher mIHC4 scores in metastatic lesions, but not the ones in primary tumors, were significantly associated with worse PFS and OS. The prognostic value of mIHC4 scores for PFS was validated using an independent Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology‐ Breast Cancer (CSCO‐BC) data set. More importantly, subpopulation treatment effect pattern plot analysis showed that first‐line endocrine therapy achieved better PFS and OS than chemotherapy in low‐risk patients with ER+/HER2− MBC, whereas first‐line chemotherapy was associated with improved PFS and OS compared with endocrine therapy in high‐risk ones. The predictive value of mIHC4 score for PFS in selecting first‐line endocrine therapy versus chemotherapy was also confirmed in the CSCO‐BC data set.
Conclusion
mIHC4 scores in metastatic lesions are prognostic for the PFS and OS in patients with ER+ MBC. Low or high mIHC4 score may indicate the survival benefit in choosing first‐line endocrine therapy or chemotherapy in patients with ER+/HER2− MBC, respectively.
Implications for Practice
The modified IHC4 (mIHC4) score is easy to implement and able to predict patients with advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer. In addition, with the help of the mIHC4 score, physicians might be able to recommend chemotherapy or endocrine therapy as the first‐line treatment for patients with high and low risk as predicted by the mIHC4 score.
A method to reliably predict prognosis for patients with metastatic breast cancer is needed. This article reports an immunohistochemical prognostic model (IHC4 score) that can predict the prognosis and chemotherapy benefit in patients with ER+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer.
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