To explore the value of quantitative image features of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting Gglypican-3 (GPC3) expression of single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ...≤3 cm.
One hundred and forty-nine patients with histopathologically confirmed HCC were included retrospectively. Quantitative image features and clinicopathological parameters were analysed. The significant predictors for GPC3 expression were identified using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Nomograms were constructed from the prediction model and the progression-free survival (PFS) rate was evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method.
The tumour-to-liver signal intensity (SI) ratio on the hepatobiliary phase (HBP; odds ratio OR = 0.004; p=0.001), serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) > 20 ng/ml (OR=6.175; p<0.001), and non-smooth tumour margin (OR=4.866; p=0.002) were independent significant factors for GPC3 expression. When the three factors were combined, the diagnostic specificity was 97.7% (42/43). The nomogram based on the predictive model performed satisfactorily (C-index: 0.852). Kaplan–Meier curves showed that patients with GPC3-positive HCCs have lower PFS rates than patients with GPC3-negative HCCs (Log-rank test, p=0.006).
The tumour-to-liver SI ratio on the HBP combined with serum AFP >20 ng/ml and non-smooth tumour margin are potential predictive factors for GPC3 expression of small HCC ≤3cm. GPC3 expression is correlated with a poor prognosis in HCC patients.
•The combinational model could predict GPC3 expression of small HCC.•GPC3 was associated with recurrence in HCC patients after surgical resection.•This model could help clinicians in the preoperative management of small HCC.
Due to the high smoking rate in developing countries and the rising aging population in high-income countries, the global prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), estimated to be ...11.7%, is increasing and is the third-leading cause of mortality. COPD is likely to be present in elderly individuals with impaired gastroenteric functions. Gastrointestinal congestion, dyspnea, and anxiety are pathophysiological characteristics of COPD, contributing to poor appetite, reduced dietary intake, and high-energy expenditure. These factors are implicated in the progression of malnutrition in COPD patients. Malnutrition is detrimental to lung functions and is associated with an increased risk of infection, exacerbation and mortality, and a longer duration of hospitalization. Therefore, nutritional support to treat malnutrition in COPD patients is very vital. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) may hold the key to COPD treatment. To clarify this statement, we review current evidence for ONS in COPD patients to benefit from clinical outcomes.
The dual-scale structured Al–Sn based alloys are potential alternative for journal bearings of automotive application due to their excellent tribological and mechanical properties. In this work, the ...authors attempted to further promote wear properties of dual-scale structured Al–12wt% Sn alloys by Mg addition. It has been found that appropriate Mg addition could increase wet-ability and reduce divorced Sn eutectics, resulting improved distribution of Sn phase, strength and ductility. Moreover, the mechanism for the improvement of the wear properties of Mg-containing Al–Sn alloy was revealed, and could be summarized as follows: (1) The improved transportation and distribution of the Sn nanophases, including nanoparticles and nanowires, towards the worn surface effectively reduced the friction coefficient; (2) enhanced Mg-oxide film and tribolayer formation on the mating surfaces and (3) increased stability of tribolayer owing to better combination of the strength and ductility. But excessive Mg addition led to too high amount of Mg2Sn and Mg17Al12 intermetallic phases, which worsen the wear properties. The dual-scale CG-30 Al–Sn with 1.2wt% Mg addition exhibits the best wear performance under the present experiment conditions.
•Wear properties are further enhanced by Mg addition in the dual-scale Al–Sn alloy.•Mg addition improves Sn dispersion and transportation and reduces friction coefficient.•A stable tribolayer formation by Mg addition further improves wear resistance.
Mechanical alloying has been used to form nanocomposite in an Al-20 wt%Sn alloy to promote its sliding wear performance, in particular the high load-carrying capability. X-ray diffraction and ...scanning electron microscopy characterization reveal that the nanocomposite is a structure of nanoscaled Sn particles distributed homogeneously in nanocrystalline Al matrix with typical size of the both smaller than 100 nm. The dry sliding wear performance, in particular at higher load, of the alloys prepared by mechanical alloying increases significantly comparing with that obtained by conventional powder metallurgy, and the optimal one was obtained by sintered at 723 K. This is due to the formation of uniform tin oxide layer on worn surface and better strength of the nanocomposite alloys. The wear mechanism of mechanical alloyed Al-20 wt%Sn alloys changes from delamination under lower sintering temperature to plastic flow and work hardening under higher sintering temperature.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors in the malignant progression of different tumor types. MiR-663 was recently reported to be decreased and identified as a tumor ...suppressor in gastric cancer. We also verified its role in repressing cell proliferation of a gastric cancer cell line. In this study, however, miR-663 was found to be upregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells compared with human immortalized nasopharyngeal epithelium cells, using a miRNA microarray, and this higher expression was confirmed in NPC tissue samples. Indeed, inhibition of miR-663 impaired the proliferation of NPC cells in vitro and the NPC tumor growth of xenografts in nude mice. Mechanistically, miR-663 directly targeted p21(WAF1/CIP1) to promote the cellular G1/S transition, as the inhibitory effects of miR-663 on the G1/S transition could be rescued by p21(WAF1/CIP1) silencing. Our results imply that miR-663 may act as an oncogene in NPC. The newly identified miR-663/p21(WAF1/CIP1) axis clarifies the molecular mechanism of NPC cell proliferation and represents a novel strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with NPC.
With increasing global interest in hospital antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes, there is a strong demand for core elements of AMS to be clearly defined on the basis of principles of ...effectiveness and affordability. To date, efforts to identify such core elements have been limited to Europe, Australia, and North America. The aim of this study was to develop a set of core elements and their related checklist items for AMS programmes that should be present in all hospitals worldwide, regardless of resource availability.
A literature review was performed by searching Medline and relevant websites to retrieve a list of core elements and items that could have global relevance. These core elements and items were evaluated by an international group of AMS experts using a structured modified Delphi consensus procedure, using two-phased online in-depth questionnaires.
The literature review identified seven core elements and their related 29 checklist items from 48 references. Fifteen experts from 13 countries in six continents participated in the consensus procedure. Ultimately, all seven core elements were retained, as well as 28 of the initial checklist items plus one that was newly suggested, all with ≥80% agreement; 20 elements and items were rephrased.
This consensus on core elements for hospital AMS programmes is relevant to both high- and low-to-middle-income countries and could facilitate the development of national AMS stewardship guidelines and adoption by healthcare settings worldwide.
Mechanical force–induced orthodontic root resorption is a major clinical challenge in orthodontic treatment. Macrophages play an important role in orthodontic root resorption, but the underlying ...mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which the ratio of M1 to M2 macrophage polarization affects root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement. Root resorption occurred when nickel–titanium coil springs were applied on the upper first molars of rats for 3 to 14 d. Positively stained odontoclasts or osteoclasts with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase were found in resorption areas. Meanwhile, M1-like macrophages positive for CD68 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) persistently accumulated on the compression side of periodontal tissues. In addition, the expressions of the M1 activator interferon-γ and the M1-associated pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were upregulated on the compression side of periodontal tissues. When the coil springs were removed at the 14th day after orthodontic force application, root resorption was partially rescued. The number of CD68+CD163+ M2-like macrophages gradually increased on the compression side of periodontal tissues. The levels of M2 activator interleukin (IL)-4 and the M2-associated anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 also increased. Systemic injection of the TNF-α inhibitor etanercept or IL-4 attenuated the severity of root resorption and decreased the ratio of M1 to M2 macrophages. These data imply that the balance between M1 and M2 macrophages affects orthodontic root resorption. Root resorption was aggravated by an enhanced M1/M2 ratio but was partially rescued by a reduced M1/M2 ratio.
Novel magnetically separable BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres were prepared and acted as a high-performance and recyclable material for efficient water purification.
•Novel magnetically separable ...BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres have been fabricated.•BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microsphere exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity.•BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microsphere can be recovered easily from treated solution.
Novel magnetically separable BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres assembled from nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by a facile solvothermal method at 160°C for 12h. Then, BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres were characterized via XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS and VSM. Congo red (CR) was selected as a pollutant model to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres. The value of coercivity (232Oe) and the saturation magnetization (33.79emug−1) were obtained, which indicated that BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres can be separated and recovered easily from the treated solution. What is more, by calculation, the initial rate constants of BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres is about 1.45 times higher than that of the pure BiOBr, which resulted from superior adsorption and transfer performance to organic contaminants in aqueous systems. Four consecutive regeneration cycles demonstrated that the BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres had high photostability under simulated solar light irradiation. According to the radical trapping experiments, the h+ radicals and O2− radicals were the two main active species that drive the photocolorization of CR pollutant by BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres under simulated solar light irradiation. This work suggests that the BiOBr/CoFe2O4 microspheres may be a promising photocatalyst for photodegrading organic pollutants and environmental remediation.
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