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Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is important in regulating biological behaviors in many malignancies. We explored whether expression and activation of EGFR and several components on its downstream pathways have prognostic significance in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Expression of EGFR, phosphorylated (p)-EGFR, AKT1, p-AKT1, AKT2, p-AKT2, ERK1, ERK2, p-ERK1/2, STAT3, and p-STAT3 was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays for 275 ESCC patients who had undergone complete three-field lymphadenectomy. Spearman rank correlation tests were used to determine the relationships among protein expression, and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors on overall survival (OS). Results: p-EGFR expression was correlated statistically with all of the other phosphorylated markers. Gender, N stage, and p-AKT1 expression were found to be independent prognostic factors for OS. Increased expression of p-AKT1 was associated with decreased patient survival. EGFR and p-EGFR expression was not significantly associated with patient survival. Conclusion: Activation of AKT1 was associated with poor prognosis in ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is important in regulating biological behaviors in many malignancies. We explored whether expression and activation of EGFR and several components on its downstream pathways have prognostic significance in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Expression of EGFR, phosphorylated (p)-EGFR, AKT1, p-AKT1, AKT2, p-AKT2, ERK1, ERK2, p-ERK1/2, STAT3, and p-STAT3 was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays for 275 ESCC patients who had undergone complete three-field lymphadenectomy. Spearman rank correlation tests were used to determine the relationships among protein expression, and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors on overall survival (OS). Results: p-EGFR expression was correlated statistically with all of the other phosphorylated markers. Gender, N stage, and p-AKT1 expression were found to be independent prognostic factors for OS. Increased expression of p-AKT1 was associated with decreased patient survival. EGFR and p-EGFR expression was not significantly associated with patient survival. Conclusion: Activation of AKT1 was associated with poor prognosis in ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We assessed the robustness of passive scattering proton therapy (PSPT) plans for patients in a phase II trial of PSPT for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by using the worst-case scenario method, and compared the worst-case dose distributions with the appearance of locally recurrent lesions. Methods Worst-case dose distributions were generated for each of 9 patients who experienced recurrence after concurrent chemotherapy and PSPT to 74 Gy(RBE) for stage III NSCLC by simulating and incorporating uncertainties associated with set-up, respiration-induced organ motion, and proton range in the planning process. The worst-case CT scans were then fused with the positron emission tomography (PET) scans to locate the recurrence. Results Although the volumes enclosed by the prescription isodose lines in the worst-case dose distributions were consistently smaller than enclosed volumes in the nominal plans, the target dose coverage was not significantly affected: only one patient had a recurrence outside the prescription isodose lines in the worst-case plan. Conclusions PSPT is a relatively robust technique. Local recurrence was not associated with target underdosage resulting from estimated uncertainties in 8 of 9 cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Condition maintenance of wind turbine gearboxes is important because of their high failure probability and the difficulties associated with their maintenance. Diagnosis and prognosis are the two main aspects of condition maintenance. This paper summarises the development of fault diagnosis and life prediction methods for wind power gearboxes. Fault diagnosis methods include single-method analyses such as vibration analysis, acoustic emission (AE) analysis and oil analysis, as well as multi-information testing methods. Oil analysis can be used to monitor early wear and the wear evolution process, providing direct data for the remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of the gearbox and the lubricant. Though wind turbine gearbox RUL prediction has received more attention among these diagnoses, there is still only limited literature available regarding this. Measurement of the lubricating oil condition is one of the most often applied methods for diagnosis and prognosis and within this the oil viscosity is an important parameter. Viscosity estimation has wide application prospects in oil analysis and the tendency is to apply online testing methods. Oil viscosity can be more accurately measured by considering thermal effects, which can be studied using numerical and experimental methods. This viscosity measurement has been increasingly applied in oil analysis, with viscosity sensors. This review focuses on the application of online oil testing and measurement technology in the fault diagnosis and RUL prediction of wind turbine gearboxes. Challenging problems are identified and possible solutions are suggested in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]