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Objective: The present study investigated the predictive diseases progression value of preoperative fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with local advanced cervical cancer (LACC). Methods: In total, 267 patients [median age 58 (range: 27–85) years old] with LACC underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT prior to any treatment. The maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of the primary lesion and metastatic lymph nodes were measured on PET/CT and correlated with clinicopathological features and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: The median follow-up was 36.52 (range: 3.09–61.29) months. During the observation period, 80 (30.0%) patients exhibited disease progression. Univariate analysis showed that FIGO stage, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), primary tumor MTV (pMTV) and TLG (pTLG), lymph nodes SUVmax (nSUVmax) and TLG (nTLG), and total metabolic activity (sMTV, sTLG) were associated with PFS. nSUVmax ≥ 5.29, CEA ≥ 7.11 ng/ml and deficiency of concurrent CRT were independent risk factor for PFS (p = 0.006, p = 0.008, p = 0.014). The 3-year PFS for patients with high nSUVmax were 42.2% compared to 56.3% for low nSUVmax values. Conclusion: Pretreatment cervical and lymph nodes metabolic parameters were associated with PFS in patients with LACC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an advanced amorphous material, sp3 amorphous carbon exhibits exceptional mechanical, thermal and optical properties, but it cannot be synthesized by using traditional processes such as fast cooling liquid carbon and an efficient strategy to tune its structure and properties is thus lacking. Here we show that the structures and physical properties of sp3 amorphous carbon can be modified by changing the concentration of carbon pentagons and hexagons in the fullerene precursor from the topological transition point of view. A highly transparent, nearly pure sp3−hybridized bulk amorphous carbon, which inherits more hexagonal-diamond structural feature, was synthesized from C70 at high pressure and high temperature. This amorphous carbon shows more hexagonal-diamond-like clusters, stronger short/medium-range structural order, and significantly enhanced thermal conductivity (36.3 ± 2.2 W m−1 K−1) and higher hardness (109.8 ± 5.6 GPa) compared to that synthesized from C60. Our work thus provides a valid strategy to modify the microstructure of amorphous solids for desirable properties. sp3 amorphous carbon exhibits exceptional mechanical, thermal, and optical properties, but cannot be synthesized using traditional processes. Here authors report a nearly pure sp3−hybridized amorphous carbon synthesized from C70 which shows more short/medium-range order and enhanced thermal conductivity compared to C60. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immunotherapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 has been proven to be effective for cervical cancer treatment. To explore non-invasive examinations for assessing the PD-L1 status in cervical cancer, we performed a retrospective study to investigate the predictive value of 18F-FDG PET/CT. Methods: The correlations between PD-L1 expression, clinicopathological characteristics and 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters were evaluated in 74 cervical cancer patients. The clinicopathological characteristics included age, histologic type, tumor differentiation, FIGO stage and tumor size. The metabolic parameters included maximum standard uptake (SUVmax), mean standard uptake (SUVmean), total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and tumor metabolic volume (MTV). Results: In univariate analysis, SUVmax, SUVmean, TLG, tumor size and tumor differentiation were obviously associated with PD-L1 status. SUVmax (rs = 0.42) and SUVmean (rs = 0.40) were moderately positively correlated with the combined positive score (CPS) for PD-L1 in Spearman correlation analysis. The results of multivariable analysis showed that the higher SUVmax (odds ratio = 2.849) and the lower degree of differentiation (Odds Ratio = 0.168), the greater probability of being PD-L1 positive. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that when the cut-off values of SUVmax, SUVmean and TLG were 10.45, 6.75 and 143.4, respectively, the highest accuracy for predicting PD-L1 expression was 77.0%, 71.6% and 62.2%, respectively. The comprehensive predictive ability of PD-L1 expression, assessed by combining SUVmax with tumor differentiation, showed that the PD-L1-negative rate was 100% in the low probability group, whereas the PD-L1-positive rate was 84.6% in the high probability group. In addition, we also found that the H-score of HIF-1α was moderately positively correlated with PD-L1 CPS (rs = 0.51). Conclusions: The SUVmax and differentiation of the primary lesion were the optimum predictors for PD-L1 expression in cervical cancer. There was a great potential for 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting PD-L1 status and selecting cervical cancer candidates for PD1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This study investigated whether lncRNA NEAT1 could inhibit the proliferation of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) cells by targeting miR-342-3p/CUL4B, thereby affecting the occurrence and development of CSCC. Methods. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-42-3p in skin squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent tissues. Bioinformatics software and luciferase reporter gene assay were used to analyze the association of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-342-3p. The effect of overexpression or knockdown of miR-342-3p on the proliferation of CSCC cells was examined by MTT and colony formation assays. Western blotting was used to detect the proteins of the miR-342-3p/CUL4B signaling axis. Results. The lncRNA NEAT1 is abnormally overexpressed in CSCC tissues and cell lines. The expression of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-342-3p in CSCC was negatively correlated. Bioinformatics prediction analysis revealed that lncRNA NEAT1 regulates the expression of miR-342-3p. The results of MTT and plate colony formation experiments showed that the transfection of miR-342-3p mimics significantly inhibited the proliferation and plate colony formation of CSCC cells, while the transfection of miR-342-3p inhibitor significantly promoted the proliferation and plate colony-forming ability of CSCC cells. Western blot results showed that lncRNA NEAT1 affected CSCC cell proliferation through miR-342-3p/CUL4B/PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion. The expression of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-342-3p in CSCC tissues was negatively correlated. This study is the first to demonstrate that the lncRNA NEAT1, as a ceRNA, affects the proliferation of skin squamous cell carcinoma cells through the miR-342-3p/CUL4B/PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, lncRNA NEAT1 could be a biological marker or target for CSCC diagnosis or treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphous materials inherit short- and medium-range order from the corresponding crystal and thus preserve some of its properties while still exhibiting novel properties1,2. Due to its important applications in technology, amorphous carbon with sp2 or mixed sp2–sp3 hybridization has been explored and prepared3,4, but synthesis of bulk amorphous carbon with sp3 concentration close to 100% remains a challenge. Such materials inherit the short-/medium-range order of diamond and should also inherit its superior properties5. Here, we successfully synthesized millimetre-sized samples—with volumes 103–104 times as large as produced in earlier studies—of transparent, nearly pure sp3 amorphous carbon by heating fullerenes at pressures close to the cage collapse boundary. The material synthesized consists of many randomly oriented clusters with diamond-like short-/medium-range order and possesses the highest hardness (101.9 ± 2.3 GPa), elastic modulus (1,182 ± 40 GPa) and thermal conductivity (26.0 ± 1.3 W m−1 K−1) observed in any known amorphous material. It also exhibits optical bandgaps tunable from 1.85 eV to 2.79 eV. These discoveries contribute to our knowledge about advanced amorphous materials and the synthesis of bulk amorphous materials by high-pressure and high-temperature techniques and may enable new applications for amorphous solids.Preparing amorphous phases of carbon with mostly sp3 bonding in bulk is challenging, but macroscopic samples that are nearly pure sp3 are synthesized here by heating fullerenes at high pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (Insight-HXMT) is a broadband X-ray and γ-ray (1-3000 keV) astronomy satellite. One of its three main telescopes is the High Energy X-ray telescope (HE). The main detector plane of HE comprises 18 NaI(Tl)/CsI(Na) phoswich detectors, where NaI(Tl) is used as the primary detector to measure ~ 20–250 keV photons incident from the field of view (FOV) defined by collimators, and CsI(Na) is used as the active shielding detector to NaI(Tl) by pulse shape discrimination. Additionally, CsI(Na) is used as an omnidirectional γ-ray monitor. The HE collimators have a diverse FOV, i.e. 1.1°×5.7° (15 units), 5.7°×5.7° (2 units), and blocked (1 unit). Therefore, the combined FOV of HE is approximately 5.7°×5.7°. Each HE detector has a diameter of 190 mm resulting in a total geometrical area of approximately 5100 cm2, and the energy resolution is ~15% at 60 keV. For each recorded X-ray event by HE, the timing accuracy is less than 10 μs and the dead-time is less than 10 μs. HE is used for observing spectra and temporal variability of X-ray sources in the 20–250 keV band either by pointing observations for known sources or scanning observations to unveil new sources. Additionally, HE is used for monitoring the γ-ray burst in 0.2-3 MeV band. This paper not only presents the design and performance of HE instruments but also reports results of the on-ground calibration experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the fourth most essential nutrient element, sulfur plays an important role in plant growth and development, but limited information is available regarding sulfur and its bioavailability after the restoration of degraded wetlands. A field experiment was conducted on three different mixed-vegetation types and planting densities to investigate the effects of vegetation type and density on sulfur and arylsulfatase in mangrove surface soils at the Jinjiang estuary in China. The total sulfur (TS), H2O-S, absorbed-S, available sulfur (AS) and arylsulfatase contents in soils 2 and 3 years after restoration were measured, and the sulfur availability index (SAI) was calculated. The results indicated that vegetation type and planting density significantly affected the TS and bioavailability of soil sulfur, and higher TS, H2O-S, absorbed-S, AS and arylsulfatase contents appeared at LQT 1.0 × 1.0 m (1918 mg/kg, 137 mg/kg, 387 mg/kg, 960 mg/kg and 38 μg*g−1*h−1, respectively). Furthermore, the bioavailability of sulfur increased after restoration from the second to third year. Arylsulfatase was significantly correlated with AS (p < 0.05) and highly correlated with soil organic matter (SOM) (p < 0.01), but no significant correlations were observed among arylsulfatase, SOM and TS. No sulfur fertilizer was required for mangrove plants during restoration in this study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Non-medical use of prescription opioids, especially among adolescents, has been substantially increased in recent years. However, the neuromechanism remains largely unexplored. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the brain metabolic changes in adolescent rats following chronic escalating morphine administration using positron emission tomography (PET).Procedures: 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]Fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) microPET imaging was performed, and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was used for image analysis. Glucose transporter 3 (Glut-3), dopamine D2 receptor (D2R), and Mμ-opioid receptor (μ-OR) were used for immunostaining analysis.Results: Cerebral glucose metabolism was increased in the corpus callosum (CC) and right retrosplenial dysgranular cortex (rRSD), while it was decreased in the right ventral pallidum (rVP). The expressions of Glut-3, D2R, and μ-OR were increased in CC and rRSD, while they were decreased in rVP. Furthermore, glucose metabolism and Glut-3 expression were positively correlated with the expressions of D2R or μ-OR in CC, rRSD, and rVP.Conclusions: [18F]FDG microPET brain imaging study in combination with immunohistological investigation revealed that CC, rRSD, and rVP were specifically involved in opioid dependence in adolescents. Our findings provided valuable insights into the neuromechanism of adolescent addiction of prescription opioids and might have important implications for the development of prevention and intervention approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the aggressive behavior of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells that had survived ionizing radiation and explore the potential targets of TNBC combination treatment. Consistent with the previous literature, Axl was highly expressed in TNBC and closely associated with the degree of malignancy based on immunohistochemical staining. Using a gradient irradiation method, the ionizing radiation-resistant mouse TNBC cell line 4T-1/IRR was established. It was found that Axl expression was upregulated in 4T-1/IRR cells. After irradiation by X-ray, the cell viability and colony formation ability of 4T-1/IRR cells were significantly increased when compared with the 4T-1 cells. Combined radiotherapy with Axl inhibition by treatment with R428 and small interfering RNA lentivirus targeting Axl infection significantly reduced cell viability, colony formation ability, DNA double-stranded break repair, and the invasive and migratory ability of 4T-1/IRR cells. In vivo, the small animal radiation research platform was applied to precisely administer radiotherapy of the tumor-bearing mice. R428 treatment combined with 6 Gy X-ray significantly inhibited the growth of 4T-1/IRR cells-derived xenograft tumors in the BALB/c mouse. The results of western blotting showed that the critical molecular mechanism involved in the radioresistance of TNBC cells was the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway induced by Axl activation. Thus, it is hypothesized that targeted Axl therapy combined with radiotherapy may have significant potential for the treatment of TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Renal‐clearable nanoparticles have made it possible to overcome the toxicity by nonspecific accumulation in healthy tissues/organs due to their highly efficient clearance characteristics. However, their tumor uptake is relatively low due to the short blood circulation time and rapid body elimination. Here, this problem is addressed by developing renal‐clearable nanoparticles by controlled coating of sub‐6 nm CuS nanodots (CuSNDs) on doxorubicin ladened mesoporous silica nanoparticles (pore size ≈6 nm) for multimodal application. High tumor uptake of the as‐synthesized nanoparticles (abbreviated as MDNs) is achieved due to the longer blood circulation time. The MDNs also show excellent performance in bimodal imaging. Moreover, the MDNs demonstrated a photothermally sensitive drug release and pronounced synergetic effects of chemo‐photothermal therapy, which were confirmed by two different tumor models in vivo. A novel key feature of the proposed synthesis is the use of renal‐clearable CuSNDs and biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles which also are renal‐clearable after degradation. Therefore, the MDNs would be rapidly degraded and excreted in a reasonable period in living body and avoid long‐term toxicity. Such biodegradable and clearable single‐compartment theranostic agents applicable in highly integrated multimodal imaging and multiple therapeutic functions may have substantial potentials in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Clinical Hepatology / Linchuang Gandanbing Zazhi is the property of Journal of Clinical Hepatology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Low temperature thermo-luminescence (TL) has been applied to measurements of the ionization energy of donors in ZnO. Three hydrogen-related donors were characterized with ionization energies of 36, 47, and 55 meV--values that are in complete agreement with previous reports. The donor types can be "switched" by relevant thermal treatments. This work shows that TL can be used to measure the donor energies in luminescent semiconductors in general. This approach can be particularly useful for thin-film investigations when the results of Hall-effect measurements are obscured by contributions from conductive interfaces or substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical-based common feature pharmacophore modelling of Niemann Pick C1 Like 1 inhibitors was performed to provide some insights on the important pharmacophore features essential for Niemann Pick C1 Like 1 inhibition using Discovery Studio V2.5. After in-house database screening, a new series of substituted oxazolidinones, selected from the top ranked hits, have been synthesized and evaluated as novel cholesterol absorption inhibitors. All compounds demonstrated effect of different degrees in lowering the total cholesterol in serum, especially compounds 1a, 2a and 2d, the potency of which was comparable to that of ezetimibe. It was also found that 1a, 1d and 2d could raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels markedly. Interestingly, compounds 2a-2f appeared to have the moderate potential to lower triglyceride levels, which were superior to that of normal cholesterol absorption inhibitors including ezetimibe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For improving dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a polymer matrix, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were first modified by ring-opening polymerization of the terminal hydroxyl of MWCNTs with ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). Then, the modified MWCNTs were added into polyurethane (PU) and MWCNTs/PU For improving dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a polymer matrix, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were first modified by ring-opening polymerization of the terminal hydroxyl of MWCNTs with ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). Then, the modified MWCNTs were added into polyurethane (PU) and MWCNTs/PU composite fibers were prepared by electrospinning and collected in the form of membranes. The morphology and microstructure of the composite nanofibers were analyzed by SEM. The relationship between the tensile properties of the membranes and the mass fraction of the MWNTs was revealed by tensile testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-developed bipolar resistive switching behaviors have been revealed in Pt/GaOx/ITO stacks without an electroforming process. By substituting platinum with titanium as the top electrode, switching polarity changed from 'counter-Figure-8' to 'Figure-8.' The modulation of Schottky barrier at the Pt/GaOx interface induced by migration of oxygen vacancies was proposed to explain the switching in Pt/GaOx/ITO stacks, while the switching in Ti/GaOx/ITO stacks was ascribed to the redox reaction at the Ti/GaOx interface. Our experimental result further confirms the migration of oxygen vacancies in the vicinity of the electrode area plays an important role in the resistive switching process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new x-ray luminescence based spectrometer was developed and installed to examine the scintillation properties of materials while revealing the origins of luminescence and investigating trapping defects. Measurements were performed on a number of undoped and Ce doped yttrium aluminum garnet crystals and various luminescence centers were characterized. The measured x-ray luminescence spectra provide information about the spectral range and the scintillation efficiency and linearity. The efficiency of charge-carriers production due to x ray, their energy transfer to the luminescence centers, and the efficiency of luminescence are all reflected in the efficiency of x-ray luminescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]