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Abstract Background In patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC), minimally invasive surgery (MIS) may offer optimal oncologic outcome with low morbidity. However, the relative benefit of MIS compared to open surgery in patients requiring multistage resections has not been evaluated. Methods Patients who underwent totally minimally invasive (TMI) or totally open (TO) resections of CRC primary and liver metastases (CLM) in 2009–2016 were analyzed. Inverse probability of weighted adjustment by propensity score was performed before analyzing risk factors for complications and survival. Results The study included 43 TMI and 121 TO patients. Before and after adjustment, TMI patients had significantly less cumulated postoperative complications (41% vs. 59%, p = 0.001), blood loss (median 100 vs. 200 ml, p = 0.001) and shorter length of hospital stay (median 4.5 vs. 6.0 days, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified TO approach vs. MIS (OR = 2.4, p < 0.001), major liver resection (OR = 4.4, p < 0.001), and multiple CLM (OR = 2.3, p = 0.001) as independent risk factors for complications. 5-year overall survival was comparable (81% vs 68%, p = 0.59). Conclusion In patients with CRC undergoing multistage surgical treatment, MIS resection contributes to optimal perioperative outcomes without compromise in oncologic outcomes. Synopsis: A coordinated preplanned approach to total laparoscopic multistage resection of stage IV colorectal cancer optimizes short-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with single-stage latent heat storage, cascaded latent heat storage is considered as an effective way to store and utilize intermittent or fluctuant thermal energy due to an increased heat transfer rate, a uniform and lower HTF outlet temperature, faster charging/discharging processes and higher exergy efficiency. In this paper, an experimental three-stage latent heat storage system filled with three different phase change materials is established and its heat charging process is studied. Its temperature evolution in each stage during the heat charging process is measured and the corresponding thermodynamic performance is analyzed. Besides, the effects of stage number, HTF inlet temperature and HTF flow rates on the thermodynamic performance are discussed, respectively. The results show that the solid-liquid phase change in the three stages does not take place simultaneously due to the poor heat transfer and the large melting temperature difference. In addition, more stages could improve energy storage efficiency, exergy storage efficiency and entransy storage efficiency. Higher HTF inlet temperatures and larger HTF flow rates could increase transfer and storage rates of energy, exergy and entransy, but the storage efficiency of energy, exergy and entransy could only be obviously improved by higher HTF inlet temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the complexity of natural organic matter (NOM) have impacted the performance of direct filtration plants of water industries, resulting in reduced treatment capacity, and can lead to increased disinfection by-products. Hence, the need to identify new materials in future can be converted into more effective technologies and processes. We report a laboratory scale innovative use of graphene oxide membranes to remove NOMs from water that had been treated and still contained 5 mg/L DOC. Our study shows that graphene oxide based membranes can reject ∼100% of NOM while maintaining high water flux of 65 L m −2 h −1 bar −1 at atmospheric pressure. Our results indicate that it is possible to develop a graphene oxide-based water filtration technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in molecular biology have enabled identification of tumor biomarkers that allow for individualized risk assessment for patients with cancer. Molecular predictors of clinical outcome can help inform discussion regarding the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resected colon cancer, such as those with stage II colon cancer in which the benefit of adjuvant therapy is controversial or those with stage III colon cancer who may have a lower risk of recurrence and less absolute benefit from oxaliplatin therapy. This article summarizes the data surrounding the development, validation, and clinical and economic utility of the Oncotype DX® colon cancer assay, a multigene expression assay validated to independently predict recurrence risk in patients with stage II and III colon cancer beyond traditional factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taro ( Colocasia esculenta ) is an important crop in Africa, Southeast Asia and the subtropics, as it is used for food and medicine. The aims of this study were to access a large expression datasets of taro and reveal the candidate genes of starch synthesis. As a result, approximately 2.2 Gb sequence data of taro transcriptome were obtained by using Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform and assembled into 52,935 contigs with an average length of 588.5 bp. Sequence similarity analyses against four public databases (NR, GO, KEGG, KOG) found 17,047 contigs that could be annotated with gene descriptions, conserved protein domains, or gene ontology terms. Among the important metabolic pathways, 26 genes related to starch synthesis were validated by RT-PCR. This transcriptome dataset can serve as an important public information platform for further studies in gene expression, genomics, and functional genomic studies in C. esculenta . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: C and N atoms are the most frequent foreign interstitial atoms (FIAs), and often incorporated into the surface layers of steels to enhance their properties by thermochemical treatments. Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb and Mo are the most common alloying elements in steels, also can be called foreign substitutional atoms (FSAs). The FIA and FSA interactions play an important role in the diffusion of C and N atoms, and the microstructures and mechanical properties of surface modified layers. Ab initio calculations based on the density functional theory are carried out to investigate FIA interactions with FSA in ferromagnetic bcc iron. The FIA–FSA interactions are analyzed systematically from five aspects, including interaction energies, density of states (DOS), bond populations, electron density difference maps and local magnetic moments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carbon and nitrogen are the most frequent foreign interstitial atoms in α-Fe. The presence of even a little amount of these impurities in interstitial positions has a drastic influence on the properties of steels. However, the physics of the C–N interaction remains unclear. Here we perform first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory to study the interactions of C–N and those with vacancy (□) in α-Fe. When C and N atoms are in neighbor octahedral sites, a hybridization around −8eV of C 2p states with the N 2p states is observed. C and N atoms lie as far away from one another as possible. When a vacancy is introduced, it can attract two C atoms and a N atom, and a C–C–N–□ complex is formed. When the C and N atoms are the first nearest neighbors of the vacancy and stay in two neighbor octahedral sites, a covalent C–N bond is formed. And the peak of 2p states of the C atom’s density of states shifts to around −8eV, where the peak of the N atom’s 2p states lies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this letter, an improved sampling frequency offset (SFO) estimation scheme is proposed for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing based digital radio mondiale (DRM) system. An analytical closed-form expression of the mean square error is derived for the proposed SFO synchronization scheme. The new scheme is demonstrated and verified under simulations carried out within the framework of DRM systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present results of the first middle Miocene climate modelling study using the latest NCAR Community Atmosphere Model (CAM v.3.1) and Community Land Model (CLM v.3.0) coupled to a slab ocean. We examine the sensitivity of the middle Miocene climate to varying concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (180, 355 and 700 ppm). Model simulations are forced with realistic Miocene boundary conditions for continental geometry, topography and vegetation. Global annual mean surface temperature increases by 2.2 °C with each successive doubling of CO2 which is consistent with climate sensitivity of previous paleoclimate studies and estimates for future climate. In addition to growing evidence that tropical sea surface temperatures were higher than suggested by proxy-data, our understanding of middle to high latitude warming mechanisms is still incomplete. We compare our results to the late Miocene study of Steppuhn et al. [Steppuhn, A., Micheels, A., Bruch, A., Uhl, D., Utescher, T., Mosbrugger, V., 2007. The sensitivity of ECHAM4/ML to a double CO2 scenario for the Late Miocene and the comparison to terrestrial proxy data. Global and Planetary Change, 57, 189–212] to explore the dependence of paleoclimate model sensitivities on different software systems and boundary conditions. Our comparison shows climate sensitivity to be overall quite robust — this is as significant, as it is often unclear to what extent simulation behaviour and outputs are dependent on a particular model implementation and initial/boundary conditions. Some distinct differences in model outputs, such as our reduced latitudinal surface temperature gradient and stronger Asian monsoon system, compared to the late Miocene study of Steppuhn et al. [Steppuhn, A., Micheels, A., Bruch, A., Uhl, D., Utescher, T., Mosbrugger, V., 2007. The sensitivity of ECHAM4/ML to a double CO2 scenario for the Late Miocene and the comparison to terrestrial proxy data. Global and Planetary Change, 57, 189–212] are shown to be closely linked to the choice of topography, vegetation and ocean heat flux. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Chemotherapy is highly effective for metastatic germ cell tumor (GCT), but experience with resection of hepatic metastases from GCT is limited.Methods: Fifteen patients with GCT metastatic to the liver underwent 16 hepatic operations (1975-2002). Pre-resection therapy, surgical pathology, and operative outcomes were reviewed. All patients were followed to death or last contact for survival and disease status.Results: Patients underwent biopsy (three), wedge resection (nine), bisegmentectomy (two), and major lobectomy (two). Hepatic histology included: necrosis (33%), viable tumor (27%), mature teratoma (13%), and benign histology (27%). Concomitant resection of extrahepatic disease (14 patients, 93%) found necrosis (53%), mature teratoma (27%), and viable tumor (13%). Operative mortality was 0% and morbidity was 40%. At 8.2 years (mean) from resection, 11 patients (73%) were alive: five with no evidence of disease, two with elevated tumor marker only, and four with gross disease. Four patients (27%) died. The 10-year overall survival was 62% from diagnosis.Conclusion: Resection of post-chemotherapy hepatic disease is safe, even when combined with resection of extrahepatic residual disease. The varied histologic findings, lack of reliable predictors, and prolonged survival achieved support a multidisciplinary approach which includes surgical resection of hepatic metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Definitive radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy is curative for nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA). However, the true effect of chemoradiation on long-term functional outcomes is poorly understood owing to limited follow-up and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).Methods and Materials: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 248 patients with SCCA treated with definitive intensity modulated radiation and concurrent chemotherapy from 2010 to 2018 who were alive and without recurrence. PRO measures were collected, including Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G7), Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQoL), Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS), and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires (ICIQ). Models were used to determine the association between demographic, tumor, treatment, and dosimetric data with PROs.Results: One hundred twelve (45%) patients completed PROs. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] time from radiation completion to survey was 51 [37-85] months. The median scores [IQR] for FACT-G7, FIQoL, and LARS were 21 [15-24], 14 [11-16], and 32 [25-37], respectively. For men, median subscores [IQR] for ICIQ voiding and incontinence subscores were 5 [2-6] and 1 [1-3], respectively. For women, median subscores [IQR] for ICIQ voiding, incontinence, and filling were 1 [1-3], 5 [3-8], and 4 [2-5], respectively. Higher (better) FIQoL scores were associated with higher (better) FACT-G7 scores (β = 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-1.09; P < .001), and higher (worse) LARS scores were associated with lower (worse) FACT-G7 scores (β = -0.22; 95% confidence interval, -0.31 to -0.13; P < .001). A separate multivariable analysis revealed higher bowel bag D1% was associated with lower (worse) FIQoL (P = .001) and higher (worse) LARS (P = .003) scores. Higher bladder V40 Gy was associated with increased (worse) ICIQ voiding subscore (P = .001).Conclusions: Patients treated with modern chemoradiation for SCCA experience significant long-term bowel toxic effects with considerable effect on quality of life. Minimizing bowel hotspots and bladder V40 Gy may improve bowel and urinary function. Other interventions to reduce long-term toxic effects and improve quality of life are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the first-principles calculations within virtual crystal approximation (VCA) framework, the alloying behavior of transition metals M (M = Cr, Ni, Mo, V, Co, Nb, Mn, Ti and Cu) has been investigated in ternary ε-(Fe 1 − x M x ) 3 N nitrides ( x = 0–0.15). The phase stability and elastic properties are studied by calculating the formation Gibbs energy, independent elastic constants and densities of states. The calculated results show that the stability of the ε-(Fe 1− x M x ) 3 N nitrides decrease with the increase of the substitution content, indicating the decomposition of ε phase to α or γ′ phases. The elastic properties of the ε-(Fe 1− x M x ) 3 N nitrides are sensitive to the transition element types except Co and Mn which show the weakest effect. Densities of states are given for all ε-(Fe 1− x M x ) 3 N nitrides to confirm the origins of the variations of phase stability and elastic properties. The calculated results show a reasonable agreement with available experimental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the effect of N distribution on the elastic and electronic properties of hexagonal ε-Fe6N x (x=1, 2, and 3) phases is studied by first-principles calculations. The calculated formation energies of ε-Fe6N x phases decrease with the increasing distance between the N atoms, which demonstrates that the interaction between the interstitial N atoms is of repulsive nature. The theoretical elastic constants, bulk modulus (B), shear modulus (G), ratios of B to G, Young's modulus (E), Poisson's ratios (v) of ε-Fe6N x phases are obtained, which are important parameters for the crystal materials and surface coatings. The more stable interstitial conifiguration enables the ε-Fe6N x phases to possess higher B, G and E. Densities of states are given for all the configurations of ε-Fe6N x phases to discuss the origins of the variations of energetic stability and elastic properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The elastic and electronic properties of an ordered intermetallic phase Al18Ti2Mg3 with cubic structure are first investigated by an ab initio method based on density functional theory (DFT) implemented in the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) code. The elastic constants are calculated to characterize the elastic anisotropy, the direction-dependent Young’s modulus and the macroscopic elastic modulus. The calculated results show that compared with binary compound Al3Ti, Al18Ti2Mg3 exhibits lower stiffness, slighter elastic anisotropy and better ductility, and the bond of Al18Ti2Mg3 has both covalent and ionic properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) generate progenitors which in turn give rise to neuroblasts. These neuroblasts then migrate along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) in chains and reach the olfactory bulb (OB), where they mature into local interneurons. Interneurons in the OB are heterogeneous, which are mainly located in granular cell layer (GCL), external plexiform layer (EPL) and glomerular layer (GL). In this study, we show that green fluorescent protein-expressing (GFP+) cells in the SVZ and RMS of the 5HT3aR-BACEGFP transgenic mouse exclusively express transcription factor Sp8 which is expressed in lateral ganglionic embryonic eminence (LGE) and postnatal SVZ. These GFP+ neuroblasts of the 5HT3aR-BACEGFP transgenic mouse migrate along the RMS to the OB where they differentiate into calretinin+ (CR+), parvabumin+ (PV+), vasoactive intestinal peptide+ (VIP+), somatostatin+ (Som+) and tyrosine hydroxylase+ (TH+), but not calbindin+ (CB+) interneurons. These GFP+ interneurons continuously express Sp8 in the OB. Furthermore, these results suggest that GFP-expressing cells are derived from LGE, and this transgenic mouse line will be a useful tool for studying the development and function of interneurons in both neocortex and OB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper proposes a robust residual carrier frequency offset (CFO) tracking scheme with an extended estimation range, as well as an improved estimation performance in a multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) system. An analytical expression for the mean square error (MSE) of the frequency synchronization scheme is reported, and simulation results are used to verify the theoretical analysis developed in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Emergency treatment of perforated colon cancer has traditionally been linked with dismal outcomes due to the double jeopardy of a septic insult combined with a malignant disease, leaving unclear how aggressive emergency surgical procedures should be. We aimed to define short- and long-term outcomes in the current era of critical care support and oncologic advances, to provide updated data for decision making.Study Design: Patients with perforations associated with a primary colon cancer were identified. Peri-operative and long-term survival were compared among free (FP; n = 41) and contained perforations (CP; n = 45) and to age-, stage-, and resection status case-matched, non-perforated (NP; n = 85), controls.Results: Tumors were completely resected in 67% of FP but fewer lymph nodes were harvested (median, 11 vs. 11 and 16 in CP and NP; p = 0.21 and p < 0.001). Peri-operative mortality was highest in FP: 19% vs. 0% and 5% in CP and NP (p = 0.038), respectively. After adjusting for peri-operative mortality, 5-year overall survival was comparable: 55%, 59%, and 54% for FP, CP, and NP, respectively. Advanced age, higher ASA class, presence of residual disease, and advanced stage, but not perforation, were independent predictors of poorer long-term overall survival.Conclusions: Patients with malignant colonic perforation face high risk of peri-operative death, making septic source control the priority in the acute setting. Pursuit of an oncologically oriented resection and long-term cancer-directed treatments, however, may lead to improved long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have synthesized the volatile, liquid, nickel precursor Ni(dmamb)2, nickel bis(1-dimethylamino-2-methyl-2-butanolate), Ni[OC(CH3)(C2H5)CH2N(CH3)2]2, and employed it in the MOCVD of nickel oxide (NiO). A stainless steel, cold-wall, low-pressure reactor was employed to grow the NiO films on Si and Pt/SiO2/Si substrates. In addition, the resistance switching property of the Pt/NiO/Pt capacitor structure was investigated. The substrate temperature was varied in the range 230–410 °C. The films deposited were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and I–V measurements. They were polycrystalline showing dominantly the NiO(111) peak in their X-ray diffraction patterns. The films were found to be almost stoichiometric with the Ni:O ratio of 1.1:0.9 and no appreciable amount of carbon incorporation was detected by XPS. The I–V measurements revealed an interesting switching property of the NiO films showing low and high resistance states thereby suggesting their application as ReRAM devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article describes a comprehensive literature review of liquid entrainment in horizontal pipes with vertical-up branches. Deficiencies in the available data and correlations were identified. The Air–water Test Loop for Advanced Thermal–hydraulic Studies (ATLATS) was constructed and entrainment onset and steady-state data were collected for a wide range of flow conditions. Using new insights gained from experimental testing, the authors developed a model for predicting the onset of entrainment and steady-state entrainment rate. Previously published correlations, along with the new model, are compared against all available data. The new model shows very good agreement with the onset data, but is not very good at predicting branch quality at high liquid flow rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• This study examined outcomes of panel testing of colorectal cancer genes in patients with colorectal cancer at 35 or younger. • The results confirmed a previous study showing a high incidence of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes in young patients. • Disease-specific panel testing did not increase the yield of diagnostic workup over phenotype-driven testing. • Broader panels may increase the yield but also identify more uncertain variants in young patients with colorectal cancer. Adolescents and young adults with colorectal cancer (CRC) have attracted recent attention, with a hereditary syndrome identified in one-third of patients diagnosed ≤ 35. We aimed to study this population to determine if a CRC-specific gene panel increased the yield of testing. Patients with CRC ≤ 35 evaluated from 05/2014–11/2017 were identified from the genetic counseling database. Records were reviewed for personal/family history and genetic counseling outcomes. One hundred forty-three patients with CRC ≤ 35 were included. One hundred four (72.7%) underwent CRC panel testing. Thirty-nine (27.2%) had syndrome-directed testing, declined, or were lost to follow-up. Forty-two patients had a genetic syndrome (29.4%). Twenty-four of the 42 hereditary patients (57.1%) were identified via syndrome-directed testing. Mutations identified via panel testing were consistent with patient personal/family history. Thirty-three patients had at least one variant of uncertain significance. Hereditary syndromes were identified in 29.4% of patients. Panel testing in patients without a phenotype did not increase diagnostic yield, but identified variants in one-third. Disease-specific panel testing is of low yield in young patients without a suggestive personal/family history. Testing broader panels may increase the yield of mutation pick-up in this population, although at the expense of identifying variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the availability of effective colorectal cancer (CRC) screening strategies, up to 10% of CRC patients present with obstructive symptoms as the first sign of disease. For patients with acute or subacute malignant obstruction that requires urgent intervention, treatment options include endoscopic stenting as a bridge to surgery, one-stage surgical resection and anastomosis, or diverting ostomy which may or may not be followed by later tumor resection and stoma closure. However, to date, there is no consensus guideline for the optimal approach to manage malignant colorectal obstruction. This article aims to illustrate clinical scenarios in palliative, curative, and potentially curative settings, and delineate the key factors to be considered when making an individualized decision in order to determine the optimal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Uncontrolled infections are known to be an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation; however, the posttransplant prognosis of recipients treated for pretransplant infection is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze pretransplant infections among liver transplant recipients and to determine their impact on posttransplant clinical outcomes. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed 357 subjects who had undergone living-donor liver transplantation between January 2008 and May 2014. Results Among 357 recipients, 71 patients (19.8%) had 74 episodes of infectious complications before liver transplantation. These complications consisted of pneumonia (n = 13), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (n = 12), catheter-related infection (n = 10), urinary tract infection (n = 12), biliary tract infection (n = 6), and skin and soft-tissue infection (n = 3). Twenty-six patients experienced 29 episodes of bacteremia, and the most common pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 8), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 7), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 4), and Streptococcus species (n = 3). Twenty-one bacteremic episodes (70%) occurred within 1 month before transplantation (n = 4). Recipients with pretransplant infections had significantly more frequent posttransplant infections (71.8% [51 of 71] vs 47.2% [35 of 286]; P = .0001), posttransplant bacteremia (33.8% [24 of 71] vs 20.3% [58 of 286]; P = .015), and longer posttransplant intensive care unit stays (11.2 ± 10.7 days vs 7.3 ± 4.2 days; P = .0004) than those without pretransplant infections. However, episodes of rejection ( P = .36), length of hospitalization ( P = .10), 28-day mortality ( P = .31), and 1-year mortality ( P = .61) after transplantation were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusions Pretransplant infection had an impact on posttransplant morbidity, although not on rejection and mortality. Alertness for posttransplant infection and proper management (including effective antimicrobial coverage) would improve patient morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Acinetobacter baumannii has become an increasingly important nosocomial pathogen. Carbapenem is the preferred drug of choice for treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli, but carbapenem-resistant A baumannii (CRAB) has now emerged. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, outcomes, and risk factors for CRAB bacteremia in liver transplant recipients. Methods The medical records of 393 subjects who underwent living donor liver transplant at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital from January 2008 to April 2015 were reviewed. Results A total of 92 (23.4%) bacteremic patients, comprising 156 episodes, were identified. Fourteen patients, totaling 18 episodes, had CRAB bacteremia. The median time of emergence of CRAB bacteremia was 55.5 (range, 2–829) days after transplantation, and 72.2% of episodes (n = 13) occurred within 6 months of transplant. The presumed sources of infection were intra-abdominal (n = 11, 61.1%), biliary tract (n = 3, 16.7%), lung (n = 2, 11.1%), catheter (n = 1, 5.6%), and wound (n = 1, 5.6%). By multivariate analysis, length of post-transplant intensive care unit (ICU) stay (odds ratio [OR], 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.15; P = .04) was associated with CRAB bacteremia. Overall mortality in 14 recipients with CRAB bacteremia was 50% (n = 7), but only 10% (30 of 301) in non-bacteremic patients and 20.5% (16 of 78) in other bacteremic patients excluding CRAB ( P < .001). Conclusion In our study, patients with CRAB bacteremia after liver transplant showed an unfavorable outcome and, recently, CRAB has become an increasingly major pathogen at our center. Reducing the length of ICU stay could be a solution for preventing CRAB bacteremia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockage of cohesive fine particles in a packed structure of large particles may happen in many industrial processes, of particular interests to ironmaking COREX technology. In this work, blockage behaviour of cohesive fine particles in a simplified packing structure is studied by means of discrete element method. The typical phenomena about effects of sticking force on descending velocity and blockage frequency is described. Two kinds of blockage mechanisms of fine particles in a packed bed of large particles are explored: mechanical interactions between fine particles will create arches on the pore throat and stop the flow; fine particles with high interparticle stickiness will adhere to the surface near the pore throat of the orifice, thus the sectional area of the flow channel will decrease. With the increase of sticking force, the descending velocity will decrease, while the frequency of the blockage increases. In addition, the effects of size ratio of fine particle to packing particle, mass flow rate and magnitude of the upward force (e.g. from a gas stream) on blockage behaviour are also discussed. The results show that increasing the size ratio, mass flow rate and external force will increase the frequency of the blockage. The study provides a fundamental understanding on blockage behaviour of cohesive fine particles in a packed bed, and is useful for industry processes' understanding and optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma is the most prevalent and lethal primary intrinsic tumor in the central nervous system. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) reprogram the transcriptional and metabolic machinery to mediate therapeutic resistance to radiation. Understanding the regulatory mechanism of GSCs may inform novel approaches to improve the clinical outcome for glioblastoma patients. Nuclear pore complex (NPC) is an evolutionarily conserved structure that maintains the traffic between the nucleus and cytoplasm. In current study, we aim to interrogate the aberrant regulation of NPC in GSCs and develop novel targeted approach to sensitize GSC to radiation. Patient-derived GSCs were validated using functional assays. Transcriptional analysis of GSCs and matched differentiated glioblastoma cells (DGCs) were performed using RNA sequencing to identify aberrant regulatory pathways upregulated in GSCs. The clinical impact of target genes on patient survival was assessed using the glioblastoma dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to assess the relative expression between GSCs and DGCs. Radiation sensitivity was measured using Cs-137 irradiator. Validation of the stem-like function of target genes was performed using RNA interference followed by in vitro neurosphere formation assay and in vivo tumorigenesis with xenograft mouse model. 27 of the total 31 NPC genes were found to be upregulated in the primary glioblastoma patient specimens compared to non-tumor brain tissue in the TCGA dataset. Among them, a systematic approach combining transcriptional profiling and clinical validation linked nucleoporin 98 (NUP98) to a nexus between GSC phenotype and radiation resistance. GSCs preferentially express NUP98, which is essential for GSC maintenance and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing demonstrated that NUP98 regulates the expression of key DNA repair genes, including BRCA1, BRCA2, and RAD51. NUP98 forms a complex with the transcription factor P65, and directly stimulates the active transcription of genes involved in homologous recombination. Attenuation of NUP98 or P65 expression leads to the accumulation of unrepaired intrinsic DNA damage and sensitizes GSC to the treatment of ionizing radiation. Clinically, overexpression of NUP98 informs poor clinical outcome among patients with glioblastoma. Combining transcriptional discovery and clinical validation, we discovered that NUP98, an essential NPC component, maintains GSC proliferation and tumorigenesis through modulating the transcriptional control of homologous recombination pathway. Our results demonstrated a novel therapeutic approach of sensitizing GSC to radiation through targeting the nexus between aberrant transcriptional regulation and therapeutic resistance in stem-like glioma cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we prepared a kind of composite solid polymer electrolyte (CSPE) based on montmorillonite (MMT) nano-clay fillers, lithium-bis(trifluoromethanelsulfonyl) (LiTFSI), polyvinylidenedifluoride (PVDF) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) copolymer by the casting method. Effect of the montmorillonite on ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties of the polymer electrolyte was demonstrated. The result CSPE obtained a higher ionic conductivity up to 4.31 × 10 −4 S cm −1 at room temperature when 4.0 wt% MMT was contained, and the maximum lithium ions transference number of 0.40 was achieved. Electrochemical performance of the polymer solid electrolyte was evaluated in Li/polymer electrolyte/LiFePO 4 coin cell. Good performance with low capacity fading on charge–discharge cycling was achieved, indicating the potential application of the as-prepared CSPE in lithium ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With advances in multimodality therapy, colorectal cancer survivors are living longer. However, little is known about the quality of their long-term survival. We investigated the functional outcomes and symptoms among long-term survivors. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1,215 long-term (>5 years) colorectal cancer survivors was conducted using a validated disease-specific questionnaire. Younger onset survivors (18-50 years) were matched 1:2 to later onset survivors (>50 years). Standardized mean scores were compared using one-way ANOVA. Key patient and treatment factors that impact function and symptoms were assessed by multivariate linear regression. Results: Eight hundred thirty survivors responded at an interval of 10.8 ± 3 years from diagnosis (68 % response rate). Younger onset survivors underwent more surgery (97.9 vs. 93.6 %, P < 0.001) and received more chemotherapy (86.1 vs. 77.7 %, P = 0.004). Anxiety, body image, sexual dysfunction, embarrassment by bowel movements, micturition problems, and impotence were significant concerns. Younger onset survivors reported worse anxiety, body image, and embarrassment with bowel movements, whereas later onset survivors highlighted sexual dysfunction, micturition problems, and impotence. Age at diagnosis was a key independent determinant of long-term function and symptoms. Conclusion: Long-term survivors of CRC face ongoing functional deficits and symptoms, and their survivorship experience differs by age. Age at diagnosis should serve as a basis for tailored, personalized survivorship care plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, plasma nitrocarburizing at various temperatures in the range of 460–540 °C were carried out on M50NiL steel in order to improve wear properties. The nitrocarburizing temperature was optimized to obtain the best wear properties. The phase composition, microstucture and microhardness profiles of nitrocarburized layers of M50NiL steel were characterized by XRD, optical microscope and Vickers microhardness measurements, respectively. Pin-on-disc tribometer and SEM equipped with EDS were applied to measure friction and wear properties and analyze wear mechanisms involved. XRD results show that the amount of ɛ-Fe 2-3 (N,C) phase increased as the nitrocarburizing temperature rose form 460 °C to 500 °C and then decreased at 540 °C, while the amount of γ′-Fe 4 (N,C) phase increased as the treatment temperature rose. The hardness of the nitrocarburized layers showed an obvious improvement accompanied with the increasing nitrocarburizing temperature, and obtained the maximum surface hardness of 1287 HV at 540 °C. The results of wear tests carried out at various sliding speeds indicated that the wear mechanism depends on sliding speed rather than the nitrocarburizing temperature. With the increase of the sliding speed, the wear mechanism transfers from oxidation mode to abrasive mode. The gradually deceased wear rate of the specimen nitrocarburized at 500 °C with the increase of the sliding speed indicated the excellent wear resistance under high sliding speed condition. Therefore, 500 °C can be selected as an optimized nitrocarburizing temperature for M50NiL steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] PN+LQ treatment results in thicker layer depth than single PN or LQ treatment. [•] The increase of layer depth is caused by the eutectoid point reduction due to introduction of N. [•] LQ treatment cause the brittle phase decomposed and the hardness redistributed of PN specimen. [•] PN+LQ specimen shows better wear resistance than the PN counterpart. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Routine microbiologic surveillance is a method of infection control, but its clinical significance in transplant recipients is not known. We analyzed microbiologic data to evaluate the influence of cultured microorganisms between the point of surveillance and infectious episodes in liver transplant recipients. Methods: We performed surveillance culture for sputum and peritoneal fluid in liver transplant recipients from January 2009 to December 2011, at the time of transplantation (T1), 5 days (T2), and 10 days (T3) postoperatively. Results: Of the 179 recipients, 32.9% had a positive sputum culture result and 37.4% had a positive peritoneal culture result during surveillance. In the culture surveillance of sputum, 37 organisms were isolated from 35 recipients at T1, and the most common organism was Staphylococcus aureus (n = 13). At T2, 45 organisms were isolated from 39 recipients, including Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 10), S aureus (n = 8), and Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 6). At T3, 18 organisms were isolated from 15 patients, including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 5) and K pneumonia (n = 4). In the peritoneal fluid, 11 organisms were isolated from 10 recipients at T1, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2) and Enterococcus species (n = 2). At T2, 39 organisms were isolated from 36 recipients, including coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (CNS; n = 8) and Enterococcus species (n = 7). At T3, 54 organisms were isolated from 51 recipients, including CNS (n = 17) and Candida species (n = 8). Among the 59 patients with positive culture results for sputum surveillance, 16.9% developed pneumonia caused by the same organisms. Among the 67 patients with positive peritoneal fluid culture, 16.4% developed an intra-abdominal infection caused by the same organisms cultured. The recipients with positive surveillance culture had a higher risk of pneumonia (20.3% [12/59] vs 1.6% [2/120]; P < .001) and intra-abdominal infection (31.3% [21/67] vs 18.7% [21/112]; P = .05). Conclusions: Periodic microbiologic surveillance may be useful in the prediction of post-transplantation pneumonia and intra-abdominal infection and could offer a potential target for empirical antimicrobial therapy in cases of infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The goal of this phase 1 trial was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of concurrent capecitabine, bevacizumab, and erlotinib with preoperative radiation therapy for rectal cancer. Methods and Materials: Patients with clinical stage II to III rectal adenocarcinoma, within 12 cm from the anal verge, were treated in 4 escalating dose levels, using the continual reassessment method. Patients received preoperative radiation therapy with concurrent bevacizumab (5 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks), erlotinib, and capecitabine. Capecitabine dose was increased from 650 mg/m2 to 825 mg/m2 orally twice daily on the days of radiation therapy; erlotinib dose was increased from 50 mg orally daily in weeks 1 to 3, to 50 mg daily in weeks 1 to 6, to 100 mg daily in weeks 1 to 6. Patients underwent surgery at least 9 weeks after the last dose of bevacizumab. Results: A total of 19 patients were enrolled, and 18 patients were considered evaluable. No patient had grade 4 acute toxicity, and 1 patient had grade 3 acute toxicity (hypertension). The MTD was not reached. All 18 evaluable patients underwent surgery, with low anterior resection in 7 (39%), proctectomy with coloanal anastomosis in 4 patients (22%), posterior pelvic exenteration in 1 (6%), and abdominoperineal resection in 6 (33%). Of the 18 patients, 8 (44%) had pathologic complete response, and 1 had complete response of the primary tumor with positive nodes. Three patients (17%) had grade 3 postoperative complications (ileus, small bowel obstruction, and infection). With a median follow-up of 34 months, 1 patient developed distant metastasis, and no patient had local recurrence or died. The 3-year disease-free survival was 94%. Conclusions: The combination of preoperative radiation therapy with concurrent capecitabine, bevacizumab, and erlotinib was well tolerated. The pathologic complete response rate appears promising and may warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] BIG1 is colocalized with synaptic marker synaptophysin in soma and partly in neurites. [•] BIG1 content increased with embryonic rat brain growth. [•] BIG1 siRNA inhibited neurite development in primary cultured cortical neuron. [•] Depletion or inhibition of BIG1 decreased the phosphorylation of PI3K–AKT and ERK. [•] We report a novel function of BIG1 in regulating neurite outgrowth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the past several decades, tremendous progress has been achieved through developmental studies of the central nervous system structures such as the cerebral cortex. The septum, which receives reciprocal connections from a variety of brain structures, contains diverse projection neurons but few interneurons. However, the mechanisms underlying its development remain poorly understood. Here we show that the septum is organized into an onion skin-like structure composed of five groups of neurons. These neurons are parvalbumin, choline acetyltransferase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, calretinin and calbindin immunoreactive. Using the BrdU birth-dating method, we found that these five groups of neurons in the septum are grossly generated following an outside-in pattern. Interestingly, the distinct molecular identities of these neuronal subtypes correspond to their heterogeneous subpallial origins. Using three specific transgenic mouse lines and focal in utero electroporation of Cre-reporter plasmid, we showed that septal neurons originate from not only local progenitor regions but also neighboring progenitor regions including the medial ganglionic eminence and preoptic area. Thus, the neuronal diversity of the septum is achieved through both temporal and spatial control. Our results also suggest that multiple neuronal subtypes arrive to the septum through both radial and tangential migration. Based on these findings, we proposed a novel developmental model involving multiple spatial–temporal origins of septal neurons. This study presents new perspectives for comprehensively exploring septal functions in brain circuits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Traditionally, for patients with colorectal cancer with resectable synchronous liver metastases, resections were performed separately. However, the safety and efficacy of simultaneous resection have been demonstrated in selected patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes and economic implications of simultaneous and staged resections. Study Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with resectable synchronous liver metastases treated between 1993 and 2010, constructing a decision tree comparing simultaneous and staged resections. For generalizability, the analysis was conducted from a payer perspective, using costs derived from 2010 Medicare reimbursement. Decision models incorporated the severity-refined DRG complications (complicating condition/major complicating condition) modifiers. Sensitivity analyses used alternative models of DRG reimbursement. Results: There were 144 patients analyzed. Sixty (41.7%) underwent simultaneous resection and 84 (58.3%) underwent staged resection. Median overall survival did not differ between the simultaneous and the staged cohorts (66.3 vs 65.6 months, respectively), nor did the overall complication rate (38.3% vs 40.5%, respectively). Median total length of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the simultaneous cohort (8 vs 14 days; p = 0.001). In the base model, the simultaneous strategy cost less than the staged strategy ($20,983 vs $25,298 per case)—a savings of 17.1%. Sensitivity analyses examining alternative severity-refined DRG reimbursements demonstrated potential cost savings, in all but 1 extreme sensitivity analysis, ranging from 9.8% to 27.3% favoring simultaneous resection. Conclusions: The simultaneous resection strategy was oncologically equivalent and more cost efficient for patients with primary colorectal cancer presenting with resectable liver metastases. A reduction in overall length of hospital stay was an associated benefit. Future studies should explore the feasibility and clinical implications of policies to maximize the potential for simultaneous resection in this cohort of patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]