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In this study, the application of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a carrier to glucose-sensitive materials for the detection of glucose was proposed. Au-CuO bimetallic nanoclusters (Au-CuO/BSA) were prepared using BSA as a template, the new sensing material (Au-CuO/BSA/MWCNTs) was synthesized by mixing with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and applied to non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors to detect glucose stably and effectively under neutral condition. The scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the morphology of the synthesized nanocomposite. The electrochemical properties of the sensor were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Glucose detection experiments show that Au-CuO/BSA/MWCNTs/Au electrode has good glucose detection ability, stability, accuracy, repeatability, and high selectivity in neutral environment. Unlike existing glucose-sensitive materials, due to the use of BSA, the composite material is firmly fixed to the electrode surface without a Nafion solution, which reduces the current blocking effect on the modified electrode. The composite materials can be effectively preserved for extremely long periods, higher than 80% activity is maintained at room temperature in a closed environment for 3 to 4 months, due to the special effects of BSA. In addition, the feasibility of using BSA in glucose-sensitive materials is confirmed.

Highlights • Up-regulated SMYD3 correlates with worse prognosis and controls DDP resistance of NSCLC. • ANKHD1 interacts with and is essential for SMYD3-induced DDP resistance. • CDK2 is identified to be a downstream effector of SMYD3-ANKHD1 in NSCLC. • SMYD3-ANKHD1 critically regulates the growth DDP-resistant NSCLC cells in vivo., Background Cisplatin (DDP) remains the backbone of chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet its clinical efficacy is limited by DDP resistance. We aim to investigate the role of the SET and MYND domain-containing protein 3 (SMYD3) in DDP resistance of NSCLC. Methods Expression pattern of SMYD3 was determined in NSCLC tissues using qRT-PCR, which also validated its correlation with NSCLC clinicopathological stages. Impacts of SMYD3 on DDP resistance were evaluated by knocking down SMYD3 in DDP-resistant cells and overexpressing it in DDP-sensitive cells, and assessed for several phenotypes: IC50 by MTT, long-term proliferation by colony formation, apoptosis and cell-cycle distribution by flow cytometry. The interaction between Ankyrin Repeat and KH Domain Containing 1 (ANKHD1) and SMYD3 was examined by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. The transcriptional regulation of SMYD3 on cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) promoter regions was confirmed using chromatin-immunoprecipitation. The in vivo experiments using DDP-resistant cells with altered SMYD3 and ANKHD1 expression were further performed to verify the SMYD3/ANKHD1 axis. Results Highly expressed SMYD3 was observed in NSCLC tissues or cells, acted as a sensitive indicator for NSCLC, correlated with higher TNM stages or resistant to DDP treatment, and shorter overall survival. The promotion of SMYD3 on DDP resistance requires co-regulator, ANKHD1. CDK2 was identified as a downstream effector. In vivo, SMYD3 knockdown inhibited the growth of DDP-resistant NSCLC cells, which was abolished by ANKHD1 overexpression. Conclusions SMYD3 confers NSCLC cells chemoresistance to DDP in an ANKHD1-dependent manner, providing novel therapeutic targets to overcome DDP resistance in NSCLC .

In this paper, a flexible conductive composite was prepared by doping MWCNTs (Multi-walled carbon nanotubes) in PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane). The resistance of the composite changes with the variation of pressure in a certain pressure range. The electrical properties of composites with different PDMS/MWCNTs mass ratios were studied and tested. When the mass of MWCNTs is 8% of PDMS, PDMS/MWCNTs composites are optimal for preparing pressure sensors. Therefore, a PDMS/MWCNTs composite with a mass content of 8% MWCNTs was used to prepare a flexible pulse sensor. The pulse sensor can detect small pressure and has high sensitivity (0.13 kPa^-^1), and has good stability and short response time (

We present a gel-free, non-contact dry electrode based on a PCB for electrocardiogram(ECG) recording. We designed the electrode as a 1.5-inch round plate. The fabricated electrode has an amplifier with low power consumption and high-impedance input and a high-frequency filter circuit. Integrated circuit of the fabricated electrode can reduce noise pickup and increase gain. Through this experiment we compared the ECG obtained from a disposable wet electrode and the ECG obtained from dry electrode, and both of all can see clear ECG recorded signals.

Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACR) are the standard treatments for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate is still far from satisfactory. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promising results in the treatment of ESCC. More than 20 phase II clinical trials have been launched to explore combinations of ICIs in the neoadjuvant setting for ESCC. Based on our phase II clinical trial, a two-arm phase III trial was launched in Henan Cancer Hospital. ICIs combined with NAC may usher in a new era and may benefit locally advanced, resectable ESCC patients. Methods A two-arm phase III trial was launched in April 2020 in Henan Cancer Hospital. Patient recruitment will be completed within 18 months. The primary endpoint is event-free survival (EFS). The secondary endpoints include pathologic complete response (pCR), disease-free survival (DFS) rate, overall response rate (ORR), R0 resection rate, major pathologic response (MPR), adverse events (AEs), complication rate and quality of life (QOL). A biobank of pretreatment, resected tumor tissue and paired blood samples will be built for translational research in the future. Discussion This RCT directly compares NAC with neoadjuvant toripalimab plus chemotherapy in terms of EFS for locally advanced ESCC. The results may usher in a new era of resectable ESCC treatment. Trial registration NCT04280822 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04280822). Registered title: "A Phase III, Randomized Controlled Study of Neo-adjuvant Toripalimab (JS001) in Combination with Chemotherapy versus Neo-adjuvant Chemotherapy for Resectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma". Version 1.0/Nov. 21, 2019.

This paper applied the micro-arc oxidation technology to TIG weld joint based on titanium alloy. The optical microscope, SEM, XRD and polarization curve were used to analyze the joints metallographic phase, the coating morphology, the phase composition and corrosion resistance. Research results showed that the grain was grew gradually coarser from base metal to joint. The joint surface obtained a uniform morphology after micro-arc oxidation. The joint and base metal was made up of α-Ti and their coatings are mainly composed by rutile-TiO2. The surface morphology and phase composition are similar after micro-arc oxidation. Polarization curve tests demonstrated that the corrosion potential performance of the coating was enhanced by micro-arc oxidation.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a powerful cellular alternative for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications due to their multipotency. It is becoming increasingly clear that elasticity of extracellular matrix (ECM) has a profound effect on cell phenotype including adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Integrins are considered to be important mechanoreceptors in mechanotransduction. While numerous studies have focused on α2, β1 and β3 integrin involvement in substrate stiffness-driven commitment of bone marrow MSCs, comparatively little is known about the change of α5β1 integrin expression in human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) on substrates of variable stiffness. We plated hUCMSCs on fibronectin coated polyacrylamide hydrogels with elasticity corresponding to Young’s modulus ranging from 3 to 65 kPa. Our results showed that hUCMSCs displayed different morphologies on substrates of varying stiffness. Cells led to branched morphology similar to that of nerve cells when cultured on soft matrices, while cells became more spread and presented polygonal shapes on stiff substrates. Furthermore, hUCMSCs expressed α5 integrin both on soft substrates and stiff substrates, and the expression levels on the two substrates were similar. The total β1 integrin (including both active and inactive) was higher in hUCMSCs grown on the stiff substrate than that of grown on soft substrates, whereas the activated β1 integrin level on stiff substrates was distinctly lower than that of grown on soft substrates. In conclusion, α5β1 integrin expression in hUCMSCs is dependent on matrix elasticity. The results from this study will provide insight into the role of α5β1 integrin in matrix elasticity-regulated morphologies changes of stem cells and have implication for understanding the mechanism of physical induced lineage specification.

This research points out the negative effects given by malware attacks first, then put forward that the botnet is the major threaten to the network security especially the new hybrid P2P based botnet. The research mainly focuses on introducing the mechanism of this new type botnet and proposes the defense method in order to construct a safe network platform.

OBJECTIVE It is still controversial whether patients with clinical T2N0M0 (cT2N0M0) esophageal cancer are treated with induction therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of induction therapy on cT2N0M0 esophageal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Medline databases from inception up to May 1, 2017. This meta-analysis was performed to compare odds ratios (OR) for 5-year overall survival (OS), pathologically understaged and overstaged after esophagectomy. RESULTS Eight retrospective studies of 2646 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Data showed that no statistically significant difference in 5-year over survival was observed between induction therapy group and direct operation group. The pooled OR and 95% confidence interval (CI) for 5-year OS were 0.92 (95% CI = 0.72-1.18; P = .52). Whereas, compared with induction therapy group, direct operation group had more pathologically understaged and less overstaged after esophagectomy. CONCLUSIONS Currentclinical staging for T2N0M0 esophageal carcinoma remains inaccurate. In this study, we found that direct operation group had more pathologically understaged and less overstaged after esophagectomy compared with induction therapy group. Induction therapy could degrade the tumor staging but not improve the patient's survival.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with pathologic T0 esophageal carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy and surgery. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Medline databases from inception up to November 12, 2016. The meta-analysis was performed to compare odds ratios (OR) for overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local control (LC), and distant control (DC). Results Eight published studies of 837 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Data showed that the ypT0N1 group was associated with worse outcomes compared with the ypT0N0 group. The pooled OR and 95% confidence interval (CI) for 3-year and 5-year OS were 3.08 [2.07, 4.57] and 4.27 [2.76, 6.59], respectively. Whereas, the pooled OR and 95% CI for 3-year and 5-year DFS were 3.90 [2.08, 7.34] and 5.17 [1.93, 13.87], respectively. The pooled OR and 95% CI for LR and DR were 4.52 [1.72, 11.91] and 2.65 [1.38, 5.09], respectively. Conclusions Remnant lymph node metastases after neoadjuvant therapy and surgery in patients with pathologic T0 esophageal carcinoma portend poor survival, and it is an important prognostic factor.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, Background: Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder, of unknown cause, which results in increased lower esophageal sphincter tone and symptoms of difficulty swallowing. Current major therapeutic options include laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and pneumatic dilation (PD). We undertake a systematic review comparing the efficacy and safety of these 2 treatments in the treatment of esophageal achalasia. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trial investigating LHM versus PD in the treatment of primary achalasia. The primary outcome was symptom remission rates. The Mantel–Haenszel method with fixed-effect or random-effects model was used to calculate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Five studies involving 498 participants were included. The cumulative remission rate was significantly higher with LHM at 3 months and 1 year (short-term), with a risk ratio of 1.16 (95% CI 1.01–1.35, P = 0.04) and 1.14 (95% CI 1.02–1.27, P = 0.02), respectively. There were no significant differences between LHM and PD in 2-year and 5-year remission rate (long-term), with a risk ratio of 1.05 (95% CI 0.91–1.22, P = 0.49) and 1.17 (95% CI 0.84–1.64, P = 0.34), respectively. Rates of major mucosal tears requiring subsequent intervention with LHM were significantly lower than those of esophageal perforation with PD requiring postprocedural medical or surgical therapy, with a risk ratio of 0.25 (95% CI 0.08–0.81, P = 0.02). Postprocedural rates of gastroesophageal reflux, lower esophageal sphincter pressures, and quality of life scores did not differ in trials with sufficient data. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between LHM and PD in 2-year and 5-year remission rate. This study indicates that either treatment can be proposed as initial treatment for achalasia.