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Objective To assess the concordance of tumour grade in specimens obtained from diagnostic cystoscopic biopsy and transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and explore the risk factors of upgrading. Methods The medical records of 205 outpatients who underwent diagnostic cystoscopic biopsy before initial TURBT were retrospectively reviewed. Comparative analysis of the tumour grade of biopsy and operation specimens was performed. Tumour grade changing from low-grade (LG) to high-grade (HG) with or without variant histology was defined as upgrading. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of upgrading. Results For the 205 patients, the concordance of tumour grade between biopsy and operation was 0.639. The concordance for patients who were preoperatively diagnosed with LG and HG was 0.504 and 0.912, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that older age, tumour multifocality, high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and low lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were significantly associated with upgrading (odds ratio [OR] ranging from 0.412 to 4.364). The area under the curve of the different multivariate models was improved from 0.752 to 0.821, and decision curve analysis demonstrated a high net benefit when NLR, LMR, and PLR were added. Moreover, the nomogram was well calibrated. Conclusions Diagnostic cystoscopic biopsy may not accurately represent the true grade of new bladder cancer, especially for outpatients with LG. Moreover, older age, tumour multifocality, high NLR, PLR, and low LMR are risk factors of upgrading, and systemic inflammatory markers improve the predictive ability.

The upregulation of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) may play a role in gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC).To study PD-L1 and HER-2 expression and prognosis in GAC.PD-L1 and HER2 expression was determined in tumor tissues of 75 patients with GAC. The correlations between PD-L1, HER2 expression, and clinicopathological factors were analyzed.The positive expression rate for PD-L1 was 57.3% (43/75) and the HER2 over-expression rate was 17.3% (13/75). PD-L1 expression negatively correlated with the grade of GAC differentiation (r =-0.26, P0.05). Approximately 85% of HER2-positive GACs were found to be PD-L1-positive and PD-L1 expression positively correlated with HER2 overexpression. The TNM stage and combined HER2 and PD-L1 expression were independent prognostic factors affecting the survival of patients with GAC. The median overall survival and recurrence-free survival of groups I (HER2 overexpression and PD-L1 positive), II (HER2 overexpression and PD-L1 negative), III (No HER2 overexpression and PD-L1 positive) and IV (No HER2 overexpression and PD-L1 negative) were (47 (17-77), 15 (0-44), 81 (62-101), and 78 (60-98) months, respectively.PD-L1 expression is upregulated in more than half of patients with GAC. Anti-PD-L1 treatment combined with anti-HER2 therapy may benefit patients with locally advanced GAC with HER2 overexpression.

Characterizing the mechanical properties of different anatomical quadrants of bones has been conducted in the literature to help understand the correlations among bone morphometric, densitometric, and material properties. However, although there are data to compare four quadrants of the long bones of the adult, there is very limited research on the young adult especially young female. Hence, nine tibia mid-shaft specimens were harvested from nine 8-week-old C57BL/6J female mice, which roughly correspond to the age range of juvenile to young adult, with one left tibia being harvested from one animal. A total of 144 indentation tests were performed with four indentations per quadrant and each of nine tibia specimens being divided into four quadrants. The Oliver and Pharr methods were used to calculate the indentation modulus and hardness. One-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test were used to study the influence of different anatomical quadrants on the indentation modulus and hardness. The results showed that the indentation modulus of the 8-week-old mouse tibia shaft was 18.94 ± 0.91 GPa, and the hardness was 0.51 ± 0.02 GPa. The influence of circumferential anatomical quadrants on the tibial shaft indentation modulus (p = 0.398) and hardness (p = 0.895) was not statistically significant. These methods and results could potentially help study treatments for young female long bones by comprehensively understanding the effect of treatments on four quadrants, considering collagen fiber, the degree of mineralization, and the changes of collagen cross-linking through high-resolution nanoindentation.

Metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs) have recently been an emerging self-templated precursor to derive various nanomaterials for Na-ion storage. However, synthesis of MOF-derived two-dimensional nanomaterials has been rarely explored. Here, Ni(NO3)2/hexamine coordination-frameworks are employed as a precursor to prepare NiTe2/nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon nanosheets (NiTe2@NCNs) via pyrolysis and subsequent tellurization. Layered NiTe2 nanoparticles are uniformly anchored on the carbon nanosheets. As anode materials, NiTe2@NCNs exhibit ultrafast and long-life Na-ion storage performance. NiTe2@NCNs can deliver a reversible capacity of 289.5 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and exhibit a negligible capacity fading with the increasing of current density from 0.1 to 10 A g−1. Even at 10 and 20 (ca. 70 C) A g−1, reversible capacities remain at 267.7 and 189.0 mA h g−1, respectively, and cyclic life can be up to 5000 cycles. Besides, NiTe2@NCNs exhibit minimal increasing of polarization from 0.1 to 5 A g−1. The superior electrochemical performance of NiTe2@NCNs should be attributed to the two-dimensional structure, N-doped graphitic carbon matrix and lager interlayer spacing of NiTe2, which contribute to enhance kinetics of electron and Na-ion transfer so as to result in a capacitive-controlled Na-ion storage process. Therefore, NiTe2@NCNs have a promising potential as anode materials for practical Na-ion storage applications.

The co-pyrolysis of coal and biomass is increasingly coming to the fore. For fuel conversion, the effects of artificially added minerals rather than that of inherent mineral minerals are studied in most of the works in the literature. In the present work, the co-pyrolysis behavior of a highly reactive brown coal and wheat straw are investigated up to 1100 °C using a thermogravimetric analyzer and high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD). The two methods jointly reveal three different temperature regimes. A negative synergy effect (fewer volatiles) occurs in the cellulose decomposition zone (

A free-standing Co0.85Se nanosheets/graphene (Co0.85Se NSs/G) composite film was developed as a high performance anode material for both lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) by a simple vacuum filtration and thermal reduction process. The Co0.85Se NSs/G film demonstrates good flexibility, and the Co0.85Se NSs are uniformly anchored on the graphene to form “sheet-on-sheet” nanostructures with strong interfacial interactions. The hybrid lamellar film demonstrated excellent electrochemical performances when used as a binder-free anode for LIBs and SIBs. As an anode material for LIBs, the Co0.85Se NSs/G film exhibited a high initial reversible capacity of 680 mA h g−1 at 50 mA g−1 and an excellent cycling stability and rate performance. The specific capacity of the Co0.85Se NSs/G film shows almost no fading from 0.05 to 0.5 A g−1, and the capacities were maintained at 613.3 and 522.7 mA h g −1 at 1 and 2 A g−1, respectively. When used as an anode for SIBs, the reversible capacity of the Co0.85Se NSs/G film reached up to 388 mA h g−1 with an initial coulombic efficiency as high as 82.5% at 50 mA g−1. Even at the higher current densities of 1 and 2 A g−1, the reversible capacities remained at 137.5 and 112.4 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles, respectively. The excellent electrochemical performances should be attributed to the special structure of the Co0.85Se NSs/G film. On one hand, graphene not only provides an efficient electrically conductive network, but also acts as an elastic layer to buffer the volumetric expansion of the Co0.85Se NSs during the discharge/charge process in LIBs/SIBs, which is helpful for enhancing the cycling stability of the Co0.85Se NSs/G film. On the other hand, strong interfacial interactions can further enhance electron transfer between Co0.85Se NSs and graphene, which is beneficial for improving the cycling stability and rate-performance of the Co0.85Se NSs/G film.

A diverse natural product-like (NPL) synthetic abietane diterpenoid library containing 86 compounds were obtained and the SARs were studied based on their antibacterial potential. Further in vitro cytotoxic and in silico drug-like properties evaluation showed that the potent antibacterial compound 84 had good drug-like properties and displayed low cytotoxicity toward noncancerous mammalian cells, indicating the study of AA and DHAA might be a good starting point for the search of novel antimicrobial molecules. Future work should be focused on the optimization of their potency and selectivity.

A fully recyclable phenolic resin (TDNR) with dynamic cross-linked network was facilely prepared without any catalyst using commercial novolac and toluene diisocyanate by forming hindered urethane bonds. TDNRs not only preserved the intrinsic mechanical strength of classic phenolic resin, but also displayed efficient stress relaxation behaviour. The bulk TDNR exhibited a glass transition temperature up to 200 °C and tensile strength up to 55 MPa. Both the chemical and mechanical features of TDNR were effectively preserved after five recycle circulations. The recyclable TDNR can serve as a universal resin matrix either for molding compounds which are easily repairable or for fiber-reinforced composites with good processibility. The exchangeable network of TDNR ensures good processibility for long fiber prepregs, which are suitable for hand molding and reshape of composites. By utilizing a “simple” chemistry mechanism, the close-loop recycle of phenolic resin with high working temperature and good mechanical properties are successfully achieved.

High electric breakdown strength of insulating materials is essential to improving the reliability of the electricity grid, reducing the size of electric devices, saving energy, protecting the environment, and reducing costs. Traditionally, dielectric breakdown strength is increased by exploiting its dependence on the thickness of the dielectric material, based on the electron impact ionization and avalanche theory by Townsend (1900) and Seitz (1949) [9]. However, at present there has been little research addressing the role of the transverse dimension (perpendicular to the direction of the electric field) in the avalanche breakdown process, and no results about research in nanoscale. An insulation breakdown prototype of a 1D nanocell was constructed. It consisted of an air-column and Al 2 O 3 solid wall. Based on the analysis and comparison between nanocell geometrical dimensions and avalanche physical dimensions, it was found that the properties of the 1D nanocell diverges from the gas/solid discharge theories of Townsend and Seitz. Along with the I-V results of 1D nanocell by C-AFM (Conductive-Atomic Force Microscope), it was demonstrated that electrical breakdown cannot be caused by electron avalanche in 1D nanocell. The discharge properties of Al 2 O 3 NPT (nano pore template) with nanocells array and when it inserted into the air gap as a barrier were studied to further demonstrate the capability of 1D nanocells on the electrical characteristic of macroscale material. Results showed that the scale effect of nanocells have an obvious role in improving the dielectric breakdown voltage, with singular discharge phenomena identified. This study proposes a new super-insulator prototype of 1D nanocell and supplies a novel thought for constructing high performance nanostructured dielectrics for more wide applications, and provides a scientific basis on the interconnection among Micro-Meso-Macro scales.

Two D-π-A-A sensitizers (AZ6-B20 and AZ6-B21) were synthesized by inserting the benzoxazole group as an auxiliary acceptor between the π-linker and the acceptor. And a D-A-π-A sensitizer (AZ6-B19) was also synthesized in our previous works by the insertion of the benzoxazole between the donor and the π-linker. The effects of benzoxazole groups on the properties at different sites of dye sensitizers were distinguishing. Their light harvest abilities were investigated by UV–vis spectra both in the solution and on the films. The results show that the absorption bands of UV–vis spectra are quite different from D-A-π-A and D-π-A-A dyes. The much more intensive molar extinction coefficients (53807 M−1cm−1 and 52555 M−1cm−1) were observed at around 575 nm for D-π-A-A dyes. The photovoltaic properties of DSSCs were also evaluated by J-V curves and IPCE measurements. The results confirmed that D-π-A-A dyes delivered high photovoltaic efficiency (AZ6-B20: 7.48%, AZ6-B21: 8.67%) compared with that of D-A-π-A dye (AZ6-B19: 3.27%). The details on the relation of the structures/properties were discussed by the optical physical absorption, electrical chemical measurements and DFT calculations.

A new ratiometric fluorescent chemodosimeter based on the skeleton of diketopyrrolopyrrole was rationally designed and synthesized, which presented high sensitivity, selectivity for Hg 2+ over other metal ions in aqueous solution leading to further applications of cell imaging. Red shift of chemodosimeter on absorption and fluorescence spectra upon Hg 2+ binding was observed, which changed linearly with increase of Hg 2+ . This phenomenon was a typical deprotection process of acetal groups which increased the conjunction of DPP core that were confirmed by DFT.

The clean utilization of low-quality coal and biomass has been focused by researchers. Many researchers investigated the kinetics of coal and biomass gasification. Most of them focused on activation energy E and frequency factor A , and assumed the reaction order n as 1 without further study on it. In the present study, the gasification behavior of German Rhenish brown coal and wheat straw chars under different CO 2 partial pressure was studied in a small fixed bed reactor and the reaction order was determined. In addition, the effects of different feeds (biomass and coal), pyrolysis temperatures of chars and gasification temperatures on reaction order were investigated. The results showed that the reaction orders in this study ranged from 0.3 to 0.7. For all cases, higher CO 2 partial pressure leaded to higher reaction rate. For both Rhenish brown coal and wheat straw chars, the reaction orders increased with higher pyrolysis temperature. For wheat straw chars, the gasification temperature just had little effect on reaction order. However, for brown coal chars, reaction order increased at high gasification temperature. The possible mechanism was also provided as the effects of catalytic compounds and pore distribution, which were rarely found in literature.

The main task for medical-used titanium researches is to improve the in vivo osteointegration. In addition to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)-osteoblasts lineage, macrophages also undertake irreplaceable roles in the osteointegration process of a titanium implant. The timely recruitment and efficient immunomodulation of macrophages is important. In this work, to firstly endow macrophages recruitment ability and immunomodulation effects to titanium, we fabricated a micro-structured titanium via a double acid etching method. Then a gelatin-chitosan multilayer contained SEW2871 (a macrophage recruitment agent) was constructed on the micro-structured titanium by a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique. According to our results, the prepared samples effectively induced macrophages migration when SEW2871 was slowly released. The anti-inflammatory response of macrophages was enhanced and the pro-inflammatory response was alleviated, which were attributed to the changed surface roughness and wettability. This immunomodulation effects of macrophages further improved the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs in vitro and obtained a better osteointegration in vivo after 6 weeks of implantation. Therefore, this study demonstrated that a favorable osteointegration of titanium materials could also be achieved by regulating macrophages recruitment and immunomodulation, which implying a potential strategy for titanium implants amelioration.

In the present study melting behavior of ashes from German brown coal and biomass (wheat straw) as well as from two artificial mixtures of both has been investigated. The four fuel samples were ashed at 450 °C over a period of 26 h. Ash fusion tests and all other measurements have been executed under reducing atmosphere, simulating gasification conditions. The ash melting and wetting properties have been studied for ash cylinders placed onto an alumina refractory at temperatures up to 1600 °C. Optical microscopy and SEM/EDX studies have been performed to analyze the infiltration of slag into the refractory and related progression. For the ash fusion behavior and surface wetting of the refractory clear distinctions from pure ashes have been detected for the blend with 50 wt.% biomass addition due to the formation of eutectics. From optical microscopy and SEM/EDX images of the sections different infiltration properties and mechanisms have been identified. The qualitative infiltration depth and deceleration of slag infiltration by a formation of solid phases have been provided by FactSage™ calculations. In these calculations the contact zone between the two materials has been reconstructed by a stepwise change in the amounts of ash and refractory. The experimental results are very well reflected in this model. Finally, the obtained results suggest low corrosive biomass amounts for co-use in the present gasifier types designed for pure coal.

A perylene bisimide derivative (PBI) based colorimetric and fluorescent bifunctional probe PAM-PBI was designed and synthesized. It was highly selective and sensitive for distinguishing both Cu 2+ and F − from other ions through a conspicuous change of UV–vis and fluorescence spectra. The recognition of Cu 2+ by PAM-PBI showed an obvious color change from rose red to purple in aqueous solution, while the sensing of F − gave a marked color change from rose red to light green in THF.

The adjuvant activity of GLP was investigated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro experiment, the effects of GLP on chicken peripheral lymphocytes proliferation were compared by MTT assay. The results showed that GLP could significantly enhance lymphocytes proliferation singly or synergistically with ConA. The interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) mRNA levels of chicken peripheral lymphocytes stimulated by GLP synergistically with ConA were measured using fluorescent quantitative PCR. The results showed that GLP could promote interferon-γ mRNA levels in peripheral lymphocytes. In vivo experiment, 175 14-day-old chickens were randomly divided into 7 groups. The chickens except blank control (BC) group were vaccinated with Newcastle disease vaccine, repeated vaccination at 28 days old. At the same time of the first vaccination, the chickens in experimental groups were orally administrated with 5 different doses of GLP respectively, whereas vaccination control (VC) and BC groups were treated with physiological saline, once a day for three successive days. On Day 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the first vaccination, the peripheral lymphocytes proliferation and serum ND antibody titer were determined. The results showed that GLP could significantly promote lymphocyte proliferation and enhance serum antibody titer. The results indicated that GLP may be a novel immunomodulator.

A series of symmetrically substituted diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives were synthesized under mild conditions in good yields. All of the diketopyrrolopyrroles were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, ultraviolet–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The maximum absorption and emission bands showed gradual red-shift with the increase in electron donating strength of the 3,6-substituent. In addition, the optical properties of 4,4′-(2,5-bis(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-3,6-dioxo-2,3,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-diyl)dibenzoic acid and 3,6-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,5-bis(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4(2H,5H)-dione were investigated under alkaline conditions. The results demonstrated that 3,6-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,5-bis(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4(2H,5H)-dione could be employed as an acid–base indicator. These diketopyrrolopyrroles derivatives have potential application in the synthesis of novel organic optoelectronic materials and in biological systems as a consequence of the increased water solubility.

New turn-on fluorescent probe DPPL 2 , was rationally designed and synthesized based on the skeleton of diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP), which presented sensitivity, selectivity for Zn 2+ over other metal ions except some disturbance with Cd 2+ . Particularly, results demonstrated fluorescence enhancement and blue shift of DPPL 2 upon Zn 2+ binding. This phenomenon was a typical photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) process which was attributed to diminishing the electron of the nitrogen lone pair delocalization on the DPP core upon Zn 2+ binding. For comparison, DPPL 3 (acylation of nitrogen atom of DPPL 2 ) was synthesized and no fluorescence enhancement was observed, which further indicated that lone pair electrons of nitrogen atoms attached to DPP core were ascribed to PET process. 1 H NMR titrations and DFT calculations also proved that PET and ICT process of system.

A new diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) derivative bearing pinacol boronate group has been synthesized via Suzuki–Miyaura reaction under mild conditions in good yield. The product could act as a colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for fluoride ion with high sensitivity and selectivity. The recognition mechanism was attributed to unique fluoride–boron interaction, which blocked the charge transfer (CT) between DPP chromophore and the empty p orbitals of boron atoms, and proved by the fluorescence spectra, 19F NMR spectra and 1H NMR spectra titration experiments.

A novel colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for Pd2+ has been developed based on the Pd-catalyzed deallylation. The sensor displays a highly sensitive and selective response with significant changes in both color (from orange to blue) and fluorescence (quenching).

Based on a perylene diimide derivatives(PDIs) platform, AM-PDIs was rationally designed and synthesized as a new colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent sensor for naked-eye detection of fluoride ion with high selectivity over other halide ions. Addition of fluoride ion to a dichloromethane(DCM) solution of AM-PDIs resulted in an obvious color change (from red to blackish green) because of a large red shift (151 nm) in absorption. The recognition mechanism was attributed to the intermolecular proton transfer between a hydrogen atom on the amide N position of sensor and the fluoride anion. The detection limit was calculated to be 0.14 μM.

Background Promoter methylation is an alternative mechanism of gene silencing in human tumorigenesis. Although a number of methylated genes have been found in gastric cancer, useful methylation markers for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of this cancer remain largely unknown. Methods Using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (Q-MSP), we examined promoter methylation of 6 genes, including CALCA, DAPK1, RARbeta, RASSF1A, TIMP3, and PAX6, and explored their association with clinical outcome in gastric cancer. Results We found that most of the genes investigated in the present study had significantly higher methylation level in tumor tissues than normal gastric tissues, including CALCA, RARbeta, RASSF1A, TIMP3, and PAX6. With more focus on specificity compared to sensitivity, all genes were hypermethylated in gastric cancer, ranging from 12.8% to 36.9%. Methylation of TIMP3 and PAX6 was strongly associated with differentiation and lymph node metastasis, respectively. Importantly, most of gene methylation, except for DAPK1, was closely associated with poor survival in gastric cancer. Conclusion We found that a panel of genes was specifically methylated in gastric cancer, and demonstrated the effect of promoter methylation of some genes on clinical outcome in gastric cancer, indicating these methylated genes may be useful biomarkers for prognostic evaluation in this cancer.

Ni–carbon nanotube (CNTs) composite coatings were deposited on a carbon steel by electrodeposition. The effect of incorporation of CNTs into the nickel coating on the morphology of the coating surface and corrosion properties was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the CNTs appear well dispersed in the nickel layer. Corrosion tests were performed in aqueous NaCl (3.5 wt.%) using a weight loss method and electrochemical measurements for bare, pure nickel coated and CNTs–nickel coated samples. The results showed that addition of CNTs in the deposition process of nickel significantly increased the resistance to corrosion. The anti-corrosion mechanism of the composite coating is also discussed.

A total of ten 30 m × 30 m, researching plots in Shaoshan forest from January to December of 2001 is used for this study in Hunan Province. The atmospheric deposition, the total canopy leaching, the exchange of base cations (Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+), and the uptake of H+ and N H 4 + by the canopies are estimated and quantified. The research results show that the maximal element in the total canopy leaching is Ca2+, the minimum is Mg2+ and the mid K+, with the value of 180.98 mequiv. m−2 a−1, 61.48 mequiv. m−2 a−1 and 84.13 mequiv. m−2 a−1, respectively. A conclusion significantly different from the reported results is made that is the largest leaching element in throughfall is not K+ but Ca2+ due to the special two-dimensional canopy structure and the subtropical climate with obvious seasonal characters in a year. The seasonal leaching of base cations varied greatly with the order of winter (333.72 mequiv. m−2), spring (296.80 mequiv. m−2), summer (195.49 mequiv. m−2), and autumn (166.70 mequiv. m−2), but the proportion in the total canopy leaching varied in another order of summer (64.0%), spring (59.0%), winter (57.0%), and autumn (39.2%). The seasonal uptake of N H 4 + by the canopies varied from 100 to 150 mequiv. m−2 and the H+ from 50 to 340 mequiv. m−2 in the observed year.

A three-step purification process of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) produced by catalytic CVD method with Ni–Mg–O as catalysts is described. In the former two-step process, 3 M HNO3 and 5 M HCl treatment are effective to remove metal and metal oxide. With thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the burning temperature of MWNTs in air was determined and 510 °C was chosen to be optimum temperature to eliminate non-nanotube carbon materials for the third step purification of MWNTs. By this way, larger than 96 wt.% purity of MWNTs is obtained without damage.