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The purpose of this study was to establish two preoperative nomograms to evaluate the risk for axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis in early breast cancer patients based on ultrasonographic-clinicopathologic features.We prospectively evaluated 593 consecutive female participants who were diagnosed with cTA total of 528 participants were evaluated in the final analyses. Multivariable analysis revealed that the number of suspicious lymph nodes, long axis, short-to-long axis ratio, cortical thickness, tumor location, and histological grade were independent predictors of ALN status. The AUCs of nomogram A in the training and validation groups were 0.83 and 0.78, respectively. The AUCs of nomogram B in the training and validation groups were 0.87 and 0.87, respectively. Both nomograms were well-calibrated.We developed two preoperative nomograms that can be used to predict ALN metastasis (presence vs. absence) and the number of metastatic ALNs (≤ 2 vs.2) in early breast cancer patients. Both nomograms are useful tools that will help clinicians predict the risk of ALN metastasis and facilitate therapy decision-making about axillary surgery.• We developed two preoperative nomograms to predict axillary lymph node status based on ultrasonographic-clinicopathologic features. • Nomogram A was used to predict axillary lymph node metastasis (presence vs. absence). The AUCs in the training and validation groups were 0.83 and 0.78, respectively. Nomogram B was used to estimate the number of metastatic lymph nodes ( ≤ 2 vs.2). The AUCs in the training and validation group were 0.87 and 0.87, respectively. • Our nomograms may help clinicians weigh the risks and benefits of axillary surgery more appropriately.

The difference between FBG and RBG in the regulation of oxidative stress is mainly reflected in the metabolism pathway of arachidonic acid.

β-glucan is an important functional active component with relatively high content in barley. It is reported to possess various biological activities, including anti-oxidative stress, but its mechanism of action remains obscure. In the current study, C. elegans was used as an in vivo animal model to explore its anti-oxidative stress mechanism. We found that both RBG (raw barley β-glucan) and FBG (fermented barley β-glucan) could significantly reduce the ROS level in C. elegans under oxidative emergency conditions. In addition, both FBG and RBG had positive effects on SOD and CAT enzyme activity, and FBG treatment obviously reduced the MDA content in nematodes under oxidative stress. Moreover, FBG and RBG pretreatment could extend the median lifespan of C. elegans under oxidative stress. The CB1370 and CF1038 mutants further confirmed that daf-2 and daf-16 were necessary for FBG or RBG to participate in anti-oxidative stress, and the RT-PCR results also evidenced that β-glucans resist oxidative stress in C. elegans partially through the daf-2/daf-16 pathway. In summary, barley β-glucan has high potential to defense oxidative stress as a natural polysaccharide.

Background Hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is one of the fatal pathologies developed under hypobaric hypoxia and eventually leads to right ventricular (RV) remodeling and RV failure. Clinically, the mortality rate of RV failure caused by HPH is high and lacks effective drugs. Xinyang Tablet (XYT), a traditional Chinese medicine exhibits significant efficacy in the treatment of congestive heart failure and cardiac dysfunction. However, the effects of XYT on chronic hypoxia-induced RV failure are not clear. Methods The content of XYT was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS). Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were housed in a hypobaric chamber (equal to the parameter in altitude 5500 m) for 21 days to obtain the RV remodeling model. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and hemodynamic parameters were measured by iWorx Acquisition & Analysis System. Pathological morphological changes in the RV and pulmonary vessels were observed by H&E staining and Masson’s trichrome staining. Myocardial apoptosis was tested by TUNEL assay. Protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 in the RV and H9c2 cells were detected by western blot. Meanwhile, H9c2 cells were induced by CoCl2 to establish a hypoxia injury model to verify the protective effect and mechanisms of XYT. A CCK-8 assay was performed to determine the viability of H9c2 cells. CoCl2-induced apoptosis was detected by Annexin-FITC/PI flow cytometry and Hoechst 33,258 staining. Results XYT remarkably improved RV hemodynamic disorder and ECG parameters. XYT attenuated hypoxia-induced pathological injury in RV and pulmonary vessels. We also observed that XYT treatment decreased the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the numbers of myocardial apoptosis in RV. In H9c2 myocardial hypoxia model, XYT protected H9c2 cells against Cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced apoptosis. We also found that XYT could antagonize CoCl2-induced apoptosis through upregulating Bcl-2, inhibiting Bax and caspase-3 expression. Conclusions We concluded that XYT improved hypoxia-induced RV remodeling and protected against cardiac injury by inhibiting apoptosis pathway in vivo and vitro models, which may be a promising therapeutic strategy for clinical management of hypoxia-induced cardiac injury.

C19H16O7, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 30.5661(14) Å, b = 7.0209(3) Å, c = 17.2028(7) Å, β = 117.342(1)°, V = 3279.3(2) Å3, Z = 8, R gt (F) = 0.0489, wR ref (F 2) = 0.1398, T = 273(2) K.

Purpose: To establish a preoperative nomogram incorporating morphological and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) features to individually predict the risk of malignancy in patients with breast tumor. Methods A total of 447 consecutive female patients who were divided into the primary cohort (n=326) and the validation cohort (n=121) were enrolled between March 2015 to January 2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the potential independent indicators of malignancy. An MRI-based nomogram integrating morphological features and kinetic curves was developed to achieve individualized risk prediction of malignancy in patients with breast masses. The discrimination, calibration ability and clinical utility of the MRI-based model were assessed using C-index, calibration curve and decision curve analysis. Results: Age, tumor size, margin, internal enhancement characteristics, and kinetic curve were confirmed as the independent predictors of malignancy. The AUC of MRI-based nomogram was 0.940 (95% CI: 0.911-0.970) and 0.894 (95% CI: 0.816-0.974) in the primary cohort and validation cohort, respectively. 447 patients were subdivided into the low-risk group (n=107) and high-risk group (n=340) based on the optimal cut-off value of 21.704. The high-risk patients had a higher likelihood of harboring malignancy. Conclusion: The MRI-based nomogram can be used to achieve an accurate individualized risk prediction of malignancy and reduce unnecessary breast biopsy.

Background This study aimed to investigate whether an immunohistochemical prognostic model (IHC4 score) can predict the prognosis and the chemotherapy benefit in patients with estrogen receptor‐positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth receptor 2–negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Materials and Methods We developed a method to calculate the modified IHC4 (mIHC4) scores based on routine pathological reports and compared them with the original IHC4 scores that were much more difficult to calculate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to study the prognostic factors of progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The predictive value of mIHC4 score was also investigated. Results The Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital data set included 315 patients with newly diagnosed ER+ MBC with a median follow‐up of 25.6 months. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that higher mIHC4 scores in metastatic lesions, but not the ones in primary tumors, were significantly associated with worse PFS and OS. The prognostic value of mIHC4 scores for PFS was validated using an independent Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology‐ Breast Cancer (CSCO‐BC) data set. More importantly, subpopulation treatment effect pattern plot analysis showed that first‐line endocrine therapy achieved better PFS and OS than chemotherapy in low‐risk patients with ER+/HER2− MBC, whereas first‐line chemotherapy was associated with improved PFS and OS compared with endocrine therapy in high‐risk ones. The predictive value of mIHC4 score for PFS in selecting first‐line endocrine therapy versus chemotherapy was also confirmed in the CSCO‐BC data set. Conclusion mIHC4 scores in metastatic lesions are prognostic for the PFS and OS in patients with ER+ MBC. Low or high mIHC4 score may indicate the survival benefit in choosing first‐line endocrine therapy or chemotherapy in patients with ER+/HER2− MBC, respectively. Implications for Practice The modified IHC4 (mIHC4) score is easy to implement and able to predict patients with advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer. In addition, with the help of the mIHC4 score, physicians might be able to recommend chemotherapy or endocrine therapy as the first‐line treatment for patients with high and low risk as predicted by the mIHC4 score., A method to reliably predict prognosis for patients with metastatic breast cancer is needed. This article reports an immunohistochemical prognostic model (IHC4 score) that can predict the prognosis and chemotherapy benefit in patients with ER+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Barley contains a relatively high concentration of the mixed-linkage (1 → 3) (1 → 4) β-glucan, which has been reported to be a functional food with prebiotic potential. In the current study we compared the properties of two neutral barley β-glucans, obtained from raw barley: raw barley β-glucan (RBG) and Lactobacillus plantarum dy-1-fermented barley (FBG). RESULTS Molecular characteristics revealed that the molecular weight of barley β-glucan decreased from 1.13 × 105 D to 6.35 × 104 D after fermentation. Fermentation also improved the water / oil holding capacity, solubility, and swelling capacity of barley β-glucan. Both RBG and FBG significantly improved the locomotive behavior of nematodes, thereby increasing their energy consumption and reducing fat deposition - the effect was more significant with FBG. These effects could potentially depend on nhr-49, TGF-daf-7 mediated pathways and so on, in which nhr-49 factor is particularly required. CONCLUSION These results suggested that fermentation may enhance in vitro physiological activities of barley β-glucan, thereby altering the effects on the lipid metabolism in vivo. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

This article explored the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum dy-1 (L. plantarum dy-1) fermentation on the basic physicochemical properties and associated in vitro antioxidant activity of barley β-glucan, including its molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, characteristic structure and rheology. Its DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity, and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) were measured at different fermentation times. The results showed that the molecular weight of barley β-glucan was decreased from 1.052 × 105 Da to 4.965 × 104 Da within 0–24 h by L. plantarum dy-1 fermentation, but there was no effect on its characteristic structure. The water- and oil-holding properties of barley β-glucan were significantly enhanced with increased fermentation time, and the fluid viscous behavior of barley β-glucan was enhanced at 6% concentration, while elastic characteristics were weakened. The fermentation had no significant effect on the scavenging effect of DPPH and ABTS radicals of barley β-glucan, but the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity of FRAP were enhanced with increased fermentation time. Fermentation time may change the physicochemical properties and enhance antioxidant activity of barley β-glucan by reducing its molecular weight., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Increase the study on the effect of lactic acid bacteria fermentation on the antioxidant activity of barley β-glucan. • The water-retaining and oil-controlling properties of barley β-glucan increased significantly. • Fermentation time may enhance physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of barley β-glucan.

Surgery, steroids, and/or observations alone have been proposed for patients with nonlactational mastitis (NLM), but most of these studies were retrospective. The optimal treatment for these patients remains unclear. This prospective, single-arm, proof-of-concept trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ductal lavage as a novel treatment for patients with NLM.Eligible patients with NLM received an intraductal infusion of corticosteroids and antimicrobial agents and returned the next day for a breast massage. This cycle was repeated for 2 wk, and we followed up these patients for 1 y. Patients did not receive surgery or steroids after ductal lavage. The primary endpoint was the time to complete response (CR).This trial included 32 patients with a median (range) age of 32 (20-53). Skin erythema and tenderness were the major symptoms. The median (range) visual analog score was 5 (0-9). There were 21 (65.6%), 4 (12.5%), and 7 (21.9%) patients diagnosed as idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, periductal mastitis, and unspecific NLM, respectively. During the ductal lavage, the median (range) number of cannulated ducts at first attempt was 5 (3-8). Ductal lavage significantly reduced the visual analog score and mastitis score (M-score) (P 0.01). Within a median follow-up of 15.6 mo, 93.8% (30/32) of patients achieved CR. The median (range) time to CR was 6 (0.5-21) mo. Three patients (10.0%) relapsed. No adverse events associated with ductal lavage were observed.Ductal lavage for patients with NLM is feasible and safe, and a definitive randomized controlled trial for further investigation is warranted.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02794688.

Background Mitogen-activated protein kinase 10 (Mapk10) is a member of the c-jun N-terminal kinases (jnk) subgroup in the MAPK superfamily, and was proposed as a tumor suppressor inactivated epigenetically. Its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been illustrated. We aimed to investigate the expression and epigenetic regulation of mapk10 as well as its clinical significance in HCC. Results Mapk10 was expressed in almost all the normal tissues including liver, while we found that the protein expression of MAPK10 was significantly downregulated in clinical samples of HCC patients compared with these levels in adjacent normal tissues (29/46, P < 0.0001). Clinical significance of MAPK10 expression was then assessed in a cohort of 59 HCC cases, which indicated its negative expression was significantly correlated with advanced tumor stage (P = 0.001), more microsatellite nodules (P = 0.025), higher serum AFP (P = 0.001) and shorter overall survival time of HCC patients. Methylation was further detected in 58% of the HCC cell lines we tested and in 66% of primary HCC tissues by methylation-specific PCR (MSP), which was proved to be correlated with the silenced or downregulated expression of mapk10. To get the mechanisms more clear, the transcriptional silencing of mapk10 was reversed by pharmacological demethylation, and ectopic expression of mapk10 in silenced HCC cell lines significantly inhibited the colony formation ability, induced apoptosis, or enhanced the chemosensitivity of HCC cells to 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion Mapk10 appears to be a functional tumor suppressor gene frequently methylated in HCC, which could be a valuable biomarker or a new diagnosis and therapy target in a clinical setting.

The nucleic acid guanine-quadruplex structures (G4s) are involved in many aspects of cancer progression. The DEAH-box polypeptide 36 (DHX36) has been identified as a dominant nucleic acid helicase which targets and disrupts DNA and RNA G4s in an ATP-dependent manner. However, the actual role of DHX36 in breast cancer remains unknown. In this study, we observed that the gene expression of DHX36 was positively associated with patient survival in breast cancer. The abundance of DHX36 is also linked with pathologic conditions and the stage of breast cancer. By using the xenograft mouse model, we demonstrated that the stable knockdown of DHX36 via lentivirus in breast cancer cells significantly promoted tumour growth. We also found that, after the DHX36 knockdown (KD), the invasion of triple-negative breast cancer cells was enhanced. In addition, we found a significant increase in the number of cells in the S-phase and a reduction of apoptosis with the response to cisplatin. DHX36 KD also desensitized the cytotoxic cellular response to paclitaxel and cisplatin. Transcriptomic profiling analysis by RNA sequencing indicated that DHX36 altered gene expression profile through the upstream activation of TNF, IFNγ, NFκb and TGFβ1. High throughput signalling analysis showed that one cluster of stress-associated kinase proteins including p53, ROCK1 and JNK were suppressed, while the mitotic checkpoint protein-serine kinases CDK1 and CDK2 were activated, as a consequence of the DHX36 knockdown. Our study reveals that DHX36 functions as a tumour suppressor and may be considered as a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.

Background Recent studies suggest that desmoid tumors can be managed more conservatively rather than undergoing wide surgical resection (SR). Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (UGVAB) is a minimally invasive technique. This retrospective study aimed to compare the outcome in patients with breast desmoid tumor (BDT) who received UGVAB alone versus SR. Materials and methods The pathology database was searched for patients diagnosed with BDT ≤ 3 cm from 2007 to 2019. All patients underwent breast ultrasound examination and were then performed UGVAB alone or local SR. The Kaplan–Meier method with a log-rank test was used as a univariate analysis to compare the relapse-free survival (RFS) rates between UGVAB and SR groups. Cox regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. Results A total of 39 patients were included. The median follow-up was 41 mo (range, 5-110 mo). The incidence of tumor recurrence was 23.1% (9/39). The 3-y cumulative RFS was 83.1% and 95.8% in the UGVAB and SR group, respectively, which was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.131, log-rank test). Multivariate analysis also revealed that treatment strategy (UGVAB versus SR) was not associated with an increased risk of relapse events (P = 0.274). Conclusions Small desmoid tumors (≤3 cm) after UGVAB alone did not have a significantly compromised RFS compared with those who underwent SR. UGVAB may be an alternative and relatively conservative method for the diagnosis and local control of BDT with a smaller size. A prospective, randomized study with large sample size is needed to confirm this observation.

Background The flipped classroom has generated considerable interest in nursing education in the last few years, especially in higher education in China. However, research to date has been insufficient to confirm the effectiveness of the flipped classroom approach. Since most of the Chinese studies are published in Chinese journals, they may not be easily accessible to international researchers. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to review the effectiveness of a flipped classroom in nursing education both in English and Chinese databases. Objective The aim of the present study was to identify the robust available evidence about the effectiveness of flipped classrooms in nursing education through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A systematic search of English databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Science Director, CINAHL and Google Scholar, and Chinese databases, including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, VIP Information and Chinese Biomedical Literature (CMB), were conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently performed study identification with Endnote X7 software and used Excel to extract data. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed with Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool, and a meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software following the guidelines proposed by PRISMA reporting standards with the protocol register No. CRD42016041826. Results A total of 29 studies were included in systematic review. There was a significant post-intervention improvement in academic performance both in knowledge with a pooled random-effects standardized mean difference of 1.13 and skills with a pooled random-effects standardized mean difference (SMD) of 1.68. Students' self-learning abilities were also improved with a pooled random-effects SMD of 1.51 compared with traditional lecture. In the subgroup analysis, we found that the effect sizes had high fidelity in terms of nursing degrees and research settings. There was a high rating of flipped classroom pedagogy from teaching evaluations, study satisfaction, study attitude and improvement in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Conclusions These results indicated that a flipped classroom might help nursing students improve in knowledge, skills, attitudes, self-learning, study satisfaction, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We recommend adopting this approach for nursing education reform. There is a call for robust empirical research and unification of appraisal standards for further support of the effectiveness of the flipped classroom. Furthermore, a meta-regression analysis is also recommended to explore the sources of heterogeneity in included studies.

In this paper, a robust and magnetic recyclable 3D superhydrophobic material (SHM) was successfully prepared through a simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method. A rough surface structure of the 3D SHM could be easily obtained by the electrodeposition of metallic copper on the Ni foam and a different micro-nano structure could be obtained by adjusting the electrodeposition time. Subsequently, 1-octadecanethiol self-assembled on the micro-nano structure could lower the surface energy and protect the copper coating. The 3D SHM presents high superhydrophobicity. In addition, the as-prepared 3D SHM shows outstanding chemical and secular stabilities after it was treated with solutions with a wide range of pH values. High stabilities and good superhydrophobicity with hierarchical micro-nano structure endow the 3D SHM with highly efficient and stable oil-water separation capacity. In addition, a mini boat was made using the 3D SHM to collect oil spill. We hope that this robust 3D SHM will be widely used for oil-water separation and oil spill collection.

Two major problems with magnesium (Mg) alloy biomaterials are the poor corrosion resistance and infection associated with implantation. In this study, a novel calcium phosphate (CaP)/tetracycline (TC) composite coating for Mg implants that can both improve the corrosion resistance of Mg and release a drug in a durable way is reported. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that TC additives make the CaP coating more compact and uniform. Electrochemical tests indicated CaP/TC coatings can provide excellent corrosion protection for Mg alloy substrates. Besides, TC additives can also provide effective prevention of bone infection and inflammation due to its broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. The one-step hydrothermal process reported here greatly simplified the multi-step fabrication of smart coatings reported previously.

Background: Arabinoxylan was thought to have the potential to change lipid metabolism and redox homeostasis in human and animal. However, the effect of arabinoxylan on the liver damage induced by high-fat diet needs further exploiting.; Results: Six-weeks-old 30 male Sprague-Dawley Rats were assigned randomly to three groups (n = 10 per group), i.e. a control diet (CON) group, a high-fat diet (HF) group and a high-fat diet supplemented with arabinoxylan (6% AX, HF-AX) group. Results showed that final body weight and liver weight were similar in CON group and HF-AX group, but higher in the HF group. In serum, the HF-AX group showed lower triglyceride concentrations than did the HF group. In liver, higher lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, total lipase, and acyl-CoA oxidase activities and lower triglyceride and cholesterol level were observed in the HF-AX group than in the HF group. For the redox homeostasis, arabinoxylan supplemented in HF increased T-SOD activity and GSH-PX activity and reduced MDA + 4-HNE level in liver and/or compared with those in the HF group. Lipid droplets and liver cell damage were observed in the HF group compared with the CON and HF-AX groups.; Conclusion: Arabinoxylan could improve lipid metabolic disorder and alleviate liver damage in rats induced by high-fat diet via activating lipid catabolism and suppressing lipid peroxidation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

To obtain a sliding contact strip material with good electrical conductivity and wear resistance, carbon fibre/copper fibre-reinforced carbon matrix composite (Cf/Cuf-C composites) with and without flaky graphite were fabricated using a chemical vapor infiltrated process (CVI) and impregnation technique. The microstructure and mechanical and electrical properties of the composites, as well as those of a carbon composite used in contact strip of china high-speed railways in China, were investigated. The wear behavior of the three composites were investigated using a pin-on-disc-type wear tester with electrical current. The wear test was carried out under an AC electrical current of 50 A with a normal load of 70 N and sliding speeds ranging from 10 to 30 m/s. The results indicated that the Cf/Cuf-C composite with flaky graphite had several advantages in mechanical and electrical properties. The carbon composite is more easily worn when the sliding speed was higher than 20 m/s. At a sliding speed of 30 m/s, the wear rate of the Cf/Cuf-C composite with flaky graphite was 3.22 mg/km, which is only two-thirds that of the carbon composite.

To assess the effects of digestion on the functional components of walnut pigment and their bioactivities, we developed an in vitro model simulating gastro-intestinal digestion. Results showed an increase in the contents of flavonoids and conjugated phenols (with retention rates higher than 100%) in husk pigment after digestion. The lowest of the 2,2&prime, azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging abilities was reached in the group with the minimum flavonoid content after digestion. Close correlation was observed between free phenol content and total reducing power, as the reducing power among different groups of husk pigment was in consistent with free phenols changes. The inhibitory effect of walnut pigment on &alpha, amylase with/without digestion enzyme was similar. However, shell pigment showed improved inhibitory effect on &alpha, glucosidase activity, with an increased inhibitory rate of 5.42%. In general, the antioxidant activity and hypoglycemic ability of walnut pigment were prone to chemical and enzymatic changes during simulated digestion, which were also related to the alteration of flavonoids and phenols.

Background The prognosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is reportedly well. Extremely rare patients with DCIS develop distant breast cancer metastasis without locoregional or contralateral recurrence. This is the first report of multiple bones and sigmoid colon metastases from DCIS after mastectomy. Case presentation A 43-year-old woman was diagnosed with DCIS, and she received mastectomy, followed by endocrine therapy and target therapy. During the following-up, convulsions and pain on the legs were complaint. Therefore, Computed Tomography (CT) on bones and positron emission tomography (PET) for whole body were examined in order. Multiple bones and sigmoid colon were under the suspect of metastases, which were then verified by biopsy in the left ilium and colonoscopy respectively. Conclusions This case reveals the heterogeneous behavior and the potential poor outcome of DCIS, regular examination and surveillance are necessary even though the distant metastasis rate in DCIS is low.

Patients with ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCISM) have worse cancer-specific survival, disease-free survival and overall survival, and a higher mortality rate compared with patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Distinguishing DCISM from DCIS via preoperative imaging could help to predict the prognosis of patients. The present study compared the sonographic and mammographic features of patients with DCIS and DCISM. A total of 147 women (94 patients with DCIS and 53 patients with DCISM) were retrospectively included. The sonographic lesions were classified as either masses or non-mass abnormalities. The lesions observed on mammography were classified as calcifications only, mass, asymmetry or architectural distortion. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the presence of calcifications (P=0.038) and vascularity (P=0.025) on sonography were associated with DCISM. Furthermore, a lager distribution of calcifications was associated with a higher likelihood of DCISM (P=0.002). In conclusion, the presence of calcifications and vascularity on sonography or a lager distribution of calcifications on mammography may suggest DCISM.

Two major problems for magnesium alloy implant are the high degradation rate and easy infection associated with implantation. Herein, a surface drug delivery system (Mg/Epoxy resin-ZnO/PCL-Ibuprofen) which can realize bi-directional controlled release of ibuprofen and Mg(2+) was designed via a dip coating process followed by spraying. The in vitro test demonstrated that the ibuprofen in drug-eluting compound material showed sustained release profiles for 22days, which can effectively solve the local cellular rejection and inflammation during the early stage of implantation. Besides, the drug carrier also exhibited improved corrosion resistance duel to the high combining strength between Epoxy resin-ZnO coating and magnesium alloy, so Mg(2+) can release slowly at first and then speeded up later. This approach may be suitable for coating other implant materials such as stainless steel, titanium alloy etc.

Purpose To evaluate the value of T2, T1rho, and diffusion metrics in assessment of liver fibrosis in rats. Materials and Methods Liver fibrosis in a rat model (n = 72) was induced by injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) at 3T. T2, T1rho, and diffusion parameters (apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), Dtrue) via spin echo (SE) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) DWI with three diffusion times (DT: 80, 106, 186 msec) were obtained in surviving rats with hepatic fibrosis (n = 52) and controls (n = 8). Liver fibrosis stage (F0–F6) was identified based on pathological results using the traditional liver fibrosis staging method for rodents. Nonparametric statistical methods and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were employed to determine the diagnostic accuracy. Results Mean T2, T1rho, ADC, and Dtrue with DT = 186 msec correlated with the severity of fibrosis with r = 0.73, 0.83, −0.83, and −0.85 (all P < 0.001), respectively. The average areas under the ROC curve at different stages for T1rho and diffusion parameters (DT = 186 msec) were larger than those of T2 and SE DWI (0.92, 0.92, and 0.92 vs. 0.86, 0.82, and 0.83). The corresponding average sensitivity and specificity for T1rho and diffusion parameters with a long DT were larger (89.35 and 88.90, 88.36 and 89.97, 90.16 and 87.13) than T2 and SE DWI (90.28 and 79.93, 85.30 and 77.64, 78.21 and 82.41). The performances of T1rho and Dtrue (DT = 186 msec) were comparable (average AUC: 0.92 and 0.92). Conclusion Among the evaluated sequences, T1rho and STEAM DWI with a long DT may serve as superior imaging biomarkers for assessing liver fibrosis and monitoring disease severity. Level of Evidence: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:741–750.

Self-recovering superhydrophobic coatings (SHCs) have drawn much attention in recent years because of their unique self-recovering properties and potential industrial applications. In this study, self-recovering SHCs based on recovery of structural damage have been successfully fabricated by spraying the mixture of polymethylmethacrylate/zinc stearate/stearic acid. The SHCs display a static contact angle (CA) of 158°, a sliding angle (SA) of 1° and exhibit a rough structure as shown in the SEM images. By acid rain (pH ≈ 3.5) scouring, the coatings maintain CA of 134° and high adhesion due to the broken morphology. Interestingly, the coatings restored superhydrophobicity after immersion in water for several minutes. Furthermore, the SHCs exhibit good long-term stability, water-durability and UV-durability, adapting to out-door environment. Above all, the coatings are environmental, low cost and can be quickly coated on various large-scale substrates, which will widen their practical applications.

Belmont Red Composite rumen-cannulated steers (n = 8, 364 ± 8.4 kg liveweight, LW; least squares means ± s.e.m.) were used to assess effects of feeding tea seed (Camellia sinensis L.) saponin (TSS) supplementation on performance, methanogenesis, fermentation pattern and rumen microbial communities. The expectation was to use TSS to potentially modulate the rumen microbial population and decrease enteric methane (CH4) production. The steers were fed twice a day with a basal diet (BD) that contained a mixture of 0.15 Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay plus 0.85 of a commercial concentrate before CH4 emissions were measured in open-circuit respiratory chambers for 48 h. Steers were then adapted progressively to doses of 20 and 30 g/day of TSS for 10 and 6 days, respectively before new CH4 measurements were recorded. Final placement in chambers was conducted after 13 days of TSS removal (BDP). Rumen fluid samples from each steer were collected for the treatments BD, BD + 20 g TSS, BD + 30 g TSS and BDP. Growth performance and CH4 emissions were not affected by the addition of TSS, but compared to the BD and TSS diets, daily CH4 emissions (g) and yield (g CH4/kg DMI) were lower (P

A protective Ni–Co alloy coating was successfully prepared on sintered neodymium–iron–boron (NdFeB) magnet via potentiodynamic electrodeposition in this paper. The microstructure and surface morphology analysis of Ni–Co alloy coating showed that the surface morphologies were quite compact and more uniform than that prepared by direct current (DC) electrodeposition; significantly, the chemical composition analysis indicated that the content of Co in the alloy coatings amounted to 33–34 wt-%. Potentiodynamic polarisation and long term immersion test results revealed that the Ni–Co alloy coating could supply excellent corrosion protection for NdFeB substrate in 3.5 wt-% NaCl solution. Overall, the Ni–Co alloy coating with higher Co content prepared by potentiodynamic electrodeposition exhibited better corrosion protection for sintered NdFeB magnet compared with that prepared by DC electrodeposition.

e17040 Background: PD-1/PD-L1 blockade significantly improved survival for bladder cancer. PD-L1 expression might not be an ideal marker for patient selection in isolation. Several studies demonstrated that alternative markers such as NLR, a biomarker of systemic inflammation response to therapy, correlated with outcomes in a variety of cancers including bladder cancer, might be a predictor for patient selection and the response to immunotherapy. However, no reporters have been made combination of NLR and PD-L1 in predicting prognosis in bladder cancer. Methods: Suitable tissue of 100 FFPE blocks of bladder cancer patients treated in Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital Sun Yat-sen University were stained with PD-L1 antibody. Clinicopathological data and pretreatment complete blood count were retrospectively collected. All patients were classified into high NLR group and low NLR group at cut-off 3.0. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models analyses were used to assessed the predictor of combined PD-L1/NLR for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Patients were mostly male (79%) with high grade () lymph node positive (21%), T3-4 (33%) . The positivity of PD-L1 expression was 22% (22/100) at cut-off 1%. Univariate analysis showed that PD-L1 expression was positively associated with larger tumor size, higher grade, positive lymph node metastases. Median DFS and OS were 35 months and 37 months, respectively. Both PD-L1 expression and NLR were associated with DFS and OS. COX analysis model showed that PD-L1 and NLR were independent prognostic factors for tumor prognosis. Of interest, when patients were divided in two groups based on PD-L1/NLR: patients with PD-L1+/high NLR as group 1 and other patients as group 2, group1 had significantly shorter DFS and OS (DFS, X2 = 4.146, P = 0.042; OS, X2 = 10.274, P = 0.001). COX proportional hazards regression models indicated that PD-L1+/high NLR was correlated with a significantly shorter DFS and OS (DFS, hazard ration [ HR] = 2.572, P = 0.05; OS, HR = 3.811, P = 0.003). Conclusions: The study indicated that combined use of PD-L-1/ NLR as predictive biomarker for survival. This feasible panel may be optional maker applied to select patients for immunotherapy.

Background The prognosis of breast phyllodes tumors (PTs) largely depending on the pathological grading, which lacks objectivity. This study aimed to develop a nomogram based on clinicopathological features to evaluate the recurrence probability of PTs following surgery. Methods Data from 334 patients with breast PTs, who underwent surgical treatment at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from January 2005 to December 2014, were used to develop a prediction model. Additionally, data of 36 patients from Peking University Shenzhen Hospital (cohort 1) and data of 140 patients from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (cohort 2) during the same period were used to validate the model. The medical records and tumor slides were retrospectively reviewed. The log-rank and Cox regression tests were used to develop a clinical prediction model of breast PTs. All statistical analyses were performed using R and STATA. Results Of all 334 patients included in the primary cohort, 224 had benign, 91 had borderline, and 19 had malignant tumors. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival was 98.5%, 97.9%, and 96.8%, respectively. Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (UGVAB) is a non-inferior treatment application in benign PTs compared with open surgery [hazard ratio (HR), 2.38; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.59-9.58]. Width of surgical margin, mitoses, and tumor border were identified as independent risk factors for breast PTs. A nomogram was developed based on these three variables. The C-index of internal and external validation was 0.71, 0.67 (cohort 1) and 0.73 (cohort 2), respectively. Conclusions The study model presented more concise and objective variables to evaluate the recurrence-free survival of patients after surgery, which can help deciding whether to do a re-excision or "wait and watch".

The effects of fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum dy-1 on the main structural changes of barley β-glucan and their in vitro activities were studied. Molecular characteristics, infrared spectroscopy, monosaccharide composition, methylation, 1D and 2D-NMR analyses and scanning electron microscopy revealed that both (raw barley β-glucan) RBG and fermented barley β-glucan (FBG) are polysaccharides predominanted by β-(1→3) and β-(1→4) linked glucose. However, different molecular weight (decreasing from 1.13×105 D to 6.35×104 D), the ratio of the β-(1→3) residues to the β-(1→4) residues (ranging from 1:1.98-1:2.50 to 1:1.8-1:2.24) and microstructure features (transforming from a rod-like to sheet-like structure) were observed. Bioassay results showed that FBG exhibited improved inhibitory activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase, as well as the adsorption of cholesterol under acidic conditions compared to RBG. These results suggested that fermentation may enhance in vitro physiological activities of barley β-glucan, especially related to glucose and lipid metabolism.

Patients with ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCISM) have worse cancer-specific survival, disease-free survival and overall survival, and a higher mortality rate compared with patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Distinguishing DCISM from DCIS via preoperative imaging could help to predict the prognosis of patients. The present study compared the sonographic and mammographic features of patients with DCIS and DCISM. A total of 147 women (94 patients with DCIS and 53 patients with DCISM) were retrospectively included. The sonographic lesions were classified as either masses or non-mass abnormalities. The lesions observed on mammography were classified as calcifications only, mass, asymmetry or architectural distortion. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, χ(2) test, Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the presence of calcifications (P=0.038) and vascularity (P=0.025) on sonography were associated with DCISM. Furthermore, a lager distribution of calcifications was associated with a higher likelihood of DCISM (P=0.002). In conclusion, the presence of calcifications and vascularity on sonography or a lager distribution of calcifications on mammography may suggest DCISM.