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Background In gastric cancer, there is a controversial finding regarding the high recurrence rate after neoadjuvant therapy. The use of ctDNA detection for minimal residual disease (MRD) with plasma genotyping has shown higher sensitivity and specificity compared to imaging and serum markers for predicting recurrence. Therefore, we aim to investigate the perioperative dynamic changes in ctDNA in surgical II-III GS patients and assess the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods In detail, we will collect blood samples from each patient before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), after NAC, and one month after surgery. We will also collect tumor tissue before and after NAC. Gene mutations will be detected using a 733-gene NGS panel, and DNA concentrations will be measured. To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, we will use RECIST Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1). Discussion This study aims to assess the correlation between perioperative changes in ctDNA levels and the response to chemotherapy in patients with gastric cancer. It will provide evidence that perioperative ctDNA detection may predict early recurrence, highlighting the potential clinical utility of ctDNA in guiding therapeutic decision-making. Compared to tumor tissue biopsy, ctDNA can non-invasively detect more comprehensive genomic information from a limited amount of plasma. Trial registration: Registered prospectively in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry with registration number ChiCTR2200060842 on June 12st, 2022.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has shown great potential in wireless communications. AI-empowered communication algorithms have beaten many traditional algorithms through simulations. However, the existing works just use the simulated datasets to train and test the algorithms, which can not represent the power of AI in practical communication systems. Therefore, Peng Cheng Laboratory holds an AI competition, National Artificial Intelligence Competition (NAIC): AI+wireless communications, in which one of the topics is AI-empowered channel feedback system design using practical measurements. In this paper, we give a baseline neural network design, QuanCsiNet, for this competition, and the details of the channel measurements. QuanCsiNet shows excellent performance on channel feedback and the complexity of the neural networks is also given.

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Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal gastrointestinal tumours, the most common pathological type is pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). In recent year, immune imbalanced in tumour microenvironment has been shown to play an important role in the evolution of tumours progression, and the efficacy of immunotherapy has been gradually demonstrated in clinical practice. In this study, we propose to construct an immune-related prognostic risk model based on immune-related genes MMP14 and INHBA expression that can assess the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients and identify potential therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer, to provide new ideas for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. We also investigate the correlation between macrophage infiltration and MMP14 and INHBA expression. First, the gene expression data of pancreatic cancer and normal pancreatic tissue were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) and The Genotype-Tissue Expression public database (GTEx). The differentially expressed immune-related genes between pancreatic cancer samples and normal sample were screened by R software. Secondly, univariate Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between immune-related genes and the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. A polygenic risk score model was constructed by Cox regression analysis. The prognostic nomogram was constructed, and its performance was evaluated comprehensively by internal calibration curve and C-index. Using the risk model, each patient gets a risk score, and was divided into high- or low- risk groups. The proportion of 22 types of immune cells infiltration in pancreatic cancer samples was inferred by CIBERSOFT algorithm, correlation analysis (Pearson method) was used to analyse the correlation between the immune-related genes and immunes cells. Then, we applied macrophage conditioned medium to culture pancreatic cancer cell line PANC1, detected the expression of MMP14 and INHBA by qRT-PCR and Western blot methods. Knock-down MMP14 and INHBA in PANC1 cells by transfected with shRNA lentiviruses. Detection of migration ability of pancreatic cells was done by trans-well cell migration assay. A subcutaneous xenograft tumour model of human pancreatic cancer in nude mice was constructed. In conclusion, an immune-related gene prognostic model was constructed, patients with high-risk scores have poorer survival status, M2-phenotype tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) up-regulate two immune-related genes, MMP14 and INHBA, which were used to establish the prognostic model. Knock-down of MMP14 and INHBA inhibited invasion of pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Based on a thorough analysis of monotherapy (pembrolizumab) and chemoimmunotherapy, the immunomodulatory effects of chemotherapy agents are emphasized. BACKGROUND: The combination of chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors should and is already being regarded as a new standard strategy for the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC. As some scientists hold, chemoimmunotherapy is the beginning of a new era of lung cancer therapy. Scientists of this field are trying to make the perfect blend, that is, to explore the perfect condition for combination therapy. However, first, we should fully understand the specific role of chemotherapy agents in combination therapy and its specific mechanism. However, our current consideration of this aspect is not comprehensive enough. Based on a full understanding of the mechanisms and roles of these partner treatments, can the perfect blend or a more appropriate combination strategy of cancer immunotherapy be established? METHODS: Search and discuss the literature of pembrolizumab in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, as well as previous studies on the immune regulatory function of chemotherapeutic agents, to analyze the mechanism of chemotherapeutic agents in combination immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: Here, we carefully analyzed the details of clinical trials of pembrolizumab in the treatment of NSCLC, and reviewed literature in this field. Therefore, we aim to put forward that chemoimmunotherapy is not a simple model of one plus another. Accordingly, we believe that the more likely role of chemotherapeutics in combination therapy with pembrolizumab is an immunomodulator. Based on this perspective, we propose that more attention and efforts should be devoted to understanding and exploring the immunomodulatory function of chemotherapy agents.

e16018 Background: Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, although the incidence has gradually decreased in many Western countries. The status of microsatellites is an important biomarker of gastric cancer immunotherapy, but not all patients with MSI-H have excellent curative effect. Therefore, this study of the molecular background of MSS and MSI-H, which is helpful for the development of gastric cancer immunotherapy in Chinese patients. Methods: The formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of 6603 patients with CRC who have underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) from Jan, 2019 to Apr, 2021 in 3DMed Clinical Laboratory Inc. were investigated in this study. These patients are still being followed up. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Office Excel (2013). Results: 7.0% (139/1997) patients with MSI-H status, MSI-H and MSS tumors showed striking gene mutation differences. Among the 10 genes with the highest mutation rate, TP53 ERBB2 CDH1 PIK3CA mutations appear in both MSI-H and MSS patients. But the mutation rates of these genes vary greatly (32.3% VS 53.7%, 19.4% VS 13.0%,12.2% VS 8.2%, 34.5% VS 8.2%, respectively). Among the top 10 mutated genes, ARID1 (70.5%), mutation with the highest rate is only mutated in MSI-H patients. There are other gene mutations, including KMT2C (68.3%), RNF43 (59.7%), TGFBR2 (58.3%), RNF43 (34.5%), MSH3 (46.8%), RAD50(41.0%), MSH6(31.7%), ATR (30.2％), which have hugely higher mutation rates than MSS patients. It is worth noting that the mutation rate of TP53, BCL2L11, CYP2C19, MYC, CCNE1 and UGT1A1 in MSS patients is absolutely higher than that in MSI-H. Conclusions: There are completely differences in gene mutations between MSI-H and MSS gastric cancer patients in the Chinese population, especially TP53, ERBB2, CDH1, PIK3CA KMT2C, RNF43, TGFBR2, RNF43, MSH3, RAD50, MSH6 and ATR, which are of great significance for accurate patient stratification and treatment.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase Delta (PI3Kδ) plays a key role in B-cell signal transduction and inhibition of PI3Kδ was confirmed to have clinical benefit in certain types of activation of B-cell malignancies. Herein, we reported a novel series of 4-pyrrolidineoxy or 4-piperidineamino substituted quinazolines, showing potent PI3Kδ inhibitory activities. Among these compounds, 12d, 14b and 14c demonstrated higher potency against PI3Kδ with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 4.5, 3.0, and 3.9 nM, respectively, which were comparable to idelalisib (IC50 = 2.7 nM). The further PI3K isoforms selectivity evaluation showed that compounds 12d, 14b and 14c have excellent PI3Kδ selectivity over PI3Kα, PI3Kβ, and PI3Kγ. Moreover, compounds 12d, 14b and 14c also displayed different anti-proliferative profiles against a panel of four human B cell lines including Ramos, Raji, RPMI-8226, and SU-DHL-6. The molecular docking simulation indicated several key hydrogen bonding interactions were formed. This study suggests the introduction of pyrrolidineoxy or piperidineamino groups into the 4-position of quinazoline leads to new potent and selective PI3Kδ inhibitors.

PI3Kδ is an intriguing target for developing anti-cancer agent. In this study, a new series of 4-(piperid-3-yl)amino substituted 6-pyridylquinazoline derivatives were synthesized. After biological evaluation, compounds A5 and A8 were identified as potent PI3Kδ inhibitors, with IC50 values of 1.3 and 0.7 nM, respectively, which are equivalent to or better than idelalisib (IC50 = 1.2 nM). Further PI3K isoforms selectivity evaluation showed that compound A5 afforded excellent PI3Kδ selectivity over PI3Kα, PI3Kβ and PI3Kγ. A8 exhibited superior PI3Kδ/γ selectivity over PI3Kα and PI3Kβ. Moreover, compounds A5 and A8 selectively exhibited anti-proliferation against SU-DHL-6 in vitro with IC50 values of 0.16 and 0.12 μM. Western blot analysis indicated that A8 could attenuate the AKTS473 phosphorylation. Molecular docking study suggested that A8 formed three key H-bonds action with PI3Kδ, which may account for its potent inhibition of PI3Kδ. These findings indicate that 4-(piperid-3-yl)amino substituted 6-pyridylquinazoline derivatives were potent PI3Kδ inhibitors with distinctive PI3K-isoforms and anti-proliferation profiles.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are regarded as promising targets for treatment of various cancers due to their roles in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival. Here we report our efforts to develop potent and orally bioavailable PI3K inhibitors for the treatment of cancers. The alkylsulfonamide-containing quinazoline derivatives A1–A18 significantly inhibited PI3Kα, and cell proliferation among HCT-116, MCF-7 and SU-DHL-6 cell lines. The optimal compound A1 displayed potent inhibitory activity against PI3Kα (IC50 = 4.5 nM), PI3Kβ (IC50 = 4.5 nM), PI3Kγ (IC50 = 4.5 nM), PI3Kδ (IC50 = 4.5 nM) and significantly inhibited the growth of HCT-116, MCF-7 and SU-DHL-6 cell lines with IC50 values of 0.82 µM, 0.99 µM and 0.19 µM, respectively. Western blot analysis demonstrated A1 significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of AKTS473 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, A1 could markedly inhibit cancer growth at the dose of 25 mg/kg in nude mouse HCT-116 xenograft model in vivo without causing significant weight loss or toxicity.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) plays a critical role in the regulation of survival, proliferation, activation and differentiation of B-lineage cells. It participates by regulating multiple cellular signaling pathways, including B cell receptor and FcR signaling cascades. BTK is abundantly expressed and constitutively active in the pathogenesis of B cell hematological malignancies, as well as several autoimmune diseases. Therefore, BTK is considered as an attractive target for treatment of B-lineage lymphomas, leukemias, and some autoimmune diseases. Many industry and academia efforts have been made to explore small molecular BTK inhibitors.This review aims to provide an overview of the patented BTK inhibitors for the treatment of cancer from 2010 to 2018.BTK inhibitors attract much interest for their therapeutic potential in the treatment of cancers and autoimmune diseases, especially for B cell hematological malignancies. In 2013, ibrutinib was approved by the FDA as the first-in-class BTK inhibitors for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and now it is also undergoing clinical evaluation for other indications in either single or combined therapy. It is clear that BTK inhibitors can provide a promising clinical benefit in treating B-lineage lymphomas and leukemias.

e16216 Background: Pancreatic cancer is an extremely malignant tumor that is associated with low survival rates. Currently, TNM staging, serum CA19–9, CA125 and CEA are used to assess the risk level and estimate prognosis. However, it is still a challenge to predict survival of pancreatic cancer patients (pts) with due to the impact of wide variability of outcomes and genetic heterogeneity. In our study, we aimed to develop a model based on multiple prognostic-related methylation markers and clinical parameters to predict the overall survival (OS) of pancreatic cancer pts. Methods: A total of 50 pts with early-stage resectable pancreatic cancer were included in this study. Preoperative blood, tumor and tumor-distant normal tissue samples were obtained from the pts. Methylation levels from all samples were profiled using targeted bisulfite sequencing using bespoke pancreatic cancer methylation panel covering 80,672 CpG sites, spanning 1.05 mega bases of the human genome. To improve the linkage of methylation sites, we further analyzed the methylation profile as methylation blocks. Results: A total of 1162 tumor-specific methylation blocks, including 737 hypermethylated and 425 hypomethylated blocks were found to be differentially methylated in tumor tissues as compared to tumor-distant normal tissues (P < 0.05). Genes in hypermethylated blocks were significantly enriched in neuroactive ligand−receptor interaction and ca+ signaling pathways, whereas those in hypomethylated blocks were focused in E. coli infection and leukocyte transendothelial migration pathways. All these involved pathways are pancreatic cancer related. Moreover, 7 differentially methylated blocks were identified to significantly associate with OS, including 5 hyper- and 2 hypomethylated blocks. Therefore, we constructed a model based on prognostic-related blocks to predict OS of pancreatic cancer pts. A risk score was derived for each patient based on the model. Pts in the high-risk (HR) group (median risk score as cutoff) showed significantly poorer OS than those in the low-risk (LR) group in survival analysis (p = 0.0016, HR = 0.30). When clinical parameters were also considered, the risk score was found to be the only independent prognostic parameter (p < 0.001) by Cox regression analysis. The prognostic effect of the risk score remained significant in patient groups separated by CA125 levels (p < 0.01). In pre-operative blood samples, risk score was also significantly associated with OS (p = 0.031). Pts in the LR group showed significantly longer OS than those in the HR group. Conclusions: Our data revealed distinct methylation patterns between tumor tissues and tumor-distant normal tissues, suggesting tumor-specific methylation patterns could potentially be developed as diagnostic biomarkers. Importantly, our study also identified 7 blocks-based risk score that could potentially be used as prognostic markers for pancreatic cancer.

Multipath propagation and power arrival profiles in three-dimensional (3-D) space determine the performance of the full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO) systems. Field channel measurements are crucial in characterizing wireless channel properties. Nevertheless, in spatial channel measurements, estimating the direction-of-arrivals (DoAs) of multipath components (MPCs) is a challenging issue, because of the large number of propagation paths and the correlation among the multipath signals. The number of incidence angles and estimation precision in traditional methods is limited by the sensor array size and signal correlation. In this paper, we propose a scheme for measuring and estimating the 2-D DoAs of propagation paths called multipath angular estimation using the array response of PN-sequences (MAPS). By using a receiving planar antenna array (PAA), MAPS first extracts the complex path array response vector (PARV) for each propagation path and then estimates the DoAs of the paths individually and independently. The subspace-decomposition theory for MAPS is proved and extensive simulations are conducted to compare MAPS with other algorithms. Furthermore, a channel sounder using two PAAs and the probing signal of 2.6 GHz carrier modulated by PN-sequences has been developed. The simulation and field tests show that MAPS can estimate arbitrary number of resolved MPCs in a channel snapshot and effectively suppress the multipath interference.

Targeting acquired drug resistance is the major challenge in the treatment of EGFR-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, a novel class of compounds containing pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine scaffold was designed as new generation EGFR-TKIs to overcome this challenge. The most promising compound B30 inhibited HCC827 and H1975 cells growth with the IC50 values of 0.044 μM and 0.40 μM, respectively. Meanwhile, B30 displayed potent inhibitory activity against the EGFRL858R (IC50 = 1.1 nM) and EGFRL858R/T790M/C797S (IC50 = 7.2 nM). B30 could suppress EGFR phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner in HCC827 cell line and significantly induce the apoptosis of HCC827 cells. Molecular docking indicated that the hydroxyl in B30 could form additional hydrogen bond with mutant Ser797. These findings strongly support our assumption that 2,4,6-trisubstitued pyrido[3,4-d] pyrimidine derivatives can serve as EGFR-TKIs. The predicted hydrogen bond interaction formed by a small molecule inhibitor with mutant Ser797 is available to design the fourth-generation EGFR-TKIs.

miR-34a is transcriptionally induced by the tumor suppressor gene p53, which is often downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To address whether the downstream signal of miR-34a is sufficient to induce apoptosis and to alter cellular radiosensitivity, a chemical synthetic miR-34a mimic was delivered into A549 and H1299 cells, with or without co-treatment of γ-irradiation. Results showed that ectopic expression of miR-34a induced dose-dependent cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in a p53-independent manner in both NSCLC cell lines. Interestingly, LyGDI was discovered as a new target gene of miR-34a, and downregulation of LyGDI promoted Rac1 activation and membrane translocation, resulting in cell apoptosis. Furthermore, restoration of miR-34a indirectly reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Taken together, these results demonstrate that restoration of miR-34a expression enhances radiation-induced apoptosis, partly by suppressing the LyGDI signaling pathway, and miR-34a could possibly be used as a radiosensitizer for non-small cell lung cancer therapy.

The full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO) technology is expected to increase the system capacity significantly by elevation beamforming and sectorization, especially for the users on different floors in buildings. To design and evaluate the FD-MIMO requires the indoor-to-outdoor (I2O) channel modeling in the elevation domain, with the user equipments (UEs) located at different heights. However, such channel models are still lacking. In this paper, using a channel sounder equipped with two uniform planar antenna arrays, we have performed the spatial channel measurement in an urban micro-cell (UMi) environment where the UE is located from the 1st to the 5th floors and on each floor both LOS and NLOS scenarios are considered. The power and elevation angle of arrival (EoA) of each propagation path at the base station are estimated, and the distribution of the EoA and elevation spread of arrival (ESA) at each floor are obtained. The stochastic models of EoA and ESA with respect to the UE height are also proposed. This work can help to extend the current 2-dimensional channel models by combining the elevation propagation statistics to support the FD-MIMO system design.

Lentiviral vectors can confer high levels of gene transfer and transgene expression in a variety of cell types. However, the biodistribution and toxicity after intravenous administration have not been reported. To address these issues of biodistribution and toxicity, an HIV-1-based vector, HR'cmvGFP, was administered to normal BALB/c mice by tail-vein injection. Nine different organs and bone marrow were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (QPCR) assay capable of a broad range of quantitation (5-log fold) to detect as few as one copy of the green fluorescent protein gene (GFP) per 10(5) cells. Four days after vector administration, high levels of transgene and gene expression were observed in liver, spleen, and bone marrow in all animals. By 40 days after injection, GFP levels had decreased in liver and spleen, but bone marrow exhibited a consistently high level of transgene. This finding was consistent with the increase in both GFP frequency and expression levels observed in peripheral blood by fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (FACS) analysis. Between 0 and 1% transgene was detected in all other organs. No significant pathologic lesions were found attributable to vector in any of the tissues examined. The observation of bone marrow transduction after intravenous vector administration suggests the possibility of an in vivo approach to stem cell gene therapy.

In this paper, a novel interference cancellation (IC) algorithm is introduced which is applicable to improving the signal to interference power ratio (SIR) for the signals of a specific user by estimating the channels accurately. In this algorithm, a so-called generalized array manifold (GAM) generic channel model is adopted for parameter estimation which makes use of the Firstorder Taylor-series expansion to approximate the contribution of individual dispersive components in the channel to the received signal. Since the GAM model takes into account the influence of unresolvable distributed components, the IC algorithm is superior in terms of higher SIRs to conventional methods that reconstruct the signals of a desired user for dominant specular-path components. Monte-Carlo simulation results show that the SIR improvements vary with the delay and Doppler frequency spreads of a propagation channel. Besides, experimental results obtained by processing the measurement data collected in an in-service Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) network demonstrate that by using the proposed IC algorithm and under the assumption that a channel consists of single dispersive component, which is usually the case where rich scattering occurs in the vicinity of a user, the SIR can be improved significantly when the delay and Doppler frequency spreads of channel are within certain ranges.

When planar antenna arrays are introduced at the base stations (BSs) of cellular networks, accurate modeling of the spatial radio channel in there-dimension (3D) will become crucial. In this paper, a field measurement campaign was conducted to characterize the 3D spatial propagation to the BS in urban street canyon environments. Using a wideband channel sounder with two uniform planar antenna arrays, the angular spread (AS) in both azimuth and elevation domains at the BS was measured with the user equipment (UE) located at 100 different positions in LOS scenario and 95 positions in NLOS scenario. Contrary to the expected simple correlation between the large-scale fading (like path loss) and AS, our measurements have shown much more complicated relationship between AS and the surrounding environment. It is demonstrated that, in LOS scenario, the AS has positive correlation with the UE-to-BS distance in wide street, but negative correlation in narrow street. In NLOS scenario, the correlation between AS and the transceiver distance is positive when the UE is too close to a building to have “Quasi-LOS” path (diffracted over the building roof) propagation. However, if “Quasi-LOS” path is strengthened, the correlation is reversed. These observations lead to the need of more sophisticated models on the angular characteristics in urban radio channels. Based on the collected data, we also present the Laplacian distribution models of AS in both azimuth and elevation domains.

The 3-dimensional multi-input-multi-output (3D MIMO) scheme is one of the enabling technologies for next generation mobile communications and is expected to increase the capacity considerably by realizing the beamforming in the elevation domain. With the small cell architecture, 3D MIMO may be deployed in indoor environments. Thus 3D spatial measurement and characterization of the indoor channels are critical, which have been rarely conducted. In this paper, indoor channel measurements are performed at 2.6 GHz in typical hall and corridor environments including both line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. Using a sounder with two uniform planer antenna arrays, spatial channel responses were captured at about 200 positions. The multipath channel impulse responses (CIR) are extracted and the angle-of-arrival of each propagation path is estimated jointly in azimuth and elevation domains. Then the distributions and models of the incident angles and angular power distribution in the elevation domain are established. Our measurements and proposed models can support the design and simulation of 3D MIMO working in the indoor environment in the next generation cellular networks.

In this contribution, two measurement campaigns are reported which were conducted in urban areas of Shanghai for characterizing the radio channels in an operating Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). The signals on the common pilot channels transmitted by multiple NodeBs (NBs) are used to calculate the channel impulse responses (CIRs). A Space-Alternating Generalized Expectation-maximization (SAGE) algorithm is applied to extracting the delays, Doppler frequencies and complex attenuations of multiple specular path components from the CIRs. Based on the delay spreads calculated, the channels are categorized into three types, i.e. the single-path, two-path and multi-path. Based on the measurements at more than 1400 locations for 74 NBs, the statistics of system-level channel characteristics, such as the percentage of channels per NB belonging to different categories and the length of the distance within which the same channel category is observed are extracted.

In this contribution, a channel measurement campaign recently carried out in the Jiading campus of Tongji University, Shanghai, China, is introduced. The downlink signals of an active Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) were collected at more than 4000 locations and processed to extract channel impulse responses (CIRs). The signal to noise power ratios (SNRs), delay spread, Doppler frequency spread, and the status of line-of-sight (LoS) existence are calculated and used to generate channel maps, i.e. geographic maps overlaid with spots at measurement locations being color-coded by the values of channel parameters. The variations of channel parameters with respect to the co-elevation in NodeBs are investigated. Relationships between the delay, Doppler frequency spreads and the LoS occurrence rate at specific co-elevations are analyzed. Based on these results, a new method is proposed which is applicable for generating realistic CIRs in time and frequency domains that satisfy the elevation-dependent statistics extracted from the measurements.

In this contribution, the measurements conducted in an in-service Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) network in the Minghang campus of Shanghai Jiaotong University, China, are reported. The outdoor measurement data collected in 205 locations in the coverage of a NodeB (NB) is applied to investigate the narrowband characteristics of & plusmn;45°-polarized 2×2 channels. The results show that under the empirical configurations, the cross-correlation of differently polarized channels at the user equipment (UE) side is stronger than at the NB side; the distributions of largest and second largest eigenvalues of the 4 & times; 4 polarized channel covariance matrix are well-fitted by lognormal distributions, and for the other eigenvalues Beta distributions are more appropriate. Furthermore, the statistics of the decay constant of the eigenvalues with respect to the eigenvalue indices is presented. Finally, the dependence of the capacity of a polarized channel on the condition number of the polarization correlation matrix, and inter-dependence between the condition number and the channel cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) are investigated.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are defined as tumor cells circulating in the peripheral blood of patients, shed from either the primary tumors or its metastases. Many techniques have been developed in the recent years to identify CTCs in breast cancer patients, and trials have proved the prognostic significance of CTCs. In this study, we validated the CTC detection method of combining cell filtration and laser scanning cytometry (LSC), which was highly reproducible with increased sensitivity and accuracy. In 134 non-metastatic breast cancer patients analyzed, HER2 was found to be the only primary tumor characteristics that correlated with the presence of CTCs. 85 patients with definitive stage information were selected for association study between the disease stages and CTC numbers. The detection rate and the number of CTCs were correlated with the disease stages. Moreover, assessment of CTCs in 92 metastatic breast cancer patients was found to be able to predict the efficacy of chemotherapy. Increase in CTC numbers was an independent prognostic factor for treatment outcomes. Our results suggested that CTC assessment could be an indication of the disease progression and analysis of the properties of CTCs is likely to provide new insights into the biology of breast cancer and contribute to defining novel treatments and better prediction of clinical outcomes.

Various studies on focal cerebral ischemic models have implicated the direct activation and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-9, as a key orchestrator of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Moreover, studies have shown that MMP-9 siRNA can protect the BBB from ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective role of a lentivirus vector-mediated mmp-9shRNA following focal cerebral ischemia--specifically assessing whether LV-mmp9shRNA silencing of MMP-9 mRNA could ameliorate BBB disruption and in turn reduce vascular permeability, neuronal cell death, and neurobehavioral deficits. Treatment was given 2 weeks prior to surgery using a lentivirus-mediated vector. Surgery was conducted using the established middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats, while outcomes were measured 24 h after injury. Our results demonstrated a significant reduction in brain infarction volume, brain water content, and neurobehavioral deficits following LV-mmp9shRNA treatment. Additionally, Evans blue and IgG extravasation were reduced, MMP-9 mRNA expression was silenced, and Western blot analysis revealed a decreased expression of MMP-9 and VEGF with an increased expression of occludin and collagen IV in brain tissues. This suggests that successful delivery of LV-mmp9shRNA may ameliorate ischemic brain injury by preserving structural integrity and improving functional outcome.

In this contribution, a maximum-likelihood-based approach is proposed for estimating the attitudes of sectoring base station (BS) antennas based on the power of the received signals observed by multiple user equipments (UEs) in a cellular network. The proposed method calculates the likelihood of the antenna attitude by taking into account both the large-scale fading statistics, i.e. path loss, shadowing, and the small-scale fading attributed to multi-path propagation. The performance of the method is evaluated by simulations in both urban and rural scenarios, where a random-propagation-graph method is applied to generating realistic channel impulse responses by using directional antenna patterns. Results show that by using the proposed method, accurate estimates of the antenna attitude can be obtained when the observations from more UEs are available and the line-of-sight (LoS) condition dominates the channels between the BS and the UEs.

In this contribution, a measurement campaign is introduced for modeling radio channels with either Line-of-Sight (LoS) or Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) connection between a user equipment (UE) and a NodeB (NB) in an operating Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. A Space-Alternating Generalized Expectation-maximization (SAGE) algorithm is applied to estimate the delays and the complex attenuations of multipath components from the obtained channel impulse responses. Based on a novel LoS detection method of multipath parameter estimates, channels are classified into LoS and NLoS categories. Deterministic models which are named “channel maps” and fading statistical models have been constructed for LoS and NLoS, respectively. In addition, statistics of new parameters, such as the distance between the NB and the UE in LoS/NLoS scenarios, the life-distance of LoS channel, the LoS existence probability per location and per NB, the power variation at LoS to NLoS transition and vice versa, as well as the transition duration, are extracted. These models are applicable for designing and performance evaluation of transmission techniques or systems used by distinguishing the LoS and NLoS channels.