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ABSTRACT Background Cancer cachexia can impact prognosis, cause resistance to anticancer treatments and affect the tolerability of treatments. This study aims to identify hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with cachexia by characterizing longitudinal body composition (BC) trajectories. Methods This longitudinal, multicentre cohort study included unresectable HCC patients treated with first‐line programmed death‐(ligand)1 inhibitors plus anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor antibody/tyrosine kinase inhibitors between 01/2018–12/2022. BC measurements including skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and total adipose tissue area (TATA) were evaluated by computed tomography at the third lumbar vertebra at baseline and follow‐up imaging. Unsupervised latent class growth mixed models were applied to distinguish potential longitudinal SMM and TATA trajectories for identifying cachexia. The primary study endpoint was overall survival (OS), with secondary endpoints including progression‐free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and safety. Multiple Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for survival. Results A total of 411 patients with 2138 time‐point measurements were included. The median age was 56 years, and 50 (12.2%) patients were female. Two distinct trajectories were identified for SMM and TATA: sharp‐falling and stable. SMM sharply declined in 58 patients (14.1%) and TATA in 71 of 406 patients (17.5%) with significant worse OS (for SMM, 17.0 vs. 24.9 months; p

Abstract Objective The study aims to present a novel classification of tracheal defects and the corresponding reconstruction strategies. Methods The retrospective study was designed to analyze patients with diagnosed primary or secondary tracheal tumors from 1991 to 2020. Surgical techniques, complications and prognosis were reviewed. Airway status and patient outcomes were the principal follow‐up measures. Tracheal defects were classified into two plane sizes (vertical (V) and horizontal (H) planes). Vertical defects were further categorized into three groups based on their tracheal ring numbers (V1, ≤ 5 rings; V2, 6‐10 rings; and V3, > 10 rings). Tracheal defects with horizontal plane size H1 and H2 represent defects less and more than one‐half the circumference of trachea. Thus, suitable reconstruction strategies were planned primarily based on “V” and “H” classifications. The reconstruction strategies performed were sleeve resection followed by an end‐to‐end anastomosis, window resection with sternocleidomastoid myoperiosteal flap reconstruction, defects conversion with rotation anastomosis, and modified tracheostomy with secondary flap reconstruction. Results A total of 106 patients diagnosed with tracheal defects were enrolled in the study, of whom 59 patients underwent sleeve resection followed by end‐to‐end anastomosis; 40 patients received window resection alongside sternocleidomastoid (SCM) myoperiosteal flap reconstruction; five patients received converting defects with rotation anastomosis and two patients underwent modified tracheostomy with secondary stage flap reconstruction. Lumen stenosis occurred in three V2H1 defect cases and were treated by a second reconstruction surgery. Iatrogenic unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis occurred in two patients with the V3H2 defect type, who were treated by temporary tracheotomy and partial vocal cord resection and extubated successfully during follow‐up. All 106 patients achieved airway patency with adequate laryngeal function at the end of follow‐up. No anastomotic dehiscence or bleeding occurred in any patient postoperatively. Conclusion Though a significant number of multicenter studies concerning the reconstruction and classification of tracheal defects are needed, the study herein provides a novel classification of tracheal defects, which is primarily developed on the defect size. Therefore, the study might serve as a potential source for identifying suitable reconstruction strategies for practitioners.

Abstract There is considerable potential for integrating transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), programmed death-(ligand)1 (PD-[L]1) inhibitors, and molecular targeted treatments (MTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is necessary to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of TACE combined with PD-(L)1 inhibitors and MTT in real-world situations. In this nationwide, retrospective, cohort study, 826 HCC patients receiving either TACE plus PD-(L)1 blockades and MTT (combination group, n = 376) or TACE monotherapy (monotherapy group, n = 450) were included from January 2018 to May 2021. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) according to modified RECIST. The secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and safety. We performed propensity score matching approaches to reduce bias between two groups. After matching, 228 pairs were included with a predominantly advanced disease population. Median PFS in combination group was 9.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.4–11.0) versus 8.0 months (95% CI, 6.6–9.5) (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.70, P = 0.002). OS and ORR were also significantly higher in combination group (median OS, 19.2 [16.1–27.3] vs. 15.7 months [13.0–20.2]; adjusted HR, 0.63, P = 0.001; ORR, 60.1% vs. 32.0%; P

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the influence of media on college students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAfter the COVID-19 outbreak, we used cross-sectional surveys through online questionnaires to investigate the mental health of college students in lockdown at home. We identified the influencing factors of PTSD symptoms using the Chi-Square test and ordinal logistic regression analysis.ResultsIn 10,989 valid questionnaires, 9,906 college students with no PTSD symptoms, 947 college students with subclinical PTSD symptoms (1–3 items), and 136 college students with four or more PTSD symptoms were screened out. The results showed that media content impacted the mental health of college students in lockdown at home. Positive media content was negatively correlated with PTSD symptoms among college students. PTSD symptoms were not associated with sources of information. Moreover, College students with PTSD symptoms would reduce their willingness to learn and could not complete online learning efficiently.ConclusionPTSD symptoms are related to media exposure and excessive information involvement of COVID-19 in college students, which influences the willingness to attend online classes.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and electrophysiological indicators in postpartum women at 6–8 weeks and explore the influence of demographic characteristics and obstetric factors.Methods: A survey questionnaire collected information about the conditions of women during their pregnancy and puerperal period and their demographic characteristics; pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP-Q) and pelvic floor muscle electrophysiology (EP) examination were conducted in postpartum women at 6–8 weeks.Results: Vaginal delivery was a risk factor for anterior pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (OR 7.850, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.804–10.617), posterior POP (OR 5.990, 95% CI 3.953–9.077), anterior and posterior stage II POP (OR 6.636, 95% CI 3.662–15.919), and postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) (OR 6.046, 95% CI 3.894–9.387); parity was a risk factor for anterior POP (OR 1.397,95% CI 0.889–2.198) and anterior and posterior stage II POP (OR 4.162, 95% CI 2.125–8.152); age was a risk factor for anterior POP (OR 1.056, 95% CI 1.007–1.108) and postpartum UI (OR 1.066, 95% CI 1.014–1.120); body mass index (BMI) was a risk factor for postpartum UI (OR 1.117, 95% CI 1.060–1.177); fetal birth weight was a risk factor for posterior POP (OR 1.465, 95% CI 1.041–2.062); and the frequency of pregnancy loss was a risk factor for apical POP (OR 1.853, 95% CI 1.060–3.237).Conclusion: Pelvic floor muscle EP is a sensitive index of early pelvic floor injury. The changes in muscle strength and fatigue degree coexist in different types of postpartum PFD, and each has its own characteristics.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and deadly malignancies worldwide. Approximately, 80% of patients are initially diagnosed at intermediate or advanced stages, which means that curative therapies are unable to be performed. In most cases, systemic treatment is ineffective, especially when conventional cytotoxic agents are used. Sorafenib has been the only systemic agent proven to be effective in treating advanced HCC for over a decade. The rapid development of immunotherapy has remarkably revolutionized the management of advanced HCC. Besides, the combination of immunotherapy with molecular targeted agents or locoregional treatments is emerging as an effective tool for enhancing immunity. In the review, an overview of immunotherapy and its combination therapies for HCC is presented.

BackgroundLocoregional therapy combined with systemic therapy can further improve the prognoses for HCC. However, the efficacy of TACE combined with ICIs and TKIs for HCC and whether this triple therapy can activate systemic immune response are still unknown.PurposeTo identify the efficacy of TACE+ICIs+TKIs for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) and its effect on systemic immunity.Materials and MethodsThis single-center retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. From August 1, 2019, to March 30, 2021, patients with uHCC who received the combination therapy of TACE+ICIs+TKIs were included. Peripheral blood samples were collected at baseline and once a month for 4 months after treatment. Lymphocyte subsets were measured by flow cytometry. Immunoglobulins were measured using the immune turbidimetric method. The dynamic change trend of circulating parameters was tested using simple linear regression.ResultsFifty-three patients with a mean age of 59 ± 10.6 years were included. TTP was 8.0 months (95% CI, 5.5–10.5) and PFS was 8.5 months (95% CI, 5.4–11.5). ORR was 52.8% and DCR was 81.1%. Twenty patients had completed analysis of biomarkers in peripheral blood. For cellular immune response, the level of circulating CD8+, CD3+ T cells and NK cells increased, the frequency of CD4+T cells and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio decreased, and among them, CD8+ T cells increased significantly. For humoral immune response, there was a significant decrease in B cells and a significant increase in Ig G, Ig κ, and Ig λ. Moreover, Ig G, Ig κ, and Ig λ were related to tumor response.ConclusionTACE+ICIs+TKIs showed considerable efficacy in patients with uHCC. This triple therapy activated not only cell immune but also humoral immune activation. Circulating Ig G, Ig λ, and Ig κ can serve as potential biomarkers.

PurposeTo explore the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).Materials and MethodsFrom August 2019 to July 2020, patients who received TACE combined with ICIs and TKIs were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were recorded. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate time to progression (TTP) and progression-free survival (PFS).ResultsIn total, 31 patients with uHCC were included. Eleven patients were classified as BCLC-C. Nineteen patients had multiple lesions, and the cumulative targeted lesions were 69 mm (range, 21-170 mm) according to mRECIST. Twenty-nine (93%) patients experienced at least one AE during the treatment. Four (12.9%) patients developed AEs of higher grade (grade≥3). The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 64.5% and 77.4%, respectively. The median time to response was 7 weeks (range, 4-30 w), and the duration of response was 17.5 weeks (range, 2-46 w). From the first ICIs, TTP and PFS were 6.5 months (95% CI, 3.5-11) and 8.5 months (95% CI, 3.5-NE), respectively.ConclusionsTACE combined with ICIs and TKIs shows an acceptable safety profile and considerable efficacy in patients with HCC.

BackgroundThough fine-needle aspiration (FNA) improved the diagnostic methods of thyroid nodules, there are still parts of nodules that cannot be determined according to cytology. In the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology, there are two uncertain cytology results. Thanks to the development of next-generation sequencing technology, it is possible to gain the genetic background of pathological tissue efficiently. Therefore, a combination of the cytology and genetic background may enhance the accuracy of diagnosis in thyroid nodules.MethodsDNA from 73 FNA samples of thyroid nodules belonging to different cytology types was extracted and exome sequencing was performed by the ThyroLead panel. Test for BRAF mutation was also performed by ARMS-qPCR. Information including age, sex, preoperative cytology, BRAF mutation status tested by ARMS-qPCR, and surgical pathology was collected in electronic medical record system.ResultsA total of 71 single nucleotide variants, three fusion gene, and two microsatellite instability-high status were detected in 73 FNA samples. BRAF V600E mutation is the most common mutation in these malignant thyroid nodules. After combining the cytology and genetic background detected by next-generation sequencing, the diagnosis sensitivity was increased from 0.582 (95% CI: 0.441–0.711) to 0.855 (95% CI: 0.728–0.930) (P < 0.001) in our group, while the specificity, 1,000 (95% CI: 0.732–1.000) compared to 0.857 (95% CI: 0.562–0.975) (P = 0.25), did not get affected.ConclusionsNext-generation sequencing in thyroid nodules can enhance the preoperative diagnosis sensitivity by fine-needle aspiration alone. It can also provide genetic background for direction of medication. It is possible for clinicians to combine cytology with genetic alterations for a more precise diagnosis strategy of thyroid nodules.

PurposeGiven that the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted operations globally, an institution’s ability to repeat transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has also been affected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 on the intervals and outcomes of TACE in HCC patients.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study included 154 HCC patients who underwent follow-up after TACE treatment from January 2020 to March 2020 (n = 71, study group) and January 2019 to March 2019 (n = 83, control group) at two institutions in China. The endpoints included the follow-up interval and overall response rate (ORR). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for a worse ORR. The cut-off point was determined to divide follow-up durations into long- and short-intervals.ResultsThe median follow-up interval was 82.0 days (IQR, 61–109) in the study group, which was significantly longer than 66.0 days (IQR, 51–94) in the control group (P = 0.004). The ORR was 23.9 and 39.8% in the study and control group, respectively (P = 0.037). The cut-off value was 95 days. The grouping (OR, 2.402; 95% CI, 1.040–5.546; P = 0.040), long interval (OR, 2.573; 95% CI, 1.022–6.478; P = 0.045), and China liver cancer staging system (OR, 2.500; 95% CI, 1.797–3.480; P 95 days tend to have a worse prognosis.

Objectives: To use baseline variables to predict one-year disease control for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with sorafenib as initial treatment by applying a machine learning approach based on the random survival forest (RF) model.Materials and Methods: The multicenter retrospective study included 496 patients with HCC treated with TACE combined with sorafenib between January 2014 and December 2018. The independent risk factors associated with one-year disease control (complete response, partial response, stable disease) were identified using the RF model, and their predictive importance was determined using the Gini index. Tumor response was assessed according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.Results: The median overall survival was 15.5 months. A total of 186 (37.5%) patients achieved positive one-year disease control. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage (Gini index: 20.0), tumor size (≤7 cm, >7 cm; Gini index: 9.0), number of lobes involved (unilobar, bilobar; Gini index: 6.4), alpha-fetoprotein level (≤200 ng/dl, >200 ng/dl; Gini index: 6.1), albumin–bilirubin grade (Gini index: 5.7), and number of lesions (1, >1; Gini index: 5.3) were identified as independent risk factors, with the BCLC stage as the most important variable. The RF model achieved a higher concordance index of 0.724 compared to that for the logistic regression model (0.709).Conclusions: The RF model is a simple and accurate approach for prediction of one-year disease control for patients with HCC treated with TACE combined with sorafenib.

Objectives: To investigate the predictive value of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for outcomes following the combination treatment of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib.Materials and Methods: A total of 314 (270 male and 44 female) treatment-naïve patients with unresectable HCC treated by TACE plus sorafenib between January 2011 and December 2018 were enrolled in the retrospective study. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were obtained within 3–7 days before the initial TACE and the median value of the NLR and PLR was considered as the cut-off value.Results: The median value of NLR and PLR was 2.42 and 100, respectively. The median OS and PFS of the entire cohort were 18.7 months (95% CI: 16.8–20.6) and 9.1 months (95% CI: 8.5–9.8), respectively. The low NLR and PLR group showed improved OS and PFS compared with the high NLR and PLR group [21.8 months (95% CI: 15.2–28.5) vs. 15.4 months (95% CI: 12.4–18.3), p < 0.0001; 21.6 months (95% CI: 15.8–27.5) vs. 14.9 months (95% CI: 11.9–17.8), p = 0.00027, respectively]. In addition, the low NLR and PLR group also provided a longer PFS than the high NLR and PLR group [10.4 months (95% CI: 8.9–12.0) vs. 8.1 months (95% CI: 7.1–9.2), p = 0.00022; 10.3 months (95% CI: 8.6–11.9) vs. 8.2 months (95% CI: 7.2–9.2), p < 0.0001, respectively]. High NLR and PLR at baseline were predictive factors of poor OS (p = 0.02 and p = 0.004) and PFS (p = 0.045 and p = 0.005).Conclusion: This study showed the prognostic value of quantitative inflammatory biomarkers in correlation with OS and PFS in unresectable HCC patients undergoing TACE plus sorafenib treatment.

Objective To explore the feasibility of using random forest (RF) machine learning algorithm in assessing normal and malignant peripheral pulmonary nodules based on in vivo endobronchial optical coherence tomography (EB-OCT). Methods A total of 31 patients with pulmonary nodules were admitted to Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, and underwent chest CT, EB-OCT and biopsy. Attenuation coefficient and up to 56 different image features were extracted from A-line and B-scan of 1703 EB-OCT images. Attenuation coefficient and 29 image features with significant p-values were used to analyze the differences between normal and malignant samples. A RF classifier was trained using 70% images as training set, while 30% images were included in the testing set. The accuracy of the automated classification was validated by clinically proven pathological results. Results Attenuation coefficient and 29 image features were found to present different properties with significant p-values between normal and malignant EB-OCT images. The RF algorithm successfully classified the malignant pulmonary nodules with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 90.41%, 77.87% and 83.51% respectively. Conclusion It is clinically practical to distinguish the nature of pulmonary nodules by integrating EB-OCT imaging with automated machine learning algorithm. Diagnosis of malignant pulmonary nodules by analyzing quantitative features from EB-OCT images could be a potentially powerful way for early detection of lung cancer.

PurposeTo establish albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade-based and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) grade-based nomograms, as well as to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) model to compare the prognostic performance and discrimination of these two grades for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with sorafenib as an initial treatment.MethodsThis multicenter retrospective study included patients from three hospitals between January 2013 and August 2018. In the training cohort, independent risk factors associated with overall survival (OS) were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. The nomograms and ANN were established and then validated in two validation cohorts.ResultsA total of 504 patients (319, 61, and 124 patients from hospitals A, B, and C, respectively) were included. The median OS was 15.2, 26.9, and 14.8 months in the training cohort and validation cohorts 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.218). In the training cohort, both ALBI grade and CTP grade were identified as independent risk factors. The ALBI grade-based and CTP grade-based nomograms were established separately and showed similar prognostic performance and discrimination when validated in the validation cohorts (C-index in validation cohort 1: 0.799 vs. 0.779, P = 0.762; in validation cohort 2: 0.700 vs. 0.693, P = 0.803). The ANN model showed that the ALBI grade had higher importance in survival prediction than the CTP grade.ConclusionsThe ALBI grade and CTP grade have comparable prognostic performance for HCC patients treated with TACE combined with sorafenib. ALBI grades 1 and 2 have the potential to act as a stratification factor for clinical trials on the combination therapy of TACE and systemic therapy.

ObjectivesTo develop and validate a deep learning-based overall survival (OS) prediction model in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib.MethodsThis retrospective multicenter study consisted of 201 patients with treatment-naïve, unresectable HCC who were treated with TACE plus sorafenib. Data from 120 patients were used as the training set for model development. A deep learning signature was constructed using the deep image features from preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography images. An integrated nomogram was built using Cox regression by combining the deep learning signature and clinical features. The deep learning signature and nomograms were also externally validated in an independent validation set of 81 patients. C-index was used to evaluate the performance of OS prediction.ResultsThe median OS of the entire set was 19.2 months and no significant difference was found between the training and validation cohort (18.6 months vs. 19.5 months, P = 0.45). The deep learning signature achieved good prediction performance with a C-index of 0.717 in the training set and 0.714 in the validation set. The integrated nomogram showed significantly better prediction performance than the clinical nomogram in the training set (0.739 vs. 0.664, P = 0.002) and validation set (0.730 vs. 0.679, P = 0.023).ConclusionThe deep learning signature provided significant added value to clinical features in the development of an integrated nomogram which may act as a potential tool for individual prognosis prediction and identifying HCC patients who may benefit from the combination therapy of TACE plus sorafenib.

Sperm DNA damage is recognized as an important biomarker of male infertility. To investigate this, sperm DNA damage was assessed by the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test in semen and motile spermatozoa harvested by combined density gradient centrifugation (DGC) and swim-up in 161 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Semen analysis and sperm DNA damage results were compared between couples who did or did not achieve pregnancy. The sperm DNA damage level was significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05) and was negatively correlated with IVF outcomes. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that it was an independent predictor for achieving clinical pregnancy. The effects of different levels of sperm DNA damage on IVF outcomes were also compared. There were significant differences in day 3 embryo quality, blastocyst formation rate, and implantation and pregnancy rates (P < 0.05), but not in the basic fertilization rate between the two groups. Thus, sperm DNA damage as measured by the SCD appears useful for predicting the clinical pregnancy rate following IVF.

BACKGROUND:Pulmonary embolism (PE) is correlated with increased mortality among patients with lung cancer (LC). The characteristics of patients with LC presenting with PE have not been fully established, and our meta-analysis aims to comprehensively investigate the clinical characteristics associated with PE in patients with LC to help physicians identify PE earlier in these patients. METHODS:Multiple databases were searched, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang. Odds ratios (ORs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used as effect measures for dichotomous and continuous variables, respectively. Moreover, Egger's test, Begg's test and a sensitivity analysis were performed to assess the publication bias and reliability of the articles. RESULTS:In total, 16 studies were included in our meta-analysis. The results indicated that history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.09, 6.15; P = 0.03), adenocarcinoma (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.88, 2.77; P < 0.01), advanced tumour stage (TNM III-IV vs. I-II, OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.99, 2.86; P < 0.01), history of central venous catheter (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.36, 2.78; P < 0.01), history of chemotherapy (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.80, 2.99, P < 0.01), high levels of D-dimer (WMD = 4.31, 95% CI: 2.53, 6.10; P < 0.01) and carcinoembryonic antigen (WMD = 10.30, 95% CI: 9.95, 10.64; P < 0.01) and a low level of partial pressure of oxygen (WMD = -25.97, 95% CI: -31.31, -20.62; P < 0.01) were clinical features of LC patients with PE compared to those without PE. CONCLUSIONS:These results reveal that LC patients with PE have specific clinical features, including but not limited to several cancer- and treatment-related factors, that may help their early identification.

AIM: To investigate the angiogenesis effect and protective mechanism of cordycepin on rhesus macaque choroid-retinal endothelial(RF/6A)cell line cultured in high glucose condition. METHODS: Cultured RF/6A cells were divided into normal control group, high glucose group and high glucose(HG)+ different concentration cordycepin groups(HG+10μg/mL group, HG+50μg/mL group, HG+100μg/mL group). The cell proliferation was assessed using cholecystokinin octapeptide dye after treated for 48h. The cell migration was investigated by a Transwell assay. The tube formation was measured on Matrigel. Furthermore, the impact of cordycepin on high glucose-induced activation of VEGF and VEGF receptor 2(VEGFR-2)was tested by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, cell viability markedly increased in high glucose group(PPPPPPvs normal control group, oppositely gradually decreased with the increase of cordycepin concentrations, and had a statistically significant difference vs high glucose group(PCONCLUSION: Cordycepin can suppress the proliferation, migration and tubu formation of RF/6A in high glucose condition, might via inhibiting expression of VEGF and VEGFR-2.

Ordered domain engineering has been further developed for modifying and improving physical properties in complex perovskite ceramics. In the present work, Ba(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramic is taken as a typical example for ordered domain engineering, in which the sintering temperature lies above the order-disorder transition temperature. Though the well-ordered structure could not be obtained in as-sintered samples, high ordering degree could be achieved together with preferred ordered domain structures in Ba(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics through long-time annealing, and subsequently the physical properties such as electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, dielectric strength and energy storage density are significantly enhanced, where the ordering degree, ordered domain structure and ordered domain boundary play the critical rules. The present work provides an effective approach for developing complex perovskite dielectric ceramics with superior physical properties.

Low-k dielectric materials were prepared by sintering ZSM-5 zeolite powder compacts at temperatures ranged 1200-1300°C, and the microwave dielectric characteristics were investigated together with the structure evolution during sintering. It was failed to obtain ZSM-5 ceramics by high temperature sintering because the densification could never occur below the tolerable temperature and the ordered porous structure completely collapsed above the tolerable temperature. The structure changed from ZSM-5 zeolite to SiO2-Al2O3 glass at 1240°C, and finally to SiO2-based cristobalite ceramics above 1275°C.Alow dielectric constant (2.63-2.78) combined with low dielectric loss (< 0.0005 at 18GHz) and small temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (varied from -18.6 to -8.1 ppm/°C) was achieved in the present materials, and the value of dielectric loss was the lowest one achieved so far in the dielectric materials with a dielectric constant lower than 3. With the structure evolution fromZSM-5 zeolite to SiO2-Al2O3 glass and finally to SiO2-based cristobalite ceramics, the dielectric constant increased from 2.27 to 2.78, while the Qf value indicated a complicated variation tendency, and the higher Qf values were achieved in the amorphous and crystalline states, while significant drop was determined in the partial amorphous state. It should be a great challenge to prepare dense zeolite ceramicswithout collapse of ordered porous structure, and then the ultra-low dielectric constant materials with high Q could be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]