Search

Objectives To retrospectively compare the survival between chemotherapy alone and the combination of chemotherapy and 125I brachytherapy for recurrent cervical cancer (CC) after radical treatment with failure from first-line chemotherapy.Methods Patients with recurrent CC after radical treatment with failure from first-line chemotherapy were collected between January 2007 and December 2016 from the two medical centers, and allocated into 2 groups. Group A underwent second-line chemotherapy alone and Group B received the combination of second-line chemotherapy and 125I brachytherapy. The overall survival (OS) as well as progression free survival (PFS) were evaluated. Propensity score matching (1:1), Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, along with cox proportional hazards regression were performed for survival analysis.Results A matched cohort with Group A (n = 88) and Group B (n = 88) were included. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative PFS rates were 40.9%, 15.9%, 5.7% in Group A and 79.5%, 48.9%, 25.0% in Group B, respectively; and the difference was significant between groups (P = 0.003). Besides, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative OS rates were 67.0%, 27.3%, 5.7% in Group A and 89.8%, 63.6%, 30.7% in Group B, respectively, with significant difference between groups (P Conclusions The combination of chemotherapy and 125I brachytherapy has better therapeutic effect but similar rates of complications compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with locally recurrent CC after radical treatment with failure from first-line chemotherapy.

Electrolytes are widely considered as a key component in Li–O2 batteries (LOBs) because they greatly affect the discharge-charge reaction kinetics and reversibility. Herein, we report that 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) is an excellent electrolyte solvent for LOBs. Comparing with conventional ether and sulfone based electrolytes, it has higher Li2O2 and Li2CO3 solubility, which on the one hand depresses cathode passivation during discharge, and on the other hand promotes the liquid-phase redox shuttling during charge, and consequently lowers the overpotential and improves the cyclability of the battery. However, despite the many advantages at the cathode side, DMI is not stable with bare Li anode. Thus, we have developed a pretreatment method to grow a protective artificial solid-state electrolyte interface (SEI) to prevent the unfavorable side-reactions on Li. The SEI film was formed via the reaction between fluorine-rich organic reagents and Li metal. It is composed of highly Li+-conducting LixBOy, LiF, LixNOy, Li3N particles and some organic compounds, in which LixBOy serves as a binder to enhance its mechanical strength. With the protective SEI, the coulombic efficiency of Li plating/stripping in DMI electrolyte increased from 20% to 98.5% and the fixed capacity cycle life of the assembled LOB was elongated to 205 rounds, which was almost fivefold of the cycle life in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or tetraglyme (TEGDME) based electrolytes. Our work demonstrates that molecular polarity and ionic solvation structure are the primary issues to be considered when designing high performance Li–O2 battery electrolytes, and cross-linked artificial SEI is effective in improving the anodic stability.

7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) is a low-cost redox active organic compound which has high theoretic specific capacity. But when it is used as cathode material in batteries, it always suffers from fast performance decaying because of material dissolution. In this work, Al3+ salt is added in a Na2 SO4 /ZnSO4 aqueous electrolyte to stabilize the crystalline structure of TCNQ and depress its solubility. Surprisingly, we found the insertion/extraction of high valent cations (Al3+ and Zn2+) in TCNQ is highly reversible, which leads to synergistic improvement of both specific capacity and cycle life. The obtained cathode exhibits a reversible capacity of 245.8 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 and a cycle-life of 1000 rounds at 3 A g-1 . Our work demonstrates that molecular organic electrode materials are very different from conventional inorganic cathode materials in terms of high valent cation intercalation reversibility. Adding high valent cation salts is a simple and effective way to enhance the electrochemical performance of molecular organic electrode materials, and consequently build low cost, high performance aqueous rechargeable batteries.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Dapagliflozin (Da) on the disorders of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by high glucose and high fat (HG/HF). Methods: Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to detect the SGLT-2 expression in thoracic aortic tissues. After transfected with overexpressed plasmid SLC5A2, autophagy and cell functions of HUVECs were detected with the treatment of autophagy inhibitor 3-MA (5 mM). HUVECs were exposed to mannitol (MAN), glucose/palmitate (Hg/PA), and Hg/PA/Da for 24 h, and the proliferation of HUVECs was detected by CCK-8. The protein expression levels, endothelial cell functions (cell proliferation, migration, tubular formation, apoptosis, and autophagy) in endothelial cells were evaluated. Results: The SGLT-2 expression was found in atherosclerotic human thoracic aorta tissues and HG/PA induced HUVECs (PPPPConclusions: Dapagliflozin can improve the dysfunction of high glucose/high fat-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells by downregulate autophagy through inhibiting SGLT-2.

The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with microwave ablation (MWA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria in challenging locations. This study retrospectively investigated 201 consecutive patients with Milan criteria HCCs who underwent RFA (RFA group, n = 150) or MWA (MWA group, n = 51) between January 2012 and December 2016. Overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), local tumor control, and treatment-related complications were compared between the two groups. Prognostic factors were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Median follow-up duration was 36.7 months (range: 6.2–64.0 months). Cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 97.9%, 92.3%, and 80.6% in the MWA group and 96.4%, 87.4%, and 78.2% in the RFA group, respectively, (P = 0.450). Cumulative RFS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 93.2%, 74.4%, and 63.7% in the MWA group and 80.3%, 57.3%, and 49.6% in the RFA group, respectively, (P = 0.097). Multivariate analyses showed that variable categories “patient age above 65 years” (P = 0.004) and “more than one tumor” (P = 0.004) were associated with overall mortality, and “patient age above 65 years” (P = 0.048) and “tumor size greater than 3 cm” (P = 0.009) were associated with inferior RFS. The incidences of major complications were not significantly different between the two groups (3.3% vs 3.9%, P = 0.843). RFA and MWA were associated with comparable safety and efficacy for HCC within the Milan criteria in challenging locations. Further study in a large, multi-center patient cohort is necessary to validate the results.

ObjectivesWe aimed to compare the therapeutic outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) as first-line therapies in patients with small single perivascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsA total of 144 eligible patients with small (≤ 3 cm) single perivascular (proximity to hepatic and portal veins) HCC who underwent RFA (N= 70) or MWA (N= 74) as first-line treatment were included. The overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and local tumor progression (LTP) rates between the two ablation modalities were compared. The inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method was used to reduce selection bias. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the type of hepatic vessels.ResultsAfter a median follow-up time of 38.2 months, there were no significant differences in OS (5-year OS: RFA 77.7% vs. MWA 74.6%;p= 0.600) and DFS (5-year DFS: RFA 24.7% vs. MWA 40.4%;p= 0.570). However, a significantly higher LTP rate was observed in the RFA group than the MWA group (5-year LTP: RFA 24.3% vs. MWA 8.4%;p= 0.030). IPTW-adjusted analyses revealed similar results. The treatment modality (RFA vs. MWA: HR 7.861, 95% CI 1.642–37.635,p= 0.010) was an independent prognostic factor for LTP. We observed a significant interaction effect of ablation modality and type of peritumoral vessel on LTP (p= 0.034). For patients with periportal HCC, the LTP rate was significantly higher in the RFA group than in the MWA group (p= 0.045). However, this difference was not observed in patients with perivenous HCC (p= 0.116).ConclusionsIn patients with a small single periportal HCC, MWA exhibited better tumor control than RFA.Key Points• Microwave ablation exhibited better local tumor control than radiofrequency ablation for small single periportal hepatocellular carcinoma.• There was a significant interaction between the treatment effect of ablation modality and type of peritumoral vessel on local tumor progression.• The type of peritumoral vessel is vital in choosing ablation modalities for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives To develop a clinicopathological‐based nomogram to improve the prediction of the seeding risk of after percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA) in primary liver carcinoma (PLC). Methods A total of 2030 patients with PLC who underwent PTA were included between April 2009 and December 2018. The patients were grouped into a training dataset (n = 1024) and an external validation dataset (n = 1006). Baseline characteristics were collected to identify the risk factors of seeding after PTA. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model based on the risk factors was used to develop the nomogram, which was used for assessment for its predictive accuracy using mainly the Harrell's C‐index and receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results The median follow‐up time was 30.3 months (range, 3.2‐115.7 months). The seeding risk was 0.89% per tumor and 1.5% per patient in the training set. The nomogram was developed based on tumor size, subcapsular, α‐fetoprotein (AFP), and international normalized ratio (INR). The 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year cumulative seeding rates were 0.1%, 0.7% and 1.2% in the low‐risk group, and 1.7%, 6.3% and 6.3% in the high‐risk group, respectively, showing significant statistical difference (P, Seeding on the thoracoabdominal wall from primary liver carcinoma is a potential complication after percutaneous thermal ablation. Seeding risk is a liver ablation complication that affects future oncology management. A calibrated and objective model to predict seeding risk after liver ablation may guide patient selection and ablation treatment.

Zhimei Huang,1 Mengxuan Zuo,1 Jiayan Ni,1 Yangkui Gu,1 Tianqi Zhang,1 Yiquan Jiang,1 Shuiqing Zhuo,2 Chao An,1 Jinhua Huang1 1Department of Minimal Invasive Intervention, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jinhua Huang; Chao AnDepartment of Minimal Invasive Intervention, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651, Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86-20-87343447Email huangjh@sysucc.org.cn; anchao@sysucc.org.cnObjective: Based on the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) grade to assess the long-term outcomes of patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transarterial chemoembolization combined with cryoablation (TACE-CRA).Materials and Methods: We studied 86 patients with HCC nodules (up to 3 HCCs with maximum diameters of 4.1– 12.0 cm) who subsequently underwent TACE-CRA from July 2007 to August 2018. The overall survival (OS) was compared between groups classified by ALBI and PALBI grade. Baseline characteristics were collected to identify the risk factors for determination of poor OS after TACE-CRA. The prognostic performances of CTP class, ALBI and PALBI grade were compared.Results: After a median follow-up time of 33.8 months, 41 patients had died. The cumulative1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 74.5%, 38.0% and 29.3%, respectively. Stratified according to ALBI grade, the cumulative 3- and 5-year OS rates were 41.2% and 41.2% in grade 1, respectively, and 20.9% and 9.8% in grades 2– 3, respectively (P < 0.001). Stratified according to PALBI grade, the cumulative 3- and 5-year OS rates were 41.2% and 37.5% in grade 1, respectively, and 36.3% and 21.2% in grades 2– 3, respectively (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis results showed that older age, and ALBI grade 2– 3 were associated with overall mortality. ALBI grade demonstrated significantly greater area under the curve values than CTP class and PALBI in predicting 1-, 3- and 5-year OS.Conclusion: ALBI grade offers accurate prediction of long-term outcome for patients with HCC (diameter > 4 cm) after TACE-CRA.Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, transarterial chemoembolization, cryoablation, albumin-bilirubin, platelet-albumin-bilirubin

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization (TAE) in simultaneous combination with computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for recurrent or residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to determine the risk factors influencing local tumor progression following this procedure. Methods: One hundred eighteen patients with recurrent or residual HCC (tumor size, 10–30 ​mm) underwent RFA. During the 19-month follow-up, 59 patients received RFA only (RFA group), and the remaining 59 received RFA immediately after TAE (TAE ​+ ​RFA group). All patients were followed up to observe the short-term therapeutic effects and complications. The cumulative local tumor progression rates in both groups were calculated using unpaired Student’s t tests and the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The rate of major complications was 5.08% in the TAE ​+ ​RFA group and 3.39% in the RFA group. The overall response rate was 96.61% in the TAE ​+ ​RFA group and 79.66% in the RFA group (P ​= ​0.008). The disease control rate was significantly higher in the TAE ​+ ​RFA group than in the RFA group (94.92% vs. 79.66%, P ​= ​0.024). The median time to local tumor progression was 4.8 months in the RFA group and 9.6 months in the TAE ​+ ​RFA group. The cumulative local tumor progression rate at 1 year was 10.60% in the RFA group and 23.60% in the TAE ​+ ​RFA group (P ​= ​0.016). Conclusion: TAE in simultaneous combination with CT-guided RFA was effective and safe against recurrent or residual HCC. Local tumor progression can be minimized by the complete ablation of targeted iodized oil deposits after simultaneous TAE. Keywords: Transarterial embolization, Computed tomography-guided, Recurrent, Residual, Hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation(CT-RFA) combined with transarterial embolization(TAE) assisted by a three-dimensional visualization ablation planning system(3DVAPS) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in challenging locations. Methods Data from 62 treatment-naive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), with 83 lesions in challenging locations, and who met the Milan criteria and underwent CT-RFA between June 2013 and June 2016 were reviewed. Patients were divided into one of two groups according to different treatment modalities: study group (TAE combined with RFA assisted by 3DVAPS [n = 32]); and control (RFA only [n = 30]). Oncological outcomes included ablation-related complications, local tumor progression (LTP), and overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors associated with LTP and OS. Results HCC lesions (mean size, 1.9 ± 1.0 mm in diameter) abutting the gastrointestinal tract (n = 25), heart and diaphragm (n = 21), major vessels (n = 13), and gallbladder (n = 3) were treated. A significant difference was detected in LTP between the two groups (P = 0.034), with no significant difference in OS between the two groups (P = 0.193). There were no severe complications related to ablation. Univariate analysis revealed that sex (P = 0.046) and child-turcotte-pugh (CTP) grade (PPP = 0.005) was independently associated with poor OS, and RFA alone (P Conclusion CT-RFA combined with TAE assisted by a 3DVAPS provided ideal clinical efficiency for HCC in challenging locations and was a highly safe treatment modality.

The development of high-energy-density lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs) is hindered by the poor stability of lithium metal anodes. Lithium fluoride (LiF) was reported as an effective solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) component to enhance the stability of lithium anodes. It is desirable to improve the quality of LiF based SEIs to bear the volume expansion during the cycling process. In this work, a uniform and highly dense LiF-rich artificial SEI consisting of LiF nanoparticles close to Li with organic sulfonates wrapped on the outside is fabricated on a Li surface via the reaction of a fluorinated agent perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) with lithium hydroxide. The reaction conditions are mild and the formed dense and insulating LiF-rich layer can prevent the thickening of the SEI film during cycling. With such a PFOSF treatment, the interface stability of lithium anodes is largely improved. The lithium dendrite growth is significantly suppressed and the corrosion in O2-rich electrolytes is alleviated. The PFOSF treated Li‖Li cells show stable polarization voltage and long cycle life up to 1700 h in an Ar and 900 h in an O2 atmosphere. Moreover, the Li–O2 battery with the PFOSF treated lithium anode shows excellent cyclability up to 185 cycles at a fixed capacity of 1000 mA h g−1, which is more than 4 times longer than that of pristine Li anodes.

Objectives To develop and validate the nomograms to predict survival outcomes after microwave ablation (MWA) in elderly patients(>65 years old) with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (EHCC). Methods This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. A total of 265 EHCC patients (76 females, 189 males; average age 71.4 years ± 5.4 [standard deviation]) with 345 nodules subsequently underwent MWA from April 2006 to October 2019. Baseline characteristics were collected to identify the risk factors for the determination of survival outcomes after MWA. The nomograms were based on prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) from the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model and validated in external cohorts from another two institutions (n = 130). The nomograms were assessed for their predictive accuracy using Harrell’s concordance index (C-index). Results After a median follow-up time of 28.6 months, 29.8% (79/265) of the patients died, and 54.3% (144/265) of the patients experienced recurrence in the training set. The OS nomogram was developed based on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) presence, α-fetoprotein (AFP), and albumin, with a C-index of 0.757 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.645, 0.789).The scores of the nomogram ranged from 0 to 24. The RFS nomogram was developed based on tumor number, abutting major vessels and platelets, with a C-index of 0.733 (CI: 0.672, 0.774). The likelihood of 3- and 5-year OS and RFS were consistent between clinical observations and nomogram predictions in external cohorts. Conclusions The nomogram models can be useful in determining the risk of OS and RFS in elderly patients with EHCC after MWA, which can guide individual patient management.Key points MWA is an effective and feasible treatment for elderly patients with EHCC and can improve survival outcomes. A calibrated and objective nomogram model for the prediction of survival outcomes in elderly patients (>65 years old) may guide patient selection and MWA treatment. Older age was not deemed to be a risk factor for survival outcomes when the elderly patients with EHCC underwent MWA.

Owing to the high sensitivity, excellent programmability, and flexible obtainment through in vitro selection, RNA-cleaving DNAzymes have attracted increasing interest in developing DNAzyme-based sensors. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on DNAzyme-based sensing applications. We initially conclude two general strategies to expand the library of DNAzmes, in vitro selection to discover new DNAzymes towards different targets of interest and chemical modifications to endue the existing DNAzymes with new function or properties. We then discuss the recent applications of DNAzyme-based sensors for the detection of a variety of important biomoleucles both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, perspectives on the challenges and future directions in the development of DNAzyme-based sensors are provided.

567 Background: Blank-microsphere transarterial chemoembolization (bTACE) has been demonstrated to have great efficacy, low toxicities and few adverse events. We report results of efficacy, safety and immunomodulatory effects from a phase II study of bTACE plus low-dose Lenvatinib (LD-LEN) and sequential microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma (L-HCC, ≥ 7 cm). Methods: Patients with large HCC with tumor number ≤ 3 and tumor diameter ≥ 7 cm (BCLC stage A/B) were treated with bTACE plus LD-LEN (4-8mg/day) and sequential MWA. bTACE was performed using blank microspheres and low-dose chemotherapeutic agents. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated before and after b-TACE plus LD-LEN for the evaluation of immunomodulatory effects. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) per modified-RECIST (mRECIST) criteria. Secondary endpoints included progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), down-staging rate (DSR), complications and adverse events (AEs). Results: From November 2019 to March 2022, a total of 46 patients were enrolled in the study. The ORR per mRECIST was 93.02% (CR, n=26; PR, n=14) and DSR was 83.7 (36/43). Eight patients reached CR without MWA. The 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 89.4% and 67.5%, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year PFS rates were 57.8% and 34.8%, respectively. The median PFS were 16.7 months (95% CI, 8.6-not reached). The majority of the AEs observed were grade 1-2 (n = 21, 48.8%) and no treatment related death was observed. PBMC samples from 18 patients undergoing bTACE plus LD-LEN were investigated. Among myeloid cell populations, we observed a marked decline after treatment in CD11b+CD33+HLA-DR- MDSCs ( p +CD8+ and CXCR5+CD4+ T cells were found after treatment ( p < 0.005), exerting anti-tumor immunity. Conclusions: From November 2019 to March 2022, a total of 46 patients were enrolled in the study. The ORR per mRECIST was 93.02% (CR, n=26; PR, n=14) and DSR was 83.7 (36/43). Eight patients reached CR without MWA. The 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 89.4% and 67.5%, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year PFS rates were 57.8% and 34.8%, respectively. The median PFS were 16.7 months (95% CI, 8.6-not reached). The majority of the AEs observed were grade 1-2 (n = 21, 48.8%) and no treatment related death was observed. PBMC samples from 18 patients undergoing bTACE plus LD-LEN were investigated. Among myeloid cell populations, we observed a marked decline after treatment in CD11b+CD33+HLA-DR- MDSCs ( p +CD8+ and CXCR5+CD4+ T cells were found after treatment ( p < 0.005), exerting anti-tumor immunity. Clinical trial information: NCT05555316 .

Live cell imaging of RNAs is crucial to interrogate their fundamental roles in various biological processes. The highly spatiotemporal dynamic nature of RNA abundance and localization has presented great challenges for RNA imaging. Genetically encodable tagging and sensing (GETS) systems that can be continuously produced in living systems have afforded promising tools for imaging and sensing RNA dynamics in live cells. Here we review the recent advances of GETS systems that have been developed for RNA tagging and sensing in live cells. We first describe the various GETS systems using MS2-bacteriophage-MS2 coat protein, pumilio homology domain and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9/13 for RNA labeling and tracking. The progresses of GETS systems for fluorogenic labeling and/or sensing RNAs by engineering light-up RNA aptamers, CRISPR-Cas9 systems and RNA aptamer stabilized fluorogenic proteins are then elaborated. The challenges and future perspectives in this field are finally discussed. With the continuing development, GETS systems will afford powerful tools to elucidate RNA biology in living systems.

Understanding the spatial distribution pattern change and driving factors behind ecosystem health is essential to ecosystem management and restoration. However, in the research of regional ecosystem health, there is little research on ecosystem health in coastal regions, and there is little exploration of its temporal and spatial pattern change and its driving factors. In this study, we use the Vigor-Organization-Resilience-Services (VORS) model and marine ecosystem health index to diagnose the ecosystem health of the whole coastal area of China over the last 20 years, and find the main contributing factors affecting ecosystem health with the help of geographic detectors and geographic weighted regression analysis. Our results show that: (1) the ecosystem health level in the south of the coastal region is higher than that in the north, mainly with 30° north latitude as the main dividing line. (2) The regions with high change rate are mainly concentrated in Bohai Bay, the Yangtze River Estuary, Hangzhou Bay and the Pearl River Estuary, and the change is mainly negative. (3) Both natural and human factors have an impact on ecosystem health, and the influencing factors are different on different scales. The interaction between different factors is greater than the impact of a single factor on ecosystem health. The study puts forward a new evaluation framework for the study of ecosystem health in coastal areas, which can be applied to other coastal areas with similar conditions, and can help the sustainable and healthy development of coastal areas.

Chemical/electrochemical stability at the interfaces greatly affects the performance of solid-state batteries (SSBs). However, the interfacial behavior in SSBs remains elusive due to the subsurface nature of interfaces and the lack of proper characterization methods. Herein, ultrasonic imaging technology is employed to non-destructively investigate the interfacial stability in solid-state pouch cells. Benefiting from the high sensitivity of ultrasound to the gas/vacuum, in-situ ultrasonic imaging can effectively probe the inner gas release and interfacial degradation in pouch cells during long-term cycling. The safety issue of SSBs is highlighted by the flammable gas release detected in ultrasonic images. And the increased interfacial resistance either from contact loss or passivation layer growth is well distinguished. The gradual oxidation and gassing at the cathode interface are tracked by ultrasonic imaging, which leads to the capacity fading of SSBs. The ultrasonic imaging technology is demonstrated to be a powerful tool to evaluate the interfacial stability in SSBs, which can guide the rational design of interfaces and enhance the performance of SSBs.

Electrolytes are widely considered as a key component in Li-O

Although Li-air batteries have superhigh theoretical energy density, their practical application is still a big challenge especially when operated in regular air. At this point, it is crucial to avoid side reactions induced by the moisture in the air. Thus, an oxygen selectively permeable membrane is desirable. Herein, we introduce an oxygen-permeating waterproof membrane based on perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a non-volatile hydrophobic liquid compound with high oxygen solubility. With protection of the PFPE-wetted Celgard membrane, the stability of both lithium metal and lithium peroxide is significantly improved. Meanwhile, the evaporation of organic electrolyte solvent is greatly suppressed. As a result, the Li-air cell is able to run 144 cycles over 58 days in ambient air with ~ 30% relative humidity.

Core-shell nanomaterials (CSNs) have achieved huge popularity due to multifunctional properties achieved by manipulation of core or shell materials. This review highlights recent development in CSNs based sensing devices such as electrochemical sensors, optical sensors, wearable sensing devices, and gas adsorptive sensors, which find potential applications in numerous fields ranging from industrial, clinical, biological, environmental and food analysis. Furthermore, flexible and high deformation monitoring piezoresistive wearable sensors based on CSNs are found to be promising for monitoring of human physiological parameters and other body movements. Various synthetic strategies with a modern classification approach are explained with suitable examples. Several interesting properties of CSNs including high surface area, high conductivities, and high ion transport properties with biocompatibilities are best suited for developing ideal sensing devices. Future research directions with motivated research are highlighted in the conclusion part.

Aqueous batteries are suitable for large scale energy storage due to cost and safety concerns. Among all aqueous batteries, rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion battery is a promising choice because zinc electrode has low equilibrium potential, high exchange current density, and high hydrogen evolution overpotential. However, since zinc ion is a divalent cation, it is difficult to find a cathode material in which zinc ion can reversibly insert and extract. In this work, we introduce a novel V2O5 nanopaper consisting of V2O5 nanofibers and carbon nanotubes as reversible Zn-ion cathode. V2O5 has a layered crystalline structure. The spaces between the oxide layers may serve as 2-dimensional diffusion pathways for Zn ions. Meanwhile, the nanofiber morphology endows the material with short ionic diffusion distance and may tolerate high volume change. As a result, the V2O5 nanopaper cathode delivers a high capacity of 375 mAh g−1 and long cycle life up to 500 cycles.

BACKGROUND To report on the use of percutaneous hydrochloric acid (HCl) enhanced radiofrequency ablation (HRFA) for the treatment of large (maximum diameter ≥ 5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe. CASE SUMMARY Between August 2013 and June 2016, three patients with a large HCC (maximum diameter: 5.0, 5.7, and 8.1 cm) in the caudate lobe were treated by transarterial chemoembolization followed by computer tomography (CT) guided RFA using a monopolar perfusion RF electrode, which was enhanced by local infusion of 10% HCl at 0.2 mL/min (total volume, 3 to 12 mL). The output power of HRFA reached 100 W, and the average ablation time was 39 min (range, 15 to 60 min). Two patients each underwent one session of HRFA and one patient two sessions. After treatment, CT/magnetic resonance imaging showed that all the three lesions were completely ablated. There was no major complication. Two patients had asymptomatic bile duct dilatation. One patient died of tongue cancer 24 mo after ablation. The remaining two patients were alive and no area of enhancement is detected in the caudate lobe at 28 and 60 mo after ablation, respectively. CONCLUSION Percutaneous CT-guided HRFA is safe and efficacious in treating large HCC in the caudate lobe.

In this work, metallic copper serving as a high-performance cathode in lithium-ion based carbonate electrolyte has been demonstrated. Computational modelling and in-situ ultraviolet-visible spectra confirm that Cu cathode experiences a two-electrons redox reaction: Cu ↔ Cu2+ + 2e⁻ during charge/discharge process. By using one-dimensional (1D) nano-structure design and surface modification strategy, the Cu cathode delivers a reversible capacity of 635 mAh/gCu with a high output voltage of 3.61 V and affords a superior rate capability. With Li4Ti5O12 as anode, a Cu/Li4Ti5O12 full cell exhibits a discharge capacity of 601 mAh/gCu and an energy density of 1202 Wh/kgCu. The strategy of using metallic Cu as cathode in lithium-ion batteries is quite simple and broadly applicable, which may provide new opportunities for many other non-aqueous rechargeable batteries.

Objective: To investigate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of adjuvant cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells to minimally invasive therapies in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC). Materials and Methods: Hundred patients diagnosed with having u-HCC in our department from January 1, 2001, to July 31, 2018, were recruited. Forty-three patients received microwave ablation (MWA) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) together with autologous CIK cell treatment (TACE + MWA + CIK group), whereas 57 patients received TACE and MWA only (TACE + MWA group). Postprocedural complications and cumulative therapeutic effects were assessed in all patients. The disease control rate, median survival time (MST), and cumulative survival rate were compared between the cohorts using the Kaplan–Meier method and unpaired Student's t-tests. Results: The overall response (complete response [CR] + partial response [PR]) rate was 74.42% (32/43) and 77.19% (44/57) for TACE + MWA + CIK and TACE + MWA groups, respectively (P = 0.243). Those of the TACE + MWA + CIK group had better rates of disease control (CR + PR + stable disease) in contrast to the TACE + MWA group (87.72% vs. 79.07%, respectively) but this failed to achieve statistical significance (P = 0.748). Based on the Kaplan–Meier survival graphs, those of the TACE + MWA + CIK groups possessed markedly increased overall survival (41 months vs. 24 months, P = 0.002) and progression-free survival (17 months vs. 10 months, P = 0.023) rates in compared to the TACE + MWA group. Survival rates were raised also TACE + MWA + CIK group than in TACE + MWA group (P = 0.002), with a MST of 6.13 ± 0.83 months and 11.61 ± 1.59 months in the TACE + MWA + CIK and TACE + MWA groups, respectively. Patients in the TACE + MWA + CIK group were not reported to have any severe complications. Conclusion: CIK cell immunotherapy as an adjuvant to TACE and MWA enhanced long-term prognosis and improved quality of life in patients with u-HCC. This regimen may be recommended as a novel treatment regime in u-HCC patients.

To evaluate the incidence, risk factors and clinical significance of four types of tumor progression (TP) after microwave ablation (MWA) of single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of p = 0.492, 0.971, 0.681 and 0.219). Univariate analysis showed that age (p < 0.001, hazard ratio [HR] = 2.783), comorbidities (p = 0.042, HR = 1.864), IDR, AIR and EDR (p = 0.027, HR = 1.719; p = 0.001, HR = 3.628; p = 0.009, HR = 2.638) were independently associated with OS. Multivariate analysis showed older age (p < 0.001, HR = 2.478), the occurrence of AIR (p < 0.001, HR = 2.648) and the occurrence of EDR (p = 0.002, HR = 2.222), were associated with poor OS. The occurrence rate of IDR is the highest of all TPs following MWA of a single HCC of

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) replicates in the cytoplasm and disintegrates the host genome or participates in recombination, and has a strong affinity for tumor cells. These characteristics make it safer and more attractive than retroviruses or certain other DNA viruses, and one of the most potential oncolytic viruses used in oncolytic therapy. The construction of recombinant NDV (rNDV) using reverse genetics technology with NDV as a gene delivery vector has also enabled NDV in gene therapy approaches for treating cancer and other diseases. rNDV can not only stably express exogenous therapeutic genes, but also enhance the ability of the virus to kill tumor cells and induce host anti-tumor immune response. This article reviews the molecular characteristics, anti-tumor mechanisms, and the applications of NDV in cancer therapy.

Oxymatrine (OMT), a natural quinoxaline alkaloid extracted from the root of Sophora flavescens, presents amounts of pharmacological properties including immunomodulation, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and anti-virus. Recent studies tend to focus on its effects on neuroinflammation and neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease (PD) due to its profound anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of OMT were investigated in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-stimulated mice and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced mice primary microglia. Additionally, mice primary neuron-microglia co-cultures and primary microglia infected with Cathepsin D (CathD)-overexpressed lentivirus were used to clarify whether the neuroprotective effect of OMT was through a CathD-dependent pathway. Results showed that OMT dose-dependently alleviated MPTP-induced motor deficits and conferred significant dopamine (DA) neuroprotection against MPTP/MPP+-induced neurotoxicity. In addition, OMT inhibited MPTP/MPP+-induced microglia activation and the pro-inflammatory cytokines release. Further, OMT down-regulated the expression of CathD, and inhibited the activation of the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway as well as the nuclear translocation of NF-κB both in vivo and in vitro. It is worth noting that overexpression of CathD reversed OMT-targeted inhibition of HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling and OMT-produced neuroprotection in reconstituted neuron-microglia co-cultures. Our findings indicated that OMT conferred DA neuroprotection and attenuated microglial-mediated neuroinflammation through CathD-dependent inhibition of HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our study supports a potential role for OMT in ameliorating PD, and proposes that OMT may be useful in the treatment of PD.

Effector memory T cells (TEM) are a subset of memory T cells which play an important role in stimulation of adaptive immunity. Although they are associated with multiple immune responses, the antitumor effect of TEM is not clearly understood. In this research, generation of anti-tumor TEM was induced through skin allografts in C57BL/6 mice with B16 melanoma. We observed that the growth of tumor tissues in C57BL/6 mice treated with allografts was interrupted. Furthermore, the survival time for the treated mice was prolonged along with increased serum levels for CXCL9, CXCL10 and INF-γ. Additionally, the concentrations of TEM in the spleens, lymph nodes and tumor tissues were markedly elevated in allografts treated mice. The tumor cell proliferation and tissue growth were suppressed in C57BL/6 mice with B16 melanoma induced by allografts, upon tail vein injection of purified TEM. These results demonstrate that skin allografts promote the generation of anti-tumor TEM in C57BL/6 mice with B16 melanoma, which emphasize the strong promise of TEM stimulation using allografts transplants in effective tumor immunotherapy.

The development of the rechargeable Li–O2 battery (LOB) has encountered several bottlenecks till date. One of the biggest challenges is to lower the oxidation potential of Li2O2, which is the insulating and insoluble discharge product. A possible solution to this problem is to use high acceptor number (AN) or donor number (DN) solvents to increase the solubility of Li2O2, so that the dissolved Li2O2 can diffuse to the cathode surface and get oxidized at a relatively low potential. Herein, we explored the efficiency and side-reactions in the LOB charge process with different Li2O2 soluble electrolytes. The relationship between the solubility of Li2O2 and charging rate was analyzed quantitatively with ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and rotating disk electrode experiments. As a result, electrolytes with high AN usually have higher solubility for Li2O2 than electrolytes with high DN, and thus exhibit higher Li2O2 oxidation rates. Nevertheless, higher Li2O2 solubility in high AN electrolytes also induces more severe side reactions and easily passivates the electrode surface. The trade-off between charging reaction rate and electrolyte stability is a key issue to be considered when designing high performance LOB electrolytes.

Non-aqueous lithium-oxygen battery is considered as the next-generation battery because it has the highest theoretic energy density among all rechargeable batteries. But its discharge product Li 2 O 2 is difficult to be oxidized back in the charge process, which causes high charge overpotential, serious electrolyte decomposition and poor cyclability. An effective way to solve this problem is adding redox mediator (RM) in the electrolyte to catalyze the charge reaction via redox shuttle process. However, the reaction kinetics between the oxidized RM and Li 2 O 2 is seldom reported. Here, taking iodine species as the model RM, we find that the efficiency of the solution phase catalysis is limited by the reaction rate between the oxidized RM and Li 2 O 2 , which is largely dependent on the electrolyte solvent. Protic solvents, such as water and alcohols lead to high reaction rate because of the hydrogen bond-assisted solvation of Li 2 O 2 . However, too high proton activity may also bring unwanted peroxide disproportionation. Among a series of alcohols, n-butanol is found to show proper proton activity and significantly promote the efficiency of the redox shuttle process. To prove the electrochemical mechanisms, this paper also introduces a Li 2 O 2 -graphite cell to evaluate the reversibility of cathodic reaction. Comparing with conventional cycling tests with excess lithium metal anode, the Li 2 O 2 -graphite configuration can eliminate the “fake reversible capacity” caused by parasitic cathodic reactions, and thus is more reliable.