Morphological and proteomic study of waterlogging tolerance in cotton.

Floating seedling cultivation technique is a novel seedling method in cotton and it provides an ideal model to study cotton growing under waterlogging stress. Morphological character and proteomic profile of the primary root from the seedling cultured by the new technology were evaluated in this study. Compared to seedlings cultured by the traditional method, the diameter of the taproot from floating technology is small at all five seedling stages from one-leaf stage to five-leaf stage. There are similar changes between the thickness of cortex and diameter of stele, which increased from the one- to the two-leaf stage but decreased from the two- to the five-leaf stage. At the one-leaf stage, the number and volume of mitochondria in the primary root-tip cells were less than those in the control. At the two-leaf stage, there was significantly less electron-dense material in the primary root-tip cells than those in the control group. From the one- to the two-leaf stage, the vacuole volume was significantly smaller than that in the control. Total 28 differentially expressed proteins were revealed from aquatic and control group roots of cotton seedlings at the three-leaf stage by two-dimensional electrophoresis, which included 24 up-regulated and four down-regulated proteins. The relative expression of the phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) gene in aquatic roots increased from the one- to the four-leaf stage but declined rapidly from the four- to the five-leaf stage. The relative expression of the 14-3-3b gene tended to decrease from the one- to the five-leaf stage. The PGK and 14-3-3b genes were specifically expressed in the aquatic roots at the three-leaf stage. In brief, these changes induced waterlogging resistance in the aquatic roots of cotton seedlings in the floating nursery, thereby causing the roots to adapt to the aquatic environment, promoting the growth and development of cotton seedlings.

PD-1 Inhibitor Aggravate Irradiation-Induced Myocardial Fibrosis by Regulating TGF-ß1/Smads Signaling Pathway via GSDMD-Mediated Pyroptosis.

Cancer therapy has entered a new era with the use of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors. When combined with thoracic radiotherapy, it demonstrates synergistic anti-tumor effects and potentially worsens radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis (RIMF). RIMF is the final stage of radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) and a potentially fatal clinical complication of chest radiotherapy. It is characterized by decreased ventricular elasticity and distensibility, which can result in decreased ejection fraction, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death. Pyroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, is mediated by members of the gasdermin (GSDM) family and has been associated with numerous cardiac disorders. The effect of pyroptosis on myocardial fibrosis caused by a combination of radiotherapy and PD-1 inhibitors remains uncertain. In this study, a 6MV X-ray of 20 Gy for local heart irradiation was used in the RIHD mouse model. We noticed that PD-1 inhibitors aggravated radiation-induced cardiac dysfunction and RIMF, concurrently enhancing the presence of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the cardiac tissue. Additionally, our findings indicated that the combination of PD-1 inhibitor and thoracic radiation can stimulate caspase-1 to cleave GSDMD, thereby regulating pyroptosis and liberating interleukin-8 (IL-18). In the myocardium of mice, the manifestation of pyroptosis mediated by GSDMD is accompanied by the buildup of proteins associated with fibrosis, such as collagen I, transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Moreover, it was discovered that TFG-ß1 induced the phosphorylation of Smad2/Smad3 when the cardiac underwent PD-1 inhibitor in conjunction with thoracic irradiation (IR). The findings of this research indicate that PD-1 inhibitor worsen RIMF in mice by triggering GSDMD-induced pyroptosis and influencing the TGF-ß1/Smads pathway. While using the caspase-1 inhibitor Z-YVAD-FMK, RIMF can be alleviated. Blocking GSDMD may be a viable strategy for managing myocardial fibrosis caused by the combination of PD-1 inhibitors and radiotherapy.

Symptom profiles in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis and their association with quality of life: a longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: Many patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis experience one or multiple symptoms. Using a latent profile analysis to identify symptom profiles may provide insights for person-centered symptom management strategies. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study based on data from patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis at three hospitals in Shanghai, China. Of the 448 patients who completed the surveys at baseline (T1), 309 completed the 12-month follow-up survey (T2). Symptoms and quality of life were measured by the Chinese version of Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36 Short Form. The optimal classification of symptoms was identified using latent profile analysis. RESULTS: Five symptom profiles were identified: High (9.2%), Fatigue and Gastrointestinal (7.1%), Fatigue and Skin (10.7%), Skin (23.2%), and Low (49.8%). The high-symptom profile and the-fatigue-and-skin-symptom profile were associated with a lower level of physical functioning, a higher burden of kidney disease, and more negative effects of kidney disease than the low symptom profile at T1 and T2. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the high-symptom profile predicted a poorer physical functioning at T2, and the-fatigue-and-skin-symptom profile predicted a poorer physical functioning and higher burden of kidney disease at T2. CONCLUSION: Patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis reported unique symptom experiences which could be classified into different profiles. Patients reporting an overall high level of symptoms or a high level of fatigue and skin symptoms were more likely to have a poorer quality of life.

Preliminary results of randomized phase II study of etoposide plus lobaplatin or etoposide plus cisplatin with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy in the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer.

The purpose is to compare the clinical efficacy and toxicity of etoposide plus lobaplatin (EL) or etoposide plus cisplatin (EP) with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy during the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). Forty-two patients with LS-SCLC were randomly divided into EL ( n = 19) or EP ( n = 23) regimens combined with thoracic intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The primary endpoint was 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates in the EL and EP cohorts were 50.8, 38.1, and 12.7%; and 56.5, 43.5, and 29.0%, respectively ( P = 0.527), whereas the 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 72.2, 52.5, and 43.8%; and 73.9, 48.4, and 48.4%, respectively ( P = 0.923). The hematological toxicities were similar in two cohorts. However, gastrointestinal reactions were more severe in the EP group. The incidence of nausea and vomiting in EL and EP cohorts were 31.6% vs. 73.9% ( P = 0.006) and 20.1% vs. 60.9% ( P = 0.009), respectively. The two cohorts did not show ≥grade 4 radiation esophagitis and ≥grade 3 radiation pneumonitis. The incidence of acute radiation esophagitis in EL group was lower ( P = 0.038), both groups showed a similar incidence of radiation pneumonitis ( P = 1.000). EL or EP chemotherapy with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy showed similar PFS and OS. The EL group showed milder gastrointestinal toxicity and radiation esophagitis. Radiation pneumonitis and hematological toxicity were similar in the two regimens, which can be tolerated by patients.

The Effect of PD-1 Inhibitor Combined with Irradiation on HMGB1-Associated Inflammatory Cytokines and Myocardial Injury.

Purpose: To explore the effect of PD-1 inhibitors combined with irradiation on myocardial injury and the changes of HMGB1-associated inflammatory markers. Methods: Four groups of five mice were used, each groupformed by randomly dividing 20 mice (group A control; group B PD-1 inhibitors; group C Irradiation; group D PD-1 inhibitors+irradiation; n = 5 for each). The mice were treated with either PD-1 inhibitors or a 15 Gy dose of single heart irradiation, or both. Hematoxylin-eosin staining assessed the morphology and pathology of heart tissue; Masson staining assessed heart fibrosis; Tunel staining evaluated heart apoptosis; flow cytometry detected CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in heart tissues; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay evaluated IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-ɑ of heart tissue; Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) detected the expression of protein and mRNA of HMGB1, TLR-4, and NF-κB p65 respectively. Results: The degree of heart injury, collagen volume fraction (CVF) and apoptotic index (AI) in groups B, C, and D were higher than group A, but the differences between the CVF and AI of group A and group B were not statistical significance (P>0.05). Similarly, the absolute counts and relative percentage of CD3+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and the concentrations of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in heart tissue with group D were significantly higher than the other groups (P<0.05). In addition, compared with group A, the expression of protein and mRNA of HMGB1 and NF-κB p65 in other groups were higher, and the differences between each group were statistically significant while TLR4 was not. In addition, interaction by PD-1 inhibitors and irradiation was found in inflammatory indicators, especially in the expression of the HMGB1 and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Conclusion: PD-1 inhibitors can increase the expression of HMGB1-associated inflammatory cytokines and aggravate radiation-induced myocardial injury.

Late venous laceration after inappropriate placement of a left internal jugular hemodialysis catheter: a case report.

Central venous catheterization is a necessary and common method of building the circulation pathways of patients with end-stage kidney disease. Venous rupture is a severe and fatal complication of central venous catheterization. We herein present a case of slowly occurring venous rupture after reinsertion of a left internal jugular vein (IJV) catheter. A man in his early 70s was hospitalized with end-stage kidney disease. We inserted a hemodialysis catheter through the left IJV. A short section of the patient's catheter slipped out 1 month later. The original catheter was reinserted at its primary position without a guidewire. The patient reported chest pain and developed hypotension during dialysis the next day. He underwent femoral venous catheter insertion and heparin-free dialysis. The patient finally recovered and underwent regular hemodialysis using an arteriovenous fistula in the left forearm. This is the first reported case of venous laceration after repeated left IJV catheterization. Left IJV catheterization is associated with high rates of complications and should be closely monitored with the help of radiography during and after the operation. Central venous catheters should be carefully placed with clear knowledge of their direction and location to prevent serious complications.

Effect of PD-1 Inhibitor Combined with X-Ray Irradiation on the Inflammatory Microenvironment and Lung Tissue Injury in Mice.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of PD-1 inhibitor on lung tissue morphology and the immune system in a mouse model of radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) and to assess interactions between radiation therapy and PD-1 inhibition. METHODS: Twenty C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into four groups of five mice each. Mice were treated with an anti-mouse PD-1 monoclonal antibody, whole thorax irradiation, both or neither. Lung tissue morphology and pathological changes were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining; lung fibrosis was assessed by Masson staining and analysis of hydroxyproline; CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in lung tissues were detected immunohistochemically; and the concentrations of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lung tissue were evaluated by cytokine multiplex analysis. RESULTS: Lung injury scores and indicators of pulmonary fibrosis were higher in mice administration whole thorax irradiation than in control mice. Inflammatory infiltrate scores, alveoli deformation scores, collagen volume fractions and hydroxyproline contents in lung tissues were all significantly higher in mice administered PD-1 inhibitor plus irradiation than in the other three groups. Similarly, the percentages of CD3+ and CD8+T cells and the concentrations of IL-6 and TGF-ß1 in lung tissue were significantly higher in mice treated with radiation and PD-1 inhibitor than in the other groups. However, PD-1 inhibitor and irradiation interacted significantly only in the elevation of TGF-ß1 level. CONCLUSION: Whole thorax X-ray irradiation in mice can cause pulmonary injury and fibrosis, which could be exacerbated by PD-1 inhibitors. Radiotherapy combined with PD-1 inhibitors may aggravate RILI by synergistically upregulating TGF-ß1 expression, thereby affecting the immune-inflammatory microenvironment in the lungs.

CLINICAL APPLICATION OF RT-PCR IN TUBERCULOSIS DNA DETECTION COMBINED WITH TB-IGRA IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF SPUTUM SMEAR-NEGATIVE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS.

The aim was to investigate detection of pulmonary alveolar lavage fluid tuberculosis DNA by real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with clinical application of the sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis with TB interferon-γ release assay (TB-IGRA). From October 2014 to October 2015, 632 outpatients and inpatients treated in our hospital were randomly selected, of which 459 patients as the research group managed with RT-PCR detection combined with TB-IGRA and 173 patients as the control group undergoing electronic bronchoscopy alveolar lavage fluid detection, with detection results statistically evaluated. The positive rate in the research group was 96.51%, i.e. significantly higher than that in the control group (66.47%), yielding a statistically significant difference (χ2=109.68, p=0.00). The true positive rate was 97.7% in the research group and 67.92% in the control group; the true positive rate was significantly higher in the research group patients as compared with the control group, yielding a statistically significant difference (χ2=112.04, p=0.00). The sensitivity and specificity, as well as Youden index were significantly higher in the research group as compared with the control group. In conclusion, TB DNA detection by RT-PCR combined with TB-IGRA is a very good method of diagnosing tuberculosis, and it can be implemented in clinical diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

A novel amphiphilic motif at the C-terminus of FtsZ1 facilitates chloroplast division.

In bacteria and chloroplasts, the GTPase filamentous temperature-sensitive Z (FtsZ) is essential for division and polymerizes to form rings that mark the division site. Plants contain two FtsZ subfamilies (FtsZ1 and FtsZ2) with different assembly dynamics. FtsZ1 lacks the C-terminal domain of a typical FtsZ protein. Here, we show that the conserved short motif FtsZ1Carboxyl-terminus (Z1C) (consisting of the amino acids RRLFF) with weak membrane-binding activity is present at the C-terminus of FtsZ1 in angiosperms. For a polymer-forming protein such as FtsZ, this activity is strong enough for membrane tethering. Arabidopsis thaliana plants with mutated Z1C motifs contained heterogeneously sized chloroplasts and parallel FtsZ rings or long FtsZ filaments, suggesting that the Z1C motif plays an important role in regulating FtsZ ring dynamics. Our findings uncover a type of amphiphilic beta-strand motif with weak membrane-binding activity and point to the importance of this motif for the dynamic regulation of protein complex formation.

The cross-lagged association between depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis: a three-wave longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To examine the cross-lagged relationship between depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. METHODS: A longitudinal, observational study was conducted in two public hospitals in Shanghai, China. The sample consisted of 204 patients at baseline (T1). Of these, 144 completed the 12-month follow-up survey (T2), and 135 completed the 24-month follow-up survey (T3). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and HRQoL was assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36 short form. Cross-lagged path analysis was used to examine the temporal relationship between depressive symptoms and domains of health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Lower levels of three out of five domains of HRQoL (physical functioning, burden of kidney disease, and symptoms of kidney disease) at T1 were associated with increases in depressive symptoms at T2. Moreover, higher depressive symptoms at T2 were associated with decreases in four domains of HRQoL (mental functioning, burden of kidney disease, symptoms of kidney disease, and effects of kidney disease) at T3. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had poor HRQoL were more likely to report more subsequent depressive symptoms, which in turn predict lower HRQoL over time. It indicates a need to break this cycle in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.

Physical activity and posttraumatic growth in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis: A prospective study.

This study used a prospective design to examine the association between self-reported physical activity and posttraumatic growth (PTG) over a 1-year period among 150 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Transport-related, household, and leisure-time physical activity were positively associated with PTG at baseline and follow-up. Total physical activity could predict higher levels of PTG at follow-up, after controlling for baseline PTG and other covariates. The findings indicate that daily physical activity could be a modifiable behavioral factor associated with PTG among patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Further study is needed using a randomized controlled design and objective measures of physical activity.

Effects of dual plasma molecular adsorption system on liver function, electrolytes, inflammation, and immunity in patients with chronic severe hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of dual plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) on the liver function, electrolytes, inflammation, and immunity in patients with chronic severe hepatitis (CSH). METHODS: Total of 162 patients with CSH treated in our hospital from March 2016 to December 2018 were enrolled and equally randomly divided into control group (n = 81) and observation group (n = 81). The patients in control group were treated with plasma exchange, while those in observation group were additionally treated with DPMAS based on the treatment in control group. The liver function, electrolytes, inflammation, and immunity were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the liver function indexes in observation group were significantly favorable compared with those in control group, with the reduction in TBIL, DBIL, ALT, and rise of CHE levels (P < 0.05). The levels of K+ , Na+ , Cl- , and Ca2+ in both groups were significantly improved after treatment (P < 0.05), although there were no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in both groups declined after treatment compared with those before treatment, and those levels in observation group were higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of cluster of differentiation 3+ (CD3+ ), CD4+ , and CD4+ /CD8+ were higher in observation group than those in control group, with decreasing level of CD8+ (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dual plasma molecular adsorption system can effectively improve the liver function, effectively correct the electrolyte disorders, reduce the inflammatory response, and adjust the immunity in patients with CSH.

Autophagy-related genes affect drug resistance of mycobacteria by regulating autophagy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of autophagy-related gene (ATG) on the drug resistance of mycobacteria by regulating autophagy. METHODS: In the present study, primary macrophages were selected as objects of study. The cell lines with ATG13 and ATG6 interference and stable overexpression were constructed with Crisp/Case technique and verified by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting, and the qualified cells were used for subsequent experiments. Then the above different mutant and wild-type cells were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle medium (DMEM) containing fetal bovine serum for 5 h, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was added, followed by co-culture for 4 h. The cells were treated and co-cultured with isoniazid (INH, 0.05 mg/L), rifampicin (RFP, 0.4 mg/L) and ethambutol (EMB, 25 mg/L) for 3 d. Then the cells were sampled and stained with monodansylcadaverine (MDC), and autophagy was observed. Finally, an appropriate number of cells were taken and cultured in the modified L-G medium, and the bacteria were counted. RESULTS: The results of fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blotting revealed that the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) transcription levels and protein expression levels of ATG13 and ATG6 in cells significantly declined after using Crisp/Case. The MDC staining showed that ATG13 and ATG6 interference could significantly reduce the number of autophagosomes in cells, while ATG13 and ATG6 overexpression could significantly increase the number of autophagosomes in cells. Compared with wild-type cells, the number of mycobacteria was obviously increased in mycobacterium-infected cells with ATG13 and ATG6 interference after they were treated with INH, RFP and EMB, displaying a significant difference (P<0.05), while the number of mycobacteria was obviously decreased in mycobacterium-infected cells with ATG13 and ATG6 overexpression after they were treated with INH, RFP and EMB, also a significant difference (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ATG and other autophagy-related genes can affect the drug resistance of mycobacteria through regulating autophagy.

Transcriptome Analysis of Two Species of Jute in Response to Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)- induced Drought Stress.

Drought stress results in significant crop yield losses. Comparative transcriptome analysis between tolerant and sensitive species can provide insights into drought tolerance mechanisms in jute. We present a comprehensive study on drought tolerance in two jute species-a drought tolerant species (Corchorus olitorius L., GF) and a drought sensitive species (Corchorus capsularis L., YY). In total, 45,831 non-redundant unigenes with average sequence length of 1421 bp were identified. Higher numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were discovered in YY (794) than in GF (39), implying that YY was relatively more vulnerable or hyper-responsive to drought stress at the molecular level; the two main pathways, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and peroxisome pathway, significantly involved in scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 14 unigenes in the two pathways presented a significant differential expression in response to increase of superoxide. Our classification analysis showed that 1769 transcription factors can be grouped into 81 families and 948 protein kinases (PKs) into 122 families. In YY, we identified 34 TF DEGs from and 23 PK DEGs, including 19 receptor-like kinases (RLKs). Most of these RLKs were downregulated during drought stress, implying their role as negative regulators of the drought tolerance mechanism in jute.

Efficacy, safety and administration timing of trastuzumab in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer patients: A meta-analysis.

Trastuzumab has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) positive breast cancer (BC); however, inconsistent results with regards to the long-term survival benefits, safety and optimal administration timing of trastuzumab exist. The present meta-analysis investigated these inconsistencies in patients with HER-2 positive BC that received adjuvant or neoadjuvant trastuzumab. Computerized and manual searches were used to identify eligible randomized control trials (RCTs) to include in the analysis. Based on a fixed or random effects model, hazard and risk ratios were calculated and used to assess the survival advantages and risks of trastuzumab. A total of 14,546 patients from 13 RCTs were included in the analysis; 9 RCTs used an adjuvant setting and 4 RCTs used a neoadjuvant setting. Analysis of RCTs with an adjuvant setting demonstrated that treatment with trastuzumab and chemotherapy in patients with HER-2 positive BC, in comparison with patients receiving chemotherapy alone, improved disease-free survival, overall survival and overall response. However, a higher incidence of neutropenia (P<0.0001), leukopenia (P<0.0001), diarrhea (P=0.002), skin/nail change (P=0.02), left ventricular ejection fraction reduction (P=0.007) and congestive heart failure (P<0.00001) was observed. Notably, the incidence of mortality and cardiac toxicity following concurrent and weekly use of trastuzumab was significantly lower compared to treatment with trastuzumab sequentially and every 3 weeks, respectively. Additionally, trastuzumab improved the pathologic complete response with no additional toxicity in the neoadjuvant setting. The present meta-analysis summarizes that trastuzumab is efficacious in patients with HER-2 positive BC in adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings. Thus, concurrent and weekly administration of trastuzumab is preferable to treatment with trastuzumab sequentially and every 3 weeks. These findings should be considered when using trastuzumab in future clinical practice.

Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoplatelets with Excellent Tribological Properties under High Contact Pressure as Water-Based Lubricant Additives.

High efficient and sustainable utilization of water-based lubricant is essential for saving energy. In this paper, a kind of layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoplatelets is synthesized and well dispersed in water due to the surface modification with oleylamine. The excellent tribological properties of the oleylamine-modified Ni-Al LDH (NiAl-LDH/OAm) nanoplatelets as water-based lubricant additives are evaluated by the tribological tests in an aqueous environment. The modified LDH nanoplatelets are found to not only reduce the friction but also enhance the wear resistance, compared with the water-based cutting fluid and lubricants containing other particle additives. By adding 0.5 wt% LDH nanoplatelets, under 1.5 GPa initial contact pressure, the friction coefficient, scar diameter, depth and width of the wear track dramatically decrease by 83.1%, 43.2%, 88.5% and 59.5%, respectively. It is considered that the sufficiently small size and the excellent dispersion of NiAl-LDH/OAm nanoplatelets in water are the key factors, so as to make them enter the contact area, form a lubricating film and prevent direct collision of asperity peaks. Our investigations demonstrate that the LDH nanoplatelet as a water-based lubricant additive has a great potential value in industrial application.

Nitrogen-doped carbon and high-content alumina containing bi-active cobalt oxides for efficient storage of lithium.

Low-content ultrathin coating of non-active alumina (Al2O3) has been extensively utilized as one of the most effective strategies to improve electrochemical performances of electrodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), however, typically by employing expensive atomic layer deposition equipment. We herein demonstrate a simple preparation of high-content and well-dispersed Al2O3 (24.33wt.%)-containing multi-component composite (CoO/Co3O4/N-C/Al2O3) by calcination of melamine/CoAl-layered double hydroxide (CoAl-LDH) mixture. The resulting composite bundles the advantages expected to improve electrochemical performances: (i) bi-active CoO/Co3O4, (ii) highly conductive N-doped carbon, and (iii) N-doped carbon and high-content non-active Al2O3 as buffering reagents, as well as (iv) good distribution of bi- and non-active components resulted from the lattice orientation and confinement effect of the LDH layers. Electrochemical evaluation shows that the composite electrode delivers a highly enhanced reversible capacity of 1078mAhg(-1) after 50cycles at 100mAg(-1), compared with the bi-active CoO/Co3O4 mixtures with and without non-active Al2O3. Transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy observations and electrochemical impedance spectra experimentally provide the information on the good distributions of multiple components and the improved conductivity underlying the enhancements, respectively. Our LDH precursor-based preparation route may be extended to design and prepare various multi-component transition metal oxides for efficient lithium storage.

Meta-analysis of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy without radiotherapy in early stage non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Many clinical trials have confirmed that postoperative adjuvant therapy can prolong survival of non-small cell lung cancer. However, the efficiency of postoperative chemotherapy without radiotherapy is unclear, especially in early stage (stages I and II). We aimed to assess the effect of postoperative chemotherapy without radiotherapy in early stage patients. METHODS: Databases and manual searches were adopted to identify eligible randomized control trials. Hazard ratio (HR) was used to assess the advantage of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) by fixed or random-effects models. RESULTS: Fourteen trials with 3,923 patients were included based on inclusion criteria. Compared with surgery alone, postoperative chemotherapy significantly improved DFS and OS with HR of 0.71 (P=0.005) and 0.74 (P<0.00001), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed both cisplatin-based (HR: 0.75, P<0.0001) and single tegafur-uracil (UFT) chemotherapy (HR: 0.72, P=0.002) yielded significant survival benefits, but the latter did not improve DFS (HR: 1.04, P=0.81). Indirect treatment comparison showed cisplatin-based chemotherapy was superior to single UFT in DFS, but comparable in OS. The benefits of postoperative chemotherapy were maintained in patients in stage I (HR: 0.74, P<0.00001) and IB (HR: 0.74, P=0.0003), but not in stage IA, although the trend supported chemotherapy (HR: 0.76, P=0.43). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrates that postoperative chemotherapy without radiotherapy improves survival of stage I-II, I, and IB non-small cell lung cancer patients, but not for IA. Meanwhile, efficacy of cisplatin-based chemotherapy is comparable to single UFT in OS, but better in DFS, which should be paid more attention in future clinical practice.

EGCG synergizes the therapeutic effect of cisplatin and oxaliplatin through autophagic pathway in human colorectal cancer cells.

Application of the platinum-based chemotherapy for colorectal cancer is restricted due to its severe cytotoxic effects. In this study we used synergistic strategies by combining (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) with cisplatin or oxaliplatin to minimize the ill effects of platinum-based therapy. MTS assay was used to examine the effect of EGCG, cisplatin and oxaliplatin on the proliferation of human colorectal cancer DLD-1 and HT-29 cells. Autophagic process was evaluated by detection of LC3-II protein, autophagosome formation, and quantification of Acidic Vesicular. Treatment of DLD-1 and HT-29 cells with EGCG plus cisplatin or oxaliplatin showed a synergistic effect on inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of cell death. EGCG enhanced the effect of cisplatin and oxaliplatin-induced autophagy in DLD-1 and HT-29 cells, as characterized by the accumulation of LC3-II protein, the increase of acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs), and the formation of autophagosome. In addition, transfection of DLD-1 and HT-29 cells with siRNA against ATG genes reduced EGCG synergistic effect. Our findings suggest that combining EGCG with cisplatin or oxaliplatin could potentiate the cytotoxicity of cisplatin and oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer cells through autophagy related pathway.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for the distinction of MCF-7 cells treated with different concentrations of 5-fluorouracil.

BACKGROUND: In order to provide personalized treatment to patients with breast cancer, an accurate, reliable and cost-efficient analytical technique is needed for drug screening and evaluation of tumor response to chemotherapy. METHODS: Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was used as a tool to assess cancer cell response to chemotherapy. MCF-7 cells (human breast adenocarcinoma cell line) were treated with different concentrations of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The inhibition of cell proliferation was monitored by MTT, and apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry. Finally, spectra of the cell populations were acquired by ATR-FTIR. RESULTS: The cell response to 5-FU was detectable at different concentrations by ATR-FTIR. First, a band observed at 1741 cm(-1), representing membrane phospholipids, was enhanced with increasing 5-FU concentrations. In addition, the MCF-7 cell spectrum shifted progressively from 1153 to 1170 cm(-1) with increasing drug doses. Finally, the normalized band intensity of 1741 cm(-1)/Amide I was highly correlated with the percentage of apoptotic cells as assessed by partial correlation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the effects of different concentrations of drugs can be monitored by ATR-FTIR, which may help evaluate the response to chemotherapy and improve treatment strategies.