CircSOD2: Disruption of intestinal mucosal barrier function in ulcerative colitis by regulating the miR-378g/Snail1 axis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been found to mediate ulcerative colitis (UC) progression by regulating intestinal mucosal barrier function. However, the role of circSOD2 in UC process and its underlying molecular mechanism still need to be further elucidated. METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Caco2 cells were used to mimic UC cell models. CircSOD2, miR-378g, and Snail1 levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell viability was detected using MTT assay, and inflammatory cytokine levels were measured using ELISA. The intestinal mucosal barrier function was evaluated by testing transepithelial electrical resistance and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran permeability. Snail1 and tight junction-related markers (Zo-1 and Claudin2) protein levels were examined using western blot. The interaction between miR-378g and circSOD2 or Snail1 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was used to induce UC rat models in vivo. RESULTS: CircSOD2 was overexpressed in UC patients, and its knockdown significantly increased cell viability, transepithelial electrical resistance, and tight junction-related protein expression, while reduced inflammation cytokine levels and the permeability of FITC-dextran in LPS-induced Caco2 cells. In terms of mechanism, circSOD2 sponged miR-378g to positively regulate Snail1 expression. MiR-378g inhibitor reversed the effect of circSOD2 knockdown on intestinal mucosal barrier injury and Snail1 expression in LPS-induced Caco2 cells. In DSS-induced UC rat models, circSOD2 knockdown also could repair the intestinal mucosal barrier injury through regulating miR-378g/Snail1 axis. CONCLUSION: CircSOD2 could destroy intestinal mucosal barrier function in LPS-induced Caco2 cells and DSS-induced UC rats by miR-378g/Snail1 axis.

A New Class of Proton Conductors with Dramatically Enhanced Stability and High Conductivity for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells.

Reversible solid oxide cells based on proton conductors (P-ReSOCs) have potential to be the most efficient and low-cost option for large-scale energy storage and power generation, holding promise as an enabler for the implementation of intermittent renewable energy technologies and the widespread utilization of hydrogen. Here, the rational design of a new class of hexavalent Mo/W-doped proton-conducting electrolytes with excellent durability while maintaining high conductivity is reported. Specifically, BaMo(W)0.03 Ce0.71 Yb0.26 O3-δ exhibits dramatically enhanced chemical stability against high concentrations of steam and carbon dioxide than the state-of-the-art electrolyte materials while retaining similar ionic conductivity. In addition, P-ReSOCs based on BaW0.03 Ce0.71 Yb0.26 O3-δ demonstrate high peak power densities of 1.54, 1.03, 0.72, and 0.48 W cm-2 at 650, 600, 550, and 500 °C, respectively, in the fuel cell mode. During steam electrolysis, a high current density of 2.28 A cm-2 is achieved at a cell voltage of 1.3 V at 600 °C, and the electrolysis cell can operate stably with no noticeable degradation when exposed to high humidity of 30% H2 O at -0.5 A cm-2 and 600 °C for over 300 h. Overall, this work demonstrates the promise of donor doping for obtaining proton conductors with both high conductivity and chemical stability for P-ReSOCs.

Association between Respiratory Function and Motor Function in Different Stages of Parkinson's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) could present in the early stage and worsen in the late stages. These changes could be a factor affecting the ability of daily living and quality of life of patients with PD. The primary objective of this study was to assess the respiratory function and its association with motor function in patients with different stages of PD. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Huashan Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai, China. The study included 65 patients diagnosed with PD (the Hoehn and Yahr scale between 1 and 4) and 20 healthy individuals of similar age, gender, weight, and height. The ventilatory function was assessed using the spirometry. Motor function was evaluated using subscale III of the United Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS-III). After confirming the normality of data distribution, we performed one-way ANOVA with a Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy individuals, there was no statistical significance in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) in the H&Y 1 group and H&Y 2 group (p > 0.05) but reduced peak expiratory flow (PEF) in the H&Y 2 group (p = 0.002). Reduced FVC, FEV1, and PEF was seen in the H&Y 3 group (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, and p = 0.0001, respectively). Reduced FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEF25-75% was seen in the H&Y 4 group (p = 0.001, p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, and p = 0.025, respectively). The correlation analysis revealed that there was a significant negative correlation between FVC and UPDRS-III scores (r = -0.248, p = 0.046), disease duration (r = -0.276, p = 0.026), H&Y scale (r = -0.415, p = 0.001). FEV1 was negatively correlated with UPDRS-III scores (r = -0.277, p = 0.025), disease duration (r = -0.291, p = 0.019), H&Y scale (r = -0.434, p = 0.0001). FEF25-75% was negatively correlated with disease duration (r = -0.247, p = 0.047), H&Y scale (r = -0.278, p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that respiratory impairment is present in moderate and advanced PD patients, and directly related to the severity of the disease. It is important to conduct respiratory function test in the clinical practice.

Accuracy and eligibility of Bonwill⁃Hawley arch form established by CBCT image for dental crowding measurement: a comparative study with the conventional brass wire and caliper methods.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a novel Bonwill⁃Hawley method (Bonwill⁃Hawley arch form based on CBCT image) for the assessment of dental crowding, and to investigate and compare the accuracy and eligibility with the conventional brass wire and caliper methods under different crowding conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients with the pair of plaster casts and CBCT data were collected. All the casts were marked and transformed into digital models using iTero scanner, and imported into OrthoCAD software to measure the required space. Using the conventional brass wire (M1) and caliper methods (M2), the available space and dental crowding were measured and calculated basing on digital models, respectively. Correspondingly, the axial planes in the level of dental arches were oriented and captured from the CBCT images to draw the Bonwill⁃Hawley arch forms (M3), which were used to measure and calculate the available space and dental crowding. For each method, intra and inter-examiner reliabilities were evaluated with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Wilcoxon test and Kruskal-Wallis test were performed for statistically analyzing the discrepancy among different groups. RESULTS: Both intra- and inter-examiner reliability were generally excellent for all parameters obtained by the three methods, except for the dental crowding measured using M1(ICC: 0.473/0.261). The dental crowding measured using M2 were significantly increased in mild, moderate and severe-crowding groups compared with M1. However, no significant difference was detected between M1 and M3 in severe-crowding group (maxilla, p = 0.108 > 0.05; mandible, p = 0.074 > 0.05). With the deterioration of crowding condition, the discrepancy of dental crowding between M1 and M2, or M1 and M3 were significantly decreased (maxilla, M2-M1, mild VS serve, p = 0.003 < 0.05; maxilla, M3-M1, mild VS serve, p = 0.003 < 0.05; mandible, M2-M1, mild VS serve, p = 0.000 < 0.001; mandible, M3-M1, mild VS serve, p = 0.043 < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dental crowding measured using the novel Bonwill⁃Hawley method was relatively greater than the caliper method, but not exceeding the brass wire method, which wound gradually come close to the brass wire method with the deterioration of crowding condition. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The Bonwill⁃Hawley method basing on CBCT image proved to be a reliable and acceptable choice for orthodontists to analyze the dental crowding.

A computer model of the effect of venous-arterial-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation venous return of oxygenated blood on right atrial recirculation and tricuspid valve blood oxygen saturation.

OBJECTIVE: Venous-arterial venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-AV ECMO), as a new clinical application of ECMO, showed great clinical application potential in the treatment of patients with combined cardiopulmonary failure. Given the complicated cannulation strategy of V-AV ECMO, its influence on the hemodynamics of the human circulatory system remained unclear. METHODS: In this paper, a fluid-structure interaction was used to study the effect of V-AV ECMO oxygenated blood shunt ratio on right atrial recirculation and tricuspid valve (TV) blood oxygen saturation. In this study, the right atrium, superior vena cava supplying cannulae and inferior vena cava draining cannulae model of a specific patient was constructed. Seven cases with shunt ratio of 12.50%, 18.75%, 25.00%, 31.25%, 37.50%, 43.75% and 50.00% were designed. RESULTS: The streamline diagram and velocity contour of oxygenated blood, recirculation fraction (RF), correlation of three variables (shunt ratio, RF, and oxygen saturation), and the oxygen saturation of blood at the TV were extracted for the study. Study results showed that, first, as the shunt ratio increased, the RF of the seven cases was 14.64%, 29.87%, 33.85%, 40.12%, 40.40%, 40.02%, and 38.09%. Second, with the increase of the shunt ratio, oxygen saturation of blood at the TV in seven cases was 82.1%, 82.5%, 83.3%, 83.3%, 84.0%, 84.6%, and 85.3%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the shunt ratio had a strong correlation with the RF and oxygen saturation of blood at the TV. As the shunt ratio increased, the RF initially increased and then stabilized. However, oxygen saturation of blood at the TV would increase with the increase of the shunt ratio, but the degree of increase was small. This research provided useful information for surgeons and operators using V-AV ECMO.

Effects of Planting Date, Cultivar and Vernalization Using Gibberellic Acid on the Severity of Root-Knot Nematode Damage to Globe Artichoke in Subtropical Sandy Soil.

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.) is a new alternative crop in Florida. This long-season crop poses a very high risk of root-knot nematode (RKN) damage, the most important nematode problem in vegetable production in Florida. This study aimed to examine the impact of RKN damage on artichoke production in the subtropical climate of Florida. Treatments consisted of four cultivars ('Green Globe Improved', 'Green Queen', 'Imperial Star', and 'Opal') planted on three different dates (October 5, October 19, and November 2) in Experiment 1, and three cultivars ('Green Globe Improved', 'Green Queen', and 'Imperial Star') grown with or without vernalization using gibberellic acid (GA3) in Experiment 2. Both field experiments were conducted on sandy soil in west-central Florida during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 growing seasons. We collected RKN population density and gall index (GI) data to assess RKN damage. In Experiment 1, all tested cultivars showed moderate to high RKN infection in the 2021-2022 season, with 43% to 75% of roots galled. There was no effect of planting dates on RKN damage in the 2020-2021 season. However, delaying the planting date from October 5 to November 2 reduced the RKN damage while increasing the RKN population densities in the 2021-2022 season. In Experiment 2, all tested cultivars showed high RKN infestation, with more than 80% of roots galled. Vernalization by GA3 did not affect the severity of RKN damage. Our results suggest that all tested artichoke cultivars are highly susceptible to RKN in subtropical environments of Florida, raising an alarm on the risk of RKN damage to commercial artichoke production and increasing awareness about the need for RKN management.

Expression of Wnt3, ß-catenin and MMP-7 in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions and their correlations with Helicobacter pylori infection. / Wnt3、ß-catenin、MMP-7åœ¨èƒƒç™Œå’Œç™Œå‰ç— å˜ä¸­çš„è¡¨è¾¾åŠå ¶ä¸Žå¹½é—¨èžºæ†èŒæ„ŸæŸ“çš„ç›¸å ³æ€§.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the expression of the Wnt signaling-associated proteins (Wnt3, ß-catenin, MMP-7) in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions with positive and negative Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori, Hp) infection, and to further explore the mechanisms underlying the Wnt signaling pathway involving in the formation of gastric cancer and its relationship with Hp infection. METHODS: The complete paraffin samples with pathologically confirmed diagnosis, who came from the First Hospital of Changsha from January 2018 to April 2020, were collected. All samples were randomly divided into a gastric cancer group (n=57), a precancerous lesion group (n=84), and a chronic superficial gastritis group (n=25). Improved Giemsa staining was used to detect Hp infection, and according the results of Hp infection the above groups were divided into a Hp positive subgroup and a negative subgroup. The expressions of Wnt3, ß-catenin and MMP-7 were examined with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The Wnt3, ß-catenin, and MMP-7 were highly expressed in the gastric cancer group and the gastric precancerous lesion group. The Wnt3 and MMP-7 were highly expressed in cytoplasm, and ß-catenin showed a tendency of cell membrane transferring to cytoplasm and nucleus, which was characterized by "nuclear translocation". The positive rates of the Wnt3, ß-catenin, and MMP-7 expressions in the gastric cancer group were higher than those in the precancerous lesion group and the chronic superficial gastritis group (all P<0.05), which showed a gradually increasing trend with the deterioration of differentiation degree. In addition, the expressions of Wnt3, ß-catenin, and MMP-7 in the Hp positive subgroup in the gastric cancer group and the precancerous lesion group were higher than those in the Hp negative subgroup (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant activation of Wnt signaling pathway is involved in the occurrence and development of precancerous lesions and gastric cancer, and which is related with Hp infection. Meanwhile, the Wnt3, ß-catenin and MMP-7 may be used as molecular markers for early diagnosis of gastric cancer and indicators to judge the degree of differentiation and malignancy of gastric cancer.

TRUSS inhibition protects against high fat diet (HFD)-stimulated brain injury by alleviation of inflammatory response.

High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and other chronic, diet associated illnesses, including neuroinflammation and brain injury. However, the involvement of inflammatory response in HFD-elicited central nerve injury has yet to be fully determined. Recent studies have indicated that tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated ubiquitous scaffolding and signaling protein (TRUSS), also known as TRPC4AP, plays an essential role in regulating inflammation via the meditation of NF-κB signaling. In the present study, we attempted to explore the effects of TRUSS on HFD-induced brain injury in the wild type mice (TRUSS+/+) or TRUSS-knockout mice (TRUSS-/-). The results suggested that TRUSS deletion attenuated HFD-induced cognitive impairments in mice. HFD-elicited metabolic disorders were also highly improved by the loss of TRUSS, as evidenced by the reduced serum glucose and insulin levels, as well as the lipid deposition in liver tissues. In addition, HFD-triggered brain injury was markedly alleviated by the TRUSS ablation, as proved by the reduction of GFAP and Iba1 expressions in hippocampus and hypothalamus. Moreover, TRUSS-/- mice exhibited a significant decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, accompanied with the inactivation of IKKα/IκBα/NF-κB pathway. At the same time, HFD-induced dyslipidemia was also alleviated by the loss of TRUSS. The in vitro study verified the protective effects of TRUSS-suppression against HFD-induced central nerve injury and hepatic steatosis by restraining the inflammatory response. In summary, our data indicated that TRUSS participated in metabolic syndrome-induced brain injury and pointed to the repression of TRUSS as a promising strategy for cognitive deficits therapy.

Iron Mesh-Based Metal Organic Framework Filter for Efficient Arsenic Removal.

Efficient oxidation from arsenite [As(III)] to arsenate [As(V)], which is less toxic and more readily to be adsorbed by adsorbents, is important for the remediation of arsenic pollution. In this paper, we report a metal organic framework (MIL-100(Fe)) filter to efficiently remove arsenic from synthetic groundwater. With commercially available iron mesh as a substrate, MIL-100(Fe) is implanted through an in situ growth method. MIL-100(Fe) is able to capture As(III) due to its microporous structure, superior surface area, and ample active sites for As adsorption. This approach increases the localized As concentration around the filter, where Fenton-like reactions are initiated by the Fe2+/Fe3+ sites within the MIL-100(Fe) framework to oxidize As(III) to As(V). The mechanism was confirmed by colorimetric detection of H2O2, fluorescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance detection of ·OH. With the aid of oxygen bubbling and Joule heating, the removal efficiency of As(III) can be further boosted. The MIL-100(Fe)-based filter also exhibits satisfactory structural stability and recyclability. Notably, the adsorption capacity of the filter can be regenerated satisfactorily. Our results demonstrate the potential of this filter for the efficient remediation of As contamination in groundwater.

Are positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scans useful in preoperative assessment of patients with peritoneal disease before cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)?

INTRODUCTION: CRS and HIPEC confer survival benefit in selected patients with peritoneal metatases (PM). Accurate preoperative assessment of disease burden and exclusion of distant metastases are crucial in selecting the appropriate patient. We evaluate the utility of PET-CT scans in comparison with CT and MRI scans in patients considered for CRS and HIPEC. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from patients who had been discussed for CRS and HIPEC between January 2011 and December 2015, at our institutional multidisciplinary tumour board. Patients who underwent PET-CT scan were included. Results of PET-CT were compared against traditional imaging. Patient and tumour factors were analysed to identify those who were most likely to benefit from PET imaging. RESULTS: Four hundred and seven patients were considered for CRS and HIPEC. PET-CT was performed for 128(31.4%) patients: being the only imaging modality in 37 and used as an adjunct in 91. In the latter group, it was not beneficial in 58 patients as it provided no additional information (n = 33) or showed lesions of minimal FDG uptake (n = 25). In 33 patients, PET-CT provided definitive answers for indeterminate lesions seen on CT and MRI, confirmed the diagnosis of peritoneal disease in 10 patients (30.3%), identified extra-peritoneal disease and/or nodal metastases in 15 (45.5%) and excluded peritoneal disease in 8 (24.2%). The usefulness of PET-CT was predicted by tumour histology (p = .009), with non-mucinous tumours benefitting the most. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PET-CT can be used as an adjunct to CT and/or MRI scans, when lesions on the CT/MRI scans are indeterminate, and that it is most useful in patients with non-mucinous tumours.

Exploring the trend in referrals for consideration of CRS and HIPEC to understand the attitudes of clinicians in the development of a national cancer centre programme in peritoneal disease.

INTRODUCTION: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) improve survival in selected patients with peritoneal metastases. However, only some patients who are potentially eligible for the procedure are considered and referred to the appropriate surgical department. By studying the trends of patients being considered for CRS and HIPEC in our centre, we hope to better understand the demographics of our patient cohort and the attitudes of physicians involved towards CRS and HIPEC. METHODS: Patients who were presented and discussed at our institution's multidisciplinary tumour board (MDTB) for consideration of CRS and HIPEC, between 5 January 2011 and 16 December 2015, were identified from the institutional database and included in the study. Patient demographics and clinico-pathological data were retrospectively collected from electronic records and clinical charts. RESULTS: A total of 407 patients were presented at the MDTB for consideration of CRS and HIPEC. Referrals were most commonly from oncology-related departments (65.8%, n = 268). This was followed by referrals from other hospitals (15.0%, n = 61), overseas self-referrals (12.0%, n = 49) and non-oncologic departments within the same institution (7.1%, n = 29). Referrals made by oncology-related departments and overseas self-referrals showed an increasing trend over the years. Of the patients discussed, 197 patients (48.4%) were recommended for CRS and HIPEC, and 134 (68.0%) successfully underwent the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: There is growing acceptance of CRS and HIPEC in patients and oncologic-related departments. However, consideration of this procedure as a treatment option remains low in non-oncologic departments. Dissemination of information and well-defined clinical recommendations may help physicians identify and select potentially eligible patients for consideration of CRS and HIPEC.

Comparative Analysis of Impatiens Leaf Transcriptomes Reveal Candidate Genes for Resistance to Downy Mildew Caused by Plasmopara obducens.

Impatiens downy mildew (IDM) is a devastating disease to garden impatiens. A good understanding of IDM resistance in New Guinea impatiens is essential for improving garden impatiens resistance to this disease. The present study was conducted to sequence, assemble, annotate and compare the leaf transcriptomes of two impatiens cultivars differing in resistance to IDM, reveal sequence polymorphisms and identify candidate genes for IDM resistance. RNA-Seq was performed on cultivars Super Elfin® XP Pink (SEP) and SunPatiens® Compact Royal Magenta (SPR). De novo assembly of obtained sequence reads resulted in 121,497 unigenes with an average length of 1156 nucleotides and N50 length of 1778 nucleotides. Searching the non-redundant protein and non-redundant nucleotide, Swiss-Prot, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Clusters of Orthologous Groups and Gene Ontology databases, resulted in annotation of 57.7% to 73.6% of the unigenes. Fifteen unigenes were highly similar to disease resistance genes and more abundant in the IDM-resistant cultivar than in the susceptible cultivar. A total of 22,484 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 245,936 and 120,073 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from SPR and SEP respectively. The assembled transcripts and unigenes, identified disease resistance genes and SSRs and SNPs sites will be a valuable resource for improving impatiens and its IDM resistance.

Randomized trial comparing surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced, nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: 10-year update and subset analysis.

BACKGROUND: The current study was performed to report the long-term results of a trial comparing concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CCRT) with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in patients with stage III/IV nonmetastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Patients with stage III/IV resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were randomized to surgery followed by RT or CCRT. The trial was halted prematurely due to poor accrual. Human papillomavirus status was tested on archival material using polymerase chain reaction sequencing. RESULTS: Of the total of 119 patients, 60 patients were randomized to primary surgery (S arm) and 59 patients were randomized to CCRT (C arm). Human papillomavirus status was tested in 75 patients, and only 3 were found to be positive. The median follow-up for surviving patients was 13 years. Analysis of the entire cohort demonstrated no statistically significant difference in overall survival and disease-specific survival (DSS): 5-year rates were 45% versus 35% for overall survival (P = .262) and 56% versus 46% for DSS (P = .637) for the S arm and C arm, respectively. Analysis by subsites indicated that this difference favoring the S arm was mainly driven by survival data among patients with cancers of the oral cavity and maxillary sinus. For patients with oral cavity cancer, survival was significantly better in those who underwent primary surgery compared with CCRT; the 5-year DSS rate was 68% versus 12% for the S arm and C arm, respectively (P = .038). For patients with cancers of the maxillary sinus, the 5-year DSS rate was 71% for patients on the S arm and 0% for patients on the C arm (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: These long-term results demonstrate a significant advantage for primary surgery in patients with cancers of the oral cavity or maxillary sinus, providing strong support for primary surgery as the main modality of treatment for these subsites. In other subsites, CCRT and surgery with adjuvant RT were found to demonstrate similar efficacy for survival in patients with advanced resectable tumors.

Microarray profiling shows distinct differences between primary tumors and commonly used preclinical models in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in therapeutics, outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poor and there is an urgent need for efficacious systemic therapy. Unfortunately, drugs that are successful in preclinical studies often fail in the clinical setting, and we hypothesize that this is due to functional differences between primary tumors and commonly used preclinical models. In this study, we attempt to answer this question by comparing tumor morphology and gene expression profiles between primary tumors, xenografts and HCC cell lines. METHODS: Hep G2 cell lines and tumor cells from patient tumor explants were subcutaneously (ectopically) injected into the flank and orthotopically into liver parenchyma of Mus Musculus SCID mice. The mice were euthanized after two weeks. RNA was extracted from the tumors, and gene expression profiling was performed using the Gene Chip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0. Principal component analyses (PCA) and construction of dendrograms were conducted using Partek genomics suite. RESULTS: PCA showed that the commonly used HepG2 cell line model and its xenograft counterparts were vastly different from all fresh primary tumors. Expression profiles of primary tumors were also significantly divergent from their counterpart patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, regardless of the site of implantation. Xenografts from the same primary tumors were more likely to cluster together regardless of site of implantation, although heat maps showed distinct differences in gene expression profiles between orthotopic and ectopic models. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented here challenges the utility of routinely used preclinical models. Models using HepG2 were vastly different from primary tumors and PDXs, suggesting that this is not clinically representative. Surprisingly, site of implantation (orthotopic versus ectopic) resulted in limited impact on gene expression profiles, and in both scenarios xenografts differed significantly from the original primary tumors, challenging the long-held notion that orthotopic PDX model is the gold standard preclinical model for HCC.

Engineered crumpled graphene oxide nanocomposite membrane assemblies for advanced water treatment processes.

In this work, we describe multifunctional, crumpled graphene oxide (CGO) porous nanocomposites that are assembled as advanced, reactive water treatment membranes. Crumpled 3D graphene oxide based materials fundamentally differ from 2D flat graphene oxide analogues in that they are highly aggregation and compression-resistant (i.e., π-π stacking resistant) and allow for the incorporation (wrapping) of other, multifunctional particles inside the 3D, composite structure. Here, assemblies of nanoscale, monomeric CGO with encapsulated (as a quasi core-shell structure) TiO2 (GOTI) and Ag (GOAg) nanoparticles, not only allow high water flux via vertically tortuous nanochannels (achieving water flux of 246 ± 11 L/(m(2)·h·bar) with 5.4 µm thick assembly, 7.4 g/m(2)), outperforming comparable commercial ultrafiltration membranes, but also demonstrate excellent separation efficiencies for model organic and biological foulants. Further, multifunctionality is demonstrated through the in situ photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO), as a model organic, under fast flow conditions (tres < 0.1 s); while superior antimicrobial properties, evaluated with GOAg, are observed for both biofilm (contact) and suspended growth scenarios (>3 log effective removal, Escherichia coli). This is the first demonstration of 3D, crumpled graphene oxide based nanocomposite structures applied specifically as (re)active membrane assemblies and highlights the material's platform potential for a truly tailored approach for next generation water treatment and separation technologies.

Repeat Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC for Peritoneal Surface Malignancy and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal-based malignancy (PBM), especially peritoneal carcinomatosis from gastrointestinal malignancies traditionally carries a poor prognosis. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have been shown to attain long median survival of 34-92 months and 5 year survival of 29-59% in patients with favorable histopathological subtypes. Recurrence after CRS and HIPEC poses a management dilemma. This paper evaluates our institution's experience with repeat CRS and HIPEC, its associated morbidity and outcomes. METHODS: One-hundred and thirty underwent CRS and HIPEC for PBM from April 2001 to June 2013. 49 had peritoneal recurrences, of which 24 had peritoneal only recurrence. 7 out of the 24 underwent a second CRS and HIPEC. RESULTS: Five females and two males with median age of 51 (37-63), underwent a second CRS and HIPEC. The primary malignancies were: 1 peritoneal mesothelioma, 3 appendiceal, 2 ovarian, and 1 colorectal cancers. Median peritoneal cancer indices for the initial and second CRS were 19 and 12, respectively. Completeness of cytoreduction score of 0 was achieved for all patients. Median hospitalization after second CRS and HIPEC was 12 days (7-60). 1 out of 7 (14%) experienced grade 3 or 4 post-operative complications. There was no 30-day or inpatient mortality. Median follow-up was 13 months (1-97). Median disease-free interval between the first CRS and HIPEC to peritoneal recurrence was 20 months (14-87). Median disease-free survival of 6 months (1-97) was achieved after the second CRS and HIPEC. Six patients remained alive without disease and one passed away with disease. Two had recurrences at 12 and 71 months after second CRS and HIPEC, 1 died and the other, still alive, went on to have a third CRS. CONCLUSION: Repeat CRS and HIPEC can achieve prolonged survival in selected patients with peritoneal-based malignancies, and can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality.

Elemental mercury oxidation in an electrostatic precipitator enhanced with in situ soft X-ray irradiation.

UNLABELLED: Corona discharge based techniques are promising approaches for oxidizing elemental mercury (Hg0) in flue gas from coal combustion. In this study, in-situ soft X-rays were coupled to a DC (direct current) corona-based electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The soft X-rays significantly enhanced Hg0 oxidation, due to generation of electrons from photoionization of gas molecules and the ESP electrodes. This coupling technique worked better in the positive corona discharge mode because more electrons were in the high energy region near the electrode. Detailed mechanisms of Hg0 oxidation are proposed and discussed based on ozone generation measurements and Hg0 oxidation behavior observations in single gas environments (O2, N2, and CO2). The effect of O2 concentration in flue gas, as well as the effects of particles (SiO2, TiO2, and KI) was also evaluated. In addition, the performance of a soft X-rays coupled ESP in Hg0 oxidations was investigated in a lab-scale coal combustion system. With the ESP voltage at +10 kV, soft X-ray enhancement, and KI addition, mercury oxidation was maximized. IMPLICATIONS: Mercury is a significant-impact atmospheric pollutant due to its toxicity. Coal-fired power plants are the primary emission sources of anthropogenic releases of mercury; hence, mercury emission control from coal-fired power plant is important. This study provides an alternative mercury control technology for coal-fired power plants. The proposed electrostatic precipitator with in situ soft X-rays has high efficiency on elemental mercury conversion. Effects of flue gas conditions (gas compositions, particles, etc.) on performance of this technology were also evaluated, which provided guidance on the application of the technology for coal-fired power plant mercury control.

Measurement of sub-2 nm clusters of pristine and composite metal oxides during nanomaterial synthesis in flame aerosol reactors.

Measuring stable clusters to understand particle inception will aid the synthesis of well-controlled nanoparticles via gas-phase aerosol routes. Using a Half Mini differential mobility analyzer, the presence of monomers, dimers, trimers, and tetramers was detected for the first time in a flame aerosol reactor during the synthesis of pristine TiO2 and TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposites. Atomic force microscopy confirmed the presence and the size of sub-2 nm clusters. The detection of these clusters elucidated the initial stages of particle formation during combustion synthesis and supported previous hypotheses that collisional growth from stable monomers of metal oxides is the first step of particle growth.

The roles of miR-200c in colon cancer and associated molecular mechanisms.

The expression of miR-200c has been widely reported to be elevated in tumor tissues and sera of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and has been found to correlate with poor prognosis. However, how miR-200c regulates the apoptosis, survival, invasion, metastasis, and tumor growth in colon cancer cells remains to be fully elucidated. This study seeks to further investigate the role of miR-200c in colon cancer development. The expression of miR-200c in tumor and peritumoral tissues of 101 colon cancer patients was measured by real-time PCR. miR-200c expression in HCT-116 and HT-29 colon cancer cells was silenced by adenovirus-carried expression of antisense mRNA against miR-200c. The protein levels of PTEN, p53 Ser(15), PP1, and activated caspase-3 in HCT-116 and HT-29 cells were measured by Western blot. This study demonstrated that the expression of miR-200c was significantly higher in tumor tissues than in peritumoral tissues of colon cancer patients. The elevated miR-200c expression significantly correlated with the TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and invasion of colon cancer. Silencing miR-200c expression significantly induced cell apoptosis, inhibited long-term survival, invasion, and metastasis, and delayed xenograft tumor growth. Importantly, silencing miR-200c expression sensitized the therapeutic effect of Ara-C (Cytarabine). The effects of silencing miR-200c expression were associated with upregulation of PTEN protein and p53 Ser(15) phosphorylation levels in HCT-116 cells and PTEN protein expression in HT-29 cells. In conclusion, miR-200c functions as an oncogene in colon cancer cells through regulating tumor cell apoptosis, survival, invasion, and metastasis as well as xenograft tumor growth through inhibition of PTEN expression and p53 phosphorylation.