Edge-by-Edge Lateral Heterostructure through Interfacial Sliding.

van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) based on two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have attracted considerable attention. However, the reported vdWHs are largely based on vertical device structure with large overlapping area, while the realization of lateral heterostructures contacted through 2D edges remains challenging and is majorly limited by the difficulties of manipulating the lateral distance of 2D materials at nanometer scale (during transfer process). Here, we demonstrate a simple interfacial sliding approach for realizing an edge-by-edge lateral contact. By stretching a vertical vdWH, two 2D flakes could gradually slide apart or toward each other. Therefore, by applying proper strain, the initial vertical vdWH could be converted into a lateral heterojunction with intimately contacted 2D edges. The lateral contact structure is supported by both microscope characterization and in situ electrical measurements, exhibiting carrier tunneling behavior. Finally, this approach can be extended to 3D thin films, as demonstrated by the lateral 2D/3D and 3D/3D Schottky junction.

van der Waals Integration of Large-Area Monocrystalline 3D Perovskite Thin Films on Arbitrary Semiconductor Substrates for Heterojunctions.

Perovskite monocrystalline films are regarded as desirable candidates for the integration of high-performance optoelectronics due to their unique photophysical properties. However, the heterogeneous integration of a perovskite monocrystalline film with other semiconductors is fundamentally limited by the lattice mismatch, which hinders direct epitaxy. Herein, the van der Waals (vdW) integration strategy for 3D perovskites is developed, where perovskite monocrystalline films are epitaxially grown on the mother substrate, followed by its peeling off and transferring to arbitrary semiconductors, forming monocrystalline heterojunctions. The as-achieved CsPbBr3-Nb-doped SrTiO3 (Nb:STO) vdW p-n heterojunction exhibited comparable performance to their directly epitaxial counterpart, demonstrating the feasibility of vdW integration for 3D perovskites. Furthermore, the vdW integration could be extended to silicon substrates, rendering the CsPbBr3-n-Si and CsPbCl3-p-Si p-n heterojunction with apparent rectification behaviors and photoresponse. The vdW integration significantly enriches the selections of semiconductors hybridizing with perovskites and provides opportunities for monocrystalline perovskite optoelectronics with complex configurations and multiple functionalities.

Pd Clusters Loaded with Multivalent Cu Foam for Superior Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction and Selective N≡N Bond Formation.

The electrochemical denitrification of nitrate (NO3 -) in actual wastewater to nitrogen (N2) is an effective approach to reversing the current imbalance of the nitrogen cycle and the eutrophication of water. However, electrostatic repulsion between NO3 - and the cathode results in the low efficiency of NO3 - reduction reaction (NO3RR). Here, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used as a theoretical guide to design a Pd cluster-loaded multivalent Cu foam (Pd/Cu2O-CF) electrocatalyst, which achieves a splendid 97.8% NO3 - removal rate, 97.9% N2 selectivity, 695.5 mg N g-1 Pd h-1 reduction efficiency, and 60.0% Faradaic efficiency at -1.3 V versus SCE. The projected density of states (pDOS) indicates that NO3 - and Pd/Cu2O-CF are bonded via strong complexation between the O 2p (in NO3 -) and Cu 3d (in Cu2O) with the input of voltage, which reduces the electrostatic repulsion and enhances the enrichment of NO3 - on the cathode. In-situ characterizations demonstrate that Pd[H] can reduce Cu2O to Cu, and subsequently Cu reduces NO3 - to nitrite (NO2 -) accompanied by in situ reconfiguration of multivalent Cu foam. NO2 - is then transferred to the surface of Pd clusters by the cascade catalysis and accelerates the breaking of N─O bonds to form Pd─N, and eventually achieves the N≡N bond formation.

Solid-State Anion Exchange Enabled by Pluggable vdW Assembly for In Situ Halide Manipulation in Perovskite Monocrystalline Film.

The fabrication of perovskite single crystal-based optoelectronics with improved performance is largely hindered by limited processing techniques. Particularly, the local halide composition manipulation, which dominates the bandgap and thus the formation of heterostructures and emission of multiple-wavelength light, is realized via prevalent liquid- or gas-phase anion exchange with the utilization of lithography, while the monocrystalline nature is sacrificed due to polycrystalline transition in exchange with massive defects emerging, impeding carrier separation and transportation. Thus, a damage-free and lithography-free solid-state anion exchange strategy, aiming at in situ halide manipulation in perovskite monocrystalline film, is developed. Typically, CsPbCl3 working as medium to deliver halide is van der Waals (vdW) assembled to specific spots of CsPbBr3, followed by the removal of CsPbCl3 after anion exchange, with the halide composition in contact area modulated and monocrystalline nature of CsPbBr3 preserved. CsPbBr3-CsPbBrxCl3-x monocrystalline heterostructure has been achieved without lithography. Device based on the heterostructure shows apparent rectification behavior and improved photo-response rate. Heterostructure arrays can also be constructed with customized medium crystal. Furthermore, the halide composition can be accurately tuned to enable full coverage of visible spectra. The solid-state exchange enriches the toolbox for processing vulnerable perovskite and paves the way for the integration of monocrystalline perovskite optoelectronics.

Transient Receptor Potential Channel Vanilloid 1 Contributes to Facial Mechanical Hypersensitivity in a Mouse Model of Atopic Asthma.

Sensitive skin, a common pathophysiological feature of allergic diseases, is defined as an unpleasant sensation in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. However, the relationship between allergic inflammation and hypersensitive skin in the trigeminal system remains to be elucidated. To explore whether bronchial allergic inflammation affects facial skin and primary sensory neurons, we used an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model. Significant mechanical hypersensitivity was observed in the facial skin of mice with pulmonary inflammation induced by OVA sensitization compared to mice treated with adjuvant or vehicle as controls. The skin of OVA-treated mice showed an increased number of nerve fibers, especially rich intraepithelial nerves, compared to controls. Transient receptor potential channel vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)-immunoreactive nerves were enriched in the skin of OVA-treated mice. Moreover, epithelial TRPV1 expression was higher in OVA-treated mice than in controls. Trigeminal ganglia of OVA-treated mice displayed larger numbers of activated microglia/macrophages and satellite glia. In addition, more TRPV1 immunoreactive neurons were found in the trigeminal ganglia of OVA-treated mice than in controls. Mechanical hypersensitivity was suppressed in OVA-treated Trpv1-deficient mice, while topical skin application of a TRPV1 antagonist before behavioral testing reduced the reaction induced by mechanical stimulation. Our findings reveal that mice with allergic inflammation of the bronchi had mechanical hypersensitivity in the facial skin that may have resulted from TRPV1-mediated neuronal plasticity and glial activation in the trigeminal ganglion.

Axilla lymph node dissection can be safely omitted in patients with 1-2 positive sentinel nodes receiving mastectomy: a large multi-institutional study and a systemic meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate whether axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be omitted in patients with 1-2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) who received total mastectomy (TM). METHODS: Consecutive breast cancer patients with 1-2 positive SLNs were retrospectively reviewed from a multi-institutional database. Patients were divided into sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) group and ALND group. Administration of adjuvant chemotherapy and survival were compared between groups. To further verify the results, a meta-analysis was also conducted. RESULTS: Among the 1161 enrolled patients, 893 (76.9%) received ALND and 268 (23.1%) underwent SLNB alone. Administration of chemotherapy was comparable between the two groups (91.1% vs. 90.6%, P = 0.798), which was consistent in TM (P = 0.638) and BCS cohort (P = 0.576). After a median follow-up of 36 months, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in recurrence-free survival (P = 0.583) regardless of surgery of breast. During further meta-analysis, 13 out of 4733 relative studies reported the association of axillary surgery and disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) in 1-2 positive SLNs patients. Pooled analysis showed no difference in adjusted DFS (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.70-1.02) or OS (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.93-1.11) between SLNB and ALND groups. Survival benefit of ALND remained non-significant after restricting the analysis in four studies with patients only receiving BCS, or in three studies with patients only receiving TM. CONCLUSION: Further ALND does not impact adjuvant chemotherapy administration or disease outcome in breast cancer patients with 1-2 positive SLNs treated with TM.

Diatomic Pd-Cu Metal-Phosphorus Sites for Complete N≡N Bond Formation in Photoelectrochemical Nitrate Reduction.

The synergistic effect of bimetallic heterogeneous catalysis in the reaction of nitrate reduction to nitrogen has been widely discussed, but it is still not clear how this effect works at the atomic scale, hindering the rational design of high-performance catalysts. Here, for the first time, 2D phosphorene was used as a giant P ligand to confine high-density PdCu dual-atom to form a unique PdCuP4 coordination structure, and this catalyst achieves 96.3 % NO3 - removal rate and 95.2 % N2 selectivity. In situ characterization combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the PdCu dual-atom form covalent-like bonds with adjacent P atoms, reducing the adsorption energy of the reactants. The synergistic effect of PdCu dual-atom promotes the breaking of N-O bond, and the short bond length of ≈3 Šbetween PdCu atoms accelerates the transfer of NO2 - , and eventually the two Pd-N adjacent to the surface of Pd rapidly combine to form N2 .

Comprehensive analysis of the 21-gene recurrence score in invasive ductal breast carcinoma with or without ductal carcinoma in situ component.

BACKGROUND: Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is often accompanied by ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Whether the DCIS component affects the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) is unclear. METHODS: Consecutive ER-positive, HER2-negative, N0-1 patients with RS results were included. Patients were divided into pure IDC and IDC with DCIS (IDC/DCIS) groups. The RS, the expression of its 16 cancer genes and prognosis were compared between IDC and IDC/DCIS patients. RESULTS: A total of 1458 patients were enrolled, 320 of whom had concomitant DCIS. DCIS component was independently associated with lower RS (P = 0.038). IDC/DCIS patients more often had a low-risk RS (P = 0.018) or intermediate-risk RS (P = 0.024). Regarding individual genes in the RS panel, Ki67, CCNB1 and MYBL2 in the proliferation group and MMP11 and CTSL2 in the invasion group were significantly lower among IDC/DCIS patients than pure IDC patients. Among IDC/DCIS patients, lower RS was independently correlated with a higher DCIS proportion and lower DCIS grade. Within a median follow-up of 31 months, the DCIS component in IDC did not significantly influence prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: IDC with DCIS component is associated with a lower 21-gene RS, possibly due to lower expression of proliferation and invasion genes. DCIS proportion and grade independently influenced the 21-gene RS in IDC/DCIS patients. Due to the relatively short follow-up period and low recurrence rate, the impact of the DCIS component in IDC on prognosis needs further evaluation.

Efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy stratified by age and the 21-gene recurrence score in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) can predict chemotherapy benefit in estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (ER+/HER2-) early breast cancer patients. Age would influence the interaction between RS and chemotherapy effect. The current study aimed to determine RS thresholds which were predictive of chemotherapy benefit in young and old women, respectively. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with pN0-1, ER+/HER2- breast cancer between 2009 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Propensity score matching was performed according to chemotherapy usage. After stratifying patients with different cutoffs of age, the RS threshold indicating chemotherapy benefit in each age strata were determined by cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: A total of 1227 patients were included. The median age was 58 years and the median RS was 24. After matching, the RS thresholds suggesting chemotherapy benefit varied with age. For patients ≤55 years, chemotherapy benefit was observed in those having RS > 25 (P = 0.03), with 4-year invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) of 97.0 and 89.3% in patients receiving chemotherapy or not. While patients derived no benefit from chemotherapy if they had RS ≤25 (P = 0.66, 4-year IDFS: 95.3% vs. 94.6%). For patients > 55 years, adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with better prognosis in those with RS > 36 (P = 0.014, 4-year IDFS: 94.7% vs. 76.2%), but not in those having RS ≤36 (P = 0.13, 4-year IDFS: 92.3% vs. 95.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Old patients need higher RS thresholds to demonstrate the chemotherapy benefit. Further efforts are warranted to investigate the association between age and predictive RS thresholds.

Performance Evaluation of Warfarin Dose Prediction Algorithms and Effects of Clinical Factors on Warfarin Dose in Chinese Patients.

BACKGROUND: The clinical utility of warfarin dose prediction algorithms remains controversial, our purpose is to evaluate the performance of warfarin dose prediction algorithms and the effects of clinical factors on warfarin dose in Chinese patients. METHODS: Clinical data of 217 patients who received warfarin treatment were used to assess 6 warfarin dose prediction algorithms (OHNO, IWPC [International Warfarin Pharmacogenetics Consortium], HUANG, KIM, BRESS, and MIAO). The predicted dose (PD) was compared with the warfarin optimal dose (WOD, defined as the dose that maintains the international normalized ratio within the target range of 2.0-3.0). A multiple regression analysis with WOD as the dependent variable was performed to evaluate the effects of clinical factors on warfarin dose. RESULTS: The mean absolute error analysis ranked the predictive accuracies of the algorithms as OHNO > IWPC > HUANG > KIM > BRESS > MIAO. Stratified analysis indicated that HUANG most accurately predicted that patients required lower WODs (≤3 mg/d), whereas OHNO was the most effective in predicting medium WODs (3-5 mg/d). KIM was effective in predicting high WODs (>5 mg/d). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that VKORC1 (rs9923231) and body mass index were significantly positively correlated with WOD, whereas concurrent atrial fibrillation status, CYP2C9*3 (rs1057910), and sex were significantly negatively correlated with WOD. CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese patients, OHNO should be given priority during the prediction and selection of warfarin dose. When using OHNO to predict warfarin dose (≤3 mg/d or >5 mg/d), HUANG or KIM algorithms can provide precise predictions. At the same time, physicians should pay close attention to clinical factors, such as VKORC1 (rs9923231), concurrent atrial fibrillation status, CYP2C9*3 (rs1057910), body mass index, and sex, to improve warfarin dose adjustment strategies in Chinese patients.

Controllable epitaxial growth of GeSe2nanostructures and nonlinear optical properties.

Germanium diselenide (GeSe2) has emerged as a new member of anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) materials and gained increasing attention because of its excellent air stability, wide band gap and unique anisotropic properties, which exhibits promising applications in the fields of electronics, optoelectronics and polarized photodetection. However, the controllable epitaxial growth of large-scale and high-quality GeSe2nanostructures to date remains a big challenge. Herein, GeSe2nanofilms with lateral size up to centimeter scale have been successfully prepared on mica substrate by employing chemical vapor deposition technique. Experimental results demonstrated that hydrogen is the key factor for the controllable growth of GeSe2nanostructures and GeSe2-based heterostructures. Corresponding growth mechanism was proposed based on systematical characterizations. The nonlinear optical properties of as-prepared GeSe2were investigated by employing open-aperture z-scan technique exhibiting significant saturable and reverse saturable absorption behaviors at wavelengths of 400 nm and 800 nm, respectively. This study provides a new and robust route for fabricating GeSe2nanostructures and 2D heterostructures, which will benefit the development of GeSe2-based nonlinear optical and optoelectronic devices.

Axillary lymph node and non-sentinel lymph node metastasis among the ACOSOG Z0011 eligible breast cancer patients with invasive ductal, invasive lobular, or other histological special types: a multi-institutional retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Given the histological special types (HST) of breast carcinoma accounted for minority of the Z0011 study population, this study aimed to assess the rates of axillary lymph node (ALN) involvement and non-sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), or other HST. METHODS: Patients with cT1-2N0M0 breast cancer treated between 2009 and 2018 were retrospectively included from a multi-institutional database. Rates of nodal involvement were analyzed among different histological subgroups. The impact of ALN dissection (ALND) on adjuvant treatment decisions and prognosis were also analyzed among patients with 1-2 + SLNs. RESULTS: A total of 8294 patients were included: 6854 (82.6%), 257 (3.1%), and 1183 (14.3%) patients with IDC, ILC, and other HST, respectively. IDC patients had a significantly higher rate of ALN metastasis compared with ILC or other HST (31.9% vs. 22.6% vs. 16.4%, P < 0.001). However, in patients with 1-2 + SLNs, rates of non-SLN metastasis were similar among three groups (IDC: n = 182, 28.6% vs. ILC: n = 5, 31.2% vs. other HST: n = 29, 34.9%, P = 0.481). For patients with 1-2 + SLNs, rates of adjuvant chemotherapy and the estimated 3-year recurrence-free survival were similar between the SLN biopsy and ALND arms, regardless of the histological types. CONCLUSION: Among patients with 1-2 + SLNs, ILC or other HST had similar rates of non-SLN metastasis compared with IDC. Omission of ALND may not influence adjuvant chemotherapy usage or disease outcome regardless of histological types.

A prospective, randomized study of Toremifene vs. tamoxifen for the treatment of premenopausal breast cancer: safety and genital symptom analysis.

BACKGROUND: Toremifene (TOR) is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and has comparable efficacy to that of tamoxifen (TAM) in breast cancer patients. Herein, we compared the safety of TOR to that of TAM in the adjuvant treatment of premenopausal breast cancer. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized and open-label clinical study. Premenopausal patients with hormonal receptor (HR)-positive early breast cancer were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive TOR) or TAM treatment. The follow-up period was 1 year. The primary end point was the incidence of ovarian cysts, and secondary end points were the incidence of endometrial thickening, changes in female hormones, the incidence of fatty liver, changes in the modified Kupperman index (mKMI) and changes in quality of life. RESULTS: There were 92 patients in the final analysis. The incidences of ovarian cysts were 42.6% in the TOR group and 51.1% in the TAM group (p = 0.441). Forty-one patients (87.2%) in the TOR group and 36 patients (80.0%) in the TAM group experienced endometrial thickening (p = 0.348). The proportions of patients with fatty liver were 31.9% in the TOR group and 26.7% in the TAM group (p = 0.581). No significant differences in the mKMI or quality of life were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: TOR and TAM have similar side effects on the female genital system and quality of life in premenopausal early breast cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02344940. Registered 26 January 2015 (retrospectively registered).

Prediction of Serum-Free and Cerebrospinal Fluid Valproic Acid Levels in Patients With Hypoalbuminemia After Craniotomy.

BACKGROUND: In patients with hypoalbuminemia after craniotomy, total serum concentrations of valproic acid (VPA) may provide poor clinical insights, owing to saturated protein binding and increased unbound fractions. However, very few clinical laboratories routinely analyze free concentrations of the drug. The aim of this study was to develop a model to predict serum-free and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of VPA based on its total concentration and to investigate the model's applicability. METHODS: Total serum and CSF concentrations of VPA in 79 patients were measured using a validated immunoassay between January 2015 and December 2015. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory information of patients were retrieved from medical records. A multiple linear regression analysis was adopted to determine the potential variations and establish the functional relationship between CSF concentration and significant clinical factors. RESULTS: Based on the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis performed using the natural logarithm of the concentration of VPA in the CSF as the dependent variable, serum concentrations of VPA (X1, ß' = 0.844), serum albumin concentration (X2, ß' = -0.393), and CSF protein concentration (X3, ß' = 0.098) were identified as the 3 variables that significantly predicted the dependent variable: (Equation is included in full-text article.), with a coefficient of determination (R) of 0.874. As the CSF protein level is often unavailable, the model was redefined to include 2 variables-serum concentrations of VPA (X1, ß' = 0.840) and serum albumin concentration (X2, ß' = -0.359): (Equation is included in full-text article.), with R = 0.813. CONCLUSIONS: Based on total VPA and serum albumin concentrations, we developed a model to predict serum-free and CSF levels of VPA. This model is useful for correcting dose adjustment in patients with hypoalbuminemia after craniotomy.

A nomogram to predict adjuvant chemotherapy recommendation in breast cancer patients with intermediate recurrence score.

OBJECTIVE: The indication of adjuvant chemotherapy recommendation (ACR) in breast cancer patients with intermediate recurrence score (RS) is controversial. This study investigated the relationship between routine clinicopathological indicators and ACR, and established a nomogram for predicting the probability of ACR in this subset of patients. METHODS: Data for a total of 504 consecutive patients with intermediate RS from January 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. A nomogram was constructed using a multivariate logistic regression model based on data from a training set (378 cases) and validated in an independent validation set (126 cases). A Youden-derived cut-off value was assigned to the nomogram for accuracy evaluation. RESULTS: The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that age, histological grade, tumor size, lymph node (LN) status, molecular subtype, and RS were independent predictors of ACR. A nomogram based on these predictors performed well. The P value of the Hosmer-Lemeshow test for the prediction model was 0.286. The area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.905 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.876-0.934] and 0.883 (95% CI: 0.824-0.942) in the training and validation sets, respectively. The accuracies of the nomogram for ACR were 84.4% in the training set and 82.1% in the validation set. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a nomogram to predict the probability of ACR in breast cancer patients with intermediate RS. This model may aid the individual risk assessment and guide treatment decisions in clinical practice.

Analysis of the Variables Influencing Valproic Acid Concentration in the Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Chinese Patients After Craniotomy.

BACKGROUND: Valproic acid (VPA) has been widely used in Chinese patients after craniotomy. Many studies have focused on the influencing factors of VPA serum concentration, but conclusions are sometimes paradoxical. Furthermore, the concentration of VPA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been rarely reported. In the present study, VPA CSF concentrations were measured, and the potential factors influencing serum concentration and CSF distribution of VPA were investigated. In addition, the functional relationship between serum and CSF concentration was explored. METHODS: Subjects were patients who underwent craniotomy and were administrated with VPA and had a lumbar puncture. Serum and CSF VPA concentrations were measured by use of the Abbott i1000 system. CYP2C9 (430 C>T, 1075 A>C, 1076 T>C, 1080 C>G), UGT1A6 (541 A>G, 552 A>C), UGT2B7 (211 G>T, 802 C>T), and ABCB1 (1236 C>T, 2677 G>T/A, 3435 C>T) genotypes were determined by direct sequencing. Information, such as age, gender, and height, was collected, and their effect on serum and CSF VPA concentrations was investigated by univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: First, the concomitant use of carbapenems (ß' = -0.422) and UGT1A6 (552 AA → AC) (ß' = -0.249) had a significant negative correlation with the weight-adjusted VPA serum concentration (C:W ratio), whereas CYP2C9 (1075 AA → AC) (ß' = 0.186) and gender (female compared with male) (ß' = 0.322) showed a positive correlation with VPA serum C:W ratio. The coefficient of determination (R) was only 0.348. Second, the relationship between the serum concentration and the CSF square root of the concentration (R = 0.705) had a better linear fit. Third, serum VPA concentration (ß' = 0.810), concomitant use of glycerol fructose (ß' = 0.160), and age (≥65 compared with <65) (ß' = 0.118) showed a positive correlation (R = 0.748) with the variability of square root of the concentration of the CSF. CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese patients, after craniotomy, female patients with 1 or more of CYP2C9 (1075 AC) and UGT1A6 (552 AA) genotypes required a lower VPA dosage compared with male patient. There was a better-fitted linear relationship between VPA serum and the square root of CSF concentrations. CSF VPA concentrations were relatively stable, with only age and the use of glycerol fructose having a small influence.

[Treatment patterns and affecting factors in breast cancer patients over 65-years of age].

OBJECTIVE: To explore different therapies and affecting factors in breast cancer patients ≥ 65 years old. METHODS: To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics, treatments, comorbidity and survival rate of 126 female breast cancer patients over 65 years old who underwent surgical operation in our hospital from January 2009 to December 2010. To compare and analyze the differences in the treatment patterns, and find out the affecting factors. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six cases were included in this retrospective study, and they were divided into two groups according to age: 65-74 years old group (71 cases) and >74 years group (55 cases). Most patients in the two groups received modified radical mastectomy (84.5% and 89.1%); 73.2% and 54.5% of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy in the two groups, respectively. 67.6% and 61.8% of the patients had adjuvant endocrine therapy respectively. 19.7% and 7.3% of the patients received radiotherapy, respectively. Chemotherapy in elderly breast cancer patients was correlated with age, pathological types, progesterone receptor (PR) status and comorbidity. Radiotherapy in elderly breast cancer patients was related to age, surgical patterns, TNM stage and lymph node status. Multivariate analysis showed that age, pathological types, PR expression and comorbidity were independent factors affecting choice of chemotherapy in elderly breast cancer patients (P < 0.05 for all). Age and surgical patterns were independent factors affecting choice of radiotherapy (P < 0.05 for all). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate in these patients were 91.3% and 92.0%, respectively. Furthermore, endocrine therapy was related to 3-year DFS rate (P = 0.038) and age was correlated with 3-year OS rate (P = 0.037) in these elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer in the elderly patients receive similar surgery and endocrine therapy, but the elderly patients are less likely to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy, due to age, PR expression, pathological types, surgical patterns and comorbidity. Only age contributes to the lower 3-year overall survival rate in >74-year old patients.

Effects of Bacillus coagulans TBC169 on gut microbiota and metabolites in gynecological laparoscopy patients.

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism by which Bacillus coagulans TBC169 accelerates intestinal function recovery in patients who have undergone gynecological laparoscopic surgery, using metabolomics and gut microbiota analysis. Methods: A total of 20 subjects were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group (n = 10) receiving Bacillus coagulans TBC169 Tablets (6 pills, 1.05 × 108 CFU), and the control group (n = 10) receiving placebos (6 pills). After the initial postoperative defecation, fecal samples were collected from each subject to analyze their gut microbiota and metabolic profiles by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis and untargeted metabonomic. Results: There were no statistically significant differences observed in the α-diversity and ß-diversity between the two groups; however, in the intervention group, there was a significant reduction in the relative abundance of unclassified_Enterobacteriaceae at the genus level. Furthermore, the control group showed increased levels of Holdemanella and Enterobacter, whereas the intervention group exhibited elevated levels of Intestinimonas. And administration of Bacillus coagulans TBC169 led to variations in 2 metabolic pathways: D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that consuming Bacillus coagulans TBC169 after gynecological laparoscopic surgery might inhibit the proliferation of harmful Enterobacteriaceae; mainly influence 2 pathways including D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis; and regulate metabolites related to immunity and intestinal motility; which can help regulate immune function, maintain intestinal balance, promote intestinal peristalsis, and thus accelerate the recovery of intestinal function.

The ESG performance influence mechanism analysis-based on empirical analysis.

ESG has emerged as a prominent method for evaluating enterprises, gaining increasing importance in recent years. It assesses a company's ability to promote sustainable economic development and fulfill its social responsibilities, encompassing three non-financial dimensions: environmental, social, and corporate governance. Regulatory authorities, industry associations, and investment institutions worldwide have placed growing emphasis on a company's ESG performance. From the perspective of career concern, this study conducted a multiple regression analysis using data from Chinese A-share companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2011 to 2020. It used CEO shareholding and CEO political affiliation as moderating variables to examine the impact of CEO career concerns on the corporate environment, society, and corporate governance performance. Empirical testing of whether CEO career concerns promote or suppress the ESG performance in enterprises. The findings of this study reveal that CEOs with heightened career concerns tend to impede the ESG performance of their respective enterprises. Additionally, CEO shareholding and political affiliations exert a negative moderating influence on the relationship between CEO career concerns and ESG performance. This research significantly extends the investigation into factors influencing ESG performance, offering fresh perspectives that could inform improved CEO oversight, foster corporate transformation, and enhance ESG performance.

[Experimental research and analysis on dielectric properties of blood in anemia mice].

The conductivity and permittivity of blood in mice were measured by the AC electrical impedance method at frequency range of 0.1-100MHz, and then the changes of the Cole-Cole parameters of dielectric spectra of blood from phenylhydrazine-induced anemia mice were observed by numerical calculation and curve fitting residual analysis of the Cole-Cole equation. The results showed that hematocrit (Hct) of the mice with phenylhydrazine injection was significantly reduced; the permittivity(epsilon) spectroscopy of blood moved to the low insulating region and its permittivity decreased; conductivity (kappa) spectrum curve of blood moved to the high conductivity zone and conductivity increased; the 2nd characteristic frequency was lower than that in the normal group. There was phenylhydrazine dose dependent in the changes of the Cole-Cole parameters of dielectric spectra of blood.