Expanding the clinical application of OPM-MEG using an effective automatic suppression method for the dental brace metal artifact.

Optically pumped magnetometer magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG) holds significant promise for clinical functional brain imaging due to its superior spatiotemporal resolution. However, effectively suppressing metallic artifacts, particularly from devices such as orthodontic braces and vagal nerve stimulators remains a major challenge, hindering the wider clinical application of wearable OPM-MEG devices. A comprehensive analysis of metal artifact characteristics from time, frequency, and time-frequency perspectives was conducted for the first time using an OPM-MEG device in clinical medicine. This study focused on patients with metal orthodontics, examining the modulation of metal artifacts by breath and head movement, the incomplete regular sub-Gaussian distribution, and the high absolute power ratio in the 0.5-8 Hz band. The existing metal artifact suppression algorithms applied to SQUID-MEG, such as fast independent component analysis (FastICA), information maximization (Infomax), and algorithms for multiple unknown signal extraction (AMUSE), exhibit limited efficacy. Consequently, this study introduced the second-order blind identification (SOBI) algorithm, which utilized multiple time delays for the component separation of OPM-MEG measurement signals. We modified the time delays of the SOBI method to improve its efficacy in separating artifact components, particularly those in the ultralow frequency range. This approach employs the frequency-domain absolute power ratio, root mean square (RMS) value, and mutual information methods to automate the artifact component screening process. The effectiveness of this method was validated through simulation experiments involving four subjects in both resting and evoked experiments. In addition, the proposed method was also validated by the actual OPM-MEG evoked experiments of three subjects. Comparative analyses were conducted against the FastICA, Infomax, and AMUSE algorithms. Evaluation metrics included normalized mean square error, normalized delta band power error, RMS error, and signal-to-noise ratio, demonstrating that the proposed method provides optimal suppression of metal artifacts. This advancement holds promise for enhancing data quality and expanding the clinical applications of OPM-MEG.

Resistive Memristors Using Robust Electropolymerized Porous Organic Polymer Films as Switchable Materials.

Porous organic polymers (POPs) with inherent porosity, tunable pore environment, and semiconductive property are ideally suitable for application in various advanced semiconductor-related devices. However, owing to the lack of processability, POPs are usually prepared in powder forms, which limits their application in advanced devices. Herein, we demonstrate an example of information storage application of POPs with film form prepared by an electrochemical method. The growth process of the electropolymerized films in accordance with the Volmer-Weber model was proposed by observation of atomic force microscopy. Given the mechanism of the electron transfer system, we verified and mainly emphasized the importance of porosity and interfacial properties of porous polymer films for memristor. As expected, the as-fabricated memristors exhibit good performance on low turn-on voltage (0.65 ± 0.10 V), reliable data storage, and high on/off current ratio (104). This work offers inspiration for applying POPs in the form of electropolymerized films in various advanced semiconductor-related devices.

Genetically predicted selenium concentrations and thyroid function: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of selenium (Se) on human thyroid function remains unclear, with inconsistent results from recent epidemiological studies. Moreover, the observed associations are prone to bias due to potential confounding and reverse causation. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis facilitates the large minimization of biases produced by environmental and lifestyle influences, providing unconfounded estimates of causal effects using instrumental variables. We aim to examine the association between Se concentrations and human thyroid function using a two-sample MR analysis. DESIGN AND METHODS: Genetic instruments for Se concentrations, including toenail and blood (TAB) and blood Se concentrations, were identified from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of blood Se (n = 5477) and toenail Se levels (n = 4162). GWAS summary statistics on thyroid phenotypes were downloaded from the ThyroidOmics consortium, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (n = 54,288), free thyroxin (FT4) (n = 49,269), hypo (n = 53,423), and hyperthyroidism (n = 51,823). The MR study was conducted using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented with the weighted median and the mode-based method. RESULTS: Genetically determined TAB Se was negatively associated with FT4 (ß = -.067; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.106, -0.028; p = 0.001) using the IVW analyses, as well in the additional analyses using the weighted median and weighted-mode methods. No evidence in heterogeneity, pleiotropy or outlier single-nucleotide polymorphisms was detected (all p > 0.05). Suggestive casual association between increased genetically determined TAB Se concentrations and decreased hypothyroidism risk was found by the IVW method (odds ratio [OR] = 0.847; 95% CI = 0.728, 0.985; p = 0.031). The causal effect of TAB Se on FT4 was observed in women (ß = -.076; 95% CI = -0.129, -0.024; p = 0.004). However, the influence of genetically determined higher Se concentrations on TSH levels and hyperthyroidism revealed insignificance in the primary and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The present MR study indicated that high Se concentration enable the decreasing of FT4 levels, and the effects of Se concentrations on FT4 remain sex-specific.

Cation-Tuning Engineering on Metal Oxides for Oxygen Electrocatalysis.

Cation-tuning engineering has become a new frontier in altering the electronic structure of electrocatalysts, which has been employed to enhance their electrochemical performance. Significant efforts have been made to promote the electrochemical performance of transition metal-based materials during oxygen electrocatalysis and related energy devices such as Zn-air batteries. Herein, the advantages of cation-tuning engineering, including cation vacancies/defects and cation doping, in the modification of the electronic structure of transition metal oxide catalysts are discussed. Additionally, practical applications of the cation-tuning engineering strategy are reviewed in detail with a special emphasis on oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. Lastly, challenges and future opportunities in this field are also proposed.

Low p-SYN1 (Ser-553) Expression Leads to Abnormal Neurotransmitter Release of GABA Induced by Up-Regulated Cdk5 after Microwave Exposure: Insights on Protection and Treatment of Microwave-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction.

With the wide application of microwave technology, concerns about its health impact have arisen. The signal transmission mode of the central nervous system and neurons make it particularly sensitive to electromagnetic exposure. It has been reported that abnormal release of amino acid neurotransmitters is mediated by alteration of p-SYN1 after microwave exposure, which results in cognitive dysfunction. As the phosphorylation of SYN1 is regulated by different kinases, in this study we explored the regulatory mechanisms of SYN1 fluctuations following microwave exposure and its subsequent effect on GABA release, aiming to provide clues on the mechanism of cognitive impairment caused by microwave exposure. In vivo studies with Timm and H&E staining were adopted and the results showed abnormality in synapse formation and neuronal structure, explaining the previously-described deficiency in cognitive ability caused by microwave exposure. The observed alterations in SYN1 level, combined with the results of earlier studies, indicate that SYN1 and its phosphorylation status (ser-553 and ser62/67) may play a role in the abnormal release of neurotransmitters. Thus, the role of Cdk5, the upstream kinase regulating the formation of p-SYN1 (ser-553), as well as that of MEK, the regulator of p-SYN1 (ser-62/67), were investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that Cdk5 was a negative regulator of p-SYN1 (ser-553) and that its up-regulation caused a decrease in GABA release by reducing p-SYN1 (ser-553). While further exploration still needed to elaborate the role of p-SYN1 (ser-62/67) for neurotransmitter release, MEK inhibition had was no impact on p-Erk or p-SYN1 (ser-62/67) after microwave exposure. In conclusion, the decrease of p-SYN1 (ser-553) may result in abnormalities in vesicular anchoring and GABA release, which is caused by increased Cdk5 regulated through Calpain-p25 pathway after 30 mW/cm2 microwave exposure. This study provided a potential new strategy for the prevention and treatment of microwave-induced cognitive dysfunction.

Atomic Structural Evolution of Single-Layer Pt Clusters as Efficient Electrocatalysts.

The rational synthesis of single-layer noble metal directly anchored on support materials is an elusive target to accomplish for a long time. This paper reports well-defined single-layer Pt (Pt-SL) clusters anchored on ultrathin TiO2 nanosheets-as a new frontier in electrocatalysis. The structural evolution of Pt-SL/TiO2 via self-assembly of single Pt atoms (Pt-SA) is systematically recorded. Significantly, the Pt atoms of Pt-SL/TiO2 possess a unique electronic configuration with PtPt covalent bonds surrounded by abundant unpaired electrons. This Pt-SL/TiO2 catalyst presents enhanced electrochemical performance toward diverse electrocatalytic reactions (such as the hydrogen evolution reaction and the oxygen reduction reaction) compared with Pt-SA, multilayer Pt nanoclusters, and Pt nanoparticles, suggesting an efficient new type of catalyst that can be achieved by constructing single-layer atomic clusters on supports.

Laser Writable Multifunctional van der Waals Heterostructures.

Achieving multifunctional van der Waals nanoelectronic devices on one structure is essential for the integration of 2D materials; however, it involves complex architectural designs and manufacturing processes. Herein, a facile, fast, and versatile laser direct write micro/nanoprocessing to fabricate diode, NPN (PNP) bipolar junction transistor (BJT) simultaneously based on a pre-fabricated black phosphorus/molybdenum disulfide heterostructure is demonstrated. The PN junctions exhibit good diode rectification behavior. Due to different carrier concentrations of BP and MoS2 , the NPN BJT, with a narrower base width, renders better performance than the PNP BJT. Furthermore, the current gain can be modulated efficiently through laser writing tunable base width WB , which is consistent with the theoretical results. The maximum gain for NPN and PNP is found to be ≈41 (@WB ≈600 nm) and ≈12 (@WB ≈600 nm), respectively. In addition, this laser write processing technique also can be utilized to realize multifunctional WSe2 /MoS2 heterostructure device. The current work demonstrates a novel, cost-effective, and universal method to fabricate multifunctional nanoelectronic devices. The proposed approach exhibits promise for large-scale integrated circuits based on 2D heterostructures.

Long-term consequences of stopping HBIG and/or nucleotide analogues in liver transplant recipients administered hepatitis B vaccination to prevent HBV reinfection.

BACKGROUND: The long-term administration of nucleotide analogues (NAs) and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) comprises standard prophylaxis for patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver diseases to prevent HBV reinfection after liver transplantation (LT). However, prolonging the prophylaxis strategy involves safety issues, such as the development of escape mutations and/or emerging resistant strains, and is also associated with high costs; further, it remains unclear how long prophylactic treatment should be continued. METHOD: Liver transplantation recipients responding to hepatitis B vaccination due to HBV-related liver diseases were retrospectively analysed after stopping HBIG and/or NAs, administered to prevent HBV reinfection, after long-term follow-up. The safety and effectiveness of the strategy were then evaluated for these responders. RESULT: Seventy-eight responders were enrolled. All responders discontinued HBIG, among which 36 stopped both HBIG and NAs. During follow-up, four recipients experienced HBV reinfection, which was associated with HBV escape mutations, after the withdrawal of both HBIG and NAs. No death or graft loss occurred in recipients during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: A careful withdrawal of HBIG and/or NAs is feasible and safe for responders to hepatitis B vaccination receiving transplants for HBV-related liver diseases.

Morphological changes of focal choroidal excavation.

PURPOSE: To investigate morphological changes of focal choroidal excavation (FCE). METHODS: The medical records of 18 FCE patients (25 eyes) were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical features as well as images of ocular fundus, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) were analyzed. OCT images were employed as a major criterion to evaluate the changes which occurred during the follow-up. RESULT: Of the 18 patients, 9 were male and 9 were female. The mean age was 41 ± 13.5 years. The follow-up period was 38.5 ± 24.7 (7-92) months. Thirteen patients were myopic. FCE appeared from slight pigment irregularity to yellowish white plaque. FFA revealed window defects corresponding to the lesions. Early-phase ICGA images showed hypofluorescence and medium to large choroidal blood vessels. Plaque- or dot-like hyperfluorescence was seen on late-phase images. OCT scans showed that 11 patients had unilateral FCE and 7 patients were bilaterally affected. Twenty-three eyes had a single FCE and the other two eyes had 2 excavations. FCE presented as confirming type in 21 eyes and non-confirming type in 3 eyes. Discontinuity of the interdigitation zone, ellipsoid zone, and retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch's complex zone was found. The average subfoveal choroidal thickness was 312.06 ± 66.12 µm in FCE eyes. During the follow-up, choroidal neovascularization developed in 4 patients and retinal pigment epithelium discontinuity was aggravated in one eye. No remarkable changes were found in the other eyes on B scan of the OCT images, but the volume of FCE might have changed a little. CONCLUSION: FCE, both confirming type and non-confirming type, may keep stable during a long period of time. Choroidal neovascularization may develop at the site of FCE.

Long-Life Room-Temperature Sodium-Sulfur Batteries by Virtue of Transition-Metal-Nanocluster-Sulfur Interactions.

Room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT-Na/S) batteries hold significant promise for large-scale application because of low cost of both sodium and sulfur. However, the dissolution of polysulfides into the electrolyte limits practical application. Now, the design and testing of a new class of sulfur hosts as transition-metal (Fe, Cu, and Ni) nanoclusters (ca. 1.2 nm) wreathed on hollow carbon nanospheres (S@M-HC) for RT-Na/S batteries is reported. A chemical couple between the metal nanoclusters and sulfur is hypothesized to assist in immobilization of sulfur and to enhance conductivity and activity. S@Fe-HC exhibited an unprecedented reversible capacity of 394 mAh g-1 despite 1000 cycles at 100 mA g-1 , together with a rate capability of 220 mAh g-1 at a high current density of 5 A g-1 . DFT calculations underscore that these metal nanoclusters serve as electrocatalysts to rapidly reduce Na2 S4 into short-chain sulfides and thereby obviate the shuttle effect.

Relationships between soil fungal and woody plant assemblages differ between ridge and valley habitats in a subtropical mountain forest.

Elucidating interactions of above-ground and below-ground communities in different habitat types is essential for understanding biodiversity maintenance and ecosystem functioning. Using 454 pyrosequencing of ITS2 sequences we examined the relationship between subtropical mountain forest soil fungal communities, abiotic conditions, and plant communities using correlation and partial models. Ridge and valley habitats with differing fungal communities were delineated. Total, saprotrophic and pathogenic fungal richness were significantly correlated with plant species richness and/or soil nutrients and moisture in the ridge habitat, but with habitat convexity or basal area of Castanopsis eyrei in the valley habitat. Ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal richness was significantly correlated with basal area of C. eyrei and total EM plants in the ridge and valley habitats, respectively. Total, saprotrophic, pathogenic and EM fungal compositions were significantly correlated with plant species composition and geographic distance in the ridge habitat, but with various combinations of plant species composition, plant species richness, soil C : N ratio and pH or no variables in the valley habitat. Our findings suggest that mechanisms influencing soil fungal diversity and community composition differ between ridge and valley habitats, and relationships between fungal and woody plant assemblages depend on habitat types in the subtropical forest ecosystem.

All-trans retinoic acid upregulates the expression of ciliary neurotrophic factor in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Retinopathy of prematurity, a leading cause of visual impairment in low birth-weight infants, remains a crucial therapeutic challenge. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a promyelinating trophic factor that promotes rod and cone photoreceptor survival and cone outer segment regeneration in the degenerating retina. Ciliary neurotrophic factor expression is regulated by many factors such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). In this study, we found that ATRA increased CNTF expression in mouse retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and PKA signaling pathway is necessary for ATRA-induced CNTF upregulation. Furthermore, we showed that ATRA promoted CNTF expression through CREB binding to its promoter region. In addition, CNTF levels were decreased in serum of retinopathy of prematurity children and in retinal tissue of oxygen-induced retinopathy mice. In mouse RPE cells cultured with high oxygen, CNTF expression and secretion were decreased, but could be recovered after treatment with ATRA. In conclusion, our data suggest that ATRA administration upregulates CNTF expression in RPE cells.

Long non-coding RNA TUG1 contributes to tumorigenesis of human osteosarcoma by sponging miR-9-5p and regulating POU2F1 expression.

Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have critical roles in tumorigenesis, including osteosarcoma. The lncRNA taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) was reported to be involved in the progression of osteosarcoma. Here, we investigated the role of TUG1 in osteosarcoma cells and the underlying mechanism. TUG1 expression was measured in osteosarcoma cell lines and human normal osteoblast cells by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The effects of TUG1 on osteosarcoma cells were studied by RNA interference in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) was determined using bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assays. Our data showed that TUG1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation, and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro, and suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Besides, we found that TUG1 acted as an endogenous sponge to directly bind to miR-9-5p and downregulated miR-9-5p expression. Moreover, TUG1 overturned the effect of miR-9-5p on the proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells, which involved the derepression of POU class 2 homeobox 1 (POU2F1) expression. In conclusion, our study elucidated a novel TUG1/miR-9-5p/POU2F1 pathway, in which TUG1 acted as a ceRNA by sponging miR-9-5p, leading to downregulation of POU2F1 and facilitating the tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma. These findings may contribute to the lncRNA-targeted therapy for human osteosarcoma.

Epidemiology and outcomes of acute kidney injury in elderly chinese patients: a subgroup analysis from the EACH study.

BACKGROUND: Information on acute kidney injury (AKI) in elderly hospitalized patients is limited. This study aims to assess the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of AKI in elderly Chinese patients. METHOD: The Epidemiology of AKI in Chinese Hospitalized adults (EACH) study is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study conducted in nine regional central hospitals across China. Patients aged more than 65 years were selected from the EACH study for this analysis. A novel approach with adjustment for frequency of serum creatinine was used to estimate the incidence of AKI in elderly patients. In-hospital outcomes, including mortality, renal recovery, length of stay and daily cost of elderly patients, were analyzed and compared with outcomes in younger patients. RESULTS: Of 144,232 adult patients in the EACH study, 42,737 (29.63 %) patients were 65 years or older, including 9773 very elderly patients (≥80 years old). The incidence of AKI was 15.44 % in patients 65-79 years old (community-acquired (CA) AKI of 3.89 % and hospital-acquired (HA) AKI of 11.55 %) and 22.22 % in the very elderly group (CA-AKI of 6.58 % and HA-AKI of 15.64 %). The mortality rate of AKI was 10.3 % in patients aged from 65 to 80 and 19.6 % in patients older than 80 years. AKI incidence, in-hospital mortality, percentage of patients requiring dialysis and percentage without renal recovery were higher in elderly patients than in younger patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of AKI in elderly Chinese hospitalized patients is high, which becomes a substantial burden on medical care in China.

A Salt-Induced Reno-Cerebral Reflex Activates Renin-Angiotensin Systems and Promotes CKD Progression.

Salt intake promotes progression of CKD by uncertain mechanisms. We hypothesized that a salt-induced reno-cerebral reflex activates a renin-angiotensin axis to promote CKD. Sham-operated and 5/6-nephrectomized rats received a normal-salt (0.4%), low-salt (0.02%), or high-salt (4%) diet for 2 weeks. High salt in 5/6-nephrectomized rats increased renal NADPH oxidase, inflammation, BP, and albuminuria. Furthermore, high salt activated the intrarenal and cerebral, but not the systemic, renin-angiotensin axes and increased the activity of renal sympathetic nerves and neurons in the forebrain of these rats. Renal fibrosis was increased 2.2-fold by high versus low salt, but intracerebroventricular tempol, losartan, or clonidine reduced this fibrosis by 65%, 69%, or 59%, respectively, and renal denervation or deafferentation reduced this fibrosis by 43% or 38%, respectively (all P<0.05). Salt-induced fibrosis persisted after normalization of BP with hydralazine. These data suggest that the renal and cerebral renin-angiotensin axes are interlinked by a reno-cerebral reflex that is activated by salt and promotes oxidative stress, fibrosis, and progression of CKD independent of BP.

Pathological changes in the sinoatrial node tissues of rats caused by pulsed microwave exposure.

To observe microwave induced dynamic pathological changes in the sinus nodes, wistar rats were exposed to 0, 5, 10, 50 mW/cm2 microwave. In 10 and 50 mW/cm2 groups, disorganized sinoatrial node cells, cell swelling, cytoplasmic condensation, nuclear pyknosis, and anachromasis, swollen, and empty mitochondria, and blurred and focally dissolved myofibrils could be detected from 1 to 28 d, while reduced parenchymal cells, increased collagen fibers, and extracellular matrix remodeling of interstitial cells were observed from 6 to 12 months. In conclusion, 10 and 50 mW/cm2 microwave could cause structural damages in the sinoatrial node and extracellular matrix remodeling in rats.

Microwave exposure impairs synaptic plasticity in the rat hippocampus and PC12 cells through over-activation of the NMDA receptor signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate whether microwave exposure would affect the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signaling pathway to establish whether this plays a role in synaptic plasticity impairment. METHODS: 48 male Wistar rats were exposed to 30 mW/cm2 microwave for 10 min every other day for three times. Hippocampal structure was observed through H&E staining and transmission electron microscope. PC12 cells were exposed to 30 mW/cm2 microwave for 5 min and the synapse morphology was visualized with scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The release of amino acid neurotransmitters and calcium influx were detected. The expressions of several key NMDAR signaling molecules were evaluated. RESULTS: Microwave exposure caused injury in rat hippocampal structure and PC12 cells, especially the structure and quantity of synapses. The ratio of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitters was increased and the intracellular calcium level was elevated in PC12 cells. A significant change in NMDAR subunits (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B) and related signaling molecules (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II gamma and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein) were examined. CONCLUSION: 30 mW/cm2 microwave exposure resulted in alterations of synaptic structure, amino acid neurotransmitter release and calcium influx. NMDAR signaling molecules were closely associated with impaired synaptic plasticity.

EFFECTIVE INDICES FOR MONITORING MENTAL WORKLOAD WHILE PERFORMING MULTIPLE TASKS.

This study identified several physiological indices that can accurately monitor mental workload while participants performed multiple tasks with the strategy of maintaining stable performance and maximizing accuracy. Thirty male participants completed three 10-min. simulated multitasks: MATB (Multi-Attribute Task Battery) with three workload levels. Twenty-five commonly used mental workload measures were collected, including heart rate, 12 HRV (heart rate variability), 10 EEG (electroencephalography) indices (α, ß, θ, α/θ, θ/ß from O1-O2 and F4-C4), and two subjective measures. Analyses of index sensitivity showed that two EEG indices, θ and α/θ (F4-C4), one time-domain HRV-SDNN (standard deviation of inter-beat intervals), and four frequency-domain HRV: VLF (very low frequency), LF (low frequency), %HF (percentage of high frequency), and LF/HF were sensitive to differentiate high workload. EEG α/θ (F4-C4) and LF/HF were most effective for monitoring high mental workload. LF/HF showed the highest correlations with other physiological indices. EEG α/θ (F4-C4) showed strong correlations with subjective measures across different mental workload levels. Operation strategy would affect the sensitivity of EEG α (F4-C4) and HF.

Prognostic effect of p53 expression in patients with completely resected colorectal cancer.

The p53 protein is closely involved in the carcinogenesis of many kinds of cancers. Though the prognostic role of p53 expression for the survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients has been preliminarily identified, the prognostic effect of p53 expression in patients with completely resected CRC is still unclear. Therefore, a retrospective cohort study was performed to assess the prognostic role of p53 expression for overall survival in patients with completely resected CRC. A total of 153 patients (mean age 50.9 years) with completely resected CRC was finally included in the retrospective cohort study. Kaplan-Meier product-limit methods and log-rank test were used to estimate overall survival distribution and test the difference. In addition, multivariable analysis by Cox regression model was also used to test the prognostic role of p53 expression on overall survival by adjusting for other confounding factors. Of those 153 CRC patients, 62 (40.5 %) were positive for p53 protein expression in the tumor tissues. The log-rank test showed that there was an obvious difference in the overall survival between the p53-positive group and the p53-negative group (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis by Cox regression model further showed that p53 protein expression was an independent predictor of shorter overall survival in patients with completely resected CRC (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.77; 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI] 1.15-2.71, P = 0.009). Therefore, p53 protein expression in the tumor tissue is an independent predictor of shorter overall survival in patients with completely resected CRC.

High activity of cubic PtRh alloys supported on graphene towards ethanol electrooxidation.

Cubic PtRh alloys supported on graphene (PtxRhy/GN) with different atomic ratio of Pt and Rh were directly synthesized for the first time using the modified polyol method with Br(-) for the shape-directing agents. The process didn't use surface-capping agents such as PVP that easily occupy the active sites of electrocatalysts and are difficult to remove. Graphene is the key factor for cubic shape besides Br(-) and keeping catalysts high-dispersed. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to characterize the structure and morphology of these electrocatalysts. The results showed that they were composed of homogeneous cubic PtRh alloys. Traditional electrochemical methods, such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, were used to investigate the electrocatalytic properties of PtxRhy/GN towards ethanol electrooxidation. It can be seen that PtxRhy/GN with all atomic ratios exhibited high catalytic activity, and the most active one has a composition with Pt : Rh = 9 : 1 atomic ratio. Electrochemical in situ FTIR spectroscopy was used to evaluate the cleavage of C-C bond in ethanol at room temperature in acidic solutions, the results illustrated that Rh in an alloy can promote the split of C-C bond in ethanol, and the alloy catalyst with atomic ratio Pt : Rh = 1 : 1 showed obviously better performance for the C-C bond breaking in ethanol and higher selectivity for the enhanced activity of ethanol complete oxidation to CO2 than alloys with other ratios of Pt and Rh. The investigation indicates that high activity of PtxRhy/GN electrocatalyst towards ethanol oxidation is due to the specific shape of alloys and the synergistic effect of two metal elements as well as graphene support.