First principles studies on the electronic and contact properties of single layer 2H-MoS2/1T'-MX2 heterojunctions.

Constructed via in-plane heterojunction contacts between the semiconducting 2H phase (as the channel) and the metallic 1T' phase (as the electrode), two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) field-effect transistors (FETs) have received much recent attention because they significantly reduce contact resistance. In this paper, ab initio quantum transport simulation is done to study and predict the electronic states and contact properties of the 2H-MoS2/1T'-MX2 (WS2, TaSe2, NbSe2, MoSe2, TaS2, and NbS2) in-plane heterojunctions. It is found that the interfacial states are not obvious and the fluctuation of the average electron density at the 1T'/2H phase boundary is small for all 2H-MoS2/1T'-MX2 heterojunctions. The average electrostatic potential differences (ΔV) are all negative, which is beneficial to promote the charge transfer from 1T'-MX2 to 2H-MoS2. Moreover, the p-type Schottky contact of the 2H-MoS2/1T'-MX2 heterojunctions is formed and the ΦSB,P values are 0.609 eV, 0.625 eV, 0.641 eV, 0.617 eV, 0.469 eV and 0.477 eV for 1T'-WS2, 1T'-TaSe2, 1T'-NbSe2, 1T'-MoSe2, 1T'-TaS2, and 1T'-NbS2, respectively. The results provide theoretical guidance for designing two-dimensional material devices.

Efficacy and safety of low-dose everolimus combined with endocrine drugs for patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the efficacy and safety of everolimus 5 mg/day in combination with endocrine drugs in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer using real-world clinical data. METHODS: Clinical data of hormone receptor (HR)-positive and HER2-negative patients with advanced breast cancer treated with everolimus combined with endocrine drugs in our center between August 2012 and May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Curative effect and adverse reactions were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were enrolled in this study, and 87.3% received salvage chemotherapy. The median number of salvage treatment lines was 5 (range: 1-19). The median follow-up duration was 12 months (range: 1-56.3 months), the overall response rate (ORR) was 6.4%, the clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 31.8%, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 4.0 months (95% CI: 2.9-5.1 months), and the median overall survival (OS) was 17 months (95% CI: 12.1-21.9 months). The mPFS for patients who received ≤2 treatment line was 11.8 months (95% CI: 4.3-19.3 months). Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested that absence of liver metastases, secondary endocrine resistance, and number of metastasis sites <3 were the main factors influencing the benefit of everolimus combined with endocrine therapy. The most common adverse events of grade 3 were: stomatitis (5.5%), non-infectious pneumonia (1.8%), and erythra (1.8%). No grade 4 adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that everolimus (5 mg/day) combined with endocrine therapy was effective and relatively safe for patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Associations of iron status with breast cancer risk factors in adult women: Findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between iron status and a set of breast cancer risk factors among U.S. adult women aged 20-80 years. METHODS: Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017-2018) were used to examine the relation between serum ferritin, serum iron and transferrin saturation with a set of breast cancer risk factors [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR]. The multivariable linear regressions were used controlling for age, race/ethnicity, menopause status, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and total energy intake. RESULTS: HbA1c, BMI and waist circumference data were available for 1902 women with a fasting sample (n = 913) for fasting plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR. Transferrin saturation had significant, inverse associations with BMI, waist circumference and HbA1c. The size of difference observed were that participants in the fourth quartile of transferrin saturation had a 4.50 kg/m2 smaller BMI, a 9.36 cm smaller waist circumference and a 0.1 % lower HbA1c level than participants in the first quartile. Similarly, serum iron concentrations were inversely associated with BMI and waist circumference. In addition, serum iron had significant, inverse associations with insulin and HOMA-IR. Sensitivity analyses among men gave similar results. For serum ferritin, there was a trend towards a positive association between waist circumference, HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose with serum ferritin. However, the associations did not reach statistical significance among women. CONCLUSIONS: Iron status may impact breast cancer risk via effects on adiposity or glucose metabolism. The findings should be confirmed with further prospective data.

Use of Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasonography for Identifying Nonpalpable Axillae Metastases in Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: The metastasis of axillary lymph node (ALNs) is a critical step in the initial cancer staging of newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients. Various imaging modalities can enhance the sensitivity of clinical examination in assessing the ALN status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 135 patients with BC, confirmed via histopathology, including 4 bilateral BC cases. A total of 139 ipsilateral ALNs adjacent to the breast lesion were examined via physical examination, ultrasonography (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); of these, 100 were nonpalpable ALNs, as determined by experienced breast surgeons and physicians. The relative size parameters on MRI and US images were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared. RESULTS: Of 139 ALNs, 67 (48%) were malignant and 72 (52%) were benign on pathological examination. In all of the ALNs, the US short diameter appeared to be the most discriminative quantitative measurement for detecting positive findings (AUC, 0.854). In nonpalpable ALNs as well, the US short diameter exhibited the greatest discriminability (AUC, 0.746). However, the 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional parameters on MRI did not exhibit any significant differences between the enrolled and nonpalpable ALNs (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The shortest diameter on US exhibited better discriminative ability than MRI for predicting positive ALNs in nonpalpable axillae. Moreover, the 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional parameters on MRI did not differ in terms of discriminability.

Dysregulation of the miR-324-5p-CUEDC2 axis leads to macrophage dysfunction and is associated with colon cancer.

CUEDC2, a CUE-domain-containing protein, modulates inflammation, but its involvement in tumorigenesis is still poorly understood. Here, we report that CUEDC2 is a key regulator of macrophage function and critical for protection against colitis-associated tumorigenesis. CUEDC2 expression is dramatically upregulated during macrophage differentiation, and CUEDC2 deficiency results in excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. The level of CUEDC2 in macrophages is modulated by miR- 324-5p. We find that Cuedc2 KO mice are more susceptible to dextran-sodium-sulfate-induced colitis, and macrophage transplantation results suggest that the increased susceptibility results from the dysfunction of macrophages lacking CUEDC2. Furthermore, we find that Cuedc2 KO mice are more prone to colitis-associated cancer. Importantly, CUEDC2 expression is almost undetectable in macrophages in human colon cancer, and this decreased CUEDC2 expression is associated with high levels of interleukin-4 and miR-324-5p. Thus, CUEDC2 plays a crucial role in modulating macrophage function and is associated with both colitis and colon tumorigenesis.

[Feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy peri-neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in peri-neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 252 breast cancer patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection from January 2005 to November 2011, including 150 patients in pre-neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and 102 in post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy group. The feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy under different clinical states of axillary lymph node was compared. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the detection rate (98.5% vs 92.8%), false negative rate (6.7% vs 7.9%), accuracy (98.4% vs 91.9%) and negative sensitivity (97.9% vs 88.0%) of sentinel lymph node biopsy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy whether the axillary lymph node was negative or positive. However, the transfer rate of sentinel lymph node in the positive group was significantly higher than the negative group (28.8% vs 67.5%, P = 0.000). False negative rate of sentinel lymph node in biopsy was significantly higher in the post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy group than the pre-neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (7.5% vs 23.9%, P = 0.024) and the accuracy/negative sensitivity decreased significantly (95.1% vs 83.5%, P = 0.005/94.4% vs 75.0%, P = 0.003). No statistical difference existed in the detection rate, false negative rate, accuracy, negative sensitivity of sentinel lymph node in biopsy before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with negative axillary lymph node for a preliminary diagnosis. The accuracy of sentinel lymph node decreased significantly in biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with positive axillary lymph node confirmed pathologically for a preliminary diagnosis compared with before (98.4/83.7%, P = 0.010), the transfer rate of sentinel lymph node increased significantly (28.8/53.7%, P = 0.005) and negative sensitivity reduced significantly (97.9/68.0%, P = 0.007); Compared with pre-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the negative sensitivity decreased significantly in patients with axillary lymph node positive confirmed pathologically and then turned negative (94.4% vs 57.1%, P = 0.005) while the transfer rate of sentinel lymph node increased significantly (28.8%/65.0%, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node before neoadjuvant chemotherapy may accurately predict axillary lymph node metastasis. The detection rate, false negative rate, accuracy, negative sensitivity of sentinel lymph node in biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with negative axillary lymph node for preliminary diagnosis are the same before neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with positive axillary lymph node for a preliminary diagnosis are unsuitable for sentinel lymph node biopsy whether axillary lymph node turns negative or not after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Efficient graphene Q switching and mode locking of 1.34 µm neodymium lasers.

We demonstrate that few-layered graphene sheets used as a saturable absorber can provide efficient Q-switching and mode-locking modulation in 1.34 µm Nd:GdVO(4) bulk lasers. The minimum Q-switched pulses were 450 ns for 260 mW average power, 43 kHz repetition rate, and 2.5 µJ pulse energy. For the mode-locked laser, an average power of 1.29 W was achieved with 11 ps pulse duration and 13 nJ pulse energy. To our knowledge, this average power is the highest yet obtained from a graphene mode-locked laser, and the corresponding optical-optical efficiency of 23% is the best result among 1.3 µm neodymium mode-locked lasers. The quality factor M(2) of the Q-switched beam was 1.4 and 1.6 in the horizontal and longitudinal planes, respectively, and the M(2) of the mode-locked beam reached 1.1 and 1.0. These results clearly indicate the advantages of few-layered graphene as a saturable absorber.

Large energy laser pulses with high repetition rate by graphene Q-switched solid-state laser.

We demonstrated that the graphene could be used as an effective saturable absorber for Q-switched solid-state lasers. A graphene saturable absorber mirror was fabricated with large and high-quality graphene sheets deprived from the liquid phase exfoliation. Using this mirror, 105-ns pulses and 2.3-W average output power are obtained from a passively Q-switched Nd:GdVO(4) laser. The maximum pulse energy is 3.2 µJ. The slope efficiency is as high as 37% approximating to 40% of the continue-wave laser, indicating a low intrinsic loss of the graphene.

Graphene saturable absorber mirror for ultra-fast-pulse solid-state laser.

High-quality graphene sheets with lateral size over 20 µm have been obtained by bath sonicating after subjecting the wormlike graphite marginally to mixed oxidizer. To date, to our knowledge, they are the largest graphene sheets prepared by exfoliation in the liquid phase. A saturable absorber mirror was fabricated based on these sheets. We exploited it to realize mode-locking operation in a diode-pumped Nd:GdVO(4) laser. A pulse duration of 16 ps was produced with an average power of 360 mW and a highest pulse energy of 8.4 nJ for a graphene mode-locked laser.