Constructing an Al3+/Zn2+-Based Solid Electrolyte Interphase to Enable Extraordinarily Stable Al3+-Based Electrochromic Devices.

The interface between the electrochromic (EC) electrode and ionic conductor is crucial for high-performance and extraordinarily stable EC devices (ECDs). Herein, the effect of the ALD-AZO interfacial layer on the performance of the WO3 thin film was examined, revealing that an introduction of the ALD-AZO interfacial layer to the Al3+-based complementary ECDs can lead to improved EC performance and stability, such as an extraordinary cyclability of more than 20,000 cycles, an outstanding coloration efficiency of 109.69 cm2 C-1, and a maximum transmittance modulation of 63.44%@633 nm. The probable explanation is that the introduced ALD-AZO interfacial layer can effectively regulate the band gap of WO3, promote the electron transport process, and induce the formation of a robust solid electrolyte interphase to protect the electrode during cycling. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing the EC performance of the EC thin films and new space for the construction of advanced multivalent Al3+-based ECDs.

Flexible Chitosan-Based Capacitive Humidity Sensors for Respiratory Monitoring.

As one of the most important human health indicators, respiratory status is an important basis for the diagnosis of many diseases. However, the high cost of respiratory monitoring makes its use uncommon. This study introduces a low-cost, wearable, flexible humidity sensor for respiratory monitoring. Solution-processed chitosan (CS) placed on a polyethylene terephthalate substrate was used as the sensing layer. An Arduino circuit board was used to read humidity-sensitive voltage changes. The CS-based sensor demonstrated capacitive humidity sensitivity, whereby the capacitance instantly increased from 10-2 to 30 nF when the environmental humidity changed from 43% to 97%. The capacitance logarithm sensitivity and response voltage change was 35.9 pF/%RH and 0.8 V in the RH range from 56% to 97%. And the voltage variation between inhalation and exhalation was ~0.5 V during normal breathing. A rapid response time of ~0.7 s and a recovery time of ~2 s were achieved during respiration testing. Breathing modes (i.e., normal breathing, rest breathing, deep breathing, and fast breathing) and tonal changes during speech could be clearly distinguished. Therefore, such sensors provide a means for economical and convenient wearable respiratory monitoring, and they have the potential to be used for daily health examinations and professional medical diagnoses.

Is radiotherapy necessary for upper rectal cancer underwent curative resection? A retrospective study of 363 patients.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the impact of radiotherapy (RT) on recurrence and survival in patients with locally advanced upper rectal cancer underwent curative resection. METHODS: 363 locally advanced upper rectal cancer cases were identified from the database of our hospital from 2010 to 2018. All patients underwent curative resection and had the lower margin of the tumor located 10-15 cm from the anal verge, among them, 69 patients received pre- or post-operative radiotherapy and 294 patients without. Local control and survivals were compared, and stratification grouping based on European Society for Medical Oncology risk factors were further compared. 1:2 propensity score matching analysis was used to reduce the impact of confounding factors. RESULTS: There were 207 patients after 1:2 matching (RT group:non-RT group = 69:138). The 5-year overall survival (OS) of the RT group and non-RT group after matching was 84.1% and 80.9%, respectively(P = 0.440); the 5-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) was 96.5% and 94.7%, respectively(P = 0.364); the 5-year distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was 76.8% and 76.9%, respectively(P = 0.531). Subgroup analysis showed that radiotherapy could not significantly improve the overall survival, local recurrence, and distant metastasis with or without poor prognostic features. In the high-risk subgroup, the 5-year OS was 76.9% and 79.6% for patients treated with radiotherapy and without (P = 0.798), LRFS was 94.8% and 94.2%, respectively (P = 0.605), DMFS 68.7% and 74.7%, respectively (P = 0.233). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that radiotherapy could not improve local control and survival for locally advanced upper rectal cancer patients underwent curative resection, even in the cases with poor prognostic features.

Radiomics Model for Predicting FOXP3 Expression Level and Survival in Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the predictive significance of forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) expression levels among individuals with clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) and establish a radiomics model for predicting FOXP3 expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 430 patients with ccRCC were included in the gene-based prognostic analyses; 100 samples were used for radiomics feature generation, model development, and evaluation. A gradient boosting machine was employed to model the selected radiomics features. The developed model generated radiomics scores (RS) that predicted FOXP3 expression. The FOXP3 prognostic model combining imaging features was applied for survival and clinical indicator correlation analyses. RESULTS: FOXP3 was highly expressed in patients with ccRCC and served as an independent predictive marker (hazard ratio [HR]=2.357, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.582-3.511, p < 0.001). The radiomics model formed by three radiomics characteristics was identified as a strong prognostic indicator of overall survival (OS). The predictive power of the model was commendable (areas under the curve: 0.835 and 0.809 for training and validation sets, respectively). Significant between-group variations in RS distribution were identified, as indicated by gene expression levels (p < 0.05). Disparities were observed in pathological stage, pharmaceutical therapy, and neoplasm status between low and high RS cohorts (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed a significant correlation between increased RS and decreased OS (p = 0.001), which was also observed in the multivariate analyses (HR=3.411, 95% CI: 1.039-11.196, p = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Prognostic outcome of ccRCC is closely linked to FOXP3 expression level. Computed tomography-based radiomics shows promise for prognostic prediction in ccRCC.

HMGB1 in exosomes derived from gastric cancer cells induces M2-like macrophage polarization by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Gastric cancer (GC) seriously threatens human health. High mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and M2-like macrophages are closely associated with core events about human cancers, such as invasion, and metastasis, and cancer microenvironment. This study mainly determined the regulatory effect of HMGB1 in GC cell-derived exosomes on M2-like macrophage polarization as well as the underlying mechanism. HMGB1 was found to be highly expressed in gastric tissue specimens, which might lead to the poor prognosis of GC. High levels of HMGB1 were also observed in the plasma of GC patients, indicating the possibility that it regulates the immune microenvironment via exosomes. Further study revealed and confirmed the regulatory effect of exosomes derived from GC cells with high HMGB1 level on inducing M2-like macrophage polarization. Mechanistically, by interacting with the transcription factor POU2F1, exosomal HMGB1 inhibited the transcriptional activity of p50, resulting in the inactivation of NF-κB signaling pathway and thereby inducing M2-like macrophage polarization. Moreover, instead of promoting the proliferation of GC cells, exosomes with high HMGB1 levels induced M2-like macrophage polarization and promoted GC progression. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which HMGB1 promotes GC progression, which may provide new insights for improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.

Summer dormancy of Myricaria laxiflora to escape flooding stress: Changes in phytohormones and enzymes induced by environmental factors.

Dormancy is an adaptation mechanism of plants to environmental stress. Myricaria laxiflora undergoes a long period of flooding stress every year. In order to determine whether this species escapes flooding stress through dormancy, young branches and leaves were collected at different time points before the onset of flooding, and changes in the content/activity of hormones/enzymes that are closely involved in plant growth were monitored. The inducing environmental factors of summer dormancy were identified. The branches and leaves of M. laxiflora showed the following trends as summer flooding approached: (1) gradual increase in the abscisic acid content; (2) gradual decrease in the gibberellin and cytokinin contents; and (3) a continuous decrease in the activities of malate dehydrogenase (MDH), ribulose diphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCo), and glycolate oxidase (GLO). Pearson correlation analysis revealed (1) daylight duration was highly correlated with the hormone content and enzyme activity; (2) the daily mean air temperature (DMAT) was significantly correlated with the cytokinin content. These findings suggest that daylight duration was the main environmental factor leading to changes in the phytohormone content and enzyme activity as well as leading to summer dormancy. M. laxiflora undergoes dormancy before the onset of summer flooding to escape summer flooding stress. Our data indicate that summer flooding does not impede the survival and growth of M. laxiflora.

Regulation of cancer progression by circRNA and functional proteins.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are closed back-splicing products of precursor mRNA in eukaryotes. Compared with linear mRNAs, circRNAs have a special structure and stable expression. A large number of studies have provided different regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in tumors. Challenges exist in understanding the control of circRNAs because of their sequence overlap with linear mRNA. Here, we survey the most recent progress regarding the regulation of circRNA biogenesis by RNA-binding proteins, one of the vital functional proteins. Furthermore, substantial circRNAs exert compelling biological roles by acting as protein sponges, by being translated themselves or regulating posttranslational modifications of proteins. This review will help further explore more types of functional proteins that interact with circRNA in cancer and reveal other unknown mechanisms of circRNA regulation.

Spatiotemporal photosynthetic physiology responses of remnant Myricaria laxiflora populations to regulated water level fluctuations.

The construction of the Three Gorges-Gezhouba Dam cascade hydropower station has changed the water level fluctuation pattern of the habitats for remnant rare and endangered Myricaria laxiflora populations downstream of the dam. The present study utilized biochemical markers of photosynthetic physiology to evaluate the spatiotemporal responses of remnant populations to human-regulated water level fluctuations. The results showed that the photosynthetic physiological activities of remnant M. laxiflora populations underwent a period of rapid growth, followed by a gradual decline in the growth recovery phase after flooding. During the entire experimental period, photosynthetic physiological activities of remnant M. laxiflora populations changed with prolongation of emergence time: specifically, net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance initially decreased and then subsequently increased, intercellular carbon dioxide concentrations peaked at mid-phase and transpiration rate continuously increased. The maximum net photosynthetic rate, apparent photosynthetic quantum efficiency and dark respiration rate in the light-response curves of the plants continuously increased during growth. The water level gradient also significantly affected the photosynthetic physiological activities in the remnant populations, i.e. the photosynthetic physiological activities of high-altitude plants were significantly higher than the middle- and low-altitude plants. The changes in photosynthetic pigment content of plants in remnant populations during the growth recovery phase and the entire growth period were similar to those occurring in photosynthetic activities in plants. Further, canonical correspondence analysis showed that photosynthetic physiological activities in the plants were significantly correlated with changes in water levels, emergence time, elevation gradient, soil water and soil nitrogen contents. Therefore, the artificial regulation of water level fluctuations by large hydropower stations will inevitably affect the photosynthetic activities and growth of remnant M. laxiflora populations.

The Biogenesis, Biology, and Clinical Significance of Exosomal PD-L1 in Cancer.

The exosome serves as a trafficking vehicle for transport of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) into receptor cells. In tumor microenvironment, distant tumor cells can remotely attack activated T cells by exosomal PD-L1. Here, we summerize the biogenesis and transport process of exosomal PD-L1. Then, we focus on the cancer biology of exosomal PD-L1 in immunosuppression and the mechanism by which it inhibits T cells. Finally, we highlight the prospects of exosomal PD-L1 as a tumor biomarker and its significance in immunotherapy. In addition, we discuss the new challenges faced in researching and utilizing exosomal PD-L1. This review may shed light on the exosomal PD-L1 from the bench to the clinic. Exosomes serve as trafficking vehicles for transport of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) into receptor cells. In tumor microenvironment, distant tumor cells can remotely attack activated T cells through exosomal PD-L1. Here, we have summarized the biogenesis and transport of exosomal PD-L1. Next, we focused on the cancer biology of exosomal PD-L1 in immunosuppression and the mechanism by which it inhibits T cells. Finally, we highlighted the prospects of exosomal PD-L1 as a tumor biomarker and its significance in immunotherapy. In addition, we have discussed the new challenges faced in studying and utilizing exosomal PD-L1. This review may shed light on the translation of exosomal PD-L1 from bench to clinic.

LncRNA DNAJC3-AS1 Regulates Fatty Acid Synthase via the EGFR Pathway to Promote the Progression of Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in tumorigenesis and the development of CRC. By constructing a differential lncRNA expression profile, we screened gene chips and found that DNAJC3-AS1 was highly expressed in CRC tissues and was associated with poor prognosis in patients with CRC. Further, we proved through assays such as wound healing, colony formation, and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) that interfering with DNAJC3-AS1 could reduce the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. Mechanically, we found that DNAJC3-AS1 regulates fatty acid synthase to promote the progression of CRC via the epidermal growth factor receptor/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor κB signaling pathway. Therefore, DNAJC3-AS1 may be a new target for the diagnosis and therapy of CRC.

LncRNA WWC2-AS1 functions AS a novel competing endogenous RNA in the regulation of FGF2 expression by sponging miR-16 in radiation-induced intestinal fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were considered as important gene expression regulators involving various biological processes. In this study, we explored the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of radiation-induced intestinal fibrosis (RIF). METHODS: LncRNAs were screened by microarray (Human LncRNA Array v3.0, Arraystar, Inc.) and the differentially expressed lncRNAs in RIF and non-RIF were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. The expression of WWC2-AS1/miR-16/FGF2 axis was compared on mRNA and protein level between human intestinal CCD-18Co fibroblasts cell lines and subepithelial SEMFs in response to radiation treatment. The significance of WWC2-AS1 in regulating FGF2 associated proliferation, migration, invasion and fibrosis of CCD-18Co and SEMFs by exposure to radiation was analyzed by shRNA (WWC2-AS1 shRNA) knock-down of endogenous WWC2-AS1. RESULTS: WWC2-AS1 and FGF2 level was significantly higher while miR-16 was down-regulated in radiation-treated intestinal tissues. WWC2-AS1 more potently boosted FGF2 expression via reducing miR-16, and WWC2-AS1 shRNA remarkably inhibited FGF2 associated proliferation, migration, invasion and fibrosis of radiation treatment in vitro, further demonstrating physical interaction between miR-16 and WWC2-AS1 in radiation-induced fibrosis progress. CONCLUSIONS: WWC2-AS1 was highly expressed in RIF, may function as a ceRNA in the regulation of FGF2 by binding miR-16. Targeting WWC2-AS1 thus may benefit radiation-induced fibrosis treatment.

Predicting the pathological response to chemoradiotherapy of non-mucinous rectal cancer using pretreatment texture features based on intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the performance of the mean parametric values and texture features based on intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) on identifying pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). METHODS: Pretreatment IVIM-DWI was performed on 41 LARC patients receiving nCRT in this prospective study. The values of IVIM-DWI parameters (apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC; pure diffusion coefficient, D; pseudo-diffusion coefficient, D* and perfusion fraction, f), the first-order, and gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture features were compared between the pCR (n = 9) and non-pathological responder (non-pCR, n = 32) groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were generated to determine the efficiency for identifying pCR. RESULTS: The values of IVIM-DWI parameters and first-order texture features did not show significant differences between the pCR and non-pCR groups. The pCR group had lower Contrast and DifVarnc values extracted from the ADC, D, and D* maps, respectively, as well as lower CorrelatD value. Higher CorrelatD*, Correlatf, SumAvergADC, and SumAvergD values were observed in the pCR group. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) values for the individual predictors in univariate analysis ranged from 0.698 to 0.837, with sensitivities from 43.75% to 87.50% and specificities from 66.67 to 100.00%. In multivariate analysis, CorrelatD* (P < 0.001), DifVarncADC (P = 0.024), and DifVarncD (P < 0.001) were the independent predictors to pCR, with an AUC of 0.986, a sensitivity of 93.75%, and a specificity of 100.00%. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment GLCM analysis based on IVIM-DWI may be a potential approach to identify the pathological response of LARC.

Overexpression of NDUFA4L2 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: NDUFA4L2 (NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 alpha subcomplex, 4-like 2, also called NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase MLRQ subunit homologue) was clearly enriched in the mitochondrial fraction under hypoxic conditions, and immunofluorescence showed a clear colocalization of NDUFA4L2 and cytochrome c in some tumour cells. However, little study has investigated its prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: In our study, mRNA-NDUFA4L2 and protein expression were analysed in 150 cases of CRC and adjacent normal tissues using immunohistochemistry, semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between NDUFA4L2 expression and clinicopathological factors was evaluated by the Chi-square test. Overall survival of patients was analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: NDUFA4L2 overexpression was observed in 84% (126/150) of CRC tissues, but only in 24.7% (37/150) of adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.05). Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed average mRNA expression levels to be 23.34 ± 1.356 and 4.34 ± 1.132 for CRC tissue and adjacent normal tissue (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation of NDUFA4L2 expression with histological grade, Dukes' stages, lymph node metastasis and liver metastasis. More importantly, multivariate analysis indicated that overexpression of NDUFA4L2 was an independent prognostic factor for CRC patients (P = 0.002). NDUFA4L2-negative patients had a higher tumour-free/overall survival rate than patients with high NDUFA4L2 expression (P = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that NDUFA4L2 overexpression is associated with tumour progression and a poor prognosis in CRC patients.

Enhanced Intracellular Hyperthermia Efficiency by Magnetic Nanoparticles Modified with Nucleus and Mitochondria Targeting Peptides.

In order to investigate whether cell organelle targeting peptide can transport magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into specific cell organelle, peptides bearing nuclear localization signal (NLS) or mitochondria targeting sequences were coagulated to MNPs. In vitro cytotoxicity study on the human liver cancer cells (HepG2) was tested by using MTT assay. Sub-cellular location of each peptide modified MNP (PEP-MNPs) was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The uptake of HepG2 cells growing in PEP-MNPs was measured by using ICP-OES. Magnetic induction heating efficacies of PEP-MNPs were analyzed by exposing the PEP-MNPs containing cells in an alternating magnetic field (AMF). It was demonstrated that PEP-MNPs were efficient agents for cancer nanothermotherapy with satisfactory biocompatibility. TEM showed that the fate of MNPs inside the cells depended on the peptide sequence attached to the particle surface. The uptake improvement was observed both in PEP-MNPs bearing NLS peptides and in PEP-MNPs bearing mitochondria targeting sequences. Virus original endocytosis sequence can enhance the uptake. MNP bearing mitochondria targeting sequence exerted a better magnetic induction hyperthermia performance comparing to that of NLS. Our investigation provides a strategy for fabrication cell organelle targeting magnetic nanoparticles. For instance, mitochondria targeting peptide conjugated MNPs for highly-efficiency magnetic nanothermotherapy and nuclear targeting peptides conjugated MNPs for gene magnetofection.

Primary NK/T-cell lymphoma of the larynx: Report of 2 cases and review of the English-, Japanese-, and Chinese-language literature.

Natural killer/T (NK/T) -cell lymphoma in the larynx is extremely rare, as only 29 cases have been previously reported in the English-language, Japanese-language, and Chinese-language literature. Its characteristics have never been systematically illustrated. We report 2 new cases of laryngeal NK/T-cell lymphoma, and we discuss the process of the diagnosis of this disease, the choice of treatment, and treatment outcomes. We also summarize all 31 cases reported thus far. Symptoms of laryngeal NK/T-cell lymphoma are difficult to differentiate from those of other laryngeal diseases. The most common laryngeal subsite in the reported cases was the supraglottis, and roughly one-third of these cases involved the cervical lymph nodes. Because of our limited experience with this disease and the difficulties encountered in interpreting the pathologic findings, most patients required multiple biopsies over a few months before their diagnosis was confirmed. The outcome of treatment was generally poor. Radiotherapy, alone or combined with chemotherapy, was superior to chemotherapy alone in treating this disease in its early stages. In view of the frequency of local lymph node metastasis, irradiation fields should cover the entire cervical area. We believe that prompt diagnosis and treatment with radiotherapy are both critical to improving survival for patients with laryngeal NK/T-cell lymphoma.

MicroRNA-1246 promotes growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells involving CCNG2 reduction.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type and the fourth leading cause of cancer­associated mortality worldwide. MicroRNA (miR)­1246 is involved in differentiation, invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance of certain types of tumor cells. CCNG2 encodes an unconventional cyclin homolog, cyclin G2 (CycG2), associated with growth inhibition, which correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, histological grade and poor overall survival in numerous cancer types. To investigate the regulation of miR­1246 on CycG2 expression, and their effects on proliferation and metastasis of CRC, HCT­116 and LOVO cells were transfected with pre­miR­1246 anti­miR­1246 and their negative controls. It was demonstrated that the expression of miR­1246 was significantly increased in CRC tissues and cell lines, which was the opposite of CycG2. miR­1246 negatively regulated the expression of CycG2 in HCT­116 and LOVO CRC cells. CCNG2 is a direct target of miR­1246 in CRC cells. Overexpression of miR­1246 induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while knockdown of miR­1246 inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion in the CRC cells. Upregulation of miR­1246 mediated the malignant progression of CRC and is partly attributed to the downregulation of the expression of CycG2. Consequently, these findings provided a molecular basis for the role of miR­1246/CCNG2 in the progression of human CRC and suggested a novel target for the treatment of CRC.

Angiopoietin-like protein 2 negatively regulated by microRNA-25 contributes to the malignant progression of colorectal cancer.

Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) is associated with tumor progression while dysregulation of its expression has been observed in various types of cancer. However, the expression and role of ANGPTL2 remain exclusive in colorectal cancer (CRC). In the present study, we determined the expression levels of ANGPTL2 in CRC tissues and cells. The roles of ANGPTL2 and miR-25 in the migration and invasion of CRC SW620 and HCT-116 cells were also investigated using transwell assays or scratch wound assays. The results showed that ANGPTL2 increased with metastatic progression. Increased ANGPTL2 and decreased microRNA-25 (miR-25) expression were found to coexist in CRC. The functional studies revealed that knockdown of ANGPTL2 reduced colony formation, and the invasive and migratory abilities of human CRC SW620 and HCT-116 cells. Similarly, overexpression of miR-25 resulted in reduced colony formation, invasion and migration in both cell lines. The overexpression of miR-25 led to a decreased ANGPTL2 mRNA and protein expression, whereas the downregulation of miR-25 resulted in increased ANGPTL2 mRNA and protein expression, in SW620 and HCT-116 cells. miR-25 directly targeted ANGPTL2 by binding to its 3'­UTR, as determined by the dual luciferase reporter assay. To the best of our know-ledge, the results of this study suggest for the first time that the abnormal upregulation of ANGPTL2 in CRC is associated with miR-25 downregulation. Additionally, miR-25­mediated ANGPTL2 promoted the malignant progression of CRC. The present study provides evidence supporting ANGPTL2 and miR-25 as diagnostic or therapeutic targets for CRC.

ERCC1 Cys8092Ala and XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphisms predict progression-free survival after curative radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA repair genes can alter gene expression and activity and affect response to cancer treatment and, correspondingly, survival. The present study was designed to evaluate the utility of the XRCC1 Arg399Gln and ERCC1 Cys8092Ala SNPs, measured in pretreatment biopsy samples, as predictors of response to radiotherapy in patients with non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 75 consecutive patients with stage II-IVA-B NPC. XRCC1 Arg399Glu and ERCC1 Cys8092Ala SNPs were identified from paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens via Sanger sequencing. Expression of p53 and pAkt protein was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Potential relationships between genetic polymorphisms and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed by using a Cox proportional hazards model, the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that carriers of the ERCC1 8092 Ala/Ala genotype [hazard ratio (HR) 1.882; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.031-3.438; P = 0.039] and heavy smokers (≥20 pack-years) carrying the XRCC1 Arg/Arg genotype (HR 2.019; 95% CI 1.010-4.036; P = 0.047) had significantly lower PFS rates. Moreover, combined positive expression of p53 and pAkt led to significantly increased PFS in subgroups carrying the XRCC1 Gln allele (HR 7.057; 95% CI 2.073-24.021; P = 0.002) or the ERCC1 Cys allele (HR 2.568; 95% CI 1.056-6.248; P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The ERCC1 Cys8092Ala polymorphism is an independent predictor of response to radiotherapy for NPC, and the XRCC1 Arg399Glu mutation combined with smoking status seems to predict PFS as well. Our results further suggest a possible correlation between these genetic polymorphisms and p53 protein status on survival.

Abscopal antitumor immune effects of magnet-mediated hyperthermia at a high therapeutic temperature on Walker-256 carcinosarcomas in rats.

The abscopal effect has previously been described in various tumors and is associated with radiation therapy and hyperthermia, with possible underlying mechanisms explaining each observed case. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the antitumor effects of magnet-mediated hyperthermia on Walker-256 carcinosarcomas in rats at two different temperature ranges (42-46°C and 50-55°C). We also aimed to identify whether a higher therapeutic temperature of magnetic-mediated hyperthermia improves the abscopal antitumor effects, where localised irradiation of the tumor causes not only the irradiated tumor to shrink, but also tumors located far from the area of irradiation. Following induction of carcinosarcoma in both sides of the body, magnet-mediated hyperthermia was applied to one side only, leaving the other side as a control. The changes in tumor growth were observed. Our results demonstrated that magnet-mediated hyperthermia at a higher temperature inhibited the growth of carcinosarcoma at the site of treatment. Furthermore, the growth of the carcinosarcoma on the untreated side was also inhibited. The expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen were decreased in the hyperthermia group, which was more significant in the higher temperature test group. Flow cytometric analysis showed an increased number of CD4- and CD8-positive T cells, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed increased levels of interferon-γ and interleukin-2 in the higher temperature group. These results suggested that magnet-mediated hyperthermia at a higher temperature (50-55°C) can improve the abscopal antitumor effects and stimulate a greater endogenous immune response in carcinosarcoma-bearing rats.

Low-voltage protonic/electronic hybrid indium zinc oxide synaptic transistors on paper substrates.

Low-voltage (1.5 V) indium zinc oxide (IZO)-based electric-double-layer (EDL) thin-film transistors (TFTs) gated by nanogranular proton conducting SiO2 electrolyte films are fabricated on paper substrates. Both enhancement-mode and depletion-mode operation are obtained by tuning the thickness of the IZO channel layer. Furthermore, such flexible IZO protonic/electronic hybrid EDL TFTs can be used as artificial synapses, and synaptic stimulation response and short-term synaptic plasticity function are demonstrated. The protonic/electronic hybrid EDL TFTs on paper substrates proposed here are promising for low-power flexible paper electronics, artificial synapses and bioelectronics.