Clinical analysis of AN69ST membrane continuous venous hemofiltration in the treatment of severe sepsis.

We aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of blood purification technology based on cytokine adsorption in the treatment of sepsis. Sixty patients with sepsis were randomly divided into control (n = 30) and experimental (n = 30) groups. Both groups were given routine treatment and continuous venovenous hemofiltration, and on this basis, the experimental group received acrylonitrile/sodium methacrylate (AN69ST) blood purification. The levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, white blood cell count, albumin, platelets, total bilirubin, creatinine, lactic acid, and APACE II score, as well as secretion of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were compared. The hospitalization time, mechanical ventilation (MV) time, drug use time, and mortality were analyzed. After treatment, the secretion levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased, and other indicators were significantly improved compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05), especially in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The hospitalization time, MV time, and drug use time in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05), and the mortality was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, blood purification technology based on cytokine adsorption can significantly improve various indicators of sepsis patients, reduce hospitalization time, reduce mortality, and improve the prognosis.

High-Mobility Magnetic Two-Dimensional Electron Gas in Engineered Oxide Interfaces.

The engineered interfaces of complex oxides have abundant physical properties and provide a powerful platform for the exploration of fundamental physics and emergent phenomena. In particular, research on the two-dimensional magnetic systems with high mobility remains a long-standing challenge for the discovery of quantum phase and spintronic applications. Here, we introduce a few atomic layers of the delta doping layer at LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interfaces through elaborately controllable epitaxial growth of SrRuO3. After inserting a SrRuO3 buffer layer, the interfaces exhibit a well-defined anomalous Hall effect up to 100 K and their mobility is enhanced by 3 orders of magnitude at low temperatures. More intriguingly, a large unsaturated positive magnetoresistance is created at interfaces. Combining with the density functional theory calculation, we attribute our findings to the electron transfer at interfaces and the magnetic moment of Ru4+ 4d bands. The results pave a way for further research of two-dimensional ferromagnetism and quantum transport in all-oxide systems.

Does China's low-carbon action reduce pollution emissions? A quasi-natural experiment based on the low-carbon city construction.

To achieve the goal of "carbon peak and carbon neutrality", it is crucial for China to effectively control environmental pollution in low-carbon action (LCA). Based on the evidence from 283 cities in China from 2007 to 2019, the difference-in-differences (DID) method is applied to explore the impact of LCA on pollutant emissions represented by the pilot of low-carbon city construction (LCCC) in China. The main findings are as follows. First of all, the LCCC suppresses pollution emissions, and the basic conclusions are still stable after endogenous treatment and robustness testing. Secondly, the mechanism analysis reveals that the main path of LCCC affecting pollution reduction comes from the progress of green technology and the upgrading of industrial structure. Finally, the heterogeneity analysis shows that the pollution reduction effect of the LCCC is better in the eastern region and cities with higher level of green economy development. Based on the policy standpoint of environmental protection, the LCCC has opened up a reasonable exploration path for China and other countries in the world to carry out effective pollution reduction.

Gastric Metastasis of Primary Lung Cancer: Case Report and Systematic Review With Pooled Analysis.

Background: Gastric metastasis from lung cancer (GMLC) is a rare occurrence. The clinicopathological characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors remain largely elusive. Methods: We conducted a systematic review on case reports and case series of GMLC by scanning MEDLINE, Embase, and ISI Web of Knowledge. Data involving the clinicopathological features, treatment, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify potential prognostic factors associated with survival. Furthermore, a case of metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma of pulmonary origin with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) L858R+T790M mutation was also described and included. Results: Seventy-eight records involving 114 cases (including ours) were finally included. The median age on admission was 65 years with a male predominance of 79.8%. Lung adenocarcinoma (42.1%), located in the right upper lobe (30.3%), was the most frequent primary tumor. Bleeding (36.7%) and abdominal pain (35.8%) were the two most common symptoms. Endoscopically, gastric lesions were typically presented as elevated lesions with or without volcano-like ulceration, or ulcerative lesions, mostly involving the gastric corpus. The median overall survival time and survival time after diagnosis of metastatic cancer were 11 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 7-14] and 4.5 months (95% CI: 3-9), respectively. The survival analyses revealed that surgical interventions (including lung surgery and/or abdominal surgery) and systemic therapy (including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or targeted therapy) seemed to be positive prognostic factors for both overall survival and survival after diagnosis of metastatic cancer. Conclusions: Clinicians should be alerted to the occurrence of gastric metastasis in lung cancer patients. Comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment for specific patients may improve the survival rate of GMLC patients.

Fiscal Policy Dilemma in Resolving Agricultural Risks: Evidence from China's Agricultural Insurance Subsidy Pilot.

The agricultural insurance subsidy policy (AISP) encourages farmers to expand production scale by mitigating production risks. Under the high-input production patterns of traditional agriculture, the implementation of AISP is conducive to increase farmers' income, but it also leads to the destruction of the agricultural environment. Achieving agricultural green development (AGD) has been hindered in China. In this context, this paper attempts to analyze the impact of AISP on farmers' income and the agricultural environment. Based on the panel data of 316 prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2012 in China, this paper empirically tests the effects of AISP by employing methods such as time-varying difference-in-difference (DID). The results show that AISP has significantly promoted the growth of farmers' incomes but has negatively impacted the agricultural environment. Furthermore, the mechanism analysis shows that the policy effects are realized by affecting the quantity of main productive fixed assets (Mpfa) and grain sown area per capita (Gsa). In addition, the policy effect is heterogeneous in different regions. Therefore, the government should appropriately raise the subsidy standard for farmers who adopt environmental-friendly production patterns. At the same time, the government should give more subsidies to the large grain-producing areas.

Incidence rates, risk factors, and outcomes of aspiration pneumonia after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The risk and prognosis of aspiration pneumonia (AP) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are inconsistent among studies. We aim to estimate the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of AP in patients after gastric ESD. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Knowledge were searched for relevant articles from inception until April 2020. Data involving the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes were extracted. Pooled incidence, odds ratios (ORs), or standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Forty records involving 48 674 subjects were finally included. The pooled incidence of AP after gastric ESD was 1.9% (95% CI, 1.2-2.7) via the double arcsine transformation method and 1.6% (1.1-2.5%) via the logit transformation method. Risk factors analyses revealed that old age (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.99-3.18), comorbid pulmonary disease (2.49; 1.66-3.74), comorbid cerebrovascular disease (2.68; 1.05-6.85), remnant stomach (4.91; 1.83-13.14), sedation with propofol (2.51; 1.48-4.28), and long procedural duration (count data: 5.20, 1.25-21.7; measurement data: 1.01, 1.01-1.02) were related to the occurrence of AP. Patients with AP had a longer hospital stay (SMD, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.25-0.87) than those without AP. CONCLUSIONS: About 1.9% (1.2-2.7%) of the patients who receive gastric ESD may develop AP, resulting in prolonged hospital stay. More attention should be paid in patients who are older; have comorbidities such as pulmonary diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, or gastric remnant; or require a long procedural duration or deep sedation with propofol.

Nanoscale Work Function Contrast Induced by Decanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayers on Au(111).

In this paper, we obtain maps of the spatial tunnel barrier variations in self-assembled monolayers of organosulfurs on Au(111). Maps down to the sub-nanometer scale are obtained by combining topographic scanning tunneling microscopy images with dI/dz spectroscopy. The square root of the tunnel barrier height is directly proportional to the local work function and the dI/dz signal. We use ratios of the tunnel barriers to study the work function contrast in various decanethiol phases: the lying-down striped ß phase, the dense standing-up φ phase, and the oxidized decanesulfonate λ phase. We compare the induced work function variations too: the work function contrast induced by a lying-down striped phase in comparison to the modulation induced by the standing-up φ phase, as well as the oxidized λ phase. By performing these comparisons, we can account for the similarities and differences in the effects of the mechanisms acting on the surface and extract valuable insights into molecular binding to the substrate. The pillow effect, governing the lowering of the work function due to lying-down molecular tails in the striped low density phases, seems to have quite a similar contribution as the surface dipole effect emerging in the dense standing-up decanethiol phases. The dI/dz spectroscopy map of the nonoxidized ß phase compared to the map of the oxidized λ phase indicates that the strong binding of molecules to the substrate is no longer present in the latter.

Circular RNA PVT1 enhances cell proliferation but inhibits apoptosis through sponging microRNA-149 in epithelial ovarian cancer.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the influence of circular RNA PVT1 (circ-PVT1) on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cell proliferation and apoptosis, more importantly, to identify the target microRNAs (miRNA) of circ-PVT1 in EOC. METHODS: Circ-PVT1 expression in EOC cell lines and nonmalignant control cells was detected. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and candidate target miRNA (miR-149, miR-183 and miR-194) expressions were detected in circ-PVT1 overexpression treated CAOV3 cells and circ-PVT1 knock-down treated SKOV3 cells. Furthermore, miR-149 overexpression and miR-149 knock-down plasmids were transfected into circ-PVT1 dysregulated CAOV3 cells and SKOV3 cells, respectively, and cell proliferation as well as apoptosis were detected. RESULTS: Circ-PVT1 expression was increased in human EOC cell lines (CAOV3, SKOV3, SNU119 and OVCAR3) compared to human normal ovary surface epithelial cell line (HOSEpiC). In SKOV3 cells, cell proliferation was reduced at 48 and 72 h but cell apoptosis rate was increased at 48 h by circ-PVT1 knock-down. In CAOV3 cells, cell proliferation was increased at 48 and 72 h but cell apoptosis rate was decreased at 48 h by circ-PVT1 overexpression. Besides, circ-PVT1 negatively regulated miR-149 but not miR-183 or miR-194 in SKOV3 and CAOV3 cells. Rescue experiments showed that miR-149 knock-down increased cell proliferation but decreased apoptosis in circ-PVT1 knock-down treated SKOV3 cells, while miR-149 overexpression reduced cell proliferation but enhanced apoptosis in circ-PVT1 overexpression treated CAOV3 cells. CONCLUSION: Circ-PVT1 enhances cell proliferation but inhibits cell apoptosis through sponging miR-149 in EOC cells, which suggests that circ-PVT1 may serve as a treatment target in EOC.

Association between NAFLD and Risk of Colorectal Adenoma in Chinese Han Population.

Background and Aims: Colorectal cancer is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other metabolic syndromes, such as obesity, abnormal blood glucose, and dyslipidemia. The relationship of NAFLD and colorectal adenoma, which is the precursor of colorectal cancer, is worthy of discussion. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between colorectal adenoma and NAFLD, colorectal adenoma and metabolic syndrome in a Chinese Han population. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the relationship between NAFLD and colorectal adenoma in 1089 patients in Qingdao municipal hospital. Subjects were divided into a colorectal adenoma group (n = 267) and a control group (n = 822). NAFLD and the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) value were determined by abdominal ultrasound and FibroScan. Results: Patients with NAFLD in the colorectal adenoma group and the control group represented 142 cases (53.2%) and 360 cases (43.8%), respectively. The mean CAP value in the colorectal adenoma group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The values of body mass index, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, fasting plasma glucose, and uric acid were also significantly higher in the colorectal adenoma group than in the control group. Multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that the sex, NAFLD, CAP, body mass index, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, and fasting plasma glucose were significant risk factors for colorectal adenoma. Besides, NAFLD and CAP value were significant risk factors for colorectal adenoma in males but not in females. Conclusions: NAFLD and metabolic syndrome were tightly associated with the risk of colorectal adenoma in this Chinese Han population. The effect of NAFLD on colorectal adenoma was prominent in males rather than in females.

Association of TM6SF2 rs58542926 gene polymorphism with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and colorectal adenoma in Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors affect the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and colorectal adenoma (CRA) importantly. Transmembrane protein 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) rs58542926 is a significant genetic susceptibility site for NAFLD. The relationships of TM6SF2 rs58542926 with the risk of NAFLD and CRA in Chinese Han population were unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of TM6SF2 rs58542926 with the risk of NAFLD and CRA, and the effect of CRA on TM6SF2 rs58542926 carried NAFLD patients. RESULTS: A total of 839 Chinese Han population were included in this retrospective study. TM6SF2 rs58542926 polymorphism was genotyped in B-type ultrasonography proven NAFLD patients with or without CRA, CRA patients and healthy controls, using polymerase chain reaction. Serum lipid profiles were determined using biochemical methods. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software, version 16.0 for mac. There was a significant difference in the distribution of genotype and allele of TM6SF2 rs58542926 in NAFLD and NAFLD&CRA patients compared to controls. The CT + TT genotypes were tightly associated with the risk of NAFLD and NAFLD&CRA. TM6SF2 rs58542926 T allele promotes the abnormal regulation of lipids metabolism and liver injury in NAFLD patients and NAFLD&CRA patients. CRA aggravates the clinical performance of NAFLD in T allele carriers. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the significant association between TM6SF2 rs58542926 polymorphism and the risk of NAFLD and NAFLD&CRA in a Chinese Han population. The TM6SF2 rs58542926 T allele promotes the abnormal regulation of lipid profiles and liver injury in NAFLD patients, NAFLD&CRA patients, and overall subjects.

Decreased expression of serum miR-647 is associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to be critical players in different types of tumors including gastric cancer (GC). However, the expression level of serum miR-647 in patients with GC and its potential prognostic significance were poorly known. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of serum miR-647 in GC. A total of 105 patients with GC and 50 healthy volunteers were recruited into this study. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the expression of serum miR-647. Diagnostic accuracy of serum miR-647 in distinguishing GC patients from healthy controls was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Chi-square was used to evaluate the association between serum miR-647 level and clinicopathologic parameters. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were further used to identify prognostic factors. Our results showed that a significantly downregulated expression of serum miR-647 was found in patients with GC. ROC curve analyses showed that serum miR-647 was highly efficient for discriminating patients with GC from healthy controls. In addition, low serum miR-647 expression was associated with aggressive clinical features and unfavorable survival in GC. Mechanistically downregulation of miR-647 in GC cell lines increased the expression levels of STX6, STX7, and PRKCA. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that serum miR-647 might serve as a novel serum biomarker for monitoring GC progression.

Circ-ITCH correlates with small tumor size, decreased FIGO stage and prolonged overall survival, and it inhibits cells proliferation while promotes cells apoptosis in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of circular RNA itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (Circ-ITCH) expression with clinicopathological features and survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and to explore its effect on cells proliferation as well as apoptosis in EOC cells. METHODS: Seventy-seven EOC patients underwent surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor tissues and paired adjacent tissues samples were collected, and Circ-ITCH expression was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Blank mimic, Circ-ITCH mimic, blank inhibitor and Circ-ITCH inhibitor plasmids were transfected into SKOV3 cells and OVCAR-3 cells, and Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was performed to assess cells proliferation and Annexin V (AV)/propidium iodide (PI) was conducted to detect cells apoptosis. RESULTS: Median value of Circ-ITCH relative expression was 0.697 (0.367-1.106) in tumor tissues, which was lower compared with paired adjacent tissues (1.690 (0.867-2.813)) (P< 0.001), and it negatively correlated with tumor size (P= 0.005) as well as International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (P< 0.001) in EOC patients. Multivariate Cox's analysis revealed that high Circ-ITCH expression was an independent predictive factor for favorable OS in EOC patients. Moreover, further in vitro experiments disclosed that Circ-ITCH expression was decreased in several EOC cell lines compared with normal ovarian epithelial cell line, and it inhibited cells proliferation while promoted cells apoptosis in SKOV3 and OVCAR-3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Circ-ITCH correlates with small tumor size, decreased FIGO stage and prolonged OS, and it inhibits cells proliferation while promotes cells apoptosis in EOC.

MiR-217 is involved in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer by down-regulating CDH1 expression.

GC is one of the most leading malignancies all over the world, and is also the leading cause of cancer-related mortalities. At present, GC remains difficult to diagnose at an early stage. In this study, we first detected the expression of 9 selected miRNAs in the exosomes from 67 GC patients' circular exosomes and found 4 miRNAs level was significantly altered. Meanwhile, one out of 4 candidate miRNAs also had a higher expression in the GC tissue samples, and negative correlated with CDH1 expression. Predicted by bioinformatics tools, confirmed by dual luciferase assay and immunoblotting, we identified that CDH1 is a direct target of miR-217. MiR-217 overexpression enhanced gastric cancer cells proliferation, and reduced exosomal CDH1 level which can be delivered into microenvironment. In conclusion, we constructed the negative correlation between miR-217 and CDH1 level in GC patients and cells; unveiled part of the miR-217 function during the pathogenesis of GC. These findings may give insight into understanding the mechanism of GC pathogenesis and provide new biomarkers for clinical diagnosis.

Photocarrier transport and dynamics in mixed-phase BiFeO3 films.

We report a remarkable photoinduced relaxation process and its dependence of thickness and temperature in mixed-phase BiFeO3 films grown on (001) LaAlO3 substrates. When the films are illuminated by the light above the bandgap, their resistances are reduced with the increase of temperature. The photoinduced change of resistance reaches to the maximum of about 2.17 × 105% at 300 K. It is noted that the relaxation processes of the resistance are significantly different between T-like phase and T-R mixed phase due to structural strain, symmetry breaking and built-in electric field at the phase boundaries. These results provide more insights into intrinsic mechanisms of mixed-phase multiferroic materials and potential applications in all-oxide photoelectric devices.

Neuropilin-1 is associated with clinicopathology of gastric cancer and contributes to cell proliferation and migration as multifunctional co-receptors.

BACKGROUND: Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein participating in the growth and metastasis of cancer cells as multifunctional co-receptors by interacting with the signaling pathways. However, its role in gastric cancer has not yet been clarified. This study aims to investigate whether NRP-1 expression is associated with the clinicopathology of gastric cancer, and involved in the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. METHODS: NRP-1 expression in clinical gastric cancer specimens was examined by immunohistochemistry and its association with clinicopathology analyzed. The expression of NRP-1 in a panel of human gastric cancer cells was examined by real-time RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Stable transfectants depleted of NRP-1, termed MGC-803-NRP(low), were generated from MGC-803 cells. Cell proliferation was analyzed by the Cell Counting Kit-8 and Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays, and migrating ability analyzed by migration assays. The xenograft model was used to assess the effects of NRP-1 depletion on tumorigenesis, growth, metastasis and therapeutic potentials. The role of NRP-1 as co-receptors in the signaling pathways stimulated by ligands was examined. The key molecules involved in cell proliferation, migration and related signaling pathways were detected by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Gastric cancer tissues expressed higher levels of NRP-1 compared to normal gastric mucosa. Its expression correlated with clinical staging, tumor differentiation and pathological types. NRP-1 depletion inhibited cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G1/S phase by upregulating p27, and downregulating cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 2. NRP-1 depletion reduced the ability of cells to migrate by inhibiting the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. NRP-1 depletion suppressed tumorigenesis, tumor growth and lung metastasis by inhibiting cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis in situ. Therapeutic NRP-1 shRNA inhibited the growth of established BGC823 tumors. Depletion of NRP-1 inhibited the activation of VEGF/VEGFR2, EGF/EGFR and HGF/c-Met pathways stimulated by respective recombinant human VEGF-165, EGF and HGF proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that NRP-1 may be a potentially valuable biomarker and therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Crohn Disease of the Vulva without Gastrointestinal Manifestations in a 16-Year-Old Girl.

BACKGROUND: Crohn disease of the vulva is a rare disease that is difficult to diagnose. There are limited reports describing treatment of this condition. OBJECTIVE: To describe the diagnosis and treatment of a 16-year-old girl with Crohn disease of the vulva, without onset of intestinal symptoms. METHODS: Crohn disease was diagnosed by histopathology. The patient was treated with corticosteroids and followed for 1 year. RESULTS: After the final diagnosis, cutaneous lesions responded rapidly to corticosteroid treatment, which was gradually stopped after 6 months. The disease was well controlled at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Crohn disease of the vulva can develop alone without the onset of intestinal symptoms. Diagnosis relies on special pathologic findings. Corticosteroid treatment is effective for this condition.

Endoscopic stenting and concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer: a case-control study.

AIM: To evaluate the role of endoscopic stenting with or without concurrent 3-dimensional conformal chemoradiotherapy (3D-CRT) in patients with inoperable esophageal cancer. METHODS: Advanced esophageal cancer patients indicated for esophagectomy received esophageal stents. A part of patients completed 3D-CRT after stenting. Efficacy was assessed by endoscopy and computed tomographic scan before and 4 wk after completion of the treatment. The median survival, 3D-CRT toxicity and complications were compared between 3D-CRT and control groups. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2008, 99 consecutive patients with T3/T4 disease and unsuitable for esophagectomy were placed with esophageal stents. Sixty-seven patients received 3D-CRT, while 36 patients treated with endoscopic stents alone were recruited as controls. After 3D-CRT treatment, the median tumor volume of 3D-CRT patients were reduced significantly from 43.7 ± 10.2 cm³ to 28.8 ± 8.5 cm³ (P < 0.05). The complete and partial response rate was 85.1%, and no response was 14.9%. After 3D-CRT, the incidence rate of T2 and T3 disease evident on CT scan increased to 78.4% while T4 decreased from 66.7% to 21.6% (P < 0.05). 3D-CRT Karnofsky Performance Status improved in 3D-CRT patients compared with the control group (P = 0.031). 3D-CRT patients had a longer survival than the control group (251.7 d vs 91.1 d, P < 0.05). And the median half-year survival rate in 3D-CRT group (91%) was higher than in the control group (50%, P < 0.05). The most common toxicity was leukocytopenia in the 3D-CRT group (46.7% vs 18.8%, P = 0.008). The control group had a higher rate of restenosis than the 3D-CRT group (81.3% vs 9.0%, P < 0.05). The rate of nephrotoxicity was increased in 3D-CRT as compared with the control group (31.3% vs 15.6%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: 3D-CRT can improve dysphagia in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. 3D-CRT combined with stenting results in better survival as compared with endoscopic stents used alone.

Chemical assembly of TiO2 and TiO2@Ag nanoparticles on silk fiber to produce multifunctional fabrics.

A carefully designed surface modification technique for the manufacture of multifunctional silk textile nanocomposite materials is successfully developed by the functionalization of silk with TiO(2) and TiO(2)@Ag nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs are assembled onto a silk substrate through covalent linkages, including enediol ligand-metal oxide bonding, resin dehydration and the acylation of silk. Owing to the strong chemical bonding, silk fibroin fabric (SFF) and the NPs form a stable composite system. The functionalized SFF, especially TiO(2)@Ag NP-functionalized SFF are endowed with remarkable UV protection properties, and an efficient anti-bacterial capability toward Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, the nearly total photodegradation of methylene orange (MO) under UV illumination illustrates that functionalized SFF possesses high photocatalytic and self-cleaning capability. This multifunctional silk material satisfies the market demand for natural "smart" products, and is a promising practical material for use in the textile industry, hospital sterilization and environmental cleanup.