LRRC75A-AS1 delivered by M2 macrophage exosomes promotes cervical cancer progression via enhancing SIX1 expression.

We aimed to investigate potential roles of LRRC75A-AS1 delivered by M2 macrophage exosomes in inducing cervical cancer progression. We demonstrated LRRC75A-AS1 was highly expressed in exosomes from M2 macrophages which could be absorbed by Hela cells. M2 macrophage-derived exosomes promoted Hela cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT process by delivering LRRC75A-AS1. LRRC75A-AS1 directly targeted and suppressed miR-429 in Hela cells. The regulation of cell functions by exosomes from LRRC75A-AS1-overexpressing M2 macrophages was abrogated by miR-429 mimics. miR-429 directly targeted and repressed SIX1 expression. SIX1 overexpression alleviated the modulation of cellular functions and STAT3/MMP-9 signaling by miR-429 mimics. Also, miR-429 overexpression or SIX1 silence repressed tumor formation and metastasis in nude mice, which was mitigated by exosomes from LRRC75A-AS1-overexpressing M2 macrophages. In conclusion, LRRC75A-AS1 delivered by M2 macrophage exosomes repressed miR-429 to elevate SIX1 expression and promote cervical cancer progression through activating the STAT3/MMP-9 axis.

Research on Identification Method of Wear Degradation of External Gear Pump Based on Flow Field Analysis.

As a kind of hydraulic power component, the external gear pump determines the performance of the entire hydraulic system. The degradation state of gear pumps can be monitored by sensors. Based on the accelerated life test (ALT), this paper proposes a method to identify the wear degradation state of external gear pumps based on flow field analysis. Firstly, the external gear pump is theoretically analyzed. Secondly, dynamic grid technology is used to simulate the internal flow field of the gear pump in detail. Finally, the theoretical and simulation results are verified by the ALT. The results show that this method can effectively identify the wear degradation status of four sample pumps. The results of the work not only provide a solution to the research on the wear degradation of external gear pumps, but also provide strong technical support for the predictive maintenance of hydraulic pumps.

The Rechargeable Aluminum Battery: Opportunities and Challenges.

Aluminum battery systems are considered as a system that could supplement current lithium batteries due to the low cost and high volumetric capacity of aluminum metal, and the high safety of the whole battery system. However, first the use of ionic liquid electrolytes leading to AlCl4 - instead of Al3+ , the different intercalation reagents, the sluggish solid diffusion process and the fast capacity fading during cycling in aluminum batteries all need to be thoroughly explored. To provide a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the newly emerging aluminum batteries, this Review discusses the reaction mechanisms and the difficulties caused by the trivalent reaction medium in electrolytes, electrodes, and electrode-electrolyte interfaces. It is hoped that the Review will stimulate scientists and engineers to develop more reliable aluminum batteries.

An Aluminum-Sulfur Battery with a Fast Kinetic Response.

The electrochemical performance of the aluminum-sulfur (Al-S) battery has very poor reversibility and a low charge/discharge current density owing to slow kinetic processes determined by an inevitable dissociation reaction from Al2 Cl7- to free Al3+ . Al2 Cl6 Br- was used instead of Al2 Cl7- as the dissociation reaction reagent. A 15-fold faster reaction rate of Al2 Cl6 Br- dissociation than that of Al2 Cl7- was confirmed by density function theory calculations and the Arrhenius equation. This accelerated dissociation reaction was experimentally verified by the increase of exchange current density during Al electro-deposition. Using Al2 Cl6 Br- instead of Al2 Cl7- , a kinetically accelerated Al-S battery has a sulfur utilization of more than 80 %, with at least four times the sulfur content and five times the current density than that of previous work.

Percutaneous Intraluminal Radiofrequency Ablation for Malignant Extrahepatic Biliary Obstruction: A Safe and Feasible Method.

BACKGROUD: The Habib™ EndoHBP catheter is a novel bipolar radiofrequency catheter developed for intraluminal ablation to relieve malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Clinical experience with its use is limited and scattered. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility and safety of this technique. METHODS: A single central retrospective analysis was performed with patients who underwent percutaneous intraluminal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with biliary stenting for treatment of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice between September 2011 and May 2014. A Habib™ EndoHBP catheter was used for RFA. Clinical and telephonic follow-ups were carried out. Procedure-related complications, stent patency, patient survival rate and postoperative biochemical tests were investigated. RESULTS: All the 47 patients tolerated well a total of 65 RFA procedures with self-expandable metal stents placed. The predominant disease was distal cholangiocarcinoma (16 of 47 cases). No procedure-related hemobilia or infections occurred. The main postablation complication was pain which could be controlled by analgesics. One patient suffered abdominal hemorrhage, diagnosed by blood test and abdominal ultrasonography and cured with conservative therapy. Significantly decreased TBIL and DBIL levels (P < 0.05) were observed on day 7 postoperatively. Stent patency was 149 days (15-281). Median survival was 181 days (15-495) from the time of the first RFA in each patient. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous intraluminal RFA combined with biliary stenting is a safe and feasible therapeutic option for unresectable extrahepatic malignant biliary obstruction. Multiple central prospective controlled trials are necessary for the long-term benefits of RFA.

Exosomes: Another intercellular lipometabolic communication mediators in digestive system neoplasms?

Neoplasms are one of the most concerned public health problems worldwide. Digestive system neoplasms, with a high morbidity and mortality, is one of the most common malignant tumors in human being. It is found that exosomes act as an intercellular communication media to carry the metabolic and genetic information of parental cells to target cells. Likely, exosomes participate in lipid metabolism and regulates multiple processes in digestive system neoplasms, including the information transmission among cancer cells, the formation of neoplastic microenvironment, and the neoplastic biological behaviors like metastasis, invasion, and the chemotherapy resistance. In this review, we firstly introduce the main mechanisms whereas exosomes act as intercellular lipometabolic communication mediator in digestive system neoplasms. Thereafter we introduce the relationship between exosomes lipid metabolism and various type of digestive system neoplasms, including gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. Eventually, we summarized and prospected the development and implication of exosomes in digestive system neoplasms. The further research of exosomes as intercellular lipid metabolism mediator will contribute to accurate and efficient diagnosis and treatment of digestive system neoplasms.

Ultrastable Interfacial Contacts Enabling Unimpeded Charge Transfer and Ion Diffusion in Flexible Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Deteriorating interfacial contact under mechanical deformation induces large cracks and high charge transfer resistance, resulting in a severe capacity fading of flexible lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, an oxygen plasma treatment on a polymer separator combined with high-speed centrifugal spraying to construct ultrastable interfacial contacts is reported. With the treatment, abundant hydrophilic oxygen-containing functional groups are produced and ensure strong chemical adhesion between the separator and the active materials. With single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) sprayed onto the active materials, a dense thin film is formed as the current collector. Meanwhile, the centrifugal force caused by high-speed rotation together with van der Waals forces under fast evaporation produces a much closer interface between the current collector and the active materials. As a result of this ultrastable interfacial interaction, the integrated electrode shows no structural failure after 5000 bending cycles with the charge-transfer resistance as low as 35.8% and a Li-ion diffusion coefficient nearly 19 times of the untreated electrode. Flexible LIBs assembled with these integrated electrodes show excellent structural and electrochemical stability, and can work steadily under various deformed states and repeated bending. This work provides a new technique toward rational design of electrode configuration for flexible LIBs.

Gallstone recurrence after successful percutaneous cholecystolithotomy: a 10-year follow-up of 439 cases.

BACKGROUND: Stone recurrence is a major problem in the medication of gallstones with gallbladder preservation. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term recurrence rate of gallstones and the clinical outcome after successful percutaneous cholecystolithotomy (PCCL) treatment, and to investigate the possible risk factors for gallstone recurrence. METHODS: After successful PCCL for gallstones, 439 patients were followed up during a 10-year period. The long-term gallstone recurrence rate and clinical outcome were evaluated. Risk factors associated with stone recurrence were identified. RESULTS: Gallstone recurrence was detected in 182 of 439 PCCL patients, giving an overall recurrence rate of 41.46%. The cumulative gallstone recurrence rate for each of the 10 post-operative years was 9.57%, 18.91%, 27.33%, 34.14%, 37.59%, 39.86%, 41.90%, 42.73%, 42.85%, and 43.21%, respectively. Among these recurrent patients, 94 were asymptomatic, 80 suffered from nonspecific upper gastrointestinal symptoms and 8 suffered from abdominal pain or biliary colic. Thirty-eight of the 182 patients were retreated with cholecystectomy. The risk factors for stone recurrence included a family history of gallstones, preference for fatty food, accompanying liver disease, multiple stones and poor gallbladder function pre-PCCL. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the overall recurrence rate of gallstone was 41.46% during a 10-year period. The highest frequency of gallstone recurrence was during the 5th to 6th postoperative years and then continued to slowly increase. Risk factors for stone recurrence varied. We suggest that the use of PCCL in patients with gallstones should be considered carefully because of stone recurrence.

Percutaneous Intraductal Radiofrequency Ablation for Extrahepatic Distal Cholangiocarcinoma: A Method for Prolonging Stent Patency and Achieving Better Functional Status and Quality of Life.

PURPOSE: The clinical efficacy of intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with Habib™ EndoHPB catheter, a newly developed intervention for malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction, remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of intraductal RFA. METHODS: Data from 71 patients with extrahepatic distal cholangiocarcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. The study patients were divided into RFA and control groups. The RFA group had undergone percutaneous transhepatic intraductal RFA with a Habib™ EndoHPB catheter, followed by placement of covered or uncovered biliary self-expandable metallic stents (SEMs) whereas the control group had undergone percutaneous transhepatic covered or uncovered SEMs placement. Procedure-related complications, stent patency, patient survival, and postoperative serum bilirubin concentrations were compared between the two groups. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) questionnaire was administered to evaluate functional status, improvement in clinical manifestations, and quality of life. RESULTS: The RFA group had a longer median stent patency than the control group (p = 0.001 for uncovered SEMs placement). Higher functional well-being, hepatobiliary-specific cancer subscale, Trial Outcome Index, and total FACT-Hep scores were observed during post-procedure follow-up in the RFA group. However, median survival did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prolongation of stent patency and better functional status and quality of life, which are all important clinical endpoints, were observed in patients treated with intraductal RFA. Prospective randomized controlled clinical trials are necessary to further investigate the clinical efficacy and long-term benefits of intraductal RFA.

Percutaneous Endovascular Radiofrequency Ablation for Malignant Portal Obstruction: An Initial Clinical Experience.

PURPOSE: The Habib™ VesOpen Catheter is a new endovascular radiofrequency ablation (RFA) device used to treat malignant portal obstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility and safety of RFA with this device. METHODS: We collected the clinical records and follow-up data of patients with malignant portal obstruction treated with percutaneous endovascular portal RFA using the Habib™ VesOpen Catheter. Procedure-related complications, improvement of symptoms, portal patency, survival, and postoperative biochemical tests were investigated. RESULTS: The 31 patients enrolled in the study underwent 41 successful endovascular portal RFA procedures. Patients were divided into a portal-stenting (PS) group (n = 13), which underwent subsequent portal stenting with self-expandable metallic stents, and a non-stenting (NS) group (n = 18), which did not undergo stenting. No procedure-related abdominal hemorrhage or portal rupture occurred. Postablation complications included abdominal pain (n = 26), fever (n = 13), and pleural effusion (n = 15). Improvements in clinical manifestations were observed in 27 of the 31 patients. Of the 17 patients experiencing portal restenosis, 10 underwent successful repeat RFA. The rate of successful repeat RFA was significantly higher in the NS group than in the PS group. Median portal patency was shorter in the PS group than in the NS group. No mortality occurred during the 4 weeks after percutaneous endovascular portal RFA. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endovascular portal RFA is a feasible and safe therapeutic option for malignant portal obstruction. Prospective investigations should be performed to evaluate clinical efficacy, in particular, the need to evaluate the necessity for subsequent portal stenting.

Combination of erlotinib and a PARP inhibitor inhibits growth of A2780 tumor xenografts due to increased autophagy.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death in women with gynecological malignancy worldwide. Despite multiple new approaches to treatment, relapse remains almost inevitable in patients with advanced disease. The poor outcome of advanced ovarian cancer treated with conventional therapy stimulated the search for new strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy. Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have known activity in advanced ovarian cancer, the effect of combined therapy against EGFR and PARP in this population has not been reported. In the current study, we investigated the mechanisms of erlotinib used alone or in combination with olaparib (AZD2281), a potent inhibitor of PARP, in an EGFR-overexpressing ovarian tumor xenograft model. METHODS: A2780 (EGFR-overexpressing, BRCA1/2 wild-type) cells were subcutaneously injected into nude mice, which were then randomly assigned to treatment with vehicle, erlotinib, AZD2281, or erlotinib + AZD2281, for up to 3 weeks. All mice were then sacrificed and tumor tissues were subjected to Western blot analysis and monodansylcadervarine staining (for analysis of autophagy). RESULTS: Erlotinib could slightly inhibit growth of A2780 tumor xenografts, and AZD2281 alone had similar effects on tumor growth. However, the combination treatment had a markedly enhanced antitumor effect. Western blot analysis revealed that treatment with erlotinib could significantly reduce the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 and AKT in A2780 tumor tissue. Of interest, monodansylcadervarine staining showed that the autophagic effects were substantially enhanced when the agents were combined, which may be due to downregulation of apoptosis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that combination of a selective EGFR inhibitor and a PARP inhibitor is effective in ovarian cancer A2780 xenografts, and depends on enhanced autophagy.