Tuning interface mechanism of FeCo alloy embedded N,S-codoped carbon substrate for rechargeable Zn-air battery

The interface mechanism between catalyst and carbon substrate has been the focus of research.In this paper,the FeCo alloy embedded N,S co-doped carbon substrate bifunctional catalyst(FeCo/S-NC)is obtained by a simple one-step pyrolysis strategy.The experimental results and density functional theory(DFT)calculation show that the formation of FeCo alloy is conducive to promoting electron transfer,and the introduction of S atom can enhance the interaction between FeCo alloy and carbon substrate,thus inhibiting the migration and agglomeration of particles on the surface of carbon material.The FeCo/SNC catalysts show outstanding performance for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER).FeCo/S-NC shows a high half-wave potential(E_(1/2)=0.8823 V)for ORR and a low overpotential at 10 mA cm^(-2)(E_(j=10)=299 mV)for OER.In addition,compared with Pt/C+RuO_(2) assembled Zn-air battery(ZAB),the FeCo/S-NC assembled ZAB exhibits a larger power density(198.8 mW cm^(-2)),a higher specific capacity(786.1 mA h g_(zn)~(-1)),and ultra-stable cycle performance.These results confirm that the optimized composition and the interfacial interaction between catalyst and carbon substrate synergistically enhance the electrochemical performance.

Microbiota in colorectal cancer related to liver metastasis

The prevalence of colorectal cancer(CRC) is increasing annually and metastasis is the principal cause of death in patients with CRC, with the liver being the most frequently affected site. Many studies have shown a strong interplay between the gut flora, particularly Fusobacterium nucleatum(F. nucleatum), Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides fragilis, and the development of gut tumors. Some strains can induce gut inflammation and produce toxins that directly harm gut epithelial cells, ultimately accelerating the onset and progression of CRC. However,little clinical evidence exists on the specific interplay between the gut microflora and colorectal cancer liver metastasis(CRLM). Some research showed the existence of viable F. nucleatum in distant metastasis of CRC.Subsequently, gut microbiota products, such as lipopolysaccharides, sodium butyrate, and protein cathepsin K, were also found to affect the development of CRC. This article summarizes the mechanism and research status of the interplay between gut microflora and CRLM, discusses the importance of gut microflora in the treatment of CRLM, and proposes a new approach to understanding the mechanism of CRLM and potential treatments for the microbiome. It is anticipated that the gut microbiota will be a formidable therapeutic and prophylactic tool for treating and preventing CRLM.

多囊卵巢综合征无排卵的胰岛素信号和雄激素合成的新遗传风险和代谢特征

促排卵是多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)不孕症的一线治疗方案。卵巢对促排卵治疗的排卵应答差被认为与胰岛素抵抗和高雄激素血症相关。在一个包含1000名PCOS不孕妇女(PCOSAct)的前瞻性队列中,我们开展了一项全外显子联合靶向单核苷酸多态性(SNP)测序以及代谢组学研究。在全基因组水平找出与无排卵显著相关的常见变异和罕见突变,并通过机器学习算法构建排卵预测模型。研究发现,ZNF438基因中标记为rs2994652(p=2.47×10^(-8))的常见变异和REC114基因中的一个罕见功能突变(rs182542888,p=5.79×10^(-6))与促排卵治疗失败显著相关。携带rs2994652 A等位基因和REC114 p.Val101Leu(rs182542888)的PCOS不孕妇女进行促排卵治疗的总排卵率更低(分别为比值比(OR)=1.96,95%置信区间(CI)[1.55~2.49];OR=11.52,95%CI[3.08~43.05]),出现排卵的间隔时间更长(平均56.7天vs.49.0天,p<0.001;78.1天vs.68.6天,p=0.014)。对于rs2994652突变者,L-苯丙氨酸水平升高并与胰岛素抵抗稳态模型(HOMA-IR)指数(r=0.22,p=0.05)和空腹血糖(r=0.33,p=0.003)呈正相关;对于rs182542888突变者,花生四烯酸代谢产物水平下降并与升高的抗苗勒管激素(r=-0.51,p=0.01)和总睾酮(r=-0.71,p=0.02)呈负相关。整合基因变异位点、代谢产物及临床特征的联合预测模型可提高对排卵的预测能力[曲线下面积(AUC)=76.7%]。ZNF438基因的一个常见变异和REC114基因的一个罕见功能突变,以及与二者相关的苯丙氨酸和花生四烯酸代谢物改变,与PCOS女性不孕症的促排卵治疗失败相关。

Effect of recombinant human endostatin onradiotherapy for esophagus cancer

Objective:To investigate the effect of radiotherapy plus recombinant human endostatin（RHendostatin） on esophageal cancer and its mechanism.Methods:A total of SO nudemice were equally randomized into control group,radiotherapy group,and combined therapy group Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ after inoculating with Ecal09 cell suspension（1×107 cells/mL）.On the day of grouping,control group and radiotherapy group were injected normal saline,while radiotherapy group and 3 combined therapy groups received radiotherapy;besides,combined therapy group Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ was injected RH-endostatin of 2.5,5,10 mg/kg respectively.After 3-week therapy,the tumors of each group were collected and microvessel density and VEGF expression in tumors were determined.In vitro,Eca109 cells were divided into control group,radiotherapy group,and combined therapy group.Forty-eight hours after treatment cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate were detected,and the activity of VEGF signal paths was semiquantitatively analyzed.Results:Since the 6th day of treatment,the relative tumor proliferation rate of combined therapy group Ⅱ was lower than radiotherapy group（P<0.05） and 40%since the 15 th day.Average microvessel density and EGFR expression in combined therapy group Ⅱ were lower than radiotherapy group（P<0.05）.In vitro,the cell percentage in S and G2/M phase of combined therapy group cells was lower than that in radiotherapy group cells,while the apoptosis rate and the expression of VEGF,AKT,p-AKT,ERK1/2 and p-ERKl/2 in combined group were higher than that in radiotherapy group（P<0.05）.Conclusions:RH-endostatin promotes the efficacy of radiotherapy on esophageal cancer,which may be partly realized by inhibiting the activity of VEGF related signal paths.

Colorectal cancer, radiotherapy and gut microbiota

Colorectal cancer is closely related to inflammation and immune response. Radiotherapy, as a major treatment for colorectal cancer, plays a central role in cancer control. Inflammation caused by ionizing radiation can exert either anti-or pro-tumorigenic effects. Additionally, radiotherapy can elicit an anti-tumor response not only in radiation of target lesions but also in radiation of remote lesions. However, the immune mechanism underlying this effect has not been thoroughly elucidated yet. The combination therapeutic regimen of radiotherapy with other therapeutic methods, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, has been applied in clinical practice. Meanwhile, radiation toxicity and radiosensitivity have long been problems that affect a patient's quality of life and morbidity.Researchers have found that the abovementioned problems are closely associated with gut microbiota. Here we discuss the impact of immune response induced by radiotherapy on tumor regression and the impact of intestinal flora on the consequent clinical efficacy.

奥沙利铂和卡培他滨联合贝伐单抗加放疗的新辅助方案治疗局部晚期直肠癌:单中心Ⅱ期研究结果

背景与目的新辅助放化疗后手术被推荐为局部晚期直肠癌的标准治疗方案,可降低局部复发但对远处转移无效。所以加强系统治疗是降低远处转移风险的必要措施。本研究旨在评价奥沙利铂和卡培他滨(XELOX)联合贝伐单抗加放疗的新辅助方案治疗局部晚期直肠癌的安全性和有效性。方法Ⅱ至Ⅲ期直肠癌患者接受1个疗程的诱导化疗及XELOX加贝伐单抗的同步放化疗。放疗结束后6–8周行手术治疗,并进行3个疗程XELOX和2个疗程卡培他滨的术后化疗。本研究的主要终点是病理学完全缓解(pathologic complete response,pCR)率和安全性,次要终点为3年总生存和无进展生存。结果 2013年2月至2015年4月间招募了45例患者。所有患者均完成了新辅助治疗。7例患者(15.6%)因个人原因拒绝了后续手术治疗,其余38例患者接受了根治性切除术,括约肌保留率为84.2%,pCR率为39.5%。毒性是可接受的,分别在6例和2例患者中观察到3–4级血液学毒性和腹泻。需要手术干预的吻合口瘘的发生率为13.3%。中位随访37个月后,5例患者出现疾病进展,2例患者因癌症死亡。3年总生存率和3年无进展生存率分别为95.3%和88.6%。结论增加贝伐单抗至新辅助放化疗中获得了令人满意的pCR率和3年生存率,但也增加了吻合口瘘的风险,因此该方案不宜作为局部晚期直肠癌的常规推荐方案。

Revalidation of a prognostic score model based on complete blood count for nasopharyngeal carcinoma through a prospective study

Objective： In our previous work, we incorporated complete blood count （CBC） into TNM stage to develop a new prognostic score model, which was validated to improve prediction efficiency of TNM stage for nasopharyngeal carcinoma （NPC）. The purpose of this study was to revalidate the accuracy of the model, and its superiority to TNM stage, through data from a prospective study.Methods： CBC of 249 eligible patients from the 863 Program No. 2006AA02Z4B4 was evaluated. Prognostic index （PI） of each patient was calculated according to the score model. Then they were divided by the PI into three categories： the low-, intermediate-and high-risk patients. The 5-year disease-specific survival （DSS） of the three categories was compared by a log-rank test. The model and TNM stage （Tth edition） were compared on efficiency for predicting the 5-year DSS, through comparison of the area under curve （AUC） of their receiver-operating characteristic curves.Results： The 5-year DSS of the low-, intermediate- and high-risk patients were 96.0%, 79.1% and 62.2%, respectively. The low- and intermediate-risk patients had better DSS than the high-risk patients （P〈0.001 and P〈0.005, respectively）. And there was a trend of better DSS in the low-risk patients, compared with the intermediate-risk patients （P=0.049）. The AUC of the model was larger than that of TNM stage （0.726 vs. 0.661, P：0.023）. Conclusions： A CBC-based prognostic score model was revalidated to be accurate and superior to TNM stage on predicting 5-year DSS of NPC.

Catalytic performance of imidazole modified HZSM-5 for methanol to aromatics reaction

A facile approach was developed for the preparation of nano-sized HZSM-5 with a hierarchical mesoporous structure by adding imidazole into conventional zeolite synthesis precursor solution. The physicochemical properties of modified HZSM-5 were characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, N;adsorption–desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, NH;-temperature-programmed desorption（NH;-TPD） and pyridine adsorption infrared spectroscopy（Py-IR）. The coke in spent catalysts was characterized by thermogravimetry（TG）. The results showed that hierarchical HZSM-5 zeolites with excellent textural properties, such as abundant porous structure, uniform particle size and suitable acidity, could be synthesized by the recipe of one-pot synthesis routes. Moreover, the obtained HZSM-5 exhibited higher selectivity of total aromatics as well as longer lifetime in the catalytic conversion of methanol to aromatics, comparing with conventional HZSM-5. It is expected that the synthesis approach demonstrated here will be applicable to other zeolites with particular textural properties and controllable particle sizes, facilitating the emergence of new-type porous materials and their related applications in catalysis and separation.

Cycle number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy might influence survival of patients with T1-4N2-3M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective： Stage N2-3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma（NPC） shows a high risk of distant metastasis, which will finally cause death. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy（NACT） of various cycles before radical radiotherapy on distant metastasis and survival of patients with stage N2-3 diseases.Methods： In this study, a total of 1,164 consecutive patients with non-metastatic N2-3 NPC were recruited and prospectively observed. Then 231 patients who received NACT of 4 cycles（NACT=4 group） were matched 1：2：1 to 462 patients treated with NACT of 2 cycles（NACT=2 group） and 231 patients treated without NACT（NACT=0 group）, according to age, histological subtype, N stage and NACT regimen. Five candidate variables（sex, T stage, concurrent chemotherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy and cycle number of NACT） were analyzed for their association with patients＇ survival.Results： After matching, the overall survival（OS）, disease-free survival（DFS）, local-recurrence-free survival（RFS） and distant-metastasis-free survival（MFS） of the NACT=4 group（89.2%, 81.0%, 83.3% and 84.8%,respectively） were better than those of the NACT=2 group（83.3%, 72.5%, 81.2% and 77.9%, respectively） and the NACT=0 group（74.0%, 63.2%, 74.0% and 68.8%, respectively）. In multivariate analysis, the cycle number of NACT maintained statistical significance on the OS, DFS, RFS and MFS（all P〈0.05）.Conclusions： For N2-3 NPC, cycle number of NACT appeared to be an independent factor associated with an improvement of survival.

A Method for Assessing Customer Harmonic Emission Level Based on the Iterative Algorithm for Least Square Estimation

With the power system harmonic pollution problems becoming more and more serious, how to distinguish the harmonic responsibility accurately and solve the grid harmonics simply and effectively has become the main development direction in harmonic control subjects. This paper, based on linear regression analysis of basic equation and improvement equation, deduced the least squares estimation (LSE) iterative algorithm and obtained the real-time estimates of regression coefficients, and then calculated the level of the harmonic impedance and emission estimates in real time. This paper used power system simulation software Matlab/Simulink as analysis tool and analyzed the user side of the harmonic amplitude and phase fluctuations PCC (point of common coupling) at the harmonic emission level, thus the research has a certain theoretical significance. The development of this algorithm combined with the instrument can be used in practical engineering.

Limitation of the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation for the kinetic analysis of crystallization in a Ti-based amorphous alloy

The primary crystallization of the Ti40Zr25NisCu9Bc18 amorphous alloy was studied by isochronal differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. The activation energy was determined by the Kissinger-Akahim-Sunose method. Trying to analyze the crystallization kinetics of the Ti40Zr25NigCu9Be18 amorphous alloy by two different methods, it was found that the crystallization kinetics did not obey the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation. A modified method in consideration of the impingement effect was proposed to perform kinetic analysis of the isochronal crystallization of this alloy. The kinetic parameters were then obtained by the linear fitting method based on the modified kinetic equation. The results show that the isochronal crystallization kinetics of the amorphous Ti40Zr25Ni8CugBe18 alloy is heating rate dependent, and the discrepancy between the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami method and the modified method increases with the increase of heating rate.

Effectiveness and safety of different amifostine regimens：Preliminary results of a phase Ⅱ multicenter randomized controlled trial

Objective：The radioprotective effects of amifostine remain uncertain in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma（NPC）,and adverse effects and cost limit generalization of its classical everyday regimen.This phase II multicenter randomized controlled trial aimed to explore whether amifostine could ameliorate the toxicities of NPC patients in the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy（IMRT）,and to compare different regimens of amifostine on effectiveness and safety.Methods：Patients with stage I–IVB NPC were involved prospectively from January 1st,2013.All patients received radical treatment based on IMRT.After a randomization stratified by their stage,these patients were allocated into 3 groups：the group treated without amifostine,the group treated with the everyday regimen of amifostine,and the group treated with the every-other-day regimen.The 3 groups of patients were compared on radiotherapy-related acute toxicities,treatment effects of NPC,and amifostine-related complications.This trial was registered on the clinicaltrials.gov（ID：NCT01762514）.Results：Until August 31st,2017,totally 187 patients completed experimental intervention.Only amifostine of everyday regimen appeared to reduce the patient proportion of mucositis（79.1%vs.96.8%,P=0.002）.Hypocalcemia was less common in patients treated without amifostine than in those treated with amifostine（22.6%vs.53.4%vs.41.8%,P=0.002）.Neither complete remission rates nor the survivals were affected by amifostine.Conclusions：Amifostine of everyday regimen could reduce mucositis in NPC patients who received IMRT,though it also had the possibility to cause more hypocalcemia.

Research on the Model of Electric Vehicle Charging Device Based on PSCAD

The following article has been retracted due to improper duplication. The Editorial Board takes a very strong respect to the author’s situation on this matter. This paper published in Energy and Power Engineering?Vol.5 No.4B, November 20, 2013, has been removed from this site.

Two New Integrable Hierarchies and Their Nonlinear Integrable Couplings

By introducing an invertible linear transform, a new Lie algebra G is obtained from the Lie algebra H. Making use of the compatibility conditions of the respective isospectral problems, a generalized NLS-MKdV hierarchy and a new integrable soliton hierarchy are achieved by using the trace identity or the variational identity. Then, two special non-semisimple Lie algebras ?and ?are explicitly conducted. As an application, the nonlinear continuous integrable couplings of the obtained integrable systems as well as their bi-Hamiltonian structures are established, respectively.

Characterization of the acidity and basicity of green solvents by NMR techniques

The acidity and basicity of the solvents can influence the reaction outcome notably,and hence the precise measurement of pH is important for reaction.However,not all the pH values of organic solvents can be determined with a classic pH meter straightly.In this research,the acidity and basicity of environmentally friendly green solvents,such as ZnCl_(2) molten salt hydrate,ionic liquids(ILs)and deep eutectic solvents(DESs),were characterized by 31P and 1 H NMR spectroscopy using trimethylphosphine oxide(TMPO)and pyrrole as probe molecules at 298 K.For the ZnCl_(2) molten salt hydrate,the acidic strength of the ZnCl_(2) molten salt hydrate increased with the concentration of ZnCl_(2).By using the ^(1)H-pyrrole NMR approach,it was found that the base strength of amino acid-based ILs follows the order:[Ch][Lys]>[Ch][His].

Electro-assisted regeneration of ion exchange resins

Electro-assisted regeneration(EAR)for the mixed bed of strongly acidic cation and weakly basic anion exchange resins with the Al(OH)_(3) suspension in a three-compartment cell was investigated.The desalination experiments were carried out to evaluate the characteristic of the regenerated mixed resins.Experimental results showed that the efficiency of resin regeneration was strictly dependent on the voltage,regeneration time,and feed regenerant flow rate.The amount of the effluent reached 50 times the volume of the resins bed,and the conductivity was less than 1.0 ms/cm.Compared to the conventional ER,the total effluent volume of EAR was about 1000 mL more than that of ER under the same conditions,and the outlet conductivity was significantly lower.The desalination and regeneration reaction mechanisms of the mixed resins indicated the regeneration efficiency of resin with Al(OH)_(3) as the regenerant was much higher than that with H2O.

Targeting TRMT5 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression via inhibiting the HIF-1αpathways

Accumulating evidence has confirmed the links between transfer RNA(tRNA)modifications and tumor progression.The present study is the first to explore the role of tRNA methyltransferase 5(TRMT5),which catalyzes the m1G37 modification of mitochondrial tRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)progression.Here,based on bioinformatics and clinical analyses,we identified that TRMT5 expression was upregulated in HCC,which correlated with poor prognosis.Silencing TRMT5 attenuated HCC proliferation and metastasis both in vivo and in vitro,which may be partially explained by declined extracellular acidification rate(ECAR)and oxygen consumption rate(OCR).Mechanistically,we discovered that knockdown of TRMT5 inactivated the hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1)signaling pathway by preventing HIF-1αstability through the enhancement of cellular oxygen content.Moreover,our data indicated that inhibition of TRMT5 sensitized HCC to doxorubicin by adjusting HIF-1α.In conclusion,our study revealed that targeting TRMT5 could inhibit HCC progression and increase the susceptibility of tumor cells to chemotherapy drugs.Thus,TRMT5 might be a carcinogenesis candidate gene that could serve as a potential target for HCC therapy.

A novel Trmt5-deficient zebrafish model with spontaneous inflammatory bowel disease-like phenotype

Dear Editor,Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),a complex syndrome characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract,is considered a global health problem,especially prevalent in western developed countries and with accelerating incidence in the developing world over the last decade.1 To date,the primary etiology of IBD remains elusive.

高速撞击诱导大梯度纳米结构化高熵合金的力学行为

国防军工与航天领域的防护结构要求材料能经受住弹体或空间碎片的高速撞击,包括处于极低温环境.高熵合金因其特殊的化学结构与优异的综合力学性能,成为新型装甲防护材料研究的新范式.本文通过弹丸高速撞击高熵合金靶板的响应分析,提出了一种通过室温和低温高速冲击制备大梯度纳米晶和纳米孪晶混合结构高熵合金的新方法,并研究了该梯度纳米结构高熵合金的拉伸力学性能以及变形机理.结果表明,大梯度纳米结构从冲击端到自由面,微结构过渡主要为:纳米晶-纳米晶带-高密度纳米孪晶带/高密度位错带/点阵旋转带-稀疏纳米孪晶带/高密度位错带/点阵旋转带-高密度位错-稀疏位错.单纯纳米晶和纳米孪晶混合结构的梯度层厚度达到4 mm,远超传统手段制备的梯度层厚度(小于500μm).相比初态样品,大梯度纳米结构高熵合金的强度提升明显,最高提升390%,塑性仍保持在较大范围内:21%~62%.这得益于大梯度样品“软区”和“硬区”共存,除了较大背应力提供额外强化外,软硬组织弹塑性变形的不同步和断裂发生的不同步也会额外提高力学性能.本研究不仅可为开发块体大梯度纳米结构材料提供新方法,也可为理解高熵合金的抗弹行为并指导装甲防护材料设计提供参考.

Neoadjuvant oxaliplatin and capecitabine combined with bevacizumab plus radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer: results of a single-institute phase II study

Background:Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery is recommended as the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer,reducing local recurrence but not distant metastasis.Intensified systemic therapy is warranted to reduce the risk of distant metastasis.The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of neo-adjuvant oxaliplatin and capecitabine(XELOX)combined with bevacizumab plus radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer.Methods:Patients with stages II to III rectal cancer received one cycle of induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy with XELOX plus bevacizumab.Surgery was performed 6-8 weeks after completion of radiotherapy,and postoperative chemotherapy with three cycles of XELOX and two cycles of capecitabine were given.The primary endpoints were pathologic complete response(pCR)rate and safety,and the secondary endpoints were 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival.Results:Forty-five patients were enrolled between February 2013 and April 2015.All completed the neoadjuvant therapy.Seven patients(15.6%)refused subsequent surgical therapy for personal reasons,and the other 38 patients received radical resection,with a sphincter preservation rate of 84.2%and a pCR rate of 39.5%.Toxicity was acceptable,with grades 3-4 hematological toxicity and diarrhea observed in six and two patients,respectively.Incidence of anastomotic leak that required surgical intervention was 13.3%.After a median follow-up period of 37 months,five patients developed disease progression and two died of cancer.The 3-year overall survival rate and 3-year progres-sion-free survival rate were 95.3%and 88.6%,respectively.Conclusions:The addition of bevacizumab to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy resulted in a satisfying pCR rate and 3-year survival,but also may increase the risk of anastomotic leak,thus this regimen is not suitable to be considered for regular recommendation for locally advanced rectal cancer.