Hub genes associated with immune cell infiltration in breast cancer, identified through bioinformatic analyses of multiple datasets

Objective:The aim of this study was to identify hub genes associated with immune cell infiltration in breast cancer through bioinformatic analyses of multiple datasets.Methods:Nonparametric(NOISeq)and robust rank aggregation-ranked parametric(EdgeR)methods were used to assess robust differentially expressed genes across multiple datasets.Protein-protein interaction network,GO,KEGG enrichment,and subnetwork analyses were performed to identify immune-associated hub genes in breast cancer.Immune cell infiltration was evaluated with the CIBERSORT,XCELL,and TIMER methods.The association between the hub gene-based risk signature and survival was determined through Kaplan–Meier survival analysis,multivariate Cox analysis,and a nomogram with external verification.Results:We identified 163 robust differentially expressed genes in breast cancer through applying both nonparametric and parametric methods to multiple GEO(n=2,212)and TCGA(n=1,045)datasets.Integrated bioinformatic analyses further identified 10 hub genes:CXCL10,CXCL9,CXCL11,SPP1,POSTN,MMP9,DPT,COL1A1,ADAMDEC1,and RGS1.The 10 hub-gene-based risk signature significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with breast cancer.Moreover,these hub genes were strongly associated with the extent of infiltration of CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells,neutrophils,macrophages,and myeloid dendritic cells into breast tumors.Conclusions:Integrated analyses of multiple databases led to the discovery of 10 robust hub genes that together may serve as a risk factor characteristic of the immune microenvironment in breast cancer.

Application of phenonaphthazine derivatives as hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells

Two electron-rich,solution-processable phenonaphthazine derivatives,5,12-bis{N-[4,4'-bis-(phenyl)-aminophen-4''-yl]}-phenonaphthazine(BPZTPA) and 5,12-bis{N-[4,4'-bis(methoxy-phenyl)aminophen-4''-yl]}-phenonaphthazine(Me O-BPZTPA) have been designed and employed in the fabrication of perovskite solar cells.BPZTPA and Me O-BPZTPA exhibit excellent thermal stabilities,hole mobilities(～10-4cm^2/(V.s)) and suitable HOMO levels(-5.34 and-5.29 e V,respectively) relative to the valence band of the CH_3NH_3 Pb I_3 and Au work function,showing their potential as alternative hole-transporting materials(HTMs).Meanwhile,the corresponding mesoporous Ti O_2/CH_3NH_3 Pb I_3/HTM/Au devices are investigated,and the best power conversion efficiency of 10.36% has been achieved for Me O-BPZTPA without using p-type dopant.

effective treatment of post-intubation subglottic stenosis in children with holmium laser therapy and cryotherapy via flexible bronchoscopy

Importance:Post-intubation subglottic stenosis(SGS)in children can be life threatening.Definitive treatment varies and lacks a universally accepted approach.Objective:We performed a prospective study to assess the safety and feasibility of holmium laser combined with cryotherapy delivered via flexible bronchoscopy for the treatment of post-intubation SGS in children.Methods:This study involved all patients with post-intubation SGS seen at the Interventional Pulmonology Department of Beijing Children's Hospital between July 2014 and December 2016.Holmium laser treatment and cryotherapy was then performed under flexible bronchoscopy,whose parents refused to accept the alternative standard treatment of tracheotomy and balloon dilation under direct laryngoscopy.results:Sixteen patients with post-intubation SGS were included in this study.Ages ranged from 2 months to 12.25 years old.According to the Cotton-Myer grading system,three cases were Grade II,12 cases were Grade III,and one case was Grade IV.According to the McCaffrey system,eight cases were Stage 1,two cases were Stage 2,and six cases were Stage 3.The average number of procedures was 4.88.Fifteen of the 16 patients achieved clinical cure.One patient achieved clinical improvement.The average treatment course duration was 55.31 days.No severe complications were seen.Post-treatment clinical symptoms,endoscopic findings and quality of life showed marked improvement.Interpretation:Our study supports the conclusion that holmium laser treatment combined with cryotherapy via flexible bronchoscopy appears to be a safe and feasible treatment for post-intubation SGS in children.