Tumor-feeding artery diameter reduction is associated with improved short-term effect of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy plus lenvatinib treatment

BACKGROUND Recently,hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)plus lenvatinib has been frequently used to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(uHCC)in China.In the clinic,the hepatic arteries of some patients shrink significantly during this treatment,leading to improved short-term efficacy.AIM To investigate the relationship between the shrinkage of hepatic arteries and the short-term effect of HAIC plus lenvatinib treatment.METHODS Sixty-seven participants with uHCC were enrolled in this retrospective study.The patients received HAIC every 3 wk,followed by oral lenvatinib after the first HAIC course.Hepatic artery diameters were measured on CT before treatment and after 1 and 2 mo of treatment.Meanwhile,the changes in tumor capillaries were also examined on pathological specimens before and after 1 mo of treatment.The antitumor response after 1,3,and 6 mo of treatment was assessed using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(mRECIST).The relationship between the changes in vessel diameters and the short-term effect of the combination treatment was evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic and logistic regression analyses.RESULTS The hepatic artery diameters were all significantly decreased after 1 and 2 mo of treatment(P<0.001),but there was no difference in the vessel diameters between 1 and 2 mo(P>0.05).The microvessel density in the tumor lesions decreased significantly after 1 mo of combination treatment(P<0.001).According to mRECIST,46,41,and 24 patients had complete or partial responses after 1,3,and 6 mo of treatment,respectively,whereas 21,21,and 32 patients had a stable or progressive disease at these times,respectively.Shrinkage of the tumor-feeding artery was significantly associated with the tumor response after 1,3,and 6 mo of treatment(P<0.001,P=0.004,and P=0.023,respectively);however,changes in other hepatic arteries were not significantly associated with the tumor response.Furthermore,shrinkage of the tumor-feeding artery was an independent factor for treatment efficacy(P=0.001,P=0.001,and P=0.002 and 1,3,and 6 mo,respectively).CONCLUSION The hepatic arteries shrank rapidly after treatment with HAIC plus lenvatinib,and shrinkage of the tumor-feeding artery diameter was closely related to improved short-term efficacy.

Short-term Effects of Air Pollution on Mortality in a Heavily Polluted Chinese City

Since the London fog in 1952, numerous epidemioLogical studies have revealed that both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollutants is associated with the development of diseases[1]. Up to date, the assessment of air quality on health and air quality standard establishment in developing countries were mainly relied on extrapolation based on the results from long-term cohort studies conducted in Europe and North America.

Clinical Observation on the Improved Short-Term Effects of Anti-Tumor Purified Chinese Medicine Injection Ai-Jing for 138 Cases with Malignant Tumors

The subjects of this study were to observe the improved short-term effects of anti-tumor purified Chinese medicine injection Ai-Jing for 138 cases with malignant tumors. This was a multi-center clinical study, and a total of 138 patients included 96 males and 42 females, with the age from 60 to 76 years. Ai-Jing has obtained the Chinese invention patent since 2008 (ZL991-03528.3). A novel technique acupoint injection method was adopted. Except for lung cancer, patients with other malignant tumors were injected once every other day, 2 ml each time. A course of treatment needs 6 Ai-Jing injections, lung cancer patients need 10 - 20 Ai-Jing injections. At the same time, patients were treated with traditional medicine decoction. Due to the limited number of cases, cure rate, recovery rate and remission rate were calculated as a whole, respectively 18.12%, 44.20% and 32.15%. All the invalid patients were lung cancer, accounting for 16.67% of the patients treated with lung cancer, and the total treatment inefficiency was 6.52%. Conclusion: Chinese Medicine Injection Ai-Jing extracts the effective components of anti-cancer and tumorigenesis, and has the effects of anti-cancer and tumorigenesis, anti-inflam-matory and analgesic, and repairing body damage, with small toxic and side effects and low cost.

A comparison of the short-term effects of fixed platform versus rotating high-fiexion prosthesis for the patients with osteoarthrities of knee

Objective To compare the preliminary clinical outcome between fixed platform and rotating high-flexion prosthesis following total knee replacement(TKR).Methods Form January 2007 to December 2009,68 patients with osteoarthritis of

Short-term effect of rehabilitation training on children with neuropathic acontractile sphincter incontinence

Objective To evaluate the short-term effect of pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation training under the guidance of doctors on children with neuropathic acontractile sphincter incontinence ( NASI) . Methods Sixty-eighty children ( aged 4 - 12 mean,7) years with NASI

Predictive value of serum levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 for the short-term effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer

Objective To investigate variation in levels of transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1)before and after radiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer in order to evaluate the predictive value of TGF-β1 for the effects of radiotherapy Methods A total of 140 patients with esophageal squamous carcinoma undergoing radical radiation therapy in the Department of Oncology from March 2015 to December 2017 were enrolled.The patients were divided into the effective(115 cases)and ineffective(25 cases)groups according to World Health Organization(WHO)criteria for the evaluation of solid tumors(2009 RECIST standard).TGF-β1 levels were measured in all patients by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Multiple-factor analysis of the predictive value of the treatment efficacy was performed by Cox regression analysis.Results After radiotherapy,36,79,and 25 cases experienced complete response(CR),partial response(PR),and no response(NR),respectively,with a total effective rate of 82.14%.The TGF-β1 level was significantly lower in the effective group than that in the ineffective group(P<0.05)and covariance analysis revealed significantly reduced TGF-β1 level in esophageal cancer patients following radiotherapy.The multi-factor Cox regression model revealed that the predictive value of TGF-β1 for the effect of radiotherapy was largest,with a hazard ratio[HR]of 1.955(P=0.002),followed by exposure dose,with(HR=1.367;P=0.035).Conclusion Serum TGF-β1 level can serve as a predictor for the short-term effects of radiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer.

Evaluation of short-term effects of drug-loaded microspheres and traditional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of advanced liver cancer

BACKGROUND Liver cancer is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality.Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the main method for surgically unresectable liver cancer.In recent years,drug-loaded microspheres have been gradually applied in TACE technology.There are some controversies about the therapeutic effects of drug-loaded microspheres TACE(D-TACE)and traditional TACE.AIM To explore the short-term efficacy of D-TACE and traditional TACE in the treatment of advanced liver cancer.METHODS The clinical data of 73 patients with advanced liver cancer admitted to the First and Sixth Medical Centers of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2017 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them,15 patients were treated with D-TACE,and 58 patients were treated with traditional TACE.Clinical baseline characteristics,perioperative laboratory indices,postoperative adverse reactions and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.RESULTS There was no statistical difference between the two groups for the postoperative response:The highest postoperative body temperature of the drug-loaded microsphere group was 38.0±0.9℃and the postoperative highest body temperature of the traditional TACE group was 38.3±0.7℃(t=-1.414,P=0.162).For the 24 h postoperative nausea and vomiting after surgery in terms of scoring and postoperative pain scores,the traditional TACE group was higher than the drugloaded microsphere group(χ2=14.33,P=0.014;χ2=32.967,P=0.000)and the two groups had significant statistical differences.The disease control rate at 3 mo after treatment in the drugloaded microsphere group was 60%and the disease control rate at 3 mo after treatment in the traditional TACE group was 75.9%(χ2=4.091,P=0.252).There was no statistical difference between the two groups of data.During the follow-up period,the number of interventional treatments received was once in the drug-loaded microsphere group and the traditional TACE group received an average of 1.48 treatments(χ2=10.444 P=0.005).There was a statistical difference between the two groups.CONCLUSION Compared with traditional TACE,D-TACE may have some advantages in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with a large tumor load in the short term,but the long-term clinical efficacy needs additional follow-up studies.In addition,compared with the traditional group,the patients in the drug-loaded microsphere group had better subjective tolerance and could reduce the number of interventional treatments.Therefore,D-TACE is worthy of clinical promotion.

Short-term efficacy of microwave ablation in the treatment of liver cancer and its effect on immune function

BACKGROUND Hepatectomy is the first choice for treating liver cancer.However,inflammatory factors,released in response to pain stimulation,may suppress perioperative immune function and affect the prognosis of patients undergoing hepatectomies.AIM To determine the short-term efficacy of microwave ablation in the treatment of liver cancer and its effect on immune function.METHODS Clinical data from patients with liver cancer admitted to Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Thirty-five patients underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver cancer(liver cancer resection group)and 35 patients underwent medical image-guided microwave ablation(liver cancer ablation group).The short-term efficacy,complications,liver function,and immune function indices before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS One month after treatment,19 patients experienced complete remission(CR),8 patients experienced partial remission(PR),6 patients experienced stable disease(SD),and 2 patients experienced disease progression(PD)in the liver cancer resection group.In the liver cancer ablation group,21 patients experienced CR,9 patients experienced PR,3 patients experienced SD,and 2 patients experienced PD.No significant differences in efficacy and complications were detected between the liver cancer ablation and liver cancer resection groups(P>0.05).After treatment,total bilirubin(41.24±7.35 vs 49.18±8.64μmol/L,P<0.001),alanine aminotransferase(30.85±6.23 vs 42.32±7.56 U/L,P<0.001),CD4+(43.95±5.72 vs 35.27±5.56,P<0.001),CD8+(20.38±3.91 vs 22.75±4.62,P<0.001),and CD4+/CD8+(2.16±0.39 vs 1.55±0.32,P<0.001)were significantly different between the liver cancer ablation and liver cancer resection groups.CONCLUSION The short-term efficacy and safety of microwave ablation and laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of liver cancer are similar,but liver function recovers quickly after microwave ablation,and microwave ablation may enhance immune function.

Locally Enhanced Flow and Electric Fields Through a Tip Effect for Efficient Flow‑Electrode Capacitive Deionization

Low-electrode capacitive deionization(FCDI)is an emerging desalination technology with great potential for removal and/or recycling ions from a range of waters.However,it still suffers from inefficient charge transfer and ion transport kinetics due to weak turbulence and low electric intensity in flow electrodes,both restricted by the current collectors.Herein,a new tip-array current collector(designated as T-CC)was developed to replace the conventional planar current collectors,which intensifies both the charge transfer and ion transport significantly.The effects of tip arrays on flow and electric fields were studied by both computational simulations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,which revealed the reduction of ion transport barrier,charge transport barrier and internal resistance.With the voltage increased from 1.0 to 1.5 and 2.0 V,the T-CC-based FCDI system(T-FCDI)exhibited average salt removal rates(ASRR)of 0.18,0.50,and 0.89μmol cm^(-2) min^(-1),respectively,which are 1.82,2.65,and 2.48 folds higher than that of the conventional serpentine current collectors,and 1.48,1.67,and 1.49 folds higher than that of the planar current collectors.Meanwhile,with the solid content in flow electrodes increased from 1 to 5 wt%,the ASRR for T-FCDI increased from 0.29 to 0.50μmol cm^(-2) min^(-1),which are 1.70 and 1.67 folds higher than that of the planar current collectors.Additionally,a salt removal efficiency of 99.89%was achieved with T-FCDI and the charge efficiency remained above 95%after 24 h of operation,thus showing its superior long-term stability.

Microstructural evolution during the progressive transformation-induced plasticity effect in a Fe-0.1C-5Mnmedium manganese steel

The microstructural evolution of a cold-rolled and intercritical annealed medium-Mn steel(Fe-0.10C-5Mn)was investigated during uniaxial tensile testing.In-situ observations under scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,and X-ray diffraction analysis were conducted to characterize the progressive transformation-induced plasticity process and associated fracture initiation mechanisms.These findings were discussed with the local strain measurements via digital image correlation.The results indicated that Lüders band formation in the steel was limited to 1.5%strain,which was mainly due to the early-stage martensitic phase transformation of a very small amount of the less stable large-sized retained austenite(RA),which led to localized stress concentrations and strain hardening and further retardation of yielding.The small-sized RA exhibited high stability and progressively transformed into martensite and contributed to a stably extended Portevin-Le Chatelier effect.The volume fraction of RA gradually decreased from 26.8%to 8.2%prior to fracture.In the late deformation stage,fracture initiation primarily occurred at the austenite/martensite and ferrite/martensite interfaces and the ferrite phase.

Wafer‑Scale Vertical 1D GaN Nanorods/2D MoS_(2)/PEDOT:PSS for Piezophototronic Effect‑Enhanced Self‑Powered Flexible Photodetectors

van der Waals(vdW)heterostructures constructed by lowdimensional(0D,1D,and 2D)materials are emerging as one of the most appealing systems in next-generation flexible photodetection.Currently,hand-stacked vdW-type photodetectors are not compatible with large-areaarray fabrication and show unimpressive performance in self-powered mode.Herein,vertical 1D GaN nanorods arrays(NRAs)/2D MoS_(2)/PEDOT:PSS in wafer scale have been proposed for self-powered flexible photodetectors arrays firstly.The as-integrated device without external bias under weak UV illumination exhibits a competitive responsivity of 1.47 A W^(−1)and a high detectivity of 1.2×10^(11)Jones,as well as a fast response speed of 54/71μs,thanks to the strong light absorption of GaN NRAs and the efficient photogenerated carrier separation in type-II heterojunction.Notably,the strain-tunable photodetection performances of device have been demonstrated.Impressively,the device at−0.78%strain and zero bias reveals a significantly enhanced photoresponse with a responsivity of 2.47 A W^(−1),a detectivity of 2.6×10^(11)Jones,and response times of 40/45μs,which are superior to the state-of-the-art self-powered flexible photodetectors.This work presents a valuable avenue to prepare tunable vdWs heterostructures for self-powered flexible photodetection,which performs well in flexible sensors.

Enhanced selectivity of catalytic hydrogenation of halogenated nitroaromatics by interfacial effects

The highly selective catalytic hydrogenation of halogenated nitroaromatics was achieved by employing Pd‑based catalysts that were co‑modified with organic and inorganic ligands.It was demonstrated that the catalysts contained Pd species in mixed valence states,with high valence Pd at the metal‑support interface and zero valence Pd at the metal surface.While the strong coordination of triphenylphosphine(PPh3)to Pd0 on the Pd surface prevents the adsorption of halogenated nitroaromatics and thus dehalogenation,the coordination of sodium metavanadate(NaVO3)to high‑valence Pd sites at the interface helps to activate H2 in a heterolytic pathway for the selective hydrogenation of nitro‑groups.The excellent catalytic performance of the interfacial active sites enables the selective hydrogenation of a wide range of halogenated nitroaromatics.

Novel Methodologies for Preventing Crack Propagation in Steel Gas Pipelines Considering the Temperature Effect

Using the software ANSYS-19.2/Explicit Dynamics,this study performedfinite-element modeling of the large-diameter steel pipeline cross-section for the Beineu-Bozoy-Shymkent gas pipeline with a non-through straight crack,strengthened by steel wire wrapping.The effects of the thread tensile force of the steel winding in the form of single rings at the crack edges and the wires with different winding diameters and pitches were also studied.The results showed that the strengthening was preferably executed at a minimum value of the thread tensile force,which was 6.4%more effective than that at its maximum value.The analysis of the influence of the winding dia-meters showed that the equivalent stresses increased by 32%from the beginning of the crack growth until the wire broke.The increment in winding diameter decelerated the disclosure of the edge crack and reduced its length by 8.2%.The analysis of the influence of the winding pitch showed that decreasing the distance between the winding turns also led to a 33.6%reduction in the length of the straight crack and a 7.9%reduction in the maximum stres-ses on the strengthened pipeline cross-section.The analysis of the temperature effect on the pipeline material,within a range from-40℃ to+50℃,resulted in a crack length change of up to 5.8%.As the temperature dropped,the crack length decreased.Within such a temperature range,the maximum stresses were observed along the cen-tral area of the crack,which were equal to 413 MPa at+50℃ and 440 MPa at-40℃.The results also showed that the presence of the steel winding in the pipeline significantly reduced the length of crack propagation up to 8.4 times,depending on the temperature effect and design parameters of prestressing.This work integrated the existing methods for crack localization along steel gas pipelines.

Cumulative effects of stress-sensitivity factors on depressive symptoms and suicide risk:A prospective study

BACKGROUND Sensitivity to stress is essential in the onset,clinical symptoms,course,and prognosis of major depressive disorder(MDD).Meanwhile,it was unclear how variously classified but connected stress-sensitivity variables affect MDD.We hypothesize that high-level trait-and state-related stress-sensitivity factors may have different cumulative effects on the clinical symptoms and follow-up outcomes of MDD.AIM To investigate how stress-sensitivity factors added up and affected MDD clinical symptoms and follow-up results.METHODS In this prospective study,281 MDD patients were enrolled from a tertiary care setting.High-level stress-sensitivity factors were classified as trait anxiety,state anxiety,perceived stress,and neuroticism,with a total score in the top quartile of the research cohort.The cumulative effects of stress-sensitivity factors on cognitive dysfunction,disability and functional impairment,suicide risk,and depressive and anxiety symptoms were examined using an analysis of variance with linear trend analysis.Correlations were investigated further using multiple regression analysis.RESULTS Regarding high-level stress-sensitivity factors,53.40%of patients had at least one at baseline,and 29.61%had two or more.Four high-level stress-sensitivity components had significant cumulative impacts on MDD symptoms at baseline(all P<0.001).Perceived stress predicted the greatest effect sizes of state-related factors on depressive symptoms(partialη^(2)=0.153;standardizedβ=0.195;P<0.05).The follow-up outcomes were significantly impacted only by the high-level trait-related components,mainly when it came to depressive symptoms and suicide risk,which were predicted by trait anxiety and neuroticism,respectively(partialη^(2)=0.204 and 0.156;standardizedβ=0.247 and 0.392;P<0.05).CONCLUSION To enhance outcomes of MDD and lower the suicide risk,screening for stress-sensitivity factors and considering multifaceted measures,mainly focusing on trait-related ones,should be addressed clinically.

Experimental and numerical simulation of the attenuation effect of blast shock waves in tunnels at different altitudes

Traffic engineering such as tunnels in various altitudinal gradient zone are at risk of accidental explosion,which can damage personnel and equipment.Accurate prediction of the distribution pattern of explosive loads and shock wave propagation process in semi-enclosed structures at various altitude environment is key research focus in the fields of explosion shock and fluid dynamics.The effect of altitude on the propagation of shock waves in tunnels was investigated by conducting explosion test and numerical simulation.Based on the experimental and numerical simulation results,a prediction model for the attenuation of the peak overpressure of tunnel shock waves at different altitudes was established.The results showed that the peak overpressure decreased at the same measurement points in the tunnel entrance under the high altitude condition.In contrast,an increase in altitude accelerated the propagation speed of the shock wave in the tunnel.The average error between the peak shock wave overpressure obtained using the overpressure prediction formula and the measured test data was less than15%,the average error between the propagation velocity of shock waves predicted values and the test data is less than 10%.The method can effectively predict the overpressure attenuation of blast wave in tunnel at various altitudes.

Effect of ligamentum teres uteri preservation in laparoscopic high hernia sac ligation in children with indirect inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND Routinely separating the ligamentum teres uteri(LTU)intraoperatively remains an unresolved issue for female children undergoing surgery for indirect inguinal hernia(IIH).AIM To identify the effect of LTU preservation in laparoscopic high hernia sac ligation(LHSL)in children with IIH.METHODS The participants were 100 female children with unilateral IIH admitted from April 2022 to January 2024 to the Pediatric Surgery Department of Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital of Fujian Province.They were categorized based on LTU retention into the control group(n=45 cases),which underwent LTU ligation intraoperatively,and the experimental group(55 cases),which had the LTU preserved intraoperatively.All children underwent LHSL.RESULTS This study comparatively analyzed the operation time,hospitalization time,blood loss,postoperative recurrence rate,and complications(repeated pain in the inguinal region,foreign body sensation in the inguinal region,bloody exudation at the inguinal incision,and incision infection),which were all comparable between the two groups.CONCLUSION The above results indicate that LTU preservation during LHSL exerts certain therapeutic benefits for children with IIH.LTU preservation does not increase hospitalization time,blood loss,postoperative recurrence rate,and complications,which is safe and feasible,compared with conventional LTU ligation.LHSL with LTU preservation should be performed if conditions permit,which is worth popularizing.

Effects of Short-term Freezing on Endodormancy Release in Nectarine Bud

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the endodormancy release in nectarine bud treated by short-term freezing. [Method] Through short-term freezing at seven different temperatures for three different periods on bud, the livability, burst, ratio of free water to bound water and membrane permeability of ＇Shuguang＇ nec- tarine bud were studied. [Result] On November 10, compared with non-freezing treatment （CK）, the bud burst, ratio of free water to bound water and membrane permeability treated by freezing at -5 and -8 ℃ were almost the same as CK. But the rest freezing treatments advanced the date of endodormancy release, while the bud burst, ratio of free water to bound water and membrane permeability were high- er than CK. on November 20 and 30, the effects of the freezing treatment on en- dodormancy release were the same when the treatment on November 10, and the effect was better as the treatment was later. [Conclusion] The correlation of the rate of bud burst, ratio of free water to bound water, and membrane permeability of the different freezing treatments indicated that the change from bound water to free wa- ter and the increase of membrane permeability were probably the signal of endodor- mancy release.

The Impact of Meteorological Factors on the Short-term Cumulative Effect of Air Particulate in Tianjin

In order to reveal the rapid increase mechanism of particulate concentration in short time,a notion of short-term cumulative effect of air particulate is defined as the significant increase of pollutant concentration in a short time under the condition of breeze,stable weather and constant emission caused by human being's activities. Subsequently,an index of short-term cumulative effect is established with air diffusive equation,and then the macro-scale meteorological situation and micro-scale factors of forming the short-term cumulative effect are discussed with the observation data. The macro-scale meteorological variables contain upper-level weather situations and surface weather situations. The micro-scale factors mainly include the boundary-layer height and boundary-layer stability. The analyses show that boundary-layer factors and weather variables have a significant influence on the short-term cumulative effect. The notion of short-term cumulative effect will play an important role in interpreting the severe pollution weather.

The effect of fire disturbance on short-term soil respiration in typical forest of Greater Xing'an Range, China

We investigated the effect of fire disturbance on short-term soil respiration in birch （Betula platyphylla Suk.） and larch （Larix gmelinii Rupr.） forests in Greater Xing’an range, northeastern China for further understanding of its effect on the carbon cycle in ecosystems. Our study show that post-fire soil respiration rates in B. platyphylla and L. gmelinii forests were reduced by 14%and 10%, respectively. In contrast, the soil heterotrophic respiration rates in the two types of forest were similar in post-fire and control plots. After fire, the contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration was dramatically reduced. Variation in soil respiration rates was explained by soil moisture （W） and soil tem-perature （T） at a depth of 5 cm. Exponential regression fitted T and W models explained Rs rates in B. platyphylla control and post-fire plots （83.1% and 86.2%） and L. gmelinii control and post-fire plots （83.7%and 88.7%）. In addition, the short-term temperature coefficients in B.

Effect of Short-Term Exposure to Mercuric Chloride on the Air-Breathing Catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis──Ⅱ.Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Gill

Alterations in the respiratory epithelium of gills of a catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis by the sublethal and lethal concentrations of HgCl2 have been observcd using scanning electron microscope. Fish exposed to 0.1 ppm shows a thin coat ot mucus, but the continuous layer of mucus is not retained in 0.3 ppm after 24 h of exposure. Epithelial cells of the gill filament are hyperplastic. Other changcs in the respiratory epithelium are contraction of epithelium, formation of interlamellar bridge and diminishing number of microridges. Massive destruction of the respiratory epithelium by deep lesions and sloughing of epithelial layer in 0.5 and 1.0 ppm solutions after 6-12 h of exposure apparently causes death to the fish. SEM observations are well in conformity with the findings made at light microscopic level