Fine control of carbon nanotubes-polyelectrolyte sensors sensitivity by electrostatic layer by layer assembly (eLbL) for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOC)

International audienceVolatile organic compounds (VOC) sensors have recently extended their field of application to medical area as they are considered as biomarkers in anticipated diagnosis of diseases such as lung cancer by breath analysis. Conductive polymer nanocomposites (CPC) have already proved their interest to fabricate sensors for the design of electronic noses (e-noses) but, for the first time to our knowledge, the present study is showing that electrostatic layer by layer assembly (eLbL) is bringing an interesting input to tailor the sensitivity of carbon nanotubes (CNT)-polyelectrolyte sensors. By this technique transducers are progressively built in 3D alternating dipping into sodium deoxycholate (DOC)-stabilized SWNT and poly(diallyldimethyl-ammonium chloride) [PDDA] solutions, respectively anionic and cationic. The precise control of transducers thicknesses (between 5 and 40 nm) resulting from this process allows a fine tuning of multilayer films resistance (between 50 and 2 kΩ) and thus of their sensitivity to VOC. Interestingly the surfactant used to disperse CNT into water, DOC is also found to enhance CNT sensitivity to vapors so is it for the polyelectrolyte PDDA. Finally it is found that transducers with 16 bilayers of PDDA/DOC-CNT provide optimum chemo-resistive properties for the detection and discrimination of the eight vapors studied (chloroform, acetone, ethanol, water, toluene, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran and methanol)

Expression profiling of cyclin B1 and D1 in cervical carcinoma

Aim: Cyclins are a family of regulatory proteins that play a key role in controlling the cell cycle. Abnormalities of cell cycle regulators, including cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases, have been reported in various malignant tumors. This study was undertaken to quantitatively detect cyclin B1 and D1 in cervical cancer. Methods: A quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay were used to analyze the expression of cyclin B1/D1 mRNA and proteins, respectively, in fresh invasive cervical cancer (n = 41) and normal cervical tissues (n = 10). Results: There was significantly greater cyclin B1 expression in invasive cervical cancer than in normal cervical tissue (P = 0.019). However, cyclin D1 expression was not significantly different. A Western blot assay yielded similar results. Conclusion: Our results were consistent with the concept that up-regulation of cyclin B1 expression occurred in cervical cancer and an aberrant expression of cyclin B1 might play an important role in cervical carcinogenesis.Цель: циклины представляют собой семейство регуляторных белков, контролирующих клеточный цикл. Наличие функциональных и структурных нарушений регуляторов клеточного цикла (циклинов и циклинзависимых киназ) было отмечено в клетках различных злокачественных новообразований. Целью данного исследования было проведение количественного определения циклинов B1 и D1 в клетках рака шейки матки. Методы: определение уровня экспрессии циклинов B1/D1 (mRNA и белков соответственно) в свежеполученных клетках инвазивного рака шейки матки (n = 41) и нормальной ткани шейки матки (n = 10) проводили методами RT-PCR в режиме реального времени и Вестерн-блот анализа. Результаты: отмечен более высокий уровень экспрессии гена циклина В1 в клетках инвазивного рака шейки матки, чем в клетках нормальной ткани (P = 0,019). Не выявлены значительные различия в уровне экспрессии гена циклина D1. При Вестерн-блот анализе получены аналогичные результаты. Выводы: результаты исследования подтверждают концепцию об активации экспрессии циклина В1 при раке шейки матки. Аберрантная экспрессия циклина В1 может играть важную роль при злокачественной трансформации эпителия шейки матки

Collaborative multidisciplinary management and expertise of cT2-3 locally advanced operable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma:two case reports

Background: The accurate clinical staging of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is pivotal for guiding treatment strategies. However, the current precision in staging for clinical T (cT)2 and cT3 stages remains unsatisfactory. This article discusses the role of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in the clinical staging and formulation of neoadjuvant treatment strategies for locally advanced operable ESCC. These challenges underscore the importance of precise staging in the decision-making process for appropriate therapeutic interventions.Case Description: Through the lens of two patient case studies with locally advanced resectable ESCC, the article showcases the intricate process of treatment planning undertaken by MDTs. It captures a range of expert perspectives from Japan, China, Hong Kong (China), Korea, the USA, and Europe, focusing on the challenges of differentiating between cT2 and cT3 stages of the disease, which is a critical determinant in the management and therapeutic approach for patients.Conclusions: The article concludes that the accurate staging of ESCC is a cornerstone in determining the most suitable treatment strategies. It underscores the vital role that MDTs play in both clinical staging and the decision-making process for treatment. Highlighting the limitations in current diagnostic methods, the article emphasizes the urgent need for advanced research and the refinement of diagnostic tools to improve the precision of staging, particularly between the cT2 and cT3 stages. It suggests that future research should consider whether a reclassification of these stages could be warranted to enhance treatment planning and outcomes for patients with ESCC.<br/

Congruence of patient- and clinician-reported toxicity in women receiving chemotherapy for early breast cancer

Background: The National Cancer Institute's Patient-Reported Outcomes Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, collected alongside the clinician-reported Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, enables comparisons of patient and clinician reports on treatment toxicity. Methods: In a multisite study of women receiving chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer, symptom reports were collected on the same day from patients and their clinicians for 17 symptoms; their data were not shared with each other. The proportions of moderate, severe, or very severe patient-reported symptom severity were compared with the proportions of clinician-rated grade 2, 3, or 4 toxicity. Patient-clinician agreement was assessed via κ statistics. Chi-square tests investigated whether patient characteristics were associated with patient-clinician agreement. Results: Among 267 women, the median age was 58 years (range, 24-83 years), and 26% were nonwhite. There was moderate scoring agreement (κ = 0.413-0.570) for 53% of symptoms, fair agreement for 41% (κ = 0.220-0.378), and slight agreement for 6% (κ = 0.188). For example, patient-reported and clinician-rated percentages were 22% and 8% for severe or very severe fatigue, 41% and 46% for moderate fatigue, 32% and 39% for mild fatigue, and 6% and 7% for none. Clinician severity scores were lower for nonwhite patients in comparison with white patients for peripheral neuropathy, nausea, arthralgia, and dyspnea. Conclusions: Although clinician reporting of symptoms is common practice in oncology, there is suboptimal agreement with the gold standard of patient self-reporting. These data provide further evidence supporting the integration of patient-reported outcomes into oncological clinical research and clinical practice to improve monitoring of symptoms as well as timely interventions for symptoms

Morphology and Photoluminescence of HfO2Obtained by Microwave-Hydrothermal

In this letter, we report on the obtention of hafnium oxide (HfO2) nanostructures by the microwave-hydrothermal method. These nanostructures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission gum scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDXS), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD patterns confirmed that this material crystallizes in a monoclinic structure. FEG-SEM and TEM micrographs indicated that the rice-like morphologies were formed due to an increase in the effective collisions between the nanoparticles during the MH processing. The EDXS spectrum was used to verify the chemical compositional of this oxide. UV–vis spectrum revealed that this material have an indirect optical band gap. When excited with 488 nm wavelength at room temperature, the HfO2nanostructures exhibited only one broad PL band with a maximum at around 548 nm (green emission)

Prunella vulgaris: A comprehensive review of chemical constituents, pharmacological effects and clinical applications.

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a perennial herb belonging to the Labiate family and is widely distributed in northeastern Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and China. It is reported to display diverse biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammation as determined by in vitro or in vivo studies. So far, about 200 compounds have been isolated from PV plant and majority of these have been characterized mainly as triterpenoids, sterols and flavonoids, followed by coumarins, phenylpropanoids, polysaccharides and volatile oils. This review summarizes and analyzes the current knowledge on the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action and clinical applications of the PV plant including its potential as a future medicinal plant. Although some of the chemical constituents of the PV plant and their mechanism of action have been investigated the biological activities of many of these remain unknown and further clinical trials are required to further enhance its reputation as a medicinal plant

The IASLC/ITMIG thymic epithelial tumors staging project: Proposals for the T component for the forthcoming (8th) edition of the TNM classification of malignant tumors

Despite longstanding recognition of thymic epithelial neoplasms, there is no official American Joint Committee on Cancer/ Union for International Cancer Control stage classification. This article summarizes proposals for classification of the T component of stage classification for use in the 8th edition of the tumor, node, metastasis classification for malignant tumors. This represents the output of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and the International Thymic Malignancies Interest Group Staging and Prognostics Factor Committee, which assembled and analyzed a worldwide database of 10,808 patients with thymic malignancies from 105 sites. The committee proposes division of the T component into four categories, representing levels of invasion. T1 includes tumors localized to the thymus and anterior mediastinal fat, regardless of capsular invasion, up to and including infiltration through the mediastinal pleura. Invasion of the pericardium is designated as T2. T3 includes tumors with direct involvement of a group of mediastinal structures either singly or in combination: lung, brachiocephalic vein, superior vena cava, chest wall, and phrenic nerve. Invasion of more central structures constitutes T4: aorta and arch vessels, intrapericardial pulmonary artery, myocardium, trachea, and esophagus. Size did not emerge as a useful descriptor for stage classification. This classification of T categories, combined with a classification of N and M categories, provides a basis for a robust tumor, node, metastasis classification system for the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control stage classification