GZMKhigh CD8+ T effector memory cells are associated with CD15high neutrophil abundance in non-metastatic colorectal tumors and predict poor clinical outcome.

CD8(+) T cells are a major prognostic determinant in solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, understanding how the interplay between different immune cells impacts on clinical outcome is still in its infancy. Here, we describe that the interaction of tumor infiltrating neutrophils expressing high levels of CD15 with CD8(+) T effector memory cells (T(EM)) correlates with tumor progression. Mechanistically, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (CXCL12/SDF-1) promotes the retention of neutrophils within tumors, increasing the crosstalk with CD8(+) T cells. As a consequence of the contact-mediated interaction with neutrophils, CD8(+) T cells are skewed to produce high levels of GZMK, which in turn decreases E-cadherin on the intestinal epithelium and favors tumor progression. Overall, our results highlight the emergence of GZMK(high) CD8(+) T(EM) in non-metastatic CRC tumors as a hallmark driven by the interaction with neutrophils, which could implement current patient stratification and be targeted by novel therapeutics

A Multi-port High Step-up DC/DC Converter for Hybrid Renewable Energy Application

This paper presents a novel multi-port DC/DC converter which is suitable to be used as the interface of hybrid renewable energy systems. The converter contains three unidirectional power flow ports which two of them are input ports and are connected to two independent energy sources while the third one is the output port that feeds a standalone load. Furthermore, the proposed converter contains a bidirectional power flow port to charge/discharge an energy storage system (battery). In addition to multi-port structure, high boost value of voltage gain is the other merit of the converter. Hybrid system is composed of fuel cell (FC), photovoltaic (PV) panels and a battery pack. Different operating states are discussed, and a control system based on decoupling networks is presented. The control system is able to seek and extract maximum power of PV panel, adjust generated power of FC, and handle charging and discharging modes of battery. In order to control operating modes of the proposed converter, a power management method is also presented. By the way, small signal model is presented for the converter.The bode diagram has been plotted from the small signal model. Then the controller it was designed from the bode diagram. The results of simulation by the PI controller are presented. Also, the simulation results by P&O algorithm for the converter has been evaluated. Several Simulation and experimental tests have been carried out to evaluate the analysis and feasibility of the aforementioned system. The results verify well performance of the converter and confirm the simulations and theoretical results

Utilization of blended waste materials in bricks

Cement is considered a key raw material for brick production. However, excessive use of cement leads to a negative environment impact. Cement replaced with locally available waste materials has a significant potential to address this environmental impact, especially in the construction industry by contributing to cleaner production. The objective of this research is to investigate the performance of brick where cement is replaced by fly ash and palm oil fuel ash, waste materials typically available in Malaysia, where the construction industry is on the rise. To determine the performance of these bricks, a compressive strength test, a water absorption test, and a thermogravimetric analysis were carried out at different percentage combinations of fly ash and palm oil fuel ash. The results from the tests reveal that both fly ash and palm oil fuel ash incorporated bricks satisfy Class 1 and Class 2 load-bearing brick requirements according to the Malaysian Standard MS76:1972 along with water absorption requirements as per ASTM C55-11. The thermogravimetric analysis study confirms that the Ca(OH)2 gradually decreases due to the increase of pozzolanic material contents (fly ash and palm oil fuel ash). Moreover, these newly developed bricks cost less than the conventional bricks

Hybrid Composite Using Natural Filler and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs)

© 2017 Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature This paper presents an experimental study on the development of hybrid composites comprising of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and natural filler (oil palm shell (OPS) powder) within unsaturated polyester (UP) matrix. The results revealed that the dispersion of pristine MWCNTs in the polymer matrix was strongly enhanced through use of the solvent mixing method assisted by ultrasonication. Four different solvents were investigated, namely, ethanol, methanol, styrene and acetone. The best compatibility with minimum side effects on the curing of the polyester resin was exhibited by the styrene solvent and this produced the maximum tensile and flexural properties of the resulting nanocomposites. A relatively small amount of pristine MWCNTs well dispersed within the natural filler polyester composite was found to be capable of improving mechanical properties of hybrid composite. However, increasing the MWCNT amount resulted in increased void content within the matrix due to an associated rapid increase in viscosity of the mixture during processing. Due to this phenomenon, the maximum tensile and flexural strengths of the hybrid composites were achieved at MWCNT contents of 0.2 to 0.4 phr and then declined for higher MWCNT amounts. The flexural modulus also experienced its peak at 0.4 phr MWCNT content whereas the tensile modulus exhibited a general decrease with increasing MWCNT content. Thermal stability analysis using TGA under an oxidative atmosphere showed that adding MWCNTs shifted the endset degradation temperature of the hybrid composite to a higher temperature

GZMKhigh CD8+ T effector memory cells are associated with CD15high neutrophil abundance in non-metastatic colorectal tumors and predict poor clinical outcome

CD8+ T cells are a major prognostic determinant in solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, understanding how the interplay between different immune cells impacts on clinical outcome is still in its infancy. Here, we describe that the interaction of tumor infiltrating neutrophils expressing high levels of CD15 with CD8+ T effector memory cells (TEM) correlates with tumor progression. Mechanistically, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (CXCL12/SDF-1) promotes the retention of neutrophils within tumors, increasing the crosstalk with CD8+ T cells. As a consequence of the contact-mediated interaction with neutrophils, CD8+ T cells are skewed to produce high levels of GZMK, which in turn decreases E-cadherin on the intestinal epithelium and favors tumor progression. Overall, our results highlight the emergence of GZMKhigh CD8+ TEM in non-metastatic CRC tumors as a hallmark driven by the interaction with neutrophils, which could implement current patient stratification and be targeted by novel therapeutics