High Cytoplasmic Expression of Krüppel-like Factor 4 Is an Independent Prognostic Factor of Better Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Hepatocarcinogenesis is complex, with an extraordinary molecular heterogeneity. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) plays an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation, and it can function as a tumor suppressor or an oncoprotein, depending on tissue type. The role of KLF4 in HCC remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical significance of KLF4 expression in HCC. The study included 205 patients with surgical resection. We performed immunostaining for KLF4 and Ki-67 to investigate the correlations of the clinicopathological parameters of HCC and to examine the proliferative index. KLF4 staining was observed in the cytoplasm of non-tumorous hepatocytes and tumor cells. We subdivided the immunohistological staining results for KLF4 into low expression (Staining 0 and 1+) and high expression (Staining 2+ and 3+) subgroups. The expression of KLF4 was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (p = 0.001). The Ki-67 proliferative index was significantly lower in well-differentiated HCCs (0.781% ± 1.02% vs. 2.16% ± 3.14%, p = 0.012), but not significantly different between low-KLF4 expression and high-KLF4 expression (1.87% ± 2.93% vs. 2.51% ± 3.28%, p = 0.32). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that a high expression of KLF4 was significantly correlated with a longer disease-specific survival (p = 0.019). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that high KLF4 expression was an independent predictor of a better disease-specific survival (p = 0.017; hazard ratio = 0.398; 95% confidence interval: 0.19–0.85). High cytoplasmic expression of KLF4 was associated with better disease-specific survival and was an independently favorable prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma. These promising results suggest that KLF4 may play an anti-oncogenic role in hepatocarcinogenesis.     

Deep learning based feature representation for automated skin histopathological image annotation

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Automated annotation of skin biopsy histopathological images provides valuable information and supports for diagnosis, especially for the discrimination between...     

Molecular dynamics investigations on the interfacial energy and adhesive strength between C60-filled carbon nanotubes and metallic surface

The mechanical and adhesive properties of C₆₀@(10,10) carbon nanopeapods (CNPs) adhering to gold surfaces are investigated by atomistic simulations. The effects of C₆₀ fill density, tube length, surrounding temperature, and peeling velocity on the adhesion behavior are studied. Results show that the interfacial binding energy of CNPs (which depends on the C₆₀ fill density and temperature) is 2.0∼4.4% higher than that of (10,10) single-walled CNTs and 3.4∼4.7% lower than that of (5,5)@(10,10) double-walled CNTs (DWCNTs). Despite their lower interfacial binding energy, CNPs have a higher adhesive strength than that of DWCNTs (1.53 nN vs. 1.4 nN). Distinct from the inner tubes of DWCNTs, which have continuum mechanical properties, the discrete C₆₀ molecules that fill CNPs exhibit unique composite mechanical properties, with high flexibility and bend-buckling resistance. The bend-buckling forces for CNPs filled with a low/medium fill density of C₆₀ are approximately constant. When the fill density is 1 C₆₀ molecule per nanometer length, the bend-buckling force dramatically increases.     

Intensify the application of ZnO-based nanodevices in humid environment: O2/H2 plasma suppressed the spontaneous reaction of amorphous ZnO nanowires

In this work, we have demonstrated that amorphous ZnO nanobranches (a-ZnO NBs) could spontaneously react from the crystalline ZnO NWs (c-ZnO NWs) at specific humid environment. The spontaneous reaction mechanism and result can be analyzed by humidity controlling and optical microscope (OM)/scanning electron microscope (SEM)/Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM)/transmission electron microscopy (TEM) system. We can make the c-ZnO NWs spontaneous reaction happen at different humid environments and suppress the a-ZnO NBs spontaneous reaction by oxygen/hydrogen plasma surface passivation. The hydrogen plasma surface treatment also can improve the UV sensing sensitivity more than twofold. This work provides the mechanism and methods of the a-ZnO NBs spontaneous growth and offers the passivation treatment for strengthening and enhancing ZnO-based nanodevice application in humid environment and UV light detection, respectively.     

Measurement of binocular disparity in polarized based stereoscopic display by using digital camera

This work presents an image displacement measurement by using a box pattern and the edge spread function analysis in the polarized based stereoscopic displays. The measurement determines to identify three factors (i.e., box size, image displacement, and spatial frequency response (SFR)) from the box patterns. The polarized based stereoscopic displays might sacrifice pixels for producing 3D images, which might produce errors in the image displacement and then affect the depth perception indirectly. Based on the measurement, the errors can be quantified by using the three factors. Owing to the light leakage distorting the edge spread function to obtain an inferior SFR, exactly how light leakage affects the edge spread function can be resolved on the basis of the SFR results, especially at a frequency (1/display pixel) of 1.9 in the case of the horizontal displacement. Light leakage also induces the error of the box height in even and odd intervals of the vertical displacements more than 2 pixels and 0.5 pixels, respectively. The image displacement measurement provides a simple and comprehensive means of evaluating the optical characteristics, disparity, and sharpness of the stereoscopic displays, via the three factors.     

Synthesis and characterization of photopolymerizable triblocks for 3D printing tissue engineering scaffolds

While previous research on polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) triblock copolymers has focused on their use as hydrogels or with conventional scaffold fabrication methods, this work concentrates on producing viable photocurable resins from synthesized triblocks for use in a layer-by-layer 3D printer. After successful synthesis of PCL-PEG-PCL and PCL-PEG-PCL-diacrylate triblocks, they were combined with (hydroxyethyl)methacrylated polyethylene glycol (PEG-HEMA) and used as biomaterials in a dynamic masking 3D printing system to fabricate porous scaffolds. Diacrylation of the polymer (PCL-PEG-PCL-DA) revealed a substantial increase in mechanical strength and resulting compound resolved the re-dissolving issue significantly during the 3D printing process. Degradation tests were carried out by incubation in phosphate-buffered saline, and both biomaterials demonstrated their degradation resistance with steady pH levels and mass loss plateauing at 20% over a sixty day timeframe. Preliminary MG63 cell culture tests on the cross-linked 3D porous structures showed no significant cytotoxicity and MTT assay data verified cell proliferation on the photocured samples after three days. As a result, end-capping PCL-PEG-PCL with acrylates demonstrated advantages over PCL-PEG-PCL while keeping similar performance in degradation and biocompatibility. Overall results from this work demonstrate the suitability of the novel triblocks for use as biomaterials in tissue engineering scaffolds.     

Manpower supply planning for aircraft line maintenance under stochastic incidents

We plan the manpower supply for aircraft line maintenance, taking into account two types of stochastic incidents: manpower demands for a flight and the number of aircraft needing to be serviced at one time. The problem is solved to find the shift and maintenance group combinations best suited for the given airline. The optimal aircraft maintenance certification for a crew is also analyzed to improve the entire manpower structure. In addition, the addition of temporary manpower required for actual daily operations is also considered as a part of understanding the total manpower utilized in actual operations. An integrated method including scenario generation and a stochastic model is developed to deal with the problem. Finally, we perform a case study based on operating data obtained from a major airline in Taiwan. The results and findings are compared with the airline’s current manpower plan in the discussion, and suggestions for improvement are made.     

Defect Engineering in Ambipolar Layered Materials for Mode-Regulable Nociceptor

Defect engineering represents a significant approach for atomically thick 2D semiconductor material development to explore the unique material properties and functions. Doping-induced conversion of conductive polarity is particularly beneficial for optimizing the integration of layered electronics. Here, controllable doping behavior in palladium diselenide (PdSe₂) transistor is demonstrated by manipulating its adatom-vacancy groups. The underlying mechanisms, which originate from reversible adsorption/desorption of oxygen clusters near selenide vacancy defects, are investigated systematically via their dynamic charge transfer characteristics and scanning tunneling microscope analysis. The modulated doping effect allows the PdSe₂ transistor to emulate the essential characteristics of photo nociceptor on a device level, including firing signal threshold and sensitization. Interestingly, electrostatic gating, acting as a neuromodulator, can regulate the adaptive modes in nociceptor to improve its adaptability and perceptibility to handle different danger levels. An integrated artificial nociceptor array is also designed to execute unique image processing functions, which suggests a new perspective for extension of the promise of defect engineered 2D electronics in simplified sensory systems toward use in advanced humanoid robots and artificial visual sensors.     

1,4-Butanediol diglycidyl ether-cross-linked hyaluronan inhibits fibrosis in rat primary tenocytes by down-regulating autophagy modulation

Epidural fibrosis, an inevitable part of the postoperative healing process, is one of the important causes of failed back surgery syndrome after spinal surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the inhibitory effect of a novel material 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether-cross-linked hyaluronan (cHA) on fibrosis in primary tenocytes. cHA inhibited migration, cell proliferation, and suppressed the expression of fibronectin, but not transforming growth factor-β, in primary tenocytes. cHA significantly increased matrix metalloproteinase-3 but decreased collagen-1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II expression in a dose-dependent manner compared with control groups. We therefore concluded that suppressing autophagy activity may be involved in the anti-fibrotic effect of cHA in primary tenocytes. Further, cHA may have the potential for preventing epidural fibrosis and subsequent failed back syndrome in patients with laminectomy in the future.