Anling Li

Androgen Receptor, EGFR, and BRCA1 as Biomarkers in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Objective. More and more evidences demonstrate that androgen receptor (AR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) have unique clinical implications for targeted therapy or prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the possible associations. Methods. We retrieved published articles about AR, EGFR, and BRCA1 in TNBC from PubMed and EMBASE. The analysis was performed with Rev-Man 5.2 software. Results. A total of 38 articles were eligible for the meta-analysis. Our study showed that the expression level of EGFR (OR = 6.88, P < 0.00001) and the prevalence of BRCA1 mutation (RR = 5.26, P < 0.00001) were higher in TNBC than non-TNBC. In contrast, the expression level of AR was lower in TNBC than non-TNBC (OR = 0.07, P < 0.00001). In the subgroup related to EGFR expression, the level of EGFR expression was significantly increased in Asians (OR = 9.60) compared with Caucasians (OR = 5.53) for TNBC patients. Additionally, the prevalence of BRCA1 mutation in Asians (RR = 5.43, P < 0.00001) was higher than that in Caucasians (RR = 5.16, P < 0.00001). Conclusions. The distinct expression of AR and EGFR and the prevalence of BRCA1 mutation indicated that AR, EGFR, and BRCA1 might be unique biomarkers for targeted therapy and prognosis in TNBC.

Association Between hMLH1 Promoter Methylation and Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Human mutL homolog 1 (hMLH1) is located on chromosome 3q21-23. As a classic tumor suppressor gene, many researchers have studied the association between hMLH1 promoter methylation and gastric cancer, but their conclusions were not always consistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to make a more integrated and precise estimate of the associations. Method: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were retrieved without language restrictions. Data were analyzed by Review Manager 5.2 and Stata 12.0 software. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was used to assess the statistical associations. Result: A total of 39 studies published before January 20, 2018 were included in this study. The results indicated that the frequency of hMLH1 promoter methylation in gastric cancers was substantially higher than that in non-cancer controls (OR = 7.94, 95%CI = 4.32–14.58, P < 0.001). Furthermore, hMLH1 promoter methylation had considerable associations with lymph node metastasis, microsatellite instability (MSI), and low expression of hMLH1 protein (OR = 1.53, 95%CI = 1.04–2.26, P = 0.03; OR = 15.33, 95%CI = 9.26–25.36, P < 0.001; OR = 37.86, 95%CI = 18.03–79.50, P < 0.001, respectively). No association was found between hMLH1 promoter methylation and Lauren classification or Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection status. Conclusion: The present study provides evidence that promoter methylation of hMLH1 is a major causative event in the occurrence and development of human gastric cancer.

A study on mechanical and tribological properties of silicone rubber reinforced with white carbon black

Abstract This paper analysed the effect of different white carbon black (fumed silica and precipitated silica) on the mechanics and friction property of silicone rubber. The tensile strength, tearing strength, elongation rate and shore hardness of silicone rubber reinforced with different kinds or dosages of white carbon black were investigated in detail. The wear morphology, worn surface analysis and chemical compositions of the rubber sample after the friction test were analysed by means of scanning electron microscopy, three-dimensional profile metre and energy dispersive spectrometer, respectively. Results showed that the mechanics properties of silicone rubber were obviously enhanced with the increase in white carbon black content. Moreover, after the friction test, the vulcanised rubber reinforced with fumed silica has less wear surface protrusions and grinding than that of precipitated silica. The wear rubber filled with fumed silica surface is quite smooth and shows few furrows and grooves, which well corresponds to good anti-wear ability of the reinforcing fillers. In the course of practical application, it is necessary to take into account of the mechanical properties, wear resistance of rubber and the adding amount of filler to achieve the optimum coordination for the best mechanical and friction properties of silicone rubber.

Tribological and rheological properties of nanorods–Al2O3 as additives in grease:

In this paper, the tribological and rheological behaviors of nanorods–Al2O3 as an additive in lithium grease at different concentrations were investigated. The morphology of the additive was determined. The improvement in the rheological properties after adding the nanorods was studied and illustrated by measuring the wear of the tested surfaces. The results showed that nanorods–Al2O3 can greatly improve the lubricating effect of grease. The grease with a 0.3u2009wt% content of nanorods–Al2O3 exhibited the lowest average friction coefficient and wear scar diameter. The worn steel surface was smooth and showed few furrows and grooves. Moreover, a correlation was found between the tribological and rheological properties of lithium grease. By increasing the temperature continuously, a chemical protective film was produced leading to the reduction in the friction coefficient of grease.

Effect of nanometer silicon dioxide on the frictional behavior of lubricating grease

Nanometer-silicon dioxide encapsulated in lithium grease is prepared, and the frictional behavior of the lithium grease and nanometer-silicon dioxide–contained lithium grease is compared with respect to the additive content, load, and frictional temperature in this article. The structure and morphology of nanometer-silicon dioxide is characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Friction and wear tests were conducted on a four-ball friction and wear tester. The morphology of worn steel surface is analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional surface profiler. Results show that the addition of nanometer-silicon dioxide in grease can markedly improve the friction-reducing performance and anti-wear ability of base grease. When the nanometer-silicon dioxide in grease is 0.3 wt%, the friction coefficient and wear scar diameter decrease by 26% and 7% compared with base grease, respectively. The nanometer-silicon dioxide (0.3 wt%)–contained grease exhibits the lowest average friction coefficient at the load of 342 N, which decreases by 39% as compared with that of base grease. The worn surface is quite smooth with few shallow furrows and the wear scar diameter decreases under the lubrication of the grease containing 0.3 wt% nanometer-silicon dioxide. Moreover, it was found that the nanometer-silicon dioxide have been incorporated into the surface protective and lubricious layer by energy dispersive spectrometer analysis.