[en] Clinically, hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the commonest malignancies. A large number of studies have shown that the genetic factor plays an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis. As the third generation of genetic marker, single nucleotide polymorphism is the commonest polymorphic form in human genome. At present, single nucleotide polymorphism has become an essential means for the study of the genetic susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, the further research into the single nucleotide polymorphism will be highly beneficial to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. (authors)

[en] Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of sorafenib in combination use with oxaliplatin (L-OHP) on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and to explore the possible molecular mechanism. Methods: The inhibitory effect of sorafenib together with L-OHP on the growth of human hepatic carcinoma cell line HepG2 in vitro was evaluated by CCK8 assay. The cell cycle changes and the apoptotic rate of the treated cells were determined by flow cytometry, and the expressions of ERK and pERK were observed by using Western blott. Results: Both sorafenib and L-OHP when used alone could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells, and a synergistic or adding effect could by achieved when both sorafenib and L-OHP were used together (P<0.05). Sorafenib and L-OHP could cause cell cycle to stagnate at G1 phase and S phase, respectively. Combined use of the two drugs resulted in cell cycle arresting at G1 phase and S phase. The combination use of the drugs significantly increased the apoptosis rate of the cell as compared with that when only sorafenib or L-OHP was used (P<0.05). Sorafenib and L-OHP, whether used alone or in combination, did not produce obvious effect on ERK expression. However, pERK expression in the HepG2 cells was significantly lowered after the treatment with sorafenib alone or in combination with L-OHP, especially in the combination use group. Conclusion: The combination use of sorafenib and L-OHP shows a synergistic or adding effect in inhibiting the proliferation and inducing apoptosis of HepG2 cells. The mechanism of this synergistic effect may be closely related to the double blockage of the cell cycle as well as to the inhibition of Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. (authors)

[en] Platinum and palladium bimetal nanoparticles on ferroferric oxide (PtPd/Fe₃O₄ NPs) nanocomposite catalysts were successfully synthesized with polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a stabilizing agent. The resultant samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma, and magnetic studies. The catalytic performance of the PtPd/Fe₃O₄ NPs in the Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions was evaluated. Results showed that the cubic phase of Pt and Pd bimetal nanoparticles coexists with that of Fe₃O₄. The PtPd/Fe₃O₄ NP catalysts, which were approximately 22 nm in size, showed excellent catalytic activity in the Heck and Suzuki reactions. Moreover, the catalyst can be recovered with a magnet and reused several times without the significant loss of catalytic activity. (paper)

[en] Binary compound Ge–Te, which displays intriguing functionalities, has been intensively studied from both fundamental and technological perspectives. In Ge–Te compound, a deviation from the Ge–Te stoichiometry will lead it thermodynamically unstable as well as to the change in the phase change characters. In this study, a series of non-stoichiometric Ge–Te films were prepared and a detailed study on the impact of Ge vacancy was carried out. The phase change characters can be tuned by adjusting the composition. Although the Ge vacancy does not lead to phase separation and Te precipitation in these films, Raman spectroscopy analysis reveals a dramatic change in the bonding environment. The microstructure has been modified by the induced Ge vacancy, especially the threefold Te unit and Ge–Ge bond in the crystalline GeTe.

[en] This paper analyzes the relationship among the inhabited environment, infrastructure development and environmental impacts in China’s heavily urbanized Yangtze River Delta region. Using primary human environment data for the period 2006–2014, we examine factors affecting the inhabited environment and infrastructure development: urban population, GDP, built-up area, energy consumption, waste emission, transportation, real estate and urban greenery. Then we empirically investigate the impact of advanced urbanization with consideration of cities’ differences. Results from this study show that the growth rate of the inhabited environment and infrastructure development is strongly influenced by regional development structure, functional orientations, traffic network and urban size and form. The effect of advanced urbanization is more significant in large and mid-size cities than huge and mega cities. Energy consumption, waste emission and real estate in large and mid-size cities developed at an unprecedented rate with the rapid increase of economy. However, urban development of huge and mega cities gradually tended to be saturated. The transition development in these cities improved the inhabited environment and ecological protection instead of the urban construction simply. To maintain a sustainable advanced urbanization process, policy implications included urban sprawl control polices, ecological development mechanisms and reforming the economic structure for huge and mega cities, and construct major cross-regional infrastructure, enhance the carrying capacity and improvement of energy efficiency and structure for large and mid-size cities. (letter)

[en] Highlights: • Overcharge failures of a 30 Ah Li-ion battery with NCM622 cathode is investigated. • A new voltage plateau appears during overcharge process in cases below 2C. • Side reactions dominate the temperature rise before thermal runaway. • The evaluation strategy of overcharge fault can be divided into four levels. • A safety management method for avoiding overcharge failure is proposed. -- Abstract: In this paper, the overcharge-induced thermal runaway features of large format commercial lithium-ion batteries with Li(Ni_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2)O₂ (NCM622) cathode for electric vehicles under different current rates (C-rates) have been systematically studied at ambient temperature. The overcharge process is characterized as four stages. The temperature rise and the maximum temperature of the battery surface don't increase in proportion to the applied C-rates. However, with the increase of C-rates, the crest voltage of voltage curve rises linearly. When the voltage reaches approximately 5.1 V, a new voltage plateau appears in the cases below 2C. It is not sufficient that the temperature sensor is placed only near the terminal tab for most battery packs of EVs. In addition, the accumulated heat analysis demonstrates that side reactions dominate the temperature rise and contribute to most of the accumulated heat before thermal runaway. To mitigate the impact of overcharge and avoid the thermal runaway risk, a safety management method is proposed. Furthermore, the sharp drop in voltage before thermal runaway also provides a feasible approach to forewarn the users of the impending risk. These results are important for building safer batteries and providing information for the safety monitoring function of the battery management system (BMS).