Accurate models for the onset of nucleate boiling, density of active nucleation sites (N_a), bubble departure size (D_d), and departure frequency (f_d) are essential to the success of computational fluid dynamics analysis of two-phase thermal-hydraulics involving subcooled flow boiling in nuclear reactor systems. This work presents an experimental study of subcooled flow boiling in a vertical upward narrow rectangular channel that mimics the flow passage in the plate fuel assembly of boiling water reactors. The experiments are conducted over a range of mass flux (G = 122–657 kg/m²s), inlet subcooling (ΔT_sub = 4.7–33.3˚C), and heat flux (q″ = 1.7–28.9 W/cm²). Based on the experimental data, empirical correlations are developed for the prediction of onset of nucleate boiling, N_a, D_d, and f_d for given flow conditions. These correlations are valid in the nucleate boiling regime when the wall superheat is less than 12°C and can be incorporated in the computational fluid dynamics codes to enable more precise simulation of subcooled flow boiling heat transfer and two-phase flow in nuclear energy applications.

Wettability is an important property of solid surfaces and is widely used in many industries. In this work, seven silicon microstructure surfaces were made by plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) technology. The experimental contact angles and theoretical contact angles of various surfaces were compared, which indicated that the classical theory had great limitations in predicting the static contact angles of complex structures. A parameterized microstructure surface was established by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with a volume-of-fluid (VOF) model to analyze the reasons for the differences between experimental and theoretical contact angles. Comparing the results of experiments and simulations, it was found that the VOF model can simulate the contact angle of these surfaces very well. The geometrical models of the different microstructures were simplified, and waveforms of the surfaces were obtained.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths throughout the world. Recent genome-wide association studies and consecutive validation supported that the 5p15.33 region containing telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT) and cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1-like (CLPTM1L) gene showed significant association with lung cancer in multiple populations. Here we studied a large Chinese Han cohort consisting of 1759 cases and 1804 controls. In the 1st stage (784 cases versus 782 controls) we genotyped 13 tag SNPs within 5p15.33 region to further investigate the association. After the 2nd stage validation (975 cases versus 1022 controls), the study clarified the association that rs2736100 of the TERT gene conferred the highest significant risk of lung cancer (P=4×10(-3) in the 1st stage association, P=4×10(-4) in the 2nd stage validation, and P=1×10(-5), odds ratio=1.24 in the combined population). The results provided the evidence of a cross-race susceptibility of the lung cancer locus.

A sugar active targeting system for the platinum(IV) prodrug [oxaliplatin(IV)–COOH or in short form OxaPt(IV)] of clinically relevant oxaliplatin (OxaPt(II)) has been reported here for the first time. To achieve this, a series of hydrophilic biocompatible polyurethanes containing free pair-wised pendant amino groups (PU) were synthesized and then lactobionic acid (LA) was grafted to the polyurethane as a targeting moiety, in order to prepare PU–LA conjugates. Thereafter, the prodrug, OxaPt(IV) was introduced into the PU–LA conjugates resulting in the formation of polyurethane platinum(IV) conjugates (PU–LA/Pt) with targeting LA groups. Similarly, PU–Pt conjugates without the LA targeting groups were also prepared. These conjugates were self-assembled into micelles [non-targeting micelles: M(PU–Pt) and targeting micelles: M(PU–LA/Pt)] in water. An in vitro study demonstrated that, compared with M(PU–Pt), M(PU–LA/Pt) demonstrated a lower IC₅₀ (79 μM vs. 126 μM) at 72 h and greater cellular uptake of drugs in HepG2 cells. An in vivo study revealed that M(PU–Pt) and M(PU–LA/Pt) displayed much higher blood drug concentrations and bioavailabilities than the free drug, OxaPt(IV). Moreover, M(PU–LA/Pt) showed enriched distribution in the liver and xenograft H22 tumors as well as better antitumor efficacy. M(PU–LA/Pt) may be a promising polymeric prodrug of the widely used OxaPt(II) for the clinical treatment of various liver cancers.

Background: Preclinical evidence demonstrates that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway inhibition increases sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines and xenografts. Here, we aimed to investigate how CRC cell sensitivity to this combination is correlated to Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) and proto-oncogene B-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (BRAF) mutation, that are common in CRC and often lead to resistance to chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Wild-type and mutant KRAS/BRAF human CRC cell lines were treated with escalating doses of 5-FU or trifluridine with MEK162 (MEK1/2 inhibitor) for 72 h. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and synergism expressed by the combination index was calculated using CalcuSyn. Results: Evidence of synergistic antitumor activity was observed for the majority of human CRC cell lines treated with MEK162 plus 5-FU (4/6) or trifluridine (7/9). Synergism was greater in KRAS- or BRAF-mutant cell lines compared to wild-type KRAS/BRAF CRC cell lines. Conclusion: The combination of MEK inhibition and trifluridine is worthwhile advancing in clinical development, particularly for treatment-refractory KRAS- or BRAF-mutated metastatic CRC.