Search Results (5)

Most of the current, popular approaches to monitoring real driving NOx emissions are based on direct measurement. However, due to the uncertainty of sensor-based measurements, such methods cannot always be used to accurately screen out the malfunctions of an emission control system. In this paper, a random forest (RF) model which extracts information from on-board diagnostics (OBD) data streams transmitted by a remote emission management vehicle terminal (REMVT) is proposed to provide a specific emission method for the online screening of high NOx emissions. First, two particular forms of modeling, random forest and logistic regression (LR), are laid out as representatives of nonparametric models and specified linear models. These two models were trained, validated and compared using OBD data collected from three China-VI heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs). The results show that as a data-driven, highly adaptive and robust learning method, the RF model can more accurately identify an abnormal emission state. Finally, a further validation was conducted, in which another China-VI HDDV was tested in two typical states, including a fault state and a normal state. The results indicated that the RF model could clearly distinguish the out-of-control emission condition from the normal operation state. The outcome of this research verifies the feasibility of using a machine learning model to process remote OBD data on HD vehicles and to identify high emissions in the case of an in-use fleet. On this basis, more sophisticated combined models and multi-stage models could be developed. Full article

The outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unsatisfactory because of its high recurrence rate. The Vessels that encapsulate tumor clusters (VETC) pattern is a unique vascular structure. In this study, we investigated the clinical–pathological features of HCC patients with the VETC pattern. We retrospectively reviewed patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatectomy at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2007 and 2013. The form of the VETC pattern was established using an anti-CD31 stain. The results were classified into positive (VETC⁺) and negative (VETC⁻) patterns. We investigated and compared demographic data between these two groups. Overall, 174 patients were classified into either the VETC⁺ or VETC⁻ groups. The median followed-up period was 80.5 months. There were significant differences in the number of hepatitis B carriers, the occurrence of vascular invasion, tumor size, TNM staging, microvessel density, and recurrence (all p < 0.05). Regarding the prediction of disease-free survival, after COX regression multivariate analysis, VETC⁺ remained independently associated with recurrent episodes (p = 0.003). The intra-tumoral microvessel density, demonstrated by CD-31, was the only clinical–pathological feature independently associated with VETC⁺. Our study demonstrated that the VETC pattern is an independent factor of poor prognosis for DFS. Higher intra-tumoral microvessel density was significantly associated with the VETC pattern. Further studies are needed to validate our findings. Full article

Cell–cell junctions are pivotal for embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis but also play a major role in tumorigenesis, tumor invasion, and metastasis. E-cadherin (CDH1) and N-cadherin (CDH2) are two adherens junction’s transmembrane glycoproteins with tissue-specific expression patterns in epithelial and neural/mesenchymal cells. Aberrant expression has been implicated in the process of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in malignant tumors. We could hitherto demonstrate cis-E:N-cadherin heterodimer in endoderm-derived cells. Using immunoprecipitation in cultured cells of the line PLC as well as in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-lysates, we isolated E-N-cadherin heterodimers in a complex with the plaque proteins α- and β-catenin, plakoglobin, and vinculin. In confocal laser scanning microscopy, E-cadherin co-localized with N-cadherin at the basolateral membrane of normal hepatocytes, hepatocellular adenoma (HCA), and in most cases of HCC. In addition, we analyzed E- and N-cadherin expression via immunohistochemistry in a large cohort of 868 HCCs from 570 patients, 25 HCA, and respective non-neoplastic liver tissue, and correlated our results with multiple prognostic markers. While E- or N-cadherin were similarly expressed in tumor sites with vascular invasion or HCC metastases, HCC with vascular encapsulated tumor clusters (VETC) displayed slightly reduced E-cadherin, and slightly increased N-cadherin expression. Analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas patient cohort, we found that reduced mRNA levels of CDH1, but not CDH2 were significantly associated with unfavorable prognosis; however, in multivariate analysis, CDH1 did not correlate with prognosis. In summary, E- and N-cadherin are specific markers for hepatocytes and derived HCA and HCC. E:N-cadherin heterodimers are constitutively expressed in the hepatocytic lineage and only slightly altered in malignant progression, thereby not complying with the concept of EMT. Full article

Many countries worldwide have introduced a limit for solid particles larger than 23 nm for the type approval of vehicles before their circulation in the market. However, for some vehicles, in particular for port fuel injection engines (gasoline and gas engines) a high fraction of particles resides below 23 nm. For this reason, a methodology for counting solid particles larger than 10 nm was developed in the Particle Measurement Programme (PMP) group of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). There are no studies assessing the reproducibility of the new methodology across different laboratories. In this study we compared the reproducibility of the new 10 nm methodology to the current 23 nm methodology. A light-duty gasoline direct injection vehicle and two reference solid particle number measurement systems were circulated in seven European and two Asian laboratories which were also measuring with their own systems fulfilling the current 23 nm methodology. The hot and cold start emission of the vehicle covered a range of 1 to 15 × 10¹² #/km with the ratio of sub-23 nm particles to the >23 nm emissions being 10–50%. In most cases the differences between the three measurement systems were ±10%. In general, the reproducibility of the new methodology was at the same levels (around 14%) as with the current methodology (on average 17%). Full article

Although knowledge on inflammatory signaling pathways driving cancer initiation and progression has been increasing, molecular mechanisms in hepatocarcinogenesis are still far from being completely understood. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of the MAPKKK Tak1 in mice recapitulates important steps of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, including the occurrence of cell death, steatohepatitis, dysplastic nodules, and HCCs. However, overactivation of Tak1 in mice upon deletion of its deubiquitinase Cyld also results in steatohepatitis and HCC development. To investigate Tak1 and Cyld in human HCCs, we created a tissue microarray to analyze their expression by immunohistochemistry in a large and well-characterized cohort of 871 HCCs of 561 patients. In the human liver and HCC, Tak1 is predominantly present as its isoform Tak1A and predominantly localizes to cell nuclei. Tak1 is upregulated in diethylnitrosamine-induced mouse HCCs as well as in human HCCs independent of etiology and is further induced in distant metastases. A high nuclear Tak1 expression is associated with short survival and vascular invasion. When we overexpressed Tak1A in Huh7 cells, we observed increased tumor cell migration, whereas overexpression of full-length Tak1 had no significant effect. A combined score of low Cyld and high Tak1 expression was an independent prognostic marker in a multivariate Cox regression model. Full article