Integrins are cell adhesion receptors, which play a role in breast cancer invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Moreover, it has been shown that exosomal integrins provide organotropic metastasis in a mouse model. In our study, we aimed to investigate the expression of integrins β3, β4, and αVβ5 on exosomes and tumor cells (circulating tumor cells and primary tumor) and their association with the localization of distant metastasis. We confirmed the association of exosomal integrin β4 with lung metastasis in breast cancer patients. However, we were unable to evaluate the role of integrin β3 in brain metastasis due to the rarity of this localization. We established no association of exosomal integrin αVβ5 with liver metastasis in our cohort of breast cancer patients. The further evaluation of β3, β4, and αVβ5 integrin expression on CTCs revealed an association of integrin β4 and αVβ5 with liver, but not the lung metastases. Integrin β4 in the primary tumor was associated with liver metastasis. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of phenotypic characteristics of β4+ tumor cells revealed a significantly increased proportion of E-cadherin+ and CD44+CD24- cells in patients with liver metastases compared to patients with lung or no distant metastases.

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Electrical machines on the base of high temperature superconductors (HTS) could provide high specific (kW/kg) and volumetric (kW/m3) power. The most promising of them are fully HTS machines. Significant number of parameters and factors which have an impact on HTS windings make analytical analysis of the machine very complex. In this paper description of the prototype of fully HTS electrical machine is provided. Manufactured prototype was tested, experimental and calculation results were compared. In particular, open circuit performance is in good correlation with theoretical conclusions. Besides, results of experimental research of 15 HTS coils are provided. Some design features of the prototype are described.