Fat-Poor Hepatic Angiomyolipoma in Noncirrhotic Livers: Imaging Features, Pathology, and Differential Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate imaging features of fat-poor hepatic angiomyolipomas in noncirrhotic livers in order to enhance the diagnostic accuracy for this condition. METHODS: The clinical and imaging data of 19 patients with fat-poor hepatic angiomyolipoma (fpHAML) was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients without hepatitis, cirrhosis, or sarcoidosis, 16 had no clinical symptoms. There were 20 lesions in 19 patients. Macroscopic fat, calcification, hemorrhage, necrosis, and pseudocapsule were not observed in the 20 lesions. All lesions showed marked enhancement on the arterial phase, and the degree of enhancement was significantly higher than that in the adjacent hepatic parenchyma. In 8 cases, the enhancement of the portal phase was higher than that in the arterial phase. Multiple intratumor vessels were observed in the tumor, and lesions with diameters larger than 3.0 cm were more frequently observed. The degree of enhancement of 18 lesions on portal phase or delayed phase was slightly higher than or equal to that in the surrounding hepatic parenchyma. The lesions were hyperintense on diffusion-weighted imaging and showed homogeneous hypointensity on the hepatobiliary phase. Only 6 cases showed the presence of an early draining vein. CONCLUSIONS: These imaging features have some implications for the diagnosis of fpHAML. Therefore, an increased awareness of fpHAML is needed among radiologists.

A comprehensive exploration of twist1 to identify a biomarker for tumor immunity and prognosis in pan-cancer.

Twist1 has been identified as a critical gene in tumor, but current study of this gene remains limitative. This study aims to investigate its roles and potential mechanisms across pan-cancer. The study used various databases and computational techniques to analyze twist's RNA expression, clinical data, gene mutations, tumor stemness, tumor microenvironment, immune regulation. Furthermore, the experimental method of fluorescence staining was carried out to identify twist1 expression in various tumor masses. After analyzing the protein-protein interaction of TWIST, enrichment analysis and predictive potential drugs were performed, and molecular docking was conducted to validate. We found that twist1 expression was significantly higher in various types of cancer and associated with tumor stage, grade, and poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Differential expression of twist1 was linked to gene mutation, RNA modifications, and tumor stemness. Additionally, twist1 expression was positively associated with tumor immunoregulation and immune checkpoint. Salinomycin, klugline, isocephaelince, manassantin B, and pimonidazole are predictive potential drugs targeting TWIST1. This study revealed that twist1 plays an important role in tumor, and might be a curial marker in tumor diagnose and prognosis. The study also highlighted twist1 as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment and provided a foundation for future research.

Adsorption and Desorption Behavior and Mechanism of Ruthenium in Nitrite-Nitric Acid System.

Ruthenium is required to separate from high-level liquid waste (HLLW) because Ru is a valuable resource and is negatively influential on the vitrification process of HLLW. However, the separation of Ru is very challenging due to its complicated complexation properties. In this study, the adsorption and desorption characteristics of ruthenium on a synthesized SiPyR-N3 (weak-base anion exchange resin with pyridine functional groups) composite were investigated in nitric acid and nitrite-nitric acid systems, respectively, and the adsorption mechanism was explored. The experimental results showed that SiPyR-N3 has a significantly better adsorption effect on Ru in the nitrite-nitric acid system than in the nitric acid system, with an increase in the adsorption capacity of approximately three times. The maximum adsorption capacity of Ru is 45.6 mg/g in the nitrite-nitric acid system. The SiPyR-N3 possesses good adsorption selectivity (SFRu/other metal ions is around 100) in 0.1 M NO2--0.1 M HNO3 solution. The adsorption processes of Ru in the two different systems are fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model for uptake kinetics and adsorption isotherms, respectively. The results obtained from the FT-IR, XPS, and UV absorption spectrometry indicate that NO2- was involved in the adsorption process either as a complexing species with the metal ions or as free NO2- from the solution. A 0.1 M HNO3 + 1 M thiourea mixed solution shows effective desorption performance, and the desorption efficiency can reach 92% at 328 K.

The radiological characteristics, tertiary lymphoid structures, and survival status associated with EGFR mutation in patients with subsolid nodules like stage I-II LUAD.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) recommended for the patients with subsolid nodule in early lung cancer stage is not routinely. The clinical value and impact in patients with EGFR mutation on survival outcomes is further needed to be elucidated to decide whether the application of EGFR-TKIs was appropriate in early lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) stage appearing as subsolid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The inclusion of patients exhibiting clinical staging of IA-IIB subsolid nodules. Clinical information, computed tomography (CT) features before surgical resection and pathological characteristics including tertiary lymphoid structures of the tumors were recorded for further exploration of correlation with EGFR mutation and prognosis. RESULTS: Finally, 325 patients were enrolled into this study, with an average age of 56.8 ± 9.8 years. There are 173 patients (53.2%) harboring EGFR mutation. Logistic regression model analysis showed that female (OR = 1.944, p = 0.015), mix ground glass nodule (OR = 2.071, p = 0.003, bubble-like lucency (OR = 1.991, p = 0.003) were significant risk factors of EGFR mutations. Additionally, EGFR mutations were negatively correlated with TLS presence and density. Prognosis analysis showed that the presence of TLS was associated with better recurrence-free survival (RFS)(p = 0.03) while EGFR mutations were associated with worse RFS(p = 0.01). The RFS in patients with TLS was considerably excel those without TLS within EGFR wild type group(p = 0.018). Multivariate analyses confirmed that EGFR mutation was an independent prognostic predictor for RFS (HR = 3.205, p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: In early-phase LUADs, subsolid nodules with EGFR mutation had specific clinical and radiological signatures. EGFR mutation was associated with worse survival outcomes and negatively correlated with TLS, which might weaken the positive impact of TLS on prognosis. Highly attention should be paid to the use of EGFR-TKI for further treatment as agents in early LUAD patients who carrying EGFR mutation.

Relationship between bleeding sites and clinical data: experience of 646 epistaxis cases in 8 years.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the bleeding sites and their relationship with clinical characteristics in hospitalized epistaxis patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 646 hospitalized epistaxis patients. RESULTS: The bleeding sites were identified in 395 (61.1%) patients and unidentified in 251 (38.9%). We found that age > 50 years (P = 0.030) and the history of cardiovascular diseases (P = 0.027) were more frequent in patients with unidentified bleeding sites. Among patients with identified sites, inferior meatus (n = 130, 32.9%) was the most common site, followed by the septal surface of the olfactory region (n = 102, 25.8%), nasal septum (n = 80, 20.3%), middle meatus (n = 60, 15.2%), and others (n = 23, 5.8%). After dividing patients into five groups by the area of the bleeding sites, we found significant differences in age (P = 0.026), history of hypertension (P = 0.001), cardiovascular diseases (P = 0.032), and nasal packing (P = 0.011). The logistic regression also revealed that these four factors were predictors for different bleeding sites. CONCLUSION: The bleeding sites can be identified in most epistaxis patients. Age > 50 years and the history of cardiovascular diseases are more frequent in patients with unidentified bleeding sites. In our patients, the most common bleeding site is inferior meatus, followed by the septal surface of the olfactory region, nasal septum, and middle meatus. Age, histories of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and nasal packing are factors associated with the bleeding risks of different bleeding sites. According to the different clinical characteristics of patients, the order of the nasal endoscopic examination should be adjusted to develop their treatment plans.

The anatomical variations of paranasal sinuses may be related to the formation of antrochoanal polyp by computed tomography imaging study.

Background: There is little investigation into the connection between anatomic variations and the development of antrochoanal polyp (ACP), and the etiology of ACP remains unclear. The study aims to explore the relationship among anatomic variations, maxillary sinus volume, nasal meatus-related parameters, and the occurrence of ACP. Methods: There were 127 patients included in this retrospective cross-sectional study with unilateral ACPs hospitalized at Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital between February 2010 and February 2020. Evaluation indicators included anatomic variations, maxillary sinus volume, and nasal meatus-related parameters in 45 children and 82 adults, which were evaluated twice by 3DSlicer software. Parameters were assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, followed by paired t-test and Chi-squared test for multiple comparisons. Results: Significant differences were found in the accessory maxillary ostium (AMO) and maxillary sinus retention cyst between two sides (both P<0.001). Maxillary sinus volume and sex had an association of statistical significance on adults' ACP side (P=0.026) and non-antrochoanal polyp (non-ACP) side (P=0.032). The affected side's maxillary sinus volume was significantly larger than the healthy side (P<0.001). The length from the maxillary sinus orifice to the plane of the most lateral margin of the middle turbinate of the ACP side was larger than the non-ACP side in children (P=0.044). Males' length from the maxillary sinus orifice to the plane of the most lateral margin of the middle turbinate of the ACP side was considerably greater than the healthy side (P<0.001). The length from the maxillary sinus orifice to the plane of the most lateral margin of the middle turbinate (P=0.014) and the length from the inferior turbinate to the nasal septum (P=0.013) on the non-ACP side was higher than the affected side in adults. Males' length from the inferior turbinate to the nasal septum was higher on the healthy side than the affected side (P<0.001). Males had a greater maximum length from the maxillary sinus lateral wall to the nasal septum (P=0.024) and the length from the inferior turbinate to the nasal septum (P=0.003) on the non-ACP side than females. Males had a larger maximum length from the maxillary sinus lateral wall to the nasal septum on the ACP side than females (P=0.011). Conclusions: In our study, the occurrence of the AMO, the maxillary sinus's expanded size, and the stenosis of the associated channels around the ostiomeatal complex and common meatus are regarded as probably connected to the formation of ACPs. In addition, the anatomic variations that involve the ostiomeatal complex and may lead to a change in maxillary sinus pressure and nasal ventilation are important factors in the formation of ACPs.

Difference of Antrochoanal Polyps Between Children and Adults in the Chinese Population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to find the difference in clinical and immunopathological characteristics between children and adults with antrochoanal polyps (ACPs) in the Chinese population. METHODS: The clinical data of 69 patients diagnosed with ACPs were retrospectively analyzed. Cytokine levels in 16 controls and 40 ACPs tissues were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 was measured using qPCR, immunofluorescent staining, and western blot. RESULTS: There were 51 (73.9%) children (<18 years old) and 18 (26.1%) adults (≥18 years old). The sex ratio differed significantly between the two groups (p = 0.0032). There were no significant differences in the nasal side of ACPs and approaches to surgery between the two groups. In both groups, the most common symptom was nasal obstruction, followed by nasal discharge. As for associated nasal diseases, there was a significant difference between the two groups in septal deviation (p = 0.0223). Adult patients showed significantly higher expression of IL-8 mRNA than children (p = 0.0424). The mRNA and protein levels of MMP-9 were also significantly higher in adult patients than in children (p = 0.0498 and 0.0009, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the Chinese population, the comorbidities and immunopathological characteristics of adult ACP patients are different from those of children. The level of IL-8 and MMP-9 was significantly higher in ACPs of adults than in children, which may contribute to the more severe tissue remolding in adult ACP patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2093-2099, 2024.

Sulfur-doped α-Fe2O3 as an efficient and recycled peroxydisulfate activator toward organic pollutant degradation: performance and mechanism.

Sulfur (S)-doped α-Fe2O3 has been regarded as an excellent catalyst for eliminating organic pollutants in the photo-Fenton-like reaction. Yet, the synthetic complexity and extremely low activity in the dark Fenton-like reaction still need to be solved. In this study, magnetic α-Fe2O3 with sulfide was successfully fabricated via hydrothermal and calcination processes, for the first time, where thiourea acted as both S source and reducing agent, and then, it was applied for activating peroxydisulfate (PDS) to degrade organic contaminants. Important influencing factors were systemically investigated, and the results showed that this catalyst activating PDS was highly effective in the removal of organic pollutants in dark- and photo-Fenton-like reactions. In addition, the catalyst possessed good stability and recyclable ability. The structure of catalyst was analyzed by several characterizations, such as XRD and XPS. The results revealed that sulfide had an important effect on the structure and performance of α-Fe2O3. The detected mechanism indicated that the main reactive oxygen species were altered after switching from darkness to LED illumination. This work offered a promising method to rationally design for S/α-Fe2O3 in the environmental remediation.

Ciliated Cells Express a Novel Pattern of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Allergic Rhinitis.

Background: Mounting research indicates that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), has great potential to increase neuro-hyperresponsiveness and airway resistance in airway allergic disease. The expression level of BDNF has been found to be notably elevated in lung/nasal lavage (NAL) fluid. However, the expression and position of BDNF in ciliated cells with allergic rhinitis remains unclear. Methods: Nasal mucosal cells were collected from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and mice which were performed under different allergen challenge time, then observed the expression and position of BDNF located in ciliated cells through the immunofluorescence staining. Nasal mucosa, serum and NAL fluid were collected also. The expression level of BDNF and IL-4/5/13 were detected by RT-PCR. The expressions of BDNF (in serum and NAL fluid), and total-IgE, ovalbumin sIgE (in serum) were detected by ELISA. Results: We found that MFI of BDNF in AR group's ciliated cells was obviously lower than that in the control group, and a negative correlation was discovered between MFI and VAS score. It can be roughly divided into 5 patterns according to its location in the cytoplasm of ciliated cells. In the mouse model, the expressions of BDNF in serum and NAL fluid increased temporarily after allergen stimulation. The MFI of BDNF in ciliated cells displayed an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease. Conclusion: Our study shows for the first time that, the expression and localization of BNDF were observed in the human nasal ciliated epithelial cells of allergic rhinitis, and the expression of level was less than the control group under the persistent state of allergy. BDNF expression in ciliated cells was transient increased after allergen stimulation and decreased to normal level after 24h in mouse model of allergic rhinitis. This might be the possible source of the transient increase of BNDF in serum and NAL fluid.

Clinical Characteristics of Sphenoid Sinus Fungus Ball: A Nine-year Retrospective Study of 77 Cases.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of sphenoid sinus fungus ball (SSFB) to help increase the accuracy of diagnosis and efficiency of treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 77 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with SSFB. RESULTS: The mean age of SSFB patients was 52.4 years (range 25-84), and 47 patients (61.0%) were female. Compared to age-matched and sex-matched chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients, headache was more common in SSFB patients (79.2%; p < 0.0001). SSFB patients also had higher prevalence of diabetes than CRS (p = 0.0420). The features of computed tomography (CT) were sphenoid sinus opacification (100%), sclerosis (93.5%), calcification (76.6%), and bone erosion (41.6%). Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) was the best treatment option, and the trans-ethmoid (n = 64, 83.1%) was the most commonly used approach. No one experienced a recurrence of SSFB in 44 successfully contacted patients. Six months after FESS, 91.0% of patients (40/44) established proper drainage in the sphenoid sinus. The recovery rates for headache and nasal symptoms were 91.7% (33/36) and 77.8% (7/9) respectively. CONCLUSION: SSFB is more prevalent in older women and usually presents as unilateral headache. Diabetes is a potential risk factor for SSFB. CT findings provide evidence for diagnosis and suggestions for surgical approaches. FESS is the optimal treatment for SSFB. After FESS, most patients had good prognosis with no recurrence of SSFB. However, regular endoscopic follow-up is required due to the possibility of the postoperative closure of sphenoid ostium. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:3292-3298, 2023.

FeMoS2 micoroparticles as an excellent catalyst for the activation of peroxymonosulfate toward organic contaminant degradation.

The FeMoS2 catalyst for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is a promising pathway for removing organic pollutants in wastewater, however, the dominant FeS2 phases and sulfur (S) vacancies in it are little involved. Herein, for the first time, novel bimetallic FeMoS2 microparticles were synthesized by a simple method and then applied for PMS activation for degrading organic pollutants. The catalysts were characterized by several techniques, including X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The results revealed that new FeMoS2 microparticles containing S vacancies in the main FeS2 phases were obtained. FeS2 and S vacancies were found to play important roles for activating PMS by radical and nonradical pathways. More Fe2+ and Mo4+ were formed in the presence of S vacancies, which offered a new strategy for exploring novel heterogeneous catalysts in the activation of PMS for environmental remediation.

Separation of Minor Actinides from High-Level Liquid Waste Using Novel Silica-Based Butyl-BTP Adsorbents.

To separate the long-lived minor actinides (MA = Am, Cm) from high-level liquid waste (HLLW), we have been studying an advanced separation process via selective adsorption that uses minimal amounts of organic solvent and compact equipment. The process consists of two separation columns packed with a CMPO (octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoyl-methyl phosphine oxide) adsorbent for elemental group separation and a soft-donor named the R-BTP (2,6-bis-(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazine-3-yl) pyridine) adsorbent for the isolation of MA from lanthanides (Ln). In this work, the effects of nitrate ion (NO3-) on the adsorption behavior of Am(III) and a typical fission product Ln(III) onto the isoBu-BTP/SiO2-P adsorbent were studied experimentally. Then, the desorption properties of the adsorbed element were examined using different eluting agents. A hot test for the separation of MA from the fission product Ln in a genuine MA containing effluent from the irradiated MOX-fuel treatment process was carried out using a nBu-BTP/SiO2-P packed column. It was found that the separation factor between Am(III) and Ln(III)-FP is over 100 in the measured 0.5-4 M NO3-. The adsorbed elements could be effectively eluted off using a complexing agent such as DTPA or pure water. Complete separation between MA and Ln was achieved in the column results, indicating that the proposed MA separation process is feasible in principle.

Sulfur vacancies on MoS2 enhanced the activation of peroxymonosulfate through the co-existence of radical and non-radical pathways to degrade organic pollutants in wastewater.

The enhancement of vacancies in catalysts involving Fenton-like reactions is a promising way to remove organic pollutants in wastewater, but sulfur vacancies are rarely involved. In this work, MoS2 containing defect sites were synthesized by a simple high-temperature treatment and then applied for activating peroxymonosulfate to eliminate organic pollutants in wastewater. The structure was characterized by several techniques such as XRD, BET, and XPS. Important influencing factors were systemically investigated. The results indicated that MoS2 with sulfur vacancies possessed a higher catalytic activity than that of the parent MoS2. The annealing temperature of the catalyst had a great effect on the removal of organic pollutants. Besides, the catalytic system had a wide pH range. Quenching and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments indicated that the reaction system contained radical and non-radical species. The characterization results revealed that the defect sites in catalysts mainly strengthened the activity of catalysts. This study offers a new heterogeneous catalyst for the removal of organic pollutants via the peroxymonosulfate-based Fenton-like reactions.

An Integrated Analysis of Inflammatory Endotypes and Clinical Characteristics in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

Objective: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is mainly characterised by type 1 (T1), type 2 (T2) and type 3 (T3) inflammatory endotypes. However, correlations between inflammatory endotypes and clinical features in CRSwNP have not been demonstrated sufficiently. This study aimed to determine the endotype-phenotype associations in CRSwNP. Methods: Clinical data of 31 control subjects and 106 CRSwNP patients were analysed. Interferon (IFN)-γ (T1), Charcot-Leyden crystal galectin (CLC) (T2) and Interleukin (IL)-17A (T3) were used as biomarkers to identify the inflammatory endotypes. Results: The mRNA expression level of IFN-γ was positively correlated with IL-17A (r = 0.817; P < 0.0001). Headache/facial pain (P = 0.039) was associated with T1 endotype. Smell loss (P = 0.025) was associated with T2 endotype. Purulent rhinorrhea (P = 0.001) was associated with T3 endotype. Atopy (P = 0.030), asthma (P = 0.005) and recurrence (P = 0.022) were more frequent in T2 endotype. Total Symptom Scores (TSS) of T2 (P < 0.001) and T3 (P = 0.009) endotype were higher than non-T2 and non-T3, respectively. Sino Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) total scores of T3 (P = 0.054) endotype were higher than non-T3. Conclusion: Identifications of endotype-phenotype associations are useful in clinical diagnoses and targeted therapies for patients with CRSwNP.

Independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in 2623 patients with Non-Small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: this study attempts to identify the independent risk factors that can predict lymph node metastasis for the patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and guide doctor adoption of individualized treatment for such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the Hospital's Ethics Committee and all patients had signed informed consent forms. We retrospectively reviewed NSCLC patients who had undergone surgical resection from December 2008 to December 2013.The statistical significance of evaluation variables and lymph node metastasis was determined with Pearson's Chi-square test. The risk factors of lymph node metastasis were determined through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. And for the age and tumor diameter factors, optimal cutoff points were determined with a receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: In the present study, a total of 2623 patients were included in the study, and 779 patients with lymph node metastasis. Three independent risk factors were identified: age, tumor diameter and Ki-67 index. We found that <65 years of age (Adjusted-OR:1.921), ≥2.85 cm of tumor diameter (Adjusted-OR:3.141), and 5%~25% in Ki-67 group (Adjusted-OR:2.137),≥25% (Adjusted-OR:3.341) were significant. Also we found that 307 patients with lymph node metastasis and the lymph node metastasis rate was 51.0%, when the age<65 years, Ki-67 index≥25%, and the tumor diameter≥2.85 cm. On the contrary, there were only 2 patients with lymph node metastasis, and the rate of lymph node metastasis was 5.1%. CONCLUSION: Identifying three independent risk factors that predict lymph node metastasis in non-small cell patients, Among NSCLC patients in whom all three predictors were identified, and over a half of the patients showed lymph node metastasis.

Catalog of Lung Cancer Gene Mutations Among Chinese Patients.

Background: Detailed catalog of lung cancer-associated gene mutations provides valuable information for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. In China, there has never been a wide-ranging study cataloging lung cancer-associated gene mutations. This study aims to reveal a comprehensive catalog of lung cancer gene mutations in china, focusing on EGFR, ALK, KRAS, HER2, PIK3CA, MET, BRAF, HRAS, and CTNNB1 as major targets. Additionally, we also aim to correlate smoking history, gender, and age distribution and pathological types with various types of gene mutations. Patients and Methods: A retrospective data acquisition was conducted spanning 6 years (2013-2018) among all patients who underwent lung cancer surgeries not bronchial or percutaneous lung biopsy at three major tertiary hospitals. Finally, we identified 1,729 patients who matched our inclusion criteria. Results: 1081 patients (62.49%) harbored EGFR mutation. ALK (n = 42, 2.43%), KRAS (n = 201, 11.62%), CTNNB1 (n = 28, 1.62%), BRAF (n = 31, 1.79%), PIK3CA (n = 51, 2.95%), MET (n = 14, 0.81%), HER2 (n = 47, 2.72%), HRAS (n = 3, 0.17%), and other genes(n = 232, 13.4%). Females expressed 55.38% vs. males 44.62% mutations. Among subjects with known smoking histories, 32.82% smokers, 67.15% non-smokers were observed. Generally, 51.80% patients were above 60 years vs. 48.20% in younger patients. Pathological types found includes LUADs 71.11%, SQCCs 1.68%, ASC 0.75%, LCC 0.58%, SCC 0.35%, ACC 0.17%, and SC 0.06%, unclear 25.19%. Conclusion: We offer a detailed catalog of the distribution of lung cancer mutations. Showing how gender, smoking history, age, and pathological types are significantly related to the prevalence of lung cancer in China.

Mn-substituted goethite for uranium immobilization: A study of adsorption behavior and mechanisms.

Goethite is a common iron hydroxide, which can be substituted by manganese (Mn) in the goethite structure. It is important to investigate the immobilization of uranium(VI) on Mn-substituted goethite (Mn-Goe) to understand the fate and migration of uranium in soils and sediments. In this study, the sorption of uranium(VI) by Mn-Goe was investigated as a function of pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial uranium concentration in batch experiments. Several material analysis techniques were used to characterize manganese substituted materials. Results indicated that Mn was successfully introduced into the goethite structure, the length of particles increased gradually, the surface clearly exhibited higher roughness with increasing Mn content, and that uranium(VI) sorption of synthetic Mn-Goe appeared to be higher than that of goethite. The sorption kinetics supported the results presented by the pseudo-second-order model. The sorption capacity of uranium on Mn-Goe was circa 77 mg g-1 at pH = 4.0 and 25 °C. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses revealed that uranium ions were adsorbed through functional groups containing oxygen on the Mn-Goe structure. The enhancement of Mn-substitution for the uranium(VI) sorption capacity of goethite was revealed. This study suggests that goethite and Mn-Goe can both play a significant role in controlling the mobility and transport of uranium(VI) in the subsurface environment, which is helpful for material development in environmental remediation.

Extrapancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasm: report of a unique case of primary posterior mediastinum origin and review of the literature.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is a rare and low malignant potential neoplasm that traditionally occurs in pancreas. Herein, we report a mediastinal SPN in a 62-year-old woman. Clinically, the patient was asymptomatic. A mass in posterior mediastinum was detected by chest computerized tomographic (CT) scan during her annual checkup. The CT scan revealed a 30 mm solid nodule with well-defined outline in right posterior mediastinum. Histologically, the tumor was comprised of solid cellular nests as well as sheets of cells with an epithelioid appearance, and some pseudopapillary areas could also be identified. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for ß-catenin (nuclear and cytoplasmic), cyclin D1, CD56, CD10, CD99 (paranuclear dot-like), SOX11 (weak) and TFE3, while negative for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), E-cadherin, WT-1, synaptophysin, chromogranin and progesterone receptor. SPNs can occur in aberrant locations and this is the first one reported in mediastinum, pathologists should learn about the rare case for a better differential diagnosis. The patient underwent a video-assisted thoracoscope tumorectomy. She has been followed up for 5 months with no recurrence or metastasis.

Oxygen doped graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for the degradation of organic pollutants by activating hydrogen peroxide in the presence of bicarbonate in the dark.

The development of novel wastewater treatment processes that use heterogeneous catalysts to activate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with bicarbonate (HCO3 -) has been a subject of great interest in recent years; however, significant challenges remain, despite research into numerous metal-based catalysts. The work presented herein employed oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride (O/g-C3N4) as a non-metal catalyst for activating H2O2 in the presence of HCO3 -, and this method represented the first system capable of removing organic pollutants in the dark, to our knowledge. The catalysts were characterized using several microscopic imaging, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and crystallographic techniques, as well as N2-physorption procedures. Analysis of the results revealed that the O/g-C3N4 catalyst possessed a high specific surface area and many defect sites. Various operational parameters, including the relative amounts of HCO3 -, H2O2, and O/g-C3N4, were systemically investigated. A clear performance enhancement was observed in the degradation of organic contaminants when subjected to the HCO3 --H2O2-O/g-C3N4 system, and this result was ascribed to the synchronous adsorption and chemical oxidation processes. The novel system presented herein represented a new water treatment technology that was effective for removing organic contaminants.

Synthesis of oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride and its application for the degradation of organic pollutants via dark Fenton-like reactions.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a promising photocatalyst for environmental protection but its development is greatly limited for its application in dark Fenton-like reactions due to its extremely low specific surface area and lack of suitable active sites. Herein, for the first time, graphitic carbon nitride with large surface area and abundant defect sites was developed by tailoring oxygen via a simple and green method without any templates, namely, the calcination-hydrothermal-calcination successive treatment of melamine. The structure of the catalyst was characterized using several technologies, including XRD, SEM, TEM, N2-physisorption, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy and XPS. The results revealed that it possessed a large specific surface area (ca. 236 m2 g-1), while changes in its structural properties such as the formation of new defect sites and change in the content of nitrogen atoms were observed. These properties were beneficial for the in situ activation of H2O2 toward reactive oxygen species, as confirmed by the reactive oxygen species capturing experiments. Furthermore, various influencing factors were systemically investigated. The results clearly showed that the oxygen-doped g-C3N4 was light-independent and metal-free Fenton-like catalyst for the enhanced degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. Compared to the pristine g-C3N4, the oxygen-doped g-C3N4 showed superior performance under various conditions such as broad pH range and excellent stability. Thus, this study provides a novel pathway for the treatment of organic pollutants in water.