Preparation of Magnesium Hydroxide Flame Retardant from Hydromagnesite and Enhance the Flame Retardant Performance of EVA.

In this study, hydromagnesite, a rare natural hydrated alkaline magnesium carbonate, was used to synthesize magnesium hydroxide (MH) as a flame retardant for ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) to enhance its fire resistance and smoke suppression. Various concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used to alter the morphology and the flame-retardant efficiency of synthesized MH. EVA/MH composites were prepared through melt blending, and the influence of NaOH on the flame retardancy and mechanical properties was investigated by means of the limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter test (CCT) and tensile test. The flame retardancy results demonstrated that composites exhibited remarkably improved flame retardant properties after introducing MH, reflected by an increase in the LOI value from 20% for neat EVA to roughly 38%. Additionally, the peak of heat release rate (pHRR), the total heat release (THR) and the peak of the smoke production rate for EVA3 were decreased by 37.6%, 20.7% and 44.4% compared with neat EVA, respectively. In the meantime, increasing char residues were also observed. The incorporation of different MH concentrations had a limited effect on the mechanical properties of the EVA/MH composites.

Treatment and prognosis of fetal lymphangioma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment and prognosis of fetal lymphangioma and factors that inform treatment selection. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 79 patients with fetal lymphangioma treated at our hospital. Treatment methods included medical termination (death in-utero), expectant treatment, surgery, and interventional sclerotherapy (including ex utero intrapartum treatment, EXIT). Methods of treatment were selected according to the location and size of the lymphangioma. RESULTS: Among the 133,322 fetuses, in 130,202 pregnant women, examined at our hospital, a lymphangioma was identified in 79. The lymphangioma was confirmed by ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and post-natal computed tomography, as appropriate, and pathological results obtained postoperatively or on autopsy. Septation of the mass was identified in 66 of the 79 cases (83.54%). With regard to location, the lymphangioma was located in the neck in 50 fetuses (63.29%). Interventional sclerotherapy, using bleomycin, was performed in 22 neonates, of which 3 underwent ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT), due to evidence of airway or esophageal obstruction, 16 underwent expectant management and 7 surgical treatment. Medical termination of the pregnancy was performed in 32 cases, and 2 fetuses died in-utero. Of the 16 cases of expectant treatment, the lesions retrogressed during the intra-uterine period in 7 cases, before the post-natal age of 6 months in 4 neonates, and before the age of 2 years in 3 neonates, with no change in the size of the lymphangioma identified in 2 cases. Of the 7 neonates who were treated surgically, relapse occurred in 1 case, which required re-operation. CONCLUSIONS: Several treatment options for lymphangioma are available, with treatment selection being based on the location and size of the lymphangioma.

Huge fetal hepatic Hemangioma: prenatal diagnosis on ultrasound and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Although huge fetal hepatic hemangiomas are rare, they can cause fatal complications. The purpose of this study is to describe the imaging features and prognosis of these tumors. METHODS: Imaging data were collected for 6 patients with huge fetal hepatic hemangiomas treated at our hospital. Imaging modalities included prenatal magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound and postnatal color Doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: Among the 93,562 fetuses of 92,126 pregnant women examined at our hospital, 6 had huge hepatic hemangiomas (incidence rate, 0.64/10,000), as confirmed via postnatal color Doppler imaging and contrast-enhanced CT. Five fetuses had solitary lesions, whereas 1 (fetus 2) had multiple lesions. Four fetuses had lesions in the right liver lobe and 1 had a lesion in the left liver lobe, and 1 (fetus 2) had lesions in both lobes. All lesions showed centripetal enhancement on postnatal contrast-enhanced CT, which was more intense peripherally. Following postnatal treatment with oral propranolol, with or without dexamethasone or interventional therapy with the medical sclerosant pingyangmycin, all lesions decreased in size, with calcification plaques appearing 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Huge hepatic hemangiomas have typical ultrasonographic features and can be diagnosed prenatally. Treatment with propranolol, with or without dexamethasone, may result in a favorable prognosis.