Design and Construction of Carbon-Coated Fe3 O4 /Cr2 O3 Heterostructures Nanoparticles as High-Performance Anodes for Lithium Storage.

Transition metal oxides, highly motivated anodes for lithium-ion batteries due to high theoretical capacity, typically afflict by inferior conductivity and significant volume variation. Architecting heterogeneous structures with distinctive interfacial features can effectively regulate the electronic structure to favor electrochemical properties. Herein, an engineered carbon-coated nanosized Fe3 O4 /Cr2 O3 heterostructure with multiple interfaces is synthesized by a facile sol-gel method and subsequent heat treatment. Such ingenious components and structural design deliver rapid Li+ migration and facilitate charge transfer at the heterogeneous interface. Simultaneously, the strong coupling synergistic interactions between Fe3 O4 , Cr2 O3 , and carbon layers establish multiple interface structures and built-in electric fields, which accelerate ion/electron transport and effectively eliminate volume expansion. As a result, the multi-interface heterostructure, as a lithium-ion battery anode, exhibits superior cycling stability maintaining a reversible capacity of 651.2 mAh g-1 for 600 cycles at 2 C. The density functionaltheory calculations not only unravel the electronic structure of the modulation but also illustrate favorable lithium-ion adsorption kinetics. This multi-interface heterostructure strategy offers a pathway for the development of advanced alkali metal-ion batteries.

Preparation of Bi2O3-YSZ and YSB-YSZ Composite Powders by a Microemulsion Method and Their Performance as Electrolytes in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.

Bi2O3 is a promising sintering additive for YSZ that not only decreases its sintering temperature but also increases its ionic conductivity. However, Bi2O3 preferably grows into large-sized rods. Moreover, the addition of Bi2O3 induces phase instability of YSZ and the precipitation of monoclinic ZrO2, which is unfavorable for the electrical property. In order to precisely control the morphology and size of Bi2O3, a microemulsion method was introduced. Spherical Bi2O3 nanoparticles were obtained from the formation of microemulsion bubbles at the water-oil interface due to the interaction between the two surfactants. Nanosized Bi2O3-YSZ composite powders with good mixing uniformity dramatically decreased the sintering temperature of YSZ to 1000 °C. Y2O3-stabilized Bi2O3 (YSB)-YSZ composite powders were also fabricated, which did not affect the phase of YSZ but decreased its sintering temperature. Meanwhile, the oxygen vacancy concentration further increased to 64.9% of the total oxygen with the addition of 5 mol% YSB. In addition, its ionic conductivity reached 0.027 S·cm-1 at 800 °C, one order of magnitude higher than that of YSZ. This work provides a new strategy to simultaneously decrease the sintering temperature, stabilize the phase and increase the conductivity of YSZ electrolytes.

Fractal analysis of rat dermal tissue in the different injury states.

Scar formation and chronic ulcers can develop following a skin injury. They are the result of the over- or underproduction of collagen. It is very important to evaluate the quality and quantity of the collagen that is produced during wound healing, especially with respect to its structure, as these factors are very important to a complicated outcome. However, there is no standard way to quantitatively analyse dermal collagen. As prior work characterised some potentially fractal properties of collagen, it was hypothesised that collagen structure could be evaluated with fractal dimension analysis. Small-angle X-ray scattering technology (SAXS) was used to evaluate the dermis of rats exposed to graft harvest, burn, and diabetic pathologic states. It was found that almost all collagen structures could be quantitatively measured with fractal dimension analysis. Further, there were significant differences in the three-dimensional (3-D) structure of normal collagen versus that measured in pathologic tissues. There was a significant difference in the 3-D structure of collagen at different stages of healing. The findings of this work suggest that fractal analysis is a good tool for wound healing analysis, and that quantitative collagen analysis is very useful for assessing the structure of dermal collagen.

Primary repair of broad bilateral complete cleft palate with hard palate rotation flap.

It was hard to achieve primary repair for infants with broad bilateral complete cleft palate, and usually multiple procedures are demanded, resulting in multiple injuries and scar hyperplasia, which could influence infants' long-term phonetic function. In this study, primary repair was carried out on 12 cases of 18- to 30-month-old infants who had complete cleft palate by using rotated hard palate flap with a pedicle on the edge of the fissure modified on the basis of traditional von Langenbeck palatoplasty. Eight infants were subjected to initial phonetic sound evaluation at 1 to 2 years after the operation. All the 12 cases of infant complete cheilopalatognathus had fine healing, and no complications such as dyspnea and fistulous opening in palate were observed. The effects of phonetic sound in 8 infants who had this disease were significantly improved as observed in the long-term follow-up. Thus, we consider it as a reliable and feasible procedure to perform hard palate mucosa rotation flap for the primary repair of broad bilateral complete cleft palate. The procedure is simple, while it produces satisfactory therapeutic effects, by which the patients with complete cleft palate could achieve good recovery in their phonetic functions.

[Immediate reconstruction of tissue defects on eyelid caused by tumor excision].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the methods for immediate reconstruction of tissue defects on eyelid caused by tumor excision. METHODS: Single or combined local skin flaps were used to repair tissue defects on eyelids after tumor excision. RESULTS: Since 1994, 216 patients (224 sides) were treated. All flaps survived with primary healing. 149 patients were followed up for 3 months to 10 years with satisfactory results. 2 patients with squamous cell carcinoma recurred and reoperated with local skin flap again. CONCLUSIONS: It is a simple, safe, flexible and reliable method to immediately repair the tissue defects with local flaps on eyelid caused by tumor excision.

[Application of flap in repair of heel skin and soft tissue defect].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the experience and comprehend of application of many kinds of skin flaps in repair of heel skin and soft tissue defect. METHODS: From August 1993 to April 2007, 242 cases of skin and soft tissue defect on heel were treated. There were 157 males and 85 females aged 27-76 years. There were 35 cases of unstable scar, 46 cases of chronic ulcer, 57 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 72 cases of malignant melanoma and 32 cases of injury. The defect area ranged from 2 cm x 2 cm to 8 cm x 14 cm, wound was with low-grade infection in 51 cases. The course of disease was 1 hour to 5 years. The lateral calcaneal flaps (34 cases), the dorsum pedis flaps (15 cases), the medial plantar artery island flaps (108 cases), the sural neurovascular flaps (36 cases), the saphenous neurocutaneous vascular flaps (26 cases) and free (myocutaneous) skin flaps (23 cases) were used to repair heel wounded surface according to specific location of heel wounded surface, range of skin and soft tissue defect. The size of the (myocutaneous) skin flap was 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm to 15.0 cm x 9.0 cm. The donor area was directly sutured or covered with skin grafts. RESULTS: In 242 cases, 235 cases achieved healing by first intention, 5 cases had partial necrosis of flaps, 2 cases had mild infection. The donor area healed by first intention. A total of 217 patients were followed up for 1 month to 60 months. The color of flaps were normal and the texture of flaps were softer than that of normal heel tissue; the flaps were wearable, the shape of flaps were satisfactory. The patients can walk after 6 months of operation, and the gait was normal. In 118 cancer patients, no local tumor recurrence occurred, and distant metastatic lesions were observe in 22 malignant melanoma patients. In 32 cases of malignant melanoma followed up 60 months, no distant metastatic lesions were found. CONCLUSION: In base of following the primary disease treatment, heel function reconstruction and contour structural feature remodeling, we adopted some kind of island or free (myocutaneous) skin flap can be used to repair heel wound. The ideal effect in heel function reconstruction and contour structural feature remodeling were obtained.

The island myocutaneous flap reconstruction in electrical burn injuries of severely traumatized cervical region.

Trauma patients with high-energy injuries often present with severe tissue damage that extends beyond the immediate zone of injury and require recruitment of vascularized and massive tissues. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of the island myocutaneous flap for the reconstruction of the electrical burn injuries on the cervical region. We conducted a retrospective chart review on all trauma patients treated by the Department of Plastic Surgery at Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University who required a large amount of vascularized tissue for the reconstruction of the electrical burn injuries on the cervical region from July 1994 to June 2006. Of them, 23 patients underwent reconstruction of severe traumatic deformities and disfunction on the cervical region with 23 island myocutaneous flaps from adjacent regions. Of the 23 patients, 17 were male and 6 were female, with an average age of 38 years. Conservative surgery method for debriding necrotic tissues and three different types of island myocutaneous flaps, including pectoralis major island myocutaneous flap, latissimus dorsi island myocutaneous flap and trapezius island myocutaneous flap were used. The defect area ranged from 6 cm x 4 cm to 20 cm x 15 cm. The sizes of the dissected myocutaneous flap ranged from 8 cm x 6 cm to 35 cm x 15 cm. All the 23 cases acquired complete recovery. The secondary defect of donor areas had primary closure after being directly sutured or covered with skin grafts. Island myocutaneous flaps have distinctive advantages in treatment of electrical burn injuries on cervical region and it can obtain satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes.

Treatment for long-term poorly closed incisions after hepatobiliary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Effective measures are lacking to treat long-term poorly closed incisions after hepatobiliary surgery, including chronic sinus tract and keloid. This study aimed to introduce the treatment experiences with the abdominal wall and costal margin complications after hepatobiliary surgery, and to investigate the method for prevention of this kind of complication. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 26 patients with complications of abdominal wall and costal margin after hepatobiliary surgery, who had been admitted to our hospital since 1998. The 26 patients were classified according to complications into 3 groups: chronic ulcer with costal chondritis (5 patients), single chronic ulcer (3), and keloid (18). According to the symptoms of patients, treatments given included focal removal regional flap transfer restoration and focal removal dermatoplasty combined with glucocorticoid injection, anti-scar medication, external application of silicone gel film, and pressure therapy after surgery to inhibit recurrence. RESULTS: Satisfactory results were observed in the 26 patients after the treatments. Focal and regional ache and itching disappeared, and 2-3-year follow-up revealed no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Attention should be paid to patients with complications of abdominal wall and costal margin after hepatobiliary surgery. Combined treatment or mainly operations produce satisfactory result.

[Local flap for reconstruction of nasal tip defect: functional and aesthetic evaluations].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the experience of reconstruction of nasal tip defect, which could obtain good functional and aesthetic results. METHODS: Based on the aesthetic subunit principle, according to the size, shape, depth of nasal tip defect, and the conditions of surrounding skin, homologous local flap (include: frontonasal flap, bilobed flap, nasolabial flap, reforming rhomboid flap and forehead flap, etc.) was designed to cover the defect wound. The secondary defect of donor area was directly sutured. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients with nasal tip defect were treated by local flap transfers. The area of the defect ranged between 0.6 x 0.6 cm and 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm. The nasal tip defect was successfully closed in all patients, and all flaps survived well without obvious complications. 76 out of these 83 patients were available for follow-up from 1 to 36 months. The repaired tissue was in good match with surrounding tissue, with nice nasal contour, and cosmetic results were satisfactory. No tumor recurrence occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the nasal aesthetic subunit principle, local flap could be used to reconstruct the nasal tip defect below 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm, and obtain good color, contour and texture in match with the surrounding skin. Cosmetic results were satisfactory.

[Discoidin domain receptors (DDRs) expression in pathological scar fibroblast formation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of discoidin domain receptors (DDRs) in the formation of the keloid. METHODS: The real-time quantitative PCR was used to compare the DDRs expression in the keloids and normal fibroblasts. RESULTS: The level of DDR1 expression was significantly higher in keloid than in normal fibroblast (20.98 vs 4.2, P <0.01; 7.9 vs 4.23, P <0.05). The level of DDR1 expression in keloid was also higher significantly than that in hypertropic scar (20.98 vs 7.9, P < 0.01). However, the level of DDR2 expression was somewhat higher in keloid than in normal fibroblasts, the difference seemed not to be significantly in probability (358, 332 vs 278, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DDRs may exert effect on keloid cell behaviours.

[The effects of chitosan on different-derived fibroblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of chitosan on the biological activities of the fibroblasts derived from different tissues. METHODS: The biological activities of the fibroblasts derived from different tissues were evaluated with a MTT method for fibroblast proliferation, photic and electronic microscope for morphologic and subcellular structure, 3H-proline uptake method for collagen secretion and ELISA box for the secretion of TGF-beta 1, FGF-AB, and IL-8. RESULTS: This study showed that the chitosan inhabited the proliferation of the fibroblasts and the secretion of the TGF-beta 1, FGF-AB and collagen of the fibroblasts with a dose-depended manner in the normal skin, hypertrophic scar and keloid groups, but it stimulated the IL-8. However, there were no significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The chitosan could inhibit the growth, proliferation, biosynthesis and secretion of the fibroblasts, and it may be used to treat different scars.

[Expression of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in human split-thickness skin graft].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) in human split-thickness skin autograft and the role of alpha-MSH in hyperpigmented process of the grafted skin. METHODS: Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression and distribution of alpha-MSH in the split-thickness grafted skin and normal skin separately. RESULTS: The expression of alpha-MSH in most of the split-thickness grafted skin was much stronger than the control skin. The positive ratio of alpha-MSH expression was 61.1% in the split-thickness grafted skin, 11.1% in the normal skin of the donor area and 16.7% in the normal skin around the recipient area. The expression of alpha-MSH in the split-thickness grafted skin was significant high, compared with the normal skins (P < 0.01). The expression of alpha-MSH in the normal skin of the donor area was no statistic remarkably differences compared to the normal skin around the recipient area. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the expression of alpha-MSH may markedly increase in the split-thickness grafted skin and correlate with its pigmentation after the skin graft. Overexpression of alpha-MSH may play an important role in hyperpigmented process of the skin graft.