An advanced sol-gel strategy for enhancing interfacial reactivity of iron oxide nanoparticles on rosin biochar substrate to remove Cr(VI).

The application of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) is often limited by agglomeration and low loading. Here, we presented a facile phase change material (PCM) -based sol-gel strategy for the fabrication of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Rosin was used as the PCM in the sol-gel process and the carbon-based substrate of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the thermal process. The α-Fe2O3 nanoparticle embedded rosin-derived biochar(α-Fe2O3@HrBc)were highly dispersed. The dispersity of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticle could be regulated by the weight ratios of rosin to FeCl3·6H2O during the preparation, as evidenced by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) spectrum and the sorption capacity results. Among a series of α-Fe2O3@HrBc nanocomposites, the one with the weight ratios of 1/1.5 rosin/FeCl3·6H2O had the highest capacity for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) sorption. This phenomenon can be ascribed to a remarkably enhanced interfacial reactivity due to an increase in the dispersity of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticle. In addition, SEM showed that the majority of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles was dispersed on and inside the biochar substrate. Batch adsorption experiments revealed that the α-Fe2O3@HrBc adsorbed 90% Cr(VI) within one minute, and the maximum capacity was up to 166 mg·g-1 based on the Langmuir model. The FTIR and XPS spectra revealed that the adsorbed Cr(VI) species were partially reduced to less toxic Cr(III). Considering that α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles provided important sorption sites, the newly formed Cr(III) and the remaining Cr(VI) ions could be adsorbed on α-Fe2O3@HrBc via the formation of FeCr coprecipitation.

Overexpression of Rab27B is correlated with distant metastasis and poor prognosis in ovarian cancer.

The secretory small guanosine-5'-triphosphate-binding enzyme, Rab27B, has been identified to be an oncogene that is involved in the progression of certain tumors. The current study was designed to evaluate the expression pattern of Rab27B in ovarian cancer (OC), borderline tumors and benign ovarian adenoid tumors, as well as its association with survival prognosis and clinical parameters. The expression of Rab27B protein was examined by immunohistochemistry in 204 patients who had undergone ovarian resection without preoperative systemic chemotherapy at the Surgical Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University (Nantong, China), including 57 benign ovarian adenoid tumors, 44 borderline tumors and 103 malignant tumors. Rab27B expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed with the χ2 test. Patient survival rate was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analysis of the prognostic factors was performed using the Cox regression model. Increased expression of Rab27B was positively correlated with histological type (P=0.012), level of differentiation (P=0.015), lymph node metastasis (P=0.024), distant metastasis (P<0.001) and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (P=0.001). Survival analysis revealed an association between Rab27B-positivity and poor overall survival rate. Multivariate analysis indicated that Rab27B (P<0.031) and distant metastases (P=0.031) were independent prognostic factors for OC patients' survival. The results of the present study supported the hypothesis that Rab27B may be a valuable prognostic indicator in patients with OC.

Floatable, macroporous structured alginate sphere supporting iron nanoparticles used for emergent Cr(VI) spill treatment.

Treatment of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) spill accident is a great challenge due to its high toxicity, sudden and extensiveness. In this study, we designed and fabricated a hierarchical, ordered and macroporous structured alginate sphere to support in-situ synthesized zero-valent iron nanoparticle (the alginate-nZVI sphere). Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) images showed well dispersion of nZVI on the composite. This alginate-nZVI sphere exhibited good separability in effective removal of Cr(VI). The result from Cr(VI) removal experiment demonstrated a Cr(VI) removal efficiency of 98.2% at equilibrium time, which can be ascribed to the well dispersion of the nZVI. In addition, the alginate-nZVI sphere was effective in Cr(VI) removal in a wide range of pH from 3.0 to 11.0, by the merit of alginate substrate. Hence, the alginate-nZVI sphere might be a promising agent for an emergent Cr(VI) spill treatment by enhancing the dispersion, stabilization and separation properties of nZVI.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Resection for Retroperitoneal Dumbbell-Shaped Lumbar Spinal Schwannomas: Operative Technique and Surgical Results.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal dumbbell lumbar spinal schwannomas (RDLSSs) classified as the Eden type 4 are composed of small intervertebral foramen components and large paravertebral components extending into the retroperitoneal cavity. The surgical management of RDLSSs s remains a great challenge for all neurosurgeons because of the features of tumor. OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in the laparoscopic resection of RDLSSs and to evaluate endoscopy surgery by an anterior approach for the treatment of RDLSSs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 3 patients with RDLSSs who underwent laparoscopic surgery by an anterior approach between June 2013 and July 2014. Patient demographics, operative reports, and pre- and postoperative images were reviewed. RESULTS: All tumors were removed completely with retroperitoneal laparoscopy by the anterior approach. There were no major morbidities related to the surgical procedure in this series, and all patients recovered from surgery. The preoperative symptoms either improved or resolved in 2 patients, whereas they remained unchanged in 1 patient. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months, and none of the patients showed signs of tumor recurrence or spinal deformity. CONCLUSIONS: The operative plan should be tailored to the features of the RDLSS. Retroperitoneal laparoscopy surgery by the anterior approach can produce safe and effective resection of RDLSSs with minimal postoperative complications. This procedure may be preferred for RDLSSs mainly located in the retroperitoneum without spinal canal extension.

Outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Over the past decade, catheter ablation (CA) has become an established therapy for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Atrial fibrillation is common in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, and restoring sinus rhythm is of great clinical benefit to them. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available data to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CA for AF in patients with HCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six databases were searched to identify studies describing outcomes of CA of AF in HCM patients with a mean follow-up of ≥12 months after the index procedure. The following data were extracted: (i) single-procedure success, (ii) multiple-procedure success, and (iii) drug-free success. Fifteen studies involving 531 patients were included. Single-procedure freedom from atrial arrhythmia at the latest follow-up was 45.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 34.8-56.2%]. With multiple procedures, the final success rate was 66.1% (95% CI: 55.3-76.9%) overall, 71.8% (95% CI: 61.6-82.0%) in paroxysmal AF, and 47.5% (95% CI: 36.0-59.0%) in non-paroxysmal AF. Without anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs), single-procedure success rate at latest follow-up was 32.9% (95% CI: 21.7-41.1%); after multiple procedures, this raised to 50.4% (95% CI: 39.2-61.6%). The incidence of serious periprocedural complications was acceptable [5.1% (95% CI: 2.8-9.6%)]. Substantial heterogeneity (I(2)> 50%) was noted in the above groups. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation of AF in patients with HCM is feasible, although more repeat procedures and AAD are needed to prevent AF recurrence.

Trop2 inhibition suppresses the proliferation and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

The cell surface glycoprotein Trop2 is overexpressed in various types of epithelial cancer. Laryngeal carcinoma is one of the most common types of head and neck cancer and in a previous study, the expression of Trop2 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) was identified as an independent prognostic factor. However, the biological significance of Trop2 in LSCC development remains unclear. In the current study, Trop2 protein expression in fresh LSCC tissue and paracancerous tissue was investigated using western blotting. Trop2 in the Hep2 laryngeal cell line was subsequently suppressed by transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA). The effects of knockdown of Trop2 on cell viability, migration, invasiveness and ERK/MAPK pathway activity were investigated in the current study. The expression of Trop2 in fresh LSCC tissue was demonstrated to be significantly greater than that in paracancerous tissue. Trop2 expression was also identified to be required for proliferation, migration and invasiveness of Hep2 laryngeal carcinoma cells, as all were blocked by siRNA-mediated Trop2 inhibition. Notably, the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway and cell cycle factor, cyclin D1, were identified to be suppressed following the knockdown of Trop2 in Hep2 cells. These observations suggest that Trop2 serves an oncogenic role in LSCC and has potential as a therapeutic target.

Significantly upregulated TACSTD2 and Cyclin D1 correlate with poor prognosis of invasive ductal breast cancer.

The tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TACSTD2) gene has been reported to be highly expressed in many types of human epithelial cancers, and is associated with tumor metastasis and poor prognosis. The aims of the present investigation were to analyze the TACSTD2 and Cyclin D1 expression at the mRNA and protein levels and to assess its prognostic significance in invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC). The expressions of TACSTD2 and Cyclin D1 in IDC tissues were consistently higher than those in the tumor-adjacent non-malignant tissues by a one-step real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (P<0.001 and P=0.023, respectively). The statistical analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics and immunohistochemistry by the χ(2) test showed that the high expression of TACSTD2 in IDC was correlated to histological grade (P=0.023), P53 status (P=0.042), Cyclin D1 status (P<0.001), lymph node metastasis (P<0.001), distant metastasis (P=0.004) and TNM staging (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the prognosis of IDC. These analyses also showed that a high TACSTD2 expression (P=0.003), a high Cyclin D1 expression (P=0.041), and lymph node metastasis (P=0.006) were independent prognosis factors. Collectively, our studies demonstrated that the high expression of TACSTD2 correlates with a poor prognosis in IDC.

Relation between projection positions and X-ray radiation doses during placement of the coronary sinus mapping electrode.

PURPOSE: To reduce X-ray radiation injury, we investigated the relation between projection positions and X-ray radiation doses when a coronary sinus mapping electrode was placed. METHODS: There were 400 patients in whom a coronary sinus mapping electrode was placed for intracardiac electrophysiologic examination or radio-frequency catheter ablation in our hospital between 1 June 2008 and 31 May 2011. The doctors who placed the coronary sinus mapping electrode and the projection positions including posteroanterior, left anterior oblique 45°, and right anterior oblique 30° projection positions were randomly selected. X-ray doses were recorded when the coronary sinus mapping electrode was placed, and then, these were compared between the three projection positions. RESULTS: The X-ray dose was significantly lower in the right anterior oblique 30° projection position (50.01 ± 11.38 mGy) than in the posteroanterior projection position (68.05 ± 18.85 mGy, q = 12.924, p = 0.000) and the left anterior oblique 45° projection position (71.66 ± 16.95 mGy, q = 15.214, p = 0.000). There were no statistical significances in X-ray doses between the posteroanterior and the left anterior oblique 45° projection positions (p = 0.066) and different operators (p = 0.985). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, we suggest that in placing the coronary sinus mapping electrode, the right anterior oblique 30° projection position should be first adopted because it can allow the electrode to be easily placed and reduce the X-ray radiation dose as much as possible.

[Clinical analysis of skip N2 metastases in stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical characteristics of skip N2 metastasis of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are not clear. This study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features and the distribution pattern of N2 lymph nodes, thus to analyze the relationship between the survival rate and skip metastasis of NSCLC patients. METHODS: Clinical data of 292 patients with stage IIIA NSCLC undergoing radical surgical resection plus mediastinal nodal dissection in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathologic features, distribution of skip N2 metastasis and survival were analyzed respectively. RESULTS: The incidence rate of skip N2 metastasis in stage IIIA NSCLC patients was 15.8%, which was correlated to the size of the tumor (P<0.05). Moreover, the relationship between the primary tumor location and N2 positive lymph nodes were described as follows: right upper lobe cancer displayed skip-N2 nodal metastasis mostly in the 3rd and 4th station (85.7%), right middle lobe mostly in the 7th station(75.0%), right lower lobe mostly in the 3rd and 7th station(81.0%), left upper lobe mostly in the 5th and 6th station(80.0%), and left lower lobe mostly in the 7th station (65.0%). The 3-year survival rate of patients with skip N2 metastasis was 45.4%, compared to 29.5% in patients with the involvement of N1 and N2 nodes. Survival analysis showed that skip N2 metastasis was an independent risk factor of stage IIIA NSCLC in addition to tumor size, histology, type of resection, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In stage IIIA NSCLC, primary tumors in different locations have their own corresponding areas of N2 nodal metastasis. Skip N2 metastasis is an independent prognostic factor for the survival of NSCLC. Patients with skip N2 metastasis have a favorable outcome.

[Effects of adenoviral-mediated melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/IL-24 on growth and apoptosis of breast cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of adenovirus melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7)/IL-24 on the growth and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. METHODS: Human breast cancer cells of the lines MCF-7 and MD-MBA-453 were cultured and transfected with purified adenovirus mda-7/IL-24. 48 h later, Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of mda-7/IL-24 in the MCF-7 cells. The growth of Ad-mda-7/IL-24 in the MCF-7 cells was assayed by crystal violet staining and MTT method. The apoptotic effect of Ad-mda-7/IL-24 in the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 cells was detected by Hoechst staining and annexin V method. Nude mice were inoculated with MCF-7 cells and randomly divided into 2 groups to be injected with Ad-mda-7/IL-24 of PBS. The size of tumor was observed. RESULTS: Western blotting showed that mda-7/IL-24 was expressed in the transfected MCF-7 cells. Crystal violet staining and MTT method showed that Ad-mda-7/IL-24 dose and time-dependently inhibited the growth of the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 cells. Hochst staining and annexin V test indicated obvious apoptosis of the breast cancer cells. The size of tumor of the nude mice injected with Ad-mda-7/IL-24 was significantly smaller than that of the control mice. CONCLUSION: Ad-mda-7/IL-24 effectively inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and induces its apoptosis.