Fast-Charging and High Volumetric Capacity Anode Based on Co3 O4 /CuO@TiO2 Composites for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

This paper presents an investigation of anodic TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs), with a Co3 O4 /CuO coating, for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The coated TNAs are investigated using various analytical techniques, with the results clearly suggesting that the molar ratio of Co3 O4 /CuO in the TiO2 nanotubes substantially influences its battery performance. In particular, a cobalt/copper molar ratio of 2:1 on the TNAs (Co2 Cu1 @TNAs) features the best LIBs anode performance, exhibiting high reversible capacity and enhanced cycling stability. Noticeably, Co2 Cu1 @TNAs achieve excellent rate capability even after quite a high current density of 20.0 A g-1 (≈25 C, where C corresponds to complete discharge in 1 h) and superior volumetric reversible capacity of ≈3330 mA h-1 cm-3 . This value is approximately seven times higher than those of a graphite-based anode. This outstanding performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of Co2 Cu1 @TNAs: 1) the structural advantage of TNAs, with their large amount of free space to accommodate the large volume expansion during Li+ insertion/extraction and 2) the optimized ratio of Co3 O4 and CuO in the composite for improved capacity. In addition, no binder or conductive agent is used, which is partly responsible for the overall improved volumetric capacity and electrochemical performance.

Transcriptomic and histopathological analysis of cholangiolocellular differentiation trait in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a heterogeneous entity with diverse aetiologies, morphologies and clinical outcomes. Recently, histopathological distinction of cholangiolocellular differentiation (CD) of iCCA has been suggested. However, its genome-wide molecular features and clinical significance remain unclear. METHODS: Based on CD status, we stratified iCCAs into iCCA with CD (n=20) and iCCA without CD (n=102), and performed an integrative analysis using transcriptomic and clinicopathological profiles. RESULTS: iCCA with CD revealed less aggressive histopathological features compared to iCCA without CD, and iCCA with CD showed favourable clinical outcomes of overall survival and time to recurrence than iCCA without CD (P<.05 for all). Transcriptomic profiling revealed that iCCA with CD resembled an inflammation-related subtype, while iCCA without CD resembled a proliferation subtype. In addition, we identified a CD signature that can predict prognostic outcomes of iCCA (CD_UP, n=486 and CD_DOWN, n=308). iCCAs were subgrouped into G1 (positivity for CRP and CDH2, 7%), G3 (positivity for S100P and TFF1, 32%) and G2 (the others, 61%). Prognostic outcomes for overall survival (P=.001) and time to recurrence (P=.017) were the most favourable in G1-iCCAs, intermediate in G2-iCCAs and the worst in G3-iCCAs. Similar result was confirmed in the iCCA set from GSE26566 (n=68). CONCLUSIONS: CD signature was identified to predict the prognosis of iCCA. The combined evaluation of histology of CD and protein expression status of CRP, CDH2, TFF1 and S100P might help subtyping and predicting clinical outcomes of iCCA.

Electrodeposition of WO3 nanoparticles into surface mounted metal-organic framework HKUST-1 thin films.

We describe a novel procedure to fabricate WO3@surface-mounted metal-organic framework (SURMOF) hybrid materials by electrodeposition of WO3 nanoparticles into HKUST-1, also termed Cu3(BTC)2 SURMOFs. These materials have been characterized using x-ray diffraction, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as linear sweep voltammetry. The WO3 semiconductor/SURMOF heterostructures were further tested as hybrid electrodes in their performance for hydrogen evolution reaction from water.

In Situ Formation of an Artificial Lithium Oxalate-Rich Solid Electrolyte Interphase on 3D Ni Host for Highly Stable Lithium Metal Batteries.

Li metal, with a high theoretical capacity, is considered the most promising anode for next-generation high-energy-density batteries. However, the commercialization of the Li metal anode is limited owing to its high reactivity, significant volume expansion, continuous solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer degradation caused by undesirable Li deposition, and uncontrollable dendrite growth. This study demonstrates the in situ construction of a Li2C2O4-enriched SEI layer from NiC2O4 nanowires on three-dimensional Ni foam. The lithiophilic Li2C2O4-enriched SEI layer provides a uniform distribution of the electrical field and sufficient nucleation and deposition sites for Li without dendrite formation. Consequently, the stable Li2C2O4-enriched SEI layer successfully inhibits the formation of lithium dendrites, resulting in reversible Li stripping/plating behavior, maintained over an extended period of 5000 h with a deposition capacity of 1 mAh cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2. Additionally, a high cycling stability is observed in the full cell test with ∼70% capacity retention after 1300 cycles at 3 C. This approach offers a large-scale and facile synthesis process via the in situ precipitation growth of NiC2O4 followed by lithiation to form Li2C2O4. Furthermore, the significant stability of the Li2C2O4-enriched SEI layer aids the design of in situ-constructed SEI layers for highly stable Li metal batteries.

A fibrous stromal component in hepatocellular carcinoma reveals a cholangiocarcinoma-like gene expression trait and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

UNLABELLED: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) are the major primary liver cancers in adults. The phenotypic overlap between HCC and CC has been shown to comprise a continuous liver cancer spectrum. As a proof of this concept, a recent study demonstrated a genomic subtype of HCC that expressed CC-like gene expression traits, such as CC-like HCC, which revealed the common genomic trait of stem-cell-like properties and aggressive clinical outcomes. Scirrhous HCC (S-HCC), a rare variant of HCC, is characterized by abundant fibrous stroma and has been known to express several liver stem/progenitor cell markers. This suggests that S-HCC may harbor common intermediate traits between HCC and CC, including stem-cell traits, which are similar to those of CC-like HCC. However, the molecular and pathological characteristics of S-HCC have not been fully evaluated. By performing gene-expression profiling and immunohistochemical evaluation, we compared the morphological and molecular features of S-HCC with those of CC and HCC. S-HCC expresses both CC-like and stem-cell-like genomic traits. In addition, we observed the expression of core epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes, which may contribute to the aggressive behavior of S-HCC. Overexpression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling was also found, implying its regulatory role in the pathobiology of S-HCC. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the fibrous stromal component in HCC may contribute to the acquisition of CC-like gene-expression traits in HCC. The expression of stem-cell-like traits and TGF-ß/EMT molecules may play a pivotal role in the aggressive phenotyping of S-HCC. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;55:1776-1786).

Recycling Microplastics to Fabricate Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: From Removal of Environmental Troubles via Electrocoagulation to Useful Resources.

Electrocoagulation is an evolving technology for the abatement of a broad range of pollutants in wastewater owing to its flexibility, easy setup, and eco-friendly nature. Here, environment-friendly strategies for the separation, retreatment, and utilization of microplastics via electrocoagulation are investigated. The findings show that the flocs generated by forming Fe3 O4 on the surface of polyethylene (PE) particles are easily separated using a magnetic force with high efficiency of 98.4%. In the photodegradation of the obtained flocs, it is confirmed that Fe3 O4 shall be removed for the efficient generation of free radicals, leading to the highly efficient photolysis of PE. The removed Fe3 O4 can be recycled into iron-oxalate compounds, which can be used in battery applications. In addition, it is suggested that heat treatment of Fe3 O4 -PE flocs in an Ar atmosphere leads to forming Fe3 O4 core-carbon shell nanoparticles, which show excellent performance as anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The proposed composite exhibits an excellent capacity of 1123 mAh g-1 at the current density of 0.5 A g-1 after 600 cycles with a negative fading phenomenon. This study offers insight into a new paradigm of recyclable processes, from environmental issues such as microplastics to using energy materials.

Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI findings of early hepatocellular carcinoma as defined by new histologic criteria.

PURPOSE: To describe the imaging features of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI (Gd-EOB-MRI) in comparison with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed imaging findings of 19 pathologically proven early HCC lesions in 15 patients who underwent both MDCT and Gd-EOB-MRI at 3.0 Tesla (T) units before surgery. MRI included in-phase and out-of-phase T1-weighted dual-echo gradient-recalled-echo sequences, dynamic T1-weighted images before and after bolus injection of gadoxetic acid disodium, fat-saturated T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequences, and T1-weighted hepatobiliary phase images 20 min after contrast injection. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated the signal intensities and enhancement features on MRI and MDCT. RESULTS: None of the lesions displayed arterial enhancement and washout on MDCT. On Gd-EOB-MRI, six (32%) lesions showed T2-hyperintensity, five (26%) lesions showed signal drop on opposed-phase. Three lesions (16%) showed arterial enhancement and washout. Twelve (63%), 13 (68%), and 15 (79%) lesions were hypointense on hepatic venous, equilibrium, and hepatobiliary phase, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most early HCCs did not show arterial enhancement and washout pattern on both MDCT and Gd-EOB-MRI. Gd-EOB-MRI may provide several ancillary findings for diagnosis of early HCC such as decreased hepatobiliary uptake, T2 hyperintensity and signal drop in opposed phase.

Prediction of microvascular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma: usefulness of peritumoral hypointensity seen on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced hepatobiliary phase images.

PURPOSE: To determine whether peritumoral hypointensity seen on hepatobiliary phase images of preoperative gadoxetate disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) is useful for predicting microvascular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. In all, 104 HCC masses in 104 patients who had undergone EOB-MRI and liver surgery within 1 month after EOB-MRI were evaluated. Two radiologists independently recorded the presence of a peritumoral hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase. Interobserver agreement was assessed and consensus records were used. Tumor size was measured. A chi-square test and independent t-test were used for univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine factors for predicting microvascular invasion. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of peritumoral hypointensity were calculated. RESULTS: Sixty HCCs had microvascular invasion and 44 did not. Interobserver agreement in determining peritumoral hypointensity was excellent (κ = 0.83). By univariate analysis, peritumoral hypointensity and tumor size were significant for predicting microvascular invasion of HCC. On multiple logistic regression analysis, only peritumoral hypointensity was significant in predicting microvascular invasion of HCC (P = 0.013). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of peritumoral hypointensity were 38.3%, 93.2%, 88.5%, and 52.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Peritumoral hypointensity on the hepatobiliary phase of EOB-MRI is not sensitive but has high specificity for predicting microvascular invasion of HCC.

Highly Stable Iron- and Carbon-Based Electrodes for Li-Ion Batteries: Negative Fading and Fast Charging within 12 Min.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with high energy density and safety under fast-charging conditions are highly desirable for electric vehicles. However, owing to the growth of Li dendrites, increased temperature at high charging rates, and low specific capacity in commercially available anodes, they cannot meet the market demand. In this study, a facile one-pot electrochemical self-assembly approach has been developed for constructing hybrid electrodes composed of ultrafine Fe3 O4 particles on reduced graphene oxide (Fe3 O4 @rGO) as anodes for LIBs. The rationally designed Fe3 O4 @rGO electrode containing 36 wt % rGO exhibits an increase in specific capacity as cycling progresses, owing to improvements in the active sites, electrochemical kinetics, and catalytic behavior, leading to a high specific capacity of 833 mAh g-1 and outstanding cycling stability over 2000 cycles with a capacity loss of only 0.127 % per cycle at 5 A g-1 , enabling the full charging of batteries within 12 min. Furthermore, the origin of this abnormal improvement in the specific capacity (called negative fading), which exceeds the theoretical capacity, is investigated. This study opens up new possibilities for the commercial feasibility of Fe3 O4 @rGO anodes in fast-charging LIBs.

Ni0.67Fe0.33 Hydroxide Incorporated with Oxalate for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

As the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) imposes a high energy barrier during electrochemical water splitting, designing highly efficient, stable, and cost-effective electrocatalysts for OERs is an ongoing challenge. In this study, we present a facile approach to prepare villi-shaped Ni-Fe hydroxides incorporated with oxalate derived from Ni-Fe oxalate through the in situ precipitation growth and subsequent immersion in an alkaline solution. The electrode with an optimized Ni-Fe ratio improves the OER kinetics, on which the electronic structure of the active site is adjusted based on a mutual effect between the adjacent nickel and iron atoms. The OER performance was significantly better than that of monometallic Ni(OH)2 and pristine Ni foam, with a low overpotential of 277 mV at 100 mA cm-2 and excellent stability. The enhanced OER performance is ascribed to the advanced intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of the electrode as a result of the synergetic effect of optimized Ni-Fe ratio mixing at the atomic level which leads to an increased surface area, a high number of active sites, and a reduced charge transfer resistivity.

Differential features of pancreatobiliary- and intestinal-type ampullary carcinomas at MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To define the differential imaging features of pancreatobiliary- and intestinal-type ampullary carcinomas at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to correlate these features with pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board; informed consent was waived. Fifty patients with surgically confirmed ampullary carcinoma and preoperative MR results were included. Two radiologists, blinded to histologic type of cancer, evaluated imaging findings in consensus. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to define imaging findings that were useful for differentiation of the two types of carcinomas. RESULTS: On the basis of hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining, 35 patients were classified as having pancreatobiliary type; and 15 patients, intestinal type. At MR, all of 15 intestinal carcinomas were nodular, whereas 16 (46%) of 35 pancreatobiliary carcinomas were infiltrative. Intestinal carcinomas were isointense (13 [87%] of 15) to hyperintense (two [13%] of 15), whereas 34% (12 of 35) of pancreatobiliary carcinomas manifested as hypointense compared with the duodenum on T2-weighted MR images (P = .034). Intestinal carcinoma commonly manifested with an oval filling defect at the distal end of the bile duct on MR cholangiopancreatographic (MRCP) images (11 [73%] of 15 vs four [11%] of 35 in pancreatobiliary type) (P < .001). At endoscopy, intestinal carcinoma manifested with an extramural protruding mass (n = 15, 100%) with a papillary surface (n = 11, 73%), whereas pancreatobiliary carcinoma manifested with intramural protruding (n = 5, 28%) or ulcerating (n = 1, 6%) gross morphologic features (P = .047) with a nonpapillary surface (n = 17, 94%) (P < .001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that an oval filling defect at the distal end of the bile duct was the only independent finding for differentiating intestinal from pancreatobiliary carcinoma (P = .027). CONCLUSION: An oval filling defect at the distal end of the bile duct on MRCP images and an extramural protruding appearance with a papillary surface at endoscopy are likely to suggest intestinal ampullary carcinoma.

Detection of hepatic hypovascular metastases: 3D gradient echo MRI using a hepatobiliary contrast agent.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic performance of gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced 3D gradient echo (3D-GRE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of hepatic hypovascular metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the initial radiologic reports of MRI of 41 patients with suspected hepatic metastases. Seventy-nine metastatic lesions were confirmed by histopathology or intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS). The sensitivity and positive predictive values for the diagnosis of hepatic metastasis were determined among each MRI set (hepatobiliary phase, precontrast images, dynamic imaging). The diagnostic performance of dynamic image set and combined dynamic and hepatobiliary image set was also evaluated by two radiologists using alternative free response receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: The overall detection rate and positive predictive value of MR were 96.2% (76/79) and 96.2% (76/79), respectively. Images obtained with hepatobiliary phase 3D-GRE showed a significantly better detection rate compared to those with precontrast sequences or dynamic imaging (P = 0.008 and 0.016, respectively). Regarding lesions 1 cm or smaller, the detection rate was 90.3% (28/31). Each reader showed a higher Az value of the combined hepatobiliary image set than those of the dynamic image set. CONCLUSION: 3D-GRE MRI using a hepatobiliary contrast agent is an accurate tool in the detection of hepatic hypovascular metastases and improves detection rate compared with precontrast and dynamic imaging.

An evaluation of diaphragmatic movement by M-mode sonography as a predictor of pulmonary dysfunction after upper abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic dysfunction is a major factor in the etiology of postoperative pulmonary complications after upper abdominal surgery. M-mode ultrasonography is now an accepted qualitative method of assessing diaphragmatic motion in normal and pathological conditions. In this study, we evaluated whether diaphragmatic inspiratory amplitude (DIA) as measured by M-mode sonography can be a predictor of pulmonary dysfunction. METHODS: A prospective, single-center, single-unit, observational study was performed in 35 ASA physical status I and II nonsmoking patients undergoing open liver lobectomy. Diaphragmatic movements were assessed by M-mode sonography after a pulmonary function test preoperatively and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, and 7. We measured the DIA (cm) during quiet, deep, and sniff breathing. RESULTS: After liver lobectomy, DIA during deep breathing and vital capacity (VC) showed significant reductions of 60% from their preoperative values on PODs 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). By POD 7, the variables recovered significantly, by 30% from the values on PODs 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). During deep breathing, DIA showed a significant correlation with VC (r = 0.839, P < 0.0001). The best cutoff values of DIA for detecting 30% and 50% decreases of VC from preoperative values, calculated by receiver operating characteristic analysis, were 3.61 and 2.41 cm, with sensitivity of 94% and 81% and specificity of 76% and 91%, respectively (P = 0.0001). Two patients showed postoperative diaphragmatic paralysis but did not complain of respiratory distress symptoms or need supplemental oxygen after being transferred to the general ward. CONCLUSIONS: DIA using M-mode sonography showed a linear correlation with VC measured by spirometry throughout the postoperative period. We conclude that using the M-mode sonographic technique at the bedside can be a practical way to investigate postoperative diaphragmatic dysfunction, and may also be an effective bedside screening method for diaphragmatic paralysis.

UCSF criteria by pre-transplant radiologic study can not assure similar post-transplant results of hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria.

The recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transplantation is the main limitation of liver transplantation. Therefore, several selection criteria for liver transplantation in HCC patients have been established. The objective of this study was to verify the clinical validity of selection criteria evaluated by pre-transplant radiologic imaging study. Sixty-nine participants were enrolled for this study between September 2005 and May 2007. We analyzed the post-transplant survival and recurrence rate using radiologic selection criteria and other clinical factors. Grouping by pretransplant criteria for liver transplantation, 16 recipients (23.2%) were above Milan criteria and 7 recipients (10.1%) were above UCSF criteria. Nine recipients (13.0%) were grouped as above Milan/below UCSF. The recipients who met Milan showed 85.8% 1-year survival rates, which was comparable to that of non-HCC (91.6%) (p = 0.767). During the post-transplant follow-up period (1-52 months, 14.81 +/- 12.0 months), 16 recurrences (23.2%) were diagnosed. The 1-year recurrence-free survival rate of recipients who met the Milan criteria was 78.6%, and those that did not meet these criteria was 22.7% (p < 0.0001). With regard to UCSF criteria, these percentages were 72.0% and 14.2%, respectively (p < 0.0001). According to a combined grouping, the 1-year recurrence-free survival rate was 25.4% in the above Milan/below UCSF group. There were significant differences among each of the groups (overall p < 0.0001). The application of UCSF criteria that are defined by pre-transplant radiologic findings as patient selection criteria for liver transplantation is limited.

A highly sensitive enzyme-amplified immunosensor based on a nanoporous niobium oxide (Nb2O5) electrode.

We report on the development of an enzyme-amplified sandwich-type immunosensor based on a thin gold film sputtered on an anodic nanoporous niobium oxide (Au@Nb(2)O(5)) electrode. The electrocatalytic activity of enzymatically amplified electroactive species and a stable electrode consisting of Au@Nb(2)O(5) were used to obtain a powerful signal amplification of the electrochemical immunobiosensor. The method using this electrochemical biosensor based on an Au@Nb(2)O(5) electrode provides a much better performance than those based on conventional bulk gold or niobium oxide electrodes. Our novel approach does not require any time-consuming cleaning steps to yield reproducible electrochemical signals. In addition, the strong adhesion of gold films on the niobium oxide electrodes offers a very stable substrate during electrochemical biosensing. Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicate that non-specific binding of proteins to the modified Au@Nb(2)O(5) surface is sufficiently low to be ignored in the case of our novel system. Finally, we demonstrated the ability of the biosensor based on an Au@Nb(2)O(5) offering the enhanced performance with a high resolution and sensitivity. Therefore, it is expected that the biosensor based on an Au@Nb(2)O(5) has great potential for highly efficient biological devices.

In†Situ Precipitation-Induced Growth of Leaf-like CuO Nanostructures on Cu-Ni Alloys for Binder-Free Anodes in Li-Ion Batteries.

CuC2 O4 ⋅x H2 O was facilely prepared on a Cu-Ni alloy substrate by in situ precipitation-induced growth by using a mixture of sodium persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, and oxalic acid. Thermal annealing allowed the conversion of CuC2 O4 ⋅x H2 O to leaf-like CuO nanostructures with a thickness of a few tens of micrometers of sub-sized nanoparticles, which were applied for fabricating binder-free anodes for lithium-ion batteries. Ni was a nucleation site for CuC2 O4 ⋅x H2 O, which was uniformly formed on the entire substrate. The concentration of each component in the mixture solution caused significant morphological changes because of the different elution of copper ions. CuO nanostructures annealed at 550 °C showed large areal and gravimetric capacity with excellent capacity retention of 95.5 % after 200 cycles at a high current density because of their appropriate structural morphology, which not only allowed the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase layer but also enabled a reversible reaction during the charge/discharge process.

Chromosomal instability, telomere shortening, and inactivation of p21(WAF1/CIP1) in dysplastic nodules of hepatitis B virus-associated multistep hepatocarcinogenesis.

Systemic analysis for chromosomal instability and inactivation of cell cycle checkpoints are scarce during hepatocarcinogenesis. We studied 24 patients with chronic B viral cirrhosis including 30 cirrhotic regenerative nodules, 35 low-grade dysplastic nodules, 15 high-grade dysplastic nodules, 7 dysplastic nodules with hepatocellular carcinoma foci, and 18 hepatocellular carcinomas. Eight normal livers were studied as the control group. Telomere length and micronuclei were detected by Southern blot and Feulgen-fast green dyeing technique, respectively, and p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. Micronuclei >1 per 3000 hepatocytes were found in 17% of low-grade dysplastic nodules, 87% of high-grade dysplastic nodules, and 100% of high-grade dysplastic nodules with hepatocellular carcinoma foci and hepatocellular carcinomas in contrast to those of all normal livers, and 90% of cirrhosis showed no micronuclei. The micronuclei index showed a gradual increase during hepatocarcinogenesis and there was a significant increase between cirrhosis and low-grade dysplastic nodules, low-grade dysplastic nodules and high-grade dysplastic nodules, and high-grade dysplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas. Telomere length showed a gradual shortening during hepatocarcinogenesis and a significant reduction was found in high-grade dysplastic nodules (P=0.024) and hepatocellular carcinomas (P=0.031) compared with normal and cirrhotic livers. The micronuclei index was correlated with telomere shortening (P=0.016). The p21(WAF1/CIP1) labeling index was significantly higher in cirrhosis than in normal livers (P=0.024) and markedly decreased in low-grade dysplastic nodules, high-grade dysplastic nodules, and hepatocellular carcinomas compared with cirrhosis (P<0.05). The p21(WAF1/CIP1) labeling index was associated with telomere length (P<0.001) but not micronuclei index. This study shows that telomere shortening, chromosomal instability, and inactivation of p21(WAF1/CIP1) checkpoint function occur in low-grade dysplastic nodules as well as in high-grade dysplastic nodules, and their cooperation is considered to be critical for malignant transformation during hepatitis B virus associated-multistep hepatocarcinogenesis.

The prognosis and survival outcome of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma following surgical resection: association of lymph node metastasis and lymph node dissection with survival.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection has been shown to improve long-term survival for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The benefit of lymph node dissection is still controversial. The aims of this study were to investigate the prognostic factors of ICC and to examine the impact of lymph node metastasis and extent of lymph node dissection on survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 64 patients with ICC were operated on with curative intent and resultant macroscopic curative resection (R0 and R1). The patients were classified according to the extent of the lymph node dissection. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: All patients underwent anatomical resection. The 5-year survival rates were 39.5%. Multivariate analysis revealed that lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio: 3.317) was an independent prognostic factors on survival. Recurrence occurred in 41 patients. Median disease-free survival time was 12.3 months. Tumor differentiation was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (hazard ratio: 3.158). The extent of lymph node dissection did not affect the occurrence of complication. Regional+alpha lymph node dissection group demonstrated similar survival to those of lymph node sampling group, although significant high incidence of lymph node metastases was observed in the regional+alpha lymph node dissection group. The extent of lymph node dissection did not affect the survival in the patients without lymph node involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The regional+alpha lymph node dissection enhanced the survival in the ICC patients with lymph node metastasis, and the exact nodal status could be confirmed by lymph node dissection in the pericholedochal lymph nodes.

Preparation and characterization of chemically functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles as a DNA separator.

The work describes a simple and convenient process for highly efficient and direct DNA separation with functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles and silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles were prepared uniformly, and the silica coating thickness could be easily controlled in a range from 10 to 50 nm by changing the concentration of silica precursor (TEOS) including controlled magnetic strength and particle size. A change in the surface modification on the nanoparticles was introduced by aminosilanization to enhance the selective DNA separation resulting from electrostatic interaction. The efficiency of the DNA separation was explored via the function of the amino-group numbers, particle size, the amount of the nanoparticles used, and the concentration of NaCl salt. The DNA adsorption yields were high in terms of the amount of triamino-functionalized nanoparticles used, and the average particle size was 25 nm. The adsorption efficiency of aminofunctionalized nanoparticles was the 4-5 times (80-100%) higher compared to silica-coated nanoparticles only (10-20%). DNA desorption efficiency showed an optimum level of over 0.7 M of the NaCl concentration. To elucidate the agglomeration of nanoparticles after electrostatic DNA binding, the Guinier plots were calculated from small-angle X-ray diffractions in a comparison of the results of energy diffraction TEM and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Additionally, the direct separation of human genomic DNA was achieved from human saliva and whole blood with high efficiency.

Binder-free SnO2-TiO2 composite anode with high durability for lithium-ion batteries.

A SnO2-TiO2 electrode was prepared via anodization and subsequent anodic potential shock for a binder-free anode for lithium-ion battery applications. Perpendicularly oriented TiO2 microcones are formed by anodization; SnO2, originating in a Na2SnO3 precursor, is then deposited in the valleys between the microcones and in their hollow cores by anodic potential shock. This sequence is confirmed by SEM and TEM analyses and EDS element mapping. The SnO2-TiO2 binder-free anode is evaluated for its C-rate performance and long-term cyclability in a half-cell measurement apparatus. The SnO2-TiO2 anode exhibits a higher specific capacity than the one with pristine TiO2 microcones and shows excellent capacity recovery during the rate capability test. The SnO2-TiO2 microcone structure shows no deterioration caused by the breakdown of electrode materials over 300 cycles. The charge/discharge capacity is at least double that of the TiO2 microcone material in a long-term cycling evaluation.