Complementary Weaknesses: A Win-Win Approach for rGO/CdS to Improve the Energy Conversion Performance of Integrated Photorechargeable Li-S Batteries.

Integrating solar energy into rechargeable battery systems represents a significant advancement towards sustainable energy storage solutions. Herein, we propose a win-win solution to reduce the shuttle effect of polysulfide and improve the photocorrosion stability of CdS, thereby enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of rGO/CdS-based photorechargeable integrated lithium-sulfur batteries (PRLSBs). Experimental results show that CdS can effectively anchor polysulfide under sunlight irradiation for 20 minutes. Under a high current density (1 C), the discharge-specific capacity of the PRLSBs increased to 971.30 mAh g-1, which is 113.3 % enhancement compared to that of under dark condition (857.49 mAh g-1). Remarkably, without an electrical power supply, the PRLSBs can maintain a 21 hours discharge process following merely 1.5 hours of light irradiation, achieving a breakthrough solar-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency of up to 5.04 %. Ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and in situ Raman analysis corroborate the effectiveness of this complementary weakness approach in bolstering redox kinetics and curtailing polysulfide dissolution in PRLSBs. This work showcases a feasible strategy to develop PRLSBs with potential dual-functional metal sulfide photoelectrodes, which will be of great interest in future-oriented off-grid photocell systems.

Effect of Intrathoracic or Cervical Anastomosis After Esophagectomy on Quality of Life.

PURPOSE: We aimed to perform serial quality-of-life (QoL) evaluations and comparisons in patients after esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis (IA) or cervical anastomosis (CA). METHODS: Between November 2012 and March 2015, patients who underwent esophagectomy with IA or CA for mid-esophageal to distal esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer were followed up. QoL was measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and esophagus-specific questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-OES18) before surgery, at discharge, and at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months after discharge. Linear mixed-effect models were used to assess the mean score differences (MDs) of each QoL scale between the two techniques, and changes in QoL over time. Potential confounders were adjusted. RESULTS: In total, 219 patients were analyzed (IA, n = 127; CA, n = 92). All patients' QoL decreased immediately after esophagectomy. Global QoL and most functioning and symptom scales exhibited a return to baseline levels within 2 years of discharge, except for physical functioning and several symptoms (dyspnea, diarrhea, dysphagia, and reflux). There was no difference in overall health score between the two groups (MD 2, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 1 to 6). Compared with IA, patients with CA reported more trouble with taste (MD - 12, 95% CI - 19 to - 4) and talking (MD - 11, 95% CI - 19 to 2) at discharge. No differences in long-term QoL were found between groups. CONCLUSIONS: CA was associated with more trouble with taste and talking in the short term than IA. The long-term QoL did not differ between the two approaches.

Do male esophageal cancer patients have impaired sexual function after esophagectomy? A self-reported outcomes study.

PURPOSE: Sexual function is a significant part of patients' quality of life, which is another important aspect of cancer. This study assessed and compared the sexual function of male esophageal cancer patients to that of age-matched normal controls through postoperative follow-up surveys. METHODS: The study included 105 male esophageal cancer patients aged 38-81 years who underwent a curative-intent esophagectomy between April 2012 and May 2014. This observational study included sociodemographic and clinicopathological characteristics and responses to sexual function questionnaires International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) at 6 and 12 months after surgery. An age-matched normal control group was recruited. Non-parametric tests were used when appropriate. RESULTS: The median patient age was 59 years. The factors significantly associated with sexual dysfunction on the 6-month survey included older age, and postoperative complications. At 12 months after surgery, older age was significantly associated with poorer sexual function. The sexual function scores significantly increased from 6 to 12 months after surgery (P < 0.05); there was no difference in the patients' 12-month sexual function scores and those of the normal controls (P > 0.05). Notably, compared to older patients (age ≥60 years), the younger (age <60 years) patients reported a significantly better sexual function scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Age, and postoperative complications were the factors significantly associated with sexual function. Impaired sexual function after primary treatment can be recovered in male esophageal cancer patients; younger patients may regain sexual function better than their older counterparts.

Impacts of anastomotic complications on the health-related quality of life after esophagectomy.

BACKGROUD AND OBJECTIVES: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is of great importance in cancer management. The aim was to identify factors that influence postoperative HRQL in esophageal carcinoma patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted to enroll 196 patients with esophageal carcinoma from November 2012 to June 2013. Sociademographic and clinicopathological parameters were recorded in detail. EORTC-QLQ C30 and ES18 were used to assess HRQL before surgery, at discharge, 1 and 6 months after discharge. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors independently influencing quality of life at 6 months after discharge. RESULTS: HRQL dramatically decreased after esophagectomy, but restored within 6 months in the most scales. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender (P = 0.002) and anastomotic stricture (P = 0.001) were the independent predictors of poor global quality-of-life 6 months after discharge. Anastomotic stricture occurred in 22 patients (11.2%), and their performance in social function (P = 0.04), problems with eating (P = 0.006), choking when swallowing (P < 0.001) were significantly poorer at 6 months after discharge. There were not significant differences in global quality-of-life between patients with and without anastomotic leakage at three postoperative assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative HRQL is restored within 6 months after discharge. Occurrence of anastomotic stricture significantly decreases HRQL after esophagectomy.

Defecation delay in patients after lung tumor surgery: a prospective nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Defecation delay (greater than or equal to 3 days post-surgery) is a common symptom in patients after lung tumor surgery. This study investigated the incidence and relevant risk factors of defecation delay in patients after lung tumor surgery. METHODS: Between October 2019 and March 2020, a prospective nested case-control study was conducted in 80 patients who received lung tumor surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. According to the Rome III criteria for functional constipation and the accepted definitions in the literature, patients with defecation delay time greater than or equal to 3 days post-surgery were classified as the defecation delay group, and the remaining patients were considered the control group. A questionnaire survey was conducted to explore the trait of the stool, defecation time, postoperative activity, diet, and perioperative pain score. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the risk factors affecting defecation time in the two groups. RESULTS: Out of 80 patients, a total of 44 patients (44/80) experienced defecation delay after the operation. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in operation methods (P<0.029), postoperative stool trait (P<0.001), difficulty in defecation (P<0.01), and perioperative pain score (P=0.0178), suggesting that change of stool characteristics and pain were possible factors causing defecation delay. Multivariate analysis also revealed significant differences between the two groups in the postoperative pain score on the first day post-surgery (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Defecation delay is a common symptom in patients after lung cancer surgery, and is related to operation method, pain score, and changes in stool characteristics. This study identified that minimally invasive surgery, postoperative pain relief treatment, and health education may play an important role in preventing delayed defecation.

Alpha-l-fucosidase: a novel serum biomarker to predict prognosis in early stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-l-fucosidase (AFU) not only detects hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) early but also is used as a clinical prognostic indicator of several malignant tumors. However, no study has investigated the prognostic significance of AFU in a cohort of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs). METHODS: A retrospective dataset that included 160 consecutive patients with early stage (pT1N0) ESCC who received surgery between January 2005 and December 2012 was analyzed to identify the prognostic value of serum AFU for overall survival (OS) by using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox multivariate regression modeling. RESULTS: The level of serum AFU ranged from 6.2 to 77.0 U/L with a median of 19.9 U/L, and the best cutoff point for OS was 17.95 U/L. Analysis by Pearson's correlation showed that the levels of serum ALT and GGT were both positively correlated with the level of serum AFU (r=0.403, P<0.001 and r=0.264, P=0.001, respectively). After adjusting for significant factors identified by univariate analysis, the Cox multivariate regression model indicated that a young age (<65 years), no history of alcohol consumption, and a low AFU level (≤17.95 U/L) were still significantly associated with longer OS (P=0.008, 0.004 and 0.017, respectively). The 5-year and 10-year OS rates for patients with high AFU levels vs. low AFU levels were 76.2% vs. 86.0%, and, 46.7% vs. 83.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other serum biomarkers, AFU showed a better prognostic value for long-term survival in patients with early stage ESCC.