Synthesis and utilization of polyol-modified high specific surface area Ca(OH)2: an investigation.

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) finds widespread use in the petrochemical industry, particularly in flue gas desulfurization applications. However, its conventional usage is limited by its inherently low specific surface area, hampering its efficiency. To address this limitation, this study aims to develop a simple and industrially scalable preparation process for Ca(OH)2 with a high specific surface area, thereby enhancing its effectiveness in various applications. This study aimed to develop a preparation process for making Ca(OH)2 with a high specific surface area, suitable for industry and easy to make. Ca(OH)2 with a specific surface area of 41.555 m2/g was successfully synthesized by incorporating polyols during lime digestion. The prepared high specific surface area Ca(OH)2 is more than five times the specific surface area of ordinary Ca(OH)2. Incorporation of polyols within the lime digestion process induces a reduction in both Ca(OH)2 grain size and particle dimensions, concurrently amplifying the specific surface area and optimizing mass transfer efficiency. Specifically, the desulfurization breakthrough time for Ca(OH)2 subject to a 15% triethanolamine modification was notably extended to 879 s, surpassing the desulfurization breakthrough time of unaltered Ca(OH)2 by more than tenfold. Moreover, the modified Ca(OH)2 exhibited remarkable efficacy in neutralizing acidic wastewater. A new approach for the preparation of high-performance Ca(OH)2 is proposed in this study, which could facilitate the industrial production of Ca(OH)2 with high specific surface area.

Value of preoperative evaluation of FEV1 in patients with destroyed lung undergoing pneumonectomy - a 20-year real-world study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines recommend a preoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of > 2 L as an indication for left or right pneumonectomy. This study compares the safety and long-term prognosis of pneumonectomy for destroyed lung (DL) patients with FEV1 ≤ 2 L or > 2 L. METHODS: A total of 123 DL patients who underwent pneumonectomy between November 2002 and February 2023 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Chest Hospital were included. Patients were sorted into two groups: the FEV1 > 2 L group (n = 30) or the FEV1 ≤ 2 L group (n = 96). Clinical characteristics and rates of mortality, complications within 30 days after surgery, long-term mortality, occurrence of residual lung infection/tuberculosis (TB), bronchopleural fistula/empyema, readmission by last follow-up visit, and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scores were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 96.7% (119/123) of patients were successfully discharged, with 75.6% (93/123) in the FEV1 ≤ 2 L group. As compared to the FEV1 > 2 L group, the FEV1 ≤ 2 L group exhibited significantly lower proportions of males, patients with smoking histories, patients with lung cavities as revealed by chest imaging findings, and patients with lower forced vital capacity as a percentage of predicted values (FVC%pred) (P values of 0.001, 0.027, and 0.023, 0.003, respectively). No significant intergroup differences were observed in rates of mortality within 30 days after surgery, incidence of postoperative complications, long-term mortality, occurrence of residual lung infection/TB, bronchopleural fistula/empyema, mMRC ≥ 1 at the last follow-up visit, and postoperative readmission (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As most DL patients planning to undergo left/right pneumonectomy have a preoperative FEV1 ≤ 2 L, the procedure is generally safe with favourable short- and long-term prognoses for these patients. Consequently, the results of this study suggest that DL patient preoperative FEV1 > 2 L should not be utilised as an exclusion criterion for pneumonectomy.

Study on the influence pattern and efficiency enhanced mechanism of acoustic-chemical spray dust reduction.

To study the influence pattern and efficiency enhanced mechanism of acoustic-chemical spray method on dust reduction, a self-developed acoustic excitation test platform, viscosity test, surface tension experiment and sinking experiments were used to investigate the chemical spray properties and the wetting behavior of coal dust excited by acoustic waves. The self-developed acoustic-chemical spray dust reduction simulation platform was used to study the influence of acoustic waves on coal dust reduction effect and its efficiency enhanced mechanism. The results showed that the surface tension and viscosity of the chemical spray solution fluctuated between 0.4 mN/m and 0.4 mPa·s along with the variations in acoustic wave frequency and sound pressure level (SPL), thereby confirming that acoustic waves had on effected on chemical spray solution properties. However, the wetting time of the chemical spray solution on coal dust increased by 33.64 % at an acoustic frequency (f) of 1300 Hz and SPL of 120 dB because of the liquid interface vibrations caused by acoustic waves. With an increasing of acoustic frequency, the dust reduction efficiency demonstrated a parabolic trend and reached its maximum value at f = 1300 Hz. The dust reduction efficiency also increased exponentially along with increasing SPL. Acoustic waves not only increased the collision frequency between particles and droplets by changing the trajectory of dust but also accelerated the wetting and agglomeration effect of chemical spray reagents on coal dust by causing vibrations at the gas-liquid interface, thereby enhancing the dust reduction efficiency. Compared to the dust reduction efficiency of chemical spray technology, the total dust reduction efficiency was increased by 8.53 %, and the respirable dust reduction efficiency was increased by 21.93 %. The effect of acoustic waves on the respirable dust reduction efficiency was more significant than that on total dust.

Chemotherapy for advanced pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma: a population-based propensity score matching study.

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare histological type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are no specific treatment guidelines for PSC. For advanced PSC (stage II-IV), the role of chemotherapy is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chemotherapy on the prognosis of advanced PSC. METHODS: A total of 960 patients with advanced PSC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2019 were enrolled in this study. To investigate the prognostic factors, the Cox proportional hazard regression model was conducted. A total of 642 cases were obtained after propensity score matching (PSM). The Kaplan‒Meier method was applied to compare overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). RESULTS: For all 960 cases included in this study, the Cox proportional hazard model was applied for prognostic analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that stage, T stage, N stage, M stage, surgery, and chemotherapy were prognostic factors for OS and CSS (P < 0.05). A total of 642 cases were obtained after PSM, with no significant difference between the two groups for all variables. Kaplan‒Meier curves indicated that for OS and CSS, the prognosis was significantly better in the chemotherapy group than in the no-chemotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: For advanced PSC, chemotherapy can significantly improve the OS and CSS of patients. Chemotherapy should be an important part of PSC treatment.

Dielectric barrier discharge coupled with Fe2+, Mn2+ and Cu2+ scrubbing for toluene removal.

By-product ozone emission is one of the challenges for applying dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) technology for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal. In this study, a DBD reactor followed by a wet scrubber (WS) containing a solution of metal ions (Fe2+/Mn2+/Cu2+) was used to reuse ozone for further oxidation of typical VOC toluene. Compared with the degradation effect of the DBD reactor alone, DBD coupled WS/iron system not only improved the toluene removal efficiency but also significantly reduced the ozone emission. The ozone removal efficiency reached as high as 98% in the DBD coupled WS/Fe2+ system. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests showed that ozone was converted into radicals such as hydroxyl radicals in Fe2+ and Cu2+ solution, which further oxidized toluene in WS/iron. Quenching experiments showed that the contribution for toluene degradation by radicals was up to 75% and 62% in Fe2+ and Mn2+ reactor, respectively. This study demonstrates that the DBD coupled WS system has the potential to be an environmentally friendly technology for gaseous VOCs removal.

The Necessity of Anti-Tuberculosis Therapy after Resection of Pulmonary Tuberculous Nodules: A Single Center Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To discuss the necessity of anti-tuberculosis therapy after resection of asymptomatic pulmonary tuberculous nodules: is postoperative anti-tuberculosis therapy is over-treatment? METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study. Patients with solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) and diagnosed as tuberculosis by pathology were included. Clinical features are collected. The primary end point is tuberculosis relapse and the secondary is adverse drug reactions. Patients are divided into two groups according to the acceptance of anti-tuberculosis treatment after operation (A: treated; B: untreated). Recurrence is diagnosed by multi-disciplinary discussion. The difference of recurrence rate will be compared and the incidence of adverse drug reactions in Group A will be calculated. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were enrolled, 66 in Group A and 32 in Group B. No significant difference between two groups was found in the past history of tuberculosis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), T-spot positive rate, and the uptake value of 18F-glucose. No relapse of tuberculosis was found in both groups. The incidence of adverse drug reactions in Group A was 61% (40/66), and the rate of severe adverse reaction was 14% (9/66). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative recurrence of tuberculosis is rare, anti-tuberculosis treatment seems unnecessary for asymptomatic pulmonary tuberculous nodules. Adverse drug reactions should not be ignored.

Kinetics study on non-thermal plasma mineralization of adsorbed toluene over γ-Al2O3 hybrid with zeolite.

Non-thermal plasma mineralization of the adsorbed toluene over γ-Al2O3 hybrid with 13X, ZSM-5, and HY was investigated in a sequential adsorption and plasma oxidation system. The γ-Al2O3-13X was shown to have a better plasma oxidation performance with fewer by-products as compared to γ-Al2O3-ZSM-5 and γ-Al2O3-HY, which was due to its better discharge performance and O3 decomposition ability. For all of the tested materials, the plasma mineralization of the adsorbed toluene process had a good match with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model: kt = 1/n - 1/no, where n0 and n are the amount of adsorbed toluene (mmol) at discharge time = 0 and t, respectively. The overall reaction constant (k) was shown to be affected by the packing materials. The reason for the kinetic model following the pseudo-second-order in the sequential process was analyzed based on the chemical reaction and mineralization mechanism.

[Inventory and Characteristics of Anthropogenic Ammonia Emission in Xi'an].

Based on the activity data of diverse ammonia sources, the rational estimation method and emission factors were employed, and an anthropogenic ammonia emission inventory was further established to describe the situation of Xi'an in 2013.The results showed that the total anthropogenic ammonia emission reached 47.17×103 t in 2013 with an emission intensity of 4.57 t·km-2; The livestock breeding and nitrogen fertilizers were the major sources of anthropogenic ammonia emission, which were 20.55×103 t and 17.51×103 t, respectively, accounting for 80.68% in total; Cow and hog were the major sources, and occupied 75.03% in livestock breeding emission; Lintong District was the heaviest emission area, the total emission was 10.73×103 t, which accounted for 23.22%; The emission intensity of Yanliang District reached 14.75 t·km-2 which was considered as the most severe area.

Surgical treatment efficacy in 172 cases of tuberculosis-destroyed lungs.

OBJECTIVES: Compared to the use of anti-TB drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), surgery is destructive and is associated with higher risk. Whether surgery is needed for the treatment of TB-destroyed lungs (for short: destroyed lungs) is still controversial and unresolved in the clinic. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of treatment efficacy was performed on 172 cases of destroyed lungs (176 surgeries) in the Thoracic Surgery Department of our hospital from April 1992 to June 2010. RESULTS: A total of 83 male and 89 female patients was analyzed. The youngest patient was 7 years old, and the oldest was 72 years old, with a mean age of 38.4 years. A total of 120 cases had a preoperative cough, 31 cases had fever, and 42 cases had hemoptysis. A total of 49 cases was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis by sputum test before surgery, yielding a positive TB rate of 28.5% (49/172). A total of 116 patients had a destroyed left lung and 56 cases had a destroyed right lung. In all, 110 cases underwent total pneumonectomy, 37 pleuropneumonectomy, one lobectomy, 10 residual lobectomy, two total pneumonectomy and tracheoplasty, 11 cases bronchopleural fistula (BPF) repair and other surgeries, and one case underwent thoracoplasty. A total of four patients underwent thoracoplasty 30 days after surgery due to a thoracic cavity infection or empyema. The overall perioperative mortality rate was 2.9% (5/172). The surgical complication rate was 18.6% (32/172). The sputum negative conversion rate was 87.8% (43/49), and the clinical cure rate was 91.9% (158/172). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that surgical treatment efficacy in destroyed lungs was satisfactory with strict surgical indications, standard preoperative anti-TB treatment, adequate preoperative preparation, and careful intraoperative operations.

[Management of short-term complications after pneumonectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis and management of short-term complications after pneumonectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: The clinical data and management of short-term complications in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis after pneumonectomy were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: From September 2000 to September 2010, 206 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis underwent pneumonectomy, of whom 26 experienced complications shortly after the surgery. Postoperative acute type II respiratory failure occurred in 5 within 14 months post-operation, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 2 within 3 months post-operation, chest hemorrhage in 7 within 20 days post-operation, empyema in 8 within 4 years post-operation, and bronchopleural fistula in 4 cases within 50 days post-operation. Of the 7 cases with chest hemorrhage, 2 were cured and 5 dead. All the 8 cases with empyema were cured. Of the patients with bronchopleural fistula, 2 were cured, 1 failed, and 1 was dead. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis carries a higher risk of developing serious complications such as chest hemorrhage, acute type II respiratory failure and bronchopleural fistula. Most complications can be managed successfully if diagnosed and treated early.

[Preoperative chemotherapy for long-term results of small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the pre-operative chemotherapy for long-term of small cell lung cancer. METHODS: From January 1994 to January 2005, 263 patients with small cell lung cancer underwent combined therapy. The comparison of long-term survival rates was made between pre-operative chemotherapy group (n = 111) (group A) and post-operative chemotherapy (n = 96) (group B). RESULTS: The analyses disclosed that the overall 5-year survival rate was 42.16%. The 5-year survival rate of group A was 38.25% while in group B it was 46.57%. 5-year survival rate of group A for N0-1 and N2 was 40.12% and 39.22%, that for stage I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IV was 60.15%, 35.70%, 40.16%, 14.29% and 0 respectively. 5-year survival rate of group B for N0-1 and N2 was 51.91% and 42.69%, that for stage I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IV was 61.1%, 50.23%, 42.32%, 26.47% and 0 respectively. CONCLUSION: The comparison of the survival rate between patients with the pre-operative chemotherapy and those with chemotherapy post-operatively revealed trend of variation. Operation plus post-operative chemotherapy mode is indispensable for better prognosis of small cell lung cancer.

[Second-line Hycamtin in the treatment of lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the therapeutic effect and toxicity of second line Hycamtin for lung cancer patients. METHODS: Ten of these 21 patients had been treated with operation. All these 21 patients received second line Hycamtin treatment; given at the dose of 1.2 mg/m(2) per day, four consecutive days as one cycle and 21 days as one course. A total of 1 - 4 courses were given according to the patient's tolerance. Four of these 21 patients also received combination of cisplatin. RESULTS: Among the 13 un-operated patients, two patients showed CR, six showed PR, three SD and two PD, giving an effective rate of 62%. Among the 8 operated patients, seven showed SD but one developed distant metastasis. The 1-year survival rate was 88%. TOXICITY: leukopenia I-II degree 14 (66.7%), leukopenia III-IV degree 5 (23.8%), thrombocytopenia III-IV degree 1 (4.8%) and one patient died of high fever and neutocytopenia. Nausea 8 (38.1%), vomiting 3 (14.3%) and diarrhea 2 (9.5%) alopecia 4 (19.1%). Were the other side-effects. CONCLUSION: Hycamtin is indicated for second line therapy for lung cancer giving tolerable toxicity.