Photo/mechanical/acidic multi-stimuli responses and information encryption design of acylhydrazone derivative.

Stimuli-responsive crystalline materials have received much attention for being potential candidates of smart materials. However, the occurrence of polymorphism-driven stimuli responses in crystalline materials remains interesting but rare. Herein, three polymorphs of an acylhydrazone derivative, N'-[(E)-(1-benzofuran-2-yl) methylidene] pyridine -4-carbohydrazide (BFMP) were prepared. Form-1 undergoes a photomechanical response via E→Z photoisomerization under UV irradiation, accompanied by a decrease in fluorescence intensity and a change from colorless to yellow. Two types of Z→E thermal isomerization mechanisms with significant differences in conversion rate were observed at different temperatures in form-1. The solid-melt-solid transition has a faster conversion rate compared to the solid-solid transition due to freedom from lattice confinement. The transition from form-2 to form-3 can be achieved under grinding, coupled with a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity. The similar molecular stacking pattern of form-2 and form-3 provides a structural basis for the grinding-induced crystalline transition behavior. In addition, the presence of the pyridine moiety imparts an acid chromic property. The combination of photochromism and acid chromism explores the possible applications of acylhydrazone derivatives in information encryption.

A Review of Cobalt-Containing Nanomaterials, Carbon Nanomaterials and Their Composites in Preparation Methods and Application.

With the increasing demand for sustainable and green energy, electric energy storage technologies have received enough attention and extensive research. Among them, Li-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used because of their excellent performance, but in practical applications, the electrochemical performance of electrode materials is not satisfactory. Carbon-based materials with high chemical stability, strong conductivity, high specific surface area, and good capacity retention are traditional anode materials in electrochemical energy storage devices, while cobalt-based nano-materials have been widely used in LIBs anodes because of their high theoretical specific capacity. This paper gives a systematic summary of the state of research of cobalt-containing nanomaterials, carbon nanomaterials, and their composites in LIBs anodes. Moreover, the preparation methods of electrode materials and measures to improve electrochemical performance are also summarized. The electrochemical performance of anode materials can be significantly improved by compounding carbon nanomaterials with cobalt nanomaterials. Composite materials have better electrical conductivity, as well as higher cycle ability and reversibility than single materials, and the synergistic effect between them can explain this phenomenon. In addition, the electrochemical performance of materials can be significantly improved by adjusting the microstructure of materials (especially preparing them into porous structures). Among the different microscopic morphologies of materials, porous structure can provide more positions for chimerism of lithium ions, shorten the diffusion distance between electrons and ions, and thus promote the transfer of lithium ions and the diffusion of electrolytes.

Design and experimental validation of a master manipulator with position and posture decoupling for laparoscopic surgical robot.

BACKGROUND: The master manipulator with position and posture decoupling and force feedback can improve the immersion of the operation, and the gravity balance can reduce the fatigue of surgeons. METHODS: A seven degree of freedom master manipulator is developed. The parallelogram structure and the angle conversion method contribute to the realization of decoupling position and posture. The calculating method based on the virtual work principle is adopted to achieve the passive gravity balance. The relationship between the master manipulator's joint torque and output force is established to achieve force feedback. RESULTS: A prototype of the master manipulator was built and its performance was experimentally evaluated. The maximum value of the positioning mean absolute error is 1.2 mm. The maximum absolute error of the force-feedback is 0.32 N. CONCLUSION: With the functions of positioning, gravity balance, and force feedback, our manipulator shows the potential for single port laparoscopic surgery.

Intestinal Perforation Secondary to Pits of Jujube Ingestion: A Single-Center Experience with 18 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Ingestion of jujube pits is a common clinical problem, which can be difficult to diagnose and life-threatening if accompanied with intestinal perforation and peritonitis. In this study, 18 cases of intestinal perforation caused by ingestion of jujube pits were reviewed and summarized to discuss the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatments. METHODS: From 2012 to 2018, a total of 18 patients diagnosed as intestinal perforation due to ingested pits of jujube in our center were retrospectively reviewed and the manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging examinations and treatment strategies were summarized. RESULTS: The patients comprised of 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 63.5 years. The main clinical manifestation was abdominal pain. Twelve patients (67%) presented to the emergency department with signs of localized peritonitis. CT imaging revealed positive findings in 17 (94%) patients. Conservative treatments were attempted in 3 patients, and the other 15 patients received emergency surgical exploration, where 7 patients had more than one perforation identified during surgery. Five patients were admitted in the surgical intensive care unit after surgery. The average length of stay of all 18 patients was 9.8 days (range 5-24 days). CONCLUSION: Ingestion of jujube pits is a common clinical problem and potentially leads to intestinal perforation and peritonitis. CT imaging is the first imaging modality of choice. Patients with milder symptoms might be managed with cautious conservative treatment, and patients with more than one perforation can be identified during surgery.

Genomic Analysis of Phylotype I Strain EP1 Reveals Substantial Divergence from Other Strains in the Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex.

Ralstonia solanacearum species complex is a devastating group of phytopathogens with an unusually wide host range and broad geographical distribution. R. solanacearum isolates may differ considerably in various properties including host range and pathogenicity, but the underlying genetic bases remain vague. Here, we conducted the genome sequencing of strain EP1 isolated from Guangdong Province of China, which belongs to phylotype I and is highly virulent to a range of solanaceous crops. Its complete genome contains a 3.95-Mb chromosome and a 2.05-Mb mega-plasmid, which is considerably bigger than reported genomes of other R. solanacearum strains. Both the chromosome and the mega-plasmid have essential house-keeping genes and many virulence genes. Comparative analysis of strain EP1 with other 3 phylotype I and 3 phylotype II, III, IV strains unveiled substantial genome rearrangements, insertions and deletions. Genome sequences are relatively conserved among the 4 phylotype I strains, but more divergent among strains of different phylotypes. Moreover, the strains exhibited considerable variations in their key virulence genes, including those encoding secretion systems and type III effectors. Our results provide valuable information for further elucidation of the genetic basis of diversified virulences and host range of R. solanacearum species.

[Outcomes evaluation of laparoscopic radical coloproctectomy and hepatectomy for resectable colorectal cancer with liver metastases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic radical coloproctectomy and hepatectomy for resectalble colorectal cancer with liver metastases (CRCLM), and evaluate the survival outcomes of short-middle term for these patients. METHODS: Totally 36 cases of CRCLM which were evaluated to undergo laparoscopic coloproctectomy and hepatectomy preoperatively, were enrolled from January 2009 to January 2014, including 28 synchronous and 8 metachronous CLM respectively. Laparoscopic colorectal resection and hepatectomies were performed in 35 cases, including 24 male and 11 female patients, with a mean age of (64 ± 12) years and a median age of 67 years (ranging from 35 to 80 years). Management strategies were made by a board of multi-disciplinary team. Intra-operative ultrasonography was used to detect the metastases in all cases. Overall survival and disease free survival were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curve. RESULTS: Radical total colectomy, right hemicolectomy, left hemicolectomy, sigmoidectomy, and proctectomy and were performed in 1 case of familial adenomatous polyposis with transverse colon cancer, 5 cases of cecal or asending colon cancer, 1 case of descending colon cancer, 14 cases of sigmoid colon cancer, and 14 cases of rectal cancer respectively. Metastasectomy only, anatomic hepatectomy only, and metastasectomy plus anatomic hepatectomy were done in 21, 10 and 4 cases respectively. Totally 35 colorectal tumors and 62 liver lesions were removed. The mean blood loss of colorectal and liver surgery were (80 ± 32) and (212 ± 153) ml, the median blood loss was 70 ml and 150 ml respectively. Colorectal and hepatic specific complications were not observed in all cases except a case of biliary leakage following right hemihepatectomy. Relapses were observed in 15 cases during a mean follow-up of (26 ± 16) months (median follow-up of 22 months). Four cases died of late-stage cachexia. The 1- and 3-year cumulative overall survival rates were 92.9% and 79.4% respectively. The 1- and 3-year cumulative disease free survival rates were 61.1% and 49.4% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic coloproctectomy and hepatectomy for resectable CRCLM in carefully selected cases is safe and feasible, which makes simultaneous surgery possible. The oncologic outcome of short-middle term is acceptable, and long-term survival is expected.

[A clinical study on multi-disciplinary team and surgery for resectable colorectal cancer with liver metastases].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the survival outcomes of the surgery for colorectal cancer with liver metastases (CRCLM), and study the mode of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) for CRCLM. METHODS: The retrospective analysis was conducted for 38 patients with CRCLM received MDT management and surgical treatment from January 2009 to August 2011. The peri-operative and survival outcomes of MDT and surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: All the cases met the present criteria of resetability for CRCLM, but only 4 cases (10.5%) met the previous one. Coloproctectomy and hepatectomy were performed in all cases, with 39 colorectal neoplasms and 155 liver lesions removed. One case died of postoperative septic shock. Colorectal and hepatic specific complications were absent in the others patients except one case of biliary leak which was treated with conservative management. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was arranged in 13 cases. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered for every patient. After a mean follow-up of (22 ± 10) months according to the finding time of liver metastases, recurrence and metastases were observed in 16 cases and 6 cases died of late-stage cachexia. The 1-, 2- and 3-overall survival rate were 94.4%, 85.3% and 75.8% respectively, and the 1-, 2- and 3-disease-free survival rate were 70.1%, 54.2% and 54.2% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MDT mode for resectable CRCLM is recommendable. Surgical resection of CRCLM is feasible and safe, which seems to achieve favourable short-middle oncologic outcomes. And long-term survival is expected.

[Long naso-intestinal tube decompression versus octreotide in the treatment of early post-operative inflammatory ileus].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the effect of naso-intestinal tube decompression and octreotide in conservative management of early post-operative inflammatory ileus (EPII). METHODS: From March 2005 to January 2009, forty-five patients diagnosed with EPII, who failed to improve with conventional conservative management including nasogastric tube decompression, were enrolled in this study. All patients were prospectively nonrandomized into naso-intestinal tube group (n = 23) or Octreotide group (n = 22). The outcomes were compared between nasogastric tube, naso-intestinal tube and Octreotide groups. RESULTS: All the forty-five patients with EPII refractory to conservative management with nasogastric decompression were treated successfully with the naso-intestinal tube decompression or octreotide in 3-12 days. Compared with the Octreotide group, the first passage of flatus was earlier [(4.7 +/- 1.9) d vs (6.7 +/- 1.6) d] and abdominal circumference recovered faster [(90.4 +/- 2.0)% vs (95.1 +/- 1.3)%] in the naso-intestinal tube group (P < 0.05). But the volume of cumulative and daily gastrointestinal decompression were more in naso-intestinal tube group than those in Octreotide group [(4037 +/- 1155) ml vs (3316 +/- 1038) ml; (890 +/- 181) ml vs (492 +/- 83) ml; P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with EPII could be safely and effectively managed by naso-intestinal tube decompression or octreotide. It is possible for those patients to avoid second laparotomy. Naso-intestinal tube decompression and octreotide are associated with faster recovery and less fluid loss respectively.

[Effective evaluation of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma and to explore the suitable indication for liver transplantation for advanced primary hepatocellular carcinoma. METHOD: Clinical data were collected and studied with 43 patients with cirrhosis who had unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and who underwent liver transplantation from August, 2000 to December, 2003. All the survived patients were followed up. RESULTS: The longest following period was 45 months. 18 patients died by the end of the April, 2004. The 1-year survival rate was 85.5%, the 2-year survival rate 65.5%, the 3-year survival rate was 43.0%. CONCLUSION: In our country, some advanced primary hepatocellular carcinoma without extrahepatic metastasis is still indicated for liver transplantation. Some patients could have the opportunity to survive relatively long time.

A report of 28 cases of 3-year follow-up after liver transplantation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic value of liver transplantation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with advanced HCC were treated by liver transplantation from August 2000 to October 2003 at Peking University Third hospital. All the patients were followed up to evaluate the result. RESULTS: The longest follow-up duration was 3 years and 3 mo. Till the end of the follow-up period, 17 patients had already died and 11 were alive. Of those who died, 10 patients died of tumor recurrence, 4 died during the perioperative period, 2 died of variceal bleeding, and 1 died of biliary complication. According to life table method, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 87.5%, 52.5%,and 42.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation provides a new treatment under the circumstance of lacking of an effective treatment for advanced HCC at present. Some patients can survive for a relatively long time free of tumor. In our country, if the patients can afford liver transplantation, advanced HCC without extrahepatic metastasis is an indication for liver transplantation at present.

[Analysis of the correlated factors of the early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlated factors of early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation. METHODS: The preoperative liver function, coagulative status, the graft's warm and cold ischemia times and the details of the operations of 42 patients were summarized retrospectively and the comparison between survival and death patients performed to analyse the correlated factors of early death after orthotopic liver transplantation. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 42 patients died early after the transplantation. Two died of vascular complication and two fo graft primary nonfunction. The comparison between those without identified causes (9 patients, in death group) and survivors (29 patients, in survival group) showed that the patients in death group had a poorer preoperative liver function and coagulative status than those in survival group, the blood loss was more than that in survival group, the length of time of operation, the duration of hypotension and anhepatic time were also longer than those in survival group. CONCLUSION: The poorer preoperative liver function, and especially the coagulative status were the main causes of early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation, the vascular complications and the graft primary nonfunction were the other reasons that led to some patients' deaths.

[Liver transplantation for advanced primary hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of liver transplantation for late hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty-six patients were treated by liver transplantation from August 2000 to February 2002, of which 15 patients had had advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and thirteen of these 15 patients were evaluated for results. RESULTS: The 1-year survival rate was 86% (6/7). Only one patient died of recurrence within 6 months. The tumor-free survival was 5 to 19 months. Till February 2002, two patients have survived for 10 months and 19 months with recurrence. CONCLUSION: In our country, if the patients can afford liver transplantation, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma without extrahepatic metastasis is still indicated for liver transplantation, since some patients may survive relatively long.