Serendipity discovery of fire early warning function of chitosan film.

Transparent chitosan (CS) film is prepared and its application in high temperature/fire warning is discussed. NaCl-doped chitosan (CS-NaCl) film shows excellent performance in real-time temperature monitoring and fire warning. The temperature warning of CS-NaCl film can be triggered under approximately 50 °C, and it has a good repeatable warning performance under high-temperature conditions. The CS composite film exhibits an ultra-sensitive (0.4 s) warning under fire attacking. A possible electrical conduction and fire-alarm mechanisms are proposed. The addition of NaCl increases the number of charge carriers, which improves the ionic conductivity of the composite film. This study provides a possibility for the application of CS in the field of fire warning.

Enhanced Fire Safety of Rigid Polyurethane Foam via Synergistic Effect of Phosphorus/Nitrogen Compounds and Expandable Graphite.

In order to explore highly efficient flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF), phosphorus/nitrogen compounds and expandable graphite (EG) were successfully incorporated into RPUF by a free one-spot method. The combustion results showed that the fire safety of the RPUF samples was remarkably improved by the addition of phosphoric/nitrogen compounds and EG. With the incorporation of 22.4 wt.% phosphorus/nitrogen compounds and 3.2 wt.% EG, the RPUF composites achieved UL-94 V-0 rating. Besides, the total heat release and total smoke release of RPUF composites were reduced by 29.6% and 32.4% respectively, compared to those of the pure RPUF sample. PO• and PO2• together with nonflammable gaseous products were evolved from phosphoric/nitrogen compounds in the gas phase, which quenched the flammable free radicals in the matrix and diluted the concentration of combustible gaseous products generated from PRUF during combustion. The compact char residues which acted as excellent physical barriers were formed by catalysis of EG and phosphoric/nitrogen compounds in the condense phase. The fire hazard of RPUF was significantly reduced by the synergistic effect of phosphorus-nitrogen compounds and EG. This work provides a promising strategy to enhance the fire safety of RPUF.

Fractionated Radiation Therapy for Large and Giant Cavernous Sinus Hemangioma: A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: Surgical resection has been traditionally used as a treatment for cavernous sinus hemangioma (CSH). However, this is usually difficult due to tumor vascularity and results in complications especially in large and giant CSH (volume >20 cm3). Previous studies have reported that radiotherapy (RT) provides an alternative treatment modality for hemangiomas. However, the optimized dose and fractions which control CSH and also protect the cognitive function remain unclear. This study reports our experience in the management of symptomatic large and giant CSH. Methods: Fifty-four patients with symptomatic large (20 cm3 40 cm3, >4 cm in diameter) CSH were enrolled in a retrospective study between January 2007 and December 2018. The prescription dose to the target margin was 50 Gy in 25 fractions. Results: The mean pre-RT tumor volume was 60.9 cm3 which ranged from 20.2 to 230.5 cm3. The clinical data obtained was analyzed retrospectively following a mean follow-up period of 35.0 months which ranged from 1 to 140 months. All patients experienced tumor shrinkage within 3 months after radiotherapy. There was an average mean tumor reduction of 79.7% (range, 48.4-98.5%) with no patients experiencing tumor progression and recurrence. All the 54 patients experienced symptomatic improvement within 1 month to 12 months after radiotherapy. Within the entire follow up period, no patients experienced any form of permanent complications or symptomatic radiation toxicity. Neurocognitive impairment studies were conducted before and after radiotherapy on 28 patients while the studies were conducted after the last follow up in 40 patients. The cognitive function of all the participants had normal MoCA-scores of 28.25 pre-radiotherapy. The post-treatment MoCA-scores were also clinically stable (28.04, p = 0.78), and the average MoCA-score did not show any decline until the last follow-up (27.61, p = 0.13). Conclusion: The optimal dose and fractions of radiotherapy treatment for symptomatic large and giant cavernous sinus hemangioma remain unclear. This study, therefore, used a marginal dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions in radiotherapy and this was proven to be effective and relatively safe in the treatment of symptomatic large and giant CSHs.

Fire Resistance of Alkali Activated Geopolymer Foams Produced from Metakaolin and Na2O2.

This work aims to investigate the feasibility that alkali-based geopolymer foams produced from metakaolin and Na2O2 are applied for fire protection. Dry bulk density, porosity, mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and fire resistance of the geopolymer foams are discussed as a function of the Na2O2 amounts. As Na2O2 content varies from 1% to 4%, dry bulk density, mechanical strength and thermal conductivity of the geopolymer foams approximately exhibit opposite trends with that of the porosity. At the later stage of the 3 h fire-resistance tests, the reverse-side temperatures of all tested samples were always maintained at 220-250 °C. Meanwhile, the amorphous skeleton structures have been converted to smooth ceramics during the high temperature processes, which is the main reason that the geopolymer foams possess a stable porous structure and excellent fire resistance. Therefore, we could conclude that alkali-activated geopolymer foams with extraordinary fire resistance have great potential for fire protection applications.

Highly Effective Flame-Retardant Rigid Polyurethane Foams: Fabrication and Applications in Inhibition of Coal Combustion.

The extemporaneous combustion of coal remains a major threat to safety in coal mines because such fire accidents result in casualties and significant property loss, as well as serious environmental pollution. This work proposed the fabrication of flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) containing expandable graphite as char expander/sealant with melamine phosphosphate and 2-carboxyethyl (phenyl)phosphinic acid as char inducer and radical trapping agents. The as-prepared RPUF successfully inhibited coal combustion by forming thermally stable high graphitic content expandable intumescent char sealing over the coal. The RPUF achieved UL-94 V-0 rating in addition to significant reductions in peak heat release, total heat release, and CO and CO2 yields. The external and the internal residual char structure was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectra, Raman spectroscopy, and real-time Fourier transform infrared spectra techniques, and a flame-retardant mode of action has been proposed. This work provides important insight into a facile fabrication of highly efficient and economical flame-retardant RPUF to inhibit the spontaneous combustion of coal.

Sodium alginate-templated synthesis of g-C3N4/carbon spheres/Cu ternary nanohybrids for fire safety application.

Constructing novel graphic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based nanohybrids via a facile method for high-performance polymeric materials which exhibit enhanced fire safety properties are highly desirable. Here, the g-C3N4/carbon sphere/Cu (denoted as CSACS-C) nanohybrid was prepared by metal ions-induced gel reaction using sodium alginate as a green template, and thereafter introduced into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix to prepare nanocomposites. Microstructure analyses indicated the successful synthesis of the ternary nanohybrid, where both the g-C3N4 nanosheets and Cu nanoparticles were well-dispersed in the carbon material. Moreover, the ternary nanohybrid showed good distribution in TPU matrices, and exhibited strong interfacial adhesion with the polymeric host. It is worth noting that addition of these nanohybrids led to significantly improved fire safety. Particularly, remarkably reduced pyrolysis gaseous products generation and peak of heat release rate were achieved for TPU/CSACS-C system. This enhanced fire safety was due to the interpretations that the SACS and g-C3N4 nanosheets retarded the heat and mass propagation, while the incorporation of Cu nanoparticles induced earlier thermal decomposition into more char residues and less pyrolysis gaseous products. The work provides a new, simple strategy to prepare nanohybrids for polymeric materials with enhanced fire safety.

Hypofractionated stereotactic radiation therapy activates the peripheral immune response in operable stage I non-small-cell lung cancer.

It has been reported that in patients with operable stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), overall survival (OS) is better in those who undergo hypofractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (HSRT) than in those who undergo surgery. However, the reason that HSRT has a better OS has not been fully explored. Here, we analyzed reconstitution kinetics in immune cells in the peripheral blood of NSCLC patients after HSRT. We found that HSRT increased the frequency of total T cells, especially the proportion of CD8+ T cells, but decreased the frequency of inhibitory Tregs. Intracellular staining showed that after HSRT, peripheral CD8+ T cells were transformed into activated T cells, which express high levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, granzyme B and IL-2. HSRT also increased the production of IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ but down-regulated the production of TGF-ß in CD4+ T cells. The frequencies of naïve B cells and double-negative B cells were lower, while the proportions of MZ-like B cells, transitional B cells and plasmablast cells were higher after HSRT. Collectively, our results demonstrate that HSRT activates the peripheral immune response and indicate the dynamic variation in peripheral lymphocytes after HSRT, which is very important for optimizing combination treatments in clinical practice.

Meta-analysis demonstrates lack of association of the GSK3B -50C/T polymorphism with risk of bipolar disorder.

Published data on the association between GSK3B -50C/T (rs334558) and bipolar disorder (BD) are inconclusive. We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship of this single-nucleotide polymorphism with the susceptibility, and with the age at onset of BD. A literature search was conducted though PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases to identify relevant studies up to February 14, 2014. We identified a total of 6 publications including 1,251 cases and 1,804 controls to investigate the effect of GSK3B -50C/T on BD risk, and found no significant association in any genetic models (C vs. T: OR = 1.03, 95 % CI: 0.92-1.15; CC vs. TT+TC: OR = 1.04, 95 % CI: 0.84-1.28; TC+CC vs. TT: OR = 1.16, 95 % CI: 0.97-1.39; and CC vs. TC vs. TT: OR = 1.08, 95 % CI: 0.96-1.22). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity did not change the results. The association between GSK3B -50C/T and age at onset of BD was explored by 6 identified studies with a total of 659 BD type I patients. Similarly, we did not observe significant results in any genetic models (TC+CC vs. TT: SMD = 0.20, 95 % CI: -0.07 to 0.47; CC vs. TT+TC: SMD = 0.11, 95 % CI: -0.10 to 0.32; CC vs. TT: SMD = 0.32, 95 % CI: -0.13 to 0.77). The power analysis and tests for publication bias ensured the reliability of our results. In summary, this meta-analysis suggests that the functional polymorphism -50C/T within the GSK3B gene promoter is unlikely to relate with BD risk. However, more larger and well-designed studies are still needed to yield a conclusive result on the topic.

Positive expression of p53, c-erbB2 and MRP proteins is correlated with survival rates of NSCLC patients.

The incidence of lung cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic and predictive importance of p53, c-erbB2 and multidrug resistance proteins (MRP) expression and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expression of p53, c-erbB2 and MRP proteins in 152 tumor samples from resected primary NSCLCs was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The correlation of proteins, survival and clinicopathological characteristics was investigated in 152 patients undergoing potentially curative surgery. The positive rates of p53, c-erbB2 and MRP expression were 53.9 (82/152), 44.1 (67/152) and 43.4% (66/152), respectively. Overall survival rates of patients were markedly correlated with the overexpression of p53, c-erbB2 and MRP proteins. One, 2- and 3-year survival rates of patients exhibiting a positive expression of these proteins were 72.6, 54.8 and 32.2%, respectively. These rates were lower compared with those of patients with a negative expression of these proteins (92.1, 78.5 and 63.4%) (P=0.02, 0.01 or 0.00, respectively). Results of Cox's regression analysis showed that c-erbB2 expression and cell differentiation were independent prognostic factors in patients with NSCLC. These findings suggest that the positive expression of p53, c-erbB2 and MRP proteins is correlated with the survival rates of NSCLC patients. Detection of positive p53, c-erbB2 and MRP expression may be a useful predictive indicator of prognosis. Positive c-erbB2 expression is an independent prognostic factor, with a potential to be used as a predictive indicator of chemotherapy efficacy in NSCLC patients.

Lack of association between MDR1 C3435T polymorphism and chemotherapy response in advanced breast cancer patients: evidence from current studies.

The transmembrane transport of anticancer drugs is mainly regulated by P-glycoprotein encoded by the human multidrug resistance gene 1 gene (MDR1). Since there were controversies regarding the association between MDR1 C3435T polymorphism and response to chemotherapy among patients with advanced breast cancer, a meta-analysis of the link was conducted. A total of 7 studies consist of 464 advanced breast cancer patients relating MDR1 C3435T polymorphism to the response of chemotherapy were included in this meta-analysis. The main analysis revealed a lack of association between the MDR1 C3435T and response to chemotherapy, with odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 1.37 (95% CI: 0.78-2.40), 1.17 (95% CI: 0.69-2.01), 1.18 (95% CI: 0.76-1.84) and 1.61 (95% CI: 0.70-3.68) for homozygous comparison, heterozygous comparison, dominant model and recessive model, respectively. The subgroup analysis by ethnicity did not change the pattern of results, with ORs of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.11-9.07), 0.68 (95% CI: 0.29-1.60), 0.81 (95% CI: 0.36-1.85) and 1.51 (95% CI: 0.77-2.96), in homozygous comparison, heterozygous comparison, dominant model and recessive model, respectively in Caucasian, and 1.50 (95% CI: 0.75-3.03), 1.72 (95% CI: 0.85-3.47), 1.59 (95% CI: 0.90-2.80) and 2.29 (95% CI: 0.51-10.35), respectively in Asian. The available evidence indicates that MDR1 C3435T polymorphism cannot be considered as a reliable predictor of response to chemotherapy in patients with advanced breast cancer.

[Clinical application of radiotherapy for the treatment of giant vascular malformations in oral and maxillofacial region].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical use of radiotherapy in the treatment of giant vascular malformation. METHODS: Six patients with giant vascular malformation in oral and maxillofacial region were treated by three dimensional radiation therapy in Department of Stomatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicne, Zhejiang University in the last ten years and the cilinical data were reviewed. The treatment results were evaluated by clinical examination and radiology. RESULTS: No complication was observed during and after the radiotherapy. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results. The lesions in MRI were all reduced and even disappeared. There was no sign of recurrence during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Three dimensional radiotherapy is safe and effective for oral and maxillofical vascular malformation.

[Postoperative electron beam irradiation therapy for keloid:a follow-up study of 48 patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of postoperative electron beam irradiation therapy for keloid. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with 65 keloid sites were treated by surgical removal and postoperative 25 Gy electron beam irradiation from 1994 to 2002 and followed for over eighteen months. Statistical analysis was performed and therapeutic outcome was evaluated. RESULTS: The overall recurrence rate was 26%. Higher post-treatment recurrence rates were noted with keloid forming at infected sites and in patients with family history (47.8% and 53.3%) (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, patient age, sex, keloid size and location had no increased likehood of recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: The study shows that postoperative electron beam irradiation therapy is a kind of safe and effective method in inhibiting recurrence of keloid formation and eradicating it.

[Expression and significance of serum sICAM-1 and sCD4 & sCD8 in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of serum sICAM-1 and sCD4 & sCD8 antigens in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and clinical significances. METHOD: The serum levels of sICAM-1 and sCD4 & sCD8 antigens were determined in 54 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC group) and 32 healthy adults (normal group) by ELISA. RESULT: Expressions of serum sICAM-1 and sCD4 & sCD8 antigens in NPC group were significantly higher than that in normal group (P < 0.01, respectively). The levels of serum sICAM-1 in patients with III-IV stages were higher than those with I-II stages (P < 0.05), and those in patients with no lymph node metastasis lower than in lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01); but the serum levels of sCD4 and sCD8 antigens were not related to UICC-TNM stages in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (P > 0.05). The levels of serum sICAM-1 and sCD4 & sCD8 antigens decreased significantly in disappearance of tumor and metastatic lymph node after radiotherapy (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: sICAM-1 might be involved in the cellular immunopathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the measurement of the serum sICAM-1 and sCD4 and sCD8 antigens may reflect ability of neoplasm cell in freedom from host immunological surveillance. Dynamic measurement of serum sICAM-1 and sCD4 and sCD8 antigens may be a useful objective index to evaluate prognosis and curative effects of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.