Structure characteristics and adsorption performance of graphene oxide prepared by spent carbon cathode-an ultra-low temperature graphitized carbon material.

Spent carbon cathode (SCC) is a hazardous waste from the aluminum electrolysis industry. It is commonly used as a carbon source in the current disposal and recovery strategies, such as combustion, or as a reductant for smelting. The novelty of this study is to propose a strategy for recycling SCC as a graphite resource and to investigate the unique structural characteristics and adsorption properties of graphene oxide produced from this low temperature graphitized carbon. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of SCC-GO on methylene blue (MB) were studied and compared with the GO prepared from natural flake graphite (NFG) and artificial graphite (AG). The results show that SCC-GO exhibits the highest adsorption rate and adsorption capacity (647.83 mg/g) for MB, which is much higher than NFG-GO (451.22 mg/g) and AG-GO (533.12 mg/g). The analysis of the spectroscopy and morphology confirmed that SCC-GO has a high degree of crystal defects, oxidation, and surface wrinkle. Overall, this study reveals the unique structure of SCC-GO and highlights its significant scientific and application potential as an ultra-low temperature graphitized carbon. This research is also significant for recycling aluminum electrolytic cathode solid waste in the form of a graphite source.

Environmental feasibility evaluation of cement co-production using classified domestic waste as alternative raw material and fuel: A life cycle perspective.

Domestic waste classification provides a new idea for the low-carbon transformation of the cement industry in the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This study adopted the life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental feasibility of classified domestic waste as alternative raw material and fuel for clinker production. An area in Shandong Province was selected to investigate the impact of waste transportation. A roadmap was formulated and the calorific value of the refuse-derived fuel using classified domestic waste (RDFCDW) was calculated as 18,977.76 kJ/kg. Compared with conventional waste disposal, disposal in cement kiln had the lowest environmental impact, except for human toxicity potential (HTP). The overall environmental burden of co-production was 7.86% lower than that of conventional production, in which the impact of waste transportation was negligible. Combined with the increasing proportion of clean power applications in 2030 and 2060, the HTP could be decreased by 56.29% and 83.38%, respectively. Accordingly, cement co-production using classified domestic waste as alternative raw material and fuel is a nationally appropriate and environmentally friendly approach.

NAP1L1 promotes the growth of colon cancer by activating HDGF/DDX5.

Colon cancer is a common malignant tumor. However, its pathogenesis still needs further study. In this study, we explored the role of nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) in colon cancer and its underlying mechanism. Based on analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data, we found that NAP1L1 is augmented in colorectal cancer, and the elevated NAP1L1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with colon cancer. Immunohistochemistry staining results showed that upregulated NAP1L1 protein level is an unfavorable factor that stimulates colon cancer progression. To further investigate the role of NAP1L1 in colon cancer, we established a colon cancer cell line with NAP1L1 knockdown, and found that repressing NAP1L1 expression in colon cancer cells markedly reduces cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro by MTT assay, colony formation, EdU incorporation, and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice. Furthermore, we found that NAP1L1 binds to HDGF, recruits DDX5, and induces ß-catenin/CCND1 signaling, which promotes colon cancer cell proliferation. Finally, transfection with HDGF or DDX5restores cell growth in NAP1L1-knockdown colon cancer cells by upregulating DDX5/ß-catenin/CCND1 signaling. Our study demonstrates that NAP1L1 functions as a potential oncogene that promotes colon cancer tumorigenesis by binding to HDGF, which stimulates DDX5/ß-catenin/CCND1 signaling.

Survival outcomes following laparoscopic vs open surgery for non-metastatic rectal cancer: a two-center cohort study with propensity score matching.

BACKGROUND?>: Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer is commonly performed in China. However, compared with open surgery, the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery, especially the long-term survival, has not been sufficiently proved. METHODS?>: Data of eligible patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University and Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine between 2012 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Long-term survival outcomes and short-term surgical safety were analysed with propensity score matching between groups. RESULTS: Of 430 cases collated from two institutes, 103 matched pairs were analysed after propensity score matching. The estimated blood loss during laparoscopic surgery was significantly less than that during open surgery (P = 0.019) and the operative time and hospital stay were shorter in the laparoscopic group (both P < 0.001). The post-operative complications rate was 9.7% in the laparoscopic group and 10.7% in the open group (P = 0.818). No significant difference was observed between the laparoscopic group and the open group in the 5-year overall survival rate (75.7% vs 80.6%, P = 0.346), 5-year relapse-free survival rate (74.8% vs 76.7%, P = 0.527), or 5-year cancer-specific survival rate (79.6% vs 87.4%, P = 0.219). An elevated carcinoembryonic antigen, <12 harvested lymph nodes, and perineural invasion were independent prognostic factors affecting overall survival and relapse-free survival. CONCLUSIONS?>: Our findings suggest that open surgery should still be the priority recommendation, but laparoscopic surgery is also an acceptable treatment for non-metastatic rectal cancer.

Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma polymorphisms and colorectal cancer risk.

AIMS: Several studies evaluated the association between peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) Pro12Ala (rs1801282), and His477His (rs3856806) polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the results were not stable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched databases containing PubMed and EMBASE. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the associations. RESULTS: A significantly decreased CRC risk was found for PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.83-0.94, P < 0.0001). In the subgroup analysis by race, a significantly decreased risk was found in the Caucasian population (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.95, P = 0.0003) but not in Asian population (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.57-1.02, P = 0.07). In the subgroup analysis by CRC location, significantly decreased risks were found in rectal cancer (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.77-1.00, P = 0.05) and colon cancer (OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.92, P = 0.0008). In addition, a significantly decreased CRC risk was also detected for PPARγ His477His polymorphism (OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.44-1.00, P = 0.05). In the subgroup analysis by race, a significantly decreased risk was found in the Caucasian population (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.26-0.69, P = 0.0006) but not in Asian population (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.73-1.25, P = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: PPARγ Pro12Ala and His477His polymorphisms might be associated with susceptibility of CRC.