Applications of functional nanoparticle-stabilized surfactant foam in petroleum-contaminated soil remediation.

Surfactant foam (SF) can be used to remediate petroleum-contaminated soil because of its easy transfer to inhomogeneous and low-permeability formations. Nanoparticles (NPs) not only stabilize SF under extreme conditions but also impart various functions, aiding the removal of petroleum contaminants. This review discusses the stabilization mechanisms of nanoparticle-stabilized SF (NP-SF) as well as the effects of NP size, chargeability, wettability, and NP-to-surfactant ratio on foam stability. SF stabilized by inert SiO2 NPs is most commonly used to remediate soil contaminated with crude oil and diesel. Low dose of SF stabilized by nano zero-valent iron is cost-effective for treating soil contaminated with chlorinated organics and heavy metal ions. The efficiency and recyclability of Al2O3/Fe3O4 NPs in the remediation of diesel and crude oil contamination could be enhanced by applying a magnetic field. This review provides a theoretical basis and practical guidelines for developing functional NP-SF to improve the remediation of petroleum-contaminated soils. Future research should focus on the structural design of photocatalytic NPs and the application of catalytic NP-SF in soil remediation.

Coupling surfactants with ISCO for remediating of NAPLs: Recent progress and application challenges.

Non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) pose a serious risk to the soil-groundwater environment. Coupling surfactants with in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) technology is a promising strategy, which is attributed to the enhanced desorption and solubilization efficiency of NAPL contaminants. However, the complex interactions among surfactants, oxidation systems, and NAPL contaminants have not been fully revealed. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the development of surfactant-coupled ISCO technology focusing on the effects of surfactants on oxidation systems and NAPLs degradation behavior. Specifically, we discussed the compatibility between surfactants and oxidation systems, including the non-productive consumption of oxidants by surfactants, the role of surfactants in catalytic oxidation systems, and the loss of surfactants solubilization capacity during oxidation process. The effect of surfactants on the degradation behavior of NAPL contaminants is then thoroughly summarized in terms of degradation kinetics, byproducts and degradation mechanisms. This review demonstrates that it is crucial to minimize the negative effects of surfactants on NAPL contaminants oxidation process by fully understanding the interaction between surfactants and oxidation systems, which would promote the successful implementation of surfactant-coupled ISCO technology in remediation of NAPLs-contaminated sites.

The combined effect of Diversispora versiformis and sodium bentonite contributes on the colonization of Phragmites in cadmium-contaminated soil.

To promote the colonization of Phragmites in Cd polluted, nutrient deprived and structural damaged soil, the combined remediation using chemical and microbial modifiers were carried out in potting experiments. The co-application of Diversispora versiformis and sodium bentonite significantly improved the soil structure and phosphorus utilization of the plant, while decreasing the content of cadmium bound by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid by 77.72%. As a result, the Phragmites height, tillers, and photosynthetic capacity were increased by 71.60%, 38.37%, and 17.54%, respectively. Further analysis suggested the co-application increased the abundance of phosphorus-releasing microbial communities like Pseudomonassp. and Gemmatimonadetes. Results of rhizosphere metabolites also proved that the signal molecule of lysophosphatidylcholine regulated the phosphorus fixation and utilization by the plant. This work finds composite modifiers are effective in the colonization of Phragmites in Cd contaminated soil by decreasing the bioavailable Cd, increasing the abundance of functional microbial communities and regulating the phosphorus fixation.

Three-Dimensional CuO/TiO2 Hybrid Nanorod Arrays Prepared by Electrodeposition in AAO Membranes as an Excellent Fenton-Like Photocatalyst for Dye Degradation.

Three-dimensional (3D) CuO/TiO2 hybrid heterostructure nanorod arrays (NRs) with noble-metal-free composition, fabricated by template-assisted low-cost processes, were used as the photo-Fenton-like catalyst for dye degradation. Here, CuO NRs were deposited into anodic aluminum oxide templates by electrodeposition method annealed at various temperatures, followed by deposition of TiO2 thin films through E-gun evaporation, resulting in the formation of CuO/TiO2 p-n heterojunction. The distribution of elements and compositions of the CuO/TiO2 p-n heterojunction were analyzed by EDS mapping and EELS profiles, respectively. In the presence of H2O2, CuO/TiO2 hybrid structure performed more efficiently than CuO NRs for Rhodamine B degradation under the irradiation of 500-W mercury-xenon arc lamp. This study demonstrated the effect of length of CuO NRs, on the photo-degradation performance of CuO NRs as well as CuO/TiO2 heterostructure. The optimized CuO/TiO2 hybrid NR array structure exhibited the highest photo-degradation activity, and the mechanism and role of photo-Fenton acting as the catalyst in photo-degradation of dye was also investigated.

Efficacy and tolerability of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). METHODS: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from the time of their inception until July 17, 2019. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Primary outcomes were mean change of depression and anxiety severity. Secondary outcomes were response and remission rate of depression. RESULTS: Fifteen studies including three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 417, mean age: 50.6 years) and twelve uncontrolled clinical trials (n = 284, mean age: 46.4 years) were included. dTMS significantly improved the depressive (Hedges' g = -1.323, 95% CI = -1.651 to -0.995, p < .001) and anxiety symptoms (Hedges' g = -1.282, 95% CI = -1.514 to -1.051, p < .001) in patients with TRD. Subgroup analysis showed that non-RCTs had a larger effect size than RCTs (-1.461 vs -0.756) on depression severity. Although the response and remission rates of the dTMS group were high, only studies using both dTMS and antidepressant medications achieved significance. The anxiolytic effect of dTMS was more heterogeneous, and the results were obtained mainly from non-RCTs. Importantly, the dTMS group showed favorable tolerability without major adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: dTMS is a safe and effective intervention in patients with TRD. Studies combining dTMS and antidepressant medications seemed to show greater therapeutic effects. Future studies are needed to address the interaction effect of dTMS with different classes of antidepressant medications.

Prediction of axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients based on pathologic information of the primary tumor.

BACKGROUND: Axillary lymph nodes (ALN) are the most commonly involved site of disease in breast cancer that has spread outside the primary lesion. Although sentinel node biopsy is a reliable way to manage ALN, there are still no good methods of predicting ALN status before surgery. Since morbidity in breast cancer surgery is predominantly related to ALN dissection, predictive models for lymph node involvement may provide a way to alert the surgeon in subgroups of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 1325 invasive breast cancer patients were analyzed using tumor biological parameters that included age, tumor size, grade, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, lymphovascular invasion, and HER2, to test their ability to predict ALN involvement. A support vector machine (SVM) was used as a classification model. The SVM is a machine-learning system developed using statistical learning theories to classify data points into 2 classes. Notably, SVM models have been applied in bioinformatics. RESULTS: The SVM model correctly predicted ALN metastases in 74.7% of patients using tumor biological parameters. The predictive ability of luminal A, luminal B, triple negative, and HER2 subtypes using subgroup analysis showed no difference, and this predictive performance was inferior, with only 60% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: With an SVM model based on clinical pathologic parameters obtained in the primary tumor, it is possible to predict ALN status in order to alert the surgeon about breast cancer counseling and in decision-making for ALN management.

Increased admission serum estradiol level is correlated with high mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dimorphism in critical diseases has been documented. Severe acute pancreatitis is a disease with high mortality. We hypothesized that admission sex hormone levels may be used as an early predictor of outcome in these patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients with severe acute pancreatitis admitted to the intensive care unit for at least 48 h were enrolled (n = 62). Serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were determined on admission. The association of sex hormone levels and various disease severity scoring systems with patient outcome was analyzed. RESULTS: There was no difference in overall mortality between the sexes. However, estradiol was significantly elevated in nonsurvivors (39 vs. 206 pg/mL, p < 0.001). The estradiol level was the best single-variable predictor of mortality (area under the curve 0.97), followed by the sequential organ failure assessment score, the multiple organ dysfunction score, and the acute physiology and chronic health care evaluation II (APACHE II) score. A serum estradiol level of 102 pg/mL was both sensitive and specific to predict mortality. There were no differences between survivors and non-survivors in terms of age, body mass index, or progesterone and testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: Admission serum estradiol level is a good marker of disease severity and predictor of death in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Survival benefit of tamoxifen in estrogen receptor-negative and progesterone receptor-positive low grade breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and prognostic significance of adjuvant tamoxifen in breast cancer patients with various hormone receptor statuses. METHODS: Typically, 1,260 female breast cancer patients were recruited in this study. The correlation between estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) phenotypes and clinical characteristics was investigated, and the survival rate was assessed after 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (85%) was better in women under the age of 50 years. Patients with ER+/PR+ tumors had a better 5-year survival rate (94%); those with ER-/PR- tumors experienced the worst outcome (74% survival rate); whereas single-positive cases were in between. In 97 out of 128 patients with ER-/PR+ tumors, tamoxifen was given as adjuvant hormonal therapy, and it increased the survival benefit in the lower grade group in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival (p=0.01 and p=0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: For high-grade tumors with ER-/PR+, adjuvant tamoxifen therapy may have no survival benefit, whereas for the patients with low-grade ER-/PR+ tumors, adjuvant tamoxifen therapy is highly suggestive.

Butein inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells through generation of reactive oxygen species and modulation of ERK and p38 activities.

Butein (3,4,2',4'-tetrahydroxychalcone) is a polyphenol derived from various natural plants and is capable of inducing several types of death in cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying butein-induced breast cancer cell apoptosis remain unknown. The present study aimed to prove that butein inhibits the proliferation of MDA-MB­231 human breast cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Butein markedly induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), increased p38 activity, diminished Bcl-2 expression, induced caspase 3 cleavage and was associated with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Our findings also indicate that ROS may play an important role in butein-induced apoptosis, as pre-treatment with the antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), prevented butein-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that butein inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells through the generation of ROS and the modulation of ERK and p38 activities. We also demonstrate that these effects may be abrogaged by pre-treatment with NAC. Our results suggest that butein may function as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

Maxillary brown tumor as initial presentation of parathyroid adenoma: a case report.

Brown tumor is a rare late-stage skeletal change caused by long-term stimulation of excess parathyroid hormone. It is not neoplastic, but a reparative cellular process. Common sites of brown tumor are the ribs, clavicle, long bones and pelvic girdle. Solitary maxillary brown tumor as initial presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism is rare; it is often accompanied by brown tumors of the other facial bones. Here, we present the first case of solitary maxillary brown tumor in a 29-year-old ethnic Chinese woman with initial presentation of a large tumor filling the left maxillary sinus. Underlying long-standing primary hyperparathyroidism caused by a large parathyroid adenoma was finally diagnosed. Brown tumor tends to be misdiagnosed as malignancy, and delayed diagnosis of the underlying hyperparathyroidism is common. Our case validates the suggestion that young women have a higher probability of brown tumor. Biopsy of the suspicious bone tumor and blood tests for calcium and parathyroid hormone level are crucial and essential to reach the correct diagnosis. Most brown tumors show spontaneous regression after parathyroidectomy. However, direct excision of the brown tumor may be indicated to avoid the risk of facial deformity and orbital compression at a special anatomical site, as in our case.

Comparison of video-assisted thyroidectomy and traditional thyroidectomy for the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: There is concern regarding the oncological effectiveness of minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (VAT) for thyroid carcinoma. This study compared the surgical results of VAT and traditional thyroidectomy in patients with small papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). METHODS: Of 44 patients with PTC offered the choice between VAT and traditional thyroidectomy, 21 underwent VAT and 23 underwent traditional thyroidectomy. Residual thyroid tissue and function were assessed postoperatively by measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T4, thyroglobulin, and anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels and with sonographic examination. RESULTS: Operative time, maximum tumor size, number of positive lymph nodes, and TSH and T4 levels 4 weeks postoperatively were similar in the two groups (all p > 0.05). Patients in the traditional thyroidectomy group had significantly higher postoperative serum thyroglobulin levels 4 weeks after surgery than did patients in the VAT group (5.4 versus 0.5 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.007). Postoperative ultrasonography showed no residual thyroid tissue or evidence of recurrence in any of the patients. The median follow-up period was 60 months (range 31-77 month) for the VAT group and 53 months (range 31-80 months) for the traditional thyroidectomy group. Thyroglobulin levels of all patients in both groups decreased to <0.2 ng/ml at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: VAT is safe and effective for the treatment of small papillary thyroid carcinomas, and has similar oncological effectiveness to traditional thyroidectomy.

The influence of I-131 therapy on FDG uptake in differentiated thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) [or PET/computed tomography (CT)] is more likely to show false-negative results when it is performed shortly after chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy because of "metabolic stunning". The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of I-131 therapy on FDG uptake and the detection of recurrence or metastasis of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 16 consecutive FDG-PET/CT studies which had been performed in patients with DTC with elevated thyroglobulin (TG) but negative I-131 whole-body scan. All studies were performed under L: -thyroxine suppression. The patients were divided into groups A and B for PET/CT performed within 4 months of I-131 therapy or no such therapy, respectively. Each lesion identified on PET/CT was characterized using a 5-point scale by visual analysis: 0 = definitely benign, 1 = probably benign, 2 = equivocal, 3 = probably malignant, and 4 = definitely malignant. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) in each lesion was also measured for semiquantitative analysis. We compared the visual grading and SUV max of the lesion of highest FDG uptake between groups A and B. RESULTS: For visual analysis, group B had significantly more patients with an uptake score of 3 or 4 than group A (80% vs. 17%, P = 0.01). In addition, there were significantly more equivocal results from group A than from group B (67% vs. 10%, P = 0.02). If the patients with the highest uptake scores of 2, 3, and 4 were considered to be positive for local recurrence or metastasis, there would be no significant difference between the positive rates of groups A and B (83% vs. 90%, P = 0.7). However, the mean SUV max of positive results was significantly lower for group A than for group B (3.1 +/- 0.9 and 6.6 +/- 3.5, respectively, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results suggested that FDG uptake in DTC may be negatively influenced by I-131 therapy within 4 months, resulting in lower FDG uptake and more equivocal results. Further studies are necessary to determine whether it is secondary to "metabolic stunning" caused by I-131 therapy.

Synchronous parathyroid and papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Concomitant thyroid disease is not unusual among patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. However, the simultaneous occurrence of parathyroid and thyroid carcinoma is extremely rare. We report a 38-year-old man with primary hyperparathyroidism who presented with osteitis fibrosa cystica complicated with pathologic femoral neck fracture. Preoperative investigation for exclusion of multiple endocrine neoplasia did not find evidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma or pheochromocytoma, but imaging studies revealed the presence of nodules in the right lobe and a parathyroid lesion over the left inferior pole of the thyroid gland. Total thyroidectomy, left parathyroidectomy, and bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the left hip were then performed simultaneously. The resected specimens were pathologically identified as papillary thyroid carcinoma and parathyroid carcinoma, respectively. After the operation, 131I ablation therapy was administered at a dose of 120 mCi. Additional doses of 30 mCi were given yearly as serum thyroglobulin level became elevated. Serum calcium level remained normal during yearly follow-up. Although parathyroid carcinoma is an uncommon cause of parathyroid hormone-dependent hypercalcemia, it should nonetheless be given due consideration because its surgical approach differs from that of parathyroid adenoma. As the coexistence of parathyroid and non-medullary thyroid carcinoma has previously been reported, the possibility of both malignancies must also be considered in the setting of primary hyperparathyroidism with thyroid nodules. If confirmed with preoperative parathyroid scintigraphic and other laboratory studies, an optimal outcome may be achieved with complete resection of both tumors at the time of initial operation, followed by adjunctive therapy.

Anatomic resection for severe blunt liver trauma.

Despite recent advances in management of severe blunt liver trauma, the operative mortality rate in patients with complicated blunt liver trauma (grades IV and V) is still high. The purpose of this study was to assess the results of anatomic liver resection for severe liver trauma in the institution in which liver transplant surgeons are responsible for the management of liver injuries.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei, origin from appendix: report of cases with images.

This report demonstrates the cases of a 47-year-old housewife, a 54-year-old female, and an 80-year-old woman in whom pseudomyxoma peritonei was found accidentally during surgery. Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare disease. No effective treatment is known. Modern treatments include radical surgical excision with appendicectomy and oophorectomy in women and adjuvant hyperthermic intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy. Major causes of morbidity and mortality are bowel obstruction and biliary obstruction. Five-year survival rate, depending on whether the disease is benign or malignant, is about 53-75%. Median survival is about 2 years under surgical management.

A 10-year experience of unsuspected gallbladder cancer after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Unsuspected gallbladder cancer after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a cancer that was previously manipulated by laparoscopic technique. The reported incidence was 0.3-1% and became an emerging problem as the popularity of LC increased. Lack of reliable data could address the outcome of reresection or nonreresection patients and the standard management. This study reviewed a single center experience in managing unsuspected gallbladder cancer patients after LC between July 1, 1992 and July 1, 2000 who had at least 2 years of follow-up. There were 11 patients (0.6%) postoperatively diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after 1825 LCs. Group A included three patients (28%) with nontransmural invasion, group B included four patients (36%) who had transmural invasion without secondary surgical intervention, and group C included four patients (36%) with reresection. The perioperation parameters and strategies were collected and compared. A review of the literature was performed simultaneously, and we concluded that unsuspected gallbladder cancer with nontransmural invasion needs no further treatment; however, aggressive reresection is beneficial to transmural invasion cancer, and prevention of bile spillage during LC should be the goal of every surgeon.

An easier technique for minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy.

Because of the efforts of many pioneer surgeons, the minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) has been recognized as a safe procedure, offering advantages such as better cosmetic outcome and less analgesic need. The MIVAT technique was described in 51 selected patients in 2001. The technique was not therefore widely used because of the excess operating time compared with traditional thyroidectomy, and most importantly, this method needed a steep learning period. This study reports a modified MIVAT procedure, which can make this operation easier and shorten the time of learning. We compared the outcomes of the originally described methods with our modified method. The selection criteria for performing MIVAT were as follows: thyroid nodules in one lobe and less than 50 mm on their largest diameter, benign lesion proved by fine-needle biopsy, patient without history of thyroiditis, and no previous neck surgery or irradiation. All patients received lobectomy. Sixty patients were eligible for MIVAT during a period of 27 months. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of the 17 patients who underwent MIVAT using the original technique that was described previously. Group B consisted of the 43 patients who underwent MIVAT using a self-designed Army retractor with a mosaic ring. The mean operation time of Group A was 120 minutes and that of Group B was 59.2 minutes. The size of the incisions was no difference in either group. There were no postoperative complications except in one patient with transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in Group A. There was one conversion to open thyroidectomy in Group A and none in Group B. The cosmetic results were no different between the two groups. In conclusion, the use of a modified Army retractor with a mosaic ring made the MIVAT procedure easier and offered similar advantages.

Extrahepatic division of the right hepatic vein in right hepatectomy for blunt liver trauma.

During a 5-year period, 10 patients with right-side blunt liver injury received an anatomic liver resection, using the technique of extrahepatic right hepatic vein division before hepatectomy. Five patients required a right posterior sectionectomy and 5 patients needed a right hemihepatectomy. The mean operation time was 146 minutes and median perioperative blood transfusion was 21.5 units (range, 4-94 units, packed red blood cell (PRBC) or whole blood). There was one hospital mortality; the patient died from multiple organs failure on postoperative day 5. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 of 9 surviving patients. Liver-related morbidity occurred in 2 patients who required reoperation for evacuation of subphrenic hematoma. The median hospital stay was 17 days (range, 6-84 days). Application of extrahepatic division of the right hepatic vein during a right hepatectomy for blunt liver trauma has several advantages: compression of a traumatic liver during mobilization; shortening of the ischemia duration; complete mobilization of the liver before parenchymal resection; and prevention of oozing with easier approximation of the raw surface.

Transparenchymal retraction maneuver: a simple technique in laparoscopic hepatectomy.

The performance of laparoscopic hepatectomy still presents technical problems. One of the main difficulties is the impossibility of directly grasping the liver during resection. To overcome this problem, we have begun using transparenchymal suture traction in laparoscopic hepatectomy. From January 2000 through August 2001, eight laparoscopic hepatectomies were performed using suture traction during parenchymal resection. The advantages of this technique include no leakage of pneumoperitoneum, no increased trocar hole, ability to repeat application to the liver from various directions, and better exposure of the transected line.