Insulin-like growth factor 2 targets IGF1R signaling transduction to facilitate metastasis and imatinib resistance in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are typical gastrointestinal tract neoplasms. Imatinib is the first-line therapy for GIST patients. Drug resistance limits the long-term effectiveness of imatinib.

Strategies for improving photocatalytic performance of g-CN by modulating charge separation and current research status.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) has been extensively investigated over the past decade for its potential utilizations in photocatalytic energy generation and pollutant degradation. To better meeting the requirements for practical utilizations, it is crucial to address the issue of poor charge separation properties in g-CN, which origin from the strong interactions in photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In this review, we summarized the pertinent studies on developing strategies to promote the charge separation properties of g-CN.

Brazing of TC4 Alloy Using Ti-Zr-Ni-Cu-Sn Amorphous Braze Fillers.

In order to address the issues of excessive brittle intermetallic compounds (IMC) formation in the TC4 brazed joints, two types of novel Ti-Zr-Cu-Ni-Sn amorphous braze fillers were designed. The microstructure and shear strength of the TC4/Ti-Zr-Ni-Cu-Sn/TC4 brazed joints were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and electronic universal materials testing machine. The results show that the optimized TiZrNiCuSn braze filler whose chemical composition is closer to the eutectic point possesses a lower melting point compared with the equiatomic TiZrNiCuSn.

Enhanced metal-free photocatalyst performance by synergistic Coupling of internal magnetic field and piezoelectric field.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) is a promising metal-free photocatalyst; however, its high carrier recombination rate and insufficient redox capacity limit its degradation effect on antibiotics. In order to overcome these shortcomings, the photocatalytic activity is improved by regulating the spin polarization state, constructing the internal electric field, and applying the external piezoelectric field. In this paper, the chlorine-doped and nitrogen-deficient porous carbon nitride composite carbon quantum dots (N-Cl/UPCN@CQD) has been synthesized successfully.

Vacuum sealing drainage to treat Fournier's gangrene.

Background: Vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) is widely applied in complex wound repair. We aimed to compare traditional debridement and drainage and VSD in treating Fournier's gangrene (FG).

Methods: Data of patients surgically treated for FG were retrospectively analyzed.

High-performance photocatalytic peroxymonosulfate activation by carbon quantum dots via precise surface chemistry regulation: Insight into the structure-function relations.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are considered promising metal-free green catalysts for the activation of persulfates, but direct experimental evidence to identify the true active sites on the surface of CQDs is still lacking. We prepared CQDs with different oxygen contents by controlling the carbonisation temperature, using a simple pyrolysis method. Photocatalytic activity experiments show that CQDs exhibits the best PMS activation performance.

Enhanced adsorption and visible-light photocatalysis on TiO with in situ formed carbon quantum dots.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) can be used to modify TiO to extend the light absorption threshold and enhance its photocatalytic efficiency. In this study, different amounts of CQDs modified TiO (CQDs-x/TiO) were synthesized by a facile, mild, and environmental friendly hydrothermal method at a low temperature. The physicochemical properties were investigated by a variety of advanced characterization techniques.

Transanal Opening of Intersphincteric Space for Fistula-in-Ano.

Background: The role of the intersphincteric space in the pathogenesis of fistula-in-ano is being increasingly recognized. Submucosal and intersphincteric rectal abscesses have been surgically managed by laying open and draining the intersphincteric space as well as by the modified ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) procedure. In 2017, the transanal opening of intersphincteric space (TROPIS) technique was reported for the treatment of high, complex anal fistulae.

Photocatalytic activation of peroxymonosulfate by surface-tailored carbon quantum dots.

In this study, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized by a low-cost and scalable approach and the oxygen functional groups were fine-tuned by chemical post-treatment. It was found that the CQDs could be applied as visible-light-responsive photocatalysts for activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and remediation of aqueous organic dyes. Phenylhydrazine modified CQDs (CQDs-PH) presented high efficiency for degradation of methylene blue due to selective removal of carboxylic groups and inhibited recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.

Design and Synthesis of a New Mannitol Stearate Ester-Based Aluminum Alkoxide as a Novel Tri-Functional Additive for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) and Its Synergistic Effect with Zinc Stearate.

Thermal stabilizers, lubricant, and plasticizers are three crucial additives for processing poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). In this study, a new mannitol stearate ester-based aluminum alkoxide (MSE-Al) was designed and synthesized as a novel additive for PVC. The thermal stability and processing performance of PVC stabilized by MSE-Al were evaluated by the Congo red test, conductivity measurement, thermal aging test, ultravioletevisible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy test, and torque rheometer test.

Facile Synthesis of Di-Mannitol Adipate Ester-Based Zinc Metal Alkoxide as a Bi-Functional Additive for Poly(Vinyl Chloride).

A new di-mannitol adipate ester-based zinc metal alkoxide (DMAE-Zn) was synthesized as a bi-functional poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) thermal stabilizer for the first time. The materials were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Characterization results confirmed the formation of Zn-O bonds in DMAE-Zn, and confirmed that DMAE-Zn had a high decomposition temperature and a low melting point.

Thionin functionalized signal amplification label derived dual-mode electrochemical immunoassay for sensitive detection of cardiac troponin I.

A sensitive sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor was established by employing Au@Pt core-shell multi-branched nanoparticles, and thionin functionalized nitrogen/sulfur co-doped graphene oxide (N/S-cGO/L-lys/Au@Pt MBs/Thi) as a double signal label to detect cardiac troponin I (cTnI). In this work, Au nanorods functionalized polydopamine (Au NR@PDA) with high adsorption capacity and superior electroconductivity can provide an efficient substrate for immobilizing primary antibodies (Ab). In the proposed N/S-cGO/L-lys/Au@Pt MBs/Thi, an electrochemically active molecule, Thi was covalently bonded in the N/S-cGO/L-lys/Au@Pt MBs.

Oxygen Vacancies in Shape Controlled CuO/Reduced Graphene Oxide/InO Hybrid for Promoted Photocatalytic Water Oxidation and Degradation of Environmental Pollutants.

A novel shape controlled CuO/reduced graphene oxide/InO (CuO/RGO/InO) hybrid with abundant oxygen vacancies was prepared by a facile, surfactant-free method. The hybrid photocatalyst exhibits an increased photocatalytic activity in water oxidation and degradation of environmental pollutants (methylene blue and Cr solutions) compared with pure InO and CuO materials. The presence of oxygen vacancies in CuO/RGO/InO and the formation of heterojunction between InO and CuO induce extra diffusive electronic states above the valence band (VB) edge and reduce the band gap of the hybrid consequently.

Oxygen functional groups in graphitic carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalysis.

Metal-free semiconductors offer a new opportunity for environmental photocatalysis toward a potential breakthrough in high photo efficiency with complete prevention of metal leaching. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) modified by oxygen functional groups was synthesized by a hydrothermal treatment of pristine GCN at different temperatures with H2O2. Insights into the emerging characteristics of the modified GCN in photocatalysis were obtained by determining the optical properties, band structure, electrochemical activity and pollutant degradation efficiency.

Meta-analysis of oncological outcome after abdominoperineal resection or low anterior resection for lower rectal cancer.

In lower rectal cancer, postoperative outcome is still subject of controversy between the advocates of abdominoperineal resection (APR) and low anterior resection (LAR). Reports suggest that low anterior resection may be oncologically superior to abdominoperineal excision, although no good evidence exists to support this. Publications were identified which assessed the differences comparing 5-year survival, local recurrence, circumferential resection margin rate, complications and so on.

Automatic detection of the existence of subarachnoid hemorrhage from clinical CT images.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a medical emergency which can lead to death or severe disability. Misinterpretation of computed tomography (CT) in patients with SAH is a common problem. How to improve the accuracy of diagnosis is a great challenge to both the clinical physicians and medical researchers.