Synthesis, Structures and Electrochemical Properties of Lithium 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylate Complexes.

Four lithium coordination polymers, [Li3(BTC)(H2O)6] (1), [Li3(BTC)(H2O)5] (2), [Li3(BTC)(µ2-H2O)] (3), and [Li(H2BTC)(H2O)] (4) (H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylatic acid), have been synthesized and characterized. All the structures have been determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Complexes 1 and 2 have two-dimensional (2-D) sheets, whereas complex 3 has three-dimensional (3-D) frameworks and complex 4 has one-dimensional (1-D) tubular chains. The crystal-to-crystal transformation was observed in 1⁻3 upon removal of water molecules, which accompanied the changes in structures and ligand bridging modes. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of complexes 3 and 4 have been studied to evaluate these compounds as electrode materials in lithium ion batteries with the discharge capacities of 120 and 257 mAhg-1 in the first thirty cycles, respectively.

Consensus for Radiotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma from The 5th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting (APPLE 2014): Current Practice and Future Clinical Trials.

A consensus meeting to develop practice guidelines and to recommend future clinical trials for radiation therapy (RT), including external beam RT (EBRT), and selective internal RT (SIRT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was held at the 5th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert consortium. Although there is no randomized phase III trial evidence, the efficacy and safety of RT in HCC has been shown by prospective and retrospective studies using modern RT techniques. Based on these results, the committee came to a consensus on the utility and efficacy of RT in the management of HCC according to each disease stage as follows: in early and intermediate stage HCC, if standard treatment is not compatible, RT, including EBRT and SIRT can be considered. In locally advanced stage HCC, combined EBRT with transarterial chemoembolization or hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, and SIRT can be considered. In terminal stage HCC, EBRT can be considered for palliation of symptoms and reduction of morbidity caused by the primary tumor or its metastases. Despite the currently reported benefits of RT in HCC, the committee agreed that there is a compelling need for large prospective studies, including randomized phase III trial evidence evaluating the role of RT. Specifically studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of sequential combination of EBRT and SIRT are strongly recommended.

Alveolar hydatid disease causing total occlusion of the inferior vena cava.

Alveolar hydatid disease is a malignancy-like parasitic disease. It is invasive, metastatic, and almost always lethal if left untreated. A case of alveolar hyatid disease presenting with total of the inferior vena cava is reported. This 28-year-old man was referred for elevation of obstructive jaundice. He was a lama and had recently arrived in Taiwan after touring temples in Nepal, India, and Singapore. Computed tomography showed calcified mass which occupied the right hepatic lobe with extension to the left hepatic lobe. The inferior vena cava was occluded and stricture of biliary tree and portal vein at the hilum was also noted. The patient was treated successfully with palliative resection combined with postoperative albendazole. With increasing travel and immigration, clinicians will be more likely to encounter this rare disease, and thus should be able to recognize its symptoms.