Tailoring the Microstructure of Porous Carbon Spheres as High Rate Performance Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Benefiting from their high surface areas, excellent conductivity, and environmental-friendliness, porous carbon nanospheres (PCSs) are of particular attraction for the anodes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the regulation of carbon nanospheres with controlled pore distribution and graphitization for delivering high Li+ storage behavior is still under investigation. Here, we provide a facile approach to obtain PCSs with different microstructures via modulating the carbonization temperatures. With the processing temperature of 850 °C, the optimized PCSs exhibit an increased surface area, electrical conductivity, and enhanced specific capacity (202 mA h g-1 at 2 A g-1) compared to the PCSs carbonized at lower temperatures. Additionally, PCSs 850 provide excellent cyclability with a capacity retention of 83% for 500 cycles. Such work can pave a new pathway to achieve carbon nanospheres with excellent performances in LIBs.

Optimized Pinecone-Squama-Structure MoS2-Coated CNT and Graphene Framework as Binder-Free Anode for Li-Ion Battery with High Capacity and Cycling Stability.

Extensive research has been conducted on the development of high-rate and cyclic stability anodes for lithium batteries (LIBs) due to their high energy density. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with layered structure has garnered significant interest due to its exceptional theoretic Li+ storage behavior as anodes (670 mA h g-1). However, achieving a high rate and long cyclic life of anode materials remains a challenge. Herein, we designed and synthesized a free-standing carbon nanotubes-graphene (CGF) foam, then presented a facile strategy to fabricate the MoS2-coated CGF self-assembly anodes with different MoS2 distributions. Such binder-free electrode possesses the advantages of both MoS2 and graphene-based materials. Through rational regulation of the ratio of MoS2, the MoS2-coated CGF with uniformly distributed MoS2 exhibits a nano pinecone-squama-like structure that can accommodate the large volume change during the cycle process, thereby significantly enhancing the cycling stability (417 mA h g-1 after 1000 cycles), ideal rate performance, and high pseudocapacitive behavior (with a 76.6% contribution at 1 mV s-1). Such a neat nano-pinecone structure can effectively coordinate MoS2 and carbon framework, providing valuable insights for the construction of advanced anode materials.

Long-Term Survival and Prognostic Factors of Pulmonary Metastasectomy in Liver Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lung is the most common extrahepatic metastatic organ of liver cancer. Surgical resection is a common local treatment for pulmonary metastasis. But the long-term prognosis of pulmonary metastasectomy varies greatly due to the small sample size and different results of previous studies. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the combined 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and prognostic factors after pulmonary metastasectomy in liver cancer. METHODS: Key words such as liver cancer pulmonary metastasis and metastasectomy were retrieved firstly in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Chinese Wanfang databases. Eligible studies were identified by manual searches. Each included study should report 5-year OS rate and/or prognostic factors of pulmonary metastasectomy. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment, and heterogeneity was estimated by I2. We calculated the combined 5-year survival rates and determined the prognostic factors for OS by the hazard ratios (HR) and number of events. RESULTS: Seventeen cohort studies with a total of 513 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The combined 5-year survival rates after pulmonary metastasectomy were 33% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 29-37%]. The poor prognostic factors were disease-free interval (DFI) < 12 months (HR = 2.421 95% CI 1.384 4.236) and existence of cirrhosis (HR = 1.936 95% CI 1.031 3.636). CONCLUSION: The 5-year OS rate of patients with pulmonary metastasectomy after resection of primary liver cancer is 33%. DFI < 12 months and existence of cirrhosis are probably poor prognostic factors.

The clinical value of new tumor biomarker cytokeratin 2G2 detection in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Many tumor markers are analyzed for usefulness in diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new type of tumor biomarker, cytokeratin (CK)-2G2, in serum for the early diagnosis, confirmative diagnosis as well as assessment of treatments of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Use a chemiluminescent method to examine the serum CK-2G2 levels in 100 patients with non-malignant lung diseases and 100 cases from the healthy population, as well as 124 cases of NSCLC patients prior to chemotherapy, after one course of treatment and after two courses of treatment. RESULTS: The average levels of CK-2G2 in the serum of NSCLC patients was found to be significantly higher than that of the group of non-malignant patients as well as the healthy control group (p < 0.01). It was further observed that CK-2G2 is markedly higher in squamous-cell carcinoma than in adenocarcinoma (p < 0.05) whereas CK-2G2 was found to be higher in stages III and IV than stages I and II (p < 0.05) and CK-2G2 is markedly higher in large tumor size (> 3cm) than in small tumor size (< or = 3cm) (p < 0.05). Serum CK-2G2 levels for patients with cancer progression were found to increase after two courses of chemotherapy (p < 0.01) whereas patients with stabilized tumorigenesis or tumor regression showed a significant trend of CK-2G2 decrease (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Detection of the new tumor biomarker CK-2G2 has certain clinical values for early diagnosis, verification of diagnosis as well as classification of patients. Thus it is warranted that CK-2G2 be widely deployed as a new type of cost effective parameter for evaluating efficacy of chemotherapy of NSCLC.

Surgical treatment efficacy in 172 cases of tuberculosis-destroyed lungs.

OBJECTIVES: Compared to the use of anti-TB drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), surgery is destructive and is associated with higher risk. Whether surgery is needed for the treatment of TB-destroyed lungs (for short: destroyed lungs) is still controversial and unresolved in the clinic. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of treatment efficacy was performed on 172 cases of destroyed lungs (176 surgeries) in the Thoracic Surgery Department of our hospital from April 1992 to June 2010. RESULTS: A total of 83 male and 89 female patients was analyzed. The youngest patient was 7 years old, and the oldest was 72 years old, with a mean age of 38.4 years. A total of 120 cases had a preoperative cough, 31 cases had fever, and 42 cases had hemoptysis. A total of 49 cases was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis by sputum test before surgery, yielding a positive TB rate of 28.5% (49/172). A total of 116 patients had a destroyed left lung and 56 cases had a destroyed right lung. In all, 110 cases underwent total pneumonectomy, 37 pleuropneumonectomy, one lobectomy, 10 residual lobectomy, two total pneumonectomy and tracheoplasty, 11 cases bronchopleural fistula (BPF) repair and other surgeries, and one case underwent thoracoplasty. A total of four patients underwent thoracoplasty 30 days after surgery due to a thoracic cavity infection or empyema. The overall perioperative mortality rate was 2.9% (5/172). The surgical complication rate was 18.6% (32/172). The sputum negative conversion rate was 87.8% (43/49), and the clinical cure rate was 91.9% (158/172). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that surgical treatment efficacy in destroyed lungs was satisfactory with strict surgical indications, standard preoperative anti-TB treatment, adequate preoperative preparation, and careful intraoperative operations.

[Management of short-term complications after pneumonectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis and management of short-term complications after pneumonectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: The clinical data and management of short-term complications in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis after pneumonectomy were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: From September 2000 to September 2010, 206 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis underwent pneumonectomy, of whom 26 experienced complications shortly after the surgery. Postoperative acute type II respiratory failure occurred in 5 within 14 months post-operation, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 2 within 3 months post-operation, chest hemorrhage in 7 within 20 days post-operation, empyema in 8 within 4 years post-operation, and bronchopleural fistula in 4 cases within 50 days post-operation. Of the 7 cases with chest hemorrhage, 2 were cured and 5 dead. All the 8 cases with empyema were cured. Of the patients with bronchopleural fistula, 2 were cured, 1 failed, and 1 was dead. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis carries a higher risk of developing serious complications such as chest hemorrhage, acute type II respiratory failure and bronchopleural fistula. Most complications can be managed successfully if diagnosed and treated early.

[Serum tumor markers for lung cancer diagnosis.].

BACKGROUND: Progress has been made in research of lung cancer tumor markers in recent years,and these tumor markers have been used in clinical application. This study is to evaluate the regimens of six serum tumor markers in lung cancer diagnosis. METHODS: The serum levels of the six tumor markers(NSE, pro-GRP, CYFRA21-1, SCC, p53 antibody and CA199) were detected in 80 healthy adults,170 patients with lung cancer and 80 patients with respiratory infection by ELISA. RESULTS: The levels of the six tumor markers in patients with lung cancer were remarkably higher than those in healthy adults and patients with respiratory infection(P <0.01).The levels of the NSE,pro-GRP in patients with small cell lung cancer were significantly higher than those in other subtypes of the lung cancer(P <0.01);The levels of the CYFRA21-1,SCC in patients with squamous carcinoma was remarkably higher than that in other subtypes of the lung cancer(P <0.01).The sensitivity of the NSE,pro-GRP in diagnosing small cell lung cancer was remarkably higher than that in other subtypes of the lung cancer(P <0.01); The sensitivity of the CYFRA21-1, SCC in diagnosing squamous carcinoma was remarkably higher than that in other subtypes of the lung cancer(P <0.01).The sensitivity of the tumor markers combinations in diagnosing lung cancer was remarkably higher than that of the single marker (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Detection of the six tumor markers is helpful for diagnosis lung cancer. Combination of NSE and pro-GRP is more economic than other combinations in diagnosing small cell lung cancer; Combined CYFRA21-1,SCC is more economic than other combinations in diagnosing squamous carcinoma.

[Prognostic significance of angiogenesis and blood vessel invasion in stage I non-small cell lung cancer after complete surgical resection].

BACKGROUND: The latest studies have demonstrated that postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy may improve survival in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), so it was a challenge for clinician to choose the patients who might benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic implications of angiogenesis and tumor blood vessel invasion (BVI) in stage I NSCLC patients who underwent complete resection. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen stage I NSCLC patients undergoing complete resection from 1994-2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Angiogenesis was assessed by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD), BVI was assessed by examining the direct invasion of tumor cells marked by CD34 within vessel lumen. RESULTS: Low VEGF expression was seen in 44 patients (37.3%), high VEGF expression was in 74 patients (62.7%). The MVD of high VEGF expression cases was much higher than that of low VEGF expression ones (33.4±17.8 vs 24.7±14.8, P=0.010). There was a positive correlation between VEGF and MVD (r=0.216, P=0.019). The 5-year survival rate in patients with high VEGF expression was much lower than in those with low VEGF expression (36.48% vs 72.20%, P=0.003). The BVI was present in 32 patients (27.1%) and absent in 86 patients (72.9%). The 5-year survival rate in patients with presence of BVI was much lower than those with absence of BVI (34.38% vs 60.47%, P=0.018). Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that high VEGF expression and BVI were significantly independent predictive factors for overall survival. Finally, the presence of both risk factors, BVI and high VEGF expression was highly predictive of poor outcome (P= 0.001 ). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor vessel invasion and high VEGF expression are independent prognostic factors for overall survival of postoperative stage I NSCLC. The assessment of these factors may improve prognostic stratification for adjuvant therapy or a targeted and specific treatment in stage I NSCLC.

[Expression of hepatoma-derived growth factor and its clinical implication in stage I non-small cell lung cancer].

BACKGROUND: Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF), a novel growth factor, has a widely expression in many normal cells and tumor cells. It plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation and angiogenesis. It is considered as a promising marker for predicting the invasion, matastasis and prognosis of carcinomas in clinical researches. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of HDGF and its clinical implication in patients who undergone complete resection for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Immunohistochemical technology was applied to detect the expression of HDGF in 118 lung cancer tissues and 30 normal lung tissues as control. RESULTS: HDGF staining was observed in nuclear as well as in cytoplasm. HDGF positively staining was seen in all patients, and remarkably higher than that in normal lung tissues (52.23±10.35 vs 156.73±70.95, P < 0.01). Expresson of HDGF was closely related to histological classification, but not to other clinicopathological factors, and the expression of HDGF in adenocarcinoma was much stronger than that in squamous cancers (P=0.001). Univariate analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the patients with high HDGF expression had a shorter overall survival and HDGF was a significantly independent predictive factor for patients with stage I NSCLC (RR=1.011, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: HDGF may be a promising predictive factor for stage I NSCLC, and the assessment of HDGF may provide new insight on carcinogenesis and development of stage I NSCLC .

[Resection and reconstruction of carina in the treatment of advanced lung cancer involving carina].

BACKGROUND: To summarize the operative indication, surgical technique and perioperative ma-nagement of resection and reconstruction of carina for advanced lung cancer involving the carina. METHODS: There were 67 patients with lung cancer invaded the carina, right central lung cancer in 46 cases, peripheral lung cancer in 4 cases, involved superior vena cava (SVC) or with bilateral anonymous veins in 11 cases, left central lung cancer in 17 cases, respectively. Surgical procedure included carinal right pneumonectomy or lobectomy in 50 cases, concomitant replacement of SVC or with bilateral anonymous veins with vascular prosthesis in 11 cases, carinal left pneumonectomy in 17 cases. Follow-up was performed in long-term. RESULTS: Perioperative death occured in 8 cases (11.94%), circulatory failure in 6 cases (8.96%), and respiratory failure in 2 cases (2.99%). The overall 1-, 3- and 5-survival rate was 77.21%, 48.23% and 32.54% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Complete resection and reconstruction of carina, SVC or bilateral anonymous veins combined with postoperatively multiple modality therapy can get good prognosis for the patients with advanced lung cancer.

[Application of vascular surgery in the treatment of thoracic neoplasm].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate superior vena cava (SVC) and anonymous vein resection with prosthesis replacement for lung carcinoma and mediastinal tumor, and to assess the surgical procedure and prognosis. METHODS: Experimental research: Eighteen adult dogs were divided randomly into two groups. Group A (n = 9) underwent blocking of the SVC system, and Group B (n = 9) underwent SVC resection with prosthesis replacement. The SVC pressure and histological changes of brain tissue were measured and evaluated for group A. The histological changes of prosthesis were studied in group B. Clinical research: Fifty-six patients with thoracic neoplasm were studied, of which 42 were lung carcinoma and 14 were mediastinal tumor. Resection of primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes with replacement of SVC system were performed for all patients. Long-term follow-up was performed. RESULTS: Experimental research: In Group A, the pressure of SVC was higher when both SVC and the azygous vein were blocked as compared to SVC blocking only (P < 0.05); hyperemia and edema of brain tissue were not observed in two-hour obstruction. The inner face of vascular prosthesis was covered with fibrin two months after operation in group B. Vascular endothelial cells were found to grow in it, and there was no thrombosis without anticoagulation. Clinical research revealed that there was no death associated with the operation and there was no early or late obstruction of SVC. The survival rates of the patients with lung carcinoma in 1, 3 and 5 years were 84.2% 40.9% and 38.9% respectively. The patients with mediastinal tumor were all alive except 1 patient who died of metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Radical resection combined with prosthesis replacement of SVC system extends the indications of thoracic neoplasm resection and improve the long-term survival rate and living qualities of the patients. It may be recommended in the surgical treatment of thoracic tumor.