Superior Heavy Metal Ion Adsorption Capacity in Aqueous Solution by High-Density Thiol-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxides.

The preparation of mercapto-reduced graphene oxides (m-RGOs) via a solvothermal reaction using P4S10 as a thionating agent has demonstrated their potential as an absorbent for scavenging heavy metal ions, particularly Pb2+, from aqueous solutions due to the presence of thiol (-SH) functional groups on their surface. The structural and elemental analysis of m-RGOs was conducted using a range of techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (STEM-EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At pH 7 and 25 °C, the maximum adsorption capacity of Pb2+ ions on the surface of m-RGOs was determined to be approximately 858 mg/g. The heavy metal-S binding energies were used to determine the percent removal of the tested heavy metal ions, with Pb2+ exhibiting the highest percentage removal, followed by Hg2+ and Cd2+ ions having the lowest percent removal, and the binding energies observed were Pb-S at 346 kJ/mol, Hg-S at 217 kJ/mol, and Cd-S at 208 kJ/mol. The time-dependent removal study of Pb2+ ions also yielded promising results, with almost 98% of Pb2+ ions being removed within 30 min at pH 7 and 25 °C using a 1 ppm Pb2+ solution as the test solution. The findings of this study clearly demonstrate the potential and efficiency of thiol-functionalized carbonaceous material for the removal of environmentally harmful Pb2+ from groundwater.

Facile Gram-Scale Synthesis of Co3O4 Nanocrystal from Spent Lithium Ion Batteries and Its Electrocatalytic Application toward Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

In this study, we demonstrate a new approach to easily prepare spinel Co3O4 nanoparticles (s-Co3O4 NPs) in the gram-scale from the cathode of spent lithium ion batteries (SLIBs) by the alkali leaching of hexaamminecobalt(III) complex ions. As-obtained intermediate and final products were characterized with powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the synthesized s-Co3O4 NPs showed better electrocatalytic properties toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in comparison to previously reported Co3O4 NPs and nanowires, which could be due to the more exposed electrocatalytic active sites on the s-Co3O4 NPs. Moreover, the electrocatalytic activity of the s-Co3O4 NPs was comparable to the previously reported RuO2 catalysts. By taking advantage of the proposed recycling route, we would expect that various valuable transition metal oxide NPs could be prepared from SLIBs.

Circumferential resection margin positivity after preoperative chemoradiotherapy based on magnetic resonance imaging for locally advanced rectal cancer: implication of boost radiotherapy to the involved mesorectal fascia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patients who are at a higher risk of pathologic circumferential resection margin involvement using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Between October 2008 and November 2012, 165 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (cT4 or cT3 with <2 mm distance from tumour to mesorectal fascia) who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy were analysed. The morphologic patterns on post-chemoradiotherapy magnetic resonance imaging were categorized into five patterns from Pattern A (most-likely negative pathologic circumferential resection margin) to Pattern E (most-likely positive pathologic circumferential resection margin). In addition, the location of mesorectal fascia involvement was classified as lateral, posterior and anterior. The diagnostic accuracy of the morphologic criteria was calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Pathologic circumferential resection margin involvement was identified in 17 patients (10.3%). The diagnostic accuracy of predicting pathologic circumferential resection margin involvement was 0.73 using the five-scale magnetic resonance imaging pattern. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for predicting pathologic circumferential resection margin involvement were 76.5, 65.5, 20.3 and 96.0%, respectively, when cut-off was set between Patterns C and D. On multivariate logistic regression, the magnetic resonance imaging patterns D and E (P= 0.005) and posterior or lateral mesorectal fascia involvement (P= 0.017) were independently associated with increased probability of pathologic circumferential resection margin involvement. The rate of pathologic circumferential resection margin involvement was 30.0% when the patient had Pattern D or E with posterior or lateral mesorectal fascia involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who are at a higher risk of pathologic circumferential resection margin involvement can be identified using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging although the predictability is moderate.

Comparison of different gum-based thickeners using a viscometer and line spread test: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare fluid thickeners composed of starch polysaccharide (STA), guar gum-based polysaccharide (GUA), and xanthan gum-based polysaccharide (XAN) with the use of a viscometer and a line spread test (LST) under various measurement conditions. METHODS: The viscosity of thickened fluid with various concentrations (range, GUA 1%-4%, XAN 1%-6%, STA 1%-7%, at intervals of 1%) was measured with a rotational viscometer with various shear rates (1.29 s(-1), 5.16 s(-1), 51.6 s(-1), and 103 s(-1)) at a temperature of 35℃, representing body temperature. The viscosity of STA showed time dependent alteration. So STA was excluded. Viscosities of GUA and XAN (range of concentration, GUA 1%-3%, XAN 1%-6%, at intervals of 1%) were measured at a room temperature of 20℃. LST was conducted to compare GUA and XAN (concentration, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 3.0%) at temperatures of 20℃ and 35℃. RESULTS: The viscosities of 1% GUA and XAN were similar. However, viscosity differences between GUA and XAN were gradually larger as concentration increased. The shear thinning effect, the inverse relationship between the viscosity and the shear rate, was more predominant in XAN than in GUA. The results of LST were not substantially different from GUA and XAN, in spite of the difference in viscosity. However manufacturers' instructions do not demonstrate the rheological properties of thickeners. CONCLUSION: The viscosities of thickened fluid were different when the measurement conditions changed. Any single measurement might not be sufficient to determine comparable viscosity with different thickeners. Clinical decision for the use of a specific thickener seems to necessitate cautious consideration of results from a viscometer, LST, and an expert's opinion.

Phase II study of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with irinotecan plus S-1 in locally advanced rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative radiation therapy combined with S-1 and irinotecan (SI) in LARC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were considered LARC if they had a T3/T4 lesion or node positive. Weekly doses of 40 mg/m(2) irinotecan were intravenously administered once per week during weeks 1-5 of radiotherapy. S-1 (70 mg/m(2)) was given from Monday to Friday in all weeks of radiotherapy. 3-D conformal radiotherapy was given at daily fractions of 1.8Gy for 5days for a total dose of 50.4 (45+5.4)Gy. Surgery was performed 4-6 weeks following the completion of chemoradiation. RESULTS: Between June 2006 and November 2007, 43 pts were enrolled. The stage was: cT3 24 patients, cT4 6 patients; 28 patients were cN+. Forty-one patients completed the chemoradiation and 42 patients underwent operation: a low anterior resection was performed in 36 patients, a total colectomy in 1 patient, and an abdominal perineal resection in 5 patients. T downstaging was observed in 50%; 23 N+ patients became N- (55%). The complete pathological response was observed in 9 patients (21%). The 3-year locoregional failure rate, distant failure rate, disease-free survival, and overall survival were 9.5%, 18.6%, 72.1%, and 94.3%, respectively. Only three patients experienced G3 diarrhea; one had G3 sepsis and two had septic shock. Hematological toxicity (G3-G4) was observed in five patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the efficacy of preoperative CRT with S-1 and irinotecan with 21% of complete response. However, prompt recognition and management of infection is needed to use it in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

An obstructing large schwannoma in the esophagus.

Esophageal schwannoma is very rare neoplasm, which is difficult to diagnose by endoscopy or radiologic evaluations. The diagnosis is not confirmed until immunohistochemical tests are performed after a surgeon has resected the lesion. We present the case of a 65-year-old male patient with an esophageal schwannoma having a palpable neck mass and severe dysphagia. The postoperative pathological findings revealed a strong immunoactivity to S-100 protein but negative activity to smooth muscle actin and C-kit. These results support the characteristics of schwannoma in the tumor.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas-report of two cases.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is a rare pathologic entity. Although the role of laparoscopy in surgery of the pancreas is still controversial, the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has been reported with good results. We present two cases of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in female patients of incidentally found pancreatic solid pseudopapapillary neoplasm, with review of disease and technical aspect. They underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with and without preservation of splenic vessels and spleen respectively. We used four trocars with the patients' posture in strict right lateral decubitus. The operating time was 180 and 240 minutes respectively. There were no critical postoperative complications. The postoperative hospital stay was 10 and 7 days respectively. This minimal invasive surgery can be safely applied to benign or low-grade malignant tumor of the pancreas especially in young and female patients.

Long-term survival after surgical resection for liver metastasis from gastric cancer: two case reports.

Surgical resection of colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver results in a 5-year survival rate of around 40%. Liver metastasis from other cancers such as neuroendocrine carcinoma and genitourinary tumors are also treated effectively with combined liver resection. However, hepatic metastasectomy for liver tumor from gastric cancer hasn't been considered as a standard treatment, and the benefit for this treatment has not been established. We report here on two cases of gastrectomy and combined liver resection for synchronous liver metastasis without any evidence of other metastatic lesions, and these two patients have survived for more than 7 years without evidence of disease recurrence. In conclusion, for patients with hepatic metastasis from gastric cancer, combined surgical resection of the liver metastasis should be considered as a treatment option when metastasis to other sites can be excluded.

[A case of Crohn's disease with iliac arterio-enteric fistulae].

Arterioenteric fistula is rare but can cause life-threatening bleeding. A case of Crohn's disease with severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by iliac arterioenteric fistula is presented. A 36-year-old male with Crohn's disease was admitted because of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding, which required transfusion of 16 units of packed RBCs over 2 days. Radioisotope RBC scan revealed intestinal bleeding directly from the right iliac artery. Emergent operation confirmed iliac arterioenteric fistulae with active bleeding, There was no further intestinal bleeding after surgery. Remission had been maintained for 3 years with mesalazine.