Study on the Fracture Toughness of Softwood and Hardwood Estimated by Boundary Effect Model.

The tensile strength and fracture toughness of softwood and hardwood are measured by the Boundary Effect Model (BEM). The experimental results of single-edge notched three-point bending tests indicate that the BEM is an appropriate method to estimate the fracture toughness of the present fibrous and porous woods. In softwood with alternating earlywood and latewood layers, the variation in the volume percentage of different layers in a small range has no obvious influence on the mechanical properties of the materials. In contrast, the hardwood presents much higher tensile strength and fracture toughness simultaneously due to its complicated structure with crossed arrangement of the fibers and rays and big vessels diffused in the fibers. The present research findings are expected to provide a fundamental insight into the design of high-performance bionic materials with a highly fibrous and porous structure.

Improving the HCHO Sensing Selectivity on Ag-Doped Graphene by Oxygen Functionalization: A First-Principles Study.

Graphene-based sensors typically fail in the selectivity of target gas detection when exposed to complex and multicompound atmospheres. We have thoroughly compared the adsorptions of various interfering gases (CO, NH3, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, CH3OH, and CH3Cl) with target HCHO on AgG and AgOG by first-principles simulations. The results demonstrate that AgG shows a poor selectivity for HCHO detection and an oxygen functionalized one can improve the selectivity by enhancing the adsorption strength of HCHO and weakening those of other gas molecules. Moreover, the sensing properties of the AgOG sensors are evaluated by the NEGF method, and the predicted HCHO sensing responses are 76 and 32% along the armchair and zigzag directions, respectively. The present work helps shed some light on designing graphene-based sensing materials with high selectivity.

Stress and Defect Effects on Electron Transport Properties at SnO2/Perovskite Interfaces: A First-Principles Insight.

The structural and electronic properties of interfaces play an important role in the stability and functionality of solar cell devices. Experiments indicate that the SnO2/perovskite interfaces always show superior electron transport efficiency and high structural stability even though there exists a larger lattice mismatch. Aiming at solving the puzzles, we have performed density-functional theory calculations to investigate the electronic characteristics of the SnO2/perovskite interfaces with various stresses and defects. The results prove that the PbI2/SnO2 interfaces have better structural stability and superior characteristics for the electron transport. The tensile stress could move the conduction band minimum (CBM) of CH3NH3PbI3 upward, while the compressive stress could move the CBM of SnO2 downward. By taking into account the stress effect, the CBM offset is 0.07 eV at the PbI2/SnO2 interface and 0.28 eV at the MAI/SnO2 interface. Moreover, our calculations classify VI and Ii at the PbI2/SnO2 interface and Sn-I, Ii and Sni at the MAI/SnO2 interface as harmful defects. The Ii defects are the most easily formed harmful defects and should be avoided at both interfaces. The calculated results are in agreement with the available experimental observations. The present work provides a theoretical basis for improving the stability and photovoltaic performance of the perovskite solar cells.

Distinctive Impact of Heat Treatment on the Mechanical Behavior of Nacreous and Crossed-Lamellar Structures in Biological Shells: Critical Role of Organic Matrix.

As biological ceramic composites, mollusk shells exhibit an excellent strength-toughness combination that should be dependent on aragonite/organic matrix interfaces. The mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms of the nacreous structure in the Cristaria plicata (C. plicata) shell and crossed-lamellar structures in the Cymbiola nobilis (C. nobilis) shell were investigated, focusing on the critical role of the organic matrix/aragonite interface bonding that can be adjusted by heat treatments. It is found that heat treatments have a negative impact on the fracture behavior of the nacreous structure in the C. plicata shell, and both the bending and shear properties decrease with increasing heat-treatment temperature because of the loss of water and organic matrix. In contrast, for the crossed-lamellar structure in C. nobilis shell, the water loss in heat treatment slightly decreases its bending properties. When the organic matrix is melted after an appropriate heat treatment at 300°C for 15 min, its bending properties can be greatly enhanced; in this case, remarkable toughening mechanisms involving crack deflection and the fiber pull-out are exhibited, although the interfacial bonding strength reduces. Therefore, an appropriate heat treatment would bring about a positive impact on the fracture behavior of crossed-lamellar structure in the C. nobilis shell. The major research findings have provided an important inspiration that the inducement of moderately weak interfaces rather than all strong interfaces might enhance the comprehensive mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced ceramic composites.

An Ingenious Microstructure Arrangement in Deep-Sea Nautilus Shell against the Harsh Environment.

Mollusk shells generally consist of several macro-layers with different microstructures. To explore the specific role that different macro-layers play in the overall mechanical properties of shells, the microstructures, hardness distribution, and three-point bending behavior in the deep-sea Nautilus shell were investigated. It is found that the shell presents a hierarchical structure comprising three layers in thickness, that is, the outer, middle, and inner layers, which exhibit homogeneous, prismatic, and nacreous structures, respectively. Among them, the homogeneous structure in the outer layer is harder, which is beneficial for the shell to enhance resistance to wear and perforation. Furthermore, both the bending strength and fracture energy for group Up (loading from outer to inner surfaces) are far higher than those for group Down (loading from inner to outer surfaces), indicating that the inner nacreous layer is not only stronger but also tougher. Cracks tend to deflect at the interfaces in nacreous structure, and nacreous structure is thereby more resistant to breakage. Hence, the nacreous structure in the inner layer could protect the shell from breaking catastrophically in the deep sea with high pressure. In brief, the combination of a harder outside layer and a tougher inside layer provides an effective protective structure for the deep-sea shell, and the excellent environment adaptability of Nautilus shell can thus be interpreted in terms of its ingenious microstructure arrangement.

Metal/Carboxylate-Induced Versatile Structures of Nine 0D → 3D Complexes with Different Fluorescent and Electrochemical Behaviors.

To investigate the effect of the polycarboxylates and metal ions on the assembly and structures of complexes based on a thiophene-containing bis-pyridyl-bis-amide N,N'-bis(pyridine-3-yl)thiophene-2,5-dicarboxamide (3-bptpa) ligand, nine 0D → 3D complexes of [Ni2(3-bptpa)4(1,2-BDC)2(H2O)2] (1), [Ni(3-bptpa)(IP)(H2O)2]·H2O (2), [Ni(3-bptpa)(5-MIP)(H2O)2]·H2O (3), [Ni(3-bptpa)(5-NIP)(H2O)] (4), [Ni(3-bptpa)(5-AIP)]·2H2O (5), [Ni2(OH)(3-bptpa)(1,3,5-BTC)]·DMA·5H2O (6), [Cu(3-bptpa)(5-MIP)]·3H2O (7), [Cu(3-bptpa)(5-AIP)(H2O)0.25]·H2O (8), and [Cu(3-bptpa)(1,3,5-HBTC)] (9) (1,2-H2BDC = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H2IP = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 5-H2MIP = 5-methylisophthalic acid, 5-H2NIP = 5-nitroisophthalic acid, 5-H2AIP = 5-aminoisophthalic acid, DMA = N,N'-dimethylacetamide, and 1,3,5-H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) have been hydrothermally/solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by IR, thermogravimetric, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is a zero-dimensional (0D) bimetallic complex. Complexes 2 and 3 feature two similar one-dimensional ladderlike structures. Complex 4 displays a two-dimensional (2D) 4-connected network based on single-metallic nodes. Complex 5 shows a 2D double-layer structure containing a pair of 63 [Ni(5-AIP)] honeycomblike sheets. Complex 6 is a 3,5-connected three-dimensional (3D) framework derived from bimetallic nodes and 63 [Ni2(OH)(1,3,5-BTC)] honeycomblike sheets. Complex 7 displays a 2D 4-connected grid based on bimetallic nodes. Complex 8 features a 2D double-layer structure based on two 4-connected [Cu(3-bptpa)(5-AIP)] sheets and bridging coordinated water molecules. Complex 9 is a 2D structure extended by incomplete deprotonation of 1,3,5-HBTC and 3-bptpa linkers. The effect of the metal ions and polycarboxylates on the structures of the title complexes was discussed, and the fluorescent properties of 1-9 were investigated. The carbon paste electrodes bulk-modified by complexes 3, 5, and 6-9 show different electrocatalytic activities for the oxidation of ascorbic acid as well as the reduction of hydrogen peroxide, nitrites, and bromates.

Tumor suppressor BLU exerts growth inhibition by blocking ERK signaling and disrupting cell cycle progression through RAS pathway interference.

We have previously reported that the 3p21 tumor suppressor BLU regulates cell cycle by blocking JNK/MAPK signaling. Another member of the MAPK family, extracellular signal response kinase (ERK), is induced by the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway and is targeted in anticancer therapy. The effects of BLU on tumor growth were evaluated by measuring the size of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) xenografted tumors intra-tumorally injected with BLU adenovirus 5 (BLU Ad5) and the viability of NPC cells transferred with BLU. Tumor size was correlated with downregulation of the ERK pathway by BLU. Phosphorylation of ERK and Elk reporter activities were assayed. The regulated cyclins D1 and B1 were measured by CCND1 and CCNB1 gene promoter activity by co-transfection of BLU, RAS V12G, together with BLU+RAS V12G, pCD316+RAS V12G. The cell cycle phase distribution was determined by FACS-based DNA content assay. The data showed that growth of the xenografted tumor was inhibited and viability of HONE-1 cells was reduced by recombinant BLU. BLU down-regulated ERK signaling by reducing protein substrate phosphorylation, inhibiting Elk reporter activity, and blocking promoter activities of the CCND1 gene and reduced cyclins D1 expression to arrest the cell cycle at the G1 phase. The population of G2/M cells was also remarkably decreased. HRAS V12G activated ERK and cyclin D1 and B1 promoters, and the effects were antagonized by BLU. Taken together, our results suggested that BLU inhibited ERK signaling, downregulated cyclins D1 and B1, and prevented cell cycle progression through interfering with HRAS V12G signaling to exert tumor suppression.

[Mechanism of colon cancer cell apoptosis induced by telocinobufagin: role of oxidative stress and apoptosis pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of telocinobufagin on viability and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and explore the mechanism of telocinobufagin-induced apoptosis. METHODS: MTT assay was performed to detect the viability of CRC cells exposed to telocinobufagin. Nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342 and flow cytometry were used to analyze the cell death of CRC cells. Expressions of proteins related with cell apoptosis and oxidative stress were determined with Western blotting. RESULTS: Telocinobufagin decreased the viability of CRC cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The presence of karyopycnosis and apoptotic bodies together with the results of flow cytometry suggested that telocinobufagin induced cell apoptosis to cause cell death. Western blotting showed that telocinobufagin exposure of the cells resulted in upregulated p53 and Bax protein expressions and promoted cleavage of caspase 9 and PARP. Telocinobufagin induced phosphorylation of Bad and PARP cleavage, and suppressed phosphorylation of IKBα and TAK1 and expression of survivin in the cells. CONCLUSION: Telocinobufagin can decrease the viability of CRC cells by inducing cell apoptosis, which involves p53-mediated Bax activation and inhibition of the IAP pathway.

Adjuvant sorafenib after heptectomy for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-stage C hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of adjuvant sorafenib after curative resection for patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-stage C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Thirty-four HCC patients, classified as BCLC-stage C, received adjuvant sorafenib for high-risk of tumor recurrence after curative hepatectomy at a tertiary care university hospital. The study group was compared with a case-matched control group of 68 patients who received curative hepatectomy for HCC during the study period in a 1:2 ratio. RESULTS: The tumor recurrence rate was markedly lower in the sorafenib group (15/34, 44.1%) than in the control group (51/68, 75%, P = 0.002). The median disease-free survival was 12 mo in the study group and 10 mo in the control group. Tumor number more than 3, macrovascular invasion, hilar lymph nodes metastasis, and treatment with sorafenib were significant factors of disease-free survival by univariate analysis. Tumor number more than 3 and treatment with sorafenib were significant risk factors of disease-free survival by multivariate analysis in the Cox proportional hazards model. The disease-free survival and cumulative overall survival in the study group were significantly better than in the control group (P = 0.034 and 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study verifies the potential benefit and safety of adjuvant sorafenib for both decreasing HCC recurrence and extending disease-free and overall survival rates for patients with BCLC-stage C HCC after curative resection.

Fatigue and Fracture Behavior of a Cold-Drawn Commercially Pure Aluminum Wire.

Fatigue properties and cracking behavior of cold-drawn commercially pure aluminum wires (CPAWs) widely used as the overhead transmission conductors were investigated. It was found that the fracture surface of the CPAWs shows an obvious four-stage fracture characteristic, i.e., crack initiation, planar crack propagation, 45°-inclined crack propagation and final rapid fracture. The crack growth mechanisms for the CPAWs were found quite different from those for the conventional coarse-grained materials. The cracks in the CPAWs firstly grow along the grain boundaries (Stage I crack growth), and then grow along the plane of maximum shear stress during the last stage of cycling (Stage II crack growth), leading to the distinctive fracture surfaces, i.e., the granular surface in the planar crack propagation region and the coarse fatigue striations in the 45°-inclined crack propagation region. The grain boundary migration was observed in the fatigued CPAWs. The increase in fatigue load enhances the dislocation recovery, increases the grain boundary migration rate, and thus promotes the occurrence of softening and damage localization up to the final failure.

Efficiency and safety of radiofrequency-assisted hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis: A single-center retrospective cohort study.

AIM: To assess the efficiency and safety of radiofrequency-assisted hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2013, 179 patients with HCC and cirrhosis were recruited for this retrospective study. Of these, 100 patients who received radiofrequency-assisted hepatectomy (RF+ group) were compared to 79 patients who had hepatectomy without ablation (RF- group). The primary endpoint was intraoperative blood loss. The secondary endpoints included liver function, postoperative complications, mortality, and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: The characteristics of the two groups were closely matched. The Pringle maneuver was not used in the RF+ group. There was significantly less median intraoperative blood loss in the RF+ group (300 vs 400 mL, P = 0.01). On postoperative days (POD) 1 and 5, median alanine aminotransferase was significantly higher in the RF+ group than in the RF- group (POD 1: 348.5 vs 245.5, P = 0.01; POD 5: 112 vs 82.5, P = 0.00), but there was no significant difference between the two groups on POD 3 (260 vs 220, P = 0.24). The median AST was significantly higher in the RF+ group on POD 1 (446 vs 268, P = 0.00), but there was no significant difference between the two groups on POD 3 and 5 (POD 3: 129.5 vs 125, P = 0.65; POD 5: 52.5 vs 50, P = 0.10). Overall, the rate of postoperative complications was roughly the same in these two groups (28.0% vs 17.7%, P = 0.11) except that post hepatectomy liver failure was far more common in the RF+ group than in the RF- group (6% vs 0%, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency-assisted hepatectomy can reduce intraoperative blood loss during liver resection effectively. However, this method should be used with caution in patients with concomitant cirrhosis because it may cause severe liver damage and liver failure.

Application of Joint Detection of AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA in Identification and Diagnosis of Cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application of joint detection of serum AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA in identification and diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The levels of serum AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA of both 30 patients with CC and 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic effects of single and joint detection of those 4 kinds of tumor markers for CC. RESULTS: The levels of serum CA19-9, CA125 and CEA in CC patients were higher than that in HCC patients,whereas that of serum AFP was significantly lower s. The area under ROC curve of single detection of serum AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA were 0.05, 0.86, 0.84 and 0.83, with the optimal cutoff values of 15.4 ng/ml, 125.1 U/ml, 95.7 U/ml and 25.9 ng/ml, correspondingly, and the percentage correct single diagnosis was <79%. With joint detection, the diagnostic effect of combined AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA was the highest, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.94 (95%CI 0.88~0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Single detection of serum CA19-9, CA125 and EA is not meaningful. The sensitivity, specificity, the rate of correct diagnosis and the area under ROC curve of joint detection of AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA are highest, indicating that the joint detection of these 4 tumor markers is of great importance in the diagnosis of CC.

Coexpression of MYC and BCL-2 predicts prognosis in primary gastrointestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

AIM: To investigate whether MYC and BCL-2 coexpression has prognostic significance in primary gastrointestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PGI-DLBCL) patients, and explore its associations with patients' clinical parameters. METHODS: Fresh and paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples from 60 PGI-DLBCL patients who had undergone surgery at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2005 to May 2010 were obtained, and 30 lymphoid tissue samples from reactive lymph nodes of age- and sex-matched patients represented control samples. Staging and diagnostic procedures were conducted according to the Lugano staging system. All patients had been treated with three therapeutic modalities: surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Expression of MYC and BCL-2 were detected at both protein and mRNA levels by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Positive expression levels of MYC and BCL-2 proteins were detected in 35% and 45% of patients, respectively. MYC+/BCL-2+ protein was present in 30% of patients. MYC and BCL-2 protein levels were correlated with high MYC and BCL-2 mRNA expression, respectively (both P<0.05). We found that advanced-stage disease (at IIE-IV) was associated with MYC and BCL-2 coexpression levels (P<0.05). In addition, MYC+/BCL-2+ patients had more difficulty in achieving complete remission than others (P<0.05). Presence of MYC protein expression only affected overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) when BCL-2 protein was coexpressed. The adverse prognostic impact of MYC+/BCL-2+ protein on PFS remained significant (P<0.05) even after adjusting for age, Lugano stage, international prognostic index, and BCL-2 protein expression in a multivariable model. CONCLUSION: MYC+/BCL-2+ patients have worse chemotherapy response and poorer prognosis than patients who only express one of the two proteins, suggesting that assessment of MYC and BCL-2 expression by immunohistochemistry has clinical significance in predicting clinical outcomes of PGI-DLBCL patients.

Expression of Lamininγ2 in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tissues and its influence on tumor invasion and metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of lamininγ2 in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) tissues and its influence on tumor invasion and metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin embedding samples of cancer, para-cancer, lymph node metastatic and hepatic metastatic tissues from 79 patients undergoing EHCC resection were collected. Expression of lamininγ2 was detected by immunohistochemistry and its relationship with clinical pathological characteristics and the prognosis of EHCC patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Lamininγ2 showed negative staining in para-cancer tissues, but demonstrated a 51.9% (41/79) positive expression rate in extracellular matrix (ECM) or cytoplasm of EHCC tissues. In lymph node metastatic and distant metastatic nidi, expression of lamininγ2 was significantly higher than in the primary nidi (χ2=7.4173, P=0.0065; χ2=4.0077, P=0.0453). The expression was in obvious association with lymph node metastasis (P<0.01), but had no relevance with age, gender, tumor location, tumor stage, differentiation and distant metastasis in ECM (P>0.05), whereas it was in marked connection with lymph node and distant metastasis (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but had no relationship with age, gender, tumor location, tumor stage and differentiation in cytoplasm (P>0.05). However, the median survival time and median recurrent period of patients with positive expression of lamininγ2 in both cytoplasm and ECM of tumor cells, only in ECM and only in cytoplasm, were evidently lower than with negative expression of lamininγ2 in RCM and cytoplasm (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Further Cox regression analysis showed that the positive expression of lamininγ2 and the tumor differentiation were independent risk factors influencing the prognosis of EHCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal expression of lamininγ2 may be closely associated with invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, and thus a potential molecular marker for prognosis of EHCC patients.

Three-Point Bending Fracture Behavior of Single Oriented Crossed-Lamellar Structure in Scapharca broughtonii Shell.

The three-point bending strength and fracture behavior of single oriented crossed-lamellar structure in Scapharca broughtonii shell were investigated. The samples for bending tests were prepared with two different orientations perpendicular and parallel to the radial ribs of the shell, which corresponds to the tiled and stacked directions of the first-order lamellae, respectively. The bending strength in the tiled direction is approximately 60% higher than that in the stacked direction, primarily because the regularly staggered arrangement of the second-order lamellae in the tiled direction can effectively hinder the crack propagation, whereas the cracks can easily propagate along the interfaces between lamellae in the stacked direction.

Preparation and mechanical property of a novel 3D porous magnesium scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Porous magnesium has been recently recognized as a biodegradable metal for bone substitute applications. A novel porous Mg scaffold with three-dimensional (3D) interconnected pores and with a porosity of 33-54% was produced by the fiber deposition hot pressing (FDHP) technology. The microstructure and morphologies of the porous Mg scaffold were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the effects of porosities on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the porous Mg were investigated. Experimental results indicate that the measured Young's modulus and compressive strength of the Mg scaffold are ranged in 0.10-0.37 GPa, and 11.1-30.3 MPa, respectively, which are fairly comparable to those of cancellous bone. Such a porous Mg scaffold having a 3D interconnected network structure has the potential to be used in bone tissue engineering.

Detailed analysis of temporal features on contrast enhanced ultrasound may help differentiate intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma from hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis.

AIM: To verify if detailed analysis of temporal enhancement patterns on contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may help differentiate intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis. METHODS: Thirty three ICC and fifty HCC in cirrhosis were enrolled in this study. The contrast kinetics of ICC and HCC was analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Statistical analysis did not reveal significant difference between ICC and HCC in the time of contrast first appearance and arterial peak maximum time. ICC displayed much earlier washout than that of HCC (47.93±26.45 seconds vs 90.86±31.26 seconds) in the portal phase, and most ICC (87.9%) showed washout before 60 seconds than HCC (16.0%). Much more ICC (78.8%) revealed marked washout than HCC (12.0%) while most HCC (88.0%) showed mild washout or no washout in late part of the portal phase (90-120 seconds). Twenty six out of thirty three ICC (78.8%) demonstrated both early washout(<60 seconds) and marked washout in late part of the portal phase, whereas, only six of fifty HCC (12.0%)showed these temporal enhancement features (p = 0.000).When both early washout and marked washout in the portal phase are taken as diagnostic criterion for ICC, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 78.8%,88.0%,81.3%,86.3%,and 84.3% respectively by CEUS. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of detailed temporal enhancement features on CEUS is helpful differentiate ICC from HCC in cirrhosis.If a nodule in cirrhotic liver displays hyper-enhancement in the arterial phase followed by early and marked washout in the portal phase, the nodule is highly suspicious of ICC rather than HCC.

Preparation and characterizations of bioglass ceramic cement/Ca-P coating on pure magnesium for biomedical applications.

Magnesium has been recently recognized as a biodegradable metal for bone substitute applications. In order to improve the biocompatibility and osteointegration of pure Mg, two kinds of coatings, i.e., the Ca-P coating and bioglass ceramic cement (BGCC)/Ca-P coating, were prepared on the pure Mg ribbons in the present work. The Ca-P coating was obtained by aqueous solution method. Subsequently, Ca-P coated Mg was immersed into the BGCC slurry, which was prepared by the mix of SiO2-CaO-P2O5 bioglass ceramic (BGC) powders and phosphate liquid with a liquid-to-solid ratio (L/S) of 1.6, to obtain BGCC/Ca-P coating by a dipping-pulling method. The microstructures, morphologies, and compositions of these coatings have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The effect of these coatings on the mineralization activity of pure Mg has been investigated. The results indicated that both the Ca-P coating and BGCC/Ca-P coating could promote the nucleation of osteoconductive minerals, i.e., bone-like apatite, and the hydroxyapatite (HA) layer formed on the surface of the BGCC/Ca-P coating is obviously more dense, thick, and stable than that formed on the Ca-P coating after immersion in SBF solution for 15 days. The potentiodynamic polarization test indicated that the corrosion current density of the BGCC/Ca-P coated Mg is obviously lower than that of the Ca-P coating and 10 times lower than that of uncoated Mg. These results demonstrated that the BGCC/Ca-P coating can increase significantly the corrosion resistance of Mg and introduce a high biocompatibility of the bone-Mg substrate interface. In summary, the newly developed BGCC/Ca-P coated Mg has a good potential for biomedical applications.

Dynamic enhancing vascular pattern of intrahepatic peripheral cholangiocarcinoma on contrast-enhanced ultrasound: the influence of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

PURPOSE: To analyse the dynamic enhancing features by real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of intrahepatic peripheral cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CEUS was performed by using contrast pulse sequencing (CPS) imaging with mechanical index of <0.2 after injection of 2.4 mL of contrast agent. CEUS images of histologically confirmed ICC in 54 patents (15 patents with chronic hepatitis B, 16 patents with cirrhosis, and 23 patents with normal underlying liver) were analyzed. RESULTS: Heterogeneous hyperenhancement was more frequently identified in ICC with chronic hepatitis (9 of 15, 60.0%, p = 0.000) and cirrhosis (8 of 16, 50.0%, p = 0.010) than in patients with normal liver (6 of 23, 26.1%) during arterial phase. The majority of ICC in patients with normal liver displayed peripheral hyperenhancement (13 of 23, 56.5%), than in patients with chronic hepatitis (4 of 15, 26.7%, p = 0.000) and cirrhosis (5 of 16, 31.3%, p = 0.001). Intense contrast uptake during the arterial phase (heterogeneous hyperenhancement or global hyperenhancement) followed by washout in venous phases was more frequently displayed in ICC patients with chronic hepatitis (11 of 15, 73.3%, p = 0.000) and in patients with cirrhosis (11 of 16, 68.8%, p = 0.000) than in ICC patients with normal underlying liver (8 of 23, 34.8%). CONCLUSION: The enhancing vascular pattern of ICC on CEUS in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis is different from that in ICC without underlying liver disease. The enhancing vascular pattern is indistinguishable from HCC on CEUS in most ICC patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis.

[The new technology of enhanced radiofrequency ablation is safe and effective for treating giant hepatic hemangioma].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of the enhanced radiofrequency ablation (RFA) new technology for treatment of giant hepatic hemangiomas. METHODS: From August 2010 to September 2011, 30 patients with giant hepatic hemangiomas (average diameter: 7.7+/-1.9 cm, range: 5.0 to 12.8 cm) were treated with enhanced RFA. The original lesion diameter, enhanced radiofrequency duration, and cases of RFA-induced burning were recorded. Cases requiring a second RFA treatment were also recorded. Correlation analysis was carried out to determine the association of enhanced RFA with adverse events and change in lesion diameter. RESULTS: The rate of completely destroyed lesions by enhanced RFA was 70.96%, and the total rate of reduced lesions was 87.1%. No severe adverse events occurred. The duration of enhanced radiofrequency correlated positively with the original lesion diameter (r=0.687, P less than 0.01). The enhanced RFA treatment significantly reduced the average lesion diameter (follow-up: 6.2+/-1.8 cm; t=6.417, P less than 0.01). CONCLUSION: The new minimally-invasive technology of enhanced radiofrequency ablation is effective and safe for treating giant hepatic hemangiomas and produces an obvious, short-term curative effect.