Momordica Grosvenori Shell-Derived Porous Carbon Materials for High-Efficiency Symmetric Supercapacitors.

Porous carbon materials derived from waste biomass have received broad interest in supercapacitor research due to their high specific surface area, good electrical conductivity, and excellent electrochemical performance. In this work, Momordica grosvenori shell-derived porous carbons (MGCs) were synthesized by high-temperature carbonization and subsequent activation by potassium hydroxide (KOH). As a supercapacitor electrode, the optimized MGCs-2 sample exhibits superior electrochemical performance. For example, a high specific capacitance of 367 F∙g-1 is achieved at 0.5 A∙g-1. Even at 20 A∙g-1, more than 260 F∙g-1 can be retained. Moreover, it also reveals favorable cycling stability (more than 96% of capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles at 5 A∙g-1). These results demonstrate that porous carbon materials derived from Momordica grosvenori shells are one of the most promising electrode candidate materials for practical use in the fields of electrochemical energy storage and conversion.

Hydrolytic dehydrogenation of NH3BH3 catalyzed by ruthenium nanoparticles supported on magnesium-aluminum layered double-hydroxides.

Ammonia borane (AB, NH3BH3) with extremely high hydrogen content (19.6 wt%) is considered to be one of the most promising chemical hydrides for storing hydrogen. According to the starting materials of AB and H2O, a hydrogen capacity of 7.8 wt% is achieved for the AB hydrolytic dehydrogenation system with the presence of a highly efficient catalyst. In this work, ruthenium nanoparticles supported on magnesium-aluminum layered double hydroxides (Ru/MgAl-LDHs) were successfully synthesized via a simple method, i.e., chemical reduction. The effect of Mg/Al molar ratios in MgAl-LDHs on the catalytic performance for AB hydrolytic dehydrogenation was systematically investigated. Catalyzed by the as-synthesized Ru/Mg1Al1-LDHs catalyst, it took about 130 s at room temperature to complete the hydrolysis reaction of AB, which achieved a rate of hydrogen production of about 740 ml s-1 g-1. Furthermore, a relatively high activity (TOF = 137.1 molH2 molRu -1 min-1), low activation energy (E a = 30.8 kJ mol-1) and fairly good recyclability of the Ru/Mg1Al1-LDHs catalyst in ten cycles were achieved toward AB hydrolysis for hydrogen generation. More importantly, the mechanism of AB hydrolysis catalyzed by Ru/MgAl-LDHs was simulated via density functional theory. The facile preparation and high catalytic performance of Ru/MgAl-LDHs make it an efficient catalyst for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB.

Effects of Alkali Metal (Li, Na, and K) Incorporation in NH2⁻MIL125(Ti) on the Performance of CO2 Adsorption.

A series of titanium-based, metal⁻organic framework (MOF) materials, xM@NH2-MIL125(Ti) (x is the alkali metal loading percentage during the synthesis; M = Li, Na, K), have been synthesized solvothermally. Alkali metal doping in the NH2⁻MIL125(Ti) in situ solvothermal process demonstrated a vital modification of the material structure and surface morphology for the CO2 adsorption capacity at ambient conditions. By changing the reactants' precursor, including different kinds of alkali metal, the morphology of xM@NH2⁻MIL125(Ti) can be adjusted from a tetragonal plate through a circular plate to a truncated octahedron. The variation of the alkali metal loading results in substantial differences in the CO2 adsorption. The properties of xM@NH2⁻MIL125(Ti) were evaluated via functional group coordination using FT-IR, phase identification based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface morphology through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as N2 and CO2 adsorption by physical gas adsorption analysis. This work reveals a new pathway to the modification of MOF materials for high-efficiency CO2 adsorption.

Rational Design of Co(II) Dominant and Oxygen Vacancy Defective CuCo2O4@CQDs Hollow Spheres for Enhanced Overall Water Splitting and Supercapacitor Performance.

The hierarchical CuCo2O4@carbon quantum dots (CQDs) hollow microspheres constructed by 1D porous nanowires have been successfully prepared through a simple CQDs-induced hydrothermal self-assembly technique. XPS analysis shows the CuCo2O4@CQDs possesses the Co(II)-rich surface associated with the oxygen vacancies, which can effectively boost the Faradaic reactions and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. For example, the as-synthesized 3D porous CuCo2O4@CQDs electrode exhibits high activity toward overall electrochemical water splitting, for example, an overpotential of 290 mV for OER and 331 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media have been achieved at 10 mA cm-2, respectively. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) (CuCo2O4@CQDs//CNTs) delivers a high energy density of 45.9 Wh kg-1 at 763.4 W kg-1, as well as good cycling ability. The synergy of Co(II)-rich surface, oxygen vacancies, and well-defined 3D hollow structures facilitates the subsequent surface electrochemical reactions. This work presents a facile method to fabricate energetic nanocomposites with highly reactive, durable, and universal functionalities.

Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for dumbbell-shaped hypoglossal schwannomas: Two cases of long-term follow-up and a review of the literature.

Cases of hypoglossal schwannoma are extremely rare. Historically, microsurgical resection has been the standard treatment, but it may not always be feasible; thus, it is crucial to investigate alternative treatments. We herein present the cases of two patients, both of whom presented with tongue deviation and hemiatrophy, accompanied by headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a dumbbell-shaped tumor originating from the hypoglossal nerve that was adjacent to the cranial base in each patient. Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy was used to treat the tumors, with a total dose of 30 Gy in 3-Gy fractions delivered to the planning target volume. Several months later, the tumors had significantly decreased in size and the symptoms of the two patients had gradually improved.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of lung cancer with a giant left atrial tumor thrombus: A case report and literature review.

Lung cancer presenting with a giant atrial tumor thrombus is particularly rare. Surgical resection, aided by a cardiopulmonary bypass, is the standard treatment of choice if there is no distant metastasis. However, this form of surgery carries a high risk, with the subsequent patient prognosis being extremely poor. The current study describes the case of a 52-year-old man presenting with left lung squamous cell carcinoma that had extended into the left atrium. The patient was treated with stereotactic radiotherapy, and regarding the atrial disease, a complete response was achieved within 12 months. The present case demonstrates that stereotactic radiotherapy may be a beneficial palliative treatment for patients with stage IV lung cancer invading the left atrium.

Enhancement of the initial hydrogenation of Mg by ball milling with alkali metal amides MNH2 (M = Li or Na).

The introduction of 4 wt% of MNH2 (M = Li, Na) and other additives (Li, MgH2, NaCl, and NaBr) into pure Mg by ball milling greatly enhances the first hydrogenation (activation). Under 2 MPa of H2 at 608 K, the best activation performance is achieved with the NaNH2 additive.

[Analysis of the changes of blood glucose after radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer patients associated with diabetes mellitus and their related factors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of blood glucose in pancreatic cancer patients associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) after radiotherapy and analyze the related factors. METHODS: Clinical data of 69 cases of stage I to III pancreatic carcinoma associated with DM were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into four groups according to the history of DM, and the clinical characteristics and blood glucose changes after stereotactic radiotherapy were analyzed. The correlation between blood glucose and serum tumor markers was analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in clinical characteristics of the four groups. The history of DM <12 months accounted for 39.1% of the pancreatic cancer patients, much more higher than that of patients with a longer disease course. After radiotherapy, the blood glucose changes were not significantly different between the two groups with DM history <12 months and 12-24 months (P = 0.519), but there were significant differences between the patients with DM history <12 months and those with DM history 25-36 months and >36 months (P < 0.05 for both). After radiotherapy, CA199/CEA was reduced and blood glucose was also improved in the patients with DM history <12 months and 12-24 months, and the reduction of CA199/CEA showed a significant positive correlation with the improvement of blood glucose (r = 0.834 and r = 0.660, P < 0.01 for both), however, no significant correlation was found between the two parameters in patients with DM history 25-36 months and >36 months (r = 0.319 and r = 0.439, P > 0.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia in diabetic patients with a disease course <24 months might be a clinical manifestation secondarily developed in pancreatic cancer patients. Therefore, patients with new onset diabetes should be closely followed-up for early detection of pancreatic cancer.

Significantly enhanced dehydrogenation properties of calcium borohydride combined with urea.

The interaction of [BH(x)]- and [NH(x)]-containing species gives rise to molecular hydrogen and the establishment of the B-N bond. Up to now, metal amides and ammonia are the commonly used [NH(x)] sources. Herein, urea, an organic carbonyl diamide, was used to react with Ca(BH4)2. A new type of complex hydride Ca(BH4)2·4CO(NH2)2 was synthesized with release of ca. 5.2 wt% hydrogen below 250 °C.

Bienzymatic glucose biosensor based on direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c on gold nanoparticles/polyaniline nanospheres composite.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) assembled polyaniline nanospheres (PANS) composite were prepared by noncovalent strategy. Cytochrome c (Cyt c) was electrostatically adsorbed on the GNPs/PANS modified electrode. The direct electron transfer (DET) between Cyt c and GNPs/PANS modified electrode was investigated. Cyt c shows a couple of quasi-reversible and well-defined cyclic voltammetry (CV) peaks with a formal potential (E(0')) of -0.27 V (versus Ag/AgCl) in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The Cyt c/GNPs/PANS modified electrode gives an improved electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The catalysis currents increase linearly to the H2O2 concentration in a wide range of 0.01-2.4 mM with a correlation coefficient 0.998. After immobilized glucose oxidase (GOD) on the Cyt c/GNPs/PANS modified electrode by Nafion polymer, a bienzymatic glucose biosensor was further prepared for sensitive detection of glucose. The amperometric detection of glucose was assayed by potentiostating the bienzymatic electrode at -0.2 V versus Ag/AgCl to reduce the enzymatically produced H2O2 with minimal interference from the coexisting electroactive compounds. The proposed glucose biosensor exhibits good response performance to glucose with a wide linear range from 0.01 to 3.2mM with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The electrode has high sensitivity of 63.1 µA mM(-1)cm(-2) and a detection limit 0.01 mM at the signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Moreover, the glucose biosensor possesses good stability and reproducibility.

[The role of PET-CT in evaluation of recurrence and metastasis of head-and-neck tumor after definitive treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the significance of 8F-FDG PET-CT in the diagnosis of the recurrence and metastasis of head-and-neck tumor after definitive treatment. METHOD: Forty-two patients having received definitive treatment for head-and-neck tumor of whom the tumor could not be identified clinically underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT examination. Follow-up data could be obtained for all foci identified on PET-CT images. PET-CT and CT accuracy was compared on the basis of follow-up and histopathologic findings. RESULT: A total of 103 foci were noted on PET-CT images. Identified by follow-up data, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 92.55%, 42.11% and 84.07% respectively for CT examination, and 100.00%, 52.63%, and 92.04% for PET-CT respectively. The sensitivity and accuracy of PET-CT were significantly higher than those of CT (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), whereas the difference in specificity between the results of these two groups was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The major benefits of FDG PET were that it differentiates scar and relapse, as well as detects LN and distant metastasis. Detailed clinical information and inclusion of results of morphological diagnostics are prerequisites for PET-CT final image interpretation, while scans should not be performed less than 6 weeks after definitive treatment.