Cr-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Adsorption Property, and Recyclability

In this paper, a mild solvothermal method has been employed to successfully synthesize a series of Cr-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with different Cr³⁺ contents, which is a kind of novel and high-efficiency absorbent for the removal of acid dye methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solution. The as-prepared products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer, Emmet, and Teller (BET), and Zeta potential measurements. In accordance with the adsorption capacity of the products, the obtained optimal Cr/Zn molar ratio is 6%. The adsorption process of MO on Cr-doped ZnO was investigated by kinetics, thermodynamics, and isotherm technologies, which, respectively, indicated that the adsorption was fast (adsorption reached equilibrium in 2 h) and followed a pseudo-second-order model, that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, and that it agreed well with the Langmuir isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 310.56 mg g^–1. Moreover, a reasonable mechanism was proposed to elucidate the reasons for their adsorption behavior. In addition, a simple and low-cost chemical method was developed to separate and recycle ZnO and MO from the used adsorbent, effectively avoiding the secondary pollution. This work can not only describe efficient experimental approaches for obtaining novel adsorbents and recycling them but also offer valuable clues for the preparation and property study of other semiconductor adsorbents

Large-Scale Synthesis and Raman and Photoluminescence Properties of Single Crystalline β-SiC Nanowires Periodically Wrapped by Amorphous SiO₂ Nanospheres 2

Novel SiC/SiO2 chainlike nanostructures have been synthesized via a simple template/catalyst-free chemical vapor reaction approach using Si−SiO2 mixture powder and CH4 as raw materials at relatively low temperatures of 1250−1200 °C. Digital camera, stereoscope, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy demonstrate that large-scale blue products have been obtained on graphite substrate; the samples are composed of chainlike nanostructures having lengths up to several tens of micrometers, diameters of 20−30 nm single crystalline β-SiC nanowires, and 80−100 nm amorphous SiO2 periodic wrapping spheres, possessing [111] preferred growth direction with a high density stacking faults and twin defects. We suppose the formation of the nanostructure is induced by two-stage VS growth mechanism, especially because the defects within SiC nanowires are the critical factors for the second-stage formation of SiO2 spheres. Some unique optical properties are observed in the room-temperature Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements of the products, which may be ascribed to crystal defects and size confinement effects

Direct Growth of Ultrathin NiCo₂O₄/NiO Nanosheets on SiC Nanowires as a Free-Standing Advanced Electrode for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors

In this paper, we successfully employed SiC nanowires (SiC NWs) with splendid anticorrosion, antioxidation, heat-resistant properties, excellent conductivity, and large specific surface area directly deposited on carbon cloth (CC) as scaffolds to grow first the loose, porous and ultrathin NiCo₂O₄/NiO nanosheets (NiCo₂O₄/NiO NSs) via a facile hydrothermal technology coupled with annealing treatment to form a free-standing and stable hybrid electrode for asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC). Benefiting from the smart combination of SiC NWs and NiCo₂O₄/NiO NSs, illustrating a promising synergistic strategy, the electrode delivered an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 1801 F g^–1 at 1 mA cm^–2 as well as a remarkable rate capability of 1499 F g^–1 at 10 mA cm^–2. Furthermore, the additive-free functionalized SiC NWs@NiCo₂O₄/NiO NSs on CC acted as the positive electrode, assembled with the activated carbon (AC) on nickel foam (NF) negative electrode to fabricate an advanced ASC with intriguing electrochemical performances in terms of huge energy density (60 Wh kg^–1 at 1.66 kW kg^–1) in addition to exceptional cycling stability (90.9% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles). This novel strategy can not only further widen the application of SiC NWs-based materials but also provide new insight into the development of next-generation supercapacitors with high energy/power densities

Data_Sheet_1_Prognostic Value of Texture Analysis Based on Pretreatment DWI-Weighted MRI for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated With Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy.docx

Purpose: The purpose of the research was to assess the prognostic value of three-dimensional (3D) texture features based on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients undergoing concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CRT).Methods: We prospectively enrolled 82 patients with ESCC into a cohort study. Two DWI sequences (b = 0 and b = 600 s/mm2) were acquired along with axial T2WI and T1WI before CRT. Two groups of features were examined: (1) clinical and demographic features (e.g., TNM stage, age and sex) and (2) changes in spatial texture characteristics of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), which characterizes gray intensity changes in tumor areas, spatial pattern and distribution, and related changes caused by CRT. Reproducible feature sets without redundancy were statistically filtered and validated. The prognostic values associated with overall survival (OS) for each parameter were studied using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively.Results: Both univariate and multivariate Cox model analyses showed that the energy of intensity histogram texture (IHIST_energy), radiation dose, mean of the contrast in distance 1 of 26 directions (m_contrast_1), extreme difference of the homogeneity in distance 2 of 26 directions (Diff_homogeneity_2), mean of the inverse variance in distance 2 of 26 directions (m_lnversevariance_2), high-intensity small zone emphasis (HISE), and low-intensity large zone emphasis (LILE) were significantly associated with survival. The results showed that 6 texture parameters extracted from the ADC images before treatment could distinguish among high-, medium-, and low-risk groups (log-rank χ2 = 9.7; P = 0.00773). The biased C-index value was 0.715 (95% CI: 0.708 to 0.732) based on bootstrapping validation.Conclusions: The ADC 3D texture feature can be used as a useful biomarker to predict the survival of ESCC patients undergoing CRT. Combining ADC 3D texture features with conventional prognostic factors can generate reliable survival prediction models.</p

Additional file 1 of Online prediction for respiratory movement compensation: a patient-specific gating control for MRI-guided radiotherapy

Additional file 1. Algorithmic steps for generating adaptive gating signals

Video_1_A Novel Solution for Distal Dilation of Chronic Dissection After Repair Involving Visceral Branches: The Road Block Strategy.MP4

AimNotwithstanding that unprecedented endovascular progress has been achieved in recent years, it remains unclear what is the best strategy to preserve the blood perfusion of abdominal visceral arteries and promote positive aortic remodeling in patients with distal dilatation of chronic aortic dissection in abdominal visceral part (CADAV) after aortic repair. The present study developed a Road Block Strategy (RBS) to solve this conundrum.Methods and ResultsThis prospective single-center clinical study included patients suffering from symptomatic distal dilatation of CADAV after aortic repair treated with RBS from January 2015 to December 2019 and followed up regularly for at least 2 years. Stent grafts were implanted first to cover distal tears and expand the true lumen. Device embolization was performed to induce proximal and distal segmental false lumen thrombosis (FLT) apart from the level of the ostia of vital branches. Successful RBS was performed in 13 patients. Significant differences were found in maximum true lumen diameter (p ConclusionsOur findings suggest that RBS is feasible in treating distal dilatation of chronic aortic dissection after prior proximal repair, inducing false lumen thrombosis, preventing deterioration of aortic dissection, and maintaining the patency of abdominal visceral arteries.</p

Image_1_A Novel Solution for Distal Dilation of Chronic Dissection After Repair Involving Visceral Branches: The Road Block Strategy.tif

AimNotwithstanding that unprecedented endovascular progress has been achieved in recent years, it remains unclear what is the best strategy to preserve the blood perfusion of abdominal visceral arteries and promote positive aortic remodeling in patients with distal dilatation of chronic aortic dissection in abdominal visceral part (CADAV) after aortic repair. The present study developed a Road Block Strategy (RBS) to solve this conundrum.Methods and ResultsThis prospective single-center clinical study included patients suffering from symptomatic distal dilatation of CADAV after aortic repair treated with RBS from January 2015 to December 2019 and followed up regularly for at least 2 years. Stent grafts were implanted first to cover distal tears and expand the true lumen. Device embolization was performed to induce proximal and distal segmental false lumen thrombosis (FLT) apart from the level of the ostia of vital branches. Successful RBS was performed in 13 patients. Significant differences were found in maximum true lumen diameter (p ConclusionsOur findings suggest that RBS is feasible in treating distal dilatation of chronic aortic dissection after prior proximal repair, inducing false lumen thrombosis, preventing deterioration of aortic dissection, and maintaining the patency of abdominal visceral arteries.</p

Supplementary_material - Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation After Radiotherapy in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using the Lyman NTCP Model

Supplementary_material for Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation After Radiotherapy in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using the Lyman NTCP Model by Zhenjiang Li, Yinping Dong, Min Fan, Yong Yin, Jian Zhu, Baosheng Li and Wei Huang in Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment</p

Data_Sheet_1_Long-Term Aortic Remodeling After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair of Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Type B Dissections.docx

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the characteristics and predictors of aortic remodeling over a long-term follow-up period after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute, subacute, and chronic type B aortic dissections (TBADs).MethodsPatients who underwent TEVAR for TBAD from July 2011 to December 2013 were included, and relevant data were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsAfter TEVAR, the true lumen (TL) dimension increased and the false lumen (FL) dimension decreased or did not change over a 5-year follow-up period in all three temporal groups. Shrinkage proportion of the thoracic aorta was the highest in the subacute group (acute, 28.1%; subacute, 39.1%; and chronic, 17.4%; p = 0.048), while abdominal expansion showed no significant differences among the groups (acute, 29.6%; subacute, 40.5%; and chronic, 44.4%; p = 0.502). The chronic group had a rate of complete FL regression, which is lower than the subacute or acute group at all anatomic sections, with significant differences only in the stented section (chronic, 21.7%; acute, 92.2%; and subacute, 80.4%; p ConclusionThe present study provides data on aortic remodeling of TBAD after TEVAR during a long-term follow-up period. The features and risk factors of aortic remodeling in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases are different in different aortic segments. These findings may have implications in the timing of TEVAR.</p

Development of a Series of Fluorescent Probes for the Early Diagnostic Imaging of Sulfur Mustard Poisoning

Sulfur mustard is one of the most harmful chemical warfare agents and can induce skin, eye, and lung injuries. However, it is hard for medical stuff to diagnose sulfur mustard poisoning early because of the incubation period after sulfur mustard exposure. Detecting intact sulfur mustard in vivo might be an effective approach for the early diagnosis of sulfur mustard poisoning. A series of fluorescent probes for intact sulfur mustard detection were developed in this study. All of the developed probes could react with sulfur mustard selectivity. Among these probes, SiNIR-SM exhibited an extremely good response rate and a high off/on contrast. To the best of our knowledge, SiNIR-SM is the first near-infrared fluorescent probe for the sulfur mustard detection. Both SiNIR-SM and OxSM-1 were successfully applied to image sulfur mustard in living cells. Using SiNIR-SM, we found that sulfur mustard accumulates in the mitochondria of living cells. This result could provide a new insight for the treatment of sulfur mustard injuries. We also found that SiNIR-SM is suitable for the early diagnostic imaging of sulfur mustard poisoning in SKH-1 mice via the detection of intact sulfur mustard