The impact of age on post-operative outcomes of colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment

BACKGROUND: the purpose of study was to evaluate the impact of age on outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: patients on hospital database treated for colorectal cancer during the period 1995 – 2002 were divided into two groups: Group 1 – patients of 75 years or older (n = 154), and Group 2 – those younger than 75 years (n = 532). RESULTS: In Group 1, for colon cancers, proximal tumors were significantly more common (23% vs. 13.5%, p < 0.05), complicated cases were more frequent (46 % vs. 33%, p = 0.002), bowel obstruction more common at presentation (40% vs. 26.5%, p = 0.001), and more frequent emergency surgery required (24% vs. 14%, p = 0.003). Postoperative overall morbidity was higher in the elderly group, but with no differences in surgical complications rate. Overall 5 year survival was 39% vs. 55% (p = 0.0006) and cancer related 5 year survival was 44% vs. 62% (p = 0.0006). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age was not an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Preoperative complications and co-morbidities, more advanced disease, and higher postoperative nonsurgical complication rates adversely affect postoperative outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer in the elderly

Gypsy Moth Female (Lymantria Dispar L.) Flight Potential in Lithuania

Bibliogr.: p. 48 (10 pavad.)Vytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Electrochemical Performance of Highly Conductive Nanocrystallized Glassy Alluaudite-Type Cathode Materials for NIBs

Alluaudite-type materials are systematically attracting more attention as prospective cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. It has been demonstrated that optimized thermal nanocrystallization of glassy analogs of various cathode materials may lead to a significant increase in their electrical conductivity. In this paper, three alluaudite-like glasses (Na2Fe3(PO4)3&mdash;FFF, Na2VFe2(PO4)3&mdash;VFF, and Na2VFeMn(PO4)3&mdash;VFM) were synthesized and subjected to an optimized thermal nanocrystallization. This procedure resulted in nanostructured samples with increased electrical conductivity at room temperature: 5&times;10&minus;7 S/cm (FFF), 7&times;10&minus;5 S/cm (VFM), and 6&times;10&minus;4 S/cm (VFF). The nanocrystalline microstructure was also evidenced by ultra-high-frequency impedance spectroscopy (up to 10 GHz) and proposed electrical equivalent circuits. Prototype electrochemical cells were assembled and characterized with voltage cutoffs of 1.5 and 4.5 V. The electrochemical performance was, however, modest. The gravimetric capacity varied between the studied materials, but did not exceed 35 mAh/g. Capacity retention after ca. 100 cycles was satisfactory. Further optimization of the residual-glass-to-nanocrystallite volume ratio would be desirable

Electrochemical performance of highly conductive nanocrystallized glassy alluaudite-type cathode materials for NIBs

Alluaudite-type materials are systematically attracting more attention as prospective cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. It has been demonstrated that optimized thermal nanocrystallization of glassy analogs of various cathode materials may lead to a significant increase in their electrical conductivity. In this paper, three alluaudite-like glasses (Na2Fe3(PO4)3—FFF, Na2VFe2(PO4)3—VFF, and Na2VFeMn(PO4)3—VFM) were synthesized and subjected to an optimized thermal nanocrystallization. This procedure resulted in nanostructured samples with increased electrical conductivity at room temperature: 5×10−7 S/cm (FFF), 7×10−5 S/cm (VFM), and 6×10−4 S/cm (VFF). The nanocrystalline microstructure was also evidenced by ultra-high-frequency impedance spectroscopy (up to 10 GHz) and proposed electrical equivalent circuits. Prototype electrochemical cells were assembled and characterized with voltage cutoffs of 1.5 and 4.5 V. The electrochemical performance was, however, modest. The gravimetric capacity varied between the studied materials, but did not exceed 35 mAh/g. Capacity retention after ca. 100 cycles was satisfactory. Further optimization of the residual-glass-to-nanocrystallite volume ratio would be desirable