The First Evaluation of Serum Levels of MGP, Gas6 and EGFR after First Dose of Chemotherapy in Lung Cancer

Background: Vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are involved in lung cancer progression. Therefore, we aimed to study the serum concentration of Matrix Gla protein (MGP), Growth Arrest-specific 6 (Gas6), and EGFR before and after the first cycle of chemotherapy and to investigate how MGP, Gas6, and EGFR are modified after one cycle of chemotherapy. Methods: We performed an observational study on twenty patients diagnosed with lung cancer, by assessing the serum concentration of vitaminK1 (VitK1), MGP, Gas6, and EGFR using the ELISA technique before and after three weeks of the first cycle of chemotherapy. Patients were evaluated using RECIST 1.1 criteria. Results: Serum levels of MGP, Gas6, EGFR, and VK1 before and after treatment were not changed significantly. Regarding the pre-treatment correlation of the MGP values, we found a strong positive relationship between MGP and VK1 pre-treatment values (r = 0.821, 95%CI 0.523; 0.954, p 1 and EGFR pre-treatment values, with the relationship between them being marginally significant (r = −0.430, 95%CI −0.772; 0.001, p = 0.058). Post-treatment, we found a strong positive relationship between MGP and VK1 post-treatment values (r = 0.758, 95%CI 0.436; 0.900, p p = 0.051)

Zn/F-doped tin oxide nanoparticles synthesized by laser pyrolysis: structural and optical properties

Zn/F co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles with a mean diameter of less than 15 nm and a narrow size distribution were synthesized by a one-step laser pyrolysis technique using a reactive mixture containing tetramethyltin (SnMe4) and diethylzinc (ZnEt2) vapors, diluted Ar, O2 and SF6. Their structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties are reported in this work. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the nanoparticles possess a tetragonal SnO2 crystalline structure. The main diffraction patterns of stannous fluoride (SnF2) were also identified and a reduction in intensity with increasing Zn percentage was evidenced. For the elemental composition estimation, energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were performed. In general, both analyses showed that the Zn percentage increases with increasing ZnEt2 flow, accompanied at the same time by a decrease in the amount of F in the nanopowders when the same SF6 flow was employed. The Raman spectra of the nanoparticles show the influence of both Zn and F content and crystallite size. The fluorine presence is due to the catalytic partial decomposition of the SF6 laser energy transfer agent. In direct correlation with the increase in the Zn doping level, the bandgap of co-doped nanoparticles shifts to lower energy (from 3.55 to 2.88 eV for the highest Zn dopant concentration)

Hybrid synthesis and processing schemes for highly-ordered polyaniline nanoarchitectures.

We report on a newly developed technology for the nanoscale processing of the conducting polyaniline (PANI) with an unprecedented areal patterning order and density control exceeding 0.25 teradot/inch/sup 2/. A simple two-step process is put forward to hierarchically build a large variety of functional PANI nanostructures on virtually any type of flexible or rigid substrates. Using template confinement, through Pt catalyzed electroless growth, highly-ordered arrays of distinct PANI nanowires are produced. Complex three-dimensional (3D) structural control is achieved through a direct pattern transfer using a novel type of resist- and dose-modulated 3D electron beam lithography. The method is scalable and provides a generic approach for nanopatterning surfaces with functional polymers. Aspects of the nanoscale PANI growth mechanism are discussed and the highly controllable, sub-picogram scale fabrication is emphasized. Simple schemes for single PANI nanowire fabrication, processing and device integration are presented.Anglai

Additional file 1: of Polyethylene Glycol-Mediated Synthesis of Cubic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with High Heating Power

It contains a TEM image of IOMNPs, the magnetic hysteresis at 4 K of IOMNPs, the ZFC-FC curves of IOMNPs, the SAR values of IOMNPs in PEG600 and PEG1000, DLS spectra of IOMNPs, and information related to the XRD and XPS analysis and magnetic properties of IOMNPs. The calibration of the hyperthermia setup and the experimental and theoretical protocols for SAR determination are fully described as well. (DOCX 1448 kb

CNTs in optoelectronic devices: New structural and photophysical insights on porphyrin-DWCNTs hybrid materials.

The preparation and physical characterization of diverse porphyrin-derived double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) conjugates are described. A porphyrin molecule is covalently linked and physically adsorbed to COOH-derived DWCNTs. The photophysical properties of all porphyrin-CNTs derivatives are studied in solution and in polymeric matrices. Definitive experimental evidence for photoinduced electron and/or energy transfer processes involving the porphyrin chromophores and the CNT wall is not obtained, but solid-state UV-vis absorption profiles display electronic transitions fingerprinting J- and H- type aggregates, where porphyrin molecules intermolecularly interact “head-to-tail” and “face-to-face”, respectively. In parallel, molecular modeling based on force-field simulations is performed to understand the structure of the porphyrin-CNTs interface and the nature of the interactions between the porphyrins and the DWCNTs. Finally, multilayered-type devices are fabricated with the aim of investigating the interaction of the porphyrin-derived DWCNTs with poly(3-hexylthiophene)-pyrene matrices containing small amounts of 1-[3-(methoxycarbonyl)propyl]-1-phenyl-[6.6]C61

Prospective observational cohort study on grading the severity of postoperative complications in global surgery research

Background The Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting postoperative complications in clinical trials. This system classifies complication severity by the treatment provided. However, it is unclear whether the Clavien–Dindo system can be used internationally in studies across differing healthcare systems in high- (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This was a secondary analysis of the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), a prospective observational cohort study of elective surgery in adults. Data collection occurred over a 7-day period. Severity of complications was graded using Clavien–Dindo and the simpler ISOS grading (mild, moderate or severe, based on guided investigator judgement). Severity grading was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Data are presented as frequencies and ICC values (with 95 per cent c.i.). The analysis was stratified by income status of the country, comparing HICs with LMICs. Results A total of 44 814 patients were recruited from 474 hospitals in 27 countries (19 HICs and 8 LMICs). Some 7508 patients (16·8 per cent) experienced at least one postoperative complication, equivalent to 11 664 complications in total. Using the ISOS classification, 5504 of 11 664 complications (47·2 per cent) were graded as mild, 4244 (36·4 per cent) as moderate and 1916 (16·4 per cent) as severe. Using Clavien–Dindo, 6781 of 11 664 complications (58·1 per cent) were graded as I or II, 1740 (14·9 per cent) as III, 2408 (20·6 per cent) as IV and 735 (6·3 per cent) as V. Agreement between classification systems was poor overall (ICC 0·41, 95 per cent c.i. 0·20 to 0·55), and in LMICs (ICC 0·23, 0·05 to 0·38) and HICs (ICC 0·46, 0·25 to 0·59). Conclusion Caution is recommended when using a treatment approach to grade complications in global surgery studies, as this may introduce bias unintentionally