Exploiting the Photonic Crystal Properties of TiO2 Nanotube Arrays To Enhance Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Two series of self-assembled TiO2 nanotube (NT) arrays were grown by electrochemical anodization on a metallic titanium substrate with different anodization times and applied potentials in HF-containing ethylene glycol electrolyte solutions and postcalcined at 450 \ub0C. The obtained thin films were characterized by FESEM, XRD, UV-vis-NIR DRS analyses and tested as photoanodes in incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) measurements and in a two-compartment photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) for separate H2 and O2 production. The photocatalytic performance of the NT arrays significantly increased with an increase in the potential applied during anodization (i.e., with increasing the NT inner diameter) and the incident angle of the light. IPCE measurements revealed that such unexpected behavior is due to a red shift of the activity threshold that allows harvesting and converting a larger portion of the solar spectrum. This phenomenon is ascribed to the parallel shift of the photonic band gap position originated by the intrinsic photonic crystal properties and demonstrates the important role played by ordered hierarchical structures in improving the photocatalytic performance of NT arrays by confining and manipulating light

safety of nintedanib plus docetaxel in advanced non squamous nsclc nsnsclc patients the preliminary results of the seneca second line nintedanib in non small cell lung cancer trial

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Long-term survival in patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC in the KEYNOTE-010 study overall and in pts who completed two years of pembrolizumab (pembro)

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STELLAR: Final updated results of a phase II trial of TTFields with chemotherapy for unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma

Background: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), an anti-mitotic, regional treatment approved for glioblastoma utilizes low intensity, alternating electric fields delivered non-invasively to the tumor using a portable medical device. In-vitro, human mesothelioma cells were highly susceptible to TTFields. Methods: The trial accrued 80 patients with unresectable, previously untreated mesothelioma. Patients were treated with continuous 150 kHz TTFields (>18h/day) in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin or carboplatin. Inclusion criteria included ECOG PS of 0-1 and pathologically proven mesothelioma. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). A visual analog scale was used to assess EOCG performance status and cancer-related pain assessed until disease progression. The sample size provided 80% power with two-sided alpha of 0.05 to detect an increase in median OS of 5.5 months compared to historical controls (Vogelzang, JCO 2003). Results: All 80 patients had a minimum follow up of 12 months. Median age was 67 (range 27-78), 84% were male and 44% (35 patients) had an ECOG PS of 1. 66% (53 patients) had epithelioid histology, similar to the Vogelzang study. Median OS was 18.2 months (95% CI 12.1-25.8) versus 12.1 months in the historical control. Median OS for epithelioid patients was 21.2 months (95% CI 13.2-25.8). ECOG score was stable during the first year of follow up. Median time to deterioration in performance status was 13.1 months. Average score of pain was lower compared to baseline during the first 7 months of the treatment and was higher later on the study, with a median time to a clinical significant 33% increase in pain of 8.4 months. No device-related serious adverse events (AEs) were reported. Expected TTFields-related dermatitis was reported in 46% (37 patients). Four patients (5%) had grade 3 dermatitis. Conclusions: The study met primary endpoint of significant extension of overall survival in previously untreated mesothelioma patients. TTFields was not associated with a decrease in performance status or an increase in pain for the duration of TTFields use. TTFields in combinati

lba4long term follow up in the keynote 010 study of pembrolizumab pembro for advanced nsclc including in patients pts who completed 2 years of pembro and pts who received a second course of pembro

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MicroRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer : current status and future therapeutic promises

A biological characterization of tumor tissue is mandatory in NSCLC patients to identify cases at high risk of recurrence and to drive current targeted therapies such as EGFR and ALK inhibitors. In addition, promising results have been reported on the utility of molecular parameters for the prediction of the efficacy of systemic cytotoxic therapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single stranded non-coding RNA molecules, which regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Growing evidence suggests that miRNAs are expressed aberrantly in many human cancers and that they play a significant role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. There is increasing evidence that miRNA profiling may become an accurate way to differentiate tumor subtypes, determine prognosis and response to therapy. This review aims to summarize the current literature on this rapidly evolving field

Primary pulmonary meningioma: report of a case and review of the literature

Primary pulmonary meningioma (PPM) is a rare disease and usually presents as a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). These lesions are mostly benign, but malignant PPMs have been reported, and primary lung cancer or metastasis may be suspected on imaging. We report one case of benign PPM, with a review of 37 cases published in the literature. Diagnostic work-up included radiological chest study and in 3 cases positron emission tomography (PET) showing increased uptake, highly suspicious for malignancy. After exclusion of 13 cases lacking radiological studies of the central nervous system (CNS), 25 patients with radiological data and histological assessment confirming PPM were considered in the analysis. All patients underwent surgical resection except for 1 case with diagnosis at autopsy. Histological assessment revealed benign PPMs in 23 cases (including all 3 cases with positive PET) and malignant PPMs in 2 cases. No recurrence was observed in long-term follow-up of patients with benign PPMs, but the two malignant PPMs relapsed. PPM is an uncommon SPN, so that it can be misdiagnosed and its management unsuited. Indeed, 8 patients (32%) were overtreated with major thoracic surgical resection or with chemotherapy. When feasible, pulmonary wedge resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) including intra-operative histological examination is the most suitable approach to determine the diagnosis and the volume of pulmonary resection