Water, life and man

"An inaugural lecture delivered on September 8, 1979"

Choice of first line treatment and survival in metastatic colorectal cancer: a retrospective analysis

Introduction: Selection of first line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is based on tumour and patient related factors. The wide and increasingly use of targeting agents in this setting are proven to be beneficial in first line treatment. Increasing evidence suggests that this first line treatment is of great importance and its impact is being studied in prospective studies. In this retrospective analysis, we aimed to analyze the first treatment used and its potential impact on overall survival (OS)

The effect of geometry on charge confinement in three dimensions

We show that, in contrast to the flat case, the Maxwell theory is not confining in the background of the three dimensional BTZ black-hole (covering space). We also study the effect of the curvature on screening behavior of Maxwell-Chern-Simons model in this space-time.Comment: 8 pages. To be published in Europhysics Letter

Electrochemical performance of organic electroactive materials for application in rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable batteries consisting of organic base electrodes are increasingly being studied as an alternative to conventional inorganic electrodes. The approach adopted in this work involves the development of new cathode organic materials based on polyimide derivatives with significant redox potential or capacity in order to increase stability and improve the energy density of current lithium ion cells. Preparation of organic polymeric polyimides was carried out, followed by their integration in an electrode structure that uses carbon nanofibers, as a support and as a means to increase conductivity. An electrochemical study based on cyclic voltammetry was conducted in order to evaluate the performance and redox capacity of the electrodes. The implemented strategy is based on the fact that the aromatic imide group may be electrochemically reduced and oxidized in a reversible manner, with each molecule of polyimide being able to transfer four electrons in two steps, accounting for a high specific capacity of the electrodes. Some of the composite electrodes studied in this work demonstrated good redox capacity, stability under potential cycling and higher current densities, 10-20X, than those reported in the literatures for similar compounds

Influence of the electrolyte on the electrochemical performance of a polyimide material for electrodes in rechargeable batteries

The charge storage on organic polymers has led to increasing application of these new materials such as active electrodes in rechargeable batteries [1, 2]. Taking advantage of the redox properties of aromatic polyimide imide group [3], which allows it to be electrochemically oxidized and reduced reversibly, we will present the advances made on the electrochemical studies carried out with a polyimide derivative electrode material towards the constitution of a new battery. Previous studies by the authors with a poliimide derivative [4]using cyclic voltammetry have shown their significant redox capacity to be applied as an alternative material for energy storage in rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, the use of polyimide is considered safe owing to this type of polymer not being flammable and having an excellent thermal stability and high mechanical strength. Since the polyimide is hydrolyzable, its use can be considered environmentally favorable. Attempts to use composite poliimides through solvent blending methodologies lead to poor dispersion of the polymer in the composite mixture. In situ polymerization techniques were well succeed with added incorporation of carbon fibre with the poliimide precursor. Research is in progress with studies with different electrolytes and polyimide composite in order to ensure an efficient lithium ion exchange and obtain batteries with satisfying energy performance. Advances made will be presented herein

Long‐Term Survival After Choriocarcinoma Transmitted by Liver Graft: A Successful Report in Pediatric Transplantation

Background: LT is the standard of care for many pediatric liver disorders. Although long-term outcomes have improved, some rare complications such as transmission of occult donor tumors have been reported. Case report: An adolescent diagnosed with tyrosinemia was submitted to LT from a previous healthy donor due to HCC. Almost 8 months after LT, the patient presented a nodular hepatic lesion. Clinically, he had mild weight loss, lower limb edema, and gynecomastia. Thorax CT found lesions in the left lung parenchyma, which showed no increased uptake in PET SCAN. Liver biopsy revealed a carcinoma with desmoplastic stroma. ISS was withdrawn, and palliative chemotherapy was started for presumptive HCC relapse. AFP remained normal, but HCG had reached unexpected values of 1984 IU/L. As we requested detailed information about the other organ recipients from the same donor, we found that one of them passed away due to disseminated tumor. Five months after the beginning of chemotherapy, the patient underwent resection of liver segments V and VI. Histological examination confirmed liver metastatic choriocarcinoma. At the time of writing, with 11 years of follow-up, the patient had sustained remission with no signs of relapse. Discussion: This case reports a diagnostic challenge in an adolescent with a particular unique background and a very rare pattern of tumor transmission. The authors aim to highlight the risk of cancer-bearing organs reveled post-LT and to testimony the experience of the successful outcome after a choriocarcinoma transmitted by liver graft.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio