Sintering Temperature Induced Evolution of Microstructures and Enhanced Electrochemical Performances: Sol-Gel Derived LiFe(MoO4)2 Microcrystals as a Promising Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

A facile sol-gel process was used for synthesis of LiFe(MoO4)2 microcrystals. The effects of sintering temperature on the microstructures and electrochemical performances of the as-synthesized samples were systematically investigated through XRD, SEM and electrochemical performance characterization. When sintered at 650°C, the obtained LiFe(MoO4)2 microcrystals show regular shape and uniform size distribution with mean size of 1–2 μm. At the lower temperature (600°C), the obtained LiFe(MoO4)2 microcrystals possess relative inferior crystallinity, irregular morphology and vague grain boundary. At the higher temperatures (680 and 700°C), the obtained LiFe(MoO4)2 microcrystals are larger and thicker particles. The electrochemical results demonstrate that the optimized LiFe(MoO4)2 microcrystals (650°C) can deliver a high discharge specific capacity of 925 mAh g−1 even at a current rate of 1 C (1,050 mA g−1) after 500 cycles. Our work can provide a good guidance for the controllable synthesis of other transition metal NASICON-type electrode materials

Study on the mechanism of removing fluoride from wastewater by oxalic acid modified aluminum ash-carbon slag-carbon black doped composite

In this study, SAA@CS-CB(aluminum-ash carbide slag carbon black doped composite) was prepared by sintering method and modified by impregnation with oxalic acid to obtain SAA@CS-CBoa. Fluoride adsorption experiments were carried out using this composite as adsorbent. With increasing pH values, the adsorption amount of fluoride decreases in the range of 2–11. The pseudo second order equation and Langmuir model were fit to the experimental data, and the adsorption of fluoride by SAA@CS-CBoa exhibited spontaneous and endothermic characteristics. When PO43-, CO32–, SO42-, Cl-, NO3–, Br- and HCO3– anions were individually or combined in solution, the adsorbents exhibited higher fluoride selectivity and sensitivity, while PO43-and CO32– weakened the adsorption of fluoride in solution in the same way regardless of the presence of the other 5 anions. The results of SEM, EDS, XRD and FTIR characterizations showed that the mechanism of fluoride adsorption and removal by SAA@CS-CBoa included the combined effects of electrostatic attraction, surface coordination precipitation and ion exchange. SAA@CS-CBoa is an effective composite material for water adsorption of fluoride, and still has an excellent performance of cyclic regeneration after 10 times adsorption desorption. This study provides a new approach for the utilization of fluoride removal resources for industrial solid waste resource recycling

Impact of <i>XRCC2</i> Arg188His Polymorphism on Cancer Susceptibility: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Association between the single nucleotide polymorphism rs3218536 (known as Arg188His) located in the X-ray repair cross complementing group 2 (<i>XRCC2</i>) gene and cancer susceptibility has been widely investigated. However, results thus far have remained controversial. A meta-analysis was performed to identify the impact of this polymorphism on cancer susceptibility.</p><p>Methods</p><p>PubMed and Embase databases were searched systematically until September 7, 2013 to obtain all the records evaluating the association between the <i>XRCC2</i> Arg188His polymorphism and the risk of all types of cancers. We used the odds ratio (OR) as measure of effect, and pooled the data in a Mantel-Haenszel weighed random-effects meta-analysis to provide a summary estimate of the impact of this polymorphism on breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other cancers. All the analyses were carried out in STATA 12.0.</p><p>Results</p><p>With 30868 cases and 38656 controls, a total of 45 case-control studies from 26 publications were eventually included in our meta-analysis. No significant association was observed between the <i>XRCC2</i> Arg188His polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility (dominant model: OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.86–1.04, P = 0.232). However, a significant impact of this polymorphism was detected on decreased ovarian cancer risk (dominant model: OR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.73–0.95, P = 0.007). In addition, we found this polymorphism was associated with increased upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer susceptibility (dominant model: OR = 1.51, 95%CI = 1.04–2.20, P = 0.032).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The Arg188His polymorphism might play different roles in carcinogenesis of various cancer types. Current evidence did not suggest that this polymorphism was directly associated with breast cancer susceptibility. However, this polymorphism might contribute to decreased gynecological cancer risk and increased UADT cancer risk. More preclinical and epidemiological studies were still imperative for further evaluation.</p></div

In vitro comparative study of multimodal imaging nano-assembled microspheres with two clinical drug-eluting beads loaded with doxorubicin

AbstractDC Beads and CalliSpheres are commonly used microspheres in clinical transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, but these microspheres cannot be visualized by themselves. Therefore, in our previous study, we developed multimodal imaging nano-assembled microspheres (NAMs), which are visualized under CT/MR and the location of embolic microspheres can be determined during postoperative review, facilitating the evaluation of embolic areas and guiding subsequent treatment. Moreover, the NAMs can be carried with positively and negatively charged drugs, increasing the choice of drugs. Systematic comparative analysis of the pharmacokinetics of NAMs with commercially available DC Bead and CalliSpheres microspheres is important for evaluating the clinical application of NAMs. In our study, we compared the similarities and differences between NAMs and two drug-eluting beads (DEBs) in respect to drug loading capacity, drug release profiles, diameter variation and morphological characteristics. The results indicate that NAMs had good drug delivery and release characteristics as well as DC Bead and CalliSpheres in vitro experimental stage. Therefore, NAMs have a good application prospect in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Forest plot for the association between the <i>XRCC2</i> Arg188His polymorphism and UADT cancer risk (dominant model: Arg/His+ His/His vs. Arg/Arg).

<p>Significant association was observed between this polymorphism and increased risk for UADT cancer.</p

Forest plot for the subgroup analysis of gynecological cancer (dominant model: Arg/His+His/His vs. Arg/Arg).

<p>Significant association was detected between the <i>XRCC2</i> Arg188His polymorphism and decreased risk for ovarian cancer and cervical cancer.</p

Begg's funnel plot on publication bias for eligible studies that focused on the association of the <i>XRCC2</i> Arg188His polymorphism with the breast cancer susceptibility (dominant model: Arg/His+His/His vs. Arg/Arg).

<p>The funnel plot seemed symmetrical, indicating no publication bias.</p

Stratified analysis of the <i>XRCC2</i> Arg188His polymorphism on cancer susceptibility.

<p>*Subgroup analysis.</p><p>**Number of studies included.</p><p>P: P-value of association test, <i>P_h</i>: P-value of Q-test for heterogeneity test; NA: not available.</p