Ki67 index is an independent prognostic factor in epithelioid but not in non-epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND: Estimating the prognosis in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) remains challenging. Thus, the prognostic relevance of Ki67 was studied in MPM. METHODS: Ki67 index was determined in a test cohort of 187 cases from three centres. The percentage of Ki67-positive tumour cells was correlated with clinical variables and overall survival (OS). The prognostic power of Ki67 index was compared with other prognostic factors and re-evaluated in an independent cohort (n=98). RESULTS: Patients with Ki67 higher than median (>15%) had significantly (P<0.001) shorter median OS (7.5 months) than those with low Ki67 (19.1 months). After multivariate survival analyses, Ki67 proved to be-beside histology and treatment-an independent prognostic marker in MPM (hazard ratio (HR): 2.1, P<0.001). Interestingly, Ki67 was prognostic exclusively in epithelioid (P<0.001) but not in non-epithelioid subtype. Furthermore, Ki67 index was significantly lower in post-chemotherapy samples when compared with chemo-naive cases. The prognostic power was comparable to other recently published prognostic factors (CRP, fibrinogen, neutrophil-to-leukocyte ratio (NLR) and nuclear grading score) and was recapitulated in the validation cohort (P=0.048). CONCLUSION: This multicentre study demonstrates that Ki67 is an independent and reproducible prognostic factor in epithelioid but not in non-epithelioid MPM and suggests that induction chemotherapy decreases the proliferative capacity of MPM

Promoting Effect of Layered Titanium Phosphate on the Electrochemical and Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

We reported a composite electrolyte prepared by incorporating layered α-titanium phosphate (α-TiP) into an iodide-based electrolyte using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate(EmimBF4) ionic liquid as solvent. The obtained composite electrolyte exhibited excellent electrochemical and photovoltaic properties compared to pure ionic liquid electrolyte. Both the diffusion coefficient of triiodide (I3−) in the electrolyte and the charge-transfer reaction at the electrode/electrolyte interface were improved markedly. The mechanism for the enhanced electrochemical properties of the composite electrolyte was discussed. The highest conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was obtained for the composite electrolyte containing 1wt% α-TiP, with an improvement of 58% in the conversion efficiency than the blank one, which offered a broad prospect for the fabrication of stable DSSCs with a high conversion efficiency

Low-cost inorganic cation exchange membrane for electrodialysis: optimum processing temperature for the cation exchanger

The optimum temperature for fixing zirconium phosphate, obtained by precipitation, on a low-cost ceramic support was determined in order to obtain an inorganic cation exchange membrane for electrodialysis. Zirconium phosphate ion exchange capacity maximised between 450 and 550°C, thus it was considered the optimum processing temperature. The origin of this maximum was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and termogravimetry and evolved gas analysis. Zirconium phosphate formation by precipitation in the porous network of the support was verified by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The membrane obtained after thermal treatment at 450°C displayed selectivity to the cations present in the spent rinse water of the chromium plating process. This property allows the recovery of chromium by removing the cations through the cation exchange ceramic membrane.The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the support given to the research study (National Basic Research Programme, Ref. CTQ2008-06750-C02-02), as well as for the FPU student grant awarded to one of the authors (Ref.: AP2009-4409).Mestre, S.; Sales, S.; Palacios, M.; Lorente, M.; Mallol, G.; Pérez-Herranz, V. (2013). Low-cost inorganic cation exchange membrane for electrodialysis: optimum processing temperature for the cation exchanger. Desalination and Water Treatment. 51(16-18):3317-3324. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2012.749177S331733245116-18Strathmann, H. (2010). Electromembrane Processes: Basic Aspects and Applications. Comprehensive Membrane Science and Engineering, 391-429. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-093250-7.00048-7Drioli, E., & Fontananova, E. (s. f.). Integrated Membrane Processes. Membrane Operations, 265-283. doi:10.1002/9783527626779.ch12Strathmann, H. (s. f.). Fundamentals in Electromembrane Separation Processes. Membrane Operations, 83-119. doi:10.1002/9783527626779.ch5Alberti, G., Casciola, M., Costantino, U., & Levi, G. (1978). Inorganic ion exchange membranes consisting of microcrystals of zirconium phosphate supported by Kynar®. Journal of Membrane Science, 3(2), 179-190. doi:10.1016/s0376-7388(00)83021-5Semiat, R., & Hasson, D. (s. f.). Seawater and Brackish-Water Desalination with Membrane Operations. Membrane Operations, 221-243. doi:10.1002/9783527626779.ch10Bregman, J. ., & Braman, R. . (1965). Inorganic ion exchange membranes. Journal of Colloid Science, 20(9), 913-922. doi:10.1016/0095-8522(65)90064-4Bishop, H. K., Bittles, J. A., & Guter, G. A. (1969). Investigation of inorganic ion exchange membranes for electrodialysis. Desalination, 6(3), 369-380. doi:10.1016/s0011-9164(00)80226-xRajan, K. S., Boies, D. B., Casolo, A. J., & Bregman, J. . (1966). Inorganic ion-exchange membranes and their application to electrodialysis. Desalination, 1(3), 231-246. doi:10.1016/s0011-9164(00)80255-6INAMUDDIN, KHAN, S., SIDDIQUI, W., & KHAN, A. (2007). Synthesis, characterization and ion-exchange properties of a new and novel ‘organic–inorganic’ hybrid cation-exchanger: Nylon-6,6, Zr(IV) phosphate. Talanta, 71(2), 841-847. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2006.05.042HELEN, M., VISWANATHAN, B., & MURTHY, S. (2007). Synthesis and characterization of composite membranes based on α-zirconium phosphate and silicotungstic acid. Journal of Membrane Science, 292(1-2), 98-105. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2007.01.018Yu.S. Dzyaz’ko, V.N. Belyakov, N.V. Stefanyak, S.L. Vasilyuk, Anion-exchange properties of composite ceramic membranes containing hydrated zirconium dioxide, Russ. J. Appl. Chem. 79 (2006) 769–773.Linkov, V. ., & Belyakov, V. . (2001). Novel ceramic membranes for electrodialysis. Separation and Purification Technology, 25(1-3), 57-63. doi:10.1016/s1383-5866(01)00090-9Linkov, V. M., Dzyaz’ko, Y. S., Belyakov, V. N., & Atamanyuk, V. Y. (2007). Inorganic composite membranes for electrodialytic desaltination. Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry, 80(4), 576-581. doi:10.1134/s1070427207040118El-Sourougy, M. R., Zaki, E. E., & Aly, H. F. (1997). Transport characteristics of ceramic supported zirconium phosphate membrane. Journal of Membrane Science, 126(1), 107-113. doi:10.1016/s0376-7388(96)00273-6Sánchez, E., Mestre, S., Pérez-Herranz, V., & García-Gabaldón, M. (2005). Síntesis de membranas cerámicas para la regeneración de baños de cromado agotados. Boletín de la Sociedad Española de Cerámica y Vidrio, 44(6), 409-414. doi:10.3989/cyv.2005.v44.i6.340Sánchez, E., Mestre, S., Pérez-Herranz, V., Reyes, H., & Añó, E. (2006). Membrane electrochemical reactor for continuous regeneration of spent chromium plating baths. Desalination, 200(1-3), 668-670. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2006.03.475Alberti, G., Casciola, M., Costantino, U., & Vivani, R. (1996). Layered and pillared metal(IV) phosphates and phosphonates. Advanced Materials, 8(4), 291-303. doi:10.1002/adma.19960080405Alberti, G., & Torracca, E. (1968). Crystalline insoluble salts of polybasic metals - II. Synthesis of crystalline zirconium or titanium phosphate by direct precipitation. Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, 30(1), 317-318. doi:10.1016/0022-1902(68)80096-xTrobajo, C., Khainakov, S. A., Espina, A., & García, J. R. (2000). On the Synthesis of α-Zirconium Phosphate. Chemistry of Materials, 12(6), 1787-1790. doi:10.1021/cm0010093Alberti, G. (1978). Syntheses, crystalline structure, and ion-exchange properties of insoluble acid salts of tetravalent metals and their salt forms. Accounts of Chemical Research, 11(4), 163-170. doi:10.1021/ar50124a007Rajeh, A. O., & szirtes, L. (1995). Investigations of crystalline structure of gamma-zirconium phosphate. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Articles, 196(2), 319-322. doi:10.1007/bf02038050Krogh Andersen, A. M., Norby, P., Hanson, J. C., & Vogt, T. (1998). Preparation and Characterization of a New 3-Dimensional Zirconium Hydrogen Phosphate, τ-Zr(HPO4)2. Determination of the Complete Crystal Structure Combining Synchrotron X-ray Single-Crystal Diffraction and Neutron Powder Diffraction. Inorganic Chemistry, 37(5), 876-881. doi:10.1021/ic971060hFeng, Y., He, W., Zhang, X., Jia, X., & Zhao, H. (2007). The preparation of nanoparticle zirconium phosphate. Materials Letters, 61(14-15), 3258-3261. doi:10.1016/j.matlet.2006.11.132Clearfield, A. (2000). INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, 18(4), 655-678. doi:10.1080/07366290008934702Szirtes, L., Shakshooki, S. K., Szeleczky, A. M., & Rajeh, A. O. (1998). Thermoanalyncal Investigation of Some Layered Zirconium Salts and Their Various Derivatives I. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 51(2), 503-515. doi:10.1007/bf03340188Al-Othman, A., Tremblay, A. Y., Pell, W., Letaief, S., Burchell, T. J., Peppley, B. A., & Ternan, M. (2010). Zirconium phosphate as the proton conducting material in direct hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells operating above the boiling point of water. Journal of Power Sources, 195(9), 2520-2525. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.11.052Thakkar, R., Patel, H., & Chudasama, U. (2007). A comparative study of proton transport properties of zirconium phosphate and its metal exchanged phases. Bulletin of Materials Science, 30(3), 205-209. doi:10.1007/s12034-007-0036-3Jiang, P., Pan, B., Pan, B., Zhang, W., & Zhang, Q. (2008). A comparative study on lead sorption by amorphous and crystalline zirconium phosphates. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 322(1-3), 108-112. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2008.02.035García-Gabaldón, M., Pérez-Herranz, V., García-Antón, J., & Guiñón, J. L. (2009). Use of ion-exchange membranes for the removal of tin from spent activating solutions. Desalination and Water Treatment, 3(1-3), 150-156. doi:10.5004/dwt.2009.453García-Gabaldón, M., Pérez-Herranz, V., García-Antón, J., & Guiñón, J. L. (2009). Effect of hydrochloric acid on the transport properties of tin through ion-exchange membranes. Desalination and Water Treatment, 10(1-3), 73-79. doi:10.5004/dwt.2009.69

Auditory event-related potentials

Auditory event related potentials are electric potentials (AERP, AEP) and magnetic fields (AEF) generated by the synchronous activity of large neural populations in the brain, which are time-locked to some actual or expected sound event