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Effective 3D anode was prepared by graphitization of corncob biomass at high temperature under an inert atmosphere. As an anode in the microbial fuel cells, the proposed electrode revealed very good performance in both batch and continuous modes when the process parameters were optimized. The physicochemical characterizations indicated that the surface of the prepared anode is decorated by micro porous layers array and composed of SiO 2 ‒incorporated graphite. Moreover, investigation the electrical properties showed very good electrical conductivity dependent on the preparation temperature; 6.9, 8.6 and 8.9 S/m for the electrode prepared at 900, 1000 and 1100 °C, respectively. The performance of the proposed anode was evaluated in air‒cathode single chamber microbial fuel cell driven by domestic wastewater without using exterior microorganisms. The electrochemical measurements, for the batch mode cell, displayed high power density generation upon utilizing the corncob electrode compared to commercial anodes; 100 ± 8, 135 ± 11 and 2010 ± 85 mW/m2 from cells assembled using carbon paper, carbon cloth and corncob‒1100 °C, respectively. Moreover, addition of sodium acetate strongly enhanced the cell performance as the generated power density was increased from 475 ± 30 to 1963 ± 90 mW/m2 after addition of the salt (5 g/l), however the experimental results indicated that 5 g/l is the optimum salt concentration. In a continuous mode cell, the results concluded that the proposed 3D anode can be used fresh or after colonization of a biofilm. Interestingly, the generated power from the continuous mode cell is higher than the batch mode system due to mass transfer resistance elimination. • Corncob has been successfully exploited as an effective anode in the microbial fuel cells. • The introduced anode has been utilized in batch and continuous mode cells. • The generated power density reached to be twenty folds compared to commercial electrodes. • The detected power density was further improved in continuous mode microbial fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desmoplastic fibroma is a very rare primary tumor of bone, closely related to aggressive fibromatosis of soft tissue. Although considered a benign lesion, it is locally destructive, can extend into the soft tissues, and has a high rate of local recurrences after incomplete surgical excision. Recognition of this entity is important to ensure proper surgical treatment. According to the published data, the tumor is most common in the long tubular bones (56%), the mandible (26%), and the pelvis (14%). Rib involvement by desmoplastic fibroma is extremely rare, and to our knowledge, only 3 cases have been reported in the literature to date. We present the case of a desmoplastic fibroma in the rib of a 19-year-old man, adding a fourth case to the previously reported cases involving this unusual location. The clinical history and the radiological and pathologic findings are presented., Desmoplastic fibroma is a very rare bone tumor with a reported incidence of 0.06% of all bone tumors and 0.3% of all benign bone tumors. (1) It was first described [...]

Abstract: Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (ESOSA) is a rare soft tissue neoplasm representing <5% of osteosarcomas and <1% of all soft‐tissue sarcomas. Herein, we investigate the clinicopathological and molecular features of ESOSA and explore potential parameters that may affect outcome. Thirty‐two cases were retrieved and histomorphology was reviewed. Clinical history and follow‐up were obtained through electronic record review. DNA from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue was extracted and processed from 27 cases. Genome‐wide DNA copy number (CN) alterations and allelic imbalances were analyzed by single nucleotide polymorphism array using Affymetrix OncoScan FFPE Assay. Massive high‐throughput deep parallel sequencing was performed using a customized panel targeting 410 cancer genes. Log rank, Fisher's exact test and Cox proportional hazards were used for statistical analysis. In this series of 32 patients (male n = 12, female n = 20), the average age was 66 years (19–93) and median follow up was 24 months (range 6–120 months). Frequent genomic alterations included CN losses in tumour suppressor genes including CDKN2A (70%), TP53 (56%) and RB1 (49%). Mutations affecting methylation/demethylation, chromatin remodeling and WNT/SHH pathways were identified in 40%, 27%, and 27%, respectively. PIK3CA and TERT promoter variant mutations were identified in 11% of the cases. Cases harbouring simultaneous TP53 and RB1 biallelic CN losses were associated with worse overall survival and local recurrence (p = 0.04, p = 0.02, respectively). CDKN2A losses and positive margins were also associated with worse overall survival (p = 0.002; p = 0.03, respectively). Our findings suggest that age above 60, positive margin status, simultaneous biallelic TP53 and RB1 losses and CDKN2A loss are associated with a worse outcome in ESOSA. Comparison between conventional paediatric osteosarcoma and ESOSA shows that, while both share genetic similarities, there are notable dissimilarities and mechanistic differences in the molecular pathways involved in ESOSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel zero-valent nickel/nickel oxide@graphene nanosheets (ZVNi-NiO@Gr) composite was successfully fabricated by a single-step method and used as nanoadsorbents for the removal of crystal violet dye (CV) from its contaminated aqueous solution. Morphological characterization of nZVNi-NiO shows unique morphology with two-dimensional core-shell nanosheets supported on graphene layers. The one-step simultaneous preparation of nZNi-NiO nanosheets on the graphene notably limits the effect of nZNi-NiO agglomeration and enhanced the adsorption sites on the surface. The adsorption performance of ZVNi-NiO@Gr was investigated in terms of pH, temperature, initial concentration of CV dye, and contact period. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity climbed from 1028 to 1230 mg/g with increasing temperature from 30° to 45°C, and CV dye adsorption was preferable in alkaline media at pH 10. The isothermal and kinetic analysis showed that the nonlinear form of the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model is more fitting for adsorption data. The results of the thermodynamic study indicated that the adsorption of CV dye was spontaneous, endothermic and physical. The unique structure of ZVNi-NiO@Gr and the synergistic effect made it promising adsorbent for removing cationic dyes from aqueous media, and it can be used practically to treat wastewater of textile industries. [Display omitted] • A novel ZVNi-NiO@Gr nanosheet composite was synthesized by one-step method. • The ZVNi-NiO@Gr has core-shell nanosheets structure. • The maximum adsorption capacity of ZVNi-NiO@Gr for dye sorption was 1028 mg/g. • Synergetic effect and nanoscale core-shell structure make ZVNi-NiO@Gr an effective adsorbent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the imaging features of hemosiderotic fibrolipomatous tumor (HFLT), which has a propensity towards local recurrence and the potential to transform into myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (MIFS). Materials and methods: The study included 8 patients with a diagnosis of HFLT and imaging at a tertiary cancer center. Imaging studies included radiographs ( n = 2), ultrasound ( n = 3), and MRI ( n = 16). Imaging features were evaluated including location, calcification, sonographic echogenicity, vascular flow, size, border, signal characteristics, contrast enhancement, and blooming on MRI. Results: The HFLT was located in the ankle/foot in 4 out of 8 and was subcutaneous in 8 out of 8, ranging in size from 2 to 18 cm. Histology at initial diagnosis was HFLT in 5 out of 8 and HFLT with MIFS in 3 out of 8. None was calcified on radiography. On ultrasound 2 out of 3 were heterogeneously echogenic with ≥10 foci of vascular flow. Two out of 8 patients had MRI only at local recurrence. The tumor border was infiltrative in 4 out of 6 at initial diagnosis and in 2 patients with MRI at recurrence only. Fat and septae were present in 7 out of 8 at initial diagnosis and at recurrence. Signal intensity was iso-/hypointense to muscle on T1-weighted sequences in more than two thirds of the tumor in 4 out of 7 and hyperintense to muscle in at least one third of the tumor on fluid-sensitive sequences in 6 out of 8. Contrast enhancement was heterogeneous in 7 out of 7; blooming in two thirds of the tumor on gradient-echo sequence MRI indicated hemorrhage. Conclusion: The HFLT commonly presents as a mass with an infiltrative border, interspersed fat and septations at initial diagnosis and local recurrence on MRI regardless of histology of HFLT alone or with MIFS. Hemosiderin deposits may be detected as blooming on gradient-echo sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]