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Cloud Point Extraction and Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry are used in combination to quantitatively analyze the naturally generated Ag-NPs and further explore their particle characteristics and stability.

In microwave ablation (MWA), although computed tomography (CT) scanning can overcome gas interference, it cannot achieve real-time localization. Therefore, the puncture technique is more important in CT-guided ablation.To compare the fine needle-assisted puncture (FNP) positioning technique and the conventional puncture (CP) technique for the safety and efficacy of CT-guided MWA in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).This retrospective study included 124 patients with 166 tumor nodules from February 2018 and June 2021. Seventy patients received CT-guided MWA under the FNP technique (FNP group), and 54 patients received MWA under the CP technique (CP group). Intergroup comparisons were made regarding local tumor progression (LTP), recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and complications. The influencing variables of LTP and RFS were analyzed through univariate and multivariate regressions.The 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative incidences of LTP in the FNP group were significantly lower than those in the CP group (7.4%, 12.7%, 21.3%The FNP technique used in CT-guided MWA may improve outcomes in terms of LTP, RFS, and procedure-related complications for HCC.

Detection and quantification of heavy metals in soil samples are significant in terms of environmental monitoring and risk assessment for metals. In order to improve the accuracy and precision to detect heavy metal, in this study, four standard samples (NASS-4, NASS-5, NASS-9, and NASS-16) were analyzed by evolving heating (electric heating plate, water bath, and microwave) and acidic systems (includes HCl, HNO3, HF, and HClO4). The result shows that different pretreatment methods have different effects on the extraction of heavy metal elements and five heavy metal elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cr) were selected for optimization through pretreatment methods. Although the contents of heavy metals were same but we found diversity in the results. Under optimal conditions, the selected standard samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and the results were compared. The results show that different elements have their own most suitable detection methods, such as for Pb, the most suitable method is ICP-MS; and for Zn, the most suitable method is AAS. Pretreatment methods and detection techniques are combined to find and improve accuracy of results for certain elements. This study provides a reliable detection method for the accurate detection of heavy metals in the environment.

In this paper, a novel PP nanocomposites containing graphene/SiO2 hybrid (GOS) was fabricated via melt blending. It showed that GO has been chemically functionalized by selective monomers. Due to the existence of “heterogeneous nucleation effect”, the melting temperatures and thermal properties were improved, as verified by thermal analysis. GOS has been dispersed uniformly in the PP matrix due to the “barrier effects” between SiO2 and graphene sheets. Tensile tests showed that GOS filler provided substantially greater mechanical property enhancement when embedded into PP matrix. When the GOS filler loading was 0.25 wt.%, the tensile and impact strength of PP nanocomposite increased by 13.8% and 41% compared with those of pure PP and by 27.95% and 43.87% respectively, compared with those of PP nanocomposites that filled with GO alone, indicating that the combination of graphene and nano-SiO2 demonstrated a synergistic effect for the property enhancement of PP.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of transarterial lipiodolized chemoembolization (TACE) with Embospheres for the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods From May 2010 to March 2014, 110 inoperable HCC patients were divided into two groups in this retrospective study. The Embo-TACE group received lipiodol and a chemotherapeutic agent emulsion followed by Embospheres. The cTACE group received conventional TACE (lipiodol and chemotherapeutic agent emulsion) followed by gelatin-sponge pellets. Time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), and safety were compared. A multivariate analysis of the factors affecting survival was also conducted. Results The median TTP and OS in the Embo-TACE group were significantly longer than in the cTACE group (7.0 months, 95% CI: 4.285—9.715 vs. 5.4 months, 95% CI: 3.619—7.181, P = 0.035; 15 months, 95% CI: 12.374—17.626 months vs. 12 months 95% CI: 10.434—13.566 months, P = 0.032). Seven days after the first TACE treatment, ALT levels were higher in the cTACE group than in the Embo-TACE group (P = 0.015). The ORR did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.827). Additional therapy and local responses one month after the first TACE treatment were associated with OS. Conclusions Embo-TACE treatment resulted in a significant improvement in TTP and OS for patients with unresectable HCC, compared with cTACE treatment. Furthermore, Embo-TACE was better tolerated. Additional therapy and local responses one month after the first TACE were independent prognostic factors for OS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A method for determination of the contents of Bi in soils and sediments by atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry (AFS) was established by using aqua regia as the dissolved medium. In this paper, the instrument parameters, load flow and reducing agent concentration were optimized. Compared with microwave digestion and electric heating plate digestion, water bath digestion demonstrated the better digestion efficiency and was most commonly used. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the detection limit (LOD) was 0.01 mg·kg-1 (sample quantity 0.500 0 g, sample volume 50 mL), and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.04 mg·kg-1. The results were in good agreement with the centified value, and the relative error was -4.7%~-2.0%. For determination of soil and sediment actual samples, the relative standard deviation (RSD) were 2.5%~3.4% and 3.1%~3.4%, respectively, and the recoveries of the method respectively ranged from 97.6%~102% and 99.5%~104%.

Chemically covalent bonded graphene oxide (MGO)/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) nanocomposites were fabricated successfully through solution blending. Morphological observations indicated that MGO was dispersed well in the nanocomposites during solution intercalation. The mechanical and thermal property characterizations indicated that incorporation of 2.0 wt.% MGO resulted in the increasing of up to 101% and 46% in tensile strength and tensile modulus of nanocomposites, respectively, compared to neat PHB; while the maximum thermal decomposition temperature improved about 15.5 °C higher than that of PHB. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis showed that the crystallization process of PHB accelerated, resulting in an increasing in crystallinity with the incorporation of MGO due to its’ “ nucleating effect”. Electrical conductivity analysis indicated that the electrical conductivity of MGO/PHB nanocomposites has increased by 14 orders in comparison to that of pure PHB, especially for r-MGO filled PHB nanocomposites (4 wt.% r-MGO loading). It was concluded that the formation of graphene-graphene network structure in the nanocomposites, the increases in homogeneous dispersion of graphene and interfacial interactions contributed to the enhancements of properties.

Reducing and chemically functional modification of graphene oxide (GO) has attracted much attention in nanomaterial fields due to the outstanding properties of the graphene. In this article, water, a low cost and environmentally friendly reduction agent, to reduce selectively GO to form reduced GO (rGO) was applied, followed by modifying rGO with functional monomer octadecylamine (ODA), and subsequently polypropylene (PP) based nanocomposites containing functional graphene were fabricated via masterbatch-melt blending technique. The effects of reduction and functionalization on the microstructural and chemical–physical properties of GO were investigated comparatively by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The dispersibility of functional graphene before and after reduction was verified by using various agents. The experimental results showed that GO has been reduced selectively by water. Functional monomer ODA has been grated successfully on the surface of rGO and GO. The prepared graphene/PP nanocomposites were characterized by using Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), XRD, scanning electron microscope (SEM), tensile, and impact tests. The results showed that the crystallization temperature (Tc) and melting temperature (Tm) of PP in the nanocomposites increased when the functional graphene was incorporated. The functional graphene has been dispersed uniformly in the PP matrix. Tensile tests showed that rG-ODA could improve the tensile strength and elastic modulus of composites more effectively than G-ODA. But G-ODA was more effectively in improving the toughness of PP than rG-ODA, as indicated by impact tests. POLYM. COMPOS., 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

To achieve dramatic improvements in the performance of natural rubber (NR), the graphite oxide nanosheets (GON)-reinforced NR nanocomposites have been prepared through solution mixing on the basis of pretreatment of graphite. The mechanical and thermal properties of GON/NR nanocomposites were characterized in contrast to the carbon black (CB)/NR nanocomposite. The mechanical properties of the GON-reinforced NR showed a considerable increase compared to the neat NR and traditional CB/NR nanocomposite. The initial modulus of pure NR was increased for up to 53.6% when 7 wt% GON is incorporated. The modulus and strength of NR with GON appear to be superior to those of CB with the same filler content. The dispersion state of the nanofillers into NR was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the results indicated that nanofillers have been dispersed homogeneously in the NR matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed possible interfacial interactions between fillers and NR matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis showed that the Tg and thermal decomposition temperature of NR slightly increased with the addition of the fillers, especially for that of GON/NR nanocomposites. According to this study, application of the physical and mechanical properties of GON to NR can result in rubber products which have improved mechanical, physical, and thermal properties, compared with existing NR products reinforced with CB. POLYM. COMPOS., 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

In this paper, the surface hydroxylation modification of nano-alumina (nano-Al2O3) to result nano-Al2O3–OH and the chemical modification of graphene oxide (GO) by using silane coupling agent to produce GO-KH560 were first carried out respectively, followed by solution compounding to synthesis a novel three-dimensional functional hybrid filler (nano-Al2O3–OH/GO-KH560), and then polyamide 6 (PA6)/nano-Al2O3–OH/GO-KH560 (abbreviated as P-A-OH-G-KH560) thermally conductive nanocomposites were fabricated by melt blending technique and investigated for its morphological, mechanical and thermal properties. Morphological characterization revealed better dispersion of nano-Al2O3 and GO in the PA6 nanocomposites, which is attributed to the improved interfacial interaction between the PA6 and hybrid fillers. Loading of the hybrid fillers in the PA6 nanocomposites resulted in the significant improvement in mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elastic modulus and this effect is more pronounced on the increasing the hybrid fillers loading amount, when compared to the PA6 and pristine nano-Al2O3 filled system. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis showed that the crystallization of the PA6 nanocomposites was improved. The thermal conductivity of the P-A-OH-G-KH560 (100/5/0.8) nanocomposite increased by 86.13% compared with that of pure PA6. In summary, PA6 nanocomposites with fairly good mechanical and thermal conductivity are obtained at low filler contents.

To improve the physical properties of poly(butylenes terephthalate) (PBT), a series of nanocomposites based on PBT and microwave exfoliated graphite oxide nanosheets (MEGONSs) are prepared via melt compounding technique, and their structures, thermal stabilities, mechanical, rheological and electrical properties are reported. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction exhibit that graphene platelets of MEGONS are well dispersed and exfoliated in the PBT matrix even at high MEGONS content of 4.0 wt.%. DSC cooling and following heating thermograms of the nanocomposites demonstrate that graphene platelets of MEGONS play a role as effective nucleating agents for PBT a-phase crystals and thus lead to accelerating the overall crystallization of the nanocomposites. Thermal stability of PBT/MEGONS nanocomposites improved substantially due to the gas barrier effect of graphene platelets of MEGONS dispersed in the PBT matrix. The rheological analysis shows the low frequency plateau of shear modulus and the shear thinning behavior of the nanocomposites. The mechanical modulus of the nanocomposites enhanced significantly with increasing MEGONS content. The electrical conductivity test shows a pronounced increase in electrical conductivity from an insulator to almost a semiconductor with increasing MEGONS content. The electrical percolation threshold of the nanocomposites is found to be formed at the MEGONS concentration between 1.0 and 2.0 wt.%.

Different formulations of microwave-exfoliated graphite oxide (MEGO) based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites were successfully prepared via melt blending followed by injection molding. The spectroscopic study indicated that a strong interfacial interaction had developed between the MEGO and the TPU matrix. The microscopic observations showed that the MEGO layers were homogeneously dispersed throughout the TPU matrix. Thermal analysis indicated that the glass transition temperatures ( T g ) of the nanocomposites increased with increasing MEGO content and their thermal stability improved in comparison with pure TPU matrix. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites improved substantially by the incorporation of MEGO into the TPU matrix. Electrical conductivity test indicated that a conductivity of 10 −4 S cm −1 was achieved in the nanocomposite containing only 4.0 wt.% of MEGO.

To investigate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with embospheres for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Patients with unresectable HCC who were treated with TACE followed by embosphere treatment (Embo-TACE) or conventional TACE (cTACE) between May 2010 and March 2014 were retrospectively included in this study. The Embo-TACE group received lipiodol and chemotherapeutic agent emulsion, followed by embospheres. The cTACE group received lipiodol and chemotherapeutic agent emulsion, followed by gelatin sponge pellets. Time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), and safety were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses of the factors affecting survival were conducted.The median TTP and OS in the Embo-TACE group were significantly longer than those in the cTACE group (TPP: 7.0 months vs 5.4 months, P = 0.035; OS: 15 months vs 12 months, P = 0.032). Seven days after the first TACE treatment, alanine aminotransferase level was higher in the cTACE group than in the Embo-TACE group (P = 0.015). The ORR did not significantly differ between the two groups (P = 0.827). Additional therapy and local responses one month after the first TACE treatment were associated with OS.Embo-TACE resulted in a significant improvement in TTP and OS for patients with unresectable HCC, compared with cTACE. Furthermore, Embo-TACE was better tolerated. Additional therapy and local responses one month after the first TACE were independent prognostic factors for OS.

A method for determination of beryllium in soils and sediments by microwave-acid digestion/graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAA) is described. In this paper, the working conditions of the instrument are optimized, the drawing of calibration curve is expounded, the pretreatment process of soil and sediments (including microwave heating process and the selection of digestion system) is discussed, and the interference of coexisting elements is examined. The sample was pretreated by microwave digestion parameters using HNO₃/ HCl/HF mixed acid system. The method is fast and simple without matrix modifier, and has no interference by coexisting ions, and has high repeatability and reproducibility. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.004 9 mg · kg⁻¹ (sample quantity 0.200 0 g, sample volume 25 mL), and the limits of quantitation (LOQ) is 0.20 mg · kg⁻¹. This method is used to measure the standard samples and actual samples, whether in the laboratory, or between laboratories, has good accuracy and precision.

Background and objective Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have high anti-tumor activity for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Whether CIK cell therapy can eradicate residual cancer cells and prevent or postpone tumor relapse after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) should be testified. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of CIK cell therapy combined with TACE on HCC. Methods A total of 146 consecutive patients with unresectable HCC were divided into combination group (72 patients treated with CIK cell therapy combined with TACE) and TACE group (74 patients treated only with TACE). The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Results The 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year PFS rates were 72.2%, 40.4%, 25.3% in combination group, and 34.8%, 7.7%, 2.6% in TACE group. The median time to progression was 11 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 8-14 months] in combination group and 5 months (95% CI, 4-7 months) in TACE group. The estimated 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year OS rates were 90.3%, 71.9%, 62.4% in combination group, and 74.6%, 42.8%, 18.8% in TACE group. The median OS was 31 months (95% CI, 27-35 months) in combination group and 10 months (95% CI, 7-13 months) in TACE group. The times of TACE, ECOG performance status, and CIK cell therapy were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS. Conclusion Adjuvant immunotherapy with CIK cells could greatly improve the efficacy of TACE on HCC, and plays an important role in prolonging the PFS and OS of HCC patients after TACE.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an important therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the recurrence rate is still high and the long-term survival is unsatisfactory. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of TACE combined thalidomide on HCC.From Aug. 2004 to Aug. 2006, 108 patients with unresectable primary HCC were randomized into combination (TACE plus thalidomide) group and TACE group. Combination group received oral administration of thalidomide (200 mg/d) for 1-6 months. Both groups were treated with 0.4-1.6 g gemcitabine, 100-200 mg oxaliplatin, and 0.5-1.0 g floxuridine as chemotherapeutic drugs, ethanol, glutin, and iodolipol as ambolic agent in TACE. The side effects of thalidomide and survival of the patients were observed.The median survival period was 18 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 12-24 months] in combination group and 13 months (95% CI, 10-16 months) in TACE group. The 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival rates were 92.9%, 82.7%, and 58.4% respectively in combination group, and 85.6%, 57.2%, and 32.3% respectively in TACE group. The median time to progression was significantly longer in combination group than in TACE group [181 days (95% CI, 91-271 days) vs. 97 days (95% CI, 33-161 days), P0.05]. Excluding the patients who took thalidomide for less than 1 month, the median survival period was significantly longer in combination group than in TACE group [18 months (95% CI, 12-24 months) vs. 13 months (95% CI, 10-16 months), P0.05]û the 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival rates were 96.6%, 70.8%, and 44.3% respectively in combination group, and 84.7%, 54.4%, and 14.9% respectively in TACE group. The occurrence rate of serious rashes was 11.1% and that of serious somnolency was 6.7%. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the times of TACE was an independent prognostic factor of HCC.Compared with TACE alone, the combination of TACE and thalidomide can obviously postpone disease progression and prolong survival of HCC patients. The times of TACE is a prognostic factor of HCC after TACE.