[en] The effects of ZnO glass addition on the microwave dielectric properties of Ni_0.5Ti_0.5NbO₄ (NTN) ceramics prepared by solid-state reaction method have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The pure NTN ceramics have ε_r of 60.6, Q × f value of 70,100 GHz, and τ_f value of 76.6 ppm ^°C⁻¹ sintered at 1140 °C for 6 h. The results indicate that the addition of ZnO can effectively benefit the densification and further improve the dielectric constant. Moreover, the lower sintering temperature of NTN ceramics from 1140 to 930 °C is obtained by the addition of ZnO glass. However, an excess of ZnO suppresses the grain growth and decreases the Q × f value of NTN ceramics. The NTN ceramics with 2 wt% ZnO sintered at 930 °C for 6 h possess promising microwave dielectric properties: ε_r of 56.3, Q × f value of 67,000 GHz, and τ_f value of 78.6 ppm °C⁻¹, which shows that the materials are suitable for low-temperature co-fired ceramics applications. - Highlights: • Microwave dielectric properties of NTN ceramics with sintering aid for LTCC applications were investigated. • ZnO-doped NTN ceramics decreased the sintering temperature to 930 °C for LTCC applications. • The ε_r of 56.7, Q × f of 67,000, and τ_f of +78.6 were obtained for 2 wt% ZnO-doped NTN ceramics sintered at 930 °C for 6 h. • A significant maintenance of dielectric properties was achieved by ZnO-doped NTN system sintered at 930 °C

[en] Objective: To evaluate the functional outcome, predicting response and toxicity of CT- guided permanent implanted ¹²⁵I seed brachytherapy for metastatic cancers in vertebrae. Methods: Forty three vertebrae with metastatic cancer were treated by CT-guided percutaneous permanent implanted ¹²⁵I seed brachytherapy in 15 patients. There were 8 male and 7 female patients with average age of 54.6 years and 2 to 5 vertebrae involved in this group. According to the size of tumor, the optimal activity and quantity of seeds were calculated by TPS and correlative formula. ¹²⁵I seeds were implanted percutaneous puncture under CT- guidance with coaxial needles to pass the normal osseous tissue for approaching the lesions including 3 routes of pedicular, lateral and anterior ways. The distance between seeds and posterior border of vertebral body was over 3 mm (3-10 mm). Permanent ¹²⁵I seed implantation brachytherapy for paraspinal metastatic lesions were also taken place. Results: Mean follow-up time was 12.3 months (range 3-30 months) and outcome was evaluated clinically and radiographically in 10 of 15 procedures, with 5 only on clinical data. No new pain occurred at 11 sites with no previous complaint. The pain was completely controlled at 18/32 sites, partial control at 14/32 sites. No complications correlated to the radiotherapy damage of nerve and spinal cord were found. Conclusion: The procedure of CT-guided permanent implanted ¹²⁵I seeds brachytherapy for vertebral metastatic cancers is a safe effective and minimal invasive method with few complications. It is beneficial not only for pretherapeutic metastasis but also for recurrent tumors after radiotherapy; bearing rather high tolerance and safety. (authors)

[en] The main cause of death in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients is tumor metastasis; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In the present study, a novel metastasis-related gene, fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2), was characterized for its role in CRC metastasis and underlying molecular mechanisms. The clinical significance of FGL2 was investigated using tissue microarray analysis of samples from 82 patients with CRC. The molecular effects of FGL2 in CRC cells were determined using RNA interference and ectopic expression of FGL2. The overexpression of FGL2 was examined by immunohistochemistry in 82 CRC patients, and it was determined to be an independent predictor of overall survival (P < 0.05). The depletion of FGL2 expression inhibited tumor progression and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and in vivo, while ectopic overexpression of FGL2 enhanced cell invasion and induced EMT in vitro. Our results suggest that FGL2 plays an important oncogenic role in CRC aggressiveness by inducing EMT, and FGL2 could be employed as a novel prognostic marker and effective therapeutic target for CRC.

[en] Two facile coating techniques, gravitational sediment and spin coating, were applied for the creation of silica sphere stacking layers with different textures onto glass substrates that display various sliding abilities toward liquid drops with different surface tensions, ranged from 25.6 to 72.3 mN/m. The resulting silica surface exhibits oil repellency, long-period durability > 30 days, and oil sliding capability. The two-tier texture offers a better roll-off ability toward liquid drops with a wide range of γ_L, ranged from 30.2 to 72.3 mN/m, i.e., when the sliding angle (SA) < 15 deg., the oil droplet start to roll off the surface. This improvement of sliding ability can be ascribed to the fact that the two-tier texture allows for air pockets (i.e., referred to as the Cassie state), thus favoring the self-cleaning ability. Taking Young-Dupre equation into account, a linearity relationship between sine SA and work of adhesion (W_ad) appears to describe the sliding behavior within the W_ad region: 2.20-3.03 mN/m. The smaller W_ad, the easier drop sliding (i.e., the smaller SA value) takes place on the surfaces. The W_ad value ∼3.03 mN/m shows a critical kinetic barrier for drop sliding on the silica surfaces from stationary to movement states. This work proposes a mathematical model to simulate the sliding behavior of oil drops on a nanosphere stacking layer, confirming the anti-oil contamination capability.

[en] We demonstrate a sensitive and rapid colorimetric assay for selective detection of copper ions based on the strong coordination between Cu(II) ions and the tetrahydroxyaurate anions [Au(OH)4]− on the surface of thermally treated bare gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The method for making the unmodified GNPs is simple and results in a nanomaterial with a highly specific response to Cu(II). The thermal treatment of the bare GNPs and the recognition of Cu(II) ions is accomplished in a single step within 5 min. The presence of Cu(II) causes the color to change from red to purple-blue. The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.04 μM of Cu(II) when using UV–vis spectrometry and rotating the absorbances at 650 and 515 nm, respectively. The method also is amenable to bare eye (visual) inspection and in this case has an LOD of 2.0 μM of Cu(II). (author)