β-NaGdF4 nanotubes: one-pot synthesis and luminescence properties

Hexagonal-phase NaGdF4 nanotubes were successfully fabricated through a template- and catalyst-free method in a hydrothermal environment. The intrinsic and external factors contributing to the formation of tubular nanocrystals were discussed, namely the anisotropic crystal structure of the hexagonal-phase NaGdF4 and the insufficient supply of reagents. Furthermore, the addition of ethylene glycol and hydrazine had a significant effect on the morphological variation. The desirable multicolor outputs were achieved by co-doping Ce(3+) and Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, and Dy) ions in the NaGdF4 crystal, in which the Gd(3+) ions acted as an intermediate medium transforming the excitation energy to the activator ions. Finally, the upconversion luminescence and magnetic performance of the sodium rare earth fluoride were demonstrated.

Optical properties and energy transfer of a novel KSrSc2(PO4)3:Ce3+/Eu2+/Tb3+ phosphor for white light emitting diodes

Tunable blue to blue-green novel KSrSc₂(PO₄)₃:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ and KSrSc₂(PO₄)₃:Eu²⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphors have been prepared and investigated in detail.

Facile fabrication of single-phase multifunctional BaGdF5 nanospheres as drug carriers

Multifunctional BaGdF5 nanospheres with mesoporous, luminescent, and magnetic properties have been successfully synthesized with the assistance of trisodium citrate by a hydrothermal method. The mesoporous structure is revealed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images as well as N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm. The as-synthesized BaGdF5 nanospheres exhibit an intense broad bluish emission (centered at 450 nm) under the excitation of 390 nm, which might originate from the CO2·(-) radical-related defect produced by Cit(3-) groups. It is also shown that these BaGdF5 nanospheres brightened the T1-weighted images, suggesting that they could act as T1 contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Using metformin hydrochloride as the model drug, the luminescent porous spheres show good drug storage/release capability. Furthermore, the emission intensity varies as a function of the cumulative drug release, making the drug-carrying system easily trackable and monitorable by detecting the luminescence intensity. Additionally, the paramagnetic property, originating from the unpaired electrons of Gd(3+) ions, opens the possibility of directing the magnetic targeted carrier to the pathological site by magnetic field gradient.

Multimodal retinal imaging in a Chinese kindred with familial amyloid polyneuropathy secondary to transthyretin Ile107Met mutation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the ocular phenotype and gene mutation of a Chinese pedigree with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and vitreous amyloidosis.

METHODS

A Chinese pedigree with familial amyloid polyneuropathy and vitreous amyloidosis was recruited. Combined phacoemulsification, vitrectomy and intraocular lens implantation were performed on the right eye of the index patient. Ophthalmic investigations were performed before and after surgery. The DNA from the pedigree was sequenced for the transthyretin (TTR) gene.

RESULTS

After vitrectomy, the best-corrected visual acuity of the patient improved from counting finger to 20/20. Red-free confocal ophthalmoscopy demonstrated perifoveal ring and several perivessel white sheaths. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed cotton wool like reflections on the vitreoretinal interface. Electroretinogram and autofluorescence was normal. Amyloid was present in the vitreous specimen. A substitution of T to G at nucleotide 381 in exon 4 of TTR DNA (Ile107Met) was found. This mutation co-segregated with phenotype in the pedigree and was not detected in 200 controls.

CONCLUSIONS

TTR Ile107Met mutation is associated with vitreous amyloidosis and FAP. OCT and red-free imaging are helpful in identifying amyloid deposits in the retina.

A novel tunable Na2Ba6(Si2O7)(SiO4)2:Ce3+,Mn2+ phosphor with excellent thermal stability for white light emitting diodes

In this paper, Ce³⁺ doped and Ce³⁺,Mn²⁺ co-doped Na₂Ba₆(Si₂O₇)(SiO₄)₂ phosphors were synthesized via a high temperature solid-state reaction.

Value of abdominal susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for quantitative assessment of hepatic iron deposition in patients with chronic hepatitis B: comparison with serum iron markers

OBJECTIVE

To assess hepatic iron deposition quantitatively in patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection, using abdominal susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (SWI).

METHODS

Patients with HBV infection and healthy controls underwent abdominal SWI and were assessed for serum iron markers. Phase values were measured and five grades of hepatic iron deposition were described by SWI.

RESULTS

Patients with HBV infection (n = 327) and healthy controls (n = 50) were prospectively enrolled. In total, 77 (25.4%) patients with HBV infection had hepatic iron deposition as determined by SWI. Phase values were significantly different between patients with hepatic iron deposition compared with patients without hepatic iron deposition or controls, and were significantly different across different grades of hepatic iron deposition. Serum iron, ferritin, transferrin and transferrin saturation were significantly higher in patients with, versus those without, hepatic iron deposition. Only serum ferritin was significantly different across different grades of hepatic iron deposition, and there was a low inverse correlation between serum ferritin and phase values.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with serum iron markers, abdominal SWI may represent a powerful tool to assess hepatic iron deposition quantitatively in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Sarcoidosis: vaginal wall and vulvar involvement

Sarcoidosis is a non-caseous granulomatous disease which could involve numerous organs including lungs, eyes, skin, nervous system, heart, liver. However, the genitourinary tract involvement was rarely reported in sarcoidosis. We report the case of a 45-year-old married woman who presented with 2 months history of a vulval mass as large as a soybean, and did not reveal any remarkable pulmonary signs. Biopsy results showed non-caseous granulomatous inflammation consistent with sarcoidosis in the vulvar lesion. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of this entity in the world. Based on the related literature, we highlight the possibility of gynecologic involvement in sarcoidosis.

Analysis of a series of patients with varicose vein recurrence

OBJECTIVE

Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a common clinical condition. Although surgical treatment is often successful, the recurrence rate remains high. This retrospective study evaluated the reasons for postoperative recurrence of varicose veins by analysing ultrasonography and venography findings in patients with recurrent disease.

METHODS

A series of consecutive cases of recurrent varicose veins of the lower limbs was reviewed. Data collected included clinical characteristics, symptoms and vascular imaging.

RESULTS

The study included 109 legs with recurrent varicose veins (92 patients): 101/109 legs (92.7%) showed perforating vein insufficiency and 86/109 (78.9%) showed reflux of the superficial femoral vein, of varying degrees of severity. Residual saphenous vein was recorded for 82 legs (75.2%), while 19 (17.4%) had blocked iliac veins due to post-thrombotic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors that may contribute to varicose vein recurrence have been identified. These include failure to ligate perforating veins and initial failure to perform the appropriate surgical intervention. Prevention of varicose vein recurrence after surgical correction requires a more extensive use of preoperative imaging, to tailor surgical intervention to suit individual patients.

Thymic expression of the main immunogenic region of titin in thymomatous myasthenia gravis

Antititin antibody occurs in the serum of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with thymoma (MGT), and is a diagnostic marker for the disease. The mechanism that triggers MGT development is, however, unclear. This study evaluated the role of the main immunogenic region (MIR) of titin in MGT pathogenesis. Titin MIR antiserum (antibody titre 1:16) was obtained and an in situ immunohistochemical study of thymomatous tissue samples was performed. Strong immunostaining for titin MIR was observed on epithelial cell membranes in MGT patients, and the degree of immunostaining was directly proportional to the number of epithelial cells in thymomatous tissue. Serum antititin antibody levels were closely related to titin MIR levels in thymoma cells; however, titin MIR levels did not appear to be related to MG severity. Antititin antibody may be a good surrogate marker for thymoma but is probably not involved in the pathogenesis of MGT.

Results of conservative surgery for recurrent borderline ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the menstrual, fertility and recurrent results of conservative surgery for women with recurrent borderline ovarian tumors.

METHODS

Six patients with recurrent borderline ovarian tumors who had conservative surgery from 2000 to 2006 were identified from the Women's hospital, Zhejiang University database. The six patients (median age, 32 years) underwent fertility-sparing surgery, preserving the uterus and at least part of one ovary.

RESULTS

Five patients retained normal menstrual function. Three women had successful pregnancies, with a total of three live births and one abortion. The spontaneous pregnancy rate was 50%. The mean duration of follow-up was 32 months (range, 6-72); one of the six patients with recurrent borderline ovarian tumors developed recurrence once more. However no disease-related deaths occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The second conservative surgery for patients with recurrent borderline ovarian tumors should still be considered for women who are young and desire preservation of fertility. The spontaneous pregnancy rate is satisfactory. However, careful follow-up is needed to detect recurrent disease.

The correlation between plasma fibrinogen levels and the clinical features of patients with ovarian carcinoma

Pre-operative plasma levels of fibrinogen, plasma prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time (TT) were retrospectively examined in 105 patients with ovarian carcinoma and 21 control patients with benign ovarian tumour. Plasma cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels, pathological type, age, body mass index and blood group were evaluated. The TTs of patients with stage III and stage IV ovarian carcinoma were significantly shorter than in controls. Levels of plasma fibrinogen in patients with stage III and IV ovarian carcinoma were higher than those in patients with stage I and II ovarian carcinoma and the controls. There was a positive relationship between levels of plasma CA-125 and plasma fibrinogen in patients with stage II malignancy. There were no significant differences between plasma fibrinogen levels in patients of different age, BMI, blood group and pathological type. Shorter TT was an indication of advanced stage ovarian carcinoma, and fibrinogen was associated with the peritoneal carcinomatosis of ovarian carcinoma.

The expression of interleukin-10 in patients with primary ovarian epithelial carcinoma and in ovarian carcinoma cell lines

This study determined interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression in patients with ovarian carcinoma and in ovarian carcinoma cell lines, and investigated its clinical significance in the development and progression of ovarian carcinoma. Expression of IL-10 in ovarian carcinoma, benign ovarian tumour, normal control tissues and ovarian carcinoma cell lines was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. IL-10 concentrations in sera and ascites from patients with ovarian carcinoma, in sera from patients with benign ovarian tumour and normal controls, and in supernatants of ovarian carcinoma cell line cultures were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The tissue level of IL-10 in ovarian carcinoma was significantly higher than in benign ovarian tumour and normal controls. IL-10 expression was detectable in cell lysate and supernatant from ovarian carcinoma cell lines. In patients with ovarian carcinoma the IL-10 level in ascitic fluid was significantly higher than in sera, and the serum IL-10 level in ovarian carcinoma was significantly higher than in benign ovarian tumour and normal controls. Ascitic IL-10 levels in ovarian carcinoma were significantly correlated with disease stage but not cytological grade. These results suggest that ovarian carcinoma cells are able to synthesize and secrete IL-10, which probably assists in promoting the development and progression of ovarian carcinoma.

Study on sludge expansion during treatment of salad oil manufacturing wastewater by yeast

Five yeast strains, namely Rhodotorula rubra, Candida tropicalis, Candida utilis, Candida boidinii, Trichosporon cutaneum, were isolated from soil spots of a salad oil factory, and applied for continuous treatment of salad oil manufacturing wastewater. The oil and COD removal performance of the mixed cultures were comparable to the results other researchers obtained. Sludge expansion, accompanied with sludge morphology change from pseudomycelia to true mycelia, occurred during continuous treatment of wastewater. The true mycelia dominated sludge had a much higher water content and SVI value than that of the yeast pure cultures, although the two kinds of sludge had similar oil removal performance. A mold, Geotrichum candidum, was isolated from the expanded sludge, and was suspected to be a reason for sludge expansion. Addition of 0.3% sodium propionate into batch cultures degraded SVI value from around 100 to 60. In a continuous running, addition of 10 mg l-1 sodium hypochlorite decreased SVI value from over 200 to below 100. The yeast activity, however, was weakened to a large extent at the same time.