Characteristic of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in fly ash from incinerators in china

Fly ash from municipal solid waste (MSW), medical waste (MW) and electrical power plant (EPP) incinerators were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The study showed that the PCDD/F levels in fly ash were EPP<MSW<MW. The homologue profiles of PCDD/Fs in fly ash produced from waste incinerators were similar. However, the homologue profiles of PCDD/Fs in fly ash from electrostatic precipitator (ESP) of electrical power plant were different from that from waste incinerator. The strong correlation was found between the concentration of 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and the I-TEQ value of fly ash regardless of the different fly ashes sources.

Global convergence of delayed dynamical systems

We discuss some delayed dynamical systems, investigating their stability and convergence in a critical case. To ensure the stability, the coefficients of the dynamical system must satisfy some inequalities. In most existing literatures, the restrictions on the coefficients are strict inequalities. The tough question is what will happen in the case (critical case) the strict inequalities are replaced by nonstrict inequalities (i.e., "<" is replaced by "=/<"). The purpose of the paper is to discuss this critical case and give an affirmative answer in the case that the activation functions are hyperbolic tangent.

Effects of calcium-based sorbents on PCDD/F formation from pentachlorophenol combustion process

Calcium-based sorbents are widely employed to reduce the acidic gases emission from combustion processes, and also have effects on trace organic pollutants formation and emission. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of calcium-based sorbents on pentachlorophenol (PCP) forming PCDDs/Fs during high temperature combustion processes. The results indicated that highly chlorinated PCDD/F homologues were the predominant dioxin products from PCP thermo decomposition, and only minor increasing of PCDDs happened when Ca/Cl ratio was lower than 1, while a major jump occurred when Ca/Cl ratio increased from 1 to 2. The CaO addition clearly promoted the production of all chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins homologue and 4-7DFs homologue. Comparison of total PCDD/F emission and its I-TEQ for three different calcium-based sorbents addition (CaO, CaCO3, basic fly ash) indicated that CaO and fly ash containing CaO had almost the same promotion effects on PCDDs/Fs originated from PCP, while CaCO3 inhibit PCDD/F formation greatly with inhibition efficiency up to 70%. Such effects may be partly proved by the observed clearly different micro-surface structures of their reaction residues. The mechanism of CaO on condensation and dechlorination reactions for PCP forming PCDDs and acid-base interaction were proposed to speculate the promotion effects of CaO, and the reaction precedence was used to speculate the inhibition effects of CaCO3 on PCDDs/Fs originated from PCP. The results of the present paper might be useful for the industrial application of calcium-based sorbents to control PCDD/F emission.

Photo-responsive properties and heating-induced surface relief patterns from azobenzene-doped GeO(2/gamma-)glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane organic-inorganic hybrid films

GeO(2/ gamma-)glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane organic-inorganic hybrid optical waveguide films, which contain azobenzene small molecular groups, have been prepared by combining a low temperature sol-gel process with a spin-coating technique. The azobenzene in hybrid films can undergo trans-cis-trans photoisomerization efficiently by a photoirradiation with UV light. It is also found interestingly that surface relief patterns can be heat-induced on such azobenzene-containing small molecular hybrid films, but can be erased by further heating the hybrid film and no permanent damage of the hybrid film is observed. The refractive index, thickness, and morphologic properties of the hybrid films have also been investigated by a prism coupling technique and atomic force microscopy. These results indicate that the azodye-doped hybrid films are promising candidates for integrated optics and photonic applications, which allow directly integrating on the same chip waveguide device with the optical data storage and optical switching devices.

Tripolar Laplacian electrocardiogram and moment of activation isochronal mapping

The electrocardiogram (ECG) provides useful global temporal assessment of the cardiac activity, but has limited spatial capabilities. The Laplacian electrocardiogram (LECG), an improvement over the ECG, provides high spatiotemporal distributed information about cardiac electrical activation. We designed and developed LECG tripolar concentric ring electrode active sensors based on the finite element algorithm 'nine-point method' (NPM). The active sensors were used in an array of 6 by 12 (72) locations to record bipolar and tripolar LECG from the body surface over the anterolateral chest. Compared to bipolar LECG, tripolar LECG showed significantly higher spatial selectivity which may be helpful in inferring information about cardiac activations detected on the body surface. In this study the moment of activation (MOA), an indicator of a depolarization wave passing below the active sensors, was used to surmise possible timing information of the cardiac electrical activation below the active sensors' recording sites. The MOA on the body surface was used to generate isochronal maps that may some day be used by clinicians in diagnosing arrhythmias and assessing the efficacy of therapies.

Radiofrequency ablation after transarterial embolization as therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) followed by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as combined treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six consecutive patients (cirrhosis, Child-Pugh class A or B) with solitary or oligonodular HCC were treated (41 lesions; mean size, 58.9 mm; range, 30-120 mm). RFA was performed after one TAE treatment. Local efficacy was evaluated with multiphasic computed tomography (CT) performed an average of two months after RFA and once during later follow-up.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 16 months (range, 2-45 months). Technical success (namely, complete tumor devascularization during the arterial phase) was achieved for 59% of lesions at the first CT evaluation and for 46% at the second evaluation. Among prognostic factors included in the analysis, only lesion diameter (< 50 mm versus > or = 50 mm) was statistically significant in terms of predicting local success (Fisher's exact test: 85% versus 43% at first CT, p<0.01; 70% versus 36% during follow-up, p=0.05). There were no major periprocedural complications. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed survival rates of 84% at 12 months and 57% at 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined therapy--TAE then RFA--for unresectable HCC lesions in patients with cirrhosis produces a relatively high complete local response rate compared with TAE or RFA alone. Our results, considered with those from other case series, may help design prospective, randomized clinical trials to test combination therapy versus single-modality therapy in terms of risks and benefits.

Combination treatment with donor interleukin-12p35 silenced dendritic cells and cyclosporine induces long-term survival of intestinal allografts in rats

Immune tolerance promises to enhance allograft survival while reducing risks inherent to immunosuppressants. In this study, we evaluated the effect of interleukin (IL)-12p35 silenced dendritic cells (DC) combined with cyclosporine (CsA) on induction of immune tolerance in intestinal transplantation. The results showed that combination treatment with donor IL-12p35 silenced DC and a low dose of CsA (8 mg/kg) prolonged rat intestinal allograft survival. However, a higher dose of CsA (20 mg/kg) did not further prolong allograft survival.

Elimination of Intracranial Gliomas via Immune Rejection of Subcutaneous Allogeneic Glioma Cell Lysate (48.40)

Allogeneic glioma cell lines, coupled with allogeneic and syngeneic tumor cell lysates, could be used to induce immune mediated rejection of syngeneic glioma cell lines in two strains of rat. Fisher344 and Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were implanted subcutaneously with 9L and C6 glioma cell lines. After tumor formation, rats were injected subcutaneously with a combination of allogeneic tumor cell line and combined allogeneic and syngeneic tumor lysate. As a further study, treated rats, who had decreased tumor size from the above treatment, were tested for immune memory. Same experiments were also performed in the intracranial model. Rats treated with the same methode were able to significantly reduce (Fisher344), or completely reject (SD rats), their tumor. “Cured” rats re-injected with five times the original number of malignant cells and remained tumor free. Analysis of these tumors shows numbers of CD4, CD8, B-lymphocytes, and dendritic cells. In the intracranial model, rats had significantly less intracranial spread of tumor than the control group. Our in vivo experiments demonstrate that established subcutaneous or intracranial gliomas may be treated with a combination of allogeneic cells and tumor lysates (allogeneic and syngeneic tumor cells) to reduce its size or eliminate it, and establish lasting memory.

Current and strain-induced spin polarization in InGaN/GaN superlattices

The lateral current-induced spin polarization in InGaN/GaN superlattices (SLs) without an applied magnetic field is reported. The fact that the sign of the nonequilibrium spin changes as the current reverses and is opposite for the two edges provides a clear signature for the spin Hall effect. In addition, it is discovered that the spin Hall effect can be strongly manipulated by the internal strains. A theoretical work has also been developed to understand the observed strain-induced spin polarization. Our result paves an alternative way for the generation of spin polarized current.

Intrapericardial isolation of the inferior vena cava through a transdiaphragmatic pericardial window for tumor resection without sternotomy or thoracotomy

AIMS

The prognosis for patients with advanced tumors invading the inferior vena cava (IVC) is dismal and surgical treatments for these tumors are challenging. A surgical approach that avoids sternotomy and thoracotomy for tumors invading the IVC even to the level of the hepatocaval junction would be extremely helpful.

METHODS

The intrapericardial IVC was isolated via a transdiaphragmatic pericardial window using a transabdominal approach. Hepatectomy was then applied via an anterior approach until the IVC was seen. Total hepatic vascular exclusion was achieved by clamping the portal triad, intrapericardial IVC and infrahepatic IVC. We removed the primary tumor, the liver portion involved and the tumor thrombi, with segmental resection of the IVC. Vascular continuity was reestablished using a 20-mm-diameter polytetrafluoroethylene graft.

RESULTS

Four patients with tumors invading the IVC were treated with this method. All underwent gross en-bloc tumor resections and all survived.

CONCLUSION

This method for the resection of IVC tumors could avoid emboli dislodging from the tumor thrombi, prevent the complications of sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass and shorten operative times.

Tacoma controls tastes and odours with ozone

The study is focussed on the conditions that would provide the best ozone oxidation to decrease the taste and odour of the water from Eagle Gorge Reservoir. This study incorporated advanced analytical methods, such as solid phase microextraction (SPME) and flavour profile analyses (FPA), to evaluate the best method for improving taste and odour. The study developed first-order relationships between ozone dose and the oxidation of several taste and odour compounds. The results focussed on the importance and interactions between ozone dose, pH, hydrogen peroxide and contact time.

Proceedings of a GOG workshop on intraperitoneal therapy for ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths in the U.S. The concept of intraperitoneal drug delivery for therapy of intraperitoneal cancers, such as ovarian cancer, arose in the 1960s. The field of intraperitoneal cisplatin therapy for ovarian cancer was initiated in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The markedly improved survival data resulting from a phase III trial of intraperitoneal cisplatin for ovarian cancer in early 2006 led to an NCI Clinical Announcement and a Gynecologic Oncology Group-sponsored workshop on intraperitoneal therapy in January, 2006, in San Diego, California. The proceedings of this workshop summarize both research trial results and practical implementation issues associated with intraperitoneal therapy discussed at this workshop.

Comparison of clinical staging systems in predicting survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving major or minor hepatectomy

AIM

To compare the utility of seven commonly used staging systems in the prediction of survival among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing major or minor hepatectomy.

METHODS

All patients were classified by the Okuda, the TNM, the CLIP, the BCLC, the CUPI, the JIS and the MELD classifications to estimate the probabilities of survival. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and were examined using log-rank testing. The overall predictive power for patient survival with each staging system was evaluated using linear trend chi(2) tests and from the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

In our patient cohort, the log-rank test and the linear trend chi(2) test of the CLIP and JIS systems gave better results than did the other staging systems. The discriminatory ability of the CLIP and JIS staging for death, evaluated by ROC curve areas, was also better. In the subgroups of major hepatectomy patients with a non-cirrhotic liver or minor hepatectomy patients with a cirrhotic liver, the CLIP and JIS systems showed similar better performances in these three tests. The discriminatory ability of the CLIP system was the best in major hepatectomy patients with a non-cirrhotic liver while JIS score discriminated best in minor hepatectomy patients with a cirrhotic liver.

CONCLUSION

Among the seven staging systems, the CLIP and JIS systems perform better than do the others. While the CLIP system should be considered to stage major hepatectomy patients, the JIS system could be chosen to stage minor hepatectomy patients.

DNA microarrays--an armory for combating infectious diseases in the new century

DNA microarrays are high-throughput platforms that take advantage of the vast amount of sequence information and allow scientists to perform gene expression profiling or genotyping studies on a "global" or "genome-wide" scale. The global monitoring of gene expression in hosts and pathogens, either separately or interactively, has given us systemic views of the disease mechanisms. Ongoing improvements in DNA sequencing and microarray technologies continue to open up new opportunities for better understanding and developing more effective approaches in diagnosis, treatments, and preventions of infectious diseases. This review focuses on the latest developments and applications of the DNA microarray technologies designed for studying pathogens in the areas of pathogenesis, host-pathogen interaction, drug response, vaccine development, and disease agent identification. Issues and challenges in the analysis, management and interpretation of microarray data are also addressed.