Control of cyclic stability and volume expansion on graphite–SiOx–C hierarchical structure for Li-ion battery anodes

To increase the energy density of today''s batteries, studies on adding Si-based materials to graphite have been widely conducted. However, adding a Si-based material in the slurry mixing step suffers from low distribution due to the self-aggregation property of the Si-based material. Herein, a hierarchical structure is proposed to increase the integrity by using APS to provide a bonding effect between graphite and SiO_x. Additionally, to endow a protection layer, carbon is coated on the surface using the CVD method. The designed structure demonstrates enhanced integrity based on electrochemical performance. The MSG (methane decomposed SiO_x@G) electrode demonstrates a high ICE of 85.6% with 429.8 mA h g⁻¹ initial discharge capacity. In addition, the MSG anode has superior capacity retention (89.3%) after 100 cycles, with enhanced volumetric expansion (12.7%) after 50 cycles. We believe that the excellent electrochemical performance of MSG is attributed to increased integrity by using APS (3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane) with a CVD carbon coating.

This study demonstrates the increased integrity of graphite–SiO_x–C hierarchical structure using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS). Furthermore, the carbon coating contributes to elec-trode stability.     

Glucagon-like peptide 2: a new treatment for chemotherapy-induced enteritis

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a recently identified intestinal epithelium-specific growth factor that has been shown to reduce the severity of inflammatory disorders of the intestine in rodent models. We hypothesized that GLP-2 administration would be beneficial in chemotherapy-induced enteritis either by preventing injury or by promoting recovery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats received no drug (control), chemotherapy alone [5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 190 mg/kg, ip] (Chemo), 5-FU followed by 3 days of GLP-2 analog (ALX-0600, 0.1 microg, sc twice daily) (CH-G), or GLP-2 analog for 6 days prior to 5-FU and for 3 days afterward (G-CH-G). Animals were pair fed. Rats received 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (Br-dU, 50 mg/kg, 2.5 h prior to sacrifice on Day 3 postchemotherapy) for immunohistochemical assessment of cellular proliferation. RESULTS: Chemotherapy induced significant reductions in body weight, villus height, and crypt depth compared with controls. Intestinal wet weight, villus height, and crypt depth were significantly higher for the CH-G group compared with the Chemo group. The CH-G group also showed a significant improvement in villus height compared with the G-CH-G group. Crypt depth, but not jejunal wet weight or villus height, was significantly improved in the G-CH-G group compared with the Chemo group. The percentage of Br-dU-labeled cells in the intestinal crypts did not differ among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest, for the first time, that GLP-2 treatment initiated after chemotherapy administration enhances intestinal recovery. In contrast, GLP-2 treatment initiated prior to chemotherapy administration to prevent injury has less beneficial effect. GLP-2 administration may be beneficial to patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced enteritis.     

Surgery and Staging of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A 14-Year Experience

Background  

The aims of this study were to evaluate contemporary outcomes associated with the surgical management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and to assess the prognostic value of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification and TNM staging for PNETs.     

Retrovirally mediated RNA interference targeting the M2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase: A novel therapeutic strategy in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND: Ribonucleotide reductase M2 subunit (RRM2) overexpression enhances tumor chemoresistance and cellular invasiveness. We hypothesized that the RNA interference (RNAi) induced by retrovirally delivered small interfering RNA (siRNA) would sensitize pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells to gemcitabine and attenuate their invasive potential. METHODS: Stable suppression of RRM2 expression in PANC1, MIAPaCa2, BxPC3, and Capan2 cells was induced by exposure to a novel replication-deficient retrovirus, engineered to express RRM2-specific siRNA (psiRRM2), and confirmed by Western blot analysis. Single-base mismatch vector (psiControl) served as control. Ribonucleotide reductase activity was quantified, and gemcitabine 50% inhibitory concentrations were calculated. TUNEL staining and caspase profiling were performed after gemcitabine exposure. Cellular invasiveness was quantified in a Matrigel Boyden chamber. NF-kappaB activity and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and activity were measured. RESULTS: RRM2 expression was stably and specifically suppressed in psiRRM2, but not psiControl transfectants. psiRRM2 transfectants exhibited lower 50% inhibitory concentrations, increased gemcitabine-induced apoptosis, and greater caspase-3 activation, relative to psiControl transfectants. Invasiveness was attenuated in psiRRM2 transfectants, as was NF-kappaB activity, MMP-9 expression, and MMP-9 activity, relative to psiControl transfectants. CONCLUSIONS: RRM2 gene silencing attenuates pancreatic adenocarcinoma cellular invasiveness and gemcitabine chemoresistance. Retroviral siRNA delivery can efficiently induce stable RNAi, allowing dissection of gene function and potentially representing a new therapeutic modality.     

The Development and Evaluation of the Subaxial Injury Classification Scoring System for Cervical Spine Trauma

Background  

Fractures and dislocations of the subaxial cervical spine may give rise to devastating consequences. Previous algorithms for describing cervical trauma largely depend on retrospective reconstructions of injury mechanism and utilize nonspecific terminology which thus diminish their clinical relevance add to the difficulty of educating doctors and performing prospective research.