A simple synthesis of Ga2O3 and GaN nanocrystals

A simple top-down strategy to α-Ga₂O₃ and GaN nanocrystals is developed and the morphology-dependent optical properties of α-Ga₂O₃ crystals are established.

Insights into the catalytic cycle and activity of methanol-to-olefin conversion over low-silica AlPO-34 zeolites with controllable Brønsted acid density

The catalytic cycle and activity of methanol-to-olefin conversion over low-silica AlPO-34 zeolites can be effectively altered by changing the Brønsted acid density.

[Analysis of clinical predictive factors of pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical predictive factors associated with pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 87 patients with rectal cancer, who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery from April 2007 to May 2015. All patients received pelvic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (50 Gy/25 fractions) with concurrent fluorouracil- based chemotherapy and then underwent radical surgery 4-8 weeks later. The clinical factors associated with pCR or non-pCR were analyzed by Logistic regression.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients had completed treatment, of which 15 patients (18.1%) achieved pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Univariate analysis showed non-diabetes(P=0.033), pre-chemoradiotherapy plasma glucose(≤6.1 mmol/L)(P=0.033), pre-chemoradiotherapy CEA(≤5 μg/L)(P=0.026), pre- chemoradiotherapy plasma lymphocytes count(≤1.5×10(9)/L)(P=0.042), pre- chemoradiotherapy plasma platelet(≤240×10(12))(P=0.043), tumor pathological type(adenocarcinoma)(P=0.036)were significantly correlated with pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer. Logistic regression revealed that non-diabetes, pre-chemoradiotherapy plasma glucose, pre-chemoradiotherapy CEA(≤5 μg/L), pre-chemoradiotherapy plasma lymphocytes count(≤1.5×10(9)/L), tumor pathological type(adenocarcinoma) were independent predictive factors of pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer.

CONCLUSION

Patients with non-diabetes, normal plasma glucose, normal CEA, lower plasma lymphocytes count and adenocarcinoma were associated with pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Al-free Fe-beta as a robust catalyst for selective reduction of nitric oxide by ammonia

Al-free Fe-beta prepared via a post-synthesis solid-state metallation route is established as an active and durable catalyst for NH₃-SCR.

Genome-wide analysis of the GRAS gene family in physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.)

GRAS proteins play vital roles in plant growth and development. Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) was found to have a total of 48 GRAS family members (JcGRAS), 15 more than those found in Arabidopsis. The JcGRAS genes were divided into 12 subfamilies or 15 ancient monophyletic lineages based on the phylogenetic analysis of GRAS proteins from both flowering and lower plants. The functions of GRAS genes in 9 subfamilies have been reported previously for several plants, while the genes in the remaining 3 subfamilies were of unknown function; we named the latter families U1 to U3. No member of U3 subfamily is present in Arabidopsis and Poaceae species according to public genome sequence data. In comparison with the number of GRAS genes in Arabidopsis, more were detected in physic nut, resulting from the retention of many ancient GRAS subfamilies and the formation of tandem repeats during evolution. No evidence of recent duplication among JcGRAS genes was observed in physic nut. Based on digital gene expression data, 21 of the 48 genes exhibited differential expression in four tissues analyzed. Two members of subfamily U3 were expressed only in buds and flowers, implying that they may play specific roles. Our results provide valuable resources for future studies on the functions of GRAS proteins in physic nut.

Tungsten oxide single crystal nanosheets for enhanced multichannel solar light harvesting

Substoichiometric tungsten oxide single-crystal nanosheets are successfully prepared via the exfoliation of layered tungstic acid and subsequent introduction of oxygen vacancies. The combination of different strategies, i.e., 2D-structure construction, the introduction of surface oxygen vacancies, and the creation of localized surface plasmon resonance can promote the light-harvesting performance of tungsten oxide through accumulative and synergistic effects.

Evidence of rutile-to-anatase photo-induced electron transfer in mixed-phase TiO2 by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

The evidence of rutile-to-anatase photo-induced electron transfer in mixed-phase TiO₂ is obtained using solid-state NMR spectroscopy with ethanol as a probe molecule.

More than 10 years survival with sequential therapy in a patient with advanced renal cell carcinoma: a case report

Although radical nephrectomy alone is widely accepted as the standard of care in localized treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), it is not sufficient for the treatment of metastatic RCC (mRCC), which invariably leads to an unfavorable outcome despite the use of multiple therapies. Currently, sequential targeted agents are recommended for the management of mRCC, but the optimal drug sequence is still debated. This case was a 57-year-old man with clear-cell mRCC who received multiple therapies following his first operation in 2003 and has survived for over 10 years with a satisfactory quality of life. The treatments given included several surgeries, immunotherapy, and sequentially administered sorafenib, sunitinib, and everolimus regimens. In the course of mRCC treatment, well-planned surgeries, effective sequential targeted therapies and close follow-up are all of great importance for optimal management and a satisfactory outcome.

Understanding the effect of surface/bulk defects on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2: anatase versus rutile

The sole effect of surface/bulk defects of TiO2 samples on their photocatalytic activity was investigated. Nano-sized anatase and rutile TiO2 were prepared by hydrothermal method and their surface/bulk defects were adjusted simply by calcination at different temperatures, i.e. 400-700 °C. High temperature calcinations induced the growth of crystalline sizes and a decrease in the surface areas, while the crystalline phase and the exposed facets were kept unchanged during calcination, as indicated by the characterization results from XRD, Raman, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, TEM and UV-Vis spectra. The existence of surface/bulk defects in calcined TiO2 samples was confirmed by photoluminescence and XPS spectra, and the surface/bulk defect ratio was quantitatively analyzed according to positron annihilation results. The photocatalytic activity of calcined TiO2 samples was evaluated in the photocatalytic reforming of methanol and the photocatalytic oxidation of α-phenethyl alcohol. Based on the characterization and catalytic results, a direct correlation between the surface specific photocatalytic activity and the surface/bulk defect density ratio could be drawn for both anatase TiO2 and rutile TiO2. The surface defects of TiO2, i.e. oxygen vacancy clusters, could promote the separation of electron-hole pairs under irradiation, and therefore, enhance the activity during photocatalytic reaction.